Memorizing The Living Christ

A few years ago, I had a thought that I should take the time to memorize The Living Christ.   This is a testimony of Jesus Christ from the latter day prophets and published in January 2000.   I didn't follow up on that thought and one day this June I was studying The Book of Mormon.  I was using an institute book that had supplements, mostly from teachings of general authorities, for each chapter.  One section talked about recognizing promptings and acting on them.  As we recognize and act, we will grow in the gospel and we will be trusted with more guidance.

I definitely want to have the direction of the Holy Ghost in my life daily.  I loved the simple idea that as we act on the loving guidance given, we will be given more direction.  My mind went back to that thought I had a few years ago to memorize The Living Christ and I admitted to myself that I  knew that was a prompting.  I decided, even though I don't know why, I would begin trying to memorize it.

I searched the internet and found some helpful tips on Pinterest and Etsy.  The most helpful guide I found was from this blog.  I printed up the study materials and decided to give it a try.  On this sister's blog, her whole family joined in.  I didn't think that would work, but I did ask Brian if he would like to join with me.  His response: "No Way! Why??"  I had to laugh.  I hear you Bri.

The materials are separated into sections to study weekly.  It took me two weeks to memorize the first section and Tanner called me out, "I thought that was last weeks section?"  He did help me practice though.  I tried not to be too discouraged a few weeks later when Aubrey memorized several sections I had out on my bathroom counter.  Those had taken me a few weeks!  It was so impressive.  She said, "Don't worry Mom.  It's my young brain."

I am slowly but surely plodding along and am loving it!  The words are written so thoughtfully.  I find myself pondering why the quorum of the twelve decided to use just that word or phrase.  A few of my favorites phrases are:  "He was the great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New."  "His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill.  He entreated all to follow His example."  "He taught the truths of eternity,  the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come."

I have enjoyed getting ready in the mornings and taking time to review what I have memorized.  During the sacrament, I find myself mentally going over what I know so far and those few minutes fly by.  I appreciate having more of a focus.

The blog I mentioned earlier had a twelve week plan to memorize The Living Christ.  I may be on a twelve month plan at the rate I am going, but that is okay.  I can't describe the peace that has come into my heart as I ponder the life of Christ each day.  I love my Savior and am grateful for His love and sacrifice for us.

Sunday Night

When we got home from church about 3:45 on Sunday afternoon, Brinley was home from her week long vacay with Morgan!  Tanner with a straight face and no emotion declared, "I didn't even know you were gone."  Brinley responded with little grin, "I didn't even say I was gone...so I guess you noticed."  Touche.  It was nice to all be together again and we quizzed Brinley all about her big trip.  We missed that girl...even if Tanner wouldn't admit it.

She went with Morgan, Morgan's mom and Morgan's grandparents.  One pretty cute thing is Morgan's grandparents LOVE McDonald's.  Thus the group ate there at least once and sometimes twice a day.  We couldn't fathom it.  Besides our Ruidoso trip this winter when we couldn't get into a restaurant after skiing all day...and even KFC was out of food...I can't remember the last time we have been to McDonald's.  It's been years and years.  Bryn was peppered with questions on just exactly what she ate each time.   (Eating at McDonald's kind of makes me feel squeamish.  I think it might go back to a time about ten years ago when I took the kids to eat and play on the playground.  We went to the bathroom in the playground area and the floor was covered in dead roaches.  Even though it was nice to have an indoor play area option for the kiddos...it just wasn't worth it anymore.)

We had FHE.  Bryn was on lesson so she took a few minutes to whip one together.  We then had a quick dinner, a quick nap and after dinner chores.  Brinley, by this point, was probably wishing she was still on vacation.   Nothing like coming home from an amazing vacation and then a nine hour car drive to be thrown right back into real life at home.  She's a sweet girl though and doesn't cause many waives.  (Sometimes I tell her it's okay to speak up and cause waives.  She still doesn't though.  She's like her daddy that way.)  Anyway,  at about 6:30, we headed over to the Vore's for our Sunday get together.  The Browns were in town and we invited them to stop by and hang out too.  It was great to visit with them.

Chris is a Grandpa.  (Still kind of weird to think about!)  Lincoln is so cute.

Charity putting tiny ponytails in Adam's hair.  When he protested, she loudly declared, "I had to sit through hours and hours of Erin (her sister, not me) doing my hair.  It hurt so badly.  I would be bawling and she wouldn't stop.  I'm not even tender headed anymore.  You'll be fine!"  Adam sat there and let her fix his hair.  He's a nice big brother.

Watching a video about the Milgram psychology experiment.  We got on that topic while discussing gymnastic coaches who forced students into the splits.  Many years ago, Erin Meisje and I were coaching at a gym that did that. (I think it's pretty common.)  Erin was probably only 14 or 15 and felt the pressure to do as the head coach said.  This is how the Milgram experiment came up on Sunday night.  It was a series of experiments showing the high level ofobedience our we show to authority figures.  Luckily the class I was coaching  was on bars at the time so I didn't have that dilemma.  However, Brinley was on the floor being forced into the splits for 30 plus minutes.  I didn't realize at the time though because I was teaching my group.   I was not a happy momma and I removed myself and my kids from that gym.  Anyway, this is just a random sampling of the very random things that might come up on a Sunday night.

Couldn't find the younger teens.  They were hanging out in the pool that was in the pool.

Aub, Tan, La

Adam, Bri, Megan and Ang  It was so nice to have Megan back!  She was on bed rest and then went into early labor.  We've missed her on Sunday nights.  Their tiny baby boy, Christian Thomas, was born on July 19, 2019.  He weighed 4 lbs 12 oz and was 19 inches long.   He is still in the NICU but getting stronger everyday.  They are hoping he will be able to come home this week.

He looks like his big brother Lincoln!

We can't wait to meet this little guy.

July 22-27, 2019

Aubrey is back home and ready for action.  Friends, swimming, shopping, one on one time etc...  We did all of these these and more this week.  She is a girl with plans...lots of plans.  If she is not busy with a friend or a project or an activity, she is planning one.  I have to slow down and remember to help make some of her wishes happen.  I also have to give myself permission to say no or not today.

Orange Leaf afternoon date.

This week has been somewhat busy for me.   Tanner and Aubrey's schedules were a little different which threw mine off.  I was able to workout two or three times.  I am really hoping it was three.  My mom and I have run some errands together and we got pedicures one afternoon.  My dad and I have worked quite a bit on his book this week.  It is coming along.  I think I have about 30 hours left. No matter how much we do, it feels like I will always have 30 hours left.  However, I am seeing the light at the end of the tunnel and it's exciting.

Brian and I were able to go to lunch on Friday, and to a family friend's quinceanera tonight.  (A quinceanera is a 15th birthday celebration for hispanic young women.)   It's nice to have set plans with my guy.  I have also been getting a Super Saturday craft together.  I have been doing a little "Brownie in a Mug" project.  I have been formatting/printing/preparing the vinyl, buying mugs, gathering supplies etc...

Our Super Saturday was this morning.  About half of the sisters who signed up fro a mug didn't show but several others there asked to make one, so it worked out.

Brinley is on an amazing vacation with Morgan and her family.  They went to a Shawn Mendez concert on Monday, and Brinley texted us her undying love for the guy.  She said he was the only guy she'd consider marrying at eighteen.  She even mentioned that she was considering breaking up with Hot Bob, so we knew it was serious.  They have also been shopping, to the zoo, and are now at the beach.  She is having a blast.

Walking by her empty room this week has made her college exit seem more real.  I have been very excited for her upcoming adventure, but one day my chest ached.  When Brian and I were at lunch this week and I told him how I felt, he nodded miserably.  What are we going to do without this sweet girl at home everyday?

They were even able to take surfing lessons!

Each year Grandpa takes the grand kids school supply shopping and out to eat.  They love going.  It is such a blessing for us too not to have that expense on top of all of the other back to school expenses.  The group my kids went with this year was Lauron, Aub, Gramp, Charity and Tanner.  Hopefully he and Parker will find a time that works in the next couple of weeks.

The stash!  I love this part.  They bring in all of their loot and show me their favorites.  We label, organize and see if there is anything else we might need to add for the school year.

Tanner had a three day basketball camp in the afternoons.  He decided not to go to his 1.5 hour morning workout on days he had b-ball camp.  I was grateful because it didn't split up my day as much.  I would have been driving him to and from PHS 4x a day.  Basketball is his favorite sport and he was a happy young man this week.  He received awards for being in the top three in Hot Shot (#1), Layups and Ball handling. 

Parker found out he made varsity for football this year.  He works so hard year round and I am glad for him.  They moved him into the varsity locker room and he received new cleats and a helmet and I am not sure what else.  We are  in football country here and their team is SPONSORED by Addidas.  What????

Park has worked all summer and spent all summer.  We cringe a little and tease him about mostly eating his money.  He eats out All.Of.The.Time.  He has went shopping this week to have a new outfit to wear to his friend Austin's sister's quince.  He spent way more than I would have on one outfit but at least he will have a little something to prove his hard work this summer.   He looked sharp and had a great night. 

Cooper B (Cole's brother), Austin J, Cole B, Parker and Kayden B

Retreat for Girls

Aubrey had the opportunity to attend  Retreat for Girls.  It is kind of like Especially for Youth but is open for just girls ages 11-16.  They have amazing speakers, energetic counselors, scripture study and devotionals, service projects, crafts, team building activities etc...  It is based off of a church program called Academy for Girls offered at BYU back in the day.  The day meaning My day!

I LOVED being an Academy girl and it was my favorite activity each summer.  Angelique and I attended several summers together and then were able to be counselors the summer after my Freshman year at BYU.   (And for those who may not know, Angelique is my sister-in-law of 25+ years.) It was so fun to have our girls have the opportunity to go together this summer.

Joseph drove them to USU and the Hildabrandts picked them up at the end of the week.  It's nice to have family and friends who were willing to go out of their way to take care of the girls.

Aubrey had been home less than 24 hours from Girl's Camp and she was off to Utah for Retreat for Girls (RFG).  That was a little rough because Girl's Camp was actually her first time away from home.  Back to back weeks being gone made her a little homesick and I felt badly about that timing.  It was the only scenario possible though if she were to attend both.

We missed her too!  Things were very calm and a little boring here.  The other three kiddos have summer jobs and workouts and often it has been just me and Aub at home this summer.  I realized I also took a lot fewer pictures the weeks she was gone.

They made these cute wreaths.

Sunday morning we woke her at 9:30 and she was heading to the airport by 10:30.  Aubrey said her throat was kind of hurting but there wasn't time to do anything other than have her gargle salt water.  There was also a strep throat epidemic at Girl's Camp so we were somewhat concerned.  That night, she said her throat was really hurting.  I was kind of in a panic because what can a mom do?  I knew of two leaders and three girls who had come home with strep.  I later learned there were over 20 girls and leaders who contracted strep throat while at camp.

Luckily she and Lauron were staying with Lauron's uncle, Josh, and he is a dentist.  I talked with him late Sunday night about  us calling a Doc in the Box and he was like "Why?  I'll take care of it."   I was so grateful....almost in tears grateful.  He prescribed her a z-pack and I felt much better knowing she wouldn't be miserably sick and miss out on her entire RFG experience.

She and Lauron had a great time at RFG.  Aubrey loved making new friends and staying in the dorms.  They had six girls in each apartment and  I think it was like a week long slumber party.  Their counselor, Shosty, was a lot of fun.  Aubrey also enjoyed the lawn activities and the inspiring/funny speakers.  Her throat hurt until Thursday and she was a little homesick; but overall she had a great time.

Aubrey and Lauron's group.  Back row: Sophie, Kelly, Jessica, Shosty, Eliza, Emma and Lauron. Front row: Aubrey, Brooke, Annie, Kylie, Emery, and Hannah

Aubrey and La with their counselor Shosty.

Kylie and Aub

Aub and Eliza

Poker

Tanner saw poker game on TV and was determined to learn it and make us (me and Bri) play.  When we finally agreed, he came out of his room dressed like this.  Calm, cool, and collected.

Brian was the only one who really had any idea how to play.  I guess he played on road trips when he was on the baseball team at Ricks College (now BYU Idaho.)  He printed up a colored sheet with the different hands possible to help me and Tanner out. 

I about died when I came into the kitchen and Tanner was ripping into a 5 lb bag of Tootsie Rolls leftover from Halloween.  He wanted to play with candy.  Apparently, my stash of candy.  (I was thinking if we left it sealed it would be just fine for this year's trunk or treat.)  Crazy kid.

This picture is a little blury because Tanner would duck every time I tried to get a picture.  But aren't they cute?

Guess who won?!!! (Notice Tanner's bulging pocket and handful of Tootsie Rolls)

Chick Fil A Wednesday

Taco Villa Monday was at Chick Fil A on Wednesday this week.  Tanner and I were the representatives from the Gwills.  

Only one kid table today:  Braddock, Tanner, Charlotte, Ella, Hudson and Holden

Chris was still getting food when I snapped a picture of this table.  Dad, Mom, Benja, Ang and Lincoln.  Benja finally was home from Sweden.  He went on a trip with his parents.  They came home Saturday night.  He didn't make it until Tuesday night I think.   His ticket was messed up and he had to stay in Sweden an extra day and then NY an extra day or two. 

We were one seat short at the adult table, so Brit and I were a table of two.  It was nice to have a few uninterrupted minutes to visit together.  (Notice Ella's new b-day mug on the table.  Unicorn face on one side, her name on the other.  Hope it lasts.  I should have gone plastic from the start!)

Family Home Evening

FHE without Aubrey who was at Retreat for Girls.  Morgan was hanging with Brinley so she joined in.  We like that girl!   She wasn't quite sure what to make of Brian when he pulled out his GoPro headband.  (Notice there wasn't a camera attached or anything cool like that.)  She just kind of grinned and took it in stride though.  

It was my turn for lesson and we had read about Saul and Stephen in "Come Follow Me" the week before. (Acts6-9, July 8-14)  We made a list on a white board about what a disciples heart might look like. (some answers: serving, kind, forgiving, repenting, utilizing the atonement of Jesus Christ, good)  Then I asked everyone to think about the past couple of weeks and think of someone who stood out as having a disciples heart.  We then shared.  

Last, I had different members of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles written on slips of paper.  Everyone chose two and then we looked on their Instagram accounts to see what they were posting.  Of course their lives exemplify a Christ and we were able to share some of what we read.  (love of spouse, participating in temple dedications, testifying that we are children of God and made in His image, testimony that President Russel M. Nelson is God's prophet today and more.)  

The past two years we have had afternoon church and so we have FHE on Sunday around 11:00.  It's been pretty relaxing and I love how everyone tends to hang out in the same room even after it is over.   This week we had it on Monday night and the kids had plans.  They were eager to move on with their lives.  Park wanted to swim at Austin's and Bryn & Morgan wanted to swim at Grandma's.  Parker was on activity and we had the quickest activity in the history of FHE: Rock paper scissors, single elimination tournament.😂  Bryn won.

I am so grateful for the Family Home Evening program.  With our busy schedules and different interests, I am not sure how often we would make the time to BE together as a family if we weren't asked to have FHE weekly.  I love having the opportunity to discuss the gospel together.  It's also a lot of fun (usually) to play a game or do an activity as a family.  

Sunday Night

We celebrated Ella and Grandpa's birthdays this Sunday at the Birds.  They aren't always the most exciting thing to post about but they are also just a nice, every week part of our life.  I figure I might as well include some pictures for the sake of documenting the everyday.  I know we will enjoy looking back on it.

Char, Brit, Ella (finally 4!), and Hud gathered around the gifts. Braddock, Adam & Lincoln in the chairs.  (Sadly no Megan. She is 34 weeks along and on bed rest now.)

Kerry, Gramp and Gram.  Kerry and fam got Grandpa a personal workout fan that you can wear around your neck. Pretty cool.  (Poor Gram. She has to wear her mask at the Birds due to the inside dog, Pepper, and her allergies. It makes communication a littler trickier. She's a trooper though.)

The beautiful and delicious cookies Britney made.  (Some for the group and some for the b-day boy.)

We gave Ella part of her present at her friend b-day party. (A personalized b-day shirt, lip gloss and mini brush)  I made personalized mugs for Ella and Grandpa and included a "brownie in a mug" treat that we brought for the family party. (Just add the wet ingredients to what comes in the mug and cook in the microwave for one minute.  They make pretty good brownies too.)  On Tuesday Ella left me the saddest Marco Polo video.  She was sobbing and asking me to please make her another unicorn mug.  She was carrying hers around a lot and it broke.  Poor baby. (Click here to watch Ella's oh so sad video) I made her another mug that night!

This girl has been four for about two years.  She speaks like a 13 year old.  I guess she has to keep up with her older sister and brothers! (Isaiah M. in the background.)

We miss our Brinley Kate being in 4th ward.  Gram and Gramp used to see/sit with her each week. Now she is off to the YSA branch and often misses Sunday night gatherings due to FHE w/ YSA. (Gotta to love all of our church acronyms.) The three of them were so cute chatting away.

Adam and Parker.  They are about 10 years apart in age and in different stages in life.  I love this about our gatherings though.  Everyone has opportunities to build these family bonds.

Speaking of building those bonds....this is TERRIFYING.  Grandpa was teasing the son-in-laws that he needed a b-day kiss: Adam on one cheek and Brian on the other.  As he and Gram were headed out the door, Brian pretended to give him a kiss on the cheek and Grandpa whipped his lips around for the full on kiss.  We were all dying laughing.  Poor Bri.  Luckily no kisses were exchanged but it sure looked like they were!

Tanner, Holden, Braddock, Hudson, Char and Ella (14 years down to 4 years) were busy all night long in the playroom/bedroom area of the house.  Lots of Nerf battles and a police type game.

Brit and the teens swapping funny memes and videos. They were cracking up.  Everyone had left but us.  I was ready to call it a night.  I finally realized we had two cars and I headed home.  Bri and the kids followed about 10 minutes later.  And...that's a wrap.