The calamity of September 11th, 2001 has cast a long shadow. Ten years later, many of us are still haunted by its terrible tragedy of lost lives and broken hearts. It is an episode of anguish that has become a defining moment in the history of the American nation and the world. This week, the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, along with Tom Brokaw, will pay its own homage to the unforgettable events of September 11, 2001.
There was, as many have noted, a remarkable surge of faith following the tragedy. People across the United States rediscovered the need for God and turned to Him for solace and understanding. Comfortable times were shattered. We felt the great unsteadiness of life and reached for the great steadiness of our Father in Heaven. And, as ever, we found it. Americans of all faiths came together in a remarkable way.
Sadly, it seems that much of that renewal of faith has waned in the years that have followed. Healing has come with time, but so has indifference. We forget how vulnerable and sorrowful we felt. Our sorrow moved us to remember the deep purposes of our lives. The darkness of our despair brought us a moment of enlightenment. But we are forgetful. When the depth of grief has passed, its lessons often pass from our minds and hearts as well.
Our Father’s commitment to us, His children, is unwavering. Indeed He softens the winters of our lives, but He also brightens our summers. Whether it is the best of times or the worst, He is with us. He has promised us that this will never change.
But we are less faithful than He is. By nature we are vain, frail, and foolish. We sometimes neglect God. Sometimes we fail to keep the commandments that He gives us to make us happy. Sometimes we fail to commune with Him in prayer. Sometimes we forget to succor the poor and the downtrodden who are also His children. And our forgetfulness is very much to our detriment.
If there is a spiritual lesson to be learned from our experience of that fateful day, it may be that we owe to God the same faithfulness that He gives to us. We should strive for steadiness, and for a commitment to God that does not ebb and flow with the years or the crises of our lives. It should not require tragedy for us to remember Him, and we should not be compelled to humility before giving Him our faith and trust. We too should be with Him in every season.
The way to be with God in every season is to strive to be near Him every week and each day. We truly “need Him every hour,” not just in hours of devastation. We must speak to Him, listen to Him, and serve Him. If we wish to serve Him, we should serve our fellow men. We will mourn the lives we lose, but we should also fix the lives that can be mended and heal the hearts that may yet be healed.
It is constancy that God would have from us. Tragedies are not merely opportunities to give Him a fleeting thought, or for momentary insight to His plan for our happiness. Destruction allows us to rebuild our lives in the way He teaches us, and to become something different than we were. We can make Him the center of our thoughts and His Son, Jesus Christ, the pattern for our behavior. We may not only find faith in God in our sorrow. We may also become faithful to Him in times of calm.
Thomas S. Monson is president of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.
Saturday, September 10, 2011
Wednesday, June 22, 2011
Bon Voyage Christopher
Today was a hard day........We drove Christopher to the airport for his trip to France. He is so happy and ready for the new adventure... You can follow up on this blog put together by his teachers.
Christopher will spend a month with the Vanderschooten Family in the North of France in Villeneuve-d'Ascq
http://www.skinfrance.blogspot.com
Christopher will spend a month with the Vanderschooten Family in the North of France in Villeneuve-d'Ascq
http://www.skinfrance.blogspot.com
Monday, December 20, 2010
Thursday, December 16, 2010
Christopher's English Paper..... Amazing he wrote it in 20 minutes!!!
Chris Burrows
12-15-10
Period 7
Many are called, but few are chosen to be knights. For a true knight is not merely the shine of armor, nor a clang of the sword. Any man may don armor, wield a sword, and mount a steed. The true value of a knight, yea, what sets him apart from a common foot-soldier is what lies in his heart. Courage, bravery, honor. Yet it is neither how well he fights in battle nor how fearlessly he faces the terrible claws of the dragon in his mountain lair that determines his worthiness to be called a knight. It is the faith in God, the commitment to purity, the strive to bring about morality and righteousness to a world which is held firmly in the grasp of anarchy and terror, to be the light and example to those who live in darkness. The true weapon of a knight is of no carnal fashioning. It is no crude metal spike or club. The true weapon of a knight is the sword of righteousness, and his armor, the impenetrable armor of God. I therefore beseech whosoever desires to take upon him the title of knight, that he first swear his oath of allegiance to God to obey his commandments unto men, to love thy neighbor, and to live a life in accordance in every way with his will. By taking this oath upon themselves they assure the world that the chivalry and purity of the Knights of God will last far beyond their mortal years. They assure the heavens that there are still those on earth who hold true to the values of morality and chivalry. That God may know that although the swords of this age will rust and the castles will fall, even though the kings and nobles are done away and all that is now great and beautiful will fade into myth, that the light of His Knights still shines. That although we have passed on, their will always be a knight in this world who believes in Camelot.
12-15-10
Period 7
Many are called, but few are chosen to be knights. For a true knight is not merely the shine of armor, nor a clang of the sword. Any man may don armor, wield a sword, and mount a steed. The true value of a knight, yea, what sets him apart from a common foot-soldier is what lies in his heart. Courage, bravery, honor. Yet it is neither how well he fights in battle nor how fearlessly he faces the terrible claws of the dragon in his mountain lair that determines his worthiness to be called a knight. It is the faith in God, the commitment to purity, the strive to bring about morality and righteousness to a world which is held firmly in the grasp of anarchy and terror, to be the light and example to those who live in darkness. The true weapon of a knight is of no carnal fashioning. It is no crude metal spike or club. The true weapon of a knight is the sword of righteousness, and his armor, the impenetrable armor of God. I therefore beseech whosoever desires to take upon him the title of knight, that he first swear his oath of allegiance to God to obey his commandments unto men, to love thy neighbor, and to live a life in accordance in every way with his will. By taking this oath upon themselves they assure the world that the chivalry and purity of the Knights of God will last far beyond their mortal years. They assure the heavens that there are still those on earth who hold true to the values of morality and chivalry. That God may know that although the swords of this age will rust and the castles will fall, even though the kings and nobles are done away and all that is now great and beautiful will fade into myth, that the light of His Knights still shines. That although we have passed on, their will always be a knight in this world who believes in Camelot.
Monday, September 27, 2010
Christopher for President!!!!
christopher had to wright declaration for Ap Goverment Class and here is what he came up with.
Chris Burrows
Mr. Carnahan
AP Government
27 September 2010
In Response to the Decay of American Society, September 27, 2010
A Declaration by Chris Burrows, assembled in firm consciousness of mind. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the political bands which connect him to an ignorant and stupid society, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth his separate station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle him, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all Men are becoming idiots, that they have ignored and blasphemed their Creator, and that they believe that they are endowed to certain rights to be freely given them by their government, that among these are Healthcare, Gay Marriage, and Abortion. That to secure these Rights, they attack those who are opposed to them, harass them, and defile their places of worship. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce what small number of thinking people remain in this nation under absolute Despotism by a group of so called Americans who are neither enlightened nor Despots, it is their right it is their duty to Wake Up the World to this conflict of Justice and of Basic Morality to defend both before they are completely crushed beneath the heels of those who profess to defend the same, such is the necessity which constrains me to this act of separation. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a supposedly candid World.
Whatever divine providence that was bestowed upon this nation in its inception is in danger of being revoked completely, for the people of this nation have forgotten all respect or reverence to that Supreme Being which grants them the breath to utter their accusations against Him.
The “Americans” of modern times are lead away into dead-end paths, pursuing immorality, profanity, blasphemy, and intoxication. The future of this nation, rests in their hands which are already full with a cell phone in one hand and whatever intoxicating substance in the other.
They have taken up their pursuit of being “individuals” by behaving and dressing exactly like all the other stupid, ignorant, “individuals” around them.
Their moral compass has been ripped apart, smashed, disregarded, and thrown away.
The society in which we live is quite frankly becoming an embarrassment to our founding fathers’ ideals, on which this country was supposed to be functioning on.
The churches of this nation who still hold to the Pure Word of God have been ridiculed, attacked, and insulted by society and by Other Churches in a manner that is neither Christian nor brotherly.
Other Churches have bent and twisted their doctrine so as to become accepted by this degenerated and ignorant nation, losing all divine power or spiritual truth in the process.
The proclaimed “opened minded” liberals of this country have proven to be some of the most closed-minded, illogical, and un-progressive people this nation has ever seen.
The education of this population is frankly pathetic, and throwing more money at this problem will do nothing to fix it.
More Government Programs are instituted for the purpose of wasting money and driving society backwards.
We must therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold the rest of the population of this nation as ignorant, whose only “progress” is backwards.
I therefore, appeal to the Supreme Judge of the World for Rectitude of my Intentions, and do so in the Name, and by the authority of the Principles upon which this nation, The United States of America was founded. And for support of this declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, I pledge my Life, my Fortitude, and My sacred Honor.
Chris Burrows
Mr. Carnahan
AP Government
27 September 2010
In Response to the Decay of American Society, September 27, 2010
A Declaration by Chris Burrows, assembled in firm consciousness of mind. When in the course of human events it becomes necessary for one person to dissolve the political bands which connect him to an ignorant and stupid society, and to assume among the Powers of the Earth his separate station to which the Laws of Nature and of Nature’s God entitle him, a decent Respect to the Opinions of Mankind requires that I should declare the causes which impel me to the separation.
We hold these truths to be self-evident that all Men are becoming idiots, that they have ignored and blasphemed their Creator, and that they believe that they are endowed to certain rights to be freely given them by their government, that among these are Healthcare, Gay Marriage, and Abortion. That to secure these Rights, they attack those who are opposed to them, harass them, and defile their places of worship. But when a long Train of Abuses and Usurpations, pursuing invariably the same Object, evinces a design to reduce what small number of thinking people remain in this nation under absolute Despotism by a group of so called Americans who are neither enlightened nor Despots, it is their right it is their duty to Wake Up the World to this conflict of Justice and of Basic Morality to defend both before they are completely crushed beneath the heels of those who profess to defend the same, such is the necessity which constrains me to this act of separation. To prove this, let Facts be submitted to a supposedly candid World.
Whatever divine providence that was bestowed upon this nation in its inception is in danger of being revoked completely, for the people of this nation have forgotten all respect or reverence to that Supreme Being which grants them the breath to utter their accusations against Him.
The “Americans” of modern times are lead away into dead-end paths, pursuing immorality, profanity, blasphemy, and intoxication. The future of this nation, rests in their hands which are already full with a cell phone in one hand and whatever intoxicating substance in the other.
They have taken up their pursuit of being “individuals” by behaving and dressing exactly like all the other stupid, ignorant, “individuals” around them.
Their moral compass has been ripped apart, smashed, disregarded, and thrown away.
The society in which we live is quite frankly becoming an embarrassment to our founding fathers’ ideals, on which this country was supposed to be functioning on.
The churches of this nation who still hold to the Pure Word of God have been ridiculed, attacked, and insulted by society and by Other Churches in a manner that is neither Christian nor brotherly.
Other Churches have bent and twisted their doctrine so as to become accepted by this degenerated and ignorant nation, losing all divine power or spiritual truth in the process.
The proclaimed “opened minded” liberals of this country have proven to be some of the most closed-minded, illogical, and un-progressive people this nation has ever seen.
The education of this population is frankly pathetic, and throwing more money at this problem will do nothing to fix it.
More Government Programs are instituted for the purpose of wasting money and driving society backwards.
We must therefore, acquiesce in the Necessity, which denounces our Separation, and hold the rest of the population of this nation as ignorant, whose only “progress” is backwards.
I therefore, appeal to the Supreme Judge of the World for Rectitude of my Intentions, and do so in the Name, and by the authority of the Principles upon which this nation, The United States of America was founded. And for support of this declaration, with a firm Reliance on the Protection of divine Providence, I pledge my Life, my Fortitude, and My sacred Honor.
News
Dear Family,
Another summer seems to have come and gone so quickly. Here in Oregon we have to take maximum advantage since we get quite a bit of rain the rest of the year. This year it seems as if summer ended from one day to the next. One day it was sunny and since it has been cloudy to partly cloudy with rain. Well, whatever the weather is we enjoy our home and just hanging out.
At the beginning of the summer we had the opportunity to take a trip to Brazil to spend time with Ingrid’s family. We spent the last part of June and the first part of July in Brazil, mainly in Sao Paul, except for 5 days that we spent at the beach in Caraguatatuba. All in all, we had a great time watching world cup soccer on Brazilian television, eating awesome food and visiting with family. In August we visited the Highland Burrows as well as the New Harmony Burrows clans. In Highland we got to do some hiking and also see the retaining wall that McKay built for his Eagle project. That was quite a project and we enjoyed that memory of him. We were also able to help a little with the landscaping. Christopher and Alexandro helped Ashton dig some of the holes around the house for the plants to go in. The yard was looking quite nice. Later in August Leon and Alexandro visited Mother and Dad and had a great time. Alexandro particulary enjoyed the new above ground pool. Most of the days we were there, except Sunday, he spent in the pool just playing and having a great time. We were also able to participate in a Family Home Evening with Mother and Dad and their friends. It was a fun group.
Alexandro had just started 7th grade and is attending the same middle school that he went to last year, but he has decided that being a 7th grader is much better than being a 6th grader. He is enjoying his classes and really likes his teachers. He continues to take piano lessons and also practices his electric guitar. One of his favorite activities this summer was a going to a weeklong summer camp on how to make stop-action movies at a local TV station.
Christopher is now in 10th grade and continues to enjoy high school. He has some tough classes, but still has a fun time learning the material. He enjoys his release-time seminary class and I enjoy it too since he doesn’t need to go to early morning seminary. He is also on the soccer team and is the starting varsity goalie. As a parent it is a little nerve-racking, but he does a great job and makes some excellent saves during the games.
Ingrid stays quite busy teaching fitness classes at a local gym. Her main focus is Zumba, which is a fitness class based on latin dance moves. She had a great time attending a International Zumba conference in Florida in August. There were instructors there from all over the world.
Leon continues to work at Salem Radiology with this being his 10th year with the group. Time has sure gone by fast. His church calling also keeps him busy. He was recently called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher in the ward, so this usually requires several hours of preparation during the week, so that the Sunday lesson goes smoothly.
We look forward to reading your letters and feel free to come visit us anytime.
Love,
Alexandro, Christopher, Ingrid and Leon
Another summer seems to have come and gone so quickly. Here in Oregon we have to take maximum advantage since we get quite a bit of rain the rest of the year. This year it seems as if summer ended from one day to the next. One day it was sunny and since it has been cloudy to partly cloudy with rain. Well, whatever the weather is we enjoy our home and just hanging out.
At the beginning of the summer we had the opportunity to take a trip to Brazil to spend time with Ingrid’s family. We spent the last part of June and the first part of July in Brazil, mainly in Sao Paul, except for 5 days that we spent at the beach in Caraguatatuba. All in all, we had a great time watching world cup soccer on Brazilian television, eating awesome food and visiting with family. In August we visited the Highland Burrows as well as the New Harmony Burrows clans. In Highland we got to do some hiking and also see the retaining wall that McKay built for his Eagle project. That was quite a project and we enjoyed that memory of him. We were also able to help a little with the landscaping. Christopher and Alexandro helped Ashton dig some of the holes around the house for the plants to go in. The yard was looking quite nice. Later in August Leon and Alexandro visited Mother and Dad and had a great time. Alexandro particulary enjoyed the new above ground pool. Most of the days we were there, except Sunday, he spent in the pool just playing and having a great time. We were also able to participate in a Family Home Evening with Mother and Dad and their friends. It was a fun group.
Alexandro had just started 7th grade and is attending the same middle school that he went to last year, but he has decided that being a 7th grader is much better than being a 6th grader. He is enjoying his classes and really likes his teachers. He continues to take piano lessons and also practices his electric guitar. One of his favorite activities this summer was a going to a weeklong summer camp on how to make stop-action movies at a local TV station.
Christopher is now in 10th grade and continues to enjoy high school. He has some tough classes, but still has a fun time learning the material. He enjoys his release-time seminary class and I enjoy it too since he doesn’t need to go to early morning seminary. He is also on the soccer team and is the starting varsity goalie. As a parent it is a little nerve-racking, but he does a great job and makes some excellent saves during the games.
Ingrid stays quite busy teaching fitness classes at a local gym. Her main focus is Zumba, which is a fitness class based on latin dance moves. She had a great time attending a International Zumba conference in Florida in August. There were instructors there from all over the world.
Leon continues to work at Salem Radiology with this being his 10th year with the group. Time has sure gone by fast. His church calling also keeps him busy. He was recently called to be the Gospel Doctrine teacher in the ward, so this usually requires several hours of preparation during the week, so that the Sunday lesson goes smoothly.
We look forward to reading your letters and feel free to come visit us anytime.
Love,
Alexandro, Christopher, Ingrid and Leon
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