The Francis Family: Merry Christmas!!

Monday, December 27, 2010

Merry Christmas!!

Merry Christmas everyone! Here we are--a new family of four! The best gift this year was the birth of our new son, Austin! It's crazy how we ever felt complete before he was here.

Speaking of children, we are so grateful for the birth of our savior, Jesus Christ. What a miracle that He really came into the world to save us from our sins. We are so grateful for Him and know that because of Him our family can be together forever. We hope everyone's Christmas was filled with love and peace! Merry Christmas!!

8 comments:

texansusan said...: What a cute, cute baby! We need to have you over to we can see him!; December 28, 2010 at 7:59 AM
Jacob and Kalli Hiller said...: What a beautiful family!; December 28, 2010 at 9:06 AM
Cindy said...: Congrats! Beautiful family and you look so good Shannon!; December 28, 2010 at 12:04 PM
Michael and Kyndra said...: Shannon you look beautiful in these pictures!! I would never guess you just had a baby. Congratulations!; December 29, 2010 at 12:15 PM
Julie said...: Congratulations on the birth of Austin! Hope you all had a great Christmas!; December 29, 2010 at 3:16 PM
The Elledges said...: Merry Christmas! thanks for the earrings! I love them... in fact I'm wearing them right now :) we still have to skype when I get back in town.; December 29, 2010 at 9:25 PM
Claire Bertin said...: You look great, Shannon! Congratulations on the new baby boy! He's beautiful!; January 2, 2011 at 4:55 PM
Harry and Suzanne said...: What a beautiful, beautiful family you are! The pictures are great! We are going to put the one you sent in a frame--we'll look at it every day! Love you all lots and lots!; January 6, 2011 at 8:57 PM

The Articles of Faith of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints

1. We believe in God, the Eternal Father, and in His Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
2. We believe that men will be punished for their own sins, and not for Adam's transgression.
3. We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.
4. We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the Gospel are: first, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; second, Repentance; third, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins; fourth, Laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.
6. We believe in the same organization that existed in the Primitive Church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, and so forth.
7. We believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, and so forth.
8. We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly; we also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
9. We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that He will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
10. We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive its paradisiacal glory.
11. We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may.
12. We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.
13. We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul—We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

A Beautiful Quote

"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails. I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp. I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children. want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someone's garden. I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder. I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived." Marjorie Pay Hinckley