Temple Baptisms

Carter recently turned 12 and received the Aaronic Priesthood.  Because of this great blessing in his life, he is now worthy to enter the temple to be baptized for those who have died without the ordinance of baptism. 

 

Today, Matt and I took Carter to the temple and joined another group from a Singles Ward, to perform baptisms for the dead.  Matt was able to baptize while Carter stood in proxy for many men who are deceased.  This was a very special experience for all of us.  I was able to witness two great men performing ordinances for those who could not do it for themselves.  

 

There is a very special peace that comes into our lives as we think of others before ourselves and as we strive to be obedient to our Heavenly Father's commandments.  I found this very special quote from a previous prophet President Howard W. Hunter...

"It is pleasing to the Lord for our youth to worthily go to the temple and perform vicarious baptism for those who did not have the opportunity to be baptized in life. It is pleasing to the Lord when we worthily go to the temple to personally make our own covenants with him and to be sealed as couples and as families. And it is pleasing to the Lord when we worthily go to the temple to perform these same saving ordinances for those who have died, many of whom eagerly await the completion of these ordinances in their behalf.   

But to have the temple indeed be a symbol unto us, we must desire it to be so. We must live worthy to enter the temple. We must keep the commandments of our Lord. If we can pattern our life after the Master, and take his teaching and example as the supreme pattern for our own, we will not find it difficult to be temple worthy, to be consistent and loyal in every walk of life, for we will be committed to a single, sacred standard of conduct and belief. Whether at home or in the marketplace, whether at school or long after school is behind us, whether we are acting totally alone or in concert with a host of other people, our course will be clear and our standards will be obvious.  

The ability to stand by one’s principles, to live with integrity and faith according to one’s belief—that is what matters. That devotion to true principle—in our individual lives, in our homes and families, and in all places that we meet and influence other people—that devotion is what God is ultimately requesting of us. It requires commitment—whole-souled, deeply held, eternally cherished commitment to the principles we know to be true in the commandments God has given. If we will be true and faithful to the Lord’s principles, then we will always be temple worthy, and the Lord and his holy temples will be the great symbols of our discipleship with him."

 

I have a testimony of the saving ordinances that are performed in the temple.  Whenever I attend the temple to perform these sacred ordinances, I am filled with peace that is not found in the world.  I am so pleased with Carter and his desire to live righteously and to honor the priesthood.  He is on a path that will lead him to much joy and happiness if he continues to keep the Lord's commandments.  What a special day this was for Carter, and for Matt and I, as we were blessed to spend this time with our son.

Carter Received Aaronic Priesthood

Today was a very special day.  Carter received the Aaronic Priesthood and was ordained to the office of a Deacon.  He wore a new suit and looked so clean and handsome.  He has looked forward to this day for a very long time and what a privilege it was to see him receive this special ordinance in his life.  He was ordained by his father, who is the Bishop of the 16th Ward.

Those who attended were:

Bishop Matthew Kear, Alice, Chloe, Mason and Josie Kear.  G'Lenn Hamilton, Polly Beach and Krystal Kear.  We are so grateful that Grandma Polly and Aunt Krystal were able to fly in from Arizona and participate in this special day.



Mason Flag Football

For many years, Mason has talked about wanting to play football.  Well, this year his dream came true and we signed him up for YMCA Flag Football.  He was on the Lime Green Team and he had a really fun time for.  Some of his new friends were Zack Swensen and Preston Stokes.  These boys played really well and according to Mason, they won every game.  (I can't remember for sure who won and lost, but they may have been undefeated.)  One of the best parts of the season was getting to wear a mouth guard...as you can see from the boys mouths in the pictures.

 

One of Mason's parents proudest moments was when Mason was playing the quarterback.  He hiked the ball with a deep voice that hollered out "Down, Set, Hike!"  We aren't sure what happened after that, because tears were blurring our eyes from the proud moment of being parents.  Mason is passionate about sports and he really gets into the heart of the game.  The coach did a great job of rotating the boys through all the positions and teaching them some great skills.  Thankfully the weather was very mild during October and November so the boys (and families watching) didn't freeze during the games.

 

 

 

 

Can you see the passion in his face?

 

 

Josie's Birthday Boots

Josie wanted new boots for her birthday.  She was blessed with enough money to buy a beautiful pair. I'm not sure there is a happier little girl in the world today. 

Halloween

This was a really fun year for dressing up.  The kids all had their own creative ideas of what they wanted to be.  I spent the morning bringing treats to Josie's class.  The afternoon was spent in Mason's class, since I am the Room Mother.  We had lots of fun.

 

This is Josie and one of her new best friends Addison.

 

 Here is Punky Brewster going on the costume parade.

 

The Famous Boise State Football Player.

 This is what Carter wore to school for Crazy Hat Day.

   Dad was home sick when it was time to go Trick-or-Treating, so the kids and I drove over to go with our friends the Knowlton's.  Here we have Punky Brewster, Ernest P. Warrell, a Fancy Princess and the Boise State Football Star.

Cider, Doughnuts and Cookie Decorating. 

Chloe and Maycee "Bat Girl"

 

 

Josie Lost Her 1st Tooth

YEAH!!

She finally did it!  Josie lost a tooth! 

What a thrill on Halloween Day! 

16th Ward Trunk or Treat

Tonight was our ward Trunk or Treat.  Of course we forgot to take a picture of the event, but we did get a picture of the loot.  Our new Bishopric had a Chili Dog Booth as part of the Trunk or Treat, so that probably explains why we didn't have time to take pictures.  The kids had a great time and we had a very large group of people attend.

Cooking Bessie

Matt brought home these fun looking potatoes that a friend had gleaned from a potato field.  We thought this one in particular looked like a cow head.  We named her Bessie.

 The time finally came when we had to eat wrap her in foil and eat her.  She sure was delicious...but as we ate we wondered...where's the beef?

Making Applesauce

We love to make applesauce in the fall.  Hopefully some day we can have a plethora of apple trees so we can make lots of apple things.  :)

Packaging DVDs for Holt Hamilton Productions

We have had our Uncle Travis & Aunt Rebekah here visiting for the month.  Several of the kids wanted to help Uncle Travis package up his DVD's to mail out.

Spring TaVaci Concert

The girls enjoyed performing in another fun TaVaci concert.  Josie knew every word and action and really performed with confidence and it was only her second concert. Chloe is always a natural performer and both girls are working their way to perform on broadway! Haha!

Mason's Map

Matt has started riding his bike to work.  Since Mason wants to be just like his dad he has decided he wants to ride his bike to school.  He drew me a map to show me that he knows the way.  It is about 4 miles one way.  :)

Funny Faces

Today Josie came to me and said, "Mom, take a picture of me and text it to Uncle Kipp." So we did.  It was fun. 

This was Uncle Kipp's reply..."I know this game!"

Then Lance joined in on the fun!

.....and a rather scary mom!!!

I must be getting old since I willingly posted this very frightening picture onto the internet...

Mom's Birthday

Since my birthday was on Sunday this year, we decided to go for a bike ride on Saturday.    We love to ride bikes as a family and every so often we have to take breaks to climb the rocks and enjoy the nature.  Then we went to dinner at El Sombrero in Jerome for some delicious Mexican Food!

These are the kinds of birthday presents I LOVE!!!