HELP! Technical Difficulties on our Blog

Sometimes when I log onto our blog, I see a big gray square on our family picture (right over my face! :) ) or down lower. I wonder if it's just when I am on there, or if others see it too.

Do you see strange gray squares on our blog?

Thanks. I appreciate the feedback.

Tips from "The Earthquake Lady"

I've been wondering lately what I would do if we had an earthquake. Well, I was very attentive to what "the earthquake lady" (from Homeland Security--Be Ready Utah) had to say when she came to our neighborhood last week. I don't mean to cause fear or anxiety, but I was just so happy to have some more information, that I thought I would share it. I actually left this meeting feeling more at peace than before. Here were some of the most helpful tips she gave:

Preparing your home for an earthquake:

• Make sure your water heater is secured to the wall (if not, there's a $12.00 kit at Home Depot)
  
• In the kitchen, put heavy and breakable things in the bottom cupboards, and light things up top (hmmm...obvious, but very opposite of what I've done)
• use the rubber grip stuff in your cupboards and under things that could slide and fall, such as a table microwave, tv, etc.
• Make a plan from each room of your house, of where you would go for the best shelter
• Make a plan of where your family members would meet if there were no communication after a disaster
  

What to do when it hits:

• If you are outside, stay outside. Get away from buildings or trees
• If you are inside, stay inside and get in a safe place--don't try to go up or down the stairs.
  
• I'm still not sure what the VERY best place to be is, but among the safest places in the home are: a center wall, hallway, closet, or a bathroom; under a sturdy table, or in a door frame (but watch for the door not to shut on you)
  
• The worst places to be inside: on the stairs, near a window, near an outer wall
• If you are near a window and can't move far, at least turn your head away from the window
• If you are driving, safely pull over if you can. You may have to leave your car and walk home. If you are on the freeway, do NOT abandon your car to walk home.
  

She had SO MUCH more information about preparedness, such as what to have in 72 hour kits, cars, etc. See www.BeReadyUtah.gov

Learning at the Feet of an Apostle

We have many great memories that never make it onto our blog. But it's been almost a week, and I still can't stop thinking about last Saturday night, so I think I'll attempt to write about our indescribable experience: Elder David A. Bednar, one of the 12 Apostles of the Lord, spoke at our Stake Conference.


I think sometimes the Saturday night adult session of Stake Conference is sometimes overlooked, but it is one of the most spirit-filled meetings that we have in our church. And this time, with Elder Bednar here to teach us and to share his apostolic testimony, it was one of the most spiritual experiences of my life. He and his wife spoke for almost an hour but I didn't want it to end. He taught us the basics of the plan of Happiness-- the atonement of Jesus Christ, covenants, agency and obedience--but I learned so many new things.

His witness of Jesus Christ was so profound and the spirit was so strong, that I don't know how anyone in the room could have denied his sacred calling. He taught with so much authority and power, that I was enlightened every minute, and my testimony was strengthened and refreshed. I came away with a vision and a desire to be a better disciple of Christ, and a better person. It was one of those life-altering experiences for me.

In light of the recent criticism directed at our church leaders due to their support of proposition 8 (by those out of our church, and those within), I just want to raise my voice in saying that I know the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is true. The leaders of our church are led by Jesus Christ himself. Yes, they are human. But their involvement in supporting and defending the sanctity of marriage between a man and a woman was not just a decision made by a group of church leaders. They have guidance from heaven. They are doing the Lord's will in defending eternal truths that cannot be altered by men. They will never lead us astray. If anyone is wondering what to think of them, they can read from the church website their most recent teachings. They will see that their message is one of love, tolerance, and obedience to God's commandments.

Spontaneous Photo Shoot

Lately, we've had a lot of discussions about the value of a really good camera. So while we were at Grandma and Grandpa Thatcher's house, Mark and Em (Paul's brother and wife) let us test out theirs. Emily casually began taking pictures of our girls out in Mom's flower garden. We jumped in and got some family pictures too. One day maybe we'll plan family pictures and have matching clothes and the girls' hair done. But hey, you can't complain about free photos! Thanks Mark and Em!