We feel so grateful that we have been able to go to the temple twice in the past couple weeks. We first took Michael to the temple the day after he graduated. It was a beautiful experience and we had great friends who joined us for the day I feel so blessed to have such great people in our lives.
This past Saturday we got to go do baptisms for the dead with our youth and it was an awesome experience Michael got to baptize his brothers for family names. It was so special to be able to witness that When the boys were little I would often hear them "baptizing" each other in the bathtub. I was reminded of those sweet moments when I watched Michael lay the other two boys in the font. Those are memories I will always cherish.
I love the temple and the sweet spirit it fill me with. I love that we were able to go together as a family before Michael leaves I am grateful for the Lord's tender mercies.
For the past four years Michael has gotten up early to go to the church building for a 45 minute scripture class. This requires much dedication. If you consider late nights with the other activities he was involved in than you know it was true sacrifice. When the tornado hit our neighborhood on NYE 2010, he missed a week of seminary and still continued to do the work at home. He never made an excuse about not getting the work done. It has been amazing to see seminary prepare him for his mission. He is such an example to his brothers and the other youth around him.
We are so grateful for the teachers who are called to serve in this special calling because it means getting up even earlier than their students and a minimum of an hour prep every day to be ready for the next day. I can't even imagine!
There were a total of eight graduates in our stake and only four were able to make it to graduation but even though our numbers were small, their testimonies were huge. Each of the kids bore amazing testimonies and then Michael followed his with a piano solo. I venture to say there was not a dry eye in the chapel because the Spirit was so strong. I felt so blessed to hear his testimony both by word and through music. I recorded the song he played, he said he was super nervous but I thought he did great. My phone cut the very end off.
My last picture I want to share is of Michael with two amazing church leaders. They have been a tremendous help to Michael as he struggled with a few things through his teenage years but they helped him to stay on track and keep himself worthy to go and serve the Lord for two years. I am grateful for their friendship and their love for Michael, they are truly both men of God.
We are so excited to announce that Michael has been called to serve in the Alpine German Speaking Mission for our church! He has been waiting anxiously to turn in his papers and turned them in two weeks ago. Lots of our friends and family tried to guess where he would be called to serve and about 7 people guessed Germany!
Watching him open his mission call was so sweet. He said he was so excited at first but when he started reading it he suddenly became overwhelmed with emotion as you can clearly see. I got all excited too which is why the video ended up coming in two parts.
I know he is going to be a great missionary because he loves the Gospel and he wants to share our Savior's love with others. I know that I will miss him but am proud of his decision to sacrifice two years to do the Lord' work.
I believe I've mentioned in the past that in our church, we receive callings in regards to where we serve. In the 10 years that I have been a member, I have held numerous callings, most of them in a teacher capacity. I can honestly say that I have loved MOST of the positions I have been asked to serve. There have been very few exceptions but I can still recognize why the Lord called me to those positions and am grateful for the opportunities to learn and grow when the Lord wanted me to.
A couple weeks ago I was called by my Bishop and asked if we could meet. For some reason, I constantly feel like I am in trouble when I have to go see the Bishop and immediately started thinking about what things I may have done that he found out about. That's really a silly way to think because I don't go out and do terrible things. I really need to work on this thinking trap because it's not helpful and causes a lot of stress.
It was almost 3 full days before I got to meet with the Bishop and I had convinced myself that he was going to call me to serve somewhere I would rather not work. I know, that's not nice to think about, but I'm just being honest. As we begin talking, I started negotiating hard with the Lord in my mind about where I did NOT want to be called to serve and at the same time repenting for having such thoughts. I know, I have issues.
I was completely taken aback when the Bishop extended the calling of Young Women President. That had NEVER entered my mind. I was overwhelmed at first and suddenly felt like crying. I knew immediately that this is where I was to serve but wow! Not growing up in the church, I really feel like my knowledge of the YW program is extremely small. Taking on this leadership role really had me freaking out! Thankfully my Bishop, friends and members of my ward had faith and trust in my abilities.
I'm really looking forward to this experience. I know that I'm not in this position just for the girls but so I can gain some perspective for me. I already know and love these girls as I have served as Girl's Camp director the past few years. I was asked to pray and call counselors to serve with me and that was truly an awesome experience. I am blessed with amazing, strong, talented and loving women who I know have been placed right alongside me to serve these special Daughters of God.
I have so much to learn but am excited that the Lord placed trust in me to help guide these young women to understand their full potential!
Late Thursday night I got home from spending two amazing days with the youth of our church. I love how rejuvenated I feel spiritually. It began with an early Wednesday morning as we had to meet up at the church and drive to the University of Missouri (Mizzou) campus. I had a carload of kids who chatted the entire way. It was a lot of fun though, they really had me cracking up. What I enjoyed most was that all the talk was kind and fun, not vulgar or inappropriate which has been the case when driving with other youth to sports events or other school events. That was a reminder to me of what the next couple days would be all about. All of the kids (or most, we did have some kids there who weren't members of our church but who came with kids who were) were members of our church. It was nice to be around 600 kids who all had the same standards and values. Of course, kids are kids and I would be lying if I didn't say I ran into a few youth who were rude, but people are people.
I was asked to attend the conference as a photographer and I had a lot of fun with that. Of course I felt a bit like the paparazzi but I'm glad to have captured some fun moments for our kids. I especially loved spending the day with our two older boys. Granted, I did not really see them much as I tried to not be all in their personal space but it was nice to be there knowing what they were learning and seeing them interact with kids from all over Missouri, Iowa and Illinois.
The kids had a lot of fun, they played sports and games most of the first day and then ended with the longest dance EVER. Their youth dance was 3 1/2 hours long...even some of the kids complained that it was too long and they were tired (of course it didn't stop any of them from getting their groove on!). What I loved most about the dance was that everyone danced, no one was left out. If anyone was a wall flower it was by choice. Everyone is encouraged to dance with as many people as possible and get to know each other. All of the kids were 14-18 years old. There were also lots of fast songs to dance to and plenty of line dances. It was really neat watching some of the kids that are usually reserved just break out.
I caught myself getting choked up quite a bit when I would see someone who was just a little different out on the dance floor. It really was beautiful to see no barriers, everyone being accepted for who they are. It was a great lesson for all us taught by the youth of today.
The second day was filled with different spiritually charged lessons. I only sat in on two of them as I was taking care of one of the girls who had gotten injured but they were both pretty good. One was actually pretty amazing. I can't even convey into words the impact it had on me but overall it was a great reminder of what my Heavenly Father is capable of and how aware He is of us individually. The afternoon was closed out with a testimony meeting where the youth were given the opportunity to bear their testimonies of the gospel and anything they felt they learned. I cried...a lot. I was so proud of our kids. My own two boys bore beautiful testimonies, my heart was filled with so much love. We then closed out the meeting with the kids singing a beautiful hymna cappella. If you'd like to hear the last verse that I recorded, you can click Here.
The evening was closed out with another dance (only 2 hours this time). The kids were pretty exhausted at this point. I don't think I mentioned that they had to walk to all the different locations where the events were in over 100 degree weather. Some of the locations were a pretty good distance away. So you can imagine how tired they were.I loved watching them dance and again seeing everyone included.
I love our youth, when I see them in a collective group at events like this I think to myself..."what a great future we have, we are leaving it in good hands." I find great comfort in that.
Here are just a few snapshots of our two days at youth conference.
Neil trying his hardest at tug-o-war, unfortunately the other side had double the amount of kids
Michael participating in the human knot
Playing the human accordion game, Michael was at the end.
One of those line dances I mentioned
I love the series of pictures below. It was the last dance of the conference, Shout! These kids were getting down. It just made me smile.
PAUSE! Is the dance over?
Oh no, it isn't!
I Like to Party line dance
More of that line dancing stuff
The boys commented on how short a lot of the girls were, lol
And last but not least a small video for your viewing pleasure of a few of our boys trying to learn a new line dance that was taught by one of the other stakes. Lots of people were confused, lol.
A couple weekends ago the men from our church went and spent the weekend helping with the continued clean up of Joplin. Kevin and our two older boys went to help. I am so proud of them and their willingness to serve. Kevin and a friend of ours left a little earlier in the day with some of the young men from our youth program to get set up and see how the weekend would go. I love, love, love these boys. I am always amazed at how hard they work and how self-less they are. We hear so much about how lazy the new generation is but thankfully these boys do not fall in that category. It was great to hear my boys tell me about how awesome they felt helping other people. I really need to get my boys and hubby into blogging so they can share their experiences first hand.
Our sweet little Daniel wasn't old enough to go this time, but we are hoping he can go in a few weeks with the Scouts. I will stay home with Neil as he is having his tonsils removed and his doctor told him he would not be able to go on the scheduled weekend.
I have watched my boys grow so much from different service projects. It is truly blessing our family. I love that my boys jump at the opportunity to help and that they come home with renewed testimonies of charity. I will always support them in their desire to serve those who have need. I hope and pray that they will always have that desire in their hearts.
Just a few pictures from their weekend.
Where the boys slept. A lot of other people slept in tents, our boys chose to sleep under here and enjoyed it.
Working hard in some of the areas
Our boys and men went to have lunch at one of the volunteer tents. There was a lady who was doing acupuncture for the volunteers. Some of the boys including my husband and oldest son decided to give it a try. They both said it was so relaxing!
Not sure what Neil as doing here...he says he doesn't know either!
I had the wonderful opportunity to spend a week camping with 22 amazing young women from my church. One of the things I love so much about the church we go to is their emphasis on our youth. When they asked me about 6 weeks ago if I would accept a calling to serve as our ward's Girls Camp Director I have to admit I was a little nervous. I have three sons, my camping experience is Army and Boy Scouts what was I going to do with 22 girls? Having not grown up in the church I have never been to a week such as this. I decided to trust in the Lord and go with it.
I felt comfortable with the logistical aspect of it, making my lists, doing some shopping, packing and all of that. I was nervous about how to interact with the girls. I didn't want to come off too strong but I didn't want to appear as a push over either. I prayed and hoped to be able to be the person I needed to be to give them all a wonderful experience.
I feel like I got more from them than I gave to them. We were out on some beautiful property, camping in tents and eating over open fires, out of dutch ovens and with propane stoves but it was awesome. I watched as the girls served one another, I saw them reach out to those who might have stood outside the circle and I watched them laugh, hug and cry with one another. I enjoyed watching them braid each other's hair, walk back up the hill for a forgotten item and serve one another meals. I heard more I Love You's than I have ever heard in my life and they were said with sincerity.
I watched girls grow in their self-confidence and self-worth. The reoccurring theme throughout the week was knowing who we are and how we can recognize the worth in ourselves. I saw girls who thought they had no friends circled in loving arms of strangers. It was remarkable.
There were many fun things that happened that weren't as intense with the emotions but still life changing. I had the opportunity to go into a cave with a group of girls. It was so much fun. I saw girls overcome their fears of darkness, of pushing past the cold water and trudging forward with their friends. I watched as girls held their hands out for the others and cheered each other on each step of the way. My heart filled with such love when they thanked me over and over again for being willing to take them into the cave when they couldn't find another adult leader to go with them. I even loved them when they decided to get into a mud fight and I got hit in the mouth and neck with a pile of mud. I can still close my eyes and see their smiles as I picked up my own mud and threw it back. I thought at that moment that life was too short to be upset over mud but it was worth creating a memory. I have since coming home tried to tell my husband or the boys or other people what the best part of camp was and each time is something different. There were so many amazing memories made, ones that will keep my heart happy for a long time.
I want to share probably the best memory and I hope I do not cheapen the experience with my words. In our church our young women work on a program called Personal Progress. It is designed to help them learn how to apply the gospel into their daily lives. There are 8 values that they work through and the goal is to be completed before you turn 18. If you complete your Personal Progress requirements you receive your Young Woman Medallion to wear as a reminder of who you are and what you stand for.
During camp we were asked to participate in a service project for one of the girls in attendance. She is a beautiful young lady who has Down Syndrome and she has worked hard on what she could do in her Personal Progress book. There were some things however that she just could not complete. During our 4 full days of camp, all of the girls and leaders did the rest of the requirements for her by proxy. We completed the reading that was required having each girl read a chapter out of the scriptures. My girls sang two different songs to fulfill that requirement. When we sang I could hardly sing because I was so choked up with emotion.
During the closing fireside ceremonies they got everyone in a circle (160 or more people) and as darkness fell upon us each girl had the opportunity to hold for a second the medallion that was going to be presented to Therese. It was so special to watch the girls hold the medallion that they had an opportunity to help earn for this special young lady. As it came to me and I held it in my hands I was so overwhelmed with happiness that I broke down. When the medallion reached her father, you could see the emotion on his face, it was very touching. When the necklace was put around her neck, you could hear all of the quiet sobbing. It was truly an honor to be a part of such a great act of love and service. Girls Camp was a wonderful experience and I feel truly blessed to have been given the opportunity to go and serve the amazing young women in our church and to have met so many other amazing women who aim to serve the Lord and their fellow sisters.
This year for the youth conference at our church, our kids went on a Pioneer Trek. It is basically a reenactment of what our Pioneer ancestors went through as they traveled from the East to the West. The youth and adult leaders who went all dressed in Pioneer era clothing (the girls made their own skirts, aprons and bonnets). They traveled for 3 days, about 7 miles a day pulling/pushing a handcart loaded with their belongings. I didn't get to go but Kevin & Michael went and they both said it was an awesome experience. All of our kids and adults leaders were split into families. And they split up all the different wards (we had over 140 youth involved from all over Missouri). Michael was put into a family and Kevin was a "pa" with another adult leader who was the "ma" and given children to take care of. Each family had 4-8 kids just as they did when they traveled in the late 1800's. They were even given a "baby" that was a flour sack with some material sewn over the bag. Michael said they had a rough time with the baby in their family, he was really funny telling me about how they accidentally dropped it and how the flour was coming out of the bag. He was so silly. They talked about how hard it was to lose family members because as they traveled members of their family would "die" and have to leave. Both were amazed at how quickly the "families" bonded and how sad they were when a family member was lost. At one point all the men were called away to help fight in the war and that left the women and children to continue on alone with handcarts. They said it was hard because the terrain was rough. I have talked to many of our youth who went and they all said it was a wonderful experience and that it really helped their testimonies grow.
I am so thankful that our youth and my son and husband were able to go on this adventure and gain memories and bonds that will last a lifetime!
