We are in Germany & Love it!!!

We are in Germany!!! It is so beautiful and we are so happy to be here. We had a Hero's Welcome at the airport. It was so cool. When we came out there was Mom, Dad, Megan, Rachel & Gilbert there to greet us. It was awesome! They started cheering and snapping pictures. (I think that must be similar to how Missionaries feel when they get off the plane to greet their family!) Anyways, I love it here so far! I never want to leave this beautiful place. The people are so nice and the atmosphere is so wonderful! Well I will add pictures and blog more about our trip when we get home. We wish everyone a very Merry Christmas and a Happy New Year!!!

The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas

President Hinckley said in a First Presidency Message in the Ensign of Dec 2000: “My heart is subdued when I think of the great love of my Heavenly Father. How grateful I am to know that God loves us. The incomprehensible depth of that love found expression in the gift of His Only Begotten Son to come into the world to bring hope into our hearts, to bring kindness and courtesy into our relationships, and above all to save us from our sins and guide us on the way that leads to eternal life.
Marvelous is the chronicle that began with the singing of angels at Bethlehem and ended on Golgotha’s cruel cross. There is no other life to compare with His life. He was the one perfect man to walk the earth, the paragon of excellence, the singular example of perfection.”

In that article he told a story that really touched me and made me think of Christmas in a way that I never had before. The story is a parable and the author is unknown. The story goes as follows:

“Years ago there was a little one-room schoolhouse in the mountains of Virginia where the boys were so rough that no teacher had been able to handle them.
“A young, inexperienced teacher applied, and the old director scanned him and asked: ‘Young fellow, do you know that you are asking for an awful beating? Every teacher that we have had here for years has had to take one.’
“‘I will risk it,” he replied.
“The first day of school came, and the teacher appeared for duty. One big fellow named Tom whispered: ‘I won’t need any help with this one. I can lick him myself.’
“The teacher said, ‘Good morning, boys, we have come to conduct school.’ They yelled and made fun at the top of their voices. ‘Now, I want a good school, but I confess that I do not know how unless you help me. Suppose we have a few rules. You tell me, and I will write them on the blackboard.’
“One fellow yelled, ‘No stealing!’ Another yelled, ‘On time.’ Finally, ten rules appeared on the blackboard.
“ Now,” said the teacher, ‘a law is not good unless there is a penalty attached. What shall we do with one who breaks the rules?’
“ ‘Beat him across the back ten times without his coat on,’ came the response from the class.
“ ‘That is pretty severe, boys. Are you sure that you are ready to stand by it?’ Another yelled, ‘I second the motion,’ and the teacher said, ‘All right, we will live by them! Class, come to order!’
“In a day or so, ‘Big Tom’ found that his lunch had been stolen. The thief was located—a little hungry fellow, about ten years old. ‘We have found the thief and he must be punished according to your rule—ten stripes across the back. Jim, come up here!’ the teacher said.
“The little fellow, trembling, came up slowly with a big coat fastened up to his neck and pleaded, ‘Teacher, you can lick me as hard as you like, but please, don’t take my coat off!’
“ ‘Take your coat off,’ the teacher said. ‘You helped make the rules!’
“ ‘Oh, teacher, don’t make me!’ He began to unbutton, and what did the teacher see? The boy had no shirt on, and revealed a bony little crippled body.
“ ‘How can I whip this child?’ he thought. ‘But I must, I must do something if I am to keep this school.’ Everything was quiet as death.
“ ‘How come you aren’t wearing a shirt, Jim?’
“He replied, ‘My father died and my mother is very poor. I have only one shirt and she is washing it today, and I wore my brother’s big coat to keep me warm.’
“The teacher, with rod in hand, hesitated. Just then ‘Big Tom’ jumped to his feet and said, ‘Teacher, if you don’t object, I will take Jim’s licking for him.’
“ ‘Very well, there is a certain law that one can become a substitute for another. Are you all agreed?’
“Off came Tom’s coat, and after five strokes the rod broke! The teacher bowed his head in his hands and thought, ‘How can I finish this awful task?’ Then he heard the class sobbing, and what did he see? Little Jim had reached up and caught Tom with both arms around his neck. ‘Tom, I’m sorry that I stole your lunch, but I was awful hungry. Tom, I will love you till I die for taking my licking for me! Yes, I will love you forever!’ ”

President Hinckley went on to say:

"To lift a phrase from this simple story, Jesus, my Redeemer, has taken “my licking for me” and yours for you.
The Prophet Isaiah said:
“Surely he hath borne our griefs, and carried our sorrows: …
“… He was wounded for our transgressions, he was bruised for our iniquities: the chastisement of our peace was upon him; and with his stripes we are healed” (Isa. 53:4–5).

That this is the wondrous and true story of Christmas. There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsemane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection.
I believe in the Lord Jesus Christ, the Son of the Eternal, Living God. None so great has ever walked the earth. None other has made a comparable sacrifice or granted a comparable blessing. He is the Savior and the Redeemer of the world. I believe in Him. I declare His divinity without equivocation or compromise. I love Him. I speak His name in reverence and wonder. I worship Him as I worship His Father, in spirit and in truth. I thank Him and kneel before His Beloved Son who reached out long ago and said to each of us, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matt. 11:28).
For each of you may this be a merry Christmas. But more importantly, I wish for each of you a time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. Our joy at this season is because He came into the world. The peace that comes from Him, His infinite love which each of us may feel, and an overwhelming sense of gratitude for that which He freely gave us at so great a cost to Himself—these are of the true essence of Christmas.”

I loved that article and I encourage anyone and everyone to read it. I have never really thought about the atonement as being a part of Christmas time. The focus for me has always been on the Savior’s Humble birth. Which it truly was a “Humble” birth. But like Pres. Hinckley said, with out our Savior’s atoning sacrifice he would have been just another baby. So for Christmas our Heavenly Father truly gave us the best gift of all…His Son that would give us the gift of Eternal Life. There is no greater gift that we could possibly receive than that. Our joy at this wonderful season is because He came into the world and offers us His peace and infinite love. I am grateful for that gift I have been given. I love the encouragement that our beloved Prophet gave us to take time, perhaps only an hour, spent in silent meditation and quiet reflection on the wonder and the majesty of this, the Son of God. And I challenge each of you to do this. I think it will bring more meaning to this special holiday. I hope that each of you have a wonderful Christmas spent with family and loved ones and that as you do so that you will remember the wonderful gift we have been given. Our Savior Jesus Christ. For He Truely is the Reason for the Season!

If you want to read the article you can go to my links and click on the one that says The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints. Then in the search box type "The Wondrous and True Story of Christmas".

Merry Christmas!!!

I will Follow Him in Faith

We had our Primary Program on Sunday. The kids did so well. My Sunbeams didn't really want to do it though. It was cute, one little boy in my class kept asking me if he could go watch the program with his grandma and when I told him that he couldn't because he was in the program and his grandma came to watch him. He said no she isn't and pointed her out to me...she was sleeping! It was really cute! Besides that my Sunbeams all said their lines (which was huge because most of them refused when we were practicing) They did so well and they were so cute! All in all the Primary Program was a success. There is a special spirit that is felt when children sing. No matter how off key they are or if they make up their own words! I love the children in our ward. Especially my cute little SUNBEAMS!!!

Our VERY Belated Anniversay

Mike and I never really got a chance to celebrate our Anniversary in August so we thought we were so creative and decided that since our Anniversary is 8/11 we would celebrate on 11/8. It was so much fun. We stayed at the Powderwood Resort in Park City. It is off season so Hotels are really cheap right now.

Anyways, our night started out by going to dinner in town at Red Lobster. It was my first time ever going there but I will definitely go back. The food was so good! Then we rented "Ratatouille" and "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry". Then we headed out on our adventure to Park City.

When we got to the resort it was more of Condominiums then a Resort so we had to try to find the office. Once we found it...there was a note saying that their office had moved locations and it gave us directions. So we went and found the office. (it was in a totally different complex) They were closed so we called the phone # on the door. The answering machine gave us another phone # to call. We called it and got our key from a lock box that they had set for us. It ended up being a fun adventure. So then we got to our room and it was so fun. It was a one bedroom apartment. It was really nice. Then we decided to roam around the complex and found the spa area but decided against it b/c it was so cold outside.

Then we went to WalMart and got some munchies. When we got back to the room we relaxed and watch our movies and then TV until 5am! Then we finally went to bed. We really liked "Ratatouille". It was really cute. "I Now Pronounce You Chuck and Larry" was funny but it just felt weird watching it. Well, the next morning came all too fast considering we went to bed so late but we got up and got ready.

After we were ready we went to Main Street in Park city and walked around and went to breakfast at this cute little diner. After breakfast we were so tired so we drove home and slept most of the day! We had so much fun celebrating our anniversary!

Best Corn Chowder Soup Ever

It tastes just like Mimi's Cafe'!

Ingredients:
4 tablespoons butter or margarine
6 tablespoons red onion, chopped
3/4 cup celery, large dice
2 1/2 cups hot water
2 cups raw potato, peeled and cut in 1/2" cubes (I used Red Potatoes)
1 quart Half & Half
3 cups frozen corn, thawed
2 tablespoons sugar
2 teaspoons salt
1 pinch white pepper
3 tablespoons flour

(Optional) Bacon cooked really crispy and crumbled in the soup

Method:

On medium heat, melt butter, then simmer onion and celery for 5 minutes until soft, but not brown.Add water, potatoes, corn and seasonings. Cover and simmer for 30 minutes or until potatoes are barely tender.

Whisk the flour into 1 cup of the Half & Half, and stir into the soup. Add the remaining 3 cups of Half & Half.

Simmer for about 15 minutes until the soup has thickened to a creamy consistency.

Correct the seasoning with additional salt and pepper if needed and add crispy bacon if wanted. In order to correct the consistency or the soup you may add a little milk to make it thinner. To make the soup thicker, simmer another 5-10 minutes

(Yields 2 1/2 quarts)

Home Teaching Message

Our Home Teacher came over last night and shared with us the message from President Thomas S. Monson that was titled "They Marked the Path to Follow". I was really touched by it. I recomend reading the entire article. I really liked this quote and our Home Teacher gave us this challange:

"My brothers and sisters, in this marvelous dispensation of the fulness of times, as we journey through mortality and face the trials and challenges of the future, may we remember the examples of these models to follow. May we have the unfeigned humility of John the Baptist, the unquestioning obedience of Abraham, the unlimited patience of Job, the unwavering faith of Noah, the undeviating loyalty of Ruth, the unflagging determination of Nephi, the undaunted courage of the Prophet Joseph Smith, and the unfailing optimism of President Hinckley. Such will be as a fortress of strength to us throughout our lives."

I really took this quote to heart. Those are such amazing qualities that I would love to remember and strive to have. Another quote that hit me hard was this:

"Down through the generations of time, the message from Jesus has been the same. To Peter and Andrew by the shores of the beautiful Sea of Galilee, He said, “Follow me.”21 To Philip of old came the call, “Follow me.”22 To the Levite who sat at receipt of customs came the instruction, “Follow me.”23 And to you and to me, if we but listen, will come that same beckoning invitation, “Follow me.” May we all do so and reap the eternal rewards reserved for those who follow the path that He marked by His exemplary life."

I want to strive to live each and every day Following the Lord and I know that if I take on the qualities such as unfeigned humility, unquestioning obedience, unlimited patience, unwavering faith, undeviating loyalty, unflagging determination, undaunted courage, and unfailing optimism that I can become more like my Savior and Follow Him each and every day.

I know that my Father in Heaven Love me and everyone else. He give us challanges and trials in our life to help us to become stronger and to learn how to rely on Him. I know that he loves to see us triumph and become a better and stronger person with every trial we go through.

Happy Halloween!!!

Mike and I went to Ryan and Danielle's Halloween Party on Saturday. It was so much fun. We dressed up as Mr. and Mrs. Dracula. Mike won the bobbing for apples. He got 3 appple in about 3 seconds. It was amazing. I won the costume contest. Everyone really liked my fake red eyelashes. We had a blast! We hope everyone has a fun and safe Halloween!

Playing in the Snow

Our first real snowfall this year! It was about one in the morning but I couldn't help myself. I had to play in it. I love how soft and fluffy Utah snow is! It was melted two days later :(

Making my Snow Angel

Snow Angel completed
Our tree in front of our apartment.

I thought it looked so pretty.

The Hogle Zoo

Our trip the the Hogle Zoo with Aunt Traci, Emmy and Ally. It was a ton of fun. Especially with Aunt Traci. She knows so much about animals. We learned so much and got to spend time with family!!!

The Penguins

(as Mike likes to call them)

The Bird Show

The Famous White Alligator
Some type of Monkey.
I can't remember their name.
The Elaphants

I LOVE the Zoo!!!

Strawberry Days in Pleasant Grove

This was the very first Rodeo Mike and I have been to. We had so much fun.

We went with our very good friends Todd and Sienna. Todd's brother and his girlfriend met us there. It was such a blast. I didn't like it when the roped the poor little calf's but I loved it when the cowboys were trying to ride the bull and it kept bucking them off.

There was also this one armed cowboy. He was amazing! He got all his horses to walk one by one on top of his trailer. Then he rode his horse up to the top of the trailer too. He steers the horse with his feet. He is definitely an inspiration of someone that won't let anyone tell him he can't do.

California Trip

Well, this was in June but I just came across these picture and remembered how much fun we had. In June we went down to California to visit family of course and also to see Wicked at the Pantages Theater! It was so much fun and Wicked was so amazing!!! If you haven't seen it I strongly suggest seeing it! Idina Menzel who played Elphiba (the wicked witch of the west) had the most beautiful voice. She was amazing!!!

While we were down in California we also celebrated Mike's 24th Birthday. It was a lot of fun as well. Some of the pictures are from when we celebrated in California with my family and some of them are from his real birthday in Utah.

Mike made Bookie a hat sword and sheild out of his tissue paper from his presents. It was sooo cute and Bookie loved it!!! Bookie wanted Mike and Beenie Girl to have a hat too! They are so cute!!!

Trip to Cali and Kyle's Baptism

Last weekend Mike and I went down to California to visit family but mostly to be there for Kyle's Baptism! We were so happy to be able to be there and be apart of his big day!He has grown up so fast and I am so impressed with the young man he is becoming! (It must be the GREAT Parenting!!!) He has made such a wonderful decision to be baptized into the Lord's Church and to recieve to Holy Ghost to lead and guide him through life. It is always nice to go to baptisms and be reminded of the feelings of your own baptism and the amazing covenants that are made that day! I am so happy for Kyle! I hope that he will always listen to the promtings of the Holy Ghost. Through listening to the Holy Ghost we can experince true joy! I love you Kyle and I am so proud of you!!! Keep Choosing the Right!!!

Mike's Health

As most of you know Mike has been dealing with a flare up due to his Crohn's Disease. He has lost a lot of weight and has very little energy due to the fact that everything he eats hurts him and the fact that his body isn't absorbing nutrients very well. However, he is not deathly ill or even on the verge of death (despite how pale and skinny he appears). We have changed our diet and Mike is taking different vitamin and minerals to help his body to regain strength. His health he is progressing every day. This has definatley been a challange in our life but we are doing well. We are learning a whole lot about nutrition and ways to maintain a healthy life. Thank you to everyone that has fasted and prayed for Mike's health. We truly appreciate it. And we know that your thoughts and prayers are making a difference. The Lord has blessed us so very much. We have found an excellent doctor that has been a huge help and truly cares about Mike. He is Mike's mission president's son-in-law. We know that if we trust in the Lord we will be blessed. Mike has recieved Priesthood blessings and we know that this flare up will not last forever and that our Savior is with us every step of the way! Thank you Family and Friends for your thoughts and your prayers!!! We love you all and consider you one of our greatest blessings!!!

Snowy Days

This is from last year but it was such a fun night and I thought it was a good way to kick off the winter season with this story! Mike and I had gone to see the movie Eregon with our friends Todd and Sienna. When we came out of the move at about midnight it had snowed so much. It was the first time we had gotten so much snow that winter. I was so excited because the California Girl that I am had never had snow in my front yard before! I told Todd and Sienna (who were born and raised in Utah) that I wanted to build a snowman because I have never built one before. Besides when I was like 4 years old and it was more of a pile of snow than a snowman! So, at twelve o'clock at night there we were...4 grown adults in the courtyard of our apartment complex builting the World's Best Snowman! It was so much fun and a memory I will never forget! It is going to be hard to make an even better one this winter!!!

Gonzales Family

My family are still living in California. Mom is dating Tim and is as happy and giddy as ever! Rob and Rebecca have been married for a little over a year and are preparing to move up to Utah. Lance is on the track team at RCC and is doing very well. Brianne is experiencing the joys of growing up and surviving High School.

She is currently on the HS Dance Team.

Dad and Sherri have been married for about 10 years. Sherri's daughter is in her last year of HS this year so they will only have Trevor at home. They are getting closer to being empty nesters.

Lamoureux Family

Mike's family is currently living in Germany. They are loving it there. This is Dad and Mom's third time living in Europe and second time in Germany. They enjoy the time they have to be with their dear European friends. Megan is High School and is very busy with the play Sleepy Hollow that she landed a role in. We are excited for her and we know she will do great. We wish we could be there to see it. Rachel and Gil are homeschooled and enjoy it. Gil recently taught Mike a little German over the phone. He is such a smart kid. Rachel explained what their home looked like to me on the phone. It was so kind of her. She is such a sweet girl. We will be going to see them in December for Christmas! We are so excited and can hardly wait!!!

Patrick is super busy. He is a BYU student and just got a part in A Mid Summer Nights Dream at BYU. We are excited to see him in it.

As for now it is Practice, Practice, Practice. It is fun to have him so close by.

Jess and Ben have been married for a little over a year now and are living in Southern Utah. They are both very busy with school and Ben with work as well. We don't get a chance to see them as often as we would like but we always have fun when we do get together. Sarah is also living in Southern Utah. She is busy with school, YSA activities and all the many school clubs she is involoved in. She is planning to put her papers in to go on a mission in December. We are so excited for her.