Emergency Prep

I hope you feel this is worth your time. I do. Prepare for big food price hikes.

Happy day, msk

http://blog.totallyready.com/food-prices-world-wide/01/30/

Let's Play A Little Catch

Thursday Cindy, Jody, cousin Tammy and I caravaned to Three Rivers/Lake Billy Chinook. We drove over Mt. Hood. Even beautiful shrouded in clouds.
I rode with Tammy and look what she brought along. Fresh picked that morning. The car smelled heavenly.

We stopped at Frog Lake for our sack lunches, there were only two other cars there. Beautiful and peaceful. I kept thinking of my boys and how much they would love to fish there.
My attempt - again - to be artsy and photograph our picnic table up close and personal. I got laughed at.
In this area the forest floor is covered with ferns and rhododendrons...blooming.
Cindy and Jody just in ahead of Tammy and me. Our welcoming party awaits.
We had prepared a surprise birthday party for Skippie. Tammy made this cute and clever Social Security card for her.

Skippie laughing so hard at Cindy's card she had to cross her legs.

Next morning we are loaded up in the UTV for the drive to the lake and boating. Garry took the photo.

At the end of one of the rivers that flow into Lake Billy Chinook. We anchored and had lunch.

The SALAD QUEEN aka Cindy treated us to a wonderful lunch.

Cindy and Jody resting on the ride back up river.

Skippie's newly tiled, granite, kitchen counter with limestone backsplash. Really great looking and she did it all herself.

Part of the gang in the new hot tub. What a view!!! That's Mt. Jefferson in the background or as Skippie calls it "Jeff".

View off the deck.

Another deck view. Everywhere way you look is spectacular.

I am in love with pontoon boats. This has enough horse to pull a skier. Get up close and check out Garry's hat!!!

We were visited by a flock of Canada geese. A couple were brave enough to eat out of our hands...Jody's here.

Baby ducks.

Tammy and Garry catching fish. This lake holds the state record for bull trout.

Tammy did have the guns to show off too.

My view of Garry's hat while riding in the UTV.

A fabulous time. More to follow.

Uphold, Nourish and Protect the Family

March 2009 Relief Society Visiting Teaching Message:

Why Must I Defend the Doctrine of the Family?

The First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
"The family is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity" ("The Family: A Proclamation to the World," Liahona, Oct. 2004, 49; Ensign, Nov. 1995, 102).

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president: "As a disciple of Jesus Christ, every woman in this Church is given the responsibility for upholding, nurturing, and protecting families. Women have distinct assignments given to them from before the foundation of the world. And as a covenant-keeping Latter-day Saint woman, you know that raising your voice in defense of the doctrine of the family is critical to the strength of families the world over" ("What Latter-day Saint Women Do Best: Stand Strong and Immovable," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2007, 110).

How Can I Defend the Family?
D&C 88:119: "Establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God."
President Spencer W. Kimball (1895–1985): "Home is a haven against the storms and struggles of life. Spirituality is born and nurtured by daily prayer, scripture study, home gospel discussions and related activities, home evenings, family councils, working and playing together, serving each other, and sharing the gospel with those around us. Spirituality is also nurtured in our actions of patience, kindness, and forgiveness toward each other and in our applying gospel principles in the family circle" ("Therefore I Was Taught," Tambuli, Aug. 1982, 2; Ensign, Jan. 1982, 3).

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles: "I call upon members of the Church and on committed parents, grandparents, and extended family members everywhere to hold fast to [the family] proclamation, to make it a banner not unlike General Moroni's 'title of liberty,' and to commit ourselves to live by its precepts. . . .
"In today's world, where Satan's aggression against the family is so prevalent, parents must do all they can to fortify and defend their families. But their efforts may not be enough. Our most basic institution of family desperately needs help and support from the extended family and the public institutions that surround us" ("What Matters Most Is What Lasts Longest," Liahona and Ensign, Nov. 2005, 42–43).

Elder Robert S. Wood of the Seventy: "For too many, responsibility seems to end with hand-wringing and exclamations of dismay. Yet talk without action accomplishes little. We need to be vigorously engaged in the world. If our schools are inadequate or destructive of moral values, we must work with fellow members of the community to bring about change. If our neighborhoods are unsafe or unhealthy, we must join with the civic-minded to devise solutions. If our cities and towns are polluted, not only with noxious gases but soul-destroying addictions and smut, we must labor to find legitimate ways to eliminate such filth. . . . We have the responsibility to be a blessing to others, to our nation, to the world" ("On the Responsible Self," Ensign, Mar. 2002, 30–31).

Quote to Inspire

I love this quote from the January Visiting Teaching message:

Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:

"Your faith and your knowledge of the restoration of the gospel will give you the strength to be faithful and true to the covenants you have made with the Lord, and to share your strengths and talents gladly to build up the kingdom of God here on the earth! Your testimony of Jesus Christ is the most important anchor that you can have to help hold you, steadfast and immovable, to principles of righteousness, regardless of the challenges and temptations that may come in the future" ("Steadfast in Christ," Ensign, Dec. 1993, 52).

A Loving Voice of Warning

Our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson has said,

"Many more people could ride out the storm-tossed waves in their economic lives if they had their year's supply of food and were debt-free. "

"Today we find that many have followed this counsel in reverse: they have at least a year's supply of debt and are food-free."

The Christmas Gift

I know this to be true for the Spirit has witnessed to me of it's truthfulness.

New Video

What Mormon Leader's REALLY Teach....enjoy. Yes, it's a long one so plan your time for about 10 minutes to be inspired. Shared with love.