Thankful 17

I am thankful for life.  My life.  For the trials, the non stop learning, the hard things that I don't know how to fix, for the people in my life who have and do teach me so much.  And for the knowledge of a higher power that knows exactly what He is doing and that I can have confidence in knowing no matter what happens, IN THE END, EVERYTHING WILL BE OKAY.  More than that, it will be perfect.  Just the way Heavenly Father intends.
Went to church today, taught my 7 year old primary class on Jesus Christ.  It went well and I felt a spirit as I studied for this lesson.  It was  a good feeling that I am grateful for.  When I picked up Leah from nursery, I was asked what my consequences are for Leah when she hurts others.  I guess she's continually hurting others.  Nice. 

Sam has struggled a few times in kindergarten and Leah in nursery.  With hurting others.  They both are so competitive.  Sam wants to be the first and the fastest in everything.  Leah is told "no" and she tries even harder to do something she knows she shouldn't do.  She thinks she's in charge and I was drained when I heard she's struggling. 

As I asked questions and got more information: the nursery leader put Leah in time out.  Leah wouldn't stay and freaked out so she held her.  Leah continued to freak out.  Hence, what are her consequences?  Sadly, there are none.  Sam and Leah get at each other but I guess I don't take care of it like I need to be and now it's happening other places. I don't want her hurting people and I don't want it to be hard on the teachers.  Sam's or Leah's.

Six kids.  I was more physical with my older kids and I've chilled so much that it is amazing to me that my four oldest haven't had this kind of problem and now my two youngest both struggle with it.  It makes me sad and it doesn't feel good.  I don't know what to do.

I just know I feel overwhelmed.  I continually struggle to know how to raise my kids.  I wouldn't trade them for anything or have ever done anything different.  I am SO glad I have each of them. 

I know I need to go to the temple.  I've needed to go for a long time.  I need to go to feel peace and get strength to continue on with life.  With all there is to do continually for the kids, the temple keeps getting pushed back.  Three times now, recently, I've been ready to go....mentally and dressed for it....then I waited for John.  I like to go with John but had I just gone those times that I was ready to go, I'd feel so much better right now.

Last summer, little John worked for Bangerter Farms.  He made close to nothing each hour but worked hard for six weeks and saved enough money to buy an xbox from ksl.  The rest of the summer went downhill with no one wanting to do anything but play xbox.  All day, every day.  Little John already is susceptible to depression and feeling down and the xbox has magnified that in him.  Big Time!!  We've threatened, we've taken it away, on and on and on but it was such an addiction, that there was a lot of disobedience and ornriness going on because of the influence of the obsession and the games the kids play on it.  Finally on Friday, we took the xbox to my mom's house and told the kids it is staying there until after Christmas.  Little John would never admit it but the change in our home has already been amazing.  There isn't a dark cloud hanging over him or our home like there has been for so long.  We still allow the Wii but they don't care as much about the Wii as much so it doesn't cause problems.  They have played together more and there has been more love.  My mom called this morning and asked if there has been a difference and I said "Yes!  There has!  It's been so much better."  I think she was amazed to hear how it has made a difference to not have it in our home.

On that note...hahaha...tonight after church and dinner, we went to visit at Richard and Kara's house with any family that could make it.  Karey, Richard, us, Lisa, Leslie, and Mark and their families came.  It was a nice visit sharing the news of our families and finding out that Richard Kay and Haley (oldest grandson and only married grandchild) are expecting a baby due in June.  We are so excited for them and for Richard and Kara to become grandparents.  All the men and boys sang a song at the end of the visit then Richard and Lisa sang a song and as more sang for a bit, our family went over to Richard and Haleys (right next door) to see their cute little house that they bought from Richard and Kara.  They are so cute together and I hope they have a full and happy life together.

On the way home, arguments and tears were happening all around.  I said nothing but turned on FM 100 (soft sunday sounds :).   A beautiful rendition of "I know that my Redeemer Lives" was on.  I turned it up really loud and the crying and sadness continued for a bit then suddenly everyone was quiet.  Leah started to get ornery but "I am a child of God" came on.  Her favorite.  (she LOVES to watch the mormon message called I am a child of God).  We again sat in silence and listened and looked at the Christmas lights on our way home.  Next the bagpipes began playing "Amazing Grace".  (This song was played at my dad's funeral on a bagpipe and at my grandpas funeral a distance away from the gravesite at his service.  It's beautiful and so full of emotion.) I think the MoTab choir began to sing and it was beautiful.  Suddenly my dad was on my mind, he has been often recently, and my heart was sad.  We pulled into the garage and everyone got out of the car, except me.  I sat in the car and finished listening to the beautiful song.  I shouldn't go where my mind went next, often, but every once in a while, it does.  It has for many, many years.  I started thinking about how things could have been different.   I don't like that my dad died or that he changed into such a different person over the years.  I don't like that we lost him so many years ago.  I wish he had made different choices and was around and was so much of the man and the dad and the grandpa that I know he would have been. I think about how my mom and dad could be grandma and grandpa together.  That they would live in the home in Bountiful that we loved and grew up in.  That they had 12 grandkids together and we would all get together, TOGETHER.  I don't go much further than that.  It makes my heart ache. And I've learned a lot.  I know my mom, Jolie, Ryan, and I have been strengthened in so many ways and understand things that a lot of people don't.  I know that our path in life still has purpose and we are who we are and will be because of the trials we have had and will have.  I also know that dwelling on "the way things could have been", isn't a good thing.  That is why when I go there, it doesn't last long and in the end, I thank my Heavenly Father for my life. I went through A LOT of years feeling anger for my dad but still continuing to have a relationship with him.  I prayed for YEARS to forgive him and only feel love for him.  Then one day, it happened.  The anger was gone.  I felt sad for him and more love for him.  It doesn't mean that I don't have these thoughts at times of how things could have been.  It just means I can have those thoughts without feeling anger.  I can feel love for my dad and remember all the good in him.  That's the Atonement.  I used it in my life.  I'm grateful to understand sometimes how it really works and know that because Jesus Christ already suffered for my sins and sadness and heartache, I don't have to.  I can forgive others and feel true love for others.  I took advantage of the sacrifice made by a loving Savior, that knew that through Him, we can be saved and have JOY in life.
As usual, when I think of "what could have been", I then think about how badly I want my mom to find a husband.  A dad for us and a grandpa for the 12 grandkids.  But mostly, a husband and a companion for my mom to go through life with.  I don't like her to be alone, I don't like leaving her alone at home when we leave, and I don't like her leaving our home or anywhere else we may be, alone.  I've (we've, including my kids), have prayed and fasted and pleaded and searched and set her up and on and on for many years.  It was just recently that for the first time ever, I was pierced with the yucky feeling of she just might be alone for the rest of this life.  I think it was her who said it and every time I've heard it before, I've said "no!"  She wouldn't be alone.  She WAS going to find someone.  Someone IS going to find her.  And now, I don't want to have that feeling of what could be.  I'm holding out hope!  And now my heart aches for Kate.  I want her to be happy and have companionship as well. I don't like people being alone.  It makes me sad. 

We've been going to bed really late recently.  Like 1 and 2 am or even later.  I don't like it.  I don't feel good and I don't get much done.  Nothing worthwhile happens that late.  If I were cleaning or working on a project or doing something worthwhile, maybe it would feel a little better but it's not what's happening.  So it's 11:30 and I didn't want to turn on the computer but I had way too many thoughts swirling around in my mind so here I am.

Biggest thoughts always:  GO TO THE TEMPLE.  LOVE MY KIDS MORE. 

All that matters is family.  More love.  More kindness.  More happiness.  More togetherness.  Have more fun.  Be happy.  Enjoy life.  Teach my kids well so they will be strong enough to withstand the hard times ahead and be strong enough to teach their own children what's right. 

I love this time of year.  More than ever, I want Jesus Christ to be the center of this season for our family.  And the center of our lives always.
It's just short of midnight.  I'll shut this down and go to sleep and hope for a miracle tomorrow....that I can get up and feel more happiness and more love and more kindness and be more productive in the right ways.  haha.  :)
Good night.

Thankful 16

I am thankful for good friends and good family and good people who understand me.  And even if they don't, they love me anyway.
Lisa sent this to me yesterday.  Funny she found it on such a day.  We had a great conversation about sanity and what we can and can not handle and how often we feel like we're failing.  We talked about some people having it come so natural to keep things clean and in order, then people like us, who struggle.  

Saturday, John and the kids and I cleaned our house ALL DAY.  John worked the hardest.  The cleaner the house got, the more I saw that needed done.  I'm not sure what I like better.  The clutter all over the place because then I can't see the other things that need done.  Or clutter free and seeing how dirty all my walls and cabinets and doors and baseboards and floors are.  Okay Okay.  I choose clutter free.  But I choose the ability to STAY clutter free so I can focus more on the grime instead of constantly working to keep things clean then going crazy because I have dirt on top of that.

So. I ALWAYS CHOOSE KIDS (not necessarily pets but we have a dog and two birds right now and they're not going anywhere). The other two?  Well, for me, sometimes I choose a clean house and that brings some sort of sanity but other times, I choose sanity because I know that trying to keep a clean house will put me over the edge.

And now she sent this.  Isn't that just the way it is!

Thankful 15

I did not get a picture of my kids on Halloween.  I was at our neighborhood soup dinner before trick or treating with my phone to take a picture.  Little John came down and took my phone.  I told him that I needed it and not to take it.  A few minutes later, I was looking for John so I could get a picture of my kids.  He was no where to be found.  I ran home and he was there, playing on my phone.  I was MAD.  By the time I got back, my kids had scattered.  Luckily my mom asked the kids to dress up for her Halloween dinner so they wouldn't have to come back on Halloween.  I'm thankful for my mom's Halloween dinners.  She's never liked Halloween so decades ago she started the tradition of having a Halloween dinner.  She makes cute and creepy food, decorates the table, and we play Bingo.  It is a lot of fun and something the kids look forward to every year.  I AM THANKFUL THAT HALLOWEEN IS OVER FOR ANOTHER YEAR! Oh wait.  I think I was thankful for that on day one.  I AM THANKFUL FOR MY MOM!!  SHE IS THE MOST CHARITABLE AND KIND WOMAN I KNOW AND I AM SO VERY THANKFUL FOR HER AMAZING EXAMPLE AS A WOMAN AND A MOTHER!  OUR KIDS ADORE HER AND SHE ADORES THEM.  SHE'S BEAUTIFUL AND FUN AND I LOVE HER SO MUCH.  SHE MAKES ME WANT TO BE A BETTER PERSON AND SHE ALWAYS SEEMS TO KNOW WHAT I NEED AND WHEN I NEED IT.  SHE BUILDS ME UP AND ENCOURAGES ME TO BE THANKFUL AND HAPPY WITH WHO I AM AND MY LIFE.  I AM A LUCKY GIRL TO HAVE BEEN AND CONTINUE TO BE RAISED BY HER.  NOW LET'S FIND HER A MAN!!

Thankful Sam

Kindergarten Thanksgiving Feast in the lunchroom at school.  I went for the last five minutes to snap a picture but instead, while I was trying to delete some pictures from my phone so I had room to take a picture, Leah flipped off the bench she was standing on and landed on the floor.  She cried for a while and my nice friend from high school that lives down the street, jumped in to save the day!  She offered to take a couple pictures for me.  Thank you Kelly!!!  I think it's time I invest in a camera.

Sam's friend Joseph was between these two but I wasn't quick enough and he left.  They were so cute sitting there together.  I LOVE kindergartners.  They are so sweet and innocent. 

Thankful 15

 

It's easy to be thankful for these people today.  It's their 50th Anniversary today and they are serving together in Canada on their second mission.

I scored when I married John (not only because he is the best husband a girl could ask for) but because when I married him, I inherited these two and a whole lot of other people whom I love and adore and are now my best friends.  I was blessed with in-laws who have been the perfect example for me in raising a family and continue to show that by their love and devotion to each other, their 11 children, 10 in-law children, and 46 grand kids.  They are devoted to their religion and to Heavenly Father and show that by continually loving and serving others. 

I am celebrating today that I have the privilege of being loved by these two and I get to benefit from the GREAT decision they made 50 years ago.

HAPPY DAY!!

And here is the product of that decision.  Minus little John who was on a Young Mens Stake Encampment, Bruce who was in Taiwan on his mission, Uncle Bruce and Uncle Aaron who both passed away, and baby Charlie B who was born soon after this.  (Mom and Dad were in Canada serving mission #2).

Thankful 9 10 11 12 13 14

Six days of Thankful missed.  How easy is that.  I am thankful for the six reasons I have missed the last six days.

John Kimball

Emily Maude

Thomas Jamison

Jack Ryan

Samuel Bruce

Leah Tawnie

Without even one of them, a piece would be missing and we knew with the birth of each child, there was still something more to be learned and someone more to be loved.

Ornery, silly, sweet, stubborn, wild, and every one of them completely adored.  They each have their own piece of perfect to add to our family.

I am continually being challenged, continually learning, and continually "trying to be a little better" because of these six personalities.  They teach me WAY MORE than I could ever teach them.

I want more days that I can go to bed peacefully, having said my prayers, and with full assurance, that I did well. (There aren't many of those days).  And I want to feel confident that each of them can go to sleep peacefully knowing how much they are loved.

I hope they know it.  I hope they feel it.

Because, wow, as any parent knows, my love for them is so powerful, it aches.

And that reminds me of a loving Heavenly Father who feels just the same about His children.

I've got work to do.

And I'm happy to do it.

Evening of Excellence with Emily.

Emily likes to pull goofy faces for the camera. Always. It's tough to get her to just smile. She is beautiful though and we like her smile no matter which one she chooses to cheese with.

All of the young women made these quilts and they were hanging around the entire room. They had a neat slide show about the temple walk they did with the young men (from the bountiful temple to the salt lake temple) and related it to their journey through life. The girls sang a pretty song "a light on a hill" and we enjoyed the evening. Especially being with our girls (Leah came with).

Thomas

I forgot to put this in John's family newsletter and if I don't jot it down right now, I'll forget because I don't have any pictures of it.

So for Thomas' sake: while John was in China, Thomas earned his Webelos badge.  Thomas and Jack have amazing leaders that work hard with all the boys.  We feel very lucky and our boys enjoy scouts.

Good Job Thomas!!!

(now if only I could get my rear in gear and get those badges on your shirt)

A Jolly Happy Soul

Taken at work by John.  Beautiful.

Couldn't get these boys to come in the first night of the snowstorm.

These cute kids walked to Smoot Park to sled. Drew, Nate, Thomas, Zach, Emily, Alexa.

They built "Delicate Arch" and forts and snowmen in the back for a couple hours.  The backyard was so white and beautiful!

Snowman attempt #1

Oops.  Little John caught his last moment on camera.  It was me.  Pushing that snow into that spot right there that sent him tumbling.  By the look on Emily's face, I'm guessing it was on it's way right then.

And he's down.

Snowman attempt #2

Add caption

 

 

And he's down.  Snowman #3 is still standing.  We recovered the next layer up and made it his head.  He's still tall and he's still awesome.  It was a great weekend.  We had Zach and Caleb for the weekend and Anna for half of it.  It snowed a lot and was awesome.  John took John, Zach, Thomas, and Jack and the rest of Jack's Jr. Jazz team to the Jazz game Saturday night and they had fun.  We had hot chocolate and cinnamon rolls and went to church Sunday.  We had a nice weekend and hope for more just like it soon.  Snow is great when you can stay home and watch it and play in it and it stays white and beautiful.  Winters aren't as depressing when there is beautiful white snow around.  Here's to hope for a winter like the winter of 90 something.  I've been waiting for one like that ever since then.  It was the winter when there was 5+ feet of snow on our lawns.  Fun!!! 

Hm.  Said by James E. Faust and Barbara Bush

Thankful 8

Thankful for a BEAUTIFUL sunny and windy day.  Love the colorful leaves floating through the air.  Love the mini tornadoes we've seen.  Love that a storm is a brewin.  Thankful that I got out today.

I DO NOT like to go to the store with my little kids.  It's not fun.  So I don't unless I have to and when I am home, I can't do anything because I always need to clean.  So today, my visiting teachers came and gave a great lesson and we had a great visit.  I then went visiting teaching and we had some more good conversation.  I went straight to the school to pick up 5 cute kindergarteners, dropped them off at home, then headed out with Sam and Leah.  I wasn't excited to go back home to a house that needed cleaned.  Sam and Leah got crisp bean burritos, their favorite.  Then I picked up a turkey and fresh avocado from Nielsen's and headed to Salt Lake to share it with John.  While we sat in the car and ate, Sam and Leah ran around in the wind and leaves.  We dropped John back off at work, headed north, went to the bank, then I remembered that my mom was home because she is watching Kailee and Ellie.  Sam was asking earlier if we could go see her and I told him she was at work.  Wish I had remembered earlier.  Although I enjoyed eating with John, I would have loved to take my sandwich to my mom's and share it with her.

Jolie and Sean and Ryan and Laura were there.  They were just leaving to Las Vegas for the weekend to run the Las Vegas Ragnar.  

We visited for a couple hours and watched the kids play and try to get along then I headed home to my four kids coming home.  Oops....John and Emily were locked out and were getting the ladder out to try to break in a window.  Good thing I got here before that happened.

John, Emily, Jack, and I went to Costco tonight for milk and to stroll for a bit.  It was nice.  We ended with an ice cream bar for John and me, soft serve for Emily, and Jack bought himself a churro and a smoothie.  

I'm thankful for my family, for this windy night, that it's 9:00 and I'm not stressing that my kids aren't in bed, and that tomorrow is Friday. 

By the way, I'm not stressing as much about our President.  My mom calmed me with her thoughts of peace and the importance of Mitt and the Mormon moment and I've enjoyed emails from John's family with encouragement.

It's nice to feel thankful.

(It would have been nice had I thought to take a picture of Sam and Leah in the leaves today.  Darn.)

"I can inspire what goes on here."

Referring to my physical home and my spiritual home.

Look at these short and inspiring posts.

Here

Here

  

Random phone pics

Emily cracks us up often with her random silliness.

Beautiful colors!!

Loves mascara!  Beautiful.

Cute kids.

I love that these three are okay with me giving them all the same clothes to wear to school sometimes.  Maybe they just don't realize I'm doing it until it's too late.

On a walk with our family and Leslie and Aaron along Bountiful Blvd. and to the cemetery.

At the cemetery.

Sam helps John wash the van before John leaves for China.

Emily practicing on my hair. 

The first or second day John was gone on a two week trip to China, Sam created his dad, wrote "dad" on him, cut him out, and taped him to the front door.  He stayed there until John got back.  In fact, John's been home almost a week and he's still on the door.

Jack's Jr. Jazz team.  First year playing and they are undefeated.  John is the coach and it is SO FUN to watch them play.  I laugh and laugh at how they carry the ball and double dribble and are learning the game.  It is so cute.

Thankful 7

Some great words of wisdom from Gordon B. Hinckley.
"Now,...we must do our duty, whatever that duty might be. Peace may be denied for a season. Some of our liberties may be curtailed. We may be inconvenienced. We may even be called on to suffer in one way or another. But God our Eternal Father will watch over this nation and all of the civilized world who look to Him. He has declare

d, “Blessed is
the nation whose God is the Lord” (Ps. 33:12). Our safety lies in repentance. Our strength comes of obedience to the commandments of God.
Let us be prayerful. Let us pray for righteousness. Let us pray for the forces of good. Let us reach out to help men and women of goodwill, whatever their religious persuasion and wherever they live. Let us stand firm against evil, both at home and abroad. Let us live worthy of the blessings of heaven, reforming our lives where necessary and looking to Him, the Father of us all. He has said, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Ps. 46:10).
Are these perilous times? They are. But there is no need to fear. We can have peace in our hearts and peace in our homes. We can be an influence for good in this world, every one of us." (2001 October General Conference, The Times in Which We Live, Sun. Morning Session - Gordon B. Hinckley)

 

Romney did not win and I am afraid.  I've been reading the Book of Mormon faithfully and through this election, there are so many similarities to life now.  When Obama's re election was announced, my heart sunk and I lost hope.  My kids were just as sad so for them and for me, I had to remind us that WE get to be good people and WE get to continually believe in God and that this is His nation and world.  He has a plan and we have to trust and keep believing.  We have to be our best and do our best and never give up.  We have to continually stand strong for what we know to be true.  If we choose right and be good people, we will be blessed beyond measure.
It is a sad moment in time to recognize that more than half of the people in this country have forgotten God and true and good principles.
We also need to remember that just last month, the missionary program changed and missionaries will be dotting this world in force.  Heavenly Father has prepared us for this and He won't forget us.  We have work to do.

As for me, at this time, that work starts right here in my home.  With my family.  I have a husband to go through life with and we together need to continually ask and follow whatever it is Heavenly Father wants us to do and wants us to be.  I also have six children that will grow and have families of their own.  I have a job to do to make sure they know truth and good and seek it and do their very best as times will get harder.
I believe in being a good example and making choices with prayer.  I believe that most important for me is to learn what I can and do what I can to be an influence for good in my family and the world around me. 
Most important is Family!  As a family we need to be reading scriptures and praying together daily.  Temple attendance needs to be more frequent.  Family time is priority.  Less internet and things that keep me from being a better mother, wife, homemaker, sister, daughter, neighbor, friend.  Less extra curricular activities that keep kids too busy (although right now, I feel like we're pretty good at this).
Simplify.  It's good to know what is going on in the world around me but not to the point that I'm obsessing over it and it's keeping me from doing what is most important and priority in my life.
I feel an urgency to get out of debt and be prepared. 

 
None of this is new feelings.  It is just compounded with the re election of a president who I don't trust and has shown he DOES NOT have the good of America in mind.
When the leaders of our enemy countries are hoping Obama wins, what does that say?  When the country says over and over NO to Obamacare and he moves forward with it and other Socialist ideas anyway, what does that say?  When after four years, all he can do is blame President Bush and keep spending money and strive to change what this country was built on, what does that say?  And what does all of this say about HALF of the American people?
I'd love to know how many people who voted for Obama, woke up today a little nervous or wondering what they just contributed to.  It's not good. 

So, being thankful.  It's hard when the feelings up front are of such hopelessness.
I am thankful for the values that this country was founded upon.  I'm thankful to belong to the true church and I never have to doubt because I am CONFIDENT my church and my Heavenly Father, will NEVER lead me astray.  I have been blessed to be born where I was to the family I was.  It has been easy for me to believe and be faithful and I just hope and pray I can be an example and influence to others to learn and know this same truth for themselves. 

 

 Onward.  With faith. 


From John, in response to the letter from his parents to their family: For some news media outlets this morning...it seems that many have the attitude of "What have we just done?"  I don't know if they truly wanted what they were asking for.

Anyway, back to Dad's message:

We had some pretty distraught kids last night (and parents).  But, in the middle of it, I realized that we need to step up.
Some of the kids were saying how stupid Obama is, and how stupid people are, etc.  We did not want our kids turning to this.  I told them that we may have rough times ahead as a nation.  I told them that this is a chance for our family to really grow closer and rely more on each other.  I told them that Heavenly Father is still in charge, and we know that if we live the gospel, that we will always be right, and blessed.  (Much of this was for my own comfort as well).

In the Book of Mormon, what happens when Heavenly Father is forgotten....He sends reminders.  He humbles the people.  I don't want to sound extremist, but is there any other time when we all need to be prepared?
Prepared for famine, prepared for natural disasters, prepared for turmoil, prepared for financial devastation, prepared for our country to be "reminded" that God is in charge.

After Romney lost, I thought about all the good that has had to come to the church...publicity, investigation (and hopefully converts), etc. 
I also lamented the good that Romney could have done, but then my thoughts turned to:  "Is it better for the Church that Romney is not President?"  I don't know the answer, but if this world is leaning toward wickedness, Romney would have been the target of many people.

He would have been similar to Mormon, who as the righteous prophet, was asked to lead the Nephite armies.  They were all wicked and bloodthirsty, but He was righteous, and had hope that they would be humbled and return to righteousness.  But, Mormon's hope was in vain.  Their sorrow was not unto repentance, it was the sorrow of the damned, because the Lord would not suffer them to take happiness in sin.

Gird up your loins, fresh courage take.....

Love you all.  Let's let this give us new resolve, and new energy to focus ourselves on preparing ourselves and our families.  Let us not be one that falls by the way, but one that moves on.



Letter from Johns parents:
Dear Family,
    It was a few minutes before midnight here in Stratford when Mom and I learned that Obama had won re-election.  For a moment, I was filled with despair.  But Morilla Cuthbert told Anne of Green Gables that "to despair is to turn your back on God."
    Within a minute or two I saw the election in its historical context within Heavenly Father's revealed timeline, and I was comforted.
    This morning, we realized how appropriate was the counsel I heard with my own ears twenty-eight years ago.  We heard a General Conference talk given by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in October 1984.  His talk ended with these words:
    "Now, I have what every true disciple has. It is called the testimony of Jesus. In our day it includes the revealed knowledge that the earthly kingdom-The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints-will triumph. In this connection may I set before you this illustration:
    "The Church is like a great caravan-organized, prepared, following an appointed course, with its captains of tens and captains of hundreds all in place.
    "What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers? Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way? The caravan moves on.
    "Is there a ravine to cross, a miry mud hole to pull through, a steep grade to climb? So be it. The oxen are strong and the teamsters wise. The caravan moves on.
    "Are there storms that rage along the way, floods that wash away the bridges, deserts to cross, and rivers to ford? Such is life in this fallen sphere. The caravan moves on.
    "Ahead is the celestial city, the eternal Zion of our God, where all who maintain their position in the caravan shall find food and drink and rest. Thank God that the caravan moves on!
    "In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen."

    What does it matter if a few barking dogs snap at the heels of the weary travelers?  Or that predators claim those few who fall by the way?  The caravan moves on.
    We are nearer the Millennium than we thought.  Look for the enemies of Israel to include the United States, and look for all nations to abandon Israel, and look for the war to annihilate Israel, which will end with Jesus Christ intervening.
    Get ready and worthy to stand when the wicked are burned as stubble.  The world is ripe.
Love, Dad and Mom