August 30th - Sept 5th

 In Our Family This Week...

* Seth has been studying the past several months for the GRE and that all came to pass as he took it this week! He was able to take it remotely and so was able to be comfortable here at home and have it proctored over the internet.

* The 3 younger kids moved up in the world and all have their own personal phones now! Mom has been very hesitant to do this, but as they're getting older and getting more involved with things outside of the home, it has become a apparent that it is more of a "need" vs a "want" at this time. We got them all set up and they seem happy as clams to be a part of the "phone carrying" population - haha

* The girls had another Volleyball game this week. It was a home game at Meridian Middle School. Lexi's team played against Sawtooth Middle and won. Aubrie's team played against Victory Middle school and while playing great, it wasn't enough to pull out a win. 

* Dad was so super excited and happy that he got to go Dove hunting on Friday evening with Ryan Aten. They went out to Roswell (out past Parma) and dad came home with 3 doves. He processed it and then grilled it up in the Ninja with a little avocado oil, garlic powder, onion powder, salt & pepper. It was pretty tasty and not gamey at all! 

* Saturday morning we got up and had plans to hike Table Rock as a family. Dad and Nathan were the only ones that had ever hiked it but the rest of us were excited to do it! It's a 1.75 mile hike that ascends 835 feet (it took us about an hour to go up and 25 minutes to get back down! haha) Ben and Nathan only went up about 1/4 mile (Ben's ankle was starting to hurt and we figured it wasn't worth having him re-injure it and not be able to work out with his trainer moving forward). So he and Nathan went back and waited for us in the parking lot. The girls, mom, dad and Maggie made it the whole way up (with plenty of stops!) the view from the top was quite beautiful and we all felt proud of our accomplishments! On the way home, we stopped by Sonic and got ice/drinks for everyone (and an ice cream cone for Maggie).

Spiritually Speaking...

* After the younger kids all received their Father's Blessings, Ben asked if John could give him one as well... of which he was happy to do so! And then with Seth leaving for School next week, he got one as well...

* Benjamin Noah Vogt by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood, I lay my hands upon your head and give you at this time a Father's Blessing. I call down the strength of heaven to attend to you as you fight your demons and to find power from on high. That you will be given strength. That you will feel the Lord lifting you up in your darkest hours - when you feel like you can't go on. That you will know that you are not alone. I bless you with the ability to resist and deny the lies the adversary will tell you. To rise from your bed of affliction and to realize the potential that you have! 

I give unto you the blessing of fortitude and perseverance. I call upon our ancestors to administer to you in your times of need. That you will be able to conquer your depression, That you will seek the light, that you will be aware - especially as we enter into this winter season with less light - there are things that can affect you but as you stay active and stay within the light - both spiritual light, gospel light  and also physical light and surround yourself with people that love you, that you will be able to make it through. 

I bless you with the ability to know what to say to Natalie to help her on her journey. I bless you with peace in your heart. You are good enough and you are worth it! Father in Heaven does love you and he is aware of you. He knows you by name. You are one of his choice sons - an heir to so many great things. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

* Owen Seth Vogt, by the power of the Holy Melchizedek Priesthood which I bear and hold, I lay my hands upon your head and give you at this time a Father's Blessing to guide you through this coming year. I bless you at this time with mental acuity for the GRE that you're taking tomorrow - that you will have great recall and be calm and that you'll find the way to adequately communicate in your written portions and that you'll be able to perform at your best.

I bless you as you enter into this final year of school, as you put the Lord first and continue to focus on your studies that you'll be blessed with good grades. You will be well on your path to achieving success in the academic world which will lead you to great success in your professional world which will then help others and provide a good living for your family that you will have here in the future. Know that you are loved by your Father in Heaven and that your diligence is appreciated. This blessing I leave with you in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. 

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* Part of the Come Follow Me studies this week focused heavily on the Temple! As I was planning our daily Enrichments, I had the thought that we should take a little filed trip TO the Temple and have our discussion there on the Temple grounds. So on Thursday, I had the girls come with me to pick up Nathan from Seminary and we headed straight over to the Meridian Temple. We talked about what the Temple means, how the Kirtland Temple came to be, The similarities between Nephi and Joseph Smith and how the Temple is the House of the Lord. We then took time and walked around the entire Temple grounds enjoying the cool  morning air, the beautiful flowers in bloom and taking lots of pictures! I challenged the kids to each take a picture of the Temple (their perspectives were awesome and I showcase them below!) and then to also take a Selfie with the Temple in the background. We are so blessed to have the Temple so close to us. We finished up by sharing how we felt being at the Temple and how we can go there anytime to feel that special peace.