A Living Prophet

 

I have been thinking a lot about my testimony lately.  There have been many different events and stories on the news that have been making me feel uneasy and concerned.  I had the opportunity to go to the Conference center on Saturday for the General RS broadcast.  Our ward had tickets and we were early and got amazing seats.  From where we sat I had the perfect view of the Prophet and his counselors. AMAZING!!  As we were singing, I'll Go Where are Want me to Go",  I looked at the prophet and an overwhelming feeling came over me, tears filled my eyes, for a brief moment he reminded me of my Grandpa Phillips (a big burly man with a very strong testimony) I was reminded at that moment, that I KNOW President Monson is the TRUE living prophet on the Earth today and that he receives direct revelation from the Lord.  I KNOW that I will FOLLOW the PROPHET and do what he asks me to do!! The thought that came to my mind was, THE CHURCH IS TRUE regardless of what others may do and say it is TRUE!

After I had this amazing experience I was reminded of when he was first sustained.  I was watching it on TV as I was cleaning the house.  I remember stopping and watching as he was sustained.  At that moment I felt the spirit witness to me that he was called of God to be our prophet in this day.  And I cried again as I thanked my Heavenly Father for sending me that witness that day.  How blessed we are to live on the Earth at this time!

Auston's Ordination

My heart is so full and my testimony strengthened today as Bryon laid his hands on Auston's head and conferred upon him the Aaronic priesthood. I am so proud of Auston he is growing into a young man that I am proud to call my own.  He met with the Bishop today for his interview the Bishop later shared with us that when he asked him what he thought it meant to be worthy, Auston replied that he means "don't do anything stupid":) So true Auston! The bishop likened it to a scripture that we need to be wise in thought and deed.  I know that Auston has a testimony he knows how to choose the right and he also knows that when we do stupid things...because we will... we have a Savior that suffered for all the "stupid things" we do and we can give those to him and he will forgive us.  I am excited to see Auston honor his priesthood as he grows and learns. I am so thankful for such a wonderful ward that we live in, with great leaders that care and are such a great influence in the lives of my children.
I am also so thankful for a husband who honors his priesthood who takes it seriously, who loves our children, who is an active part in raising them, who loves and honors me.  He is a great example.  I have an incredible family who supports us and celebrates in our journey here on Earth and the ones that are supporting us in the Heavens above.  

End of Summer Fun-- Back to School Night-- School Starts

We had to get in as much sun and water as we could before school starts.

We started on our shed this summer, with the help of Sam we got the cement poured and the plans drawn up.

Back to school night with these super cute super smart kids that I love so super much!

 Drake feeling a little left out.. not to worry he starts school this year too.

First day of school!

Auston 6th grade

Adyson 4th Grade

Broc 1st Grade

Auston is such a great motivatoer and works so hard at what he wants to do. He decide he wanted to run a 5k this year and he did he ran the Hooper Tomato days 5k on labor day.  I love his determination.  He did so great!

This picture makes me cry... GO AUSTON!

So proud!

All the ones that love him came to cheer him on!

All the other kids including Auston ran the kids k!  I love being part of something that pushes you and make you a better person. After the race I went back to my Mom and Dad's and with the help of my sisters and amazing mom we canned salsa great memories and yummy food grown out of my Mom's garden. 

Drake starts Preschool --- Auston turns 12

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Oh Boy! This little cutie is starting preschool, I seriously can't believe that my last baby is old enough to make his way through Appleseed Academy. He is so excited for this new adventure and I'm a little nervous, excited to be his teacher but it's also challenging at the same time.  Together and with lots of prayers we will make it through. 

While my baby started preschool my oldest turns 12! Such a great time to celebrate, I am so proud of Auston and the great young man that he is becoming. So many things come with being 12.... he gets the priesthood, getting a temple recommend to do baptisms for the dead, attending youth night, scouts and can now hunt with his own license! I just love him so much! 

Some things Auston enjoys at 12 are:

hunting, archery, lacrosse, running, mind craft, nerf gun wars, watching nerf gun wars on you tube, camping, four-wheeling, learning to ride the dirt bike.  He is just starting sixth grade and does so great in school, he is in the top of his class in all of his testing!

celebrating at Grandma and Grandpa Houghtons!

August-- Houghton Reunion-- Island Park/ Yellowstone

For our Houghton Reunion this year we rented a cabin on the river in Island Park, the cabin was huge it had a enough rooms for all the couples to have their own room and even the kids to bunk up.  We toured Island park, played and canoed in the river. Drove through Yellowstone, saw all the hot spots, watched old faithful and looked really hard for some wild life but was disappointed, we thought we would've seen more. We went to a rodeo that was more like a show played fun games, listened to everyone's favorite songs, danced and enjoyed just being together.  On Sunday for our program we all brought and talked about a picture of Christ that hung in our rooms when we were little we talked about the strength that the picture has given us through out our lives. The spirit was felt and testimonies were strengthened. 

 When I was little we use to go to Island park one of the things we did every time we went to this bridge was put our little bums in the air and look through the cracks in the wood to see the fish hiding under the bridge.  So we had to get a similar picture all though our bums aren't quite as small as they used to be. Here is the next generation of little bums.

We missed JT 

One of my favorite places to visit the falls of Yellowstone. So beautiful!

On our way back home we stopped at the cemetary that my Grandma and Grandpa Phillips were buried I hadn't been back since they were buried there.  I love them and miss them but so thankful for the legacy they left behind.

My Mom wanted to drive by the house she grew up in and show the grand kids, her cousin lives right across the street we stopped in to say hello and saw more wild life there than all of West Yellowstone.  They had some baby bison and a camel.  The kids were in Heaven.  Broc and Auston got to ride the camel, such good time!

On the way home Ady and Broc took some selfies:) 

As a whole group through out our road trip we had a contest to see who could find the most license plates through out the US. We got pretty close to finding most of them, super fun and kept the kids entertained.  I love Auston's photo bomb in this picture:)