Saturday, January 28, 2017

January 28, 2017 Missionaries teach the doctrine of Christ


 
 January Missionary Leadership Council

Wednesday and Thursday, January 25th and 26th, the Idaho Boise Missionaries were privileged to attend Zone Conference where we received inspired instruction by viewing a Special Missionary Worldwide Broadcast focusing on teaching the doctrines of Christ.

Speak of the Savior. Testify of Him. Speak of His doctrine, of faith in Him and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.” —
Elder Neil L. Andersen of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles



 Some changes were announced to help our missionaries become more effective.
 
Zone Conference in Boise
Zone Conference in Twin Falls
How do you feed 100+ hungry missionaries two days in a row? Costco pizza of course!
“That doctrine of Christ is summarized in words that you all know very well: 
Our purpose is to invite others to come unto Christ by helping them receive the restored gospel through faith in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, repentance, baptism, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.”

The Twin Falls Temple and Stake Center
"Neither snow nor rain nor heat nor gloom of night stays Elder Busath from the swift completion of his appointed rounds"

              
The Twin Falls Sisters recently moved into a new home 
and left the old one sparkling clean and very much appreciated!
 New housing for the Spanish Elders in Wendell

              

 The Hagerman Sister's home away from home.

Local News:
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Meridian Idaho Temple

It was announced this week that the free public open house for the Meridian Idaho Temple will begin on Saturday, October 21, and continue through November 11, 2017, except for the Sundays of October 22 and 29 and November 5.
The cultural celebration will be held Saturday, November 18. The temple will be dedicated the following day on Sunday, November 19, in three sessions at 9:00 a.m., 12:00 p.m. and 3:00 p.m. The dedication will be broadcast to members of the Church in Idaho and the temple district. The three-hour block of meetings will be cancelled for that Sunday for those congregations to enable members of the Church to participate and focus on this sacred event.
The Meridian Idaho Temple was announced by Church President Thomas S. Monson at the Church’s April 2011 general conference. There are currently three operating temples in Idaho, in Boise, Rexburg and Twin Falls. The Idaho Falls Temple is currently being renovated and will open to the public to visit and tour this April before it is rededicated June 4. There are about 426,000 Latter-day Saints in Idaho.
The temple is located at 7345 North Linder Road, a few blocks north of the intersection of North Linder Road and Chinden Blvd.
Ground was broken for the temple August 23, 2014

Grandparents Corner:

Yes, it's still cold outside...
Grandpa and Kahlen  hanging out before their bedtime.

Drum roll please...We are pleased to announce the latest addition to our family.
Granddaughter #6, Grandchild #16, baby girl Bacchus-name still to be decided
Born January 28, 2017 at 3:07 am, weighing 9 lbs 6 oz, 21 inches long



We are truly blessed!
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So in closing, allow us to quote a favorite hymn that pretty much sums up our feelings-

Because we have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord
we'll share thy love again, according to thy word.
We shall give love to those in need;
We'll share thy love by word and deed;
thus shall our thanks be thanks indeed.

Have a great week!







Saturday, January 21, 2017

January 21, 2017 Four Pledges for the New Year

"Verily, verily, I say unto you, even as you desire of me so it shall be done unto you; and if you desire, you shall be the means of doing much good in this generation."
Doctrine and Covenants 11:8
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"Four pledges for the new year: I will listen, I will learn, I will labor, I will love.  As we fulfill these pledges, we can have the guidance of our Heavenly Father and in our lives discover true joy. Now, I don't simply mean that we should make a wish, or that we should dream a dream, but rather determine to do that which we pledge to accomplish."
Thomas S. Monson

January 18, 2017 departing missionaries
One of our departing missionaries met his baby brother for the very first time.
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I will listen

 One of 15 new missionaries heading to orientation.

 I will learn

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Trainer and trainee (the twin towers) preparing to hit the ground running.

 I will labor


 I will love


                                            

On the Home front

                         Sorry, it has been a crazy week with 4 departing missionaries, 15 new                                arrivals and transfers so we don't have any grandchildren pictures to                                  share. 
 
                         However, we do need to recognize a very special person in our lives at                              this time.


 Dorothy Holbrook Busath, better known as "GG" had some serious health challenges in the past few days and we are happy to report that things are finally looking better.            (The Lord truly does hear and answer prayers). 
She has always been our biggest fan so it seems only fitting that we take a moment to express our love and appreciation.

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For the friend, the support, the mom you are-thank you.
We are so happy you are finally home.
We love you!!!
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Wishing you joy as you fulfill your new years pledges!

Saturday, January 14, 2017

January 14, 2017 Press forward with steadfastness in Christ

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"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye hall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the father:  
Ye shall have eternal life,"
2 Nephi 31:20

Sorry for the delay in posting, but it has been a little crazy in our winter wonderland.
We welcomes 9 new missionaries, said good bye to 14 and it snowed. The Esslinger family  moved into their new home and it snowed. Christmas came and went and it snowed. The Peterson family came for a visit, the New Year arrived, Megan and Kahlen moved in and it snowed and it snowed and it snowed. 
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December 7, 2017-9 New Arrival's and their trainers
 President Bartlett, the cold never bothered me anyway.
  Idaho Boise Mission Christmas Talent Show and Devotional in Boise
December 20, 2016
 Idaho Boise Mission Christmas Talent Show and Devotional in Twin Falls
December 22, 2016

President and Sister Bartlett began the Talent Show part of the program by leading us in a group participation of "On the First Day of Christmas"

On the twelfth day of Christmas
my true love sent to me:
 12 Drummers Drumming
                                     
                                                      11 Pipers Piping
                                    Image result for 10 lords a leaping
                       
                                                      9 Ladies Dancing
                       
                                                         8 Maids a Milking
                       
7 Swans a Swimming
6 Geese a Laying
                                     
5 Golden Rings
                                      
4 Calling Birds
                                      
3 French Hens
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Then on a more tradition note we were inspired by the talent of our missionaries!


District Choirs
Solo's
                     

Instrumentals

                                Trio's                                                               Quartets

Ballet
Comedy
                                                           We Three Kings
                                   
Christmas carol's in Spanish
A revised "missionary" version of "On the first day of Christmas"
                                      And the Assistant's to the President closed the Talent Show by sharing their version of "On the first day of Christmas" as a roast to the office staff, 10-4.

               
And even with all the fun we still made time to move missionaries 
and take care of the little fires that always seemed to  pop up.

Grandparent Corner
Pre-Christmas Festivities
Sienna's first dance recital


                    

              
           The biggest snowfall in 32 years!

Christmas is all about traditions and the Cortopassi family didn't let us down 
sending their famous sweet rolls all the way from Wilton, CA
And Christmas wouldn't be Christmas without Katie's Christmas Crunch!
Charles, William, Thomas, Steve and Kahlen donning their gay apparel

             Wade catching the Christmas spirit.             Kahlen wondering what all the fuss is                                                                                about.

   Wade and William in their matching pajamas.      William settling in for a warm winter's                                                                              nap.

Post-Christmas Activities
                                       

     The old folks trying their hand at a selfie                A special Christmas gift 
                                                                              After over 38  years of love and wear                                                                                 and tear from our six kids, this                                                                                         rocking chair was refinished, thanks                                                                                 to our kids, to be loved and enjoyed
                                                                              by their kids.              


The original plan was to purchase a new suit for Elder Busath, thanks to the generous donations from our kids. What he actually used the money for was to buy a snow blower.

Cousins, Sienna, Wade and Shelby, enjoying the Children's Museum in Nampa, ID.
Wade and Grandpa checking out Grandpa's new Christmas train.
Shelby, Wade and Grandpa just hanging out.
Best buddies, Wade and Shelby
Grandma cuddles
Grandpa, Andi and the boys surveying the possibility of creating a snow slide.
Our snow angels
              

Sam  trying to pack down the fine powdered snow so we could sled with no success.
New Year's Eve at the Esslinger house with balloons to break each half hour, with activities to do to help us wait out the countdown.
Buzz Lightyear-from infinity and beyond!

New Year's Day dinner and Grandma and Grandpa's
The "Aunt's" making a warm blanket for Kahlen to snuggle in when she arrives.


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At Merritt's Restaurant having amazing scones before Wade and his Mom and Dad have to catch a plane for home.
Wade catching up on his reading.
                     Kahlen our little snow bunny and one of Grandpa's sweethearts!               Image result for target
It has been a wonderful beginning for a new year, but let's not forget, when times get tough, and we know they will, we must keep our eyes on the target.

"We covenanted to take upon ourselves the name of Jesus Christ.  Implicit in that covenant is the understanding that we will strive to learn about God, love Him, increase our faith in Him, honor him, walk in His way, and stand steadfastly as witnesses of Him.

The two great commandments are the target. On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets. As we accept this, all other good things will fall into place.
If our primary focus, thoughts, and efforts are centered on increasing our love for Almighty God and extending our hearts to others, we can know that we have found the right target and are aiming at the bull's eye-becoming true disciples of Jesus Christ.
President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Wishing you a happy, healthy, and successful new year!