Student Choice Assignment, Week 10, New Testament Class

Choice 1: James 1. “Be Ye Doers of the Word and Not Hearers Only”

       1.      Read James 1 and respond in writing to the following items.

·         What words or phrases encourage you to look for direction from God?

“Ask of God” (5), “ask in faith” (6), “Let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak, slow to wrath” (19), and “Receive with meekness the engrafted word, which is able to save your souls” (21)

·         How did James further define the phrase to “ask in faith”?

When we “ask in faith” we should not waverer in our faith like the waves of the sea when they are driven and tossed with the wind.

·         How do Matthew 6:24 and 1 Kings 18:21 add to your understanding of James 1:8?

These two verses both talk about not being able to serve two masters; you either serve the Lord or serve the devil. They relate to James 1:8 because when you try to please two masters, you will never be fully converted to either one. You have to choose who you will serve and do so with unwavering faith.

·         From James 1:13-15, 19-27, make an outline of how we can better live the gospel of Jesus Christ.

We know that God cannot tempt us, but we are tempted when we are drawn away by our own lust and become enticed to sin. Be slow to speak, slow to anger, be both hearers and does of the word of God, doers of righteousness and doers of the gospel by having unwavering faith and serving others.

·         Give a few modern examples of how you have recently seen individuals exemplify James 1:22

My husband is always willing to serve others and will drop everything to go help. He does this without complaining or having a bad attitude. When he servers others, he is a good example to our children of being a hearer of the word and also a doer of the word and he takes the time to explain to our children why he is serving, why it is important for him to serve, and who he is ultimately serving.

       2.      Read the institute student manual commentary for James 1:5-6, “If Any of You Lack Wisdom” (p. 409). Make a list of reasons why Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915-1985) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said these verses have “had a greater impact…upon mankind than any other” scripture.

These verses led to the opening of the heavens in modern times.

All of us search for truth at some time in our lives.

We need to turn to God in order to gain eternal truths and eternal life.

It's Beginning to look a lot like

CHRISTMAS!

We have tried to keep to our tradition of setting up for Christmas the day after Thanksgiving. We were able to keep with that tradition this year. Jeff and I are not big on the whole black Friday shopping, so we set up all our Christmas decorations while everyone else is recuperating from their midnight dashes, or as was the case this year, their Thanksgiving night dashes. I think that is SO wrong for store to open their doors on Thanksgiving just to try and earn an extra buck. Lame. Stepping off my soap box now.

I have made a lot of new Christmas decorations over the last year or so and am starting to really love to decorate for Christmas. I think I might try to convince Jeff that we need to decorate a few weeks before Thanksgiving so I can enjoy everything a bit longer. 

Next weekend I am going to be making a few more Christmas decorations that I am really excited about. I will post pictures of them once they are completed.

Thanksgiving

We have always gone to Jeff's maternal grandparents house for Thanksgiving. Thanksgiving has become too much work for his grandparents, so we have offered to host Thanksgiving every year from now on (unless of course if someone else wants to have it at their house one year). This was the first year we had Thanksgiving at out house and the first time Jeff and I have cooked a turkey. Jeff was pretty nervous about it, but the bird came out pretty tasty.

November Happenings

We have had a very good month and have a lot to be thankful for.

I am thankful to have a pretty handy husband who chose to install our new microwave and dishwasher for us, saving us over $250!

I am thankful for the simple things in life, like being able to eat dinner as a family every night. I am thankful that Jeff's work schedule allows him to be home with us 99.9% of the evenings to eat dinner with us.

Do you see that? That there. That chip on Kinley's shoulder. I wonder why she has a chip on her shoulder. Serioulsy, she is fed, bathed, attended to, and loved. What more could she ask for? What is she so upset for?

 

I am thankful that Kinley is learning new things every day, but I kinda sorta wish Cooper would not have taught her this:

Home made cookies are the best, especially when you leave some to lick off later.

I am thankful that this little girl's hair is finally beginning to grow.

I am thankful that Shiloh likes to help me with my craft projects.

Shiloh got this fun princess castle tent for her birthday. I am thankful for older brothers who are willing to read to her so I only have to read 58,472 books a day instead of 58, 474 books. 

I AM thankful she loves to read so much.

"Give me five"

This boy got a new church shirt and tie because he put the other one in his mouth. So why did he need a new one? He had gum in his mouth which got on his shirt and we couldn't get all of it out, even with using all the tricks to getting gum out. He has also earned himself no gum at church for a while.

 

I just love her.

I am thankful that these two girls get a long and love to take baths together.

 

Cooper's first tooth fairy visit

 Cooper lost his very first tooth yesterday morning. It had been very loose for about a week and he was ready to have it out, so I tied a piece of dental floss around it and gave it a little pull and out it came.

 This morning he found this under his pillow.

I have been able to go into Mason and Cooper's classes once a month to help out with art. These pictures were from October's art lesson.

Cooper left me this note the morning of art day in October to remind me to look in the lost and found for his water bottle. He is such a great speller (for a first grader)!

Cooper was making a sad face because he was sad that dad had to go to work. He's so cute even when he makes a sad face.

Family Pictures 2013