For God So Loved the World

 It is only days before Easter, and although I've been waiting for spring for a long time, it surprises me that Easter is already on the threshold. Easter, when my kids were young was a fun time - full of much loved traditions - some carried over from when I was a child. I'm big on traditions. Memories are attached to traditions, and as a parent I took my responsibility very seriously to make sure those were 'good' memories, and righteous traditions. We tried to teach our family the significance behind our celebration of Easter, but I know there is big room for improvement in the foundation that we set for them.
My kids have grown up and have families of their own, and I have every confidence that they will be better parents than we were. They'll take what we gave them and magnify it. They came from a strong Latter-day Saint home - a good spring board to improve from. It is not only important that they do so, it is vital. Failure to 'be better' at teaching the gospel and strengthening righteous traditions, will be tragic, as the risk to their children is even greater than the risk to my own - as we enter the final inning of these last days.

I watch with interest as they take advantage of all teaching moments. I consider it my responsibility as a grandparent - to assist them in every way I can. I do not consider my job as a parent over now that they have grown up, I do recognize however, that it has evolved into more of a supportive roll. I'm good with that.
It helps to be able to refer to the myriad of resources that exist today for that exact purpose. We have Lehi's assurance that there will always be opposition in ALL things. That means that as dark and evil and depraved as the world gets - the flip side is all the more glorious and enlightened. That is comforting and reassuring to me, and I am grateful for the many many many things that are here for me to take advantage of as I teach my grandchildren, and strengthen their parents. I'm trusting in Lehi. But he's never led me wrong yet. ..... :-)

Its Easter. And as President Hinckley taught us, "There would be no Christmas if there had not been Easter. The babe Jesus of Bethlehem would be but another baby without the redeeming Christ of Gethsamane and Calvary, and the triumphant fact of the Resurrection." Easter is the MAIN EVENT. Everything before it and after it, hinges on what happened during that critical week over 2000 years ago.

Watch Elder Holland's message below on Easter

  I'm not saying for a single moment that there is something wrong with Easter Eggs and bunnies and chicks, and all the other symbols of renewal and life and spring. I think they're wonderful - especially if they're made of chocolate. But they ARE symbols after all. They're not the main event.

What do you do to strengthen your family and teach your children about the meaning of Easter?
I'd love to hear about it.

"if there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things..."

"If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things ... " 13th Article of Faith
For those of us who believe that our vote counts, "seeking after these things" becomes more than a mere statement, it is is reality, a chance to VOTE! President Hinckley, in referring to entertainment, once reminded us that to a very large degree, we get what we pay for. When the only movies that are successful in the theatres are the awesome and impressive, though somewhat perverted, versions of the world we live in (as Hollywood sees it) - then we can assume that enough of us are 'voting' with our tickets for them. Enough said for now - you don't want to get me started on that.....

Once in a while though, something really "virtuous, lovely, and praiseworthy" comes to town. And BYU Idaho Symphony has received plenty of "good report" from those lucky enough to have seen them in concert. Saturday, April 16 2011 - the Robert Tegler Theatre, at the Concordia University Campus in Edmonton, will be the place to be to drink in teh beautiful sounds of hte Greatest Master Composers of the last two centuries. Suitable for all those who love beautiful music, and recommended for ages 12 and up, this concert promises to be a fun and enriching evening for all.

Sunday dress please, this is a classy affair. Originally recommended for 18 and over, the sponsors have deferred to popular request and reduced the age suggestion. I'm glad they did. If youth have an interest in the beautiful music of the Great Masters, they definitely should be encouraged in that direction ....

Tickets are available at Generations LDS Bookstore and are only $10.00 EACH.

No, REALLY! Only $10.00!

Now WHAT can you see or do in this city for $10.00 these days?

Calling All Osmond Fans!

It never ceases to amaze me when I hear how many people not only have great memories of the Osmonds from back in the day, but who actually track their membership in the church, or the beginnings of their testimony back to their influence. They had a stronger following than I realized, and unlike most of the celebrities of the time - were not only wholesome in their entertainment, but  clearly, did a lot of good through it.
It shouldn't surprise any of us to know that they are still going strong.

From David Osmond's new CD "Road Less Traveled" and his Aunt Marie's new CD "I Can Do This" (after the tragic and heart breaking suicide of her son) , we are still hearing their music and feeling their influence. In fact there is an entire chapter on Marie Osmond in the new book Women of Character: Profiles on Prominent LDS Women, written by beloved authors Susan Easton Black and Mary Jane Woodger.

David Osmond also sings on the Best Selling CD Nashville Tribute to Joseph Smith - our most popular CD of all time.
His Uncle Wayne - a VERY funny man, shares tender moments in his book "Laugh Lines".
His Uncle Jay - shares the story behind the story in is autobiography "Stages".

If YOU have any memories of the Osmond's music or experiences to share about them, we'd love to hear about them.

You can buy any of these products by clicking on them. Or shop anytime day or night by going to
http://www.generationsbookstore.com/ - where you can shop in your pajamas (hee hee) :-)

General Conference Women's Nite Out

While the Men are at Priesthood the Women can get together for a "Women's Nite Out".

We hold it every General Conference during the Priesthood session on Saturday evening.

We have been doing it for so long it has become a tradition for many, as well as ourselves. 

Many of our attendees are regulars and never miss. This year we put up a big sign behind our cash wrap announcing it, and that served as a good reminder. Lately we started using facebook too, as a reminder, and it surprised me that some women were still unaware of it, so we had a few newbies join us this year. We always send out a couple of emails prior, that we entitle "Sisters, we have a Date ..." with a few sneak peaks at some of the deals.

* We always have refreshments - usually prepared from one of our new cookbooks. 

* We always have door prizes that we draw for every 15 minutes. 

* We always give away a small gift at the cash wrap. our gift as a thank-you for coming. This year we gave the booklet "Blessings on the Hands of Women" by President Boyd K. Packer.

* We often have a grand prize - of a big framed canvas edition of one of Master Photographer - Hank de Lespinasse's signed and numbered, limited edition photographs of the Edmonton Temple. Most of the time we begin the draw for the picture at GC Women's Nite - and actually draw the name for Mothers Day or Christmas. That way somebody gets a wonderful Christmas gift or Mother's Day gift. It also spreads out the enthusiasm from one evening to several weeks, and gives more people a chance to win.

* We usually have a local author or artist come in to sign. This Women's Nite Bobbi Gray was signing her book Lunenberg Letters.

* We also played the NEW Midway to Heaven movie.

* We offer double reward points for the day.

* And we always have some time limited, great deals - like: 

a piece of art for 1/2 price 

a BOGO table. Buy One Get One FREE. It was very popular.

this year our entire SALE ISLAND was Buy 3 Get 1 FREE. Also very popular.

Its a Great evening to:

1) gather with friends, and see people you haven't seen for awhile 

2) get some GREAT Deals

3) have something to nibble on

4) get something for 'free'

5) enter our drawings for possible prizes (the odds are high you will win something)

and 6) smile for an hour or so.

There is no question that it is an 'Event', and it has become a favorite tradition that we look forward to. Before my grandchildren arrived, it was a tradition with my own girls. My daughter and daughters in law all came into the store to help out. It was a fun way for us to spend time together while our husbands went to the Priesthood session. One by one though, grandchildren arrived to complicate things and trumped me. I miss that time with my girls but think my grandkids are dandy so they're worth it. good thing grandkids are so wonderful  :-)

As a sign of changing times though, my oldest granddaughter is now old enough to come in to help, and sometimes does when we have large shipments etc. I'm sure she'd love to come in next General Conference. Her Mom worked in the store when she was young too. In fact her Uncle Luke started working in the store when he was only 6 years old!  ..... I use the term 'work' rather loosely. :o)

If you have ever attended our Women's Nite Out Events - we'd love to hear your comments!
If you haven't, watch for it next General Conference. SAVE the DATE - its pretty 'dependable'. Of course you can visit us anytime day or night at

http://www.generationsbookstore.com/  Then you can even shop in your pajamas! :o) You can't do that IN the store.....

What's New with LDS Books n Things: How LDS Women Can Protect Their Families from Porn...

What's New with LDS Books n Things: How LDS Women Can Protect Their Families from Porn...: "Last night I finished listening to Dr. Jill Manning's new talk on CD 'Let's Talk About the Elephant in the Room: How LDS Women Can Protect F..."

How LDS Women Can Protect Their Families from Pornography

Last night I finished listening to Dr. Jill Manning's new talk on CD "Let's Talk About the Elephant in the Room: How LDS Women Can Protect Families from Pornography". It comes with a bonus DVD of her presentation on the same subject during a recent Time Out for Women event. I highly recommend both - for everyone who would like to protect families, and especially for those who don't see pornography as that much of a problem. ... yikes!

She refers to the scripture in 1 Peter 5:8 "Be sober, be vigilant; because your adversary the devil, as a roaring lion, walketh about, seeking who he may devour:" - a moving visual image if you take the time to envision a lion prowling about - seeking a victim. She then introduces the analogy of a maternal herd of elephants protecting their young from the threat of this able killer. A veritable wilderness Relief Society. Using that analogy, she educates us not only about the very real, and horrifying dangers of pornography, but empowers us about what we can do to protect our families from its death-grip.

Highly credible in her field as a family therapist - specializing in the treatment of pornography addiction, Dr. Manning tells us that internet pornography has become the primary source of sex education of our youth. That's a disturbing revelation - him teaching us all about our bodies - he who has no body. She calls it  Satan's sex-ed. Those who subscribe to his tutoring are plugged directly into a teacher who:
1. has no body
2. is incapable of a long term relationship
3. is the father of ALL lies (so why would we be surprised to find out that he is lying - grossly distorting the truth about the one thing he wants more than anything else - but will never have)
4. and is absolutely BENT on distruction.
In true Satanic style, the pornographic industry has hyjacked the world "censorship" - while crying out against censorship that stands for decency and responsibility, it blatantly 'censors' the consequences of the behavior it depicts, as well as the joys of life and marriage, and the beauty and power and light of women.
It is the strength of women that she appeals to in this great war we are all involved in - literally for the souls of our children, and all that is good and decent. She bears fervent testimony and raises a standard - not unlike Captain Moroni's as she empowers women to this cause. She references countless resources that are available to help us help our children - not the least of which is the church's new website on combatting pornography.

Every responsible adult in the church needs to listen to this talk. Relief Society Presidents should share it with their sisters. We have the next best thing to having Dr. Manning come in as a guest speaker in our own wards, even into our own homes, our own cars. Who wouldn't want to take advantage of such a tremendous resource?
- Cindy
http://www.generationsbookstore.com/