Grateful for abundant blessings...

Christmas just passed.  It is December 29, 08.  This is a scary time in the world.  The economy is really bad, the Government has had to make the decision whether or not to "bail out" certain companys, unemployment is on the rise, etc.  So many close friends of ours have had to put their homes up for sale, or cut back to the bare minimum.  Hospitals around the country have had a hard time fighting infection after surgeries.

Greg still has his job and they seem to be doing just fine.  We are all healthy.  We are close to extended family members that love and support us.  We have food and shelter.

  We are so blessed.  

We are so grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We watched  "The Nativity Story" a couple days before Christmas and I was filled with peace, comfort and knowledge that our Savior lives and loves each of us.  He knows every detail about each one of us.  He hears our prayers and is waiting for us to come unto Him.  Because of my knowledge of Him, I have hope that there is a brighter tomorrow.  Again....

We are so blessed!

Missionary Moment update...

Greg and the boys got back on Saturday the 22.  Greg talked a little bit with a guy at the hotel, but they were not able to place the Book of Mormon.  We will continue to pray for someone who is open to hear the Gospel.

However, the guys did have a somewhat spiritual moment.   We almost died!!! - payton

Going 65mph on the 2-lane highway, an oncoming car veered fully into their lane.  Greg swerved off the road in the crucial seconds it would have taken for them all to be killed.  Greg said the guy driving the other vehicle was looking right at them.  Jeff, the brother-in-law of Brian Ellis, happened to be riding with Greg at the time and also happens to be a policeman.  He was sure the other driver was impaired. (Under the influence of drugs or alcohol).

Greg did not over-correct and was able to get the car back on the road safely.  However, he was very shaken by the experience and it took a while for him to relax behind the wheel after that.  We all believe that Greg and the boys were blessed.  The Lord was watching over them.   We know this to be true because Nick, Brooks and I prayed for Greg and the boys to be safe every night.  We prayed that they would drive safely to and from So. Dakota, and that they would be safe while hunting.

We are so thankful for our Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ.  We know Heavenly Father hears and answers our prayers.

My testimony...

When I was around 25 years old I read the Book of Mormon all the way through for the first time. The difference was this time I read with real intent, praying to know if it was true and praying to understand what was being said. At that time in my life I knew there was a Heavenly Father, but I didn't really know if the Book of Mormon was true. I read every day and prayed sincerely beforehand with an open heart.
About half way through the book I noticed that I was becoming increasingly more engrossed in it and couldn't put it down. I would read late into the night with a little flashlight so I wouldn't wake up Greg. I was filled with the Spirit to the point that I wanted to shout from the rooftops to everyone that would listen that this book was true! It changed my life.
There is nothing like feeling the spirit of the Lord. Since that time I have felt the spirit on many, many occasions. One of the big one's that I really remember was when Brooks was born. The blessing I received from Bishop Brown, while still at Girls Camp, was amazing. My water had just broken (at 31 weeks), it was 3:30am and I was heading down to the hospital. The Bishop and Brother Freeman were there that night. The Bishop gave me the blessing before I left. I immediately felt calm and peaceful. I knew that everything was going to be all right. Then at the hospital, when Greg and Jeff gave me a blessing right on the operating table. Again, a feeling of peace, comfort and calmness washed over me. Out of the four C-sections, it was the easiest for me. Brooks came out crying and did so well. He is now a beautiful four year old, strong and healthy.
I know Jesus Christ was on the earth, he suffered in Gethsemany and died on the cross for us. He was resurrected and lives today. He loves us. He has made it possible for us to have eternal life. He is the Son of our living Father in Heaven.
Our Heavenly Father also loves us and watches over us. He hears our prayers and knows each one of us personally.
Joseph Smith was and is a true prophet of God. He was an amazing man who went through so much pain and suffering to help bring us the Restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. We have a living prophet on the earth today. President Monson. I know he talks and walks with our Heavenly Father on a regular basis. I know if I listen and obey his teachings, I am following my Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.
I pray for courage, strength and the ability to persevere. I love my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

What its all about...

We have decided to create a blog with a spiritual side to it. To start off, Greg, Payton & Jantsen are going pheasant hunting in South Dakota Nov. 17-21, 2008. (Next week) They are taking a Book of Mormon with them. We have been praying to find someone they can share the Gospel with and give the Book of Mormon to. Good-luck, boys.