Summer

June 7, 2015

Dear Sister Kristina,

Well, it's officially summer around here, mainly because the girls are out of school and it's very hot. Tomorrow it's supposed to be 94. Leah thinks she needs to get a tan. haha

Our Sunday meetings were wonderful, as usual. I started off the day with a 6am mtg with the high council and Stk presidency. We got trained from a training video made by the brethren and sisters in Salt Lake. They're very concerned about the number of members who fall away and feel very strongly that if we would strive to make the Sabbath day more holy, more reverent, more sweet, this wouldn't happen and families would gain strength. 

I'll share a couple points they made and maybe you've already seen it since every stake should be training all their people. I thought these things might be excellent for you to use when you feel prompted and are teaching people especially less actives. 

1. Elevating the spirit and power of the Sabbath day does the most work towards hastening the work.

2. When we partake of the sacrament we agree to take the name of the Lord upon us. If you search that phrase, His name, in the scriptures it will mean several things and it's mainly "the work of the Lord". Also forgiveness comes through "His name". The work of the Lord is how we work in the gospel, how we apply it, how we magnify our callings. We're not just disciples, followers, we are active participants in the gospel. That's how we truly take upon ourselves "His name"

3. The sacrament is the only ordinance we repeatedly do for ourselves, once every 7 days.

4. Elder Bednar showed us the cycle of our lives which is very simple. Picture a clock. At 12 is the convert/child baptism. At 3 is the endowment. At 6 is the sealing. At 9 is having children and then the cycle continues. He said that the majority of people leave activity in the church between baptism and endowment. 

We need to enhance our Sabbath days and teach others the same thing so that they will move on towards the endowment in the temple. They told us don't make a list of don'ts for the Sabbath, but instead come up with things that will make your Sabbath day more reverent, more sweet, etc. It's a personal experience and different for everyone.

Then in Sacrament I was very aware of the reverance. Our ward is great that way. Then Sister Anderson bore her testimony and reminded the MiaMaids that they had a challenge to bear their testimonies today. Leah started going a little crazy because she remembered then and she was fully aware that she is the MiaMaid president. I tried to calm her and talk to her about what she could say for about 20 minutes. :)  Then all of a sudden she stood up and went to the pulpit and bore her testimony about the gifts she feels she receives from Heavenly Father-good friends, family and great leaders. Then she told all the MiaMaids that they were next to come up. I was very proud of her and kept telling her so. The only one who got up later was Maddie Tanner. Everyone told me how wonderful it was that Leah got up and they knew how much courage that took. Kelly Anderson came up to me in tears because she knew how hard that was for Leah. 

This afternoon I went over to Mallory and Ali's house to give them a little something before they leave on their missions. Ali has to change planes like 7 times and fly for 17 hours to get to Africa. Her mom is nervous for her. Mallory told me she loves reading your letters the most because they are so positive. I'm going to try to get to Christina's house tomorrow.

Engagement news-Collette Leifson is engaged to Chandler Warr (Cameron's brother). I think they're getting married the first week of Sept. This will be fun for the Leifson's.

This morning as I was going into church Tanner Mangum was walking out. He stopped and said hi to me, so I chatted a little bit with him and told him where you were. Remember how you used to just wave to him and wonder if he knew you. haha Well, I'm pretty sure he's aware of who you are now. He'll probably be heading to BYU pretty quick to start training. Leah said he looked cute.

Dad had to work today so I've been hanging out with the girls. We're getting ready to go to Utah this week, on Wednesday. Nikki, Leah and I are going and will be dropping Leah off at Grandma and Grandpa's. She's kind of nervous about getting neurofeedback, but once she has one session, I think she'll be okay. I'll keep you posted on how that goes. She's going to help grandma and grandpa with some things around the house too, but she's most excited to hang out with the brothers.

Nikki and I are coming back this Saturday so that dad and I can go listen to Elder Oaks speak here. I'm really looking forward to that meeting. I'll report on it to you next week.

Here are some beautiful pics that were taken in Canada.

That last one is soooooo cute!! Kirk said she was quite the photogenic little girl for the photographer. 

Well, better get this off to you. I sent you a flash drive so you can keep your photos on it. I hope you're having a wonderful day. I look forward to my Mondays!!! and hearing from you!!!

You're in my thoughts and prayers always. Have a great week.

Love you,

Mom xxoo