12/25/2014
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
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.
12/17/2014
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
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
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.
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
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
11/03/2014
11/02/2014
10/27/2014
I Still Live In Pumpkin Country
10/25/2014
Reflections At The Cabin 2014
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.
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.”
10/19/2014
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