Another Mark Post!

Mark is serving in the Washington federal way mission. He will come home in January. His cousin, Kyle Bakes got called to the same mission and arrived in August. They finally got to see each other. They had been serving only seven miles apart but in different zones and stakes. So hurray for finally meeting up for a picture. When Kyle left I thought he was about the same height as Mark. So either. Mark grew or I forgot and need to hug him again. I am thinking both.

Interesting thing about Mormons!

I found this post on Facebook. This is incredibly well written and may help answer lots of questions that friends and family have for that matter about my faith and what I believe.

This was written to a Sister Missionary by someone whom she had contacted.

"I just read the first 31 pages of the Book of Mormon, and was entranced by 1 Nephi chapters 8 and 10. I feel as thought I could almost stop there, and come away with something. That something is this:

The Book of Mormon should be read by all Christians.

As an Atheist, that's not the effect I thought the book would have on me. Nevertheless, I can imagine the amount of "push back" Mormons have to face, trying to convince a "Christian" to read it. What a shame. Because it is the most clearly written Christian Biblical Document. If Christians would be willing to read the text, compare it to what they already believe, most would not only agree with it, but would find that it strengthens their faith even further. 1 Nephi 10 provides a greater and more straight forward message than Paul's letter to the Romans. And Romans is considered to be the definitive New Testament Epistle. The Reformation was based on Romans. But Nephi chapter 10 tops it.

There are really only two hangups to widespread Christian acceptance of the Book of Mormon. The first, is the fact that, the Book of Mormon isn't already in the Bible. If the chapters of the book of Mormon were placed within the standard bible , and Christians just grew up knowing that 1 Nephi was found after Malachi and Jeremiah or Habakkuk...they would bite into it hook line and sinker. It would be accepted as biblical cannon. What could possibly make them object?

The second hangup ins that the origin of the book of Mormon is still relatively new. But they confuse the translation of Joseph Smith in the 1800's with the 600 BC time frame of 1 Nephi. If Christians could accept 1 Nephi as 600 BC writing they would accept what it says. Can you imagine the level of excitement they would have if the dead sea scrolls contained excerpts from 1 Nephi? (ignoring the continental logistical problem). If the ancient text was carbon dated to 600 BC with the quote, " six hundred years from the time that my father left Jerusalem, a prophet would the Lord God raise up among the Jew--even a Messiah...a Savior of the world"... what christian would protest that? They would consider it the greatest confirmation of the actual existence of Christ!

And as for the "craziness" of the Mormon origin story, is it no worse than any biblical story? Christians believe that God carved and wrote the ten commandments on stone tablets. But gold plates are somehow impossible? Christians believe that God sent Daniel and St. John visions. But Nephi's father can't have visions? Saul a persecutor of Christians can play a surprise role in God's message, but Joseph Smith can't? Christians see Christ as an all powerful Savior of the whole human race. But Jesus isn't allowed to VISIT the whole human race? I just don't see and of these "Mormon" things as being anymore preposterous than anything else that is already accepted by all Christians.

Finally, it is massively ironic that, Christians reject Mormons in the same way Jews rejected Christians. Christians see Christianity as strengthening and clarifying the Jewish faith, but fail to even consider the strengthening and clarifying that Mormonism could do to their christian faith.

What to send our Missionary Mark!

I got his information from missionary two two.blogspot.com

I need to get right on this. I know it is only October but this time of year just flies by. 

What to send:
1. Ties. OBVIOUSLY. let's just get that outta the way right now. I mean, sure they might have more ties than they do shoes, pants, and shirts combine, but um, like I care. They probably get sick of the same 30 ties, so go to Etsy RIGHT NOW, fork up the money, and buy a couple snazzy ties. Also, Maceys Grocery store has cheap cheap cheap ties, and they are PRETTY dang good looking. Also Savers has spazzy ones, and pfft. ANTIQUE STORES. why not? (this is not from any sort of missionary, this is my own mind, and no one can change it. I love ties)

2. Socks. My neighbor just got back from a mission, and his mom told me that he LOOOVED socks so much, she would just send some with every package. Who doesn't love a fresh new pair of socks? I think they probs have to be black. 

3. FOOOOOD. my dears. this is something you need to know for life. boys love food. well, PEOPLE love food. after you've put the big things in the package, fill the empty spaces with candy.
A few friends with international Buddhist excursion experiences say go with Ranch Dressing (who doesn't love a good dollop of ranch on anything?) and anything peanut butter. (do they lack in the PB department overseas?) WARNING: this is expensive. 
I'm about to send off a package to Pedro of nothing but Cereal. Missionaries don't wanna spend money on the pricey (good) cereal, so send em some Reeses Puffs for heavens sake!
But really. anything. Just fill that box to the top with grub. they will be SO HAPPY.

4. "TREAT YOURSELF" money. Missionaries are the most unselfish people you'll ever know, so send them some money TO BE SELFISH. attach a note to a nice little wad of cash (I'm talkin' like $10-20) that instructs them ONLY to spend this on junk food or something.

5. Go to town at the dollar section at Target. I'm sure missionaries won't hate you for sending something they have to pack, but it's a hassle. Bubbles, play-dough, fake mustaches, light-up ties, wonky, random little toys that they can throw away after a while. (and leave them a note that says "you can throw this away if you don't wanna pack it away with your next transfer.)

6. Wishbones. that's just darn cute. I mean, not common. but I think that was a brilliant moment of mine.

7. If you're OK spending a little bit more money, for Christmas last year I got my pals Moccasins! They LOVED them. When my neighbor Cole got home, we went to Target and we realized he was wearing the ones I had given him last year! everyone needs shoes they can slip on on P-days and to go check the mail so their tootsies don't freeze.

8. Things for Kids. Small things amuse them, it's true! Jessy went and got a bunch of those cheap green CTR rings to hand out to kids! BRILLIANT.  Pictures of Jesus, bookmarks, stickers, treats, anything they can give away! Kids will LOVE THEM.

9.  Notes from friends. Make a public announcement that you are sending so-and-so a package, and anyone who wants to add a letter or note can! There are always friends who love the guy or girl, but don't get around to writing that often, so collect some love and throw it in there!

10. If they are in a close-by state, cookies will occasionally work out! and Scotch-a-roos! (Of course I have it easy over here with Mr. Colorado.)

11. If they are in an area where the cold winds come 'a blowin, find a nice manly scarf or hat or mittens! Old Navy has decently-priced things like that for guys.

12. PICTURES. we love them, so they love them too!

13. Gift Cards. if they are state-side, Walmart gift cards are gold! You can also get fast-food gift cards! Brilliant. A missionary in my ward is in  New York, and he said it's cheaper to go out to eat, than to cook your own meal up in there.

14. I've just been informed pop tarts and wheat things are crucial in the food category.

15. Hot Chocolate too. that's me though. OH. Introduce them to the "Tim-Tam Slam"... look it up and it will change your life. 

16. Chap stick is someone EVERYONE needs. if you're really nice and want to make an impression *wink wink* you'll send Burts Bee's, because that stuff is miraculous.

17. (if you are going for an actual gift) Go to Paper Coterie dot com, and MAKE THEM A JOURNAL. seriously, brilliant and pretty cheap! If you want to personalize one, but don't want to do the work, know that I am a NERD for that stuff, and I'll do it for you! 

18. THIS JUST IN. A magnet with your face on it. bloody brilliant. 

19. Office supplies. Post-its, highlighters, notebooks, etc. They'll always need paper!

20. Mormon Ads! those little card things. RIGHT? Go to Deseret Book and pick up some little doo-dads, the scripture guy plastic figure things, stickers, all that good stuff.

21. A mixed CD. don't even diss. Mixed Tapes are sooo underrated! There are obviously standards on music, it needs to be church music or instrumental. two words: William Joseph. ALSO, since it's the holiday season, I plan on putting together a marvelous Christmas CD! The rules are no romanticness, I'm pretty sure.  

22. Cake/brownie mix. Even if the man is the opposite of domestic, those things are a piece of CAKE to make. (haha. heh.)

12 Days of Christmas

Surgery!

Jacob got hurt in football a couple of weeks ago. Since it wasn't due to a collision the Dr. thought it would heal on its own. Nope. So we had an MRI done and things looked bleak for us. How do you tear the ACL and have damage to the meniscus when he just pushed off his leg a little funny??? I am grateful for our little miracle though. Spike did some research and found a doctor that he thought would do a good job. We learned from past painful experience that having the right doctor is crucial. Anyway, he called Dr. Shenton's office on Tuesday and they had a cancellation so we were able to get Jacob in on Wednesday. We talked to him on Wednesday and he had another cancellation for surgery and with this type of injury he didn't want to wait so the surgery was done on Thursday. 

I really felt like we were being watched over. Jacob did not tear the ACL. The ACL actually pulled a bit of bone away from where it attaches. When they went in for the surgery, they anchored the ACL down with stitches through some holes they drilled through the bone. They also repaired the meniscus. 

So Jacob right now is reclining on the couch playing video games with his friend Mat. He is not in much pain, we are just giving him ibuprofen every now and again.

He sure was a nervous nelly when we got to the surgical center. He started shaking so they tried to warm him up and handed him the tv remote. After surgery he just couldn't stay awake so we had a late night getting home.

Before surgery...

After surgery

Playing games with a huge brace on.

Jared's Albuquerque Balloon Festival

Jared sent us pictures of the balloon festival. There weren't as many balloons this year. He thought there might have been too much wind. Spike and I have always wanted to go to Albuquerque during this but have not had the time or the money to get there. Here are some cool pictures.

Eighth Grade Football!

Jacob is playing football this year, well, he was playing football and hopes to again soon. He has had a couple of games and while playing the Worland team he tweaked his knee. Rats. Before the injury he was looking mighty awesome and tough. He had a couple of quarter back sacks and had caught the ball for some serious yardage. Just before halftime, he was again giving the QB some serious trouble when he twisted his knee. I don't think it is too serious. It has been week since the injury and he is still using crutches. If it is not better in another week, as in no pain, we will get an MRI.

Jacob was pretty happy to get #80 for his jersey. That was Mark's number.

Labor Day Adventure

We decided to go on an adventure today. I really needed to get out of the house and go hiking so we headed up the mountain. We went about half way up Hwy 14a and pulled over. Our plan was to climb up the side of the hill, over the ridge and end up on top of the falls at five springs. We started out with a plan. The berries along the way were ripe and very tasty. The raspberries were delicious. We weren't sure what all the other kinds were so spike just got pictures of them.

The weather started to get cloudy....as in a cloud rolled in on top of us. It was beautiful but made he rock slide we were going through a bit treacherous. Molly refused to climb on the rocks so I went back across to help her and met spike and Jacob at the bottom. I took a cool picture and sent it to the 'big' kids and ended up texting with Lucas while I was waiting for spike and Jacob to reach the bottom.

This is just when the cloud moved in. I went on down the hill with Molly, Jacob and spike followed. 

After that we went to five springs to eat lunch and get a picture in the 'picture' tree. It seemed pretty lonely with just jacob there so I climbed in too. Of course, spike had to get the play by play of that not so graceful tree entry.

Help! Obviously, I need help.

Now Jacob is trying to be patient.

You want me to reach up....where??

Finally, on my feet and smiling. Jacob is getting so tall!!

Spike decided to join us. What a nice family picture!

We had a nice lunch and Molly found a squirrel! How exciting can that be? Way too exciting for a beagle. After we got back to the car I realized that I had lost my phone. We looked all over and I realized that I probably lost it while I was texting with with Lucas over on the other side of the mountain. We went back and looked everywhere. We said a prayer for help. Jacob and I went back on the side of the road where we had parked and Spike started back tracking. We caught up to Spike and I knew something was up because when I said,"Did you find it", he evaded my question with "how hard is it to find a needle in a haystack?" Yes, he actually found it after using his fantastic tracking skills. He was able to see where we had been by the rocks that had been displaced. He was looking for the rock I was sitting on when they caught up to me when the sun shone on the glass front of the camera and he saw it out of the corner of his eye. Amazing. Prayers work. Husbands are cool. It was a good day.

Do you see it? There by the dead branch? Whew!

Now we are home and life is good. Jacob starts school tomorrow and is a little nervous but I don't know why. He can't really put it into words either. May he is just excited. I will try to post a first day of school picture of him.

School Has Started

School has started, for me anyway. Jacob will start after Labor Day. I am working in the computer room again this year. I think it will be a great year, the kids are good and catch on pretty quickly. Here are the bulletin boards I did.