Amanda Valentine - in Nashville

Mandy sent us these pictures from Nashville! What a doll!

Family Home Evening, Monday, January 29, 2008

Together again!
Dear Family, Happy Family Home Evening!

President Gordon B. Hinckley is going to be missed. What a wonderful, optimistic, inspiring leader. It's incredible what he accomplished in his life, and talk about enduring to the end! I treasure the memory of giving him a lemonade when he came to join the celebration of the Mormon Trail and being in his presence during the dedication of the Winter Quarters Temple in Omaha several years ago.

Sheri Dew says, "If mortals make mistakes--and we all know we do--then why are we so often tempted to listen to the world's experts rather than the Lord's? Why do we seem to favor earthly counsel over that of prophets, seers, and revelators?"

President Hinckley: "There is no greater gift that comes to anyone in this world than a certain, reassuring conviction that God, our Eternal Father lives and that Jesus is the Christ. I believe that. I think it is so very, very important."

"Believe in yourselves. Believe in your capacity to do great and good and worthwhile things. Believe in the nature within you, the divine nature, that you are indeed a son or daughter of the Living God. There is divinity within you, something that stands high and tall and noble. Get above the dirt and the filth of the earth and walk on a higher plane with your heads up, believing in yourselves and in your capacity to act for good in the world and in your capacity to make a difference."

"A two-way contract: When we are baptized we entered into covenant with [Jesus Christ] to keep His commandments and follow Him and do what is right. When we partake of the sacrament, as we do each Sunday, we renew that covenant. We take upon ourselves the name of the lord Jesus Christ. We agree to keep His commandments and He pledges to us that He will bless us with His Holy Spirit. That is a two-way contract . . . There is nothing sweeter, nothing better, nothing finer than the companionship of the Hold Spirit."

On education:

"You have a mandate from the Lord to educate your minds and your hearts and your hands. You must get all of the education that you possibly can. Each day we are made increasingly aware of the fact that life is more than science and mathematics, more than history and literature. There is need for another education, without which the substance of secular learning may lead only to destruction. I refer to the education of the heart, of the conscience, of the character, of the spirit--these indefinable aspects of our personalities which determine so certainly what we are and what we do in our relationships one to another."

"It is the little things upon which life turns that make the big difference in our lives. . . ."

"Recognize that there is a power greater than ours, that no matter how good, a man is, he is not good enough, that no matter how wise he is, he is not wise enough, that no matter how strong he is, he is not strong enough for all of the things which he will face in life, and that there is a source of power to which he can go with the assurance that he will be listened to and that there will be a response."

We thank Thee oh God for our prophet, Gordon B. Hinckley.

Love, Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxooxoxoxxooxoxox

Happy Family Home Evening to all Valentines and friends of Valentines!

Consider Charity and Love: The Savior's invitation is clear and direct: "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden."

"Take my yoke upon you . . . for . . . my burden is light." (Matthew 11:28-30).

The Lord has spoken His peace to us. If you haven't felt that love for a while, seek to recognize it and feel it as you go about the tasks of life.

The memories of previous interactions with the Lord will become sweet gifts to bolster you when life is difficult.

"'Peace I give unto you," the Lord promises, "not as the world giveth, give I unto you" (John 14:27).

When we long for peace and strength, we only need to turn toward His outstretched arms.

How are you doing? Same scale as last week: 1=never 2=sometimes 3=often 4=almost always and 5=always

1. I feel a sincere desire for the eternal welfare and happiness of other people (Mosiah 28:3)

2. When I pray, I ask for charity--the pure love of Christ. (Moroni 7:47-48)

3. I try to understand others' feelings and see their point of view. (Jude 1:22)

4. I forgive others who have offended or wronged me. (Ephesians 4:32)

5. I try to help others when they are struggling or discouraged. (Mosiah 18:9)

6. When appropriate, I tell others that I love them and care about them. (Luke 7:12-15)

7. I look for opportunities to serve other people. (Mosiah 2:17)

8. I say positive things about others. (D&C 42:27)

9. I am kind and patient with others, even when they're hard to get along with. (Moroni 7:45)

10. I find joy in others' achievements. (Alma 17:2-4)

Love and kisses to all, Mom and Dad, Robert and Shauna Valentine

Relaxing Back-Stage at Harry O's in Park City!

After the Maroon 5 concert last Friday at the Sundance Film Festival, we got to relax with the boys before they returned to LA.

Maroon5 at the Sundance Film Festival in Park City, Utah

Mom, Dad, sister Gina, brother Chris and sister-in-law Marilyn got to watch the sold-out concert at Harry O's from stage left last Friday night! The guys mugged us during their set. There were too many famous people to mention, including some gorgeous women in the front. James Burgon Valentine got to snowboard for half a day before rushing back to LA. During the week they had appeared on half a dozen shows in NYC, including Letterman, Good Morning America, the Vue, TRL and who knows what. Adam, Jesse, MIckey, Matt and James work harder than you can imagine.

Dinner at the Zoom in Park City!

James bought us dinner at Robert Redford's restaurant in Park City. Yes, Bob Redford did stop by our table. We complimented him on the food and service, and he joked that he had been cooking all day. Actually, he was busy saying hello to many of his friends who were in Park City for the Sundance Film Festival. The streets were packed as we walked to Harry O's for the Maroon5 concert up the street. It is a magical place this winter with plenty of snow.

"The Reading Mother," by Strickland Gillilan (1869 - 1954)

You may have tangible wealth untold,
Caskets of jewels and coffers of gold.
Richer than I you can never be.
I had a (grand) mother read to me.

Shauna Burgon Valentine reads to four of the Clark grandkids.

Almost a century separates the birthdays of Margaret Valentine Clark and her great grandmother Amy Melvina Young Valentine!

Family Home Evening Message, Tuesday, January 15, 2008

Chile Green Chicken Salad, Shauna's favorite. "Una verde," they shout.
Flauta Bajio salad with black beans, sweet rice, lime chicken, corn, onions, pico de gallo and vinagrette dressings. Robert died and went to heaven!
Having lunch Monday at Bajio's Mexican Restaurant in Riverwoods, we decided on a family home evening topic, taken primarily from Chapter 6 of "Preach My Gospel," page 126 on Christ-like attributes. Would it be that the whole world, not just our family, would strive for this traits in our daily lives.

Dear Family, Good Family Home Evening-and once again Happy New Year, may it be the best!

Our Heavenly Father seems to have set no limits on what He is willing to teach us and give us. We are the only ones who set limits--through our neglect or disobedience or ignorance.

We are in large measure the ones who determine what we will learn and experience in mortality, and what we will receive eternally.

We need not be perfect. Jesus wants us to come to him as we are. But, we need to approach him, even with our imperfections, and he will assist us in overcoming them.

He is our teacher, mentor, and example. By examining Jesus' life we can learn what attributes we need to work on to grow spiritually.

Each of us will have different areas to work on but we can help each other.

This week we start with trait #1 FAITH:

How would you answer the following 1=never 2=sometimes 3=often 4=almost always 5=always

--1. I believe in Christ and accept Him as my Savior. (2 Nephi 25:29)
--2. I feel confident that God loves me. (1 Nephi 11:17)
--3. I trust the Savior enough to accept His will and do whatever He asks. (1 Nephi 3:7)
--4. I firmly believe that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ I can be forgiven of all my sins. (Enos 1:5-8)
--5. I have enough faith in Christ to obtain answers to my prayers. (Mosiah 27:14)
--6. I think about the Savior during the day and remember what He has done for me. (D&C 20:77,79)
--7. I have the faith necessary to help make good things happen in my life or the lives of others. (Ether 12:12)
--8. I know by the power of the Hold Ghost that the Book of Mormon is true. (Moroni 10:3-5)
--9. I have enough faith in Christ to accomplish anything He wants me to do--even miracles if necessary. (Moroni 7:33)

The Lord will teach us directly as much truth as we are worthy and willing to learn. "And the Spirit shall be given unto you by the prayer of faith . . ."

We think of you every day, and you are always in our prayers.

Love, Mom and Dad, Robert and Shauna Valentine

xxoo

Welcome Margaret Valentine Clark!

"Margo" was born on January 3, 2008 around 4 p.m. She weighs 7 lbs. 7 oz. and is about 19 and a half inches long. She is healthy as any baby could be! Margo has dark hair and long eyelashes. The nurses said she was the prettiest baby in the Utah Valley Regional Medical Center nursery! Grampa Valentine delivered a dozen chocolate eclairs from "Shirley's" bakery in Provo. Father Chris Clark helped the nurses bathe Margo. Grandmother delivered a new blanket. Are we all blessed, or what? Eleven grandchildren for Bob and Shauna, and there are two more (Gina and Marilyn) on the way!

Canyon View Ward Young Womens Leadership

Wednesday night, the new leadership of the young women of Canyon View Ward (or neighborhood LDS congregation) met at our house to plan the themes, activities and lessons for 2008. Shauna has been the advisor to the "Laurels" (16 to 18 year-olds) for several years, a volunteer position she adores.

Burgon Family Party, Thursday, December 29, 2007

Jump on over for Holiday fun!
There'll be laughing and crying for EVERYONE!
Bring some socks and waiver, too!
Fun and food is planned for you
Old or young, big or small.
EVERYONE expected to give your all!
LEFT TO RIGHT: Burgon siblings, Lonnie, Shauna, Shelly, Paul, Jackie and Vicki. Older brother Kent and Joan are on a senior couple LDS mission to San Diego.

Holiday Jumpin's in the air.
I see Burgons everywhere!
No sitting, no whining, no hanging low.
We expect EVERYONE to jump and go!

Everybody did show up, just about! We had a blast!

Location: JUMPIN' JACKS
1575 SOUTH 1950 WEST
SPRINGVILLE, UTAH