tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-42137163842675651622024-03-20T06:28:58.303-07:0042Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.comBlogger46125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-3753960238111249372013-10-14T03:31:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:08.997-07:00GratitudeLittle Possum made me a cartoon once.... I don't know where it went to, maybe in one of my journals? It featured a superhero called "Gratidude". Said 'Thank you' a lot..... awesome. Gratitude would be a great superpower. Although....... when I think of 'gratitude' I think of other words like<br />'humility', 'faith', 'submissive', 'meek'.... not words that seem to fit with the image of a superhero.<br /><br />A little over a year ago, in preparation for a lesson on Gratitude to the Young Women (12-17 year old girls at church), the YW presidency started keeping gratitude journals. The challenge was to write down at least 3 things each day that we were grateful for, blessings that we had noticed, ways that we had noticed the Lord's hand in our day.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDrpQxvwu6XfB6Aun_WLE2BFqzo80W_Kro0sU5-Zvx_vLcdSVD-byfoMmQjxdVBeLz2mlTFZS0K2fdLtrTkB9SNCtT9x9LtqQY0VurYTkOptX-seO5I842rGQnIf-hqLfPpJxHlDb2KM5/s1600/IMG_1849.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUDrpQxvwu6XfB6Aun_WLE2BFqzo80W_Kro0sU5-Zvx_vLcdSVD-byfoMmQjxdVBeLz2mlTFZS0K2fdLtrTkB9SNCtT9x9LtqQY0VurYTkOptX-seO5I842rGQnIf-hqLfPpJxHlDb2KM5/s320/IMG_1849.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><br />This has been such a blessing to me. I have missed a few days, and there were a couple of days where all I could think of was how grateful the day was at an end. (I'm sure on those days I could have found something had I looked harder!). There are many times when I have expressed gratitude for the challenge of keeping this journal because it made me sit down and review my day, and it made me more aware during the day because I was looking more actively for things that I could write about in the evening.<br /><br />When I've read back in the journal I noticed patterns emerging. I noticed that the periods where I had missed days were also days I could recognise as a spiritual trough, a period where I had not studied the scriptures daily or prayed as earnestly (some days, not at all) as I should. Humility and faith bring gratitude which brings humility and faith.<br /><br />I noticed that the periods where I had been diligent in noticing blessings and had given thanks for them were times where I had been blessed with an increased awareness of the promptings of the Spirit in general. These were also days when I was generally more patient, more kind and contented. (My kids like those days!)<br /><br />Lastly I noticed that the things I expressed gratitude for ranged widely.... from 'chocolate' to eternal principles and blessings. I figured I should give thanks for all things! But lately I have thought a little more about the phrase "all things".<br /><br />D&C 59:7 "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in <i>all things</i>", <br />D&C 78:19 "And he who receiveth <i>all things</i> with thankfulness shall be made glorious"<br /><br />I have thought about the pioneers. I have thought about the blessings that come from adversity. I have thought about the ability to find things to be grateful for in times of adversity and the importance of being grateful for the adversity itself. It is in our extremities we come to know God. Although my recent injury affects my extremity (har-de-ha), the challenging days I have now can hardly be described as an extremity........ but I am still grateful for the time for reflection it has given me! A blessing indeed.<br /><br />My goal is to be able to always be grateful in the midst of a trial, and not just after it is over<i>. </i><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i> "To express gratitude is gracious and honourable,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>To enact gratitude is generous and noble,</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>but to live with gratitude ever in our hearts is to touch heaven"</i></div><div style="text-align: center;">President Thomas S Monson</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Zg3T51UprhshaRw_dNF4oJb_pXog1fmsAiLxWO5Ib5aU6iiGk-vyZHIYDoWY-SkmfG2TNRBg-UXt2spvyNzJ9EHL-bC-l3SqAfmzHxnTAujI13GvqCFgAmZ-jVbtQ6mlSjajUx8t1bpd/s1600/IMG_1853.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi1Zg3T51UprhshaRw_dNF4oJb_pXog1fmsAiLxWO5Ib5aU6iiGk-vyZHIYDoWY-SkmfG2TNRBg-UXt2spvyNzJ9EHL-bC-l3SqAfmzHxnTAujI13GvqCFgAmZ-jVbtQ6mlSjajUx8t1bpd/s320/IMG_1853.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: left;">For our FHE tonight everyone was given 5 minutes to write down a blessing or something they are grateful for.... one for every letter of the alphabet. (Q, X and Z were tricky.....)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Psalms 118:24</div><div style="text-align: center;">"This is the day which the Lord hath made, let us rejoice and be glad in it"</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: left;"><br /></div><i><br /></i><i><br /></i><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div> <br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-64753390147427581602013-10-10T16:54:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.002-07:00Time<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycDpukdgHliFnffpaxDCMHM8MqbWKuBLPYnVFhPX6A8uwd7B0ZOJUI4Hfc7ug-e1VklQ_e8piX5S2ZqJUSlIgJckXr2e17TaQtBjK6MYMC_CvvDELr-LZMmCuQYFmHF6Lw-IfYsjMhQEG/s1600/255931191294376900_m22nWEiZ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" height="298" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhycDpukdgHliFnffpaxDCMHM8MqbWKuBLPYnVFhPX6A8uwd7B0ZOJUI4Hfc7ug-e1VklQ_e8piX5S2ZqJUSlIgJckXr2e17TaQtBjK6MYMC_CvvDELr-LZMmCuQYFmHF6Lw-IfYsjMhQEG/s320/255931191294376900_m22nWEiZ_c.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div></div><div><br /></div><div>We have a <span style="font-size: large;">wonderful </span>Relief Society presidency in our ward, their love and concern for the sisters is amazing. The latest emphasis is to help us in our Visiting Teaching. The principle is simple - We need to love our sisters more, and we develop that love by getting to know each other. As we come to know each other we will care for each other more. To help us, they will issue us a challenge every month. For October the challenge is to ask our sisters</div><div><br /></div><div> "<i>If you had an afternoon to yourself, how would you spend it</i>?"</div><div><br /></div><div>I love this question. Our sisters are at different stages in their lives, but they are all busy women. I am sure that an afternoon all to themselves would be lovely! But there is a deeper question there which I have pondered myself.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIYn84BvoumFTTvAoewpPPri5SMayYN5fcgb4DmgFyRPTbcKHef573-4egj4MTbmxfJitVD-WBbUbkU61uUg9gu4HqIuqNJ5Fn-5M-k9K9fjmB2slqQpbU7S50nefTi7NMywo9L9kB4rB/s1600/IMG_1678.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgIYn84BvoumFTTvAoewpPPri5SMayYN5fcgb4DmgFyRPTbcKHef573-4egj4MTbmxfJitVD-WBbUbkU61uUg9gu4HqIuqNJ5Fn-5M-k9K9fjmB2slqQpbU7S50nefTi7NMywo9L9kB4rB/s320/IMG_1678.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div>5 weeks ago I injured my ankle, and then developed a blood clot in my calf which set recovery back a little. I have spent a lot of time confined to the sofa which (as per the kids) became "Mummy Command Centre" or "Mummy HQ". I had my phone, iPad, laptop, scriptures, journal, stationery, books, woolbasket and more all around me. I have to admit I spent a lot of time floating aimlessly between email, Facebook, Pinterest, Instagram and other social media until one day I sat pondering the issue of "<span style="font-size: large;">time</span>". I had been thinking about adversity and trials, reflecting on Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail and the Lord's admonition to "endure <b>well</b>" (D&C 121:7-8).</div><div><br /></div><div><span style="font-size: large;">Enduring vs enduring <u>well</u>.</span> </div><div><br /></div><div>The thought struck me that I was not enduring well. I was certainly cheerful and filled with faith in my recovery, but I was not enduring well. I was passing time. I was not actively seeking to learn from my time of relative adversity.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div></div><div>I realised that trials or tests of faith can come in many forms, and that one of the biggest tests I was facing was simply in how I spend my time during this period where I had no specific demands for it/me. I couldn't do cooking, cleaning, school run, work, shopping or any of the other many tasks that would normally occupy my day. My time was completely unstructured and at my disposal during the day. So, how was I choosing to spend it? The question went right to the core, to my priorities. I saw that there were still lessons for me to learn and truths to ponder. There were things that I could do to serve, to lift, to love even from my sofa. There is nothing inherently wrong with spending time on social media, but if I am reaching out for entertainment before reaching out to the Lord or to others, then my priorities could do with a little tweaking. </div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.328125px;"><br /></span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.328125px;">" <i>We are responsible for our own actions and accountable to God for what we choose to do with our lives. Life is God’s gift to us, and what we do with it is our gift to Him</i>". - Elaine Cannon "Agency and Accountability" GC Oct 1983</span></div><div><span style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif; font-size: 13px; line-height: 21.328125px;"><br /></span></div><div><br /></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-12534843594838699322013-03-21T04:05:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.007-07:00on motherhood and cathedrals<a href="http://www.amotherandherlotsofthings.com/2012/08/01/the-invisible-mother/" target="_blank">The Invisible mother</a><br /><br />Quite simply one of my favourite blog posts.<br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-9408289782270648042013-03-02T16:09:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.011-07:00Better late than neverAs a convert to the church I only had a year and a bit in the YW programme and never finished my <a href="https://www.lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng" target="_blank">"Personal Progress"</a>.<br />When I was called to serve in YW a couple of years ago I decided I wanted to complete it both for my own benefit but also so that I could help the YW with their PP.<br /><br />The programme had changed since I was a YW and I am so impressed with the current way. It is truly inspired.<br /><br />Last week I received my medallion having completed 44 value experiences and 8 value projects. <br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL0PCDG5gZhlOcwD06gM3KBN6bKiZftIZodb-7ANdn3h2o0zjPcXkBdJWsL4GXDQVSZU_o_WDAhwJ5ZUULoNzSr0ANNUzRmjDjEUjQMYcil95jUN8Vx4AJvU9gIEGe12_QraGbn0cgllU/s640/blogger-image--693189251.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjYL0PCDG5gZhlOcwD06gM3KBN6bKiZftIZodb-7ANdn3h2o0zjPcXkBdJWsL4GXDQVSZU_o_WDAhwJ5ZUULoNzSr0ANNUzRmjDjEUjQMYcil95jUN8Vx4AJvU9gIEGe12_QraGbn0cgllU/s640/blogger-image--693189251.jpg" /></a></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-19115310965042969892013-02-24T15:05:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.016-07:00I'm a Pin-up!I was very excited to discover that 2 of my tutorials from years ago have been pinned onto Pinterest. It wasn't even pinned by me :)<br /><br />The <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/107734616055486989/" target="_blank">Funky Balls</a> tutorial was a very popular post at the time. Only surpassed by the <a href="http://pinterest.com/pin/227431849901861441/" target="_blank">Fairy Headpiece</a> tutorial which is very popular in Italy - they must be really into dress-up there!Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-32821333288187743112013-02-17T14:26:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.020-07:00Possum's new shoesPossum went to work with Sharpies, rubbing alcohol and a dropper.... <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkfOqk9b9irOvDSeCeXbvFzD9GsD84gNZ_f3kt6J9RdV4qjfUKn0-GieqW_GMA39WvnoBd7kf4jJHle25ySRNCwwfC2vaS2h2BJ15Ny3mfRfQXtHBzOdhmsJ7mMbkY-ShwWmoPHW6r0RH/s640/blogger-image-1522937189.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjdkfOqk9b9irOvDSeCeXbvFzD9GsD84gNZ_f3kt6J9RdV4qjfUKn0-GieqW_GMA39WvnoBd7kf4jJHle25ySRNCwwfC2vaS2h2BJ15Ny3mfRfQXtHBzOdhmsJ7mMbkY-ShwWmoPHW6r0RH/s640/blogger-image-1522937189.jpg" /></a></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-2847231482481156612013-02-14T00:16:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.024-07:00Happy Grommet Day<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">We discovered in the holidays that Turtle wasn't just being selectively hard of hearing, but actually couldn't hear very well at all. We decided to investigate. Having the GP look in his ears and go "hmmm, I haven't actually ever seen anything like that before" was not reassuring and sent us hot-footing it to an ENT surgeon.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Thankfully it seems that having another set of grommets and possibly some adenoid-shaving might solve the problem.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Today was the day.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">He was very well looked after by my colleagues - I must say it is useful to be on the receiving end sometimes!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slightly apprehensive, watching "A Bug's Life" in the pre-op holding area.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highlight: The blanket from the warming cabinet!</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBDKLOwEejgDi6BtCuo7yjDDkgHZRqIudTWy0dC5-RgeXhbJwO_3eRxAz6bAaNn9J5H3tpFe9Vl_Y5g2Z8SdiOUslnt8KhhRMz9vY3PcmRusBc8XLrH_PWQqUuncmGE1jsGswsAJQwBds/s1600/IMG_1301.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhfBDKLOwEejgDi6BtCuo7yjDDkgHZRqIudTWy0dC5-RgeXhbJwO_3eRxAz6bAaNn9J5H3tpFe9Vl_Y5g2Z8SdiOUslnt8KhhRMz9vY3PcmRusBc8XLrH_PWQqUuncmGE1jsGswsAJQwBds/s320/IMG_1301.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Slightly sleepy in recovery...</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highlight: the lemonade iceblock....</div> <br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX1sSPlNYcKPw5973Hg6q1mbHhBYOZ-B-ggDvUwvEtqG459VyvmTflySdZZa9n7y2hIIaIdNcdG_N5AzuQOewpEXj9TUEOOSmSbaHV30Y196sbey-xMGvNjt0HrzyN_1VkpkP72BLBJf4/s1600/IMG_1304.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEijX1sSPlNYcKPw5973Hg6q1mbHhBYOZ-B-ggDvUwvEtqG459VyvmTflySdZZa9n7y2hIIaIdNcdG_N5AzuQOewpEXj9TUEOOSmSbaHV30Y196sbey-xMGvNjt0HrzyN_1VkpkP72BLBJf4/s320/IMG_1304.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Sleeping it off on the Children's ward</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Highlight: cannula removed</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBQy2x55DmeLxDHeLYb-d6uqRC7EFcAzb944g7mJltyJJuaklziKjPlgtSTaOOHf2YWDVXV-gPici_SEGbh5hVezcBuHw4ZDJFc5y8DWHZLS957UjNTZCWBFaY4VFIi0KTlP8xWwwLqtj/s1600/IMG_1308.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiIBQy2x55DmeLxDHeLYb-d6uqRC7EFcAzb944g7mJltyJJuaklziKjPlgtSTaOOHf2YWDVXV-gPici_SEGbh5hVezcBuHw4ZDJFc5y8DWHZLS957UjNTZCWBFaY4VFIi0KTlP8xWwwLqtj/s320/IMG_1308.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Finally some food.....! Although what he really, really wanted was a bacon sandwich.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(The minute we arrived home, Chef went to work on the sandwich)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnFkqwPp4dwY3qkXh52Ly8Xw8POZ3PIQLew7cQCuiGsa53ZQW6P0bQDGVmjPw6CXoJsgVzt1KpIin7ig2NTxHBiT1LI7h6djvkxm3LYjSbzh7V21Subv6kMlc62vgKn6UpSAQACwUQ9Hm/s1600/IMG_1306.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjQnFkqwPp4dwY3qkXh52Ly8Xw8POZ3PIQLew7cQCuiGsa53ZQW6P0bQDGVmjPw6CXoJsgVzt1KpIin7ig2NTxHBiT1LI7h6djvkxm3LYjSbzh7V21Subv6kMlc62vgKn6UpSAQACwUQ9Hm/s320/IMG_1306.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-1777173822917134422013-02-13T03:09:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.030-07:00"Organise yourself..." - an answer to a prayerI had been wondering, pondering and praying about how I could help foster a certain atmosphere in our home, our MTC. I want to make our home more of a holy ground, a haven. For example, work was and is still needed to make sure our home can be a bicker and sarcasm free zone. As the "Guardian of my hearth" I feel the responsibility keenly to help my children grow in the gospel, to ensure they have spiritual experiences.<br /><br />In the middle of the night, I woke up and the answer came quietly to my mind. The answer was a scripture from D & C - 88:119 .. <i> Organise yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.</i><br /><br />I knew then what I needed to focus on, both personally and as a family. I also knew that I would like and need a visual reminder on the wall. Thankfully I know a wonderful artist - <a href="http://eleanormccomb.blogspot.com.au/" target="_blank">Eleanor McComb</a> who takes commissions. In my mind I had a vague image of our house and the temple along with the words from the scripture. Eleanor came up with this wonderful design painted on a canvas and even made the house look exactly like ours :) I love the trees. Our front yard has tall gumtrees, and the temple also has trees around it. Perfect.<br /><br />(This is an Instagram photo of the canvas on our wall, hence the black frame...)<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB98PxS8qtLD48aSkpghKG0kZ7mlQhKwVOj2irtUfLJdriIC5Uir30E7qB_YRlzU_09QdUU3R-mf7RuZ3VcNGe8fSmTNSxHnZvxrRTMTtHA_KUUyZ1HD90WSDDD31OvtxQ2DP_2EXDpcj-/s640/blogger-image--57637557.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiB98PxS8qtLD48aSkpghKG0kZ7mlQhKwVOj2irtUfLJdriIC5Uir30E7qB_YRlzU_09QdUU3R-mf7RuZ3VcNGe8fSmTNSxHnZvxrRTMTtHA_KUUyZ1HD90WSDDD31OvtxQ2DP_2EXDpcj-/s640/blogger-image--57637557.jpg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">On that note, I just re-discovered a talk by elder Gary E. Stevenson from the April 2009 titled <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples?lang=eng&clang=eng" target="_blank">"Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples" </a> Here's an excerpt:</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: start;" uri="/general-conference/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples.p8">"Recently, in a stake conference, all present were invited by the visiting authority, Elder Glen Jenson, an Area Seventy, to take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes. I would like to invite each of you to do this also. Wherever your home may be and whatever its configuration, the application of eternal gospel principles within its walls is universal. Let’s begin. Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some “home improvement”—hopefully not an “extreme home makeover.”</div><div class="" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: start;" uri="/general-conference/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples.p9">Whether our living space is large or small, humble or extravagant, there is a place for each of these gospel priorities in each of our homes.</div><div class="" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: start;" uri="/general-conference/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples.p10">In order to keep the temple and those who attend it sacred and worthy, the Lord has established standards through His servants, the prophets. We may be well-advised to consider together, in family council, standards for our homes to keep them sacred and to allow them to be a “house of the Lord.” The admonition to “establish … a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God”<sup class="noteMarker" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"> <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples?lang=eng&clang=eng#9-PD50015887_000_033" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: initial !important;">9</a> </sup>provides divine insight into the type of home the Lord would have us build. Doing such begins the construction of a “spiritual mansion” in which we all may reside regardless of our worldly circumstance—a home filled with treasure that “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.”<sup class="noteMarker" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"> <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples?lang=eng&clang=eng#10-PD50015887_000_033" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: initial !important;">10</a></sup></div><div class="" style="background-color: white; font-family: Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif !important; font-size: 13px; line-height: 18px; margin-bottom: 20px; text-align: start;" uri="/general-conference/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples.p11"><b>There exists a righteous unity between the temple and the home</b>. Understanding the eternal nature of the temple will draw you to your family; understanding the eternal nature of the family will draw you to the temple. President Howard W. Hunter stated, “In the ordinances of the temple, the foundations of the <a class="no-link-style" href="http://lds.org/ensign/2003/05/the-importance-of-the-family?lang=eng" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: black !important; text-decoration: initial !important;">eternal family</a> are sealed in place.”<sup class="noteMarker" style="font-size: 10px; line-height: 1;"> <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/print/2009/04/sacred-homes-sacred-temples?lang=eng&clang=eng#11-PD50015887_000_033" style="background-color: transparent !important; color: black !important; font-size: 9px; text-decoration: initial !important;">11</a></sup></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-55670241463202125722013-01-31T16:27:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.035-07:00Thoughtful Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmY4Mh8J9ZuidCkxyDq0HTosT9Z47aHjmzcmMelgVq37WE7yq31lMpH_qlyTWYn7MgbrR_hLWtNdJxp7SPaRi6Jo1yg2ypHiJEb7LH6oVQ-HUZFMO9TQfVkwSYJzUhld8jgezLdU347RL/s1600/229894755948912041_rerd1NsN_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgzmY4Mh8J9ZuidCkxyDq0HTosT9Z47aHjmzcmMelgVq37WE7yq31lMpH_qlyTWYn7MgbrR_hLWtNdJxp7SPaRi6Jo1yg2ypHiJEb7LH6oVQ-HUZFMO9TQfVkwSYJzUhld8jgezLdU347RL/s320/229894755948912041_rerd1NsN_c.jpg" width="213" /></a></div><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-80925166393386378992013-01-29T15:50:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.127-07:00..... And he's off....Can't believe Turtle is off to high school already. But today is the day. He has been a little apprehensive, high school is a big step. But I have every confidence that Turtle will be just fine.<br /><br />I am so very proud of him and the fine young man he is growing into. He has a strong moral compass and he is compassionate. He makes me laugh with his own special brand of humour. Last year at the yr 6 farewell the school chaplain described Turtle as the school's big brother, who with quiet leadership set an example to others. I'm sure those traits will help him in high school.<br /><br /><br /><br /><br /> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjT5LOidZRNdk1vSfP90IzI4P-gbaDX_vrJ9FCVUFHUdFSbm4ikARTgRutR6y56cqzEByEc_-annYbJtKWLoUGxJlJkImpnw2xFlkOluAmBt8D8-GC2uzaeZ8FBSYw2_cDBLva3YuUepY/s640/blogger-image--137846045.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcjT5LOidZRNdk1vSfP90IzI4P-gbaDX_vrJ9FCVUFHUdFSbm4ikARTgRutR6y56cqzEByEc_-annYbJtKWLoUGxJlJkImpnw2xFlkOluAmBt8D8-GC2uzaeZ8FBSYw2_cDBLva3YuUepY/s640/blogger-image--137846045.jpg" /></a></div> <br/><br/><div class="separator"style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoclD-R_IX8a7tFTXOwuoz2-i1jlUpTxLjTlulQEtyJMcwEZHWH084hbGTu-T13AXmUqLE5GJGsozA1yhfKNKECCcQniV3qfolR_pN58agxbNwrb0Fz5agK7yCKqXRkHqVP00y8jSuovs/s640/blogger-image-794691437.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjoclD-R_IX8a7tFTXOwuoz2-i1jlUpTxLjTlulQEtyJMcwEZHWH084hbGTu-T13AXmUqLE5GJGsozA1yhfKNKECCcQniV3qfolR_pN58agxbNwrb0Fz5agK7yCKqXRkHqVP00y8jSuovs/s640/blogger-image-794691437.jpg" /></a></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-81437163040168090592013-01-24T22:23:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.223-07:00do you hear the music?Imagine learning the jive or the waltz, or the paso doble or even zumba. Imagine learning the steps and performing the dance without music. Envisage how mechanical the movement would be if you were learning to dance by going through the motions without the music in the background to add meaning and richness to your dance. I'm thinking that in addition to being more complicated, it would also be awkward and boring!<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUssfJJVH4xEUKv1UKP70d-zFyqfeTwuMnJtWQuOi8Po_jxAUREXruOTqffOq4j2MAW4TDopu6zyqCMTvE8cnEiCnYV8gdzw0oxkJ4EVS360qCB_LYerUWpXk-BeSgM_RP9RBrCt-OJXoT/s1600/basic-cha-cha-steps-w.gif" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="291" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjUssfJJVH4xEUKv1UKP70d-zFyqfeTwuMnJtWQuOi8Po_jxAUREXruOTqffOq4j2MAW4TDopu6zyqCMTvE8cnEiCnYV8gdzw0oxkJ4EVS360qCB_LYerUWpXk-BeSgM_RP9RBrCt-OJXoT/s320/basic-cha-cha-steps-w.gif" width="320" /></a></div><br />Yet, it this what I am teaching my children to do with the gospel? Are they learning the motions but not feeling the Spirit accompanying them, tutoring them, lifting them? Attending Church without feeling engaged?<br />What about lessons I give to the YW at church?<br /><br />Some time ago I stumbled across this talk given at BYU Education Week in 2009 by dr A Lynn Scoresby on the "Crisis of Unbelief" among the youth of the church. As a mother and a YW leader this topic is extremely pertinent. The talk covers the importance of belief as a step on the path to faith, testimony and conversion. It covers reasons for loss of belief as well as how to help children and youth nurture belief. You can watch the talk <a href="http://byutv.org/watch/262157b3-3e37-4dcb-ac76-4966a0a1ad31/byu-education-week-a-lynn-scoresby-2009" target="_blank">here</a><br /><br />Since October Gen Conference in 2011, I have been studying and pondering the importance of teaching by the Spirit. I listen to a lot of talks online and have another whole lot of talks and audiobooks downloaded to my iPhone so that I have access to inspirational and uplifting material any time. It seems that everything I have read or heard since then has brought me even more things to ponder and learn in that area.<br /><br />I have to say that when they announced the new mission ages and the new youth curriculum in the October 2012 GC I had an overwhelming feeling of "rightness", it made everything click into my place in my heart. I knew why I had been prompted to focus on this and to understand how vitally important it is to having the Spirit guide us as we prepare lessons, and to ensure we are truly teaching by the Spirit in. Both at church and at home. My children need me to arm them spiritually, to pack their luggage for their missions spiritually speaking, and also to arm them for the times ahead. This means that I need to prepare myself spiritually in order to be receptive, I need to study the scriptures, learn, strengthen my own testimony to put myself on ever higher ground. I have work cut out for me :)<br /><br /><br /><div style="text-align: center;"> "<i>Our children are learning to dance without hearing the music</i>"</div><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-44970157662959477012013-01-22T23:03:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.315-07:00stranded on a desert island<div style="text-align: center;"> Turtle completed Primary school last year, and the school held the annual yr 6 dinner. I was on the committee of parents organising the dinner and we decided on a tropical island kind of theme for the evening. </div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">Planning was fun, putting it into action was laborious at time.... like carrying a dinghy into the function room at the RSL..... don't think they'd ever had a boat in there before.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmkXKxXNnaI96JI9VOj-rQjesVgut6mEmq-7uEL52AE16RpOpZUyyrm2iZYkPEl6LmRWI9x8OHl8Vy5t2THaqMckn0Vmgf3DlpRrELBlNS-__O7NMNoEEmchdFWqeNV9vQW5J7VyNfDtO/s1600/DSC_0129.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="157" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiDmkXKxXNnaI96JI9VOj-rQjesVgut6mEmq-7uEL52AE16RpOpZUyyrm2iZYkPEl6LmRWI9x8OHl8Vy5t2THaqMckn0Vmgf3DlpRrELBlNS-__O7NMNoEEmchdFWqeNV9vQW5J7VyNfDtO/s320/DSC_0129.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every tropical island needs juicy drinks with little umbrellas....</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk63Zt0Yfe1kZRDj3OQUztiY7AOk90VmBTGDLaFBwR0SbKGczB0HpDJjs1v6HGgTM6-5kFzY4V5ww38zAm3ffiYxOUhyphenhyphen2lVEt-HAuf1Ac5LnKVF6LwVYZjZicZvM_aeeNn4GCE60F_mOxu/s1600/DSC_0131.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk63Zt0Yfe1kZRDj3OQUztiY7AOk90VmBTGDLaFBwR0SbKGczB0HpDJjs1v6HGgTM6-5kFzY4V5ww38zAm3ffiYxOUhyphenhyphen2lVEt-HAuf1Ac5LnKVF6LwVYZjZicZvM_aeeNn4GCE60F_mOxu/s320/DSC_0131.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The entrance had lanterns and palms</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHLBC1gy-nPpbBG9mp64lYfsMHdz6Cqu8FTuPTxl23f5yVI9jNryiAe0LaSDBTDg94y0ou8_6A5DkACV6SoUj1q3nypeywOSeoicYx7CP1owI4Erb0rkDB33avxyleoKRkt6LOE2t4ukQ/s1600/DSC_0130.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgBHLBC1gy-nPpbBG9mp64lYfsMHdz6Cqu8FTuPTxl23f5yVI9jNryiAe0LaSDBTDg94y0ou8_6A5DkACV6SoUj1q3nypeywOSeoicYx7CP1owI4Erb0rkDB33avxyleoKRkt6LOE2t4ukQ/s320/DSC_0130.jpg" width="212" /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl3WCefcG_O3dyogMqAxD8Ay1UOBfKx1N_t17AH3W_t1IJc5lZBW-5RGft1Duhc5o6OMLcs8QiAQbwQnT4TN5T8iTRjlvqt_OtxSO6uAlPdE4zjobNo35muqALCl848CszhcE-xrX5peu/s1600/DSC_0153.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjhl3WCefcG_O3dyogMqAxD8Ay1UOBfKx1N_t17AH3W_t1IJc5lZBW-5RGft1Duhc5o6OMLcs8QiAQbwQnT4TN5T8iTRjlvqt_OtxSO6uAlPdE4zjobNo35muqALCl848CszhcE-xrX5peu/s320/DSC_0153.jpg" width="230" /></a></div><br /><div style="text-align: center;">The table settings had a treasure chest for each person filled with mementos from their school years as well as some chocolate gold coins (couldn't have a chest without treasure!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1_VRV_njdz_pFPgd0B1Fcf041rJzv_rY8V_SxtE3Jd0M1gVoWJf16M4eu-4SdAVnS7y3hfnPDWq6_ebFDhyqGURtxU53eKYOdOmqYPvJD5FBBdkDve7r4dfS9rnQW9dyCX3SGqEgIcG9/s1600/DSC_0132.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="212" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEha1_VRV_njdz_pFPgd0B1Fcf041rJzv_rY8V_SxtE3Jd0M1gVoWJf16M4eu-4SdAVnS7y3hfnPDWq6_ebFDhyqGURtxU53eKYOdOmqYPvJD5FBBdkDve7r4dfS9rnQW9dyCX3SGqEgIcG9/s320/DSC_0132.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-40170032991273378052013-01-21T06:35:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.407-07:00Enos and me<br />The special edition of the Ensign on the Book of Mormon had an <a href="http://www.lds.org/ensign/2011/10/the-book-of-mormon-strengthening-our-faith-in-jesus-christ?lang=eng">article</a> by elder Neil A Anderson on how to use the Book of Mormon in our families. Having read through the Book of Mormon last year for Sunday School (and my Personal Progress!) I have started a study of the Book of Mormon again this year keeping an eye out for the truths that I could learn that are important for me as a parent raising children in the gospel.<br /><br />This week I have been time studying Enos. This book has long been a favourite of mine. Only 27 verses long, but so much to learn. In the past this book is where I have learned about developing faith, about repentance, forgiveness and conversion to the gospel, and the effect of this on a person's life. This time around, I was reading looking for counsel for me as a parent given from another parent, ultimately my Heavenly Father.<br />verses 1 and 3 held the truths I needed to find this time:<br />1 Behold, it came to pass that I, Enos, <b>knowing my father that he was a just man—for <u>he taught me</u> in his <u>language</u>, and also in the <u>nurture and admonition of the Lord</u></b>—and blessed be the name of my God for it—<br /> 3 Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and <b>the words which I had <u>often</u> heard my father speak concerning eternal life, and the <u>joy</u> of the saints</b>, sunk deep into my heart.<br />We don't have much information about Enos before time in his life. We don't know whether he was rebellious, or whether he had just arrived at a point in his life where he was seeking an independent witness and testimony. But at the time he needed it, what he needed to know came to him in the form of his father's testimony. His father had often taught and (I assume) born testimony - words which had travelled with Enos like a seed waiting to sprout.<br /><br />It reminded me of the importance of having regular gospel conversations, of teaching diligently and with the Spirit, bearing testimony often. As I do so I hope that the Spirit will carry eternal truths to the hearts of my children. I can't predict when or how the moment of conversion will come to my children, but I know what my role is.<br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-57927834013466579932013-01-21T06:17:00.000-08:002013-10-18T00:02:09.503-07:00new beginnings haha... as I started to type the title, typo struck and I typed in "biginnings" - how appropriate now that I contemplate starting up a healthier lifestyle :)<br /><br />I haven't updated the blog for awhile but will start off with a short cavalcade of snapshots from the past month<br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLUn4WxJiA5i-4BlPQ9k291efbaypbawVjDbwga8-uB_UnK0tsEvfon_6RPhGCqCpXt8tATj-uLrZ6WJwNmgo5BQqnaLiA8FYvQlYu6Aesn71NFBRdiQhdc22YzMxElBGe1RY39NFjHEf/s1600/IMG_1145.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjiLUn4WxJiA5i-4BlPQ9k291efbaypbawVjDbwga8-uB_UnK0tsEvfon_6RPhGCqCpXt8tATj-uLrZ6WJwNmgo5BQqnaLiA8FYvQlYu6Aesn71NFBRdiQhdc22YzMxElBGe1RY39NFjHEf/s320/IMG_1145.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">dismantling and selling the jungle gym which went to another family with 2 boys and a little girl. We trust that they will love it every bit as much as we did :)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDut2Rc0HBwNTTfJphibieO_BJR0l6i9KYwncH1EvMLmutBZdAMej4pFxNWJJvd6SGNP_hrHyQqOuYW-qLsNl7YVX0vrq2lwHHFKay_47OIp2CepwYNESstCjYZ4zMHHS2Wgti3ABZ7DO/s1600/IMG_1149.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgrDut2Rc0HBwNTTfJphibieO_BJR0l6i9KYwncH1EvMLmutBZdAMej4pFxNWJJvd6SGNP_hrHyQqOuYW-qLsNl7YVX0vrq2lwHHFKay_47OIp2CepwYNESstCjYZ4zMHHS2Wgti3ABZ7DO/s320/IMG_1149.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">playing in the hammock - this time setting off on a voyage across the ocean. "Life of Pi"? 2 people and a carnivorous ladybird makes for a great adventure.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJh3FO9kh-cqugf0UKxgsJtAxvvb2h7RFXBujqHtDHTPQuJgN_2I10JYTwIZ6NTEBtAMHwBeh0DvE3DmTa7-NcNnrVIPH9DSX7Oeyrw97C0hVvsWyWd6_grRTANo9gXOrLd5u9C9ekRS/s1600/IMG_1126.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhjQJh3FO9kh-cqugf0UKxgsJtAxvvb2h7RFXBujqHtDHTPQuJgN_2I10JYTwIZ6NTEBtAMHwBeh0DvE3DmTa7-NcNnrVIPH9DSX7Oeyrw97C0hVvsWyWd6_grRTANo9gXOrLd5u9C9ekRS/s320/IMG_1126.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Turtle and his friend went busking in our local shopping centre to earn themselves some money. I think their hourly rate works out almost as much as mine, so I am considering a change of career :)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(although, I think half their earning capacity is due to them being so very handsome... I don't think I have as much style as them)</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALQHtnJ0rLrMif42q036NAw7XYdMdnc2Ju40VEVtcdekuVYZdlT9ZnyUGM8W_7Al-mINvLKwUaEEJwk5-oLU3GZhBkV-ipQbBtcQzmLqQk89kgV6D6irD9scbaorovYcm9Zt6q6Gb00AK/s1600/IMG_1171.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgALQHtnJ0rLrMif42q036NAw7XYdMdnc2Ju40VEVtcdekuVYZdlT9ZnyUGM8W_7Al-mINvLKwUaEEJwk5-oLU3GZhBkV-ipQbBtcQzmLqQk89kgV6D6irD9scbaorovYcm9Zt6q6Gb00AK/s320/IMG_1171.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holiday Luxury 1</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Stopping for icecream. Why buy little bars of icecream when you can get a great pot of your favourite and just share?</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wg7wcrmavFISHnGuJEYkZfxKxdD9n9o4TmcXAAA_XHhkPmRgSxH-D1p_FY2hkGFNL61Wp9o04loG3tzdRy8KP6TTS62rLz-wtLGNaBOGAwMkDxX5JbfqTsEXS5M9Cy3mXvS735b5l0cv/s1600/IMG_1189.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj1Wg7wcrmavFISHnGuJEYkZfxKxdD9n9o4TmcXAAA_XHhkPmRgSxH-D1p_FY2hkGFNL61Wp9o04loG3tzdRy8KP6TTS62rLz-wtLGNaBOGAwMkDxX5JbfqTsEXS5M9Cy3mXvS735b5l0cv/s320/IMG_1189.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holiday Luxury 2</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">French toast made from ciabatta served with fresh strawberries and maple syrup</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmSwWsZP2sc_GqVVXkA3f6AtObHvvWIhYqHiexrxVha7XHccnBFwuls-RlqNPtGX6Cu5Rax24EIZ9ZoX0aIvP2aDPB-Hn8OuXFB6HeKMP-YvseMfRlnWJ574YDcp-PyAXevyR4VaQg0Vj/s1600/IMG_1186.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgRmSwWsZP2sc_GqVVXkA3f6AtObHvvWIhYqHiexrxVha7XHccnBFwuls-RlqNPtGX6Cu5Rax24EIZ9ZoX0aIvP2aDPB-Hn8OuXFB6HeKMP-YvseMfRlnWJ574YDcp-PyAXevyR4VaQg0Vj/s320/IMG_1186.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Holiday Luxury 3</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Burgers at the Wholly Cow cafe in Sawtell. Nuff said.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQF3uoOiLlw1BI-fv62NA8ecqg8Rc-KAqamJmAB9KRtmkSZn-dSBixU5oozRU2cFJ8UryjphA9dowoFoX8hhWsUl7htTWIwWhWuw4O3GY6vffTf76AuBEzd644ik78S9bUsXVW54jJHJK/s1600/IMG_1194.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSQF3uoOiLlw1BI-fv62NA8ecqg8Rc-KAqamJmAB9KRtmkSZn-dSBixU5oozRU2cFJ8UryjphA9dowoFoX8hhWsUl7htTWIwWhWuw4O3GY6vffTf76AuBEzd644ik78S9bUsXVW54jJHJK/s320/IMG_1194.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Hanging out with cousins at the blowhole in Sawtell.</div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwgspQ2cA0MqRmXB1EV75kvsuKrbp9t_c7Aiy2lu4kRgcjaJZcKrJzsoW6rC9F1wnJwKdr_uYvKWVS2nDtB5CIaF9tC5SLA6l0BPinU2iPh19zUdrqm5YAgiUuxzipp9tVTLZxyD6MBbx/s1600/IMG_1192.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjwwgspQ2cA0MqRmXB1EV75kvsuKrbp9t_c7Aiy2lu4kRgcjaJZcKrJzsoW6rC9F1wnJwKdr_uYvKWVS2nDtB5CIaF9tC5SLA6l0BPinU2iPh19zUdrqm5YAgiUuxzipp9tVTLZxyD6MBbx/s320/IMG_1192.JPG" width="240" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Reading and generally relaxing. Beach a bonus.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">It was lovely.</div><br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-57016412503993275322011-09-26T07:07:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.615-07:00Forget Not...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTnp8xrec7auls-Vj3K0y6Wxpqs6JwVyzcSQ87cyND_e2UUATatz5bX56r829-F005Wd18Y0IFJnP7osZs5MvfsdLU_aLu3j8gmeC8yucZqjmQlbbIZicNg1IY0GbyQXUvFb7J-OGThF/s1600/FMN+poster+01.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjCvTnp8xrec7auls-Vj3K0y6Wxpqs6JwVyzcSQ87cyND_e2UUATatz5bX56r829-F005Wd18Y0IFJnP7osZs5MvfsdLU_aLu3j8gmeC8yucZqjmQlbbIZicNg1IY0GbyQXUvFb7J-OGThF/s320/FMN+poster+01.jpg" width="247" /></a></div>(poster made by the very clever 'Cocoa' of<a href="http://chocolateonmycranium.blogspot.com/">Chocolate on my Cranium</a> - an outstanding blog for you to follow!)Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-7913251600345719582011-09-25T07:18:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.707-07:00The Greatest Story - a school play<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Every 2 years the school puts on a big production, and this year they did</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">"The Greatest Story"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The Nativity with a few bonus numbers</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXQjROG43Aub9G16I2OA-gLXq3hJq61kG6kbmH_J85txJPe9Y4fepnzqfBVdKfDDnvIFzhL6Uhj3lFWTknKIYEf30VkcVn9JcpMQyAjI5PSN40Z4wMJcAOY-Z2XPRzT5RXyxBFmy1U3tE/s1600/DSC06274.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgXXQjROG43Aub9G16I2OA-gLXq3hJq61kG6kbmH_J85txJPe9Y4fepnzqfBVdKfDDnvIFzhL6Uhj3lFWTknKIYEf30VkcVn9JcpMQyAjI5PSN40Z4wMJcAOY-Z2XPRzT5RXyxBFmy1U3tE/s320/DSC06274.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Turtle is a Roman soldier</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_uv-moAvgIOWHfMohCkei3zDqkgZ6YTXLBoDx-donGdvXRMSe72QuvsTmA881E4hORpWgj-HxZ4vGhJFLX3Tme5f6oscqCrftORU2XZkwOkg9XHUJHNN-ucz5yeRRslcjFA-jp-Hhjxx/s1600/DSC06279.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC_uv-moAvgIOWHfMohCkei3zDqkgZ6YTXLBoDx-donGdvXRMSe72QuvsTmA881E4hORpWgj-HxZ4vGhJFLX3Tme5f6oscqCrftORU2XZkwOkg9XHUJHNN-ucz5yeRRslcjFA-jp-Hhjxx/s320/DSC06279.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Little Possum and her friends getting some last minute instructions before going back stage before their number. They performed "Money, money, money" by Abba as a special song and dance number.<br />Wondering how it fits in with The Greatest Story? I did too..... but the reference was to</div><div style="text-align: center;">Caesar and his greed, wanting to do a census to find everyone he could tax.</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dvJYWl9r803iOHjzZfD3-FctjdfzcMReIXZN4y9N7ClrnwVZaT55rjS9cQmla10DpU6CMwI9nbtLBHsUHD3eiowCS3ktaqHyoXrlc8k9hU62yOUiSHeQ2QB_aJ15oNQtBJcIX4RLU-Bs/s1600/DSC06294.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_dvJYWl9r803iOHjzZfD3-FctjdfzcMReIXZN4y9N7ClrnwVZaT55rjS9cQmla10DpU6CMwI9nbtLBHsUHD3eiowCS3ktaqHyoXrlc8k9hU62yOUiSHeQ2QB_aJ15oNQtBJcIX4RLU-Bs/s320/DSC06294.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Caesar and his devoted servant.... Doodlebug</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4En0L2Y5d7EwIlj6HD0hBc6JD8FgojuUdUGJGHdVdWGFIOejHxpgso2a1seKZa-P6rcwVPimyx0Ocsi8f5jDcMmpxu6bTklF42zDj0KixmVngV8JXkziMv1aR6HMQ4oAImPoDgVPvTSV/s1600/DSC06296.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhd4En0L2Y5d7EwIlj6HD0hBc6JD8FgojuUdUGJGHdVdWGFIOejHxpgso2a1seKZa-P6rcwVPimyx0Ocsi8f5jDcMmpxu6bTklF42zDj0KixmVngV8JXkziMv1aR6HMQ4oAImPoDgVPvTSV/s320/DSC06296.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EY_0QBZvMPoAxIW74Yr3KTep54Gv3bLS1kyUHiTcARRSRcqkwpzE8Vroh853ua1uUmDTMj63dNj2B_HUDA0rePDdwcBz_FwYAZ17LnRDXJDK_CtL6w7VJ6owoj0EMxnq6gAsMl1IkiAO/s1600/DSC06322.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi4EY_0QBZvMPoAxIW74Yr3KTep54Gv3bLS1kyUHiTcARRSRcqkwpzE8Vroh853ua1uUmDTMj63dNj2B_HUDA0rePDdwcBz_FwYAZ17LnRDXJDK_CtL6w7VJ6owoj0EMxnq6gAsMl1IkiAO/s320/DSC06322.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">Meanwhile, in downtown Bethlehem, these 'men' were dancing to the Havah Nagilah</div><div style="text-align: center;">(Turtle having transformed from Roman soldier to Jewish man)</div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-49815297404514631132011-09-25T00:31:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.803-07:00Feasting on the word<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">I loved Pres Uchtdorf's <a href="http://lds.org/ensign/2011/09/general-conference-no-ordinary-blessing?lang=eng">message </a>in the Ensign this month about General Conference, particularly the story he relates in the first part: A member talked to his neighbour about how God speaks to us through His prophet and apostles, and how at General Conference we get to hear these special messages. When asked what God had communicated through the prophet at the last conference, the member couldn't remember. </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">(<i>I had to admit to myself that I also cannot remember what was said. I remember how I felt, but not the particular message.</i>)</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">The neighbour was shocked - "You mean to say that God speaks to man today, and you can't remember what He said?!?" </div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">---</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">Oh yeah, it sounds bad when you say it like that, doesn't it?</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /><i>"I've found... that when you're trying to learn from the Lord and you feel an impression from the Spirit... it's important to make a note so it will note be forgotten. The more you not only hear but abide by what you've been told, the more the Lord will give you. It will come more and more rapidly and you will begin to hear and feel those impressions of the Spirit more quickly than you have previously done"</i><br />Elder Gene R Cook<br /><i><br /></i><br /><i>"The prompting that goes unresponded to may not be repeated. Writing down what we have been prompted with is vital. A special thought can be lost later in the day through the rough and tumble of life. God should not, and may not choose to repeat the prompting if we assign what is given such a low priority as to put it aside"</i><br />elder Neal A Maxwell<br /><i>("Press Forward" p 122)</i><br /><i><br /></i></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br />I am going to Feast on the Words of Christ when I attend conference.... in fact I am going to use it as a value project for <a href="https://lds.org/young-women/personal-progress?lang=eng">My Personal Progress</a>, and I have made myself a notebook. Normally I would scribble in my journal, but I have thought that if I have a separate notebook, it will be easier to refer back to over the next 6 months until the next Conference.<br /><div><br /></div></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchA5oNqvWC7zIHDXOvtDNXlxBD125qlY7Ye-04FRM9hsW40sdzkRlqO7v5wRk1F4KmssO9mZrPdUg8rlCReISrXg0PZUNpJfYRcHdj_O4hMbRx57Hain-OTmtTT9adh38zEnZY4SMd3NL/s1600/P9240100.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhchA5oNqvWC7zIHDXOvtDNXlxBD125qlY7Ye-04FRM9hsW40sdzkRlqO7v5wRk1F4KmssO9mZrPdUg8rlCReISrXg0PZUNpJfYRcHdj_O4hMbRx57Hain-OTmtTT9adh38zEnZY4SMd3NL/s320/P9240100.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">And then, as I prepared for my YW lesson on <a href="http://zoopost.blogspot.com/2011/09/yw-m3-l-30-scripture-study.html">Scripture Study</a> today, I felt the Spirit teaching me several times, bearing testimony to me and guiding me in my preparation. One of the things I felt strongly about is the need for a scripture journal for the girls, somewhere for them to write down their questions and impressions. So I while in notemaking mood, I covered some exercise-books with scrapbooking paper.</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">They proved popular in the lesson. I hope they get put to use!</div><div class="" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSJ6nXBwPiA2cW59jNfSEXbOXIEvI4imF-9xxQEshbwdifWgC-L82NtwaNOQ4eTQwV2muX_YV-fh-O-hZbzm7fxlHkPA9nXL6go51ENueeS-kyDaCeOL17lCPTPfYKNL1K_YXyhwIuiRm/s1600/P9240101.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="240" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQSJ6nXBwPiA2cW59jNfSEXbOXIEvI4imF-9xxQEshbwdifWgC-L82NtwaNOQ4eTQwV2muX_YV-fh-O-hZbzm7fxlHkPA9nXL6go51ENueeS-kyDaCeOL17lCPTPfYKNL1K_YXyhwIuiRm/s320/P9240101.JPG" width="320" /></a><br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-77781318460381547892011-09-20T22:53:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.895-07:00I believe<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN4EXdVqW8AIuTQnjOJF3h_x20AE0T7JfS0JnilFtKIcmzKVR2MA77qKr95jJ1Y6Ka4A31UV7u9oA3b6U6bMmAbgEFNO8ezpL998p8FhrligFpMAPyFdBlxAqeXto2mar5v4UhKve61pb/s1600/yw+motto+2011.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSN4EXdVqW8AIuTQnjOJF3h_x20AE0T7JfS0JnilFtKIcmzKVR2MA77qKr95jJ1Y6Ka4A31UV7u9oA3b6U6bMmAbgEFNO8ezpL998p8FhrligFpMAPyFdBlxAqeXto2mar5v4UhKve61pb/s640/yw+motto+2011.jpg" width="512" /></a></div><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-83357996345038425572011-09-20T06:52:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:09.987-07:00YW M3 L29 A Change of Heart handoutI had a lot of fun making these. I used the same tutorial as for the heart in the post below, but I changed the dimensions of the paper ever so slightly to a 8x4 cm rectangle. I made 2 different handouts, haven't quite decided which one to use yet. Instructions can be found <a href="http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/money-origami-heart.html#axzz1YMOYq1tC">here</a>.<br /><br />The first handout has a quote by Marvin J Ashton:<br />"<i>An honest heart will lead to a change of heart. Spiritually speaking, a change of heart is not only desirable, but essential for eternal life. The Book of Mormon describes the conversion experience, which all of us must have, as a "mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to good continually</i> (Mosiah 5:2)"<br /><br />The second handout has a quote by elder Dallin H Oaks: <i>"Testimony is to know and to feel. Conversion is to do and to become"</i><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtNTpdenJ-jBHRzPycH3lqJy1U7qUOCIVBA3qScyWd8SfKaBGfYHdqDlEJDgPdmyfPZiObuJlMhlheFRdfQC4Z6H6Bt2xypgj2Ru0slSVBEqoytV_i0vK2V9UP3scscwGVDRGJojMse49/s1600/DSC06389.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjgtNTpdenJ-jBHRzPycH3lqJy1U7qUOCIVBA3qScyWd8SfKaBGfYHdqDlEJDgPdmyfPZiObuJlMhlheFRdfQC4Z6H6Bt2xypgj2Ru0slSVBEqoytV_i0vK2V9UP3scscwGVDRGJojMse49/s320/DSC06389.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwYRYBtQeHJro9rVWLQe8hDBFPPBs8mpv6snUZlP5vAinxMSsG5dr47G3cYXolbJZPXjZ5AZaGqpsWFKwDxLhPCg7ZUOTbwn_5956849H_7-7aMMEdaqwUJD27074t6yGVeH2uTtj6qAY/s1600/DSC06392.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="303" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjwYRYBtQeHJro9rVWLQe8hDBFPPBs8mpv6snUZlP5vAinxMSsG5dr47G3cYXolbJZPXjZ5AZaGqpsWFKwDxLhPCg7ZUOTbwn_5956849H_7-7aMMEdaqwUJD27074t6yGVeH2uTtj6qAY/s320/DSC06392.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ndULtqOjqMZWeLptRK6U_X-_FGDNIPjqbu_goz9dsP9HeuHRHbFD8UNlrCVpiLWXUMm97TuGih5GnDcsjdLsUvqAe35w6VATXx5hhNQK_nMhEXBd7OMPTdrkjkcgN-0OvQHX8VM9oQNW/s1600/DSC06390.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj2ndULtqOjqMZWeLptRK6U_X-_FGDNIPjqbu_goz9dsP9HeuHRHbFD8UNlrCVpiLWXUMm97TuGih5GnDcsjdLsUvqAe35w6VATXx5hhNQK_nMhEXBd7OMPTdrkjkcgN-0OvQHX8VM9oQNW/s320/DSC06390.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-6333241489423169772011-09-20T06:42:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.080-07:00YW M3 L 30 Scripture studyI have been looking forward to teaching this lesson for ages. If there is one thing I would love for my YW to have, it would be a love of the scriptures - to have them come alive and to be a source of testimony, knowledge, guidance, strength and comfort.<br /><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-8tZep4kFQJfoCWbof2gHKfujMKtVAR20WeX1iZ-JZzt_XjTGyu_vDBMy_SDvR3-z4KZ6t54wVbfkPa6FSnz6ba52tngt6ByN1SwT8nrHtfOCaBj5SBW2BjKvN_HBSl3dtkWEvBcc729/s1600/feasting.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="315" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiw-8tZep4kFQJfoCWbof2gHKfujMKtVAR20WeX1iZ-JZzt_XjTGyu_vDBMy_SDvR3-z4KZ6t54wVbfkPa6FSnz6ba52tngt6ByN1SwT8nrHtfOCaBj5SBW2BjKvN_HBSl3dtkWEvBcc729/s320/feasting.jpg" width="320" /></a></div><div>My focus in the lesson will be on Feasting on the Word - I will be bringing in some truly scrumptious triple choc fudge brownies to illustrate as well as this cartoon by Snoopy - someone who seems to do 'feasting' really well! I am planning to discuss ways to get the most out of scripture study, questions to ask ourselves while reading so that we truly understand and liken the scriptures to ourselves.<br /><br />Still pondering the details...<br /><br /><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk7_c6C25y2vrCVzgkikXE_3wvMy6w6oNzFPbPy8HMhdbiG6GV06n9qwuq7jHPJEF4WXJMotQnwulyEZNy161LatPFhzXLH11YSA8r9fmWG1mvx5UWz7R4O79A5t7CWcPT8NhjlQO6_IO/s1600/m3lesson30.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="213" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhJk7_c6C25y2vrCVzgkikXE_3wvMy6w6oNzFPbPy8HMhdbiG6GV06n9qwuq7jHPJEF4WXJMotQnwulyEZNy161LatPFhzXLH11YSA8r9fmWG1mvx5UWz7R4O79A5t7CWcPT8NhjlQO6_IO/s320/m3lesson30.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>For another handout I will use the one above (from<a href="http://ldshandouts.blogspot.com/2011/08/man3-les30-scripture-study.html"> LDS Handouts</a>). Quite a few of the girls have notebooks where they are gluing in the handouts from the lesson to save them so I am happy to provide.</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-24178922028428135022011-09-19T16:02:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.176-07:00Waffle Ninjas and Heart Attacks<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_vxZbM1u1TOQwORX9PNtIuXFTt9lpy1T5mjbg_-OjUJDhfnf4fBOw7sR25TEKrQ1yaaBIDNSx51GM0VL9bmH2d8mb0cvgR2dIjbqmIZkGO8usxbU3xXylfUulzR8Iwdp4rwsucoW5izk/s1600/DSC06382.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgt_vxZbM1u1TOQwORX9PNtIuXFTt9lpy1T5mjbg_-OjUJDhfnf4fBOw7sR25TEKrQ1yaaBIDNSx51GM0VL9bmH2d8mb0cvgR2dIjbqmIZkGO8usxbU3xXylfUulzR8Iwdp4rwsucoW5izk/s320/DSC06382.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>(hmm... still haven't quite worked out the knack of photgraphy in the dark with my new fancy camera....)<br /><br />I'm trying to instill a love of service to others in the kids. A good time to do a little service project is FHE, so one Monday a month is dedicated to this. Last night the "waffle ninjas" sprung into action, and armed with a rainbow of hearts and a plate of waffles, they very excitedly but quietly decorated someone's garden and left a plate on their doorstep which would hopefully cheer that person's heart and feel the love that we were trying to share.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfLZLI5KuTz9tlTui94_eiV0ImTck9_abiOyqp2vyvIbvpyVoFnTE2h_r-xcB_SdJLVQz7jlTe3rNZtopFUZrLnBvw0VaCMP1JYv0t0uoh_KC2f5cEJ6434n9Pwl3dGOZKwLPXggNWKm1/s1600/DSC06375.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiJfLZLI5KuTz9tlTui94_eiV0ImTck9_abiOyqp2vyvIbvpyVoFnTE2h_r-xcB_SdJLVQz7jlTe3rNZtopFUZrLnBvw0VaCMP1JYv0t0uoh_KC2f5cEJ6434n9Pwl3dGOZKwLPXggNWKm1/s320/DSC06375.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS8qtuaebladYWZKtYqQvAS6iWjTMeQaw_V80dw0dZn7oqrLM_Rddzmw8b8XBDNsZG6rwXTx484B_0xAQf_LLq0PfHqD3Vzm1xgZZZeDJr7o2glCG99vrtw2dEQ57-jZINJwvwtu05QHi/s1600/DSC06381.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="285" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQS8qtuaebladYWZKtYqQvAS6iWjTMeQaw_V80dw0dZn7oqrLM_Rddzmw8b8XBDNsZG6rwXTx484B_0xAQf_LLq0PfHqD3Vzm1xgZZZeDJr7o2glCG99vrtw2dEQ57-jZINJwvwtu05QHi/s320/DSC06381.JPG" width="320" /></a></div> I love this origami heart..... learned to make it <a href="http://www.homemade-gifts-made-easy.com/money-origami-heart.html#axzz1YMOYq1tC">here</a><br /><br />Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-28849394065203101662011-09-15T19:43:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.273-07:00Thoughtful Friday<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZak1qjSq8arxdLb_Ei8w2Kdpx8rVeE2eXLgVkdnBDm4t6qI8Uv_VJadTWC8jxFigNSH_wVQdbMuyS2XKFTkHV2v4-U-fbbXDg__56fIDaC2xc6NBP4m22buOeuVFsv7VKhFo52b9dUbA/s1600/198042734_EYtYvljZ_c.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgJZak1qjSq8arxdLb_Ei8w2Kdpx8rVeE2eXLgVkdnBDm4t6qI8Uv_VJadTWC8jxFigNSH_wVQdbMuyS2XKFTkHV2v4-U-fbbXDg__56fIDaC2xc6NBP4m22buOeuVFsv7VKhFo52b9dUbA/s320/198042734_EYtYvljZ_c.jpg" width="226" /></a></div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-83076087237724322522011-09-11T06:32:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.367-07:00monkeying around<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div> Little Possum turned 9 and what better way to celebrate than to go to the <a href="http://www.treetopadventurepark.com.au/">TreeTop Adventure Park</a>?<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWvzmJ3nA8wDWgNjd7WdyyA6Uuf9Eb13OU8ChG6UITYWQEaIXY8J7T-MQ6uBeqvqhvPoPDWsVvNGDoAqzDIS_liks4t9KtozGMGp51HuhgD1j1ChMWyeUPciTxb1iBGk-BTCMD0DsKgGd/s1600/DSC05879.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhgWvzmJ3nA8wDWgNjd7WdyyA6Uuf9Eb13OU8ChG6UITYWQEaIXY8J7T-MQ6uBeqvqhvPoPDWsVvNGDoAqzDIS_liks4t9KtozGMGp51HuhgD1j1ChMWyeUPciTxb1iBGk-BTCMD0DsKgGd/s320/DSC05879.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAbxrrDn7DzgwUACijrp1ykEFry5sDm-aLH_F9zED399_oXLFOIocVA58yJ6OyYIeGJJfomGORal7HAvC9sS20MR9YQ4HsJOGESjplk7Rad3qPsmBPAK7f3NmGDoEfCkI-m7X9cVQJVS_/s1600/DSC05886.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiRAbxrrDn7DzgwUACijrp1ykEFry5sDm-aLH_F9zED399_oXLFOIocVA58yJ6OyYIeGJJfomGORal7HAvC9sS20MR9YQ4HsJOGESjplk7Rad3qPsmBPAK7f3NmGDoEfCkI-m7X9cVQJVS_/s320/DSC05886.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILvXMKdWdccPcogeNPUHWGWuUD2Tp2KRBKe30G_4vyXtnxJMeP-xpxqhCHdZopF1URXZ0LJDxGL0ZWuWTdZEYuGgp5Ra14L3g7siHiXqKSdOKDAnbvHYFXHwEjSm_3MFtXPEllHNEPqSi/s1600/DSC05908.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjILvXMKdWdccPcogeNPUHWGWuUD2Tp2KRBKe30G_4vyXtnxJMeP-xpxqhCHdZopF1URXZ0LJDxGL0ZWuWTdZEYuGgp5Ra14L3g7siHiXqKSdOKDAnbvHYFXHwEjSm_3MFtXPEllHNEPqSi/s320/DSC05908.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuZdCEmuwirhtcXMO6od_6ZmaEaw27fhy5WpAM1teupT8yvNpaIE7tc0I66-qWRkcR3eUDydyXWZd4ELJWuFVy5c2B4OQ-AJffcXy8DyMg_mEN-A3Wo9Uz7l2eY7I2vJ0DDgTcQSxSQnd/s1600/DSC05991.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiSuZdCEmuwirhtcXMO6od_6ZmaEaw27fhy5WpAM1teupT8yvNpaIE7tc0I66-qWRkcR3eUDydyXWZd4ELJWuFVy5c2B4OQ-AJffcXy8DyMg_mEN-A3Wo9Uz7l2eY7I2vJ0DDgTcQSxSQnd/s320/DSC05991.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntPQGYjMPgiG_aRxOAZ_JXtNBWZHg1knPEf6Hkr0SPxesuNSb01-nenI2xuPeLLeFQlgilbD-qbMMoqAPQjrr55spRfsCFPEwmsQEnMaIpccOFJ4gb7vT6k0HfhqM2TrOy9U0e_4SSh17/s1600/DSC06091.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjntPQGYjMPgiG_aRxOAZ_JXtNBWZHg1knPEf6Hkr0SPxesuNSb01-nenI2xuPeLLeFQlgilbD-qbMMoqAPQjrr55spRfsCFPEwmsQEnMaIpccOFJ4gb7vT6k0HfhqM2TrOy9U0e_4SSh17/s320/DSC06091.JPG" width="281" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> (no words required..... face said it all!)</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tvh0xa6PJfumdOLBy5jpq3104jNxZlVmTqFvSFN5NaSsWvdpr3-jYYelkNZRa-Ac1MtaYNoFOGVRqz_xKg-bC_zzQY0fO25o_xI1dn2PPsgEIMA20KFtvArVeT3fb9boN9aeBoJpUa4k/s1600/DSC06132.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj_tvh0xa6PJfumdOLBy5jpq3104jNxZlVmTqFvSFN5NaSsWvdpr3-jYYelkNZRa-Ac1MtaYNoFOGVRqz_xKg-bC_zzQY0fO25o_xI1dn2PPsgEIMA20KFtvArVeT3fb9boN9aeBoJpUa4k/s320/DSC06132.JPG" width="284" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> sometimes a helping hand was required</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8CabG99GRo_eDf_AEvIcZgHIfDG-Curr3u0DdH-x4hoNhy-EfO4k5imBavfavvESPDgQqXgO4N1HuQ8STw30NvcJE97hfRXh5YtzHrNCO03MhtPvDKmo2e0t4zjxAslautkJQl8_3xGW/s1600/DSC06137.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiE8CabG99GRo_eDf_AEvIcZgHIfDG-Curr3u0DdH-x4hoNhy-EfO4k5imBavfavvESPDgQqXgO4N1HuQ8STw30NvcJE97hfRXh5YtzHrNCO03MhtPvDKmo2e0t4zjxAslautkJQl8_3xGW/s320/DSC06137.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_wWP2B3Ozrum-7mQZOf5Irmh91eFXveAw5_OsJg088v4xtEYeal91KGq9gjgofNBWl71KttGRgo_grPmqu3PKZsIzs45elWyH9EK1oRncJPxZdjIJMbSDpOSWRnBo6UsetUpd3TRaONj/s1600/DSC06208.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgl_wWP2B3Ozrum-7mQZOf5Irmh91eFXveAw5_OsJg088v4xtEYeal91KGq9gjgofNBWl71KttGRgo_grPmqu3PKZsIzs45elWyH9EK1oRncJPxZdjIJMbSDpOSWRnBo6UsetUpd3TRaONj/s320/DSC06208.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9nD8AY6VFoZxgxvs5cCYoq0OKSOqJluanb9o4QPPi94ZJjPFYSZl5BVirJFnjfk_H1JTdE9eW0N_GJjPaT6tX6zskuRhJK3FGs6wdb5b15DmYLXDfvEVRKwRNoikoPYk0ivxMPz5Klrg/s1600/DSC06228.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhz9nD8AY6VFoZxgxvs5cCYoq0OKSOqJluanb9o4QPPi94ZJjPFYSZl5BVirJFnjfk_H1JTdE9eW0N_GJjPaT6tX6zskuRhJK3FGs6wdb5b15DmYLXDfvEVRKwRNoikoPYk0ivxMPz5Klrg/s320/DSC06228.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> the Big Boys were on the more advanced tracks</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitAjob4mp0We8e0nPW6aoQg9IXwijn-vxmCmS2sxlczM27CmnzdRQpjRPCoo6TTqNesB_dES8mWymJmyLqBiLGi85dxRdJPLCmEzAiD83rVIksZKgBHZQLRdbgd-TsRw2XwyQy5yU7dII/s1600/DSC06231.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhitAjob4mp0We8e0nPW6aoQg9IXwijn-vxmCmS2sxlczM27CmnzdRQpjRPCoo6TTqNesB_dES8mWymJmyLqBiLGi85dxRdJPLCmEzAiD83rVIksZKgBHZQLRdbgd-TsRw2XwyQy5yU7dII/s320/DSC06231.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-uPwRY0kG2R2AeZhS4ZpRBgr75IGHrHju7sQqfq73SNKWOnS-WiTBX6Cj1zOGU0-IwqBfEkAWs7qohRKuLWju4RDQi9BAesFbsCo5EIEDKhieOQa2tgM8I79xiwLg30NzkHhCk58Mpoj/s1600/DSC06236.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhf-uPwRY0kG2R2AeZhS4ZpRBgr75IGHrHju7sQqfq73SNKWOnS-WiTBX6Cj1zOGU0-IwqBfEkAWs7qohRKuLWju4RDQi9BAesFbsCo5EIEDKhieOQa2tgM8I79xiwLg30NzkHhCk58Mpoj/s320/DSC06236.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCA0mMmqbHyLeFgELSdLLl9miNtlx3kQsDmwEEKoq9rNxP-5DH0YIAIpdJLQM0y9bCwbOGZYFYYSZgF9EMoj3a_F7VhOqSxidC7rVH39rQs94bu8HDjwf0KS51XFaKo_lNKy9xBDTCOdm/s1600/DSC06237.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgSCA0mMmqbHyLeFgELSdLLl9miNtlx3kQsDmwEEKoq9rNxP-5DH0YIAIpdJLQM0y9bCwbOGZYFYYSZgF9EMoj3a_F7VhOqSxidC7rVH39rQs94bu8HDjwf0KS51XFaKo_lNKy9xBDTCOdm/s320/DSC06237.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1w3ons4sz9Tz1eBMeqqVjOQJM8Ltnls_JOsVtoy8k93FdSJWBk6hhZQw6cDhWdRLBkMGwrdmzqYd_WaUZG4cp9eaV1g_ANB2VOBLHs3dgRudO3dSvcHRxBK1JHNXvOnkVVrkoVKuIJg0/s1600/DSC06246.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjM1w3ons4sz9Tz1eBMeqqVjOQJM8Ltnls_JOsVtoy8k93FdSJWBk6hhZQw6cDhWdRLBkMGwrdmzqYd_WaUZG4cp9eaV1g_ANB2VOBLHs3dgRudO3dSvcHRxBK1JHNXvOnkVVrkoVKuIJg0/s320/DSC06246.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisml4Wf1DhN69Edmz8Yuk_wVzY-AN9wIu7nQgLcDCo_JlepDLMpulAd9Gl3GOE0CQYyDHnjo3j6FZPkphQS9h9NTg-w7VKny001z31QeXg1qi6IE5WnCqpxno0BWoCBC-8OB6uHAcIGBvp/s1600/DSC06254.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEisml4Wf1DhN69Edmz8Yuk_wVzY-AN9wIu7nQgLcDCo_JlepDLMpulAd9Gl3GOE0CQYyDHnjo3j6FZPkphQS9h9NTg-w7VKny001z31QeXg1qi6IE5WnCqpxno0BWoCBC-8OB6uHAcIGBvp/s320/DSC06254.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;"> Peter coming down the zipline of the "Black course"</div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA93KJIBZiA7Lvx9c2Dls4j4BNipWzS12X_TU6xGjQFfoQtEzkZIwaWgMXXPClWckdsYgcGD4wgoMyGmlbcWiQHzIy6YVMuV5R7HVOaRB7fIVZAbXzDcnoEicIED4N81CYfmKKt0UcnhN/s1600/DSC06260.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEilA93KJIBZiA7Lvx9c2Dls4j4BNipWzS12X_TU6xGjQFfoQtEzkZIwaWgMXXPClWckdsYgcGD4wgoMyGmlbcWiQHzIy6YVMuV5R7HVOaRB7fIVZAbXzDcnoEicIED4N81CYfmKKt0UcnhN/s320/DSC06260.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><div style="text-align: center;">A fantastic day out!</div>Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-41092475616104859272011-09-09T17:48:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.461-07:00We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ!<center><br /></center><center><a href="http://beinglds.blogspot.com/" target="_blank"><img alt="The Book of Mormon Forum" border="0" src="https://lh3.googleusercontent.com/-rG8Iol94QYQ/TlxhMKA-gtI/AAAAAAAAEew/2HevHIwDMsk/s800/book-of-mormon-forum-150.png" /></a></center><br /><br /><br />October's Ensign will be dedicated exclusively to the Book of Mormon, its origin and its purpose.<br />I have been wondering and pondering what to do with my blog and when I stumbled across <a href="http://www.blogger.com/beinglds.blogspot.com">this blog</a> and the above inspired forum coming up in the month of October, I have decided that I will participate. Will you?Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-4213716384267565162.post-81080197078205320132011-08-15T00:17:00.000-07:002013-10-18T00:02:10.557-07:00obedience and airplanesLucky me, I get to teach the Young Women in our ward! My special group is the 'Beehive-class', the 12-13yr old girls. This week's lesson was on obedience (to the commandments) and as always they impressed me with their thoughtful comments and questions.<br />There was a doozy of a question of whether I would sacrifice my children if God required it of me.... obviously inspired by the story of Abraham and Isaac.<br /><br />For a handout I used this idea <a href="http://alittlecrafting.blogspot.com/2011/07/lesson-25-lm3-obedience.html">here</a> . I loved the quote by elder Robert D Hales using airplanes as an example:<br /><div style="text-align: center;"><i>"Just as aircraft pilots must obey certain rules to avoid disaster, there are laws, ordinances and covenants we must understand and keep as we go through earthly life if we are to reach our goal of eternal life. As important as it is for an airman to develop an automatic response to warning indicators on the instrument panel, it is even more important for us to learn emergency procedures to the warning lights that go off in our personal lives".</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>("Return with honour" Ensign Nov 2001)</i></div>I'm grateful for all the preparation that pilots do in the simulators preparing for worst-case scenarios. (Hopefully) you'll never see pilots in an emergency situation completely unprepared, frantically flicking through the manuals trying to find a way to avert disaster... a great lesson in how it is better to Prepare and Prevent than to Repair and Repent.<br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iJVQ6VW5EsTuGI9V_hiQy5IqqeBLX-LpJM7MzvwXWv6jJMH6WHikeuHGQKorUsqYwpoE6jU6-CbXMAAtC7Z0vlwYEV3exvKUjCZKm9Ce2Pd_HBoxnSz7f1t8lxxa-tZoXcQ6TfzPYzfp/s1600/DSC05856.JPG" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" height="179" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg7iJVQ6VW5EsTuGI9V_hiQy5IqqeBLX-LpJM7MzvwXWv6jJMH6WHikeuHGQKorUsqYwpoE6jU6-CbXMAAtC7Z0vlwYEV3exvKUjCZKm9Ce2Pd_HBoxnSz7f1t8lxxa-tZoXcQ6TfzPYzfp/s320/DSC05856.JPG" width="320" /></a></div>My little squadron of airplanes ready to take off...... so much fun to make.Marihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/18187999038701751745noreply@blogger.com2