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.

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. 

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.” 

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

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 

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

Halloween Fun with the Family

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.