I love that people post

Thanks for all the posts.

We are loving having John here.  He works like a crazy person, doesn't eat as much as I imagined, and plays non stop with the kids.

 Air and Space

 Eleanor Roosevelt

 Washington Monument. We got a picture of John's Shoulder Angel.  Except his whispers in his ear.  And is super small.

 Swimming at a Splash Park.

He's alive and well, and probably weighs less than when he came.  

Gates of Hell

This week I learned something interesting in my "Intro to Spanish Translation" class.

The teacher pointed out how each person has a point of view that is influenced by their social experiences, religion, mentality, etc. He called it our "hermeneutic framework". This will influence our translation of the text. We really have to interpret the text in the cultural and social context that it was given in in order to give a good translation. As an example he used Matthew 16:18.

He asked us what we thought about the phrase "the gates of hell".

What does that mean for you?

Take 20 seconds to think about it before you keep reading...

Now he pointed out that the original Greek text said "the gates of Hades". In many of the other places where the Greek word "Hades" is used in the bible, it is translated at "the grave". So what happens to this scripture if "the gates of the grave" won't prevail against the church?

The teacher said that most members of the church take this phrase to be a reference to Satan's power. Meaning that Satan's power would not prevail against the church. Does Satan really rule in hell? Is that what we are taught or is that more of a cultural thing? However, could it be a reference to the fact that Jesus would those faithful members of the church from the grave? Hades is the underworld. Not a place just for the wicked or the righteous, but for all people who die, so maybe the Spirit World? My teacher suggested that this scripture refers to how Jesus went among those who were dead during the three days before his resurrection and how he effectively freed them from the gates that were holding them back.

However, I wonder a little bit because I understood the scripture to refer to the "rock" upon which the church would be built. What is the "rock" and how does that help the church overcome the "gates of hell"? Some would say that the rock is Peter, and that was how I thought of it when I was little. Then in the MTC, a teacher posited that the "rock" was referring to the principle of revelation. The same principle was how Peter knew that Jesus was the Christ (v. 17). But now that I look at it. Whether the "gates of hell" are the powers of Satan or the gates of the grave, the "rock" would be Christ... right?

What do you think? Comment below.

Cereal, Football, and Snorkel

Hey y'all!!

This is short and sweet!

I recently bought 14 bags of frosted mini spooners... I got a great deal on them $1.79 each, so I figured that was cheaper than oatmeal or maybe even cheaper than pancakes. Milk is still cheap at the creamery, so I am in the money!

 

I went to a cougar sports kickoff... took my picture with Taysom Hill.

And I recently talked with James in a video chat. He was snorkeling!

Love y'all!

Christmas exchange list 2015

Now that school is started, we can start thinking about Christmas. Isn't that what the stores put on their shelves to replace all the school supplies? Last year we decided that you could buy a gift for the couple (if they're married) or for the whole family. I'm in favor of repeating that option. Regardless of how our what you buy, below is the list of to whom it should be sent. First column find your name; second column is who you are on.

Dad, Mom, and kids - Tanners

Tillerys - Daltons

Taylors - Joseph and Eliza

Tanners - Joshua

Daltons - John

Joseph and Eliza - Dad, Mom, and kids

Joshua - Tillerys

John - Taylors

Open Up The Scriptures

So I was thinking of this at the reunion but I didn't tell everyone about it. Every individual family should have received a cool scripture case from me that will fit a blue copy of the Book of Mormon. They all look pretty cool. I mean they are from Guatemala. Now with these I had a smashing idea. I know that each family works to read the Book of Mormon together. It can be tricky to get the family together to read or to be motivated to do so on a daily basis. I have a awesome plan for the family so that we can all read the
Book of Mormon. Using the the cool case with a blue copy of the Book of Mormon some member your family can have that copy each day and it will be fun to be able to have a turn with the cool case. That day maybe that person can mark their favorite scripture or say what they liked or can conduct scriptures or can read first or something creative like that.

Anyway I don't know where everyone is at in the Book of Mormon, but I was thinking as a Christmas present to the Savior we could develop a better relationship with Him and come to better understand His words. I know this Christmas is really close. So I was thinking that starting now where you are or you can start after you finish if you are close to being done we could all read the Book of Mormon before next Christmas as a family. From today there is 492 days until next Christmas so reading 1.08 pages a day will get you done by Christmas. If you need help coming up with a plan to read let me know.

Obviously parents you receive revelation for your families and I am not trying to supersede that in any way.

I know that the Book of Mormon is true and that it really does testify of Christ. The spirit it will bring into our homes will help us as a family.

Let me know what y'all think

Love
John

Dinnner Conversation

M: "I'm a little nervous to get married."
Mom, "Why?"
M: "Because I don't want to kiss on the lips."
Mom, "You don't have to kiss on the lips to get married."
C, "Then how are you married if you don't kiss?"
Mom, "Well the gentleman in the temple that is marrying you, asks you if you want to be married, and you say yes.  And then he asks the man you picked and he says yes.  Then he says you can kiss, but you don't have too.
C, "OOOOHHH, YOU DON"T HAVE TO KISS TO BE MARRIED!"
Mom, "Nope."
M, "Okay you don't have to kiss to get married."
Mom, "Yep."
E, "But you can STILL have cake!!!"

The mystery solved

  I received a message last Saturday.  It was a high counselor.  He ask if he could meet with me and Glen.  I called him back.  It was for me.  He said he would like to meet later this evening at our home.  "Oh," I said. "Wouldn't it be more convenient to meet at the church?" "I don't have access," he said, "Do you?"  I didn't.  Then he said, "Don't worry about this. It will be a great opportunity."  In my head were left the words, Don't worry, don't worry, don't worry, worry, worry...
  It's like when you tell your kids, "don't get dirty."  All they can think about is dirty, dirty, dirty.  When what you should really say is, "Stay clean."
  But clean is what I did, with the house that is.  It was a mess.  We had just moved.  And there was still boxes everywhere with stuff in them that didn't seem to belong anywhere.  And meanwhile I tried not to worry.
 The evening came and the high counselor arrived.  The house was decently clean at least in the front room.  After a bit of small talk, he said, "Well, I'm sure you're wondering what I'm doing here?" Of course I was, so I said, "Yes, please solve the mystery for me."
  We would like to call you to be Stake Girls Camp Director.

So, due to this new adventure, I would like to ask y'all a few questions about girls camp.

1. What made girls camp most memorable for you?
2. What was your favorite part?
3. What things did you like that you would want repeated?
4. What things didn't you like?
5. What was your most favorite year?
6. What theme would you choose?
7. What foods did you like to have?
8. What activities did you like?

Any experiences you want to share?

Since I have this call 11 months in advance from when actually camp starts, I feel there is no time like the present to go ahead and begin the brain storming process.  I think once the theme is established, then the other ideas and activities will flow from there.  I am by no means an expert, so feel free to share any and all ideas.  Thanks in advance.

The Great outdoors adds to the wonder of camp