Special stake conference

Today there was a special five stake conference broadcast from Little Rock with Elder Jeffrey R Holland presiding. Elder Michael Beheshti of the 6th quorum, of the 70, expressed when he heard the news of Elder Holland and Elder Uchtedorf coming he couldn't sleep. He soon realized it was because of their capabilities to help us feel of the saviors life or instruct us as the Savior would. He said no matter what they ask or instruct today, he's going go to do it. I can testify from my experience yesterday that I did feel of the love of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. Those two apostles reflected the love of Christ.
Here are a few thoughts that I took from it today:
ElderJ Klebingat: the Lord orchestrates things in our life that are only for us because he knows us. The Lord puts wings on testimonies and they travel. Two pains in life are pain of discipline and the pain of regret. If you do what you are suppose to there will be blessings and if you do not, those blessings will be absent. Heavenly Father loves us on the good days and bad days. He loves us with a perfect love. We need to bring our best that day. Don't compare and rank, accept and love. Our shortcomings/trials would be unfair if we did not have the Son. Get back up, repent, and move on. Look forward to that pleasing bar of God, because if we have repented, he has forgotten them (our shortcomings) and there will not be much to talk about.
Sister Klebingat bore her testimony of the truthfulness of the church. She speaks along with Helaman in Helaman 5:5, that we must remember. Remember, remember that Christ is the only one that can save us and we must fortify ourselves. If we build, we can not fall...nothing can bring us down. The gospel is a true diamond and everything else is just a glass imitation.
Elder D. Uchtdorf:
Find harmony in your wards and in your families. We all have needed voices...not great but perfect together. The gospel gives us orientation. He said he felt lost not knowing the direction until the sun came up this morning and he knew which way was East and then knew which way the river was flowing. The Lord pro,uses us that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ we have a new day and orientation. Be patient to clear days. Some days are tempered with clouds but the sun will always shine again, maybe another day but it'll shine. Use the gospel to soar to new heights. Think locally about how we can better expand and share what we have. Our meetings should always be a source of invitation. Let's not wait until something comes from headquarters because it won't. Do something now. You are the church. Bible has such a powerful message. You are in the Bible Belt, use it and help make it the Book of Mormon belt too. When you talk to your friends, don't miss the beauty of the Bible nor the beauty of the restoration. He mentioned his talk "lift where you stand" and encouraged us to re-read it and make it locally. Make sure you show interest in people. Look for new faces and ask them who they are. Reach out to people. Help the young people to walk through life. Find joy in this great work. Life isn't easy but it's wonderful to serve the Lord. Be a radiance to people, bring light to the lives of others.
Elder Holland:
Do you know what it's like to travel with Elder Uchtdorf, the ladies always go nuts and the men try to stand a little taller. He (Elder Uchtdorf) had taught its not where you serve in the church but how you serve. He made a funny that when stake presidents are released they pray and fast to be nursery workers and those who don't fast and pray hard enough, go to Boy Scouts. Haha. It's not where you serve but how. The organization chart of the church is not anything a corporation can do or the government. It guarantees that the keys of the kingdom are every absent on earth. Sometimes we are so close to history that we do not know we are making it. Do you think you are the only person in this world that has had a bad day? Neither you or I are the only ones that faced things we never want to face. Sometimes there isn't any other way but to have these things happen. Christ was the only who could do what he did and there was no other way. Have we ever thought enough what the father went through watching his perfect son agonize and go through what his son did. The atonement wasn't an abstraction and the crucifixion was not a walk in the park. The people who stood by and heard this conversation between God and Jesus, some thought it was thunder and some thought an angel speaking. Lesson one- we are the ones on trial not the gospel. How do you hear it and how do you respond too it. Another lesson is the night before crucifixion and last supper, a women poured ointment on Christ. Some wondered why waste ointment. Christ said leave her alone "she hath done what she could" (Mark 14:8) Elder Holland says do what you can and we ought to do that and not less. Do what you can! Whether in church service, raising a family, or having family home evening. And lastly, love one another. It's this simple- LOVE EACH OTHER. That's the way people in the world will know you are a disciple of Christ is by loving one another. We know God is God because he loves us. We may break his heart but he loves us. Do what you can go and love each other. Life and life the truth- the simplicity and its power. Left an apostolic blessing to bless us in our marriages, families, children, those struggling. We leave a blessing fir you to know God lives and lives you and if we do what we can, we will be saved in the last day.

A rare opportunity to sit at the feet of the apostles

Our snow days continued and we ended up having four snow days, total over the course of five days of school (we were our Monday for MLK day anyway). Jake loves the snowy weather and spent much time in front of the window.  We spent time playing games as a family and they (not me) played outside in it.  Charity had to go to work on Thursday but there was still decent amount of ice, so she and Becky spent the night with us and Jake drove her to work the next morning.  I was very happy that he recommended that they stay here and drove her. 
Yesterday, I had a very rare opportunity (because of my calling in stake young womens) to sit at the feet of two ordained apostles and two members of the seventy and hear their testimonies and counsel in Little Rock Arkansas.  At the end of the meeting we were also able to shake their hands but my favorite part by far was how personable they are and just listening. I felt overcome with love for them and although they have absolutely no clue who I am, I felt their love.  After each spoke about 20-30 minutes there was a very casual question and answer question for about an hour and a half and the meeting ended with three (Elder J Klebingat of the Seventy, Elder Dieter Uchtdforf of the twelve, and Elder Jeffrey R Holland of the twelve) bearing their testimony of the restored gospel and the Savior. The spirit witnessed to my hear that these are men of God and do help lead his church today. 
Here are a few things that stood out to me as the spoke:
Elder J Klebinget:
Elder Klebinget gave the counsel that there are three things that we need to be doing. First, spend more time on prevention than rescue. Be aware of resources available on LDS,org and act immediately when you see someone in need. Secondly, the importance of daily, family, and weekly worship.  Examine yourself and ask where you are in the faith? Are you kind? Are you neighborly, etc...?  He counseled to be an anchor of strength. The church will only supplement, it gives us the milk but the meat should come from within the home. Third, he explained that there is a difference in a faithful question and a doubt. Faithful questions come from our knees and hearts. D&C 52:14-16 He said not ask questions if you have already abandoned the commandment; do not bail and then try to figure it out. We may subliminally reject things because they seem to hard. Doubts not transferred to inquiry have no place. Do not point fingers and make people feel guilty but love and listen. Meekness provides a soft landing in hard places. Everything that we say/do is recorded. Couch our questions/concerns about what you already know as the truth and do not assume because you do not know that someone else does not know. Help those that struggle to do their own search in their homes. Do not ask the Pharisees about Christ but ask Peter, James, and John, meaning if you want to know about something ask someone who truly knows. D&C 21:1-5
Elder Uchtdorf:
There is saying back home that "the tone makes the music", you are the tone of this area. You know your people and how to touch their hearts.  We all have seasons in the life where we serve the Lord in certain callings. It is not an advancement, it is a season and a privilege (hearing this touched many people because he was not called back to the first presidency and is the only man that can teach this lesson to the world). Use your time charted to build the kingdom of God. He then referenced a talk he gave entitled "Lift where you Stand",  to accept and serve where we stand. Cease to aspire and cease to retire. Build the kingdom in your own area of responsibility. We can not connect the dots ahead of us, we can only connect the dots behind us.  MEEK BOLDNESS. He then counseled to make sure our young people are deeply rooted in seminary and institute and not to underestimate the power of seminary because you learn with your hearts and eternalize it.  God knows you, he trusts you. He wants you to succeed and you will succeed. Love God and each other and you can not fail.
Elder Jeffrey R Holland:
We need to elevate everybody. Communication is essential and in this church we are in it together. He then read the parable of the fig tree in Matthew 21:17-20 and expressed the fig tree was forever cursed because it was not faithful in what it was created to do.  If you say you are a fig tree, then be a fig tree. Produce figs, not just leaves. Be a fig tree. The 2nd coming started 185 years ago when Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ appeared to a young boy. Are we just leaves? Where is the product of our fig tree? Do you understand? We must bear the fruit of our labor. Individual apostasy may occur but never an institutional apostasy. We need to look like disciples of Christ. Be the latter day Saint the Lord expects you to be. Search your soul as an individual and ask: If every member of the church were just like me, would this be recognized as the church of Christ?  Your kindness? Efforts? Neighborness? Do not have a hear attack trying to be perfect but are you moving in that direction? James taught the tongue is like fire. We can do things with our tongues that we can not do with bats or weapons. Love God and love each other and things will fall into place.

January Snow Day

Will was able to enjoy a lunch and couple hours shopping with his Nana and myself to celebrate his birthday. He chose Italian for lunch. It was nice to have just some time with him because it seldom happens.  Last week, our dear prophet, Thomas S Monson, passed away. He was a man that spent his life an example of service from what I can tell, although I did not know him personally.  There is a peace that comes from knowing the church will not falter yet continue to go on. If history carries on, Russel M Nelson should by sustained as the next prophet. Yesterday the funeral was broadcasted and we would usually be in school but we had a snow day.  Roads were covered with ice and it has not risen about freezing today but the sun did come out and melt a little of it.  My mind has been weighed down the past few days trying to think of ways to serve my sisters or to brighten their days.  Charity has been a little discouraged but believes it is partially pregnancy hormones and the time of the year. Mom was up Thursday evening, so we went to dinner for Charity's birthday.  Mom, Charity, and Beck's meal was each $50 + but I managed to just spend $13, some of that may be accredited to the fact that I was not very sure of what the menu items were and another part that I can not justify spending that much on a meal. Sandra seems to have a lot going on with Brent's back not in good shape. Causing her to not have much patience with Charity getting help right now because she wants it too.  I imagine it is difficult and know how it feels to have a husband there but unable to do much due to health issues. But at the same time at least she has a husband and does not have to worry about working too and securing child care.  How I wish I could just help them all and ease the burdens.  I have find joy in seeing others happy.

Say What...our Will is 10!

Happy 10th birthday to our eldest son, who keeps me on my toes, tries my patience, yet brings me so much joy.  Jacob William, you my love, are quite a rambunctious one but have one of the kindest hearts that I know.  I have watched you open doors for people, help others carrying things, and be kind in various ways. Will, you are also the child I physically lose sleep worrying over and wanting to help. We are planning to work on gratitude so that you are not sad as often and can seek out the good in situations. My wish is for you to live life, love life, finding joy in the journey, and being accountable for your actions. You have so much good to bring in to this world and shine. You are excellent at math and whiz through it.For your birthday this year we played games at the arcade and saw the movie Jumanji.

According to you:
You currently want to be when you grow up police officer.
Your favorite color is turquoise. 
 Your favorite show is "Star Wars". 
Your favorite game is Star Wars Battlefront 2.
Your favorite toy or activity is crafts. 
Your favorite girl is mom.
You are really good at baseball, no, building, building.
Your best friend is Nicholas Clutch.
You want to vacation to Hawaii volcano. 
Your favorite ice cream is mint chocolate. 
Your wish is to be a police officer.
Your hero is mom or dad. 
Your favorite thing to do with your friends is to play video games. 
Your favorite holiday is Christmas, the closes holiday to my birthday.
Your favorite person in the whole world is my family.
Your favorite song is "Can't stop the Feeling" by Justin Timberlake.
Your favorite restaurant is Texas de' Brazil.
Your favorite foods are:steak, chicken legs, and alfredo.
 If you had $1000 you would buy a swimming pool.

Grammy as a little girl

This is an image of Ralph Smith (Grandpa Smith), Doris Tait Smith (Grandma Smith), Vance Smith, and AltaLynn Smith Farrell (Grammy-Jake's mom).

Happy New Years 2018

I just realized that I did not wish Will a happy birthday, so that post is coming tomorrow when he is awake. We left Odessa on 12/28 that evening and headed for Abilene to spend the evening with Tommie and his family. In Abilene we enjoyed playing games with Tommie's family and pizza.  The next morning (Friday) we began our trek home. Jake was not feeling so I was privileged to drive the majority of the way.  Saturday we took down our Christmas decorations and I prepared for the dance that evening.  As I headed to Sams, Charity had sent a text that she was sad, so I swung by her place and made her and the kids come with me. It was good to get her out of the house. Jake was kind enough to come and cook chicken tenders and french fries in the turkey fryer for me.  New Years eve fell on Sunday this year. Our Sunday school lesson opened with us being asked to write down five things that we want to accomplish in life.  The five things I listed were: become forgiving and patient, unselfishness, gratitude developed for myself and helping my children develop gratitude, debt free, and to know Christ and help my children know Christ. There are times in my life where I feel that each of those are a weakness in my life and I desire to be better  Jake did not feel well so I took the kids to church alone and later that evening we spent most of the evening at Charity's. Most of the evening at Charity's was quite enjoyable, loud but enjoyable. Sandra's family, mom, and Becky were also there.  As we played a couple games, I felt a little sad that Jake was not there and my mind turned to how alone and sad Charity must feel often that Robert is no longer there and how she must miss companionship.  Today dad drove up and we had our good luck lunch here at my place. Mom cooked most of it consisting of: fried chicken, homemade buttermilk cornbread (possibly the best I have ever tasted), black eyed peas, very peppery cabbage, cheesy potatoes, and chicken flavored noodles. It was a tasty meal.