9.08.2014

Joseph Smith

So I know there isn't many readers left on this here old blog but bear with me for a while, those of you who are left!

I am taking an adult religion class this year and our course of study is The Doctrine and Covenants. This weeks lesson focuses on Joseph Smith's History. The reading I completed today was the account of the first vision. At the end of the lesson it challenges us to look for opportunities for us to share it with others and since I don't have much of an opportunity of sharing with others not of my faith I decided that this could be a good platform to reach others who may not know much about the gospel.





Joseph Smith at a young age of 14 years old, sought to know what church, of the many in his community, to join. He attended many but never feeling a confirming sense that any of them were the right one, he turned to the scriptures. He read in James 1:5 the words "If any of ye lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him." So he then decided to seek answers for Father in Heaven. He found a quiet grove to kneel in prayer and though having never prayed audibly before he prayed fervently to know what church he should join. As he prayed he was visited by to Heavenly beings. One spoke and said "This is my by beloved son, hear Him" it was revealed to him by Jesus Christ and Heavenly Father that he should join none of the churches. He was met with a lot of opposition from that time forward.

In our study a story was shared that just helped me to know that we must have courage to share our testimonies of the teachings of Jesus Christ. It reads...


President Thomas S. Monson, who served as a mission president in Canada, shared the following experience of two of his missionaries:
“The two [missionaries] called at the home of Mr. Elmer Pollard, and he, feeling sympathy for the almost frozen missionaries, invited them in. They presented their message and asked if he would join in prayer. He agreed, on the provision that he could offer the prayer.
“The prayer he offered astonished the missionaries. He said, ‘Heavenly Father, bless these two unfortunate, misguided missionaries, that they may return to their homes and not waste their time telling the people of Canada about a message which is so fantastic and about which they know so little.’
“As they arose from their knees, Mr. Pollard asked the missionaries never to return to his home. As they left, he said mockingly to them, ‘You can’t tell me you really believe that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, anyway!’ and he slammed the door” (“The Prophet Joseph Smith: Teacher by Example,” Ensign, Nov. 2005, 69).

“The missionaries had walked but a short distance when the junior companion said timidly, ‘Elder, we didn’t answer Mr. Pollard.’
“The senior companion responded: ‘We’ve been rejected. Let’s move on.’
“The young missionary persisted, however, and the two returned to Mr. Pollard’s door. Mr. Pollard answered the knock and angrily said, ‘I thought I told you young men never to return!’
“The junior companion then said, with all the courage he could muster, ‘Mr. Pollard, when we left your door, you said that we didn’t really believe Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I want to testify to you, Mr. Pollard, that I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God, that by inspiration he translated the sacred record known as the Book of Mormon, that he did see God the Father and Jesus the Son.’ The missionaries then departed the doorstep.
“[Mr. Pollard later testified:] ‘That evening, sleep would not come. I tossed and turned. Over and over in my mind I heard the words, “Joseph Smith was a prophet of God. I know it. … I know it. … I know it.” I could scarcely wait for morning to come. I telephoned the missionaries, using their number which was printed on the small card containing the Articles of Faith. They returned, and this time my wife, my family, and I joined in the discussion as earnest seekers of truth. As a result, we have all embraced the gospel of Jesus Christ.’”
If these wonderful young men, had not had the courage to turn back to The Pollard home they would not have had the opportunity to share the Gospel with this family. I'm sure the generations to come would be wonderful members of the Gospel and have the truth, that those young missionaries had the courage to share.  
I know and have known that Joseph Smith was a true prophet. That he was chosen to come forth in this dispensation to restore the gospel to the earth, that we may have all the Keys of the priesthood here on the earth to be able to have the power of God with us is such a perilous time. What a blessing it is to know of Heavenly Fathers Great Plan of Happiness and that I can be with my family for eternity.  (you should totally click on that link and check it out!)
I would encourage any of you who have ever wondered about the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, or even if you feel as Mr. Pollard, that I am unfortunate and misguided, do as it says in the Book of James, "Ask of God" The Lord through the spirit of God will reveal to you answers! 
If you made it to the end of this, thank you, I am working on another post with actual pictures so stay tuned! I appreciate having a platform to be heard. 


7.30.2014

Tap, Tap, Tap....Is this thing on?

Well it has been 14 months, 28 days 3 hours and 27 minutes since my last published post on this here blog. Yes in an order to procrastinate writing this I figured out, down to the minute, how long it has been since my last post. I won't try to catch up for the last almost 15 months, I'm just gonna start right here, with what's going on today!

Terry is working hard at his new job. Yes, you read that right, new job. After almost 17 years in business we closed the doors to Rock N Roll Construction. It was a hard thing to do and we gave it our best effort to keep it going but the economy had other plans. We are woking hard just getting by!

I have been hanging on by my fingernails. I like to think that I bore the trial of living in a travel trailer for 16 months pretty gracefully however, this current trial, I have not borne so gracefully. I don't like not having health insurance and I am not enjoying long hours without my husband. But hey, you gotta do what you gotta do.  Crossfit has been my saving grace. I love a good sweat out!

Brett is now 16 and driving. Hopefully he will have enough hours to take his driving test before school and early morning seminary start! He is super helpful around the house and working hard on his piano.

Samantha is 14 and gearing up for her first year of high school as a JV cheerleader. She is babysitting like crazy and raking in the cash! She is also reading like a mad woman. I think her book count for this summer is around 8 already!

Colby at 10 years old is seeing if he can gain the world record for most amount of hours spent on the xbox and iPad without brushing teeth, but he's cute so we keep him around.

Bonnie, 6 years old, has spent the majority of the summer at her cousins house and we really don't see much of her. She is reading a lot and enjoys chapter books.

So there you have the cliff's notes version of whats the happs at the Conks!














4.02.2013

I'm a complete slacker...I know! - March

Did you know that you don't have to have Instagram on your phone to follow me?  http://instagram.com/kristinconk 
Check it out and see what really is goin on over here in crazytown! 


3.05.2013

Invasion of the Body Snatchers

Sometime in the past 2 or 3 weeks a must have been really busy because I missed the alien abduction of my 15 year old son.  In his place was put a moody, sullen, ornery, disrespectful punk.  He has always been quick to help and one of my more loving children.  I frequently hear words like
"Shut-up"
"Get out of my room"
"You're so stupid"
"You don't know what you are talking about"

and my very favorite...

"You're so annoying"

So as I am trying to muddle through these turbulous (is that a word? it should be, it means bumpy and scary and hard, like a different form of turbulent) now where was I, oh yeah, as I muddle through the turbulous years I pray that I may have the patience and love so as to not cause bodily harm to this kid. His words do hurt me, but he knows that and that is why he is using them. I know that somewhere deep, below his pimpled hairy body, he has a heart that loves his momma.  I just hope them aliens bring my sweet boy back and soon.  

P.S. He is totally going to kill me someday when he realizes that I air all our dirty laundry on my blog! 


2.25.2013

Top 5

Top 5 Favorite things RIGHT NOW...

1.  Instagram
2.  Starbucks Hot Chocolate
3.  My fireplace - that burns real wood!
4.  Our family scripture D&C 64:33
5.  Cadbury Creme Eggs

*I'm so proud that I only have 2 food items on this list!
*Do you like how I just pretend that I haven't been completely absent in blogging for the last 2 months?  I'm purty tricky!!

2.04.2013

1.31.2013

Pizza

Obviously my need for pizza did not disappear when we moved to a place with little or no pizza options so a quest began.  The quest for the perfect pizza that I could make at home.  There is so much that goes into pizza and after much research and trial and error (and even a little brain picking of the owner of my favorite pizza place in town) I have come up with the perfect recipe.  the trick is to do it the night before and let it raise in the fridge overnight. You also want to keep the dough cool until its ready to be shaped and into the oven.  I have also found the better the quality of ingredients the better the pizza.  No great value brand mozzarella for this girl! I have found that the use of a pizza stone really helps get that nice crispy crust on the bottom while still soft and yummy inside!  Good luck and let me know how it goes!

 


Pizza Dough

yields 2 medium pizzas 

Ingredients:
1 cup warm water
2 1/4 cup all-purpose flour
2 tsp instant yeast
2 tbsp honey
3 tbsp olive oil
1 1/2 tsp salt (2 tsp also works well)


Directions:
Mix honey, warm water and yeast in mixer, let stand 10 min, until yeast is activated.  add rest of ingredients and knead for 10-15 mins on medium speed. 
Place the dough in the oiled bowl and spray a little oil on top of the dough as well. Divide into 2 balls cover with olive oil and put refrigerator over night

Pre-heat your oven with pizza stone placed on bottom rack for at least 30 min. at 425 prior to cooking pizza.

Punch it down and transfer it to a floured board. Make sure there’s flour on both sides of the dough and then only use more flour if the dough starts sticking to your hands.
Use the sides of your hands to create the border, push it down in the center and use your hand or finger tips to gently stretch the dough while turning it around. When dough is roughly the size and shape sprinkle your paddle with cornmeal and move quickly to add sauce cheese and toppings.  Transfer to pizza stone and bake for 10-15 min.



1.19.2013

Be Still

Be still.

My new goal, to be still.
Let my mind ponder and be open to inspiration from the spirit. I find I busy myself so as not to be alone with myself. I know I am missing valuable time with my father in heaven by making sure there is always noise. Life can be so hard to be IN and the noise drowns out the hard for a time but I know that if I but be still The Lord can inspire me to do what is needed to raise my family up to the him. 

So I will be still. If only for a moment. 


{photo of my home away from home:Shady Willows River Ranch in Medford Oregon}