It's Beginning to Look A Lot Like ThanksMas... AGAIN

 

 

Welp - I've been negleting this blog. No doubt. I do enjoy using it to post our family Christmas letters. 

AN IDEA

However, for several years now I've been thinking about starting a "Mama/Grandma" blog - to share my "A Word to The Wise" with my children and grandchildren - should they ever think they want to know "What would Grandma think? What would Mama think? I wish Mama was around to ask her about....." etc.

So - I made the decision that THIS blog continue to be my blog, more and more used for what would Mama/Grandma think, as well as a "hub" for my other ideas and recipes I want to share (click on the tabs).

I am a strong believer in natural healing and holistic medicine, as well as modern medicine. They both have their place, I think. And both have served my family and me very, very well. Thankful to God for both! (click on "Health" tab above. It's still a work in progress.)

I am a strong believer in home education for our children, especially since the past few years our government schools (they are not "public" as they should be, but rather run by the national government in one way or another) have gone crA-ZEEEEEEE. No thanks. The Lord entrusted parents, not teachers, not board members, not states, and not nations, with the education of their children. And when parents have minimal to now say in that education, and are even aggressively blocked from having access to that education and a say in it, then it's time to remove those kids from those schools and teach them at home (in the absence of "true educational principles" the Lord has given us (read Revealed Education Principles and The Public Schools by Jack Monnett HERE or HERE.) You can also click on my "Homeschooling" tab above.

I also

Review: The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution

 

The Making of America: The Substance and Meaning of the Constitution by W. Cleon Skousen
My rating: 5 of 5 stars

5 STARS! I've read this book, several times as I taught my class on the Constitution. It's a hard book to beat!

This is definitely the second book anyone in America should ever read to understand the Constitution! (The first book being The 5,000 Year Leap by the same author.)

This book, I like to say, is the "dissection" of the U.S. Constitution. It was 40 yrs in the making by the author, traveling around the world and gathering mainly primary sources for all definitions, explanations, and expounding on all-things-Constitution and Founders' intent and understanding.

This book will teach the reader about every single "Provision" found in the Constitution. What is a "provision"? Well, you dissect the Constitution by Article, then Section, then Clause, normally. But if you dig deeper into each clause you find the provisions - or in other words, the sentences. Yes, sentence by sentence, this book dissects the Constitution, telling not only what that sentence meant in the eyes of the Founders, and how it has come to mean what it means today (sometimes those are the same, sometimes they are different meanings), but it also teaches the history and intent behind each provision, each clause, each section and article - why the Founders included it, and even why they did not include certain other "provisions" - making sense out of the entire Constitution and it's true meaning and application.

Something that stands out from reading this, is the understanding that the Founders did not create this Heaven-inspired document for an agrarian, antiquated society, but they wrote it with Human Nature in mind - something they knew very well never changes. They were looking down the corridors of history - past and future - when they created this document of all documents. Hence in their view the Constitution was not a "living" Constitution, in the manner we define that today; but rather it was a bolting-down of the formal governance of this republic so that the "whims of men" (aka: "fads", "feelings", etc.)  would not drag our nation from one end of the political spectrum (Anarchy on the rigth) to the other end (Tyranny on the left).  This Constitution is applicable to all people throughout all the ages of the world - indeed, it encapsulated the Lord's intent for all His children throughout the world.

Secondly, something that also stands out repeatedly is how this Constitution truly was written for a moral and religious people, just as John Adams stated and as Benjamin Franklin intimated, and it is wholly inadequate to the governance of any other. I think in 2019+ we are seeing the real application of that principle, as we see a society losing more and more of its morality and religious base, and as a consequence a society that is devolving and becoming more savage not only in its communication but in its manner of living and behavior as well.

A third important point is the definition of things such as "militia", "separation of church and state", and more such misinterpreted phrases that today are flung about as if they mean one thing, but in reality mean a completely opposite thing. This books lays out the history and background of each of these, as the student/reader proceeds through the pages.

In all, it is the most perfect book there is on the Constitution. I choose those words with preciseness and meaning.

Highly recommended for people ages 14+ (the reader must have a good grasp of the English language as many quotes are shared and principles explained in ways that people no longer seem to understand, since our government schools and lackadaisical grammar in today's authors have seemed to "dumb down" our population.)  A MUST READ.



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Merry Christmas 2019, Y'all!

"HO, HO, HO!"

We truly hope this finds you well & happy! Our family has had an eventful 2019 with the lowest of lows & the highest of highs - LOTS of growth & BIG changes for us. Our highlights:

EMILY (18): Broadway Musicals; TREK (Pioneer trek reenactment), Bought 1st cowboy hat/boots, Prom, High School Graduation, Started college online, Works at Chick-Fil-A, Huge church Regional Youth Conference, Took up Yoga, Especially for Youth Camp, Young Women’s Camp, Queen Rhapsody concert, Josh Turned Concert at Billy Bob’s Texas, Performed with Millennial Choirs & Orchestras in Carnegie Hall/Toured NYC, Colored her hair, Colored it again, Classical Art Class, Young Women’s High Adventure, Volunteer at Second Chances dog/cat rescue shelter, State Fair of Texas (it’s a thing!), Changed 1st flat tire on road, 1st Live Artist Sketch, Overcame huge obstacles and came out on top shinning like a Christmas Star! So very proud of her!

JONATHAN (25): Country Fan Fest Concert, Learned/Poured/Worked with A LOT of cement, Moved back to Texas, Blue October concert, Began first “real career job” at AmerisourceBergen, moved into his first “on his own’ apartment, Will be completing his last year of college online with hopeful graduation in Dec 2020. Loves to buy guns, rifles, and anything else that goes “Bang!” So very proud of the man he is, his integrity and work ethic, and for putting himself through college cash-on-the-barrel and graduating debt-free! Big boy is now officially his “own house-hold”. Sniff sniff.

JESSICA (29): Works at Chase Bank in telephone center in Claims Dept. She & Taylor continue to live in Richardson, where they are raising Genna (turns 3 in Dec). She shares custody of Orli (turned 6 in Jun) on the weekends. We try to spend time with them when all our schedules permit. LOVE those little girls! Being grandparents is all the fun part of being a parent, but none of the not-so-fun part of being a parent! Haha!

BOB & TERI (forever 49): 1” away from being Empty-nesters! Bob still Regional Director of End-point Support with AmerisourceBergen. Surprised when recognized by Golden Arrow District of Boy Scouts of America in Jan. for his 15+ yrs in scouting & awarded the District’s highest award: District Award of Merit (it’s like the Silver Beaver Award, only on  the District Level rather than the national level.) DJ/Light/Sound services for churches, companies, organizations, individuals. Provided sound for TREK, Traveled to ID several times on business, Visited Jonathan in ID & got to be part of their infamous Bonfire & Country Dance Night, Provided sound/Technology for Church’s Regional Youth Conference, NYC Touring with Emily, Provided Sounds/Light/Tech for Young Women’s Camp (Emily has loved having him at her camp each year!),
Bob was called earlier this year to be the 1st Counselor to the Bishop of our Ward (congregation), is still the Stake Assistant Clerk/Technology Specialist, Serves & ministers to others daily. TERI keeps busy keeping the home fires burning, being Stake Public Affairs Social Media Specialist (Facebook, Instagram, Twitter, YouTube and website - check it out at www.latterdaysaintsinplano.com), Assistant Ward Newsletter Editor, Relief Society (women’s organization) Ministering Sister and Secretary, Stake Center (church building) Building Scheduler, Admin for the Texas Dallas Missionary Moms and California Bakersfield Missionary Moms Facebook groups, running the Founder1787 Facebook and Instagram sites (in lieu of teaching the MOA class this year), and keeping the family and home organized and put-together, on top of surpassing my self-imposed reading challenge this year of reading a book per month (15 and counting so far! Check out my name on goodreads.com to connect, if you’re a reader too!) Bob and I celebrated our 30th ANNIVERSARY this year in February! Forever isn’t long enough with this great and honorable man! Love doing Life with him!

Remembering the Real Reason for the Season,
We Wish You A Very Merry Christmas & A Happy, Blessed New Year!

Bob receiving the Golden Arrow District's "District Award of Merit" for his over=15 years of superior dedicated service to BSA and his community

Emily at Carnegie Hall

Emily with her best friend, Kathryn, all decked-out at QUEEN concert

QUEEN concert Tshirt souvenir

Bob visiting Jonathan at BYU-ID

Emily and her date, Joshua, at Prom Spring 2019

Happy 30th Anniversary to us! Haven't change a bit! haha!

Boom! Boom! Bang! Bang! Jonathan in one of his elements :)

Look who Jonathan ran into at the airport...

One of Jonathan's good friend and coworkers - working that cement!

Utah's County Fan Fest

Honey and the rest of us are Wishing Y'all a very Merry Christmas & Happy New Year!

A Miracle Took Place in New York City

This is Emily's choir. 

On the 42nd anniversary of New York City's greatest power outage, there was another power outage. Yet, a miracle occurred.

My first thought when I heard of it was: Someone needed to hear this musical message in a bad way, and the adversary thought he'd stop it from happening. But God is greater still and took it to MILLIONS of people instead of just the few at Carnegie. Millions of people heard this "celestial message" and have been inspired by it. Twitter BLEW UP over this and people are thanking the choir from all over! 

Millennial Choirs and Orchestras, you are accomplishing your goal - to take good music and God back into the concert halls of America and to American hearts. Bravo! You shone in the face of adversity!

#mcoinnyc

A Special Day

Today is June, 9, 2019.... a very special day. It is the day my husband will be ordained a High Priest in our Church. I think we are both happy and humbled by this. He is a such a good husband and father. He is a true disciple of Christ. I know he is and will continue to be worthy of this ordination.

He is also being set apart as the first counselor to the new Bishop of our Ward at Church. With this comes a heavy responsibility and one I know he is worthy and prepared to take on. I pray I may be strong enough to support him each day in this calling, so he will have that added strength that I'm sure he'll need at times.

There is one part of today that makes me somewhat melancholy, though. And that is that I don't have Mama and Daddy here on Earth with whom to share this special and good news. So I guess I'm posting this as a way of reaching out to the Universe to let the Uni eres know instead of reaching out to them by phone. I know they are aware of us and i know they know about this good news. Still, at times like these I just miss them terribly and wish I could reach out directly to them and hear their voice.

I love you and miss you, Mama and Daddy! I know you'll be with us this day as my good husband is ordained to be a High Priest and set apart as the first counselor in the Bishopric. I only wish I could hug you and see your face. But my heart will do so instead.

I Am Enough - You Are Enough

Because of Christ, Through Christ, and With Christ, I am enough.

And so are you.

Even when we don't feel like we are. We are. 

#BecauseofHim

#ShareGoodness

Because of Him—Easter Video

 

 

We remember his great sacrifice in Gethsemane. 

We remember his sacrifice on the Cross. 

We celebrate His victory over death in His rising from the Tomb. 

Without each of these events, we would have no hope, no repentance, no life after death, and no resurrection unto eternal life. 

#BecauseofHim we are free. 

Because of Him we will literally resurrect, just as He did (Salvation). 

Because of Him we have our agency, to choose between good and evil and inherit the mansion of our choosing, hopefully choosing the highest of His glories (Exaltation). 

Happy Easter Week!


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


Recordamos su gran sacrificio en Getsemaní.

Recordamos su sacrificio en la Cruz.

Celebramos su victoria sobre la muerte en su ascenso de la tumba.


Sin cada uno de estos acontecimientos, no tendríamos esperanza, ni arrepentimiento, ni vida después de la muerte, ni resurrección a la vida eterna.


#GraciasAÉl somos libres.

Gracias a Él, literalmente resucitaremos, tal como lo hizo Él (salvación).

Gracias a Él tenemos nuestro albedrío, para escoger entre el bien y el mal y heredar la mansión de nuestra elección, con la esperanza de elegir la más alta de sus glorias (Exaltación).


¡Feliz semana Santa!

Book Review: Finding Noel

 

 

Finding Noel by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


I love these Christmas books by RPE! They're not too long, but they always leave me with a smile, and I like that. I need more smiles in life! :) This story is about three people, two of which are the main storyline, and how they survive through their trials, come together, help and support each other (with others along the way doing the same, and others not so much) and finally 'finding' the third person, who becomes part of their family. A story of redemption of sorts. I like it because it gives hope.



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Book Review: The Noel Stranger

 

 

The Noel Stranger by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Cool story line! I loved it. There are a couple of twists, which I'm not used to in RPE books, and it's nice. If you've ever had something 'bad' happen to you, and you just want to crawl into a hole and forget the world, but then somehow you are forced out of that hole (by your own determination or by someone else) and then things start looking up, but then they are not as they seem, and the entire reason for the it ends up being something quite unexpected and different from what you thought, then you'll relate to this book. It's a fun story to read, it made me smile again at the end, and it was just a nice book. RPE's book always are. Easy to read. Unfortunately, I read his "Noel" trilogy backwards. Oh well, good thing they're all about different people and not related to each other. Why does RPE do that with his books? Most of his "series" are actually not connected at all. That kinda bugs me, but the books are such delights to read that I endure it. :)



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Book Review: The Noel Diary

 

 

The Noel Diary by Richard Paul Evans

My rating: 4 of 5 stars


Great book. A bit different from other RPE books, in that this book seemed a bit more 'raw'. By that I mean that the topics were a bit more real, sad-but-true-to-today's-reality of many people's lives. It made me wonder what I'd do in several of the situations the characters were found in. Made me wonder about my own parenting style, relationship style with my husband, and personal "life" "style" that I choose to live my life in. I'm so glad and thankful I didn't have the trials these characters had in their lives. But grateful to know about them, thereby being able to empathize more with others who might have. I think it's funny when RPE finishes a book, and the character says something akin to "and so I wrote a book about it, and titled it "The Noel Diary". Haha! Anyway - a good and entertaining short read. Always, RPE draws upon characters who have character and deal with real-life situations, and always I walk away from his books not only entertained, but pensive and inspired to live my life even better than before. That's a good book, I think.

Again - I don't rate any book 5 stars unless it is out-of-this-world fantastic and classic - like Pride and Prejudice, etc. So 4 stars is my "top" rating. :)



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