TJ's Baptism BOM

By:TJ

While Tiffany and I were going through boxes at the new house we came across something that I hadn't seen in a very long time. These are the picture of the original book of mormon that the missionaries gave me when I was 15 years old. It brought back alot of memories and made me grateful for all of those who supported me and helped me as a youth. I am grateful for the examples that I had that helped to form my life and shape my future. I hope that many of you can find your names on these pages and know that your testimonies helped me to gain mine.

Luke 12

So, I love movies and especially true-to-life stories. I've never been a Sci-Fi fan because it's just too unrealistic to me to relate to. I just prefer stories that are REAL, no matter happy or sad. I had seen previews months ago for "The Lovely Bones." It was obviously not a true story because the story is completely told by a girl who has died. Yet, I was really impressed with the realism of the story - the possibility that it could all be true.

Suzie is the name of the young girl who narrates and you watch her viewpoint of everything she sees after her death. It's a terribly sad story of her murder, but the artistry and joy expressed in her heaven are renewing and hopeful in the powers of peace. I was captured by this fictional story because I knew the same "missing child" story has happened to many families. Just a few days later I watched a true story on Dateline about a girl in Oregon, Brooke Wilberger, who went missing and years later her family finally found out she was murdered. As the story progressed and I found out the dates - she was taken in May 2004 and had been a BYU Freshman that year. So I was at BYU with her because that was my senior year and she disappeared right after I graduated. I then remembered seeing her disappereance on the news. Following watching that, these stories - one fiction-based the other all-true - became so overwhelmingly real to me. I knew I was at risk, my children and anyone I knew and that fear started to grow. I have always known it's good to be educated in bad things that happen to people to strive to prevent them as much as possible. There is evil and I can't stop it, but I can try my best to not be part of it. That's just the way I've always seen it. I take breaks from serious matters, but these two stories seemed to occupy my thoughts tremendously and of course made me sad to think about these girls and their lives cut short.

Then my little miracle came. I was not sleeping as easily as I normally do thinking and fearing the possiblities so I turned to my scriptures. Just opened up to Luke 12 and there is all I needed to know to bring the wave of peace:

"2 For there is nothing covered, that shall not be revealed; neither hid, that shall not be known.

3 Therefore whatsoever ye have spoken in darkness shall be heard in the light; and that which ye have spoken in the ear in closets shall be proclaimed upon the housetops.

4 And I say unto you my friends, Be not afraid of them that kill the body, and after that have no more that they can do.

5 But I will forewarn you whom ye shall fear: Fear him, which after he hath killed hath power to cast into hell; yea, I say unto you, Fear him.

6 Are not five sparrows sold for two farthings, and not one of them is forgotten before God?

7 But even the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Fear not therefore: ye are of more value than many sparrows."

These six verses of Christ's words took all my fear and worry away. I know I am not free from bad things happening to me or the ones I love. Yet more importantly, I know His words are true and he is there to succor all of our pains, doubts, heartache and sadness because His love is immesurable to us. He never forgets us because His love is so powerful. I have felt it and I am so grateful for His guidance in my life everyday. In this little moment I needed some peace and it came from His words. I know He knows me.

Family Soccer

Family Home Evening is a great time for us to be together on Monday nights. I chose soccer as our activity and we went out to the soccer fields. Since no practices are allowed out there, we had a park in the baseball fields parking lot and walk a ways, but the point was to help James figure out a little more about how soccer is played as a team. The wind was blowing (as it always is out there) and we all played and "coached" James to help him understand the rules and the point of playing the game. I know he's just 4 years old, but my biggest reasons to even have him playing any sports right now are to learn about working together on a team (That it's not all about him) and to just learn to pay attention. It takes a great deal of coaxing to keep him focused on the game ("James, keep your eye on the ball!") and not trying to play punch with the other kids or just stay on the field without wanting a drink of water every 5 minutes or throwing a fit because he didn't get to the ball before another kid. It's been an eye opener as to all the things he has left to learn as a kid being with other kids. He always has fun, but it is hilarious sometimes to see his way of playing. All the parents who had boys play last season reassure me it's normal for the first time so I just shake my head and hope they're right.





"Can you beat Daddy to the goal?"





Jade just enjoying the wind :)

Temple Date

Thanks to my wonderful, Aunt Debby, we got to go to the temple as a couple for the first time this year. We picked up Debby at DFW and she offered to watch the kids while we went on a session. It was so peaceful and spiritually uplifting to take that time to be there to do the Lord's work. Being with TJ in the Celestial room and pondering the love of our Heavenly Father to provide a way for us to be together forever was just awakening to my spirit. I love the beauty and peace of His Holy House. I also loved to hear James sing, "I Love to See the Temple" on our trip. It brings such joy to me that he is already building his testimony of the gospel truths and covenants he will make there someday.

Branch Activity

We had a great activity with members from church. A great spiritual beginning with messages about the Restoration of the Gospel started it off and food to follow, of course. Must serve food and they will come. It's a time to just hang out with all the great people in our branch. Their example of love and faith is a blessing to us and we love being with them.





Left: Alexa, Maria Luisa, Melissa, Miguel
Right: Cecilia, Dionicio




Rosa, Adilene, Norberto, Larisa, Michael





Familia de Alba - Imelda, Manuela, y Javier





Juli y Rosa




Kimberlina




Familia de Tapia

I want to be a pilot!

I found out about the East Texas Aeromodelers Fun-Fly and we decided to go for a short bit before conference started on Saturday morning. James has been talking about being a pilot for the past few weeks, so it was a good opportunity for him to watch the little planes fly around. It was a great activity and we look forward to going back in the fall to spend more time there. It was a little difficult to find the field, but definitely worth even the short time we had there.







They even had a lawn mower fly! It was very entertaining to watch what looks like a lawn-mower flying in the air. This was it on the ground and their website has a news station video link to watch it fly: http://www.easttexasaeromodelers.com/

James' New 'Do (& Mo's too)

It was haircut time at our house last week. I haven't had James' hair cut for a few months just to see how it looked growing out. I figured winter was the best time to try that since he sweats so bad when sleeping. The spike thing worked, but then it got too long and then he's got the shag going on. It wasn't looking handsome on him so I decided now that it's hot it's got to come off. James didn't agree, but as Granny Great told him, he decided he didn't want hair growing down to his feet. Our friend, Kamie cut it and he's a much nicer looking kid on the playground now.

BEFORE




I only had James' camera in the car so the quality isn't' as great, but it does have the cool little Disney characters you can include in a picture. I just liked this one with Mickey and James' expression:
"If you chance to meet a frown, do not let it stay...."





Hair in my eyes!




AFTER



Kamie told James she wished every boy would act so well getting their haircut. That's a huge improvement!




Spring time also means Mo gets shaved. He always looks so old from all grey undercoat. The shave or the dip they used caused some major itching. So, Moab had to wear the "cone of shame" for a week to keep him from tearing himself to pieces. Jade sure loves him no matter his style.



Our Mo-pup

My Grandpas

Both my Grandpas had birthdays this March. Grandpa Grubbs turned 89 and my Grandpa Carl (my great grandfather) turned 97. We are blessed that they live in Longview and we get to see them so often.

Grandpa Grubbs has lived much longer than any of his male relatives. It's probably due to all that good Mormon living :) Well, I'm sure glad to see him and James and Jade are too (even when he's teasing James - he still loves to be with him). I get to take him around sometimes to places he needs to go, but our favorite stop together is Tuesday Night 99 cent burgers at Sonic. We don't do it every week, but it's so nice to get out with him and just talk.


Grandpa Grubbs in the Coast Guard in 1940's




Grandpa Grubbs Now





Grandpa Carl has a lot of pain, but he's still able to get around with his walker, drive and do a lot on his own. He says if he's supposed to stay here and suffer with his pains he's going to take it with a smile. Jade and I visited him one morning while James was at school and he was happy to have someone there to keep him awake all morning. It's very difficult to grow old and feel your body only able to do less and less as time goes on. I feel particularly sympathetic for Grandpa Carl because he has outlived all three of his children. I can't imagine that. Although his youngest, Missy, died when she was only 4 years old, tears still well up in his eyes when he sees her picture or talks about her. I'm grateful I was given her name as my middle name, Marie. Missy was just her nickname and she was just adorable. When Jade and I were leaving that day he watched her run down the hall and said, "Now that's worth being alive today." It makes me want to plan weekly visits to him so hopefully we can brighten his days more and just spend time with him.


My Great Grandparents - Evelyn & Carl Hane




Their children - Paul (my grandpa), Diane Marie (Missy), & Nancy




Grandpa Carl Now





I love my grandpas so much and miss my Grandpa Hane too.