Pine Mountain Trail

We have been getting so much rain. There was suppose to be a break in it Saturday morning so I asked if anyone would go on a hike with me. Justin and Hannah both said they wanted to. Nathan had too much homework and Isaac's legs were too sore from track. It was so nice to have the sun out. There were a couple of pretty muddy spots on the trail but the rest was good. Hope had a great time and loved being outside too. We got home just in time for Hannah to change, eat and head to work. The rain started again that afternoon. So glad we had a clear morning!

Hannah gets her driver's license...Yikes!

Hannah has struggled a lot more than Nathan did at learning to drive. She passed the online course with no problem but did not pass the 6-hour driving with an instructor so she had to retake that. This week is Winter Break, kind of. The kids only ended up getting Monday and Tuesday off because they had to make up snow days. I had scheduled her to do her driving on Monday and Tuesday and take her driving test on Wednesday. She had to miss school Wednesday as she did a driving class right before to practice the test course and then took the test. She did great on the test! She got a 94. The instructor made sure to let me know she could still use some driving with parents in the car before she goes off on her own. I told her I felt the same and she was really glad to hear we were on the same page. Hannah just forgets things. Sometimes she will drive great and other times she seems to forget all the rules...stopping at stop signs and who goes first, what lanes to be in. She definitely has come a long way from when she asked me, "If I drive on the right side of the road, who drives on the left". Oh boy. I do feel that she could safely make it to and from work so that is where we will start. She was very excited! She went straight from her driving test to meet her friend and go on a double date. She had hoped to drive herself. Maybe next time. I needed the car to pick up Isaac from track anyway.

Her instructor told her to write the directions for parrellel parking on her arm. Since some kids get to use back-up cameras, the testers don't care if they do. Worked like a charm!

Chinese New Year Celebration

Our family was invited over to Robert's house to celebrate the Chinese new year. I serve with Alison in the stake YW presidency. She is the president. Their family lived in China for five years when their kids were young and it is a tradition in their family to get together with friends or family and make dumplings. We all learned to make them and then ate them for dinner. It was a lot of fun. Nathan was not feeling well so he stayed home. Alison wanted her son Landon to get to know some more kids in the stake (especially girls, ha) so Hannah and Isaac both brought along a friend.

Isaac brought Wilson and Asa's family was also there.

Signs of Spring!

It has rained pretty much every day for the last week and a half and has felt cold too. This morning when I went out to walk Hope, I was so surprised to have the sun out and a temperature of 63 degrees. It felt so nice. It was such a beautiful morning. I loved seeing the first bloom of our daffodils as well. The wind came up this afternoon and blew the clouds back. It is supposed to rain almost every day for the next two weeks. I'm thankful for that moment of sun, perfect tempts and a beautiful flower.

First track meet

Another rainy, cold day for a track meet. Isaac improved his time in the 1600 to 5:53 and was very happy. I was able to get to the school just as they had taken their first lap so I missed the start but saw the last three laps. He definitely looked stronger than last week. I went home and got everyone else dinner and off to mutual and then went back and watched his 800. He is sure growing up. He not only smiled at me when he saw me coming in but he also introduced me to his friends. This is huge! In the past he would get mad if I came and I would have snuck by him not wanting to frustate him. He does not like the 800 but improved his time in it as well.

Speaking at Stake Conference

Hannah was asked to speak at Stake Conference today. She was so nervous. She did an excellent job! She amazes me at how well she can put a talk together. She is wise beyond her age. The stake president sure embarrassed her. Before he gave his concluding remarks for the meeting, he thanked all the speakers. When he got to Hannah he said, "I don't want to embarrass Hannah but I think that most of the young men in the room now know which girl they want to marry." He said that unfortunately, his four sons were all gown. He was also very kind and said that the church's future is in good hands with youth like Hannah and thanked her for being such a great example. Later in his talk, he was telling a story about his sister and mentioned she had five boys. He paused and turned to Hannah and said, "I do have one nephew your age." Pretty sure she turned bright red. I was very proud of her. Unfortunately, Justin was out of town for work and didn't get to hear her. This is the talk she gave.

Sabbath Day and Family History

As it was stated, my name is Hannah Parker and I am from the Hickory Flat ward. Today I will be speaking on my experience with sabbath day observance.

Elder Larry R Lawrence of the Seventy stated "Sabbath day observance is not just an initiative, it is the heart of the gospel, a perpetual covenant". Long ago, Jesus Christ taught the Israelites to "Remember the Sabbath day, to keep it holy". Leading up to this teaching, the Israelites were starving. Out of desperation, they complained to Moses of their lack of food. Moses prayed unto God and asked God for help. God promised the Israelites that six out of every seven days he would provide manna for them to eat, but on the seventh day, he would rest. He advised the Israelites to gather twice as much manna on the sixth day so they would have manna to eat on the seventh and be able to rest from their labors on the Sabbath. The Israelites had tried keeping manna overnight before, and every time the manna would spoil by morning. The break would fill with worms and be inedible. The Israelites were confused at how they would be able to preserve the manna to eat on the seventh day. However, some Israelites continued to follow God's council. On the sixth day, they gathered double the food for the Sabbath. Miraculously, the manna did not spoil on the Sabbath day. Following this counsel, Moses was able to preserve enough manna to last him 40 years. Just like the Israelites, each week we have the choice to follow the Lord's command to keep the Sabbath day holy. When we do, we may not receive manna like the Israelites, but we can receive alleviation from our spiritual hunger. We will receive miracles, blessings, and develop testimonies that will last into the eternities.

Growing up as a member of this church, my entire life I have been taught of the importance of keeping the Sabbath day holy. Yet, for the longest time I thought bypassing hangouts with friends, shopping, and work on the Sabbath was enough. About a year ago, I realized I was not getting what I wanted out of the Sabbath day. Sunday had become my Catch-up day. I would come home from church to catch up on my homework, my cleaning, my TV shows and even catch up on my sleep with those Sunday naps we all love. Although I was attending church and had forgone activities outside of church functions, I knew something was lacking. I decided to follow the council of Spencer W. Kimball. He stated, "The Sabbath is a holy day in which to do worthy and holy things." I realized that abstinence from work and recreation are important but insufficient. I decided that Sunday would no longer be my Catch-up day but be my day to focus on holy work that would bring me closer to my Savior. I began searching for ways to keep the Sabbath day holy. President Russel M. Nelson invited us to make the Sabbath Day a delight by spending time doing family history. Acting on his invitation, I now strive to take some time before or after church to earnestly do family history work. By doing so, I have discovered a great power that comes from doing family history on the Sabbath. Family history can help us understand the importance of the Sabbath day and give meaning to our Sabbath day observance.

Partaking of the sacrament is an integral part of Sunday worship. Inf fact, we would be lacking if we didn't focus on the sacrament each Sunday. I have found that doing family history work helps my appreciation of the sacrament grow. Henry B Eyring stated: "The Sabbath is a perfect time to remember the covenant we made at the waters of baptism". When we take the sacrament each Sunday, it allows us to renew our baptismal covenant. Our baptismal covenant includes that we must love and serve Heavenly Father's children. These children include those that have passed from this mortal life. Family History allows us to apply our covenant. One of the primary aspects of family history work is finding names to take to the temple, ancestors that need ordinances, such as baptism, to be performed on their behalf. Many of our ancestors need their ordinances done. I have had the privilege of finding and taking numerous family names to the temple to perform baptisms. As I find and perform these baptisms, the opportunity that we have to renew our baptismal covenants each week becomes more marvelous to me. As members of this church, we are truly blessed to be able to exercise the atonement in our everyday lives. As I ponder on this blessing, the urgency of family history work surfaces. There are millions up millions of our ancestors that do not yet have this wonderful opportunity we have. It is our responsibility to exercise the baptismal covenants we have made and help those who cannot help themselves. By doing so, I testify that we will feel our appreciation for the chance to take the sacrament each Sabbath Day increase, and by this, our love and testimony of the Sabbath will bloom.

In addition to the sacrament, Elder Anthony D. Perkins of the Seventy taught that the Sabbath Day is “a foundation for building righteous families”. Committing to a family-focused Sabbath will sanctify its restorative power and nurture a stable family life. Family history can strengthen our family ties and invite the spirit into our home. I have seen evidence of this take place in my own home. When I take the time to do Family history on the Sabbath day, my heart softens, allowing me to feel peace in times of family struggles. Family History has also brought my family closer. When I first started doing family history work my family did not attend the temple together often... However, As I began using the Sabbath day to find family names, my family has been pushed to go to the temple together on several occasions, bringing my family closer. This not only strengthens our ties to family members here on Earth but also connects us to our ancestors. Quentin L. Cook said, “we need to be connected to both our roots and branches”. By doing family history on the Sabbath, we connect to our families on Earth as well as our families beyond the veil. As the Sabbath day formed to strengthen our families, family history is a profound tool we can use to make the most of our Sabbath. By doing Family History on the Sabbath day, I have begun to understand that families are essential to the gospel.  This understanding teaches that spending time focusing on family each Sabbath day will improve our personal relationship with our savior. Sometimes not working, hanging out with friends, and shopping can be hard on the Sabbath. However, when we recognize that this is not a restriction but rather an opportunity for us to strengthen our family each Sabbath day our desire to keep the Sabbath day Holy will strengthen.

Doing family History work on the Sabbath day brings peace and comfort not only in the home but personal comfort throughout our weeks. If we keep the Sabbath day holy we will be renewed and prepared for the week ahead of us. We have been promised that as we keep the Sabbath day holy our Heavenly Father will bless us, and we will achieve a quiet power for good as individuals, as families, and as nations, that we cannot obtain in any other way.

I pray that each one of us will take the Savior’s teachings of the Sabbath day to heart. I have a testimony that by doing family history work on the Sabbath day we can receive the spiritual manna we so desire. I know that if we actively strive to obey this council the Sabbath day will provide us the peace and understanding we seek throughout our lives.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Who did it?

I guess it has been awhile since I've dusted really good. Today, while deep cleaning I came across something not quite right with the lamp. Hmmm....wonder what happened here?!

I was pretty sure there was some super glue holding together the parts that didn't have big chunks missing. Ha. I took a picture and sent it to Justin and we both guessed that it probably happened while we were in Japan and the kids just happened to forget about it. I asked Hannah when she came home and she said she didn't know what happened but thought she remembered seeing Nathan glue it together. Isaac said that Nathan must have done it because he also remembers Nathan gluing it together. Well, Nathan blamed it on Hope, which is who Justin and I suspected all along. Apparently, he just happened to forget that it happened by the time we got home. Justin and I laughed so hard remembering things we "fixed and forgot" when we were kids. I have looked at the lamp several times in the last couple weeks thinking the lamp shade was on crooked. I've even straightened it a couple times. Nope, it is the lamp stick that is crooked where it has been glued together.

Intrasquad track meet

Isaac loved his Raiders season and decided he wanted to do something else to keep up with exercise. He really does need the exercise. It has always helped him. He says he can really tell the days he has PT at school. He says he can focus so much better in his classes. JROTC was starting their drill season but he decided he wanted to run instead. He started running winter track and really liked it. Winter track is the unofficial season where typically kids that ran cross country take a few weeks off from their season and then start running again to keep in running shape until the regular season of track starts. Isaac really enjoyed winter track and the kids were super nice and he really liked the coach as well. Today the track team had a practice meet to learn what to do during a meet against other schools. It was also to help train parent volunteers. I went to the school at 2:00 and helped get the concession stand full and put out snacks for the kids to grab after school. It was a cold and rainy day. Isaac was scheduled to run both the 1600 and 800 events. I wasn't sure if he would want me to come or not but I really wanted to see him run. He has been struggling with shin splints and plantar fasciitis so he hadn't practiced really hard that week as the coach was having him let them heal. We got him new shoes and some inserts and they seem to be helping too. I got to the track just in time for the 1600. He is only one of a couple of freshman running distance and didn't have a uniform yet. Coach says he is "killing it" and has a lot of potential. He said he hopes Isaac will come out for cross country next year. It will be interesting to see what he chooses. I snuck a picture. He is in the middle.

His goal for the race was to get a 6-minute pace and he got 6:04. He was happy with that! Unfortunately, his heels were really hurting afterward so he did not run the 800. I think he was actually happy I came so that is good.

If Only the Stake Center was Closer

Saturday was a long day. It started off with me heading to the stake center at 8:15 am for Stake Auxillary Training for the ward YW presidencies. Each member of our presidency took time to train the ward presidencies about something. My focus was on the importance of class presidencies and how to use the resources in the handbook and on LDS.org to help train them, how the leaders need to train themselves before they can help their girls, and also the importance of making sure the girls know that they are called by revelation and set apart under the direction of the bishop, who holds the keys of the priesthood and that they are given delegated priesthood authority to help them in their callings. So important to know and understand! I think the whole training went really well. The leaders had good questions and comments. We were a little disappointed in the turnout as we had two wards not have a single member of their presidency come. We also provided the presidencies lunch. I was in charge of dessert and made brownies, cookies and lemon bars. Right after the meeting, we had to set up and decorate the gym for the youth multi-stake dance that night that we were hosting. The theme was the Olympics kickoff. The kids could wear a t-shirt with their favorite country, the country they were born in, a country a family member served their mission, color of the Olympic rings or really any kind of sports apparel if they wanted. I was asked to make four batches of Rice Krispy treats and sprinkled them with Olympic colors. As soon as we were set up, I went home for a couple hours and then headed back to set out refreshments/water and chaperone the dance. Nathan did not want to come and Hannah had to work. It was Wilson's birthday so it would be his first dance. Isaac didn't really want to go but since it was Wilson's "birthday party", he came along with the group of boys. They all had a good time. Wilson, Asa, and Spencer love to dance and are out there every fast and slow song. Isaac did a great job of making sure to ask a girl to dance during the slow songs but he and Gabe would disappear every now and then during the fast songs. It was fun to be able to sneak peaks of him and his friends throughout the night. I was careful to make sure he didn't think I was just watching him all night. Of course, I was busy refilling water and keeping refreshments stocked so I couldn't just stare the whole time. Ha. Afterwards, Charlyce took the boys to Waffle House. I had to help with cleanup after the dance and then met them at Waffle House for some really salty biscuits and gravy. Isaac told me all about the dance on the way home. I love that he will talk to me. such a blessing. We got home just after midnight and I was exhausted! 

 Spencer, Wilson, Isaac, Gabe and Asa

 Me and Alison (president) and Lisa (first counselor) checking out the photo booth. Our secretary was in a bike accident and is pretty banged up so she was not there. She will be ok but her face is pretty bruised and she broke her shoulder in three places. It knocked her unconscious. She glad it wasn't worse! So scary.