So here's the news from Grandma and Grandpa.
We bought a nice, nearly new minivan to use back at our place to be built in Upstate New York. Yes, we said we would never have a minivan. They are for old folks. Now we "have one." What next? His and hers canes? But we can sure haul a lot of people and "things" in it. Even Dorothy got a new car. We hope she can handle her new, hot red Mustang. Then there is Diane with her new flashy red Kia.
Plans are going forward for our summer home near Vine Valley, NY. But not as fast as we desire. There have been delays do to the cold and snow. We can't wait for Spring to get everything going. Our plans are to drive back at the end of June and stay there for several months getting things done.
In the Family History Library we have been asked to help prepare a new program for the mission called, The Ambassador Program. It is to prepare missionaries returning to their home units to be better used by their leadership in teaching the family history skills they have learned here to members of their wards and stakes.
Last week was "Party Time". We had many large family gatherings on both sides of the family. The Herricks, Laulasas Harris's and Domms all had events to celebrate.
One of the most touching events was to see Sharlee Herrick say goodbye as she entered the MTC for training before she travels to her mission in the West Indies. How lucky can a girl get? She was told to bring six pair of Flip-flops. Like her father says she on the "10 Day Southern Caribbean Cruise Mission"
With Brindee, Brooke, Kaylee
Finally, what a pleasure to bless little Chunie Harris on Sunday and go to the temple with Elaine the day before.
Grandma Tina in back, Great Grandma and Chunie
All the Utah Domms went to a dinner and reunion of Julie's group from India, Rising Star at the the Jazz complex. Margaret and I even won tickets to a future Jazz game and Philip and Diane won a pair of Jazz player Gordon Hayward's autographeded shoes. What are they going to do with them?
One of the purposes of this blog is to encourage all our family and friends to appreciate how the Lord has prepared ways for us to find peace and stability in our lives during these very trying times. Never has there been greater moral, economic or political decline in our society than in the last few years.
We have had to face:
- Socialism over capitalism
- Entitlements over free enterprise
- Redistribution and regulation over self reliance
An all to familiar voice was given 2,000 years ago in 2 Timothy chapter 3, verses 1-4 when Paul wrote: "This know also, that in the last days perilous times shall come. For men shall be lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, disobedient to parents, unthankful, unholy, without natural affection, truce breakers, false accusers, incontinent, fierce, despisers of those that are good, traitors, heady, highminded. lovers of pleasures more than lovers of God."
President Boyd K. Packer takes this statement to an even lower realm when he said, "The world is spiraling downward at an ever-quickening pace. I am sorry to tell you it will not get better. I know of nothing in the history of the Church, or in the history of the world to compare with our present circumstances. Nothing happened in Sodom and Gomorrah which exceeds in wickedness and depravity that which surrounds us now."
What can we do to guarantee out survival in this all out war?
I thank President Mathew Scott DeVisser of the Sandy, Utah Hidden Valley Stake for these words of council given at his stake conference recently.
"We encourage each individual member to set their own goals based on the following question:
What goal can I make that will bring me closer to the Savior?"
This might include:
1. Spend time each day reading and studying the Book of Mormon.
2. Don't let a day go by in your life when you do not humbly and sincerely kneel before God to thank Him for your blessings and plead with Him to give you the spiritual strength to meet the challenges which are coming.
3. Perform a spiritual self examination. Examine every aspect of your life. Identify those things for which you need to repent and then do it.
In the end the only things that will bring us through are our personal worthiness and our relationships, especially the one we have with the Savior.
We love you all and hope and pray we all will build the strength needed to survive in the days ahead.
