Husband and Father

Husband and Father
July 15, 1958 ~ August 25, 2008

Saturday, November 30, 2013

Arrow of Light

The highest award in Cub Scouts is the Arrow of Light.  This award is earned when a scout as a Webelo, has been an activity participant in their den, and completed many Cub Scout requirements.   The Scout is now ready to join a Boy Scout troop.

Our Scout troop had a special ceremony for those boys that had earned their Arrow of Light and were moving on to Boy Scouts.  The Chief presented them with the highest honor, the Arrow of Light.  Before this can happen, they must take a journey through their memories with the Chief.

In the ceremony the Cub Scout raises his hand in the sign of the Boy Scout and recites Scout Oath and Law with other principles and the Webelo is awarded the Arrow of Light.
The Cub Scout crosses over the bridge representing the scout moving from Cub Scouts to Boy Scouts.  He is welcomed into the new troop.
During the ceremony the scouts handkerchief is drenched in animal blood.  It is then placed in the fire.  If the handkerchief does not light on fire, the scout is honest, if it does he is dishonest.  I was so happy Ben's didn't go up in flames;).  The scout is then presented an arrow along with this Arrow of Light award.

Sunday, November 24, 2013

"I Will Not Fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee"

In Elder Brown's email a couple weeks ago he talked about the strength he received from a talk given by President Monson in October's General Conference titled, I Will Not Fail Thee.  In his email he states, "Last night when I was at the lowest low I've had yet, I started to read President Monson's talk from this last conference and he said something that really stuck out to me.


"Our Heavenly Father, who gives us so much to delight in, also knows that we learn and grow and 
become stronger as we face and survive the trials through which we must pass. We know that there
 are times when we will experience heartbreaking sorrow, when we will grieve, and when we may
 be tested to our limits. However, such difficulties allow us to change for the better, to rebuild our 
lives in the way our Heavenly Father teaches us, and to become something different from what we 
were—better than we were, more understanding than we were, more empathetic than we were,
 with stronger testimonies than we had before."

After that he recited a poem that I memorized and really have grown to love! It goes like this

"Good timber does not grow with ease,
The stronger wind, the stronger trees.
The further sky, the greater length.
The more the storm, the more the strength.
By sun and cold, by rain and snow,
In trees and men good timbers grow."

As I read that it really reminded me of our family and everything that we've had to go through. Despite all of it, it's made us stronger and resilient to any trials that come our way. After reading this talk it made me look at everything that I've already been through in this life and laugh at what I'm now facing. It's nothing. I'm thankful for all of the trials I've been able to face and to overcome because I know that it's made and is making me into the person and missionary I know I can become."

After receiving Mike's heart warming email we had a Family Home Evening on this talk.  I encouraged the kids to read and re-read the talks from General Conference written in the Ensign.  These words are modern day scripture for us. We listened to the beautiful and insightful talk by President Monson.

I have sent multiple copies to Sister Brown in Vanuatu.  She told me that most people don't even know what Conference is.  She was so excited to receive them, and be able to teach the people from the words of our Prophet, and many others. She said the people were so glad to be able to hear the words of the prophets.

I have my own copy of the Ensign that I keep by my bed to read at night.  Ben took our other copy and has been reading it and highlighting it.  I think because his brother, who admires so much, talked about President Monson's talk in his email, Ben is especially interested in it.  He memorized the poem, and brought his copy of the Ensign to church with his scriptures.

In church today we had Ward Conference.  Bishop Eyring spoke on the trials that each one of us have or will have in life, and through holding strong to the gospel and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ our burdens will be lightened.

President Taylor spoke about President Monson's talk, I Will Not Fail Thee, Nor Forsake Thee.  Which is another reminder of enduring our burdens well.

President Eyring ended the meeting with his beautiful testimony about how in the end, the most important thing for us to remember is that our Redeemer Lives.

I felt so blessed to be in church today.  The spirit was so strong. What amazing influences for good we have in our ward, and what a special blessing it is to have President Eyring in our ward.

Since the talk from President Monson was brought to my attention so many times during these past few weeks, I have to believe it was NOT just a coincidence.  My heart is full.

The Window

Thursday night as I was washing dishes, I noticed a tear/cut in the screen on the window above the sink.  The screen was not like this the night before.  Memories of the kidnapping of Elizabeth Smart came rushing to my mind, as I knew that was one of the signs of the enter into their home leading to their dreadful nightmare.  My heart sunk a brief moment as I thought of an evil person trying to break in.  Before going to bed, I secured all the windows, locked all the doors, put the alarm on, and made sure my guard dog was stationed at the end of my bed.

The next night while talking to Lizzy, I mentioned that I needed to talk to her older siblings about the screen.  I didn't want to frighten her with my theory. She laughed as she admitted that when she was locked out the night before, she damaged the screen trying to break into the house.  Mystery solved, new garage door opener installed, and I'm almost done with the Elizabeth Smart book.  No more lock outs, and no more unsubstantiated escapes from reality!


Saturday, November 23, 2013

Battering the Banner

Decorating my house for the holidays brightens every one's spirit, especially mine.  Last year, Sarah helped me make a cute banner for our fireplace.  I proudly displayed it this year, until yesterday when I found the banner fallen from the mantel missing clothespins.  When I inquired as to what might have happened, Ben said, "I wanted to see if my coat could hang on it."

Minor repairs and it will be back up for Thanksgiving, hoping next time Ben hangs up his coat it's in the closet.

Beautiful Banner


Friday, November 22, 2013

The Incident

Several months ago Lizzy visited an Allergist, who did skin tests as well as blood tests to determine all of her allergies.  We were surprised to learn of all the things she is allergic to.  At the appointment, we learned she was allergic to all nuts except Brazilian nuts.  She was told to NEVER eat nuts period.

Sunday at church, during the sacrament, Lizzy turned to me with a strange look, scratching her legs, informing me that she was getting hives.  I thought that maybe she was having an allergic reaction to the Sacrament bread.  As we were whispering back and forth, Ben informed me that she had put peanut butter or her waffle for breakfast/lunch.  Knowing now exactly what was happening, I asked our family doctor who was sitting in front of us, if I should apply the EpiPen or go home and give her Benadryl.  He thought that Benadryl would be adequate.

At home, Benadryl and Allegra were given.  She seemed fine for awhile, and then the hives began to spread.  I gave her more Benadryl making her VERY tired.  She slept with an EpiPen in her hand while I ran back and forth from Young Women's to home.  She missed our Evening of Excellence, and slept until morning. Poor girl, I think she learned an important lesson today.

Wednesday, November 20, 2013

Halloween 2013

Halloween celebrations began with a parade of costumed children at Valley View Elementary. We were so happy to see the parade made a come back. Many of my children were at Valley View when the parade was prohibited.  By the size of the crowd, it was apparent, that many other children and parents were happy as well.  Mase comes everywhere with me when I watch him, so he got to be a part of it.

The evening began with homemade chicken noodle soup, chili, and hot scones to warm us up.  Family, friends, and hunger trick-or-treaters are always welcome. It's not advertised, just open to all.

Mason was my first little trick-or-treater.  He was the most adorable little dinosaur with an awesome growl. He loved his Halloween zippy, and book from his favorite Grandma:).

Another successful, Halloween!

Valley View Elementary Parade.
My first trick-or-treater.
Food and fun!

Friday, November 8, 2013

The Brown Party

A spooky skeleton, adorable dinosaur, The Joker, and Phil Roberts, were a few of the guests at Grandma Brown's Halloween Party.

What a fun night spending time with cousins, fishing, playing Halloween bingo, beating on a PiƱata, and eating scones, soup and chili.  These are times my kids will always remember.

Parade participants.
Halloween Bingo
Fishing and Pinatas.
Good Eats

Saturday, November 2, 2013

Pumpkins and Pizza

Pumpkin shaped pizza, and skilled pumpkin carving, shared with some of our favorite friends, is an October highlight.  This has been a 5 year Halloween tradition with the Fulks'.  Sometimes I wonder if all these great festivities are appreciated or enjoyed. I know how much I love them. It warmed my heart to read Mike's e-mail this week where he said,  " Gosh, I'm so jealous that you all had the annual pumpkin carving night without me! Alright I think it's time to admit it... looking back now I totally regret not carving pumpkins every year... I was a little punk and thought I was too cool for that but I miss it now! So Mom, Jody, and everyone else I'm sorry! But I guess it's just my loss right?"

While each carved pumpkin is fabulous, one usually stands out for one reason or another.  This year, the one that was most striking to me was Elmo. It was most impressive because Elmo was carved by Jon, the artist, only by looking at a pattern on-line.  Wow, impressive!
  
Holidays are especially enjoyable when you have wonderful family and friends to celebrate with. We love the Fulks'!   

Carving Pumpkins
The finish products. Jodi, jack-o-latern; Sarah & Jordan, two ghosts; Meg and Mason, the bat; Liz, the ghost and tree; Maddi, the owl, Tyli the cat; Ben the headless horseman; and Jon, Elmo.
Illumination
Admiring their work.
The youngest.
All together.
Halloween pumpkins on a Halloween porch.