Opening Up to Spiritual Growth - Count Your Blessings

 

Today in church, we sang 'Count Your Blessings,' and it hit me so hard I almost started ugly crying. The past few months have been incredibly heavy, and I really needed that reminder. Focusing on gratitude and remembering God's goodness is such a powerful cure for worry, burdens, and doubt. It encouraged me to find hope in my struggles by trusting in Him and reminded me that recognizing our blessings brings real comfort, spiritual strength, and the power to keep going.

These two verses in particular....

V2. Are you ever burdened with a load of care?
Does the cross seem heavy you are called to bear?

Count your many blessings; ev'ry doubt will fly,

And you will be singing as the days go by.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;

See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;

See what God hath done. 

V4. So amid the conflict, whether great or small, 

Do not be discouraged; God is over all.

Count your many blessings; angels will attend,

Help and comfort give you to your journey's end.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your blessings;

See what God hath done.

Count your blessings;

Name them one by one.

Count your many blessings;

See what God hath done. 

Opening Up to Spiritual Growth - Studying the Book of Mormon

Today at church everyone was baring their testimonies of their excitement of the 2024 Come Follow Me program which is studying the Book of Mormon. I concur with them. I'm exciting too!

Our first week of studies was on the introductory pages of the Book of Mormon. This consisted of the title page, testimony of the three witnesses, testimony of the eight witnesses, testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the brief explanation about the book of Mormon.

As I've pondered what I've read this past week what I keep thinking about is Joseph's father. In Prophet Joseph Smith's testimony he speaks of having been taught by the Angel Moroni and after the third visit he went to work but was exhausted and his father noted it and sent him home. He didn't make it all the way home before the Angel appeared to him again and told him to tell his father, among other things. What has impressed me was his fathers response. "He replied to me that it was of God, and told me to go and do as commanded by the messenger." I've thought a lot about that this week. How impressive and how spiritual he must have been to respond to his son as he did.

In addition, the following were great reads:

The Book of Mormon: What Would Your Life Be Like without It? by President Russell M. Nelson. Quote, "We need to feel, deep in "the inmost part" of our hearts, that the Book of Mormon is unequivocally the word of God. We must feel it so deeply that we would never want to live even one day without it."

Our Light in the Wilderness. by President Henry B. Eyring. Quote, "Sometimes we need to look back on our lives to remember how we have been helped on our journey. As we look back, we can feel the Savior's influence again. When the scriptures say, "Remember, remember" (Helaman 5:12), I think they're telling us, "Don't just remember what you once knew or felt; rather, feel that light again.""

Opening Up to Spiritual Growth - Parking of the Sacrament

Today I had an opportunity to sit in on the 5th Sunday rather than go to primary and I'm so happy I did. As a group we reviewed instruction from Elder Neil L. Andersen regarding Reverence, Joy, and Power in Partaking of the Sacrament and discussed some of his steps and what our ward's goal is in this regard. 

Steps:

1. Anticipating at Home - I noted striving to prepare and be worthy. I'm not always so great at making sure I'm prepared prior to leaving my house but from my house to the church I've always got inspirational music playing to help me. My goal is to work better at preparing more prior to leaving the house!

2. Rejoin in the Foyer - I noted that greaters and visiting in the foyer prior to entering the chapel will help us socialize but also help us keep the chapel a reverent place.

3. Preparing in the Chapel - I noted being seated at least 5 minutes prior to the start of the meeting, which I usually am. I love when there is prelude music as its a continuation from my preparation from leaving the car.  The primary song words Shhhh.... be still, come to mind.

4. Partaking of the Sacrament - I noted personally ponder the atonement. 

5. Confirming in the meeting - I noted accept invitation to speak. Also, what helps me stay focused is to take notes and to listen to the promptings and noting those promptings. When I do this I gain a lot more from the meeting.

6. Rejoicing in the foyer - I noted again a time to socialize OUTSIDE of the chapel. I generally don't take advantage of this as I'm headed straight to primary to fulfill my calling.

7. Returning to home - we didn't actually get to this part as we ran out of time but Elder Neil L Andersen noted 'always remembering Jesus Christ, Always having His spirit.'

These are my reads right now and highly recommend! Listen Learn & Love I've recently re-read, A Better Heart I'm currently reading and Love Boldly is next.

The Book of Mormon 30 Day Reading Schedule

Tonight for Family Home Evening we discussed starting a new family scripture reading schedule. After much discussion we decided that as a family we'll start reading the Doctrine and Covenants.  Adrianna and Eli decided they'll continue to read the Book of Mormon for their personal scripture study.  

While I was looking for a reading schedule chart to help the kids out I came across a Book of Mormon 30 Day Reading Schedule and found myself pausing.  I've NEVER read the Book of Mormon in 30 days.  It's always taken months with lots of studying, pondering and I'll admit a few missed nights.

I then found a .pdf document titled All the Book of Mormon Page Titles   and found myself rather excited to find such a gem.  So between starting the schedule and the chance to record page titles while reading I'm pretty excited about my personal scripture study!  

Service for the Community

Well after months and months of talking, planning, organizing, etc. the day arrived!

What a fantastic couple hours this morning it was! Les was the driver while Adrianna, Eli, my girlfriend Cassandra, her daughter Savannah and myself walked around the same route we walked 6 days ago only this time to pick up the filled grocery bags of food for our local food bank. Then it was off to the church to drop off all the bags and help unload the continual stream of filled cars.  What an eye opener to see just how generous the community has been. Bags upon bags upon bags of food weighed, separated, loaded into banana boxes, loaded onto trucks and delivered directly to our local food bank.

THANK YOU to all those that donated it touched our hearts to see how willing people were to help out the less fortunate within our own community.

**UPDATE**The results are in! 153, 960 addresses visited, 14,752 hours of volunteer time, 247, 605 pounds of food collected, $672, 852 value of support raised! Thank you SO much everyone! What an amazing job!

Service

I love to serve.  It makes me feel great.  I feel useful.  However, for some reason at this moment serving others seems to be coming a little easier than service within my home.  It might have something to do with this......

Ring a ding ding!!

Adrianna bought this beautiful crystal bell a few weeks back at an antique store.  She fell in love with it instantly.  She's certainly gotten her monies worth out of it the last couple of days!  Eli loves it - he jumps up to serve in what ever capacity is needed as soon as he hears it.  Eli teaches me much. 

REALLY she hasn't rung it too often and yes I've been trying to make her as comfortable as possible, I've just noticed how sometimes in our lives we seem to be quicker to serve others then those right in front of us.  So busy trying to make others lives easier when we could be doing the same within arms reach. 

My heart goes out to her as she gingerly tries to navigate herself throughout the house.  I wish it could be me.  I wish I could take all the pain and misery away but I can't. Soon it'll heal and soon we'll forget these uncomfortable days but hopefully we won't forget the little lessons of life we learn with them. 

My sweet girl resting

 What melts my heart is when you see children serving children.  No parents involved.  Just pure kindness, thoughtfulness and a desire to serve.  THAT is a beautiful moment.

Thank you Kathryn & Ethan!!

Sledding in the Summer is Possible!

Adrianna with the young women (church group) went ice blocking.  Confused?  She was given a solid block of ice.  What then?  She covered the block with a towel (a little protection for the butt) then sat on the ice block and slid down the hill.  Basically sledding in the summer time!  Crazy?  Maybe but LOTS of fun!! 

Ready.....Set..........

GO!!!!!

Again.....

WAHOO!!!!
Oops, towel failure!!

Increasing bravery...

PLUS the view was gorgeous!

18 Months in the Making

Two Super Saturday's ago (yes you read that correctly).  I signed up to make a new family home evening chart but I was also teaching a class so needless to say I never got to mine.  Well...... 18 months later and I've finally completed it and also remembered why I don't often do these kinds of crafts!!  That said I'm very happy with how it turned out!

Old to New

I Love to See the Temple

A decision we had made prior to heading on our family road trip was to try and see as many LDS Temples as we could. Here are pictures for five of the six we saw (we also saw the Portland Temple from the hwy but didn't stop).

Oakland California Temple

Oakland California Temple

Oakland California Temple

Oakland California Temple

Los Angeles California Temple

Los Angeles California Temple

Los Angeles California Temple

San Diego California Temple

San Diego California Temple

San Diego California Temple

(taken from Hwy)

Fresno California Temple

Fresno California Temple

Medford Oregon Temple

Medford Oregon Temple

Youth Today

Being the YW's President for a church calling it gives me the opportunity to not only work with girls ages 12 to 18 but specifically focus my attention on those girls that are ages 16 to 18.

This past weekend they had a Tri-Stake Priest/Laurel Conference where they met up with other youth their age (male and female) from the lower mainland, Island and Interior BC. It was a fun weekend filled with workshops, dances, food and good old comradery!

I wonder if I was as amazing as these youth are at their age? What strength and love they have not only for each other but for the gospel in their lives!

Pictured with three of my YW (and a male friend of one of the girls) with the Vancouver Canada Temple behind us.

Are You or Were You a Paper Eater?

Driving home with four girls ranging in the ages of 11 to 16 (1 of them being my daughter) the question came up whether it was okay to eat paper. Seriously eat paper?

Me: I don't ever remember eating paper but we certainly had lots of spitball wars!

11 year old: I think it's okay to eat paper.

13 year old: We use to pretend it was gum.

16 year old: Yeah, we did that too and I know lots of people that use to eat paper and they've turned out just fine.

Me: REALLY? Never thought of that one! Question - what about all the ink that is being digested?

General Consensus from all: No worries.

11 year old (proudly my daughter): I eat paper so I don't have to take it to recycling.

Me: WHAT????? As I'm almost peeing myself laughing. She MUST take after her father. Right?!

Tonight was Les's turn to teach the lesson for FHE (Family Home Evening)........

Les: I thought tonight we would learn about budgeting/finances again, it's been a while (as he pulls out the Monopoly money).

Adrianna: Yes! I LOVE doing that!!

Good-bye April. HELLO May.

This years spring break (a month off school) was such a relaxing, busy, emotional, fun, uplifting month.......spent time with great friends, went on a road trip, had the Vancouver Temple open house, saw people we haven't seen in years, had family visit, did some day trips, went to a cultural event put on by the youth in the Vancouver Temple District and participated in the dedication of the Vancouver Temple. I just haven't wanted it to end but as the saying goes 'all good things must come to an end'.
Yesterday in particular was such an uplifting, emotional, exciting day. To be with my family during the first dedicatory service and watch the cornerstone ceremony. Cool. I hope my children will someday understand just how cool that was. Later in the day my sister Trish and I participated in another dedicatory service. What uplifting messages and music from each session! Makes me wish I hadn't missed the 12 o'clock dedicatory service. WE NOW HAVE AN OPERATING TEMPLE IN OUR AREA!!!

After a nice spring break and spiritual uplift I now find ourselves getting back into a routine where the 'have to's' can no longer be put off. It feels like the responsibilities and obligations are already piling up but I guess that's the realities of life but I sure do have some great memories to cherish!!

A Beacon To The World

For the last three days we've been billeting 4 girls from Vancouver Island and driving them back and forth each day to Langley to attend the Temple Youth Celebration and as a youth leader I've had the opportunity to help out a little each night.

Very late nights and very early mornings have brought us to this moment........

A BEACON TO THE WORLD

(pictured above - the finale)

Just over 1200 youth from the Vancouver Temple District aged 12 to 18 put on the show of their lives tonight and it was INCREDIBLE!! Bravo to everyone involved!!

It ALMOST made me wish to be a youth again to experience such a FANTASTIC opportunity of friendship, the gospel, love, unity, sleep deprivation and just pure FUN. Instead I got to experience it as an adult/leader which still included all the above experiences just with added responsibility.

LDS Temple Tour

Today is the last day for the open house of the LDS Vancouver Temple so the kids and I thought we'd go through one last tour.

We said good bye to Grandma and Grandpa Haddad (heading home) and to Les (heading to work) then hit the road ourselves to catch one of the first tours of the day.

We went a couple days ago with grandma and grandpa Haddad but we didn't get any pictures. The weather was nice but there were people EVERYWHERE. Next time they come down we'll get some pictures. The last time we had pictures taken in front of a Temple with them was the day Les and I got married (in Hawaii). I'm looking forward to new pictures with the addition of Adrianna and Eli!

It has been an incredible couple weeks. Having the opportunity to volunteer during the open house and see so many people I haven't seen in 2, 4, 10 even 14 years and to witness strangers touched by such an amazing building. I'll never forget two little old ladies walking out of the temple and one leaned over to her friend and said, "I was expecting it to be beautiful but not breathtaking."

Often we'll ask each other what was your favourite? I can easily answer that question. Being with my husband and children. Sitting in the Celestial room being able to look over at my mother-in-law and father-in-law and having my sweet boy lean over and say, "I don't have a favourite mom. The whole Temple feels like how it felt before coming to earth." Tears I tell you. Lots and lots of happy tears.

The Neatest Cleaning Assignment

No pun intended with the title of this entry but I am SO excited about my new Temple cleaning assignment that myself and many others from our Temple District have volunteered to do.

It looks like the assignment will only happen about once ever six weeks but I can't wait and hope I will learn quickly to do as good of a job as what is expected. Nothing but the best - #1 brings a whole new meaning to me now.

What's even more exciting is that myself and many of those volunteers were able to have a tour of the Temple tonight. I don't have the words to express the beauty of this building nor my emotions that at times felt overloaded.

I can't wait to attend the open house with my family and share the beauty and significance of the Temple with them.

There is just one more thing that made the evening incredible. Walking in and seeing my sweet Aunt Patricia with her beautiful smiling face and later the hugest welcoming hug from Uncle Ted that's what this is all about - FAMILY!

I Love To See The Temple

What still seems so hard to believe is that we can drive by the Vancouver Temple while getting errands done in Langley!

I don't think I've ever really thought of living close to a Temple. I've grown up always driving to one and it's never bothered me that's just how it always was. However, today Les and I drove by the Vancouver Temple and today and it hit me like a ton of bricks. Wow! We are approximately 20 minutes away and its so easy to add a drive by to our days activities. I am so excited for my children to have that ability a part of their lives.

Cupcakes

What I learned to do today.

Aren't they too beautiful to eat?!

The Gift Of Christmas Cards

The kids and I spent a couple hours this afternoon helping a lady finish up her Christmas cards, you see she just returned home from the hospital after having a heart attack a few days ago. Our intention was to visit her at the hospital but by the time we got there she was already back at home.

I wanted to express how grateful I am for such awesome teaching experiences I can share with my children. We never planned to do service today the opportunity presented itself to us and we took it. Really when we showed up at her door Christmas cards was not my first thought when asking how we could help.

It might have only been writing Christmas cards, sealing them and putting stickers on envelopes but this lady truly loves to send out cards with a personalized message in each and I know it meant a lot to her that we took the time to help out. I know I was touched by all her beautiful messages individualized to each person and family.

Today at church we were reminded that as we get closer to celebrating the birth of our Saviour to think of the gifts we give and receive and that they can be packaged many different ways. I think my children gave a gift from the heart today that they may not fully understand but that they'll remember for a long time.