Fun Activity for Children

I found this video on my FB page at this link and could hardly wait to have my grandchildren try it.  I made 4 square rows across and 4 square rows up with blue tape on the carpet.  My 8, 7, and 5 year old grandchildren were able to do it!  The 5 year old was better being the last one where she could follow her older siblings.  It also helped to have some kind of beat maker like the lady had in the video.  Enjoy!

2023 update

You can take this activity to a whole new level.  Click here to see what I mean.  I found this version on my Facebook page. 

Oakland Temple

Whether it was as an eight-year old visiting here in 1964 for its open house or being married here 13 years later, the Oakland Temple has always been special to me. Now, after renovation this temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is open for the public to see inside.

Enjoy watching this informative video about the temple which talks about its history and gives you a look inside.  

The temple is located directly across from San Francisco.

If any of you would like to go inside and tour the Oakland Temple, now's your chance. The tours are going on from May 11-June 1 and everyone is welcome to attend.   Click here for the schedule and to make a reservation. (Be sure to scroll down to the Oakland Temple site)  If the reservations are full, walk-ins are welcome, but reservations will receive first priority.

With my mom and brother as we attended the original open house.  

We were married in the Oakland Temple on December 28, 1977.  

Read more about the rededication of the temple on the newsroom link by clicking here and watch the video below.  

BYU's "Favorite Catholic"

I ran across this BYU graduation speech on the BYU Facebook page.  I enjoyed the message and wanted to share it here.  And remember:  No eye rolling.  (listen to talk to see what I mean)

From BYU’s webpage:

April 25

"We don't need to disagree less. We need to disagree better."

Musician, social scientist, best-selling author and the president of the American Enterprise Institute Arthur Brooks received an honorary doctorate at today's commencement exercises and delivered a remarkable address that everyone's been talking about since.

He included a great story about a BYU briefcase he carries, thoughts from President Nelson and Helaman 5, fascinating social science research and important insight into major current issues.

All of this from BYU's "favorite Catholic."

Norman Rockwell's inspiration

On Saturday night the village of Succotz had a community celebration on the soccer field across the street from us until the wee hours of the morning.  As part of the celebration, music was played over loud speakers for all to hear.  When I had enough music from the celebration, I turned on some music in my room from the Tabernacle Choir found on this link.  When I tuned in, Music and the Spoken Word program was playing.

As part of the program Lloyd Newell told this story titled "A Painter's Perseverance" that inspired me.  That painter would be Norman Rockwell

"Triple Self-Portrait"

A Painter's Perseverance

The famous artist Norman Rockwell painted hundreds of magazine covers during his lifetime. But he didn’t just paint life, he lived it. He knew success and failure, joy and sorrow—just as we all do. 

Early in his career, he learned to keep trying, even when he didn’t feel like he could. Once, when the Saturday Evening Post rejected a cover illustration he had painted, he felt like giving up. But he remembered something he read in a book: “If you fall on your face, don’t lie there and moan, get up.” 

So he did just that. He went directly to the barbershop, climbed into a chair, and said to the barber, “Give me everything you’ve got.” After a shave, a haircut, a shoeshine, and whatever else was offered, he rose from the chair a new man. He walked briskly, chin up and chest out, to the offices of another magazine, where he sold the painting. The next morning he started a new cover for the Saturday Evening Post.

He would go on to paint more than 300 covers for the Post, each portraying commonplace life and lasting values. He told stories with his brush and paint that have influenced generations. His painting of daily life could bring a tear, a smile, and a comforting reassurance that we all have common hopes, dreams, and experiences. 

Norman Rockwell’s autobiography ends with these words: 

“I get up early every morning. I’m at work by eight. . . . I realized a long time ago that I’ll never be as good as Rembrandt. 

“I think my work is improving. I start each picture with the same high hopes, and if I never seem able to fulfill them I still try my darnedest.

“. . . Somebody once asked Picasso, ‘Of all the pictures you’ve done, which is your favorite?’ ‘The next one,’ he replied.”

Norman Rockwell died at age 84 with an unfinished painting on his easel.

Below are some his his most famous painting that I got from this website.

"Freedom From Want"

"Saying Grace"

"Golden Rule"

"The Runaway"

Let's Go Fly a Kite

In Succotz, Belize, we live across the street from the school and community soccer field.  I always enjoy watching the different activities that go on from time to time. One afternoon this week I heard a lot of joyful laughter coming from the field.  I was happy to see the school children running around flying kites.

The scene brought back a childhood memory of the movie "Mary Poppins" and the song, "Lets Go Fly a Kite".

The message of the song is to remind us to take time to spend with our families and perhaps,..... go fly a kite together!

Jesus Loved the Children

Some of my favorite experiences here in Belize are my encounters with the children.  As we pass by, they alway have a smile and greeting for us.  If the opportunity arises, I like to hand them a little something from my purse.  

Often, as we pass this house, the children stand at the door and wave. 

Finally we stopped and I gave them my smile/frown handout that I have a supply of in my purse. They were so happy to receive it. 

This picture is an excellent  illustration of a child's reaction to receiving the handout.  

My first Christmas in Belize I started handing out simple naivety sets printed on card-stock. The children loved receiving and playing with them so much, I have started handing out the set anytime of the year, not just at Christmas time.   

Sister VandeMerwe gave me this simple 12 piece puzzle of John the Baptist baptizing Jesus.  Children love doing this puzzle over and over again.  

Here are the resources for the above activities if you want a supply in your own purse.  

Click here to go to the madebyjoel.com link for the Nativity Scene.  I print it up on card-stock paper and put the set in a quart ziplock bag.

 

To make the smile/frown handout, I print the following two pages back to back on card-stock paper and cut out each picture.

You can order the Mini Puzzle of the baptism of Jesus at deseretbook.com by clicking here.  

How Do I Love Thee? A Great Valentine's Message by Elder Holland

On this Valentine's Day, Elder Holland's BYU Devotional speech was posted on my Facebook feed.  As I clicked onto the link this morning, I was riveted by his message.

After his introductory remarks, he gets into the meat of his message at 5:11 where he says:

"I wish to speak to you this morning about Christlike love and what I think it can and should mean in your friendships, in your dating, in serious courtship, and, ultimately, in your marriage."

When he said that, I knew this is a message for everyone.

You can see and read the message by clicking here.

Here are a few more snippets from his talk:

"....I have taken for a title to my remarks Mrs. Browning’s wonderful line “How do I love thee?”... I am not going to “count the ways” this morning, but I am impressed with her choice of adverb—not when do I love thee nor where do I love thee nor why do I love thee nor why don’t you love me, but, rather, how. How do I demonstrate it, how do I reveal my true love for you? Mrs. Browning was correct. Real love is best shown in the “how,” and it is with the how that...Paul helps us the most...."

"...I like..Paul’s language that says one who truly loves is not “puffed up.” Puffed up! Isn’t that a great image? Haven’t you ever been with someone who was so conceited, so full of themselves that they seemed like the Pillsbury Doughboy? Fred Allen said once that he saw such a fellow walking down Lovers’ Lane holding his own hand. True love blooms when we care more about another person than we care about ourselves. That is Christ’s great atoning example for us, and it ought to be more evident in the kindness we show, the respect we give, and the selflessness and courtesy we employ in our personal relationships..."

I'll have to say that listening to this Valentine message with Scott this afternoon is100 x's better than receiving a dozen roses.  (and cheaper too!)  

"Adversity Often Opens the Door of Opportunity"

While I was washing the dishes yesterday, I was listening to the program Music and the Spoken Word.  Lloyd Newell told this story about Captain John Barry, a officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy.

The Door of Opportunity

Delivered By: Lloyd D. Newell

(Music and the Spoken Word)

In the early years of the Revolutionary War, things did not look good for the fledgling American navy. In a period of three months, they had lost seven ships, including their two largest. In the midst of the gloom, however, was a shining light: Captain John Barry.

He was so successful with his first military command that he was promoted to captain a frigate still under construction. While waiting, he volunteered to serve in the army during a bitterly cold winter. But his frigate was never completed, leaving Barry a captain without a ship.

Meanwhile, enemy transports were sailing unchallenged along the Delaware River resupplying their forces. Not content to wait for another ship to command, Captain Barry proposed a daring plan—to take a few of the rowboats from some of the larger ships, mount small cannons in their bows, and challenge the enemy transports.

Many thought the idea of outfitting what they called “washtubs” and sending them against armed ships was foolish. But Barry felt confident he could do it, and he was right.

Because Barry’s boats were small, they were able to escape enemy fire. The cannons on the rowboats hit their mark, and Captain Barry’s brave little fleet forced three British ships to surrender.

By the end of the war, Barry had captured more than 20 ships. As a consequence of his bravery and leadership, he was later named chief naval commander and is widely recognized as the father of the American navy.

It’s easy to become discouraged when the storms of life bring misfortune or distress. But Captain John Barry knew that adversity often opens the door of opportunity. He recognized it, acted on it, and, as a result, became a national hero.

From him and many others like him we learn an important lesson: Often the very adversity that plagues our lives is, in disguise, an opportunity for greatness.

I found this story on the Personal Success and Leadership Institute webpage.

Wikipedia said this about John Barry:  John Barry was an officer in the Continental Navy during the American Revolutionary War and later in the United States Navy. He came to be widely credited as "The Father of the American Navy" and was appointed a captain in the Continental Navy on December 7, 1775.

Mission: POSSIBLE

We send to all our friends, far and near, this year's Christmas card, with love.

You can see the other Magpad Christmas card through the years by clicking here.  

The Ideal Courtship

We got engaged 41 years ago this month.  Whenever we described our courtship to our children, we always said that it was "the ideal courtship."  To celebrate our 25th anniversary our children gave us this card.       

Forty one years later, the adventures continue!

I love my eternal companion!