Saturday, April 18, 2009

Baby John


For a couple of months now Ethan has thought that he has had a baby in his tummy.

Well, when Katie had her baby last week he said to me, "I have my baby in the hospital too, Mommy". I think he was kind of mad at Katie for having her baby, because he wouldn't go near Braiden. I guess he was upset because he hadn't had his baby also.

A couple of days ago when Katie was at our house she found Ethan's doll and she gave him a bottle filled with water and also a paper towel to use as a burp cloth. She told him that his baby's name was John. Well, he was so cute with that doll. He would put the burp cloth on his lap, turn the doll face down, pat its back, and make a burping sound. It was so funny. He would also carry the doll by its neck and throw it around (what can you expect from a 2 year old boy?). I think "Baby John" made him feel better; like he had really had a baby.

Now he will hold Braiden.


Two year olds are so fun! They do the cutest things!

Monday, April 13, 2009

New baby and Easter fun!

My sister had her baby on April 11th. I am finally an Aunt on my side of the family! :) They had a cute little boy and they named him Braiden Ray Willden. I got to be in the room when he was born and it was such a neat experience! I'm excited because they will be staying at my house for a few weeks and so I will have to make my move on becoming the favorite Aunt.Here he is! He is a tiny little thing, but so adorable! This is the only picture I have of him on my camera so I get to be in the picture too; with my eyes halfway closed!


It was a really busy weekend; with Katie having her baby and all of the Easter festivities. Happy Easter everyone! We went to a lot of parties. It was great seeing the boys have such a fun time. They got to do an easter egg hunt, dye eggs, and play with their cousins.


Thursday, April 9, 2009

The Condescension of God


Since Easter is coming up, it should be on everyone's mind to further consider the ultimate sacrifice that our Savior, Jesus Christ offered to us. An angel of the Lord inquired the Prophet Nephi with this question, "Knowest thou the condescension of God?" After Nephi's response of not knowing, he was shown the birth of Jesus Christ. So what does this mean? It means that, Jesus Christ, the creator of the world, the Great Jehovah, the God of Israel with all power, knowledge, love, etc became a mortal man; subject to all the frailties that mortal beings would suffer through.

He further went below all things by giving up secular passions to fulfill two things, his Father's work of preaching his Father's plan and practicing true religion.

This condescension was more evident in the Garden Gethsemene; where all sins, transgressions, any form of harm imposed upon others, weaknesses, and other acts, feelings, or thoughts that wouldn't permit eternal happiness and salvation were suffered. In that though, consider within your own self all the sins you have committed, all the weaknesses you have, any harm that has come upon you, or loneliness you may have felt. Then consider all of Heavenly Father's children in the same types of situations. The mere glimpse of that tremendous burden from both yourself and all of our Heavenly Father's children should render deep appreciation of what the Savior went through.

The Savior went through a great deal of suffering in our behalf; however, the evidence of the condescension was not over. The great Redeemer had two more acts to solidify the great Atonement. The first was to suffer death as any mortal would have to suffer. This time, however, the fullness of his glory would be manifested when Christ was resurrected to ensure that all would who gain mortality would not suffer from Adam's transgression.

The Savior went below all things and suffered for everything that would require reconciliation between God and mankind. A simple scripture that I have always taken to heart is this: "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No man cometh unto the Father but by me." He truly is the way toward salvation and happiness.