I don't know why I don't feel guilty. Every part of my nature says I should. I just don't.
I bought a new elliptical machine... a nice elliptical machine. It is silent. It is smooth. It works me out completely and fast. I really like it. I can't really justify it, so I don't. I just say I wanted it, I found a good deal on the one I wanted, and I bought it.
My Smooth Fitness 2.0 arrived Thursday morning and I spent two hours putting it together.
I'm glad God supplies both our needs and our wants. And I am quite grateful every stationary step I take on it.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Koryna Kelsey's baptism
Chris Kelsey was ordained to the Aaronic Priesthood Sunday, March 15. The Spirit was so strong and I think it was intensified as Dave had fasted to have for It for the blessing. Chris is on board. He kept saying that this is only the beginning. And I know he's right. And he told me how much he loves Dave. There is a true brotherhood between them.
Wednesday was Koryna's baptism. I wanted to host a dinner for them after the service as I would for my children. I enlisted help from the wives of the bishopric and Trina offered to host the meal. This was a big sacrifice as she was leaving town the next morning early. I made a bunch of chicken broccoli casserole. The funny thing was that I knew after I finished two big trays that I had enough. But then I felt ok about going to the store and buying more ingredients to make a third so that I could sit comfortably in case the invitation to the meal was extended to all those who came to witness her baptism.
So after making the dish all over again, I finally took a few minutes to shower about 2:00. As I was getting dressed, I looked in the mirror scrutinizingly. I decided it didn't really matter how I looked as the evening was not focused on me..... Then I had a horrible start: I was supposed to give a talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Whoops!
I repented of my Martha business (though I hadn't felt troubled, just busy) and prayed for Mary's heart to open the spiritual truths I needed to share. I sat down and wrote my talk, substantially from the bible dictionary and the topical guide. I knew when I started reading the bible dictionary what I was to say and I had to pray in gratitude.
Koryna had asked for a blessing before the baptism to settle her nerves. She thought Dave and the bishop were coming to her house and they thought she was meeting them at the church. So we got off to a late start, but the room was full of people coming to love and support them ... and it was full of spirit.
What a spiritual meeting! I knew as I stood up to speak that I was not in charge of my message. The thoughts that I had prepared flowed comfortably, but it was a message given through me rather than by me. It was a powerful experience.
Chris then baptised Koryna. Wow. I don't know what else to say. We are witnessing true conversion and it is the most wonderful miracle!!! I went in to assist her after the baptism and she just sobbed. She said she has walked a long road to this point and it was so special to have Chris baptize her. She told me she really did feel Jesus there. She heard words in her mind assure her, "You're going to be OK, Koryna."
Pause for a moment now. Cambry had a vocal concert that night. So I left Koryna and the meeting to run to see the footnotes choir perform. She was standing on the risers but had not yet started singing when I arrived, and was able to spot me as I walked to a seat. Oh it was so sweet to listen to her choir do so well. I smiled and enjoyed her and her friends who smile back at me. Children expand us in every dimension. No wonder family is so central to God's plan!
After her performance, Cambry and I rushed back home and grabbed the casserolesto meet up with those who were just coming home from the service. Dinner was wonderful (we ate all of the first two casseroles, none of the third) and there was so much love in the room. Chris and Koryna are really a part of the ward family and they know it. But it's not just them, it's Sherrie and Kaylee and numerous others as the ripple extends.
Wednesday was Koryna's baptism. I wanted to host a dinner for them after the service as I would for my children. I enlisted help from the wives of the bishopric and Trina offered to host the meal. This was a big sacrifice as she was leaving town the next morning early. I made a bunch of chicken broccoli casserole. The funny thing was that I knew after I finished two big trays that I had enough. But then I felt ok about going to the store and buying more ingredients to make a third so that I could sit comfortably in case the invitation to the meal was extended to all those who came to witness her baptism.
So after making the dish all over again, I finally took a few minutes to shower about 2:00. As I was getting dressed, I looked in the mirror scrutinizingly. I decided it didn't really matter how I looked as the evening was not focused on me..... Then I had a horrible start: I was supposed to give a talk on the gift of the Holy Ghost. Whoops!
I repented of my Martha business (though I hadn't felt troubled, just busy) and prayed for Mary's heart to open the spiritual truths I needed to share. I sat down and wrote my talk, substantially from the bible dictionary and the topical guide. I knew when I started reading the bible dictionary what I was to say and I had to pray in gratitude.
Koryna had asked for a blessing before the baptism to settle her nerves. She thought Dave and the bishop were coming to her house and they thought she was meeting them at the church. So we got off to a late start, but the room was full of people coming to love and support them ... and it was full of spirit.
What a spiritual meeting! I knew as I stood up to speak that I was not in charge of my message. The thoughts that I had prepared flowed comfortably, but it was a message given through me rather than by me. It was a powerful experience.
Chris then baptised Koryna. Wow. I don't know what else to say. We are witnessing true conversion and it is the most wonderful miracle!!! I went in to assist her after the baptism and she just sobbed. She said she has walked a long road to this point and it was so special to have Chris baptize her. She told me she really did feel Jesus there. She heard words in her mind assure her, "You're going to be OK, Koryna."
Pause for a moment now. Cambry had a vocal concert that night. So I left Koryna and the meeting to run to see the footnotes choir perform. She was standing on the risers but had not yet started singing when I arrived, and was able to spot me as I walked to a seat. Oh it was so sweet to listen to her choir do so well. I smiled and enjoyed her and her friends who smile back at me. Children expand us in every dimension. No wonder family is so central to God's plan!
After her performance, Cambry and I rushed back home and grabbed the casserolesto meet up with those who were just coming home from the service. Dinner was wonderful (we ate all of the first two casseroles, none of the third) and there was so much love in the room. Chris and Koryna are really a part of the ward family and they know it. But it's not just them, it's Sherrie and Kaylee and numerous others as the ripple extends.
The dryer incident
I copied this from an email I sent last week:
Aleah is just a continual bright spot. For family home evening this week we played hide-and-go-seek. The first round Riley hid in the dryer and was the last one to be found. So the next round as I was securing my hiding spot in the shower, I heard this muffled, terrorized scream from beneath me. Dave ran to it and found Aleah wide-eyed and fearful in the dryer. She said, “It’s too scary in here!” Dave was sympathetic and asked, “Well who put you in here?”
“I did!” We have laughed about that all week.
Aleah is just a continual bright spot. For family home evening this week we played hide-and-go-seek. The first round Riley hid in the dryer and was the last one to be found. So the next round as I was securing my hiding spot in the shower, I heard this muffled, terrorized scream from beneath me. Dave ran to it and found Aleah wide-eyed and fearful in the dryer. She said, “It’s too scary in here!” Dave was sympathetic and asked, “Well who put you in here?”
“I did!” We have laughed about that all week.
Sunday, March 8, 2009
Draper Valley Temple open house
We had the privilege of attending the Draper Temple Open House with the Kelsey family this week. What a wonderful experience. I don’t know how much to share of the Kelsey family story right now. When Dave started working with Chris seven or eight years ago, Chris was a world away from where he is today, as was his wife Koryna. Today Koryna is planning to be baptized March 21 and Chris will be the priesthood holder performing the ordinance. Chris’ mother Sherrie was with us as well and she had a little miracle in that she was able to overcome paralyzing closterphobia and ride the elevators all throughout the tour. She attributed it to the Holy Ghost and was so excited to be there. We all saw that as a miracle.At the conclusion of the tour we met in an adjoining chapel for refreshments. We took pictures and relished the moment. Then Sherrie, a baptized member, asked in the most sincere and wonderful way, “David, what do I need to do to get a temple recommend? Can I go with Chris and Koryna to the temple when they are sealed? Can I be sealed to them?” Conversion is the best miracle. She was at church today, she is now 9 days smoke-free and on the path to temple worthiness. I feel privileged as a witness.
"It's Spring!"
“Mommy, Mommy! It’s spring! Oh, Mommy come and look, it’s spring outside. There are little flowers, little yellow flowers out there. It’s spring…. I’m going to put on my skirt!” From her spot at the from window this week Aleah discovered our crocus popping up in our flower bed. I had to laugh and say, “Yeah. Did you notice the SNOW that fell last night on the grass next to the flowers?” I actually had to calendar for her when it will finally be warm enough to wear her cute little skort. But the sign was enough to compel hope: crocus do hold the promise of spring.
Sunday, March 1, 2009
Closing night
Trying to capture that 8 feet tall cotume is not easy! We had Eric, Marie and Liesel, Johnny and Katie, and my mom and dad and Elise with us this last night. So Dave and I saw it three times and it was still magical.
All the costumes, the set, the production was just worthy!
Can you see why suddenly this costume didn't seem so difficult? Look at her beam. (I cut Liesel, Eric, and Mom in the photo.)
Glad she did this! Ready to move on.
All the costumes, the set, the production was just worthy!
Can you see why suddenly this costume didn't seem so difficult? Look at her beam. (I cut Liesel, Eric, and Mom in the photo.)
Glad she did this! Ready to move on.Parker is now 11!
No wonder we love this birthday breakfast! Inevitably we consume every scrap of Dave's Swedish pancake breakfast. By the end of birthday season, we actually have leftovers! Double yum!
Looks like he gets his wish this year. Hope it was a good one!
More legos.....
For dinner Parker requested raclette. It is always a treat! He also invited Grandma and Grandpa Parish over for dinner. They're always good company.
Parker picked these presents out when he came birthday present shopping for Elise last week. He could hardly wait to open his unwrapped presents.
Looks like he gets his wish this year. Hope it was a good one!We held a friend party Saturday. One of Parker's friends (Nathan) had a party scheduled during the same time-slot as ours, so his friends were divided. When I went to spotlight Parker in school Friday, the kids asked him questions. Nathan's questions was: why did you schedule your birthday party over mine? Unfortunatley, the skating rink was only open for the party in that time slot. Those who came to our party did have a good time; Parker had a good time.
More legos.....