Easter Hymn

1. Behold the wounds in Jesus’ Hands,
The marks upon His side.
Then ponder whom He meant to save
When on the cross He died.
We cannot see the love of God
Which saves us from the Fall,
Yet know that Christ from wood and nails
Built mansions for us all.

2. Behold the outstretched hands of Christ,
Our Lord, who came to save,
Whose love and grace redeem our souls
And lift us from the grave.
Though bruised and battered as we stray,
His guiding hands caress.
He washes and annoints with oil;
Then in His arms we rest.

3. Behold the wounds in Jesus’ hands.
Look to your Lord and live.
He yearns to bless you with His love
And all your sins forgive.
Oh, empty is the heart of man
When it is filled with sin.
Come, open wide your broken heart
And let your Savior in!

4. Behold His wounded hands and feet!
Come touch, and see, and feel
The wounds and marks that you may know
His love for you is real.
Then as you fall to worship Him
And wash His feet in tears,
Your Savior takes you in his arms
And quiets all your fears.

© 1998 by John V. Pearson and David R. Naylor. All rights reserved.

I love this time of year!

Christmas is a wonderful time of year to remember our Savior, but it is also very, very busy. I like the simplicity of Easter: no cards and no presents. I'm not even decorating this year! We can just focus on the Savior. This year we are reading the back of the pictures from the Gospel Art Kit, we did the resurrection eggs, Easter Cookies, decorating Easter Eggs, and of course hunting for Easter Eggs. We are actually going to Nauvoo for Good Friday, so I am excited for that adventure.

Mike's been home this past week (he took the boys Spring Break off). It's been a relaxing stress free week. Wednesday, it will be back to reality: tests, papers, single parenting, the whole bit! One good thing: the Excel class I am teaching is almost over! I start teaching PowerPoint on April 8th. That is my favorite class--Excel makes my brain hurt: amortization schedules, if statements, pmt functions, so on and so on. PowerPoint is so creative and fun!

Happy Easter!

Gathering of Israel

I think of the gathering as having three integral parts: physical gathering of saints, building of temples, and our own spiritual readiness to be gathered.

Physical gathering of the Saints:

Saints gathered together in Kirtland, Ohio; Missouri; Nauvoo, Illinois; and finally the Great Basin. Then the gathering changed from one central point, to stakes around the entire world: Bruce R. McConkie stated:

The] revealed words speak of … there being congregations of the covenant people of the Lord in every nation, speaking every tongue, and among every people when the Lord comes again. …

“The place of gathering for the Mexican Saints is in Mexico; the place of gathering for the Guatemalan Saints is in Guatemala; the place of gathering for the Brazilian Saints is in Brazil; and so it goes throughout the length and breadth of the whole earth. Japan is for the Japanese; Korea is for the Koreans; Australia is for the Australians; every nation is the gathering place for its own people” (in Conference Report, Mexico and Central America Area Conference 1972, 45).

Now we gather in our own stakes. President Benson taught as we gather in stakes, we have this protection:

• 1. [Stakes are] to unify and perfect the members who live in [their] boundaries by extending to them the Church programs, the ordinances, and gospel instruction.

• “2. Members of stakes are to be models, or standards, of righteousness.

• “3. Stakes are to be a defense. They do this as stake members unify under their local priesthood officers and consecrate themselves to do their duty and keep their covenants. …

• “4. Stakes are a refuge from the storm to be poured out over the earth” (“Strengthen Thy Stakes,” Ensign, Jan. 1991, 2, 4–5)

Gathering means temple building.

The Saints dedicated land to build temples in three places in Missouri, and built the first latter-day temple in Kirtland, Ohio. The temple in Kirtland was built and Joseph Smith received the keys for the gathering of Isreal. From the very beginning the temple has been integral to the gathering of the Saints. Gathering means to take out of the world and bring into the kingdom. As we become a covenant making and covenant keeping people, the protection of the Lord will be with us, and we become sanctified--thus we are gathered into God's kingdom.

Finally, gathering is a personal choice. As we hear the word of God, hearken to the word of God, and humble ourselves, we will be gathered.

He will gather his people even as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, even as many as will hearken to my voice and humble themselves before me, and call upon me in mighty prayer. D&C 29:2

And ye are called to bring to pass the gathering of mine elect; for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts; D&C 29:7

And even so will I gather mine elect from the four quarters of the earth, even as many as will believe in me, and hearken unto my voice. D&C 33:6

Museum of Science and Industry

This week/ the boys spring break. So we went to the Museum of Science and Industry for the day. Gypsy Girl ran around the entire thing--it was man to man with her. Mike however played zone defense and took the boys!

Anakin is our astronaut!

The had a Mars Rover.

Luke loved controlling the rover.

My Best Recipe!

Last Thursday we had our Relief Society Dinner. It was a busy week--Mike was out of town--I was back in school--three children under the age of six. This is all normal for me, but still busy. I had signed up to bring a salad for the dinner, but forgot to buy the ingredients when I went to the store on Saturday. I'm always able to think of something with little resources.

Here is the recipe:

Go to the grocery store deli,
Ask for two lbs of the best broccoli salad ever.
Go to the kitchen at the church.
Find a bowl to put it in.
Put it in the bowl.
Put it on the table.

It worked! Until our dear counselor in Relief Society begins to rave over the broccoli salad during her talk. Not only does she want to know who brought I mean bought it, but wants the recipe.

At this point, I'm bright red, and my cover has been blown.

"Logli's Deli," I reply.

Memories

Our perception of the future is based on our past experiences, and since we tend to remember negative experiences more than positive ones it can be harder to have faith and hope in the future. We can't change the past and we can't guarantee the future but we can control the present. By creating a positive present we are laying the foundation for a better past, which in turn helps us to look forward to a better future.

Although we may not remember all the positive past experiences very well, the Holy Ghost can help us remember them when we need to. (John 14:26)

This has often happened to me, good memories come back to me to help me through a bad day or a bad experience. Those memories that are given to me through the spirit to help me an lift me up.

My goal as a mother is to pray to remember the good things that my children do, over the bad things. I hope to remember all the good that they do during the one moment of the bad things that they do! I believe it will give me more patience and love!

Thankful Thursday

I know I'm a day late, but better than being a day early! Read #5 to find out what I mean!

1. Good weather: It's been great to get outside, enjoy the sunshine, go to parks, and play!
2. Good people: I dropped my phone at the park while playing with my kids. A cute couple picked it up, called me, and met me to return the phone. It was a miracle!
3. Prayer: even after a long hard day, life just seems better after a long hard prayer!
4. Michelle at the grad office: I went to sign up for my class I needed in the fall, but it was full! Michelle overheard my plight, fixed it after I had left the grad office, and called me to let me know I had gotten in the class. I think she needs some cookies! (I'll have to take a picture of her because she looks just like the red head actress on CSI!)
   
5. Thursday is over: this has been a long week--Mike has been gone the entire week--so on Wednesday night I take the garbage out. I look around, and no one else has their garbage out. I promptly take it back inside. Luckily, I remembered on Thursday to take it out. I really did think it was Thursday when it was actually Wednesday. Such a disappointment. My kids thought it was pretty funny!
   
6. Wonderful Librarians: they know our little family at the library, and I forgot my library card, but they checked out all our books for us without it! They were so very, very, nice!
7. Stretchy Socks: Anakin wore sandals, and his feet were cold. I had a pair of Gypsy Girl's socks in the diaper bag. They stretched to fit Anakins feet. Warm feet=happiness! (I'm also glad that I did not clean out the diaper bag!)
   

What are you thankful for?

St. Patrick's Day is Over

We had a great day--weather helped out a lot! It was 70 degrees--warm enough for shorts! We went to my favorite park!

When we got home, we played our favorite game! The boys like to crouch on the ground because they become invisible. Somehow, the camera can still take pictures of them!

Anakin does the commando crawl all the way back to base!

I love this picture of Gypsy Girl! She is such a beauty!

At the end of play time, I threw fake money on the grass. The boys loved finding it. Luke got a fake green coin from school, he calls it his "Lucky China Penny." It has the word China on it, so it is from China not Ireland!

We finished off the perfect day with the perfect bedtime snack: Lucky Charms! Thanks Shannon for the great idea! Tomorrow it is back to normalcy, and it's supposed to rain. YUUUUK!

Green Pretzels!

Activity #2: we made pretzels--added green food coloring for the holiday!

You can find the recipe here!

Happy Saint Patrick's Day!

We started off with Green Eggs but no Ham!

We have many other activities planned!

The Ladybug and the Caterpillar

Yesterday when we were at the Library for story hour, my four year old son comes up to me to show me the hat he had made. On the hat was a ladybug, a caterpillar and a rock. He told me that they were part of his story. Curious, I responded, "Tell me your story."

Once upon a time a ladybug met a butterfly. The butterfly bit him, and turned the ladybug into a rock. A caterpillar came by and said, "Tuff Rock!" Then the caterpillar turns into a yellow butterfly. Then the yellow butterfly bit the rock, and the rock turned back into a butterfly.

The End

After school, we typed up the story on the computer and added wonderful google images. He now want to sell the book. So anyone in the market for a really cool book by a four year old, please send money! He thinks he will become rich off this creation!

You can email me at kaylynntje @ gmail dot com where I will be waiting patiently for your orders: five dollars for everything, including shipping and handling! I could also email it to you for free, but don't tell my son!

San Diego Fish Tacos

My friend Abby posted a recipe for fish tacos, and asked that I post mine. I have not made these in a while, so no pictures.

The Fish
4 4-once filets of any fairly firm-fleshed fish (such as red snapper or tilapia), each cut to about 5" long and 2" wide
2 teaspoons olive oil
1 teaspoon chili powder
1 teaspoon salt
1/2 teaspoon black pepper
1/4 teaspoon allspice
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic
2 teaspoons grated lim rind
8 6-inch soft tortillas

Sides
sour cream
shredded cabbage
sliced onion
tomatoes
cilantro
Tomatill0-Avacado Salsa

Tomatillo-Avacado Salsa (makes about two cups)
6 small tomatillos, husked, rinsed, and diced
1 avocado
2 teaspoons lime juice, plus extra for sprinkling on avocado
1/2 cup minced cilantro, firmly packed
2 large scallions, finely minced (white and green parts)
1 tablespoon finely minced fresh jalapeno
2 teaspoons finely minced tomato
1 teaspoon finely minced garlic

Beach?

This was not my idea to have the boys run through the sprinkler when it is only 55 degrees outside, but they were pretty determined.

I told them they had to put on their swimsuits and test if it was warm enough. According to my 6 and 4 year old, it was warm enough.

Then they had to find the hose and sprinkler. I did not know where they were, but could have found them if I tried. I did not really try, but the boys found them. One found the sprinkler, and the other found the hose.

By this point, I gave up. They asked me to find their beach towels and sunglasses.

Beach towels were easy (I put those away last fall), but sunglasses took a little effort.

Here they are having the time of their lives. They ran through the sprinklers, then would rest on their beach towels. They pretended that they were at the beach! Luckily it did not last long because it really was not warm enough to play in the sprinklers!

The best part: we did not even need sunscreen!

Cooking for Twelve

The laundry basket full of food: salsa, guacamole, rice, beans, enchiladas, and brownies.

The enchiladas

All the sides! Don't you love the re-usable cheap tupperware. Now the family doesn't need to return anything to me!

This was a momentous moment for me, but an everyday occurrence for the dear mom of the ten children. I only wish I brought paper plates--they still need to do all the dishes! Do you think it was enough food?

You can find the recipes here and here!

Randomness and Spring Break!

For Luke's actual birthday, I made this. It is fish cakes (which he wanted in a shape of a shark) in a sea of peas with a lemon for the sun. It was fun. I was very proud of myself because I think I cooked dinner at least three times while my husband was gone. That is a miracle for me!

We had Stake Conference on Sunday, then dinner at my sisters. We got a new Stake President. Anakin, kept asking where Presient Obama was, and was Senator McCain going to be our new President. Our little one wanted to walk around the entire building, so I did not hear much. That's what happens when you sit right next to the open door. I've been trying to get a family pictue for ages. I keep thinking we will be able to get one on a Sunday. This is the best we can do! You can't see Mike or Anakin, but hey, you work with what you can! I think I'm going to have to actually put something on a calendar: picture day, and try to go somewhere to have a picture shoot.

I am on spring break! I am still going to try to knock off a paper this week, and do all the reading for the next unit. But it is nice to be able to go running in my favorite spot! The trails that I usually run are still covered in snow, so I just ran around the lake. We had two days of rain, then it froze, so all the leaves were frozen. It was kind of cool to run on frozen leaves.

Another picture of the lake. It was wonderful!

So I'm going to try this week and help others. Usually, I am far too busy with the stress of school and family to do anything for others. Today, I'm helping my sister, and I'm making a dinner for a family of twelve. I didn't have a body that could have ten kids, but luckily I can help out a family that did. I'm going to take pictures of the amount of food I'm taking. I love this family, so even the stress is worth it!

Why we suffer?

This question is asked daily, many loose their faith in God over this question. Others never accept God because they can't understand how a loving, all-powerful God would allow the atrocities in the world to occur.

This past week, this has been on my mind not because life suddenly became harder, but because of a Relief Society lesson and a recent radio interview.

My faith might actually be founded and strengthened by the fact that suffering, adversity, atrocities will always happen. Taking God out of the equation does not change the fact -- it still occurs in the world. Putting God into the equation allows me, and the entire world to be healed, comforted, and have the hope for a better world. We can help others and lift their burdens, and give them hope that better things are to come!

My favorite scripture: Alma 7:11-12

And he (Jesus Christ) shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people.

12 And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy, according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities.

I also love this quote by President Eyering, that he gave at President Hinckley's funeral:

"President Hinckley knew that God will steel and fortify us all as we choose to take the gospel down into our hearts. And he knew that the choice was made by consecrating all we are and have to follow the Master. He knew it was best to make that choice early, in the days of youth, because it might take years for us to qualify for the change in our hearts which comes because of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

For all of us across the world, I express gratitude for such a prophet, such a teacher, such a father, and such a friend. He was a true witness of Jesus Christ and a prophet of God. We are better because of his influence and his example. And the best can be yet to come as we take the gospel of Jesus Christ down into our hearts, as he did.

In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

What do you think?

Happy Birthday, Luke!

On your first birthday, you had your very first ear infection.

On your second birthday, you had to share all your toys with friends that we invited over.

On your third birthday, you got a bike--the best birthday so far.

On your fourth birthday, we had a dinosaur party!

On your fifth birthday, we played in the snow and went sledding!

Now on your sixth birthday, we had a really fun party!

We celebrated Luke's birthday on Saturday. Mike was home, and we had a great time. We started the party with a hunt for the treat bags. Then it was on to the obstacle course in the basement: biking through cones, jumping on trampolines and beds, walking on balance beams, spinning on spinners, hopping on one foot, and jumping over walls. The kids went through the course over and over again. We decorated kites, but it was too cold to fly. We ate, opened presents, and then had free play time. Mike was the lego coordinator during free play. He really missed a great career opportunity by going to flight school. It was a great day! Luke, thanks for coming into our family six years ago. It was a long time coming, but it was well worth it. I love you!

The Light at the end of the tunnel

Finally, we are feeling better and up for some adventures. We love the Lego Discovery Center near our home. I think Anakin loves R2D2 the most. It is amazing to see everything made from legos!

Anakin is also a huge fan of President Obama. (I think he might be influenced by his mommy!) Luke, however, was disappointed that there was no statue of Senator McCain.

A favorite spot for our little girl!

One of the favorite activities is building robots out of these giant legos! It is a lot of fun!

Luke made this awesome ship.

They have these amazing tracks where you can build lego cars and race them. Luke discovered that a wheel is by far, faster than any car. He won the race almost every single time!