President Thomas S. Monson

On April 5, Thomas S. Monson was sustained as prophet, seer, revelator and president of our church (The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints) during a solemn assembly of Church members worldwide.

Henry B. Eyring was sustained as first counselor and Dieter F. Uchtdorf as second counselor in the First Presidency – the highest governing body of the Church.





The new First Presidency was named and introduced to the media in February but were officially sustained by Latter-day Saints worldwide Saturday during the first session of the Church’s annual general conference.

The following is a portion of the First Presidency Messgae from the April 2008 Ensign. President Monson has a wonderful way of sharing personal stories and teaching gospel principles. Here he shares an experience from his boyhood and gives us three pieces of valuable information to help us along our journey in life. He says:

"When I was a boy, I enjoyed reading Treasure Island, by Robert Louis Stevenson. I also saw adventure movies where several individuals had separate pieces of a well-worn map which led the way to buried treasure if only the pieces could be found and put together.

I recall listening to a 15-minute radio program each weekday afternoon—Jack Armstrong, the All-American Boy. As it began, a voice filled with mystery would emanate from the radio: “We now join Jack and Betty as they approach the fabulous secret entry to the elephants’ burial ground, where a treasure is concealed. But wait; danger lurks on the path ahead.” Nothing could tear me away from this program. It was as though I were leading the search for the hidden treasure of precious ivory.

At another time and in a different setting, the Savior of the world spoke of treasure. In His Sermon on the Mount, He declared:

“Lay not up for yourselves treasures upon earth, where moth and rust doth corrupt, and where thieves break through and steal:

“But lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust doth corrupt, and where thieves do not break through nor steal:

“For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.”1

The promised reward was not a treasure of ivory, gold, or silver. Neither did it consist of acres of land or a portfolio of stocks and bonds. The Master spoke of riches within the grasp of all—even joy unspeakable here and eternal happiness hereafter.

I wish to provide the three pieces of your treasure map to guide you to your eternal happiness. They are:

1. Learn from the past.

2. Prepare for the future.

3. Live in the present.



I know President Monson has been called by the Lord to serve as the prophet on the earth today. I suppose I forget what it is like to not know that there is a prophet on the earth. It has been 19 years since I joined the church. April 30 will be the anniversary of my baptismal day. Since that day, my life has been better. I have a purpose for living that extends beyond the here and now. I know where I came from why I am here and where I am going. I have a knowledge of my Heavenly Father and an understanding that I am his daughter. I know the Savior and recognize that without his atoning sacrifice, I would not exist. Life is a gift. Eternal happiness is my goal. LEARN from the past. PREPARE for the future. LIVE in the present.

Easter

"Jesus saith unto her, Woman, why weepest thou? Whom seekest thou? She supposing him to be the gardener, saith unto him, Sir, if thou have borne him hence, tell me where thou hast laid him, and I will take him away.
"Jesus saith unto her, Mary. She turned herself, and saith unto him, Rabboni; which is to say, Master."

The Easter story is a story of rejoicing. The tomb was empty on the third day. Christ had risen. I know that Christ lives. I know it is only through Him that we may rise after death. Death is not the end.



It was a beautiful Spring day! Pretty in Pink!



Corey was exploring and inspecting the critters that could be crawling in the grass.



Nicolas kept dodging the camera but, I finally got a few pics of him in his Easter Suit.

Laundry

I'm going to write a book (one day). It's going to be The Tricks of the Trade - Motherhood. I figure, I have four kids under four, I could become an expert on child-rearing (LOL). On a particular day, I was trying to accomplish some much needed house work. Mainly in the area of laundry. Oh, the laundry, how it piles up so quickly. The problem I have is keeping an eye on the kiddies while I fold and put away the laundry.



I have tried folding in their space (why I don't know). That did not work because my neatly folded piles were only knocked over, run over and destroyed by those who were doing what they do best - playing! I have tried to fold in the Laundry Room where certain hazards exist. That did not work because the party is of course where ever I am. Other times when I have tried to fold in the laundry room and the kids "play" elsewhere, they get into things, like my food pantry, or "wash" dishes at the kitchen sink only to bathe themselves and soak the floor, or pull the rods out of the wall from pulling, hanging and hiding in the draperies. And there are other stories, I know you have them too.



Anyway, I can't take credit for this one, the kids came up with it on their own. Why not give them the laundry baskets to play in? This was a fun game that they played long enough for me to make a dent in the mountain of pants, shirts, pajamas, socks and underwear. It was great! My theme for 2008 has been SIMPLIFY and you know what? It works.

Where Have I Been?

Well, I was missing an important device for several weeks. Without it I was in no mood to post because half the fun of blogging is having photos to post with the dialog, commentary and such. So, in my mad search and determination to find my (now) treasured item...I FOUND IT! This lesson has taught me to STOP procrastinating and get to finishing my Spring Cleaning/Decluttering/Mission Organization project. We'll see how I do.

White House Easter Egg Roll

This was my first time attending the Easter Egg Roll at the White House. We really enjoyed ourselves. I was amazed at how organized and orderly the whole event was. There were coloring activiites, story times, musical performances, Disney Personalities there, and lots more.



There were so many people there, I didn't dare take the kids out of the stroller. But they still enjoyed the ride and the scenery.



Corey was smiling at the dancers on stage singing silly songs about exercise and nutrition.



Nic was enjoying the dancing and music as well. It was a lot colder than we wanted but not too bad.



Daryl stood with Raggedy Ann and Andy for a photo. For my first birthday, my mom made me a life -size Raggedy Ann Doll. For Daryl's first birthday, I did the same for her.



It was a fun day and I recommend any who can attend to check it out.

Who Doesn't Love A Happy Baby?

I have always wanted to have a large family. I grew up with one sister and we had a ton of cousins as our parents were both the oldest of seven children. I loved getting together with everyone. It was fun as a kid. Now that I am a parent...having a large family is WAY more challenging than I EVER thought it would be. Sure, there are days when I think to myself, "what were you thinking!?!?" Then, there are days when I make my little boy laugh and smile and I think," How could I ever live without him". With each of my children, they bring an added dimension to my life that no other human or non-human thing on earth could ever give me. So, when I have a rough day and think I am going to lose my mind, I'll remember moments like this and many others to gain a proper perspective. It's ALL worth it.

I love you Spencer!

The Sound Of Music

Saturday, I was able to check off another item on my list of things to do in my my life. We obtained a piano. I begged my parents for piano lessons when I was between the ages of 12 and 14. My friend Anna played the piano and several other friends did and I wanted to play too. So, my wish came true. My parents found someone giving away a piano and that is what I got for Christmas that year along with lessons. It was great for the first six months and then basketball started to require more of my time. So, I would play more basketball and practice less piano. Well, guess which one won out? I have regretted it ever since. I don't regret my years immersed in basketball but I wish I would have found a way to do both (typical of me to try and squeeze one-more-thing into my life). So, I vowed that I would one day have a piano in my home and get back to playing no matter how basic it would be. Then, hoping that by having a piano in the home my children would have a desire to play. So far so good.