Vision: September 2012

Sunday, September 30, 2012

Priesthood Power

A few weeks ago we took a short family weekend vacation to Big Flats, NY so Mark could watch Bob Dylan in concert. He had a wonderful time! The girls and I had fun with our little hotel party. We ended up going to church in a ward in NY and Mark ran into a mission buddy. It was a pleasant reunion. On our way back home we stopped at Harmony, PA at a church history site. It was near the banks of the Susquehanna River. This place is very special to Mormons because it was the place where the prophet Joseph Smith received the priesthood from the ancient prophet John the Baptist then latter the ancient apostles Peter, James and John. These ancient servants of the Lord lived during the time of Jesus. They walked and talked with the Lord. How is it possible that these men appeared to Joseph Smith when they didn't live in the same time period? These ancient servants were sent from the Lord to the prophet Joseph Smith as resurrected beings similar to the mount of transfiguration as recorded in the bible when Elias and Moses appeared to Jesus with Peter, James and John as witnesses of the event (refer to Mark 9:2-4). Elias and Moses lived before the Savior walked the earth and died before He came to the earth but yet as resurrected beings they appeared to Jesus.

What is the priesthood?

"The priesthood is the eternal power and authority of God. Through the priesthood God created and governs the heavens and the earth. Through this power He redeems and exalts His children, bringing to pass “the immortality and eternal life of man” (Moses 1:39)." (True to the Faith, 2004)

Why is it necessary for us to have the priesthood on earth?

"God gives priesthood authority to worthy male members of the Church so they can act in His name for the salvation of His children. Priesthood holders can be authorized to preach the gospel, administer the ordinances of salvation, and govern the kingdom of God on the earth" (True to the Faith, 2004)

What does this mean?

We are able to be obedient to Heavenly Father's commandment to getting baptized in this life just how Jesus's got baptized, by a man who had the authority of God, who was John the baptist.

Refer to this site for more information http://mormon.org/

As our family visited this site it brought such sweet and tender feelings in my heart. You could feel the sacredness of this spot on earth.

Where I'm standing in this picture is where the prophet and his wife Emma lived for a while. Their first son died here. Being in this spot provoked many emotions. Seeing how small their house was and how simple life was and how hard their trials were gave me a deeper appreciation for their sacrifice for their millions of brothers and sisters.

Mark is teaching the girls about the priesthood authority and how we received it before walking to the banks of the river.

Entering this site, inhaling deeply the sweet smells surrounding me reminded me of the day I got baptized. What a special day that was for me. I literally felt the Holy Spirit so strongly! I felt Heavenly Father's approval of my decision in being baptized. My connection with the Heavens that day were so real and tangible. Till this day I get choked up talking about my baptism and conversion. God is REAL! and that day I felt his love for me in such a tender way. This holy place that we visited brought back those wonderful feelings. It was indeed a special trip for our family and I'm so grateful that our girls are having these experiences.

I love this man!

I had a temple recommend interview with one of the members in the stake presidency today and he asked me about my conversion story than he asked me how I met my husband. Would you believe I started getting emotional when I told him how I discovered Mark. Next to getting baptized, marrying Mark is the best decision I ever made and I'm so grateful that God brought us together. He really tries hard to be a good husband and father. I'm extremely grateful that he holds the priesthood and that I can have access to God's comfort and love anytime through him, if I ever needed a blessing. I didn't grow up in a home with someone who held the priesthood but I'm extremely grateful that my children are having this special blessing.

Saturday, September 15, 2012

I Want To Laugh Like Really Loud

I'm craving LAUGHTER! I want to laugh like really hard, long, loud and a possible accident in my pants (comes often when you're this far a long in pregnancy, no shame). I feel like I haven't laughed REALLY HARD in a long time. I feel like I've been to focus, overwhelmed at times & distracted with life. Any movie suggestions, stories or wholesome jokes you want to pass my way? I'm so ready.

Friday, September 14, 2012

If I Get Through This day....

This morning at 6:30am I woke up to one daughter throwing up all over her bed and the bathroom floor and the other one peed her pants. Hmmm I thought to myself today is going to be a great day and I get to start it bright and early. Something similar happen 2 years ago when I was pregnant with Asenath. I was in my third trimester cleaning up vomit off the carpet and bathroom floor, trying my very best not to vomit myself with my extra sensitive pregnant nose. So history repeats itself I'm approaching my 33rd week of pregnancy cleaning vomit trying to hold my breath and not sniff at all, except this time I have another child who wet herself and another child to keep away from the other two girls. If or shall I say when I get through this day I can get through many other tough days ahead, right? Just had to record this, so I can look back and laugh.

Thursday, September 6, 2012

So it Begins

I could hardly sleep last night. My thoughts were racing for both my husband and children. When I got up this morning at 5am I couldn't go back to sleep. I just laid in bed in the dark pondering/meditating/praying until about 6am. Today was the FIRST day of school for Eve, Esther & Mark. Eve went to preschool before in Hawaii for about 4 months but Esther never had that experience before. As for Mark, well he volunteered in my class before when I taught middle school boy's in Utah, but this would be his first time as a teacher and getting paid. You can understand why I was so nervous for my whole family.

Eve and Esther were so excited to go to school and meet their teachers again. They love learning new things and sharing what they learned with others. This past summer when they were home schooled by mommy they were eager to share what they had learned with their dad.

Poor Esther she had a battle scar from one of her sisters and her backpack was larger than she was.

Asenath had a hard time watching her sisters get ready for school. When she saw them put on their backpacks she started to cry because she wanted to go and do what her sisters were doing. Kept trying to let her know that she'll get her turn next year. When I dropped them off I didn't expect to respond the way I did. Yes, I bawled like a baby. I kept questioning myself if I made the right choice for my family and after a while I realized and felt reassured that they are where they need to be, in school. I don't have to stop teaching them at home just because their going to school learning can be around the clock. In fun ways of course. When we had dinner that night everyone had something to share about their day. I loved it!