ThrowBack Thursday ~ Daddy and baby Grey...

Ask.Seek.Knock...

 

This week in Sunday School, our teacher made a statement that caught my attention. He said, “Not every prayer is an ‘ask and ye shall receive’ prayer. Some are ‘seek and ye shall find’ prayers, and some are ‘knock and it shall be opened’ prayers.”

A fundamental teaching of the Savior is that God answers our prayers. Comparing our Father in Heaven with a loving parent (Matthew 7:9-11, Luke 11:11-13, 3 Nephi 14:9-11), a kind neighbor (Luke 11:5-8), and even a reluctant judge (Luke 18:1-8), Jesus repeatedly urges us to pray for the things we need with confidence that God will hear and respond. In the Sermon on the Mount, He gives three parallel admonitions :“Ask, and it shall be given you;”
“Seek, and ye shall find;”
“Knock, and it shall be opened unto you”

…followed by the corresponding promises: “For everyone that asketh receiveth;”
“and he [or she] that seeketh findeth;”
“and to him [or her] that knocketh it shall be opened.”

(Matthew 7:7-8, Luke 11:9-10, 3 Nephi 14:7-8; see also 3 Nephi 27:29)

I’ve always thought of that passage as saying the same thing three times using different words, but our teacher’s comment has made me think about the variety of ways that God answers my prayers. Sometimes, the answer is simply provided, and all we have to do is accept it. It is worth noting, however, that the Greek word lambanó (λαμβάνω), which is translated “receive” in this passage, implies active acceptance on the part of the receiver. Blessings come, but we must intentionally reach out and take hold of them.
Sometimes, God guides us to the answer we are looking for. The Greek word heuriskó (εὑρίσκω), translated as “find,” implies colliding with or bumping into something by chance. It may seem like we just happened to encounter our answer, when in fact God led us to it.
Other times, an opportunity becomes available. Doors are opened: anoigó (ἀνοίγω) means open or unfold. It can also mean to get into the open sea, away from land. (See Liddell and Scott, A Greek-English Lexicon.) The new opportunity may require some courage on our part. It may seem risky. It may require us to change. But it may well be the answer to our prayer.

Today, I will be grateful for the many ways that God answers my prayers. As I ask, seek, and knock, I will strive to be receptive to His answers, in whatever form they may come. I will actively accept those answers, even if they require something from me.

ThrowBack Thursday ~ Where does the time go?

 Sweet baby Cash with his proud parents! 

ThrowBack Thursday ~ My helpers...

Colby and Grahm

March 2020

Be like the children...

Six year olds laugh

an average of 

300 times a day.

Adults only laugh

 15-100 times a day.

Be six again.

~Unknown

Grahm will be six this year. Because of him we smile and laugh more... we love him so much!

Masterpiece of memories...

I left work early on Friday so I could be with Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm, while Mark and Tiffani went to the Element launch event. Grandpa went too.

We talked about some things we could do and we all decided to head to the Museum of Natural Curiosity. I have had birthday dates with the boys their a few times but it was a first to be with all four of them. I was happy to have Cash and Colby with me to help keep track of Grahm. He's a serous dare devil!

I have so many happy memories of our birthday dates. I wasn't sure Cash would enjoy our outing, he's getting so grown up. But I watched his face light up as he saw familiar things. We reminisced about some of birthday dates at the museum. I think it was actually our first birthday date! I could tell he was having fun. There was a lot of laughter, smiles, and special moments. I don't want Cash to grow up too fast so it was wonderful to see Cash and the other boys just being kids. I know they will age out of some our favorite places but we will just have to find other fun things to do. 

This was an interesting exhibit, all about gears. This room has rotating exhibits and is always a favorite with the boys.

My Grandpa Ames had a bike like this and he rode it the Frontier Days parade.

Blue skies and sun so the boys had fun playing at the museum playground.

Grahmy bear! 

He was growling right back at that bear.

Cash, Colby, and Grey had a blast on this spinner!

There they are on the rope bridge! 

Cash would build a tower and Grahm would happily knock it down. Cash is a wonderful big brother.

Grahm did not want to leave this exhibit. He liked being Dr. Williams and taking care of the animals.

The cutest floating heads ever!

There is just something about water and the boys would have stayed here for hours. Grahm got his sleeve wet and was not happy about that. I rolled up his sleeve and that seem to help.

Tornado! 

Notice Grahm's wet sleeve!

I think someone looks like their dad in this picture! 

Grahm chose his favorite Costa Vida, again!

This picture just melts my grandma heart. How am I so blessed? 

 

Everyone worked up quite an appetite!

Grahm kept asking for more enchiladas, turns out he meant he wanted more horchata!

As I mentioned, Grahm got his sleeve wet at the museum's water works. As soon as we got home he stripped down and wanted me to dry his favorite dino jammies. I showed him this picture and he said, "Seriously." I will be sad when he outgrows his green jammies!

We played outside for a long time. We drove the cars, and Cash and Grandpa flew airplanes. Spring is definitely in the air. 

Grey outmaneuvered Cash and trapped his car! 

And as always, just like that the day is over. I heard this song and was once again reminded that these moments with Cash, Colby, Grey, and Grahm are now a masterpiece of memories that I will cherish always.

Moments to Memories...

And this is when the moments turn to memories
And this is when the future gets so clear to see
And this is when tonight becomes a masterpiece
And this is when the moments turn to memories, memories