How my testimony become real to me.

Last Sunday I was blessed to be in Phoenix and attend church services with my Mother and sister, Randi Sue.  Our lesson that day was Lifelong Conversion: Continuing to Advance in the Principles of Truth.  The question was asked, "How did your testimony become real for you?"  I have pondered this question and would like to share the experience.

The summer of 1972 I chose to read the Book of Mormon for the first time.  I knew many of the stories from attending church classes, but had never read the Book of Mormon cover to cover.  I do not remember when I gained my testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon, but I do remember the experience.

I was lying on my bed reading 1 Nephi 11.  The account of Nephi's vision of the Tree of Life.  In this vision Nephi tells of seeing "a virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins" (1 Nephi 11:15) and that "the virgin whom thou seest is the mother of the Son of God" (1 Nephi 11:18).  I remember the most incredible feeling of peace came over me as the Holy Spirit bore witness that these words written six hundred years before the birth of Christ were true, and that The Book of Mormon is the word of God.  Then I experienced the domino effect of this truth.  Nephi is a prophet of God and saw in vision "the mother of the Son of God and learns of the condescension of God."  Therefore the Book of Mormon is the word of God.  Joseph Smith translated the Book of Mormon by the gift and power of God, therefore he is a prophet of God.  These things being true, then The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as restored by Joseph Smith is the church of Jesus Christ on the earth today.

I don't remember ever putting the Moroni 10:4* challenge to the test, and receiving the conformation of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon from the Holy Ghost that  some people talk about. There were times following this experience that my testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel was challenged and waivered.  At one particular time I decided to do as Moroni 10:4 admonished and pray to receive that "burning" conformation that the Book of Mormon is true.  As I knelt in prayer and asked my Heavenly Father for this witness, the scripture in Doctrine and Covenants 6:23 came to my mind.  "Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter?  What greater witness can you have than from God?'

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lords church on the earth today.  I know this through the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. When worldly doubts come to my mind I choose to remember these experiences and the feelings I received while reading 1 Nephi 11.


* "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost."

Won't make this again....

I have been impressed with the goals of others for the new year.  Mine are very simple.  Improve my scripture study methods and schedule.  Make a monthly menu.  AND make the monthly recipe from my 2013 Gooseberry Patch calander.

 

The January recipe is for Butterscotch-Pecan Pull-Aparts. 

  

The plan was to have the grandkids help make them this past weekend.  Sadly Grant and Cami were not feeling up to par and didn't want to help. I was able to get them to count out the eighteen rolls we needed. The recipe is super simple using frozen rolls, butterscotch pudding, brown sugar, nuts and butter.  I won't be making this recipe again UNLESS we are having company.  I loved them and ate more than my share :)  They have a stickly bun flavor with a soft carmel sauce.  I made them on Saturday night, let them rise in the refrigerator over night and baked them for breakfast Sunday morning.  DELICIOUS!!!!

PS-I also have a goal of writing a blog......twice?... a month.  Don't hold your breath, but you could cross your fingers.  (Now lets hope that I remembered how to do this.)

Super Saturday

We had a very busy, fun filled and productive Saturday.  I started with a bike ride with my friend Mary.  When schedules permit we try to ride on Saturday mornings (it's been 6-8 weeks sincere our last ride)  We ride about 8 miles and talk ALOT.  After I got home I started cutting out a dress for Alison and visited with her on the phone. 

Grant, Cami and Kara came over about 9am to spend the day at Grandma's House.  We played together and built a sheet tent in the backyard.  We enjoyed a lunch of peanut butter and jelly sandwiches in the tent with Grant, Cami, Morgan, Spencer, Shelby, Papa and Grandma.  Grant made MAGIC COOKIES, it's fast becoming a family tradition.  Papa started it.  Grant makes cookies with play dough.  Places them in a container, places the container in a cold oven, sets a timer and goes off to play.  After approximately 10 minutes Grant checks the oven (always with adult supervision)  the play dough cookies have MAGICALLY turned into REAL COOKIES!  Papa has the best oven! 

Papa spent his morning digging post holes at our house, service projecting for Ward members, servicing our cooler, hardware shopping with Grand, grilling pork roasts for Morgan and Spencer's reception and making Ice Cream to go on top of the Chocolate Bundt Cake that Rachel brought to share.  Grant happily taste tested the ice cream when it was done.  We love our Cuisinart ice cream maker.  It has a wonderful opening at the top, just the right size to stick a spoon in (with supervision).

Papa willingly shared this ice cream with Kara. 

I also visited with Bethany on the phone.  She was pattern and fabric shopping.  Sewing dresses for my younger daughters is fast becoming my new hobby.  At least that is what Bethany is hoping.  We also visited with Mark and Rachel.  It was a Super family day!

Alison Graduates

Neuroscience has been Alison's passion since her surgery 7 years ago to remove a brain tumor.  One of the side affects of surgery was a neurosurgeon who encouraged her to attend BYU.  His encouragement was successful.  Alison graduated from Brigham Young University this week with a Bachelors of Neuroscience degree.

Randy, Shelby and I flew to Salt Lake City early Thursday morning.  Alison picked us up at the airport after finishing her last exam that morning.  We attended two separate Convocations.  The first one on Thursday afternoon with the entire BYU graduating class.  Elder Dallin H. Oaks was the speaker.  Friday the very large class of life sciences received their diplomas.  Connie and her family attended the Friday convocation.  Friday evening we were invited to Connie and Dennis' home in Eagle Mountain where we enjoyed a wonderful dinner and time with family. 

As part of the graduation festivities Alison gave us a tour of her favorite building.

We enjoyed Shelby's company on the trip.

 One of Alison's goals was to hike to the top of the Y.  Early Saturday morning drove to the trail head and HIKED!  It's a 1.17 mile hike with an elevation change of 1074 feet.

It took me 40 minutes to hike it.  The BYU students were much faster. 

 (The Bisbee 1000 is a piece of cake after doing this)

It only took 15 minutes to go down the mountain.

We had a wonderful three days in Provo.  It was great to spend time with Alison.  We shopped, talked, ate and Randy fixed!  Alison's car runs much better now.  We returned home late Saturday night.  I miss you Alison and looked forward to your visit next month.  Alison plans on enjoying the summer in Provo to finish the requirements for her minor degree in Nonprofit Management.

Morgan's Shower

April 14th Rachel hosted a Bridal Shower for Morgan.  It was held at the Packer Home. 

We enjoyed visiting with family,

 Time with friends,

And

Wonderful Food.

Rachel served Mexican food (mini chimis, taquitos, tacos, beans, chips and salsa) along with cream puffs and brownies.  Very yummy!

I have been sewing this month.  In addition to Morgan's wedding dress I made her an apron with the wedding dress fabric.

I also made Spencer a tuxedo apron.

Randy and I are also busy preping the backyard for the Open House we will have at the end of May

We have planted flowers.

We also have planted berries.  Strawberries in the front underneath the Plum tree and Raspberries in the back.  The berries are not intended to beautify the yard for the wedding celebration.  We just wanted them for future enjoyment.

Signs of Spring

Signs of Spring, but the joke is on me.  A couple of days ago I was outside enjoying a warm beautiful day.  I noticed that....

 the grape vines were leafing out,

 the sweet peas had started blossoming,

the Iris were blooming,

and my geranium was flourishing in its new home.

Today it is windy and rainy.  Snow is predicted tomorrow at 3000 feet.

Gotta love an Arizona Spring!



Grandma Time

Grant had a doctors appointment today, so I got to have granddaughter time.  Kara is growing so very quickly.  She is up on her hands and knees alot. We tried to get a picture of it. But each time we tried she would lunge forward in an attempt to get the camera.  You will just have to trust the she was on her hands and knees.