Garden and Canning

A gal in our ward gets fresh produce for great prices every year. I ran out of my yummy salsa a few months back, so when I saw that the roma tomatoes were $0.50 per pound, I went a head and got some, even though I have one roma tomato plant in my garden, I figured I would mainly eat the ones from my garden and can the ones I buy. 

Jeff does not like it when Shiloh decides to run around the house in just her diaper. I could care less, but to him it is a big deal. When she is older, I will share the same concern, but for now, she's two, so let her have some fun! Anyway, after taking the skins off some of the tomatoes, I sent Jeff a picture of the "naked" tomatoes. He never responded to the picture, but I'm sure he wanted to find them some clothes.

My sister, Julia came to help me. Together we were able to can 38 pints of salsa. Not too bad for one afternoon (and evening).

 In the same order of tomatoes, I also ordered some peaches. I split that box with a fellow ward member/neighbor. I only canned these 5 quarts and at the rest fresh.

Just a few items from our garden. 

We also had strawberries and raspberries, but those didn't last long enough to get any pictures.

30!

I turned 30 on the 10th of this month. To celebrate, we took our kids out to Red Robin the day before and then  went out with some friends on my actual birthday.

Santa Float

 Every year the Firefighters at Station 95 take Santa Claus out to visit the children and collect food for the food bank. This year was no exception. Though we have already sat on Santa's lap many times already, they couldn't resist seeing him again last night and getting a candy cane.

No one cried this year, this is a break in Christmas tradition.

Engine 95 - This is the engine from my station, looking beautiful as always. 

Shooting Date

Jeff and I went shooting for one of our date last night. It had been a good  years since I had shot last. Jeff and I had a friendly compition to see who was the better shot. 

Firing the 22

Firing the 9mm

Jeff's target

My target

If you go by points earned, I WON! Jeff says he won though because he had more shots to the head. Whatever. Weird logic. He lost.

New Testament Class, Week 10, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 1: Matthew 26:26-29; Mark 14:22-25; Luke 22:14-20. The Institution of the Sacrament

1. The Savior instituted the Sacrament the night before He was crucified, near the time of the Passover celebration. Many centuries earlier, the feast of the Passover had been instituted to help the children of Israel remember when the destroying angel “passed over” their houses and delivered them from Egyptian bondage (see Exodus 12:21-28; 13:14-15). The blood of the unblemished Passover lamb that saved ancient Israel was a symbol of the blood of Jesus Christ, the Lamb of God, who redeemed all mankind. Review Matthew 26:26-29 and Luke 22:14-20. Then read the institute student manual introduction to chapter 23 (pg. 160) and the commentary for “What Is the Relationship Between the Sacrament and the Atonement?” (pgs. 161-62). Write responses to the following questions:
   • What was the relationship between the Passover and the Atonement of Jesus Christ? The Passover gave the Jews hope that the Lord would be merciful to them. The Atonement gives us hope that our sins will be washed away. The lamb was slain in the Passover to symbolize Christ as the lamb of God being slain for the sins of the world.
   • What is the relationship between the Sacrament and the Atonement of Jesus Christ? Each week as we partake of the Sacrament, we can repent of our sins and be cleansed. Through the Atonement, we can be cleaned from our sins and live with our Father in heaven again.
   • How does John 4:13-14; 6:48-53 add to an understanding of the symbolism of bread and water? The bread represents Christ's body and the water represents Christ's blood. Christ is the bread of life and the living water. We cannot be saved without Christ. As we partake of the bread and water each week, we symbolically take a part of Christ into us.
   • Considering the Savior’s instructions in Luke 22:19 and 3 Nephi 18:7, why do you think we are commanded to partake of the Sacrament weekly? How does Mosiah 5:13 apply to this idea? We partake of the sacrament as a testimony to the Father that we do remember Christ. We are commanded to partake of the Sacrament weekly so we constantly remember Christ. Mosiah 5:13 talks about not being able to serve a master who we do not know. If we do not constantly remember Christ, we cannot serve him.
2. Carefully look at the additions and corrections in the Joseph Smith Translation of Matthew 26:26, 28 (see Matthew 26:26 footnote b, and Matthew 26:28 footnote a). Write responses to the following questions and tasks:
   • What important truths do we gain from these verses of the Joseph Smith Translation? As we partake of the sacrament we need to remember that Christ's body was given as a ransom for us and our sins.
   • What does ransom mean? How does properly participating in the ordinance of the Sacrament ransom us? (See JST, Matthew 26:26) Christ, through his atonement, has done more for us than we will ever be able to do for him. There is nothing we can ever to to fully repay him for what he has done for us. By partaking of the sacrament weekly, it is a small gesture to Christ of our desire to repay him for what he has done for us. 
   • Make a list of what you want to remember about the Savior the next time you partake of the Sacrament. What his sacrifice means to me, what the bread and water fully represent, what sins I need to repent of, and what I need to do better at to be more like Christ.

New Testament Class, Week 9, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 2: Mark 13; Luke 21:5–38; Joseph Smith—Matthew. Preparing for the Savior’s Second Coming

1. Review Mark 13:5, 9, 23, 33, 35, 37 and identify the words take heed and watch in each verse. List at least three things from this chapter that believers could watch for in order to be prepared to meet the Lord.

       1. False prophets, claiming to be Christ. Do not be deceived by them. (verse 5)

       2. The events Christ has foretold. Wars, natural disasters. (verse 23)

       3. Pray always, for we do not know when Christ will come again. (verse 33)

   2.   Explain in writing any other additional truths that are taught in the following        references about how to prepare for the Second Coming of Jesus Christ.

• Doctrine and Covenants 87:8 We need to stand in holy places, whether it be our homes, churches, temples, etc.
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:32 The abomination of desolation foretold by Daniel will be fulfilled. 
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:37  Treasure up the word of the Lord and you will not be deceived. 
• Joseph Smith—Matthew 1:46–50 Prepare for the Second Coming now. Always watch and be ready, for it will happen when you least expect it to.
• Doctrine and Covenants 33:17 Have faith, pray always, strengthen your testimony and conversion to the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
• Doctrine and Covenants 45:56–57 Receive the truth and allow the Holy Ghost to be your guide.

New Testament Class, Week 8, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 1: Overview of the Last Week of the Savior’s Mortal Ministry

Read the information in the institute student manual about “The Last Days of Jesus’ Mortal Mission” (pgs. 135–37). Then fill in the following chart with key events that took place during the Savior’s final week of mortality:

Day 1: Jesus rode a donkey through Jerusalem. A “very great multitude” who knew him to be “the prophet of Nazareth of Galilee” placed palm branches in his way and greeted him with a hosanna shout: “Hosanna to the Son of David: Blessed is he that cometh in the name of the Lord; Hosanna in the highest.” He went directly to the temple, and took note of what he saw and retired to Bethany for the night. 
Day 2: Jesus went again to the temple and challenge the Jewish religious leadership. He drove from the outer court area of the temple those who were trading and making money exchange from foreign currency. As he cleared the temple courts, he said, “It is written, My house shall be called the house of prayer; but ye have made it a den of thieves.” That evening Jesus returned to Bethany.

Day 3: Jesus came to the temple. The priests challenged him. Jesus responded by relating a series of parables that offended the religious leaders of the Jews. The scribes and Pharisees challenged him again; Jesus openly denounced them and condemned them as hypocrites. From this point on, Jesus did not teach the public, but only the Twelve. The Jewish leaders consulted together how they might bring about Jesus’ death. One of Jesus’ own disciples offered to betray him.

Day 4: Jesus knew of the plot. He spent the day outside the city, perhaps at Bethany. 

Day 5: Jesus held the Passover meal in a home privately reserved for him and the Twelve. Following the Passover meal, Jesus introduced the sacrament, which presaged his atoning sacrifice. He then prophesied of his death and indicated who would betray him (Judas). Jesus offered his great intercessory prayer. Then, with the eleven (Judas had left), Jesus led them outside the walls to Gethsemane. Then he took Peter, James, and John with him, he went further into the Garden where he then left those three and went off by himself to pray. Jesus suffered “the pain of all men”, he bleed from every pore. He rejoined his apostles. An armed band led by Judas approached Jesus to seize him. Jesus was brought to an illegal trial that night.

Day 6: The Jewish leaders were not content that Jesus should be put to death; they also wanted to discredit him before his own people. The leaders arranged to have Jesus charged with two crimes. The first was blasphemy, a capital offense under Jewish law. He was unanimously convicted of this charge because he said he was the Son of God. The second charge was of sedition against the state, because he claimed to be a “king of the Jews.” Though Pilate’s examination found Jesus guiltless of the charge, the Jewish leaders had incited the crowd to “destroy Jesus.” Fearing a demonstration, Pilate gave in to the clamor to crucify Jesus, and the death sentence was pronounced. Jesus was executed by the brutal Roman practice of crucifixion. Later that afternoon he voluntarily gave up his spirit. Since the next day was the Passover, before nightfall, Jesus’ body was removed from the cross and buried in a sealed tomb by two revering disciples.

Day 7 (Sabbath):  Jesus’ body remained in the tomb, but in spirit he ministered in the realm of departed spirits.

Day of the Resurrection: Jesus was risen and was seen again by many witnesses. The testimony of these witnesses constitutes the gospel story, the “good news.” Had the gospel ended with Jesus’ burial, there would be no gospel story, no “good news.”

New Testament Class, Week 7, Student Choice Assignment

Choice 2: Luke 16:1–12, 19–31; 17:11–19; 18:1–14. Parables and Accounts That Teach Eternal Truths

Study the following parables and accounts along with the accompanying commentary from the institute student manual. Describe in writing what you feel is the major principle the Lord wants us to understand from each of the parables:

• Luke 16:1–12, the parable of the unjust steward. “The Children of This World Are in Their Generation Wiser Than the Children of Light” (pg. 124).  We are responsible for preparing for our eternal future and we would be wise be begin preparing now. I really like what Elder Talmage said in the student manual, "Be diligent; for the day in which you can use your earthly riches will soon pass. Take a lesson from even the dishonest and the evil; if they are so prudent as to provide for the only future they think of, how much more should you, who believe in an eternal future, provide therefor!"
• Luke 16:19–31, the parable of the rich man and Lazarus. “What Do We Learn About the Spirit World from the Parable of the Rich Man and Lazarus?” (pgs. 124–25). There is life after this life. We either go to paradise, or hell, depending on the kind of person we were in this life. Before Christ visited the spirit world there was a gulf separating paradise and hell. When Christ's body laid in the tomb after his crucifixion, his spirit visited the spirit world. While there, he bridged the gulf that separated paradise from hell. Now that the gulf has been bridged, authorized ministers in paradise can teach the gospel to those in hell. Those who are taught have the opportunity to accept or reject the gospel.
• Luke 17:11–19, the ten lepers. “Why Were the Ten Lepers to Show Themselves to the Priests?” and “Were There Not Ten Cleansed?” (pg. 130). See also the Bible Dictionary, “Leprosy” (pg. 724). We need to have unshakable faith in the Lord. We should be willing to do whatever it is he asks of us. Also, when he blesses us for being obedient, we need to always remember to immediately show our gratitude to him.
• Luke 18:1–8, the parable of the unjust judge. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Unjust Judge?” (pg. 131). Just because the wicked judge would not grant the widows plea for justice, does not mean God does not hear our pleas. We need to always pray to him, for he always hears us. In the student manual, Elder Talmage said, "The Lord’s purpose in giving the parable is specifically stated; it was ‘to this end, that men ought always to pray, and not to faint."
• Luke 18:9–14, the parable of the Pharisee and the publican. “Why Did the Lord Give the Parable of the Pharisee and Publican?” (pg. 131). The pharisee  had the attitude that he was better than the publican and felt he had the right to judge the publican because he was obedient to the Lord commandments. He lacked a very important attribute, humility. In the student manual, Elder Talmage said, "We are expressly told that this parable was given for the benefit of certain ones who trusted in their selfrighteousness as an assurance of justification before God." We need to be careful not to be like this pharisee and strive to be more like the publican, humble before the Lord, willing to confess our sins to Him. 

Salt Lake City Trip

For Jeff's 30th birthday I surprised him with round trip plane tickets to Salt Lake City and tickets to the Saturday afternoon session of General Conference. This was a BIG deal for Jeff as he had never been outside of Washington, Oregon, and Idaho and had never been on a plane before. I've had this idea brewing in my head for about a year now and I'm so glad I was able to pull it off.

 Inside the plane on our way to Salt Lake.

 A statue of Joseph and Hyrum Smith right outside of the Legacy Theater in the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Joseph Smith was the first Prophet of the latter-days and first President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints.

 Salt Lake City Temple. This building took 40 years to construct. Though not the first temple constructed, it is one of the largest. Temples are sacred places of worship where Latter-Day Saints gather to perform saving ordinances and make personal covenants to live their lives in accordance with the teachings of Jesus Christ.

 A view of the angel Moroni on top of the temple. Moroni visited with Joseph Smith to relate to him wear the golden plates (the Book of Mormon) were hidden. Moroni also prepared Joseph for the work of translating the ancient plates.

A bronze statue of Joseph Smith inside the Joseph Smith Memorial Building. Joseph grew up on a farm in Palmyra, in upstate New York and worked with his father and brothers to support the family.

Another Picture of the angel Moroni.

Church Headquarters

Outside of the Joseph Smith Memorial Building.

Us in front of the temple. (Thank you Janel for coming and watching Kinley during conference and taking this picture.)

 One of the carts used to haul stone to the temple.

 Side view of the temple.

The Apostles Peter, James and John conferring the Melchizedek Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry.

 John the Baptism conferring the Aaronic Priesthood on Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdry.

There is a lot of misunderstanding about this statue. Many believe it represents our worship of seagulls. But this monument depicts how seagulls saved the crops of the early saints from a swarm of locusts. This monument was to commemorate how god works miracles and watches over his children.

This statue is a depiction of one of the handcart companies that crossed the plains after being driven from their homes. The Latter-Saints were the only religious group in the history of the United States to be issued an extermination order.

The assembly hall

Inside the assembly hall

I wonder where these stairs go to inside the assembly hall?

The tabernacle

Inside the tabernacle

A model of what Jerusalem looked like when Jesus was on the earth.

The next three pictures are in the North Visitor's Center. The walls are covered in beautiful art work of Jesus.

The sermon on the mount

The Garden of Gethsemane

The Christus

Replica of the gold plates. 

An 1830's edition of the Book Of Mormon.

Joseph Smith

The Conference Center (where we watched the Saturday afternoon session of conference.

Stained glass depiction of the first Vision. Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appearing to Joseph Smith.

A replica of one of the sun stones on the Salt Lake Temple. 

Death masks of Joseph and Hyrum Smith. Both martyrs.

n overhead replica of the layout of Salt Lake City

Replica of a baptismal font. The oxen represent the twelve tribes of Israel

Display of what a Sealing Room would look like. (Where you get married in the temple.) 

Joseph Smith's journal

A replica of the Angel Moroni statue that adorns the temples. (Moroni visited Joseph Smith to tell him where to find the golden plates with the record of the Nephites.)

                                 Crystyne behind a replica of the podium at the conference center.

A cool statue of Paul Revere.

A cool stained glass relief of Christ. 

                       We saw this on the way back to our hotel room and couldn't help but take a picture.