Because I don't write in my journal . . .: First half of May before Hawaii

1. Proud Grandpa, Dad, and little Samuel

Born on the 2nd of May.

Samuel Ron Taylor,

The happy family.

2.Meeting his first cousin, Cierra Rose Jensen.

The oldest and the youngest as of 2016.

3. Spencer and John in "Much Ado about Nothing"
Spencer,

John,

4. My brother Paul passed away and his funeral was the
first Saturday of May. It is a blessing.
When Mike texted me Paul's death he said:
"There is a great sense of relief and joy in our home right now."
That was exactly how we felt about the birth of Samuel.
Death is another birth.

5. Ellen and her sons left to right: Lars, Jorgen, Mike

6. David with Robert, Matthew, and Alaina

7. So thankful to Belmont 2nd Ward for hosting the dinner.

8. me, Margaret, John, David, Ralph, Ann, Janet, Ellen

9. We did face time with John's family and Kirsten showed
me the tissue box filled with grocery sacks that I showed
on my blog last time that Ellen made.

10. More of baby Samuel

11. The end of an era. The trailer was finally moved to
Kent and Lyndi Call's.

12. Sean Tiedi and his wife Sara stopped by. It was so good to see them.
He has three children. They were sealed together in the temple on the
day after Christmas. What a happy ending to a very difficult childhood.

13. We have painted our living room, hall, dining, and kitchen.
Dad made shelves for all the grand-kids pictures.

14.Our Family Home evening that is on each 3rd Sunday for whoever
wants to come. This time we had Chris, Ryan, Tom, Sue & boys,
and Ellen & Daniel with Sam.
We gave the lesson which consisted of several skits based on
analogies from C.S. Lewis "Mere Christianity"

15. Taylor was the teacher who tried to teach children the alphabet.
They didn't want her to. They wanted to teach each other, even
though none of them knew how to write. Caleb, Kaden, and Isaac did
such a good job. C. S. Lewis said:

To what will you look for help if you will not look to that

which is stronger than yourself?”

There is wisdom in looking to those with more experience

in guiding us in this life.

16. Noelle was drowning and Steven came to save her. He had a
foot on dry ground and was in the position to save her. She refused his help
and drowned. (It was actually quite dramatic and very funny.)

17. A line of children ready to get a drink on the playground.
Dusty came up and butted in line because he was thirsty and
wanted a drink. We talked about how without even being told,
we know it is wrong to butt in line without even being told.
The law of Human Nature - Right and Wrong
We are living in a society who tells us we can do whatever
we want without any consequences. It's a dangerous philosophy.

18. I did the last skit on Faith & Reason Vs. Imagination & Emotions
The story came from C.S. Lewis, but it fit me perfect.
He explains that faith is based on reason. I know that people can
swim. I've seen it and understand how it works. But my faith is
shaken by my imagination and emotions when I am in the water and I sink.
“It is not reason that is taking away my faith: on the contrary,
my faith is based on reason. It is my imagination and emotions.
The battle is between faith and reason on one side and emotion
and imagination on the other.” C. S. Lewis