Book of Matthew

The Life Project: Matthew

Matt Roberts

About a hundred years ago, a man looked at the morning newspaper and to his surprise

and horror, read his name in the obituary column. His older brother had just passed

away from a horrible disease and the newspapers had mistakingly reported the death of

the wrong person. His first response was shock (as I am sure we could imagine). When

he regained his composure, his second thought was to find out what people had said

about him; how the legacy of his life up to this point would read. What an awesome

opportunity for anyone!

The obituary read, “Father of Mass Destruction Dies Today.” It also read that “he was

the merchant of death.” This man was the inventor of dynamite and when he read the

words “merchant of death,” he asked himself a question, “Is this how I am going to be

remembered?” He made a resolute decision that day and decided that this was not the

way he wanted to be remembered. From that day on, he dedicated his life toward the

establishment of worldwide peace. His name was Alfred Nobel and he is remembered

today by the great Nobel Peace Prize that bears his name.

We find a similar story being told “between the lines” of the Gospel of Matthew. We are

introduced to the author as a tax collector. This profession hasn’t been a popular one in

any century but especially in the days of Jesus. Tax collectors were the bottom feeders

of Israel. They took from the poor and the oppressed to give back to the mighty Roman

Empire and padded their own pockets heavily in the process. They were traitors, liars

and thieves who had abandoned all common decency for their own personal gain.

When someone like Matthew showed up in your town you would run and hide hoping

not to be found.

It is interesting to me to read the story of Matthew’s collision with Jesus in Matthew

9:9-13

9

As Jesus went on from there, he saw a man named Matthew sitting at the tax

collector’s booth. “Follow me,” he told him, and Matthew got up and followed him.

10

While Jesus was having dinner at Matthew’s house, many tax collectors and sinners

came and ate with him and his disciples.

11 When the Pharisees saw this, they asked

his disciples, “Why does your teacher eat with tax collectors and sinners?”

12

On hearing this, Jesus said, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick.

13

But go and learn what this means: ‘I desire mercy, not sacrifice”. For I have not come

to call the righteous, but sinners.”

Don’t you get the sense that while everyone else was doing their best to avoid this

scourge that Jesus sought him out. This wasn’t a chance meeting but one that was

divinely orchestrated in heaven. Jesus was putting together his team of 12 and Matthew

was offered the “golden ticket” that read “come follow me”!

Matthew and Jesus must have made quite a pair. A tax collector who preyed upon his

own people to live a life of excess and a powerfully simple carpenter who came to

comfort the afflicted and afflict the comfortable. I cannot help but wonder what these two

saw in one another. Whatever it was, it lead to one of the most powerful pictures of

relationship we find in scripture. A spoiled rotten thief leaving behind everything once

and for all to follow Jesus down a path of persecution, passion and purpose.

What an honor it was to be in the inner circle of God in flesh; to learn the ways he

spoke, the ways he felt and the ways he responded to the world around him. What an

honor to be able to record those times for countless generations to read and find an

introduction to the greatest life ever lived. Matthew found the chance to change his

legacy with three words “come follow me” and today instead of being a forgotten ancient

thief he is known as a revolutionary follower of Jesus!

It could be easy for us to feel a twinge of jealousy as we read Matthews account; to

wonder where our second chance at life is. Well, I have good news for you today! That

same Jesus that called Matthew out to a new life, is calling you! In John chapter 10,

Jesus says that “i came that they may have life and that they may have it abundantly”.

Abundant life. That’s the call. The call to live life with our Savior. Will you answer the

call fully? Will you follow him fully; casting everything aside the way that Matthew did?

If you will, you will never regret it!!

Friday Confessional

I Confess... Last week there were two times that Bryan and I were thinking the same thing at the same time. It was almost creepy how in tune with each other. One was over food and one was over a important issue.

I Confess... I am worried about my cousin. He is recovering from bacterial meningitis and although home from the hospital, still has a long road to recovery. He's also a recovering alcholic and I just pray that God touches his body and makes him whole again... and he doesn't relapse either way.

I Confess... I am a little worn out this week. Tuesday was a Utah holiday which just threw everything off. I feel like I have had 2 Mondays which is never a good thing.

I Confess... I got a new camera. Its a Nikon D3100 and I am super excited to learn it and start taking pictures. I am going to take a class at our local camera shop. I love doing pictures!

I Confess... as excited as I am for the kids to go back to school in a few weeks, this summer has flown by. This means we are like 3 wks away from having Ty is Jr High. I swear in my head it was yesterday that I walked her to the kindergarten bus.

I Confess... we went to Tough Enough to Wear Pink night at the rodeo this week. My family and friends came along and we had a good time. We always go as a tribute to my mom... for her brave battle against breast cancer (twice!). I thank God for all the blessings she has been in our lives and pray for a cure so no one else has to go through this.

What are you confessing?!

Books of Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

The Life Project: Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi

Casey Hooper July 22, 2012

Can you remember back to your childhood? For some of us it was a little longer ago than we would like, but we remember it anyway. Your parents were an important part of shaping your life. They helped mold your attitudes, your behavior, and your character.

My father had rules. And boy did he have a bunch of them! He had rules from soup to nuts: No slurping soup and no more than a handful of nuts at a time! There were other requirements too like keeping my room clean, bathing regularly, eating my vegetables, and not beating up my sisters. If I didn’t follow the rules, I would probably not get any ice cream after supper. And it got worse if the offense included beating up sisters or lipping off to my mom!

My father had these rules in place because he knew what was good for me physically and for my family relationship. He simply wanted the very best for my family because he loved us. My dad wanted to bless me and my family; but, sometimes my own failure to do what was right for me led to correction.

Our Father in heaven is very much the same way. He created us and has a pretty good idea about how we should live and conduct ourselves. God makes the rules of the universe. He knows what values are best for us to hold and what attitudes we should have. The Bible is full of these truths because God loves us. And because God loves us he also wants to bless us for right living. But, he won’t hesitate to correct us for our own rebellion!

In these last three books of the Old Testament, Haggai, Zechariah, and Malachi we find these same principles being laid down by God. In Haggai chapter 1 we find that the people of Israel have neglected the rebuilding of the Temple. God told them to do so and the Israelites were ignoring His instruction. As a result they weren’t getting their "Ice Cream". Instead this is what happened:

7 This is what the LORD Almighty says: "Give careful thought to your ways. 8 Go up into the mountains and bring down timber and build the house, so that I may take pleasure in it and be honored," says the LORD. 9 "You expected much, but see, it turned out to be little. What you brought home, I blew away. Why?" declares the LORD Almighty. "Because of my house, which remains a ruin, while each of you is busy with his own house. 10 Therefore, because of you the heavens have withheld their dew and the earth its crops. 11 I called for a drought on the fields and the mountains, on the grain, the new wine, the oil and whatever the ground produces, on men and cattle, and on the labor of your hands." (NIV84)

Simply put, God will not honor a stubborn heart. The Israelites got their spanking! And just as I repented when I wronged my father’s rules, Israel repented and got busy. As a result God comes back in Haggai 2:9 and says ". . . From this day on I will bless you."

God never said how he would bless Israel; but, the fortunes of Israel were turned around after that point. There was less frustration and greater freedom for their nation.

Give careful thought to your ways! God will choose the flavor of your "ice cream."

Time to Confess

I confess... that I blessed to have been raised with a good sense when it comes to money. I understand the difference between wanting something and needing something. I know that if I dont have money for something, I dont get it. I dont want to be in debt, I dont want to borrow money. (I admit that I do have times where I do need to borrow for certain things that come up, but always with repayment... but its not a huge amount or a big deal.) I work hard so I can provide for my family. I just have a hard time understanding people's "Head in the Sand" mentality... if they dont open the bill, it's not there kind of thing.

I confess... my stepson has been with us all week and he has been so helpful. We've had our moments of struggle when my kids do their chores and he lays around... but this week he jumped right up and pitched in. It meant a lot ot me and I shared that with my hubby last night.

I confess... I am getting my tattoo touched up tomorrow and have plans in the works for my next one :)

I confess... I set a new weightloss goal. I want to lose another 5lbs and I want to get my husband back on track. We both lost our motivation.

I confess... I miss my Drewby! He went to camp on Monday... and I left him there in tears b/c he had a last minute meltdown. I havent heard from him/them since so I am assuming he got over it. I am going to get him on my lunch today. He is my snuggler and I've missed my good night hugs.

Magic Mike and 50 Shades of Grey

and TrueBlood... and Real Sex on HBO... and Thunder Down Under in Vegas... and the list goes on and on...

A year or more ago, I may not have cared as much about what I viewed. A year ago, I was watching things like TrueBlood intentionally and pushing my family and husband to the side to get my "fix" for an hour. I didn't view it as anything more than entertainment, but I still watched it and was hooked on the phase it became.

To me it wasn't pornography, it was just a captivating show. I've been in relationships in the past where pornography was an issue. I felt this was different. I've known people who's lives have been ruined by their addiction. I didnt realize until recently how big my stance was on pornography b/c I've realize how it can ruin marriages. I used to blow it off... now I stand up and make myself known when it's brought up. I've had very serious conversations with my husband about it. I realized that impact it can have on relationships and marriages and I am not comfortable with that anymore. I love God and value my marriage too much.

I am not completely sure when things changed, but somewhere along the road I realized that not what God wants of me. I totally have no desire to watch things that I was obsessed with before (before I couldn't imagine not being home at 7pm Sunday nights to see the next episode of TrueBlood) where this season I watched half of a show and haven't turned it on since.

I'm not judging you if you watched "Magic Mike" or you are reading "Shades of Gray", that's up to you. I'm assuming we are all adults and have the free will to choose as we see fit... however I am not going to watch it or read the series. I've come a long way in my walk with the Lord and its not something I have a desire to do anymore. That's God working in my life and leading me to His ways instead of my own.

Below is a bible verse my girls in mPact have memorized and how fitting is it for this situation!? I need to keep this in mind when the things of this world creep in. It's a good reminder that I am not of this world and God has bigger and better things for me.

Philippians 4:8, “Finally, brothers and sisters, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right, whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent or praiseworthy—think about such things.”

Jesus, Friend of Sinners

This song has been on my heart... I keep singing it out of no where, so I know it means something to me. I wanted to share the lyrics. If you dont know Casting Crowns, I suggest you check them out. One of my favorite Christian bands. They are amazing!

"Jesus, Friend Of Sinners"

Jesus, friend of sinners, we have strayed so far away
We cut down people in your name but the sword was never ours to swing
Jesus, friend of sinners, the truth's become so hard to see
The world is on their way to You but they're tripping over me
Always looking around but never looking up I'm so double minded
A plank eyed saint with dirty hands and a heart divided

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to the world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

Yeah...

Jesus, friend of sinners, the one who's writing in the sand
Made the righteous turn away and the stones fall from their hands
Help us to remember we are all the least of these
Let the memory of Your mercy bring Your people to their knees
Nobody knows what we're for only what we're against when we judge the wounded
What if we put down our signs crossed over the lines and loved like You did

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks yours

You love every lost cause; you reach for the outcast
For the leper and the lame; they're the reason that You came
Lord I was that lost cause and I was the outcast
But you died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

'Cause You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever
You are good, You are good and Your love endures forever

Oh Jesus, friend of sinners
Open our eyes to world at the end of our pointing fingers
Let our hearts be led by mercy
Help us reach with open hearts and open doors
Oh Jesus, friend of sinners, break our hearts for what breaks Yours

And I was the lost cause and I was the outcast
Yeah...
You died for sinners just like me, a grateful leper at Your feet

Books of Zephaniah and Habakkak

The Life Project: Zephaniah

Candice Roberts

Zephaniah 3:17

"The LORD thy God in the midst of thee is mighty;

He will save, He will rejoice over thee with joy;

He will rest in His love, He will joy over thee with singing."

Zephaniah is much like the other minor prophecies in the Old Testament. It begins with

doom and gloom; a prophecy of the destruction of the world because of the idolatry and

wickedness of the people. And like the other minor prophecies, God shows up with His

grace and mercy to rescue His people if they will repent.

Zephaniah’s prophecy really does tell us something about God’s character. First I

believe we can remember that God’s character does not change. Throughout the Old

Testament God is consistently outraged by evil. He is consistently disappointed with His

people. God does not ignore our sin. I know that in our grace-filled age, we may feel

like we have gotten away with something. We may feel like “no one has found out”,

“nothing bad has happened”. But know this. The God of the Old Testament is still God

today. He doesn’t change. He recognized the sin of His people then. He recognizes

our sin now. And it is no joke to Him. God takes sin seriously.

And because God doesn’t change, we know that God is also a God who honors

repentance. The whole of Zephaniah chapter 2 is calling His people to repentance.

This call is made over and over in the Old Testament. It is made in the New Testament.

It is made today. Though we screw up and dishonor God, He still desires a repentant

heart.

And finally because God doesn’t change, we know God is a God who rejoices over His

people. Zephaniah 3 tells us this. There are countless scriptures in the Old Testament

that tell us this. In the New Testament Jesus tells the Pharisees about His love for

sinners. In Luke 15:7 Jesus has this to say about sinners who are repentant, “I say unto

you, that likewise joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repents more than over

ninety-nine just persons, which need no repentance."

We can also learn that God’s salvation comes with love. God

is mighty and He will save.

But He will not save begrudgingly. He is not like the evil stepmother, who does a

kindness and then holds it over your head for the rest of your life. No. God’s salvation

comes with expressions of love. He will rejoice over those whom He saves. He will

rejoice over them with joy. He will rest in His love. He will sing over them.

Another lesson we can take away from Zephaniah is that God’s character is that of a

father. He is both powerful and loving. As a parent I can recall on several occasions

thinking of just how fragile my children were. Especially when they were smaller, I knew

that the slightest thing could injure them. If I were to shake them, or drop them, or

forget to feed them, or just not watch them closely enough, my children could be injured

or worse. I have been struck on many occasions with the great power I hold as a

parent. I have literally held my children’s lives in my hands. But thankfully, as a parent,

God has also given me great love for my children. So although, I could cause them

great harm, my desire is to show them great love. And this is how God is with us. He is

powerful enough to completely destroy the earth, but His desire is to sing over us with

joy, as a parent would their newborn baby.

I am so grateful to serve such a good God; one who is consistently holy, patient,

forgiving and loving. How about you?

Time to Confess!

I Confess... I just spent $100 on a pair of jeans. Well, kinda. I got a $100 gift card at work that I wasn't expecting and I found a pair of jeans that I fell in love with... and after using the gift card (which was like free money, right?) I had to pay 44 cents.... so really they aren't $100 jeans b/c I'd never spend that much on jeans... I bought 44 cent Miss Me Jeans.

I Confess... the guy that owns the store (with his wife) brought me the right size, just by looking at me and made a comment that I've lost weight since I was in last. He also proceeded to tell me I was a "Mega Hottie".

I Confess... my husband was the first person I texted to tell that I am a "Mega Hottie". He agreed... good thing or we'd have problems.

I Confess... my daughter has her first real crush. It's a boy from church. I am friends with his parents and I teach Mpact (bible study) to his little sister. He's a good boy and loves Jesus, so I cant really complain... except for the fact that in my head she is still like 3 yrs old and too young to like boys.

I Confess... I am very blessed. I have a good job, wonderful family, a great church, and the list could go on an on. I am thankful that I have more to enjoy that more to complain about.

Birthday Trip to Park City

For my birthday, we got my parents' timeshare in Park City and stayed up there for a few days. We got up there Saturday afternoon and met my parents. The 4 of us ate, shop, and drank and hung out. It was so nice! I had been telling my hubby that for my birthday I wanted to go shopping at the Ann Taylor outlet b/c none of my work clothes fit anymore (too big!!) so we went up there and I ended up with 5-6 new outfits. Yay!

On Sunday we went to Park Silly and ate lunch... then we went home later in the day to get the kids from their dad. On Monday we got Ty off to camp, picked up Taylor from his mom's and went back up... more eating, Alpine Slide and Alpine Coaster, more eating, alot of walking, some pingpong in the ash from the Alpine fire, more eating... I swear thats all we do! LOL

Right before we left for our trip I realized my camera was broken. It was a really nice camera that I had just gotten for Christmas. Sad day! While we were in Park City, I found another one at Best Buy that had the same zoom as my other (18x) but was much smaller so I could put it in my purse and take it everywhere. It has alot of bells and whistles on it, so I was goofing around trying to figure it all out.

Here are some of my pictures:

Drew Swimming

Taylor relaxing by the pool since he couldnt swim b/c of his road rash

My beautiful mama

Me and my mama

Drew coming out of the water

Me and my boys

Cartoon Bryan and Taylor at lunch

Cartoon Parents

Me and my hubby in Cartoon

Sparkley Drew... I told him he looked like Edward (Twilight) when he got in the sun. LOL

Books of Micah and Nahum

The Life Project: Nahum

Matt Roberts

How many of you remember the playground bully from your Elementary school? That

one kid who matured faster than everyone else. He was faster, stronger and bigger than

everyone else and out to prove it every step of the way. Do you remember the helpless

feelings you had standing face to face with that bully? Trying your best to look strong

but knowing full and well that this was not going to end well. My guess is each of us

know that feeling all too well. For some reason those are the things that seem to stick

with us in life.

In the book of Nahum we find the people of Israel staring down a bully of epic

proportions. The nation of Assyria lead by it’s capital city of Ninevah has been

sadistically picking on Israel for close to a generation at this point. God’s people are sick

and tired of this evil oppression but feel helpless in the face of Ninevah’s strength and

power. As Israel looks to heaven and questions God in this time of great suffering God

responds through the words of a Prophet named Nahum.

Nahum is a book of hope and comfort to those who are being or have been victimized

or oppressed. It is a book for survivors; for those who are looking for a life beyond their

present circumstances. Nahum’s message provides comfort to and compassion for

those who find themselves plagued by evil oppression. It is a book that speaks directly

to those facing hard times and let’s them know that God is attentive, responsive and

loving even in the midst of life's storms.

This is a truth that should still resonate with hope for us as believers today. The truth is

we each still face bullies in our daily lives. The bully of financial hardships. The bully of

broken homes and relationships. The bully of addiction. The bully of depression. I don’t

know what your bullies name is, but I do know that God rules. God is able, just as He

was in the Old Testament, to protect and defend.

I am reminded of Psalm 91:9-16

If you say, “The Lord is my refuge,”

and you make the Most High your dwelling,

no harm will overtake you,

no disaster will come near your tent.

For he will command his angels concerning you

to guard you in all your ways;

they will lift you up in their hands,

so that you will not strike your foot against a stone.

You will tread on the lion and the cobra;

you will trample the great lion and the serpent.

“Because he loves me,” says the Lord, “I will rescue him;

I will protect him, for he acknowledges my name.

He will call on me, and I will answer him;

I will be with him in trouble,

I will deliver him and honor him.

With long life I will satisfy him

and show him my salvation. ”

I love this image of God as refuge, protector, defender, hero. And I love that my God is

powerful enough to back up His Word. In Nahum, in Psalms, at the cross and on

countless occasions in my personal life, God has come to my rescue. He IS mighty to

save!!

Fun and Fireworks

This year we were invited by our friends from church to go to the fireworks in Clearfield. John went early to rope off an awesome area for us and a little after 6pm we all started trickling in and filling up the space. There were some fun families who joined us and we had a good time. I've never been to these fireworks before and they were awesome.Thanks for inviting us, Stinnett family. Can't wait until next year!!

Drew and Taylor

Eric wrestling with his kids

Melissa and Bailey

John, Bailey, and Brian

"What's that man doing with those glow sticks in his ears?!"

The Book of Jonah

By Candice Roberts | July 2, 2012

Jonah is such a good story. There are so many lessons that we can glean from its four short chapters. The book of Jonah teaches us that we can’t thwart God’s plans. It teaches us that when we try to mess with God’s plans, God will make a new way. The book of Jonah teaches us about the provision of God; Jonah would have drowned if not for the big fish. The book of Jonah teaches us about the grace of God; Jonah says in chapter 4 verse 2, “I knew that you are a gracious God, slow to anger and abounding in love, a God who relents from sending calamity.” These are all true and Biblical principles found in the Book of Jonah. But they are easy truths. We like them. In fact I like the truth of God’s grace so much that it often gives me goose bumps. And so God is bringing me to another truth found in the book of Jonah and one that doesn’t feel near as good. He is teaching me that to follow Him, I have to lose my sense of entitlement.

Jonah had this sense of entitlement. The idea that he had followed God, was a prophet of God and therefore was entitled to His salvation, entitled to the grace and mercy he received. He probably felt entitled to the big fish that God sent to rescue him. Jonah was important after all. We know he felt entitled to the shade tree that God sent to grow up over him in chapter 4. When the shade tree dies, Jonah says, “I am so angry that I wish I were dead.” Jonah felt he had a right to blessings, grace, mercy, provision, etc. because he knew God. On the flip side, Jonah felt the people of Nineveh were not entitled to any of these things because they had not known God.

Jonah was pretty much a jerk. It is so easy to see. Why then is it so hard for me to see my attitudes of entitlement? I am praying this week that God will bring our attitudes of entitlement to light.

I will be real transparent with you. Here are some things I think I deserve: a family, a home, food in my pantry, clothes in my walk in closet, vacations, free education, health insurance at minimal cost, a job, to worship God freely. I deserve these things because I follow God, because I am a functioning member of society, because my parents told me I do, because…… I just do. Right? Well, it is certainly American to believe I am entitled to these things. “(We) are endowed by (our) Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness.” I love these words from the Declaration of Independence. But they are not Biblical.

The Bible doesn’t say I am entitled to a family. In fact Jesus says His coming will bring division within families (Matthew 10:34-35). The Bible doesn’t say I am entitled to a home. Jesus says if we are to follow Him we need realize we may have no place to lay our head (Luke 9:57-58). The Bible doesn’t say I am entitled to a stockpile of food in my closet. Instead Jesus tells us to ask for our daily bread (Matthew 6:11). Walk in closets, vacations, education, health insurance, employment……these are not promised in the Word either. And does the Bible promise us that we should be able to worship Him as we please? No. It promises us persecution if we follow Jesus (2 Timothy 3:12). We are not promised life, liberty or happiness either. Instead the Bible says that whoever loves his life will lose it (John 12:25). We may find ourselves in chains for the Gospel (Ephesians 6:20) and Jesus promises suffering (John 16:33).

The fact is, the only thing the Bible says I am entitled to is death; eternal damnation. “All have sinned and fallen short of the glory of God,” (Romans 3:23) “The wages of sin is death, but the GIFT of God is eternal life,” (Romans 6:23).

Do you know what this means? Every time I have happiness, every time I feel the warmth of family, every time I put groceries away, every time I drop my children off at school, every time I worship God freely, I am experiencing the blessings of God. I am experiencing a gift- not something I deserve, not something I have earned, but a gift from my creator. And the fact that I can know Jesus as my savior- that is a gift too. I do not deserve salvation. I do not deserve grace. I deserve death. This way of thinking really kills my sense of entitlement.

This way of thinking also spurs me on to proclaim the Gospel to other people who don’t deserve it; other people like me. Like Jonah, sometimes we get mad at God for showing mercy to sinners. I don’t know which type of sinner you despise most. I do know which sinners that I would like God to smite. For Jonah, it was the Ninevites. To God, it is irrelevant. We are no more entitled to grace than they are. We are all sinners. We are all entitled to death.

I pray that this week we can set down our attitudes of ungraciousness and entitlement. I pray that we will adopt attitudes of thankfulness and humility. Amen.

Friday Confessions 07-06-12

I confess... that the mud run wasn't terrible. I didnt run very far, just a little ways and then changed to a brisk walk as I had terrible shin splints. I need to learn to run better. Maybe I'll train more for next year. I army crawled through mud, I climbed up rope walls, I ran through bubbles. With the exception of rock cut knees, I survived!

I confess... we went to Park City for my birthday and had a great time. We always go to a bar called The Spur and have chocolate cake shots so that's where we started. It was fun.

I confess... Ty went to Jr High Bible Camp on Saturday before we left for Park City. I swear she doesnt seem old enough. I know she's having a great time, but I miss her. I cant wait to see her tomorrow... although she did inform me that her and a boy from church are "going out" now... not sure what that means in the mind of a 12 yr old, but makes me nervous regardless of how wonderful I think this kid and his family are!

I confess... We took the boys back up to Park City with us after we dropped off Ty. There was a wildfire on the other side of the mountain and we got smoked out and covered with ash anyways. I cant imagine what it would be like right near it. Ugh!

I confess... my niece passed away on Friday. She is being buried today. I am bittersweet about it. She is a disabled child. Always in a wheelchair, never without a feeding tube. She is 13 years old, living much longer than anticipated. While I am sad, I dont mourn like those without hope. I believe in my heart that she is dancing with Jesus right now. What a glorious reunion that must be!! On the other hand, I am devistated for those left behind. My family is so heartbroken. My son asked my why he is so sad...and I told him it's b/c he has such a big heart that loves everyone. He didnt want to leave the funeral home after the viewing last night... he wanted to stay with Bailey. Seeing him that emotional broke my heart even more. Lord, touch my family... let them feel You and know that everything is going to be ok. Amen.

My niece, Bailey-girl.

Heaven got another angel... dance with Jesus, Bailey Girl!!

Bailey Kim Jensen

Born in Ogden, Utah on Sep. 14, 1998 Departed on Jun. 29, 2012 and resided in Ogden, UT.

Ogden – Bailey Kim Jensen, a special soul who was beset in her mortal existence from birth with challenges, but who brought great unity and peace to her family, left us to return to her Heavenly Father on Friday, June 29, 2012. Bailey was born September 14, 1998 in Ogden; the daughter of Melissa Engstrom Jensen of Ogden and Chris and Heather Jensen of Roy.

For 13 years, Bailey taught her family valuable lessons about love and acceptance. Even though she could not speak, she touched deep into the souls of all who knew her.

Bailey is survived by her mother, father and step-mother; five brothers, Gunner, Corbin, Jaxon, Dylan and Trever; one sister, Tabitha who shared the same challenges as Bailey, the two sisters were soul mates; grandparents, Randy and Cathy Jensen of Lindon; Kim and Bob Geertsen of Roy and Vern Engstrom of Oregon; many aunts, uncles and cousins. She is also survived by her special friend and care giver, Megan Boelter.

Funeral services will be held 11 a.m. Friday, July 6, 2012 at Ogden River Parkway Ward, 1050 21st Street. A viewing will be held Thursday, July 5th from 6 to 8 p.m. at Myers Ogden Mortuary, 845 Washington Blvd. and also prior to services at the church from 9:45 to 10:45. Interment at Ogden City Cemetery.

Special thanks goes to Dr. John Allred and the caring staff at Primary Children's and Shriner's Hospital.