Service and Shopping

On Friday the YW went to the Bishop’s Storehouse to do service.

Some of us actually worked…

Some of us slept...

Some of us danced...

Some of us cooked...

Some of us…well, ya know

Some of us thought of other things we would rather be doing…

Some of us entertained...

Some of us ate.

Then were off to the Florida Mall for some…um…shopping?

Megan's Boyfriend

It's ok Mikki, if the M&M squishes Jensen

we will melt it with a blowdryer.

Nellie and Savannah take a bite out of the competition.

Nellie and her serious Nascar look.

Live mannequins at Pottery Barn

Shopping or Shoplifting?

Conference Part Duh

I have a confession to make. My Sunday conference viewing was quite dichotomus. I was either so enthralled with the talks (Uchtdorf and Holland) or I was sleeping (afternoon session) that my notes are not as copius as Saturday's sessions. I did manage a few.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all the problems of my life. It unlocks the doors of true happiness which in turn gives me faith and hope.

Discipleship is not a spectator sport. It is a journey. The first step is where I am. I do not have to pre-qualify.

If I give up on myself, the Lord never will.

Keeping my covenants will be a badge of courage for the eternities.

Change and challenge are part of God's plan. Through temptations and trials I am properly tested.

Jesus Christ said, I will not leave you comfortless. My Father and I will be with you.

God has not given us a spirit of fear but of power and love and a strong mind.

My future is as bright as my faith.

You can't be a lifesaver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach.

I go to church to serve others.

After the morning session, we were able to be a part of the baptismal service for Brother Keith Johnson. The Ingalls were kind enough to invite us over while he was being taught the discussions. He is a great guy and a strong spirit. Make sure you get to know him. Roxanne made home made cinnamon rolls to tide us over til after conference. The huge amounts of sugar icing is what put me to sleep. It's all her fault. They were delicious.

 

  …and we got to see Elder Moore one last time!

Garrett Withdrawals

For the past several years, we have spent conference weekend with the Garretts. Jensen would spend the night and then we would go over in the morning and Lew and Kyle would make breakfast. Last night, Jensen and I were trying to figure out what to do with ourselves. I knew Jensen was on the outs with here school friends, nothing major, just annoyed with the drama. I said, "I miss Melena. You never got annoyed with Melena." She said, "I know! me too. I would just go over there and say I'm spending the night! They would say ok."

We lamented or situation and then decided to drown our sorrows in ice cream. We set off on our journey of walking downtown to Strawberry's. It was a beautiful night for walking. We were chatting and having a good time when we arrived at the four way stop signs. We were waiting our turn to cross the street when a gigantic Cadillac cut a huge swath right in front of us. I thought they were trying to take us out. It was Dana and Mikki. Dana said. Hop in! We'll go have ice cream with you." So we did.

Because of the street pary the night before, Strawberry's only had 8 nasty flavors left. And none of them were chocolate. Arrrgh! Good thing I didn't have to walk the whole way or it would have really been an ugly scene. I had called ahead to see what time they closed and the girl didn't mention anything about the lack of chocalate. I guess they really wanted to get rid of that nasty orange-pineapple I had to choke down.

We still miss the Garretts but we had a great replacement...from the same family!

What I need to Learn, I Learn in Conference

These are my notes from General Conference. I turned them into "I" statements because they are for me. You guys are on your own. Feel free to read though.

I should live a provident life by saying, "I can't afford it," or "I can afford it but I don't need it or even really want it."

Provident livers know that tithing is a great and equitable law. The ask themselves is what I want to buy temporary or eternal?

Addictions are of the natural man. They cannot be satisfied.

I should be as King Lamoni and say that I will give away all my sins for Thee. I will do anything He asks.

I should nourish my children with the living water of Christ.

I should teach respect and reverence. I should respect my family members.

Reverence is love. Elder Boyd K. Packer said, "Reverence invites revelation."

I should pray humbly. Handle scriptures with respect, respect priesthoos leaders and the chapel. Sacrament should begin with the prelude music, not the opening prayer.

I should study and be a dedicated student.

I should ask for a testimony which is personal inspiration.

I can gain faith in God by my covenants with Him. I make those covenants through priesthood ordinances.

Covenants produce faith when I am obedient to my covenants, when I listen to the spirit and when I have hope and equanimity.

When I enter into covenants I receive Godly power. It is God's promise.

The Savior could have known of my pain and afflictions by revelation but He chose to come to earth and suffer as I will.

The Lord will rescue his faithful servants.

I should look at my challenges as love from Heavenly Father. It means he is strengthing and purifying me so that I may be exalted.

I should learn from the past in order to build a personal testimony.

I should walk boldly in the light without running the risk of stumbling in the dark.

Spiritual darkness is a result of bad choices.

I don't have to be a Laman or Lemuel. It is better to be a Nephi or Jacob.

I should respect others who are not of my faith.

I should respect those of my faith and not judge. I should love, teach and never give up.

Fear and faith cannot exist together. I must grow in faith by strengthening my testimony and practicing exact obedience.

Net faith is what I have after I subtract doubt and disbelief.

6 faith killers are 1. Doubt 2. Discouragement 3. Distration 4. lack of Diligence 5. Disobedience 6. Disbelief. I must avoid and overcome these.

Spencer W. Kimball said, "There is no tragedy in death, only in sin."

Pain and sorrow can leave because of the light of the gospel.

I should make a goal to go to the temple and don't let anything stop those plans.

I must consider my relationship with the Savior and His relationship with Heavenly Father.

I should express gratitude.

When I am faced with challenges I shouldn't ask, "Why?" I should ask, "What am I supposed to learn from this?"

I should never complain about what happens to me as long as I am living worthily.

My prayers should not be too much or more than is necessary. The Lord listens whether is is eight words or a thousand as long as it is done in the name of Jesus Christ.

The Truth About TOFW

This is how I saw things. After we met Kenney at the temple, we stopped by Albertson's, a potty break for me. When we came out of the parking lot, it was bumper-to-bumper, Friday afternoon, four-o-clock, school just let out traffic. I knew we were on a tight schedule, there was no way around it. I told Melody, "We are going to have to break the law." She said she was already ahead of me. We did an illegal "U-ey" right there in the sight of the temple. Repent.

The Brazilian food was nasty and overpriced. The only good thing was that I was in good company.

After the Friday evening session, we knew we had to get something to eat. I don't think we were really hungry we just had to keep up tradition. We drove down Sandlake Road. We thought about Perkins and their delicious pie, but we wanted to see what else was offered. We saw Checker's and talked about it. Chic-fil-A was closed. We made a legal "U-ie", forsaking our past, and headed back to Perkins. We were in the right left turn lane of a six-lane highway. I said, "What about Checker's? Let's just get that and go back to the hotel room and relax." Melody replied, "It's way over there." (Pointing to the right side of the road.) I threw down the gaunlet, "You could do it if you really wanted." She picked up the gauntlet and started turning the van to the right. It was like the parting of the Red Sea, a clear, dry pathway. We crossed the first lane. I rolled down my window as we cut in front of another lady and mouthed the word, "Sorry" with a sheepish grin. She looked like she understood. The next two lanes were clear and we made it to Checker's! I told Melody it was meant to be. Maybe the Perkin's was getting robbed at that exact moment. We will never know.

I Believe!

I, Debbie Clayton, officially declare that I believe in miracles and guardian angels.

This is a letter that I got in my mailbox at work today. Included with the letter was a rather large sum of cash.

Dear Debbie,

Many years ago, I was in between jobs and having a difficult time financially. A man and his wife told me that the Lord had blessed them that year and they wanted to share their blessings with me. They handed me an envelope full of money that I desperately needed at the time. My grandmother taught me that even though I might not be able to repay every kindness shown to me, I could help others later when the Lord blessed me. I was never able to repay the couple who helped me, but I would like to pay it forward by helping you and your family.

Please accept this gift for your family. I wish God's blessings for you and your family.

There was no signature on the letter. The feelings that surged through me were overwhelming. First, was shock. I couldn't even count the cash. I just shoved it in my pocket. That was not the important part. The important part was that I have a friend who really cares and really loves me. Next, I felt overwhelming gratitude. At the same time I felt very undeserving. There are so many people that are having a hard time. I start immediately thinking of who I could give the money to to help out.I felt honored that they picked me to pay it forward to. I took the letter back to my classroom and tried to read the letter to my co-workers. I couldn't even get through the second line without starting to cry. I let them read it individually 'cause you know I don't cry.

At lunch I told some other teachers that I felt undeserving. They said not to because God had chosen me to bless at that moment.

Of course, my brain also starts churning and I try to think of who might have done the good deed. I thought that it could have been any number of people because those are the kind of people I work with. Maybe someone dropped it off at the school. Those are the kinds of friends I have. I can think of a lot of people who would give me the shirt off of their back. I am so blessed. I decided to abort my sleuthing. The person that left it wanted it to be anonymous.

I graciously accept the gift and the blessing. I can't wait to pay it foward.

P.S. To top off my day I won Kristen's cookies!

P.P.S. Melena hurt her back. She is crying about it and wanted me to put it on my blog.

Doing my Part

I finally gave in and bought two recycled WalMart shopping bags. I have battled with the issue for some time. Not that I don't want to go green, it's just that I like the old plastic bags. I have always used mine more than once like for lunch bags, used kitty litter, and library books. Jensen uses them for overnight bags. They are very versatile.

There is also the stigma of being labeled a granola crunching, Birchenstock wearing, Subaru driving tree-hugger.

Is that really who I want to be?

I decide to go for it!

And I liked it!

I felt very responsible and trendy.

I am doing my part!

The negative side was that my $70 of groceries fit into two bags instead of 20.

The cashier seemed to have a hard time with them. I asked him if they hated the things. He was cheery and said they weren't so bad once you get used to them. Of course he looked the part of the granola crunching, Birchenstock wearing, Subaru driving tree-hugger.

Now I have a new totebag and a new identity.

The question now is what do I do with the used kitty litter?