MISSION CALL!

I got my mission call to the Utah Provo Mission!! I'm excited to get to go back! I'll also be serving in the St George Temple Visitor's Center for a while. I report to the MTC on the 3rd of Feb 2010! What a great new year it will be!

I'm excited to serve the Lord in whatever capacity He needs me to. I'm thankful to be going to such a familiar place, surrounded by people that accept me. I'm so sure of how true this church is! I know with all that is in me that the Prophet Joseph Smith really was a prophet of God. He was visited and spoke with heavenly messengers. He translated the Book of Mormon. It is inspired of God and it is scripture. I know that a prophet of God leads this church today, President Thomas S. Monson. I know he is truly called of God.

How grateful I am to pay tithing, as it were, on my 20 years of living. I know the Lord will bless me in all that I say and do, as I strive to humbly teach His children.

My EPIC day.

Today was a very epic day. Here is what happened:

1.) I ate goldfish under the kitchen table with my 4 yr old niece. She made me share.
2.) I ran across my huge backyard (screaming) to jump in a pile of leaves with my niece.
3.) I shoveled leaves with a snow shovel (it's more effective I think).
4.) I had hot chocolate with mini mini crunchy marshmallows.
5.) I roundhouse kicked a tree stump down to the bottom of the yard. (I got one down in the time it took my little sister to get 3...But mine was bigger I swear!!! Can we say that she has more Scot in her than I do?)

E.P.I.C.

Indeed. :D

Joseph Knight

After reading an email from my cousin Brad, where he asked me some questions about our mutual ancestors, I set about to learn what I could and pass on the info. I had a skeleton of knowledge compared to what I have found.

My 6th great-grandfather is Joseph Knight Sr. His history is woven in and out of the history of the LDS Church and closely follows that of the Prophet Joseph Smith. He was there when Joseph's brother Alvin died, there when Joseph finally received the plates from the angel Moroni. He was there to bring provisions to Joseph and his young wife, Emma, as the Prophet translated the Book of Mormon. He was there when the church was founded. On that day, some were baptized into the church. Joseph said"I had thoughts to go forward". But he did not. He wanted to "examine" the Book of Mormon more closely. He regretted that he did not go forward that day But I should a felt better if I had gone forward". He and his family were baptized just a few months later in June.Joseph Knight was there when Joseph Smith was first accused and tried falsely. He followed him to Kirtland, Far West and Nauvoo. He died while crossing the plains, in Mt Pisgah, Iowa 1847.

Joseph Smith said of him: [He] was among the number of the first to administer to my necessities, while I was laboring in the commencement of the bringing forth of the work of the Lord, and of laying the foundation of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. For fifteen years he has been faithful and true, and even-handed and exemplary, and virtuous and kind, never deviating to the right hand or to the left. Behold he is a righteous man, may God Almighty lengthen out the old man's days; and may his trembling, tortured, and broken body be renewed, and in the vigor of health turn upon him if it be Thy will, consistently, O God; and it shall be said of him, by the sons of Zion, while there is one of them remaining, that this was a faithful man in Israel; therefore his name shall never be forgotten.

And he is not forgotten. As a daughter of Zion and Joseph's descendant, I proclaim that he was a righteous and faithful man. May many generations after me proclaim the same!!!

St. Paul's Cathedral!

Today we went in to London to see St. Paul's Cathedral.

This magnificent edifice, built by Sir Christopher Wren has withstood almost 300 years of London's history. And that is just the Cathedral we see today. It's foundation lies upon the foundations of other cathedrals built bearing the name of St Paul. There have been at least 3 before the current one, if not more. Indeed, a cathedral to St. Paul has stood on this very spot since 906 AD!

I don't have a lot of time to write, but i will say that we went into the crypt and saw the burial places of Lord Nelson, the Duke of Wellington, as well as that of Sir Christopher Wren and his wife. We also climber 507 steps to stand on the outside of the dome and take in the magnificent views!

(DeAnna, taking in the view of London from St Paul's)

(It was rather windy up there!)

Here's a link to a virtual tour of St Pauls!

http://www.sphericalimages.com/stpauls/virtual_tour.htm

CHEERIO!