Pride

What happens when pride gets in our way? Last fall I interviewed for a new job. Its actually what we call a TDY position. Its in our training department. Its has been an interesting ride so far. When I was first approached about putting in for the position, I thought no way...I'm quite happy coming in working my 4-5 hours and going home. I don't do drama at work, so many people don't do their jobs, because they are so worried about others. So back to the position..I filled out the paperwork and they called me that Wednesday or Thursday for an interview on Friday. On Thursday night I had a Stake Auxiliary Training meeting that I talked about our experience in Nauvoo when we took Meridith's name through. So Friday Morning Rick is driving me to work, we were going somewhere after work(I can't remember now where or what) but as we drove in I had decided that I probably didn't want the job. What I had to prepare was to teach the people that I am interviewing with something. I told Rick, well I didn't really know what to teach them, about the temple wasn't really a good idea, we decided to talk about baking cookies with Haylee. And the steps that we do and if we are to teach someone something we need to give them tools to succeed and then check back with them. At American all interviews are in groups..every time I have interviewed I have had as few as 2 others and as many as 8-10. I have sat in on panel interviews to decided if we are going to hire people.So as I am sitting there I'm thinking, "What are you doing?" the other people probably want this job lots more than you do. They asked all sorts of questions about experiences we have had...well serving in the church has given me so many opportunities and knowledge and life experiences, plus having kids....anyone that has had them understand YOU learn a lot. SO I got called in for a 2nd interview with 2 different people than the first interview. I had to write a bulletin that would be posted for all agents in DFW to read when new things come out. Long story I know, but here is where PRIDE comes in. There were 3 people down in training and they had gotten pretty comfortable in their job, and since I didn't get into anyone else's business they did their own thing. They were not working well with the manager and someone asked how could they be in training, and then they realized that it actually is a TDY (temporary duty) and some had been down there for 10 years... a long time. Since they didn't want to do anything different their manager decided to open the job up for others..hence I put in for the job. The 3 that were down there decided to be mean and vindictive, they shredded papers, lesson materials and who knows what else. The manger was going to phase them out over probably the next few shifts bids which sometimes last 6 months..they decided that they would just all go at the same time. I guess they thought they were totally indispensable..well no one is. I was offered the job and I at first told her let me think about it. I know some would think I was crazy.. I have a set schedule with weekends off. But I like my job, I like working with people. I try to make a difference. I accepted and then they offered Teri another agent the position to, they were hiring 3 new instructors. It was probably another month before they offered the job to Wayne. Ok, with a little of the background out of the way. One of old instructors has tried her best to make us look bad. I know that after all this has happened she realized that she shot her self in the foot. She thoughtany one else would not be able to do her job, but we have...all the agents who come down to training tell us they are so glad we are down there, they the department is so much better. The other instructors kept the door locked and closed at all times, the room was small cubicles, and it was dirty. We have opened it up and made it a happy place to come to. But they have not stopped trying to make our lives miserable. Anything we have learned we have done it on our own.. they gave us NOT 1 ounce of help. We yesterday, they pushed a little to far... actually one lied about whether this one person is qualified to teach a jetbridge class, she actually trained him and had him help her alot over the past several years. So she thought we were going to fall apart, well she didn't' know that I have been trained by the top trainer and an certified to teach. Her pride has so gotten into her that she is so bent to destroying any and all who she can. Because she has been with American for so long, she had lots of buds all around. She enlists the help of some others. Other big bosses have told her friends to stop and leave the training department alone. What I find is that sometimes we back ourselves in a corner and instead of realizing that we made a mistake and change whats happening we chose to make it worse and we get mad at ourselves but we take it out on others. I think had this lady, changed her attitude life would be better for her, instead she is making it worse and worse. I have lost all respect for her professionally. She had been a ok instructor, but her character leaves lots to be desired. Pride is a deadly sin, we can become engulfed in it before we realize it. Its amazing how the scriputres teach us so much about pride and how deadly it is. In the Book of Mormon so often bad things happened when they became so prideful. How long do we wait, what has to happen, before we take a look and realize the Lord's hand in our lives, or where it should be.

Youth Conference

We are actively planning youth conference. I am so glad to know Heavenly Father gives us help. We are excited about it and yet I am a worrier. So many things we need to get done and right now the time is ticking by very fast. It will be great.

What happens when we let our guard down

Yesterday was our home ward, ward conference. Some may ask our home ward?? Well being in the singles ward, in another stake has been quite different. The Young Single Adults are amazing, we have some really great single adults. They have some great testimonies. What a blessing they are. In our ward conference our stake president Hadley has felt a need to focus on families. What an inspiration, Sister Julie B Beck spoke with past Aug 09 about families to the seminaries and institute. What an amazing talk. She talks about how Satan is really working on the youth and members to not focus on families. How the family is being threatened: marriage rates are declining, the age of marriage is rising, divorce rate are rising children are being born out of wedlock, abortion is increasing legal around the country. People are putting more importance on careers than families. Our young adults lack faith, faith n their ability to be successful in families. They don't see is as something that the Lord will bless them and help them accomplish it. They distrust their own moral strength and the moral strength of their peers. Temptation is so fierce they aren't sure the can be successful in keeping covenants. I have seen this in many young people that I know. Satan is so strong we can not let our guards down... NOT even for 1 second. Satan is not content on not getting youth to marry, he is seeking to destroy those marriages that are trying to stay faithful.. We can not for 1 minute let our guards down.. Satan will be right there to step in. I so worry about this. It has such an eternal consequence that it so worries me.

Lessons in Life

When we spent time in Brussels with John and Natalie our conversations would alot of times end up talking about Meridith. I think it was really good for Rick, he shared with them different thoughts. He worried that it was awkward for them, they of course assured us it was not. But it has certainly given me time to reflect on the different stages of our lives. Different things that have happened and things that have been said or done. For those of you who know me, know that it is very difficult for me to let anyone help me, or to ask for help. John and Natalie moved down the street from us in the late summer of 2005. When Rachel had Haylee, and we were in Argentina with Brett, Rachel called Natalie late one night when she needed some reassurance, and a mother's love. Some may think that was a conscience, but I know that we have a loving Heavenly Father. When Meridith died John was our home teacher and he came as soon as he heard. Natalie came everyday to do what ever need to be done here at our house. I know they moved to Texas for a reason and maybe it was for more than one but I know that the Lord knows what we need.

Today I have been asked to teach a lesson in Relief Society in the singles ward. The lesson is from conference 2009 Robert D Hales Seeking to Know God, Our Heavenly Father and his Son, Jesus Christ. It has certainly given me time to reflect on my own testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I'm not sure when I gained my testimony, but I know that I am most grateful that I have one. I think that when people chose to not follow the teachings then they flounder in life. Some who have never had the gospel, when found they never let go. Others may let let it come and go in their lives when its easy. I read about someone who's family joined the church and so did she, but she said that one day she would like for it to be important in her life again, when she was not so selfish. I was surprised by that statement. Maybe I should be, but for me I know that God lives and that he loves us. I know that Jesus Christ suffered and died for each of us. Not just for me but for everyone. I know that even when someone hurts me deeply that I can't blame God or Christ, whether they are in the church are family or friends. I still need to forgive them, how ungrateful would I be if I didn't and then expected Christ to forgive me of all that I have done, knowingly or even unknowingly. During these last few months as I have read the scriptures I have tried to understand how people get sucked into the pride cycle, how do they let their testimonies wither. I know that I am blessed to know that God lives. I know that I can not be too careful with that knowledge. Satan will certainly use every force and deception that is out there to try to ensnare all of us. I struggle daily with that. Why can't he just leave us alone. I know why...we are a force of good, we can and do make a difference in each others lives, like wise if we don't follow what we know or even believe is true then we are falling right into Satan's trap and he will win.
Hopefully today I will have the spirit with me as I try to teach that we truly have a Heavenly Father and his Son Jesus Christ who really loves us.

31 years together

December 15, 1978

As I think back over the last 31 years, I am thankful that we made the choice to be married in the temple. Neither of our parents were there because there are not members, but that did not stop either of us from wanting to be married for eternity. What a blessing that choice has been in our lives. We have been blessed with 4 beautiful children whom we love dearly. Rick is a great man I love him dearly. He is a great provider, father and a super great PaPa. He has always been supportive of me. He surprises me often. Thanks for the last 31, looking forward to eternity.

Brussels

This is the Atomuim it was vey neat you actually went into the balls of several of them. We took an elevator to the top and then back down, then you took escalators and stairs the rest of the way. The pictures are actually backwards but I figured I should at least get them on my blog so I don't forget.

In the miltary museum they has tanks and airpalnes, we also saw a automobile museum it was very intresting. What a fun day.

This pictures is the view from on top of the next picture. It has an amazing view of Brussels

This reminds me of France.

This is a real mmmy, you can actually see their bones an toenails, teeth and all..
I find it intresting that it has two crypts, shaped like this. Rick said its like ours caskets, we put them in one and then put the casket in a concrete vault.

Today we toured a couple of museums and then we went to the Atomium (something like that) it was quite unique. Lots of fun, we met another missionary couple today the Phairs they are from Utah, we ate at this yummy place, it was like a wrap we call it a tortilla they called it a crepe. Which ever it was yummy. Here are some pictures of today. We did have some yummy belgium chocolates. But no belgium waffles, but there is always tomorrow.

AS you can tell I got the pictures and words mixed up, but oh well. What great day we had today. Lots of walking but its the friends that make it the best.

Brussels

SO YUMMY
Its so good to spend time with John and Natalie.

Dinner

The Christams tree at Grand Palc

We are in Brussels. Its is beautiful here. We are with our dear friends the Arhets. It is so great to see them. Last night when we met up we went to Grand Plac, it use to be where the diffent trade buildings were now its lots of shops. There were street vendors, we have some yummy hot chocolate, a wonderful dinner, it was steaks with french fries and salad. After dinner we went back to find a beligum waffle, on ours we put chocolate and strawberries, John and Natalie had just chocolate. It was so yummy. we will certianly have more of thoses. Fries here are a speciality, they fry them twice. They are really yummy, they have stands that sell fries. hey are a few pictures.