2012 Christmas Card

Blog Update

I've got a lot of pictures to post to update this blog.  Now that I'm primary president I've been using a lot of my free time figuring out my new calling.  But here's an update with photos of what we've been up to lately.

Ava won the photography award in her division in the Reflections contest at school.  She got that trophy, certificate and a necklace.  She was super happy!

 Now that it's December, Blinky our Elf is out and about, getting into mischief while we sleep.  He took a barbie out on a date the other night.

These pictures below are from Cornbelly's.  That was way back in October but I forgot to post them.  We always have fun going every year.

Luke took the girls shopping around Halloween time at Costco.  They both wanted to wear their witch hats and they were mesmorized by watching The Avengers on the super nice TV's there.

Luke and I dressed up for Halloween in inflatable clown and baby costumes.  We only wore them for about 20 minutes but they were a big hit at the Ferrin's Halloween party.

From Halloween straight to Christmas.  We walked through the Lights at Temple square the day after Thanksgiving.  It's a nice way to kick off the holiday season.

 Walking through City Creek was one of my favorite things.  It's gorgeous!  I love how they've decorated and lit the whole area.  It's an experience just walking through.

Back to Halloween.  We carved our pumpkins together for family night.  The pumpkins are in order.  Luke's is the scary one below.  Then Ava's pumpkin (she chose the design) and Tess's pumpkin (she wanted hers to be smiling and happy.)

On Thanksgiving Day Luke and I went and saw the new Bond movie Skyfall.  It was awesome to go out to a movie date!

This is the first time I voted and here's what the line looked like.  Luckily it was a beautiful day outside.

We've had a really warm and beautiful Fall this year.  Really only one snowstorm and Luke took this picture of it in the parking lot at work one night.

Lest We Forget

I absolutely love Remembrance Day in Canada.  When I think about everyone wearing their poppies it is one of the few times that I still feel homesick.  In my opinion Remembrance Day is one of the most patriotic days in Canada.  I love the spirit of unity when everywhere you look you see a beautiful red poppy.  My 5th grade teacher had our class memorize the poem, "In Flanders Fields, written by John McCrae, which is the inspiration for the poppy as a national symbol.  I've always loved that poem and I've remembered it the rest of my life.

The USA celebrates Veterans Day, but it's not the same here.  I don't feel that spirit of unity and there is a specialness missing.  I'm glad the USA gives a day to honor veterans, but I feel like Remembrance Day is so much more.  Even in just the name, Remembrance Day.  It's a day to remember our national history, and our shared world history.  We can learn from the past, the wars that have been fought and lives lost do not need to be repeated.  I take Remembrance Day as a day to look into my own past and remember the important lessons I've learned.  I don't want to repeat the same mistakes over and over again, so it's important to remember.   Remember the promises I've made, remember what's truly important in life, remember those who've given the ultimate sacrifice, their own life.  When I think of sacrifice, I can't help but think of the sacrifice of our Savior.  He laid down His life for each of us, that we might find joy on earth and through our covenants find our way back to live with Him again.  I remember Him on Remembrance Day.

Thoughts on America

America is the greatest nation on earth and I believe truly the hope of all the earth.  We are not a perfect nation.  In the past we've sought for and achieved a level of excellence in the world that is undeniable.  I love America's history and her founding.  In the Doctrine and Covenants we know that the Lord had a hand in founding our great nation.  D&C 101:80 reads, "And for this purpose have I established the Constitution of this land, by the hands of wise men whom I raised up unto this very purpose, and redeemed the land by the shedding of blood." 

Recently, I've been less hopeful about our future.  I read the Book of Mormon every day and I can't help but compare our civilization to the Nephites.  At times they were righteous and were blessed, but when the majority of their people chose wickedness, they were not blessed and they were eventually destroyed.  The Lord let this happen to them.  Because he gives us our agency, we are free to choose life and liberty or death and destruction.  The same is true for individuals and nations.

Helaman 5:2 says, "For as their laws and their governments were established by the voice of the people, and they who chose evil were more numerous than they who chose good, therefore they were ripening for destruction, for the laws had become corrupted."

Right now our nation is polarized by those who want to stand up for freedom, tradition, and morality, and those who'd like to change the way we've done things, bringing in more government, bigger debts, less freedom, and looser morality.

The scriptures clearly state what will happen to us as a nation when we choose evil over good.  Our founding documents are good, and approved of by the Lord.  "And if the president heed them not, then will the Lord arise and come forth out of his hiding place, and in his fury vex the nation." (D&C 101:89)

"Pray ye therefore that their ears may be opened unto your cries, that I may be merciful unto them, that these things may not come upon them....That wise men and rulers may hear and know that which they have never considered." (D&C 101:92)

I've basically decided that talking politics won't change peoples minds or hearts, but maybe preaching the gospel will.  Luckily I have the opportunity to influence my two kids and teach them about the scriptures and how the choices we make will bring us more freedom and happiness or take away our freedom and leave us in bondage.  This applies physically, spiritually, and nationally.  At this point, I worry that America is heading down a path of wickedness that will lead to unhappiness, and ultimately bondage and destruction.  Collectively, as a nation, we are all in this together.  But when wickedness outnumbers good, what can we do?  Personally, I'm going to do all I can to maintain my individual righteousness, by having faith, daily repentance, and serving the Lord with all my heart, might, mind and strength.  I believe if we do those things, no matter what is happening around us, the Lord will bless us.

Halloween

We had a great month of October, celebrating Halloween all month long! Last night was fun with trick or treating, and the girls got tons of delicious candy.  One lady handed out quarters to the kids, which I'd never seen before.

Arches

We had a lot of fun at Arches this year.  The weather was great and we enjoyed our hikes, sitting by the campfire, and eating yummy food!

 Ava Tess and Grace all made it to Delicate Arch this year!

Tess is not the best hiker and she got pretty tired and decided to lay down for a while. 

This is on "moron mountain" on the way up to delicate.  It's a long way for the girls to go.

 We're all wearing our family Arches t-shirts made by Alice.  She did an awesome job and we got lots of compliments while hiking.

 Recognize this double arch from Indiana Jones III?  It's at the beginning.

 Our group campsite was in a great location this year.  

 Jill's magic fire.  

Ava became a Junior Ranger.  She did all the assignments, completed her booklet, and was sworn in on our last day at Arches.  She was really excited about it.