Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Our talks went very well
It was amazing because Sunday the 9th, I could not sleep and felt that I needed to write down my thoughts on the Birth of the Savior, without any research, just my thoughts. So I headed upstairs and ended up writing my entire talk. All I had to do was insert the scripture references and make minor changes but it was all done. The interesting thing is that when I timed what I had put together it was 16 minutes. I had figured, especially when Kiera only had about 7 minutes, that I would just cut some out. Well, the Lord knew that I would need all of that because I was left to fill 20 minutes.
I was semi-nervous for this talk because the more I practiced at home the more I got concerned. I can't express how amazing it was because from the moment I stood to speak the words just came out. I was able to bear testimony and I felt that the Spirit was there in abundance. I realized even more that I am nothing and it was all the Lord. I need to always remember that when I am on the Lords earned, I can rely on the Lord after all I can do and he will provide in the capacity that fits His will. I need to step aside and let the Lord do His work.
So here are our talks:
Craig- What the Birth of the Savior Means to Me
Kiera- The Birth of the Savior
Sunday, December 09, 2007
I am updating my blog
Saturday, December 08, 2007
We could not get home because of the snow
Friday, December 07, 2007
Got asked to speak in church
Yesterday I decided to create one for myself also but wanted to focus more on the Savior and so I designed the one below (and my header).
Anyway, I enjoyed putting this together and it helped me think about the Savior and his life. Well, yesterday in the evening I got a call from the first counselor in the Bishopric and he asked Kiera and us to speak in church the following Sunday. The topic is the birth of the Savior and what it means to us. I thought it was kind of funny how it all worked out.
Thursday, December 06, 2007
Suspicious characters at our yard
I was hoping that I had a few more years before I had to deal with boy trouble, but I was wrong. It seems that the boys these days are a lot more daring then when I was a kid.
Wednesday, November 07, 2007
New talk just posted
Exaltation made possible through the gift of bodies
Also, Kiera posted a while back a talk that she gave in Sacrament meeting, so go and look at hers also.
My Testimony of the Book of Mormon
Cutest APX salesgirls ever
I am now co-managing my team
Friday, October 26, 2007
Test Blog from phone
- Posted using Pocket Watch Software Mobile GBlogger.
Sunday, October 07, 2007
Quick update on our family
We are now moving up to Utah. There is a lot to update everyone on, but we have been without a computer for the last month or so. Once we get settled in our new house in a few days I will have more time to write. I am in a hotel lobby waiting for Kiera to put Alexa and Ashlyn to sleep. I will write soon.
Moving to Utah
Thursday, September 27, 2007
Having our newest girl Kembri Ella
This is me walking into the hospital.
This is Kiera right before they took her into the c-section room.
I am all ready to head in and see our baby born (c-section).
Here is Kiera on the table right before Kembri is born. She does not like to be on her back when she is pregnant but she is trying to be a good sport.
This is Kembri when they brought her back from the nursery. They kept her in there for a long time.
Here we are as we leave the hospital to take Kembri home.
Here is Kembri today which is 12/9/07. I took a while to post about her birth.
Thursday, August 23, 2007
Work by faith
I am so thankful for my dad and his great inspiration. All day my mind envisioned this story and it gave me greater strength to truly work by faith. I have tried all my life to work by faith but never as hard as with this job. It is absolutely amazing how the Lord has blessed me. The day before yesterday I was so tied because of the heat that for the first time this summer I felt like calling for a ride and go somewhere and just sit for an hour or two. But instead I decided to just pray very hard and after 3 doors I got inside and sold my third door. It gave me the much needed time to rest and recuperate. I can remember on several occasions that I felt that I could not go on and I prayed in faith and was blessed in just a few doors. I have gained such a testimony of faith and the power of God in our lives if we will just qualify ourselves for his help.
Saturday, August 11, 2007
Saturday, August 04, 2007
Building a personal relationship with our Father and Jesus Christ
I for one am going to strive starting today to build a much better relationship with my Savior in two ways, first through sincere and mighty prayer and second through obtaining greater knowledge of my Savior. Joseph Smith has said many many times that we are saved through knowledge. I know that if I can know more about my Savior than I will be more able to draw closer to Him in prayer. I challenge everyone that reads this post to make a new determination starting today to improve your relationship with your Savior through study and prayer. I know that all that accept this challenge will have power from on high given to them to gain a special and personal relationship with Jesus Christ and His and our Father so that we too may feel at home saying Abba, Abba.
Friday, July 27, 2007
We are the SUM of our THOUGHTS
All day as I was knocking I realized the true impact that our thoughts really have on us and how important it is for us to put them into check. I also realized that this spreads beyond thinking unrighteous thoughts and into every aspect of our lives. I realized that if I had negative and unproductive thoughts pertaining to work than I did not do very good but if I put those thoughts into check and changed them to positivity than my day went much better. I have experimented with this over the last week and it has blessed every part of my life whether at work, as a dad, a husband, or spiritually. The Spirit has taught me over the week that truly our lives success depends on our thoughts. Peter taught:A patriarchal blessing is of little value to a person unless he lives a life worthy of the blessings of the Lord. George Albert Smith was well aware of this, and he began in his youth to prepare for the responsibility he was later to carry. The following is from that period:
Said President Smith, “As a child thirteen years of age, I went to school at the Brigham Young Academy. It was fortunate that part of my instruction came under Dr. Karl G. Maeser, that outstanding educator who was the first builder of our great Church schools. … I cannot remember much of what was said during the year that I was there, but there is one thing that I will probably never forget. … Dr. Maeser one day stood up and said:
“ ‘Not only will you be held accountable for the things that you do, but you will be held responsible for the very thoughts that you think.’
“Being a boy, not in the habit of controlling my thoughts very much, it was quite a puzzle to me what I was to do, and it worried me. In fact, it stuck to me just like a burr. About a week or ten days after that it suddenly came to me what he meant. I could see the philosophy of it then. All at once there came to me this interpretation of what he had said: Why, of course, you will be held accountable for your thoughts because when your life is complete in mortality, it will be the sum of your thoughts. That one suggestion has been a great blessing to me all my life, and it has enabled me upon many occasions to avoid thinking improperly because I realize that I will be, when my life’s labor is complete, the product of my thoughts” (“Pres. Smith’s Leadership Address,” Deseret News [Church section], 16 Feb. 1946, p. 1).
21 Thou hast neither part nor lot in this matter: for thy heart is not aright in the sight of God.22 Repent therefore of this thy awickedness, and pray God, if perhaps the bthought of thine cheart may be forgiven thee. (Acts 8:21-22)
30 But this much I can tell you, that if ye do not awatch yourselves, and your bthoughts, and your cwords, and your deeds, and observe the commandments of God, and dcontinue in the faith of what ye have heard concerning the coming of our Lord, even unto the end of your lives, ye must perish. And now, O man, remember, and perish not. (Mosiah 4:30)Finally the Lord has commanded us in D&C 88:67-69
67 And if your eye be asingle to my bglory, your whole bodies shall be filled with light, and there shall be no darkness in you; and that body which is filled with light ccomprehendeth all things.
Wednesday, July 18, 2007
Qualify for the Lord's Help
D&C 3:4
4 For although a man may have many arevelations, and have bpower to do many mighty works, yet if he cboasts in his own dstrength, and sets at naught the ecounsels of God, and follows after the dictates of his own will and fcarnal desires, he must fall and incur the gvengeance of a hjust God upon him.
Helaman 4:13
13 And because of this their great wickedness, and their aboastings in their own strength, they were left in their own strength; therefore they did not prosper, but were afflicted and smitten, and driven before the Lamanites, until they had lost possession of almost all their lands.
I also learned that this job and really life is like the great war fought in the book of Alma.
Alma 62:41The exact same experiences had such opposite effects on people. I realized that we are in a war everyday and it is a long lasting war and we can choose whether it will harden our hearts and push us away from the Lord or if it will soften our hearts and bring us closer to the Lord our God.
41 But behold, because of the exceedingly great length of the war between the Nephites and the Lamanites many had become hardened, because of the exceedingly great length of the war; and many were softened because of their aafflictions, insomuch that they did humble themselves before God, even in the depth of humility.
Sunday, July 15, 2007
Friday, July 13, 2007
Help from on high
Tuesday, July 10, 2007
Saturday, July 07, 2007
Friday, July 06, 2007
Had a great day
1. Have greater faith that the Lord will provide
2. Work hard and give 100% everyday
3. Pray harder for help
Because of that I turned my last week into a good week and now this week is turning out to be a great week. I told Tim that what I had told him was not what he probably wanted to hear. He said that it had hit a soft spot for him and was exactly what he needed to hear.
I am so thankful to the Lord for all he does for me.
Thursday, July 05, 2007
Letting off Fireworks for the first time
Wednesday, July 04, 2007
Wonderful 4th of July
Tuesday, July 03, 2007
Talking to a blind man
My install today
Missed fireworks with my family
Monday, July 02, 2007
Staying in the game mentally
Sunday, July 01, 2007
Challenge for the youth
Thursday, June 21, 2007
Wonderful Day Off
Next we went to eat at Red Robin because we had several coupons, a birthday coupon for Kiera and Alexa and a $3 off coupon. Our entire bill was only $6 with tax. We love Red Robin, they have the best hamburgers and we love their bottomless fries.
We then went to Nashville Shores (water park) because we have season passes. They were having Elephant rides and we have never been on an elephant before. We did not have enough cash at the time for us all to ride and so I was just going to go and then the girls were going to come on Saturday since this would be my only opportunity. But Lacie cried and cried. So we decided to wait and see if we can get more cash and ride it together. After we finished swimming Kiera got enough money for us all to ride the elephant. Kiera could not ride because she is pregnant but she was able to sit on it quickly so I could take her picture. Elephants are big and there backs are very bony. Lacie yelled while we were riding it that its wings were hitting her and Alexa said that "his wings are flapping my feet". I told them that those are not wings but ears. It was fun.
Lastly we went to Hard Rock Cafe to eat since Kiera has never been there. I sold a security system to a guy that works there and he said that he would give us a good discount. He said that he is off all Tuesdays and so Kiera and I switched our day to Wednesday so that he would be there. We got there and he was off, we were frustrated. We ended up not eating there because nothing looked good and it was expensive. We had a hard time trying to decide where to eat and we finally decided to eat at D&D restaurant that was at the mall across the hall from the movie theater. My hamburger was good and big but Kiera did not like her Chicken Alfredo that much.
After we were done we went and watched Oceans 13. It was a pretty good movie but Kiera sleep through the entire movie. She is so funny, every time we sit down and watch a movie at home Kiera falls asleep. She is crazy.
At least we had lots of fun on my day off, even though everything went wrong and Kiera was stressed the whole day.
Friday, June 01, 2007
Knowledge is not by chance
I was in the shower thinking about this experience when the Spirit began to teach me. I was taught that all knowledge and experiences are given by either of two sources, either the Lord (righteousness) or the devil (evil). This is applied to agency as well, because either we are enticed by evil and choose evil, or by good and choose good. Our obedience to either, gives greater power to whichever side we yield to, therefore allowing increased enticement. Therefore, all knowledge is given to us and it will be to our benefit or condemnation. Others may assist us as well, like Micha, he was guided to impart that information to me, whether he realizes it or not. We are all instruments of the Lord or the devil at all times.
Sunday, May 27, 2007
Jesus is the son of God
I have been studying the Joseph Smith, Parley P. Pratt and Lorenzo Snow and have been literally amazed at there absolute knowledge of Christ and have been striving to understand even a portion of what they understand. Now the Lord has answered the prayer of my heart.
I also felt impressed to write this in this blog. I have a Private Blog that I do more of my personal journaling and this is something that normally would go there. I was told that someone needed this testimony of the knowledge of Christ.
Sunday, May 20, 2007
New Callings
Infinite Bubbles thanks to Janet
Thursday, May 03, 2007
Escape from dog attack
I knock door to door and sell home security systems and we were knocking in this lower income area. It seems that every house has a dog of some sort. I was on this street with several houses that had several Pit Bulls. I knocked this house and the nice lady was not interested but right before I left there was a stray Pit Bull that came from around the corner. I felt impressed to stay in that yard. She had a fence and locked us in. She told me how that dog was evil and not a nice dog. I stayed in her yard for a good 5 to 10 mins waiting till he left the street. He went into this yard and stayed there for a while and so I sneaked out and took off the other way. I did not come back to that street until the next day. I ran into the same neighbor that had allowed me to stay in her yard and she told me that that dog had attacked a guy that same night and on that same street. The guy had to get 61 stitches. I felt that the Lord had protected me. I also decided to start to memorize a scripture a day since I had some time between doors. Anyway, I will be sure to remember the Lord more and he will be sure to remember me.
Sunday, April 15, 2007
My girls hullahooping
Today is Sunday and yesterday we packed up the house to move to TN. So now our house is almost entirely empty. They have no toys except for the stuffed animals that Jessica (our friend upstairs) gave the girls and this hullahoop. Debbie taught Lacie how to spin it on her neck. Here is a little video of all my girls hullahoopin.
Monday, April 09, 2007
Moving is never fun
I was excited because my manager at Prosper, Jason Emett, told me about a luggage carrier that attaches to the roof rack of my Dodge Caravan and that his friend bought it at Walmart. Here is a picture of what it looks like.
It is water resistant and I am hoping that we can fit two on top of our van. Well, wish us luck on packing.
Friday, April 06, 2007
LDS Talks: Hope in Christ
Change of plans, Going to TN
I talked to Kiera and she still wanted to go to Florida. I asked her what it would take and she said $100 per sale and so I told Andy but he could not do that. I went to the river behind my work and prayed. Kiera and I prayed together and then I prayed on my own. I felt strongly that we needed to go to TN and that we always knew our answer (We never felt that good about FL, which is why we signed with TN in the first place but the opportunity was hard to pass up since the apartment were so nice). I also felt that I needed to give Kiera a blessing and that there were reasons that she needed to go to TN. So to sum it up we are now going to TN. I have absolutely been floating because I feel so good about our decision.
I know that the Lord was behind this difficult decision of our and helped us to do this yo-yo decision making because if we had not done that, we would not have $60 per sale added commission. If we stay close to the Lord, he will stay close to us.
Thursday, April 05, 2007
Going to Florida to sell Security Systems
Video: http://www.cayclubs.com/site/assets/video/clearwater.html
Wednesday, April 04, 2007
Man Vs. Machine
Cruising around the lot before getting beat down.
I had the luxury of doing the honors of beating out the front windshield. I used my team leaders bat that he brought and he told me that it is the same bat the he blew out this guys knee with. I told him that I could never bring myself to hit someone with a bat and then he said that if they had just hit you in the back with a chain you could. Anyway, back the the truck beating.
We all got together and flipped it on its side. I cut my finger during this stunt. One of the team leads brought his paint gun and unloaded on the truck and then glass got into the paint and I cut my finger on the glass. Not too bad though.
Everyone that wanted to take a turn on the truck with a sledge hammer could. I took a turn as well.
We then flipped it back onto its wheels went to town again.
One of the businesses called the cops on us and the owner here pretended to turn around and get handcuffed. It was great.
I took this one with my cell phone.
We had a blast. This is a once in a lifetime opportunity. In the end Man won over the Machine.