Missionary work

This week I will be taking Lilly, a girl in my ward, to seminary. This morning when we got there I discovered that there would be a Morningside. I decided to stay and listen and I'm glad I did. A young man from Sudan Africa was the speaker. He told his story of how his single mom wanted a better life for her family and immigrated to the United States where he met some missionaries in Pennsylvania as a 15 year old boy. This was after living in Tennessee in the projects and becoming involved in gangs and seeing the worst of life in the US.
He was the only convert in his family and after graduating from high school, he decided to go on a mission. His mother however did not give her approval and told him that he could not live with her if he "threw away his money and education" on a mission. He decided to go to school first to show his mother that he respected and loved her for all she did for him...and graduated from LDS Business college. When he again started the process of turning in his papers, she took up the same stance and told him she did not approve. He didn't know what to do, he knew a mission was right for him. He called up Michael Hodson who he had met in Utah...Michael invited him to come to Santa Barbara to prepare for his mission. He has since received his call and is going to Washington DC mission. He told the kids this morning that he hopes that he can be the kind of missionary that will one day inspire someone to change his life and be able to tell his story in a seminary class just like he was doing today. Very inspiring. I'm so glad I was able to hear his story.

Classic BYU Speeches

I've had the capability to listen to these for a long time. I don't know why I never took advantage until now....but every morning on my 2 mile walk I have been enjoying one of these great talks. This morning it was Marion D. Hanks and the talk was "A wholesome, Hallowed, Gracious Christmas." It's a great way to start the day.

God's Hand in the Founding of America

And I looked and behild a man amoung the gentiles, who was separated from the seed of my brethren by the many waters, and I beheld the Spirit of God, that it came down and wrought upon the man, and he went forth upon the many waters, even unto the seed of my brethren, who were in the Promised Land.

1 Nephi 13: 12

And when ye shall recieve these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Moroni 10: 4-5

"Our Lord unlocked my mind, sent me upon the sea and gave me fire for the deed. Who heard of my enterprise, called it foolish, mocked me and laughed. But who can dought but that the Holy Ghost inspired me."

Christopher Columbus

Where else in the world do we find a group of men together in one place at one time who possessed greater capacity and wisdom than the founding fathers, Washington, Jefferson, Franklin and others. But it was not to their own abilities that they gave the credit. They acknowledged Almighty God and were certain of the impossibility of their success without His help.

"We believe that the Constitution was brought about by God to insure a nation where liberty could abound and where his gospel could flourish. The constitution of the United States is a glorious standard, it is founded in the wisdom of God."

Jospeh Smith

William Cullen Bryant said, "We believe that both America's freedom and the continuing reformation that flourished here...occurred in preparation for the restoration from heaven of the full gospel of Jesus Christ. That resoration took place in 1820 through a man named Joseph Smith."

We are fortunate to live in a choice and promised land. It will remain free as long as it's people remember the God who gave them life and this free land. America is beautiful only when she is good.

This was part of the program that I put on this morning at the 4th of July breakfast. Larry was great and took care of the breakfast portion of the morning...and all turned out just about perfect! I love our country and the principles on which it was founded. God bless America!

First activity done...

There was no rest between teaching seminary and undertaking my first social as Ward Activity Chair. I'm grateful it's over and I'm grateful it went well. I'm also happy to share the idea with anyone who also finds themselves with this calling. And last of all, I'm so thankful for the wonderful friends who helped me pull it off. For 5 years I have been doing a calling which requires no co-ordinating of schedules and no need to ask for help to be successful. That no longer applies. You can't pull off a good ward social without support and worker bees.

So...our activity was called

ACE of CAKES

Scripture Style

Here are some of the fabulous cakes that came through the door!

This one got the most votes of the night....it was fabulous!

The Hixons

Well, it was pretty hard to say goodbye to the Hixon family today after Sunday dinner. But instead of being sad (which I am ) I'll just be grateful for the time we got to spend together.

I'm hoping that Asher will remember Grandma Mills and how much fun we had playing cars and playing with the birds. I won't be able to eat another Fiber One bar without thinking of the times he brought the whole box to me one at a time, or look at the sippy cup without thinking of the drinks he had from it.

Thanks Jamie and Dan for sticking around for as long as you did. Thanks for making the trek over for dinner every Sunday and for all the love you added to our home. Thank goodness for internet communication. I don't feel totally left behind because I know we can still share our lives with each other through our computers...but I'm sure going to miss Asher hugs!

Be safe and happy in Arizona....and we shall see you in a few months. Love you guys!

Music Moments

While on a walk early this morning, listening to my iPod, I once again realized how grateful I am for music...and for all the people with talent that write lyrics and notes on a page. It is a part of life that brings me a lot of happiness.

Seminary

Freshmen Seminary class 2008/09

The end of seminary is both happy and sad for me. I'm grateful that I will be able to sleep past 5:15 am in the morning; and that I won't be pressured to prepare a lesson every single day. I also won't miss the kids that have little respect for the seminary program.

But I will really miss the kids who liked being there every morning, the other teachers who were my connection to a social life..... and scripture study that put my day into such a nice spiritual order. I will have to work a lot harder now to accomplishing good things, and they surely won't be accomplished by 7:30 in the morning.

Being a seminary teacher was a big part of my life. I'm lucky to have had the opportunity.
I think everyone should try it at least once!

Motherhood

I love being a mom! Who knew it would just get better and better. Thanks kids for making it so easy!

Firefighters

We often don't realize how much we appreciate the service that some people provide until they provide it in protection of our own community and family. The city of Santa Barbara has had three major fires in the past year alone. The fire fighters who work tirelessly to keep us safe are on the minds of our entire city. We can't adequately express our thanks for the work they do.



Our family has an even more personal connection. I'm sure we think of Billy and remember him in our prayers each day as he joins his fellow fire fighters to fight the blaze. Thanks Billy! You are our hero!

The Wonderful Weekend

Since I started teaching seminary the weekend has had new meaning for me! I so look forward to it, that when it comes it almost feels like a holiday! Fridays are especially great! I don't have to think about a lesson plan at least until Saturday....woohoo!!!!! Celebrate good times...come on!
Can you tell I'm writing this on Friday?