Hope

Here's a beautiful statement from Joseph Fielding McConkie and Robert L. Millet (Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon, Volume 2, page 23.)

"Living in troubled and sinful times may lead some to despair. Others may conclude that little can be done to reform a reprobate world and may thereafter feel bitterness and animosity toward those who bring a stench and a stain upon humanity. Those Saints who seek the influence of the Comforter will, however, take a different course: they will come to view the world as the Lord does. The Comforter will bring perspective. He will bring peace. He will bring rest in a turbulent world."

Something to think about after watching the news . . .

Conference is coming!

Conference and Easter are right around the corner. I know a lot of you have fun things you do as a family to increase conference participation and maybe special things you do to commemorate Easter. Wanna share?

Piano Survey

Weston has been taking Piano Lessons and we have been talking about if people want to play the piano. He created a survey--please take it and later we will publish our findings!! :)

http://www.surveymonkey.com/s/BDN9PJG

Cafe Rio Pork Salad

I thought I would share with ya'll our favorite dinner recipe. It may seem like a lot of work the first time you make it, but it is so worth it!!!

Marinate a pork roast in a can of coke and 1/4 cup brown sugar overnight or a few hours. (if cooking this on low, start it 8-10 hours before you eat) Put in the crock pot--season with garlic salt (either with the juice you marinated in or new coke and some water)--put on high for 3-4 hours (or 6-8 on low) until it shreds easily. Shred it.

In a blender, blend up 1 can of sliced green chilies, 1 can of green enchilada sauce and 1/4 cup brown sugar. Pour over shredded pork and leave in crock pot for another 2 hours on low.

Cook rice. You can fancy it up with lime and cilantro, but I just make it plain.

Heat up black beans. You can fancy these up too with garlic, cumin, and cilantro, but I just do it plain. You can have corn, too, but I have never done it. It sounds good though.

Dressing--this is the most important part!!!
1 packet of Hidden Valley Ranch mix (not buttermilk)
1 cup mayonaise1 cup buttermilk (I never have buttermilk so I just use milk)
2 tomatillos (remove husk--duh)
1/2 bunch of cilantro (we always take the leaves off and don't use the stalk part)
1 clove garlic (I just use my minced garlic from a jar)
juice of 1 lime
1 jalepeno (depending on how hot you want it. Don't put seeds in it if you don't want it too hot)

Mix all those ingredients in a blender til well blended.

Chop up lettuce. You can serve with chips or tortillas (people can make it into a burrito thing, but we like it just as a salad).
Layers: salad, rice, meat (it is rather juicy, so serve it with tongs or something to let the juice drain a bit), beans, and then dressing (really whatever layering you want...)

Enjoy!

New Year Plans?

Hey, fam--does anyone have great ideas for New Years? Any fun resolutions? Anything we should all work on together? How about a resolution to always check this blog . . .

Fascinating Article

Here's a really interesting article about the symbolism of the gifts of the wise men: http://www.ldsmag.com/lineuponline/091210nativity.html Check it out!

Christmas Presents

Hey, I think it is too late to pick names for Christmas (someone in this family has already gotten something for everyone...ps--it isn't me) so, are we all just giving to each other this year? anybody doing the calendar?

ALSO-- what are some things people are dying to get for Christmas? I need some ideas!