MERRY CHRISTMAS & HAPPY NEW YEAR FROM THE 9 FAMILY!

Click on the photo of the newsletter to enlarge it for reading

"LIPS" BY EMILY

Emily LOVES an application I have on my iPad called PAPER.  Here is just one of her thousands of awesome drawings she's made on there.  She's really developing her "digital art" skills.

C'MON CARDINALS!!! YOU CAN WIN THE WORLD SERIES!!!!

Please. Please. Please. Please. WIN.

My Daddy is watching from heaven.

He was a Cardinals fan since he was about 5 years old. He and I had a daddy/daughter trip back east in '87, when the Cards played in the World Series in their Home Stadium!  My daddy was sooo excited. He was worse than a kid in a candy store!!

We stayed in a hotel about 3 hrs away because we were just "winging" it. The only room left in the hotel was the President's Suite. Awesome!

He bought scalper tickets from the Concierge. Won't tell you how much he paid for each, 'cuz you'd pass out!

We arrived about 2 hrs early for the game, and daddy  just had to buy things for everyone in the family - hats, mugs, sweatshirts, caps, key chains, you name it!!! :)  It was so fun watching him be this excited. 

While sitting in our nose-bleed section over 1st base, he told me something I had never known, and which I tried to memorize right there, knowing I'd treasure that info one day. He said ever since kindergarten, you know how you doodle on your paper in class? Well, his doodle was the "STL" for the St Louis Cardinals (like the picture here.) He perfected it, he did drew it so often. He drew it right there in front of me, in the stadium, on a napkin. He said he always dreamed of playing for them one day. My daddy had sports inside his veins instead of blood. He had no support for his love of sports, other than a sister who would help him practice at pitching and batting. His dad would cuss him out for "wasting" all his time on sports and listening to the radio to hear about all the teams everywhere. He kept up with baseball, football, basketball, tennis, you name it. But mainly baseball, basketball, and football.  He went on to play those three sports in high school, and then in college, with basketball ending up being his #1 sport.  But he played most all sports throughout his life.

He told me that October night in St Louis that he was being scouted out by the Red Sox, White Sox, Blue Jays, Cubs, and Twins.  But he had already made a "deal" with God. He wanted to play pro-baseball. But he also believe in getting a college education. So he made a deal with God that if he was supposed to play pro ball, then please let the St Louis Cardinals scout and draft him. And if they didn't, then he'd go to college.  He ended up hurting his shoulder, and thus ended up going to college, where he met my mother. But his love for the Cards continued throughout his life. Above all other teams, in all other sports, the Cards came first.

That night in '87 the Cards would lose in a what was a GREAT game. And I walked away from that game with tender and precious memories of my daddy, his life, and the love we shared that night and on that trip. I'll cherish them forever.

For my daddy's 77th birthday, the Cardinals celebrated a World Series Win against the Texas Rangers.  (My daddy's birthday is at the end of October)

I am hoping that this year, for my Daddy's 79th birthday which was just a few days ago, the Cards will grace him with another win against the Red Sox. Time to reverse the score from 2004.  I know my daddy is looking down from heaven watching his team. Sports were so much a part of him, that I know God allows him to still "partake" when he can.

GO CARDINALS!!!!!

A CENTURY OF HONOR

An amazing celebration of 100 years of service to God and country - and how God is the sure foundation for all morality and integrity, as well as the hope for our future. If we honor Him, He will honor us and our nation.

CALIFORNIA BAKERSFIELD MISSION WELCOME

The Bakersfield Mission is brand new as of July 1, 2013.  They received their very first influx of missionaries to begin serving in this mission.  There were 50 missionaries that arrived this day, Monday, August 5, 2013.  My son, Elder Jonathan Nine, was supposed to be with this group, but ended up taking a later flight. It wasn't until later that I found out that he and two other Elders had held back for the later flight in order that the Sister Missionaries could take the earlier flight and not arrive into Bakersfield so late.  That made me proud of him.  At the same time, after watching this video, it made me a bit sad that he missed such an historic and welcoming arrival into his mission. C'est la vie.

I apologize to those of you who receive updates on my blog. You probably got like 100 of these. I had to keep resizing the video until it fit properly.

Here is a write-up done by the Church's local Public Affairs person:

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
August 7, 2013
For further information: Angela Frehner
Phone: (661) 664-8510 Cell: (661) 213-7741

                                               Bakersfield on the ‘Missionary Map’

The newly-created California Bakersfield Mission of The Church of Jesus Christ of
Latter-day Saints just experienced an historic influx of young missionaries recently, with some
fifty young men and women arriving at Meadows Field on one day, Monday, August 5th.

An enthusiastic throng of some three hundred members and friends filled the terminal to
welcome the new arrivals. Jim and Jan Wilson of Cedar City, Utah, called to preside over the
new California Bakersfield mission, expressed great amazement at the size of the welcoming
throng. President Wilson was enthusiastic at the warm Bakersfield welcome. “We’re very
excited to have such great support here today to welcome these young men and women, who
come from all over the world at their own expense to serve right here in Bakersfield.”

Formerly part of the California Ventura Mission, Bakersfield is now headquarters for
missionaries serving in all Kern County communities, as well as high desert communities from
Palmdale up to Mammoth Lakes.

Missionaries' lives are completely dedicated to service and sharing the gospel of Jesus
Christ. Young missionaries forego education, dating, and work opportunities in order to focus on
their duties, which include spending several hours of their week serving communities. Locally,
missionaries that serve in Bakersfield have regularly participated in the Great American Cleanup
and Keep Bakersfield Beautiful projects, worked with the Bakersfield Police Department and
Kern County Sheriff’s Office to fill and deliver food baskets to the needy.

President and Sister Wilson embrace their new roles with enthusiasm. “We’re serving as
the mom and dad to two hundred and fifty missionaries as they are away from home, and we’re
very anxious for them to teach a special message and at the same time provide service to
individuals and communities.”

Members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are encouraged to emulate
Jesus Christ’s example of missionary service as recorded in biblical accounts of his ministry.
Church members today respond to the command given to the apostles to "Go ye into all the
world, and preach the gospel to every creature" (Mark 16:15).

LOVING THESE TWO

Just wanted to share these two pictures because I thought they turned out so perfect. (minus the "shadow" over Orli from holding the camera directly above her! lol!)

On the left is our granddaughter, Orli, at 1 month and 1 week old, whom I wish I could hold all day long, every day. :)

On the right is our son, Elder Jonathan Nine's missionary photo. How I miss him!!  There is definitely a huge void in our home with him gone. We miss all his "Jonathan-isms", his spirit and humor, his friendship, and just doing things with him (and maybe his help around the house too!)  But we wouldn't want him anywhere else in the world than where he's at. He will have the best two years of his life these next two years, and we are so excited for him!

It's weird to think that Jonathan held and kissed Orli goodbye the last time he saw her, and that the next they see each other she'll be a walking-talking-toddler who will have no idea who this strange man is that just joined our family!! 

SIX WEEKS OF BIG CHANGES

Well, the past month and a half has certainly been filled with big, and happy changes for our family.  As noted previously, our granddaughter, Orli, was born on June 20th. That was a happy adjustment we learned to make. Prior to, during, and after the time of her birth we also had to prepare for our son's 2-year voluntary mission.  A mission in our church is somewhat like a right-of-passage.  Young men and women cover their own expenses to serve missions throughout the world to invite people to come unto Christ and learn of His Plan of Salvation and the restoration of the Church He organized while upon the earth. The majority of young men and women who serve certainly experience great changes and growth during those two years, the greatest of which is real spiritual maturity and a true and deeper relationship with God that lasts an eternity.

Jonathan received his mission call toward the end of May. On Sunday, May 26th, we held a small open house for him to open his call in front of our closest friends.  He was called to serve in the California-Bakersfield mission and was to report to the MTC (Missionary Training Center) in Provo, UT, on July 24th.  It was a great night, and Jonathan was almost overwhelmed with joy as it "hit" him that he was really doing this! :)

After the call was opened we were able to begin buying all his clothers and needful items. We couldn't do it prior since we didn't know if he'd need summer or winter clothing, as he could have been called to serve anywhere in the world!

Well, he's done preparing, shopping, and even done flying to UT, staying at my sister's and brother-in-law's for the night, (which we are so thankful and happy they were able to do that,) and checking in to the MTC on July 24th (which for us Latter-day Saints is a special day known as "Pioneer Day", the day we remember and celebrate our Latter-day Saint ancestors who paid the ultimate price to travel across the plains of the United States in what has come to been known as the Great American Exodus in 1845-1847.)

Now, here are some pictures to remember this wonderful time in the life of our son!

Close friends that came to support Jonathan . . . .

. . . . So glad they could be here for this special moment!

Here is our Missionary, reading his call!

Our family - missing Nate, who had to work :(

Jeff and Jonathan grew up together since they were 8 yrs old - they both received calls within the same week and report to the MTC the same day - so they flew to UT together and stayed at my sister's that night, then checked in to MTC together the next day. They were actual "Missionary Companions" for 36 hrs - something our families had wished for 11 years and never thought would actually happen!

How can it be that time flew by so quickly?  This boy of ours holds my heart in his hands and forever he will be my little "Lovebug" that I'll love for always and forever:

A NEW ERA

We are Grandparents!!

Can you believe it??  We hardly can. It has been surreal and exciting all at the same time. This little angel girl made her debut appearance June 20, 2013. Her name is Orli Ninette and she is a pure, innocent, sweet little girl that has blessed our family.  We have loved her from the moment we laid eyes on her, and we feeling blessed and thankful to have her in our family.  I feel that she will be a true blessing to her family in many great and important ways. May the Lord bless her always and may she be part of our family forever! 

Orli's First 24 Hours of Life

THE FENCE

THE FENCE

There once was a little boy who had a bad temper.
His father gave him a bag of nails and told him that every time he lost his temper,
he must hammer a nail into the fence.  The first day the boy had driven 37 nails into the fence.
Over the next few weeks as he learned to control his anger,
the number of nails hammered daily, gradually dwindled down.
He discovered it was easier to hold his temper than to drive those nails into the fence.

Finally the day came when the boy didn't lose his temper at all.
He told his father about it and the father suggested that the boy
now pull out one nail for each day that he was able to hold his temper.
The days passed and the young boy was finally able to tell his father that all
the nails were gone.

The father tool his son by the hand and led him to the fence.
He said "You have done well, my son, but look at the holes in the fence.
The fence will never be the same. When you say things in anger,
they leave a scar just like this one."  You can put a knife in a man and draw it out.
It won't matter how many times you say I'm sorry, the wound is still there.
Make sure you control your temper the next time you are tempted
to say something you will regret later.

- Author Unknown

COMPULSORY EDUCATION

Here is a link to a wonderful and thought-provoking article on Compulsory Education in the United States.  Specifically, the idea that "the element of compulsion has transformed education form an extension of the community to something very different" caught my attention and I enjoyed reading the reasoning behind that.

Enjoy.

BEFORE:

Click here to read article

AFTER:

DROPS OF AWESOME - AN ANSWER TO TEARFUL PRAYER

Tonight was especially tough. I cried like I've not cried for a long time. For many reasons, but mainly it was just the last couple of straws that broke the camel's back.  In the midst of my sobbing, I cried out to Heavenly Father "Do you see me? Do you hear me? Do you love me?  Please help me! Please let me know I matter to you!  Please let me know you're there!"

Silence.

Eventually, my thoughts calmed me. (or were they "my" thoughts?) Then our Jonathan left for work.  Then Bob took Emily to run a couple of errands.  I started to relax, watch a great move called "Joshua" (the one from 2002, not 2007 which is evil!), and suddenly, when I paused for a text, I remembered I had started to read a blog that a friend of mine had posted on Facebook. She had read it online and was just sharing it with others. It's called DROPS OF AWESOME.  I thought to myself I should probably read it quickly before Bob and Emily get home.  Just to get it "done", and not have "one more thing to do" before going to bed tonight.  I DID want to read it after all.  So I started reading.  I could relate. A lot. And about 3/4's of the way through I heard/felt "Yes, I'm here.  Yes, I love you.  Yes, I'm aware of you and your pain. Don't be concerned about everything being perfect all the time. Just drops of awesome are enough. Don't worry about filling the bucket. That's what your Savior is for." 

Sobbing again. But no more silence.  Just warm, comforting arms around me.

I wanted to share some excerpts.  You can click on the photo (link) to read the full post if you wish.

- - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -

Click HERE to read full article

"This started me thinking of all the times I do something good while beating myself up for all the times I haven’t been perfect.

"You’re worshiping in the temple? Woopty freakin do! How long has it been since you came here last? When are you likely to come again? You’re not good at this. This is a fluke.

"Wow. So you cleaned the kitchen today. Want a cookie? That dirty rag has been on the counter for a week and those dishes you so righteously cleaned are from breakfast three days ago. You are embarrassing.

"That was really nice of you to offer to watch your friend’s kids while she had surgery. Remember last week when you knew your neighbor was suffering from depression and you drove right by with a wave because you did not want to get sucked into the drama? You don’t really care about people. Not all the time.

"How destructive are these kinds of thoughts?  . . . .

"Drops of Awesome! I thought. Every time you do something good, something kind, something productive, it’s a drop in your Bucket of Awesome. You don’t lose drops for every misstep. You can only build. You can only fill."

Then she goes on to describe different things she does/we do like walking a child to the school bus, feeding our kids, loving our family members, picking up a wrapper off the floor, unloading one dish from the dishwasher each time you walk by, etc.  She described how each of these things is just another "drop of awesome" in our bucket!

Another thing she learns is that she found herself doing more and more of these good things, because she was rewarded with joy every time she thought about her "drops of awesome.  She found herself really listening to her kids, really engaged in her prayers, etc., and "As I added up these Drops of Awesome, I found that in those moments I actually became the person I had always wanted to be."

She explains about the lies we tell ourselves, and the truths that need to replace them. It is freeing and liberating. I helps me adopt a happier and more correct paradigm when it comes to my everyday life. And life, after all, is made up of all the daily details, isn't it?

Go read the article. It is beyond worth the time! :) And if you're a mother, it'll make you feel so much better about 'everything!'