The Gardner 7: the 12 days of testimony

Monday, December 3, 2007

the 12 days of testimony

This past weekend we had the wonderful opportunity of hearing the words of Elder and Sister Hafen of the first quorum of the seventy at our Stake Conference. During Elder Hafen's comments he shared with us a tender story about Elder Faust. Elder Faust was holding his newest great-granddaughter and while looking into her sweet face he wondered if he would live long enough for her to hear his testimony of the gospel and know of his love for the Savior. Shortly after this experience President Faust shared these thoughts in a meeting with the leaders of the church. He mentioned that in today's world children need more than just their parents testimonies to lean on. They need their grandparents and great-grandparents testimonies to be a pillar of strength in their lives. Little did anyone in that room know that Elder Faust would die a few days after.

As I pondered on these words I realized that my children are truly blessed to have three of their great-grandparents and all of their grandparents alive, and they all have burning testimonies of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I want my children to know of their testimonies and to be able to refer to them often. So this year we are going to begin a new tradition, "The Twelve Days of Testimonies." I have asked all of my children's grandparents and great-grandparents to write their testimonies down and send them to us. We will read one testimony a day beginning on the 13th of December. Of course this will only fill seven of the days! To fill the other five days we have decided to read Joseph Smith's testimony, The first presidencies testimony found in "The Living Christ", and testimonies from prophets in the Book of Mormon. On Christmas Eve, Dan and I will share our testimonies with our children and then let our children share their testimonies with us.

I am hoping that this Christmas season our children will develop a deeper understanding of what a testimony is and, just as Elder Faust desired for his great-greanddaughter, our children will also be strengthened through the testimonies of their loved ones.

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I am now a part of facebook. I was a little skeptical at first but I have become reacquainted with so many friends from High School and the Denver area that I am glad I joined. Two things that I have discovered. The first is that people's personalities don't really change that much.....just their looks. And two.....I am really grateful for the choices that I have made that have led me to this point in my life. The Lord truly takes care of me and my family and has given me more blessings and opportunities than I could have ever dreamed of. I married a man who is an amazing father and husband. He has taken care of us in every way possible. My children are beautiful and healthy. The Lord has been good to me.

Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood.....here I come!

Well, Valentine's Day was bigger than Christmas at the Gardner home this year, which wasn't too difficult considering Dan and I didn't get each other presents for Christmas. I surprised Dan with a digital picture frame at his office with some homemade chocolates (which were quite fabulous if I might say so myself.) And Dan surprised me with tickets to the Keith Urban and Carrie Underwood concert.....in Sacramento, California! That's right! We are flying out on Wednesday, March 12th to go to the concert that night and will fly home the next day. But it even gets better......my sister and her husband are going too! YIPPEEE! I am so excited and was quite shocked that Dan had already worked out a lot of the little details. What a man! I hope your Valentine's Day was full of love and "surprises!"

President Hinckley

There are some events in life that have had such an impact on me that I remember exactly what I was doing at the moment it happened. Sunday night when I was informed that President Hinckley had passed away will be one of those such events. I was in the hall reading to the children when Dan in a somewhat panicked voice beckoned me to come downstairs. When I got to the bottom of the stairs I glanced at the TV and there was a picture of President Hinckley with a caption stating that he had passed away earlier that evening. Immediately I called the children downstairs so they could see what was going on and then I called my family in Denver. After I got off of the phone I looked over to see an image I will never forget. Maddison was in her Daddy's arms and her eyes were filled with tears. The only Prophet that she had known in her life had just died. We called the children around us and offered a prayer of gratitude to our Heavenly Father for blessing us with such a wonderful Prophet. How truly grateful I am for President Hinckley's life and his powerful example of service and love. He will always be the "People's Prophet."

The book of the Gardner's, Month 12: day 24

1. And it came to pass on that day that there went out a decree from Shelene Gardner, that all in the Hal Gardner lineage in the region round about should gather at their Inn.
2. And Dan also went up, out of the city of Clearfield, into the city of Layton, (because he was of the lineage of Hal Gardner) to eat with his wife Deanna, and four children.
3. And all went to eat, every Gardner from their homes.
4. And it came to pass that when the family arrived they did find the table spread with a feast fit for a king.
5. And there was much food and rejoicing, and they ate and were filled.
6. And so it was that while they were there they portrayed the birth of our King....

Focus!

Thanksgiving was full of food, fun and family! Lots of family! It is so great to come together with cousins, aunts, uncles, grandpas and grandmas and feel as though you were never apart. What a great blessing family is in my life. I wish that I lived closer to more family members so I could feel of the great support and uplift they give to me daily!

My sister and I realized that this was once our family....but our parents were in our position and we were in our kids position. But we don't remember our parents ever looking so good at our age!

The children had a great time playing with their cousins. They were all immediate friends and had a hard time leaving the fun!

Well, another Thanksgiving and soon to be year will have come and gone again. This time of year is a great time of reflection for me. I love to look on the past year and see the Lord's involvement in our lives. He has been so good to us even though times haven't always been easy. I also look forward to the new year and the opportunity it brings for change. I have set some goals for myself and am hoping that this year I will have the self-discipline to focus on these goals and not get side tracked as I usually do! Every year we choose one word as a focus for change. In 2006 it was simplify! Last year it was plan! This year I think it will be focus!

If I had a wish for everyone this holiday season it would be to spend time with your loved ones making memories!