Hope for all the blessings of exaltation.

"A lady came into our office the other day and asked to see me on a private matter. She informed me that she felt very badly, because her opportunities for getting a husband had not been favorable. … She wanted to know what her condition would be in the other life, if she did not succeed getting a husband in this life. I suppose this question arises in the hearts of our young people. … I desire to give a little explanation for the comfort and consolation of parties in this condition. There is no Latter-day Saint who dies after having lived a faithful life who will lose anything because of having failed to do certain things when opportunities were not furnished him or her. In other words, if a young man or a young woman has no opportunity of getting married, and they live faithful lives up to the time of their death, they will have all the blessings, exaltation and glory that any man or woman will have who had this opportunity and improved it. That is sure and positive. … People who have no opportunity of marrying in this life, if they die in the Lord, will have means furnished them by which they can secure all the blessings necessary for persons in the married condition. The Lord is merciful and kind, and He is not unjust. There is no injustice in Him; yet we could scarcely look upon it as being just when a woman or a man dies without having had the opportunity of marrying if it could not be remedied in the other life. There would be injustice in that, and we know that the Lord is not an unjust being. My sister Eliza R. Snow, I believe, was just as good a woman as any Latter-day Saint woman that ever lived, and she lived in an unmarried state until she was beyond the condition of raising a family. … I cannot for one moment imagine that she will lose a single thing on that account. It will be made up to her in the other life, and she will have just as great a kingdom as she would have had if she had had the opportunity in this life of raising a family." http://lds.org/manual/teachings-of-presidents-of-the-church-lorenzo-snow/chapter-9-sacred-family-relationships.p14,p15?lang=eng

Excerpt from Lorenzo Snow church manuel

Don't get me wrong. In posting this it is in no way showing that I don't think I will marry in this life. Quite the opposite. I believe I will get married sometime in this life. I have a brightness of hope. Even still I find it marvelous that ALL opportunities to receive All blessings will be given to ALL the children of God. All that is required of us is to live worthy and do all we can to come close to the father. He is a just merciful and fantastic God. I take comfort in that knowledge of his goodness.

Primary

I'm so happy to be a primary teacher. I am so much in love with my ward and my callings.
I had an experience with a couple of the three year olds as I was teaching. I was talking about the resurrection and trying to help them understand that if somebody we loves dies we will be able to see the again, and be with them again because of the resurrection. I shared with them in some simple terms about my dad dying, and that I knew I would see him again and be able to hug him again because of the resurrection. A couple of them (the ones paying attention) got quiet, and came over to me and wrapped their little arms around me. It was one of the sweetest tenderest moments I have experienced. I am so very grateful for my knowledge of the gospel, and for a loving heavenly father who puts me exactly where I need to be so I can gain the experiences and tender mercies necessary to make it back to him. I'm so grateful for all that I am learning. And I seem to be in need of learning...cuz it just keeps coming.

Sunday dinner

I'm so grateful that my family is so close. We are all just gravitating towards each other. Autumn lives in Provo, and Taylor and Kyra will be down here this summer. Michael and Kjarsti sound like they want to move closer! Its Soooo awesome, cuz I have the best family ever!!!!
Here are some photos from our Sunday dinner.

Korean BBQ and noodles

Yum! Amber and I made food. One of my favorite things to do when she comes.

Faith

Watch "Men's Hearts Shall Fail Them" on YouTube

Here are some of the key phrases that I picked out of this video.

If you have faith you can handle any difficulty.
Don't forget your identity or purpose. Be patient with yourself.
Perfection comes not in this life but in the next.
Don't demand things that are unreasonable. Demand improvement.

Even though we live in the latter day's and may be afraid to make a future for ourselves we are not alone. We can build faith that will se us through tumultuous times. As I remember who I am, and that God does have a plan for me, that there is a reason I am here... I can look to the future, and have hope. All I need to do is continue to improve myself, my situation, and my faith. God will take care of the rest. And he always fulfills his promises.

The latter days....

Prophecy of what happens to those who live in the promised land once they turn away from God. They will be swept off the land, just as the Jaradites, and the Nephites. Destroyed and annihilated! Pretty strong and specific stuff.
Signs of the times... a taking away of our freedoms... turning away from God... it's just one very large downward spiral.

Anywho. This is what scripture study consisted of today. Good thing there is also the promise that God will not forsake his children. Those who live righteously and remember Him in.their lives will be blessed and assured even when the world is full of wickedness.

Oh Christmas tree....

Oh Christmas tree.
It might take Elyse and I a while to decorate... here is a photo progression of what we've done so far. (And when I say we I mean Elyse.)