Create

The creation in and of itself is breathtaking to me and often as I ponder it I am in more than AWE of how it all works and that through my Savior, Jesus Christ, my Heavenly Father created this world not only for me but for all.  As I have pondered on the creation I have begun to get a slight glimpse of my role in the creation, and that I have been given the divine blessing to create.  Just the miracle of having children has left me with more wonderment and awe, but daily we are to create.  As I have reflected on my life I have felt very blessed that the spirit has helped me create, not only have I been able to participate in one of the most sacred parts of creation, but just daily living being a mother making cookies, dinners, breakfast, playing in the yard, dressing up, FHE, and scripture study have all given me opportunities to create, and I have been taught over and over sometimes without even realizing it.  This week I was shown another Mormon Message that brought this all into such a marvelous perspective, by Elder Uchtdorf.

Terry Fator

This year for Christmas, Sheldon's office gave us tickets to Terry Fator. I wouldn't know who he was except a friend a few months earlier had gone to his show and told me about him. He is a ventriloquist who won "America's Got Talent", after last night, I've learned a whole lot more about him. Truly a great entertainer, with incredible talent. *(I actually have learned a lot more about him since last night).

About 3/4 the way through the show Sheldon leaned over and said "He's amazing, even better than Danny Gans, he just has so many voices".  Right after that Terry saluted the military, he had all those who have or are serving in the military stand and then he sang the song "Home" by Michael Buble (he donates all his profits from his videos to the military -- he also has a CD he donates the profits to St. Judes Hospital).  It brought tears to my eyes.  Then all of the sudden he started to talk to Sheldon.  He said something like so is everyone enjoying tonight?  Then he pointed out Sheldon specifically -  how about you in the fourth row, purplish shirt (Sheldon said once he said his shirt color he knew it was him).  He asked him, "Are you enjoying the show tonight?"  Sheldon said, "Yes", he then said its funny how one minute your sitting there enjoying the show and the next minute your in it.  At that point he invited Sheldon up on stage.

I was thankful I had brought my camera.  Terry reassured the audience that he had know idea this was going to happen.  I already had tears in my eyes from his previous song and they just kept coming not because I was touched, but because it was so funny.  Sheldon said he was laughing so hard under the mask he was crying too.   There are two videos (I ran out of room on my camera and had to delete a few things== then I was able to video the end!!

 

After the show Sheldon was the STAR?!?!  Over and over again, people came up to us and said, "there's Sheldon", asking if it really wasn't set up, letting him know he had done a great job, asking if we were really from Vegas and where did we live and how as life here,  shaking his hand.  We thought we were done once we left the hotel and went to dinner, then after dinner we were walking back to the car and people started recognizing Sheldon all over again.  He loved the stardom!?!?

Salt Lake City/Provo Weekend

Thursday, morning I was able to fly up to SLC.  I arrived and it was sunny and as nice as it can be in the winter.  I went to Julies to do my P90X workout and get ready for the temple.  I followed Julie, Chris, Debbie and Paul to the temple.  It was nice to see Uncle Karl, Aunt Norma and Terrel there along with Scott's family.  It was tender to be there and witness this miracle.  As they state in the court of law ...as if the child had been born to you... I love that line and Elder Cook commented about that great miracle, too.  The spirit was there and Shauna and Scott were so prepared along with their children.  Isaac was fussy out in the hall, but as soon as he saw his mom he was just fine and was reverent throughout the ceremony.  We went to dinner at Olive Garden after and had so much fun visiting.  I was sitting by Shauna's & Scott's nephew and his wife, Melissa, Lawrence and Ethne, and Lawrence's parents.  It was a nice evening and our waitress' were great.

I spent the night with Shauna and Scott and had a fun time visiting with Gabe.  Next time he and I will have to play the Wii together.  He is a fun boy and so obedient. 

The next morning Julie and I exercised together to Zumba (that was a sight -- luckily Debbie never got up to get her camera or it may have been a sight for you to see.  We still had fun. 

Then I went down to Provo and to Chemistry Class with Meagan.  Luckily it was a fairly elementary chemistry day and I was able to follow everything the teacher said, and I only began to nod off once during his lecture.  Meagan and I then went over to the bookstore to get a few things (Dutch Mints) and then we went back to her apartment.  Luckily Bentz showed up just in time to come to dinner with us.  It was so fun to hear about Brianna's and Bentz' adventures on the bus/trax back to Provo.  All the life lessons they learned and the new business' they are ready to start.  (I was sure glad Meagan didn't learn those lessons).  Once we finished it was time to go pick up Loryn at the airport.  We were happy she arrived safely and on time.  I tried to stay up with the college kids that night, even though, Meagan pleaded with me to go to bed (I should have listened .. I didn't last long and found a bed.

The next day we headed out shopping.  What a fun adventure.  The girls helped me pick out some clothes and then the fun began.  We went to Target to find an outfit to take P90X pictures in... we decided they were too expensive and too immodest, we had fun in the parking lot, I'm not sure the other cars appreciated us, so we decided we should head to Wal-Mart.  Again another fun adventure, where we decided to go with the modest shirts and maybe even write a New Era article about it.  We were able to get lots of help from knowledgable employees and I think we made a few other customers laugh (or feel uncomfortable...)

 On our way home Loryn noticed that fabulous Krispy Kreme sign was on... After almost causing a traffic accident and learning about a dead end neighborhood in Provo we made it to Krispy Kreme's where Loryn (and the others in the car) learned that free donuts only come with a purchase and a cup of water in Provo is $0.25 which isn't worth it. She tells the story much better and she knows how to use great diction and accents throughout the process. Nothing could really top that so we decided we should head homefor dinner, we ate yummy homemade Cafe Rio (made by Brianna and Meagan). Then Meagan had a great idea to go back to the mall and try on wedding dresses... so we did but were informed we were just tooo late, no trying on after 8:00 and it was 8:30, we window shopped and Loryn found a great shirt for $5.00. Then we headed home and played Wii Dance...and worked off anything we'd eaten that day.





Sunday we slept in and I learned that I am too loud in the morning and college dorms which don't really move until 11 AM. We attended Meagan and Brianna's ward then we were able to go to Julie's after church and enjoy dinner with everyone (Shauna, Scott and family, Debbie, Paul and Family, Julie & Chris and family... and lots of fun kids). Loryn was a great basement referee and we had a great time visiting and playing games.


Monday I decided I should be in charge of the plan so I presented to sleep in until 6AM, work out, then I'd make whole wheat bread, while the students studied for a couple hours, Loryn was to go to breakfast with Lizzie (but she overslept), then we'd head out to finish up any shopping 

 Before we left we decided we needed to take our P90X initial pictures in our modest shirts.  This was nothing more than a laugh fest and the girls wondered when it was all over why I didn't get any good pictures?!?

 Nonetheless, it was a lot of fun and I think we have the pictures we need to send in.

 I don't think this is one of them

 Trying to make the hair beautiful (I don't know who they learned it from)

 We decided to go visit Julie rather than go shopping.  So we boxed up the Wii and took it with us.  I enjoyed playing with Carter and  trains.  Carter convinced me that if I got to take his picture he got to take my picture. 

 So I let him, then his mom changed that idea...

 Wii Dance

 Loryn playing "Goose" with Carter (maybe she'll teach you how someday)

 Carter convincing Meagan to try his tunnel

 Loryn also playing Carter's game

I feel so blessed to have a husband who makes it possible for me to take these fabulous trips.  It just feels so right to be with family, to laugh, to cry and to feel the spirit.  It was a great weekend

.

Love of God

This week I had the opportunity to teach the entire Young Women. As I received this assignment I was excited because the lesson title was "God the Father". Previous to this I had been contemplating on the sweet and tender blessings I feel from God daily. Conner's good night hugs, Sydnee's contagious smile and desire to be good, Meagan's drive, Sarah's hope, Christiana and Corey's marriage, Loryn's love not only for me but for life, and I feel so blessed for my husband's love and acts of kindness he does for me daily. Not only these blessing, but also beautiful sunsets, the clouds and snow covered mountains, the graduer of the mountains and beauty in the pines. All these things and many more help me feel God's Love. I feel so blessed to know my Heavenly Father, that not only do I know Him, but I know I am His child and I want everyone to be able to feel His love and power. I know this is their choice, but I would hope I could just have the spirit present as I taught this lesson. I prayed and was so blessed with sweet inspiration. First I was reminded of a talk that Elder Eyring gave a few years ago in General Conference. As I went to look it up the church had done a sweet video. This summarizes most of my thoughts. How has God influenced my life today. If I truly contemplate this daily I am reminded of not only the simple blessings, but also the tender mercies he sends.

The lesson went amazingly well. THe spirit was present, and many were blessed to feel that spirit. I feel so blessed that I could focus on this sweet lesson to not only remind me, but to help me recommit to do so much more.