Come Listen to Living Prophets

Upcoming General Conference

Photo we took of Salt Lake Temple - December 2010

Elder Turner and I  are looking forward to General Conference although our viewing will not be until April 15th.  Hopefully, we can pick up a portion on the computer prior to that date.

I spoke in Sacrament meeting today on the topic of Preparing for General Conference and I wanted to share a few points that we all might consider as we prepare.

• Plan ahead to clear our calendar to allow time to view all sessions.
• Find a way to make conference weekend special for the little ones.  Create ways to establish a family General Conference tradition that can be continued for years to come.
• Prior to conference, ponder and pray for the Spirit to receive clear direction in our lives.
• Pray for a witness through the Holy Ghost of the prophets.
• Think about our biggest obstacles and challenges.  Ask Heavenly Father, through General Conference,  to reveal answers and guidance to enable you to overcome.
• Invite a friend or loved one to watch Conference with us.
• Be prepared to take notes from each speaker.  
• Ponder the teachings and discuss with those we love.
• Get a second copy of the Conference Ensign and carry with our scriptures over the next 6 months, allowing us to review the messages along with our scripture study.
• Build family traditions around General Conference.  Make it a time to build a legacy of faith. 

"In order for the messages of General Conference to change our lives, we need to be willing to follow the counsel we hear.  Every time we are obedient to the words of the prophets and apostles we reap great blessings.  We receive more blessings than we can understand at the time, and we continue to receive blessings long after we decide to be obedient. " - Quote by Paul V. Johnson-

I love General Conference.  I love the promise we are given that if we listen to the living prophet and the apostles and heed their counsel, we will not go astray.  Our testimonies will be strengthened and we will have joy and peace.

We have a true prophet and apostles on the earth today who have "the words of eternal life" (John 6:68)

Westport A&P Show

This little lamb was about the cutest thing I have ever seen!  He was so soft and fluffy and as we Southern Girls say, Bless his little heart!  I wanted to  open the gate and take him home with me.

Just look at this face!

There was a truck load of sheep for the shearing competition.  The men were so quick and it took no time at all to clean up these sheep.  They were pretty rough with them and I don't know how I felt about that!  You can tell I wouldn't last long on the farm as we would probably starve or freeze to death because I'd be protecting the animals.

Ladies spinning the wool

There is quite a bit of Scottish influence here

Beautiful head of cauliflower - First Prize by the way

Elder Turner hung out here.  He said Jerry would love this mustang.

Relay teams of wood choppers and they were fast and furious

Amazingly strong

Jackson Turner Rose

Today is a very special day for Jackson.  He will be baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   Jackson is our 4th grandchild to be baptized and we are so grateful for the choice he has made.  We can't physically be there for the baptism, but we are present in spirit and our hearts are with him today.  Jackson is an amazing little boy with such Christlike attributes for one so young.  We know Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ are so pleased with Jack. 

Congratulations Jackson!  We Love you!

It's great to be "8"

How could the Father tell the world of love and tenderness?
He sent his Son, a newborn babe, with peace and holiness.
How could the Father show the world the pathway we should go?
He sent his Son to walk with men on earth, that we may know.
How could the Father tell the world of sacrifice, of death?
He sent his Son to die for us and rise with living breath.
What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say?
Have faith, have hope, live like his Son, help others on their way.
What does he ask? Live like his Son.

Nelson District Meeting - Tuesday - February 21, 2012

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This is Elder Robinson who is our District Leader.  He grew up in Manchester, England but lived in Auckland, NZ prior to his mission.  This would be his last district meeting before going home on March 1st.  After our meeting, I surprised him with a Texas sheet cake with a "2" candle.  He was a great missionary and Elder Turner and I grew to love him the short time we were with him.  He is an avid surfer and is going to the university to study architecture.  Thank you Elder Robinson for your faithfulness, example and love of the gospel.  One of our heros.

Our District - Seated: Elder Robinson, Elder Ma u  Standing: Elder Langkilde, Elder Teaupa, Elder Christensen, Elder Wilson

Elder Teaupa and Elder Wilson

After our District Meeting, we went to Karamea to do service for a sister in our branch.  We held the meeting in Westport so we would be closer to Karamea.  This sister lives on a mountain with a winding drive about a mile long.  She lives alone and was in need of so many things.  Elder Turner and Elder Wilson worked on her water pump to get it functioning.  She was hauling water by bucket to sustain her needs at home.  Thanks to some plumbing know how - Thanks Elder Turner - she can now have running water in her house.  She also needed the limbs cleared from the drive that were growing over the road.  The Elders had machetes "Tonga" and were clearing the place out!!!!  I had my little loppers trying to cut branches as I could.  Elder Teaupa worked on her weed trimmer and finally got it going as well.  We were overwhelmed when we saw our job but not discouraged - nope!  Elder Turner and I had 2 missionaries in our car when we started up the hill to her house and we started sliding.  Yep, car in the ditch.  All the missionaries were able to push it out.  Glad we weren't alone because we would still be in that ditch,  I do believe!  They are a great group and not one complaint.  Thank you Elders!

Rainforest Driveway

Elders Robinson, Ma u, Christensen

Elder Langkilde

Check out those machetes

Elder Ma u and the Weka (flightless, protected bird)

"Got him"  Elder Ma u told us that in Tonga this would be a good meal!

Brother &Sister VanDeBosch from Westport had us over for dinner after our service day.  These guys inhaled that soup.! Brother VanDeBosch went back for seconds and there was probably a spoonful left!  They do love to eat.

Great Day of Service