New Year's: Look Not behind Thee - Genesis 19:17

Faith in Jesus Christ gives us strength to leave the past behind and look ahead to a brighter future. HAPPY NEW YEAR TO ALL OF YOU WHO ARE SO KIND TO READ MY BLOG!!!

Keeping Christ in Christmas

The prophet Isaiah foretold His birth centuries before the Christ Child was born in Bethlehem of Judea. "For unto us a child is born , unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called wonderful, counsellor, The Mighty God, The everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace." (Isaish 9:6) At this time of year than any other, Isaiah seems to be quoted more often, and for good reason: This is the season when Christendom commemorates the birth of Jesus Christ.

The irony is that while celebrating Christmas many people put much of their focus on the trappings and wrappings of the season rather than upon the Savior. "There is no better time than now, this very Christmas Season, for all of us to rededicate ourselves to the principles taught by Jesus the Christ". President Thomas S. Monson

He taught men the higher law. His glorious gospel reshaped the thinking of the world. He blessed the sick. He caused the lame to walk, the blind to see, the deaf to hear. He even raised the dead to life. He taught us to pray. He taught us to serve. He taught us to forgive. He taught us to love.

He invited us, "Come, follow me". He offered His life as a redeeming ransom for us all. "Thanks be to God the son for the offering of Himself. And thanks be to God the Father that He sent Him. 'For God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son'. (John 3:16)

May the spirit of love which comes at Christmas time fill our homes and our lives and linger there long after the tree is down and the lights are put away for another year. Our love goes out to you as we celebrate his birth together.

Tender Miracles! HAPPY BIRTHDAY AUBREE GIRL!

This is an excerpt from Aubree's letter this week...

AUBREE TURNS 22 ON SATURDAY!!!

...during our planning we worked on how we could be more obedient, what we said in our lessons..tudo. so we can change something. 2 nephi 25:29. we worked on sincere prayer. we werent able to get anyone to church on sunday everyone fell through. our trial of faith was starting to look endless.
then yesterday the lord led us to this street. we taught this women named jonni she said i have been thinking about this church, my friend is a member and i wanted to learn more. i am inbtwn churches right now and im super confused...golden! we taught her and she accepted! we taught a few more lessons on that street and of course it was around 630 and i was starving as usual and i said i need to eat something so we started to walk out of the street and i felt the spirit really strong not to leave and at that exact moment we heard a voice say oi are you missionaries? we said yes and this women told us to teach her.... uh what yes. we walked in and she said do you remember me and i said no i dont think so? she said i saw you on the bus a few weeks ago. i felt bad cause we ride the bus everyday i didnt remember her. she said i wanted to talk to you the spirit was touching my heart but i was embarrased bc of the people on the bus. and she said i saw you on the street right here and i had the same feeling so i yelled to you guys. we taught her the first lesson and i told her that the lord put us in your path two times he wants you to know the truth. she started tearing up and she said i dont have fear of anything i want to follow the lord if this really is his church. the lord really is preparing people to hear this message. as we left i felt humbled that heavenly father led us to this wonderful street and right before we turned the corner a man yelled to us.. are you the missionaries of the church of jesus christ? we said yes and he said i already met with the missionaries... we marked with him and were meeting with him tomorrow.
alma 32; 27 experiment upon my words and excersice a particle of faith, 2 nephi 27;23 i work not among the children of men save it be according to thier faith, 2 nephi 26:13this week for me was all about faith. the lord will put you through trials until you cant handle them anymore and right before your about to give up he blesses you. its the lord time not yours. his way is not always the easiest but its the best for us whethere we like it or not. we just have to trust and have true hope that he will do his part if we do our first. thats how it works thats how the gospel works.
im so grateful to be here. the church is true.
i love you all
sister corbin

Thanks in Giving!

It was a beautiful breath taking view off our balcony as the sun set on Thanksgiving Day! The weather was perfect in everyway. Crisp 69 degrees, skies where clear, a moment to reflect on life's treasures!

Meet Phillip & Christine Tootill, James's parents from Oxford, England. They came to visit James during the Thanksgiving holiday. When Amanda & James got married my intention was to make them a quilt from our family. Well, with the hustle and bustle of planning a wedding, the quilt did not happen. It has only taken me two moves, and life's adventures getting in the way to finally create this "Season of Gratitude" quilt for them. They spent Thanksgiving with us. They are very delightful. It was a pleasure to get to know them a little better.

"Mine elect"

I've been so busy updating Aubree's blog and just living life that I thought I might want to do a post once in a while on mine. I have to say Aubree's is a bit more uplifting and spiritual. I love to listen to her music and read her letters over and over.

My sweet mother had a birthday last week. She turned 82 years on Thursday, November 4th. She was born in 1928...I was just thinking she is the reason our Dad, all of her children, grand-children, and great grand-children live and breath the gospel of Jesus Christ everyday. With out her recognizing the truth so many years ago when the missionaries knocked on her door, I shutter at the thought of where my life would be today!

And for those who not only hear but those who hearken to the Lord’s voice, the Lord calls them “mine elect,” “for mine elect hear my voice and harden not their hearts” (D&C 29:7). I believe that our ability and our willingness to hear can be increased and that our ears can be opened to hear clearly the voice of the Lord.

Thanks for listening to that voice Mom, HAPPY BIRTHDAY....I love you!

Roast Beast

Happy Birthday James! This is James's birthday dinner...his request was Roast Beef, potatoes, gravy, and peas. He was so excited, he had many helpings and even got to take some home. Followed by his favorite (for now) chocolate chip yummy cookies. Amanda had to work late, but got to eat her dinner when she got home. Today is his actual Birthday...So HAPPY BIRTHDAY JAMES!!! We love you and we are so grateful you are a part of our family...

Paradise

noun
1. heaven, as the final abode of the righteous.
2. an intermediate place for the departed souls of the righteous awaiting resurrection.
3. ( often initial capital letter ) Eden ( def. 1 ) .
4. a place of extreme beauty, delight, or happiness.
5. a state of supreme happiness; bliss

This is the view from our top deck in Corona Del Mar of the Pacific Ocean and Catalina, Dan refers to as "Paradise".

Sao Paulo Temple

This is Aubree with her district at the Temple. They are not allowed to take their camera's to the temple so this was taken by one of the Presidency's Wife. Aubree is a solo sister, which means she has no companion.

Last Phone Call

Aubree called me from the Dallas/Ft. Worth Airport last night around 5:30pm. We were having a great conversation about her passport being stamped July 30th with her Visa. Yes, she was waiting to just get her passport back with the stamp. We are not sure why they sat on someone's desk for 5 weeks. When I say "they" the other eight Elders with Aubree had their's stamped July 30th as well. So they got deverted to Provo until the Consulate could figure it out. I look at it this way, Aubree got to experience the best of both the MTC's and see her friends in the process.

All of the sudden we both hear "Aubree Lyn Corbin, please report to the gate for immediate departure!" Evidently, she was not on the same flight as the other 8 Elders. She had the earlier flight leaving at 6pm, they were leaving on the 7:30pm flight. She told me to call her back on the payphone in 10 minutes. Well, I called her back and an Elder picked up and said she was on the plane. They were as stunned as she was but she will beat them to Brazil by 1 1/2 hours. Crazy! Hopefully she got to get some sleep...The email below came this afternoon annoncing her arrival.

Aubree has arrived - Brazil MTC

Dear Parents,

We are happy to send the good news that your missionary has arrived safely at the Brazil MTC. What a great joy and privilege it is to greet each missionary as they come through the front door of the MTC for the first time. We promise to take good care of your missionary.
They now have companions and are settled into their rooms. They are assigned to a district with capable and caring instructors for language and lesson study. The branch presidents and their wives, will soon give them a second greeting. These couples are rewarded in their callings through the love they always develop as they embrace and watch over the missionaries.
The MTC has a full time live-in physician to care for their health needs. He is assisted by his able wife. We are also happy to report that the Cafeteria food is abundant and very good.
Your missionary will be able to e-mail home on Preparation Day after a morning at the Temple. This will be either Tuesday or Wednesday, depending on individual assignments.
Your very important young person is about to make an eternal difference in the lives of others. We hope you will be encouraged and comforted by this quote by President Lorenzo Snow: “There is no mortal man that is so much interested in the success of an elder [sister] when he is preaching the gospel as the Lord that sent him to preach to the people who are the Lord’s children.”

Please accept our love,
President Donald L Clark and Sister Zaza Clark

ADDITIONAL information . . .
DO not send packages to the Brazil Missionary Training Center. All packages must be sent directly to the mission where your missionary will be serving not the MTC. If you have already mailed a package to the Brazil MTC and it arrives after your missionary has left for the field, please understand that the package can not be forwarded to his or her mission and will be returned to you. The only other option is for us to open the package and forward the letters and photographs, giving the rest of the content of the package to the missionaries that are here.

WE Strongly eNCOURAGE sENDING HAND WRITTEN LETTERS. Please write your missionary´s first and last name. Your missionary will provide you with his district and box number. Also, please DO NOT SEND ANYTHING BY FEDEX, DHL, UPS, or other private carriers. The cost to get this type of correspondence is exorbitant.

P-Day Casual

Laundry - Laundry - Laundry - eat!
There's always time to eat...

Aubree has always had great enthusiasm for life. Can't you see it in her face? Go Aubree...

Sister Smith - Sister Michael

Aubree has two great companions. They are in a three-some all headed to Brazil at some point. Aubree said they are great buddies and loves her companions. Awesome!

Lil is Gone too!

Farewell to Lil Cannon, on her way to Conneticut...Delta Gamma buddies give their final salute until they meet again in 2/12.

Such cute sister missionaries! They will be mover and shakers...

Farewell to Emily

EmilyWong is headed to Asia, Aubree overlapped her by 1 week. They grew up together in Irvine. Cute friends!

Aubree's taking a brake, long days at the MTC. But she loves it!

It's Amber's Day!

Happy Birthday Amber! Well, this is one of those birthday's you start to say you are 29 again. The big "30" has arrived. I'm sure she doesn't feel any older just wiser. A wonderful mother to our Daners and Zoe Girl, she has to keep two steps ahead of them.

"It's mothers who set the tone for the home...[and] most directly affect the lives of their children. It is mothers who teach infants to pray, who read them choice and beauiful literature from the scriptures and other sources. It is mothers who nuture them and bring them up in the ways of the Lord. Their influence is paramount." Gordon B. Hinkley

Thank you for being a beautiful mother, daughter, sister, friend, and handmaiden of the Lord. We love you and hope you have a fantastic day! You deserve it...

Big "15" Birthday

Brenan is "15" today! Wow-he will be driving soon and is already bugging me about lessons. He still insists on lighting his own candles, does that mean I'm now off the hook after 30 years? We went to Island's per his request. He loves the chicken fingers in tortillas with ranch. We love you Brenan! HAPPY BIRTHDAY...

10th Grade @ Corona Del Mar High

As we were faced with having to move again or stay put we considered Brenan's desire to stay at Woodbridge High School or transfer to Corona Del Mar were all of his church friends go from the Ward. I was not excited about even the thought of moving. Well you can see how that went...
Today was Brenan's first day and he was really excited to meet new friends and hang out with his buddies. We have been in Corona Del Mar for almost 4 weeks and I have to say I don't think we will be moving away from here any time soon. It's beautiful! We can walk to the post office, bank, lunch cafe, Albertson's, dinner, beach, etc. The weather still has coastal fog but burns off by 1pm. There wasn't much of a sunny summer this year but still beautiful!

Life continues for the Corbins...

We Can't Forget About Taylor

WE LOVE YOU DOCTOR POLLEI!!! We hope you had a fantastic Birthday....you're awesome.

Manda Bear's Birthday!

I hope you had fun in Las Vegas even though we missed you on your Birthday! Thanks James for taking care of Amanda Bear! Love you...

Turning three...

Zoe is into being three now. Here are some words that discribe our Zoe Girl....giggles, on the move, fun, scarey smart, curious, fancy, loving,

helpful, loves books, summersalts, hates sleep, shy sometimes, in charge, tutu's, pre-school, potty trained, misses daddy, loves her buddy Dane,

Wants to be 7, loves life, tinkerbell, backpacks, purses, play dough, make-up, dress up, swim, twirl, bows, crayons, excited for life, can't get enough,

over all delightful! HAPPY BIRTHDAY ZOE GIRL...WE ARE GLAD YOU MADE IT TO EARTH!!!

ps. Happy Birthday to Taylor and Amanda too!!!

Parents Influence

“It is impossible to overestimate the influence of parents who understand the hearts of their children. Research shows that during the most important transitions of life—including those periods when youth are most likely to drift away from the Church—the greatest influence does not come from an interview with the bishop or some other leader but from the regular, warm, friendly, caring interaction with parents.” Robert D. Hales


*Be there, enough said...

Liz, Jane, and Abby are friends from the Delta Gamma House. Abby was Aubree's room mate last year. She will really miss Abby.

It's a beautiful day to be on Temple Square.

DG's pick her up in Salt Lake Airport

She had a wonderful welcome from her best friends in the airport.
Friends forever. I'm not sure what is worse the one staying or the one leaving. Aubree and Lauren are 12 hours apart. Born in the same hospital. Aubree took cuts in heaven and beat Lauren to earth.

All three girls are entering together.

Aubree and Lauren visited Jenna who is a missionary on Temple Square. Jenna left early July. I'm sure that was a treat for all of them to say one last farewell.

MTC Arrival

She's going in with her friend Liz Cannon. Check-in time is 12:00...She looks so excited! I like the hands off, not hugs. My guess is that she knows this guy from school. Funny!

Farewell Bubs!

Hoorah for Israel!

Faith in Every Foot Step

The pictures speak for themselves, enjoy!