Conner's Eagle Scout portraits

On December 9th Conner had his Eagle Scout Board of Review and received his Eagle Scout Rank. Brother Kent Keoppel took his pictures.

My great-grandmother Josefa Quiñones

I wanted a picture of my great-grandma Josefa Quiñones when she was younger. My cousin Annette Ramirez was going through a box of pictures at her mom's house and found this picture. She knew that I had Quiñones on my tree and to her surprise it was my great-grandma. The box was her 2nd great-grandmother's box, Maria Ignacia Gonzalez Lopez de Victoria. Maria Ignacia was my great-grandfather's sister, his name was Jose Gonzalez Lopez de Victoria. Jose was Josefa Quiñones husband. Annette and I assume that since Josefa and Maria Ignacia were sisters in law then is logical that Josefa may have given her the picture. This picture has gone through four generations to get to me!! Maria Ignacia gave it to her daughter Isabel Gonzalez Gonzalez, Isabel gave it to Jorge Diaz Gonzalez and Jorge gave it to his daughter Aurora Diaz Fernandez. Aurora Diaz Fernandez is Annette Ramirez Diaz' mother. Annette loves genealogy so she was going through the box when she found the picture. I am so thankful for the wonderful blessing to be able to see this picture of my great-grandmother!! She is my dad's grandmother. I have received so many wonderful blessings from doing my family history. I feel that even though Josefa didn't know that I would someday see this picture, my Heavenly Father knew the day she gave Maria Ignacia the picture and this picture has been preserved through 4 generations until it would get to me. Annette is now going to mail it to me!!! 

This picture was given to me a few years ago and it was the only picture I had of her. I always wanted a picture of my great-grandma Josefa.

Valentines day 2020

Brent got me flowers and a balloon, I got him a card and I got Conner a card and his favorite candy.

Eating a cheeseburger for the first time!

This is huge! On February 8th, was Conner's first time eating a cheeseburger! He loved it. It was his idea to order one. Conner has sensory processing disorder and his biggest issue is food. So this is incredible!!!! I feel like it’s a big turn in his life!

Clarinet Solo and Ensemble

On February 8th Conner participated in Solo and ensemble! He got a Superior rating! We are so proud of his accomplishments!!!

Sunday February 2, 2020

Well I guess I will never forget the date  02/02, 2020 

On Sunday Brent was released as the Bishop of the Lake Reams Ward after serving 4 years and 2 months. The Stake realigned the boundaries of the Wards and created the new Lake Butler Ward. We are now in the Lake Butler Ward. Brent was conducting the Lake Reams Fast and Testimony meeting one last time and he bored his testimony. I was not going to do it because I was asked to bear my testimony at the Stake Center during the 4 Ward meeting (Lake Reams, Lake Crescent, Olympia and Avalon Ward meeting). At the last minute I got up and bored a quick testimony, I was the last one. Then we quickly left for the meeting at the Stake Center. It involved 4 of the Wards in the Stake. They did new boundaries for the 4 Wards. Brent and I both shared our testimony in the meeting. It was very hard for me because I have a hard time with public speaking, especially in such a large crowd. But, I did it!! The Stake President said I only had 2 minutes and I think it was like more like 1 minute hahaha but I did it!! After the meeting (we parked at the temple because we were told there might not be enough parking at the Stake Center but after we walked across the street to the church we found out there was parking) since we were parked at the temple we took some pictures.

Brother Baird who is in charged of the church history, took these pictures of us. He posted one on the Orlando South Stake facebook page and Instagram page.

Testimony of the Book of Mormon

I finished reading the Book of Mormon a few weeks ago but I had not finish writing in my notes until today January 2, 2020. So to me I officially finished reading and writing my notes on the Book of Mormon today.

Because I was sick with headaches and dizziness and I wanted to read the Book of Mormon but could not concentrate, I decided or had a thought  (all good thoughts come from God) that I would write notes as I read the Book of Mormon to help me remember some of what I was reading. Now looking at my notes I am so thankful that I was inspired by the Holy Ghost to do this. It took me years to finish reading it, some nights I was so sick with head pressure, brain fog and headache that all I could do was read one verse. It doesn't matter how long it takes you, what matters is that you are gaining a testimony of the Saviour and of the Book of Mormon. You are learning so much by reading it. You are learning to feel the promptings of the Spirit because when you read it the Holy Spirit is with you and he abides with you to guide you and teach you. As I write this, so much is going on in the world. The United States just killed a leader of Iran who was a terrorist and had killed many Americans and was planning to kill many Americans. There is also a huge fire raging in Australia and non stop earthquakes in Puerto Rico. The prophecies are being fulfilled.

I have seen how the Lord has guided my life when I am being obedient. I am not perfect and I fail everyday but as we try to do our best by doing the simple things, like praying and going to church the Lord will pour out his blessings upon us.

When I got to Chapter 10 in the Book of Moroni, I really loved what he says about the Holy Ghost and loved his testimony of the Book of Mormon. Moroni invites us to remember God's mercy and ponder it as we read the Book of Mormon. He invites us to ask if the Book of Mormon is true and if we ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, I know God will answer that the Book of Mormon is true. I have felt the Holy Ghost telling me that it is true. The Book of Mormon is true. We need to read it every day over and over again. It brings the Spirit into our lives, it will bring us closer to Jesus Christ, our testimony of the Saviour will grow and strengthen and we will be strong in the gospel and we will have peace during hard times and our faith will be unshaken. We need to be strong and true to the covenants we have made at baptism and at the temple and the only sure way to do this is with the help of our Lord. Pray to our Heavenly Father for help, that He will give you the strength to go on and not fall. Do the simple things of going to church, read the scriptures, pay your tithing, say your prayers, go to the temple and help your ancestors. My prayer is to be with my family forever. The Book of Mormon is true. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.