Listen With Your Heart to the Spirit

   D&C 8: 2-5 Yea, behold, I will tell you in your mind and in your heart, by the Holy Ghost, which shall come upon you and which shall dwell in your heart.   3 Now, behold, this is the spirit of revelation; behold, this is the spirit by which Moses brought the children of Israel through the Red Sea on dry ground.

 “Joseph Smith told us to watch for answers by paying attention to the thoughts and feelings that come into our minds. Over time we will learn to recognize these as promptings. . .Developing this capacity helps us gain testimonies and becomes the means for obtaining additional inspiration in the future.” -Allan F. Packer

"There is no end to the good we can do, to the influence we can have with others. .. Let us pray for strength; let us pray for capacity and desire to assist others. Let us radiate the light of the gospel at all times and all places, that the Spirit of the Redeemer may radiate from us." Gordon B. Hinckley

             Challenge:  Choose one of the following:

1)    Who is the Spirit prompting you to serve today? Do it!

2)    Is there something that the Spirit has testified to you this week? Record it in your journal!

                          Bonus Challenge:  Do them both!

How are you doing?  Have you done all the challenges?  Don't give up yet!

Listen When You Pray

D&C 90: 24, “Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good, if ye walk uprightly”

 “Learn to pray. Pray often. Pray in your mind, in your heart. Pray on your knees. Prayer is your personal key to heaven. The lock is on your side of the veil. And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with ‘Thy will be done’ (Matthew 6:10; see also Luke 11:2; 3 Nephi 13:10).” Boyd K. Packer, “

"Don't worry about your clumsily expressed feelings. Just talk to your compassionate, understanding Father. You are His precious child whom He loves perfectly and wants to help. As you pray, recognize that Father in Heaven is near and He is listening." Richard G. Scott

                                Challenge: 

Throughout the remainder of this week, as you conclude your prayers, spend an extra 2 minutes on your knees and just listen!  What is your Father in Heaven trying to tell you? 

1)    Is there something in your life you need to change?  Commit and begin to make the change TODAY!

2)    Is there a standard you really need to work on living?  Live it!

Book Signing

With excuses to those I have told......
We did a book signing Sat. morning at Seagull book in Brickyard.  Only one problem.....there were no books to sign.  Yep!  that's right!  They were out of our books and did not discover it til that morning.  The manager started phoning around trying to find some ---- finally found 10 copies out on Redwood Rd.  and sent her husband to get them.  In the meantime we just sat there -- (or I should say one of us sat there and one of us stood there)  You see, they only had a very SMALL table (with a Christmas tablecloth folded over many times).  Josie Kilpack was also there with her daughter.  The table could only accommodate 2 people so her daughter sat on the floor and we took turns sitting.  They didn't even have another chair in the place!  No signage, no mention of us in their catelog, no announcements, nothing.  We just stood there by the Christmas table, smiling, pretending like we belonged!

Finally 10 books arrived. We signed them, sold them and left.
We were SO happy we cleaned up on a Sat. morning and took 3 hours out of our day.  So NOT worth it!

K & R

PS.  I have contacted DB and suggested they give this little store some help!

WHAT ARE YOU LISTENING TO ?

D & C 25:12 “For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads.”

13^th Article of Faith, “If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.”

“A wise man once said, ‘Music is one of the most forceful instruments for governing the mind.’ Whether it governs in a positive way or a negative way is determined by what it brings onto the stage of your mind. If you can say that a song is spiritually inspiring or that it urges you to see yourself in a more noble perspective, the music is worthwhile. If it merely entertains or lifts your spirits, then it also has a useful place. But if it makes you want to respond in a carnal, sensual way or to consider unrighteous desires, then that music should be avoided. It is not worthy.” Boyd K. Packer


                                                                           Challenge:


    Turn everything off, but Church music for the day.


                       Bonus Challenge:

Listen only to Church music for the rest of the week!


C'mon...James is doing it...so can you!

LISTEN TO YOUR LANGUAGE!

1 Timothy 4:12 "let no man despise they youth, but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity."

The time has come when we must take an unyielding stand. We must shore up our spiritual underpinnings, listen to the prophets of God, and follow their counsel.Said Paul to Timothy: “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind. Be not thou therefore ashamed of the testimony of our Lord.” (2 Timothy 1:7–8.)It requires courage to make good choices, even when others around us choose differently. As we make righteous choices day by day in little things, the Lord will strengthen us and help us choose the right during more difficult times. W. Craig Zwick

Your language says a lot about you; and it may or may not invite the spirit to be with you.  If swearing isn't a problem for you, YAHOO! BUT, there is always room for improvement!  Do speak sarcastically, or rudely to or about others?  Do you speak crudely or use "potty talk"? 


                             TODAY'S CHALLENGE
  

Eliminate ONE word or phrase from your language for the day.

BONUS CHALLENGE:   Eliminate it for the rest of the week!

Can you do it??????  Can you listen louder?????

RECIPES

I got these 2 recipes from RS and thought I would pass them along.  We had the pasta last week and it was a hit with the fam.  Can't wait to try it again with artichoke hearts in it!  Yum, yum!  It was super easy.

I haven't tried the punch recipe but I think Kath should try it with all those cucumbers she has in her garden.  It sounds like it could be good.

Happy Cooking!

CREAMY CHICKEN PASTA

2 c. uncooked pasta (penne, ziti or bowtie)

1 can chicken broth

1/2 bag fresh spinach chopped (I didn't really chop mine)

1 t. garlic

1/2 t. pepper

3 boneless chicken breasts

1 block cream cheese (8oz.--I used lowfat)

1/2 red pepper, sliced

1 t. salt

1/2 c. grated parmesan cheese

Cook pasta.  Slice chicken breats into 1" cubes.  In a large skillet, heat half the can of chicken broth and add chicken, turning pieces for 5-7 minutes until no longer pink inside.  Add cream cheese, remaining half of broth, gralic, salt & pepper.  Heat 3-5 minutes until cream cheese has melted.  Add spinach and red pepper.  Cook an additional 2-3 minutes.  Toss drained pasta with check and veggie mixture.  Sprinkle with grated parmesan. 

CUCUMBER PUNCH

1 full size cucumber

1 46 oz. can pineapple juice

1 46 oz. can/bottle apple juice

2 pkgs. Kool-Aid pink lemonad and required sugar (2 cups)

Peel cucumber and cut it lengthwise into 4 pices and cut out seeds.  Puree cucumber in blender.  In large punch bowl combine juices & lemonade.  Stir in cucmber puree.  Add a couple of drops of red food coloring until punch is pale watermelon colored.  Add ice ring or a few ice cubes.  Serves 28 (8 oz) servings.

From the chef:  "This punch has a fresh taste & is healthier than other punch because of the cucmber & because it has no soda pop in it.  (You can tell your kids it's called Watermelon Punch if they don't like cucumbers.)"

ENJOY!!

--Angie Shmo

LISTEN TO YOUR PARENTS

 Proverbs 19:20 "Hear counsel, and receive instruction, that thou mayest be wise."    
Proverbs 1:8  "My son, hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother."

"One of the greatest blessings of the plan is that we are organized into families.  You have parents whose greater wisdom and experience will help you reach your divine potential.  Trust them. They want the best for you."  Mary N. Cook

"Let us lower our voices in our homes.  Let love abound and find expression in our actions. May we walk the quiet ways of the Lord, and may prosperity crown our labors."  Gordon B. Hinckley            

                Today's Challenge

For FHE tonight, really listen to your parents. As part of FHE do the activity below.  What can you learn from your parents?  How can you honor them?  Take the time today to write them a note of gratitude.

                     

Listen to your Parents 

Family Home Evening Activity

Children of all ages, learn to listen, and listen to learn from parents …. Please have faith in this scripture, which applies to all age groups: “Hear the instruction of thy father, and forsake not the law of thy mother.” (Prov. 1:8.)  Russell M. Nelson, “Listen to Learn,” Ensign, May 1991

Choose at least five of the following questions to questions to ask your parents—then listen carefully to learn from their wisdom and experience.

·        What was a piece of advice you remember your mom or dad giving you when you were my age?

·        What is a gospel habit you cultivated as a youth, that has been a comfort and of worth as an adult?

·        Tell me about a hardship you faced and what you learned from it.

·       

·        What advice would you give about fitting in and not folding in?

·        Tell me about a time in your life when you had to make an important decision and how you made it.

·        What is an important lesson you learned from serving a mission?

·        Tell me about a friend who had an impact on your life?

·        What is something new you would like to learn how to do?

·        What do you think is one of your greatest character strengths?

·        What do you think is one of my greatest character strengths?

·        Tell me about a time when you felt the hand of the Lord in your life.

·        What can I do now so that I will have no or few regrets in the future?

Standards Week 2010 Listen Louder

This week is our Standards Week for the youth.  They have daily challenges.  I will post the challenges here, feel free to participate with us! 

Why Listen Louder? 

Listening involves more than just hearing with our ears, it involves the mind and heart and usually, change, and it involves action!  Laman and Lemuel heard an angel....
Alma the younger and the Sons of Mosiah listened  to an angel...and it caused a change of heart! 

Mrs. Plunkett, the high school principal was visiting her grandchildren in NYC last February.  One Saturday morning she got up early and took a walk with her young granddaughter.  It was a beautiful morning, almost springlike, but in NYC, not a quiet morning.  They stopped on a street corner to get some juice and sat on bench nearby underneath a small tree.  There was a lot of commotion on the street, cars, horns, music, construction, and lots of people.  Her granddaughter turned her and said, "grandma, do you hear that, listen.."  Mrs. Plunkett responded that she could hear the cars and horns. Her granddaughter said, "no grandma, do you hear, listen..."  Mrs. Plunkett could hear the construction and the music, but still her grandaughter persisted, "no grandma...LISTEN..."  Mrs. Plunkett named everything she could hear at which point her granddaughter hopped off the bench, took her face in her hands and turned her head to look at the branch of the tree just above her head, where a small bird was singing away!  Her granddaughter then stomped her foot and said, "grandma, you need to learn to Listen Louder"!

"We live in a noisy, contentious world, where it is possible tto be viewing or listening to information, music or even pure nonsense virtually every waking hour.  If we want to Have the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, we must find time to slow down, ponder, pray and live so we are worthy to recieve and act upon His promptings."  Quentin L. Cook

Today's Challenge:

Listen to your leaders...
What did you hear today the inspired or touched you?  Record it in your journal.

Week Long Challenge:

Set a daily scripture study goal, and pray morning and evening.



Remember to Listen Louder!

posted by the Blair Clan

Pictures!

Just wanted to share some pictures from the most wonderful time of the year.

These are just A FEW, there are so many more, but I think these do a pretty good job of capturing what visiting family and the BB is all about.

 

This one is my favorite

Flu Shots

Last night we went to Smiths to get our flu shots.
They did not have them at the Urgent Care and sent us to the Pharmacy
BIG MISTAKE!
First we filled out forms then waited....and waited.....and waited! Finally the man came out to ask which arm we wanted them in....(like it mattered)
And then we waited.....and waited.....and waited!
Finally the pharmacist came for us....a young girl, who looked rather nervous and acted more so!
It took her a minute or two to get the band aid ready and find the needle. Finally she was ready.....swabbed the left arm and began to insert the needle. She winced as it went in...slowly and methodically while she was lamented about how she hated these needles -- they sent the wrong kind -- she liked the others so much better.
The minute she was finished she began..
"Do you feel faint, are you nauseated, do you feel dizzy, sit down if you need to, when I had my shot I almost passed out! Breath deeply and move slowly"
By the time she had finished, she was beginning to make me feel sick!.
I had to help her get the cap back on the needle so she could dispose of it!
Richard was next -- same routine! Slowly shove it in while she is wincing -- anxious questions about his general health.
She was much worse than the shot.
Moral of the story -- have your flu shot by a nurse or phebotomist -- not a pharmacist! But have it!!!

Our Amazing Fam

(This is my 1st ever blog post....and I'm doing it without any help from Megan or Daniel....which is pretty amazing in and of itself!  Yay Angie Shmo!)

So I've spent the last 2 weekends with this cute 27 yr old newlywed.  As we were working, I kept stopping to send Daniel one of his 18 texts for his Birthday.  At one point I told her what I was doing.  When she found out my sister instigated it and got so many family members to join in, she was amazed!  "You have such a great family!  I can't believe they're doing that for your son".  Later, I was reading one of Kate's Zion Covenant books (thanks, Kate!).  She asked what I was reading.  I told her it's a series that I borrowed from my niece.  "Wow!  Your family is amazing!  You get book ideas from your niece and your bros and sisters send texts to your son!  I love how close you are!" 

She doesn't know the HALF of it.

But it did lead me to thinking---aren't we so lucky that we have each other?  And that we enjoy each other?  (Most of the time.) 

So keep sending texts and lending books....and keep being AMAZING!

William Arthur Wright

On Sunday we had Will's baby blessing!

I think we can all agree that the Wright's have the cutest kids ever.

For those of you that weren't there, you were missed!

Shmo Princess made a wonderful meal, of course, she is the party thrower!

Maybe next Wright child we can all be together...

manventure

click

posted by fanny

Try Again!!!

Ok, here we go again...  I'll attempt to post a few pics now that I'm on the computer although I'm still a little challenged cause now I'm holding a grumpy baby!

We went to the RSL game Saturday at 2:00 in the afternoon...  Sunny, Hot but tons of fun!!!

These were all taken with my phone so none of them are great...

Pretty cute little cardinal!!!

Ok, I'm slowly figuring this out!  I'm not making any promises, I may get better, I may not!  I don't have time to do these things!!!!!!!!!!!!!


Posted by Shmo P

4 eyes times 2

The twins got glasses a few weeks ago and we've now finally gotten around to showing them off!  I know I'm biased, but I think they look pretty darn cute on them!

Emilie got deep purple (on) and black in the same style

Ada got brown (on) and purple in the same style

Hard!!

So I've never done this and I'm trying to do it from my phone which is making it even more difficult!! I really have nothing to say! I do have some pictures to post but let's see if I can even figure out how to do that!!

Nope don't know how!! How do you put pics on here??

The exhausted management...

Trying

The part of my brain that is equiped to memorized has atrophied!  Maybe even fried!  However, in an attempt to restore it, I shall engage it in the process of memorizing the Living Christ.  Send your Karma this way......I shall need it!

Bryant at the MTC

A Challenge!

To all family members,
the Blair's have a challenge for you!

At our FHE last week ( yes we have it.....) we read this article:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=295f321a03faa210VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD


(Sept. Ensign page 8 Bringing Christ into our Home)

We decided if a 4 year old could memorize The Living Christ, so could we.....thus our challenge...

Can your family memorize The Living Christ ???

Here are two links to help you get started:

http://www.sugardoodle.net/joomla/index.php?option=com_content&task=view&id=4237&Itemid=429

this link has cards breaking it into 12 segments

http://www.mormonshare.com/lds-clipart/the-living-christ-memorization-activity

This link has pictures to help.

Post here and let us know if you are up to the challenge!

Daniel

Happy Birthday Daniel!

                  18 today!

What are you doing to celebrate?

                   WE LOVE YOU

BRYANT (per grandma's request)

Ok I have a lot to write about this week surprisingly.

First off the MTC is great. I love it here. I don't know why anyone ever complains about this place. How can you? I feel so in tune with the spirit I wouldn't be anywhere else.

Oh and what have you heard about the visas????  Everyone knows that Elder Hinckley called me one time and thinks my fam is now 'friends' with him, haha.  So they get all their info about visas from me.  Sorry to say that I start all the rumors,  It's funny ,I tell one person the same thing you told me, and then by the time it get back around to me its completely different haha,  but what is happening with visas...no one is hearing anything??? find out more details please,

OK Saturday we could hear the cries from Babylon.  We could hear the BYU game all day, music, cheering everything. sooo yea that was fun haha.

We lost both our teachers this week, they are getting transferred to another district.  This happened already before, which is a shame cause I really loved those guys. But I'm sure the new ones will be great.

Have I told you the story how I was tested for Aids?  Well if not I'll make it quick.  I guess when I was passed out a nurse took some blood from me then pricked his finger with my blood.  So the health services called me in (this was a few weeks ago) and say "bla bla bla we need to do an HIV test on you" hahahahahaha I lost it. I was like yea that's fine just let me go tell my comp what's going on, this is way too funny to have him sit in the waiting room and not know what's going on.  They tested me for Aids and of course, I was clean. funny though right? I never thought I'd be tested for Aids in my life! Let alone in MTC!

Speaking of illnes,.  Disease has become rampant at the MTC.  I'm talking like Winter Quarters pioneer rampant.  Let me explain. My district has 11 people in it.  One day one woke up sick,  the next day 3 were sick, then 4.  I mean like they were coming to class and stuff but they were coughing and drooling, sneezing and gross-ing. It was bad.  So I was like ok let's all go to the health clinic because no one was 100%. except for me of course,( my immune system is a fortress! ) so we go in there, turns out they all have the flu!  Maybe swine, maybe bird flu, who is to say.  Long story short they had to test the whole district.  They did me last, let me tell you what happened.  4 people came up "flu positive" before me.  I kid you not this is what went down.  They put one of those health masks over their face, and then security led them to go get some clothes and stuff and took them into "quarantine"  I mean it's kinda funny. They go down to this room in the basement of one of the building and watch church movies all day and sleep until they are better.  Rumor has it that its pretty awesome down there, but we can't visit them and security brings them food and mail, but we do get to skype them which is cool.  Anyway I didn't want to get quarantined.  This was like straight out of movie!  Anyway this is how they tested you.  They took a long ear swab thingy, about the lenghth of your hand, a little longer even, tilted your head back and shove it up your nose!!! It hurt! And it tickled in pain all at the same time.  So when they did it to me what happened is this:  I started laughing hysterically, like a mad man, not a real laugh, a crazy man laugh,  Then they must of hit a reflex and tears started rolling down my face.  The nurse messed up on me and put it up too far  up so blood started flooding out of my nose, so she had to try again.  Now if you can imagine this, the entire waiting room watching me as I am laughing hysterically like a mad man, tears coming down my face, and blood streaming out of my nose.  They were probably thinking "this guy has mad cow disease, no wonder his entire district is getting quarantined..."  In short they made the healthy side of our district get on some super anti flu drug!.  Funniest part about this whole story, I'm not making any of it up!

 

Anyway I was clea, as always.  It's funny though, anywayyyyyyy

I am doing everything I can to stay healthy and not get dizzy, taking my pills with a smile.  Doing everything I can to prepare for Mexico.  I want to look these doctors in the eye at the end and say I am ready for Mexico.  I have done everything I could  and I am. I'm taking the pills, getting all my sleep, working as hard as I can, pushing my self to the max,  working hard, running workouts during part of gym, and eating all 3 meals covered in Tabasco sauce!  I'm not kidding about that either.  It was gross at first but I need to prepare for Mexico.  My taste buds are being burned off haha.

 

Anyway I love the MTC.  Thanks to all for the many packages.  My roommates love it almost more than I do.  The MTC is great. Missions are great.  I want everyone to have this experience because it is awesome.  I know I am where I am supposed to be.  The Book of Mormon is so awesome!!!  I wish I had more time to read it.  It is so true its not even a question.  I love this church. It's so complete and so true and I am lucky to be a part of it and especially lucky to be a part of this work.  Until next week I love you all so much.  Choose the right, be happy, Pray Always

Love

-Elder Blair

Giving Blood

Meg,
I feel your pain.  The difference between you and me is that you succeeded.  Not so with me.  One try - one failure - never again.
By the way, what is your blood type, just in case I ever need any!

Peter and I

Peter and I donated blood today.

He was amazing at it, me, not so much.

If you would like to read my story head over 

HERE

-megan

we are such cute cousins!

 

I LOVE IT!

Thanks to Meg, we are in business.  Begin posting now.  Report any Provident Living progress on the blog.  Let us know what is going on in your life.  How is school, sports, music, dance, family, friends, life! 
Here is a question?  Who can answer it....
Who was the first prophet to teach Provident Living?
Have a happy day laboring!

Welcome to the blog...

Family,

Here it is.

Post as you may...I will send the details in an email but it really is not that hard!

Feel free to make changes if you would like!

Is anyone else missing Bryant as much as me?!

I

LOVE

this picture.

posted by megan.