Remembering and Strengthening our Testimonies

Lest we forget! Enjoy the 24th of July

By following the promptings of the spirit, we can stand strong against the revilings of those who seek to discredit the truths of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. In today's world as in the time of Alma there are those who teach that, hope is in vain, there can be no Christ, there can be no prophecy, righteous traditions are foolish, there could be no Atonement, everyone fares according to their own strength, whatever one does is not a crime, and when one dies that is the end of his or her existence. Alma 30:12-18 Some seek to destroy our faith in Christ by placing doubt in our hearts. We must learn to discern conflict between man's teachings and God's teachings and cleave to the word of God from our living prophets and the scriptures.

We have a prophet on the earth today who speaks to God and gets direction from Him. It is up to all of us to listen to our Prophet and heed his words for they are indeed a message from God to us. I have never felt the need more than I do now to strengthen my testimony and re-afirm my faith in the Lord and His servants. It is such a comfort to know that my loved ones are strengthening their testimonies and keeping the commandments given to us by a loving Father in Heaven. If we have eyes to see and hearts to feel we will all recognize the hand of God in our everyday lives, and live so that He knows we know. What better way to honor the stalwart pioneers that made it possible for us to live in this beautiful land and partake of all the blessings that it provides.

Curiosity got the better of Bert

Bert almost drowned today. A thirsty Bert reaches into the waterfall so far that he gets his head caught and finally has to get all the way in the bucket in order to get out again. My laugh for the day! Of course the pictures will be out of order because I haven't figured placement out yet!

SUNSHINE CAME TODAY

NEW KID ON THE BLOCK

And here he is:

Vickie took care of Deb's dog for a week and has gone over to the other side. She finally got a male dog. For Aunt Gwila's sake his name will be Prince Albert, but he will always be juist plain Bert to Vickie. Vickie suggested to Aunt Gwila that she get a Great Dane like the one pictured with Bert. Well the Dane might have the same markings as her old dog Thunder, but she was not the least bit impressed by the size.

Kids, MUD and Iris

After checking the Gill blog today I just had to put this picture of Jared and Jason and their day playing in the mud. Like father - like son and uncle. Give Corbon a few months and he can join in the fun.

Note from Vickie: A summr day at Sourdough. Look at the beautiful Iris plant. They are starts from Wendy's garden. I planted them in my garden just after she died. A couple of years ago I took a few starts up to Sourdough. They were dark brown and deep purple ones and this year they came back pure white. They are beautiful and growing all over my piece of land. It's like I am able to share it with her. She would have loved it up there.

UTAH THE BEAUTIFUL

Here are a couple of pictures Vickie took while riding her ATV up at Sourdough. She would love to take any of you riding when you come. There are two ATV's so plan on going with her. What a beautiful world we live in.

Let Freedom Ring

I marvel at the miracle of America, the land which the God of Heaven long ago declared to be a land choice above all other lands and concerning which He has made a promise and given a warning in these remarkable words: "Behold, this is a choice land, and whatsoever nation shall possess it shall be free from bondage, and from captivity, and from all other nations under heaven, if they will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ" (Ether 2:12) I love America. Surely this is good land, a choice land, a chosen land. To me it is a miracle, a creation of the Almighty. God bless America, for she is His creation.

President Gordon B. Hinckley

Have a glorious Fourth of July everyone!