Art Update: Return

Last night I finished and submitted my entry for the art competition (click HERE to see where I started for it)!!!

I have lots of pictures of the artwork in progress that I had intended to post and keep everyone updated as the process went along.  Unfortunately, we've not been very computer fortunate lately.  So a BIG "Thank You!" to my friend, Kathryn, for getting my pictures uploaded for me.  And while I'm doling out the gratitude let's not forget Amy for the recycled wood, Lisa for being willing to try to understand what goes on in my head and always cheering me on anyway, and Chris and the kids for putting up with me this week!

"Return"

24" x 48" Mixed Media; acrylic, paper, rocks, and sand on wood and plexiglass

Artist Statement

and

detail images

first detail submitted of "Return"

"Throughout history salmon have been symbols of man’s mortal journey. Starting life in the peaceful, clean waters of their progenitors they are sent forth to the turbulent oceans to mature and eventually return, swimming upstream. Each salmon is naturally compelled to return and as they do their appearances change. They struggle but persevere, using the undercurrents to propel themselves on.

second detail submitted of "Return"

"We are each born with the Light of Christ to guide us back to our Father. Our trials will make us stronger and our countenances will reflect that Light. We are then able to help others recognize that the joy they are naturally compelled to seek after is in the Pure and Living Water, even Jesus Christ."

The Gift of the Holy Ghost

Yesterday, I taught my Primary class a lesson on the Gift of the Holy Ghost using the following object lesson I came up with while driving around Saturday with my husband. This was just in addition to the applicable scriptures and discussions presented in the manual.

*     *     *

Tell the children you are going to give each of them a special gift. Call each child up and give them a cookie wrapped up in a napkin and tell them they can peek at it, but don’t show it to anyone else – it’s just for them.

Once each child has a cookie, ask the class if they like the gift. Let them taste the cookie and tell each other about their “gifts”.

Ask how they feel when they eat the cookie (answers might include warm, happy, etc…).

Once they’ve eaten their cookies, ask how they feel now that they are gone (sad, hungry, etc... are what my class came up with).

Now tell them you will give them another gift -- something even better than a cookie -- and give each child the recipe for the cookie. (My class reacted so well to this! One boy said, “That doesn’t LOOK like a gift!” He set me up perfectly!)

Tell them that a little cookie is nice, but having the recipe means that if we follow the directions we can have cookies whenever we like! (My adorable five year olds agreed this was way better than just one cookie and were so excited for their “presents”.)

Explain that before we are baptized we can still feel the influence of the Holy Ghost. It makes us feel warm, happy, peaceful, etc. Those promptings are how Heavenly Father speaks directly to each of us. But when it’s gone we might feel sad or “hungry” to have it back.

Sometimes it’s appropriate to tell others about what the Spirit has taught us. When we do, we bare our testimonies.

However, when we are baptized and receive the Gift of the Holy Ghost, if we follow the directions (scriptures, words of the prophets, etc.), we can have the companionship of the Holy Ghost whenever we want or need it!

*     *     *