A mother's day tribute...

Lisa was asked to give a talk yesterday in church on Being & Setting Good Examples. She did a great job and her talk warmed my heart! Thanks Lisa for a very special Mother's day! I love you...

Talk: I’d like to thank Bro. Johnson for asking me to speak today for Mother’s Day. It has been such a great week! My mom has been sooooo nice hoping that I won’t say anything bad about her today in my talk! Well... unfortunately it didn’t work and the main focus of my talk today is in fact, my Mom.

Elder M. Russell Ballard once said “Just as it is difficult for a weary sailor to find his way across uncharted seas without the aid of a compass, it is almost impossible for children and youth to find their way through the seas of life without the guiding light of a good example.”

My mom is this guiding light. She has set a powerful, personal example of righteous strength, courage, sacrifice, unselfish service, and self-control. These are the traits that have helped me to hold on to the iron rod of the gospel and remain on the straight and narrow path.

My mom strengthens our home and family through her example.

Take for instance my recent driving lesson. I didn’t realize at the time that my foot was actually on the gas peddle and not the brake. With my mom by my side and after my ears stopped ringing from the high pitched screaming, I was able to learn the difference between maintaining a calm demeanor during an emergency and how not to over react. My mother never hesitates to teach me even when it is her own misstep that is used as the example to learn from.

President James E. Faust once said that “More often than not, sharing the gospel is not done on the stage with some public pronouncement, but in the example of righteousness and the countless gentle acts of love and kindness done so willingly, so often on a one-to-one basis.”

My mom teaches those around her about the gospel through her example.

When we first moved here there were many of our neighbors and school friends who knew nothing of the gospel and if they did know something it was most often incorrect or misguided. One of the things she said to me is that “they won’t always remember what we said about the church but they will always remember what we do.” She taught me that those we don’t see watching us are the ones who learn the most about the church from our example.

Most importantly, my mom is teaching me to follow Christ’s example.

In 1 Peter 2:21 we read, for even hereunto were ye called: because Christ also suffered for us, leaving us an example, that ye should follow his steps: Christ was the ultimate example.

President Ezra Taft Benson said about Christ’s marvelous example: “Nearly two thousand years ago a perfect Man walked the earth—Jesus the Christ. … In His life, all the virtues were lived and kept in perfect balance; He taught men truth—that they might be free; His example and precepts provide the great standard—the only sure way—for all mankind”

I imagine Christ to be a pretty amazing person. Strong, kind, caring, and thoughtful. I’ve learned that He lost his temper once in a temple. And that He once wondered why Heavenly Father had forsaken him. But most of all I’ve learned that He never gave up through his trials and He never lost sight of his mission here on earth no matter how hungry he got after fasting for 40 whole days.

I’ve seen my mom give up the last bit of Chocolate brownie fudge ice cream to one of us even when I knew she deserved every bit of it because of the kind of day she was having.

I’ve seen her survive on little to no sleep to accomplish a goal of another or serve someone in need even when the piles of stuff that need to be done at home go helplessly unnoticed.

I’ve seen her take time to help a stranger. To give to the needy. And to smile at a friend.

CONCLUSION: I am truly grateful for my mom and her example. This week has been a good week. Speaking today worked out really well for me and I want the Bishop to know that I am available for Father’s Day if they need someone.

Bear testimony...

Honor rolls and Straight A's

For another three straight semesters both Kenny and Jessica have received straight A's in school! Jessica was tested for reading comprehension this week and her teacher sent home a note saying that she is reading at a 5.9 grade level! She also made the most Accelerated Reading points for the entire Second grade! Her score was a 93 and the next highest reader below her was 57! Kenny tested second highest in his 4th grade level and it worked out pretty well since his best friend Joe made first! No hard feelings there! Lisa brought home a 4.1 gpa for her first semester (gotta love those weighted classes) and if she keeps her grades up for 10 more days she will have a 4.5by the end of her freshman year at Baker High School! Way to go kids! Keep up the great work!

A very sick puppy

Arnold came home sick from work one day complaining of fatigue and congestion. We put him to bed and hoped he would get some rest. Ten days later we were in the doctor's office getting a diagnosis. If you can believe it...we've lived here over three years and this is the first time we needed a Family doctor for Arnold. We called several offices and none would see us sooner than two weeks for "NEW" patients. They recommended we go to the ER but Arnold refused. Luckily I play Bunco monthly with a group of ladies in my neighborhood. One of them, Thamory, has a husband who is a doctor here in Mobile. A couple of phone calls later and we had an appointment that afternoon! Once we got to the office the doctor gave us the bad news. Arnold was not well at all. The doctor said he had two middle ear infections. A swollen throat. Fluid in his lungs. Bronchitis. And overall weakness and fatigue. He was told to take the next few shifts of work off and to stay on medication and bed rest for the next several days. In all the time Arnold has worked for Chevron (16 years this year) he has never called in late or sick. Now that's some record! I hated to break it, but doctor's orders. The guys at work couldn't believe it! I guess neither could we. A few days later Arnold still wasn't feeling up to par so we booked another appointment and went in a second time to see how he was doing. After a shot and another dose of reality the doctor proclaimed that Arnold indeed had been a "very sick puppy" and that we were lucky to get him in to see the doctor when we did. After that bit of information sunk in I realized all the time I spend doing things on my own and leading somewhat of a very independent life I don't think I would want to live it without him. Thanks goodness for neighbors married to doctors, 24 hour pharmacies, and cures for very sick puppies.

Pen Pals at Lee Primary

Jessica and her 2nd grade class traveled to lee Primay elementary school in Satsuma, Alabama today to meet the pen pals they have been writing to all year! It was fun to finally see them paired up with the friends they have been corresponding with via mail. As parents we are always amazed at how well the classes are paired up (Kenny did the same project when he was in Ms. Nik's class two years ago) Jessica and her penpal both had pigtails. JT and his buddy both wore hoodies. Maleah and her new friend both had long curly hair. And Karoline and her pen pal both wore pink bows in their hair! What fun!

USA Engineering program

Kenny and his Webelos I group traveled to USA campus to attend an Engineering workshop after school one day. USA is the Universtiy of South Alabama located here in Mobile. The scouts learned about gravity, how to make an electrical connection, how to create soap, they made gumdrops, and received their Engineering pin after the workshop was complete! Kenny is now only one pin away from receiving his Arrow of Light award!

Patriotic Program

Jessica participated in a Patriotic program for our Spring PTA meeting. The entire second grade gathered together in the gym to sing songs and to tell about all they have learned this year in school. With the threat of budget cuts taking our Music and Art teachers away next year I am so glad we had the opportunity to host the program.