Monday, April 6, 2009

April Conference 2009


Conference has been spiritually uplifiting. The messages were of hope and faithfulness to me. I particularly liked Elder Holland's talk. He spoke of the Savior, what the Savior went through to understand our darkest moments, and how because of Him we do not have to face our trials alone. I also will remember Pres. Monson's talk where he shared examples of faithful endurance. The German mother will remind me what is truly important and what is not in the struggle of life. Elder Perry spoke on being good shepherds and offering the gospel to those we know. From all of these I have been instructed and edified.

How can I be better? These talks point to faithfulness, patience, and endurance with the small things; scripture study, prayer, magnifying my callings, and sharing the truths that give happiness, to name a few. As Pres. Uchtdorf said (paraphrased), exaltation is not reached in a sprint, it is a race of endurance and continued effort. - Charity

I have noticed a pattern of council from Presidents Uchtdorf and Packer in the General Priesthood Meeting. President Packer advised us to not immerse ourselves in gaining technical skills so much that we neglect optaining practical ones. President Uchtdorf also talked about doing what matters most. This is wise council for me as I try to figure out what I need to do in terms of education and skills so that the needs of the family are fully met. It also makes sense in light of the many comments on putting our faith in the Lord even when our socio-economic conditions may change and we have to do with less. -Daniel

Sunday, April 5, 2009

For my newest niece

After a few false starts, I finished a baby quilt I've been thinking about since we heard the good news. Since my niece will be born in the year of the ox, and is part Chinese, I had Daniel draw me up a cute ox. We printed it out, ironed it to fabric, and I sewed it to the back. I think it turned out well. Her parents were born in the year of the monkey and in the year of the dragon. Hence the adorable monkey and dragon watching over their new baby ox.


We are really excited to meet the newest addition to the Howell family.

Friday, April 3, 2009

Furniture from Heaven

We have received some more blessings recently... in the form of furniture. We found a bed frame and table top near the dumpster outstide our apartment complex. Soon after that, one of the guys from work was looking to get rid of some of his furniture he no longer had room for. We gladly helped him with his problem. What altruism.

Dan impressed him by fitting all of it in and on his Subaru, which was no mean feat. In addition to proving his manliness by securing and then hauling this load, he was happy have a use for some of his Scout knots. Then we arranged and rearranged the apartment to fit the following:

A bookshelf. We now have more room for our books near the nightstand. A bed for James to grow into or for a guest to use.A new desk (aka fabric cutting and ironing station). This table top had only two legs when we found it but the filing cabinet is a perfect stand-in for the two missing legs. A bookshelf and toy nook for James. And a dresser (not pictured) for his clothes at some future time.

We will soon be at the point that 'there shall not be room enough to receive' anymore of these blessings. Guess we had better get a house.