Michael's Ordaination Sunday 21/9/08

Well now that he's turned 18, the next step has been for Mike to be ordained an Elder in the Melchizedek Priesthood. This was done by myself with President Korte, 1st counsellor in the Stake Presidency assisting. It was a very special moment for the family to see Mike's progressing so well.

Afterwards it was a case of competitive gym between the certain family members. Pres Korte had left by then! Ah, nothing like the family that competes together......

For the record Jan won with 45 seconds. Those abs will be rock hard in a couple of days or weeks or months or ????

To Cara and Dave - Marriage in the Lord's Temple

Dear Cara and Dave - Today we can marry in gardens, registry offices, cathedrals,at the beach or a host of other venues. Typically these focus on the joining of a man and woman together in marriage until 'death do us part'. They can be very 'wordly' in nature with the emphasis on glamour and human symbals of beauty.

How is marriage in the Temple different? We call the Lord's way of marriage the 'Sealing ordinance' or 'being sealed'. While a civil marriage allows you to be married for time only in this life, the sealing ordinance makes you eligible to have your marriage last forever.

With a civil marriage the Bride and Groom make certain promises to each other and then can legally live together as man and wife under the laws of the land.

In the Temple you make covenants and promises to Heavenly Father. The authority for the promises in a celestial marriage comes from God. The word 'sealed'refers much more than just the uniting of a man and a woman. it also indicates God is putting his 'stamp of approval' upon the Priesthood ordinance. It is an ordinanceestablished by God performed under the power of the Holy Priesthood.

As you participate in the ordinance of Celestial Marriage there are 4 elements

1. Individual coveneants and blessings - you make promises, committments and covenants with your Heavenly Father individually and receive blessings based on your own worthiness. These can't be negated by an partner who may not stay faithful and obedient.

2. Joint covenants and Blessings - Together you also make these promises etc to Heavenly Father and jointly you will receive blessing based on your joint worthiness. The continued faithfullness is essential if the promised blessings are to be received jointly.

3.Joining in celestial marriage - This element qualifies you to live together as husband and wife both under the laws of the land and to be united forever, forming a family unit that if you are faithful and obedient, will last forever.

4. Blessing for children born under the covenant - Your children will be entitled to the blessings of Abraham including , the Gospel, the Priesthood, Celestial Marriage and Eternal Life.

We learn form revelation that the Sealing Ordinanceis a requirement for Exaltation, which means living with God in the highest degree of heaven, where the power of continuing the family unit thro'out eternity exists.

Now we can see why' The Lord's Way of Marrige' is so important. It is only performed in Holy Temples by someone who possess' the sealing power.

I will write again soon about 'How we prepare and Who can attend this sacred ceremony', but for now, let me say this.

Mum and I are looking forward to this special day on Dec 6. We love you both and anticipate the joining of the 2 of you in the Temple

Love dad xoxo

Chocolate Mike

And we still love him

Michael qualifies for His Duty to God Award

After 6 years in the Young Men's program at Church, Michael received his Duty to God Medallion and certificate from Bishop Klemasz. This has meant over this period of time he has been involved in numerous service projects, lived the standards of the Church, Read the scriptures regularly, prays, pays a Full tithe. In addition he has planned and participated in Family and Quorum activities, set personal goals and achieved them in ' SPiritual Developement',Physical developement, Educational, Career and personel developement, Citizenship and social developement.

It's been a hard challenge for him, but worthwhile to achieve it. As his parents ,we have encouraged him along the way when it seemed too hard. I have doubled up as his Youth Advisor so I am doubly pleased to see his real progress.

He is now turned 18, a man ( altho still young at heart), and tomorrow At Stake Conference he .will be sustained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and be ordained an Elder in the coming weeks. The ordaination will happen soon as Jan is in Melbourne and want be there to see him sustained by the Adelaide membership of the Lord's Church. With this Priesthood will come great power and Authority to serve and bless those around him.

We love him dearly and respect him for his goodness

Jesse loves his tucker

Hey Jesse, The food is supposed to go in your mouth

It's Showtime

This week has seen each of us go to the Royal Show. Approx half of Adelaide attend. It's fun with the sideshows and interesting with the Exhibitors. We had 2 stands there for our business. Janice, Jesse, Jan and I went on Thursday. My favourite was watching the woodcutters lop the wood without cutting their toes off!! WE got some showbags, but were really good in not overindulging. Jesse liked the farmyard animals altho it was a bit smelly in the nursery!

It was into the spa when we got home as we were very tired. A fun Day.

Fathers Day 2008

Well Father's Day came yesterday and it was a lovley time spent together at Church and then home. Big news of the day was a new Bishop Keith Klemasz was called and our Son-in-law Jeff Barrett was called as 2nd counsellor in the Bishopric. He asked me to Ordain him a High Priest which was very nice. A special occasion for all who were there.

My presents included a Direct drive turntable for recording LP's onto CD's, aftershave, WEst wing season 6, Chocies, movie passes, and a Grandpa Mug. I did better than my birthday???. I am not well again grrrr so it's time for resting

Jesse laughing

Jesse is a cutie

Jesse is nearly 7 months and it's been a lovely day weather wise to catch some of the sun rays. I think he likes it

Sick Jacob is visited by the Firies

Jacob got to sit in the Officer's (my)seat while Fireman Ray posed with him. He doesn't look to sick to me!!

A slightly less busy week.......Maybe not

Jacob, Alyssa and Maddie stayed with Jan and I until Wednesday when Abbey came home with Nathan from the hospital. Poor old Jakey wasn't well so he came home from school early. He had a surprise when I visited the house in a Fire truck from Port Adelaide Station where I was doing a 'recall'.

Wednesday night we went to bed early as we were both tired. Mike rang around 11pm so say he hit a 'Speed Bump' and broke his tranmission. He probably damaged it another time and this bump finished it off. So a mate drove him home and we arranged to tow it to the mechanic thenext day. Estimates for repair are between $1000-$3000!!! Hopefully it will be in the lower range.

The Royal Show starts today and we need a good result with our stands. It is usually the start of our busy season. Fingers crossed.

Jess won the Footy tipping competition with a standout result. Next year it might be my turn.

3 in the bed for the last time

Sleeping over at Grandma's while Mummy is in hospital with Nathan. Everyone has been really good ......................so far

Grandchild #5

Nathan is so small compared to his older sister Maddie who is now approx 17 months old. Don't hurry home Abbey because the holiday stops when you do!!