Family History Journal: My Spouse

Questions 25 and  27:  How did you meet your spouse?  Describe your courtship.

Alfredo and I met in a singles ward.  Alfredo was raised Jewish; his mother is of Jewish descent.  One day he met a guy (named Conrad)  at the mall who invited him to come play soccer with other guys from church.  He went.  Then Conrad called him every Sunday for weeks and weeks to invite him to church.  Alfredo always declined.  Finally one week he said yes, thinking that if he went, Conrad would stop calling each week.  But, of course, that isn't what happened.  He went and went again.  Soon he was meeting with the missionaries.  Not long after that, he was baptized.  I met him shortly before he was baptized but didn't really know him.  But after he got baptized, he attended the singles ward that Conrad and I were both in.  We had a lot of mutual friends, and so we often hung out in groups.  He would come to our Family Home Evening, held at the Bishop's house, and then most weeks, many of us would go to his apartment to watch movies or play games.  We became friends.  It was a year and a half after he got baptized that we began dating.  He often cooked me dinner and we went on lots of group dates.  He was very fun to be around...he is very social and has a sense of humor.  He was also very kind and respectful and made me feel so good about myself.  We dated for about four months before we got engaged.  I was 25.  It was my third year of teaching and I was being trained as a literacy coordinator for my school, so I spent a total of 5 weeks in California that school year undergoing training (spread out throughout the year.). He proposed at my apartment the night before I was leaving for one of these weeks of training.  He had planned to take me to a nice dinner, but I wasn't feeling well so we stayed at my apartment and watched a movie with friends.  After the movie ended, he got down on one knee and proposed.  We got married in the Salt Lake Temple six months later, on August 3.  It was a beautiful day...practically perfect...it was cloudy which made it cool...but it didn't start raining until about three minutes after we finished taking our pictures.  Then it rained most of the day, but since we were inside the rest of the day, it was okay.  I am so grateful for all that Alfredo does for our family.  He is a very hard worker.  He adores his girls,  and they love their dad.  He still has that sense of humor.  He is good at fixing things and does much of our automobile maintenance, home improvement projects, etc.  He is very organized.  He doesn't cook often, but he is a very good cook.  (And actually since I was called as Relief Society President, he has been cooking lunch on Sunday nearly every week.).  He is good at yard work which is something I don't enjoy.  He is good at many things that I am not, and vice versa.  I am grateful to have him in my life.

Why I Like Lagoon Better Than Disneyland

I know, I know.  No one likes Lagoon better than Disneyland.  Probably not really me, either.  But I am not an amusement park person.  Rides tend to make me sick.  And on our only trip to Disneyland, I didn't have a cell phone yet and at one point the girls and I got separated from Alfredo for what felt like forever.  It made me very anxious.  So while Disneyland was magical, it was also very stressful for me.

So here's what I like about Lagoon:
1.  It's much closer to home.  No long drive to get to Lagoon.
2.  We get in for free (once a year) for Alfredo's company Lagoon Day.  Free to go to Lagoon, very expensive to go to Disneyland.
3.  On the days we went to Disneyland, it was very busy.  Long lines and long waits for most of the rides.  At Lagoon, the lines were mostly pretty short.  Many of the rides, we walked right on.  Michelle and Alfredo rode Wicked three times.  Michelle was able to ride Collossus and the other rides she likes.  Ella and Gabby were able to ride all of the rides they like.
4.  Lagoon has a water park.  It's nice to cool off on a hot day.
5.  The biggest reason that Lagoon is fun is that on the company day, we have a lot of friends there at Lagoon.  The girls have friends to go on rides with.  Alfredo and I can easily split up...he can ride the roller coasters with friends and with Michelle.  I can stay with the younger girls.  Throughout the day, we see and talk to and enjoy time with friends.
6.  Every year, at the luncheon, there are drawings.  One of the prizes is a huge propane grill.  Two years ago, Alfredo's name was drawn and we won that wonderful grill.  This year, his name was drawn again....another grill was ours.  We actually used the money toward a dishwasher.  Our dishwasher hasn't worked for at least two years now.  So now, we have a dishwasher that is not named Jenny or Alfredo (or Michelle or Ella or Gabby).  I used it for the first time today. It was wonderful!

Because Michelle spent most of the day with Alfredo, I didn't get very many pictures of her at Lagoon.  But she loved it!  So while I know Lagoon is not as great as Disneyland, it is less stressful for me.

Help Wanted: Visiting Teachers Who Love and Serve

We had a wonderful visiting teaching seminar last week.  My presidency and my visiting teaching coordinator and supervisors helped plan it and most of them spoke.  I took notes on what was said, because I was certainly inspired to be a better visiting teacher.  Our theme was "Help Wanted:  Visiting Teachers Who Love and Serve" and was based on Sister Burton's talk.  (I, of course, have more of my remarks because I had written them down in advance.  The others'  I took notes on but only captured some of what they said.)

Here are my remarks:

Visiting teaching....when I attended the General Relief Society Meeting, I was so inspired by the words of our Primary, Young Women's and Relief Sciety Leaders and by President Eyring.  I was touched by the theme of keeping covenants.   But one talk especially touched my heart... Sister Burton's talk...Wanted, Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work.  And as I listened, I felt very inspired that this should be the theme for our visiting teaching seminar.   Because truly, your help IS wanted.   Your help IS NEEDED to hasten the work, to strengthen the ward, to bless your own and others' lives.  We need visiting teachers who are willing to use their hands and hearts to minister.  help wanted:  visiting tachers to love, to rescue, help wanted VTers  to do missionary work, help wanted...visting teachers to be a friend.  As you do these things, you are keeping your baptismal covenants. 

Mosiah 18...when we are baptized we covenant to be witnesses of God at all times, to take his name upon us.  We also covenanted to mourn with those who mourn, comfort those in need of comfort.  As we minister to those we visit teach, we are keeping those baptism covenants.  We are being witnesses of God, and we are serving and comforting those in need of comfort.

I know we have all heard the quote from Pres Kimball:  "God does watch over us and notice us but it is usually through someone else that he meets our need."  I have found that to be true...and I think that is true because when we have the opportunity to bless others' lives and meet their needs, it blesses them but it blesses us as well.   I testify that He is aware of us.

Sister Barbara Thompson gave a beautiful talk about visiting teaching in Oct 2010.  Her talk was based around the scripture in Jude 1:22..."And of some had compassion, making a difference".  Your love for those you visit teach, DOES make a difference.  I testify of that.  

Expand our circles a little wider...already doing so much good through positive words,  compassionative service, friendships, etc.... Now just widen the circle of who we include in that service, friendship and love.  

I know visiting teaching can feel hard at times.  It can feel like one more responsibility on a plate that often already feels full.  I understand.  But  I also understand that it is one of the BEST ways to bless the lives of every sister in our ward and I testify that when we honor our baptismal and temple covenants, the Lord blesses us so abundantly.  In her talk, Wanted, Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work, Sister Burton said, "sometimes we are tempted to turn back or give up because maybe we think we can't do it alone.  And we are right!  We cannot do the difficult things we have been asked to do without help.  Help comes from the Atonement of Jesus Christ, the guidance of the Holy Ghost and the helping hands of others...You have been sent to earth in this dispensation of time because of who you are and what you have been prepared to do!  Regardless of what Satan would try to persuade us to think about who we are, our true identity is that of a disciple of Christ!"  And disciples of Christ love and serve and minister.

So I want to focus on one aspect of visiting teaching...prayer.  Prayer changes hearts...your heart and those you visit teach.  Praying for those you visit teach will increase your love for them and can change visiting teaching from a burden to a blessing!  It will change your heart.  And it may soften their heart too.

Sister Thompson said, "not all experiences related to visiting teaching are warm and wonderful.  Sometimes it is hard, such as visiting a home where you really aren't welcome or when it is difficult to meet with a sister with a very busy schedule.  It may take longer to build a good relationship with some sisters.  But when we really seek to love, care for and pray for the sister, the Holy Ghost will help us find a way to watch over and strengthen her."  That's a great promise!

Sister Barbara Thompson said, "personal revelation and spiritual experiemces are closely connected to Visiting teaching.  I have experienced some of the most humbling, joyful, spiritual events of my life as I have sat in the homes of the women of my own ward.... We have taught one another the gospel.  We have cried together, we have laughed together, solved problems together, and I have been lifted and blessed."  Wow!!  As many of you know, I have been seeking to learn more about the Holy Ghost this year and seeking to recognize and respond to the promptings I receive.  One thing I have noticed, over and over, is that most of my promptings relate to opportunities to serve, often those I visit teach.  

She tells of visiting teachers in Alaska that live hundreds of miles apart.  To have face to face visits in their homes isn't possible, but she explained that these women are very close.  She said, "These sisters felt closely connected because they were fervently praying for one another, and were seeking the guidance of the Holy Spirit to know what their sisters needed, even though they were not there in person very often."

President Monson said, "We are surrounded by those in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness.... We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift his children.  He is dependent upon each of us..."

 Prayers of righteous change hearts, as they did Alma the Younger.  Mosiah 27:14  the combined prayers of the people AND his father led to an angel visiting Alma the younger. If we unite our prayers in behalf of those who are less active and remember that they are beloved daughters, mothers, sisters, etc., many of them will come back.

Sister Thompson says, "The beauty of visiting teaching is not to see 100% on the monthly report, the beauty is seeing lives changed, tears wiped away, testimonies growing, people loved, families strengthened, people cheered, the hungry fed, the sick visited and those who are mourning comforted.  Actually visiting teaching is never done because we watch over and strengthen always."   

I told about the best visiting teacher I ever had.  At a time when we only had one car, she called regularly to see if I needed a ride to church.  She had my family over for dinner.   When Ella was having open heart surgery, her husband helped my husband administer to Ella.  Most months she came and visited and brought a message, but it was okay if she missed a month because I KNEW she cared about me and she helped me in countless ways.  I knew I could call her if I needed anything.

And the only way we can really accomplish all of these beautiful things is if we are praying earnestly for those we visit teach.  Praying to know what their needs are, praying that their hearts will be softened to let us in, praying to know whether to share a spiritual message, just listen, or dig in and provide service.  Praying to know whether our hearts, our hands or both will most be needed to bless the lives of our sisters.  With some sisters you may have a prayer with them in their home, share the VT message and visit.  With others, your visit may include only a very brief message and may focus more on building a friendship.  Other visits may focus on providing a service...helping the sister with something she needs, caring for her children when she has an appointment, folding laundry while you talk.  You will need to ask the sister what type of visit will most bless her life, and you will need to be sensitive to the spirit.  But as you pray daily for those you visit teach, you will find that they are on your mind.  You might find that thoughts pop into your head about activities to invite them to, times when you should call or stop by or may be prompted to drop off a meal, or perform some other act of service.  As your hands and heart go to work, lives will be blessed....your own and those you serve.

Let me close with the words of Sister Bonnie Oscarson, given at the General Women's Meeting.  She quoted Sister Hinckley who said, "Oh, how we need each other!  Those of us who are old need you who are young.  And, hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old.  It is a sociological fact that women need women.  We need deep and satisfying  and loyal friendships with each other!"  Then Sister Oscarson said, "I extend to you an invitation that was issued once before by a Relief Society General President who said, "I invite you to not only love each other more but love each other better."  May we realize just how much we need each other, and may we all love each other better."

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Tatiana's topic was Help Wanted:  A Friend:
A friend is someone you like and enjoy being with.  They help you and support you.  Friends make it easier to live the gospel.  A friend is honest and loyal...friendship requires commitment.
Tatiana quoted D&C 130:2  "And that same sociality which exists among us here will exist among us there, only it will be coupled with eternal glory, which glory we do not now enjoy."
She read a few quotes from Marvin J. Ashton's talk What is a Friend?
One quote was this one:

President Abraham Lincoln was once criticized for his attitude toward his enemies. “Why do you try to make friends of them?” asked an associate. “You should try to destroy them.”

“Am I not destroying my enemies,” Lincoln gently replied, “when I make them my friends?”

She also shared this wonderful quote from Elder Ashton:  "Yes, a friend is a person who is willing to take me the way I am but who is willing and able to leave me better than he found me."

Tatiana also shared a story from Daughters in my Kingdom of a woman who visit taught a less active sister.  The sister never let her in, just stood at the door with the screen closed and spoke to her for a few minutes through the screen each month.  One day, the sister got a phone call from her Bishop.  This woman she visit taught had just had a baby and it had died. She asked that her visiting teacher be at the funeral and said, "She was my only friend."  We never know the difference we are making in someone's life.
***
Jami's topic was Help Wanted:  Visiting Teachers Who Serve
 Jami shared that she used to think VT is just a visit and then at the end asking, "Do you need anything?" and then going on her way.   But Mosiah 2: 17 tells us "when you are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God."  We should be trying to meet the physical, spiritual and emotional needs of those we visit teach.

As sisters, we need one another.  She shared a story (from Daughters in my Kingdom) of a woman named Veara Fife.  She had both legs amputated, and did not want to be a burden to others.  One day her daughter came over and saw that the visiting teachers had been there and cleaned her house.  Her daughter was embarrassed and said that they would be hiring a cleaning woman.  The visiting teachers "explained how much they had enjoyed their visit with Sister Fife in her home.  Her positive attitude had lifted their sights, and she had helped them, in turn, with their genealogy.'Please don't deny us these blessings,' the visiting teachers said."  Pretty profound:  Please don't deny us these blessings.

Jami shared two experiences when she was able to serve those she visit teaches, and how that had blessed her life and helped her to love these women more.

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Stefanie's topic was Help Wanted:  An Example
Stefanie pointed out that Christ is our example and we should follow Him and do as He did.  She said that as a girl she thought visiting teachers were just people who dropped off a meal when your mom had a baby or helped if the family had a problem but you never saw them the rest of the time.
She said that we need to be an example and quoted from a talk by Elder Russell M. Nelson Be Thou An Example of the Believers.  He talked about living according to Christ's teachings.  As we do this, the light of the Lord will beam from our eyes.  She read Matthew 5:14-16.  She told a wonderful story of her sweet children.  One day, someone at Lowes asked her son where he was from.  He responded, "I came from Heaven.  Heavenly Father sent me to my mom and dad.  I am a child of God."  Then he proceeded to sing "I am a Child of God" at the top of his lungs all through Lowes.  He knows who he is, and he isn't afraid to share it.  We, too, can be confident in our beliefs and be committed members.  We can do as the Primary Song says, "I'm Trying to be Like Jesus."

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Susan's topic was Help Wanted:  Visiting Teachers Who Heed Promptings

Susan shared this quote:  "You'll either be a great example or a terrible warning."
Her brother recently spoke in sacrament meeting.  He served a mission in Guatemala in 1968.  He and his companion were teaching a man who smoked.  They were a bit nervous to see how he would react to the lesson on the Word of Wisdom.  When they taught the lesson, the man said, "Now that I know smoking is offensive to the Lord, I have smoked my last cigarette."   He quit, immediately.  Now, he recently let Susan's brother know, there are 96 active members in the church in his family.  If we know that neglecting our visiting teaching is offensive to the Lord, will we neglect it?

Obedience is the first law of heaven.  Obedience invites the spirit.  The spirit will guide us.  You will NEVER regret obedience.   Obedience leads us to want to serve others.

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Jackie's topic was Help Wanted:  Visiting Teachers Who Share the Gospel

Jackie talked about the purpose of visiting teaching, both when it was first begun (originally, it was created primarily to provide for the temporal needs of the sisters) and now.   It is to watch over and strengthen and minister one-on-one to each sister.  Our charge is to truly love each sister.  It has two purposes:  to relieve the poor and to save souls.

Jackie read D&C 81:5 "Wherefore, be faithful; stand in the office which I have appointed unto you; succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees."

As we do this, blessings will rain down on us.

Jackie shared some ideas for how we can share a message in an unintimidating way with nonmember or less active sisters.  We can mail a card or drop off a card if they aren't there when we try to visit.  We can take a copy of the Relief Society Announcements and then just hand it to them as we visit about other things and hopefully they will read it later.   We can take a small gift or treat with a scripture or inspirational story attached.  She had a plastic spoon with a cute story about how knives cut and forks are poky and that you should be a spoon, not a fork.  If we keep showing love, and keep showing up, then slowly those we visit teach will come to trust us and want us to visit.
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Bishop then concluded the meeting:

First, he started by saying "You are amazing!"  We as men don't hold a candle to you....

He asked if we felt we had to be perfect.  Perfect at visiting teaching or perfect in general and reminded us that we don't have to be, we won't be.  We just keep trying and focus especially on those who have needs or who aren't active, and trust our Savior to make up the difference.  Use the Atonement.

He asked if we knew how many sisters are in our ward.  A few people guessed (I knew).  Then he told us:  154.  On average, we have about 1/3 that attend church.  That means that each of us has about 2-3 sisters that we are assigned to visit teach that are less active. If we have positive contacts with them, love them, some of them will come back.  We have been asked to hasten the work, and this is one way to help accomplish that.  We need these women.  Do we know who those sisters are that aren't with us?  Are we visiting them and inviting them?

He shared a  story from President Monson's talk in April 2014 conference.  Jabari Parker, a Mormon NCAA basketball player was given great advice by his dad:  "Just be the same person you are in the dark that you are in the light.”  We need to follow this counsel also.  To be the same person, no matter where we are or who we are with.

He ended by sharing this quote from Sister Burton's talk  Wanted: Hands and Hearts to Hasten the Work:

Years ago, Elder M. Russell Ballard issued a clarion call to the sisters of the Church when he said:

“Between now and the day the Lord comes again, He needs women in every family, in every ward, in every community, in every nation who will step forward in righteousness and say by their words and their actions, ‘Here am I, send me.’

“My question is, ‘Will you be one of those women?’”¹³

I hope each of us can answer with a resounding “Yes!”

Am I one of those women?  Can the Lord count  on me?

***

It was a beautiful meeting, and the spirit was there in abundance.  I am so thankful for the beautiful words, stories, and examples shared by so many (those who spoke, but also by the sisters who attended).  I am so thankful to be surrounded by so many wonderful women who really do bless others' lives on a daily basis.  And I am thankful for the wonderful visiting teaching program and the opportunity it gives us to minister one on one.

Family History Journal: My Testimony

I feel fortunate to have been a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout my life.  I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the gospel.  I know that Jesus Christ lives and that He loves me.  I know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God, that He lived a perfect life, and that He suffered for my sins.  I know that because of His Atonement, I will be resurrected and can have eternal life.  I know that I am a child of God, a beloved daughter, and that I have an important mission to accomplish in this life.

I know that we have a living prophet on the Earth today.  President Thomas S. Monson is a good man, who has spent his life serving others and serving God.  He is a prophet of God, receives revelations for the church, and leads us as the Lord's mouthpiece.

I know the Bible and the Book of Mormon are the word of God.  I know they guide us and direct us and as it says in 2 Timothy 3:16, "All scripture is given by inspiration of God and is profitable for doctrine, for reproof,  for correction, for instruction in righteousness."  So many scriptures have touched and blessed my life.

I know that our prayers are heard and answered.  I have had countless experiences where my prayers have been answered. I know prayer helps bring my will in line with the will of God, and it  comforts me.

I know families can be together forever.

I am trying each day to become a little more Christlike, a little better at listening to and responding to the promptings of the Holy Ghost.  I am thankful that because of the Atonement, I can repent because I fall short daily.

I am so thankful for my testimony of these foundational truths and so many more things,

Cute and funny

Gabby was blessing the food at lunch.  Prince was moving around as she said the prayer and ate some    of his food.  After she finished the prayer, Gabby chastised Prince.  "You are supposed to wait until AFTER the prayer to eat."  Her friend was over, and asked, "How can he fold his arms or bow his head?"  Gabby replied, "He doesn't have to do that, but he should wait until after I prayed to eat!"

A couple of weeks ago, Gabby wore a fancy dress to church.  We all complimented her on how pretty she looked.  Ella said, "Gabby, I want you to wear that dress to my wedding."  Alfredo and I couldn't help but laugh.  That dress certainly better not fit Gabby when our 9 year old Ella marries!

Why I Love Being an LDS (Mormon) Woman

I probably don't have anything unique to say about this topic...I know others have stated these things before, but I feel a pressing desire to add my voice and testimony in defense of my faith.

There are many reasons I love being a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  But let me focus on a few and specifically as they relate to my womanhood.

Reason 1:  First and foremost, we are taught from a very young age that we are beloved children of God.  In Young Women's (ages 12-18), we recite these words each week:  "We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us and we love Him."    We take the words in Romans 8:16 literally, "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit that we are the children of God."  Knowing who I am gives my life meaning and purpose.  Recognizing that all others I come into contact with are also beloved children of God helps me love them more and treat them with kindness and respect.  (I am certainly not perfect at this, but I try.). I love this quote by C.S. Lewis in Weight of Glory:

It is a serious thing to live in a society of possible gods and goddesses, to remember that the dullest and most uninteresting person you talk to may one day be a creature which, if you saw it now, you would be strongly tempted to worship, or else a horror and a corruption such as you now meet, if at all, only in a nightmare. 

 All day long we are, in some degree, helping each other to one or other of these destinations.

 It is in the light of these overwhelming possibilities, it is with the awe and circumspection proper to them, that we should conduct all our dealings with one another, all friendships, all loves, all play, all politics.  There are no ordinary people.  You have never talked to a mere mortal.

I believe that.  I know that to be true.  And it changes everything.

Reason 2:  So much of who I am and what I am able to do is a direct result of my membership in the church.  From the time we are young, members of the church are asked to give talks and prayers in church.  From age 12 and on, we can hold leadership positions.      
My third year as an elementary school teacher (my chosen profession), my school was beginning intensive reading instruction training and we needed two leaders for the teachers.  I was only 24 and unmarried and pretty inexperienced, but the teachers at my school were asked to name who they thought the leaders should be...and I was chosen.  I attended trainings and then helped train the rest of my faculty.  I taught workshops at huge conferences. I attended meetings at the district office.  (I want to point out that some people are naturally good at these types of things...but while I may have some natural ability, I was a very, very shy child and still tend to be a bit shy...so my experiences in church have really helped me.)   I am certain that growing up giving talks in sacrament meeting, serving as class president, and participating in youth conferences and being a youth camp director for girls camp all helped prepare me for this opportunity.  In my 38 years, I have taught children and young women.  I have served in a Young Women's presidency and a Relief Society presidency.  I currently serve as Relief Society President which means I am responsible for the temporal and spiritual welfare of all the women in my congregation.  I have given countless talks,said numerous prayers, taught classes for many age levels, organized funerals, organized activities, and done countless other things.  And I should mention that I am not unique.  Each man AND woman is given similar responsibilities throughout their life.  There are a few positions given only to men, and some positions given only to women.  But I have always felt that my opinion is valued and that my contribution is important.  My ability to teach children and adults is partly a result of my college education, but it is even more a result of the opportunities I have been given through my church.  And this has been happening in our church since nearly the very beginning, long before the rest of the country gave women the right to vote or allowed women into the work force or other rights.  I urge those who would like to read more about this to read Sheri Dew's wonderful book Women and the Priesthood.

Reason #3:  The gospel of Jesus Christ helps me to be a better wife and mother.  My children have wonderful teachers at church that teach them and love them and are wonderful examples to them.  Our Bishop loves the children, and my children love our Bishop. It is wonderful for my children to have so many role models.  In addition, I am taught about marriage and family in church, in the scriptures, and as I listen to General Conference.   While I love my job, I love my family more than anything else.  I know that my most important responsibility, and the thing that will bring me the greatest joy, is my family. In my job as a teacher, I see daily both the results of loving families that do their best to raise good children as well as children who are neglected and treated poorly.  My job matters, it absolutely does, but it is so difficult for me to make a significant impact on children whose home lives are chaotic and frightening.  Parents and families matter.  I want to be a good parent, but sometimes the world's advice about how to be a good parent is confusing or overwhelming.  The gospel of Jesus Christ helps me focus on what matters most.

Reason #4:  The church encourages us to seek education, to learn, to develop talents, and to contribute to society.  I highly value education, I love reading and learning new things.  I am happy to be part of a church that encourages its members to seek learning both by study and by faith.  Our leaders have taught that we should seek truth from all of its sources...both religious and secular, but to place the highest emphasis on religious truth.

Reason #5:  We believe that revelation continues, that heaven is not closed to us.  We believe there are living prophets that communicate with our Savior, Jesus Christ.  We believe that we can also receive personal revelation for ourselves and those we have stewardship over (for example, our families or those we serve in callings.)  I have felt the witness of the Holy Ghost, testifying to me of the truthfulness of the gospel, testifying that there is a living prophet, testifying that I AM a child of God, and answering my prayers on countless ocassions.  Both men and women can study, pray and receive a witness for themselves.  Both men and women can and SHOULD receive personal revelation.

Reason #6:  No blessing is withheld from me as a woman.  I can enter the temple.  I can hold positions of great responsibility.  Most importantly, if I live faithfully, I can be saved and live with my family forever.  I have every blessing that I need or want.  I am so blessed!

There are so many other reasons that I love being a Mormon woman.  It brings me peace of mind.  It has allowed me to develop wonderful relationships with other wonderful and amazing women that I wouldn't know otherwise.  (I want to be very clear as I state this, though, that I have many dear and wonderful friends who are not of my faith.  I love many people who believe differently than me.  I know that some of my dearest friends do not entirely understand my beliefs but I love them and they love me despite our differences.  There are many good people in every faith and many good people who are not religious at all.)  I am part of one of the world's largest and oldest women's organizations.  I know that my church does a lot of good through family history history research as well as humanitarian efforts worldwide.  I could go on and on, but I will end by saying that the very best thing about being an LDS woman is that it makes me happy!

Kindergarten Program/Last Days of School

Gabby's last day of kindergarten was the day before the rest of us got out.  I got someone to cover my class so I could go to Gabby's end of the year program.  Of all the bad luck, there was a train as I was on my way to her school...so I was about 10 minutes late for the program.  That stunk!   But I saw Gabby sing two songs.  And her friend/classmate, Shaye, sang a solo of "Let it Go."  

 Gabby's Spanish teacher was in the hospital with pneumonia, so unfortunately, we didn't get a picture with her.  But here Gabby is with her beloved English teacher, Mrs. Dunn.  The girls gave each of their teachers a gift card to Jamba Juice and a box of strawberries with a note that said "You're the berry best."

 Gabby with her friend Marissa.

 Gabby with her principal, Ms. Edward.  She loves Ms. Edward!

 My baby girl is going to first grade.  She did very well in kindergarten.  She didn't always like it...Spanish was challenging for her, but she did very well.  She had all S's in citizenship (all 3 girls had all S's), and she had all 2's (on grade level) and 3's (above grade level) on her report card.  I talked to her Spanish teacher on the Friday before school ended.  Mrs. Garcia got teary eyed as she told me that Gabby went from hardly speaking a word in Spanish to being able to read a level 4 in Spanish fluently and being able to tell her what it was about...in Spanish.

 The next day was the last day for the other two girls (and for me!!  I may have been even more excited than the girls were!)   Here is Michelle with her teacher, Mrs. Woodring.  She had been nervous to go into Mrs. Woodring's class...she thought she was going to be very strict.  But Michelle ended up really loving her class.  She also had all S's in citizenship and mostly 2's and one 3 on her grades.

 And here is Ella with her third grade teacher, Mr. Gosain.   She also had a great year.  I am thankful for such great teachers who have worked so hard to help my children be successful in two languages.  Ella also did very well...all S's in citizenship and 2's and 3's on grades.

 One thing Jana (Ms. Edward) has done since she became the principal this year is add inspiring quotes around the school.  Most of them are done with vinyl lettering on the walls.  On the last day of school, I noticed this hanging above the library door.  I hadn't seen it before...the girls said it was fairly new.   It says, "Education is the most powerful weapon which you can use to change the world.  --Nelson Mandela"  I love that there are inspiring quotes around their school.  Jackson has been such a great school for my children.  We are most likely sending Michelle to our local elementary school next year, Hunter, and it is with very mixed feelings that I contemplate having her leave Jackson.  It has been a great place for my children to go to school and learn and grow and become bilingual and biliterate.

S

Girls on the Run 2014

Michelle had the opportunity to participate in Girls on the Run again at school this year. She really enjoyed it. She enjoyed learning about health and self esteem, and she enjoyed running. She was very excited when she found out her running buddy would be Ms. Edward, their principal. Gabby and I were there to cheer her on!
 Here are all the girls as the race was about to start.  Thousands of girls!
Mr. Fearick and one of the girls from Jackson...the race even had a police officer who lead the runners for the first lap.
  Michelle on her first lap.  Nearing the finish line!

Michelle was a real trooper.  The girls are given new running shoes as part of Girls on the Run.  The coaches keep them and have them use the shoes during practice and then they get them for the race.  Due to a miscommunication on my part, and because Michelle got sick at the last practice, the day before the race, her coaches thought she wasn't coming.  So they left her shoes at the school.  Since we met them at Sugarhouse Park, she just had to wear the shoes she had on...which were keds.  Not sandals, thankfully, but still not very good running shoes.  She has been growing so fast lately that the keds were a tiny bit tight, and not super comfortable for just day to day walking...so they were definitely not the best choice for a 5K.  But she didn't give up.  She walked a little bit, but jogged most of the time, and she finished in just over 43 minutes.  Then after the race was over, we had to walk back to our car, several blocks away.  Gabby was tired and whining and I told her I wouldn't carry her all the way to the car.  So for part of the walk, Michelle gave her a piggy back ride...despite just having finished a 5K.  She is such a good sport!

End of Year Faculty Party

At the end of each year, we have a faculty party.  The past two years it was held at our vice principal's home.  But this year she was reassigned to a different school and we had a new vice principal.  So I volunteered to have the party at our house, in our backyard.

At one point, there was some thunder and a brief sprinkling of rain.  We would have made it work if it had started to pour, but it would have been rather crowded in my house if we had to move inside.  So we were all very thankful that it only sprinkled for a few minutes and then stopped and the sun came out.

Alfredo grilled hamburgers and hot dogs.  (He's such a good sport!   He spent countless hours working on the yard in preparation for this party. He is the best!)   Everyone brought food to share.  We talked, laughed and visited.  The kids jumped on the trampoline, played on the zipline and teeter totter and swing and slide.  Even our principal and vice principal hopped on the trampoline!

It was a fun party, and I am thankful that I have such great coworkers!  Many of them are among my dearest friends.  I didn't take as many photos as I should have, so I didn't get photos of everyone who came.  But we had a great time!

Spirit Week

At the end of May, the girls had Spirit Week. Tuesday was Crazy Hair Day. Gabby wanted her hair ratted and messy...and it was, but she worried that it wasn't crazy enough (which is why she is pouting). We ended up adding 3 mismatched flowers and bows to her ratted hair before she got to school. She was upset that only one other kid in her class had crazy hair that day.

Wednesday was pajama day. I didn't take a photo of that. Thursday was Hippie Day. Here are my little hippies:


Friday was culture day, but only Ella decided to dress up for that...she wore a dress from El Salvador.