We are all One

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This last year our boy Chris, chose to follow the example of our Savior and be baptized. It was one of the best things I’ve been apart of. In fact, he was baptized in the same church building and font I was baptized in, almost 30 years ago.

9 years ago Stacey and I found out that we were chosen to be Chris’ parents. His birth parents were not in a position to raise him at the time. And Heavenly Father aligned the stars for us to take care of him on earth. It’s a long story and I’ll tell it another time. I get a little emotional just typing this.

We have had an open adoption and Chris will occasionally talk to his birth Mom Kristi and his birth Dad, Christopher. Even though the two have gone their separate paths in life. I am so thankful to them and for them, for being as selfless as they have been. Most of his birth family (Mom and Dad) attended the baptism today.

My brother Dustin spoke on baptism and my Mom Sherri spoke about The Holy Ghost. The feeling in the room was overwhelming. Ava and Bevin sang. My Mom testified that Chris was the link that brought everyone in that room together. She had everyone stand up and say how they were related to Chris. This is why I believe God’s family is One. All of us. Because in the end, we as God’s children will be all linked together when we return back to him.

My Mom presented a photo (see below) to each family that represented ALL of God’s family. Most everyone in the room had tears in their eyes. Chris then ran to his birth Dad and just gave him a big hug. I cried like a little baby. This is what life is all about. Sharing and helping one another to get through the sea of mortality to our final destination. Every possible way. Even if we are in separate ships for a short time. All to get back to our Father in Heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you Stacey Casey Brad Mindy Bobbie Cristi Ed Tiffany Albert Ashley Travis Lesa Awwen Kristi , Chris and Sarah for coming.

Today our boy Chris, chose to follow the example of our Savior and be baptized. It was one of the best things I’ve been apart of. In fact, he was baptized in the same church building and font I was baptized in, almo

9 years ago Stacey and I found out that we were chosen to be Chris’ parents. His birth parents were not in a position to raise him at the time. And Heavenly Father aligned the stars for us to take care of him on earth. It’s a long story and I’ll tell it another time. I get a little emotional just typing this.

We have had an open adoption and Chris will occasionally talk to his birth Mom Kristi and his birth Dad, Christopher. Even though the two have gone their separate paths in life. I am so thankful to them and for them, for being as selfless as they have been. Most of his birth family (Mom and Dad) attended the baptism today.

My brother Dustin spoke on baptism and my Mom Sherri spoke about The Holy Ghost. The feeling in the room was overwhelming. Ava and Bevin sang. My Mom testified that Chris was the link that brought everyone in that room together. She had everyone stand up and say how they were related to Chris. This is why I believe God’s family is One. All of us. Because in the end, we as God’s children will be all linked together when we return back to him.

My Mom presented a photo (see below) to each family that represented ALL of God’s family. Most everyone in the room had tears in their eyes. Chris then ran to his birth Dad and just gave him a big hug. I cried like a little baby. This is what life is all about. Sharing and helping one another to get through the sea of mortality to our final destination. Every possible way. Even if we are in separate ships for a short time. All to get back to our Father in Heaven through His Son, Jesus Christ.

Thank you Stacey Casey Brad Mindy Bobbie Cristi Ed Tiffany Albert Ashley Travis Lesa Awwen Kristi , Chris and Sarah for coming.

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Real Wonder Woman

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My wife Stacey just brought up some great points to me today about the elections. Paraphrasing what she said just now…

“It’s sad to see all of these “political leaders” so happy to see “women and minority’s” taking more political seats. Why should that matter? When did gender and race have more weight than competence and character? Isn’t that sexists and racists? Further, if gender and race are just a social construct, why celebrate women and minorities winning elections when there’s “no such thing” as either?

I love this Wonder Woman stay-at-home wife of mine, best dang wife and mom on the planet doing the greatest duty a Wonder Woman can do, Yes, She is a Real Wonder Woman!!

 

 

 

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Relative Finder

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Has anyone ever heard of Relative Finder? It’s awesome. It allows you to go back and see how you’re linked to ancestors generations back, also people still alive. Found out George Washington is my 3rd Cousin 11 times removed. Joseph Smith, John Adams, Thomas Jefferson, all in my line through my Mom’s side. Maybe they gave me a pep-talk before I came to earth! Love this stuff.

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Death is Not The End, Only The Beginning

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We came up to SL to do temple work with my family, for my family. Specifically my uncle Paul Moutsos who passed a few years ago, along with several other ancestors. Very spiritual night. Even my 12 year old daughter was able to witness it.

I testify that death is not the end for anyone. In many ways it’s just the beginning. I’m so thankful for the Great Plan of Salvation made possible in and through Jesus Christ.

“Death cannot sever families sealed in the temple. They understand death as a necessary part of God’s great plan of happiness.” -Russell M. Nelson

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World’s Greatest…

After grieving that my brother beat me in pickle-ball,I finally admitted to my kids that I never beat Uncle Dustin in any type of sport, not ever, and it’s always been that way. Sometimes I’ll get a game or two, but that’s it. It’s always driven me crazy. “He’s better okay!” I finally said ..”He’s better than me at everything.” Everyone was silent in the car. Then my precious 6 year old Rachel said as serious as possible, “Ya but Dad you’re really good at making shakes…and you’re really good at farting!” Oh how I love my children. Yes, this is a shirt they have given me for Father’s Day one year.

Eric and Dustin Moutsos Pickleball

World’s Greatest…

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School, Gaming, and a tiny bit of hope. And I mean tiny.

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My daughter just won the Empathy Award at her school. There is a little girl that has special needs, and the teachers recognized that my daughter has been helping her this month. I’m proud of her. I also couldn’t help but notice the greatest liberty painting I’ve ever seen painted in a school. Between my daughter and this painting, I have a tiny bit of hope for the future.

What I don’t have hope in, is the public education system. Lucky my kids go to a good charter school that still say the pledge, and still have voluntary prayer. Sending our children into the public school system, and then to college nowadays, is equivalent to playing Russian Roulette with their values. If we don’t teach them properly in the home, there may not be a road to recovery once out of the system we call school. Isn’t it amazing that most schools are the very thing that’s destroying our society? All in the name of education.

One of my friends, Josh Aaron, posted this to my Facebook wall today with regards to my thoughts above on the Public Education System, “This will offend some, but I feel like our school system is child abuse. No, I don’t believe that parents who send their kids to school love their children any less than I love mine. I just think that most school choices are terrible choices (in many different ways) and subject our children to great evil, and I think the family unit has been bullied by policy makers in America to the point that most families feel they have no better alternatives. School was bad when I was a kid. It is so much worse today. There is no way I’m sending my kids to public school. For us, homeschool or a certain kind of private school are the only options. And one of us will be directly involved. When it comes to schooling (tangent, but I think this also applies to sending our children into the homes of other families, regardless of whether those families are friends or relatives or of the same faith), parents need to be as wise as serpents.”

This is nothing compared to what video games are doing in our homes. And because when all the kids gather together at school and talk about their video games, they come home and want to do what? Makes me want to vomit, then chuck the Xbox that I battled my wife to get, into the garbage. Yes, I’m as guilty as they get. I brought it in, and I feel like I’m under a spell that I can’t get it out. Why can’t I? I see how much time my children play on the thing and I realize if I don’t step up my game, the GAME will takeover my own family. And then that moment when you realize the last 3 days of constant email “spam” from Microsoft, was actually a fun friendly reminder that your 8 yr old just ordered over $150.00 of credits for a stupid video game. Let us pray that George Smith from India can translate my desperate HELP email for a refund. (Update- We go the refund 😉

John Adams once said, “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.

John Adams once said, “I must study politics and war that my sons may have liberty to study mathematics and philosophy. My sons ought to study mathematics and philosophy, geography, natural history, naval architecture, navigation, commerce, and agriculture, in order to give their children a right to study painting, poetry, music, architecture, statuary, tapestry, and porcelain.

I wonder what John Adams would think knowing the result of him studying politics and war, would lead to hours upon hours of  Facebook and Fortnight ? Let’s think about starting over. Seems we’re do for a reset.

 

 

 

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