Answers to prayer

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/sheri-l-dew_born-lead-born-glory/

https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/jeffrey-r-and-patricia-t-holland_things-learned-together/

http://www.byui.edu/devotionals/bonnie-moon

Slacking

So I'm not getting this done every day like I told myself I was going to. However, I do have to say that the last few days my testimony of God and of the scriptures has been strengthened. I have been having a rough time with my weaknesses and the last several days in scripture study I have read things that have encouraged me and gave me hope to keep trying and keep moving forward.
The power of Jesus Christ is real. He really does forgive us when we ask sincerely. Our Heavenly Father's Love is real. He manifests it daily if we watch for it. It often is shown through other people. The Book of Mormon is absolutely the word of God. These are some basic things that I know, especially after the last few days!

Weaknesses

So the last several weeks have been really rough with moving and I just seem to be on Satan's "top 10 people to pick on" list... Been feeling like DC 122 describe how I feel very well:
"if thou be cast into the deep; if the billowing surge conspire against thee; if fierce winds become thine enemy; if the heavens gather blackness, and all the elements combine to hedge up the way; and above all, if the very jaws of hell shall gape open the mouth wide after thee"

So I have been pleading with God to take away my temptations and just let me skate by unnoticed for awhile. I feel like Nephi when he said, "Nevertheless, notwithstanding the great goodness of the Lord, in showing me his great and marvelous works, my heart exclaimeth: O wretched man that I am! Yea, my heart sorroweth because of my flesh; my soul grieveth because of mine iniquities.
18 I am encompassed about, because of the temptations and the sins which do so easily beset me.
19 And when I desire to rejoice, my heart groaneth because of my sins; nevertheless, I know in whom I have trusted"

I also commiserate with Paul in 2 Corinthians 12:
And lest I should be exalted above measure through the abundance of the revelations, there was given to me a thorn in the flesh, the messenger of Satan to buffet me, lest I should be exalted above measure.
8 For this thing I besought the Lord thrice, that it might depart from me.
9 And he said unto me, My grace is sufficient for thee: for my strength is made perfect in weakness. Most gladly therefore will I rather glory in my infirmities, that the power of Christ may rest upon me.
10 Therefore I take pleasure in infirmities, in reproaches, in necessities, in persecutions, in distresses for Christ’s sake: for when I am weak, then am I strong."

Except I haven't gotten to where I feel strong in my weakness yet. Praying to get there soon but I know God is aware of me because my book of Mormon study this morning was in Alma 14-15 and I noticed how God let some people suffer and how there is always a point to it all in the end and how he allowed Alma and Amulek to be in prison and struggle for some time before delivering them. I know He will deliver me in His time and His way and that He speaks to me through the book of Mormon and helps me feel His love and concern for my individual trials and struggles. So grateful for the knowledge of a loving heavenly Father and for a Savior who experienced all temptations on my behalf and knows how to help and strengthen me when I come to Him in faith (Hebrews 2:16-18; 4:14-16).

A dad again

So today Amber went to the doctor to check and see how the little one inside her tummy was doing. According to everything the doctor could see all is well. When she sent me the text with the picture of the ultra sound and I saw the little baby and knew he/she (not sure on gender yet) was healthy, I was so happy! It brings such great joy to be a dad and to hear that a new little one is coming and will be healthy is incredibly joyful!

To add to that, Shaina and Layton has their little boy Taysom today and all is well with Mom and baby. Truly God's hand was manifest in my life today!

Testimony

Tonight the three oldest boys shared their testimonies in family night. They shared specific things that they had come to know were true.a couple even shared specific experiences where they had come to realize those things such as a couple weeks ago when I gave them priesthood blessing of comfort and counsel when we moved to Syracuse.

Corban also shared his in his own way as we asked him what he knew to be true. I feel like I fail as a parent so much so it was awesome to hear their testimonies and see that their faith really is being strengthened!

Monthly Fathers Interviews

So every month on the first Sunday of the month I have an interview with each of my children. We usually play a card game of some sort while we talk about life and about some things that will be coming up that they will have to deal with. Amber is so patient to be with the other kids while I am doing the individual interviews.

Today I took extra long with Trey because I felt an impression that I needed to. He is such a good kid and has a gift for understanding the gospel, especially when he has the desire to.  I noticed that he did better the rest of the day and was very helpful and kind with his siblings and more obedient to his parents. It was proof positive of 1 John 4:19... "We love Him because He first loved us"

Obviously this verse references our relationship to God and Jesus, but I think the principle holds true for earthly relationships as well. If we show our commitment and love, the other is more likely to reciprocate. I am making a goal of trying that with my kids and being more loving. A lofty goal, but worth trying for! I know how I feel about God and Jesus because of all they have done for me and hope I can I still those same things in my kids.

I truly believe that much of the reason for his change in heart and behavior that day was due to what he began to understand about the Lord Jesus and the importance of His Atonement, crucifixion and resurrection and what it means to us.  2 Corinthians 5:20-21, Colossians 2:13-15, 1 Peter 2:21-25 were references that we discussed about how Jesus became sin for us and then was nailed to the cross and died in a great symbol of the mission of Jesus Christ... that our sins died with Him so that we could be forgiven.  Moroni 6:8 - "But as oft as they repented and sought forgiveness, with real intent, they were forgiven."

When we truly understand what Jesus has done for us, it leads us to have a changed heart and desires.

Taft's baptism

Today our little Taft took a huge step...he decided to follow the example of Jesus Christ to be baptized. You could see the excitement on his face from the moment I woke him up a little before 7:00 a.m. He could not wait to make that commitment.

As usual, getting a family of nine out the door is difficult... Especially when you have to all be in your Sunday best and at the church by 9:00 a.m. Somehow we made it there without too much difficulty.

As the time for the ordinance drew nearer, I could feel God's love pouring out on me and on everyone at the service who was willing to receive it. I was constantly reminded that DC 84:20-21 teaches us that: 20 Therefore, in the ordinances thereof, the power of godliness is manifest.
21 And without the ordinances thereof, and the authority of the priesthood, the power of godliness is not manifest unto men in the flesh;

I certainly felt the power of godliness manifest. As I performed Taft's baptism I could feel God's love for our little man who just grew up a whole bunch today. When we got done we got back into the hallway leading to the locker room area out of sight and I just picked up my son and held him for several moments, with my emotions very near the surface. I could feel Heavenly Father saying to Taft that he too was one of His beloved son's, and that He was also well pleased with Taft.

My heart also swelled with love for this young man. I have to admit I am one of the most imperfect parents there is. I struggle with my temper and I do not always treat my children with the respect and love that is due them, but I also have to admit that there are days when God just lets me forget that and feel the joy of being a father. Today was one of those days!

I testify that ordinances are real things that God asks us to participate in, and that we invite His power and grace more fully in to our lives as we demonstrate our commitment to Him through accepting those ordinances and their associated covenants. The covenants also connect us with God's power in amazing ways that I have experienced personally. When we are willing to accept these things, God pours His Spirit out on us and helps us to feel His love for us. So grateful! 🙏