Robert & Shauna Valentine Family: November 2008

George Washington's 1789 Thanksgiving Proclamation

Whereas it is the duty of all nations to acknowledge the providence of Almighty God, to obey His will, to be grateful for His benefits, and humbly to implore His protection and favor; and Whereas both Houses of Congress have, by their joint committee, requested me to "recommend to the people of the United States a day of public thanksgiving and prayer, to be observed by acknowledging with grateful hearts the many and signal favors of Almighty God, especially by affording them an opportunity peaceably to establish a form of government for their safety and happiness:"

Now, therefore, I do recommend and assign Thursday, the 26th day of November next, to be devoted by the people of these States to the service of that great and glorious Being who is the beneficent author of all the good that was, that is, or that will be; that we may then all unite in rendering unto Him our sincere and humble thanks for His kind care and protection of the people of this country previous to their becoming a nation; for the signal and manifold mercies and the favorable interpositions of His providence in the course and conclusion of the late war; for the great degree of tranquility, union, and plenty which we have since enjoyed; for the peaceable and rational manner in which we have been enable to establish constitutions of government for our safety and happiness, and particularly the national one now lately instituted for the civil and religious liberty with which we are blessed, and the means we have of acquiring and diffusing useful knowledge; and, in general, for all the great and various favors which He has been pleased to confer upon us.

And also that we may then unite in most humbly offering our prayers and supplications to the great Lord and Ruler of Nations and beseech Him to pardon our national and other transgressions; to enable us all, whether in public or private stations, to perform our several and relative duties properly and punctually; to render our National Government a blessing to all the people by constantly being a Government of wise, just, and constitutional laws, discreetly and faithfully executed and obeyed; to protect and guide all sovereigns and nations (especially such as have shown kindness to us), and to bless them with good governments, peace, and concord; to promote the knowledge and practice of true religion and virtue, and the increase of science among them and us; and, generally to grant unto all mankind such a degree of temporal prosperity as He alone knows to be best.

Given under my hand, at the city of New York, the 3d day of October, A.D. 1789

G. Washington (his actual signature)

Happy Thanksgiving!

Happy Family Home Evening and Happy Thanksgiving!!

We're all looking forward to having James with us for a few days. We'll miss Amanda who is working during Thanksgiving to build her fashion empire. She will succeed. We will all be together for Christmas.

MAKE THIS A WEEK OF THANKSGIVING BY . . .

BE AWARE OF ALL OF YOUR BLESSINGS! You were born in America; born into the Gospel; have your health and strength; you are loved; you are above average; --and you're good looking! Wow, what else?

BE THANKFUL for every little thing;little things are the big things in life.

SAY 'THANK YOU' as often as you can to those around you.

OFFER PRAYERS OF GRATITUDE to your Heavenly Father who has blessed you and continues to bless you with so much.

LIVE WITH THANKSGIVING EVERY DAY, "for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you." (Alma 34:38)

Let us make thanksgiving the very nature of our lives. "It will impart an added dimension to your character that will give depth and strength." (President Hinckley)

Mom and Dad are so very thankful for all of you!

Love, Mom and Dad
Shauna and Robert Valentine
xoxoxoxoxooxoxoxoxoxoxoxoxo

Family Home Evening, Monday, November 17, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening Family,

You are always in our minds and in our prayers.

We often think about how to offer thoughtful, meaningful prayers. Sometimes it is hard to make our prayers meaningful when we repeat the same phrases night and day. We want some blessings so badly that we often repeat the requests, which is natural and fine. But each day we need specific things, certain guidance.

We can imagine talking personally to our Heavenly Father. To prepare to talk with our Father-in-Heaven we might want to meditate about our needs and wishes in order to make our prayers what they are meant to be.

Try praying very specifically. While on our knees, we can pause and think before we pray.

Others have offered beautiful prayers that teach us how to pray.

St. Theresa's Prayer:

May today there be peace within. May you trust God that you are exactly where you are meant to be. May you not forget the infinite possibilities that are born of faith. May you use those gifts that you have received, and pass on the love that has been given to you. May you be content knowing you are a child of God. Let this presence settle into your bones, and allow your soul the freedom to sing, dance, praise and love. It is there for each and every one of us.

Love Always,

Mom and Dad xoxoxoxoxox
Shauna and Robert Valentine
Highland, Utah

Sunday Night in Highland, November 16, 2008

Everyone came and Grandma made crunchy macaroni and cheese from scratch! Yummy! We talked and laughed and watched everyone's funniest YouTube video! It was warm enough for some of the kids to ride bikes, too.

Amanda Valentine - Fashion Mogul in Nashville

There is a great article about Amanda in Nashville City Paper!
http://www.nashvillecitypaper.com/news.php?viewStoryPrinter=64133
Check out Amanda's blog, too.
http://valentinestyling.blogspot.com/

Family Home Evening, Monday, November 10, 2008

Happy Family Home Evening,

There is a lot of frustration and hostility in the world today, isn't there?
Our church and our sincere beliefs are under attack. Sometimes we want to strike back in anger.

This is not what the Gospel of Jesus Christ teaches us.

"Be kind! Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle.” John Watson

Life can be hard for all of us at times, and we need to cut each other some slack. People react in harsh ways sometimes when they're under pressure, and we need to help relieve some of that pressure just by being kind.

"Constant kindness can accomplish much. As the sun makes ice melt, kindness causes misunderstandings, mistrust, and hostility to evaporate." Albert Schweitzer

"I expect to pass through this world but once. Any good therefore that I can do, or any kindness that I can show to any fellow creature, let me do it now. Let me not defer or neglect it, for I shall not pass this way again" William Penn

Charity suffereth long, and is kind --Moroni 7:45

Be kind to each other.

Love,

Mom and Dad
Robert & Shauna Valentine
xoxoxoxoxo

Basketball Season at BYU!

Thursday night BYU demolished Concordia (from Toronto) in the season opener. We have four excellent seats this year. Miles and Owen have a great time. Owen got hugged by the Cougar mascot Cosmo, and after the game we all rang the victory bell!

We voted last Tuesday!

Here are some of the people who voted last Tuesday. This picture was taken a little before 7 a.m. at Lone Peak High School, just before the voting began. Most of these voters had to go to JOBS after voting. Most of these folks pay a lot of taxes!