This will Change the Way you Prepare for any Mission or Calling in Life! Jesus Fasted for Forty Days

As a child when I was taught the story of Jesus fasting in the wilderness I imagined the Savior miserably wandering around the wilderness starving, with the dark figure of Satan diabolically following him around. What a GLUM preparation for the greatest mission of all TIME!

I think this is enough of a false narrative to take the time to pause, study, THINK, imagine and wonder. This is a story of preparing for a great mission! This is the process of learning, growing, receiving power and strength to know how to proceed! Jesus went into the wilderness for 40 days to fast, pray and prepare for his mission and to do this went to find God.

First a study of the word "fast, fasting" to gain perspective:

Think of Fasting as presented in:

Helamen 3:35:

"Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God."

Alma 17:3

But this is not all; they had given themselves to much prayer, and fasting; therefore they had the spirit of prophecy, and the spirit of revelation, and when they taught, they taught with power and authority of God.

Alma 17:9

And it came to pass that they journeyed many days in the wilderness, and they fasted much and prayed much that the Lord would grant unto them a portion of his Spirit to go with them, and abide with them, that they might be an instrument in the hands of God to bring, if it were possible, their brethren, the Lamanites, to the knowledge of the truth, to the knowledge of the baseness of the traditions of their fathers, which were not correct.

Alma 45:1

Behold, now it came to pass that the people of Nephi were exceedingly rejoiced, because the Lord had again delivered them out of the hands of their enemies; therefore they gave thanks unto the Lord their God; yea, and they did fast much and pray much, and they did worship God with exceedingly great joy.

Go to the Index and look up Fasting primarily in the Book of Mormon and see the wonderful rejoicing words!

• Wax stronger and stronger
• Sanctification of hearts
• had spirit of prophecy and revelation
• teaching with power and authority from God
• Spirit to abide with
• Bring people to knowledge of truth
• Worshiping God with EXCEEDINGLY GREAT JOY

Yesterday I came across the Come Follow me Lesson for this week and I went to study this section, when I began to ponder and I received wonderful depth. Here is what the section says:

Matthew 4:1–2

Communing with God prepares me to serve Him.

To prepare for His mission, Jesus went into the wilderness “to be with God” (Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1 [in Matthew 4:1, footnote b]). Think of what you do to feel close to God. How does this prepare you for the work He wants you to do?

Jesus going to seek for God? He didn't go to primarily be tempted? This was a concept I had never really pondered on, I had just accepted the false idea of a heavy focus on Satan. This is how I had always been taught.

The Joseph Smith translation clears it up in Matthew 4:

Jesus is led by the Spirit, not by Satan.

1 Then Jesus was led up of the Spirit, into the wilderness, to be with God.

5 Then Jesus was taken up into the holy city, and the Spirit setteth him on the pinnacle of the temple.

6 Then the devil came unto him and said, If thou be the Son of God, cast thyself down, for it is written, He shall give his angels charge concerning thee, and in their hands they shall bear thee up, lest at any time thou dash thy foot against a stone.

8 And again, Jesus was in the Spirit, and it taketh him up into an exceeding high mountain, and showeth him all the kingdoms of the world and the glory of them.

9 And the devil came unto him again, and said, All these things will I give unto thee, if thou wilt fall down and worship me.

The Lord went into the wilderness to fast for 40 days to be with God. He sought His Father in Heaven. He was lead by the Spirit. Temptation was subjected to him under the law of opposition in all things intermittently throughout his growth and learning. But it is more than just this, it is important to note the pattern of learning the Savior experienced (Edited to include more): prayer, fasting, power to overcome, searching for insight, great revelation, time to ponder, opposition, weakness exploited by Satan as he attempts to tempt. Jesus gave no heed to temptation, prayer, fasting, power to overcome, searching for insight, great revelation, time to ponder, opposition, weakness exploited by Satan as he attempts to tempt, Jesus gave no heed to temptation. See the pattern? Wash and Repeat.

One day we will know exactly what the interlude between the Father and the Son was during this period of time, but for now I love to take time to ponder and wonder what this amazing experience must have been like. I wonder what the Savior must have been asking and how the Father would have been teaching him a depth so profound it is impossible to find the words. I wonder if Heaven was watching in wonder as we saw our older brother studying, learning and growing. I wonder if we took notes? I think about His lengthy fast and how the Savior must have rejoiced in the discomfort and pain he felt in his stomach as he sanctified his soul and received additional power ever day he was able to press forward in prayer and fast. "..wax[ing] stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer...filling [his] soul with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of [his} heart." I ponder upon how this sacred conversation passed between Father and Son, a true communion, a preparation, a power of preparation! I love these images of the Savior By Greg Olson Imagine the Savior pondering over the knowledge and truth given to him by the Father. Moving forward through this sacred experience in the wilderness with positivity and truth.

From the New Testament Institute Manual: 

Elder Bruce R. McConkie added these insights into why Jesus went into the wilderness: “Jesus did not go into the wilderness to be tempted of the devil; righteous men do not seek out temptation. He went ‘to be with God.’ Probably he was visited by the Father; without question he received transcendent spiritual manifestations. The temptations came after he ‘had communed with God,’ ‘after forty days’ [Joseph Smith Translation, Matthew 4:1–2; Luke 4:2]” (Doctrinal New Testament Commentary, 1:128).

“Fasting, coupled with mighty prayer, is powerful. It can fill our minds with the revelations of the Spirit. It can strengthen us against times of temptation. Fasting and prayer can help develop within us courage and confidence. They can strengthen our character and build self-restraint and discipline. Often when we fast, our righteous prayers and petitions have greater power. Testimonies grow. We mature spiritually and emotionally and sanctify our souls. Each time we fast, we gain a little more control over our worldly appetites and passions” (“The Law of the Fast,” Ensign, May 2001, 73).  Joseph B. Wirthlin

Fasting was an important part of the Savior’s preparation for His ministry, as taught by President Howard W. Hunter(1907–95): “Soon after his baptism Jesus was led by the Spirit into the wild, uncultivated wilderness. There he remained for forty days and nights, preparing himself for the formal ministry which was then to begin. The greatest task ever to be accomplished in this world lay before him, and he needed divine strength. Throughout these days in the wilderness he chose to fast, that his mortal body might be completely subjected to the divine influence of his Father’s Spirit” (“The Temptations of Christ,” Ensign, Nov. 1976, 17).

Fasting "...that his body might be completely subjected to the divine influence of his Father's Spirit." I love those words. Jesus was preparing with his Father for his mission. He was being taught, learning preparing for what was to come. He was preparing both his physical and spiritual self, his whole soul. He was making the sacrifice to fast and pray to prepare to receive the Spirit to fill his mind and body with pure light, pure knowledge and power. Jesus prepared for the upcoming whirlwind. He had every opportunity to abandon and reject his calling. But instead he prepared mightily for his mission. This is a pretty convincing case for the law of the fast. I feel my heart changing, do you feel your heart changing too?

Now let's shift our focus, take the law of prayer and fasting and apply them as a leap of faith we must take to accomplish our life missions.

First, take the time to watch this video on Spiritual Whirlwinds. While you watch, take time to see the figure that stands behind the young man as temptation after temptation is deflected! (hint: it's the Savior!)

I have seen this video countless times. Do you notice when this young man takes a leap of faith? That leap triggers a power from on high, surrounded by the power of the Savior, (look closely) even the Savior himself! 

I have often pondered what this leap was about and I thought, this has got to be a leap of faith to overcome temptation! But my pondering was too narrow-minded. While I believe leaps of faith to overcome temptation are powerful faith actions, powerful enough to write an entire blog post on (and I may one day), I believe there is much more! Watch this video with a new set of eyes. Let's pretend this young man has now repented, he is still next to the tree. This Tree, like the Savior is steadfast and immovable. By the way, Jesus IS THIS TREE. Ask yourself, "How can we relate the Saviors experience of fasting to ourselves?" Imagine this young man is preparing for a mission, marriage or fatherhood. We could even imagine a young lady preparing for motherhood, a calling from her bishop or even a full time mission. Imagine increasing in power and light through regular monthly fasts, special fasts, prayer and study? Just like the Savior to prepare to increase in light, to prepare to learn, he began in holiness through fasting and prayer. He knew opposition would come, temptation would come, but 1st he sought to prepare to receive God the Father and all that the Father was waiting to give him. This LEAP of faith through fasting and prayer was the beginning of the great leap of faith! It was the preemptive defense! The way to increase in power and light! May we look to God and not the arm of the flesh as we approach our life missions.

Here is the principle. If we want true POWER from on high, we do not sit around waiting for the next temptation to come to show we are capable to receive more strength. We must first prepare through fasting, prayer, study, holy communion/revelation as we give, receive, grow and seek for continual understanding. We do not seek out temptation to prove ourselves. We do not rely on the arm of the flesh. 

The first line of DEFENSE is preparation with the outstretched Arm of the Lord!

This is the first step in Increasing in Light...having a perfect brightness of Hope!

Fasting & Prayer

Study through Reading, Research, Recording, Repeating: teaching testimony (This will have to be another blog post for another time, but great subjects anyone can explore! Start with Study Helps, and the 1828 Websters Dictionary, also this amazing "gem" of a lesson on Patterns of Learning found on lds.org)

This should always be our first line of defense as we proceed.

The leap of faith has begun!

The Lord is there knocking waiting for us to make the move. We need to turn the doorknob and open up! Imagine what we will gain!

The Liahona was a Family Compass and a Leadership Tool

After women's conference president Nelson asked the sisters to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year. At that time I had been in the book of Ether and although I was nearly finished with the Book of Mormon, I decided to start over and begin a study of the Book of Mormon with the emphasis of seeking for learning the attributes of the Savior. I have found the peaceful Saviors name in varying form and theme everywhere, as well as Christ-like attributes in the prophets who wrote about Him. As I went through the 1st book of Nephi and contemplated Lehi's journey to the promise land, the Spirit whispered to my heart. Nephi was a Godly man who understood and loved family, who believed and understood unity which aided him in Gathering the Family of God to the promised land, something that many would have abandoned in his circumstance.

You see, when the Lehi family completed their mission to; obtain their genealogy, their scripture's/ the Brass Plates, understand the purpose of their mission through revelation of the Tree of Life and marry Ishmeal's daughters they were permitted to move forward on their journey. This next call came with direct guidance to move forward as a group with the introduction of the Liahona a divine compass directed by the Lord to call that everyone in the Lehi party unite under the first law of heaven, obedience. Yes, everyone needed to be obedient in order for the spindles to carefully, specifically guide them through the wilderness. This ball of curious workmanship gave specific and plain direction to make it to the promised land, including where to find food! The Liahona was given, in true Patriarchal order, to the Patriarch of the family, Lehi. This extraordinary tool from the Lord was a family compass, a group compass. This was a compass meant to unify the Lehi and Ishmael family in their spiritual and temporal journey to the promise land. This unity was also meant to include each person's individual process of being an obedient, covenant keeping people and accomplishing the task to bring not just one person, but the entire family through the Atonement of the Savior, even our beloved leader Nephi.

In the past I have thought of the Liahona from the perspective of correcting the disobedient and reminding them to obey. For instance when the family faced starvation when food became scarce from the bows loosing their spring. The breaking point for our valiant Lehi happened when Nephi broke his bow. Nephi is learning the process of overcoming hardship, even negativity in any way and you will see his efforts will be blesses. Nephi came up with a solution made a new hand crafted bow, then asked his father to ask the Lord where to find food to hunt, Lehi was chastened and repented. Only after repentance and Nephi looking upon the Liahona did the spindles begin to work again and the family had direction to obtain food. Nephi went and obtained food.

This is when it became obvious that the Liahona was a blessing to Nephi to continue to be ever obedient, optimistic, full of love filled Nephi. I imagine the evaluation Nephi went through when he realized that this compass would only work when the family worked together in obedience. It probably brought him great joy for the family to have a witness of the boundaries the Lord was giving them to be dedicated to the cause. It probably also became a blessing to Nephi's leadership role for the rest of the family that this compass was a family effort even through discouragement, hardship and persecution to continue in "with all energy" to motivate, cultivate, nature, strengthen, promote, correct, fortify and rally an entire family. We see the fruits of his labor in 2 Nephi Chpter 5 verses 6 through 16 where they prospered and were able to build and enjoy the blessings of the temple. Nephi needed the Liahona.

Despite physical and mental abuse Nephi had always been positive, encouraging and looking for solutions and spoke to his brethren, encouraging them. When the miracle of finding food became apparent to Nephi, I imagine Nephi did some true evaluation of his role in the family. When Nephi sought direction on the Liahona, imagine his thrill as he went forth to the place directed and was able to "slay wild beasts." Nephi had discovered a pattern of "group effort" and taking action even in the most difficult circumstances. I am certain it took sincere and heartfelt prayer as each trial or challenge encouraged him to find insight when persecution had been ongoing and eminent as they traveled this journey together. I imagine these trials had Nephi turning to the scriptures for understanding that gave him power to speak to his brethren in boldness, love and all energy of heart. Nephi loved the scriptures. It was this dedication to act, line upon line that gave him the ability to discern between his own voice and the voice of the Lord even to the protection of his life and he always looked forward to seek for ways to protect his posterity through record keeping.

Nephi and his mission to support the Lords program was protected. No, Nephi was not always popular, but he was protected from death and was given the strength to endure persecution, keep perspective that this journey to the promised Land was about Gathering the Family of God in both a literal and theological sense. He valued life, he loved everyone, Nephi became a shepherd. As Gary E Stephenson said, "We understand that a true shepherd loves his sheep, knows each one by name, and “has personal interest in” them."

As you go forth in striving to do good and be good, our modern day Liahona's; from scriptures, words of the prophets, to our own patriarchal blessings, all are meant to encourage and strengthen our willingness to continue to gather the Family of God. We need each other warts and all. The preparation of the Second Coming of the Savior, the Plan of Salvation is meant to be a FAMILY/Group EFFORT. Gathering is meant to influence, encourage repentance to the struggling and faint of heart, to the most valiant hearts to even the most wicked hearts. Those who are striving to be valiant need to be reminded to not give up on our brothers and sisters with whom we are traveling. Even when those we are closest with struggle with testimonies, complaining, depression, and discouragement, remember to turn to the word of God! You may even come across those who might throw out accusations, spreading false reports. Sink to your knees in prayer, plead to be filled with charity, the pure love of God. Nephi followed the Savior's example he witnessed in vision. Elder Holland reminded us in conference that the Lord was "Wounded in the house of his friends." The Lord was the ultimate "Prince of Peace" and as we follow His example and the example of Nephi, we will be successful in our efforts to gather the Family of God. You will find strength and power to pause, ponder, kneel in humility to ask for the guidance from a loving Heavenly Father, apply the Atonement of the Savior, tune out the noise, listen to the Spirit deeply, seek out and search the scriptures, do a search for a conference talk,  to discern your own heart, to see others for whom they really are. You will know how to proceed in righteousness, love God, his children and support his program as Nephi did,  he loved his Father in Heaven, his Savior Jesus Christ and supported His program.
Nephi needed a family compass as he strove to Gather the Family of God to the promise land.

Elder Eyring Said:

This is the work of our generation, what the Apostle Paul called “the dispensation of the fulness of times,” when he said God would “gather together in one all things in Christ, both which are in heaven, and which are on earth; even in him” (Ephesians 1:10). This is made possible through the atoning work of God’s Beloved Son, Jesus Christ. Because of Him, our family members, “who sometimes were far off are made nigh by the blood of Christ. For he is our peace, who hath made both one, and hath broken down the middle wall of partition between us” (Ephesians 2:13–14). You have felt this, as I have, when you have experienced an increase of love as you looked at the picture of an ancestor. You have felt it in the temple when the name on a card seemed like more than a name, and you couldn’t help but sense that this person was aware of you and felt your love.

I testify that God the Father wants His children home again, in families and in glory. The Savior lives. He directs and blesses this work, and He watches over and guides us. He thanks you for your faithful service in gathering His Father’s family, and I promise you the inspired help that you seek and need. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The Art of Peacemaking

‏Learning the art of deliberately speaking and living to be a peacemaker is something I am truly studying to understand. 

I was recently caught off guard with a contentious situation. I felt deeply hurt and found myself truly wrestling with negativity. With personal effort and time my heart is finally feeling peace about the situation and I am actually extremely grateful for all I learned as I studied and wrestled. As I studied, I found peacemaking is not what you might think, it is not a passive attempt, it is real, it's a living, breathing spiritual awareness, it is also bold and it yet it can be sometimes very difficult to discern how to approach a situation, but it is a blessing. I gave my 6/7 year old primary class the challenge this week to be a peacemaker 
‏in the home. I better take the challenge to heart
and apply peacemaking to all aspects of my life!
‏
I recently asked Dr. Glenn Kimber advice on what to do when you have spoken in peace, yet spoken truth and it is rejected with contention. Or even, not said anything at all And contention ensues. His reply. You need to read the whole thing in order to understand the entire message.
"I sit on my hands. My wife asked me once while at church if I was going to speak up and correct doctrine and I did not. I sat on my hands (figuratively speaking). You see, we are all at different places of understanding. We all learn 'line upon line' not 'dissertation upon dissertation' or 'thesis upon thesis.''
Then he said what really struck me. 

"When the Savior was speaking to Pilot, he had a nice conversation. Pilot was willing to listen and found no wrong within Jesus. He spoke to his people and gave parables. He spoke to some and rebuked them. And with wicked wicked Harrod, he said nothing."
Peace is personal. It requires the careful focus of peacemaking with the deliberate attempt to strive for the ability to have spiritual discernment and to understand how to proceed. This is truly a lifelong pursuit and well worth the effort. 

President Nelson states:
"My concern is that contention is becoming accepted as a way of life. From what we see and hear in the media, the classroom, and the workplace, all are now infected to some degree with contention. How easy it is, yet how wrong it is, to allow habits of contention to pervade matters of spiritual significance, because contention is forbidden by divine decree:
“The Lord God hath commanded that men should not murder; that they should not lie; that they should not steal; that they should not take the name of the Lord their God in vain; that they should not envy; that they should not have malice; that they should not contend one with another.” (2 Ne. 26:32.) https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1989/04/the-canker-of-contention?lang=eng
A divine decree is enough for me to strive daily to have the kind of peace God mandates for all man.


https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2008/10/our-hearts-knit-as-one?lang=eng

"If there are barriers, it is because we ourselves have created them. We must stop concentrating on our differences and look for what we have in common; then we can begin to realize our greatest potential and achieve the greatest good in this world. Sister Marjorie P. Hinckley once said, “Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young. And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old. It is a sociological fact that women need women. We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other.” Sister Hinckley was right; oh, how we need each other!" Bonnie L Oscarson
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/sisterhood-oh-how-we-need-each-other?lang=eng

Yoked to Christ in Marriage

Christ is our Redeemer and has promised that if we go to him, through his Atoning Sacrifice he will lighten our burdens being yoked to him.

Matthew 11: 28-30
28 “...Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in eheart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
 30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.”

1828 Definition of YOKE = YOKE, noun [G., Latin , Gr.]

1. A piece of timber, hollowed or made curving near each end, and fitted with bows for receiving the necks of oxen; by which means two are connected for drawing. From a ring or hook in the bow, a chain extends to the thing to be drawn, or to the yoke of another pair of oxen behind.

YOKE, verb transitive

1. To put a yoke on; to join in a yoke; as, to yoke oxen, or a pair of oxen.

2. To couple; to join with another.

Cassius, you are yoked with a lamb.

So this is how you and the Savior through His atonement are yoked together.

There are days, days that marriage feels like a huge burden. The person you dearly love, seems to speak in a language you don't understand nor understands you. Communication feels stiffened, patience is low, daily trials feel heavy, change is stagnant or slow. Trials and personal imperfections burden marriage. Many people struggle to approach these challenges and find joy and love.

Bruce C Hafen spoke about marriage:

"Every marriage is tested repeatedly by three kinds of wolves. The first wolf is natural adversity. Second, the wolf of their own imperfections will test them. The third wolf is the excessive individualism that has spawned today’s contractual attitudes."

However, there is a dialogue in these difficult moments, that I have forgotten. A remembrance and rejoicing I have neglected. Through baptism and confirmation, I covenanted that I would follow my brother, my Savior (our Savior) Jesus Christ! I would take his name upon me. I would follow his commandments, his example. In that promise that I recommit weekly through the sacrament, I am turning all I have, all I am over to my Lord. Everything. He paid the price for me, for you.
Now, I do not mean to be trite here. I can definitely list the terrible struggles that afflict us in life but do we remember that the Lord suffered everything for us?
He knows the struggle of debt, the joy of paying it off, he felt it all. He knows how it feels to struggle months and months on end with a disabling sickness in pregnancy.  He knows the immense pain of giving birth. He knows the depression onset when the dishes are not done and the laundry is piled high. He knows how complacency feels, laziness feels, and even the struggle of when a spouse is not on the same page. For our Lord bore it all, for all of us.
Then the joy that comes through the Lord, willingly, lovingly, plentifully. That immense, beautiful, never-ending joy.

In the beginning of the marriage covenant we are yoking our marriage to the Savior through the covenants we make in the temple.
We together yoked as one complete whole. His sacrifice is seen in tandem. His sacrifice was truly for ALL sorrow and ALL joy. The sorrow is swallowed up, literally and the joy is poured out, overflowing. I think that is a pretty good deal, don't you?

Let's explore covenant marriage again.

Marriage is a covenant by nature:
"Marriage is by nature a covenant, not just a private contract one may cancel at will. Jesus taught about contractual attitudes when he described the “hireling,” who performs his conditional promise of care only when he receives something in return. When the hireling “seeth the wolf coming,” he “leaveth the sheep, and fleeth … because he … careth not for the sheep.” By contrast, the Savior said, “I am the good shepherd, … and I lay down my life for the sheep.”2 Many people today marry as hirelings. And when the wolf comes, they flee. This idea is wrong. It curses the earth, turning parents’ hearts away from their children and from each other." Bruce C Hafen

How can we treat marriage as a covenant?
The Lord Has promised:

Mosiah 18:8
“...as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another’s burdens, that they may be light;”

"When we observe the covenants we make at the altar of sacrifice, we discover hidden reservoirs of strength." Bruce C Hafen

The principle of the number 3 is unity.
Being yoked equally in marriage 
is only attainable when we are 1st yoked to Christ.

Gimmel is the third Hebrew letter and number 3.
Anciently they wrote the letter at a foot. It means to carry, lift up,
gather, walk, gives direction, charity; all qualities of Christ.
For more study on the number three and the triangle go to: http://www.keystoneed.com/numbers1.html

When we are Yoked in Christ and trust/obey him completely
equal yoke is attainable and a relief and joy in marriage.
The principle of the equilateral triangle = 
When growing closer to Christ we form healthy boundaries, 
good attributes that form Christlike love for our spouse.
This can draw us closer togeather. This keeps each of us clear as to how to act in Faith in our marriage. Any marriage. _

So these 

Peace be with you my friends and may you have strength to act in faith! -Sharee Jones

For More study please read Bruce C Hafen's conference talk on Marriage: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1996/10/covenant-marriage?lang=eng
For more study for bearing our burdens with Christ and applying this chart to every relationship[ see: April 2013 Conference Talk
By David A Bednar
“Bear up their Burdens with Ease” https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/bear-up-their-burdens-with-ease?lang=eng
What are our loads in life? Are our loads providing spiritual traction? When we are yoked to Christ, what are the loads we are pulling?

The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely upon the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah. - Elder Bednar

Feel free to share this Graphic:

SaveSave

Thank you and good bye (for now) to our family and friends in Southern Utah, we have forever

I write this emotional post as a thank-you to all who helped us succeed in our life for the past eight years. So many people helped, so many people who are not even pictured here, including my sisters, my parents, Laramie's brothers and family and some close friends who helped significantly over the years. We love you all, we love your willingness to give. You helped our family be able to prosper during some difficult times. 

Laramie began remodeling this home over 11 years ago. We were married over seven and a half years ago. In that time we added three more children to our family, remodeled two bathrooms, living room, bedrooms, all doors, two windows, repaired the roof, the chimney, added a fence, repainted inside and out, added new trim, textured the ceilings, carpeted, added travertine floors, decorated, messed up, broke and repaired and grew many gardens, flowers, added grass, retaining wall and countless other little things. We began; homeschooling, we had a successful home-birth, we learned, we cried we saved money, we spent lot's of money. My 12 year old son, grew into a young man. 

Over a year ago we decided to get serious about finishing many small projects and move to Sevier County, Utah over 2 and a half hours away. It is a magical place for us around July when we go up and escape for vacation every year. Laramie's family lives there and we have often said we would move up there in enough time our children would enjoy living in a smaller town and country. Over 11 months ago Laramie found a job up North and took it, staying with his family during the week and coming home on weekends. It has been a strain and sacrifice for our family. There have been many times, we have sat at the door and cried waving at Laramie as he drove away. Many times Laramie stopped the car just to drive back for one more hug and kiss. 

We worked through emergency room visits for bonked heads, visited the doctor for stitches, recovered from family illness, loved through Christmas, Easter and many other weekends. We prayed to keep vision, even when it didn't seem to make sense. We have learned to study the scriptures and understand the gospel of Jesus Christ in a deep and personally meaningful way. 

My ward and neighbors (in the Bloomington neighborhood). You have taught me at a most critical learning period in my life. I love you all. My sweet ward and my sweet neighbors are what make this move so hard. The remodel on our home conditioned us to be stronger, but you were what made it possible to get over some serious obstacles, like a massive yard clean up, cleaning, packing and organizing with small children (as a semi/ single parent, while Laramie was at work), through injuries, illness and frustrations. Not to mention helping us build and grow spiritually. I saw the inner genius and felt my testimony grow for the meaning of what ward family really means. There was always someone who would step in at the right moment with a treat, a meal, a kind word or a helping hand. This past Sunday Sue Eyering and Wendy Ludlow showed up at my doorstep with a plan to have the ward as a group family home evening project, show up and help us pack. It was the greatest blessing you could ever have imagined. Laramie could not get the time off of work this week sufficient to help me pack and move. I have felt overwhelmed and have continued to pray for the energy and ability to be ready to move. It was miraculous! In two hours my home was packed and in a moving trailer you had paid for. We had meals brought to us, my extra laundry was taken by Sue platt and Sue Eyering and done! There were over 35 people in my home. It was amazing! Including (just listing from the top of my head here people who represented their famiy: Cary's, Thoman's Webs, Thomas's, Wrights, Pearson's, Ludlow's, Eyring's, Talbots, Platt's, Snows, Adam's Scott's, Baresco's, Watson's, Lambs and Bishop's...and many more.

Also thank you Rosine, Lauren, Glenda, Lyla, Marilyn, Cary, Amanda, Twila, Kellie, Vincent and Amber. I may never stop being able to thank you all. I have many, many mentors in the ward. All those who I have not mentioned, please know I have thought of you. I know you and I will never forget you. So many of you who gently taught me, refined me through their patient service. How will I ever be able to thank you? I love you! You were direct answers to my prayers, to our prayers as a family. We have kept you in our hearts and prayers regularly. 

Thank you to our family and friends who have encouraged us. We love you. We love the gifts and help you have given us. We just love you so much! There are too many people to list. It is worth saying again. I love you all. Thank you Nichol who encouraged me daily and taught me how to properly paint. Thank you to my mom, Malea and Tobi (my sisters) who were able to help at just the right times. Thank you to my many homeschool friends. I love you! Thank you to my mentor Tresta Neil, for the past two years, you have taught me on a weekly basis. You have encouraged me to dream, to have vision and how to manifest! You helped me recognize inspiration, you helped me make it through some very tough moments. You helped me create a venue in which I could serve God and give back.

My Brother in law, Matt Scott, reminded me while I was struggling to say goodbye to our home, that we can't take it with us. All we can take is our are experiences and gained knowledge. We may not be able to take our friends with us at the moment, but we have grown to be a better people because of them. We have them for forever.  So please know, If we don't see each-other in this life, be certain that I will be looking for you in the next. I love you my friends!

I know God lives and has organized his kingdom in a way so that we may bless each-other all the way back into His presence. God be with you till we meet again.

We look forward to the future and plan to keep you update as we progress and learn. Till then!