Category: Stephen

Here are my notes from the 2008 Stake Conference, I was very touched by the words which were shared and feel that this will make me a better person because I was able to attend. I could really feel the love and concern as Elder Hammond and Elder Maynes spoke to us…

President Marcum – Be sensitive to the spirit, don’t just nibble on it’s power. Be at peace at the temple. Filled with the holy ghost because of the sacrament.

Elder Hammond – like a hood neighbor stake arms are there. 1st is a family 가족 para siempre. PTC – parent testifying center. If you do not doubt god will deliver you. Multiply and replenish, replace ourselves and replace our knowledge into our kids.

Elder Maynes – good to be active better to be faithful, establish Zion don’t just build the church. “Everyone wants to change humanity, but no one wants to change themselves.” Mere theory never saved anyone – Brigham Young. Theory + practice = results

Priesthood leadership mtg
Elder Hammond – Because I am an elder, that is why I will do it.
Spiritual reflex to say yes to every calling and need.

Elder Maynes – want keeps our youth active? We need to generate spiritual experiences. Our children are our investigators. Have the priests teach a primary class or any lesson to provide them with a spiritual experience. Ask our children to help give the lesson in FHE. Have them perform priesthood ordinance. How are we going to do it? Details not just theory.

I had to snap this shot this morning, one of those simple sites that we see so often yet when we look closer we notice the real beauty. What makes this so beautiful is the reflections of the sun off the clouds and the mountains. Yet at other times we see clouds as dreary and sad. Just goes to show what the Son can do to any thing it’s “light” touches. Both seen and felt…

Comments:

Michelle Babcock said…

Beautiful pictures Stephen!
Friday, October 31, 2008 11:51:11 PM

Mom and Dad Parker said…

The Son has certainly made our lives more beautiful, and ” our purpose is to invite people to come unto Christ”. Pretty powerful weapon against the ugliness of many people’s world.
Saturday, November 01, 2008 1:09:40 AM

Anne said…

That is beautiful!
Saturday, November 01, 2008 6:43:30 AM

Jana said…

Pretty pictures…and I like your analogy, deep thought from Stephen Parker!
Sunday, November 02, 2008 8:28:23 AM

Stacie said…

We saw this sunrise while the kids were watching for the bus! It was a beautiful site! I am glad you got some pictures! The Lord has given us a beautiful earth to enjoy!
Sunday, November 02, 2008 9:12:55 AM

Stephen B. said…

I miss the beauty of the sunsets of Rexburg, but I love the beauty of Mt. Timpanogos out our kitchen window. The mountains remind me of the temple.
Saturday, November 08, 2008 12:12:58 AM

Jodi surprised me tonight by inviting me to go on a little bike ride with her for our anniversary. It was fun to just take time to talk one on one with her and share memories of the last 14 years together. Her seat had been lowered by Mason, so it was much more difficult for her to make the ride up Summer’s Hill. I remember her saying I am not sure if I am going to make it to the top. I thought to myself, I need to change my mindset so we make this a joy ride not a training ride. We kept riding and talking and before we knew it we were at the top. I said to her I thought you weren’t going to make it to the top. She replied, I have learned never to think that way when I am with you. Great Girl.

When we reached the top we parked our bikes by a spud cellar and she opened up my backpack and pulled out a bottle of sparkling soda, a nice card, a bag of chocolate covered cinnamon bears, a CD with “Our Songs”, and two glasses. She never ceases to impress me. We had out own private toast and treats. It was great to be there with her. We talked about how it is getting more natural to just enjoy one each others company and not worry about trying to make everything just perfect. I am so happy to have spent the last 14 years under the same roof as Jodi. She is a true friend and ally in this life. We are off to a good start.

Just a little something special from Jodi.

I had to snap this shot this morning. While I watched Mason and Alexis sharing The Book of Mormon as we read as a family. Then to see Lily and Jodi sharing as well was a great feeling. Definitely a defining moment in my life. To see my children work together for a good cause.

Comments:

Mom and Dad Parker said…

As missionaries, we are taught that “no effort is wasted”. It’s the same in parenting. The little things that seems so often frustrating to accomplish end up becoming the defining factors of our families. And we only get one family.
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 10:50:17 AM

Anne said…

Ah…a sweet moment, way to stop and enjoy life now!
Tuesday, October 21, 2008 4:06:10 PM

Jana said…

Neat to see you all working together and enjoying it. I don’t think our early morning scripture study was that good as a kid…we just slept until the person next to us nudged us for our turn to read.(not always and I guess I should speak for myself!) Thanks for your wonderful families example.
Thursday, October 23, 2008 3:39:36 PM

Stephen Baldwin said…

Awesome picture of wonderful grandchildren! Thanks, Stephen, for teaching the family correct principles and carrying on family traditions from the Parkers and Baldwins.
Thursday, October 30, 2008 9:31:29 AM

I had planned way back in August when we had Olivia’s birthday party, that I would save some cotton candy for Mom and Dad when we go and see them. I filled a ice cream container to the top with an extra large batch. With the time drawing nearer I thought I would check to make sure it was still looking fresh. I opened the container to find that it had shrunk to the size of a thick pancake! All I can say is my intentions were good…sorry Mom and Dad, JT sure had a good time with it at least. He grabbed it when I wasn’t looking.

	Lex thought it looked like it had a belly button	Eureka!
	Don’t even think about taking this from me!

Tonight Mason and I both experienced in real life “Karma”. As we were leaving to go help a women in the ward move (whom Jodi and I HT, we teach her together because she is single now). Mason asked me, “what is Karma dad?” I gave him the quick explanation of what goes around comes around. Little did I know we were about to experience “good Karma”. As we were helping her move she kept giving items to Mason, he would take a few trips to the trailer and then she would offer him another item. He was sure happy with the odds and ends she was awarding him with, she even gave us a Ping Pong Table.

I told Mason as we took the load to her storage unit, now is where we see who is really dedicated to helping her (I don’t say that to make others feel bad, I was just trying to teach Mason). We had to take some of her stuff to a storage unit, then some of it to her house and after each stop we lost a few more of our volunteers until at the last stop it was just down to the first two people who came to help her. Mason thought it was interesting that we were the first to come and the last to leave. I told him that is how we always should be, and then reminded him of Mosiah 2:17…Call it what you want, I just call it a blessing.

Comments:

Dad and Mom Parker said…

There is no better teacher than that of example, and you are a good example of having a good teacher. That sounds just like your dad. Another man’s junk is also another man’s treasure. It always feels good to help others, especially when they appreciate it.
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 12:16:29 AM

Jodi said…

Nice post – I liked your thoughts and example!
Tuesday, October 14, 2008 10:04:59 PM

Multi ColoredWe decided after Lex gave a talk in church last week (about the people of Mosiah who “pitched their tents round about the temple”) that we should pitch a tent to watch conference. I thought to myself I wish I would have grabbed that popup tent from Sam’s last week. It would have been perfect and easy, since the only other tent we have has wheels on it (the popup trailer). The only other option now was to build it from scratch. So we started like every good fort starts with a couple pillows blankets and some crazy idea’s. Before we knew it we had 4 ladders, over 15 blankets, two 55 gallon water barrels, and several extension cords, oh ya and a box of pins. I think it turned out pretty swell and the kids enjoyed sleeping in it the last two nights as well. Like always it was the journey that made it fun.

The first settlers…

rear view, it is almost 9′ tall

Comments:

John said…

Looks like a great idea. Life is always fun in a tent. It will be a great memory.

Monday, October 06, 2008 7:53:44 AM

Dad and Mom Parker said…

The tent is great. We have lots of fun memories from tents. It’s good to remember to keep our tents pitched toward the gospel and good things.
Monday, October 06, 2008 3:13:21 PM

Jana said…

Pretty good looking tent, Fun idea and fun memories.
Wednesday, October 08, 2008 11:13:50 AM

I took this as I exited the Temple todayToday I saw an angel! I was working in the temple as a witness for the baptisms, when I looked up and saw the most beautiful sight I have ever witnessed. There right in front of my eyes was Jodi! She had surprised me and came to the temple to do baptisms for the dead. She looked astounding! She was dressed in all white ready to work, I couldn’t stop smiling. She stepped into the font and I immediately said, “I would like to baptize her please”. Since they all know me there they hurried and found a replacement witness for me and let me enter the water with her. What an experience, it was difficult to read the names because of how big I was smiling and the wetness of my eyes.

After she was baptized for 15 people, She looked at me and said, “Thank You.” She then leaned into me and gave me a hug, I can’t remember what it feels like to be in the presence of The Savior, but it must feel something like what I felt there. The witnesses chuckled a little saying, “you can’t do that in the font.” All I can say is Thank You, Thanks You, Thank you – Jodi, for the chance to be in the temple with you today. Today I felt closer to Jodi than I ever have, like our spirits had melded together.

The old Honda Odyssey rolled 200,000 miles tonight. I was fortunate enough to look down right as she rolled from 199,999 what a beauty. Let just hope she goes another 200,000 now that it is all broken in.