We boat.
A lot.
At least once a month and normally once a week in the summer months.
We love the California Delta and have driven our boat from Stockton to Sacramento, from Oakley to Napa and from Martinez to Suisun and everywhere in between. Happiness is an open bow and smooth water, both of which are abundant year round on the Delta. Here are some pictures from all over the California Delta.
This picture was taken out by Hog’s back marina near the Grand Island Mansion.
Here is Korth’s Marina on the Delta Loop off of Highway 12.
Off of Connection Slough near Bacon Island, a fun Island to stop off for a picnic!
A beach near Bethel Island
Benicia by the Bay.
Mothball Fleet
Antioch Marina
Montezuma Slough
Winter boating near Stockton
Regally Blonde 
Hey Everyone! I really loved chapters 34-36 in the Teachings book this week. I had some of my most powerful spriritual experiences with the New Testament thus far mainly because of the Study Guide. The absolute highlight was on page 292 and 293 in the “How can you prepare” section. I did a lot of self inspection due to this section and really felt the desire to improve. Check it out, see what you think. Also in Chapter 36 I got a better understanding of the Gifts of the Spirit. The Apostle Paul is an amazing Missionary and is really an inpiration in his love and sacrifice for the members of the early church. Next week we will be studying 2 Corinthians and Galatians. Chapters 37 and 38 in the Teachings Manual.
Love the blogsite for scripture group!
Just wanted to post my intersting experience at The Sacred Grove. Just as an update, Don was finishing up his MA at Syracuse and I went for his graduation. We took a short 50 mile trip over to Palmyra and the Sacred Grove. We spent a long time at the grove. It was very beautiful. I was a little perterbed though because I wanted a sprittual experience so bad and was not getting on. No matter how hard I tried, it was not happening. I felt peace and wonder at all the beauty, but no burning bosom, no shaft of light, nothing. I prayed to have one, but it was not there. I think jet lag was present and I was feeling a bit of that so it was hard to really feel anything but tired. Anyway, it was not until I was back in good old SLC with my kids at temple square that I really felt the spirit. You just can’t force a spiritual experience. I was with my kids and husband and we were looking at all of the pictures on the wall and explaining everything and then we walked up to the Christus and I just couldn’t keep tears away. I was feeling the spirit so strong. And you know what hit me….It is not where you are that makes the church true, it is who you are and who you are with. I was with my family after being apart for about 5 days. That is what the church is all about. That is where the spirit is. Why did I need a spritual experience in the grove to know the church was true? I already knew. What a silly wish….The Church is true and the spirit can manifest itself anywhere. It does not have to be in “famous places.” Lesson learned. Sometimes, I think as members we get caught up in the “famous” things of the church and forget how simple it really is…The Lord, Me and my Family.
Thanks Katie, I’m still holding firm on my shot at the “shaft of light” experience at the Sacred Grove. See you Friday.
So Scripture study is pluggin’ along. Today we discussed Corinthians and the apostacy that was taking place amongst the people there. Last stake conference our Stake President spoke about personal apostacy and how if we ever amend the gospel of Jesus Christ to our own liking we are in a Personal Apostacy on that subject. The Stake President gave two examples: one where the people chose to ammend the Gospel to fit thier lifestyle of breaking the word of wisdom. The other (more interesting) perspective were people who amend the gospel to be more stringent than it is and find personal worth in being more righteous on thier gospel tangent. The people in Corinth had to be redirected by Paul in that they were preaching in tongues without interpretation as well as women asserting themselves as leaders/rulers over the church. These variations of the gospel created strife and a doctrinal apostacy as the members tried to add the doctrines of men to the church. What I love about the Gospel of Jesus Christ and what I have learned from studying the New Testament this time is that it is simple. Jesus Christ came to fufill the Law of Moses and did away with all the oppressive doctrines taught by the Pharisees that kept people from feeling the true light of faith, repentance, baptism and the Reception of the Holy Ghost. Obedience in making and keeping covenants with the Lord assures you blessings. Nothing needs to be added – following Christ truly can make you a better person.
Scripture Study had a good turnout on Friday and Katie brought bagels to share for lunch Yum, Yum! We read in Romans and disgussed the doctrine of election as described by Paul in Romans and in the manual. It seems that A LOT in this world has to do with how we lived our lives in the Pre existence. It is an interesting concept I don’t spend a lot of time thinking about. Any insights from my readers?
It was just Lindsey and I for Scripture Study this week. We only discussed Section 43 so we’ll still have section 44, 45 &46 for next week. I did love one set of scriptures in Ephesians especially. Ephesians 4:31,32 read:
Let all bitterness, and wrath, and anger and clamour, and evil speaking be put away from you, with all malice: And be ye kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forviven you.
I love the idea of being tenderhearted, and I love it when I meet people who are!
Scripture study – Lindsey, Katie, Camellia and I discussed 2 Timothy, Titus and Hebrews. Paul’s advise to Timothy and Titus on how to choose Bishops was quite interesting. The manual had led to some interesting discussion on birth control, women in the church and women in the workplace. Camellia sited the Prophet’s talk in Priesthood session on men stepping it up a bit in education etc.
Hey Janelle, What chapter are you guys on, and what time do you meet? I might try to come tomorrow.
We are in Chapters 47 and 48 in the manual or Hebrews 7-13. I hope to see you tomorrow!
Cristina and Lisa were able to make it to scripture study this week. In the latter part of the book of Hebrews Paul talks a lot about faith there were two scriptures I particularly liked.
Hebrews 11:1,3 Now faith is the substance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen. Through faith we understand that the worlds were framed by the word of God, so that things which are seen were not made of things which do appear.
Faith can make things happen!
Hebrews 12:1 Let us lay aside every weight, and the sin which doth so easily beset us, and let us run with patience the race that is set before us.
Hebrews 12:6 For whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth.
Janelle tried to host scripture study in my mini van at almost 1 in the morning – this girl wants the New Testament done!!
Hey that scripture study in the van totally counted. ON TO 1 and 2 John! Forward, pressing forward , a triumph song we’ll sing!
First week in January we will be starting the Book Of Mormon. I’m trying to decide on what study guide to use.
Book of Mormon has started!
11 am Fridays my house. Cookies provided.
Ok we read through Alma, I got morning sickness and we discontinued because I could not clean my house well enough. I assume we all finished in our own due time however.
Lecture 6 of Lectures on Faith
Quote of the year:
Let us here observe, that a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation…. JS
“Umm, did I just read ALL THINGS? That feels very Job-ish.”
– Me
“It is in vain for persons to fancy to themselves that they are heirs with those, or can be heirs with them, who have offered their all in sacrifice, and by this means obtain faith in God an favor with him so as to obtain eternal life, unless they, in like manner, offer unto him the same sacrifice, and through that offering obtain the knowledge that they are accepted of him.” JS
“Uh-oh” – AW
For those of you who missed Scripture Study today, you missed some great discussion.
Spencer W. Kimball “Many people build and furnish a home and buy the automobile first-and then they “cannot afford’ to pay tithing. Whom do they worship? Certainly not the Lord of heaven and earth, for we serve whome we love and give first consideration to the object of our affection and desires. Young married couples who postpone parenthood until their degrees are attanined might be shocked if their expressed preference were labeled idolotry.”
That quote led to some discussion which also led me to make this point. Which was set in D&C 1:9… the wrath of God shall be poured out upon the wicked without measure- utno a day when the Lord shall come to recompense unto every man accordijng to his work and measure to every man according to the measure which he has measured to his fellow man.
My point is this… Satan is sneaky, if he doesn’t get you with the original sin say word of wisdom problems, adultery or even choosing not to have children….he’s sure to get you with the sin of judgement. We have to watch ourselves so that the measurement we give our fellowman is not so heavy that our own judgements condemn us at the last day.
Also a lot of criticism (from within) came to the General RS President for her talks at General RS meeting and General Conference. To this we all agreed on this point: “God has chosen His servants. He claims it as His perogative to condemn them, if they need condemnation. He has not given it to us individually to censure and condemn them. No man, however strong he may be in the faith, however high in the Priesthood, can speak evil of the Lord’s anointed and find fault with God’s authority on the earty without incurring His displeasure. The Holy Spirit will withdraw itself from such a man and he will go into darkness….. However difficult it may be for us to understand the reason for any action of the authorities of the Church, we should not too hastily call their acts in question and pronounce them wrong.” George Q. Cannon
Great Discussion!
D&C 6 – 10
I was impressed by the importance of prayer in these sections.
1. We must pray always if we want to be able to conquer Satan.
2. We can pray to receive truth through personal revelation.
3. There are some blessings that cannot be ours unless we ask for them.
4. God answers prayers and wants us to be able to identify the answer. (Through the heart and mind, speaks peace unto you. “What more witness can I give?”)
5. Do not ask for things we ought not to.
6. Sometimes it takes more than just prayer to receive answers. We need to ponder and study it out in our minds and strive for personal righteousness.
I also loved how the Lord testified of the truthfulnes of the BOM in these sections. He was granting the prayers of the righteous through the translation of the BOM. The Lord also made references to specific parts of the BOM – it is clear He knows it inside and out and loves the people who bear witness of Him through their writings in the BOM.
I am loving the Doctrine and Covenants. I love the attention the Lord gives such a small number of people. I mean, He is the Lord of the Universe and he takes the time to make personal mission calls to these first members, to love them and chastise them. He calls so many of them by name. When He said, “Fear not little flock” His flock truly was little. I am loving the amount of Doctrine that is in the Doctrine and Covenants. Right now I am in Section 76 – this is doctrine that separates us from every other church on earth. Personal scripture study can be so fufilling. We did FHE on the First Vision this week – what a wonderful thing to teach children that God answers prayers.
Read in the appendix in enrichment L and then go back to or think about the temple. I think you’ll have a good experience. It outlines the Law of Sacrifice and Law of Consecration as well as building Zion through Unity.
Since I am also teaching BOM in Sunday School I noticed that the Doctrine in 2 Nephi 9 is the same as D&C 76 for cross referencing purposes.
What church answers the questions who are we, why are we are here and where are we going better?