Brigham Young - Win the Race, Conquer in the Battle

Brigham Young, 2nd President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

Brigham Young said, "While speaking the other day to the people, I observed that "the race not to the swift, nor the battle to the strong," neither riches to men of wisdom. I happened to cast my eyes upon Ira Ames, who was sitting in the congregation. I knew he had been in the Church a considerable length of time, I have been personally acquainted with him for twenty years. My eye also caught many more of the first Saints at the same time. These men know that "Mormonism" is true, they have moved steadily forward, and have not sought to become noted characters as many have; but, unseen as it were, they have maintained their footing steadily in the right path. I could place my hand upon many in this congregation, who will win the race, though they are not very swift, to outward appearance, and they make no great pretensions; they are found continually attending to their own business. They do not appear to be great warriors, or as if they were likely to win the battle. But what is their true character? They have faith today, they are filled with faith, their words are few, but they are full of integrity. You will find them tomorrow as they were yesterday, or are today. Visit them when you will, or under what circumstances , and you find them unalterably the same; and finally when you have spent your life with them, you will find that their lives throughout have been well spent, full of faith, hope, charity, and good works, as far as they have had the ability. These are the ones who will win the race, conquer in the battle, and obtain the peace and righteousness of eternity." Journal of Discources 1:89. Brigham Young

Baker Bunch Weekly Update - October 26, 2009

Adam Stiles celebrated his 23rd birthday on the 17th of October. Adam, Ashley, Mom, and Dad went to Friday’s restaurant to honor Adam. (Actually Ashley was already there and was our waitress) We had a great time. Thank you Adam for all you do! While having dinner with Adam, he taught Mom and Dad a lot about cars.









Dad ran his third 5K in Island Lake. His time was faster than last week. He ran it in 23:27. He came in 14th place overall. He placed 5th place out of 16 in the 40 year old males and above.

Andrea - Service Project
Last Saturday, Andrea helped the Buffalo Grove Stake with a service project in Crystal Lake at the Hanna Bearsley School. The Mutual helped clean up the school for all the times the school has let the youth from church have activities there.

Ward Halloween Party
The Crystal Lake 1st Ward had it’s Halloween Party last Saturday. Andrea was in charge of the cake walk.

Thought of the week
“It is not easy to give up our personal priorities and desires. . . . [But] ‘he who lives only unto himself withers and dies, while he who forgets himself in the service of others grows and blossoms in this life and in eternity’ (Gordon B. Hinckley, Teachings of Gordon B. Hinckley [1997], 588).”

Baker Bunch Weekly Update - October 19, 2009

Happy Birthday - Andrew

Andrew celebrated his birthday on the 15^th of October.

We had a great week!
Last week was tons of fun. Austin had flown to Indianapolis to interview at the Dental School. He stayed with Joseph & Natalie Clark. On Saturday they brought him to Wauconda. They spent the weekend at our house. Joe and Natalie have a beautiful baby boy name Jayare. He was very cute.

Ashley, Adam, and Aiden came to church with all of us on Sunday in Crystal Lake. Ashley friend, Mary from Denver, also.

On Monday Joe, Austin, and Dad played tennis. Austin and Dad played even more when all the others left after breakfast. Austin beat Dad.

Mom took the afternoon off. Andrea, Mom, Austin, and Dad went to the matinee movies in Fox Lake. We watched “Cloudy with a Chance of Meatballs” in 3D. It was a fun movie. It was a group effort of which movie to go to.

On Tuesday, Austin had an interview at University of Illinois at Chicago’s School of Dentistry. Dad took Austin to his appointment. After the interview, they had lunch together near the airport. Then Austin flew back to Salt Lake City. We had so much fun, we forgot to take pictures.

Dad ran his 2^nd 5K in Island Lake. His time was 24:10.

Dad's 5K run in Island Lake - October 17, 2009

Big Rocks First

A Story of Priorities and a Jar

Tips for Squeezing More into Your Life

I First Heard this from Stephen Covey

The following story is one that’s been circulating for awhile. I believe it holds a very important message regarding appropriately setting priorities in our lives. 



A professor of philosophy stood before his class with some items in front of him. When the class began, wordlessly he picked up a large empty mayonnaise jar and proceeded to fill it with rocks about two inches in diameter. He then asked the students if the jar was full. 



They agreed that it was full. 



So the professor then picked up a box of pebbles and poured them into the jar. He shook the jar lightly and watched as the pebbles rolled into the open areas between the rocks. The professor then asked the students again if the jar was full. 



They chuckled and agreed that it was indeed full this time. 



The professor picked up a box of sand and poured it into the jar. The sand filled the remaining open areas of the jar. “Now,” said the professor, “I want you to recognize that this jar signifies your life. The rocks are the truly important things, such as family, health and relationships. If all else was lost and only the rocks remained, your life would still be meaningful. The pebbles are the other things that matter in your life, such as work or school. The sand signifies the remaining “small stuff” and material possessions. 



If you put sand into the jar first, there is no room for the rocks or the pebbles. The same can be applied to your lives. If you spend all your time and energy on the small stuff, you will never have room for the things that are truly important. 



Pay attention to the things in life that are critical to your happiness and well-being.

Take care of the rocks first – things that really matter. Set your priorities.

The rest is just pebbles and sand.

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