Fun with Carson!

Yes, Grandpa Spike was having fun with Carson. Just look at those chubby legs. Nice job Lucas and Shanae.

Temple Excursion/Water World

Jacob had a temple excursion this morning. We got up bright and early at 5:30 and got to the temple by 7:30. Jacob was very prepared and had a family name he had researched and was able to do the baptism for Peder Christensen Anderson. How is that for a Danish name?

We brought his friend Mat home with us and they are spending the afternoon having fun with the sprinklers and the trampoline. This is close to the last weekend to play. They are both in seventh grade football and are pretty excited about that.

Message from Mark

I thought I would share this message from Mark. It is so nice to read his emails. This one is especially nice because it is more than one paragraph long;)

well people are wonderful. for the most part. we are teaching a few people we will see how committed they are. commitment is the hardest thing to get others to have. we can tell them the commandment and the blessings that come with it but in the end they have to do it. its hard. 

well i am almost envious of my older cousins that are getting back now. but all the girls are leavings on missions so nope. haha. 

i have found that the most effective way to do missionary work is to have the members do the finding and be the friends. this is how there will be retention in the converts. having a true friend in the church. someone who will help them help themselves. we as missionaries talk to a lot of different people. different needs different backgrounds different beliefs. but there are a few things that are the same for all of them. they all need to partake in the saving ordinances of the gospel, live up to those covenants, and help others along the way. this is what will allow them to return to live with god. 

we as missionaries have been trying to focus more on lasting conversion. now just baptismal statistics. when we help them understand the plan of salvation. and help them understand that they want to have the highest degree of glory. i think that is what will help them understand that baptism isn't the end it is the beginning. there is a new key indicator for missionaries. the percentage of new members that attended the temple after 3 months. 

missionaries are not the best friends. we can help where we can but in the end we will always leave. eventually we will leave. we can keep in contact. but we can't be there to answer every question. new members need a friend. they also need a sense of purpose, or being needed. they need a calling. with out that they drift away. 

missionaries are called to teach the gospel. we were not given the calling as missionaries to knock on doors. it is a responsibility of every member of the church to share the gospel and to find those that are prepared for the gospel. it isn't the missionaries job to find. we do do a lot of finding, but we shouldn't have to. 

something that i heard and i like. i think i will apply it in my own life when i am back. having weekly and day goals of how many people i share the gospel. key indicators. it will hold myself accountable of how effective and how hard i am trying to serve the lord. in the very least it will keep my mind focused on trying to share the gospel. also i will have specific names and action plans for the week. like inviting so and so to a church activity. or so and so to church. or inviting so and so to have a dinner will me and the missionaries. whatever i feel inspired to do.   

i love you.  ELDER GRANT

House Guests!

We have house Guests for a week!  Connor, Carson and Marci and joined our family until we get back to Laramie.  It has been lots of fun getting to know these little boys again.  Acutally, it is super fun to get to know Carson for the first time.  We haven't spent much time with him. 

Connnor is Jacob's shadow.  It was so cute to watch Jacob putting the hoses to the garden and there was Connor just five steps behind. 

 

Here they are jumping on the trampoline.  Connor is a bit of a chicken on the tramp so Jacob had to hold him the whole time. I think Jacob is his favorite uncle.

Carson is helping me type.  I am remembering what a full time job being a mom is.  Especially with a two year old and a five month old.  Jacob is a huge help. He isn't up to changing diapers yet...but we still have four days to go so you never know.

 Carson is all smiles. He really is a very happy baby most of the time.  He doesn't sleep through the night, and didn't that just bring back memories. He is really good about going back to sleep so that is a very good thing.

 The dogs are getting along great.  I do wish I had a fenced yard though. I am sure they would run and run and run all day long. As it is they do a bit of wrestling and running and more wrestling here in the living room. They are both super good with the babies.  Connor was taking them all over the house yesterday by their collars. Marci has escaped to the back yard a few times but is pretty good about coming home.

Robertson Family Reunion

We had a wonderful reunion up at the Medicine Lodge Campsite over the weekend. There were so many things for everyone to do. Lots of hiking, fishing and wading. There was a p,aground for the kiddos and a big grassy area for the big kiddos to play football, ultimate frisbee, soccer and bocce ball. We played a horseshoe tournament. I have found that I have absolutely no talent for horseshoes. I entertained the spectators though.

A big huge shout out goes to Gwen and her family for organizing this reunion. It was fantastic. We went up in a camper which was way better than being in a tent. Lucas and Jared were not able to be with us but Rachael and Eli brought their little girls up on Saturday and Sunday. It was so good to see them again.

Here are some of my favorite pics.