How did you know

During this last month I have had several opportunities to reflect on my testimony. I had someone tell me that church is not always fun, but they go because they know they are suppose to. Then during a conversation with someone else, as we were talking about many things something was said about the gospel being my belief. I explained to this person that No it was not just a belief but knowledge. As we continued to talk they said that they had prayed about the gospel just like everyone had told them to, and they never got anything. This troubled me and I thought about it some more. I talked with my good friend Marcia about her testimony as well and how did she know that the church was true. The scripture came to my mind about
To some is given by the Holy Ghost to know that Jesus Christ is the Son of God and that he was crucified for the sins of the world.
To others it is given to believe on their words that they also might have eternal life if they continue faithful. I have often wondered why I was blessed to have a strong testimony. As I told this person, that it is not a belief it is a knowledge. I know these things to be true. They said then I'm saying that what others believe is wrong. I told them no. that not what I'm saying but I know what I do know to be true.
On Friday we as a Stake Young Women's and Young Men's Presidency went to the LBJ Grasslands to see if this is where we would want to have youth conference this next year. So I asked Sister Furniss and Sister Johnson both about how did they know that the church was true.
I have learned alot this weekend. Sister Furniss grew up in the church and she said that she always went to church and everyone she knew went to church, but after she married and moved to Texas(not here but a small town in west Texas) She knew she needed to know what she believed. For Sister Johnson she said she prayed and prayed and wanted what someone people talk about a big spiritual experience, she had always read her scriptures, but one day while jogging it came to her, she reminded me of a seminary song of a long time ago. I can't remember all of it but it starts out like drops of rain falling to the ground like one by one upon the thirsty ground. She said its like that for her. Doing the things we are suppose to day by day. Reading our scriptures praying paying our tithing, our callings supporting our leaders. Remaining faithful, being obedient. Then I asked Sister Tan, Friday afternoon while we were getting ready for the Beehive Conference on Sat. She said after she meet her friend Joyce she went to Church for 2 years, attending Seminary and Church with out any other family there with her. Then one day while she was reading the Book of Mormon she just felt it to be true. She then bugged her parents to let her be baptised. I am so thankful for the ladies that I serve with. I have had my testimony strengthen so much by them. This has been an enlightening weekend for me. One thing that Marcia said to me is that when the spirit is there you can teach. I know that when the spirit is there he will testify that those teachings are true. The person receiving that Holy Ghost's promptings have to be receptive as well. I am so thankful for the knowledge of the Gospel. I am thankful that I do have a testimony. I have thought about it alot this weekend. I know that when I first joined the church my testimony was just beginning, and as I have studied and prayed and kept going and doing what the Lord has asked, it has been strengthened. At what point did it turn from a belief to a knowledge... I don't know but I am so glad that it did. That doesn't mean that everything has been peaches and roses because it has not but I do know that I have a loving Heavenly Father and He is mindful of me. I want to return to live with him and the rest of my family forever as I have been promised.

My Grandpa

This is my Grandpa, Floyd Merle Kyllo. His birthday would have been yesterday. This picture was taken in about 1989 or 1990. I loved him so much. He was a twin and the oldest of 13 in his family. When he was born in 1908 they didn't think he was alive but as my great grandmother was having his twin brother Lloyd they put my grandfather in a box on the oven door to keep him warm and the nurse (midwife) I guess saw his foot move and they realized he was alive. He was a hard worker. He was a logger and construction worker, even after he retired he worked as a school crossing guard. This picture was one morning as we were getting ready to come back home. They lived in Grand Island Nebraska. I loved to listen to my grandfather tell stories of when he was a child. He had a dog Max. I swear that dog could talk to him... and he was just my grandfathers dog. After Rick and I were married we went to meet my grandparents, we slept in my grandfathers bed, Rick had gotten into bed and I was getting ready to, Well, max came running in jumped on the bed and firmly planted his feet on Rick's chest and growled, he was not impressed. Rick said "grandpa. grandpa." I other on the other hand am laughing only because it is not me...my grandpa came to the rescue and got max down. My mother taught me so much about caring, I would watch my mother even though she was in TX and they were in NE she would talk to them weekly and sometimes more often. She would make sure they had what they needed and most of the time what they wanted. Anytime we went up there she made sure that she would get different things for them to eat if they wanted to. I am thankful to my grandfather for the example he set for me. I am thankful that he taught me the value of hard work. I am thankful for his determination, even when things were tough. I know it was hard for him when my grandmother died and my Aunt Karen was just 15, even though he remarried, he would show my pictures of my grandmother and talk about her me. When he died my Aunt Karen got many of his albums and now my mom has them and someday I will. I am thankful for the many times I got to spend with my grandparents as a child, I cherish those memories.

So busy

Life has been so busy lately. I took a new job at work and have been working tons. Its been fun and interesting all at the same time, but I sure hope it calms down some. We have this huge training issue that is government mandated so we have to make sure everyone gets trained and on time. Man some people just drag their feet, I can't believe that some just don't want to do their jobs. So frustrating.
Life at the singles ward is good, they are some really great kids. We go to the temple twice a month with them. Once for endowments the other for baptisms, it really great to go with them, to see their dedication, and feel of their testimonies. We had a fun Halloween party with them here Saturday night. Haylee really enjoyed them, she was a little shy but then she came around. Uncle Aaron and Aunt Kimmie were here to, she really loves them.
We went to Colorado for a super short visit, but it was good to see Brett and Brittany and Calan. Calan is getting so big and we so miss them. Flight benefits are great, we flew out Friday night and flew back Saturday night had to leave Saturday about 3 hours earlier because they delayed the later flight and we weren't sure if they might cancel the flight.

Grandmother

I spoke with a cousin last week, and learned alot about my maternal grandmother. Her name which I knew was Eva Gertrude Wells. She did not like Gertrude and so she went by Eva G.

She had been married before she married my grandfather Floyd Kyllo. I knew that, she had a daughter Lois Jean, I knew that too. I always knew that my Aunt Lois was 12 1/2 years older that my mother. My grandmother was an nurse and one day she came home because she had spilt something on her uniform and found my Aunt Lois under the sink and her husband no where to be found. She pack my Aunt Lois up and moved from Wisconsin to Washington. I was quite suprised that in the 30's she would do that. I asked my cousin why Washington and she said that she had a friend who had family there. I always knew that I had very strong willed and determined women in my family but I have a much greater respect for my grandmother. I wonder what she felt and was thinking taking a small child across the country be herself. All of my grandmothers family is in Wisconsin or Minnesota. My grandmother died when I was 2 months old. My mother was just 18 and my Aunt Karen was just 14. I know that my mother always missed her mother. I wish I could have known her. I am thankful for the knowelege of her that I have and for the memories that are shared with us.

Genelogy

Rick has gotten into genealogy lately. Its been quite interesting. I guess it started when we took Meridith's name to the temple, realizing how important families are. We have talked with a few of Rick's Aunts and learned more about his grandparents. We have also been on line and found census that had our families information in it. That's quite exciting, some of Ricks genealogy has been done back to 1400's. We learn more everyday.

Womens Conference

Tonight is the General Women's Broadcast from Salt Lake. I am looking forward to it. I need the extra spiritual boost that comes from listening to the words from our General Relief Society Presidency and the First Presidency. I asked Rachel and Kim if they wanted to go. Kim has been sick with food poisoning since yesterday. I hope she fells better.

I love this weather & random thoughts

Today the weather feels like fall. I love that time of the year. We do not get much of this type in Texas. The air is cool and crisp.. Its beautiful. But they say its suppose to be hot again this weekend..go figure.
Spelling errors are a thing of life.. I looked at my last post and realized oh great.. maybe I shouldn't write it so early in the morning.

Rick told me about this web site maybe you guys have all heard about it
readthescriptures.com
You can put what you want to read and when you want to be finished by and it lets you know how much you should read each day. I finished the Book of Mormon sitting and waiting for Rick, Brett and Brittany while they were in the Nauvoo temple. It was a great place to finish reading it... But I'm finishing my YW in Recognition award and that is one of my goals again to finish it by the end of the year. It has been such a good thing for me to read it and now reread it again. I have had my testimony strengthen so much. I am thankful for the gospel and the hope and joy it brings into my life.