12/24/2014

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE

MY CHRISTMAS MIRACLE
I pulled out a halo and a set of wings from our dress-up box on Christmas Eve and handed them to my son-in-law Dallan. While he dressed his fragile son for his part in our annual family Christmas Eve pageant, I helped Mary, Joseph, several shepherds and three wise men find bathroom towels and turbans.
When everyone was ready and waiting in the kitchen for their entrance, I opened the Bible and began reading the nativity story. Joseph and Mary entered on cue and soon the shepherds found their way into the living room with staffs in hand.
When the moment arrived for my grandson to recite his part in the nativity play, Dallan stood. He thrust Caleb high in the air, inches from the ceiling. We all looked up and waited for Caleb’s angelic lines.
What happened next is impossible to describe. A low rich male voice recited the familiar words from the Bible. Though my physical brain told me I was hearing Dallan’s voice, my spirit told me Caleb was speaking. I glanced up in silence.
"Fear not; for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy which shall be to all people. For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Savior, which is Christ the Lord,"
I gasped.
Because he was missing his brain, Caleb had never been able to speak a word to any of us . . . but somehow that night, through his father, Caleb spoke to me that Christmas Eve. And may he speak to you . . .
"Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men."

12/19/2014

LDS BAPTISM LETTER FROM GRANDMA



Dear Mitchell,
Happy Birthday! I’m so excited that you are turning eight years old this year because that means that you are old enough to choose to be baptized. I’m so happy you have made that choice.

I remember when I was baptized. I was baptized on my eight-year-old birthday on a Saturday night in a little white church across the street from my house in Union, Utah. My congregation had all the children being baptized sit on small wooden chairs and talked to us for a while. I don’t remember what they said, but I do remember what I felt.

I felt excited and a little scared before I was baptized. When I was baptized, the water was warm and I felt clean. After I was baptized and put my dry clothes back on, I walked out of the church into the cold January winter air. I remember looking up and seeing lacy white flakes of snow falling all around me. Even though it was cold outside, I felt warm inside. I knew God loved me and was pleased I wanted to come home to heaven someday.

I also knew that Jesus was my best friend and that if I tried to live like Him that I would be happy. When I was your age, they waited until Sunday to confirm me at church and give me the gift of the Holy Ghost. I felt protected when the men with the priesthood made a circle around me and put their hands on my head as my father confirmed me.

What I didn't know was that the man I was going to marry someday was being baptized on the very same day, January 6th (my birthday) in a little town called Spanish Fork, Utah. He was a little scared and excited too. Because we both wanted to be like Jesus, we found each other many years later. We recognized that we had the same dreams and plans for life.

When he got back from him mission to Samoa, we got married in the Salt Lake City temple and made some new special promises to God when we were sealed for time and eternity. Then pretty soon your mommy was born. Then she grew up and married your daddy in the temple and then pretty soon, you were born.

Being baptized was the beginning of everything wonderful in my life. Being baptized is such a special time because we are able to participate in our first saving ordinance and make our Heavenly Father our first official promise. You are a son of God, Mitchell, and your Heavenly parents love you very much. They want you to be happy so they have made a plan of happiness for you to follow so you can return to them someday. 

Up until now, you have been a child who is learning, growing and maturing. You have made some mistakes; everybody makes mistakes. That is how we learn and grow. Now that you are eight, God thinks you are wise enough to know the difference between right and wrong choices. Heavenly Father knows that some of the choices we make will not be wise. Because He loves us, He wants us to know how to change so we will not be trapped by our mistakes and bad choices. So He invites us to make a promise to Him and then He makes a promise right back to us. When we make a special promise to God and He makes one right back to us, it is called a covenant. Heavenly Father never breaks a promise.

The promise you make to God is that you will remember Jesus, follow Him and keep His commandments. Heavenly Father promises you that He will forgive you if you make a mistake or do something that you know is wrong if you feel sorry and repent. He also promises you eternal life. He also gives you the gift of the Holy Ghost to help, guide, protect, warn and comfort you.

When you choose to be baptized you tell Heavenly Father that:

*You take on the name of Jesus Christ

*You will serve your fellowmen

*You will stand as a witness of God all the time

*You will obey the commandments of God

          God promises you that:

  *You are accepted as a member of Christ’s church

   *You can be forgiven of sin if you repent

   *You can have the gift of the Holy Ghost

   *You can live in the kingdom of God

          Everybody makes mistakes after they are baptized so Heavenly Father gave us the sacrament every week on Sunday. That is when we remember the covenant we made when we were baptized. We think about our week and decide how to be better during the coming week. We think about our Savior Jesus Christ and how He atoned for all our sins, pains, disappointment and grief. We also think about Christ’s resurrection and that we can be resurrected too someday.

          I hope you will write about how you feel in your journal when you are baptized. Never forget that you are a child of God and that you can inherit the eternal life God has planned for you. And never forget that your grandma loves you with all her heart.

          Love,  Grandma Baadsgaard.    

12/13/2014

Payson Temple Open House and Dedication is Announced



The following is information supplied from lds.org:
The free public open house for the Payson Utah Temple will be held from Friday, April 24, through Saturday, May 23, 2015, and run every day except Sundays, April 26 and May 3, 10 and 17. The cultural celebration will be held Saturday, June 6, and the temple will be dedicated in three sessions on Sunday, June 7.
The temple was announced by President Monson January 25, 2010, and ground was broken to begin construction October 8, 2011.
The new temple will serve approximately 27 stakes stakes from Mapleton to Delta.Temple-going members have been driving to Provo or Manti for temple services. The Payson Temple will be the 15th in Utah. Two more temples are scheduled for the Beehive State; the Provo City Center Temple is under construction and the Cedar City Temple has been announced.
The Payson Temple is located at approximately 930 West and 1550 South on the southwest side of Payson, a mile from the 800 South I-15 interchange. The property offers scenic views of the area as well as easy access to the freeway.

12/08/2014

HE IS THE GIFT

“As we discover the gift, we learn of the immeasurable love of God and our absolute need for a Savior. 

As we embrace the gift, we strengthen our faith in Jesus Christ and our desire to become more like Him. 

As we share the gift, we follow in the Master’s footsteps,
 who invited all to hear His message.”
 –Russell M. Nelson 

12/05/2014

Birthday Letter For a Thirteen-Year-Old


Dear Matthew,
Happy Birthday! You are thirteen years old today – an official teenager. If you stop and think about it, you only have five more years before you are old enough to go on a mission, start college or leave home. Five years is not very long to get yourself ready for that day. Not many people your age are wise enough to make the most of their teenage years. These years are your preparation time for adulthood. The decisions you make will start you on a course that will lead you to a life of selfishness or a life of joy. This is the time to develop your talents, intellect and desire to serve. If you keep learning, work hard and never give up, you will become a remarkable young man. If you choose to be lazy and selfish, you will have regrets.
Just a few days ago I watched you perform a piano solo in front of your school. I was so proud of you because you did something hard. Hours and hours of regular practice and persistence made it possible for you to perform well. I think learning to play the piano is a lot like learning to live your life well. With the piano you start out as a beginner not knowing anything. Then you are taught one musical concept at a time. After you learn how to read music, you begin playing simple one finger songs. If you keep learning, practicing, and listening to your piano teacher you will make slow gradual progress over time.
We all make lots of mistakes while we learn. Mistakes are part of the process of improving. If you don’t get discouraged and keep trying you have the opportunity to keep getting better. One day you may become a piano teacher and help others learn as you have learned. Helping others learn is what we do when we grow up or gain maturity. It is difficult to help others if we have not done the hard work of learning and reaching a certain level of mastery.
Going through these next few years as a teenager will be a lot like learning to play the piano. You can choose right now how you want to make slow gradual progress over time. You do that by choosing what kind of person you want to become. Do you want to be friendly, happy, hard-working and service oriented? Or do you want to be closed-off, grumpy, lazy and selfish? You simply choose who you want to be and then start practicing.
The most important qualities we learn first come from our interaction with our family. So the best way to practice becoming who you want to be is by practicing the qualities you want to develop on your parents and brothers. For example you learn how to be a hard worker by helping your parents at home and in the yard. You learn how to be a hard worker at school by regular attendance and careful study. You learn how to be friendly or how to serve by practicing on your parents and brothers, the boys in your church group and at school. If you want to be a happy person, practice getting rid of all your negative thoughts and replace them with grateful thoughts. If you want to become a loving person, practice forgiving someone . . . especially those closest to you in your home and community.
In the same way you had regular piano lessons each week where you reported to your music teacher, take the time on a regular basis to pray to God with a sincere desire to listen and learn. God wants you to know how to improve, but you must want to listen before you can hear Him. Your Father-in-Heaven is the best Matthew-Becoming-Awesome teacher in the universe. Remember to schedule regular lessons with Him.
I have loved watching you grow up for the past thirteen years Matthew. I so enjoy seeing your smiling face come through my front door. I love your passion for life your and joy for living. You have an amazing mind and spirit and God will expect great things from you. I will always be your biggest fan. 
Love,
Grandma Baadsgaard

11/28/2014

John's Christmas Concert 2014

The MMHS Carols and Confections Concert is almost here.
 If you'd like tickets before they sell out call my son John at 801-798-8295.
He will pick up your money
($10.00 a ticket that includes a catered plate of treats)
and he will deliver your tickets to your door.
This is an amazing concert.

11/19/2014

Good News To Share

My grandson Matthew and my daughter Alisa auditioned for the Stars Assembly at the Junior High this week and they both made it. They will be playing piano solos for the whole school next Tuesday.

My son John just learned today that he earned the Instrumental Music Sterling Scholar at MMHS.

My son Jacob just posted an article on Linked-in that is terrific. I shared it on my facebook page.

My daughter Arianne learned that her blog will be featured in Parent's Magazine in the spring.

My husband Ross had a great day meeting with our representatives/staff members in Washington DC today. He got out of New York before the big snow hit and is in a hotel with the Capitol rotunda shining out of his window. 

11/11/2014

Birthday Story for a Nine-Year-Old


Sophia and the Enchanted Hour
by
Granny B
Happy Birthday Sophia. I love you so. 
You asked me for a story with a unicorn in it so here it is.




            Early one Sunday evening at grandma’s house, Sophia’s parents were busy talking to her aunts and uncles while her brothers wrestled with their cousins on the play room floor. Sophia sighed. Then she noticed her grandma winking at her from across the room and motioning her outside onto the desk.
            “Before the sky grows dark there is an enchanted hour,” Sophia’s grandmother whispered as they stood silhouetted against the sunset. “Before the sky fills with moon and stars, there is a time called blue dark. That is the bewitching hour between daylight and night when all the mystical creatures are about. If you are quiet and don’t scare them away, you might be lucky enough to see one someday. They don’t come to noisy insufferable children. That is why I think one might come to you. They only appear when they sense a soft, kind heart.”
            Then Sophia’s grandma walked back into the house and left her alone on the deck. Sophia noticed the giant pine trees that lined her grandparent’s property and the way they swayed in the gentle breeze. Then suddenly she noticed a flickering light behind the old barn. Sophia was usually too scared to walk down the lane alone to the barn by herself; but that night her curiosity drew her down the stairs, across the lawn and down the rock path.
Just as Sophia stepped around the back of the barn, she saw a shining white unicorn shaking its head and rising up on its back legs. Sophia was startled but she wasn’t scared. She felt like she was in a dream. She had wanted to see a unicorn her whole life and her wish had finally come true. Then the unicorn walked toward Sophia and nuzzled next to her. Sophia placed her arm around the neck of the unicorn and stroked its glowing mane. Then the unicorn knelt down low enough for Sophia to climb onto its back and wrap her arms around its neck.
            Then the unicorn spread its wings and flew into the blue dark sky. Sophia saw her grandparent’s barn drop beneath her. Suddenly she was flying through the clouds as stars sparkled all around her. Sophia let go of the unicorn’s mane. Then she spread her arms wide as every scared thought flew out of her head and brave thoughts filled her heart like gentle doves.
            Then these words filled her mind, “I am amazing. I am strong.  I am beautiful. I am loved. I am a daughter of God.”
            Suddenly Sophia found herself lying on her back in the pasture behind the barn as if she were waking up from a dream. She looked up at the stars as the gentle wind caressed her face and the long slender blades of grass tickled her cheeks. Just when she thought the magic was over she glanced up and saw a shooting star in the form of a white unicorn with a flowing mane blazing across the night sky.
            When Sophia walked back toward her grandparent’s house that night, she saw her grandma standing on the deck waiting for her. After she climbed the stairs, her grandma gave her a great big hug.
            “I saw . . . ,” Sophia whispered excitedly in her grandmother’s ear.
            “You are amazing. You are strong. You are beautiful. You are loved. You are a daughter of God,” her grandmother whispered.
            “You saw too?”
            Grandma winked.
“And you know dear,” her grandma answered, “there is no telling what will happen tomorrow and tomorrow if you can believe.” 

11/08/2014

Alisa Baadsgaard PTA Relections Contest winner in photography 2014

Alisa Baadsgaard back row left with Diamond Fork Jr. High Reflections contest winners.

John's Baadsgaard Photos with MMHS Chamber Singers 2014

John wearing his new tux with MMHS Chamber Singers



11/07/2014

Happy Birthday Letter For a Twelve-Year-Old


Dear Bradley,
You’re turning twelve today. This is an important birthday because you will receive the Aaronic priesthood. The priesthood is the power of God, which is given to man to act in His name. Remember that your authority comes through your ordination but your power comes through personal obedience and worthiness. The priesthood is a gift from God that blesses all His children. Your Heavenly Father now trusts you enough to give you the responsibility to help others. Up until now your parents, extended family and church leaders have been taking care of you and helping you grow and learn. Now it is your turn. For example, this Sunday you will pass the sacrament for the first time. Isn’t it wonderful that God allows you to be part of this most sacred event? You will represent the Savior as you offer the emblems of the bread and water as a symbol of His great Atonement. The sacrament is the most important reason we go to church.
What a great blessing it is to hold the priesthood. I hope you take the time to go to a quiet private place and pray to your Heavenly Father and ask him how you can magnify your priesthood. Praying and asking questions has been a great way for God to send messages to you. In fact, did you know that when the Prophet Joseph Smith was translating The Book of Mormon that he found a part that mentioned baptism? On May 15, 1829, he and his scribe Oliver Cowdery went into the woods to ask God about baptism. As they prayed, a messenger from heaven descended in a cloud of light. This messenger was John the Baptist, the prophet who baptized Jesus Christ. John the Baptist, now a resurrected being, laid his hands on Joseph and Oliver and conferred upon each of them the Aaronic Priesthood, which had been taken from the earth during the Apostasy. With this authority, Joseph and Oliver were able to baptize one another. John the Baptist was chosen by Heavenly Father to prepare the way for the Savior and be the one to baptize him. John did this through the authority of the Priesthood of Aaron.
After baptism, a sacred opportunity comes to the members of the Church each week as we partake of the sacrament. This is how we renew our covenants with our Father in Heaven and take upon us the name of his Son and promise to keep his commandments. Those holding the Aaronic Priesthood have the sacred privilege and honor of preparing, blessing, and passing these holy emblems of Jesus Christ’s body and blood. God wants us to repent, come to Him with a broken heart and a contrite spirit and partake of the sacrament. When we renew our baptismal covenants in this way, the Lord renews the cleansing effect of our baptism. In this way we are made clean and can have His Spirit to be with us. That is why it is so important to take the sacrament each week.
 As you know, the offices of the Aaronic Priesthood are bishop, priest, teacher, and deacon. With the authorization of the presiding priesthood leader, deacons pass the sacrament. They also help the bishop watch over Church members by giving service and assist with temporal matters such as gathering fast offerings for the poor. Teachers perform all the duties of deacons and also receive other opportunities to serve. They prepare the sacramental bread and water and serve as home teachers. Priests may perform all the duties of deacons and teachers. With the authorization of the presiding priesthood leader, they may also bless the sacrament, baptize, and ordain others to the offices of priest, teacher, and deacon.
I have noticed that you have a big heart Bradley. You are a true and loyal friend. I remember when the television crew interviewed you for a news segment this year because you helped to save your friend when he was in medical trouble during recess. Remember that the best friend you will ever have is Jesus Christ. He will save you whenever you are in trouble or hurt.
You have amazing talents and abilities and I know that you will use them wisely. I notice how you are kind to your younger nieces and nephews. I also notice how loving you are to Daniel and Izzy. I think Heavenly Father knew that you would be a good example for your younger brother and sister and that is why you are the oldest child in your family.
As you serve in your priesthood responsibilities, always remember that serving your own family is the most important because the most important exercise of the priesthood takes place in the home. Your parents and brother and sister really need you to love them and serve them as only you can.
You now stand at the beginning a life-time of service. As you serve in the Aaronic Priesthood, it will prepare you to receive the Melchizedek Priesthood, receive the blessings of the temple, serve a full-time mission, be a loving husband and father, and continue in lifelong service to the Lord. I love you so much Bradley. I have so enjoyed watching you grow up and become such a wonderful young man. I will always be your biggest fan.  I am so lucky to have you for my grandson. I will love you forever.
 
Grandma Baadsgaard 

11/04/2014

Daniel -My Miracle Grandson

Daniel
by
Granny B
Happy 1st birthday Daniel.
Grandma loves you very much.

“. . . men have not heard, not perceived by the ear, neither hath the eye seen,
O God, beside thee, what he hath prepared for him that waiteth for him.”
                                                                                                       Isaiah 64:4
Nine years

Waiting
Souls softened
 Hope

Then
  The miracle –

Daniel

Prayed for
Longed for
Brown eyed
Baby boy
Child of light
Holy gift

Born in the month of Thanksgiving
Harvest of Hope

Remember
When life tests and tries  
You are not alone in the lion’s den

Angels will come
For all who fear not men
But wait on God to deliver
The miracle

11/02/2014

Janene Baadsgaard Speaking In Spanish Fork

I'll be speaking in the Meadowlark Ward on Nov. 5th at 7:00. 

The building is located at 1180 East 1240 South Spanish Fork.

Everyone is welcome to come.

I can't wait to meet the wonderful women in that area.

10/27/2014

I Still Live In Pumpkin Country

I still  live in pumpkin Country.
We moved out into the country 25 years ago.
Slowly,
 and now - not so slowly,
 the subdivisions have been getting closer and closer to my home.
Lately, huge metal dinosaurs have been making assault roads and lots for new houses along the southern border of our  two acres.

I have been trying to have a good attitude -  believing that perhaps a new best friend will move next door.
But mostly I've been missing
the quiet country roads and open fields filled with wheat, barley and alfalfa.
I miss watching Mr. Olsen drive past my house at twenty miles an hour with no one to honk or make him hurry along.
They built a high school just down the road and young people are always in a hurry.

But there are a few hold-outs.

I am one of them
- the pumpkin growers are another.
Pumpkins make me smile.
Lately I've been watching the farmers pile these orange orbs of sunshine into boxes and drive them to market.

 People keep asking me 

when we are going to sell our property.
But I can't bear to leave these two acres
where my children grew up.
Where else could we pull the children with red cheeks on their sleighs in the winter?
 Where else can we pick raspberries and climb apples trees in the summer?
Where else would I find such a rustic old barn and a 1950's trailer?
 Where else would I find my own private forest of thirty foot pines lovingly planted by my husband from tiny three inch starts.

Where would the quail and doves in my trees go if our sanctuary was gone?
Where else could I look out my kitchen window and see a long row of lilacs blooming in the spring?

Where else would I gather my growing family of forty-five loving sons, daughters, and grandchildren?
As the adults fill my home on Sunday evenings and fill my heart with the beautiful noise of seven conversations going on at the same time - the children discover fairy treasures left for them in the secret garden under the aging pine.

This is my home - my family - my love.

10/25/2014

Reflections At The Cabin 2014








I find myself in a contemplative mood in the fall. 
The season is changing 
and my life must change too.
As I contemplate the last of my children leaving home 
I can not hold them close enough.
I want these days to last forever.
Yet each season must end 
before another can begin.
I am not ready.
I want to hold on.

For we watch them leave home in autumn.
Now we are at the curtain waving good-bye.
Now we are the ones breathing a sigh.

As trees lose their leaves in the brisk mountain air -
limbs become sullen, dark, and bare.
Then flowing like honey to the valley floor,
the season reappears and gives us more.
Crimson, copper, and gold all about,
as if to say good-bye with a majestic shout.
Each day is fleeting like a leaf on the wind -
yet as one season passes, another begins.

Like wind through the forest 

or small grains of sand,
the boy we once knew has become a man.
Now our little girl, once covered in lace,
becomes a new mother and takes our place.

Cycle of living, 

season of song,
embraces and whispers,
"Life goes on."

10/22/2014

When You Can't Hold Still

When You Can’t Hold Still
By
Granny B
Happy first birthday little Griffen.
I miss you and love you SO much.

There is a boy named Griffen
With a motor in his middle.
When mom says hold still
He thinks it is a riddle.

"Hold still"means to jump
And "be quiet" means to roar.
"Sit down" surely means
Jump off the couch and soar.

“Oh No!” means mom is crazy
And “No -No!” makes you cagey
When Dad says, “Get down from there.”
You smile and take it as a dare.

 Bath time means to run away
Before your mom can ruin your day.
Diaper change is such a chore
For this little boy we all adore.

But story time now that’s the gem
They take you in their arms . . . and then -
They sing the words into your heart
So you can’t get the wiggles to start.

And before you know it, you’re fast asleep.
They put you to bed - then take a peek.
For a little boy who’s full of giggles
Now there isn’t even one little wiggle.

10/21/2014

MORNING HAIR - A Birthday Poem for my Daniel

Morning Hair
By
Granny B
Happy Birthday Daniel.
I love your poke-up hair because you get it from me.
 I love you.


When you’re two your hair won’t flop
Or lay down nice and lazy
It wakes up first with a bit of a burst
And pokes out rather crazy.

“What did you do to your hair last night?”
Says mom with a bit of delight
“Now it’s time to get you dressed
So you won’t look a sight.”

Mom gets the gel and the great big comb
And says, “Will you please hold still?”
But your body itches and then it twitches
As you race to the kitchen for a meal.

 “Come back here you little monkey,”
Your mother says with a dare.
“You will be quite a scare
If you don’t let me comb your hair.”

But who needs combs when a banana will do
As you rub fingers like so.
Added to hair it makes a great paste
Keep rubbing for a glistening glow

After breakfast it’s time to race
 And jump up on all the beds
Tired old moms just won’t last
Just like she has said.

When daytime turns to nighttime
Mom never pinned you down.
Your crazy hair survives the day
After somersaults in a bound.

The hair gel and the big comb
Are lying all alone.
“Your hair still looks crazy,”
Says mother with a moan.

 Then you smile and mother melts
Like butter in the sun
She takes you in her arms and sighs,
“You are my precious son.

Someday you’ll worry about your hair
But today is not that day.
I like your hair a little bit crazy
Let’s hug each other and play.”