To go private or not to go private

It seems that everyone is "going private!"

I told myself that I wouldn't!

But now I'm thinking about it!

There are strangers looking at my blog!!

And leaving weird messages!

Who are they? What do they want? Should I be scared?

Or are they harmless bored people?

Kinda freaks me out!

But I'm still not sure what to do!!

I want to protect my family ~ especially my little grandbaby and my daughter

living in a foriegn country.

But I know it's more trouble for you to have to

log into a "private" blog.

Will you still come check in on me once in awhile?

Tell me what you guys think.

Should I or shouldn't I??

Update on Sister Mindy (long post)

Well Mindy has been serving on her mission now for 7 months. She is doing great. She loves Russia and the people. She has been in Novosibirsk since she arrived in Russia 5 months ago. It is Russias 3rd largest city, after Moscow and St. Petersburg, and is the largest city of Siberia. This is where the Mission home is located. She loves this city and has enjoyed serving there.

Novosibirsk Skyline

Mindy with a couple other sister missionaries

(picture retreived from Bro and Sister Simmons blog - thanks!)

She was transferred this past week. She is now serving in Irkutsk. She had quite a journey getting there. Irkutsk is approximately about 1800 miles from Novosibirsk. She took a train to get there and traveled for 35 hours. She crossed two times zones. On the Russian map below (sorry its not bigger) Novosibirk is right in the middle of the map toward the southern border. Irkutsk is east of Novo (about an inch) next to a long sliver, crescent shaped lake (Lake Baikal - more pictures below). Considering that this is almost 2000 miles apart on this map it kind of gives you an idea of just how big Russia really is.

She is now the Senior Companion with another american sister that has been out about one month less than Mindy. Mindys other companions have all been Russian and they have been able to help her with the language and understanding the culture, etc. So now she is going to have to rely much much more on the Lord to help her with her understanding and speaking the language. She has great faith - I know she will do awesome!!

I have been studying about Irkutsk and its history and surrounding area and it is very interesting. I am learning alot about Russia. So I thought that I would give you a some interesting tidbits on this new area that she is serving in.

FACTS:

It is one of the largest cities in Siberia with a population of 593,604.

In the early 19th century, many Russian artists, officers and nobles were sent into exile to this part of Siberia for their part in the Decembrist revolt (Because this happened in December the rebels were called Decembrists) against Tsar Nicholas 1. (Hence the saying when someone does something wrong, "You are going to get sent to outer Siberia!")

Irkutsk became the major center of intellectual and social life for these exiles, and much of the citys cultural heritage comes from them. Many of their wooden houses, adorned with ornate, hand carved decorations ( see picture below), are still standing there today.

It has the nickname ~ The Paris of Siberia.

It is a very prosperous cultural and educational center for eastern Siberia with many museums and universities. The architectural design of many of the buildings and churches is very beautiful and ornate.

Kazansky Church in Irkutsk

Epiphany Minster (built in 1718-1746)

Irkutsk railway station on the Trans-Siberian Railway

(This is probably where Mindy arrived in this city)

A Decembrist house with distinctive hand-carved trim

Irkutsk sits near Lake Baikal. It is called "The Pearl of Siberia". It is the deepest lake in the world (about 2,442 ft) and it contains a total of about 20% of the worlds surface fresh water. It has a surface area of 12,248 square miles and is home to more than 1,700 species of plants and animals, 2/3 of which can be found nowhere else in the world.

The lake is completely surrounded by mountains, contains 27 islands (the largest is 45 miles long and is the 4th largest lake-bound island in the world. The lake is fed by as many as 330 inflowing rivers.

Irkutsk is toward the bottom of the lake on the left side.

Sorry that this post is so long but I thought that you might be interested in seeing and hearing about the new area that Mindy is in. I hope that you enjoyed learning something new about a country that most of us know nothing about.

Top ten ways NOT to visit teach!

Well its the first of the year and many of you probably received new visiting teachers or you were assigned a new visiting teaching beat.

Visiting teaching is a serious and important calling, and one that should be considered with the utmost gravity. No joking allowed.

Over and over we've read lessons, listened to talks, and prayerfully considered how we can improve our visiting teaching.

Today, however, I'd like to help you by sharing just a few humorous ways NOT to make your service to your sisters a little better. As you evaluate how you are doing with visiting teaching, make sure that you are NOT doing one of these things.

If you are, well, I'll just grateful that you are not my visiting teacher!

1. DON'T schedule all of your appointments for the 32nd of the month. (That's what happens when you wait to call until the 30th and then schedule them all for 'the day after tomorrow'.)

2. DON'T ask the sisters you visit teach to give the lesson.

3. DON'T use the phrase, "Well, enough about you. Let's talk about me!"

4. DON'T ask the sister you visit teach when she plans to bring you dinner.

5. DON'T ask them to skip Relief Society so you can visit teach them (this is especially true if you or they are in the Relief Society presidency).

6. DON'T let your preschooler redecorate the walls of the home to include crayon sketches.

7. DON'T ask, "So are you pregnant, or have you just put on a lot of weight in the last month?"

8. DON'T fall asleep while your companion gives the lesson. Even worse, DON'T fall asleep while you're giving the lesson.

9. During the prayer, DON'T ask Heavenly Father to 'please help her be a better person - she needs all the help she can get!'

10. And, most important of all, DON'T put off your visiting teaching! Your sisters need you - and you need them!

(by Nola Redd)

Lets all do what we can to help!

The First Presidency of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints appealed today to the worldwide membership of the Church to help relieve the suffering in Haiti.

In a statement published on the Church’s official Web site, Church President Thomas S. Monson and counselors Henry B. Eyring and Dieter F. Uchtdorf said they are “keenly aware that many in America are dealing with economic challenges brought on by the recent recession.” Many Church members have made substantial contributions to Church Humanitarian Services, but more is needed.

Church members and others wishing to contribute to the aid efforts may do so by using the Donation Slip they normally use for Church donations or by logging onto lds.org and clicking on Humanitarian Services Emergency Response.

Today’s First Presidency statement also addressed the emotional trauma the Haitian people are experiencing in the wake of the devastating earthquake.

“Money is not the only need in Haiti,” the statement continued. “People are frightened, bewildered, and wholly uncertain about their future. In addition to what people can do in helping with food, water and shelter, there needs to be a calming influence over that troubled nation.

We invite people everywhere to supplicate God for a spirit of calm and peace among the people.”

As I read this statement from the 1st Presidency I was reminded of this scripture found in Matt. 25:35, 38 & 40

35. For I was hungered and ye gave me meat; I was thirsty and ye gave me drink; I was a stranger and ye took me in

38. When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?

40. And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

You can read the full statement by the 1st Presidency HERE

You can also read HERE to see how the church is helping with the relief efforts.

The light at the end of the tunnel is shining BRIGHT!!!!

Well........ I just finished the first week of my LAST semester!!!!

After 5 1/2 years of going to school I am almost DONE!!!

GRADUATION.......here I come!!!!!!!

See you on APRIL 9th!

A weekend of lights and music and seeing special people!

Last weekend Joe and I went to Salt Lake City for a couple of days. We met up with our daughter Amy when we got there and took her to dinner for her birthday and then we went to Temple Square to see the Christmas lights. It was so beautiful!!! We were also celebrating our 33 wedding anniversary which was on Dec 1 because we were married in the SLC Temple. It was a gorgeous evening and we had a really good time. Here are some pictures from our evening together.












Then on Sunday morning Joe and I went to the conference center for the Mormon Tabernacle Choir Christmas concert. We got there real early and when we found our seats we were only 7 rows from the stage and we were smack dab right in the middle. The 6 rows in front of us were for dignitaries and important people. (We missed out on being important by one row!!!) Anyway we were just sitting there listening to the choir warm up when all of a sudden everything got really quiet and everyone stood up. I knew instantly by the feeling in the room that the prophet, Pres. Monson, had just walked in. Sure enough he was there and he actually sat directly in front of us on the front row. We were only 6 rows behind him. It was so special to see him there and to feel of his great spirit.

After the concert he got up and went up on stage and he presented the special guests, Natalie Cole and David McCollough with a gift and let them say a few words. Of coarse they both went on and on about how wonderful it was to work with the choir and to have that opportunity to be there. Then they were asked to turn around and look up to the choir so that they could sing a special song for them. Then the choir sang, "God be with you til we meet again." It was so inspiring and there wasnt a dry eye in the place. It was a wonderful experience to get to go to the concert and to spend the weekend with my "honey" in the place that we "tied the knot" so many years ago. Here are a couple pictures of the choir and Pres. Monson.

President Monson presenting gifts to the special guests. (Sorry it is blurry)


President Monson leaning over talking to his daughter. He was so close!!!!

Here is our Christmas card for 2009!

We thought that we would share this video of Joe and I having a snowball fight

with our grandson and our two dogs.

Enjoy!!

Try JibJab Sendables® eCards today!

33 years and headed to Eternity!!!!

I love this guy!!!

It's great being married to my best friend!!

HAPPY ANNIVERSARY TO US!!!!!

Please read this . . . .

Here is some really important information that you need to know about. Please pass the word along to everyone you know!

Check it out HERE

Thank you!

Grandma's Brag Blog!!

"The Grandson" is getting so big. I miss him so much but I'm so glad that Amy sends me lots of pictures of him so that I can watch him grow and change.

This picture looks like he is saying, "Hey Grandma , look how big I am!!"

Look at that face!!! Such a sweet little smile!!!

My two "Best Buddies!"

This picture was taken when he was only a month old. He has been able to hold his head up like that almost since day one. What a strong little guy!!

The Grandson and his watch-dog!!!

Grandma can't wait to see you little buddy

at Thanksgiving!!

Oh . . . and I'm excited to see your parents too!!!

I Gotta Feeling

During The Oprah Show's 24th season kickoff party, The Harpo staff and more than 20,000 people pulled off a massive surprise for an unsuspecting Oprah.

This is really cool!!!

Watch it HERE!!!!

Help Save a Life

Get your Christmas shopping done and help save a life.

Go HERE and check out all the great items!

Little Claire needs a transplant to save her life!

To see more pictures and read her story go HERE

(photo taken from givehopetobensonandclaire.blogspot.com)

These two adorable little babies live in Rigby, ID! Friends of the family put together this auction to raise money for their life saving organ transplants. Please donate anything you can... every little bit can save their lives! Check out the auction items... there are many great things. It's a great way to do some Christmas shopping and help save their lives! Think of them as your own children... what would you do to save them!?!

Thanks everyone! We CAN make a difference!

Our Russian Missionary

A couple of mornings ago I was checking my facebook and I had a "friend request" from a girl. I didn't recognise her name but I noticed that she was in the Novosibirsk Russia Network. So I accepted it thinking that it must be someone from Mindys mission. I opened her page and everything was written in Russian except the status at the top which was in English and said, "My baptism will be on Saturday at 3 o'clock p.m. Invite you! :-)" I was so excited when I realized who this was. Mindy and her companion have been working with a young gal named Donna. In Mindys recent emails over the past few weeks she has asked us to pray that Donna would decide to accept the gospel and be baptised. This was such a neat surprise to read on her facebook that she has decided to get baptised.

Then I looked at her photos on FB. And the first one that came up was this one with Mindy. (Notice Mindys shorter haircut)
So I made a comment back to Donna thanking her for putting a picture of Mindy on her facebook so that I could see her. She wrote back and said this about Mindy:

"She is great! we have a lot of fun! I feel S. Gneiting change my life! And that's sooooo awesome!!! And Mindey’s mom can be proud for daughter.

We love and take care about her."

Then she said. "you can watch the album called "awesome!!!!!!!!!" on my page." (Which I assumed she meant to go look at her photos again, which I did and she had just put up some new ones of her and Mindy.)

I think the one above is Mindy and her companion (on the right) with Donna.

And this one below is Mindy with one of the Senior Sisters.

This looked like it was a party of some kind with some of the local members.

(Mindy is on the left in purple. Donna is at the end of the table)

Then in Mindy's last email she gave me the address for a blog of one of the senior couples there in her mission. So I checked it out and it is really fun to read. They update it frequently so I will be able to keep tabs on what is going on thre. They write alot and put alot of pictures on which is nice for us to read and see and understand what Mindy is experiencing. (Thanks Elder and Sister Simmons)

This picture was on their blog so I kinda stole it off (I hope that was alright Elder Simmons :) This was taken at their zone conference they had recently. Mindy is the 4th from the right on the back row.

I believe that all of these things were once again little "tender mercies" that the Lord has sent to assure me that Mindy is doing well and is where she is suppossed to be and doing what he needs her to do. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father that understands us and knows how to comfort and send us peace. We are so pleased with Mindy and her desire to serve the Lord and we know that she is going to be a great missionary and that she is an instrument in the Lord's hands as she brings the truth and the Lord's love and happiness to the great people of Russia.

Our Little Buddy

Joe and I just love this little guy. He is really growing and getting so big. He has started to smile and you all know how those little smiles just warm your heart.

We just cant get enough of him. We got to see him last weekend. He is so precious!

Yay for Bumpo Seats!!!

This last picture is "the boy" sitting and watching Baby Einsteins. He is going to be brillant . . . just like his grandma!!! hahahaha Isnt this picture so cute?!

13 ARTICLES OF MORMON CULTURE

A friend sent this to me in an email and I just had to share it with you all. I thought it was pretty funny!! ENJOY!!


13 ARTICLES OF MORMON CULTURE


1. We believe SUVs and minivans to be our form of transportation, and in 
knee length shorts -- which are always nice and, of course, . . . . in multilevel
 marketing.


2. We believe that church ball players should be punished for their own 
fouls, and not for unsportsmanlike aggression.


3. We believe that through bread crumbs, cheese, creamy soups, and rice, all 
casseroles can be saved through obedience to ward cookbooks and creativity 
in the mixing bowl.

4. We believe that the first layers and ingredients of the Dip are: first,
beans; second, cheese; third, chopped tomatoes; fourth, the gift of sour
cream; fifth, olives; sixth, salsa; seventh, guacamole, that is, if you have 
it. 


5. We believe that a Mormon should have a distinguished or a cute name, that 
it's appropriate to name a child after a church leader or a historical 
figure including an ancestor, that alternative spellings and French prefixes 
only add to a name, and that when referring to the names of General
 Authorities, middle initials should be a part thereof.



6. We believe in the same wall decor that exists in many Mormon homes,
 namely, framed family proclamations, vinyl lettering, inspirational word
signs, family photos, pictures of temples and Jesus, and so forth. 



7. We believe in the gift of re-gifting: church books, crafts, family 
photos, baked goods, emergency supply kits, and so forth.



8. We believe in sparkling grape juice -- so long as it is non-alcoholic; we
 also believe in bringing root beer and sprite to ward and all other parties.



9. We believe in all that we have scrapbooked, all that we will now
 scrapbook, and we believe that 
we will yet scrapbook many great and important things pertaining to our 
family, friends, pets, and vacations.



10. We believe in the literal mixing of ketchup and mayo and in the generous
 application of ranch dressing; that CBAs (church-based acronyms) will be 
used to describe YM/YW, PEC, the Y, NCMO, and CTR; that Mitt Romney will get 
Mormons to vote for him any time he runs; and, that the Mormons will enjoy
 reading Twilight and The Work and the Glory.





11. We claim the privilege of trying to identify common acquaintances with
 any visitor at church, and allow all other people at church the same
 privilege; we also believe in name dropping the names of famous people and 
general authorities how, where, or what we may. 




12. We believe in being subject to scoutmasters, pampered chef hostesses,
 and the writers of the U.S. News and World Report Rankings for professional
 schools, and in obeying, honoring, and sustaining Glenn Beck.





13. We believe in being above average, good at crafts, optimistic, and being
 fifteen minutes late everywhere we go. Indeed, we may say that we follow BYU
 football. We believe rumors about famous people joining the church, we hope
 to meet the three Nephites, we have endured many pyramid schemes, and hope 
to be able to endure all pyramid schemes. If there is anything cheap, free,
 sold in bulk, or given away when somebody is moving, we seek after these
 things.