Much Is Given, Much Required

"For unto whomsoever much is given, of him shall be much required" Luke 12:48

This scripture has echoed in my mind for the past year. I know our heavenly Father loves us without condition.

I also know that in Luke 12:48 we are told that He requires much from us.

I will admit with all the blessings and miracles our family has seen in the past 11 months, I knew

something BIG would be required...I mean really how much more could He give one family.

They announced in church that we would be getting a new bishopric on April 17, 2011.

What is a bishopric?

The LDS Church position of bishop is most analogous to the position of a rabbi, minister, pastor, or parish priest in other denominations.

Bishops are assisted by two male counselors who collectively constitute the bishopric  and share responsibility for all ward organizations and programs.

The LDS Church utilizes a lay clergy, which means that members serve in their ecclesiastical positions—including that of bishop and his counselors do this without formal schooling and without pay.

Meet our new bishopric:

Bro. Hanks, Bishop Seibold and Bro. BURGESS

Yep, that is right...Kirk was called to be the 2nd counselor in our Ward's bishopric.

To say the least Kirk is overwhelmed,  feels inadequate, he can't believe all the meetings that they have and he keeps asking when will HE believe that he has been given this calling.

I know that our Father in heaven will help him as he grows and learns all of the responsibilities of being a counselor to the Bishop.

If you would like to know more about

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

you can visit:

http://mormon.org/

17 Years

How can it be possible that it has already been 17 years?

I still remember that 1:15 am phone call from my brother

saying that she had passed away.

We knew it would be soon...

There had been no brain activity for several days,

and life support had been turned off  for over 24 hours.

But, my mom was always watching out for her children.

She knew it would be difficult for me if she passed away before Saturday morning,

 I was the Mini-Cassia March of Dimes Walk-America Chairperson and Saturday was the day of the walk.

My brother, Bruce kept asking if we could wait until after Sunday for her life support to be turned off...

He could not handle the though of loosing our mom on a Sunday.

and she waited...until 1:00am Monday morning.

I am sure it was not easy for her to stay in her sick body,

with a heart that had not been working well for 6 years.

I am sure that she knew it was hard for her 2 son's to lay their hands upon her head

 and give her a blessing that it was OK to go.

I am sure she knew her youngest daughter would struggle.

I am sure she knew that we would miss her and think we could not live without her.

But, she had taught her children well.

and even though 17 years ago we were not sure...

She knew we would be OK... and she was right.

You can visit here to see the qualities our mom passed on to us her children.

Love you mom, and miss you everyday.

HE IS RISEN!

Wishing you all a wonderful Easter.

Sunday Will Come

I am so grateful for this Easter weekend.

It is hard to think of  Christ hanging on a cross.

Or the garden of Gethsemane suffering for all of us.

But, that Jesus Christ rose from the grave.

That he opened the door for us to do the same.

He conquered death, as will ALL of us.

Good Friday

I love this message...

Happy Birthday Mom

My mom would be 69 years old today....

She was born in Odessa, Texas

Her mother passed away when she was very young and her father disappeared.

She was taken in by her Uncle and his wife in Arizona... Her Uncle passed away  a few years later and his wife MY GRANDMA (who I though was my Biological grandma until I was in High School)

raised her and her younger brother's with her children (my aunts and uncles)

 

She grew up knowing she was loved.

My mom LOVED to dance...

My mom was BEAUTIFUL

not only on the outside but the inside.

My mom was amazing...she could pretty much do anything...

My mom could cook, bake, craft, clean, iron, and make the best candy ever! 

My mom had  her 5 children "know"  they  were her favorite.

My mom could put a party together like nobody I know.

My mom made the most beautiful flower arrangements.

My mom loved to cater weddings.

My mom loved to share her talents.

My mom loved to do stuff with her friends.

My mom loved being a MOM.

My mom could make you smile on your loneliest days.

My mom loved ice cold PEPSI

My mom was real...

Every bit of her...

My mom had a testimony of her Savior,  Jesus Christ and of our Father in heaven.

She lived it everyday.

My mom's favorite Birthday Cake was Texas Sheet Cake,

 so in honor of my mom, Geneva's Birthday

Here is her Texas Sheet Cake Recipe

 "The Pioneer Woman" uses the same recipe as my mom

she has great pictures to follow on how to make it on her site.

       

       FOR THE CAKE:

•  2 cups Flour
• 2 cups Sugar
• ¼ teaspoons Salt
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 2 sticks Butter
• 1 cup Boiling Water
• ½ cups Buttermilk
• 2 whole Beaten Eggs
• 1 teaspoon Baking Soda
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla

        FOR FROSTING:

• ½ cups Finely Chopped Pecans
• 1-¾ stick Butter
• 4 Tablespoons (heaping) Cocoa
• 6 Tablespoons Milk
• 1 teaspoon Vanilla
• 1 pound (minus 1/2 Cup) Powdered Sugar

Preparation Instructions

Note: I use an 18×13 sheet cake pan.

In a mixing bowl, combine flour, sugar, and salt.

In a saucepan, melt butter. Add cocoa. Stir together.
Add boiling water, allow mixture to boil for 30 seconds, then turn off heat. Pour over flour mixture, and stir lightly to cool.

In a measuring cup, pour the buttermilk and add beaten eggs, baking soda, and vanilla. Stir buttermilk mixture into butter/chocolate mixture. Pour into sheet cake pan and bake at 350-degrees for 20 minutes.

While cake is baking, make the icing. Chop pecans finely. Melt butter in a saucepan. Add cocoa, stir to combine, then turn off heat. Add the milk, vanilla, and powdered sugar. Stir together. Add the pecans, stir together, and pour over warm cake.

Cut into squares and Enjoy

Happy Birthday MOM

I love you and miss you.

and for the record...

I WAS HER FAVORITE!
Yes, my sister lene has her name on all the pictures of my mom..

Ali Is 21!!

My sweet daughter in law, Ali turned 21 years old

on May 19th.

Unfortunately, I forgot my camera and my phone does not take very good pictures.

 hopefully you will get the idea...

Ali knew we were going to have a party but not an idea of what we wanted the theme to be...

Because none of us are alcohol drinkers...

BUT, We went all out...I mean she is legal!!!

We had cup cakes...all made after different drinks.

I found most of my ideas on The Cup Cake Club.

Though the cupcake recipes are made with alcohol, I was able to adjust with extra cocktail mix or juice.

 Our Margarita Cupcakes

The frosting was SOOOOO good. We added jelly lemon and limes to the top.

Here are the Piña Colada cupcakes with roasted Coconut on top

I am sure you can guess the next one...

Yep, Strawberry Daiquiri

I did not get a picture of the Cosmo Cupcake.
We had fun trying to mix drinks...

The pictures of the following drinks are from Google

The Cosmo...total hit

Made with Sprite, orange juice, cranberry juice and a little ice.

The Strawberry Daiquiri

  made with Master of Mixes Strawberry Daiquiri/Margarita Mix,

white grape juice, lime juice and ice and yes topped with a strawberry and lime slice.

The Margarita

Made with Sprite, Master of Mixes Margareta Mix and stirred with ice.

The Piña Colada

Master of Mix, Ice and Pineapple topped with a cherry & pineapple.

Ali comes from an amazing family. 

They came with finger foods for the night.

It really was fun!!!!

Thanks Ali for becoming legal so we could have a really fun time because

you are finally 21 !!!