To sit at the feet of a Prophet of God!

This week end we had a special Stake Conference, it was wonderful!  It was so nice to sit at the feet of a prophet of God and listen to his words of counsel and to feel of his spirit.  The highlight of the conference happened this morning when President Nelson asked all of the primary children to stand.  He couldn't see them so he asked them to stand on their Dad's laps or their chairs.  He still couldn't see then so he asked them to shake their hands above their heads - what a sight!  Then he asked them to sing "I Am a Child of God."  Not a dry eye here!

What a spiritual feast!  Both Friday night and this morning he spoke on teaching our children.
Friday night he spoke of our lineage in our patriarchal blessings and our responsibility because of that lineage.
He asked us to teach our children who they really are and gave us the following scriptures as guidelines:
Abraham 2:8-8
D&C 132:28-32
D&C 124:38
D&C 101:3-5
D&C 86:8-11
Ether 13:7-8
3 Nephi 20:24-26
1 Nephi 15:18

This morning he continued counseling us on what to teach our children.
He said to teach them:

• What it really means when they sing I Am a Child of God.
• How to pray morning and night 
• About Christ and what He did for us
• To commemorate the atonement while partaking the sacrament
• To understand that this is Christ's church, not President Monson's, or Brigham Young's or Joseph Smiths
• About the Prophet Joseph Smith and what he was able to accomplish
• To read the scriptures, the REAL scriptures - Have them memorize their dad's voices reading the scriptures to them
• That the Book of Mormon helps us understand the Bible
• What a miracle the priesthood is
• About the temple
• To qualify for missionary service
• Blessing of paying tithing
• Importance of getting an education
• To be good citizens 

 He encouraged us to have a picture of the Portland temple in our homes and to have pictures of family.

He then left his blessing upon us.

 I am so thankful that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, for the knowledge I have of the plan of salvation and for opportunities like this to sit at the feet of a prophet of God and to have my purpose here on this earth reinforced and to know that I am heading in the right direction.
 

Introducing:
Fredrick Andrew Johnson
Born Wednesday, September 22, 2010
4:55 PM
8 lbs. .05 oz.
19" long

Oregon Coast

Soon after our family moved to Portland in 1985, we started a tradition of driving to the Oregon coast the day after Christmas to go whale watching. Eventually those trips grew to include a stop at the Outlet Mall in Lincoln City as well.

After Alicia got married we kind of let that tradtion slip. Well, today we decided to make a whale watching trip to the Oregon coast! Those of you who know the Oregon coast know you get what the coast gives you. And to most of us Oregonians that is the beauty of our coast!

Today the Oregon coast did not give us any whale sitings. Instead we saw a lot of this!

Beautiful isn't it!!!!!

Wisdom comes with age~
Sometimes age comes alone!

I teach the 4/5 years olds in primary. Several months ago as I was teaching I mentioned that I was a grandma. One of my kids said, "Are you an old lady?" I assured him I was an old lady. However, I feel age is a number and you are only as old as you feel. Years ago my grandmother told me I would never grow up! I happen to agree with her. I look at my peers and feel they look so wise and put together and graceful. I feel that I am pretty much still trying to grow up!

Yesterday as I was teaching my little children in primary I showed a picture of my parents as I told of an experience I had with them. As I showed this photo of my parents, one little girl said "She is an old lady!" Define old. To precious Maggie, I'm sure that my mother looks "old". To me, my mother doesn't look that old! Perspective!

Well, today I found age truly is in the eye of the beholder. I was at the grocery store loading my items at the check out. I had two large pumpkins in my cart. I had placed the first pumpkin on the conveyor belt and was waiting for more room to open to place the second pumpkin. While I was waiting I was holding my hands together because they were cold. Well, the gal behind me (who in my mind wasn't really that much younger than I am) said, "Ma'am, can I put that pumpking up for you?" Say what! Luckily I smiled and said "No, thank you, my hands are just cold." I know she meant well, and I really was not offended. It actually was kind of funny. I always say I have no idea what 53 is supposed to feel like! I guess I'm "old" enough that in funny and unexpected ways the people around me will keep me informed! But I don't plan on taking up residence in a rocking chair just yet! After all, I'm still just trying to grow up!

Capitol Tour; "Odds" & Ends and musings

We toured the inside of the Pennsylvania State Capitol. It was absolutely gorgeous! I am always amazed at the talent, skill and artistry of the founders of our country. I marvel at the pride they must have taken in their work to do such beautifully detailed workmanship.

Inside the annex

Inside the Capitol Building:

The Dome!

A school group having their picture taken on the steps! They were so cute and so well behaved. As we were leaving they were all lining up to use the restroom. I'm glad I got in there before that group!

More of the dome

The ceiling of the House of Representatives:

A stained glass window in the House of Representatives:

The House of Representatives:

Side wing of the Capitol dome:

Courtroom:

Chandelier:

(notice the figure in the center)

"Odds" & Ends:

They had these cows all over town *?*

All the firehydrants we saw were painted like this *?*

(they weren't all painted exactly alike, but painted just as wierd all the same)


I guess pigs now fly!


And remember the pink fountain on the Capitol grounds? I guess it is for breast cancer awareness~


So this wraps up our stay in Harrisburg.

Things I've learned while I was here:

There is at least one church on every block, if not on every corner.

There is no where to get a decent ice cream cone and no place for a milk shake!

For being the birthplace of Hershey Chocolate, there isn't a morsel to be found!

Half the streets downtown look like alleys.

People are the same pretty much wherever we go and I love seeing, meeting and talking with them! I don't even mind being called "Ma'am"!

It's been a great stay. I didn't even mind the miniature bathroom! I've had the friendliest "housekeepers". I wish I could make them all pen pals! I love these trips. I love seeing the older parts of our country. These are my Loui Armstrong trips where I get to see all the different colors of the rainbows and I love every bit of it.

But I'm so ready to go home. I'm ready to sleep in my own bed, do my own cooking, do my own laundry, even clean my own little bathroom! And I'm so ready to give my kitty some loving! I'm ready to get settled back into my corner of this rainbow we live in. So till next time I bid you adieu!

Walking the Susquehanna and loving the architecture~

Tonight we walked the Susquehanna again, going the opposite direction from Tuesday's walk. It is such a pretty walk, but I'm afraid the camera just doesn't do the view justice.

I love the architecture in these old cities. I want to hear their stories!

Pennsylvania State Capitol

Tonight we walked the grounds of the Capitol building.
It was a gorgeous Capitol Mall.

View from the back:




Notice the "pink" fountain!
What is up with that?

View from the front:

As much as we loved the grounds of the Capitol Mall, our favorite site was the State Street Bridge also known as the Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Bridge.

Sorry, but the photos just don't do it justice. It was pretty impressive to stand across the street and look up at these amazing pillars!

Tonight's sunset: