Dating

Living in the mission field can pose a problem for members of the church who want to have an eternal family. As a young Women's presidency we see this as the ward leaders talk about problems that they are having with teh young women. There is no easy answer. I do that that you have to be careful. When I joined the church I had guy friends that were not members. I even dated before I turned 16 since I joined the church at 14. My mom didn't care and I had already gone out a few times with a friend. When I joined the church I had a good Bishop who counseled me to not date until I turned 16. He told me that there were other girls who were watching me and would think that it was ok to date before they turned 16. I had dated this one guy who was really nice and had great standards. But he was not a member of the church. We talked about this in young women's and a with my Laurel Advisor, fortunately I was willing to listen and understand what was important. This guy and I remained friends, he even went to see my family even after I was married. But I had to make the decision to not date non members so that I would not be tempted to fall in love and forget what is most important. Eternal Families. There are lots of great people out there. Some will join the church if given the opportunity some will not. I was not willing to take that chance. When I met Rick, I was not looking to get married but I was doing all the things that I was suppose to do. Gratefully I did not settle, for a marriage outside of the temple. How sad I would be knowing that I would not have Meridith in my family for eternity. I think of Danielle who moved in with her boyfriend. It breaks my heart. I know that everyone young woman wants to be married. There is someone there. We just have to do all we can. Live the gospel to the fullest and pray and let Heavenly Father take care of it and I know he will. My sweet niece this summer has been dating a non member, but she told me that she knew their relationship would not go anywhere. Thanks Mary. I want to be at your temple marriage.(not for a few years) (love you sweetheart)
Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding
Proverbs 3:5. Its not always easy. But its worth it. I can not imagine not having any of my children with me or my grandchildren. I know when Julie(my good friend) married a member but who would not take her to the temple and then her 3 child Elizabeth died for a heart defect. It has bothered her since. She know that she will not have Elizabeth unless she gets her act together. I pray for her often that she will get it figured out.

Faith

Several years back the bishop at the time challenge each of us to pray everyday. It is something we should all do. I really took his challenge to heart. I did just what he asked. I knew that I was blessed for it. I was able to handle challenges that came my way. My testimony grew, it was a good opportunity for me. When Brett went off to school and he faced challenges. I knew the Lord was there. When Aaron left on his mission and then came home, as hard as that was I knew that the Lord was there for us. When Meridith went off to school and got lonely and had a couple of roommates that were not really following the standards, I knew the Lord was there.
(When Rachel was at BYU-I she lived in Nauvoo House they had a picture of a temple in every room and a picture of Christ and Joseph and Emma Smith(I think) in the living room.) Pictures of the Savior can help bring a good spirit into your apt, so I asked Meridith "do you have a picture of Christ and a picture of the temple" She did not. I told her that all her life she had those daily reminders around her and that she needed to have those comforts now. My mother and I flew up there to give her love and support. Rachel would have gone to but she was having a high blood pressure issue that needed to be seem by the Dr. Thanks goodness she didn't go. The Lord again blessed me with a feeling that she did not need to go. It would not be safe. When we went to Idaho, we went and bought a picture of Christ to hang over the TV in the living room and this sweet picture of children in front of the temple.



That brought her much comfort and peace in her apartment. Deisha one of her roommates told Meridith that she has taught her so much this one semester than she had learned the year before.
I realize that these last couple of weeks as I have struggled it is a reminder that I need to ask Heavenly Father for help. To be reminded that I can not do this alone. I realize that my problem these last couple of weeks are CHOICES. CHOICES that I can not control, and not knowing how to handle it. SO my favorite saying is If you don't like something change it, if you can't change it, change the way you think about it.

Today in Sunday school Sister Fowler read my favorite scripture Helaman 5:12
12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.
I have to remember that I have built my testimony on a sure foundation. One which has been built over many years. That has carried me through the difficult times in my life. I know that the church is true. there is no doubt in my mind this is not a belief but a knowledge.
That we have a true and living prophet today on the earth. That Heavenly Father loves us enough to make sure we still have a prophet to guide us today. My testimony is never wavered. I know that Satan still works hard on me. I know that he tries to make me lose faith. But because I know that Jesus Christ is real and that He died for our sins and that he willingly gave up his life for us, brings comfort.
I know there are times when Satan works harder on me, I sometimes feel like he waits for me to question why? Why does A choose not to go to church. Why did Brett get so sick? Why does a friends son choose the the wrong friends and do things that can hurt him? Why do we have young women who move out of their homes to live with a boyfriend that won't be there in a year. Why can't they see the future. Why did Meridith have to die? When she was so full of life and had so much to offer. Good thing we have faith so that as these trials come for all of us(and they will come) we can know that Heavenly father is there for us. I do know this I am grateful for the reminders that I have been given this last week. (sorry for the ramblings I just needed to get it out)

Decisions

Being in the Stake Young Women's Presidency you have to make a lot of decisions. One that is driving us crazy is where to have camp next year...... We want the experience to be a good one, with other activities to do. This year the place was OK. We have gone there for the last 2 years. Not much to do, they sleep in mobile homes which are air conditioned, that part is good,especially since we went in July this year, and they had a swimming hole (to small to be a lake but bigger then a pond.)

We went a toured one, but the drive is 2 1/2 hours, which with the price of gas (and who knows next year) could be a lot. That camp ground has a lot to offer. Horse backing riding, at least one ride per girl, a swimming pool and a lake with a huge 3 person slide. They have deer that just wander the camp grounds(which is really neat) One thing we are finding out is: there are a lot of camp grounds in Texas but so many of them have their own camps...I can't imagine as a parent send my children off for 5 weeks during the summer for camp. That brings us back to finding a place. Victoria and I are going to see another one on Monday. I think its only about 1 or 1 1/2 hours away which is better than 2 1/2 hours. They do have horse back riding and other activities. We shall see. Its a tough decision. We want everyone to come and enjoy the time.

When your prayers seem unanswered

Several years ago I bought this book by S. Michael Wilcox. I read it then, the other night I was looking for another book and rediscovered this one. I guess at this time I must need it, as I picked it up there was a page that was marked about God being a 4the watch God. It gives the example of when Christ had feed the 5,000 and he instructed his disciples to get into a boat and pick him up later. He spent time in prayer and the disciples went into the boat. The storm came and they were fearful for their lives, they did not know that Christ was watching them. They only knew that the storm was bad and they had rowed along time, they were tired and exhausted. Christ came to them and and told them to be of good cheer and it was him. I imagine the disciples would rather have had Christ come earlier to them, but he didn't. When Joseph Smith went into the grove of trees to pray, and felt like his very life was going to end, then a pillar of light came over him. It seems that the Lord tend to come when we are a moment of great despair. I guess I'm more of a please come early and take away any problems that I might be facing, I don't want to do this alone. I often think of the early saints and all that they went though. Would I have had the faith to endure? I would hope that I would.  I can remember when my sister was going through a really diffcult time. My niece went to visit her dad and when it was time for him to send her back to Terri he did not. It took along time to finally get her back, but during this process one day I realized that I prayed for Cindy to be returned to Terri and (if) Bobby prayed (I doubt it) he would want Cindy to stay there. Not because he wanted her but because it would hurt Terri. I remember being on Roberts Cutoff and it came to me that if he answered my prayer then he would not be able to answer Bobby's prayer. Now I realize that I wanted what was best for Cindy and I don't feel he did. How can God answer mine and not his. Now here I am many years later, feeling like my prayers aren't going anywhere. Not necessarily for any reason but they just aren't. It makes it really hard to still pray. I feel like I'm past the 4th watch and the Lord had forgotten me. This morning driving to church I was frustrated at myself and told the Lord you know, I've done the things that you have asked of me, I've been faithful, what else am I suppose to learn. Why do I have to feel like I'm all alone here. Its not a good feeling. I hate feeling this way. I'm trying to get past these feelings but Satan sure knows me to well, but I know that Heavenly Father is there. I have know that for many years.  The knowlege that he has given me, just one person, so that I can deal with things in my life.  I have to remember that, He can and will help me I but just need to have patience. But its not always in my nature to be patient. I use to tell my kids "Patience is a virtue and virtues never hurt you". Now I must remind myself of this. Rereading this book, has been good. Its just a short book, easy reading, but lots to think about. I know I'm rambling but I'm just trying to sort through my thoughts.

Memory Game

I saw this on a friend's blog and thought it might be fun...

1. As a comment on my blog, leave one memory that you and I had together. It doesn't matter if you knew me a little or a lot, anything you remember!

2. Next, re-post these instructions on your blog and see how many people leave a memory about you. It's actually pretty funny to see the responses. If you leave a memory about me, I'll assume you're playing the game and I'll come to your blog and leave one about you. If you don't want to play on your blog, or if you don't have a blog, I'll leave my memory of you in my comments.
This could get interesting :)

http://www.helloquizzy.com/tests/the-commonly-confused-words-test

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Happy Birthday Brett

I remember when Brett was born. He was 8lbs 12oz. He was so cute. Happy Birthday Brett. I wish I could give him a big hug. He is in Virginia working out and pratice is killing him. Its harder on him that he thought he misses Brittany. I know he wishes he could be here with Brittany. I love you Brett.

Our Sweet Brittany

Today Brittany's sweet Grandmother died. I know she will be missed. I only meet her once and she and her husband were the kindest people. The night before Brett and Brittany were married we had a family dinner, and finish the last details here. Brittany's grandmother is in a wheelchair but that did not stop her. She helped with the m&m's and the broccoli and cauliflower. What and amazing woman. I know that she loved Brittany and I know that Brittany loves her. Brittany was the first grandchild that got married and married in the temple. What a blessing to Brittany's grandmother to know Brittany is remaining faithful and strong in the gospel. I love you Brittany.

ABC Tag

* A - Attached or single: Attached
* B - Best Friend: Julie Marcia
* C - Cake of Pie: Pie
* D - Day: Saturday
* E - Essential Items: Cell Phone, Tooth Brush Shower
* F - Favorite Color: Blue
* G - Gummy Bears or Worms: Bears
* H - Hometown: Fort Worth TX
* I - Indulgences:
* J - January or July: January its cold outside
* K - Kids: Rachel, Aaron, Brett Meridith
* L - Life is incomplete without: Family
* M - Marriage Date: December 15, 1978
* N - Number of Siblings: 1 sister
* O - Oranges or Apples: apples that are crunchy Granny Smith
* P - Phobia or Fears:
* Q - Quote:
* R - Reason to Smile: Haylee
* S - Season: I love the fall.
* T - Tag three:
* U - Unknown fact about me:
* V - Vegetarian or Not: Not
* W - Worst habit: Nagging my kids
* X - X-rays or Ultrasounds: Ultrasounds
* Y - Your favorite food: Pizza
* Z - Zodiac sign: Gemini

Young Womens Camp

We have started to look for another place to hold our Young Women's camp for 2009. I had not ideal it would be so difficult to find a place. There might be allot of camps in Texas but so many of them hold their own camps in the summer so they do not rent out their facility. We have had many discussion about camp and how we would like to have something different. We have found one but its a 2 1/2 hour drive. I'm not opposed to the drive and the place is quite unique. Has lots to offer the girls, which I think they would really enjoy. We shall see what happens next. Big question is where will camp be????

Family Reunion

We have a great family. Its so much fun to get together and visit. This year everyone came here. I did not plan on it being the hottest weekend so far. That was really the pits, but we all survived. Swimming, playing corn hole and skeet shooting for some and indoor miniature golf for others. We managed to stay some what cool and have fun. Thanks to everyone for coming. We missed all those who were not here. My super great niece and I went to walmart to get the last book in the Twilight series. Miss Mary happened to finish it on Sunday, well for me it was Monday or Tuesday, I can't remember. It was great to read it. I really enjoyed it.