Becoming One

Something we do each week at fhe is choose a scripture that is either used during our lesson or is closely tied to the lesson's theme to memorize as a family during the rest of the week. We print the scripture out and post it up by the breakfast table and we say it together often. We try to use it in teaching moments during the week as well. It's a nice way for us to make connections between the scriptures we read and the hows and whys of the way we live and choices we make everyday. A couple of weeks ago our scripture was from Doctrine and Covenants 38:27 "...I say unto you, be one; and if ye are not one ye are not mine." from a lesson on family unity. So... imagine my delight when I heard Ellie playing with her dolls while I was working on dinner and she said, "Renember (I didn't mis-spell that's how she says it). If ye are not one, ye are NOT mine."

Happiest Place on Earth

That's right. Our first family trip to Disneyland! My brother, who works for Disney, got us in for f-r-e-e and the thing about that is that all the pressure to "get your money's worth" was gone. We just wandered around following our fancies and had a great time. Well, Ellie didn't like any of the rides and still tells me not to take her on Peter Pan EVER again. Still... The 2 highlights for me were seeing Alex and Hugh bond over wrestling (each of them thought the other was the most hilarious person alive) and seeing Ellie's pure exhilaration at meeting, touching, and talking to Cinderella, Sleeping Beauty, and Belle. I was not even close to capturing the rapture on film, but believe me it was so precious. My mom and I were both teary-eyed!

I asked, "Where are you?" and snapped a picture of their answering screams, "Disneyland!!!"


Kraus Cousins


Main Street with Grammie K


with Grandpa K


Princesses

These ears are actually mine. And I want 'em back!

This lolly may have been Hugh's favorite part of the day. He was INTENSE!


5. 4. 3. 2. 1...


Everyone gets kisses

A California Adventure

Alex spent a good hour by himself building this "spiderweb" in the garage. He requests big spools of string for his upcoming birthday.
Who's gonna clean this up?


Mini train in Griffiths Park. After the trains, we headed up to the Observatory for a great (albeit smoggy) view of LA, Beverly Hills, and the Hollywood sign


Cameron can hardly contain his excitement


The LA Zoo is fabulous and the weather was perfect. These giraffes were even closer than they look in this picture.


Ellie sweet talked Grandpa K in to carrying her through the zoo

MTC

For the past 6 weeks my mind has been focused on one thing: planning the program for our ward's March Enrichment to celebrate the anniversary of the Relief Society. The theme for the night was based on an exhibit at the Museum of Church History and Art called Something Extraordinary: A Sampler of Women's Gifts. The enrichment committee asked sisters to bring items for display that showcased their unique talents, we had a nice sit down dinner and then I (asked by my best-friend from kindergarten. there's a lesson in there somewhere!) organized a 45 minute-ish program. I was really happy with the night and how the program played itself out (and I loved that we began it with a slideshow to my favorite cheezy song Women of Destiny). In all 24 women had roles in the program and each one of them really put their hearts into it. I had 2 big objectives for the program. 1 - for each sister to believe more deeply in her divine destiny and in the unique and important role she plays in the Relief Society. And 2 - for each sister to catch a broader vision of the amazing organization that is the Relief Society and the wealth of talents and gifts that enrich the lives of so many. Here is an excerpt from my opening comments:

As I have thought about and prepared for this evening's program, my mind kept coming to the word tapestry and to a 1989 General Conference talk given by then 1st Counselor Gordon B Hinckley. He could easily have been speaking of the Relief Society, when he said:

"President Harold B. Lee once said from this pulpit: Survey large fields and cultivate small ones.

My interpretation of that statement is that we ought to recognize something of the breadth and depth and height—grand and wonderful, large and all-encompassing—of the program of the Lord, and then work with diligence to meet our responsibility for our assigned portion of that program. Each of us has a small field to cultivate. While so doing, we must never lose sight of the greater picture, the large composite of the divine destiny of this work. It was given [to] us by God our Eternal Father, and each of us has a part to play in the weaving of its magnificent tapestry. Our individual contribution may be small, but it is not unimportant....Many small efforts and little acts become the cumulative pattern of a great worldwide organization."

Tonight's program combines the vision of Emma Smith – that we are doing something extraordinary – with the principles of attitude and action found in the Relief Society Declaration. I've thought of each of us as a thread in the tapestry of the Relief Society. Each of us adding depth and richness. Each of us lending our own unique texture and color. Each of us weaving our own story and complimenting and contributing to the stories of others until a beautiful work starts to take shape. Never underestimate your role in the weaving. Never question your place in the Relief Society.

As we reflect on tonight's displays and enjoy tonight's program, may we be filled with greater gratitude for the beautiful women of our Relief Society and how they have blessed an influenced our lives. May we believe in our own unique role and commit to developing and sharing our divine gifts and talents.

It was a real gift for me to work on this program. I met so many amazing sisters, I was totally overwhelmed by so much support and offers of help and willingness to participate, and I gained a deeper and richer testimony of the Relief Society - frankly, probably my first real testimony of Relief Society.

But, really, the best part of the night was sitting by 2 of my former MTC girls. We were a unique group and very close. 10 years has gone by and we have changed, but sitting there looking at these 2 beautiful and amazing women, the feelings and the love all came back. And I was sooo grateful for eternity. To know that I will know them and love them through all my existence, to know that we will be a part of each other forever. Amy, Kathryn - I love you!

A Happy Secret

Lately, this house is full of secrets. Secrets about princesses and monkeys and babies and dinosaurs who eat bones. Secrets about mysteriously disappearing bowls of ice cream and rides on Santa's sleigh and ballerinas who get lost. Ellie is full of them. She wraps her little hands around our necks, presses her lips right up against our ears and loudly whispers bits of dramatic nonsense that we can hardly understand. Then she stands back and waits for an appropriately dramatic reaction. We either give her that reaction or we must hear the secret again (and again) until the desired response is given. Have I mentioned how much fun it is to be a mom? Is there any better way of passing time than sharing secrets with the funniest and most passionate of baby girls?

Today was one of those perfect days. Mid 60's and sunny, we drank it up for 3 hours at the park with 6 of my friends (2 of whom we serendipitously ran in to without planning before hand!) and then BOTH OF MY CHILDREN FELL ASLEEP on the way home AND MY HUSBAND CAME HOME EARLY from work. So, I had him all to myself in the middle of the day for 2 hours! We had left-over roast, of which I am master, for dinner - read: no clean-up - more family playing outside and then another successful fhe. Alex loves to role-play stories from the scriptures and tonight he was Nephi bound by his brothers, filled with strength, faith, and forgiveness. Seriously, I hope I meet Nephi. If all that wasn't enough, tonight all my planning and praying found its answer at midnight and I sat down and put together all the fragments in my head for the program for our Enrichment this month. To celebrate the RS birthday, we are having a dinner and program based on the Church History Museum exhibit Something Extraordinary: A Sampler of Women's Gifts. It's going to be amazing!! (No! My calling is not even in the Relief Society.) I just feel so grateful to Heavenly Father for all my blessings and for all my trials - both are teaching me what it means to trust in the Lord and showing me the great things the Lord has done and is doing in my life.

We Thank Thee, O God, for a Prophet

Our hearts are saddened today by the loss of our beloved Prophet. He died Sunday, January 27th at 97. He spent his entire adult life in service to the Church and to the Lord. He touched millions of lives. We loved him and followed him; we were inspired by his life and faith and energy. Visit the Church newsroom for great articles on the life and service of Gordon B Hinckley.