* A Special Day for Dax

This post is for Dax.
The previous post: No Empty Chairs includes a video of all the family support for Dax on his special day! Check it out below...!

Dax, today I talked about the Holy Ghost. I shared the importance of the No Empty Chairs Stick... I posted about this earlier, on your Birthday. If you want to go there, search at the top just type the word - Stick. I hope you enjoy the slide show! Dax you are absolutely sweet in your little MONKEY SUIT! LOL Much love and hugs, Grams! I love you so very much you little monkey!

A Letter (CLICK HERE) From Gramah Jackie to You Dax, With Love

Here are some ways the Holy Ghost helps us:

1. Warns us of danger or evil (as in Elder McConkie's story).

2. Gives us our testimonies (Alma 5:46).

3. Helps us know and choose the right (D&C 11:12).

4. Helps us understand things (D&C 6:15).

5. Helps us recognize truth (Moroni 10:5).

6. Guides us in important decisions (2 Nephi 32:5).

7. Teaches us (John 14:26).

8. Inspires us (Luke 12:12).

9. Comforts us (Galatians 5:22).

10. Helps us remember things (John 14:26).

11. Helps us understand and communicate with each other (Alma 12:3).

S T A D

"S" Represents STOP! Before you act, stop. Don't do it yet. Just pause long enough to do the other steps.
"T" Represents THINK! think ahead to the consequence. Ask yourself, what will it be?
A
"A" Represents ASK! As yourself if the consequence will be worth it.
D
"D" represents DO! After thinking and asking, do the right thing This step is very important. This will decide who is in control, the "want" monster or you. The "want" monster tries to get you to listen to him and not to the spirit. Make sure you listen to the spirit. Every choice has a consequence.

Here are some situations to think about:
*Your mom said you couldn't have any cookies but you REALLY want some.
*Your brother took your toy and you want to hit him.
*Your dad said to go to bed, but you want to sneak into his room and watch TV
*You are at the grocery store and see a candy Bar that you really want but you don't have any money. You want to hide it in your pocket.
*Your brother just pulled your hair and you want to yell at him.
*Your mom tells you to say your prayers before you go to bed, but you are too tired.

* No Empty Chairs

The song in this video is: No Empty Chairs by Janice Cap Perry and Senator Orin Hatch

I am so proud of YOU.... I am so proud of your parents. I want them to always remember that they did not pick you.... YOU PICKED THEM! They have a great responsibility each and every day to be an example of all that is good... to help you return to your Heavenly Father. That is a big job... and it happens minute by minute, day by day. They can't let their guard down. They show you kindness and love, and that is how it should be. Some day they will stand before our Savior and He will ask them to give a report on the kind of parent they were to you. Your mom has taught you so much! I was sitting by your mom when you were baptized. When you came up out of the water, someone said: "Well, it's done!" And she wisely said: "And it's just the beginning." I was the tear in her eye. I was so proud of your dad, that he could baptize and confirm you. I saw how proud he was to stand beside you dressed in white. I heard his love for you as he confirmed you. I have many tears of joy on this sweet day. What a blessing we are to one another. Uncle Gabe talked about how you are an example to the Probert Cousins, as you are the oldest. Uncle Nate talked about how Jesus set the example when He was baptized. Jaycee, Kelcey and Aubri sang "I am a Child of God." Grandpa Todd talked about a time when he was little and he listened to the Holy Ghost. There was lots of family and a lot of love in the room. Uncle Rodney and Aunt Annie said the prayers. Lynette and Grandma Todd did the music. The witnesses were Grandpa Probert and Grandpa Todd.

IT WAS A BEAUTIFUL DAY!

* 8th Birthday

It is UnBeLieVe-Able that you are 8 years old! You are so loved...


Here is a copy of a letter to you from Grams and Gramps.

Dear ***,
You are 8 ! HAPPY BIRTHDAY !
We are so proud of YOU! You are an amazing spirit. We are blessed to have you in our lives.

Today, on your birthday, we give you a CHOICE STICK and a book about BAPTISM. Your life will bring many choices and challenges.

Heavenly Father knows that we need a little help along the way. So, he showed us the way by being baptized and confirmed. Now it is your turn to choose to follow His Example.

When you are baptized you become a member of His Church. This membership is the most priceless membership of all. It says you belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. What is the Church of Jesus Christ? It is the only true church upon the Earth. There are many churches upon the Earth today. Many churches have some of the truth, but the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints includes the FULLNESS of Jesus Christ. It includes ALL TRUTH. As you grow and experience life, you will learn about these truths, and you will gain a testimony. Your testimony is small now, but it will grow and grow.

When you are confirmed you receive the most important gift. No other gift is as priceless as this gift. This is the GIFT OF THE HOLY GHOST. It is a helper voice that you will listen to as you grow. You may not feel or hear the voice at first, but as you grow you will begin to know and feel the spirit of the Holy Ghost as it directs your path, as you make choices. You will hear the sweet whispering of the spirit. You will feel his influence in your heart.

Now, this brings me to the CHOICE STICK that you have been given. Gram’s made this stick for you. About a year ago we heard a testimony given by John Bytheway. He showed a stick he had made. The stick had some words on it. The message he gave with the stick is this: Whenever you make a choice, you pick up a consequence. You cannot pick up the stick without picking up the whole stick. When you make a choice, along comes a consequence.

What is a Consequence? A consequence is something that follows. A consequence can be both good and bad. When you choose to be baptized, the consequence is you are a member of the true church. That is a good consequence. When you are asked to be honest, and you tell a lie, you pick up a bad consequence. People may not be able to trust you the next time, even if you tell the truth. You will have to work to gain the trust you need as you try hard to tell the truth.
Gramah made a stick similar to John Bytheway’s stick for you. Included on the stick are the words: No Empty Chairs. You belong to us, you are part of a wonderful FAMILY. We are all working to be together as a Family Forever, we want everyone to sit at our Family table FOREVER. It is important to make choices that will allow you to be with your family for eternity. Try very hard not to make choices that would make you a “missing” person at the family table.

As you learn and grow, you will make mistakes. You will learn about Repentance, and trying to do better. You have begun to make friends. As you meet people and as you make friends, you will need to choose friends who are making right choices. You will need to be an example to all the friends and family in your life. Many people will look to you for righteousness. You will be watched. Your example of goodness is important. The world has a lot of bad in it. The world also has a lot of good in it. You will want to do your best to be all that is good! This will bring you joy and happiness.

We love you so very much Dax. We look forward to the days ahead as you follow Jesus Christ. We look forward to the good choices you will make as you help His Gospel to spread across the earth, and bless the lives of people who do not have the Gospel of Happiness.

True happiness comes from following the commandments.
True happiness comes from making choices that bring good consequences.
True happiness comes from being a Forever Family.

Heavenly Father knows who you are. He loves you. You are his son. You have a Heavenly Mother who loves you too. They want you to return to them in righteousness. They love to hear from you in prayer every day!

Heavenly Father knows that at the age of eight, you are old enough to know right from wrong. This is an important journey. You will make mistakes, everyone does. Heavenly Father knows you will have the teachings of the gospel in your home in primary. He knows these teachings will help stay on the path.

You are a strong and bright spirit. We are blessed to have you in our life.
Love,
Grams and Gramps

PS. Don’t use the stick for hitting!!!! Keep it in a safe place, someplace you can see it to help you make good choices. When you are away from home, keep the stick in your memory as you make choices. Close your eyes and picture the words in your head. Choices bring Consequences. Choose happiness.

HUGS!