Opposition in all things

Mesa Temple: built in 1923 and the 7th operating Temple. There are now 130 operating Temples in the World and 19 announced Temples to be built. WOW!

2 Nephi 2: 11, 15

  11 For it must needs be, that there is an ^aopposition in all things. If not so, my first-born in the wilderness, righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility.

      •  •  •

  15 And to bring about his eternal ^apurposes in the end of man, after he had ^bcreated our first parents, and the beasts of the field and the ^cfowls of the air, and in fine, all things which are created, it must needs be that there was an opposition; even the ^dforbidden ^efruit in ^fopposition to the ^gtree of life; the one being sweet and the other bitter.

Should it be any different when the Lord announced through a modern day Prophet that a Temple was to be built in North Phoenix or anywhere else in the world...? Satan knows that is if this Temple is built, work will be done that he can't control. Families will be sealed together - past, present and future, which the family is essential to the Lord's plan of Salvation. We are so blessed to have Temples as close as they are.

There are problems with getting the property re-zoned to build the Temple. Here is the call to action for the Saints in our Stake. Jeff is on his way there as I type and said there a lot of police officers and cars out as they expect some conflict. Which I hope doesn't happen and cooler heads prevail. This Temple is much needed as the Mesa Temple is bursting at the seams with activity....it's exciting to say it's so busy we need not only 1 more, but 2 more Temples in the Phoenix area!!! :)

Friday, November 6, 2009

Help Needed for the Phoenix Temple

Due to some opposition to the measure, the Bishop, Stake President, and Area Presidency are asking that we attend the Phoenix Planning Commission meeting to support the rezoning of the proposed Temple grounds at 51st Ave & Pinnacle Peak.


Date: Tue, Nov 10
Location: 4525 N. Central Avenue, Phoenix, AZ (Central High School, near Indian School/Central Ave).
Time: meeting starts at 6:00, but we are being asked to be there by 4:30.
Click here for a link to a map to the meeting from Laveen. A map is also attached.
Click here for a link to the meeting agenda.
In addition, all voting age members are being asked to write to each City of Phoenix Council member and the Mayor of Phoenix to express our desire to have the Temple in Phoenix and to support the rezoning measure. The City Council will vote on the measure on Dec 2 if the measure passes the Planning Commission on Nov 10. Remember to express support, but don't bear testimony, this is not the proper venue for testifying. District 7 Michael Nowakowski council.district.7@phoenix.gov

As suggested by President Johnson, we are arranging carpools to the meeting in order to get 20 people from our ward in attendance. If you can drive a carpool or want a ride in a carpool, please contact me. If you will be driving individually, please let me know!

Thank you,
Bro King

Primary Program

Sunday Nov 8 - today was the primary program for our ward. It's a Sunday I look forward to the entire year. The one Sunday were the Primary age kids 4-11 are involved in sharing what they've learned since January. We missed last year because of head lice and well just didn't feel right about sending our itchy head Lea to sit with everyone else even though we picked it up from church. (that's a whole other story, for another time).
Our primary is HUGE! I would say at least 100 kids, not sure how many were there, but it was a wonderful program. Lea's school teacher, Mrs. Noyes, came (she is not a member of our faith, that I know of, but understood how important this was to the kids and came). There are 2 other kids in our ward in Lea's class at school, so I'm not sure who invited her to come, regardless, it was so great to see her there. The kids appreciated seeing her support them outside of school and even former students ran to give hugs and say hello.

The kids boldly and proudly sang the songs they were learning. There was a violin group, 2 small groups of singers, lots of speaking parts, ASL during one song and a combo playing with the organ and piano! With so much going on, you would think it would be utter chaos, but it was so smooth. The kids walked quietly when needed, sang and watched the choristers, stood and sat when prompted by the choristers - it was amazing. There was the occasional hand-wave to the parents or smaller siblings and the ever consistent "yeee -ah" from Abbey in our row - calling for Lea. :) Lea did great and spoke up when it was her turn. She never ceases to amaze me with her ability to speak in front of others - this is so NOT my strong suit. She does great and we're so proud of her! Lea's part was about having a family that loved her and the blessings of having a loving family.

It was a beautiful reminder of the Lord's plan for Eternal Families - I'm so grateful to have this knowledge. I can be with my family through the sealing powers of the priesthood in the Temple, if I do my part. It's not a freebie- it requires work and work it is. :)

Thank you to the Primary Teachers and the Primary Presidency - you work so hard not just on Sundays, but during the week to help my children learn when they come to church. They love to come to church because of their fantastic teachers - they can hardly stand to sit through the first hour of church because they love Primary so much. THANK YOU, THANK YOU, THANK YOU!!!

Mean mom....

So I'm starting to feel like a mean mom - am I doing something wrong or is it just kids being kids learning to express themselves? I'm hoping for the 'learning' part and not the 'I'm in the wrong' part.

Lea has learned that Mom is not always nice and sometimes she calls me "mean". Sorry - it's part of my job to ask you to work, help out and to tell you "No". We did stop the attitude of "I don't like you" and yes even "I hate you." Hate is now a 4-letter word in our house we no longer use and get busted when used. I'm guessing this came from school because it's not from home. She's learning to use words/expressions bigger than I think 6 year old's should know but it's fun to chat with her about her day.

Lucas today told me (while attempting to get him to take a nap - he did eventually take a nap) "I don't like you mommy." (to myself: Ouch, this is starting to hurt my feelings.)
Me: "Why Lucas?" (trying not to freak out.........breathe....breathe)
L: "Because.... I don't like girls."
Me: I'm a girl and a mommy.
L: No, your hair is down so you're a girl.
I put my hair up: So am I a boy now or a mommy?
L: A mommy.
Me: putting my hair up...mommy....down....girl.....then messy to become a monster and tickled him until he laughed so hard his face turned as red as his hair. :)

Are you a mean mom too? Do you make your kids work and be nice to others!? :)

More Halloween

More photos from Trick-or-treating and 50 cent corn dogs at Sonic - wahoo!

Lea's pretty hair - the bun was quickly removed after tears (from her) and replaced by a slightly curly ponytail.

 Darth Mal, Spidey, Darth Vadar with the pretty ballerina (aka Princess Lea)

A pirroutte.......whatever, a turn.

This is how you shoot spidey-webs while eating a corn-dog

Darth Vadar force on Darth Mal - scary!!

 

Even more scary is the grumpy ladybug.....wow she was grumpy to start, but it got better.

the Crazy Dominican Scorpion even made an appreance

To which he almost died after scaring Erin at her door - yes that's a real knife - he freaked her out by pounding on the door and saying he wanted candy and he knew she was in there. (sorry erin, we had no idea he was going to do that, should have known though....geoff and pete is just as bad a combo as Jeff and Geoff.) She answered the door only after finding out it was them, with a knife and phone in hand ready to dial 911, saying "this is what I have for you Pete!"  Pete also scared some of the kids walking down the street, but they laughed - just plain crazy when you get the whole group, not just the crazy guy. :)

Abbey quickly got the hang of Trick-or-Treating and no longer wanted to be carried - she "ran" and attempted to keep up with the big kids. Her bag was filthy by the time we got home. All of her candy had a nice layer of dust on it. Who cares though - she had a blast!

At Palfreemans - before the mob followed us to the door.

Halloween house at the end of the street - the picture does not do justice to the detail this guy goes through to decorate. He starts Oct 1 and just keeps adding more every day. Christmas is awesome too!

Happy Halloween!

BOO!
Abbey climbed up on the chair behind me at the computer and this is what I saw: expecting my cute little baby and this mess showed up.....any guesses as to what is on her face?!

 

It's chocolate pudding left over from Lucas' lunch. He had left it on the table, she climbed up, ate it, then threw away her garbage. Cute baby!

Ward Halloween party: We have the best Activities Committee!!! They do so much work and we are so grateful!

PRE-PARTY:

HAY-RIDE - achoo!
Not the best for place for 2 highly allergic individuals of everything nature, but we survived - for the kids right?

Jeff and Spiderman's alter-ego Lucas - no masks at the party, besides I have a phobia of sharing hats, masks and anything that covers the head....except if  I own it. Spiderman is on loan from Beckers, so no mask.

Kirsten Findlay and Abbey - notice the addition to her costume - a cute bunny nose. I do not own one tube of lipstick (so what?!) :) - had to borrow from Lisa (party was in their backyard - they actually have a lot of backyard!)

Darth Mal Ethan, Storm trooper (I think..) Noodle, Princess Ballerina Lea and Princess Fairy Ally riding along with Geoff the "Fair and Noble for taking his kids to the Halloween party without his wife and attempting to fix a wiggly princess's hair".... :)

3 gorgeous Ballerina Princesses! Halle B, Mary, Lea

AFTER THE SUGAR:

ACK!

A little dazed, extreme bunny hat hair, and mostly wiped clean nose - I think it was on my shirt or Jeff's shorts.

Spiderman does not want anyone to know his true identity. Sorry.

WATCHING THE BYU GAME AT BECKERS: Sad little game against TCU.....sorry no pictures of the grumpy adults

Movies for the kids

Baby races:

What do you think they're talking about.....looks like trouble!

Where's Ally?!

Oh that's where she went - silly baby!

MLB and the young at heart

If you've ever wanted to play Major League Baseball, but you're past the prime age of MLB today, no worries - there is a division for you! Starting at age 35, you can play, go to the Championships and even to the World Series! Today we went to a game for the 65+ age group. My uncle (Arlo - my dad's younger brother) was called this week to come play for the team Dodger Town West - hoping to make it to the World Series in Cuba. My brother, Steven, and his kids met up with us and we went "out to the ballgame". There's something special about this league though. There's no sponsors, no overpaid athletes, no promotional gimmicks, no tickets to buy or parking to pay for, no 7th inning stretch, not even a working scoreboard. There is, however, the best of the best group of athletes who want to and enjoy playing the game. Not for the money obviously because we walked right into the park and probably doubled the number of fans for 4 fields with our small group (8 of us). It was amazing though - these guys are impressive and just as competitive as ever. They still get mad when they strike out, thrown out or hit a pop fly for an easy out. They still get upset with the refs for making a poor call, they cheer on their teammates and coaches can get away with calling their players "kid". And although they run a "little" slower than your average player, they love the game!

Arlo said he hasn't played baseball in probably 8 years - he's been playing slowpitch softball, but hasn't played baseball since he attended a Fantasy Baseball camp. He has his own baseball cards, jersey and wooden baseball bat. Aside from being an amazing and talented athlete, he's truly an amazing individual - happy all the time - just all around great guy! The kids cheered him on and called him "grandpa" "sorensen" and they loved missing school to go to a game.....shhhhhh, don't tell. :)

Quick side story: One of Arlo's teammates, asked where the kids' grandpa was. "Grandpa is in Norway." huh? They repeated it as I clarified we were watching Grandpa's brother and Grandpa really is in Norway. Oh, then he really is in Norway - yes he is. :) Smart kids!

First at bat - base hit

Playing shortstop

covering second for a base hit

Tanner with the help of Steven, retrieving a foul ball - the guy in the purple is NOT my brother - he's behind this guy holding Tanner, just happened to be in the shot - they were quicker than my camera to get the ball down.

One phrase comes to mind: "Please return all foul balls to the box on the third base side. Watch for cars, Thank you." Was spoken every time at my brothers' little league baseball games. Got a baseball gum if you returned the foul ball. SWEET! :)

ST-T-T-T-RIKE!

Swing batter, base hit!

My girls in pink! Go team!

Sorensen family fan section

gettin' a little exercise - our own 3rd, 4th, 5th and 6th, inning stretch

2-hand touch football and catch on the side

Stealing 3rd!!!!! Go, go, go! (He had just stolen 2nd on the pitch before) - SAFE!

Meeting the pro - way to go Arlo!

A future MLB player - Tanner Sorensen

The game was pretty intense - came down to the last inning, runner on 3rd for the tie run, runner on 1st for the go-ahead, winning run. Arlo's team was ahead 5-1, they went 3-0 outs and back to the field. The other team scored 3 runs off one stand-up triple. Score is now 5-4 Dodgers still up by 1. The guy who hit the triple and is on third is one of the quicker guys on the field and can easily score given the chance. Hitter up, swing and high pop-fly shallow infield, caught by the 2nd baseman - batter's out - game over! Dodgers Town West wins! IT WAS AWESOME!