The Hope of God's Light

After watching the world's reaction to Robin Williams' death, this video has taken on a new meaning to me.  It is worth the time to watch this short video clip.

You can also view the video by clicking here.

I am so happy that Kristine is sharing this message of hope and peace as she is serving her mission in Portland, Oregon.  Keep up the good work, Sister Magnusson

Richard Elliott and The Orchestra at Temple Square Plays: Hot Pipes

I enjoyed watching the 2014 Pioneer Day Concert via the Internet.  As I watched it, I really enjoyed listening to Richard Elliot and The Orchestra at Temple Square play Hot Pipes.

  You can see the whole concert by clicking here.  

Hot Pipes starts at 48 minutes

If you were impressed with Richard Elliott's organ playing skills, you can  read an article about him by clicking here.

ARTICLE HIGHLIGHTS

• Richard Elliott joined the Church in his early twenties in 1980.
• In 1991 he became a full-time Tabernacle organist.
• In 2008 a potentially career-threatening arm injury led him to develop the footwork for which he is becoming known.

Words of Advice from Señor Magnusson

For the past 13 years, Scott has given the same instructions to the audience at the Gladstone High School's graduation ceremony.  His words have always been received with the same reaction.  Watch the clip from this year's graduation to see what their reaction has been:

You can also view the  video by clicking here

The Savior Wants to Forgive

Forgiveness is one of the messages my daughter, Kristine, is teaching the people in Oregon as she is serving her mission for The Chruch of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I love the message about forgiveness that is taught on the two videos shown below:

The Lord wants us to understand his willingness to forgive.  
Hear a man's true story of addiction, burglary, and arrests, 
and how he was able to repent and receive forgiveness.  

You can also view the video by clicking here

Our Heavenly Father sent His Son, Jesus Christ, to be our Savior 
and show us the way to live according to God's plan.  

You can also view the video by clicking here

The Power of Lunches

I have been in a reflective mood lately.  You see, my job  for the past 30 years is about to come to an end.  Thirty years ago last fall, my oldest daughter entered kindergarten.  That was the day that my job as mothering school age children began.  Now, in just a few days, that job will come to an end when my youngest son graduates from high school.

When I think of my "job", one word comes to mind:  Lunches.  My daughter, Janelle, wrote a college essay on the subject of the power of lunches. 

"This I Believe"

by Janelle Magnusson Anderson

I believe in the power of lunches.

My mom has six children and a husband, all of who needed a lunch for school and work. And so mom made seven lunches every day for twenty five years. That’s over 63,000 lunches.

Love seems to be expressed in two ways: word and action. Over the years, I began to realize that mom’s lunches were full of love. Every day, my brown paper bag held basically the same thing: a peanut butter and jelly sandwich, apple, tortilla chips, and water bottle. But it also held something more.

Each and every lunch held time. Mom’s day began earlier than mine. She would be up early in the kitchen, spreading peanut butter and washing apples while in her pink robe. Making lunches only took a few minutes, but those were precious minutes that I could use putting on makeup instead of bagging my own sandwich. Mom never called attention to this time she spent serving. She just did it because she loved me.

Each and every lunch held acknowledgment. Mom wrote our individual names on all the paper lunch sacks. Kind of elementary, I know. But mom liked writing our names. She would say them out loud as she wrote, writing them phonetically: “Janelllllllllllllllllle” for Janelle. “Li-a-sa” for Lisa. There is love in a name spoken and heard—something so personable and individual. Sometimes kids at school called us names, or made us feel as if we did not have one. But at lunch time, there was our name in front of us. It was a mother’s acknowledgment of who we were. And we knew that it was spoken and written with love; because of that, nothing else mattered.

 I think I first began to realize what lunches meant to me in elementary school. Some kids brought things like “lunchables,” which was the unspoken “cool” lunch to bring. These included yummy treats like candy and mini pizzas, and they didn’t come in brown paper bags. I remember sometimes wishing I could walk into the cafeteria with a “cool lunch.” But then, my brown paper bag occasionally held homemade cookies or rice krispy treats. All of a sudden, I was spoken of as the bringer of a cool lunch! My friends would “ooo” and “ahh” over my good fortune of a mom who would actually make treats for me. And then my cookie would get split into eight different shares and passed around the cafeteria table.

Love is spoken through acts of service, and my mom served me every day of my school career. Not only did her lunches fill me nutritionally, but I was also daily filled with reminders of her love. Now I live away from home, and so I make my own lunch every day. What do I make? Peanut butter and jelly sandwiches. Though they aren’t spread with a mother’s love, I don’t think I will ever eat a sandwich again without thinking of my mom.

Thank you  Renee, Rachel, Lisa, Janelle, Kristine, and Sam for letting me mother you during your Elementary, Jr. High, and High School career.  And thank you for the honor of always being your mother, no matter what your age is.  

Wings of Freedom Tour

Scott has always enjoyed studying history.  In fact, he was a history minor in college.  Scott and his brothers were especially interested in World War II history.  They had quite the collection of model airplanes hanging up in their bedroom when they were kids.  

When Scott read about the  Wings of Freedom Tour in our local newspaper, he was so happy to be able to  fit in a visit to the Van Nuys airport to check it out.

You can also see the video by clicking here .

Enjoy looking at the pictures that we took of our tour:

Our friend, Jack McEwen, is a World War II vet.  He was a pilot in the Airforce and he flew the B-17. When he saw the pictures that I took of our tour, he sent me this email.....

Ah, Kathleen, me lassie, ya warmed the cockles of me heart!  I flew the B-17 in World War II.  It was the sweet-heart bomber that brought one home. Seeing your pictures was an appreciated blessing.  This model was the B-17G that had a controlled nose turret.  I flew the E model  in combat in the South Pacific. (Guadalcanal) in 1942-43. 

I was relieved of combat in July 43 being replaced by B-14s which we called flying box cars.  They were easily damaged under fire, and couldn't make a water landing. I was the Base operation's officer in Kearney, Nebraska staging B-17Fs and Gs to England until VE Day and then B-19s to the Pacific.

I was to have gone on a Church mission in one month, but in the first national draft my number was the sixteenth number drawn.  The Draft Board would have deferred me, but needed a letter from Salt Lake  verifying my mission call. A personal letter from President Heber J. Grant informed me the Church would honor the military call, inasmuch as I was not a actual set -apart functioning full time missionary. With a broken heart, I spent the next four years in the Army Air Corps.   The good Lord watched over and cared for me.   Again, thanks for sharing the pictures.

Jack

It was a humbling experience for me to see and walk through these planes and imagine the sacrifices that were made by the people who were involved with them in the name of freedom.  Thank you Jack, and all our veterans, for your service to me and our country.

I'm Trying to Be Like Jesus

This is one of my favorite Primary songs that has been beautifully portrayed
by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir.

Baby Songs

Every grandparent of little kids should know about this video.  When my kids were little, this was a favorite to watch.  One generation later, it continues to be a favorite with the grandkids.  

Grab your special blanket and enjoy watching the movie, unless it is being washed.  If that's the case, refer to the song, Don't Wash my Blanket at 14:30 on the video.

  

It's That Time of Year

 

We will soon have the opportunity to listen to General Conference.  I love being taught by our Prophet, Pres. Monson, our Apostles, and other Church leaders.

Elder Holland explains what General Conference is in the video below, or you can watch it by clicking here.

Our family has attended General Conferencein the Conference Center  a couple of times.  Usually, we watch Conference at home on our TV or computer.   You can learn more about the Conference Center and what goes on behind the scenes of Conference by watching the video below, or by clicking here.

The Family: Questions and Answers

Landon Seamons gave a talk in church this past Sunday that impressed me.  He answered questions that a person might have about life and the family by using phrases from the The Family - A Proclamation to the World.  Thank you Landon for letting me share your insights on our family blog. 

 This is my favorite picture of our family

-How can I find happiness?

Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ.

-Where did I come from? Why am I here?
In the premortal realm, spirit sons and daughters knew and worshipped God as their Eternal Father and accepted His plan by which His children could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize their divine destiny as heirs of eternal life.

-Will I see my family members again?
The divine plan of happiness enables family relationships to be perpetuated beyond the grave.  Sacred ordinances and covenants available in holy temples make it possible for individuals to return to the presence of God and for families to be united eternally.

-Did God give any commandments about families?
The first commandment that God gave to Adam and Eve pertained to their potential for parenthood as husband and wife.

-Are there any commandments about families specifically for me?
God’s commandment for His children to multiply and replenish the earth remains in force.
God has commanded that the sacred powers of procreation are to be employed only between man and woman, lawfully wedded as husband and wife.

-Does God really care about everyone?
We affirm the sanctity of life and of its importance in God’s eternal plan.

-Does Heavenly Father want me to be a part of a family?
Marriage between a man and a woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

-How does our Father want us to act in our families?
Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children.

-What about kids? What does Heavenly Father expect me to do with them?
Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live.

-Why should we listen to everything that God says about families?
We warn that individuals who violate covenants of chastity, who abuse spouse or offspring, or who fail to fulfill family responsibilities will one day stand accountable before God.
We warn that the disintegration of the family will bring upon individuals, communities, and nations the calamities foretold by ancient and modern prophets.

-What should I do? 

We sall upon responsible citizens and officers of government everywhere to promote those measures designed to maintain and strengthen the family as the fundamental unit of society. 

 You can find a copy of THE FAMILY - A Proclamation to the World by clicking here.