Harold B Lee Stand in Holy Places

You cannot lift another soul until you are standing on higher ground than he is. You must be sure, if you would rescue the man, that you yourself are setting the example of what you would have him be. You cannot light a fire in another soul unless it is burning in your own soul.

Omaha

We flew out to Omaha the day after Christmas and Jacoby was so excited when the pilot let him fly the plane.

That night we got together with all of the Jostes' for casino night.  It was a blast!!!  The boys had fun and so did we. 

We were lucky enough to stay and spend time with Matt, Kim and the girls.  They are so cute!  Jacoby was in love with them and tried numerous times to pack them around.  He also told me as we drove out of their drive way that he was sure going to miss those cute babies. 

At casino night, I gave all the sisters the family tree information that I have been working on.  They were very emotional and I was so glad that we were there in person to give it to them.

The big reason why we went to Omaha was to be there for the first annual Rita walk. 

There was many people there and we raised a lot of money for a scholarship for one of Rita's students.  Jarod and I were so glad that we were there.  Later that night we sat around the table at Dave and Betty's and laughed and cried as we told stories.  I learned so much about Grandpa George Daniel Jostes that night and Cleo.  I also shared with them how incredible I think it is how close they are and the support they give to each other.  Mike talked a lot about Rita and we felt the presence of all of them.  It was such an incredible experience and I am so glad that I was there.  The Jostes' in Omaha are the neatest family and I am so thankful that I get to be apart of such a great family.

After the Rita walk we went to Winter Quarters.  I have been wanting to come here for ever!  The missionary who gave us our tour did a great job and we learned so much!

On display was Pattie Session's midwifery book, my ancestor!  I thought it was really cool!

After that we drove to Dow City Iowa to see Grandma Leinen.  It's always good to see her.

Her and Jacoby played with army men and trucks.  He also played with Playdough.  She is such a character!  It was a great trip and once again we were so glad that we went and commented that we really need to go to Omaha more often.

Christmas Morning

I was really surprised that Jacoby slept in until 8 but I was not complaining!  When he did wake up though he had a really hard time waiting for me to go down the stairs to get the camera ready.  He was so excited that he got the blue scooter from Santa that he wanted.  Jace got a red bike and was so proud of himself when one of us pushed him around.  We also gave Jacoby a circuit set and we played with that thing for hours all day.  We spent the day in our jammies playing with our new toys.  We continued our tradition of having Italian food for Christmas dinner and a steam pot on Christmas Eve.  It was so fun to be home and their were so many times that we looked at each other and said that this was the best idea ever.

Christmas Eve

Oh how I love these pictures!  I was so excited about how they turned out!! 
We decided to stay home this year for Christmas and just be with our little family.  It was the best decision and I am so glad we did.  We made wonderful memories and it was fun to be in our house Christmas morning.  Christmas eve we read the pajama elf book and just as we got done reading it there was a knock on the door with a special delivery of jammies for the boys.  We watched the boys play with the lights and check out the presents.  Jace rearranged the Christmas tree and the boys danced to the Christmas music and I was able to get these great shots.  We put out a snack for Santa and said good bye to our elf Blue.  We also read our last scriptures for the Christmas count down.  It was a great evening!

Christmas Ties

My mom sent these adorable ties to the boys for Christmas and they looked so cute all decked out in their Christmas outfits.  I had on a blue skirt as well so we even matched.  Jarod went to an Indiana basketball game that day so it was just me and the boys.

Med scripture

I prayed today that I would be lead to a scripture that He wanted me to read.  The Bible fell open to this, Genesis 50:20
But as for you, ye thought evil unto me; but God meant it unto good, to bring to pass, as it is this day, to save much people alive.
20- Now therefore fear ye not; I will nourish you, and your little ones.

I don't think it was coincidence that I started my meditation angry at Mary.  I ended it in a much better place and was reminded that even if evil is done unto me, it is a lesson that I need to learn in order to become the person that God wants me to be.  I am right where I need to be and "it is this day".  He will nourish me and my children and as long as I do what He would have me do I do not need to fear or be angry.  He will provide a way.

Meditation scriptures

I am on day 22 of my 40 day meditation and every day before I close my meditation I read my scriptures.  Some times I read about a topic and other times I just let my scriptures fall open and read whatever page it lands on.  The three times I have done this I have been blown away by the scriptures I have been lead to.  I didn't want to forget them and since this is my brain, here they are.

Psalms 1:2-3
But his delight is in the law of the Lord; and in his law doth he meditate day and night.
And he shall be like a tree planted by the rivers of water, that bringeth forth his fruit in his season; his leaf also shall not wither; and whatsoever he doeth shall prosper.

2 Peter 3:18 I have been lead to this one twice
But grow in grace, and in the knowledge of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ.  To him be glory both now and forever, amen.

1 Peter 2: 9
But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness in to his marvelous light.

The last one was a specific answer to my prayer the last few days.  I felt inspired to volunteer to teach a meditation class to the people in my ward, which was really scary for me.  Funny thing was they had prayed that they could find a way to teach the women balance and they came to me earlier this week and told me that they thought this was the answer to their prayer.  I have been praying and pondering how meditation has helped me so that I was confident I was teaching some thing the Lord would want me to teach.  I have been afraid of what some of them would think of me and today I know that I have to teach them what brought me out of my darkness even if they find me peculiar because we are a chosen generation and a peculiar one.