Wednesday, December 31, 2008

Happy New Year 2009



I have great hopes for 2009. I always have great hopes for the new year.

So best wishes to all of you who read this.

On Christmas Eve Amanda flew in from Texas to spend Christmas with us. Then on the Friday after Christmas we drove over to Utah to open presents and visit with our children and grandchildren there. It was very good to see them all.
On Monday, December 29th, we took off for Idaho to spend time with Robert's sister's family in the Island Park area. They live in a cabin there with lots of rooms and we rent snowmobiles and ride and get freezin' cold.
Maxine and Gail are very generous with us and our family. So we are grateful to them for providing the opportunities to do a lot of fun things in the area. I was thinking about that today because otherwise we probably couldn't afford it.
We will be here one more day and then we will head on home.

So happy new year and I hope you all have wonderful opportunities in the year to come. I'll be working on it for myself.

Wednesday, December 24, 2008

Christmas Eve Family Home Evening by Shauna Gibby

Christmas Eve FHE


Conference Talk:

For more information on this topic read “Born Again,” by D. Todd Christofferson, Ensign, May 2008, 76–79.

Thought:

About a century before the birth of Christ, King Benjamin taught his people of the Savior’s advent and Atonement. The Spirit of the Lord wrought such a mighty change in the people that they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually”.

(D. Todd Christofferson, “Born Again,” Ensign, May 2008, 76–79.)

Song:

“He Sent His Son” Children’s Songbook, p. 34.

Scripture: For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.(Luke 2:11)

Lesson:

Place a picture of Christ’s birth in a plastic sheet protector.

Cut a sheet of paper into five strips.

Label each strip as follows:

1. Son of God, 2. Creator, 3. Savior, 4. Example, 5. Friend. Tape these strips over the picture of Christ’s birth.

Write the following verses on small pieces of paper and place them in a bowl or basket.

1. “Behold I am Jesus Christ, the Son of God” (D&C 6:21)

2. “I have made the earth, and created man upon it” (Isaiah 45:12)

3. “Behold, I am Jesus Christ, the Savior of the world” (D&C 43:34)

4. “For I have given you an example, that ye should do as I have done to you” (John 13:15)

5. “Ye are my friends, if ye do whatsoever I command you” (John 15:14)

Have the family members take turns drawing papers from the bowl and have them read their verse. Ask the family: “Who does this verse tell you that Jesus is?” Match it to one of the strips covering the picture and remove that strip. Repeat until the picture is revealed.

Discuss how the baby Jesus grew up to become all the names you read about.

(adapted from Beth Lefgren and Jennifer Jackson, Sharing Time, Family Time, Anytime: Book Two [Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1994], p. 55-6.)

Story:

(Elaine Cannon)

The Nativity never was presented with more significance for me than the day a young friend of mine brought her “special needs class” to our home for a Christmas program. There was a heartbreaking mix of [disabled children]. An unusually abundant spirit accompanied them, as if angels ushered them in.

They were costumed in familiar makeshift robes charmingly depicting the characters. There were Joseph, Mary, and a Herald Angel with a tinsel halo, robed in a twin-size sheet shrouding a wheelchair. There was a shepherd draped in a paisley beach towel with a curved staff carved from styrofoam, mounted on one crutch. A pair of lambs (one on all fours and one wearing a head cage and reclining in a custom-sized canvas stroller) were draped with sheepskin. A small soul held a dowel with a shaking foil star. The Three Wise Men sparkled in recycled and revamped Deseret Industries gowns of lamé, sequins, and velvet.

Make-up surely heightened the drama of things by bolstering confidence in performing. Every one of the participants wore lipstick and rouged cheeks that could neither disguise nor enhance the radiance from a choice eternal spirit within.

The teacher narrated while the needful action was accomplished. There was only one slight change in the script. It was the angel who “brought forth” from the side of the wheelchair a swaddled teddy bear (“Firstborn Son”) and laid it in armless Mary’s lap.

By the time the Three Wise Men were propelled onto the scene to nod, bow with clasped hands, or kneel as their afflictions permitted, my soft heart was swollen to the season of wonder! The symbolic gold, frankincense, and myrrh [were] dutifully dumped on the quaint scene.

This group of Heavenly Father’s specially beloved children had gifted me with a dimension that my many seasons had seldom equaled.

(Keeping Christmas: Stories from the Heart, [Salt Lake City: Deseret Book, 1996], p.79.)

Activity:

Have your family act out the nativity story as you read Luke 2: 1, 3-16 and Matthew 2: 1-2, 9-16.

And it came to pass in those days, that there went out a decree from Caesar Augustus, that all the world should be taxed.

And all went to be taxed, every one into his own city.

And Joseph also went up from Galilee, out of the city of Nazareth, into Judaea, unto the city of David, which is called Bethlehem; (because he was of the house and lineage of David:)

To be taxed with Mary his espoused wife, being great with child.

And so it was, that, while they were there, the days were accomplished that she should be delivered.

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn.

And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

For unto you is born this day in the city of David a Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

And this shall be a sign unto you; Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of the heavenly host praising God, and saying,

Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.

And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us.

And they came with haste, and found Mary, and Joseph, and the babe lying in a manger.

Now when Jesus was born in Bethlehem of Judaea in the days of Herod the king, behold, there came wise men from the east to Jerusalem,

Saying, Where is he that is born King of the Jews? for we have seen his star in the east, and are come to worship him.

Lo, the star, which they saw in the east, went before them, till it came and stood over where the young child was.

When they saw the star, they rejoiced with exceeding great joy.

And when they were come into the house, they saw the young child with Mary his mother, and fell down, and worshipped him: and when they had opened their treasures, they presented unto him gifts; gold, and frankincense, and myrrh.

Refreshment

Holiday Trifle

1/2 of a baked angel food cake
1 (4 3/4-oz.) pkg. Junkett® Danish Dessert, raspberry flavor
1 c. frozen raspberries, crushed
1 (5.1-oz.) pkg. vanilla instant pudding
2 1/2 c. milk
1 c. heavy cream, whipped
3 Tbs. sugar
1 tsp. vanilla
3 bananas
Maraschino cherries, well drained and halved
Cut angel food cake into bite-sized squares and set aside.

Prepare Danish dessert according to for pudding package directions; allow the dessert to cool, then add crushed frozen raspberries and set aside.

In a separate bowl, prepare pudding by pouring milk into the powdered pudding mix and stirring well; set aside. Combine whipped cream, sugar, and vanilla, then fold into pudding. Slice in bananas and stir.

To assemble the trifle, repeat the following three times: (1) Layer a third of the cake pieces in the bottom of the trifle bowl, (2) drizzle a third of the raspberry dessert over the cake, and (3) spoon a third of the vanilla pudding over the raspberry dessert. Decorate the top layer with real holly leaves and halved Maraschino cherries to make holly berry design. (Be sure to drain the cherries well, as they might “bleed” into the pudding.)

Serves 10 to 12.

(edited by Elaine Cannon, Five-Star Recipes from Well-Known Latter-day Saints, [Salt Lake City: Eagle Gate, 2002], p. 194.)

Tuesday, December 23, 2008

The Least of These by Richard M. Siddoway

Merry Christmas!

We married in August and settled into a small apartment near the university where both of us went to school. We each had a year until graduation and scrimped and struggled through the autumn quarter. Now Christmas was approaching and we had little money between us to squander on Christmas gifts.

We walked through the department stores of Salt Lake arm in arm with the confidence of better days ahead. My bride paused before a winter coat, caressing it with her eyes and fingers. Together we looked at the price tag—seventy-five dollars. Tuition for a quarter was eighty-five dollars. We both knew the coat was out of the question. Her old coat, seam-split and stained, would have to do for another year.

We agreed to spend no more than five dollars apiece in shopping for each other. While my wife drove the car to do her shopping, I walked the half dozen blocks to the Grand Central drugstore to see how far I could stretch five dollars. After considerable searching, I selected a paperback novel my wife had commented about and a small box of candy. Together they came to $4.75. As I approached the checkout stand, I was met with a long line of shoppers, each trying to pay as quickly as possible and get on with the bustle of the season. No one was smiling.

I waited perhaps a half an hour, and only three people were ahead of me in the line when I became aware that the line had grounded to a halt. The clerk was having an animated discussion with an elderly customer.

“Sir,” barked the clerk, “the price of insulin has gone up. I’m sorry, but we have no control over that. You need four more dollars.”

“But it has been the same price ever since my wife started taking it. I have no more money. She needs the medication.” The man’s neck was turning red and he was obviously uncomfortable with the situation. “I must have the insulin. I must.”

The man standing behind him put a hand on his shoulder and said, “Come on, pop, you’re holding up the line.”

The lady in front of me grew more agitated. The dozen or so people behind me began craning their necks to see what was holding up the line. Suddenly I stepped out of line, reached into my pocket, withdrew my wallet, and handed five dollars to the old man. “Merry Christmas,” I said.

He hesitated a moment, then his blue eyes grew moist as he took the money. “God bless you, my son.”

I turned and walked back into the store aisles. I counted the money I had remaining in my wallet—four dollars. I replaced the box of candy and got back in line to pay for the novel.

Snow was falling in soft white feathery flakes as I walked up the hill toward our apartment. I turned in our driveway and saw an envelope stuck in our screen door. I removed it and found written on the front of the envelope simply, “Matthew 25:40.”

I opened the door, stepped inside, and turned on the light. I ripped open the end of the envelope and withdrew a hundred-dollar bill. There was no other message.

It was only after I had purchased the winter coat for my wife that I took time to get out my Bible and read the scripture written on the envelope: “Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.”

To this day I have no idea who blessed our lives that Christmas.

Excerpted from Sharing Christmas; Deseret Book

Monday, December 15, 2008

Happy Birthday to my dad.
Forrest Wayne Dayhoff - Born: December 15, 1930 Terre Haute, Indiana
Dad passed away peacefully in his sleep January 10, 2007 Elverta, California.
How I miss him. It is hard to believe that he is not here on the earth because I feel so close to him. It feels like I could just pick up the phone and call him. A couple of weeks ago I was missing him so much that I prayed that I would have a sign that he was still there. When I got in the car a tape was playing at the end of a song and the words were "God be with you till we meet again." Was it a message? I don't know. But it felt like it. I am just grateful for the Gospel of Jesus Christ and knowing we can be together again.
When he left it literally broke my heart. At first the doctor's thought I had had a heart attack. But my heart was just broken.
The last time we talked was January 1, 2007 at 1:00 a.m. Robert and I were sound asleep and the phone rang. It was midnight in California and the beginning of a new year. Dad was simply gleeful at the start of the new year and wanted to share his joy with his family. I didn't have the heart to chide him for waking us up and I didn't really mind anyway. He said as he was hanging up that he was going to call Rebecca. It was after 3 a.m. in Michigan! I think he called her.
Often when we would talk on the phone I would say, "I love you." and he would say, "I love you more." Boy do I miss that.
Happy Birthday, Dad. December 15th will always be a special day to me.

At age 2.


With his dog Rocky.


In Norfolk, VA.


He loved boats. This is us kids and Grandpa Dayhoff and Dad.


He loved to fish.


Hippie phase! with grandson, Alex.


Beard phase.


He drove to Utah for Great Grandson Kyle's blessing.


With Great Granddaughter, Alexa. Dad came out a few times to Colorado and Utah to visit with us, his grandchildren, and great grandchildren. Jared named his last son after Dad. Parker Forrest Ottley.


I was on a business trip to California and Rebecca was in California visiting Dad and Joyce. They drove part way down and Robert and I drove part way up and we had dinner together.


At the top of Mt. Evans, Colorado - 14, 000 + feet.


February 2006 Dad flew into Salt Lake City where we picked him and and we drove up to Island Park to snow mobile. I think he had a great time!


I am proud that my dad was a veteran. I salute you, Dad.


So, God be with you till we meet again. That will be a happy day.

Wednesday, December 10, 2008

Friday, December 05, 2008

Parker's 1st Birthday

Today Taylor notified me that I had not posted any pictures of Parker in honor of his 1st birthday which was this week. What a good big brother! I apologize, Parker. It was one crazy week. It was one crazy time last year when you were born too. We are so glad that both you and your momma are here to share our lives!
So happy birthday, Parker! May you enjoy MANY more!
And Thank You, Taylor!

1 year ago- Parker's first Christmas


Blessing Day


Parker flies a jet!


Probably one day you will wear shoes this size but not yet!




At his first birthday party!

Monday, November 17, 2008

Ryan Scott Miller - Happy Birthday!


Welcome to the family Ryan! Wedding cake and not birthday cake but still a suggestion of things to come!

Ryan loves kids and kids love Ryan!

Happy Couple!

Doesn't Ryan look happy? He is holding a huge tarantula!

What an exciting life! Congratulations on another year!

Saturday, November 01, 2008

Kyle Robert's Birthday!

Happy Birthday Kyle! We hope you have a wonderful day! How exciting to be 4!



Friday, October 31, 2008

Halloweens Past






Just a few pictures from Halloweens past. Halloween was my favorite holiday for a long time. Some people think it is evil, I guess. But I love the fun of dressing up, decorating the house, playing spooky music, and a couple of times even hosting our own haunted house. Remember that one on Plum Drive, kids?
For a few years we stuffed clothes and sat them like a man on the front porch. I would glance out the window and jump every time because it looked like someone was on the front porch.
I don't really like scary movies though. But I like Thriller! And our dog, Nikki has a witch costume. She doesn't like it because she thinks her friends will make fun of her.
I am not sure I have a favorite holiday anymore. But look at some of the fun we had.

Saturday, October 25, 2008

What I learned today

“You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is,” President Lee concluded. “You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own.”

This is a quote from the lesson I am teaching tomorrow in Relief Society.

One example President Lee uses is from Acts. Peter and John are going to the temple when Peter sees a man who has been crippled from the time of his birth. Peter says, Look upon us. I don't have any money, but I will give you what I have. And in the name of Jesus Christ Peter tells the man to rise and walk. Then Peter takes the man by the right hand and helps him to his feet and the man walks. In fact, he leaps!

The things I learned from this very short scripture are:

Acts 3: 2-8

1: "Now Peter and John went up together into the temple at the hour of prayer." [They were doing the things they were supposed to be doing so they had the spirit with them and were worthy and listening to the spirit.]

2: "And a certain man lame from his mother's womb" [Seemingly insurmountable burden.]

4. "And Peter, fastening his eyes upon him with John, said, Look on us." [For one thing, we can be looking for those to help as Peter seemed to be doing. Encourage people to look to the prophet, go to Church, say prayers, read scriptures, hold Family Home Evening, attend the temple or at least be worthy to do so, serve, etc.]

5: "And he gave heed unto them, expecting to receive something of them." [Look for it!]

6: "Silver and gold have I none." [It doesn't take the things of this world to serve. It takes faith, love, compassion, forgiveness.]

6: "..but such as I have give I thee; In the name of Jesus Christ. [With power of God, with the proper authority, in obedience to his commands, with the compassion that Christ would have upon us.]

6: "Rise up and walk." [Have faith. Listen to the prophet. Try.]

7: "And he took him by the right hand, and lifted him up. [Peter used more than just words, he acted.]

7: "..and immediately his feet and ankle bones recieved strength. [Blessings come immediately.]

8: "And he leaping up stood, and walked..." [In all situations not every person is perfectly healed or made whole in every way. But I think that the message is that he was better off than he had been. After all, he had been a cripple all of his life and not all of his problems would have gone away. We can assume that he does not have a wife or children and obviously he is poor with no job as he was begging at the temple gate. So all of his problems did not go away, but some did and who knows what the future could hold?]

Another portion of my lesson contains the story of Alma at the Waters of Mormon as he explained the covenant of baptism and organized the Church. Mosiah 18: 8-10
Probably most of us do not realize the requirements made of us as members of the Church when we are first baptized as children or even as older people, as I was, because we are still taking those baby steps. But Alma makes it clear that as those who desire to come into the fold and to be called his [Christ's] people we should be striving to meet certain criteria or requirements. As we mature and grow in our gospel knowledge and understanding we also become more cognizant of our responsibilities to:
8 "... as ye are desirous to come into the fold of God, and to be called his people, and are willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light;

9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life--

10 Now I say unto you, if this be the desire of your hearts, what have you against being baptized in the name of the Lord, as a witness before him that ye have entered into a covenant with him, that ye will serve him and keep his commandments, that he may pour out his Spirit more abundantly upon you?"

This leaves no excuse for our human tendencies to be selfish or what have you. In the years to come I hope that I can live up to my commitment to my membership in the Church and to the Savior Himself. I want to be one of those who as in verse 11 did this: "when the people had heard these words, they clapped their hands for joy." For this truly is the desire of my heart. I am at this point though, just so darn human it stinks.

Can I have a couple of hundred years to get better at this?


Lake Atitlan in Guatemala. Some believe that this is where the Waters of Mormon are located. It is beautiful here. There are 5 (I think) volcanoes surrounding the lake. We ate lunch at a hotel right at the edge of the lake. I couldn't stop thinking about Alma.

Happy Birthday, Alexa! October 24th.




Alexa is the birthday girl! She is growing up! Love you, Lexie!