Some people say that “love at first sight” doesn’t exist. I
know that it does. Twelve years ago today, I was in a hospital room where I saw
my mom lying in a bed and next to her was a beautiful tiny baby girl, just a
couple of hours old. I was instantly filled with love for this precious baby.
It was love at first sight. I loved watching her grow up, say her first word,
take her first steps. The first time she laughed, I was holding her while
playing ‘Go. Go. Stop!’ With our sister, Alexandra.
One of the hardest things about moving to Edmonton was
leaving my little Mikayla. Even though there is a 17-year age difference
between us I have always strived to maintain a close relationship with her. We
played together, went to the park, went swimming and ice skating, gave each
other makeovers and went to the theatre to watch the latest princess movie. I
looked forward to coming back home and seeing her list of things she wanted to
do with me. She’s also pretty good about sharing her room with me when I come
to visit. J
Mikayla is now 12 years old, just one more year and she will
be a teenager. Where does the time go?! Even though she is now more interested
in Justin Bieber’s latest song and playing wii games, she will always be my
little princess.
On Saturday evening I went to Generations book store in Edmonton
and picked up a couple of things relating to the young women program for my
little sister who turns 12 tomorrow. When an LDS girl turns 12 she moves up
from the children’s primary program to the young women program. Yesterday evening I
made her a card using all the colours associated with the Young Women values.
I have been thinking fondly of my time in the young women
program. I love this program! This program teaches young women that they are
daughters of God and that he loves them. This in turn fosters positive feelings
of self worth. The program also creates an opportunity for girls to build
relationships with others in their age group and participate in wholesome activities
including service projects and camps.
The Young Women theme that is recited each week reads:
We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and
we love Him. We will “stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things,
and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9)
as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are: Faith • Divine Nature • Individual Worth • Knowledge •
Choice and Accountability • Good Works • Integrity • and Virtue
We believe as we come to accept and act upon
these values, we will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep
sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings
of exaltation.
During my trip to the Generations book store I also bought
myself the book, “Your Happily Ever After” which is adapted from a talk given
by President Uctdorf at the General Young Women broadcast in March 2010. There
are so many things I love about this talk. Fairytales, falling in love, finding
happiness, overcoming challenges, our Heavenly Fathers love for us, being Disciples
of Christ and the list goes on. My favourite quote is: “It is your reaction to
adversity, not the adversity itself, that determines how your life’s story will
develop.”
This past spring I went to a Relief Society conference and went
to a class where this video was shown, the song “Happily Ever After” is also
based on the talk. Embedding is disabled but I would encourage you to click on the link. This is such a beautiful video that not only made me wish I
had a little girl but also to hope that someday I will have a daughter who I
can teach to know that her Heavenly Father also sees her as a princess. To teach her that living the way Christ taught will lead to
happiness.
One of the things that I love about my job is having a
supportive supervisor. She is a great mentor to me and I find it easy to go to
her to ask questions or for advice. She also helps me feel confident in my
ability to fulfill my duties in the work I do.
At
work, Tuesday is parent group day and at today’s parent group we made culture
collages. After making the collages each person shared their collage and talked
a bit about their culture. It was neat to see what pictures or words people
choose to represent their culture or themselves and family. I have always had
an interest in learning about different cultures and religions and appreciate
diversity. I grew up in the Vancouver area in a very culturally diverse city
and had many opportunities to be acquainted with people from all different
backgrounds and countries. I loved school, community and church events where
people shared ethnic dances and music. I also love various ethnic foods. I
especially love it when people from different ethnic backgrounds come together
to share their culture with each other.
On Saturday night our water got shut off and there was a
moment of panic when my roommates and I were worried about such things as
brushing our teeth and showering the next morning. One person thought it might
be because the bills hadn’t been switched over yet. Being that it was the first
of the month that would make sense. However, I suggested that it was due to a
problem with the sewer seen how it was raining pretty hard and there is a lot
of construction happening in the area. We all hoped that is what happened. We
woke up in the morning to find out the water was back on and it turns out that
it was due to sewer issues. We did have some water in the fridge so I was able
to brush my teeth but that water would only have lasted so long. We often
realize how dependent we are on something when we don’t have it anymore. I am
grateful for the funning water that I often take for granted.
I have a 72 hour kit and 3-month food storage but I do not
have water storage. It occurred to me that it is more likely that something
will happen to limit or cut off our access to water than to food. I suggested
to my roommates that we have a water storage which they agreed to and we
cleared a shelf to store water. I found today that someone had started to store
water. Now, if our water gets shut off again we will be more prepared.
President Monson leads and guides the church today and I am
grateful for his leadership and guidance. In Matthew 7:15 – 17 we read: “Beware of false
prophets, which come to you in sheep’s
clothing, but inwardly
they are ravening wolves. Ye shall know
them by their fruits.
Do men gather grapes of thorns, or figs of thistles? Even so
every good tree bringeth forth goodfruit;
but a corrupt
tree bringeth forth evil
fruit.” This scripture tells us that we are able to tell the difference between
a false prophet and one who is called of God by the things they accomplish.
President Monson is an example of a man of humility and a
man who stands accountable to God in all things he does. He is a great example
to me of someone who is always looking for opportunities to serve others and
encouraging members of the church worldwide to do the same. In closing the last conference session today,
Pres. Monson counselled the members of the church to show an increased love to
others and to always be about the work of the Lord. I love that, Jesus
commanded us to love one another and it is through showing love to others that
we become Disciples of Christ. It is through love that we each will “bring
forth good fruit”.
Twice a year the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
has a worldwide conference which is broadcasted from the conference centre in
Salt Lake City, Utah. The conference can be watched on cable television at
home, via the internet, radio or satellite broadcast at church buildings
throughout the world. The first weekend of April is the Annual General Conference
and the first weekend of October is the Semi-Annual General Conference. I love
General conferences because it is an opportunity to hear the things that are
leaders are inspired to teach us. Anyone can receive personal revelation or inspiration
for themselves and conference is a time where you can be inspired. Inspirations
can include something you determine that you need to begin doing, something you
need to change or greater clarification of a principle of doctrine. Our church
leaders include prophets, who we believe are God’s mouthpiece on the earth
today and therefore can receive revelation on behalf of the church. During
Conference we can recognize the things we need to focus on, not only on a
personal level but as members of Christ’s church.
Some people say that “love at first sight” doesn’t exist. I
know that it does. Twelve years ago today, I was in a hospital room where I saw
my mom lying in a bed and next to her was a beautiful tiny baby girl, just a
couple of hours old. I was instantly filled with love for this precious baby.
It was love at first sight. I loved watching her grow up, say her first word,
take her first steps. The first time she laughed, I was holding her while
playing ‘Go. Go. Stop!’ With our sister, Alexandra. 