No Bad Marks

Alma 2
King Mosiah has set up a new government of judges throughout the land.  He and Alma the elder have passed away and now it is in the charge of Alma the younger to lead out as the "chief judge and the governor of the people of Nephi" (v16) He had already successfully dealt with Nehor in Alma 1, the first anti-Christ who tried to lead the hearts of the people away from God's true gospel.  Now, in the fifth year of the reign of the judges, it is Amlici who has let Satan get hold of his heart to convince a lot of followers that he should be their king and they should separate themselves from Alma and the Nephites and God's true church when the voice of the people would not make him their king. When the dissenters made Amlici their king (vs10) his first order was to "take up arms against their brethren; so they could become subjects to him as well. There was a war, close to 19,000 people died, the Amlicites (their new name) joined the Lamanites and brought them to war against the Nephites.   Amlici died at the hand of Alma (vs31) and many Lamanites are slain with their bodies being cast into the river Sidon so as to create a crossing for the Nephites to pursue the fleeing Lamanites and Amlicites (vs34) as they are scattered into the wilderness.
Alma 3
The Amlicites put a mark upon themselves (vs4) to be "distinguished from the Nephites"

Dear Landro,

There have been several thoughts that came to my mind as I read this very sad story that Alma faced in his early years as leader of the Nephites.
There was a note that I wrote next to the verses about the Amlicites marking themselves, "no bad marks-Punchinello"
This is from the story You Are Special by Max Lucado.  In this story, Punchinello, a Wemmick,  judges his own worth based on the opinions and judgments of others.  Other Wemmicks would give you a sticker of a gold star on your body if you had good traits and dots if you had bad ones.  Eli, the maker of the wooden Wemmicks reminds him that He made him and it wasn't a mistake.
I do not think that Amlici truly knew that he was a child of God.  He allowed Satan to take over his heart and mind that he led others to follow him down to this worldly place of pride, contention, war, bloodshed, hate and destruction.  They were so convinced of their beliefs that they marked themselves to distinguish them from followers of God to followers of Satan.
In first Nephi when Laman and Lemuel separated themselves from Nephi, God put a mark upon them, "And this was done that their seed might be distinguished from the seed of their brethren, that thereby the Lord God might preserve his people, that they might not mix and believe in incorrect traditions." (Alma 3:8)
These people cursed themselves with their own marks so they could belong to the wrong group.  "They had come out in open rebellion against God;" (3:18)
It's easy to mark ourselves and let others do it as well. It is easy to divide ourselves from what can truly bring happiness in your life long term verses what is enjoyable for the moment.
Please know that you are a child of God, he made you to do something very special and unique in this world.  If you follow Him, you will do good in this world and you will help others to do this as well. You may not see it now, but the curses you put upon yourself are as subtle as caring more about the world thinks of you through your desires, words and actions.
Don't let the praises or criticisms of the world stick, so you can become the man that God and your mother know you can be.
"The stickers only stick if they matter to you.  The more you trust my love, the less you care about their stickers."

xomp

P.S. "A house divided against itself cannot stand...….It will become all one thing or all the other." Pres Abraham Lincoln  If you want our family, your future family to Stand Forever (Lawerence Corbridge Jan 2019) with God, choose the right side, the only winning side.

Teach them to Be Like Jesus

I love reading Helaman's loving and proud words about the stripling warriors towards the end of Alma.  My thoughts today went first to the 60 that joined the original 2000 and how we should join and "obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness;" Alma 57:21.  They were saved because of their strict obedience to the laws of there leader, we will be saved doing the same.  And then at the end of the verse, "their mothers had taught them."  How am I like those those mama's of those valiant soldiers?  How am I not?  There has to be at least a 1000 or more who took their duty seriously to raise men of God.  That is a powerful and great number of women who new their divine role and carried it out.  And they were saved.

Dear Stripling Mama's,

You were given the greatest compliment from your extraordinary sons, "We do not doubt our mothers knew it." Alma 56:48. The faith required going into battle allowed them to "not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives;"  You taught them to be like Jesus.  When he taught, healed and served, he did it for us, as he suffered, bled and died our salvation was made possible because He knew that if he did not doubt, God would deliver Him and US.
I know it, and I must be more diligent, faithful, loving, patient & humble.
My children are growing and they need to have a stronger testimony of God, of Christ and His gospel.  I pray for strength that you and I.
Thank you for your example, I look forward to meeting you all, because as Lucy Mack Smith said, we will all sit down in Heaven together.

xomp

So Many Missionaries

Since we moved to Sandy, Utah 3 years ago, it has been all about Missionaries.  They are coming and going and teaching and preaching. We saw Kekoa off to Maryland and now he is home, a changed young man, hopefully forever.  Every month since, it has been farewells, welcome homes and on and on.  It is quite an amazing phenomena that is happening in the LDS church.  I just read a blog of a sweet missionary who is serving in Spain.  His heart is so tender, missing family, missing his sweet heart, yet doing his duty because his heart is good, and his family & girl supports him and mostly because he loves God and Jesus Christ.  It made me want to write again after a year plus of being lazy.  It makes me want to learn spanish, serve more, love better, and pray more often, especially for all the missionaries.  So, this one is for Tanner...

Dear Elder Hammond,
I am so grateful your mom sent your email to me today.  The last time I saw her, I had her read an email from my nephew who was just finishing his mission in Baltimore, Maryland.  You sound much like him, as a newby in the field, so full of excitement in your new life, even though you are homesick for your old one in North Salt Lake.  With your good attitude, your love of your family and God, and your sense of duty, you are going to be great.  
But how great?
   I teach gospel doctrine in my ward and it is so amazing to be learning and sharing about the Apostle Paul right now.  Talk about one of the greatest missionaries of his time, our time, every time.  It is because he had conviction, and mixed with his tenacious personality and passion to share the truth, along with love of God and Jesus Christ, he was successful.  He brought so many people to Christ and the ones he didn't get on earth, I pretty sure when they arrived in heaven, they remembered him. 
Paul, like you, taught to the gentiles on foreign soil.  He didn't mess around, he took his commitment seriously and stood as a witness at all times, and in all things, and in all places, even unto being stoned, spit on, kicked out, hated, rejected, thrown in prison and finally even unto death.  He took upon himself the Whole Armour of God and changed lives, moved mountains and witnessed miracles.
There are so many missionaries, doing what you do, going all over the world, sharing what you share, in so many different languages, to so many of God's children.  There amazing ones, and not so amazing ones. Dedicated ones and lazy as the day is long ones. Missionaries that are doing their duty, but with how much passion, effort, humility, love?.
How great will you be?  
That is up to you.
I ask myself the same question, because haven't we all made the same promises to share the gospel with our neighbor?
I hope for Spain that you are great!
I look forward to hearing more about your journey to that said greatness, that can be yours!
Bless you for honoring your mother and father, your Father in Heaven and Jesus Christ.
Bless you for being a light to my niece and her family.
Bless You 
Bless You
Bless You

xomp


 

Praying for the One

Today in Fast & Testimony meeting a woman got up and pleaded with her ward family to pray for her daughter who had fallen away from the church.  It reminded me of when I had bore my testimony in May in our ward.  The first thing Paul said when I returned to my feet was that I should have asked the ward to fast and pray for Jackson to help him with his decision to go on a mission.  In hind site, it may have been a good idea and on the other hand, it may have humiliated him, but either way, he decided no to serve a mission, at least for this year. Any who, that is besides the point that I am trying to get at.  The point I am trying to make is that good Christian's who believe in the power of prayer and sometimes even those that do not, are in some way or another praying for someone who is lost.  In my life it is more than one.

Dear Heavenly Father,
or as Judy Blume put it,
"Are you there God, it's me (Mikki)",
I know I pray for this and I always pray for that, but I really need to pray about a few things, for a few important people in my life.
The more I do to get closer to you, the more Paul get's worked by Satan.  The more he get's worked, the more conflict there is between us.  The more I pray for patience, the more my patient is tried.  I get it, this is how it works. This is how faith and obedience is tested. But I am not confident that it is working.  I feel resentment towards Paul, I feel disappointed in who he is, and who I am when I react to him and on and on and on the vicious cycle goes.
It is the same with my children, the more I push it seems the farther they pull away from me, from you, from our family.  My boys have no sense of duty to you or each other, and I take the blame for that.  They have been raised with mixed signals, not only from Paul, but me.  The world is pulling all of us, very successfully.
When I started this letter, it was about them, but I know it is really about me.
I need strength, I need enlightenment, guidance, patience, understanding, tolerance, guts, and I need to be more humble, balanced, moderate, and loving.
I need you.
I want my husband to know you, I want my children to choose to follow you, and I want us to be an eternal family.
I want the entire package.
I know you are there.
I know you hear my prayers.
And I know you want it more than me.
I am praying for me, so that I can better pray for them.
So I can better live this gospel, for them, and for me, and for us!

xo mp

Get To Work!

We had our annual Kane Ohana Reunion this past weekend.  It was at our home in Sandy, Utah.  We gathered to celebrate our three high school graduates, Kavika Ikuna Fonua, Jackson Paulo Barton & Mikayla Kane and also to witness the baptism of Keawe Shannon Alexis Wilson.  As I tried to go to sleep tonight, my thoughts reflected on the words I had bore in fast & testimony meeting.

Dear Keawe,

     I have the number 3 on the back of my reunion shirt, indicating my place out of the seven children born to your grandpa & grandma Kane.    How grateful I am to have been born to goodly parents into the fold of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I have been taught all my life that I am a "Child of God" and to "Choose the Right" and that "Jesus Wants Me For A Sunbeam" that needs to shine for Him each and every day.  Sadly, I do not remember much from my baptism, about how I felt or even if I understood the promises that I was making.  But, you sweet Keawe know, and testified today how you feel "peace in your soul" about what you chose to do.  I feel that you are one of the special spirits that have come to fulfill a great purpose for your Heavenly Father. 

     You are number 18 cousin on your reunion shirt.  Do you wonder what number you are out of the billion, trillion, or gazillion number of spirits that have come to this earth?  Like my baptism experience, we do not remember the promises we made before we came to earth, but I do know that we made them and we are blessed to be members of an organization that teaches us how to pray, to read God's word in scripture, to follow the advice of a living prophet, to listen and obey the promptings of the Holy Ghost so that we can know the work that our Heavenly Father and Jesus has for us to do every day.  If you stay faithful to your covenants, you will hopefully take the next step and go to the temple and make more promises.  Then you will be able to hear the words in the initiatory that remind you that you will protected until you have finished your work on the earth.  That is why we are here, to do His work.  

     Thank you for choosing to follow Jesus.  Thank you for giving me the opportunity to reflect upon my testimony and of spiritual things.  It is a blessing that we are part of an eternal ohana. We both have a work to do with our own little earthly flock. But remember, there is one fold and one shepherd Keawe, welcome to the family.  

     Let's Get to Work!

xomp

     

     

Behold, the Handmaiden of the Lord

New Year's Day 2014
What a big day a far as days go in the year, and for me, it was made more special by Jacky's Ordination of receiving the Melchizedek Priesthood from my dad.  A good way to start out the year before he goes off to college, a Utah Man, with the higher Priesthood to go with him, along with words of advice from our good Bishop Pingree reminding us to notice the spiritual moments in our life and to remember that we chose in the premortal to follow Christ, and also from the Stake representative, Bro St Clair pointing out that it is through the spirit that sacred things are shared and finally, from Grandpa Kane the emotion filled declaration of gratitude for family. The cherry on top was a visit from Elder Harris and newly appointed companion Elder Abgee, leaving us with a message from Enos about feeling whole through our faith in Jesus Christ.
My cup runneth over!

Paul, Jackson, Cody, Dani and Lander,

I am reading a book called Visions of Glory by John Pontious.  It is about a man's true story of visions and near death experiences and what he has learned.  I love the little nuggets that touch my heart and speak to my spirit and I want to share a few with you at the beginning of this New Year.
First, let me start with what has been on my heart since the 2013 Christmas season began.  I love that Mary, faithfully and humbly said to the angel Gabriel, "Behold the Handmaiden of the Lord." In that moment, she was probably scared and confused, yet because she was prepared and believed, she was ready to do her duty to God.  (Paul, I know you love that word DUTY.)
Like the "Spencer" in the book, she agreed to do the work that the Lord asked her to do that was for all mankind, for you, for me in that very moment that she was asked.  "God really does count every moment of our lives, and if we let Him guide us, those moments become eternally significant." pg 16.  The moment she said "Behold," it became the most significant moment of all time!
Are you ready, and willing to say those same words and then actually follow through in those moments that the Lord needs your voice and your hands to do His work?  Am I?
I want to be more in tune with the spirit, because I am pretty sure that an angel will not visit me and tell me what to do.  I need to listen to those promptings and thoughts, and take the challenge that Bishop Pingree gave me in December to act on them, even if they seem silly.
I know that my life has meaning, that God is in the details of my life and that everything I do has a divine purpose.  And because I know that, I need to be more diligent in paying attention to those moments when God is in need of me to do his work, however small it may be.
I am grateful for the work that he has trusted me to do with all of you.
I pray that you can all know, deep in your heart, what I know to be true, real and wonderful!
My wonderful family.
You are all my DUTY!
I love you all!
xomp

"...we are truly His work and His glory.  We are what He is doing.  We are what He is about." pg 18 VofG

The Gift of Aaron Alford: "G.O.A.T."

We lost a good friend last week, Aaron Kent Alford.  A week ago, a blood clot moved from his leg to his lung and took his life. He was 39 years old, leaving behind Linda, Eli (14), and Max and Sam (9).  Most of the week I was mad, thinking about how Linda and her boys' lives will be forever changed and now a new life will have to begin without him.  After the memorial, I realized that the change, although difficult and terrible for a time, also has a silver lining.  Aaron left behind a desire to be better, to be more like Christ, to live with the attitude that every moment in your life is the "Greatest Of All Times" G.O.A.T.  His final words to his church youth group, "whatever choices you make, ask yourself, what would Jesus have me do."  He has finished his work on the earth. It hurts. I am continually sad for his family, but there is joy in knowing that we knew him, we loved him and he loved us.

Dear Aaron,

I thought of you this morning as I was reading my scriptures. You would be happy about that, because now I know that you loved scriptures as well and tried to use them in your life also.  It was so nice to hear from people who really knew you and had strong relationships with you at your memorial.  You are so very loved because of how you lived your life. The last three funerals I have gone to, I went away thinking that I wish I had known them better, what a great person.  I am so grateful that I did know you, and I did feel of your love for me and Paul, but especially my children.  It was amazing to watch your excitement with Jackson journey toward Utah, and you had such a huge part in setting him on that path.  I will never forget the day you took a picture of Dani's first college letter and with joy posted it on your facebook.  We were benefactors of your love, concern and treated my kids like you were their greatest fan. It feels good to have people like you and genuinely be interested in you, and what a gift you have of making everyone in your company feel good about themselves.  

Like I said, I thought of you as I was reading in 2 Nephi this morning.  There were certain people in our church who were witnesses to the Golden Plates, from which the Book of Mormon was translated. They testified of the fact that they did see the plates and that the Lord instructed them to bear witness of that fact.  There was only one person who did not testify in writing and that was Mary Whitmer.  She was the mother of one of the men who testified in writing of seeing the plates.  She was taking care of her family, as well as the Prophet Joseph Smith and his family as he resided in her home to translate the plates.  She was weary from the task, but never complained and fulfilled her duties to do her part in the work.  One evening she was walking out to the barn to milk the cows and the angel Moroni appeared to her, and this is what he said, "You have been very faithful and diligent in your labors, but you are tired because of the increase of your toil; it is proper therefore that you should receive a witness that your faith may be strengthened."  He then showed her the plates.  What a gift for her to be given the surety that her labors were not in vain and that her work was significant.  In her day, there were very few that believed what Joseph Smith was doing, so it makes sense to me that an actual angel would appear to her.  But, today, I have many angels around me to strengthen my faith so that I may continue the work.  My family, my ward, my neighbors, YOU.  

You, Aaron were in angel in this life and I know that you continue to make a difference in the next.  Thank you for finding your gift and using it for good.  You have fought the good fight, I know that you did the work that the Father would have you do and now you have graduated to your next estate. Well done, brother.

I will keep in my heart G.O.A.T.

We'll love you long after your gone, gone, gone.

Until we meet again.

Aloha nui loa,

xo mp

P.S. I imagine you singing the song from Train, 

Sing Together

If I go before I say to everyone in my ballet
Let me take this chance to thank you for the dance
If I run out of songs to sing to take your mind off everything
Just smile, sit a while with the

Sun on your face and remember the place we met
Take a breath and soon I bet you'll see
Without you I would never be me
You are the leaves of my family tree

Sing together
If you knew me from the very start,
Or we met last week at the grocery mart
Just sing together
It's the least that I can do
My final gift to you
Oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oo oooo

When I'm past the pearly gate, I will find some real estate
Where we can settle down and watch the world go round
We'll send down all the love we got and let them know we got a spot
For them to be and it's all free,

The sun on your face and remember the place we met
Take a breath and soon I bet you'll see
Without you I would never be me
You are the leaves of my family tree

Sing together
If you knew me from the very start,
Or not at all you're still a part, just
Sing together
It's the least that I can do
My final gift to you

Aloha Nui Loa

It took me a 2 months to finish, but I finally did.  I have loved, loved, loved every moment that I spent reading Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears.  I have never felt the spirit so strong and I have never found myself so connected to an individual through their story.  I am so very grateful for the time Gale took to so profoundly record the beautiful life of these Hawaiian ancestors that I claim as my own.  I know that Heaven is close, I know that the words in the story are true and I am so happy that I can share in their belief of Heaven, of God, of Christ, of a gospel that can bring us together as an eternal ohana. 

Aloha Jonathon Hawaii Napela,
I finished your story that Gale Sears so beautifully put into words of your journey toward Belonging to Heaven.  Thank you for your example of courage and faithfulness to Christ.  I know with all my heart that you are resting, actually teaching in paradise with your beloved Kitty and Panana, as well as your dear friend George Cannon (E ka haole! Oh the white man) and all of your posterity. You must have been so happy when you and Brother George were reunited after all those many years.  Did you go to walk the rainbow with him? I feel a special bond toward you and all that are in your story, as well as my own Makuna Kane, Norman Hoonani Kane,  and our Hawaiian ancestors.  You have done a great thing for the Hawaiian people and I know that my own Makuna Kane's  journey to Heaven is connected through your devotion to building the kingdom of God on the Hawaiian (Sandwich) Islands.  I need to tell you that I sobbed when you walked the rainbow, led by your sweet mother.  It testified to me the thinness of the veil and the closeness of those on the other side.  You chose the right path and left the center course.   I remember the day I made the same choice.  The way has been hard, but like Mikanele Cannon said, "There is no easy way in this.  Do you think life was easy for the Jeweish men who Jesus called to follow him?  Do you think it was easy for the fifteen-year-ole Joseph Smith to stand against the doctrine and preachers of the day?  Do you think it is easy for me to be here, far from home, eating potatoes, and struggling with the language?  Do you think it was easy for the Savior to carry his cross to Calvary? If you wish to belong to heaven,...there is no easy way."  (pp 160  Belonging to Heaven by Gale Sears)
Mahola Brother Jonathon.
I look forward to meeting you.
I only ask one thing from you, please open up the spiritual connections to helping me find my ohana that need temple work preformed, so that they may have the choice to begin their journey to Eternal Heaven.  "One Lord, one faith, one baptism." -George Q Cannon
May I serve with the same conviction, devotion, strength, patience and love that you did.
Aloha Nui Loa,
Michelle Pualani Kane-Barton

ps  My beloved is not of my faith,  do I yet have rougher seas to voyage through before he believes?

Come, come ye Saints, no toil nor labor fear;
But with joy wend your way.
Though hard to you this journey may appear,
Grace shall be as your day.
'Tis better far for us to strive
Our useless cares from us to drive.
Do this, and joy your hearts will swell!
All is well!  All is well!

Good Cry, Great Inspiration

I have been wanting to see the movie, Les Miserable since it came out in 2012.  I have never seen the play and truthfully have never had the desire.  Finally, I rented it and started watching it in our so very awesome theatre room, with Sheryl and Dani.  Dani lasted 10 minutes and Sheryl for half. I loved everything about it, with exception of ALL the singing.  It would have been better for me if they had only sung the big ones and spoke in between.  I am sure Paul will never watch it, but I am going to try.  Flipping through the tele I found another version with Liam Niesson.  All talking, it was fair.  Too much talking.  Now, I want to see the broadway version.

Dear Jean Valjean,
I finally met you this week.  You are a wonderful man, or I mean you would be a wonderful man if you were a real person.   Your commitment to God was inspiring and help me to realize that I need to work at it every day, hour, minute. I loved to see when you were weak, and then found the strength to be strong and remain faithful to your promise. It was beautiful the way Fontine came to bring you back to Heaven and acknowledged what you did for her Cozet.  You gave your life to save a child of God. That is what we should all do, for are we all not brother's and sister's?
There are many Jean Valjean's in the world.  I think I have met a few.  I pray that I can live as you did and as they do.
xo mp

Sister of Mine

Years ago I wanted to write in my journal like I was writing a letter to someone.  I even wrote a few, the old fashioned way, paper-pencil type.  I know, so twentieth century, right?
Today I read some blogs of women across Utah who are part of the first LTYM Listen to Your Mother. I want to go with my close friends, my sisters.  The first person I thought that I would want to be with, is MOOOO_reen aka Maureen Ewell, aka Big Erin.
Reading all these fabulous women's blogs has inspired me to pick it back up again.
I am not sure how long it will last, but here I go;

This first letter is to you, dear sweet sister of mine;

Dear Big Erin,
This has been quite the journey you and I have taken the last 14 years, specifically the last two of them. I started it by putting my house on the market and then you went and rented yours and became a vagabond between Cali, Phoenix and PC.  Finally, we sold our house and moved to the big city and you are still moving around, dogs and all.  (shit dog)
So, you are back in town and I could call you, to tell you we have to go tho the LTYM thing tomorrow night.  You were sitting in your car with Charly outside of Little Erin's house listening to Shawn Hanidy.  So funny.  Too bad we are living in a time with car seats and regulations, or you would have just strapped a seat belt around little Charly and drove my way while you listened to that conservative radio guy, whom I like too.  But, it wasn't to be, the responsible Mo-Mo will not have anything go wrong on her watch.
I am excited for tomorrow.  You are coming to walk with me in my new walking spots, with my new walking sisters, Leslie and Julie.  It will be so great for you all to meet.  My old and new coming together.  aahhhhhhh. It better not rain. They are going to love you and probably be surprised at our age difference, which at times makes me smile to think that my bestie is around my mother's age.  Age is really just a number, right.
I want you to know that whenever anything good or bad happens in my life, or my families life, I have to call you.  You are the only person I gossip to, and I have kept the rule never to gossip about you.  Especially when my heart is heavy, I need to hear your voice and look forward to your words of comfort, cheer, direction and peace.  I think of you when I walk, when I go to church, when I am at the temple, or wondering what to fix for dinner and do I have all the ingredients, then remember that I can't pop over to Big Erin's for milk or peanuts or whatever. When Lander asks me about nba or nfl players, I always know that you would know the answers.  You always remind me to love the man, hate the behavior.  He has no idea what you have done for our marriage.  You are my go to woman!
It is a blessing to have an angel in my life. God, in his infinite wisdom and love made our paths cross, and for that I will be eternally grateful.  I love you dear sister of mine. Thank you for being such a wonderful blessing to me.
Come home soon.
xo
mp

For the Strength of YOU

May 5th
I have been on a spiritual high for the last few weeks.   Koa's patriarchal blessing was two Sunday's ago, Jackson's was today, teaching my Miamaids last week about the Restoration and how truly amazing Joseph Smith was, day 66 of reading the Book of Mormon, going to the temple, watching Mormon Channel, personal progress, bearing testimony of what I believe and why I am so grateful that we moved into this ward and so much more.
The missionaries spoke to our young women on Sunday and challenged them to read through the Strength for Youth pamphlet and take a look at what they are doing to follow the directions and what they are not doing.  I looked those beautiful girls and realized that these kids are truly the ones sent to this earth in the final days.  The strong ones are strong and the not so strong are hanging in there. I need to be better at helping those girls that are sitting on the fence, hanging by a thread and just need help to create inspiration for change or for righteous action.
It would be cool to write a book, For the Strength of YOU.
Hopefully I can get it out of my head clearly and share with my kids and girls.
I pray that jackson will really take his direction in his blessing seriously.

A Good Sunday.

April 28th
Started the day right, breakfast with the young women of Bell Canyon and reading the Book of Mormon.  We are on day 59 of the 100 day challenge, which puts me to Alma chapt 41.  Alma is given advice to his son's Helaman, Shiblon and Corianton.  Corianton is being scolded for his rebellious behavior when they were in the land of the Zoramites to teach them the gospel.  Alma is so patient and wise, I would have been crazy mad.  Good thing it was Alma who was his parent, because Corianton eventually becomes a good disciple of Christ.  Alma is a good example to me.  He taught him truths of the gospel to help change his behavior.
Sacrament was a mission farewell and a mission welcome home.  They were brother and sister.  Oh the joy of their mother.  The elder gave very good advice.  Gospelize yourself.  Be converted to the gospel, not just the church.  He asked us what our ultimate goal was, what are we doing to reach that goal and is it enough.  This went so well with my lesson in young women's.  It was the last lesson on the restoration and apostasy.  I was asking the girls what their hope is in this gospel and what truths have they learned along the way to help them stay strong.
Koa was given his patriarchal blessing by Brother Korey.  The entire family was there.  I felt the spirit and the blessing was really beautiful and I could tell that it gave Koa confidence and strength.  He received very good advice.  I can't wait for Jacky's next Sunday and then Cody's.
We had our first family dinner on the back deck.  Grandpa's teriyaki, yum.  loving the weather.
Took a hike up Bell Canyon for the first time.  Actually, it was a climb, as my heart pounded out of my chest.  It was very pretty, but too many people and too steep.  The view of the city coming back down was very nice.
Ended up on the back deck again to watch the sun set while we sat in our two new chairs.
This is a way to start a week.
Like I said, a good Sunday.

Conference at the Ranch April 2013

I enjoyed all the moments to listen to conference by myself, with Jacky, and especially with all the family.  There was a spat between boys and some choice words and actions to remind me that we are not the perfect fam, but I was indeed touched several times as I listened to the advice and revelation from our prophet, apostles and leaders.  I am grateful for their obedience, however reluctant it might be.     Hollond, Uchtdorf, and Dalton were most impressive to me.  It was a lot to take in, I look forward to hitting lds.org to review. Time to sleep.  I am pretty sure Pres. Monson is wiped out.  Sweet man.

BELIEVE

A high councilman from the stake spoke in church this past Sunday, it really touched my heart.  He spoke of the desire to have his children believe and that he is reminded about his belief and the journey he took to get it, by a Christmas bell, from the story The Polar Express.  Following church, the missionaries came to practice teaching to our kids and Paul participated.  I think he felt that was the reason they came anyways.  One of the sisters challenged him to really think about what he believes and continually asked him why he didn't want to know. I know that Paul doesn't want to know because he doesn't want to change. He is fine with what he 'doesn't' believe and that is comfortable with him.  It is easier to not believe, therefor have no responsibility to live a different way, or to hold a calling, pay tithing, go to church, have a commitment.  It is work to be a believer.  It is easy some days, harder other days when the world takes over.  It is even harder to live in a house of not necessarily ALL non believers, but with one adimant one and many immature ones.  I truly know in my heart that as long as our house is divided, it will fall, whether that be in this life or the next.  I feel just a tiny bit of the sorrow that Mormon felt when he had to lead a very wicked people. He is better than me.  He loved them as Christ would have him love, and I at least am only concerned about people that I love.  Many days I wonder, 'is this the path I am supposed to be on, or the one I need to make the best of because I chose it. I need to have Mormon's heart.  I pray for a heart like his.  I need to be a strong leader just as he was, even if they all choose not to live what I believe.  Mostly, I pray that they will BELIEVE.

On the Path

Last night I read part of the first chapter of Becoming His to Paul.  I felt peace reading of Christ  and how to start on the path of discipleship, "...toward becoming what our Heavenly Father desires us to become." Elder Dallin H. Oaks
I desire us to become an eternal family, but I know there are (baby steps. in Paul's words) to that actually becoming a reality.  I have been on the path of true discipleship for almost 16 years, and I still have so far to go. Still in the process of letting go who I was and becoming who the Lord knows I can be.  I wonder if he reports to the Father, "so much potential, still needs a lot of work."
Ezra Taft Benson encouraged, "men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.  He can deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles (oooh Paul will like that), lift their spirits, multiply their blessing, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace."  Now who couldn't use more of all that.  What a blessing.
I think I am going to really love this book.
Thank you Emily for being more.

My Biggest Fan

Katie called me yesterday to let me know that her father had died suddenly from complications of cancer.  She also wanted me to know that he was my biggest fan when I played volleyball at Utah.

I am so grateful that I was able to talk with him in December at the boys basketball game against Skyline, (his grandson's team)

He was so excited to see my boys play.

It is comforting to know that up there is by biggest fan.

Here is to you Mr. C!

Obituary

Richard Lee Christensen

1937 - 2013 Richard Lee Christensen, born of goodly parents, A. Lee Christensen and Rosetta Widtsoe, came into this world September 5, 1937. He died on January 29, 2013 after a valiant second but swift battle with cancer. Dick graduated from Olympus High School afterwards serving an LDS mission to Norway. He earned a Bachelor's degree in Business from the University of Utah where he enjoyed his affiliation with the Sigma Chi Fraternity, making many life-long friendships. He was lucky to marry Suzanne Holt on December 21, 1961 in the Salt Lake Temple. They enjoyed 51 years of 'getting used to each other' while raising seven wonderful and loving children who kept them guessing as well as laughing. He had a strong and abiding testimony of his Savior, Jesus Christ, the gift of the Atonement and the power of forgiveness. He served with his whole heart and loved those he served. Much more can be said of this great man but the most important would be his loyalty and unwavering love for his wife and his fiercely loving devotion to his children and grandchildren. Dick is preceded in death by his parents and his eldest son, Scott. We know that they welcomed him home with open arms. He is survived by his sweet wife, Susie, their children; Lisa Rider (Creighton), daughter-in-law Monica Christensen, Jim (Patti), Mike (Piper), Kim Cronin (Tom), Katie Rice (Laurn), Kelly Vorwaller (Nate) and two sisters Susan Larson (Douglas) and Rebecca Johns (Craig). He will be fondly remembered as 'Bompa' by his 18 amazing grandchildren and missed by his 10 grand dogs. A viewing will be held Friday, February 1st at Larkin Sunset Lawn from 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. located at 2350 East 1300 South. The funeral will be Saturday, February 2nd at the Olympus 7th Ward Chapel located at 4500 South and 2700 East. There will be a viewing from 10:30 to 11:45 a.m. with the service following at 12:00 p.m. Interment will be at Wasatch Lawn Memorial Park. Published in Deseret News from January 31 to February 1, 2013

Becoming His

I am reading a book, Becoming His, the author is Emily Freeman. This little book is my inspiration this year, this Big Year, because I want to be a better daughter of God.  I want to be more, I want my family to be more, my marriage to be more, my service to be more, my Love to be more. So, here I go!

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "The first step on the path of discipleship begins, luckily enough in the exact place where we stand!  This has resonated with me since I read it.  I have been called to be the first counselor in the Young Women's.

The youth theme this year is;

I am so  grateful that I am standing where I am right now, believing, willing, faithful, blessed.  Time to pull up the sleeves and go to work.  Every Day!  With Emily's word's, with hope and strength through the Lord, I pray that my heart will continually be led to His.

the BIG year

It is the 1st day of the New Year.
It has been a 2 week vacation away from school & our regular schedule.
We were up late last night ringing in EVE2013 at the Marriott downtown SLC.
Dani, Lander & I have just watched the first episode of Dance Mom's, my favorite trashy reality show.
I know I am nuts about my kids sports lives, but these ladies, including the teacher are crazy, & I love it, & I love watching their amazing daughters dance.
I am tired, I am frustrated with my lack of patience with Jacky earlier tonight (not a great way to start my resolution of the meek mikki) & my irritation that get's the best of me when my pauly b rears that ugly little head of his. (love the man, hate the behavior,love the man, hate the behavior)
I leave for San Antonio in two days & I need to put away Christmas, get the toilet downstairs that overflowed into the main room fixed, wash the 10 towels that we used to mop up the pee water, get the fireplace going, fill the wonderful cabinets, that I love in the garage with all our crap, put away laundry, and on on on I could go with the complaints.( I am so grateful that I have all this stuff to do that is ours)
BUT, aside from me wanting to curl up in my bed, without brushing my teeth, I am going to post on the first day of 2013.
and I am going to be better about recording every, well almost all the
CRAZY
WONDERFUL
DISAPPOINTING
INSPIRING
INSIGHTFUL
FRUSTRATING
BEAUTIFUL things that are part of my extraordinarily blessed life.

THIS IS THE BIG YEAR!
inspired by the movie, The Big Year, about bird watchers who try to set the record as the one who spotted the most birds in one year.
I want this to be the BIG year to change my perspective to how I am going to lead my family of where I want us to be when this whole big test is finished.
I AM A DAUGHTER of my Heavenly Father who loves me,
and I love him.
I WILL "STAND"  as a witness at all times, and in all things, and in all places

Time to be more

FAITHFUL

PATIENT

MEEK

DISCIPLINED

PREPARED

LOVING

HONEST

VIRTUOUS

PRAYERFUL

Time to step up.  or as Brady Ewell said, "Man Up!"
Read this years ago in an institute manual, & most days it haunts me,
but occasionally it softly reminds me;
"you can not pull people up to where you want them to be, if you are not already there yourself."

Day 1 of the BIG year.
wow, I already need to pray for forgiveness & strength.
Thank goodness He is always there.
Goodnight.

It is my Duty

Today I was reading a book at my parent's house that has rekindled the duty that I have to my posterity to write down my life, their life, our life.  It is a pretty dang good life and to be honest, as much as I would like to think that I can remember it all, it is inevitable that I will become old & forgetful even more than I am now.
So, instead of rehashing this past year, well 10 years, I will go from here and maybe I will be able to recall some really good stuff in the past.

Day 1 of the rest of my life, or something like that.

I was walking with Dani & Sadie (our dog) & she was going on about things & I was stating my opinion and she told me that we just do not think alike. hmmmm.  Someday I know she will realize how much we are alike and she will be ok with that.  for now, she just wants to be like her dad.  hmmmmm, again. In my opinion, she is the better version of both of us.

We traveled to Idaho this weekend for my nephew Kai's farewell talk in church.  He was very sweet and the spirit was very strong as he spoke of the gratitude he felt in his heart about being called to the Honolulu, Hawaii mission.  It has made him feel closer to Kuku Kane & he is hopeful that he will be able to teach the gospel to our family in Hawaii.  The first Kane grandchild to serve a mission, what an example & what a strong young man.  My prayers go to him, as well as to Matt & Hallie.  I know they will miss him terribly, yet I know they will be blessed & watched over. Thank you Kai for your sweet spirit, I felt it very strong & the talks given today gave me renewed courage and strength to continue to have hope for my family.

Kealani was baptized on Sept . 1 last Saturday.
I was taken back at the strong spirit that was in the room that day.  I knew it was radiating from Dean & his family.  It was very pure & very peaceful.  Hallie and Lana both gave very good talks and I felt very good that day coming from that church in Syracuse, UT.  I am so grateful that I was baptized & that my children are baptized.  I look forward to the day when Paul joins us, as well.  It has been a journey I tell you.  Holding strong.  At least when I get to have experiences like today.  Thank you Kealani.  Thank you Heavenly Father.

Here's Hoping CeCe

FEBRUARY 17, 2012
Sierra is finally here to live with us.
She has come to graduate from high school.
She has come to hopefully secure a better future for herself.

Dani is getting the sister she always wanted.

We are getting our fifth child in our home.

I am so hopeful for this to work out for her.

Her is what I am hoping for:

she stays

she is happy

she works hard

she succeeds

she enjoys herself

she looks to the future

she loves us

she can be herself

she can find something new about herself

she will take risks

she gives me a hug on her own

she can ask me anything

she can see her potential & worth

she is patient with us

I pray this works out for her, not matter what happens.

I am grateful for the opportunity to help her.