All things denote there is a God...

But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of all these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.
~Alma 30:44

Provo Canyon Trail... It never gets old no matter the season. It wasn't the same without Christopher but still reminds me of the beauty of God's creation. All things do denote there is a God, a Supreme Creator. 

Last day of February and last basketball game...

The weather was so nice on the last of day February. We enjoyed playing outside with Colby, Grey, and Grahm. It was wonderful be out in the fresh air and sunshine. 

We played a fun new game too, the tokens look like lifesavers! Grey has learned a lot about strategy! 

Sorry Colbs that I got another picture while you were eating. But I like seeing you enjoying dinner. The corn was early but it was good! 

Grahm always likes to show me his papers from school. His favorite season is summer because there's no school and he can have ice cream! 

I think it was fitting that Mark got to coach Grahm's last basketball game of the season. We have really enjoyed Saturday mornings watching Grahm play. He was happy he got two baskets. At this age the kids don't want to pass the ball because they want to score. But two times Grahm passed the ball to his friend Austin and he got a basket both times. I love that Grahm is a team player. It was also sweet watching Mark and Colby warm up with Grahm before the game. 

Grahm took a lot of these pictures! 

We love you Grahm!

Only 8,790 miles away...

Christopher is back in Singapore for a few days. It's a beautiful place and he has had a another good experince there. It's just a mere 8,790 miles for home.

Another fun fact about Singapore:

In 1992, the government of Singapore banned chewing gum. This move was a reaction to littering - used gum left on sidewalks and under park benches, for example - as well as vandalism. Gum chewers occasionally stuck their gum on elevator buttons or on the sensors of commuter train doors, causing messes and malfunctions.

Singapore has a uniquely strict government, as well as a reputation for being clean and green (eco-friendly). Therefore, the government simply banned all chewing gum. The ban was loosened slightly in 2004 when Singapore negotiated a free-trade agreement with the United States, allowing for tightly-controlled imports of nicotine gum to help smokers quit. However, the prohibition on ordinary chewing gum was reaffirmed in 2010.

Those caught chewing gum receive a modest fine, equivalent to a littering fine. Anyone caught smuggling gum into Singapore can be sentenced to up to a year in jail and a $5,500 US fine. Contrary to rumor, nobody has been caned in Singapore for chewing or selling gum.

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Completely...

How we love our Grahm so completely... with a bonk on the head and the haircut he gave himself!

We need each other and together we need Him...

We must heed the Savior’s call to build higher and holier relationships with all of God’s children. We must live our faith! My father often reminded me that simply sitting in a pew on Sunday doesn’t make you a good Christian any more than sleeping in a garage makes you a car.

We must live our life so that the world does not see us but sees Him through us. This does not take place only on Sundays. It takes place at the grocery store, the gas pump, the school meeting, the neighborhood gathering—all places where baptized and unbaptized members of our family work and live.

I worship on Sunday as a reminder that we need each other and together we need Him.

“Ye Are My Friends” | Elder David L. Buckner

October 2024 

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do...

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

“What, then, shall we say in response to this? If God is for us, who can be against us? He who did not spare his own Son, but gave him up for us all—how will he not also, along with him, graciously give us all things?”
(Romans 8:31-32)

One of my favorite hymns — was written by the German composer, Joachim Neander, in the 1600’s. It still resonates with worshipers of all ages some 400 years later. I particularly relish this line in the fourth verse,

Ponder anew what the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriends thee.

Think about that for a moment — it will change your day, not to mention your entire life. The only thing I would change in this otherwise magnificent hymn is the one little word in the second line, “if”. For me, and anyone else who has been redeemed my God’s marvelous grace, that word should rather be, “since”! “If” speaks of possibility, “since” reflects reality!

God has indeed befriended us, amazing as that sounds. And since we are friends of the Almighty, the realities of blessing, protection, provision success and satisfaction in the days, months, years and eternity to come are unlimited — limited only by our unbelief.

So, indeed, take a moment to ponder again what it means to walk in moment-by-moment friendship with your Almighty Father. I guarantee you this, it will make the moments ahead a whole lot brighter.

Praise to the Lord,
The Almighty, the King of creation!
O my soul, praise Him,
For He is thy health and salvation!
All ye who hear,
Now to His temple draw near;
Praise Him in glad adoration.

Praise to the Lord,
Who over all things so wondrously reigneth,
Shelters thee under His wings,
Yea, so gently sustaineth!
Hast thou not seen
How all your longings have been
Granted in what He ordaineth?

Praise to the Lord,
Who doth prosper thy work and defend thee;
Surely His goodness
And mercy here daily attend thee.
Ponder anew
What the Almighty can do,
If with His love He befriend thee.

Praise to the Lord,
O let all that is in me adore Him!
All that hath life and breath,
Come now with praises before Him.
Let the Amen
Sound from His people again,
Gladly for aye we adore Him.

Yes, for gladly we adore Him. How could we not!

~Ray Noah 

Where's Ruby?

Oh there she is! It's so nice of her to share her bed with Grizz. They are so cute!

PC to Tiff

Winter...

“No winter lasts forever; no spring skips its turn.”

~Hal Borland

Another granddog...

 

I met our newest granddog today. Ruby is a adorable. She's a Cavapoo, a crossbreed of a Cavalier King Charles Spaniel and a Poodle. Ruby seems to be adjusting to her new home very well. She and Grizzly fight over toys and act like typical siblings! It's actually very cute to watch. Grizzly climbed into her bed even though it's a little small for him. Grizzly will have someone to play with when the boys are at school. Welcome to the family Ruby! 

Mark and Grey were in the middle of a serious game of Magic! It seemed like a great way to spend a snowy and cold day.

Love this family...

But, wait...

But, wait wasn't this just yesterday that Colby was holding his toddler brother in his arms? 

I watched Colby and Grahm as we made pizza and played games, and thought again of how fast they are growing up. But I can honestly say I have enjoyed more than words can express, every moment we have together. They fill my heart to overflowing with love and gratitude. I love them fiercely, they are my forever Valentine's. Cash comes over about three times a week and he and Grandpa go to the gym. I always try to have something good for Cash to eat when they get back. We sit and talk, and I have come to cherish those days. My sweet Grey wasn't feeling good and I always miss him so much.

We had a simple but enjoyable evening. We made pizza and Colby's turned out perfect. It tasted especially good. Then strawberries and shortcake for dessert, and a few games. We always end with a movie. I actually love that becase I get to sit by the boys and hold their hands. 

I think it's safe to say Grahm loved his Valentine bear. One of his nicknames is Grahmy Bear so I couldn't resist getting a big soft bear for him to snuggle with.

Grahm always wants me take a few silly pictures!

Colby and Grey were sick last week and I was missing them. So a few days ago we had a late lunch and I was so happy to be with them again. Grahm came along too!

Someone tried to photo bomb the picture. 

Everytime we go to Kneaders the boys take a few containers of creme. I guess they think it taste good!

So blessed...