SERVICE

We are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and an important part of being a member of the church is we SERVE! We help give relief to anyone who needs it.  Mr. Incredible and Dash had football practice to attend and I and Sweetheart were to head to SC to volunteer at an animal shelter and take cute adorable photos of the dogs in the shelter to get them adopted but it got postponed.  So, the two of us headed over to the school where the rest of the members from our ward were helping.  

Service doesn't require age! I love that this mama brought her babes to work and to serve.  When we were young parents and had 4 little goslings underfoot they went with us on all service projects and to clean the chapel.  Did it take longer? Probably.  Was it enjoyable for the children? Probably not, but our children went with us and worked by our sides and they learned that we do things for others and because it is the right thing to do.  Make decisions that aren't easy but that require sacrifice so they will learn.  Going to church faithfully when your children keep you in the hallway all through sacrament is WORTH IT!! They are learning that church is where they need to be.  It is THAT important!

Taking a small breather! The yard work was intense. 

My girl looks so happy!

this truck is a truck of service! It has helped many people across the nation and continues to serve others! I'm so grateful that we have it and that it not only blesses our lives but the lives of others! They guy in it is pretty amazing too! 

Attributes of Jesus-Long Suffering and Patience

For the Month of March the visiting teaching message is learning Long Suffering and Patience! You can read more about here!

I really loved the words by President Uchtdorf this month!!
Patience is often thought of as a quiet, passive trait, but as President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, said, “Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something … even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!

These words in bold are so true we don't just sit back and say what comes will come! and not just enduring it but enduring it well! I know that we have had to be patient in waiting on the Lord and that I had to have enough faith that the Lord knew I had to trial to become a better stronger me! I'm so grateful that each trial which at times have seen overwhelming that I plowed through it, endured and was able to see the sun and the bigger blessing!

President Uchtdorf continued, “Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. It means being ‘willing to submit to all things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon [us], even as a child doth submit to his father’ [Mosiah 3:19]. Ultimately, patience means being ‘firm and steadfast, and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord’ [1 Nephi 2:10] every hour of every day, even when it is hard to do so.”¹

Patience to stand firm and steadfast and immovable in keeping the commandments of the Lord. I have often felt like a duck on water. I may look calm and peaceful but underneath you are paddling like heck to stay afloat! I tried to always be strong for my children and others when inside I was anxiously waiting for the Lord to attend to me. Paddling like heck to do the daily tasks and fulfill callings, being ACTIVELY patient on the Lord. Continuing to do the things I knew to be right, to serve willfully and to give openly, even when it is hard to do. To be submissive to the Lord and knowing that in His time he would take care! I have heard many ask me how did you get through that, how did you do it? I still have no answer and sometimes I think did I get through it? But, the answer is You have no other choice! You just do it. You see what has to be done and you do it! You don't have time to sit and wait for someone else to take care of it and the number one thing that has gotten me and us through everything is FAMILY and sticking together. We are united in purpose and like a flock of geese is one injured we rally around them honk to encourage them and we are the wind beneath their wings. If you have never learned of the formation of geese as they fly you should read it, it's quite incredible!

Nie Nie Comes to STL

Her dad stood up because she was being very modest about exactly what she went through. Her dad shared that she was attended by a Mexican worker who spoke very little English but as she ran to a near by field to STOP,DROP, and ROLL, that her only concern was getting back to her children because they needed her and they were hungry! The love that her parents and her siblings have is very moving and touching.

Stephanie Clark Nielson came to St. Louis and spoke at our Women's conference. 20/20 was there filming her as well. We had many women of other faiths and non members join us at our stake center to hear her story of hope and endurance.
My friend, Lisa who is also serving as the RS President in our ward, was Stephanie's visiting teacher when they both lived in New Jersey. What brings Nie to St. Louis? Well, her wonderful parents are serving their mission here. Actually, he is the area Mission President and they are such a sweet gracious couple!

Stephanie had just finished some lazer surgery and she was a bit worried about how red her face looked. She looked so beautiful. It was such a wonderful experience to sit and listen to her words. After, she graced us with open questions that we could ask anything we wished.
She spoke in the chapel. I so wanted to whip my camera out and take a pic of us together. I didn't, but I was seated near the back and figured a picture from the gym would be ok.

OUR FIRST PRESIDENCY

President Thomas S. Monson
President Henry B. Eyring

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


Boyd K. Packer, President of the Quorum of the 12 apostles.
I look forward to having President Monson be our prophet. I have loved him forever and can listen to his wonderful talks all day long! I was commenting to Bill that Sister Monson must have a repertoire of talks or all talked out, since President Monson has been in church service since his 30's. I am also excited to get to know President Uchtdorf. He too, is so young. President Hinckley has helped grow and spread the gospel to many parts of the world and with President Monson we will be able to see even more growth. The gospel will go to the parts of the world that it is not yet. I feel under President Monson we will also begin to see many of the prophecies fulfilled both foretold in the Bible and in the Book of Mormon. Boyd K. Packer! I remember him speaking at my very first Youth Conference! YIKES, I am old!

It makes me worry a bit. But the gospel and the fulfillment of that is not one of woe but of hope and happiness. I wish for those both members and Christian would truly live to what they or we profess to believe. How can we expect the world to live and be better if we as LDS Saints, do not live our lives better. I have a lot to work on, personally. I want to be better. There is no time for slacking. Time to put my shoulder to the wheel! I am so grateful for the gospel and how it has blessed my life.

I am grateful to my savior, Jesus Christ. I know he lived for me, and I know he died for us all, so that we could be together again and return back to him. He paid the full and ultimate price. Returning back and being with my family for eternity is possible. It is possible for everyone who accepts the gospel into their lives. He knew that we would not be perfect. So, our loving father provided away, through his Son's atonement, that we could repent. What a beautiful gift.

I read a really profound quote the other day.
ARE YOU THE PARENT THAT YOU WOULD LISTEN TO WHEN YOU WERE A CHILD?

I mess up. I know my children are gifts from Heavenly Father. I know they are not mine. They were entrusted to me to teach, love and guide them back to him. I don't want to let Him down.

I feel like I should type in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen. (so, I will, I just did)

Children are such a huge responsibility. I never realized that when I was younger. I just wanted to be a mother.

Dedication Run

I stumbled across this site through someone who had visited my photography blogsite. I was surprised because I had not given out the photography site or mentioned to blog except it to be listed on my personal blog. I followed a link which led me to a link. I am so glad it brought me here. To marathon mommies.

If you do choose to do this with your family or with your friends please make sure to tell them. They may even be able to get 97 people total. How neat!

The ladies are running 97 miles for 97 wonderful years of our prophets life. For those of you who don't know who he is, he is a great man of faith, love and tolerance for all mankind. He has been the Prophet of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints for the past 13 years. Please run a few miles for him, even if you didn't know and love him...he was a great man. Pass the word around and even put it on your blog. Email all pictures and experiences to erin.

I think it is wonderful and can't wait to be a part of this.

Pres. Gordon B. Hinckley

Warrior received a text message from a friend that our prophet had died. I called my husband's cousins family, who live in Utah to verify. Sadly, the news was true and was being broadcast across the TV. He was an amazing man. I want to be better because of his example and pure love that he had for our Savior, Jesus Christ. He lived a long life. I am not sad because he never was a prophet of woe and sadness. His words were always motivating and encouraging and left me feeling inspired and knowing I could be so much better. The world has lost a great man. Click here.

SALT LAKE CITY - The president of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints died on Sunday at the age of 97.

It was announced on Sunday evening that Gordon B. Hinckley, president of the LDS Church since 1995, died from issues related to his age.

Born on June 23, 1910, Hinckley ascended to the church presidency on Mar. 12, 1995. For years, Hinckley served as the 15th prophet of the LDS faith as a successor to Howard W. Hunter.

Hinckley became the oldest president in LDS Church history on Nov. 2, 2006 -- surpassing David O. McKay.

Hinckley might be best known for his aggressive attitude in building LDS temples around the world. As of an. 2008, 124 LDS temples were operating worldwide. Prior to Hinckley's presidency, there were less than 50.