I did it!

Okay so I really try hard NOT to drink this!  My body just doesnt do well when I drink caffine.  I really enjoy it much too much!  Then I start drinking it every day and then I cant sleep.  So, I really try to just stay away from the stuff.  However, today I did it!  I CAVED in and I had myself one of these.  I know, I shouldn't have because ya know, all of the above.....but if I haven't had one for a while and I have a lot to do then....I do it!  And I DID IT.  So, now I can get everything done today that I need to do hopefully.  Actually just trying to clean this house and recover from the weekend.  I'm just not motivated to do everything that I need to do and this.....well....motivates me.  What can I say, I just need a little pick me up from time to time and this "picks me up".  So, here I go......

BoyScout Troop 298 Popcorn Sales

This is how we spent last Wednesday.  Troop 298 Boy Scouts sold popcorn at the Bel Air market.  We were so impressed at how well they did.  They didnt miss one person coming in or going out of the store that day.  We started at 10:00 am and finished at 2:00 pm and sold almost $900 worth of all kinds of popcorn.  Some people were especially nice and just donated a few dollars here and there to support our boys.  Bryce decided he wanted to wear the popcorn around his neck so he and Mike rigged him up.  It was impressive when some of our boys were stopped and drilled about the scout motto, oath and law and were able to deliver on the spot.  Whew! Thank goodness they were prepared.
They made quite an impression that day.  The funds will help our boys go to scout camp this summer. Great job boys!

Another birth in the Stephenson family

Last night Tabbatha gave birth to a beautiful baby girl "Annabelle Rose Stephenson Powell" She weighed 7lbs 1oz and was 19 in long.  Tabbatha and Sean did a great job!  Sean was very tender and loving towards Tabbatha and that baby is perfect! Welcome Miss Annabelle Rose!

Better late than never!!

G'day! I'm so blessed to be in Dee Why right now. There is so much going on and I am just loving the teaching experiences that E Modlik and I have and the spiritual experiences we have had lately. This ward is so amazing. They have no fear it seems like when it comes to missionary work and thats really have everyone should be. They just know their purpose and I think they really take the scripture to heart "Love casteth out all fear." Charity, the pure love of Christ. We had a couple amazing things happen this week. We went to see Ema Taimoni she's a nice Tongan lady who actually just got out of the marines not too long ago and E. Modlik has been teaching her but I met her for the first time and I just asked her the quesiton, "Have you had a chance to pray about what E. Modlik has been teaching you?" and she gave me the funniest look! I was just uhh....lol and she just said, "Why? I know its true". I was just dumbfounded and we had a great lesson about the gospel of Jesus Christ after that and we set a baptismal date with her for the 19th of December. It was so exciting. She's acutally related to Sister Hopohate(the Hopoates are a very strong family in the ward) and actually Brother John Hopoate is the Boxing heavyweight champion of Australia and he is a very famous rugby league player. ITS AWESOME! He's a beast of a man! He's the Young Men's president so he has a great impact on the boys in the ward. You'll have to look him up on youtube. Anyways we also had an amazing night last night. We met with Candice cross, the investigator from the last email that got an answer to her prayer right in front of us, at the Teaupa's and we had an amazing family home evening with them. We shared a message about the atonement. I did push ups for everyone that wanted or didnt want a chocolate in the room to show an example of jesus christ's sacrafice for us. Remember that story? It was really cool and so fun and a great way to get the members to love you :). We've been really worried about Candice all week because she told us that her parents are really against her getting baptised into the mormon church so we've been praying nonstop and just asking for a miracle and last night Candice told us that she had spoken to her parents about getting baptised and her mum actually took her to see a catholic priest and the priest tried to convince her otherwise but she just told him, and her mum, that she knew that the church of jesus christ of latter-day saints is the true church and that she was going to convert! HALLELUJAH! HALLELIJAH! It was so great to hear that from her and she is so excited. And so are we! She should get baptised in December too!! We also have a couple of other potentials that should get baptised next month so we're just working hard and expecting miracles. I LOVE MISSIONARY WORK! So basically its been really exciting lately and E. Modlik and I are just having a blast. The weather is getting hotter though. Sunday was so ridiculous. Well I gotta go. I love you all! Cheers!

Elder Nelson

Thankful Monday

So, you'd think it was snowing outside by the way I am dressed.  I dont like the cold.  This is my Monday morning ritual.  I go for a 4 mile walk each weekday morning.  I usually like to go with a friend but she pooped out on me this morning.....I wont mention any names though...Linda Hogge.  This morning was colder than usual and I wanted to be bundled up.  Ah....all cozy.  So, Thanksgiving is around the corner and I am so thankful.  Had a great Sunday with great speakers that came to our Ward "The Bacchus'" what a great couple and good talks.  We also got to visit with Mike's neices as they invited us to dinner at their house....cute girls.  I really miss my family this time of year.  Especially Mom and my sisters.  There's nothing like family for the holidays.  We'll be spending Thanksgivng with Jerry and Rhea and their kids this year down in Salida.....looking forward to our visit with them on Thursday.  I am thankful for my morning walks and for the many many blessings that I have recieved this year by the hand of my Father in Heaven.  I am especially thankful that we will be keeping our little home.......I complained at first when we had to move into it that it was just too small.....now I am just thankful that it is ours.  I am thankful for my wonderful children who I am so proud of.  So thankful for Michael's faithful service to his Father in Heaven.  Unfortunately they dont celebrate Thanksgiving in Australia....and we didnt hear from him this week....but I am still Thankful that he is doing the single most important thing he could be doing in his life right now and I know it will shape him for the rest of his life.  I am thankful for the temple that it is so close by and that I can go there to feel close to my Father in Heaven.  I am thankful for my husband and his patience and support.  I am thankful for good uplifting friends and I am so thankful for the gospel in my life...what would I do with out it??

So glad to be back

Yesterday I decided to sign back on to facebook.  Yep, I did.  I decided I have punished myself enough for getting so addicted to it.  I really missed my friends that I had reconnected with  as well as current and even new friends.  I have learned a lesson though.  You have to be really careful with all this new technology at our fingertips these days.  There is good and bad to it all.  It all depends on how you use it.  Just like this blog.  Blogs are fun but you can waste a lot of time on them too.  But what a fun way to journal, jot down your feelings and share fun ideas.  It's also a good way to keep friends and family up on what is happening in your life.  I am a people person.... I love friends and facebook and blogging are great ways to keep in touch with them.  Just be careful not to get too hooked or use them to replace more important things that should take presidence in your life.  That's all....so, I'm glad to be back.  Have a wonderful day:)

A Blind date 21 Years Ago Today

So, today marks 21 years ago that Mike and I had our first date.  I was working with his brother in law Wayne here in Sacramento and Mike was living in Fremont.  So Wayne set us up on a blind date.  We doubled with Debbie and  Wayne and went to eat at Diccio's Italian Restraunt in Carmichael and then we went bowling and then on to Carlos Murphys for some Kareoke entertainment.  Afterwards we went over to his sister Dana's  in Citrus Heights to meet her family.  When Mike dropped me off back at home that night he tried to kiss me....uh,uh,uh, no free kisses yet.....he had to earn them!  And earn them he did after he asked me to marry him a couple of weeks later. 
Then you couldn't get us to stop kissing...good thing he lived in Fremont and I lived in Sacramento...fun times!  I think we'll have something Italian tonight............. 

Annie Opens and Football lives on........

Last night was Stephen's last football game of the season. They played Jesuit H.S. and unfortunately lost to them. Stephen was not very happy about that however, he was invited to play on the Varsity Team next year for Pleasant Grove! Yay Stephen! We are so proud.

After the game we headed over to Adreani Elementary School to watch the opening show of "Annie" and these 2 lovely girls! 2 of our favorites, Courtney Newbold "Annie" and Sophia Guerrero "Grace". They were terrific last night! 3 more shows to go. What a great ending to a perfect night of Football and Musical Entertainment! Way to go kids!

Child of Light

So, I love to listen to EFY soundtracks and for some reason I woke up with this song in my head. This song comes from The 2004 EFY cd which I havent listened to in eons. So, I thought it was interesting that I woke up with it in my head because it just gave me such a good feeling to wake up to. Then later in the morning I got to go to the Temple.....It was a good day:)

Do you ever wonder who you are
Do you ever wonder as you stare into the stars
Where you began and how you got this far
From Home

Have you ever walked along the shore
Have you ever seen the water dancing back and forth
Did you look inside
To see if there was more to life, well

There's a dream taking wing
There's a voice that wants to sing
Even in the deepest, darkest night
The torch is raised to the sky
There are hands that hold it high
You were born to keep it burning bright
You were made to fly
You were meant to shine
Child of light

You will never, ever stand alone
You were never called to bear the burdens on your own
And where there is fear, love will take control
And lead you on, cause

There's a dream taking wing
There's a voice that wants to sing
Even in the deepest darkest night
The torch is raised to the sky
There are hands that hold it high
You were born to keep it burning bright
You were made to fly
You were meant to shine
Child of light

Elder Nelson going to Dee Why Beach!

G'day! Man I feel like I have so much to report on . Well, transfers are here! And guess what?

I'm going to Dee Why! I leave tomorrow. I've only heard good things about Dee Why, I guess the Ward there is awesome and it's on the beach! WOO! Christmas at the beach! Oooo Baby! But it's still in the city so I'll still be around heaps of people. Dee Why's in Greenich Stake. My companion will be Elder Modlik. He's from New Zealand and he is just finished training so I will be follow up training him..oh no..haha no I already met him at Zone Conference and he is the man. He was very prepared before his mission and he had a great trainer. Very sharp. But we're both pretty young so we'll see how it goes. I'm excited but nervous too because I'm still learning myself! Elder Summers is going to Woy Woy and that's on the beach too! We were only companions for 6 weeks so that kind of sucks but it'sll be nice having a new change of scenery. Yesterday we said bye to everyone and man I'm going to miss so many people. I've really gotten close to a lot of these members and their families. But, hopefully I'll still be able to keep in contact with them somehow and see them again later on.

Fa! Elder Nelesoni

Rex Allen Cool

Tamra and Joe had their baby! This is Rex Allen Cool. He was born on November 4, 2009.
Weighing in at 7lbs. 12oz. and 20 inches long. Wish Linda could be here to see her new beautiful baby grandson. I'm sure she's watching over him now! Just a bundle of LOVE!

Nacho Libre

Okay, so this movie is one of our family's favorites! My kids quote from it all the time. Michael's best friend Adam is serving a spanish speaking mission in Argentina and after he got out there and Michael was in Australia, this is what Michael wrote to Adam....."do you ever feel like Nacho Libre? "Why have you not been baptized?"...."because I never got around to it okay?, I dont know why you are always judging me...just because I believe in science." ..."I'm just concerned about your salvation and stuff....(bringing around the bowl of water) "PRAISE THE LORD! hahaha oh man!" Gotta love those boys! Adam calls me "Mama Lisa"


"Mama Lisa's Mexican Caviar"

10 roma tomatoes chopped small
1 can whole kernel corn drained
1 can black eye peas drained
1 can black beans drained
1 green bell pepper chopped
1 small red onion chopped
1 bunch cilantro chopped (leaves only)
2 limes (juice only)
2 ripe haas avocados
1/3 bottle of light Wishbone Italian salad dressing
1 large bag of Frito's scoops

Put it all in a large bowl, scoop with Frito's and enjoy!

Beef and Black Bean Chili w Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish

So, here is Mike's recipe for his Award Winning Chili!
It's kinda hot so make sure you slowly add the ancho and pasilla powder to taste.
Enjoy!

Ingredients:
1/4 c olive oil
2 pounds beef, cut into 1/2 inch cubes (we use tri-tip)
Salt and freshly ground black pepper
1 large red onion, finely diced
4 cloves garlic, finely chopped
3 tablespoons ancho chili powder
1 tablespoon pasilla chili powder
1 tablespoon gound cumin
1 bottle dark beer (you can omit if you want...its still good)
5 cups homemade chick stock, or canned low-sodium or water
1 (16 oz) can chopped tomatoes, drained and pureed
1 tablespoon honey
2 cups cooked or canned black beans, rinsed and drained
2 tablespoons fresh lime juice
Toasted Cumin Crema, recipe follows(we use sour cream, dont like this stuff)
Avocado Relish, recipe follows

Directions:
Heat oil in a large Dutch oven over high heat. Season the beef with salt and pepper, and saute until browned on all sides. Transfer the meat to a plate and remove all but 3 tablespoons of the fat from the pan.
Add the onions to the pan and cook until soft. Add the garlic and cook for 2 mins. Add the ancho powder, pasilla powder,and cumin and cook an additional 2 mins. Add the beer and cook until completely reduced. Return the beef to the pot, add the chicken stock, tomatoes, chipotle puree, and honey, and bring to a boil. Reduce the heat to medium, cover the pan, and simmer for 45 mins. Add the beans and continue cooking for 15 mins. Remove from the heat, add the lime juice, and adjust seasonings.
Serve with a dollop of Toasted Cumin Crema and Avocado Relish.

Toasted Cumin Crema:
1tablespoon cumin seed
1c Sour cream
salt and freshly ground black pepper
Avocado Relish:
2 ripe Hass avocados, peeled, pitted and diced
1/2 small red onion, finely diced
1 jalapeno or serrano chile, finely diced
Lime juice
Chopped cilantro leaves
Salt and pepper
combine all ingredients in a small bowl and season with salt and pepper.

The first of 3 new babies coming this month in our family.

Congratulations to Amanda and Casey they have a new baby girl! Claire Louise Bell 7lbs 8oz. 20 inches long. They had her on Halloween night! So beautiful! Amanda looks great!

What is Faith?

President Scruggs gave some great talks about how we can reach our goal as a mission for 252 baptisms for this year. He said "do you know what faith is?" Faith is not positive thinking. "Faith is qualifying to know and then to do God's will" That hit me like a ton of bricks and I've been trying to apply that so much this week, because this is the Lord's work and He knows what I should be doing, working in His vineyard so I'm striving to be better at being faithful, "qaualifying to know and then doing god's will."

Michaels bed. I can tell cause those are th blue sheets I bought him.

I believe these are Rugby Jersey's Michael and the other missionary on the other end are wearing. Rugby is a huge deal in Australia.