more flowers

The best thing about daisies is that they stay alive for a few weeks in a vase. I don't even like the color purple very much, but I do like purple flowers. These little babies have been in our kitchen the last little while, I think they are beautiful.

tree cont.

I will take a good pic of the tree, but for now, here is a branch. Miss y'all!

cherry blossoms

So we have a tree in front of our house. The whole time we have lived here I haven't paid much attention to it because it was just a normal tree- but- suddenly it has transformed into an amazing blossom covered tree that I just can't stop looking at. Beautiful. I will have to take a picture of it and post it. Anyway, today we are all wearing shorts because it is a beautiful 75 degrees! Thank you North Carolina. Oh yeah, if anyone wants to come and experience this amazing weather...we are accepting visitors!

This one is for Ma.

The other day when I was in my kitchen feeding Cash, I could hear a little bird singing her heart out!!!!! I looked out the window and this is what I saw. This picture is for Ma. It seemed like everytime when Ma and I would be sitting on her back patio, Ma would always point out different birds to me and talk about them with much excitement. Thanks Ma for teaching me to enjoy the small and simple things in life!!

Cash eating away at his biscuit

Chubby little boy likes to eat baby biscuits!!

Basics of our Faith

When Elder Andersen was at our stake conference he commented on the fact of how humbled he was by the mind and understanding of Elder Oaks. Over the Christmas holidays he read over a dozen books. When most of us are enjoying the slopes, shopping, etc., Elder Oaks is devouring books at an incredible rate.

Following is a very insightful talk that he gave at Harvard Law School recently. If you read it slow, a sentence at a time, you will quickly come to understand why he has been called as a Special Witness of the Savior. I know this may seem boring to you guys but we all need to have a much better understanding of the foundation of our faith - including me.

I am just going to post the introduction. If you want to read more, the link will be at the bottom of this post. Elder Oaks pretty much hits it on the head when it comes to people really understanding the basic beliefs in the church. Read this and see where you rank.

I welcome this opportunity to speak in what our hosts have called “Mormonism 101.” In his fine lecture last year Judge Thomas Griffith said he was giving “an introduction to the Mormon faith.” I intend to do the same, speaking from my special responsibility as an apostle called to speak as a witness of the gospel plan and mission and Church of Jesus Christ.
It is challenging to speak to such a diverse audience—some thoroughly familiar with the doctrines of the Church of Jesus Christ, some unaware, and many between those extremes. I will address this diversity by speaking about some of the fundamental premises of our faith and how they affect our interaction with the rest of mankind. My object is to illuminate several premises and ways of thinking that are at the root of some misunderstandings about our doctrine and practice.

I.
We Mormons know that our doctrines and values are not widely understood by those not of our faith. This was demonstrated by Gary Lawrence’s nationwide study published in his recent book, How Americans View Mormonism. Three-quarters of those surveyed associated our Church with high moral standards, but about half thought we were secretive and mysterious and had “weird beliefs.” When asked to select various words they thought described Mormons in general, 87% checked “strong family values,” 78% checked “honest,” and 45% checked “blind followers.”

When Lawrence’s interviewers asked, “To the best of your understanding, what is the main claim of Mormonism?” only 14% could describe anything close to the idea of restoration or reestablishment of the original Christian faith. Similarly, when another national survey asked respondents what one word best described their impression of the Mormon religion, not one person suggested the words or ideas of original or restoration Christianity.

Even the “Tonight Show” took notice of this lack of understanding. In the course of poking fun at Senator Orrin Hatch’s Hanukkah song, Conan O’Brien led a chorus in singing several stanzas, including the following:
“Oh Mormons, Mormons, Mormons,
We haven’t got a clue
Of what you folks believe in,
Or think or drink or do.”

My disappointment with these findings is only slightly reduced by Lawrence’s other findings and observation that on the subject of religion Americans in general are “deeply religious” but “profoundly ignorant.” For example, 68% said they prayed at least several times a week, and 44% said they attended religious services almost every week. At the same time, only half could name even one of the four Gospels, most could not name the first book of the Bible, and 10% thought Joan of Arc was Noah’s wife.

Many factors contribute to our people’s predominant shallowness on the subject of religion, but one of them is surely higher education’s general hostility or indifference to religion. Despite most colleges’ and universities’ founding purpose to produce clergymen and to educate in the truths taught in their chapels, most have now abandoned their role of teaching religion. With but few exceptions, colleges and universities have become value-free places where attitudes toward religion are neutral at best. Some faculty and administrators are powerful contributors to the forces that are driving religion to the margins of American society. Students and other religious people who believe in the living reality of God and moral absolutes are being marginalized.
Some have suggested that religion is returning to intellectual life. In this view, religion is too influential to ignore in these times of the Taliban and the political influence of some religious organizations. But it seems unrealistic to expect higher education as a whole to resume a major role in teaching moral values. That will remain the domain of homes, churches, and church-related colleges and universities. All should hope for success in this vital task. The academy can pretend to neutrality on questions of right and wrong, but society cannot survive on such neutrality.

http://newsroom.lds.org/ldsnewsroom/eng/news-releases-stories/fundamental-premises-of-our-faith-talk-given-by-elder-dallin-h-oaks-at-harvard-law-school

Burnett Kids

Wow! Sorry to brag but I think these kids are pretty dang cute!!! After being at Ashley's house last month and seeing her adorable pictures she had taken I came home inspired to try my shot at pictures again. It has always been something I love but need to take a lot of time and some classes. This afternoon I tried a few and this is what we came up with. Love you all! Michelle

Tram Ride on a Bluebird Ski Day

A 2:30PM tram ride at Teton Village and not a cloud in the sky. When the doors shut on the tram car, ZZ Top played through the speakers and off we went to 10,500 feet.

It was one of those times that you think to yourself, “It Doesn’t Get Any Better Than This”.

An Evening with Apostle Robert D. Hales

Sunday evening Pam and I had the opportunity to attend the 67th annual Joseph Smith fireside which was held in the Spectrum on the USU campus. Traditionally, this event has been held in the Kent Concert hall but they end up turning people away so the decision was made to hold it in the Spectrum. I was surprised by the cost to rent that building for an afternoon - $8000.00. We were invited to sit right up close to the front on the floor so it was very memorable.

Elder Hales talked about the life of the prophet Joseph Smith and his life experiences. Many of these stories, we have heard before. What made this so interesting was that Elder Hales would talk about an aspect of the prophet’s life and then he would draw a correlation to our lives. One area he talked about was patience.

Elder Hales talked about Joseph Smith and the period of time between the first vision when Joseph was 14 and when he finally received the plates was 8 years. The Lord and Moroni taught Joseph about patience as he matured. Had Joseph Smith received the plates at age 14, he may have lost them. Instead he was taught and tested for 8 years until he was ready and mature enough to receive them.

Elder Hales then stopped and told about when his mother was sick and dying. She suffered horrible pain for months. Elder Hales was at her bedside one day when he told his mother to “Have patience”. Elder Hales’ mother took him by the hand and said, “Robert, I have learned patience. Have you?” It was then that Elder Hales realized the illness and suffering of his mother was to teach him about patience.

With regard to our family, I firmly believe that dad passed away with no anxiety or physical pain because he had already learned patience in this life. The Lord loved dad which is evidenced about how he passed. Among a myriad of trials he experienced in life he had to have learned an incredible amount of patience. It all started with that broken arm to the cancer that finally took him. Hopefully, we can all learn to have the patience that dad had in life. The eloquent talk by Elder Hales confirmed to me that there is meaning in dad's passing and patience something we all need to remember.

Ice Fishing with Grandpa's

On Saturday the 19th, we fished through about 12” of ice on the Hyrum Dam and had some fast action on a very cold morning. We were on the ice at 7:00AM and we caught fish all morning long. Justin was the winner when he caught a 2lb. rainbow trout while sitting on a bucket looking in the hole.

In all, we probably caught 30 fish most of which we released. Well after a few minutes, Justin and his cousins decided that they wanted to save a few for lunch. No need to worry about fish spoiling – you just pull them out, throw them on the ice, and within a few minutes they are pretty much frozen.

I think I may have found a new sport. All I need is my cell phone, a comfortable chair, and I have an office on the ice.

Tom and The Bear

The strength of the hunting and outdoor gene in the Anderson family was in serious trouble on this day. We tried to get a picture of Tom in front of the bear and you can tell by his body language that he was not pleased. Notice the turned out pouty lip, the sagging shoulders and the complete lack of excitement in his face. The key to Tom's message was body language. As a side note, there were a group of men watching Tom and there were belly laughs all around.

Of course, I have seen this before in his father. I clearly remember the morning that Curtis said he'd had enough and was headed back to the camper. I let him get down the trail about 50 yards and then I told him, "Don't let the badger get you on the way back." Instant tears and a 180 degree turn around as he came back to sit with his dad. So Curtis, remember this when you take Tom on his first bear hunt.

For a great laugh yourself, just click on the picture. Remember the saying, "A Picture Paints a Thousand Words."

Dental assisting

For my Senior project I'm learning how to dental assist. Here are a few pics to share with you all!

Cash and I

nine months today!

Happy nine month Birthday to Sarah!

New Hymn Books for Men and Women

Nothing more annoying that when your wife uses your songbook. A new church publicaion should prevent this from every happening again.

HAPPY VALENTINES DAY!

Cash~10 1/2 months old!

The bonus room.

View out of the bonus room

Front room

Part of the kitchen

The house. Note: They are changing the bay window to match the two side windows cuz it got cut out wrong. It should be done in 6 weeks so u guys better come on over to Weston its like stepping back 60 years lol

the table runner- a work in progress

I am posting this mostly for Aunt Julie. We (Mom, Michelle, and me) didn't quite get this finished but I plan to get it all done this weekend. I need to go buy some thin batting, that is what is keeping this beauty from being complete. To see some pictures from our week click here. Anyway.....

February 10th 2010

Today mom picked us up after school to go to the Cache credit union members meeting. At the meeting they gave away door prizes. During the whole meeting they called different numbers based on the ticket they gave to each person who is a member of the credit union. The prizes that they gave were money prizes it ranged from $1.00 to $50.00. Landon's ticket was one of the lucky ones that got chosen. Landon won $40.00. Mom, Alexandra, and I were the unlucky ones we didn't win anything. At the end of the meeting they gave every member a blue bird chocolate aggie bar. Mom called Grandma Gloria to talk to her and she was just eating a spicy chicken burger at MacDonalds. We decided that we would have dinner with grandma even though she didn't know it. We also stopped a MacDonalds and got a spicy Chicken burger.

Tonight was Alexandra's church basketball game. Alexandra did such a good job playing basketball, her team won the game. Alexandra's church basketball team has not lost one game this whole season.

~From the Carter house to yours

GrandmaGlo's New Computer and Doing Family History

Last week Grandma and Pam each got new laptop computers. Now grandma and complete her history and make sure that the Anderson and Petersen genealogy is completed back to Adam and Eve. That would take a huge weight off of the shoulders of Julie, Christene and me. I am sure there will be plenty of spider solitaire, Skype and e-mails in between but it’s good to know that grandma is getting it done.

Speaking of family history, it is easy to get on and the program is a snap to run – go to new.familysearch.com and the landing page will come up. Now to register you’ll need your membership number (your ward clerk can get it for you or it is on your temple recommend). You’ll also need your confirmation date. Once you have it just fill in the blanks and you are on. Pam has done a lot of work just a few generations back.

When grandma gets home what would everyone think about taking a 5 session class at the family history center at the Logan Tabernacle. If we were all trained, we could work on this as a family and see just how many names we could find to take to the temple. I think it would be fun to be taking Anderson, Petersen, Smith, Leatham, Carter, Nelson and others of our ancestors to the temple.

Grandma, keep track of your new mouse. If you see this cat laying on your keyboard, just head back to Wallmart…

Mormon Urban Legend from Southeastern Utah

This year I hunted elk with a guide from Blanding, Utah. This area is known for extensive native American culture, ruins and legends. It is steeped with mystery and it makes you wonder what has happened in the area for many hundred years.

My guide for the hunting trip comes from a family who have been members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for generations. They had Boook of Mormon names for dozens of places that we visited. One afternoon while we sat in the pines, Todd Black (the guide) told me a story about his grandfather Zeke Johnson and an experience he had. I finally found documentation of a letter that Todd's grandpa wrote to the Manti temple president in 1940. it is as follows:

"Well, I rented a piece of ground to plant corn on and it had been cleared but never plowed before. As I was plowing it I turned up remnants of old Indian buildings and I saw I was a-disturbing several burials. In about the middle of the patch the plowshare turns out a complete set of bones of a child ‘bout nine or ten years old. Them bones was in bad shape but they was all present.

“So I calls ‘whoa’ to the horses and turns ‘round and looks about two minutes at them bones. And right before my eyes they moved together and took on a fresh bone color. And then I seed the marrow and the sinews and muscles and joints and juices of the body all come together and the skin come and cover it. And so right there in the furrow I saw a-laying on its side the beautiful body of a young girl with black hair parted in the middle. And just as she stood up I saw a white dress come across her shoulders and she was so pretty that I got off the plow and reached to take her in my arms. And when I did that, by jove, she wasn’t there no more!

“I’ve decided it must be this way…That little girl had been put in a shallow grave ‘cause it was winter and the ground was frozen or else maybe they didn’t have no tools to dig in the hard ground with. Well, her grieving mother begins to think how she’d be eaten up by the first coyote that comes along. And just to set her poor broken heart to rest a man having the priesthood comes and tells her not to worry none about it ‘cause the first time that her sweet little body was disturbed in any way she would be resurrected. And I allowed nothing had ever touched that innocent little girl ‘til my plowshare came along and dug her up.”

The interesting part for me was the fact that " man having the priesthood comes and tells her not to worry none about it ‘cause the first time that her sweet little body was disturbed in any way she would be resurrected".

Now this is considered to be a legend and we may never know all of the facts. It is however, a very interesting story. I makes me wonder what what might be found someday on Julie and Kevin's property in Riverdale...

Carter's Comments

Well, we seem to be having trouble making a comment on the blog posts, so we will have to post it this way! Gary~ I am so glad that you, Pam and mom had such a fun time. I had to laugh though, you running on to Curtis. You are right....... we all need to be on our best behavior at all times!!! :) I'm just glad that you were not playing KENO!!!!! I'm just kidding because I know that you wouldn't do that! Now, as far as the voting of the horns........... it was really hard but I have to say, I think that Gary's look a tad~bit bigger. But...... before your head swells with pride Gary, pictures can be deceiving. I'll be safe and say, it's a toss~up! :) Gary, I just want to say thank you for starting this family blog. I have really enjoyed getting on here and reading the latest news and seeing all the cute pictures posted. GREAT IDEA!!!!

A Good Reminder - "Remember Who You Are"

Grandma Gloria has been in Yuma for a week now. Pam and I rode down in the pick-up with grandma. First night was to Mesquite, Nevada.

Now here is a lesson learned – You never know who you will run into when you are traveling. On Sunday night I walked Grandma Glo up to the casino from our room. She was playing her favorite Keno machine and I decided to walk into the restaurant. I picked a booth in the back corner. It was 10:30 at night and I decided I wanted some scrambled eggs.

As I was sitting there alone I noticed 4 guys in a booth clear across the café. I really didn’t pay them much attention. When they stood up and walked about – one of them looked familiar. He looked at me, I looked at him. In a voice of surprise and disbelief he said, “Gary”? I said, “Curtis”? Here I was, 400 miles from home, in the back corner of a café in Mesquite, Nevada and I am sitting face-to-face with Curtis Larsen. Moreover, he is the ward clerk and in my ward. Just goes to show, that no matter where you are, you need to do what’s right.

Oh, speaking of cheap room’s, Grandma is the Queen of Value. She paid less than $25.00 for the room we had in Mesquite. Beautiful green carpet with a beige 1970’s paint job.

You Be The Judge

Curtis and Gary both shot some pretty nice bull elk this year while hunting in southern Utah. Curtis show his elk in an area called Mt. Dutton. Gary shot his bull on the San Juan unit which is between Monticello and Blanding. Needless to say, it was a good year.

So – you be the judge and weigh in. These bulls are not the ultimate trophies but are certainly the largest elk that these two have ever shot.

Click below and cast your vote.

February 6th News

Wensday February 3rd, was Kristen and Tylers third anniversary. Landon and Alexandra went Ice skating in Logan and Landon got a shinner from falling on the ice. Landon had no school on Thursday and Friday. Mom and Kristen took Landon to the eye doctor because he was having a hard time seeing, and he got contacts. Alexandra was sick on Thursday and Friday with a sore throat so she stayed home from school. Friday night I slept over at Kristen's house and Landon and I went with Kristen, Tyler and Cash to Layton today.
~ News by Melissa