Tolo

David and Stephanie—his date to Tolo . . . now don’t they look SPIFFY!

My Girl Wants Cake . . .

Could this be why?

An Attempt to Explain . . .

why I made a strange, and mind you, quite embarrassing hiccupping/hyperventilating sound during the leaders’ song at New Beginnings this week. Yes, me, up front and center, crying and unable to breathe, much less sing. Sigh. It vaguely reminds of that time in 7th grade when I cried and hyperventilated while giving a speech in the Optimist’s speech competition or the time I was called up to speak extemporaneously at Stake conference, I had on my lovely ‘cry face’ and could barely get the words out . . . but those are stories for another time. Or not.

The Young Men and Young Women’s theme for 2010 is based on Joshua 1:9—Be Strong and of a Good Courage. Our young women did a lovely job singing songs of faith and courage, quoting scriptures and modern-day prophets. It was inspiring and I pretty much cried throughout the entire program. I’ve thought lots and lots about this and have tried to understand the depth of my emotion. I don’t know that I have a complete explanation but I do know that I love the young women in our ward. To hear their beautiful voices sing about their knowledge that they are daughters of God, how important the Savior is to them, and their determination to follow Him was very touching and definitely brought the spirit to the meeting. How blessed they are to have this knowledge.

As I looked around the room I thought about each of the girls individually and felt such a love and admiration for each of them—for their sweet personalities, spirits, talents, and for the good choices that they make daily. As I listened to them sing about being courageous and strong in a perilous world I hoped with all my soul that they would make these good choices all their lives—because I know that this is how they will find true and lasting happiness. I also know it is difficult sometimes, that they all—that we all—have struggles and this life is often not easy. As a leader I felt this desperate plea in my heart—please girls, hear these words, let them sink into your souls, understand your potential, understand how important you are, generations are depending on you—please, please be strong.

I thought about my own feelings of fear and insecurity—much of the time I feel anything but strong and courageous. Am I doing all I can to ensure that I will be able to “return to the Savior’s arms unashamed”? Am I living the gospel fully—rather than just “halfway”? How can I improve? How do I teach the young women and my children to be brave when I, myself, am fearful?

I thought of my children and how much I love them and want them to gain strong testimonies of Jesus Christ, to live the gospel, to be happy. Raising children is serious business and sometimes downright terrifying. I feel the weight of the calling. Am I doing enough? As a mother I worry so much about whether I am doing enough to teach them and help my children. Will our influence be enough to overpower the ways of the world? Will they be strong and courageous in defending our Savior, even as the world becomes more and more perilous? Will my daughters grow up with the knowledge that they are daughters of our Heavenly Father and that He loves them? Will they believe it in their hearts? As I listened to the young women sing about not compromising I prayed that they wouldn’t.

Basically—I guess I cried the entire time because I think too much . . . or because of this . . .

 

Not sure which . . . maybe a little of both?

 

Jenny Phillips--Valient Faith . . . one of the songs the young women sang at New Beginnings.

Keep it Cool . . . Old School

Today was errand day. Britta and I had great fun singing and beboping along to our new They Might Be Giants DVD—Here Come the 123’s. Here’s one of our favorite tunes.

My Personal Progress

I have the privilege of working with the Young Women in our ward—and I love it. About a year ago we challenged one another, as leaders, to complete the Personal Progress Program—hoping this would serve  as a motivation and example to the young women in our stewardship. The Personal Progress program is a goal-setting program that helps young women develop a testimony of Jesus Christ and prepare for temple covenants as well as future responsibilities. The Personal Progress Program focuses on the eight Young Women values—faith, divine nature, individual worth, knowledge, choice and accountability, good works, integrity, and virtue. I was particularly excited by this challenge since I joined the church when I was twenty-one and didn’t have the opportunity to complete the Personal Progress program when I was a young woman. Completing the program has always been a goal I’ve had for myself, especially once I had daughters.

I have always wanted to learn to knit a sweater. I have basic knitting skills but up to this point have mostly just knit scarves. I wanted to learn to knit something more complicated  and increase my skills at following a knitting pattern. Until now I’ve not made the time to improve my knitting skills—I guess it feels like an unaffordable luxury. There always seems to be so many things clamoring for my time and attention that this personal goal is consistently put aside. I don’t think this is particularly wise necessarily but haven’t quite figured out how to reconcile my desire to create with my day-to-day responsibilities and busyness. I’m a work in progress. With this Personal Progress challenge, though,  my opportunity had finally arrived. How could I feel guilty knitting if it were for a Personal Progress project, for my church calling no less. 

As soon as I decided to plunge in and learn to knit a sweater, for my knowledge project, I knew immediately that I wanted to give it to a sweet sister in the ward and her little miracle baby (they are all little miracles really, but this one was particularly long-awaited). This sister and I  have both tasted of the trials of infertility and she has always been an incredible example to me of a stalwart, faithful, woman who follows the spirit. Her example was especially meaningful to me when my faith was at it’s weakest, when I was at the point where I did not think I could handle my trial a moment more—during my fourth watch so to say.

I will never forget the day my friend told me she was pregnant. I was overcome with joy and gratitude and I just cried and cried. It’s hard to explain completely but in that moment my testimony was strengthened ten-fold. In that moment I KNEW  that our God is still a God of miracles, that HE answers prayers, that He is in charge. Even more importantly, in that moment I KNEW that He loves us and He knows us.

I hope that her sweet baby will always know what a blessed little miracle she is, and that even in her young age she has been an instrument in the Lord’s hands . . . because every time I see her I am reminded of our Heavenly Father’s love. I can’t thank her enough.

David’s HEART ATTACK!!!

A question was posed . . .

An answer was given . . .

A fun memory for the whole family . . .

What does TOLO stand for anyway?

We Love You Too . . .

Sweet Baby Girl. Looks like Daddy was right once again!