Inspirational Thought
11 years ago
Saturday, September 19, 2009
Florida State Crushes BYU 54-28 as the Noles Rush for 316 yards
I was going to come up with my own title but I saw this one and couldn't do better. BYU was quick to air the Oklahoma game on BYU classic sports. My guess is this one doesn't make it:) A guy I work with is a big BYU fan he had already been talking about how an undefeated BYU would still get shunned by the BCS somehow. Oh how I look forward to work on Monday. Sorry, couldn't resist the post since I knew there would be a post after they won at OK game.
Wednesday, September 16, 2009
from mexico
Good Morning and Happy 16th of September – Independence Day in Mexico,
Today will be a festive day in Mexico as we celebrate independence from Spain that began in 1810. The “Grito de Dolores” was the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence uttered on September 16, 1810 by Miguel Hidalgo from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo and several educated believers were involved in a planned revolt against Spanish colonial government, and when the plotters were betrayed, he declared that war should be waged against the Spaniards. Just before midnight on September 15, 1810, Hidalgo ordered the church bells to be rung and gathered his congregation. (Hidalgo was a Catholic Priest) Flanked by Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama, he addressed the people in front of his church, encouraging them to revolt. The exact words of the speech are lost; however, a variety of reconstructed versions have been published. Hidalgo is believed to have cried: “Long live Our Lady Of Guadalupe (a symbol of their faith), death to bad government, and death to the Spaniards!” The Battle of Guanajuato, the first major engagement of insurgency, occurred 4 days later. Mexico’s independence would not be recognized by the Spanish crown until September 27, 1821, after a decade of war. So today the city is decorated in the Mexico’s colors (Green, Red and White), the bombs will burst and there will be a grand celebration everywhere.
We will be getting together with our missionary friends for a field day at “Lions Park.” The park is located a short distance from where we live here in the city and it will be a relaxing day with several senior couples serving in the area. Monday night we had a family home evening at the stake building next to the temple attended by all those who are working in the temple as well as all of the senior couples in the city. It was a grand occasion with lots of delicious traditional food and entertainment. The evening was topped off with a Mariachi Band. They were great and we certainly had a wonderful evening.
We spent last week in Puebla with Tim Ziedner and Robb Jones from church headquarters in Salt Lake doing interviews with young men, their parents and leaders and several young single adults. Tim and Robb were great and we really enjoyed talking to them about the research they are doing and the process used in the church to get the best possible teaching material available to teachers all over the world. It is a laborious process but based on sound research and inspiration as materials move through the priesthood authorities in Salt Lake before any new or changed material is ever implemented by the church worldwide. We really appreciated there visit as they brought need things from home in the way of medications, pictures of the Hinton Family (they live right near Tim in Stansbury Park), and a new computer we very much needed. We have now started a “Grand Kids” photo album on our mirror in the bedroom and we hope the rest of the family will email us photos of your families or post them on a blog somewhere so we can download and print them for our mirror. We want to fill the mirror with all of our family photos as soon as possible…so get them coming our way.
We have often commented on the interesting afternoon weather here in Mexico City as we approach the end of the “rainy season.” Folks tell us we have not had as much rain as needed this year and we note there are many announcements asking people to preserve water. In all of this, however, we have seen more rain these past few weeks than the earlier months of the rainy season. In fact, as noted last week we have been in some downpours of late and the rain has not been reserved for just the late afternoon; rather, it comes in spurts at different times all day long. Therefore, it is necessary to carry an umbrella everywhere we go just in case a dark cloud comes over and dumps a bucket or two of water. It has also turned off a bit cool so we find ourselves putting on a sweater or coat to keep the chill of in the mornings and evenings.
Enough for this week. We send our love to all and thank you for your good examples and the many things you do for us and so many others.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa, etc.
Today will be a festive day in Mexico as we celebrate independence from Spain that began in 1810. The “Grito de Dolores” was the battle cry of the Mexican War of Independence uttered on September 16, 1810 by Miguel Hidalgo from the small town of Dolores, near Guanajuato. Hidalgo and several educated believers were involved in a planned revolt against Spanish colonial government, and when the plotters were betrayed, he declared that war should be waged against the Spaniards. Just before midnight on September 15, 1810, Hidalgo ordered the church bells to be rung and gathered his congregation. (Hidalgo was a Catholic Priest) Flanked by Ignacio Allende and Juan Aldama, he addressed the people in front of his church, encouraging them to revolt. The exact words of the speech are lost; however, a variety of reconstructed versions have been published. Hidalgo is believed to have cried: “Long live Our Lady Of Guadalupe (a symbol of their faith), death to bad government, and death to the Spaniards!” The Battle of Guanajuato, the first major engagement of insurgency, occurred 4 days later. Mexico’s independence would not be recognized by the Spanish crown until September 27, 1821, after a decade of war. So today the city is decorated in the Mexico’s colors (Green, Red and White), the bombs will burst and there will be a grand celebration everywhere.
We will be getting together with our missionary friends for a field day at “Lions Park.” The park is located a short distance from where we live here in the city and it will be a relaxing day with several senior couples serving in the area. Monday night we had a family home evening at the stake building next to the temple attended by all those who are working in the temple as well as all of the senior couples in the city. It was a grand occasion with lots of delicious traditional food and entertainment. The evening was topped off with a Mariachi Band. They were great and we certainly had a wonderful evening.
We spent last week in Puebla with Tim Ziedner and Robb Jones from church headquarters in Salt Lake doing interviews with young men, their parents and leaders and several young single adults. Tim and Robb were great and we really enjoyed talking to them about the research they are doing and the process used in the church to get the best possible teaching material available to teachers all over the world. It is a laborious process but based on sound research and inspiration as materials move through the priesthood authorities in Salt Lake before any new or changed material is ever implemented by the church worldwide. We really appreciated there visit as they brought need things from home in the way of medications, pictures of the Hinton Family (they live right near Tim in Stansbury Park), and a new computer we very much needed. We have now started a “Grand Kids” photo album on our mirror in the bedroom and we hope the rest of the family will email us photos of your families or post them on a blog somewhere so we can download and print them for our mirror. We want to fill the mirror with all of our family photos as soon as possible…so get them coming our way.
We have often commented on the interesting afternoon weather here in Mexico City as we approach the end of the “rainy season.” Folks tell us we have not had as much rain as needed this year and we note there are many announcements asking people to preserve water. In all of this, however, we have seen more rain these past few weeks than the earlier months of the rainy season. In fact, as noted last week we have been in some downpours of late and the rain has not been reserved for just the late afternoon; rather, it comes in spurts at different times all day long. Therefore, it is necessary to carry an umbrella everywhere we go just in case a dark cloud comes over and dumps a bucket or two of water. It has also turned off a bit cool so we find ourselves putting on a sweater or coat to keep the chill of in the mornings and evenings.
Enough for this week. We send our love to all and thank you for your good examples and the many things you do for us and so many others.
Love,
Mom and Dad
Grandma and Grandpa, etc.
the Lastest from the Bartholomews
Dear Family and Friends,
Hey, I am still alive!! It has been an interesting few weeks – actually about eight. I have learned there are things here in Africa that you do not want to bite you. I think I have had micro-organisms, spiders and tick bites enough for a life time. I am trying to do better. Came out of hospital and contacted a tick and got tick bite fever. What I do know is that trials make us stronger … or kills us!! So, Hey I am happy to be alive.
Our legs are getting thinner. That is a saying they make here when someone is preparing to leave shortly. We hate that the end of our mission is here already – but we are so excited to see our family. It is very strange emotion that goes on within you as you prepare to leave the people that you have grown to love with all your heart. Tears flow easily every day as we contemplate leaving. The Lord has truly blessed us to accomplish the things necessary even though I have been ill. I would have enough strength to do what we needed and then we would go home. Our branches have become stronger and are starting to have strong legs which enable them to stand and be successful. This is a testimony to me of the love our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. He does strengthen us and always with faith there is hope.
These past few weeks, we have enjoyed a super Zone Conference, Mission couple get-away to Tembe Elephant Park, (where I was so lucky to get a tick to bite me), Branch Conferences, Youth and so on. The highlight though of all we have experienced these past weeks happened Saturday Morning. I was very sick from the tick fever and was getting very discouraged. Then I received a call telling me that our Branch in Ngwelezane was having an Enrichment meeting. ALL ON THEIR OWN!! I began to cry. They planned it, got everyone involved and then had the Branch President rent them a place to have it. The Branch Pres. called Larry to make sure he could give them money for the rent and food. Larry said “of Course”. They were learning about cooking and measuring. I had Elder B take me there even though I was sick and I took pictures of them and then said goodbye. I love these women. It has taken two years for the Relief Society to organize themselves to do such an activity on their own. It was always easy to have Sister B. help, but I was unavailable and they did it all. This was an answer to our prayers. To know that they can and more importantly WILL function as they should. The next day was Sunday and it was their Branch Conference. They had put together a choir and sang two numbers.
Our little twigs – embryos – have become a running and functioning branch!! I think of them many times like the pioneers with their handcarts. There are so many storms and winds in their lives that make it so hard for them to push forward. But somehow they do. We watch them struggle and wonder if they will every make it up the hill. But, this I know, God loves them. They are not alone – they are truly blessed with angels to bless their lives. We have seen the miracles – and many times they are small little things that make huge differences.
You all know of the love we have for these great people, so you can understand our sadness in leaving. We have five weeks left and fever or not we try to go forward. I hope to be over this by next week so we can push forward and end strong. We continue to have youth every week and Larry has been good to be the strong one to help. We celebrated Pres. Monsons Birthday this past week, (I know, I was a little late) we told stories of him and his accomplishments – them we decorated birthday cakes in his honor. They had so much fun – both decorating and eating. The youth are strong and will lead these branches into a ward someday.
I want to thank you all for your continued prayers on my behalf. I know they have helped. I can only be on the computer for a short time….headaches… but wanted you to know how blessed we are out here in Africa. We are anxious to be with our family shortly. We miss them so much. Our arrival day will be Oct. 20th. It seems so sad to end this little journey that we have been on. We love you all and will soon be with you again.
Love,
Mom, Karen, Sis. B.
Hey, I am still alive!! It has been an interesting few weeks – actually about eight. I have learned there are things here in Africa that you do not want to bite you. I think I have had micro-organisms, spiders and tick bites enough for a life time. I am trying to do better. Came out of hospital and contacted a tick and got tick bite fever. What I do know is that trials make us stronger … or kills us!! So, Hey I am happy to be alive.
Our legs are getting thinner. That is a saying they make here when someone is preparing to leave shortly. We hate that the end of our mission is here already – but we are so excited to see our family. It is very strange emotion that goes on within you as you prepare to leave the people that you have grown to love with all your heart. Tears flow easily every day as we contemplate leaving. The Lord has truly blessed us to accomplish the things necessary even though I have been ill. I would have enough strength to do what we needed and then we would go home. Our branches have become stronger and are starting to have strong legs which enable them to stand and be successful. This is a testimony to me of the love our Father in Heaven has for each one of us. He does strengthen us and always with faith there is hope.
These past few weeks, we have enjoyed a super Zone Conference, Mission couple get-away to Tembe Elephant Park, (where I was so lucky to get a tick to bite me), Branch Conferences, Youth and so on. The highlight though of all we have experienced these past weeks happened Saturday Morning. I was very sick from the tick fever and was getting very discouraged. Then I received a call telling me that our Branch in Ngwelezane was having an Enrichment meeting. ALL ON THEIR OWN!! I began to cry. They planned it, got everyone involved and then had the Branch President rent them a place to have it. The Branch Pres. called Larry to make sure he could give them money for the rent and food. Larry said “of Course”. They were learning about cooking and measuring. I had Elder B take me there even though I was sick and I took pictures of them and then said goodbye. I love these women. It has taken two years for the Relief Society to organize themselves to do such an activity on their own. It was always easy to have Sister B. help, but I was unavailable and they did it all. This was an answer to our prayers. To know that they can and more importantly WILL function as they should. The next day was Sunday and it was their Branch Conference. They had put together a choir and sang two numbers.
Our little twigs – embryos – have become a running and functioning branch!! I think of them many times like the pioneers with their handcarts. There are so many storms and winds in their lives that make it so hard for them to push forward. But somehow they do. We watch them struggle and wonder if they will every make it up the hill. But, this I know, God loves them. They are not alone – they are truly blessed with angels to bless their lives. We have seen the miracles – and many times they are small little things that make huge differences.
You all know of the love we have for these great people, so you can understand our sadness in leaving. We have five weeks left and fever or not we try to go forward. I hope to be over this by next week so we can push forward and end strong. We continue to have youth every week and Larry has been good to be the strong one to help. We celebrated Pres. Monsons Birthday this past week, (I know, I was a little late) we told stories of him and his accomplishments – them we decorated birthday cakes in his honor. They had so much fun – both decorating and eating. The youth are strong and will lead these branches into a ward someday.
I want to thank you all for your continued prayers on my behalf. I know they have helped. I can only be on the computer for a short time….headaches… but wanted you to know how blessed we are out here in Africa. We are anxious to be with our family shortly. We miss them so much. Our arrival day will be Oct. 20th. It seems so sad to end this little journey that we have been on. We love you all and will soon be with you again.
Love,
Mom, Karen, Sis. B.
Tuesday, September 15, 2009
Fw: First Day and Pie in the Sky
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Alan Colmes
Alan colmes retweeting one of my messages on twitter. He was acting like Keith Olbermann and I called him on it. It was funny.
Sunday, September 13, 2009
Happy Birthday Todd
It was Todd's birthday yesterday on the 12th so if you haven't you might want to send him some birthday wishes. Hope you had a fun day.
The lastest from the Risers
DEAR FAMILY AND FRIENDS,
PRESIDENT AND SISTER SMITH FLEW BACK TO BANGKOK MONDAY NIGHT. NOW WE WILL TRY AND PUT INTO PRACTICE ALL HIS ADVICE, COUNCIL, AND DIRECTION. OF COURSE, THERE IS OPPOSITION IN ALL THINGS. SO, THIS WEEK, JUST LIKE LAST WEEK AND THE COMING WEEKS, WE JUST KEEP ON TRYING “COME WHAT MAY.”
AN EXAMPLE: THIS PAST TUESDAY WE WERE PLANNING TO GO TO THE TEACHERS’ COLLEGE AND GET THINGS SET UP TO START TEACHING THERE THIS WEEK. IT NEVER HAPPENED, AND THINGS ARE ON HOLD UNTIL SOMEBODY TALKS TO SOMEBODY. AND, OF COURSE, THE EXCUSE IS THAT SOMEBODY IS BUSY.
ON WEDNESDAY WE MADE PROGRESS ON THE NEONATAL PROJECT WITH DR. BOUNNACK. WE HAVE A SHIPMENT COMING WITH SUPPLIES FOR OUR NOVEMBER TRAINING HERE IN VIENTIANE. WE WILL ALSO GO SOUTH TO CHAMPASACK. WE HAVE A BETTER IDEA OF MANY OF THE DISTRICT HOSPITALS AND THE HEALTH CENTERS.
THURSDAY WE WENT TO TWO OF OUR FORMER STUDENT’S SCHOOLS AND HELPED PUT UP PRACTICE BOARDS. THIS IS A VERY INEXPENSIVE PROJECT THAT ALLOWS US TO DO GOOD AND MEET A LOT OF PEOPLE.
SATURDAY WE WENT TO NONG KHAI, THAILAND, TO PICK UP A USED AIR CONDITIONER FROM A CHAPEL IN BANGKOK AND BROUGHT IT TO OUR CHURCH.. IT WILL BE WELL USED IN OUR NURSERY ROOM. THAT AFTERNOON WE HEARD A FIRE ENGINE NEAR BY AND SAW SOME SMOKE, SO WE VENTURED OUT. WE FOUND THE FIRE ENGINE FILLING UP WITH WATER FROM A FIRE HYDRANT. WE WALKED TOWARDS THE SMOKE. WE CAME UPON THE FIRE IN WHICH WAS FIVE HOMES WERE COMPLETELY DESTROYED. WE HAVE PICTURES. ALL NIGHT LONG I WAS THINKING OF HOW WE COULD HELP THESE PEOPLE. WE’LL SEE WHAT WE CAN COME UP WITH.
TODAY WAS ANOTHER GREAT DAY AT CHURCH. WE LOVE TO BE WITH THE MEMBERS. WE ARE WORKING AT CHANGING OUR HOME TEACHING PROGRAM. WE WILL STILL PASS OUT THE LIAHONA’S. PRESIDENT SMITH SUGGESTED THAT WE FOLLOW THE METHOD THAT THEY ARE DOING IN HONG KONG. AFTER CHURCH FOR ABOUT TWENTY TO THIRTY MINUTES THE BRANCH DIVIDES UP INTO HOME TEACHING FAMILIES OR DISTRICTS. EACH HAS A ROOM TO GO TO. THE ASSIGNED HOME TEACHERS COME IN TO THE ROOM AND GIVE A SHORT LESSON FROM THE LIAHONA’S FIRST PRESIDENCY MESSAGE, DISCUSS THE WELFARE OF THE MEMBERS, AND CLOSE WITH PRAYER. THE HOME TEACHERS THEN REPORT AND EVERYONE HEADS HOME. WE HOPE TO START THIS ON FAST SUNDAY IN OCTOBER. HONG KONG IS UNDER SOME OF THE SAME RESTRICTIONS WE ARE.
HAVE A GOOD WEEK--------IN ALMA 5:33 IT SAYS, “BEHOLD, HE SENDETH AN INVITATION UNTO ALL MEN, FOR THE ARMS OF MERCY ARE EXTENDED TOWARDS THEM, AND HE SAITH, REPENT, AND I WILL RECIEVE YOU.” THAT INVITATION IS TO EACH OF US---ALL MEANS ALL. THE INVITATION HAS BEEN GIVEN. WILL YOU (WE) ACCEPT IT?
LOVE,
DAD AND MOM, GRANDPA AND GRANDMA,
ELDER AND SISTER RISER, SCOTT AND JOLENE
Nice pictures of Steve kids
Steve,
Thanks for sending me the pictures I really enjoyed them. The kids are surely looking older all the time. I guess we are too.
Mom
Michelle Malkin » Nobel Prize winner, science pioneer, famine fighter Norman Borlaug, R.I.P.
Michelle Malkin » Nobel Prize winner, science pioneer, famine fighter Norman Borlaug, R.I.P.
I think this is the guy President Hinckley talked about once during conference.
I think this is the guy President Hinckley talked about once during conference.
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