Utah Trip/Prepare Children

We had a wonderful time in Utah.  We loved being with family and friends.  I think Elizabeth says it best in her prayers, "Thank you for the best vacation ever!!"

We have been well taken care of by the Lord.  The weather was perfect, we never got sick, everything just worked out.  We truly felt that we were in the palm of our Heavenly Father's hand.  Derek and I were not excited about driving out to Utah and we did not get to plan as well as we would have liked but we decided that the Lord is the one who wanted us to drive out so we gave it to Him and He truly blessed us better than we could have imagined.  Here are just a few highlights (more later):

Making cookies with Grandma and Kately.

Aunt Annelise took Elizabeth shopping for a new dress and got their nails done.

Elizabeth and her cousins Christian and Dennis got to go do Baptisms for the Dead and the Draper Temple.  I was so impressed, it took 2 1/2 hours to do the names we brought because their were so many young men and young women who decided to go to the temple during their Christmas Break.  The place was packed.  It was amazing!!

Guided Safely Home

By President Thomas S. Monson, October 2014 General Conference

Our Father provided the sun, the moon, and the stars—heavenly galaxies to guide mariners who sail the lanes of the sea. To us, as we walk the pathway of life, He provides a clear map and points the way toward our desired destination. He cautions: beware the detours, the pitfalls, the traps. We cannot be deceived by those who would lead us astray, those clever pied pipers of sin beckoning here or there. Instead, we pause to pray; we listen to that still, small voice which speaks to the depths of our souls the Master’s gentle invitation, “Come, follow me."

I need to teach my children more about the detours, the pitfalls, the traps of Satan. The last few weeks Derek and I have had our eyes opened to the world of pornography and all the many traps that Satan has set. Many we did not even know existed. Now more than ever we feel a need to teach our children the ways that Satan is trying to trap their souls. And not only do we want to prepare them but to give them armor, prevent Satan from even getting in. I know that through scripture study, family prayer, and family home evening we can give our children this armor.