Queen Vashti did not want to parade her beauty around a bunch of drunk people.  She refused to obey a direct summon from the king.  Women at that time were expected to obey men.  (Esther 1: 1-12)  The men at the banquet did not want their women rising up against them so they had the King get rid of queen Vashti. They didn’t want anyone disobeying the King.  (Esther 1:19)

Mordecai was Esther’s uncle.  After Esther’s parents died, Mordecai raised her.  (Esther 2:5-8)  Mordecai reported an assassination plot against the King to Esther.  (Esther 2:21-23)  Mordecai did not bow to Haman.  He did not break the first commandment which is idolatry.  (Esther 3:1-6)      

Esther was a courageous woman.  Esther beauty was a gift from God.  She was put into a position where she could gain favor with the King and save her people.  She knew her life was on the line (Esther 4:11-16) There is no doubt that God had his hand in this situation.  Esther, through fasting, faith, and courage, had saved a nation. 

All three of these people showed great courage in doing what is right.  I want to have courage to stand for truth and righteousness.  Through Heavenly Father I can face whatever comes my way.  I don’t have to be afraid to follow in righteousness because I will be protected by God.  Those that are wicked are the ones who need to be afraid.  These three showed that they followed God in righteousness.  They all three did not fall into the devils temptation.  I hope that through my life I can act as these three did.          

Our New Family Member!

This is Sadie!  We went down on January 20th to Salt Lake to pick her up from the airport.  We love her so much!  She is such a great puppy.  Emma is very interested in her and Sadie is interested in Emma as well.  Welcome to the Family Sadie!  

Choice 2: 1 Kings 3–4. “A Wise and an Understanding Heart” 

·         How and what did you do to complete the assignment?  I chose to post to my blog. 

·         Why did you decide to do the assignment you did?  I thought it was the most interesting out of the choices. 

·         What do you think is the best thing about your assignment, and how could you improve it for next time?  I loved what I learned.  I related what I learned to my life.  I hope that I can continue to apply what I learned in my life.  There is nothing I could improve on. 

(a) In 1 Kings 3, Solomon had a sacred experience seeing the Lord. Read 1 Kings 3:9–28; 4:29–31.

(b) Answer the following questions:

·         Why do you think Solomon asked for an understanding heart? Why do you think his choice was pleasing to the Lord? What would more worldly people have asked for?

Solomon loved the people he ruled over.  He asked for an understanding heart because he wanted to discern between good and bad so that he could better judge his people.  His choice was pleasing to the Lord because Solomon was not thinking of himself but instead thinking about his people he ruled.  More worldly people would have asked for riches and honor.    

·         How did Solomon demonstrate that he had received this spiritual gift at the beginning of his reign? 

Solomon demonstrated that he received this spiritual gift when two women came to him arguing over a baby.  Solomon was able to figure out who the real mother was.  After this happened the people knew that God was with Solomon and they feared him. 

·         How could this spiritual gift help you in your life? What do 1 Corinthians 12:31 and Doctrine and Covenants 46:8, 28, 30 explain about how you could develop more gifts of the Spirit

If we can ask in righteousness God will give.  We should always cherish our gifts and give thanks to God.  We should not take our gifts for granted. 

·         How do 1 Kings 4:1–25 and 1 Samuel 11–20 relate to each other?

These scriptures relate because it shows what a King should and should not do.  It shows how the King prospers when they are righteous.  When they fall from God the people suffer and become wicked.  

This is an update of the last few weeks.  We got Emma a new swimming suit.  She loves to go swimming.  Her favorite thing to do is splash the water with her hands and feet.  We also got went shooting.  We had a good time.  We are loving every moment with Emma.  She is growing up so fast.  She can now sit up by herself.  She rolls around the floor like crazy.  She is babbling like crazy as well.  Her two syllables she likes to say is "DaDa"  I am guessing that Dada is going to be her first word.  We love being her mom and dad.  We feel so blessed to have her.      

Choice 2: 2 Samuel 1-10. David Anointed King

1.    Search 2 Samuel 1-10 and make a list of King David’s accomplishments.

 David kills the Amalekite who claims to have killed Saul.

David is anointed king over the house of Judah. 

David’s followers defeat Abner and the men of Israel. 

David grows stronger, Abner joins David but is killed. 

David kills two of Saul’s captains that slayed Ish-bosheth because he was a righteous person.

All Israel anoints David King.

He takes Jerusalem and is blessed by the Lord.

He conquers the Philistines.

David takes the ark to the city of David. 

David offers to build a house for the Lord. 

David’s throne, through Christ, will be established forever.

David offers a prayer of thanksgiving.

David defeats and subjects many nations.

The Lord is with him.

He executes judgment and justice unto all his people.

David seeks to honor the house of Saul, and restores all the land of Saul.

David defeats the Ammonites and Syrians. 

1.    Read 1 Chronicles 22:7-8 and the Institute Student Manual commentary for 2 Samuel 7:1-17, “Why Was David Not Allowed to Build the Temple?” (pgs. 289-90). Write your explanation of why the Lord did not want David to build a temple.

 It is mentioned in 1 Chronicles that there was too much war and bloodshed to build the house of the Lord.

1.    Read 2 Samuel 7:12-17 and write one or two sentences describing how you would feel if you were in a situation similar to David’s. Write one or two sentences describing how 2 Samuel 7:16 is a Messianic prophecy. Then read 2 Samuel 7:18-29 and summarize David’s response to the Lord’s message to him.

It would be such a great blessing to know that Christ would be born in your future seed.  I personally would feel so excited and happy.  David is promised that his kingdom will be established forever and he shall be established forever.  David responds to the Lord that God is God and that His words are true.   David welcomes God’s blessings.      

Emma in the Swimming Pool!

This is Emma's Second time swimming.  She spent a lot more time in the water this time.  She Loves It!  

Setting up Christmas Decor!

Our new Tree!  

Emma helped out by looking cute in her new Santa Hat :)