The Living Christ

In December, the stake young women challenged all of the youth and leaders to memorize The Living Christ. We would work on it for 4 months, starting in December and ending in April (Christ's birth to Christ's death and resurrection). I knew it would be challenging for all especially for me because lately I have had a hard time memorizing things. But, I knew "All things are possible with Christ, which strenghtens me". I would take a paragraph a week and memorize it. It got harder as I went on but I persevered.
The week of Easter, we went up to Temple Square and recited it in front of the Christus. It was an unforgettable experience. Such power was present and the Holy Ghost testified to all there the truthfulness of the words we were speaking. I am so glad I did it. It was a huge accomplishment. I learned so much about the Savior from the words of The Living Christ. I am grateful for my Savior and all that he has done for me. One of my favorite lines is "He is the light, the life, and the hope of the world. His way is the path that leads to happiness in this life and eternal life in the world to come."

We bleed blue...

Who else to go to the Spring Blue/White game but the Talbot's in freezing cold weather?! We are true die hards. Of course, we went to Pizza Pie Cafe and spoiled the kids with all you can eat pizza and dessert. I love BYU!

April Fools

I think one of my favorite holidays is April Fools. April Fools is right below Christmas (and I mean very close second). If we got presents on April Fools, it would be at the top. This year I did not hold back at all. First, we put a For Sale sign on our front lawn. I know, not that original, but I did get some worried and sad neighbors. It was going to be a great day! I then went to my neighbors and seran wrapped her kitchen and toilet. I left a stuffed coyote (long story) in her garage entry. The coyote made everyone jump, even the Dad. Happy, happy day! I then did the samething to my next door neighbor. She was home all day so I only had about 15 minutes but I still was able to seran wrap her kitchen island and table and the toilets. I was on cloud 9. We went to a ward party and Paul banned me from doing any pranks (I agreed with him, it was a tougher crowd). When we came home our house was T.P. and they did a FANATASIC job. I got it good! It seemed that all my neighbors contributed a roll of toilet paper and/or watched the spectacle of T.P.ing the Talbot's. I was jumping up and down. It felt so good to show the love and receive the love in return. It was a wonderful, perfect day. Until next year...

This is what we came home to

This pic was the next morning

Wife of the week or decade?

Have you caught Jimmer fever? Paul's cousins go to the Mountain West Conference Tournament every year. They invite Paul every year. He has never gone so I thought now is the time. So, I coordinated with his cousin to get tickets for Paul. There were no tickets to be found. The only place was BYU but you had to be a cougar member. My dad is so I was able to purchase the tickets (all 11 of them). Hooray for me except I didn't think about when we got the credit card bill and Paul might notice a large charge from BYU tickets. I would check the mail every day. Of course, the day it comes, I missed it. Paul asked me what is this bill for $110 from BYU. I didn't know I said (that is the truth, I knew what the $2000 amount was for but not the $110). I told him I would look into it. I snatched that bill and hid it. If he would have looked on the back it, he would have seen the large amount (the $110 was a refund because they had overcharged us..Whew). I was able to keep it a secret until the day before and the only reason I told him then was so he could finish any loose ends from work. I was sooooo excited to tell him. I've never seen a grown man cry over BYU (j/k it just was a tear or two).

He carpooled with his cousins and had a wonderful time sitting through ALL the games. He did get sick but still screamed and cheered for BYU. They did so good and loved watching Jimmer. The highlight was the 52-shot game by Jimmer. A game that will go down in history. So the question is Am I the wife of the week or the decade?

Paul saw Jimmer's brother, TJ, in the crowd and snatched a picture with him. So cool! This is as close as it gets to Fredette's blood. Really great brother.

Ernest Edward Martinez

In front of his Grandma Sophie's home with his sister and brother

My husband is half Mexican. No one believes me because he does not look Mexican (except when he tans). His father was Ernest Martinez but his parents got a divorce when he was 2 and was eventually adopted by his dad, Randy Talbot, many years later. Paul did not have a relationship with Ernie for many years (about 15). He contacted him the year we were engaged because he was working in California but nothing came of it. After 5 years ago, Ernie called us up and wanted to come visit us. It was slow going but Paul and Ernie ended up having a good relationship over these past 5 years. Ernie suddenly passed away on March 17th. It was a surprise to all since he was in good health and relatively young (68). This sudden passing taught me never to take life for granted and to not have regrets. Our last conversation with Ernie was about Kailene's baptism. We wanted him to come but because of past feelings from other members of family, we felt it might not be appropriate, yet. So we let him know he was welcomed and we hoped one day that we could all be in the same room together. He understood and apologized for his past mistakes saying he was "knucklehead" but what gives him hope is when he reads in Alma about Alma the younger. He said if Alma can change, so can he.
Now we have just memories, few yet they are important and I am filled with gratitude that we had a relationship with him and that forgiveness was present.

We flew down and watched the BYU game with some dear friends. We spent the night with Sharon, Ernie's wife. It was nice to talk to her about him and even have some unanswered questions addressed. The funeral was nice. Paul spoke and pretty much gave the basics to our religion since the majority of the audience were not members (Ernie was the only member). He did a fantastic job. He also dedicated the grave which was beautiful. I am grateful for the knowledge of the plan of salvation, the atonement, and the resurrection. Life will go on after this life and we will see our loved ones again. Christ overcame death because of the resurrection. I am grateful for my testimony of the resurrection.

Picture taken at the stop light


We had some down time before our flight so we went to the LA temple. Wished we had more time to go through a session but instead we just ate dinner in the temple (Paul's favorite date). That temple is prime location. It is magnificient as you drive to it. The Visitor Center is really wonderful too.

Missionary youth conference

I have wanted to do a missionary experience for the youth for a long time. Finally, the time was right and the leaders put together (in 2 weeks!) a missionary youth conference. Because I had the ideas and asked other wards what they did, I was in charge. It was a huge project. I ate, slept and even dreamt about this missionary conference. It was a huge undertaking but I had wonderful leaders to help and a very supportive bishopric.

Each youth were called on a mission, paired up with a companionship and assigned to a district. They received a handbook filled of rules and guidelines. Choosing a companionship was much more difficult than anticipated. It became a very spiritual experience for those involved. We did ask a lot of these youth and, like always, they stepped up and took it seriously and rose to the occasion.

One of my favorite nights was when they went "tracking". We gave the youth a list of members from the ward and they needed to find their "golden family". The youth did not like to be rejected and when you asked the families, they didn't like to slam the door on them either. The ward members impressed me with their acting abilities.

The highlight for me was the testimony meeting. Each youth has the opportunity to go into a ward members home and teach them the first lesson that missionaries teach about the restoration and Joseph Smith. Our youth have such powerful testimonies. Our church is in good hands with these youth. At the end, the bishop released them which was extremely touching. Our bishop is emotional but this seemed different. For a couple of minutes, he couldn't get his bearings and it was complete silence. The Spirit was unrestrained and undeniable. A moment I will never forget.

Carl Bloch exhibit

I took my Young Women to the Carl Bloch exhibit at BYU. BREATHTAKING! It was a perfect activity. We rented the ipads which brought on a whole new experience. I am amazed at the talents of so many people. Talents that affect so many lives. Carl Bloch had an amazing talent that brings people closer to Christ. I aspire to have a talent like that. Here are my thoughts and feelings of that night...

Doubting Thomas: Faith vs Doubt-Do we have to see Christ to believe? You can not have faith and doubt. Believe is one of my favorite words because it encompasses so much-hope, peace, faith. The Spirit has testified of so many truths for me to doubt. I am struck by his shame by his lack of faith.

Gethsemane: This act alone was the single most important event in the history of human existence. "HIs life was to atone for the signs of all mankind" (Quoted from The Living Christ). This depiction of Christ suffering in Gethsemane closes the gap between an infinite suffering vs human suffering. HIs suffering was unbearable for a human being but Christ was infinite. Yet it still was harder than even He anticipated and in Luke 22:43 it states "an angel...strengthen[ed] him.

Pool of Bethesda: What is so remarkable about this picture is those that need to be healed wait by the pool. They are in close proximity, almost knowing that it is within reach. What the question is are they healed by the pool in front of them or by turning to the Savior to be healed?

Become as a little child: Here Christ is reminding us to be like little children "submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to his Father" (Mosiah 3:19). I also love how tenderly he is with other hand holding the child face. It almost is a protective touch, reminding me to take care of His children on earth. How much He loves the little children.

Come Unto Me: My favorite picture. There are many people in this picture that brings up points of discussion...the man leaning upon him for comfort, support and healing. The man resting on him as if seeking refuge and peace. The man in the back hesitating as if not feeling worthy. This pictures has a way to draw your attention to his eyes and his outstretched arms. Come unto Christ.