WOW!

A More Determined Discipleship
By Elder Neal A. Maxwell Of the Presidency of the First Quorum of the Seventy
Ensign, Feb 1979, 69–73
(Portions of) An address delivered at Brigham Young University, 10 October 1978

Before the ultimate victory of the forces of righteousness, some skirmishes will be lost. Even in these, however, let us leave a record so that the choices are clear, letting others do as they will in the face of prophetic counsel.
There will also be times, happily, when a minor defeat seems probable, but others will step forward, having been rallied to rightness by what we do. We will know the joy, on occasion, of having awakened a slumbering majority of the decent people of all races and creeds which was, till then, unconscious of itself.
Jesus said that when the fig trees put forth their leaves, “summer is nigh” (Matt. 24:32). Thus warned that summer is upon us, let us not then complain of the heat!

It rained this morning!

That's not dew on the Roses!
It's Raindrops!

Such pretty flowers!

Bill's morning glories 46 years later!

I was so excited when I woke up and could hear the pitter-patter of raindrops.

It was beautiful outside and I just love the smell of the earth when it rains!
I had to run outside and take pictures before the sun came out!
Even as it got lighter, the clouds were pretty cool!
I had to take a picture of the airplane!
Pretty clouds! I love palm trees!
A shot looking across the street. The flood control district and Bluff Rd.

More clouds, blue skies and palm trees!
And a picture of the Avocado tree. Yes, for those of you who haven't seen Gma's house in a while, there is actual grass growing under the tree! Thanks to Eddie!!!!

The fun of the rain didn't last. The sun came out and dried up all the rain and brought yucky humidity with it!!! I hope it gets cold soon!!!

A picture paints a thousand words!

copied from www.meridianmagazine.com

Who said this?

"...government must be about

"We the people" not

"We the favored few."

Answer:

Hillary Rodham Clinton said it at the

2008 Democratic National Convention

Just who are the favored few?

2% of the population of California?

4 California Supreme Court Judges?

We the People of California in 2000 said,

Marriage: one man, one woman!

The Return of the Slacker!

I'm so sorry I've neglected you. I'm not sure what the problem has been. I'll call it

un-motivated and overwhelmed. Eddie doesn't understand why I "need" 4 blogs, (with possibly a 5th on the way), nor why I have so many e-mail addresses.

I will be honest and let you know that I have been reading blogs, just not writing on any of mine. I'll be doing good if I get this one done tonight, so don't look at the rest. I'll try to get back in the swing of things.

The summer garden is about dead although a new tomato plant has appeared and we're curious to see what it does. When Eddie was out looking at the garden to see if anything was producing, he found this:

We actually grew a normal size pepper. To bad we didn't find it until it was dead! Eddie tried to harvest it and got the whole plant!!!!

I thought I could only grow peppers the size of walnuts! Who knew?! The zucchini is allover the place but we have pickle sized zuccini's. So I'm told...I've been staying out of the garden. It looks like the cherry tomato and yellow pear tomato plants are green as ever. The Roma and Beef Steak are done. I grew a Gladiola!!! It's so heavy it fell over. I didn't take a picture of it. I planted a lot of bulbs, but only one bloomed. I didn't plant them at the right time, but it was fun anyway. Maybe next year we'll have some bizarre flowers popping out where we didn't know they were.

Bill & Sheila got Bubba a Bubba Keg for his birthday. It was pretty humorful! Yes, I know, not a word. I've been using it for over 20 years, so why change now!!!

This is a picture of Eddie and I! Da Mudder is in the background.

It's from some time in the last month!

Yesterday we finally had our Ward Book of Mormon Carnival. We've only had to cancel and postpone it 3 times! We actually had over 44 people there!!! That was amazing!

I think it went over well. Someday I'll share what we did at it and post some pictures too.

Eddie and I have been at hotels for the last 3 nights. Betty and Duane and David, Ben ad DrewP were in town during Utah's Fall Break. We opt to go to a hotel so they can stay here with Da Mudder. The hotels were....um...interesting.

I'm seriously contemplating starting a new blog about all the hotels we've stayed at.

Too weird! I just need to keep this one up for a few days before I start a new one!

I'm tired. All that hoteling can really wear you out! HA!

Um...oh yes! If you'd all like to pray for our ward, it would be greatly apprecaited.

There are so many different reasons to pray for it, but at this particular time, A prayer for some great musical talent to move into it would be awesome. Especially, organ and piano talent.

Our ward organist and choir accompaniest is moving in 30 days. Very short escrow!

Okay here's the deal. Pray that for some reason he gets to play for Christmas and then pray that new talent moves in the ward. It looks like I'm in the crosshairs if my prayers aren't heard!

I got to play today. Not only the organ for Sacrament Meeting, but the choir also sang, so I got to accompany them on the piano. Fortunately it was only a hymn and one I'd heard before which always makes it better, because I don't like to count! The other hymns were fairly easy too. Did I ever mention, that I don't actually know how to play the organ. I first got the call to play the organ in West Valley 3rd Ward. The Bishop figured because I kinda played the piano, I could play the organ too. The hilarious thing is the organ in Utah didn't have a bass coupler stop. So, they got organ without the pedals and no bass coupler. At least here in Passons Ward the organ has a bass coupler, so it sounds a little better. Not so much jazz today. That's what I call it when I hit the clunkers! Jazz!!! I meant to do that!!!

Pray for me and I'll let you know what happens! Seriously! I really will blog before the week is over. Maybe not about pianos, organs, or prayers being answered....but I'll blog about something!!!!!

General Conference - Day Two

Today was another great day of faith, family, friends and food! Zena and Patricia were back over. Bill and Sheila joined us. We had Eddie's famous french toast and all the leftovers from yesterday. Conference was wonderful. So much to apply to life! I'm exhausted from the weekend and hope to recover soon!

General Conference

Today we enjoyed General Conference. The speakers were great. Good stuff we all need to learn and APPLY! Eddie had a shin-dig for the Elder's Quorum that was opened up to all of the priesthood. 2 guys came. We have lots of delicious appetizers and homemade ice cream for those who are coming to watch General Conference with us tomorrow morning. The day will begin with Eddie's Famous French Toast!!! I'll try and remember to take pictures of our gathering!!!!

Elijah arrives!

In the Jewish tradition of Passover, a special place is set aside at the table for Elijah's return.

Well, yesterday at sundown, Rosh Hashanah, the Jewish New Year celebration, ended. Before it ended, Elijah did arrive! (Wrong holiday!)

Elijah Alexander Mua that is!!!

He arrived sometime after 5pm, but closer to 6pm.

He is 6 lbs. 1 oz. and 19 inches long.

Eddie and I stopped by Presbyterian Hospital to visit today.

He has the longest, skiniest, arms and fingers I've ever seen on a little baby.

He's adorable. He even opened his eyes for us. He's very cute, so tiny!

This is a picture of his proud parents, Alex and Denise (Armstrong) Mua at their wedding dinner.

Congratulations Alex and Nini!

Welcome Elijah to the world!

Whittier Stake 50th Anniversary

Today I went to a planning meeting for the Whittier Stake 50th Anniversary. We will be celebrating next year...April 23 - 26, 2009

If you are a former member of the stake and want information on this huge celebration go to:

www.whittierstake50th.org

The celebration will begin with a special temple day on April 23rd

An anniversary (Gold & Green) Ball on April 24th

A huge picnic and Celebration program on April 25th

And a combined stake Sacrament Meeting, Linger Longer, and Fireside on April 26th

They will be putting together a special anniversary reunion choir that will provide the music for Sunday's Sacrament Meeting. If you've ever sung in a Whittier Stake Choir....you must come and sing!

Mark your calendars now and plan to attend!

It should be a smashing good time!

April 23 - 26, 2009