Abundance

 Yesterday, I accompanied my husband, Dan, up to Pine Valley where he was completing a job for the forest service. On the property where he is working there are several large apples trees that are abundantly full of apples. Dan has been bringing home bushels of apples every time he works there. The forest service gave him permition to "pick as many" as he wanted.

Today I was invited along to pick the remaining apples as winter is moving in this weekend. I fashioned a Wal-mart go green bag around my neck with a bungee strap as a makeshift apple picking contraption. I carefully positioned the ladder below so that when I climed to the top rung; I would be in prime position to reach as many apples as possible in that section.

As I got to the top, I would reach and stretch to gather every apple withen my grasp. Just as I was about to finish and climb down with  my bag full to capacity, I'd remember to look up. It was always hard to keep my balance when my eyes would leave the ground, but I always found the very best, and brightest apples right above my head!

It didn't take me long to fill the two big baskets that I had brought with me to gather my fall harvest. As I looked at my tote of beautiful apples, I again felt abundance! I had more than I needed and knew that I could share. 

Dan has been filling up bags of apples for several weeks and delivering them to the neighbors. We even set sevreal big bowls of apples out on our porch on Halloween night with a sign that said, Help Yourself. Pine Valley Applesl, Fresh picked today! 

Apples trees that were not pruned, but were allowed to grow as they saw fit; usually have a few blemishes. Some people that I shared the apples with were a little hesitent to take one; because they were not     "perfect" like those at the store which were chemically treated and polished with wax and stored in commercial coolers. But those who took the risk and tried a bite of a freshly picked apple right off the tree; were in for a real treat. The crisp, tart yet sweet flesh of the newly harvested apple delivered a perfect treat...just as nature intended an apple to taste. Regardless of any small imperfections, the delicious flavor of a fresh picked apple, can not be beat! 

My Life's Mantra

I try to live everyday to the fullest and to use every minute; 

so that I can say at the close of each day, that I lived it to the fullest! 

Flood the World with the Book of Mormon

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This book is near and dear to my heart both figuratively as well as literally in this photograph. It's helped to solidify my testimony and belief that God is real and He really loves us. I am so grateful for my Savior and for this book for helping me get to know him and his teachings better. In that way it has brought peace and happiness to my life. It's the B.O.M.com and I highly recommend it to everyone!   Dawson

This book means the world to me. The Book of Mormon is full of truth and comfort and every time I pick it up to read, I can feel my Saviors love. It speaks for our day as well as the days that it was written. We have the bible, which is a record of Gods children before and after Christ's death along with the record of His life. It also includes when Jerusalem was destroyed and what became of His people. The bible is a wonderful book to read and full of truth. But what about other places in the world? The Book of Mormon is holy scripture, like the bible. It's a record of Gods dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas. It contains, along with the bible, the fullness of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. And because that statement is true, it is the Word of God. It is full of love and grace, and I know if you read it's pages with a sincere heart seeking to find the truth, you will come to find that it is indeed true. God loves His children. And I know that He wouldn't place us on earth without knowing where to go or what's going to become of us after this life. You may have heard many people say, "I know this is true!" Or, "I know that I will be with my family forever after I die." Well, you don't have to take our word for it. I invite you to read this book. And to pray to your Father in Heaven who loves you more than you can comprehend. And you will come to find those truths that we talk about to be true in your life. This is a promise. If you want to know more please message me, or ask me about our missionaries  I would be more than happy to have you talk to them. Jesus Christ is your Savior and Heavenly Father is your loving father! I know this to be true. And I love this book and know it to be true. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
#BookofMormon #IKnowItsTrue

Jade Jensen

Those of you who know me, know that I am pretty much happy most of the time. What is there to be happy about in today's world you ask? Well, this book has taught me the Plan of Happiness! I know who I am, I know where I came from, I know where I want to be and who I want to be with. I also know that you and I have a Father in Heaven, who loves us and wants the best for us. He has shown us the way through the life of Jesus Christ. If we follow His example, we can find peace and happiness in this life and for eternity. If you want to find a happier life I suggest you check out this book. Get one free at www.mormon.org.#BookofMormon #IKnowitsTrue

Shelly

Eagle Mentor Award for Dan

 Dan was given the mentor award from Colby Heaton as he received his Eagle award tonight. Dan has assisted many scouts in their Eagle quest, but this is the first Mentor award that he has received. He has done a lot to help this group of boys become Eagle Scouts. Dan is a Life for Life; but has assisted at least 30 scouts over the years to become Eagles.

Colby and Kason Heaton become Eagle scouts.  Mike Aldred administers the Eagle scout oath.

Mike was given the other mentor award. 

Andrew's name is signed on this troop flag from 2006. It made me teary eyed to see that since

 he is on his mission and I miss him at events like this. 

50 Things I Learned from my Father by Lindsey

50 Things I Learned from my Father:
1. Work hard then play hard
2. All good things in life come from God
3. Serve others always
4. Unselfishness
5. Humility
6. Frugality
7. Do it yourself
8. Good cornbread is not too sweet
9. Eat healthy
10. Exercise is fun
11. Mountain biking is fun
12. The ten rules of hiking
13. Love for the outdoors
14. Lecture 136
15. Self-discipline in sports
16. When being chased by a bear you only have to run faster than the other person
17. If you’re not hungry, don’t eat
18. How to run fast
19. Charity
20. How to ride a bike
21. How to hike
22. How to climb
23. How to camp
24. Humor
25. The importance of family hobbies
26. Confidence
27. Kindness
28. Temperance
29. Everything will work out
30. The good things in life aren’t things
31. Keep the commandments
32. How to canoe
33. What to do when you tip your canoe
34. Go to church
35. Don’t be lazy
36. Peanut butter and honey is all you need
37. Don’t waste daylight
38. Wasting dessert isn’t wasting
39. How to renovate your kitchen
40. Accountability
41. Enjoy the scenery
42. Stick to your principles
43. Don’t follow the crowd
44. How to make your own fun
45. How to check the oil
46. Be resourceful
47. Patience
48. Forgiveness
49. Obedience
50. Love is giving your last bite of ice-cream cone (the best bite) to someone else
Thanks for sacrificing so much for me dad! I have learned more from you then you may realize. Thanks for being such a good example to me! I love you!

Love, Lindsey

Unlike

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  Ben Flake This is awesome

  Yesterday at 12:26am · Like
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  Ben Flake Okay, so what's lecture 136? Oh and #36 is my favorite

  Yesterday at 12:38am · Like
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  Carlton-Lindsey Taylor Every lecture was #136! Ha ha!

  Yesterday at 3:27am · Like · 1
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  Shelly Flake What a wonderful tribute to a wonderful Father, Dan Flake. I've been the recipient of many last bites of ice cream cone--and I know that sacrifice from my husband is an unselfish gift of LOVE! Happy Father's Day honey!

  Yesterday at 12:46pm · Edited · Like · 2
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  Ben Flake You can't get more love than offering up the last bite of your ice cream cone! Props to Dan

  Yesterday at 12:48pm · Unlike · 1

Special Mother's Day Gift

50 Things My Mother Taught Me by Word and Example
1. Have faith
2. Be optimistic about life
3. Forgive
4. Use good manners
5. Be friendly
6. Include others
7. Throw parties
8. Write kind notes to people often
9. Be grateful
10. Keep promises
11. Be obedient
12. Plan ahead
13. The importance of family
14. How to learn from others mistakes
15. How to cook
16. How to sew
17. To love exercise
18. The joy of dancing
19. How to make strawberry jam (Shelly Jelly)
20. Serve whenever you see a need
21. Live with virtue
22. The importance of eating meals as a family
23. Write in your journal
24. The importance of family history
25. How to walk
26. How to talk
27. Responsibility
28. Modesty
29. Love for the outdoors
30. Choice and accountability
31. The importance of education
32. Nothing good happens after midnight
33. Smile always
34. Have good hygiene
35. Be kind to everyone
36. How to be happy
37. Self-discipline
38. Dedication
39. Go to church
40. How to pray
41. Honesty
42. Stick to your principles
43. Always make your bed
44. How to clean
45. What not to wear
46. Share with others
47. Set goals
48. Wake up early
49. How to tie my shoes
50. How to love being a mother!

Thank you for teaching me my whole life and treating motherhood as the honor and blessing that it is! Happy Mother’s day Mom! I love you!

Love, Lindsey

Moons that reflect the light of Christ

Andrew wrote a very nice letter home to Dawson this week. We knew we wouldn't see Dawson for a couple of weeks so I called Dawson to see if I could open it and read it to him. He agreed. Here are some highlights:

I just want to say how cool of a person you are. Your talents and abilities far exceed those of mortals. But seriously, you have done a lot of awesome things and you have let the Lord shape you into an amazing person!

What I always admired is your humility. You understand where our gifts come from. I think that is something that not enough people appreciate in people is the humility.

It was always a goal of mine to fit in; but what's the good of fitting in with a bunch of punks?
Someone who has qualities and gifts like you shouldn't fit in the norm; but should be proud to be among the elect and righteous. Samuel the Lamanite got shot at. Our Savior was killed. These people weren't normal.

I hope you know that I love you and look up to you in a lot of things. (but not in height!) I'm excited to speak en code language with you when I get back.

I like what you told me awhile ago about moons. We are like moons reflecting the light of Christ. Along with that, moons change phase and so can we. We should strive to be full moons!

Love,
Elder Andrew Flake

Clean Your Own Closet First

So I needed to find some information about a stake trek we had been on about six years ago, so a few months ago I tried to find the trek book that had been made with many photos and memories from that time.

I looked in all of the usual places that I thought I kept the book, but couldn't find it.

I tried to think back on my last recollections of having the book. I remembered that my friend at school was in charge of a trek a few years ago and I thought that I had taken the book to school and given to her to look through.

So after looking at my house, I thought I'd ask her. She like me, being in her 50's and all, kind of recollected a conversation but couldn't really remember anything more about the book. She said that she would check her house and also email a friend that ended up helping more with the trek and just ask if she happened to have it.

So a month went by and I didn't hear anything back from her so now after looking for the book for two months, and not wanting to forget about it again, I asked her one more time hoping that she had heard something from her friend. Nothing. I decided the ball was back in my court, and I needed to make a greater effort.

The funny thing is that a month ago when I asked her, a picture had come to my mind, of my front closet and the stack of coffee table books that I had stashed there when I was straightening up for company to come. I was at school and made a mental note to look there soon.

Well, I'm a busy girl and had glanced up there a time for two, but knew I'd have to get a chair and climb up and make a little more effort in my quest. So I, I put it off hoping that I could find the book an easier way; maybe someone else would find it for me.

So this morning, I returned to my quest to clean up my house after company from last week and before my next two weekends would involve more company. I set out to clean a little. This time when I opened the closet to get out the vacuum; I saw the stack of books on the top shelf. This time I went and got a chair and climbed up and there in the stack of books, was my trek book! It was in my own closet; not someone else's!!

I hurried and texted my friend and told her that I had found it so she wouldn't feel guilty that she had misplaced it. Then I realized what I had done.

It is easier sometimes to put the blame on others, let them do the work, than to clean out your own closet! I will try harder to remember this lesson; and to take a closer look into my own closet before putting the blame on others and asking them to do the cleaning!! (and/or the changing)