31st Birthday

So, today is my 31st Birthday. We celebrated on Saturday night! After the age of 25 and the birth of 3 children. My birthday seems pretty anti-climatic. However, the mother figures in my life (Chris and Angeli) have worked really hard to make sure I'm feeling loved. And Ryan's been bringing me small gifts everyday for the last week! He's awesome :)

We've been taking an "internet fast." So, Ryan and I are only online if we need to. It's cut our daily stress by 25%. A very interesting experience. It was recommended to us by Elder Robert D. Hales when he came to speak at our Stake Conference a few weeks ago. He also counseled about the current financial crisis. My favorite line was, "Call it a depression or a recession, it doesn't matter. It'll be no different that 1929." "The Brothern have been watching this storm cloud from the distance for some time. What was once thick clouds forming is now a dark storm covering the earth." He then counseled us to be diligent about "getting our houses in order" temporally and spiritually. Part of the spiritual diligence was making sure we didn't have an addiction to the Internet, just in general; and making sure we are making the essential things for eternity--essential. It has completely changed the atmosphere of our home as we have gone from casual scripture study with the kids "scripture reader at night" to studying 3 times a day: personally, as a couple, and as a family. It has also immensely changed our prayers. Our lives feel so much more peaceful!

Hence, we've spent little time on the Internet, little time blogging and it will probably continue to be sparse.

I just want to testify that the gospel of Jesus Christ changes us, and we are redeemed and happy through Him.