Sunday, May 4, 2014

"No one can know of spiritual truths without prayer."

-p. 39, Preach My Gospel

"In answer to our prayers, the Holy Ghost will teach us truth through our feelings and thoughts."

I had my gospel study this morning.  James and I are fasting for some family members.  

At 9am we attended the Galveston 3rd ward fast and testimony meeting.  Paula Casto came over before the meetings and gave me a big hug.  We sat behind Adrienne and Mike Ellsworth so I got to talk to Adrienne.  

Bishop Lewis conducted the meeting and bore his testimony.  He also awarded Geoffrey Dowdle his missionary plaque and read from a letter Geoffrey's mission president sent.  It was pretty incredible.

 These were the people I know who bore their testimonies: 

Hilary Jiminez and her two daughters Evie and Elise, Sheri, our sweet daughter, Geoffrey Dowdle, Diana Dowdle, Dahlia and Isaac Dowdle, Paula Casto, and Bob Kaufman.  It was a good meeting.

We attended the gospel doctrine Sunday School class taught by Mike Ellsworth.  He is an awesome teacher!  The lesson was "Look to God and Live."

During the last hour was Alex's ordination to the office of a priest in the Aaronic priesthood.  James gave the blessing and ordination and did an incredible job.  Paul, Michael, and Ian were all in the circle.  

Back at home James and I broke our fast and went down to Sheri and Ian's to help fix dinner.  We did fried chicken, biscuits and gravy, corn and asparagus.  Everyone liked the chicken.  Sheri says that is a rarity in their family.

 Sheri's new shirt.  I need one too.

  After dinner we went home and took a nap and then got up to go visit with Darrel's family.

It was nice that Trina was there too!

 Love these kids!

We sat on the back porch while Rowan fed the bunnies and Addy told us about her trip to the Grand Canyon.  It was a nice visit, so relaxing and fun.

 I'm not sure what Rowan is after in this picture.

We couldn't stay long because James had to get back for Jacob and Isaac Dowdle's Court of Honor.  He is being honored as one of Jacob's mentors and received another mentor's pen.

Jacob, Diana, Jared, and Isaac Dowdle

and the back of Bishop Lewis's head.

 

Sunday, May 6, 2012

Today as part of my gospel study I read the Sunday School lesson for the Book of Mormon gospel doctrine class.  Today's lesson covered Mosiah chapters 7-11 and the title was" A Seer...Becometh a Great Benefit to His Fellow Beings."  Of course the seer referred to here is King Mosiah the 2nd.  Jen Coffey was our teacher today and I love her style of teaching.  One of the main purposes of the lesson was to encourage us to follow the counsel of Church leaders, particularly those whom the Lord has called as prophets, seers, and revelators.  It was a good lesson.

James and I fasted today for three family members in particular that we fell are in need of spiritual help.  Dallin bore his testimony today in sacrament meeting.  He has a good testimony and the ability to express himself very well.

During Relief Society and Priesthood Sheri and I went in to the Teacher's Quorum where James set Alex apart as a Teacher.  Michael was there too.  The blessing James gave was very special and powerful and the spirit was strong.  He told him to be a leader and a peacemaker in his home.  And he said that the reason we are here on earth is so that we can serve others.  James and Alex have a very close bond.

Tonight we had FHE with our children and grandchildren.  It went something like this:  We listened to "I Know That My Savior Loves Me" and then Max gave the opening prayer.  James did a demonstration on how to get from birth to eternal life.  He blindfolded Addy and asked her to go towards the eternal life sign.  He twirled her around which was very confusing and of course she couldn't find her way.  Next her gave her a rope to hang on to and she had no difficulty in finding her way.  He related this to the iron rod and how if we hold to it we can find our way back to Heavenly Father and Jesus.  We discussed the Tree of Life symbols and their meaning and then I expressed my love for the Book of Mormon.  Rowan was especially interested tonight and answered many of the questions.

After the lesson we went outside and roasted marshmallows and made smores.

Those attending: James, myself, Stacy, Adam, Dallin, Michael, Joshua, Kim, Joe, Sheri, Alex, Ben, Max, Evan, Darrel, Trina, Addy, Rowan and Ruby.