Prophets and Apostles

I love the New Testament and recently decided to read from it more often.  So, this morning the house is still quite and I grabbed my Bible.  I have been reading in Ephesians and this is what I read this morning:  "Now therefore ye are no more strangers and foreigners, but fellowcitizens with the saints, and of the household of God; And are built upon the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Jesus Christ himself being the chief corner stone;"  Eph 3: 19,20.  I thought it was so cool that this is what I read today of all days, General Conference time!  This weekend, we are priveleged to hear from apostles and prophets who have been appointed and are led by Jesus Christ himself!  It gives me great comfort and peace to know that our church is lead with the same organization that was established by the Savior when He was living here on the earth.  He leads the church today through the apostles and prophets just as in days of old.  I am more excited than ever to hear from them today and tomorrow!  I also love that He has blessed us with modern technology that allows us to listen at home and even record the conference! 

I also particularly loved verses 11 through 14 in Ephesians chapter 4: "And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting fo the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ: That we henceforth be nomore childre, tossed to and fro, and carried about with every wind fo doctrine, by the sleight of men, and cunning craftiness, whereby they lie in wait to deceive;"  The apostles and prophets guide us and we will be protected from the deceit and craftiness and sleight of man if we follow what they say.  They only lead us to do good and be more like the Savior.  All you have to do is hear them to know they speak the truth and are led by Jesus Christ.  I want to invite everyone to listen to them this weekend.  The General Conference can be found on Dish Network channel 9403 (BYUTV) at 9 am and 11 am today and tomorrow.

Last night Seila thought she needed to have a party because she and her friends are not old enough to go to the Homecoming dance. Our Saturday schedule was tight but we were able to fit it in. So, after a cross-country meet in Connell, helping clean up an afternoon wedding reception, and the Relief Society broadcast (which was so uplifing, dont' you think?) I helped Seila host a party. Fortunately, my friend went to Costco on Friday and picked up some heat and serve food. We didn't do any decorating, mostly because we spent all our time cleaning but also because we're really not into that. We did play a scavenger hunt game. Justin and I each drove one team around Royal looking for certain pictures. It was a sports theme and so some of the pics to get were pinning a total stanger to the ground, making a free throw shot with a football, kicking a field goal, standing at the end of a diving board fully-clothed. They were all worth different points so we could tally a winner at the end. We had a fun time. This would be a great family reunion game or group family home evening game. There are several different versions of the game so you could play a few different times and not have the same items. There is also a list of things to collect but we didn't have that much time and I didn't want the girls bothering other people. Here are just a few of the pics:

tug-of-war with a total stranger

6-man gymnastics pyramid

"tight end"

pinning a total stranger to the ground

a real "tight end" Brady Dixon

pregnant goats

This is kind of a weird picture but I wanted to show our fat goats.  They are pregnant and we are waiting any day for them to have their kids.  So, this pic is from the top looking down.

It's homecoming week here at Royal and Seila's first time to participate in homecoming week has been more fun but also more stressful.  The costumes are quite a bit more involved.  I liked the middle school dress up days better.  They have things like "crazy hat day".  I can handle that.  "Lord of the Rings" day was a little rougher for me.  We worked on her costume that was borrowed from someone up until the last minute that she left the house.  I'm still not sure that she was happy with it.  She loved her "disco day" outfit (again, borrowed).  Her first powder puff football game was fun and she enjoyed the bonfire.   I will be so glad when this week is over.  I'm tired of dress up days.  I can be such a party pooper.  On that note, Seila asked to have a party on Saturday for her friends (like her) that can't go to the homecoming dance.  We agreed even though our Saturday is looking jam-packed already.  So, I guess I'm not such a party pooper sometimes.

I just wanted to share two things that have given me strength in the last couple of days. 

I don't get to attend the Relief Society meeting at church on Sundays because I play the piano in primary but that's okay because the RS president sends an email to all those who miss, recapping the lesson and any announcements.  I love those emails, thank you!!!  This week really touched my heart and I had to open my RS book to read more.  The lesson was entitled "The Church of Jesus Christ in Former Times".  It points out that Jesus personally led the church when he was here on the earth but received his instruction from Father in Heaven (Hebrews 1:1-2).  He taught that revelation (receiving Heavenly instruction) was the "rock" upon which He would build His church (Matthew 16:16-18).  He continued to guide His church on the earth even after he was no longer on the earth by sending revelation through the Holy Ghost to his apostles at that time.  Joseph Smith received instructions from Jesus Christ in how to restore His church  and lead the saints in latter days.  Thomas S Monson receives instruction today from Jesus Christ through the Holy Ghost.  President Monson guides the saints on the path that the Savior has set before us that we might return to live with our Father in Heaven.  I, too, can receive revelation.  Not for the saints of the church, but for myself.  I can receive revelation from Jesus Christ through the gift of the Holy Ghost.  As I seek, He will send the knowledge that I need and want.  I know that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God, that he led the church in his day.  I know that President Monson is a prophet of God today, leading and guiding us in the world at this time.  I love the blessing of revelation.

Here is the other thing that I wanted to share.  Monday night we had been invited to family home evening at the Allred's with the Lees and the Franks and the missionaries.  We had a salmon dinner and then Allreds went with Elder Lyons to another appointment, Franks went home to put their kids to bed, and Elder Romero showed the Lees and us a movie about Joseph Smith.  When the movie was done, I bore my testimony and then Elder Romero asked Becca to bear hers.  We had a closing prayer and went home.  Kale later told me that when I was telling my story (bearing my testimony) he thought he was almost going to cry but it was a good feeling.  I told him that was the Spirit and he was very excited to think that he felt the Spirit.  He prayed that night that Heavenly Father would help him feel the Spirit at church.  I love seeing my children grow closer to Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I love to see them seek after righteousness.  I love to watch their faith grow.  It only helps me grow too.

Don't get me wrong, we're certainly not perfect.  This was just an uplifting moment in our otherwise crazy lives.  I live for those moments that make our home a little bit closer to heaven.  They bring me such joy.