C. S. Lewis

1. A man may have to die for our country: but no man must, in any exclusive sense, live for his country. He who surrenders himself without reservation to the temporal claims of a nation, or a party, or a class is rendering to Caesar that which, of all things, most emphatically belongs to God: himself.

2. It is easy to think the State has a lot of different objects -- military, political, economic, and what not. But in a way things are much simpler than that. The State exists simply to promote and to protect the ordinary happiness of human beings in this life. A husband and wife chatting over a fire, a couple of friends having a game of darts in a pub, a man reading a book in his own room or digging in his own garden -- that is what the State is there for. And unless they are helping to increase and prolong and protect such moments, all the laws, parliaments, armies, courts, police, economics, etc., are simply a waste of time.

3. For who can endure a doctrine which would allow only dentists to say whether our teeth were aching, only cobblers to say whether our shoes hurt us, and only governments to tell us whether we were being well governed?

WoW this really says it. S

Rannon's B-day

Huh?
Buddies
Baptism
At the park before breakfast ;)
Helping Calvin learn how to pet the animals :)
Watching over the younger brothers while baoting :)


Lobster dinner

Part monkey

A little green around the gills
Fireworks in 2 hours!
Harry Potter glasses
Pulling his sisters all over the house.

Getting around pretty good.
At the beach with Daddy
Grandpa Kent holding him 2 days old.



Today is Rannon's Birthday. He is 16 years old and I can hardly believe it. Of course I would be lying to everyone if I didn't admit to feeling maudlin about the children's birthdays any more. They all come so much faster now that they are older and living their own lives.

Rannon was a really cute baby.
I am sorry to say that it took us a couple years to understand why he would run into walls. :(
He is pretty blind without glasses. In fairness, Jaden was born about that time and we just couldn't think about much else.

Something that is a cherished memory about Rannon is when he had to have a hernia operation. I think he was about 5. Years are fuzzing up so bear with me. I was so nervous, and that is hillarious to me since Jaden had been through so many surgeries by then. But this was Rannon, my smiling boy, happy and healthy. I was terrified something would go wrong.

Anyway when it was all over they allowed us into his recovery room, and he whispered for me to come closer. I leaned in and watched his face. He was so serious.
"Mom they messed up."
"What do you mean?"
"They messed up, I can't feel my legs."

It was everything I could do not to laugh. The poor guy was terrified that he was paralized but we assured him that it was temporary. He wouldn't budge. He just knew that we were sugar caoting the truth. Eventually I call the nurse over to verifiy everything we said.

Rannon has been a joy to my life. He is funny, smart, strong, handsome and hard working. Everything a man should be.

Happy Birthday Rannon. We love you more than Chocolate!

Calvin

This morning I was sleeping in. Calvin crept into my room and shook me awake. "Mom I found this wand."
The wand is a silver stick with a pink star. "Oh good job." I mumble with one eye open. He smiles.
"Abera-abera,abera I turn you into a sheep." He waved the wand over his head with such a serious face I couldn't help but to play along.
"Baa, Baa." I added for effect.
"Mom what's wrong?"
"Baa"
"Mom it works. I am a boy witch!"
"Baa"

Okay by now the family has started to notice the sounds coming from my room so they all gather. laughing of course.

"Calvin what is going on in here, why does mom sound like a sheep?" Sicily asked.
"I found this wand and turned mom into a sheep."
"Well change her back, we can't have a sheep for a mom." James wisely interjected.
"Baa" I agreed.
"Abera-aber-abera i turn back into a human." this time the wand set on my nose.
"Now I can talk." He smiled so proud of himself.

Then he changed Sicily into a cow, Jonah into a frog, Rannon into a chicken, and Quint into a horse. I was a sheep again. He was so delighted that he had so much power that hechanged us back and forth several times. When we were ourselves we took the wand away to prevent it from happening again. The problem now is he is going around singing the song from Bedknobs and Broomsticks. He is trying to get everything in the house to fly around. ;)

I guess I was a believable sheep ;) S

The Old Quilt

You know I was having a moment. ( For those that don't know that is me saying I was bummed out) :)

Anyway, I was lying on my bed and looking at more poor ratty quilt. I remembered the day I got the quilt, It was crisp and clean. The colors were bright, the white gleamed, it was perfect.

It hit me then that we as people are like this quilt, we come into the world fresh and new, we get knocked around by life, we get marks and scars that can be repaired but they never go completely away. They change us. A tear in a quilt can be sewn but the stiching always shows.

Our lives are like that too. We have choices all the time that leave stiching in us. But is it just me that loves that ratty quilt the most? When I want to comfort myself or keep warm it is my ratty quilt I drag all over my house, and life.

I feel sorry for the family and friends that have replaced my ratty quilt ;) I love them so much though. so i guess that makes up for wearing them out ;)

And so my poor quilt is coming to the end of its years, like I am certain too. I can see how I will be covered in wrinkles, bruises, and likely have hair in places I can only imagine (lol) but the day will come that my family and friends will look at me like I am looking at this old quilt. Remembering all the times I kept them warm, all the times I comforted them. They will come to see my flaws and my stiching as part of what makes me valuable on this earth.

When the time comes that I am no longer in their lives I will be missed just like my quilt. I am so thankful to everyone who has sheltered me, loved me and tolorated each and every one of my stiches while I was learning to be who I am.

Love Stacey

The Best Is Yet to Be

I read this and really enjoyed the message. Today people hold onto so much baggage, they make their lives harder than they need to be. Happy New year every one. Love, s


The Best Is Yet to Be
By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland (Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.)

The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don’t want to talk about New Year’s resolutions, but I do want to talk about the past and the future, with an eye toward any time of transition and change in our lives—and those moments come virtually every day.

As a scriptural theme for this discussion, I have chosen Luke 17:32, where the Savior cautions, “Remember Lot’s wife.” What did He mean by such an enigmatic little phrase? To find out, we need to do as He suggested. Let’s recall who Lot’s wife was.

The story, of course, comes to us out of the days of Sodom and Gomorrah, when the Lord, having had as much as He could stand of the worst that men and women could do, told Lot and his family to flee because those cities were about to be destroyed. “Escape for thy life,” the Lord said. “Look not behind thee … ; escape to the mountain, lest thou be consumed” (Genesis 19:17; emphasis added).

With less than immediate obedience and more than a little negotiation, Lot and his family ultimately did leave town but just in the nick of time. The scriptures tell us what happened at daybreak the morning following their escape:

“The Lord rained upon Sodom and upon Gomorrah brimstone and fire from the Lord out of heaven;

“And he overthrew those cities” (Genesis 19:24–25).

My theme comes in the next verse. Surely, with the Lord’s counsel—“look not behind thee”—ringing clearly in her ears, Lot’s wife, the record says, “looked back,” and she was turned into a pillar of salt (see verse 26).

Just what did Lot’s wife do that was so wrong? As a student of history, I have thought about that and offer a partial answer. Apparently, what was wrong with Lot’s wife was that she wasn’t just looking back; in her heart she wanted to go back. It would appear that even before she was past the city limits, she was already missing what Sodom and Gomorrah had offered her. As Elder Neal A. Maxwell (1926–2004) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles once said, such people know they should have their primary residence in Zion, but they still hope to keep a summer cottage in Babylon.1

It is possible that Lot’s wife looked back with resentment toward the Lord for what He was asking her to leave behind. We certainly know that Laman and Lemuel were resentful when Lehi and his family were commanded to leave Jerusalem. So it isn’t just that she looked back; she looked back longingly. In short, her attachment to the past outweighed her confidence in the future. That, apparently, was at least part of her sin.

Faith Points to the Future
As a new year begins and we try to benefit from a proper view of what has gone before, I plead with you not to dwell on days now gone nor to yearn vainly for yesterdays, however good those yesterdays may have been. The past is to be learned from but not lived in. We look back to claim the embers from glowing experiences but not the ashes. And when we have learned what we need to learn and have brought with us the best that we have experienced, then we look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future. Faith always has to do with blessings and truths and events that will yet be efficacious in our lives.

So a more theological way to talk about Lot’s wife is to say that she did not have faith. She doubted the Lord’s ability to give her something better than she already had. Apparently, she thought that nothing that lay ahead could possibly be as good as what she was leaving behind.

To yearn to go back to a world that cannot be lived in now, to be perennially dissatisfied with present circumstances and have only dismal views of the future, and to miss the here and now and tomorrow because we are so trapped in the there and then and yesterday are some of the sins of Lot’s wife.

After the Apostle Paul reviewed the privileged and rewarding life of his early years—his birthright, education, and standing in the Jewish community—he says to the Philippians that all of that was “dung” compared to his conversion to Christianity. He says, and I paraphrase, “I have stopped rhapsodizing about ‘the good old days’ and now eagerly look toward the future ‘that I may apprehend that for which Christ apprehended me’” (see Philippians 3:7–12). Then come these verses:

“This one thing I do, forgetting those things which are behind, and reaching forth unto those things which are before,

“I press toward the mark for the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus” (Philippians 3:13–14).

No Lot’s wife here. No looking back at Sodom and Gomorrah here. Paul knows it is out there in the future, up ahead wherever heaven is taking us, that we will win “the prize of the high calling of God in Christ Jesus.”

Forgive and Forget
There is something in many of us that particularly fails to forgive and forget earlier mistakes in life—either our mistakes or the mistakes of others. It is not good. It is not Christian. It stands in terrible opposition to the grandeur and majesty of the Atonement of Christ. To be tied to earlier mistakes is the worst kind of wallowing in the past from which we are called to cease and desist.

I was told once of a young man who for many years was more or less the brunt of every joke in his school. He had some disadvantages, and it was easy for his peers to tease him. Later in his life he moved away. He eventually joined the army and had some successful experiences there in getting an education and generally stepping away from his past. Above all, as many in the military do, he discovered the beauty and majesty of the Church and became active and happy in it.

Then, after several years, he returned to the town of his youth. Most of his generation had moved on but not all. Apparently, when he returned quite successful and quite reborn, the same old mind-set that had existed before was still there, waiting for his return. To the people in his hometown, he was still just old “so-and-so”—you remember the guy who had the problem, the idiosyncrasy, the quirky nature, and did such and such. And wasn’t it all just hilarious?

Little by little this man’s Pauline effort to leave that which was behind and grasp the prize that God had laid before him was gradually diminished until he died about the way he had lived in his youth. He came full circle: again inactive and unhappy and the brunt of a new generation of jokes. Yet he had had that one bright, beautiful midlife moment when he had been able to rise above his past and truly see who he was and what he could become. Too bad, too sad that he was again to be surrounded by a whole batch of Lot’s wives, those who thought his past was more interesting than his future. They managed to rip out of his grasp that for which Christ had grasped him. And he died sad, though through little fault of his own.

That also happens in marriages and other relationships. I can’t tell you the number of couples I have counseled who, when they are deeply hurt or even just deeply stressed, reach farther and farther into the past to find yet a bigger brick to throw through the window “pain” of their marriage. When something is over and done with, when it has been repented of as fully as it can be repented of, when life has moved on as it should and a lot of other wonderfully good things have happened since then, it is not right to go back and open some ancient wound that the Son of God Himself died to heal.

Let people repent. Let people grow. Believe that people can change and improve. Is that faith? Yes! Is that hope? Yes! Is that charity? Yes! Above all, it is charity, the pure love of Christ. If something is buried in the past, leave it buried. Don’t keep going back with your little sand pail and beach shovel to dig it up, wave it around, and then throw it at someone, saying, “Hey! Do you remember this?” Splat!

Well, guess what? That is probably going to result in some ugly morsel being dug up out of your landfill with the reply, “Yeah, I remember it. Do you remember this?” Splat.

And soon enough everyone comes out of that exchange dirty and muddy and unhappy and hurt, when what our Father in Heaven pleads for is cleanliness and kindness and happiness and healing.

Such dwelling on past lives, including past mistakes, is just not right! It is not the gospel of Jesus Christ. In some ways it is worse than Lot’s wife because at least she destroyed only herself. In cases of marriage and family, wards and branches, apartments and neighborhoods, we can end up destroying so many others.

Perhaps at this beginning of a new year there is no greater requirement for us than to do as the Lord Himself said He does: “He who has repented of his sins, the same is forgiven, and I, the Lord, remember them no more” (D&C 58:42).

The proviso, of course, is that repentance has to be sincere, but when it is and when honest effort is being made to progress, we are guilty of the greater sin if we keep remembering and recalling and rebashing someone with his or her earlier mistakes—and that someone might be ourselves. We can be so hard on ourselves—often much more so than on others!

Now, like the Anti-Nephi-Lehies of the Book of Mormon, bury your weapons of war and leave them buried (see Alma 24). Forgive and do that which is sometimes harder than to forgive: forget. And when it comes to mind again, forget it again.

The Best Is Yet to Be
You can remember just enough to avoid repeating the mistake, but then put the rest of it all on the dung heap Paul spoke of to the Philippians. Dismiss the destructive, and keep dismissing it until the beauty of the Atonement of Christ has revealed to you your bright future and the bright future of your family, your friends, and your neighbors. God doesn’t care nearly as much about where you have been as He does about where you are and, with His help, where you are willing to go. That is the thing Lot’s wife didn’t get—and neither did Laman and Lemuel and a host of others in the scriptures.

This is an important matter to consider at the start of a new year—and every day ought to be the start of a new year and a new life. Such is the wonder of faith, repentance, and the miracle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.

The poet Robert Browning wrote:

Grow old along with me!
The best is yet to be,
The last of life, for which the first was made:
Our times are in his hand
Who saith, “A whole I planned,
Youth shows but half; trust God: see all, nor be afraid!”2


Some of you may wonder: Is there any future for me? What does a new year or a new semester, a new major or a new romance, a new job or a new home hold for me? Will I be safe? Will life be sound? Can I trust in the Lord and in the future? Or would it be better to look back, to go back, to stay in the past?

To all such of every generation, I call out, “Remember Lot’s wife.” Faith is for the future. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the “high priest of good things to come” (Hebrews 9:11).

Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year’s resolution I ask you to keep.

New Year

Christmas was great. Santa really unloaded this time. We must have been one of his first stops when he still had a huge selection or something ;)

My birthday was great, we went to dinner and a show. Loved the whole evening ;) Kyersten and Arron entertained us all through dinner, and they all spoiled me. ( on birthday's I find that extremely important)

For New Years we planned to head over to the Shore's for a roaring good time, alas nature and life conspired against us and we ended up at home. It turned out to be the greatest time we have ever had. We played games and laughed. We watched funniest home videos until we were all crying from laughing so hard. The New Year rnag in through our joy and laughter. I wonder if we should always feel that way, if the joy and happiness we felt over those few hours should be what we feel every New Year.

For a few hours the struggles and worries of raising a family was somewhere else and here was true joy.

Love to you all and best wishes to you and yours for the New Year! s

Merry Christmas Everyone

Merry Christmas
2009
I am late writing my annual Christmas letter. I like to have it written and sent well before the first week of December. So here, I am writing one week before Christmas hoping that everyone will forgive me and my lazy hide. 
For our overall updates, I will say that we are doing really well. We are house shopping and I have found the perfect house for me. Now I just have to buy it. There is the rub right?
Quint is working hard, and loving his work. It isn’t everyone who can really enjoy what they do. Quint Loves working for Method Works. He enjoys riding his motor bike to work as often as possible but is fine with taking the car on snowy, rainy, days  He has enjoyed taking out his dirt bike at every opportunity as well as spoil me whenever possible 

I am writing still, the first book has taught me so much and the second and third should be perfect… Well that is the idea anyway.  I am still homeschooling, and drawing sometimes. I have been sewing lately, and enjoying the Christmas season all the more because of it. There is just something about Christmas presents that you make by hand, or machine,  (I am not crazy after all) I am enjoying living in Nampa, and being so near both sides of our families.

James is 19 and getting ready for his mission. I have not dabbled too much into the emotional side of myself for weeks; I have no intention to cry about him leaving until after he is gone. The entire family will miss him terribly though. He has a good job that pays him well and he is having a great time shopping for his last Christmas at home. He is really trying to get each person something special. He is so great; I know that if you could meet him you would know I am not even bragging 

Rannon is 15 and almost finished with High School. Rannon is thrilled to be just about done. One of his goals is to be finished with College before he leaves on his mission. He also wants to buy a dirt bike as soon as possible. Rannon loves to invent things and draw out inventions all over in his notebook. He makes killer fudge and loves to create new types of food from old ways of making it. He is funny, strong, and full of life. Rannon is interested in so many things and has so many plans I can’t wait to see where he goes in life.

Jaden is 14 and sweet as whipped cream. I really enjoy her smiles. Jaden loves her power wheelchair and enjoys therapy. She loves her hospital bed that she received not long ago and her babies fill her heart with gladness. Jaden has about 10 babies and has named them all. She loves music and singing. Jaden received her young women medallion this year. That was such a sweet experience between her and the young women of your church. Jaden is a bright light in a world consumed with darkness.


Sicily is 11 and so excited about moving up into young women’s next year. She is a wonderful help around the house and she has learned how to sew. She still plays the Clarinet and loves to sing. Sicily loves to cook and she is a good one. Sicily is always happy to share a hug and smile. She is saving her money to buy a horse and can’t wait for the day she has to shovel out the stall. She wants to experience the whole deal.

Jonah is 9 and delighted to be the proud owner of a sweet little puppy named Emily. Jonah is smart and mature for his age, while is not afraid to act his age he is capable of so much. Jonah loves to cook, and build things with his brothers. Jonah is planning on being a doctor and in the last two years has climbed to 6th grade in school. Jonah is VERY smart. I have a hard time keeping him busy since he learns so much faster than I do. Jonah literally learns one thing and moves past what you are teaching in a matter of a few short weeks. I am always amazed by what he can do. I admit to feeling a little slow around him when he is nine and already zips around me in math. Of course, I remind myself that he is doing that to all of us now, so I am not alone. Jonah wants to be a doctor and he thinks he might be able to get done with all of his college before he leaves on his mission. I am absolutely for it.  I hope he can, I hope he will I know he would be a great Doctor. Maybe even invent the cure for something, who knows.

Calvin is 6 and so excited for Christmas we have to put all our presents on a decorative ledge to keep the temptation at bay. Calvin is talking so well this year I can’t explain my gratitude. He is such a sweet kindhearted boy. I just enjoy him so much. Calvin is up early each morning and ready for a hug and a snuggle. He loves books, and is smart about numbers. Calvin understands numbers well, similar to Jonah in that way he zips by with everything that he learns. He loves to count and to sort colors shapes and puzzles. Puzzles are fantastic to watch him play with. Calvin puts puzzles together so many times that he turns them over and pieces them together from the back as well. Each shape and section perfectly placed.

Maybe you can tell that my kids are great to me, I love them to pieces. Life isn’t worth living without kids.
Merry Christmas from all of us.
May your Christmas be filled with joy and laughter and your heart carry the spirit of the season all year.
The Nelson’s