Sold House

No, it isn't our house in Georgia that has sold - I wish!  Mike's dad has officially sold his house.  It is sad.  We will miss being able to go up there, but in reality, we aren't ever invited up there anyway.  Mike's dad said he will have us all over one more time before he has to be out of the house.  He has a little less than a month to be out, I think.  Mike's dad did surprise us by offering us his couch that was in  his loft.  He brought it over last night.  I love it.  I have vivid memories sitting with Sharen on that couch.  It is so nice to have a little piece of her in our home.  He also brought over a painting that we were told would be ours years ago. Our wedding reception was at an art gallery.  Sharen bought a painting after our reception as a thank you to their friend that let us use his shop. It is beautiful.  I am happy to have such a beautiful reminder of our wedding and the lovely person Sharen was.  She was such an important person in my life and helped fill the void of the loss of my own mother.

Mike's dad asked all the kids to get together so he could talk about the house stuff.  The spouses weren't supposed to go, but I guess the brother-in-laws didn't get that message because they were both there. They asked Mike if he wanted to call me.  He said, "No, Stephanie is good with whatever we decide."  Which is true.  Everything is Mike's decision.  His dad set up a family partnership years and years ago. They were getting together to try to figure out if they should dissolve the family partnership or not.  No decisions were made tonight.  It will be interesting to see what turns up.

In other news . . . we got a new bishop today!  At our presidency meeting, Jaime asked if we should place bets on the new bishop.  We didn't, but we found out that each of us were predicting the same person!  That was funny.  (It helped that he was released as Stake Young Men's president right before the Bishopric changing announcement.)  Anyway, it was him.  Brother Lundgren.  Becky actually predicted both of his counselors as well.  Three for three.  That is quite impressive.  Brother Lundgren's wife is the primary president right now.  I bet the primary will be changing soon!

Today was my last day coming up with the scripture challenges!  It has been fun to do, but I'm glad that it won't be my responsibility anymore. Because of conference, I needed to come up with two weeks worth of challenges again.  (I told my dad I wanted some easy ones this time.) This is what my dad helped me come up with:

2 Nephi 29 - Jacob 5

In 2 Nephi 29 Nephi prophesied what people will say in the last days.

   A. A Church! A church! We already have a church!

   B. A Bible!  A Bible!  We have got a bible!

   C. A prophet! A prophet! We have no need of a prophet!

   D. Pizza!  Pizza!  We love pizza!

Jacob 1

What verse do we learn that Nephi died?

In Jacob 5 Jacob quotes the prophet Zenos' allegory of the tame and wild olive tree.  1.  Can you find the prophet Zenos in the bible?  2.  If you can, text the page number in the LDS version of the bible.  If you can't, where does Jacob find Zenos' prophecy?

Jacob 6 - Mosiah 2

Memorize Jacob 6:12.  Anyone who recites this verse to Sister Johnson will receive a treat.

Enos

Approximately how long did Enos pray to be forgiven of his sins?  A. 1 hour  B.  3 hours  C.  5 hours  D.  8 hours  E.  10 hours  F.  more than 10 hours

Did you know that half of the Nephite history in the Book of Mormon is covered in 8 pages?  Jarom & Omni cover 290 years in 4 pages - 1/4 their history.  4th Nephi covers 287 years in 4 pages - 1/4 their history.  That adds up to 1/2 of the Nephite history.  Why is so little written in these chapters?  The people in 4th Nephi had just had a visit from the Savior.  Perhaps what they had before them was too sacred to write.  Why is there so little written in Jarom & Omni?  Hint: Omni 1,2,11

Think of General Conference as you read Mosiah 2:9.  Will you be willing to do what King Benjamin asks of his people as you listen to conference?

Primary Program

Jorja and Preston did such a good job today.  They were so cute.  Each of them said their parts perfectly.  They had them memorized and they spoke clearly.  They were both easy to understand.  Jorja played perfectly in the chime choir.  Stockton enjoyed being able to watch the program instead of being in the program.  Mike sat in his cave in the very back of the stand/stage.  I'm not sure what that is called.

Here are my scripture challenges for the next two weeks.  I'm only going to put the questions on here this time, but treats and prizes were offered.

2 Nephi 6 - 2 Nephi 16

2 Nephi 9:28-29

It's good to be smart and know lots of stuff, but only if you do what?

2 Nephi 9:7-9

Name 2 things that would have happened if Jesus had not gone through with the atonement.

2 Nephi 11:2-3

Besides Nephi himself, who are two other witnesses of Christ that he calls upon to verify his words?

2 Nephi 12:9-10

Look up Isaiah 2:9-10.  Can you tell what is different?  Which word was taken out of the bible?  Which version makes the most sense?

2 Nephi 12:16

Look at the 16A footnote.  How did Joseph Smith do that?

2 Nephi 17 - 2 Nephi 28

2 Nephi 19

What verse in 2 Nephi 19 is in Handel's Messiah?

2 Nephi 27:6,19,20

What book and what man do these verses refer to?

2 Nephi 28:21

Notice how Satan leads people to destruction.

A lot of people say Mormon's aren't Christian.  Which one of these scriptures teaches otherwise?

2 Nephi 27:26

2 Nephi 21:12

2 Nephi 28:29

2 Nephi 25:26

Matt is now back in town.  He came over yesterday for Dominion and dessert.  Sam, my dad and Max also came over.  We were able to get two games of Dominion in.

Straw Stew

Wow.  You can sure tell when my life goes crazy.  I get so behind on my blog!  It kind of stresses me out too.  This time my life got crazy for a super fun/awesome reason.  I have been playing with Rachel and her girls!  They stayed at my dad's house from Saturday on, but I followed Rachel around every chance I could get.  Today we had my family come over for Taco Haystacks.  It was a quick dinner because my dad doesn't get out of church until 4.  We also had a YW/YM fireside where the speaker was my dad.  He did a great job!  Becky wanted him to talk about, 'What's a testimony and how do I know if I have one?'.  She also wanted him to relate as much as he could to the Book of Mormon so we could tie it in with our Book of Mormon challenge going on right now. The only thing I regret about the fireside is I didn't record the entire thing.  I remembered about half way through.  I really wish I would have had a copy of the beginning.  I would love for Jorja and Preston to hear it.  Maybe if I get ambitious I will transcribe it on here one day.....but it will be missing the first twenty minutes!

Here is my next scripture challenges.  I am not writing these on here because they are particularly interesting, I just want to know where to find in the future.....

1 Nephi 20 - 2 Nephi 5

2 Nephi 2:25

Who said "Adam fell that men might be and men are that they might have joy?"

The first three people to text Stephanie Smith the correct answer will receive a candy bar.

2 Nephi 3

The first three people to text Becky Johnson 4 Josephs talked about in this chapter will receive some goodies.

2 Nephi 5

How could you prove that Nephi had sisters?

Nephi quotes Isaiah extensively in the Book of Mormon.  How many years before Lehi's family left Jerusalem did Isaiah live?

Hint:  See Isaiah in the Bible dictionary.

The first three people to text Jaime Staker the correct answer will receive a plate of treats.

***Darby was one of the three who texted me.  I wrote back and asked him if he liked Snickers.  He wrote, "Yes!  And thanks  I'm so happy :) :) :)"  Cutest text from a 12 year old boy ever!

Oooo.  I just found some pictures I took.  They are random, but cute.

Mina, Abigail, Marie

 Marie & Preston

 Preston making 'straw stew' - he was so proud

 Marie with a balloon animal Jorja made

 Preston again with his straw stew.

Don't worry, the stove is not on.

Snake Chain

Maysen and Jorja made a chain of how many days they have left in the school year.  Mike hung it in the playroom for them.  They are quite excited about it.

 Lady Yakama a.k.a. Maysen needs to be defeated in Dominion

 Jorja wanted the snakes head by her computer desk

I handed out the next Book of Mormon challenges.  I think many of the youth didn't look in their packets they were given last week to see the challenges.  A lot of them seemed surprised when I gave Nicole a giant pixie stick for bringing the definition of condescension.  This time Becky had all her texts within the hour.  Love it.

1 Nephi 13 - 1 Nephi 19

1 Nephi 15:24

The first three people to text Becky Johnson three different ways the word of God can come to you will receive a plate of treats.

Hint:  2 Peter 1:20-21

          D&C 68:3-4

          Moroni 10:4-5

Did you notice what was involved in all three of these means of communication?

1 Nephi 16:10

Thomas S. Monson gave a talk in the October 1986 session of General Conference about a liahona that is available to us today.  The first person to text Stephanie Smith what President Monson was referring to will receive a loaf of homemade bread.

1 Nephi 17:3

"And thus we see . . ." that means pay attention -- Nephi, Jacob, Mormon -- whoever is writing, they want to teach us a lesson.  What is the lesson in verse 3?

I will need to be making bread for Katie this week.  Everyone in my family reached the 1 Nephi 12 goal.  Everyone.  Even Preston.  Never would I have guessed he would have wanted to be a part of this challenge.  He now reads scriptures with us as a family.  We are not reading it completely together as a family.  I really want the older kids to read their scriptures by themselves as well.  In order to catch up, Preston and I read from the children's illustrated scriptures that we had when I was little.  It is quite interesting reading the Book of Mormon this way.  Today we read 1 Nephi 17 - that was a long one!  All about Nephi building a boat.  Then Preston and I read 1 Nephi 12, parts of Nephi's vision.  This morning I read 2 Nephi 4 where Lehi dies.  It's kind of crazy to read it like this, but I like it.

1 Nephi

I have now finished 1st Nephi.  Isn't my chart pretty?  I like it.

It has been great getting back into the habit of reading my scriptures everyday.  The kids have done fantastic with this.  Preston has absolutely blown me away with his enthusiasm.  We read 1 Nephi 13 during scripture study.  Preston wanted to read the LONGEST verse.  He was so proud of himself.  Maysen and Stockton are both past 1 Nephi 12.  That was the benchmark for the end of the week.  Mike is reading his scriptures in Portuguese.  When it is his turn to read, he either reads in Portuguese, or he translates what his book says.  Preston was cute as he went back and forth from looking at my book to looking at Mike's. Then he smiled and said, "Wow, they are different!"  He is adorable.

First Day of School - Take 2

Today was Maysen and Jorja's first day of school.  Maysen forgot her glasses.  She sent me a text asking if I could bring them to her.  Preston and I brought them down and put them in her locker.  We walked by Stockton's first period class and saw him.  Preston loved that!

I was hoping Stockton would have 1st lunch and Maysen would have 2nd lunch.  I was also hoping they would have lunch together.  What did they get?  Maysen has 1st and Stockton has 2nd.  Drat.  In their school the 7th graders have a bell that rings five minutes before the 8th & 9th grade bell.  Kind of confusing if you ask me.  Although it is pretty cool that they are able to get to lunch first.  Except Stockton.  He has 8th grade math before lunch.  He is let out on the 8th grade bell and has to be in class at the 7th grade bell.  I hope he gets a chance to eat!

Who's excited about the first day of school?

Certainly not Maysen!

 That's more like it!  It also helps if I tell her I'm taking her picture.

 Jorja wore these shoes all summer without taking off the tag.  Funny.

 Jorja - 4th grade

 Maysen & Jorja

 Maysen - 9th grade, Stockton - 7th grade, Jorja - 4th grade

 Preston, put up a zero!

 Or be a puppy.  Come on now boys!

 I'm going to keep taking pictures until you smile!

Can you tell Maysen was ready to be done?

 Jorja getting on the bus.

Yeah, there are a lot of kids in our neighborhood!

Preston and I met Mike for lunch.  Before we left, Preston and I went to Zurchers.  Preston found a toy that he wanted to get for one of his goals. He earned a small reward a long time ago, but has been waiting to find the perfect surprise.  Preston LOVES Yoshi.  This Yoshi is kind of like a pez, except it dispenses smarties.

Preston & Yoshi

When the girls saw that I took Stockton to Iceberg, they decided they needed to go somewhere special too.  I told them I would if they agreed on a place.  When I got in the car and asked them where we were going, they both said, "Maggie Moo's!"  I did not see that one coming.  I said, "You realize that is a half hour away."  Maysen said, "I've got my ds." Jorja said, "I am going to watch a movie."  Well....okay....I guess that is where we will go then.

Jorja 'blue-teeth' & Maysen

On the way home we stopped at a craft store called The Wood Connection.  It is a pretty cool place, but I went to the wrong store first. I went to the furniture store also called The Wood Connection. Anyway, we got to the right store minutes before they closed.  I was able to get some blocks I wanted for a project that is on one of my goals.  I hope it turns out like I want it to.

I printed up a whole bunch of random Book of Mormon charts.  The kids each picked one.  Preston even wanted one.  He also sat through our scripture study and read a few verses for the first time!  He has never been willing to read a verse before!  Mike and I were shocked!  Then he asked to read more. He wanted to cross off more circles on his chart. We will see how long this lasts!

Scripture chart wall

Book of Mormon Challenge

Stockton had a Court of Honor tonight.  He got a ton of merit badges. School starts tomorrow.  We have been looking for his backpack.  At the Court of Honor they had a ton of things on the piano that was left over from camp.  Stockton's backpack was there!  Perfect timing!

President Back with all the boys Stockton's age

President Back also met Bubs today.  He came up to me and told me he met Spencer.  I was a little confused.  It was funny I didn't connect that Spencer was Bubs until Mike pointed it out.  President Back has two kids in Bubs' ward.  One of them was speaking today.  Small world.

Stockton getting his merit badges from Brother Masters

 Stockton & Stephanie

Today we started a Book of Mormon challenge with the Young Men/Young Women in the ward.  They have been challenged to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.  If they read three pages a day they can do it.  I was in charge of making up a weekly challenge sheet.  My dad helped me and I was quite happy with it.  I hope the kids like it.  I might have to go to only one challenge a week if I don't get any responses, but hopefully they will like the different choices.  We will see.  So far I have received a text from Maysen, Darby and Bowie. Although Darby and Bowie are in the same family.  But my beehives seem to worship Bowie for some reason.  When I brought him his plate of cookies I told him to put it on instagram and make my beehives jealous.  Anyway, here is my challenge.  It is quite long, so feel free it skip it, but I wanted to write it here anyway.

1 Nephi 1 - 1 Nephi 12

1 Nephi 1:20

Elder Bednar gave a talk in the April 2005 conference titled The Tender Mercies of the Lord.  He described tender mercies as very personal and individualized blessings.  Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies help us discern and acknowledge them.

As an example, Elder Bednar explained how he felt the first time he spoke at conference as the newest apostle.  He was feeling the pressure of his new calling.  The intermediate hymn, sung right before he was to speak and chosen long before his call was issued was his favorite hymn.  That was a tender mercy.  Elder Bednar immediately felt comfort and reassurance.

The first three people to text Stephanie Smith the name of this hymn will receive a plate of cookies.

Hint: lds.org --> teaching tab (top/right) --> General Conference --> in the 'search conference' box type: tender mercies bednar --> click on The Tender Mercies of the Lord

1 Nephi 3:7

Sing "Nephi's Courage" to one of your YW/YM leaders.  Many of your leaders have one candy bar to give to the first person who sings to them.

1 Nephi 4:10-18

Nephi was obedient to the Spirit and did something very hard for him that he didn't want to do.  Think of a time in your life when you obeyed the Spirit (or your mom, or your dad, or your Bishop, or your youth leader) and did something hard that you didn't want to do.

1 Nephi 8 (also see 1 Nephi 15:24)

In Lehi's dream, those who clung to the iron rod safely made it to the tree.  What do you need to do in your life that would represent clinging to the iron rod?

Leave your answer in a comment on the blog post titled "Lehi's Dream" at crescent18.blogspot.com

1 Nephi 11:16

Look up "condescension" in a dictionary.  It has both a negative and positive meaning.  How does the positive meaning of the word "condescension" apply to Jesus?

Bring your answer on a piece of paper to church next Sunday.

1 Nephi 12:17

What are the temptations of the devil that the youth of the church have to deal with today?

That is all of this weeks challenges.  Hopefully the kids like them.  I think they should be fun . . . we shall see.