I Know the Scriptures Are True

"Empower your child by giving him/her a choice and a chance. Let them learn to make their own decisions, when appropriate, and learn to trust their feelings."

~Doc Childre and Sara Paddison

Ashton and Hunter, after church

 C and B invited us up to Ashton and Hunter's Primary Program October 23rd and it is my favorite Sunday of the year.  One day, afew months ago,  Britt called us on the phone and two year old Hunter sang from memory, "Praise to the Man" Wow! We were so impressed and it still makes my heart glad just to think about him singing that beautiful, but lengthy hymn.  The children sang many beautiful songs during the program, my favorite is, "If I Listen With My Heart," by Sally DeFord. 

"If I had been a little child when Jesus lived on earth,

I would have liked to walk with him and listen to his words.

But as I search the scriptures, I can hear his words of peace,

And if I listen with my heart, I hear the Savior's voice."

MaCaleb is growing fast and starting to get chubby cheeks!

Ashton had a part in the program and he got up and spoke clearly and confidently about the prophet Moses.  Then he sat down.  Hunter, who was also up sitting by his brother and his mom, started to cry.  Well, it turned out that he also had the part memorized and expected that he would also have the opportunity to give his part just like his big brother did.  Hunter is not offically Primary age yet, but goes to the 3-year old class because Britt teaches it.  So both little boys knew all the songs and their part well.  So, after the program, Cory took Hunter up to the podium and let him say his part - and he knew it by heart and did not even hesitate.  It was a beautiful program and we were so pleased to be there.

Then on October 30, A & W invited us to join them in Enoch for Charlie and James' Primary Program. It was another delightful Sunday. Charlie got up and delivered his part loud and clear and sang all the songs, it was so fun to watch him. James said his part, "I like to go to Primary," and he knew all the songs, but he said he was "singing them in his head." Anyway it was a lovely Primary program and we so enjoyed it. Afterward, we went over to A & W to visit and have dinner.

Charlie, er, I mean Batman to the rescue

 Gigi had brought Halloween costumes for the boys, so they were excited to try them on.

James as "Thomas" and Arianne

 Will made a scrumptious dinner of meatloaf, scalloped potatoes and vegetables, and followed it up with caramel apples!  We were royally spoiled!

Gr Sandy and Nathanial

 Nathanial has really grown and is crawling everywhere and standing up whenever he can. He likes to go "walk-about" whenever someone is willing to hold on and go with him.  He will be walking soon!

 Anyway, I love watching the children and hearing them sing those beautiful songs.  The spirit is always strong as they sing and share their knowledge of the gospel and their love for the Savior. It was many years ago, when I was eight years old, our Primary was asked to sing in Stake Conference.  We sang, "I Wonder When He Comes Again," and "I Am a Child of God."  It was while we were singing that the spirit first bore witness to me that the Savior lives and loves us.  That was the beginning of my testimony.   I too, " know the Scriptures are true!"

Tender Mercies

Turn your face to the sun and the shadows fall behind you. ~Maori Proverb

A few weeks ago, as I was headed down the road to meet Ray at yet another Dr. appointment, my heart was heavy and as I went over the hill, I came upon this magnificent field of sunflowers just west of our city office building. It was the ray of sunshine that I needed at that very moment and reminded me of those wonderful tender mercies that are sent our way by a loving Father in Heaven. I didn't have my camera with me that day, but I did today - and the autumn colors were magnificent this morning as I drove down the hill to church with yet another heavy heart, I looked up and felt Heavenly Father's love for me radiating on all the hill sides. It is a most beautiful time of year and we are surrounded by the beauty of His creations.

Brittany, Macaleb and Ashton

 Another tender mercy is this handsome new grandson ~ Macaleb Warren

 Just behind our home lies a beautiful mountain range and it is only a few miles to drive up the canyon to enjoy the beauty there.  It is one of my favorite places and I like to go there whenever my heart needs a lift. 

 Last week-end Ray and I took a little drive up to what is called "The Devil's Kitchen,"  it looks like a minature Bryce Canyon, tucked away near Mt. Nebo.

And this huge field of pumpkins just made me smile ~ it reminded me of the bounteous blessings we enjoy every single day, and like the myriads of pumpkins, there are so many I could never count them all. 

Singing in the Rain - Sawyer Brown in Concert

"A thing long expected

takes the form of the unexpected when at last it comes."

~ Mark Twain.

Arriving early, to get good seats, we waited for two hours for the concert to begin and the weather was lovely. . . then right before 8 o'clock, the wind began to blow and it sprinkled a little, and we waited a little longer, then it really began to rain . . . everyone who had blankets shared them with those who didn't . . . and we waited a little longer. 
 Finally, it slowed to a sprinkle again, so they mopped the stage, uncovered the speakers and instruments and 1 1/2 hours past show time - Sawyer Brown was on stage! "My home town's coming in sight, if you think I'm happy your right
Six days on the road and I'm gonna make it home tonight. . ."   And what a great performance!  Mark Miller dances as he sings and they all put on a great show! 

Their music is so much fun!  The audience, clad in blankets, jackets, and trashbags found the music well worth the wait and danced, clapped and sang along.

 Gregg "Hobie" Hubbard stealing the show

Mark Miller was literally singing in the rain, he towel dried the microphone many times and as the rain was coming in from the south, you can see in the photo above how wet the back of his shirt was. We went home drenched, but still singing!