Sweet Thanksgiving Moments ~

Brandon and Christina's Property~
Their home and property reminds me of the song: "Over The River And Through The Woods To Grandmother's House We Go; except it's now the Grandparents that are visiting them.

 We traveled to Peculiar, Missouri  to enjoy the Thanksgiving Holiday with two of our daughters' families. Of course, the dinner was scrumptious and the entertainment non stop and best of all lots of hugs, laughs, and smiles to fill a heart and home with warmth and joy. 

Here are pictures of a few of our fun moments.

Beautiful Mid-West scenery at their home ~

Frizz's Restaurant - At this eating establishment there are trains that 
run along the wall and deliver your food~ The Children of course were fascinated by the trains~

Benjamin

Emma

Alyssa

 

The Ginger-Bread Village

The following pictures  are of my grand daughters working on Thanksgiving Dinner. I was so impressed with all that they were doing. They have been well trained  to assist with housework and cooking. The two older girls ages 11 and 13 made homemade rolls.When raising my own children we tried to instill within both the boys and girls a strong work ethic. My own boys became great cooks and all of them learned how to clean a house and do yard work. I am deeply grateful for all of their hard work in preparing the Thanksgiving dinner. Regretfully, I didn't get to work with them due to a back problem~ I did enjoy watching and listening to their fun conversations.

Alyssa, Abbey and Emma

Sariah and Emma

Brandon, Sariah and April doing the deviled eggs

Levi trying to help

Emma

Two cousins the same age; Faith and Alyssa

 They all had fun playing the piano with the oldest cousin, Sariah~
Sariah playing her recital piece ~

 On Saturday our Grand daughter Faith was Baptized into The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Faith, newly baptized and confirmed  member of the Church~

Benjamin, Sariah, Abbey, Alyssa, Faith and April

 Christina, Brandon Sariah and April - Faith, Abbey and Levi

 Grandma LeAnn, Faith and Grandpa Roger

 Back Row - Michael, Benjamin, Jenni, Grandma, Grandpa, Brandon

Front Row - Emma, Levi, Faith, Alyssa,, Abbey, Christina, April and Sariah

 Benjamin, Jenni-Marie, Michael, Alyssa and Emma

 Faith and Christina

 Faith and Christina

 Brandon and Faith

 Levi, Emma and Faith

 Sweet cousins - Levi, Emma, Faith, Alyssa
We are so grateful to have had these precious moments with family. 
It was a very lovely Thanksgiving Holiday~

http://www.aholyexperience.com/

Bring On Thanksgiving Day~

Today was our dear sister Marilyn's furneral. Last night her viewing was held. As we mingled among family there was such a sweet spirit in the room. Perhaps Marilyn was there along with others family members who have passed away. It was at least comforting to think about that.  My husband"s brother Bruce and his wife Anita had brought a picture of a bronze statue. It depected a woman bent over with age and walking with a cane going to the veil and as she passed through the veil, her spirit body was as a young woman being welcomed by Christ. This I know in my heart is what happened to Marilyn when she was welcomed into the world of the spirit. I know that her parents and sister were there to greet her.
There's nothing like a death to bring family together and there was pure love in the room last night. Today I am pausing  with a thankful heart for Marilyn, a wonderful sister and friend and for all of our family that were gathered together today and for those who were not present.

I think that Thanksgiving is a great time to reflect on our many blessings. Pres. Thomas S. Monson stated in a conference address in 1992: "This is a wonderful time to be living here on earth. Our opportunities are limitless. While there are some things wrong in the world today, there are many things right, such as teachers who teach, ministers who minister, marriages that make it, parents who sacrifice, and friends who help. We can lift ourselves, and others as well, when we refuse to remain in the realm of negative thought and cultivate within our hearts an attitude of gratitude. If ingratitude be numbered among the serious sins, then gratitude takes it's place among the noblest of virtures." He further stated:
"A popular refrain from the 1940s captured the thought:
Accentuate the positive;
Elimate the negative.
Latch on to the affirmative;
Don't mess with Mr. In-between.
This is good advice then. Good advice now."
Here is his Gratitude list: ( everything is quotations is from his message: "An Attitude of
Gratitude from CR. 1992.)
"First, there is gratitude for our mothers-"
My mother was such an example of service. I look back on all of the things that she did for our family and now feel sad that I didn't appreciate her more for her selfless efforts in my behalf. I miss her and wish I could just pick up the phone and talk with her. Thanks for all our special mothers who sacrifice so much for us all.

"Second,  let us reflect gratitude for our fathers-
Father, like Mother, is ever willing to sacrifice his own comfort for that of his children."
 I had a father who loved me so much. I was his only little girl and he was such a treasure in my life. I have a valiant husband who loves his children and grandchildren and is such a kind and loving Patriarch of our posterity.

"Third, let us have gratitude for our friends-
 "Our most cherished friend is our partner in marriage. This old world would be so much better off today if kindness and deference were daily a reflection of our gratitude for wife, for husband."
I am eternally grateful for the righteous husband and father of my children. My dear husband  is my eternal friend. I also have many dear friendships with family and friends that I treasure. I have had many friends through the years that have had a deep impact on my life.Friends are such a blessing in our lives.

"Fourth, May we acknowledge gratitude of our country the land of our birth."
We are living in the Promised Land.

Fifth, deep gratitude for the scriptures-

The Articles Of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints ~

8 We believe the ^aBible to be the ^bword of God as far as it is translated ^ccorrectly; we also believe the ^dBook of Mormon to be the word of God.

I taught seminary for 4 years and I was very apprehensive about teaching the lessons on the Bible. It just seemed like it was a very large book. I had never read it from front to back; but had read parts of it through the years. I soon fell in love with this wonderful book of scriptures. The stories were exciting to teach and had so much revelance for our day. Who would not love teaching about Adam and Eve, Moses and the ten commandments, David and Goliath, Daniel in the Lions den, the poetry of the Pslams, and the wisdom of Proverbs. We do believe in the Bible as far as it is translated correctly. 

I also had the opportunity to teach the Book of Mormon in seminary. There is a spirit about that book that is so sweet. Reading of the coming of the Savior to the America's is such a profound additional testament of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

 One can not read the pages of 3 Nephi without sheding tears and feeling the testimony and love that the Savior had for these ancient people and for us today. This Book  is a record of the people who lived in the promised land of America in 600 BC through 421 AD.

It was written for us today. I have found countless answers to many questions through the writings of these ancient prophets. I know this book to be true.

"Sixth, and finally - even supremely -let us reflect gratitude for our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ. His glorious gospel provides answers to life's greatest questions: Where did we come from? Why ar we here? Where does my spirit go when I die? His called misionaries bring to those who live in darkness the light of divine truth. He taught us how to pray. He taughts us how to live. He taught us how to die. His life is a legacy of love. The sick he healed; the downtrodden He lifted; the sinner He Saved.....Let us follow Him, Let us emulate His example. Let us obey His word. By so doing, we give to Him the divine gift of gratitude."

I have such a grateful heart  for the testimony that I have that we have a Living Prophet today, Pres. Thomas S. Monson. We have the scriptures to learn of our Savior,Jesus Christ. How I love the Savior and am so grateful for his atoning sacrifice for us all. I know that the Book of Mormon is true. I am thankful for temples that dot the earth. I know that my husband and I are eternal companions. We have made a covenant and have been sealed together forever in the temple. I know that if we keep those covenants we can have an eternal marriage. I know that we can be a forever family.
I count my blessings everyday. I recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in my life.

Wishing all of my dear family and friends a Happy Thanksgiving day of joy and rejoicing in the many blessings that abound.

A Tribute To Our Sister Marilyn~

Marilyn Nyal

Last evening my dear husband received a telephone call telling us that his sister, Marilyn  had passed away. Of course there were many tears. We loved her so much. I have many favorite memories of this dear sister of ours. My first meeting with Don and Marilyn was when I began dating my sweet husband. At that time their daughter Kelly Jayne was 18 months old. I remember she was always dressed in the cutest of clothes and you just wanted to hold and hug her. Marilyn loved children and has been a wonderful mother and grandmother. 
I treasured my times  with Marilyn. I didn't have any sisters so Marilyn and Gloria were my sisters too. I loved visiting their home. Don and Marilyn's homes was always so beautifully decorated and there was always a warm, inviting, cozy feeling within the home. Through the years Don and Marilyn not only remodeled their homes; but even built one.
Roger has many memories of times with Don and Marilyn. They spent a good deal of time helping their parents re-do areas of their home. Roger remembers helping with wallpapering and painting. He also loved to help them decorate their Christmas trees. Don decorated Christmas trees at Z.C.M.I. and often times he would have Roger help him. Don often took Roger fishing; which was so much fun.
Roger said one of his favorite memories was around Christmas time his mother took him to Don and Marilyn's where they spent the evening making Christmas cookies and plum pudding. He loved those outings.
One endearing memory was when I first met the family; his sisters call him Sammy. This was a nickname that Marilyn had given him. Through the years that is what they have called him. I think it was so sweet and I love his nickname of Sammy.

Don and Marilyn
Together Forever ~

Don and Marilyn had three lovely and beautiful children, two daughters, Kelly Jayne and Kathryn Anne and a son, Patrick James. Two of the children served honorable missions and have all been faithful members of the church.

Kelly Jayne

Patrick, Heidi and family

Katie

Marilyn loved being a mother and homemaker. Her children were raised with a love for the arts and music.  Her husband Don has been a caring and loving husband through the years. I know that when she wasn't able to get out very much; she would enjoy Don taking her for drives.
Marilyn served in many callings in the church.Later on she was called to be the Relief Society President. At that time she didn't drive; so either Don would take her to the visits or she would walk over to help someone in need. She was a dedicated member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Marilyn was a beautiful faithful daughter of God and last night I could just picture her meeting with her parents and now being free from the limitations of her body. We will miss knowing that she is here; but have deep faith that we will see her again.

Our Birth is but a sleep and a forgetting:

The Soul that rises with us, our life's star,

Hath had elsewhere its setting.

And cometh from afar;

Not in entire forgetfulness,

And not in utter Nakedness,

But trailing clouds of glory do we come

From God, who is our home:

- Williams Wordsworth

When mourning the loss of our departed family or friends, I cannot help but think that in every death there is a birth; the spirit leaves the body dead to us, and passes to the other side of the veil alive to that great and noble company that are also working for the accomplishment of the purpose of God, in the redemption and salvation of a fallen world.
-  Wilford Woodruff

Spiritual Gifts~

The Article of Faith for The Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

7. We believe in the ^agift of ^btongues, ^cprophecy, ^drevelation, ^evisions, ^fhealing, ^ginterpretation of tongues, and so forth.

In the book the "Articles of Faith" by James E. Talmage he states: "The gifts here spoken of are essentially endowments of power and authority, through which the purposes of God are accomplished.....By such the sick are healed, malignant influences overcome, spirit of darkness subdued; the saints, humble and weak, proclaim their testimonies and otherwise utter praises unto God in new and strange tongues vigorated by the Heavenly touch of spiritual vision and dreams to see and comprehend things ordinarily withheld from mortal senses; direct communication with the fountain of all wisdom is established, and the revelations of the divine are obtained.These gifts have been promised of the Lord unto those who believe in His name, and are to follow obedience to the requirements of the Gospel".

Joseph Smith taught "....seek ye earnestly the best gifts, always remembering for what they are given. For verily I say unto you, they are given for the benefit of those who love me and keep all of my commandments, and him that seeketh so to do; that all may be benefited..." (D&C 46:8,9).

The Gift of Tongues -

 Two of my children served Spanish Speaking Missions for our church. Both of them told me how amazed they were that they could speak and understand the Spanish language after just a  few months on their missions. Our daughter served in Aruba and had to learn a different dilect called Papiamento which she was able to do quickly. Thousands of missionaries each year learn languages that are spoken throughout the world. They testify that they have been aided through the spirit to be able to interpret and to speak the languages of the areas they are assigned too.There are many stories of moments when the words that needed to be said would come to their minds in the language of those they were speaking too.

The gift of Prophecy  -

Again in the book " Articles of Faith" by James E. Talmage,he stated the following:

To prophesy is to receive and declare the word of God, and the statement of His will to the people."
In Amos 3: 7 it states that: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets". The Prophets through the ages had the Gift of Prophecy. We believe that the Prophet and Apostles of our day prophesy and bare testimony of those things that we as a people need to know for our times.  Again, Elder Talmage stated: " The Church today constitutes a body of witnesses....one of the great gifts of God."

The Gift of Revelation -

I believe with all my heart that our Prophet and Apostles of this day receive revelation for our church. Modern day revelations come to us through the General Conferences that are held twice per year. At these conferences we hear the Prophet and other general authorities give messages that contain the Lord's will for us. Elder James E.Talmage gave the following thoughts: "The words of him who speaks by revelation in it's highest degree are not his own; they are the words of God Himself; the mortal mouthpiece is but the trusted conveyor of these Heavenly messages".

The Gift of Visions and Dreams -

Visions come through the waking senses whereas dreams are given during sleep. In both the Bible and The New Testament we find stories of those who have had visions and or dreams. Here are a few of those who received these gifts. Moses and the burning bush; Jacob, Job, Jeremiah, Ezekiel, Daniel, Habakkuk and Zechariah received this gift. During the dispensation of Christ the following are examples such as the birth of John  the Baptist was foretold to his father. Joseph, betrothed to the Virgin, received a visit from an angel. Warnings and instructions were given to Joseph in dreams to care for the welfare of the Holy Child.The Wise men from the East were also warned in dreams. Saul, Peter, and John were also given visions. Dreams with special import were given to Pharaoh, Nebuchadnezzar and others. In our day various Prophets have spoken of dreams and visions. Joseph Smith's First Vision was the beginning of the Restoration of the Gospel. Others such as Joseph F. Smith received the vision of the Spirit world as found in D&C 138  .  Many individuals have received warnings through dreams and have been recorded in various books and I am sure many more have them recorded in their journals. I myself have had some very important dreams concerning my own family.

The Gift of Healing -

I believe in the gift of healing and have been healed many times through priesthood blessings. Here are a few of those experiences on being healed. I received a priesthood blessing and was healed of a disease called Sarcoidosis. I had a tumor under my clavicle bone and  after our family fasted, prayed and I received a priesthood blessing the tumor could not be found on the repeat x-ray.

My husband  had a heart attack when he was 45 years old. After receiving a priesthood blessing; it was found that he had minimal damage. Later on he had fluid on the lung the became like jelly and it look like he would need a procedure called a lung peel. We fasted as a family and he had a blessing given by our home teacher and on the repeat x-ray the jelly like fluids were gone.The physician said it was a miracle. We have our little granddaughter Averi who is a walking miracle today. 

There are many more examples within our family; so I can bare testimony that we have been healed of many afflictions. I know that the gift of healing is a wonderful gift from a kind Heavenly Father.

My favorite scriptures on Gifts of the Spirit are in Moroni 10: 8-18.
 Here is verse 8: "And again, I exhort you, my brethren, that ye deny not the ^agifts of God, for they are many; and they come from the same God. And there are ^bdifferent ways that these gifts are administered; but it is the same God who worketh in all; and they are given by the manifestations of the ^cSpirit of God unto men, to profit them.
I believe in the 7th Article of Faith.

A Thankful Heart For Family ~

Our Family began in June of 1967 when I was married to my dear husband Roger for Time and all Eternity in the Salt Lake Temple.

Children Are An Heritage From The Lord~

A year later we were blessed with our first baby boy in June of 1968. We named him

 Sean David.

Our second dear son was born in May of 1970, we named him

Travis McCall.

Four years later we were blessed with another baby boy in June of 1974 and we named him

James Christian

18 months later we were blessed with our first baby girl in December of 1975; we named her Christina Louise.

18 months later we were  blessed with a sweet baby girl  in June of 1977 and we named her Jenni-Marie.

Our caboose a baby girl was born 22 months later in April of 1979 and we named her

Tiffani Leigh.

We have been deeply blessed by a kind Father in Heaven with wonderful children.

Our six  children have all been married in the temple to outstanding 
sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father.
Our family tree has expanded to

31 children and 2 Great Grandchildren.

The Roger and LeAnn Williams Family 2010

Our newest little grandson - Layton Pierre

Our First Great Grand daughter - Jadyn

Our 2nd Great Granddaughter Lilly LeAnn

We have been richly blessed with children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

Children are an heritage from the Lord

Psalms 127:5

"Happy is the man that hath his quiver full of them....

Our Family Motto is "No Empty Chairs In The Celestial Kingdom".

Our Families are our greatest treasure and I am deeply grateful for mine!

I was invited to share a post on faith at  one of my favorite blogs @
 The More the Merrier -
A week of Faith posts by the following:


Sunday - Julie from Hesses Madhouse
Monday - Becca from Confessions of a SAHM
Tuesday - Tristan from Our Busy Homeschool
Wednesday - Leann from Living Waters
Thursday - Monserrat from Chocolate on My Cranium
Friday - Me, Alida from Living Somewhere over the Rainbow Drop by and enjoy some great thoughts on Faith ~