Babies in the Ward

On Sunday, we got as many of the babies from the ward together as we could. These are the babies that have been born since September. There were a few out of town, and there are more due in the near future. There will probably be more pictures like this. Enjoy! Can you find James?

Nauvoo University to Open This Fall

Rosemary Palmer - LDS Living

Many young members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints do not have the opportunity to attend LDS-owned colleges. Nauvoo University, opening for its inaugural semester in fall 2009, will provide another academic setting for these students.

Though Nauvoo University will be opening its doors for the first time, the idea of a university in Nauvoo is not new. The University of the City of Nauvoo was founded in 1840, but became dormant by 1846.

But the mission lives on. The same mission that Joseph Smith gave the university in 1841 will be Nauvoo University’s mission: to "enable us to teach our children wisdom—to instruct them in all knowledge, and learning, in the Arts, Sciences and Learned Professions. We hope to make this institution one of the great lights of the world, and by and through it, to diffuse that kind of knowledge which will be of practical utility, and for the public good, and also for private and individual happiness.”

Prospective students have already voiced a desire to honor Nauvoo pioneers and “be part of starting something big.”

One student said, “A good, clean, safe environment for learning and living is very important to me. I believe that Nauvoo University is headed for great things and will accomplish much good, and I look forward to being a part of it all.”

“Nauvoo is filled with such religious history that I know I will not only come out of there with a greater knowledge, but with a stronger testimony of my faith,” said another. “I want so much to be able to . . . experience the lives of those saints who first came to Nauvoo.”

The university is being organized as an independent coeducational institution that adheres to Latter-day Saint standards but is not owned, operated, funded, or supported by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. It will offer a strong academic program of basic classes coupled with spiritual development, which may make it attractive to students who attend one or two semesters before an LDS mission, who want a year or two closer to home before attending a Church school or other college, or who would like to complete a two-year associate degree. Although it is called Nauvoo University, it will not begin as a four-year institution.

As a result of a recent agreement, students in Nauvoo will also be able to register as students at Carl Sandburg College (CSC), accredited by the North Central Association of Colleges and Schools and located in Galesburg, Illinois. This will allow students to transfer credits and apply for scholarships through CSC. Associate degrees will be completed through CSC.

Admission is open to LDS students and students of diverse faiths who meet these standards: morality and honesty, abstinence from alcohol and tobacco, clean and modest dress, and ecclesiastical endorsement. Nauvoo University hopes to have a freshman class of 50 students during the 2009-2010 year, with student enrollment increasing as the school expands.

Nauvoo University is looking for faculty and students with a pioneering spirit who want to leave an imprint on this new institution with its long-term goal to become a fully accredited four-year university. Many instructors will be retired LDS professors volunteering their time.

Initially, Nauvoo University will use existing facilities to house the students and staff, but will start a building program as soon as possible.

Nauvoo University’s Board of Trustees has started a campaign to raise funds for and solicit support of the University. Donations of real estate, funds for buildings, endowments for scholarships, and assistance in the organization and establishment of the university are needed.

Evan L. Ivie, former director of the BYU Semester-at-Nauvoo program, is spearheading the endeavor to begin Nauvoo University. Ivie noted that when the church discontinued the BYU semester-at-Nauvoo program in 2006, numerous individuals expressed interest in a college in Nauvoo based upon its key role in church history and the reconstructed Nauvoo Temple.

“With the blessings of God, Nauvoo University will grow into the kind of institution that Joseph Smith envisioned it to be,” said Evan Ivie.

To learn more about Nauvoo University, or to apply online as a student, go to nauvoouniversity.com.

Feet

James loves to grab his feet now. I will find him holding his feet when I go to get him out of his crib. Every time I change his diaper, he grabs his feet. It is so fun!

NCAA 2009 Women's World Series

I have enjoyed watching a lot of College Softball the last few weeks. I watched the Regionals, then the Super Regionals, and finally the World Series. I am very happy that the University of Washington won the National Championship last night. They have an amazing team. Jon and I were cheering for them through the whole thing. Jon's ties to UW run deep, and it was great to see they have a really good softball team.

Go HUSKIES!

Teeth

Here is a picture of James's two teeth. It is a little blurry, and it was taken about a week ago. I will try to get a better one. Now you can see his teeth when he smiles.

6 Months

James is now 6 months (as of Friday, May 29). Today was his well visit. He is 18 pounds 6 ounces (75th percentile) and 28 inches long (90th percentile). His head is in the 95th+ percentile. He has just over one more inch before he he will be too long for his car seat.

He has two teeth. With those teeth, he has enjoyed eating solid food. As far as baby food, he has tried sweet potatoes, squash, green beans, rice cereal, and oatmeal cereal. His favorite is Green beans. Very little gets on his face when he eats green beans. He also enjoys any food he gets off of mom's or dad's plate, mostly rolls, jello, or mashed potatoes.

He is surprisingly happy right now after his shots, but is doing worse at taking a nap then he usually would.

He still loves to watch Cars. We have watched it three times since we bought it last week. He is liking more and more to watch TV. Some of his favorite shows are Maggie and the Ferocious Beast, Backyardigains, Yo Gabba Gabba, and Go Diego Go.

I will post more pictures soon. I just have to get then off of the camera and stuff.

Truman G. Madsen Passes Away

Jon has really enjoyed Truman G. Madsen's lectures about Joseph Smith. I thought I would share the news of him passing away here.

Truman G. Madsen Passes Away

May 28, 2009 - LDS Living Staff

Truman Madsen, well known LDS scholar and educator, died this morning after a long battle with cancer.

Madsen, a grandson of Heber J. Grant, was born in 1926 in Salt Lake City. He developed an interest in his Church heritage at a young age and would eventually become a recognized expert on Joseph Smith and one of the most popular lecturers among Church members on LDS topics.

After serving a mission in Canada and studying at the University of Utah and the University of Southern California, Madsen received his Master of art and PhD in history and philosophy of religion from Harvard University. Part of his legacy includes his work with leaders of other religions to better understand Mormonism.

A prolific author, Madsen has written numerous books, including Eternal Man and Christ and the Inner Life. He contributed to the five-volume Macmillan Encyclopedia of Mormonism and served as an editor for the project.

His most recent project took a similar vein his DVDs called On Sacred Ground, with this series devoted to walks in the Holy Land. The DVDs, called The Eternal Christ, include Madsen’s deep insights into and testimony of the Savior’s life. They are scheduled to be released this summer.

He served in the Church as a bishop, stake president, president of the New England Mission, and executive assistant of the Temple Square visitor’s center. Most recently, he served as the patriarch of the Provo Utah Sharon East Stake. He also served previously as director of the Jerusalem Center for Near Eastern Studies.

“Truman Madsen mastered the weighty matters, the themes of eternity, in a far-reaching range of interests: philosophy, scriptures, Jerusalem, Joseph Smith, and temples,” said D. Kelly Ogden, a friend and former associate director of the Jerusalem Center. “He has left deep impressions in ‘lives without number,’ in a worldwide context—as a professor, guest lecturer, commentator and writer, as a stake president, a mission president, as director of BYU's Jerusalem Center, and especially in his key roles as husband and father. The legacy of his brilliant mind and fervent spirit will live on for generations to come.”

Peter Johnson, who worked closely with Madsen on several projects, including On Sacred Ground and the upcoming The Eternal Christ, recalled Truman’s unique traits. “One of the things I will always remember is his humor and compassion. Everyone who knew him thought they were his best friend. And that tremendous love just reached out and touched any individual he had dealings with,” he said. “He was such Christ-like man.”

“Truman really is an amazing man," he concluded. "He is one-of-a-kind a man of tremendous intellect combined with faith and testimony. I’m so thankful that I was privileged to spend the intimate creative time that I did with such a profound thinker and man of God.”

Madsen and his wife, Ann Nicholls Madsen, are the parents of three grown children and a foster son.

Prayer Works

Today, I could not find James's Social Security Card. I looked every where (Now there are papers scattered all over the house). Finally, I decided to pray that I could find it. Immediately, I remembered the last time we used it was when we did our taxes. I looked with our tax stuff for this year, and there it was. I was just amazed at how quick the answer came. Before, I could not even remember when I had seen his card last. It is amazing the little things that can happen to reaffirm my testimony that prayers really are answered. Hopefully, next time I will remember and pray about it before I tear the house apart.

Not Always Happy

James is happy most of the time, but just so you know he is sometimes not as happy, I thought I would post this picture.

Time is Passing

Not much has happened this week. Jon continues to study for the boards. James and I are mostly just hanging out at home. We have gone to the park twice to walk, and James went visiting teaching with me. I have been doing a little sewing, too. Mostly things for baby showers, but I have done a few things for James, too, and I want to make a few things for me.

Last night, Jon and I had our stake meetings. We are working on planning Youth Conference for this year. It is coming together really well, and I am excited for July to come. It should be really fun!

I do have a bunch of pictures of James for the Grandmas and anyone else to enjoy. Here is a picture of James wearing a hat I was working on for him. I was checking to see if it would fit, it did then, but does not really now. I made the biggest size in the pattern. I guess I will have to think of something else for James.

Overalls

I love James in overalls. I just think they look cute. I do not know what he is looking at here. Probably some toy in his lap, but I could not get him to look at the camera. Still cute pictures.

Saucer

James has really started liking to be in the saucer (Thanks Sherri for letting us borrow it). He sat in it for more than an hour the other day. He was enjoying watching out the window. He really liked watching the lawnmower, and now when ever he hears a similar sound out side he looks to see if the lawnmower is there.

New "Trick"

James really likes to move his left arm.

St. Mary's and New Bremen, Ohio

Yesterday, we went to the St. Mary's Branch Conference. We left at 7:30 a.m. and did not get home until 5:45 p.m. It was a long day, but fun to travel the entire distance of our Stake (north to south). James did fairly well. He was a little crabby when he was tired, but mostly he was happy. This was the last Unit Conference until mid-September. It will be kind of nice to be able to go to my ward and not have people think I am inactive.

We also went to lunch at the Davis's home in New Bremen, Ohio. Brother Davis is the Stake Young Men President, and he and his wife grew up in Idaho Falls. I actually went to high school with their niece and nephew. Lunch was really good, and nice to have something before driving back home.

On the drive home, we got stopped in some really bad traffic caused by an accident with a car and truck with a U-haul. Needless to say the drive home was a lot longer then the drive down.

We ate a quick dinner after getting home and then I went to Seminary Graduation. Jon was going to come, but he broke out in hives on the way home, so he stayed home with James. It turned out to be a good, busy day, but just long.

Here is a picture of James and Dad playing. Jon does get some time to spend with James even though he is studying for the boards.