Month of Gratitude - Day 7

"We were created in the image of God (see Genesis 1:26)."

Isn't it wonderful to know that we look like our Heavenly parents?  Sometimes I think about how it will feel to see them again someday and to run into their arms and feel their love.  I bear my testimony that we are children of God and we are created in their image.

I love you!

Month of Gratitude - Day 6

"We have a variety of healthy and delicious foods available (see Genesis 1:29)."

Today I brought in the last tomatoes from our garden.  I still have some lettuce, spinach, peas, radishes, and beets growing.  Maybe those aren't your favorite foods, but I LOVE them.  And I love being able to grow fresh food in our own garden.  It seems to be even healthier that way.  

I confess that I love a variety of foods, including many that are unhealthy, especially CHOCOLATE!  What's your favorite?

Month of Gratitude - Day 5

"We can worship in church each week and gain strength by associating with others who share our beliefs (see Moroni 6:5–6)."

I am grateful that we are part of a ward where we feel loved and where we have callings that help us know each other and help each other.  No matter where we've lived, Grandpa and I have felt a lot of love from the other members of our ward.  Church is where we go to worship Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ.  Church is where we go to take the Sacrament.  It is where we go to learn from others and to be baptized.  

How do you feel when you go to Church with your family?

Month of Gratitude - Day 4

"The Savior is our Mediator and has shown us the way to eternal happiness (see John 3:16–17; see also all the headings under “Jesus Christ” in the Topical Guide)."

Today is Sunday, and for most of you it's Fast Sunday because it's the first Sunday of the month.  I love to fast because it helps me feel closer to the Spirit, the Holy Ghost.  In Sacrament Meeting you will have the opportunity to take the Sacrament, which is a very sacred ordinance.  You have been taught that the sacrament is a time to think about Jesus Christ, what He taught and how He lived, and about His Atonement.  When I do this, I feel His love for me and I want to be more obedient and to repent so that I can become more like Him.  

I testify that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, and is our Savior and Redeemer.  I testify that He loves each one of us.  He made it possible for us to be forgiven for our sins and to live with Him and Heavenly Father and our families forever.  

I love you!

Month of Gratitude - Day 3

"Nature’s beauty is all around—and it was created for us to enjoy (see “My Heavenly Father Loves Me,”Children’s Songbook, 228–29; see also Alma 30:44, Moses 6:63, and lds.org/go/82D).

"How is my life blessed by a bird’s song, the sun’s warmth, and the earth’s colors?"
Grandpa and I love to go hiking, camping, backpacking, x-country skiing, biking, and just about anything else that puts us where we can look around and enjoy Heavenly Father's creations.  Today (Saturday) we biked to Bridal Veil Falls for the first time since I broke my foot.  It was WONDERFUL!  When I think about the Creation and all of the beautiful and amazing things that were created for us to enjoy, I feel extremely grateful.

I love you!

Month of Gratitude - Day 2

"We are blessed as we live worthy to attend the temple (see Psalm 24:3–5)."




Most of you have gone to a temple open house.  I hope you will have even more opportunities to do so.  When you do, I hope you will notice how quiet and peaceful the temple is.  I hope you will notice the beautiful paintings and furniture and carpet and lighting.  The temple is the house of the Lord and so when a temple is built it is built to the highest standard possible.  

Only one of our grandchildren is old enough to go to the temple.  Kylie has gone several times since her 12th birthday last year.  You ought to ask her how she feels when she's in the temple.  You may call her or send an email.

Your parents have been sealed in the temple, and so have Grandpa and I.  We were sealed for all eternity.  We can be a forever family because of these sealings.  When I go to the temple I feel the Spirit of the Lord.  I feel Heavenly Father's love for me.  I find answers to questions.  

Set your goal to be sealed in the temple when you are married so that you and your future family will be a part of this great eternal Ketcheson clan.

I love you!

A Month of Gratitude - Day 1

I saw this idea in the New Era magazine a few months ago and want to share it with you.  I hope you will join me in spending some time each day appreciating all our blessings.  As you look for it, you'll see evidence of Heavenly Father's love all around you.

Let's get started:

"Because Heavenly Father loves us so much, He has filled our lives with blessings to make our hearts joyful. Since those blessings surround us, sometimes we forget to notice them and recognize how they show God’s love.

"We have the knowledge that we are children of God (see Psalm 82:6 and Acts 17:28–29)."

When I kneel down and pray to my Heavenly Father, I try to remember that I am His child.  That helps me feel His love and recognize the blessings He has given me.  I am grateful that I can talk to Him and that He can talk to me if I listen.  

I Can Sleep When the Wind Blows

Today I was reminded of a story my dad used to tell, to me and my siblings as well as others whom he knew would benefit from the lesson it teaches.  My dad grew up ranching and farmeing so the story was one he understood well.  So, here's a story from your Great Grandpa Jensen:

Years ago a farmer owned land along the Atlantic seacoast. He constantly adver-tised for hired hands. Most people were reluctant to work on farms along the Atlantic. They dreaded the awful storms that raged across the Atlantic, wreaking havoc on the buildings and crops.

As the farmer interviewed applicants for the job, he received a steady stream of refusals. Finally, a short, thin man, well past middle age, approached the farmer. "Are you a good farm hand?" the farmer asked him. "Well, I can sleep when the wind blows," answered the little man. Although puzzled by this answer, the farmer, desperate for help, hired him.

The little man worked well around the farm, busy from dawn to dusk, and the farmer felt satisfied with the man's work. Then one night the wind howled loudly in from offshore. Jumping out of bed, the farmer grabbed a lantern and rushed next door to the hired hand's sleeping quarters.

He shook the little man and yelled, "Get up! A storm is coming! Tie things down before they blow away!" The little man rolled over in bed and said firmly, "No sir. I told you, I can sleep when the wind blows."

Enraged by the response, the farmer was tempted to fire him on the spot. Instead, he hurried outside to prepare for the storm. To his amazement, he discovered that all of the haystacks had been covered with tarpaulins.

The cows were in the barn, the chickens were in the coops, and the doors were barred. The shutters were tightly secured. Everything was tied down. Nothing could blow away. The farmer then understood what his hired hand meant, so he returned to his bed to also sleep while the wind blew.

Fire Safety

This is Fire Prevention Week, a great time to talk about fire safety with your family.  Usually I write about spiritual safety, but it's also important to be physically safe.  One of the things you can do is draw a map of the inside of your house, every level, and then figure out at least 2 ways to escape from each room.  You might even make it a contest and see who can do it.  Then figure out which ways are the best for you.  Talk about things, like touching a door before you open it to feel how warm or hot it is.

You can find some fun games about fire safety at this website:

BeFireSmart.com

I love you!

PURE & SIMPLE FAITH

This is an amazing true story of faith and the blessings of praying to our Heavenly Father who knows and loves each one of us.

https://www.lds.org/youth/video/pure-and-simple-faith?lang=eng&cid=NEJul12

Watch it and let me know if you have had a similar experience.

I love you!

Choose to Listen to the Holy Ghost

As I was reading this morning, I was thinking about some examples of people who listened to the Holy Ghost and some who did not. Like Nephi and Sam, and Laman and Lemuel in the Book of Mormon. They were all sons of Lehi and Sarah. Their father was a good man and he taught all of the about the gospel. Why did Nephi and Sam choose to believe and do the things their father taught them?


Why did Laman and Lemuel choose to murmur and complain?






I think it was because Nephi and Sam listened to the Holy Ghost, and their older bothers did not. Nephi wrote in I Nephi 16:2:

"I did cry unto the Lord; and behold he did visit me, and did soften my heart that I did believe all the words which had been spoken by my father; wherefore, I did not rebel against him like unto my brothers."

Because Nephi and Sam listened to the Holy Ghost, they knew that what their father said was true. They knew that if they obeyed, they would be happier.

I promise you that you will also be blessed when you choose to listen to the Holy Ghost and be obedient.

I love you!

What does the Holy Ghost feel like?

Natalie asked me to speak at her baptism last Saturday. This is what I said:

When I was a little girl I saw a movie with a princess who was shrunk to the size to fit in a pocket. I loved the idea of having a friend who could fit in my pocket and be with me all the time. (Here she is in a bowl of fruit :)
When I was baptized, I thought my dream had come true because I could have the Holy Ghost with me ALL the time. Have you thought about how wonderful that will be?

What does the Holy Ghost feel like? This is a very important question. You want to learn how to recognize the Holy Ghost because the Holy Ghost can help you in so many ways. It can help you make choices, remember things, feel better when you are sad, find answers when you have questions, and recognize the truth. It can protect you and warn you against things that would not be good for you.
You have probably already felt the Holy Ghost helping sometimes, but after you are baptized and then confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, you will have him with you all the time, as long as you are obeying Heavenly Father. D&C 121:46 assures us, “ The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion…”
I want to help you learn to recognize what the Holy Ghost feels like so that you will learn to recognize when He is speaking to you. In our last General Conference, Pres. Boyd K Packer taught that the Holy Ghost "comes as a feeling rather than a sound” and Pres. Packer encouraged us "to 'listen' for that voice [of the Holy Ghost] that is felt rather than heard.” In other words, it is more likely that you will feel the influence of the Holy Ghost, rather than hear Him.

The Holy Ghost does not feel the same to everyone. Some people feel warm inside, some get tears in their eyes, some have a feeling of peace, some get a new idea that just feels “right”, some feel tingly. Because we are all different, the Holy Ghost speaks to us in different ways. And usually those ways are not very loud. How can you discover how you feel when the Holy Ghost is speaking to you?

I suggest that you listen for it whenever you are in a place where you likely to feel it, such as during a Primary lesson, or a talk in Sacrament Meeting. You can feel it when you are participating in Family Home Evening, or when you are reading the scriptures or praying by yourself or with your family. You can also feel it when you are listening to good music and when you are fasting.

If you are listening and thinking about it, you will discover what it feels like when the Holy Ghost is speaking to you.

I have had many experiences with the Holy Ghost. My earliest memories are when I prayed almost every Sunday morning to find my Sunday shoes before Church. I learned to listen and let the Holy Ghost lead me to find my shoes.

Another time I was feeling very sad because my parents were on a trip and I missed them so much. I prayed and the Holy Ghost helped me feel my parents’ love even though they were far away. As I grew up, the Holy Ghost helped me make good choices and keep the commandments.

I remember when I was trying to decide whether to go on a mission. I fasted all day but when the evening came, I still didn't know if my decision was the right one. My mother encouraged me to break my fast, say a prayer, and go to bed. I remember very well the feelings I had when I woke up the next morning - feelings of peace and happiness. Those feelings were the Holy Ghost confirming that my decision to go on a mission was right.

I have been blessed by having the gift of the Holy Ghost since I was confirmed at age 8, just like you. It has been my companion and I have not felt alone. The gift of the Holy Ghost is one of the greatest blessings from Heavenly Father. It is one of the ways we can feel how much He and His Son, Jesus Christ, know each of us and how much they love us. Never forget that you are a son or daughter of God and that He knows you and loves you. Do your best to keep the commandments.
Remember to talk to Him when you pray every morning and every night before you go to bed. Listen for His words of love when you are reading your scriptures.
I promise you that the Holy Ghost will help you throughout your life, and you will be able to feel Heavenly Father’s love even when you are having problems.

I love you too. Grandpa and I pray for you every day. We are so happy that we are all part of an eternal family. We are grateful for the covenants that your parents and we have made in the temple. And we are very grateful for the covenant you have made today.

One of the Greatest Gifts

Not a single response to the last post? I hope that means that you were busy, and not that you didn't recognize these 4 closely related ancestors.


In a couple of months, Natalie will be baptized. About 5 months later, Emalyn will be baptized. 5 months after that, Kayli will be baptized. And 11 months later, Elena will be baptized. Grandpa and I are so excited that 4 of our granddaughters will soon follow the examples of Kylie, Jared, and Tyler. We look forward to these special times because when you are baptized you become a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. You follow the example of Jesus Christ.



After you are baptized you will be confirmed and receive the gift of the Holy Ghost. It is one of the greatest gifts Heavenly Father gives to his children. The Holy Ghost can guide you, and help you know what to do when you have a problem or a question. You may use this gift any time, day or night, wherever you are, as long as you are trying to obey God's commandments.

Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "The Holy Ghost speaks with a voice that you feel more than you hear. It is described as a “still small voice” (see D&C 85:6). And while we speak of “listening” to the whisperings of the Spirit, most often one describes a spiritual prompting by saying, “I had a feeling …”

Here's an example (Based on a true story) to help you understand one way the Holy Ghost can help you:
Jamie ran outside, the screen door banging shut behind her. “Can I go for a bike ride?” she asked Mom, who was pulling weeds in the flower bed.

“Sure. Don’t go too far,” Mom replied.

“I won’t.” Jamie wheeled her brand-new bike out of the garage. She loved how the silver spokes gleamed in the sunshine. And she loved how fast it went—much faster than her old bike.

Jamie buckled her helmet and looked up and down the country road in front of her house to make sure no cars were coming. Then she jumped on her bike and started pedaling up the hill. She loved to go all the way to the top and then coast back down. With the wind in her face, it felt like she was flying.

Jamie’s legs ached as she pedaled. When she was halfway to the top of the hill, she saw something square and tan-colored in the middle of the road. It looked like one of the worn-out foam chair cushions she had taken to the trash last week when Mom had reupholstered the kitchen chairs. One of the cushions must have fallen out of the garbage truck and been left in the road.

Then Jamie got a great idea. “What if I run over the cushion on my way down?” she thought. She imagined how it would feel to run over the squishy cushion with her bike’s tires.

Jamie finally reached the top of the hill and turned her bike around with a grin. Now the ride down seemed even more exciting. She wanted to hit the cushion exactly in the middle.

She gripped the handlebars and pushed off. She pedaled hard a few times and then started coasting. The wind whipped through her hair, and the road was going by in a blur. The cushion was straight ahead, and Jamie pedaled a few extra times to get even more speed.

Then, when she had almost reached the cushion, Jamie heard a voice say very clearly, “NO.”

Immediately, Jamie turned the handlebars. Her bike tire whizzed by the cushion, just missing it. She braked hard and skidded to a stop at the side of the road.

Jamie’s legs were shaking as she got off her bike and walked over to the cushion. When she got closer, she saw it wasn’t a cushion at all. It was a big, flat, heavy rock.


Jamie didn’t feel like riding anymore. She pushed her bike the rest of the way home and told Mom what had happened.

“Do you know what would have happened if you had hit that rock?” Mom asked.

“I would have been hurt,” Jamie said.

“The rock would have stopped your bike, and you would have been thrown off. You could have been hurt very badly,” Mom said.

Jamie’s eyes got big. “It was the Holy Ghost that said ‘no,’ wasn’t it?”

Mom nodded. “You were blessed because you listened and obeyed right away.”

Jamie gave Mom a hug. “I’m glad the Holy Ghost was there to protect me!”

“So am I.” Mom hugged Jamie extra hard. “Why don’t we say a prayer of thanks right now and then go move the rock so no one gets hurt?”

Jamie nodded. Her heart felt happy and light. She knew this was also the Holy Ghost telling her that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ love her.

- Janet Halling, “A Bump in the Road,” Friend, Jun 2010, 4–5

Pres. Thomas S. Monson said:

“We listen for that still, small voice. When it speaks, [we] obey. Promptings of the Spirit are not to be postponed.”

Grandpa and I were given the Gift of the Holy Ghost after we were baptized. We have used it throughout our lives. We are so grateful that you will each be given this great gift. We encourage you to prepare to receive it by listening to your parents and obeying them, by reading the Book of Mormon, and by praying to Heavenly Father every morning and every night. Practice listening better every day.

I love you!

Guess Who...

Do you know who these people are?


How about this one:


Or her:


I'll give you a clue. You're related to each one of them.

Most of you probably recognized at least some of them. They're your great-grandparents and they're pretty special people. They love you and so do I. So do your other ancestors.

In General Conference last October, Elder David A Bednar said, "I now invite the attention of the young women, young men, and children of the rising generation." That means he was speaking to each of YOU.

He said, "You are sons and daughters of God, children of the covenant, and builders of the kingdom." Then he invited you to begin doing family history work, even though you are young. He said:

"I invite the young people of the Church to learn about and experience the Spirit of Elijah [by doing family history]. I encourage you to study, to search out your
, and to prepare yourselves to perform proxy baptisms in the house of the Lord for your kindred dead."

Any young person can do what I am suggesting, using the modules available at lds.org./familyhistoryyouth." This link will take you a step-by-step guide and you can get started easily.

Elder Bednar made some promises to those who do family history. Here are a few of the promises:

**Your testimony of and conversion to the Savior will become deep and abiding.

**You will be protected against the intensifying influence of the adversary.

**You will be safeguarded in your youth and throughout your lives.

And then he spoke to the adults:

"Parents and leaders, you will stand all amazed at how rapidly your children and the youth of the Church become highly skilled with these tools. In fact, you will learn valuable lessons from these young people about effectively using these resources. You also will count your many blessings as young people devote more time to family history work and temple service and less time to video games, surfing the Internet, and Facebooking."


You can find some more ideas here: Involve Children and Youth in Family History

BIEN VENIDOS, LUISA!!!

Kylie, Jared, Tyler, Natalie, Emalyn, Kayli, Victoria, Joshua, Bryce, Matthew, Krysta, Elena, Trey, Wyatt, and Russell:

Meet your newest cousin, Luisa Marcela:



Isn't she adorable? We are so very happy she's here.

Luisa:

Meet your cousins (and your Granparents):



We love you and we can hardly wait to meet you!

I LOVE TO SEE THE TEMPLE

We went to Temple Square on Dec 29 with Scott, Amy, and their family. First we went inside the Visitor's Center. We walked up the spiral walkway to see the statue of the resurrected Savior, Jesus Christ. I felt very grateful that He came to earth as a baby, and showed us how to live on earth.



The weather wasn't quite too cold and we enjoyed looking at the outside displays and lights as much as touring inside the Visitor's Center.



The nativity on the reflecting pool was beautiful, and we all paused to appreciate it.



Tyler was so excited, because from here he could read the words on the front of the Temple that say: "Holiness to the Lord, The House of the Lord."



This is what he saw:



Tyler told me that his parents had told him about these words and that he'd been waiting to see them on the real temple. Hs enthusiasm reminded me of when all of us went to the Temple at our family reunion last summer to take pictures and to remember that families can be together forever if they are sealed in the temple and if they follow Jesus Christ's teachings and example.

I'm glad Grandpa and I got to be at Temple Square with Tyler and his family. I'm so grateful for Temples, which are Houses of the Lord. I can hardly wait for each of you to turn 12 years old and go to the temple, like Kylie. I promise that when you are in His House you will feel His love in great abundance. I love you!