girls preference- peter pan

tonight was the girls preference dance with the peter pan theme. they asked a few boys in my ward, and they all got all dressed up. SO CUTE. here are some of their costumes...

all... fives?

kaleb doesn't like to be on his tummy...

... so he tries to roll over.

but when mommy stops him, he's not very happy.

so mommy tries to put him on his knees, but he does NOT want to be on all fours.

so instead, he positions himself on his hands, feet, AND HEAD.

hahaha!

new baby food!

kaleb tried new baby food for the first time today (sweet potatoes and rice). haha... enjoy! :P

INTENSE spiritual learning

i was blessed to listen to THREE leaders in our church (elder steven j. lund, elder russell m. nelson, and sister julie b. beck), it was AMAZING!

in stake conference, elder steven j. lund spoke about how the freshman year in the dorms (remember, i am in a stake of freshmen) is like a "mystic journey" where we are hoping and looking for adventures, lessons to learn, and meaningful experiences. he talked about how we want to be able be "worthy of the start" meaning, live up to the potential of godliness that we have. he suggested that we find examples of college freshmen in the scriptures to follow. people like shadrach, meshach, and abednego, daniel, etc. who were successful because of their goodness and because when the day of decision came, they said "we will not offend our god." when struggles came, they held to the iron rod. he encouraged that as we "stand on the edge of the rest of our lives," as we travel on our mystic journeys, that we will remember that there is a god in heaven who loves us. he told us to not let anything stand in the way of the gifts and blessings god has in store for us if we are obedient.

the main speaker in conference though was elder russell m. nelson. he started with asking all the wives of the just released and new stake presidencies to sit on the stand with their husbands. he said that although that wasn't customary to church protocol, he wanted to teach us a lesson. his lesson was: the man is not without the woman, and the woman is not without the man in the lord. he talked about why we are here on the earth (and at byu), and how we must - at the right time - get married. he acknowledged that we have a lot to do before we're ready for marriage like getting an education, serving a full-time mission, and linking arms with jesus so that we can know him and love him as elder nelson does.then he taught from the scriptures and he broke down 1tim 4:12 and explained how we can and what it means to be examples of the believers and to link arms with jesus. what i needed to hear was "you don't need to worry about the future if you're yolked with the lord in your sojourn". if we are righteous and examples of the believers, he promised that the lord will fight our battles, and even our children's battles to the third and fourth generations. he suggested one specific way that we can link ourselves with jesus is to look up jesus christ in the topical guide and study one subtitle a week. we will learn about him, and through that come to know and love him. he promised that as we feast upon the words of christ that we will become his disciples - "strong, ready, and able to proclaim the faith." he promised blessings of love for the lord and humility when we acknowledge him in everything.

we had a stake relief society fireside with sister beck after church. it was a question/answer fireside, so the girls in our stake asked questions and she taught from the scriptures. the easiest way for me to do this is to list the questions asked and then the answers that sister beck gave. SOO GREAT! :)

Q: how can we keep up with our friends on missions and their spiritual growth?

A: PREPARE to serve missions just like your friends, and your preparation will not be wasted. study preach my gospel, take care of your body, study scriptures, learn to recognize the spirit.

Q: what can we do to prevent getting burned out (with school, family, friends, work, callings, and expectations as a woman in relief society)?

A: relief society was organized to help us prepare for eternal life. the purpose of relief society is to increase FAITH in jesus christ and his gospel, strengthen the home and FAMILY, provide RELIEF to those around us. as we give service faithfully, we will be blessed. remember, when we're tired it's because we're thinking of ourselves. when we're energized, it's because we're using the atonement of jesus christ to receive power and strength to do his work.

Q: how do we live the motto of relief society?

A: tie yourself to the spirit (d&c 11:12-14). know how to live and serve god with charity. when we have bright ideas, when we're happy, when we're humble, that is the holy ghost. remember that the ability to recognize and act upon the promptings of the spirit is the most important skill to learn while we're here.

Q: as we prepare to be mothers, how do we instill hope in the future generations with all the bad things around us?

A: teach FAITH in jesus christ. have a STRONG FAMILY and home (strippling warriors). don't be afraid of the bad, but say "my, isn't that interesting" and just witness the hand of the lord. go to the temples, turn away from bad things, and remember that the day of miracles have not ceased (mor. 7:35-39).

Q: how do we balance/prioritize as we plan for the uncertainties of our future?

A: make sure you do the ESSENTIAL things first: scripture study, prayer, go to church, keep commandments/covenants made a baptism and qualify for a temple recommend. remember that the temple is the grand prize, not a consolation prize, so prepare to receive those covenants today. second come the NECESSARY things: eating, laundry, cleaning, school, keeping physically fit, sleeping, etc. then come the NICE TO DO things: hobbies, texting, blogs, etc. when our priorities aren't in this order, we don't have the power that we could have if it is aligned. make decisions based on the plan of salvation. it's a plan of eternal families, so plan to get married, plan to have children. remember you fought for it in the pre-existance, and that it's not a lifestyle choice, but a gospel choice.

Q: how do we find our divine missions?

A: you already know what it is-- live the gospel plan (get baptized, make covenants, get married, have and teach your children). remember that the holy ghost works line upon line until we have a strong confirmation, not one big answer all at once. the lord rewards people who use common sense... "if something is stupid to do, it's stupid to do!" be careful of being confused by personal choices or anger, apathy, and entitlement (2ne 28:20-22).

Q: how do we deal with inadequacies, especially with callings?

A: "we're all inadequate. so what?" it's not what we were called to be, so be humble and work hard so the lord can make us powerful (ether 12:27). tie yourself to god and feelings of adequacy will grow.

Q: how do we remember our divine nature as women as we go through trials and heartache?

A: remember the plan of salvation. remember the blessings and be HAPPY (moses 5:11). the lord is aware of us and is teaching us through our trials.

Q: how do we help family members who have left the church?

A: never stop testifying of what we know is true (increase our faith). pray for inspiration on how to help and strengthen them. provide relief in whatever way we can, and forgive them when we get hurt of disappointed.

sister beck then talked about visiting teaching and the importance of striving for help from the savior so that we can be taught about loving, know, understanding, ministering, and helping the sisters we visit teach grow. she talked about gaining an education and how the education we receive now will help us as we raise our children. she warned us that because the lord is sending his best, his brightest, and his strongest spirit children to the earth in the last days, our children will be strong and will challenge us in every gift, skill, and way. we need to prepare to teach them, so that we can give the lord our very best. she promised that as we listen to the holy ghost and anchor ourselves in truth, as we are modest and faithful, as we help our friends who are going on missions, and as we honor the priesthood, god will honor and bless us.

sundays are amazing and wonderful days...