Memorial Day

We have had a lovely Memorial Day.  It was predicted to rain most of the day, but the weather has been nice and sunny a few clouds rolling in and out.  Craig put up the volleyball net and the family has had fun playing volleyball.  Lincoln learned to drive the wave blaster for the first time.  We all went to Zips for lunch.  Thomas family left for home after lunch.  The Burbidge family are heading home later today.  I’m really tired from our busy weekend with the family.  Now the clean up. Everyone is good about making their beds.  I have to do the detail cleaning after they all leave.

Summer Is Here!!

Yeah the official summer season has begun we are enjoying having our family here for the memorial day weekend Shar just left today to head home Tasha & Lincoln   Jaxon and Boston
Tasha & her family and the Burbidge family are staying till tomorrow just enjoying the beautiful weather.   Cousin time Boating

Our Sabbath Day

I sang a duet with Tia Mckee my beehive adviser today in Sacrament.  We preform for two sacraments.  We have large crowds with it being a holiday weekend. Our ward hosted two Sacrament
meetings. Gaga with Lincoln, Boston, Jacob, they love their Gaga!

special to have our family here while I sang.  I’m 61 yrs old don't know how many
more years I can sing but will keep trying as long as I can.  We took pictures after church today.

Our Boating Day

The Big Memorial Weekend

Summer is here.  It feels so good to have the weather warm up.  The family is coming up to enjoy the weekend with gaga.  The Burbidge family arrived at about 4pm today.  They surprised us with Alec & Jacon.  Shar and her family are coming up tonight along with the Thomas family too.  We will have a cabin full by tonight.  Fun to have our family here spending time with us. 

Mariah’s High School Graduation

My Laural Mariah is graduating from high school her graduation is tonight at 7 PM it’s about a 45 minute drive.  I bought her a brand new set of scriptures to give to her.  She had mentioned several months back that she did not have her own set of scriptures and I wanted to get them for her graduation, I bought her a pretty nice leather set that cost about $50 I think it’ll be a great graduation gift for her, I wanted to write a note to put in the Scriptures for her, so proud of her.   Letter to Mariah

Dear Mariah,

So proud of you and your accomplishment in graduating from high school.  Education is an important part of Heavenly Father’s plan to help you become more like Him. He wants you to educate your mind and to develop your skills and talents, your power to act well in your responsibilities, and your capacity to appreciate life. The education you gain will be valuable to you during mortality and in the life to come.

You are now enter a new chapter in your life. I pray for your happiness in the choices you make that will determine your future.  The next few years of your life are so very important!!   I hope for you that you will continue your education...

Education will prepare you for greater service in the world and in the Church. It will help you better provide for yourself, your family, and those in need. It will also help you be a wise counselor and companion to your future spouse and an informed and effective teacher of your future children.

I Hope that you will take advantage of college, in continuing your education and developing your skills to build on from the things you have learned in high school.

Education is an investment that brings great rewards and will open the doors of opportunity that may otherwise be closed to you. Plan now to continue your education. Be willing to work diligently and make sacrifices if necessary. I’m here to support and encourage you along your journey.  Maintain an enthusiasm for learning throughout your life. Find joy in continuing to learn and in expanding your interests. Choose to actively participate in the learning opportunities available to you.

Your education should include spiritual learning. Study the scriptures and the words of the latter-day prophets. Participate in the institute young adult program.  Continue throughout your life to learn about Heavenly Father’s plan. This spiritual learning will help you find answers to the challenges of life and will invite the companionship of the Holy Ghost to lead and guide you in your most important decision that lie ahead for you.  I bought you a new set of scriptures with your name on them. I hope that you will come to love the Scriptures as much as I have grown to love them.  The word of God has brought me much peace in my life and has answered many of my questions about life.  I know Heavenly Father’s loves you very much and wants the best life has to offer.  My advice to you. Read and study your new scriptures, they will bring great strength in your life, study the scriptures each day and apply what you read to your life. The scriptures are a powerful source of personal revelation and guidance and a constant strength to your testimony.  Remember Your Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to seek His help and keep trying in all you do.

Be humble and willing to listen to the Holy Ghost and respond to His promptings. Place the wisdom of the Lord above your own wisdom.  Read Moroni chapter10 verses 4-5 in your new scriptures.
As you do these things, the Lord will make much more out of your life than you can by yourself. He will increase your opportunities, expand your vision, and strengthen you. He will give you the help you need to meet your trials and challenges. You will gain a stronger testimony and find true joy as you come to know your Father in Heaven and His Son, Jesus Christ, and feel Their love for you.
Congratulations on your very special day !
If you ever need someone to talk to, I’m here and your greatest cheerleader 📣 when discouragement comes your way. 💕 Love you ❤️🌹Sister Debbie Symes.

Lunch Today

Our sister missionaries are getting transfer this Thursday.  We are going to miss them.  They have been such a great help with the young women in our ward.  We are meeting at the Bear Trapper today, I’m taking my mother with me.

Alisa Peterson

Alisa is getting married on June 6th and they are hosting a wedding reception on the 7th.  She has asked me to help decorate for her wedding reception.  We went and looked at the place she is hosting today.  It is going to be lots of fun decorating for her.  She is the daughter of our past Bishop Peterson that was released last September.  We love 💕 their family so excited to help her and her family for this very special occasion.

Stake Conference Today

Today is our stake conference we’re taking my mom with us today to the Paris tabernacle she should enjoy that very much it is a beautiful sunny day was to supposed to rain but right now it’s beautiful and sunny at Bear Lake.  Conference was very good. Brother Sexton again gave us strong counsel. Challenge thru our faith- share the gospel and be not afraid in sharing the gospel message.  Pray for the Holy Spirit for guidance, listen and then take courage to follow the prompting.  Strong counsel to keep the Sabbath Day holy.  It is going to be required in order for us to endure the challenges that lay ahead of us in a world of fear, be not afraid. Tribulations are coming which is part of the second coming.  As we go to the temple, live the gospel there will be safety and peace in our lives.  He was so comforting.  He said when the Family Proclamation was announced 20 years earlier,  we now see the effects of how the family is being destroyed because of unrighteous living.  He says in 20 years from now we will see the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy in preparation for the second coming of our savior, this was a quote from brother Ballard one of the apostles in a training meeting for the seventy's.  He also mention that more and more responsible will be placed on the family teaching in the home and that there will be less church meetings, there will be more family gathering at the home in the future,there will be many more important revelations, that will be revealed to us as members of the church.  From the last conference President Nelson has asked us to read and study the conference talks over and over the next six months to reflect up on them and implement their teachings in our lives.  I remember this council from the prophet  and I have been trying to read the conference talks more often and studying what their message is to me.  I am slowly getting through them I have actually read the first few talk several times already.

Stake leadership Meeting

Ministering to our fellow saints,  the new program in the church, as announced in General conference, president Robert first speaker, ministering in a more holier way.   Listening to others, Truely listen to know their needs... grow closer to the Savior,  business of now is too much,  do the important things that matter in the future, eternal nature, our lives less complicated. Maginify our callings to bless the lives of others, the true joy in life.   

• Brother Garmen ... ministering, get going... hymn 157, thy spirit Lord stirred our souls... 
  
• make the path clear for the Holy Spirit, the path of our duty clear as we listen to the promptings, do the things to invite the spirit...story about his father,, family fast, act upon the promptings even to strangers 
• We need to act... luke 9: savior called his apostles and ask them to teach... vs 18 Peter answered the Christ of God 
• As we minister our testimony will go of the Savior,  pray morning and evening for the promptings.
• 70venty speaking:  Elder Saxton    Our special guest,  mimiester in a higher and holier way!!! Our group as a stake learning how to minister.  Do you now as a result of these changes there was one thing that both President Robert and President Robert and President Jordan said that I want to pick up on it I’m going to just say that the few things it out before we we begin our discussion they both mentioned following the spirit so I wanted to teachers I’m going to go get assignment I want you to have your hearts and your minds open and throughout this weekend if you have any impression about something you want to do write it down and then do it follow-through wanted you may have a name come to your mind or in active don’t lose that impression I’m getting a little bit of feedback so don’t lose that impression write it down if you if you’re prone to forget I feel approaching that you want to do something in that just three days down the road you haven’t done it then write it down lose that impression capture it somehow and then follow up and see to it that you do and I’m going to make this promise to you but if you feel pressured to do something and if you will do it no matter how small your effort the board will somehow find out and it will bear fruit whatever it is for whatever reason you had that impression if you.   As the Bishop of our ward in when we lived in Virginia so this was a number of years ago but I was driving home from work and I have this impression OK so I got to just tell you one thing and that was that there was a brother in our ward clerk and he passed away he was as faithful faithful high priest faithful a member of the church as you’ll find anywhere just a really good man and he got cancer and he passed away and so this was about a month later I was driving home and I have this impression go invite Brian Clark Herman so if the deceased father.  I ought to do this some, no go right now.  Replied sure what do I need to do.  Start attending church and pay your tithing,  do those things in a short time you will be ready.  He is a faithful member now.  Acting in the prompting from the Holy Ghost.  Follow the spirit always...we will have holier and higher levels of ministering.  Son called in the winter, I think my battery’s dead can you help.  Meet Bererto, the hand the lord brought you here to hear the word of the Lord. Living in rexberg Idaho.  Introduced the gospel to him by listening to  promoting.  We will receives fruit🎁of the gospel ...by follow impression we will never go amisss.  Cute story on plane to share the gospel with them acting on the ministering promptings.  There are 175 in our meeting .  
• Referr to handbook 2... any questions we have about the new changes,  organizes members as need to help...rely on the up-dated electronic versions of the handbooks....ministering meet the spiritual and temporal needs Of the members....Matthew 20 .. Peter in Act 10: annoited with the Holy Ghost and power going about doing good.. 
• what are our needs ? Convey what those needs are in a family.  
• Brother Sexton gave a very powerful talk at the Adult session tonight.  Very touching by his message.  Asked to keep the sabbath  holy in preparing for the second coming of the Savior, he invoked a blessing to all of us attending to night.  In 20yrs from now we will see the importance of keeping the sabbath holy as we now see the family proclamation that was revealed 20 years earlier...Being fulfilled in our life time. Blessed us as we keep the sabbath we will have peace and safety and the blessing of the things we need,  don’t fear the second coming of the Savior.  We need to make our home a holy place from the 🌎 world.  He gave us such a beautiful blessing tonight.  Asked us to read 3Nehi 27.   Pattern to follow in our lives.   

Tommy’s Birth Father Funeral

We attended the funeral of Dennis Thorne, Tommy’s birth Father.  It was a very nice funeral and great tribute to the life he lived.  Fun to see Tommy and his family. 

Cole’s State Track Meet

 

Cole won 6th in State today running the 300m hurdles and contributing to another State Championship for the boys at Davis High!🏆🤗🏅🏃‍♂️🏅😅

Winn's Preschool Graduations

Our little Winston did such a great job singing all his songs, so fun to watch him.  So glad we were in town to see the special event in his life as a sweet 6 yrs old.

Picking Up My Mother

She has arrived !! We picked mother up at the airport today.  She is so excited to be here with us and see all the great-grand kids,  they love Gaga!! She was really tired 😴.  We had a full day- went Winn’s preschool graduation, from there we headed to Cole’s track meet at BYU.  We didn’t get back up Tasha home until 6pm.  Mother had up get up at 3am to catch their flight out. It has been a full day for her.  She is lucky 🍀 to be here after her bad fall about 6 weeks earlier.  She is blessed to still be alive.!! Hope to enjoy the time we have with her.

Back to Salt Lake

We got up early his morning to drive back to the Salt lake valley again.  I get tired of driving back and forth but that is the sacrifice we have to make with us living at the lake.  I need to go to the chiro for an adjustment.  My left ankle and foot is really hurting me.  I can tell when I need an adjustment when it starts aching and hurting.  Craig was able to stop by for me to get an adjustment just in time to get him to the sales congress luncheon.  This will be his last one attending, he wanted to be here for Martine who is going to be awarded the lifetime award.  I’m waiting in the truck.  We had to haul to wave blaster back down and try to take it back to the guy he bought from on Monday.  The cylinder is cracked and it is going to cost about a $1.000 to fix it, it is disappointing, the guy was not up front with us, turned out to be a hassle for us, we are going to have to deal with after Craig’s meeting.  I need to go see Shannon today.  We are sleeping over tonight.  My mother fly's in tomorrow with the Wallace nephew's they are flying in for the funeral of their grandpa Thorn.  Mother is flying in with them and is planning on staying a while.  This is going to be a new challenge this summer in taking care of her.  She turned 82 yrs old July 20th.  We have a busy few days coming up.  Cole goes to state track meet tomorrow and Saturday at BYU, the funeral is Friday morning.  We need to stay in town till Friday evening.

A Wasted Day

Craig found a wave blaster on the KSL classified adds.  He has been looking for one this past year, so we picked it up this morning.  It was an all day ordeal.  We had to go to the bank to get cash and load it up in Bucks truck.  We traded cars so we could bring it up to the lake.  Craig was uneasy with the title and then looking at it after we pick it up he notice the cylinder was cracked.  The guy he bought it from said it worked fine.  So we hauled it all the way to the lake.  It looks good for a 1995 with a new paint job.  Craig put it in the water and it leaked bad. Craig is so mad!!! It has been a hassle for us all day dealing with it.  It is very disappointing!! 

Mother’s Day

We had a lovely Mother’s Day.  I attended all my church meetings.  Ward council at 7:30 am to noon.  Fun to visit with the saints.  We came home to change clothes.   I made a potato salad for our family Mother’s Day dinner.  We left for our trek drive to Sandy at 2:30 pm and arrive at Tasha's home at 5:30pm,  we had a yummy dinner together.  Shannon wasn’t feeling well enough to attend but the boys all came for dinner.   We missed having Stacy and her family here.  My girls all send me lovely Mother’s Day notes. Sharlena made me my favorite peanut brownies.  Tasha gave me so lovely 💐 flowers 🌺,  Trisha gave me a darling jar that says Mom’s spa fund jar with $20.  Craig got me a new IPhone 8.  Stacy said she was mailing me something so I will have to check at the post office tomorrow.   Enjoyed getting together as a family.   Sharlena Love note : Happy Mothers Day to you!!!  I love you Looking forward to seeing you this afternoon.,  love the brownies she made for me!!
Trisha: Thanks mom! Happy Mother’s Day💐I love you very much and thank you for your example and love for me and my family. ❤️😘 see you tonight.... Hi Mom, want to thank you today for all you have done and continue to do for me. I love you so very much. I’m so grateful Heavenly Father blessed me with such a Great Mom that love me unconditionally. It was fun to get together and spend some time with the family. Hope you enjoyed your Mother’s Day!!💐love you!!❤️😀... my note back to Trisha ...Thank you for such a nice Mother's Day note,I love you very much you are the best daughter a mother could ever ask for, just getting back to the cabin, I didn't have my phone with me so just getting your note, my phone isn’t working the best my Apple Watch is working for me love you. Look forward to my new phone arriving.  
Stacy : she sent me a sweet voice message where she started 😢 crying we FaceTimed her as family visiting with everyone.  FaceTiming is so fun.  So nice when we are long distant from our love ones. who would of thought we can talk on our phones and actually see one another while visiting!!  Tecnology has greatly enhanced our lives....I just called to tell you how much I love and appreciate you! ❤️thank you for all you do and did for me growing up. You helped shape me to be who I am today. I am so grateful to have you as my Mother. You have been such a great example to me. I love you Mom! 🤗😘💗💐.. CHAD sent me a sweet note too: Debbie,You’re such an amazing person and grandma to my little kids. We are so lucky to have you in our lives and today I’m especially grateful for all you do for the family. I hope you have a great Mother’s Day and I wish we were there to celebrate you. We love you.
I sent Stacy a note back: Thank you Stacy for such a sweet Mother's Day note, I love you so much honey so proud of you and the wonderful mother you are to your little kids you are a very special daughter in our family hope you had a very nice day.  Miss my Stacy girl we have a very special relationship.

• Shannon: Happy Mother’s Day mommy ❣️❣️I Love you so much !! I am so lucky to call you my mom !! I am so thankful for you and all that you do for all of us ..You have always been my #1 cheerleader 📣 helping me fight through this life,supporting me being there for me and just listening to me when I just need to talk. Thank you for being my best friend I love you Mommy ❤️❤️😘 Happy 😊 Mother’s Day ❤️❤️...I love you sweetheart I hear that you are sick today I'm so sorry,will come see you later tonight or tomorrow morning.  I sent your Mother’s Day gift 🎁 home with the boy.  I got all the girls a cute lotion set for Mother’s Day.  We had a very nice day.  I sent my mother and Craig’s mom a pretty Mother’s Day card with $25 for our gift this year,  sent my mother a text note...Happy Mothers Day Love you very much see you later this week❤️💕🌹my mother is flying in this Thursday for Tommy’s birth father, Dennis Thorne funeral on Friday.   Excited to see her later this week. 

We had a very nice Mother’s Day !!  Natasha hosted at her home 🏡.  While there Lincoln fracture his ankle on the tramp.  Crazy 😜 boys.  Poor Tasha she has two boys hurt now, Winn with his broken arm and now Lincoln.  She took him to have it x-rayed today and sure enough it is fracture!!!
Mother's Day Thomas Family, Tasha with her three little ones.

Picture of Stacy and in Sept 2016 with baby Enzo_ Miss our Stacy she is the best
 mother for her 4 children.  They moved to California Christmas 2016.

Trisha and Karlee on Mother's Day with Alec

Boston, Landon and Jacob our special grandson's, Joys of grandkids, Mother's Day

Council From Our Prophet

In my morning study time I’m striving to read a few chapters in the book of Mormon and then reading conference talks by our president Russell M Nelson, his last address to us in the closing session of conference-  Let Us all Press On” ...love the council that he has given us....I exhort you to study the messages of this conference frequently--even repeatedly--during the next six months..... Conscientiously look for ways to incorporate these messages in your family home evenings, your gospel teaching, your conversations with family and friends, and even your discussions with those not of our faith.....My dear brothers and sisters, construction of these temples may not change your life, but your time in the temple surely will. In that spirit, I bless you to identify those things you can set aside so you can spend more time in the temple. I bless you with greater harmony and love in your homes and a deeper desire to care for your eternal family relationships. I bless you with increased faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and a greater ability to follow Him as His true disciples. I bless you to raise your voice in testimony, as I do now, that we are engaged in the work of Almighty God! Jesus is the Christ. This is His Church, which He directs through His anointed servants. I so testify, with my expression of love for each of you, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen.

The leaves are popping out

I have watched the large cotton trees outside our window this last month waiting for the leaves to come out.  Just barely started appearing this week which means summer is coming, so ready for some warmer weather, we had some really nice days on the weekend but it has been raining here for the last couple days, drop down to 44° yesterday and it’s going to be cold today, love seeing the beautiful bright green leaves, things are very beautiful and green at the lake.  Fun to see the leaves popping out. Just about 6 weeks behind the Salt lake area with the higher elevation.  It just gives us an extension of spring a beautiful time of year- fun to go back-and-forth. I love seeing all the beautiful flowering trees in the Salt Lake Valley this is one thing I have missed seeing  at the lake.  The season here is so short, I like a longer growing season.  So anxious to plant some summer flowers 💐. I woke up this morning missing living close to my kids.  There is a sacrifice living further away from the family. Even though we love it here at the lake, I find myself getting homesick for the good ol’Draper area, excited when I go back to visit the kids.  I have to race to get what little shopping time I can while I’m in town and then visit with the kids Craig is always rushing me back up to the lake.

Giving a Book of Mormon

Craig and I have both felt prompted that we needed to get a book of Mormon to Mika and encourage her to take the missionary lessons.  I asked my beehive class to prepare a book of Mormon and to write their testimonies back in January I have been encouraging them to get this done for months.  Mika went to our Temple Square outing on April 20 and I spent almost 2 hours with her touring Temple Square, just the two of us she had many questions? I am so impressed with her maturity and willingness to learn.  There was no doubt in my mind that she is ready to hear the gospel message.  I felt strongly that I needed to get it done this week, so finally I got Brittany my beehive counselor to go with me yesterday to meet with Mika and her mother.  It was a very positive response from both of them Brittany sent me a cute now afterwards.....Thanks for your persistence and confidence in sharing the gospel. It felt good to visit Mika and Andrea today! I prayed before going to not say or do anything that was too much, I felt it was the right amount. All day I have been contemplating if I should’ve said or done more but it still was a lengthy visit, but felt just right. What are your thoughts! .... I felt things went great, the seed is planted, I let the the sister missionaries know to follow up and sent Mika and her mother pictures I took at temple square, Mika saying temple square was her favorite activity says a lot, just keep Praying 🙏 for her and her family to listen To the gospel message.  

Bible Dictionary on Faith

Faith is to hope for things which are not seen, but which are true (Heb. 11:1; Alma 32:21), and must be centered in Jesus Christ in order to produce salvation. To have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed Himself and His perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in Him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith (Rom. 10:14–17). Miracles do not produce faith, but strong faith is developed by obedience to the gospel of Jesus Christ; in other words, faith comes by righteousness, although miracles often confirm one’s faith......Faith is a principle of action and of power, and by it one can command the elements, heal the sick, and influence any number of circumstances when occasion warrants (Jacob 4:4–7). Even more important, by faith one obtains a remission of sins and eventually can stand in the presence of God.

All true faith must be based upon correct knowledge or it cannot produce the desired results. Faith in Jesus Christ is the first principle of the gospel and is more than belief, since true faith always moves its possessor to some kind of physical and mental action; it carries an assurance of the fulfillment of the things hoped for. A lack of faith leads one to despair, which comes because of iniquity......Although faith is a gift, it must be cultured and sought after until it grows from a tiny seed to a great tree. The effects of true faith in Jesus Christ include (1) an actual knowledge that the course of life one is pursuing is acceptable to the Lord (see Heb. 11:4); (2) a reception of the blessings of the Lord that are available to man in this life; and (3) an assurance of personal salvation in the world to come. These things involve individual and personal testimony, guidance, revelation, and spiritual knowledge. Where there is true faith there are miracles, visions, dreams, healings, and all the gifts of God that He gives to His saints. Jesus pointed out some obstacles to faith in John 5:44 and 12:39–42 (see also James 1:6–8).

Cole’s Track Meet Today

Cole just made it to the STATE Championship track meet running the 300m hurdles!!! With a personal  record, state qualifying time of 39.97 seconds and 4th place in the Region Championship today!  We are so proud of our Cole!! 

True To The Faith

Personal Progrss faith #3 living gospel principles requires Faith.  I read about faith in True to the Faith.   The Apostle Paul taught that “faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the evidence of things not seen” (Hebrews 11:1; see footnote b). Alma made a similar statement: “If ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true” (Alma 32:21).
Faith is a principle of action and power. Whenever you work toward a worthy goal, you exercise faith. You show your hope for something that you cannot yet see.
Faith is like accomplishing something I hope for, yet I have to work in action, what I want to accomplish? Like losing weight, I can hope for it,  but in order to lose, I have to put in an action plan that helps me accomplish my goal and then follow thru each day, little by little putting forth the effort to eat right and exercise to order to lose weight, I can’t just hope for it!! Faith is the same principle it take action on my part to strengthen my faith.  
Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ- In order for your faith to lead you to salvation, it must be centered in the Lord Jesus Christ (see Acts 4:10–12; Mosiah 3:17; Moroni 7:24–26; Articles of Faith 1:4). You can exercise faith in Christ when you have an assurance that He exists, a correct idea of His character, and a knowledge that you are striving to live according to His will.
Having faith in Jesus Christ means relying completely on Him--trusting in His infinite power, intelligence, and love. It includes believing His teachings. It means believing that even though you do not understand all things, He does. Remember that because He has experienced all your pains, afflictions, and infirmities, He knows how to help you rise above your daily difficulties (see Alma 7:11–12; D&C 122:8). He has “overcome the world” (John 16:33) and prepared the way for you to receive eternal life. He is always ready to help you as you remember His plea: “Look unto me in every thought; doubt not, fear not” (D&C 6:36).  (Sent this quote to my daughter Shannon today to help encourage her and let her know Jesus is aware  of her trials of health.)
Living by Faith- Faith is much more than passive belief. You express your faith through action--by the way you live.  My faith is expressed by the action I do each day to show my faith in Jesus Christ-
The Savior promised, “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moroni 7:33). Faith in Jesus Christ can motivate you to follow His perfect example (see John 14:12). Your faith can lead you to do good works, obey the commandments, and repent of your sins (see James 2:18; 1 Nephi 3:7; Alma 34:17). Your faith can help you overcome temptation. Alma counseled his son Helaman, “Teach them to withstand every temptation of the devil, with their faith on the Lord Jesus Christ” (Alma 37:33).
The Lord will work mighty miracles in your life according to your faith (see 2 Nephi 26:13). Faith in Jesus Christ helps you receive spiritual and physical healing through His Atonement (see 3 Nephi 9:13–14). When times of trial come, faith can give you strength to press forward and face your hardships with courage. Even when the future seems uncertain, your faith in the Savior can give you peace (see Romans 5:1; Helaman 5:47).
Increasing Your Faith- Faith is a gift from God, but you must nurture your faith to keep it strong. Faith is like the muscle of your arm. If you exercise it, it grows strong. If you put it in a sling and leave it there, it becomes weak.
You can nurture the gift of faith by praying to Heavenly Father in the name of Jesus Christ. As you express your gratitude to your Father and as you plead with Him for blessings that you and others need, you will draw near to Him. You will draw near to the Savior, whose Atonement makes it possible for you to plead for mercy (see Alma 33:11). You will also be receptive to the quiet guidance of the Holy Ghost!!
I can strengthen my faith:You can strengthen your faith by keeping the commandments. Like all blessings from God, faith is obtained and increased through individual obedience and righteous action. If you desire to enrich your faith to the highest possible degree, you must keep the covenants you have made.
You can also develop your faith by studying the scriptures and the words of latter-day prophets. The prophet Alma taught that the word of God helps strengthen faith. Comparing the word to a seed, he said that the “desire to believe” can lead you to “give place” for the word to be “planted in your heart.” Then you will feel that the word is good, for it will begin to enlarge your soul and enlighten your understanding. This will strengthen your faith. As you continually nurture the word in your heart, “with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life.” (See Alma 32:26–43.)
I love the scriptures in Alma 32.  Such a strong example of how to build my faith in the word of God!!!

Winston Broke His Arm

Last night Tasha texted saying she was taking Winston to primary children hospital 😐 he had broken his arm falling out the monkeys bars at the neighbors 🏡.  Poor little guy , he looks so sad 😭 he broke it above the elbow and they were going to have to do surgery in the morning.  They operated at 10am this morning praying things will go well for him.  This is a picture of the screws they placed in his little arm!! Note from Tasha: Surgery went well this morning the Dr just came and talked to me. They got the screws in his elbow and they found his wrist was broken also so they fixed that.  So sorry for our sweet Winn he fell about the same time 2 yrs ago when they first in their new home and broke his arm.  This time it is much worse.  Pray he heals well and not in a lot of pain.  He wasn't feeling well the night we slept over with a tummy ache and now he has to deal with
a broken arm, sad little boy!! Pray for a fast recovery.
  

Our Errand Day

Craig and I spent the day running errands while we were in town.  We did get a chiro appointment in first thing.  We both needed an adjustment.  We then went cell phone shopping,  I got my cell phone wet last week and it has not been working. It is so annoying.  We went to the apple store at the Fashion place mall, while there my phone booted up with service after a week.   The sales person was able to check my phone hardware and everything was working.  When getting my phone wet it does compromise the performance of the phone.  When we left the store it shut off again.  It is very temperamental.  Off & On.  I’m most likely having to get a new phone.  I would really like the new c I- 8 cell phone.  It takes great pictures.  I only use my cell phone as a camera now.  So it would be nice to have a good camera for my digital pictures and blogging.   We shopped around, talked to the sales men at the mall, went to target and wallmart, trying to decided if we want to change our cell phone provider.  It is such a hassle having to shop around and compare not my favorite thing to do. We to Dessert Book to buy scripture for Jacob & Lincoln and Boston being baptized this year as a gift from us.  They each cost $50.00.  By late afternoon we were tired.  Craig has a full on cold coming on and is feeling terrible.  Explains why he did not feel well the day earlier.   I was tried too and really to go home 24 hours later we started our drive back to the lake about a 3 hour drive.   It so so pretty this time of year I love spring and have enjoyed my time in town, but does feel good to go back to the country life at the lake.  It is much more peaceful.

Trisha 37th Birthday

May 8th,2018 is our T girls 37th birthday.  I’m missing her! Decided to drive down and surprise her for her birthday.  We left about 11:30 am to make the trek to Salt Lake for the day.  I needed to go to the chiropractor for an adjustment too.   My left foot and ankle is really hurting and I know I need an adjustment when it starts hurting.  The heal of my foot is hurting so bad it hurts to walk on it.  When we arrived in town I called  the chiro, they are close today so have to wait till Wednesday morning for an adjustment.  Craig needed to get some new tires for his riding bike.  We went to performance bike store, while there Craig wanted me to try out an electric bike,  it was fun for us both to ride one around in the parking lot.  Craig is wanting to by me one so I can ride further with him up the mountain passes.  They do cost about $2,500.00,  it was fun riding on it and I can see where it would help me to ride more with my hubby, we are going to shop around some more, online to see if we can find a better price.   Surprised Trisha calling and letting her know we are in town.  We met her at crystal nails  to get a pedicure.  I really needed one hadn’t had one since just before Valentines.  3 months ago.  Fun to visit with my Trisha.  She is the best daughter I love her so very much.  Hard to believe she is now 37 yrs old.  Craig got a pedicure with us too.  Craig was so tired most of the day, could tell he was not feeling the best.  From there we went to Tasha home to sleep over.  Craig wanted to watch the playoff  basketball Jazz game final.   While he watches the game I went Mother’s Day shopping.  I wanted to get the girls something for Mother’s Day coming up.      We all plan to get together at Tasha’s home Sunday afternoon for a family dinner.   I enjoyed my time shopping.  I don’t get out very often and I have to work fast when I have an open window of time to sneak some shopping time in.   I found some fun hand creams sets for all our girls and wrapped in cute spring bags.  Leaving them at Tasha’s home until we come down on Sunday again.  Little Annie was my helper getting the presents ready.  By 9:30 pm Craig was sleeping already, I could tell he was not feeling well.   I also bought some extra lotion sets for my visiting teaching sisters for mother day and our secret sisters in the ward.   I found two swim suit cover ups for my new swim suits, I ordered online for the first time. I order three new Suits they are so darling!!

Cleaning Day

I was sick most of April so hope May is be a better month.  After my reading time this morning I felt like I needed to do a little cleaning I change the sheets on our bed and cleaned our bathroom and tidied up the master bedroom today and did a little laundry- I was up at 5:30 this morning, it’s 11:30am now and I’m tired.   Craig and I are going to run down to the pharmacy and pick up my prescriptions from my doctors appointment last week and go to the post office maybe we’ll get a little bit of lunch while we’re out to socialize.  Craig had a good workout this morning he was going to go on a bike ride up to the top of Logan Canyon the weather still too cool today.  So he decided to just work out on his workout equipment.  Craig is very thoughtful he wished Becky Coomb's from our old ward happy birthday today she sent a sweet note and said that the neighborhood wasn’t as happy and cheery with us gone.  They miss us!! Craig is very kind and tender to our new friends at Bear Lake and they all love him as well.  He brings Love & cheer to everyone we meet.   Last Thursday he went to Kimball Junction which is about a 2 Hour Drive one way to help brother Taylor with his trailer, to bring it back up to the lake. Craig is their home teachers.  He is great in ministering to those that he looks after, he is a true friend.  I love my husband very much.   Brother and sister Batt moved into the ward about a year ago they are about our age Sister Batt bore her testimony in Sacrament yesterday and I was very touched by her testimony.  I text her this morning to invite them to have dinner with us tonight but brother Batt works Monday through Wednesday in Salt Lake so we are going to have dinner on Thursday evening I would like to get to know them better and create a friendship.  They moved here and are starting the retirement life as well.  I invited Nae Nae and her siblings to come have family home evening with us tonight, I have not heard back from their mother yet, hoping that they can come.  I’m trying to give service in reaching out to others and listen to the Holy Spirit prompting’s.

Thinking of you

Dear Shannon Thinking of you this morning and praying for you, I came across this quote in my reading this morning from our new Prophet Sustained. President Russell M Nelson : 

 To be sure, there may be times when you feel as though the heavens are closed. But I promise that as you continue to be obedient, expressing gratitude for every blessing the Lord gives you, and as you patiently honor the Lord’s timetable, you will be given the knowledge and understanding you seek. Every blessing the Lord has for you--even miracles--will follow. That is what personal revelation will do for you.

Fasting Message from Denton Texas Stake

 From the Denton stake our old ward

From: Calvin Griffin <noreply@ldschurch.org>
Date: May 6, 2018 at 12:17:07 AM CDT
To: shelva.wallace@yahoo.com
Subject: Fast Sunday- May 6th 2018
Reply-To: calvin2005@centurytel.net

Brother and sister we are thankful for all the Lord has blessed us with, especially the Gospel of Christ. There are many individual in the Denton Stake that does not have the blessing of the Gospel in their lives. As you end your fast today we ask you to pray with your family, asking Heavenly Father to allow us to meet and bless the lives of those who are ready to hear the gospel.
May the Lord give us success as we meet and minister to those in the Denton Stake. 

Weight loss success

I was faithful on my Nutrisystem diet for one entire week and I lost 5.2 pounds hallelujah.  I weighed in at 169 last Sunday and this Sunday I weighed in at 163.8 so excited that I have lost 5 pounds I need to keep going this week and pray that I have the strength & the fortitude to stick to my diet, loseing another 5 pounds would be so nice I haven’t been below the 159 mark for well over a year.  

Monday Morning

I woke up at 5:30 AM this morning.  It is a beautiful sunrise it is going to be a beautiful day.  I love this time of early morning when I can hear the birds chirping in greeting the day.  I challenge my young women to read 12 conference talks this month about President Nelson and what his counsel is to us.  I pray that I may study this morning and be able to fill the Holy Spirit touch my heart in regards to the messages what I need at this season of my life?  I pray that I may be able to hear the promptings of the Holy Spirit this day in helping someone, in reaching out to one person at least,  if not more.  I pray for each of my young women this day that may have a good day at school, Bless them with the challenges that they may deal with this day and give them the strength to succeed also each of my darling grand kids I pray for them this day and the challenges that come their way.  I have accepted the challenge to read the book of Mormon every day for the next 30 days in preparation of the world wide youth devotional with President Nelson coming up on June 3rd.  I pray for health and strength this day that I may get some exercise and continue eating healthy to lose weight.

Church Worldwide Devotional

Tonight was the worldwide devotional for the young adults 18 and older I felt impressed to invite Mariah and the sister missionaries to come to our home and watch it with me tonight and I’m so happy that Mariah excepted the invitation- she came with the sister missionaries.  It was a beautiful message by brother and sister Kearon on of the seventy’s.  Mariah is 18 and graduating from high school she has not been very active and doesn’t have an active family.  The sister missionaries have been wonderful reaching out to her they have the magic with Mariah.  I had text her earlier and she said she was not able to come but lo and behold the sisters text back and said that Mariah was coming with them so exciting.  The message given by Sister Kearon Meassage was presented inspirational and very touching by the Holy Spirit to the heart.  I love both of their talks, I look forward to listening to them again on LDS.org.  This has been a very successful day honoring the Sabbath day and listening to the promptings of the Holy Spirit.   I’m so happy that I followed through in inviting her to attend tonight.  Message taught tonight, giving service to others, as we look outward and serve others we are happier in our lives.  Instead of looking inward we find that we are not happy.  As we give of ourselves in service to others we are truly living our lives as Jesus Christ and his example to us while he was on the earth, the Savior always looked outward in caring for others around him.  The challenge to us is to look outward each day and in finding someway to serve, in looking outward we will find great joy in our lives as we strive to serve more fully.  Love the message shared this night.

President Nelson’s messages

President Lorenzo Snow, “This is the grand privilege of every Latter-day Saint … that it is our right to have the manifestations of the Spirit every day of our lives.”   

The privilege of receiving revelation is one of the greatest gifts of God to His children.

Sabbath Day

This has been a good Sabbath day.  I loved the relief society message at women’s conference held on Friday this week at BYU where Sister Eubanks talked about feeling the Holy Ghost in our lives and listening to those promptings, then acting on at least one prompting a day.  I’m taking that challenge to build a closer relationship with the Holy Ghost, my Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ.   In preparing for my young women’s lesson I gave a challenge to the young women to read the book of Mormon every day in preparation for our worldwide devotional with our new prophet President Nelson on June 3.  I have been touched by the Spirit in my lesson preparation.  I know that president Russell M Nelson is a prophet of God.  I felt the Holy Ghost prompting me to get up and bear my testimony in testimony today and I shared thoughts that I have learned from our women's conference, when the prophets spoke his first talk as the sustaining prophet of the  worldwide church.  He is pleading with us in his talk to draw close to the spirit and have the Holy Ghost as our guide in these latter days.  It is going to be critical to have the Holy Spirit is our guide in order to sustain the challenges that lie ahead of us prior to the second coming of our savior Jesus Christ.  I felt prompted to say that his pleading is a warning to us in preparing for the second coming.  Just before the Savior Jesus Christ died he taught the parable of the 10 virgins, five that were prepared and five that were not. The five that were prepared had enough oil in their lamps and we’re waiting for the bridegroom to arrive in the late wee morning hours.  There were five that had run out of oil and we’re not prepared when the bridegroom arrived.  The five prepared virgins could not share their oil and the five that were not prepared had to leave to find oil for their lamps.  They were not there when the bride groom arrived and miss the great wedding celebration due to not having the oil in their lamps. He taught this parable as a sign in preparation for the second coming of the Jesus Christ.  The light that burns brightly in our oil lamps is a representation of the Holy Ghost as our guide we cannot give it to one another, we have to acquire for ourselves in order to be prepared for the second coming we need to have the gift of the Holy Ghost as our own guide and know how to listen to the promptings and direction of light and knowledge from our Heavenly Father.   The 10 virgins represent the membership of the Church of Jesus Christ of latter-day Saints, there will be half of the church membership that will not be prepared when the Savior comes again because we have not learned to listen to the Holy Ghost as our personal guide.  I love President Nelson’s conference talk where he talked about the importance of having the Holy Spirit lead and guide us daily in our lives and to do whatever it takes to learn how to invite the spirit to live worthily to have the spirit, to listen to the prompting and then to act upon those promptings is going to be crucial in the coming days ahead is what he told us.   These are some thoughts that I shared in my testimony.  I told the brothers & the sisters that it’s like the parable of a mother giving birth to a child we know when we are in labor and we know that the time to deliver this child is soon, we don’t know the hour or the very minute that the child will be delivered but we know the time is there giving birth to a child.  We are living in that season of preparing the earth for the second coming of Jesus Christ the Lord is sending his work in these latter days and I am witnessing this miracle before my very eyes it is so exciting I don’t know  the hour that the Savior will return but I do know that I am living in that season of preparation which is not in the far distant.   It might not be in my lifetime but I know that I can return in the clouds of glory at the second coming of our Savior Jesus Christ if I am worthy and prepared like the five virgins that were prepared.  I strongly feel that the second coming will be within my own children and grandchildren’s life time I know in Shannon’s patriarchal blessing it says that she will be here upon the earth at this time of the second coming, it even blesses her home and the elements around her that she would feel comfort, love and not fear.   The Lord is hastening the temple work which is a great miracle that is unfolding it is so exciting to see the youth in our church take hold of this challenge to attend the temple and do baptisms for the dead the young men and young women are  able to participate in these ordinances in the holy temple for the first time in history.   And young women 14 to 17 years of age are now asked to help in the ministering in caring of one another in the relief Society program these changes were made at the last conference.  I can see where the Lord is preparing to us to a Rise & stand to a higher standard in our lives.  I felt the Holy Spirit as I taught my young women’s lesson today - why is it important to have living prophets and why is it important to follow their counsel in our lives?  This is our theme for the month of May.  I know that the young women felt the spirit as I taught the lesson today I could see my Aly Wallentine tear up from the feelings that I had been able to express I knew that her heart was being touch today.  Thanks to Lord for a good Sabbath day thank me for the time that I was able to teach in young women’s.  I love teaching it brings me great joy.  Last month was challenging for me and I struggled emotionally and spiritually for my upset with Sierra.  And I know that this is what heavenly father wants me to be doing at this season of my life teaching these young women I pray for the strength that is needed in the end, I so pray that the Holy Ghost can lead and guide me in my efforts and then I can act upon those promptings.  This is going to be a busy day I just got home from church at 12:30 having a little bit of lunch and relaxing before I meet with brother and sister Pope at 2:30 to help them on their family history from there I have stake choir practice at 4 PM so I have a full Sabbath day of events.

Preparing To Teach

I am teaching the theme lesson for May in young women’s tomorrow, so I have been preparing today. The theme is about, " why it is important to listen to and follow the living prophets."  I love our new prophet president Russell M. Nelson, I have enjoyed reading and studying about him today and preparing for this lesson, he has given the young women a Challenge to read the book of Mormon every day for the next 30 days in preparation for a June 3 world wide fireside for the youth, I am striving to follow the prophet‘s counsel in my own life.  I have read the book of Mormon the last two days.  He has asked us to read the book of Mormon daily and to fast and pray to prepare our hearts for the worldwide conference so that we may be touched by the Holy Ghost as to what we should be doing in our lives at this season.  I have been very discourage this last month with my young women challenges, but as I have read the conference talks today and reviewed several of them, it helps me to realize that I have been called in this season of my life and that the Lord will strengthen me as I strive to be obedient and stay close to the Holy Ghost he will give me the added strength and insight and revelation that I need to fulfill this calling and to know how to help the young women in the garden city1st ward. I have to have that faith that he will strengthen me and that through the Holy Ghost I may receive revelation.

Working out Today !!

I burned over 690 calories today.  I have not worked out in over a month.  I was so sick last month.  I had a relapse and had to start another antibiotic on Wednesday April 26th, two days before our temple outing.  I didn't know if I was going to be well enough to even go.  I was on an antibiotic for a week off for almost a week and then relapsed.   I had to go to the instant care in Garden City to see  a doctor, they would not prescribe any meds over the phone this time.  They said I needed to get my urine cultured.  Luckily I was able to get in fast.  I was so terribly sick again.  Bad body aches and fever by evening.  I was prescribed a different antibiotic this time.  This one works better for me.  Just Prayed I got well enough to go on our temple outing and continue on to California for our family trip, that I really was looking forward to and did not want to miss out on.  I did feel well enough by Friday morning to go to Salt Lake.  My strength is limited but I was able to get through the day.  We continued on to Stay at Shelly's home in Mesquite, Friday evening.  I was dead tired when we arrived.  I was able to enjoy our trip in California.  My energy level has been very low and I feel so weak.  Just hanging in there.  I have been fighting depression the entire month of April.  This blowup with Sierra and serving in the young women's has taken a toll on me emotionally.  And I really miss living in Salt Lake close to my grandkids.  It is a culture shock in many ways living at the Lake.  I have been trying to put my best foot forward and making things work, yet deep inside I have not been happy.  Being sick and the emotional breakdown of it all, I have had a hard time snapping back.  I do feel really beaten down health wise.  This illness really knocks me down after two rounds of antibiotic.  We got home from our trip late Saturday night.  I had a hard time getting myself ready for church.  I had a terrible headache and just not feeling well emotionally.  I did not want to go to church, I did make it the last hour of meetings, which was very good.  Sunday night we had to drive to Salt lake again for Craig's colonoscopy test.  I hadn't even unpacked yet, just grabbed my backpack and off again.  It was lovely weather when we arrive home Saturday evening in the 80's which is very warm this time of year.  By Monday morning it snowed again and raining when I took Craig to his appointment.  I hurried and ran a few errands, just in time to pick him up.  The test went well, he doesn't have to go back for another 10 years.  I need to get the same test done this year.   We ran errands and then went to visit with the Chaudhry family.  Baby Ashtyn is getting so big. Fun to spend time with them.  We headed back that evening.  I'm so tired of driving.  Tuesday afternoon I had an appointment with an urologist to see what I can to do to get this illness under control.  They did an ultrasound of my kidneys and bladder, so far everything looks good.  Just have to wait for them to read the scan for the result.  I needed to hurry back for young women's but I had to go grocery shopping after my appointment.  I didn't make it back in time.  I wasn't wanting to go either.  I'm really fighting my emotions right now with this calling.  I've got to pick myself up.  My energy is terrible and I hurt all over.  After being in California I got some good idea about decorating our cabin and cleaning things up.  Start Spring Cleaning around here.  I worked hard all day Wednesday and Thursday.  I made new cushion covers for our swing trying to give it new life, hosed off the porch and cleaning the outside windows on the lake side.  I worked hard, my legs ached in my sleep both nights from standing.  My back is really bothering me too.  I know I need an adjustment, because my left foot just aches at night sleeping and wakes me up early.  I woke up at 3:30 Wednesday morning and couldn't go back to sleep.  I stayed up the entire day working on projects and cleaning.  That evening had to clean up for a Seminary Graduation dinner we were invited to attend with Craig in the Bishopric. It felt good to socialize, it does feel really weird in the small community.  Only 38 Seniors graduating from the entire high school.  Thursday I woke up early again.  I worked hard all day doing projects and cleaning up my sewing messes I made dragging things out.  It felt good to be doing something with my time.  I needed the diversion, from my stress of my calling and adjusting living at the lake full time.  I really do miss being close to my family.   Today my dear husband got me on the treadmill, we got a 45 minute workout in.  It felt good, but I can feel I'm really out of shape.  Being ill this past month has really taken it out of me.  After our workout Craig wanted to go for a bike ride with the weather warming up.  So we got dressed and took a ride.  It has kicked my butt.  I'm so weak and out of shape.  It did feel go to be outside.  The weather has slowly warmed up again after our cold front on Monday.  I'm so excited for warmer weather.  It felt good to do a few decorating projects.  I found so more stuff in the garage to put out in the cabin.  Slowing finding places for all our stuff stored in the garage.  I really can't take any more out, I have the cabin full.  We really need to repack our storage stuff in the garage.  I need to organize it better there is still stuff I want to be able to get to and I can't.  Craig said he is going to talk to the Man that own's the storage unit, to see if he will give us a unit to store our stuff, for all his time he has put in taking care of the car wash.  Time will tell.  I started my diet on Sunday and have lost 4 pounds.  Just need to hang in there and keep going.  I have been good this week on my eating.  Being active will help.  Our bike ride was my first for the year and it kicked my butt!  I'm so fatigued,  I have got to build up my energy and get myself ready for Trek coming up the middle of June.  Pray I keep getting stronger and regain strength in my body.  I feel so weak and out of shape right now.  This Illness really knocked me down fast. I need to continue working on my diet, stick to what I should eat and keep losing weight too.  I really want to get 10 pounds off by June.   Pray I can chipper up!!

Karlee J’s Birthday

This week May 3rd, 2018 our Karlee J celebrated her 13th birthday another teenager.   We now have 7 teenagers in the family.  We Venmo her $25 for her to go shopping with her mother for the day.  Karlee is such a fun granddaughter in our family.  Happy Birthday Karlee!!

Happy 13th Birthday Karlee

Our Winston Thomas

We Love our Winston, Such a Cute picture in California on our Family Trip 

I thank heaven every day for sending me this sweet boy!!! 💛He will randomly come up to give me a huge hug and tell me thank you for things or tell me how much he loves me or sometimes tells me he loves being in our family. 😂 It’s seriously the sweetest thing ever!!