BOOKS, BOOKS, BOOKS

I have been trying and trying to blog for a few weeks now.  I'm pretty discouraged, because I can't get pictures to upload.  So I'm trying again... on a different computer.  We'll see... (if all else fails, at least there are words!)
I have been reading a lot lately.  Every summer we do Book Bingo.  I choose 9 books for everyone to read.  If the girls can get a blackout before August 31st, they get to purchase $20 worth of new books for themselves.  They love it.  Scott and I participate too, but we don't get the incentive.  (Maybe I should complain to management... oh, wait.  I am the management.)
So here are 4 books I have recently finished:




"Dude, Don't Be a Lemuel: A Teenage Guide to Avoiding Lemuelitis" by David Bowman was a fast read.  I bought this book because of the amusing title and I thought it would be a fun "church" book. 
It was.  It's very teen friendly, with occasional comic strips and "what ifs" that add humor (like what if Laman had a cell phone and was texting Lemuel from inside the city...)  It's interesting and humorous how two people can see the same situation, and based on their attitude, have a totally different perspective.  I had fun reading this book.




"The Miracle of Freedom: Seven Tipping Points That Saved the World" by Chris Stewart and Ted Stewart was much more difficult, but an amazing book that I highly recommend.  (In fact, it was recommended to me by my parents - so I knew it would be good... and it was.)
The book grabbed me in the first chapter when it stated, "a student asked the professor, 'how did slavery start,' and the professor replied, 'that is the wrong question.  You should ask when did freedom start.  Throughout recorded history there has been slavery, and it has only been in the last 1-2% of recorded history when freedom was wide spread.'"  The book explores seven points when the survival of a culture ultimately ends up spreading the news of democracy, the worth of the individual, and freedom.  Examples include WWII, the invasion of the Mongols, etc.




"Believing Christ" by Stephen E. Robinson was a great book to read.  Throughout my life, I have often felt like a failure because I couldn't be the PERFECT person I wanted to be.  This great book assure me that no one is perfect, but that the goal is to become more Christ-like in our everyday life, striving to improve and become closer to Christ, having the belief and faith that we can do the things he has asked of us.  After reading this book, I realized that WITH Christ and His Atonement, I am perfect right now... and can become perfect later.




If you like "Little Women" by Louisa May Alcott, you'll like her book "Eight Cousins" too!  13 year old Rose Campbell has been left an orphan by the death of her father.  Shy, sickly, and depressed, she is shipped off to live with her many relatives, including several aunts, uncles and seven boisterous male cousins.  The experience is, at first, overwhelming.  Rose blossoms under her Uncle Alec's care.  There is a lot of insight, humor and human nature in this book.


So far I haven't been disappointed in my summer Book Bingo.  I have 5 more books to go!  :-)  Stay tuned!

GIRLS CAMP 2014

For some strange reason - I can't post pictures.  :-(  I've tried and tried.  So here is the post... and I'll post pics later...


Girls Camp was wonderful!  I loved being with my daughters (and my 8 adopted daughters!)  Despite the fact that I was the unofficial ward camp leader, everything seemed to go off without a hitch.

The girls loved the “Be the Good” theme.  We changed it to “Be the Smurf” for our ward.  We also had Secret Sisters which was a huge hit with the girls.

Key Lime Pie was a 4^th year.  Her 11 mile hike was “extremely difficult.”  But she survived.  Apparently, she struggled with breathing during some of it, but her “awesome YCCs” helped her.  She grew a lot.  I watched my oldest daughter become a strong leader this week.  She stepped up and lead the 1^st years in singing primary songs and hymns.  She made new friends.  And she bore a beautiful, Christ-centered testimony during testimony meeting.  She is an amazing young woman!

Kotten Kandy was a 2^nd year.  I got to chaperone her age group.  It was fun to watch her love some of the girls who were a bit more difficult to love.  She shared insights in the scriptures with her peers, she bore a beautiful testimony of Christ,  and she made everyone smile around her.  Her YCCs even recognized her sweet spirit and said they learned from her insightfulness in gospel topics.  She also wrote our skit and made Smurf hats for all the girls for the skit.  It was super cute!  I can’t believe she is growing up so fast.  I wish she would slow down.

We had 8 girls in our cabin (including my daughters).  We also “adopted” 2 other girls from other wards – Ms. Blech and Fred!  They are all such amazing young women.  I loved them all.

I had a great time bonding with these fabulous girls!  I really love them!  But I am SUPER glad to be home in my own “bed” and with my own shower.  I missed my cute, adorable, handsome, truly amazing husband!!!!!! 

LAST DAY OF SEMINARY, RECORDING STUDIO AND SCOTT'S 41st BIRTHDAY

Well, the school year is over.  And seminary is over until fall.  (We are still "doing school" during the summer, but a simpler form of it.)  Brother Turley was a wonderful teacher and the girls really loved his lessons.  Here is Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy's seminary class on the last day...

The following day, I took five of my music students (including Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy) to a "real" recording studio.  Each kid got to record 3 pieces.  They really seemed to enjoy it.  And the recording studio was really kind.

Key Lime Pie sang "Hold On" from the musical The Secret Garden

Kotten Kandy sang "The Wind" - I LOVE that song!

Key Lime Pie played "Many Meetings" from The Lord of the Rings

Kotten Kandy sang "Elusive Butterfly"

Key Lime Pie - Kotten Kandy - Muffin 

They LOVED the recording studio!

Scott's Birthday was Sunday.  It was a beautiful day.  And I think Scott enjoyed his cake.  We had some good friends over and the girls and I gave him a new video recorder.  He was pretty excited.  He also got chocolate and a Thor DVD.

Some pics that were too cute:

Scott, Jelly Bean and Key Lime Pie

Apple Pie

Kotten Kandy and Jelly Bean

And Kotten Kandy spoke in sacrament meeting.  Once again, she did a fabulous job!  She thinks she might want to be a public speaker when she grows up.  She writes fabulous talks and delivers them well too!  Check it out:

DISCIPLESHIP

            Happy Birthday, Dad!  Today is a special day, because I get to celebrate a man who has taught me a lot about being a true disciple of Christ.  My daddy is always reading books about the Savior and trying to understand His sacrifice and His life.  Dad shares with me thoughts and scriptures about Christ and teaches me what it means to continue learning about the Atonement and Christlike attributes.  I’m glad I have him as a dad!

L. Tom Perry said, “The word disciple comes from the Latin [meaning] a learner. A disciple of Christ is one who is learning to be like Christ—learning to think, to feel, and to act [like] he does. To be a true disciple, to fulfill that learning task, is the most demanding regimen known to man. No other discipline compares … in either requirements or rewards. It involves the total transformation of a person from the state of the natural man to that of [a] saint, one who loves the Lord and serves with all of his heart, might, mind, and strength.”  

So how do we become like Christ?  How do we become a true disciple? We learn about him.  We study his life by reading great books (like my father has shown me.)  We ponder and we pray to develop the relationship we should have with our Savior and our Heavenly Father.  In essence, we try to be like him.  

I have been studying Preach My Gospel.  My favorite chapter is chapter 6.  It talks about developing nine Christlike attributes.  To become a true disciple we need to develop and study these attributes.

The first attribute we should apply is Faith.  Alma 32:21 “faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if ye have faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true.”

Wally, a character in a novel called Children of the Promise, is a great example of this attribute of faith.  This book takes place during World War II, and follows the life of a fictional LDS family. It shows their trials during the war and what they each have to face. This family, the Thomas family, has a son named Wally who leaves his home to join the Air Force. Just as the War begins, he ends up at a base in the Philippians.  He is taken prisoner by the Japanese, and he survives the Bataan Death March.  For three years he endures different work details that nearly kill him.  He suffers with starvation, multiple sicknesses, and broken bones. In the long run he makes it home, but throughout the whole ordeal he remains strong.  He doesn’t give up.  He continues to pray, and to sing they Hymns he had been taught as a little boy in primary.   Despite everything he remains faithful, and that’s what we need to do.  Remain faithful until the end.

The next attribute in Preach My Gospel is Hope.  “Hope is trust in God’s promises, faith that if we act now, the desired blessings will be fulfilled in the future… The unfailing source of our hope is that we are sons and daughters of God and that His Son, the Lord Jesus Christ, saved us from death”  

We studied the Book of Mormon in seminary this year.  Brother Turley taught us about Mormon and Moroni.  They are huge examples to me of that Hope.  They were in one of the worst circumstances ever.  Imagine knowing the truth but not being able to share it with anyone, because everyone was too wicked.  Mormon and Moroni had to have great hope in the plan of salvation in order to endure this trial.  They could not share the gospel with their peers, but they could share it with us through the Book of Mormon.  Their hope is evident in their writings.  I hope that I could have that much hope in the face of danger.

Charity is one of my favorite Christlike attributes.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.  In a world full of hate and sorrow, charity is desperately needed.

My family and I watched a movie called The Saratov Approach. The movie is a true story about two missionaries who get kidnapped and held for ransom in Russia.  While they are in captivity, the Elders begin to not only pray for their families back home, but also for their captors. Elder Probst and Elder Tuttle pray that they their captors can have a change of heart.  They go from wanting to hurt them, to leaving their lives in God’s hands.  They showed true charity when they remained in captivity instead of possibly taking the lives of their kidnappers.  Instead of hating the men who planned to kill them, they relied on charity.  When I have been wronged, I use their example of praying for charity.  I have prayed and I have felt that peace and I have felt that love.

The next Christlike attribute is Virtue.  “Virtue originates in your innermost thoughts and desires.  It is a pattern of thought and behavior based on high moral standards….  What you choose to think and do when you are alone and you believe no one is watching is a strong measure of your virtue.”

For the Strength of Youth is a great guide to being virtuous.  If we strive to live by the guidelines set forth in this inspired pamphlet, virtue will follow.  One of the guidelines in to dress modestly.  In the booklet it states:  “Your body is sacred.  Respect it and do not defile it in anyway.  Through your dress and appearance, you can show that you know how precious your body is.  You can show that you are a disciple of Jesus Christ and that you love Him.”  My mother truly internalized this principle.  She decided when she turned 12 that she would NEVER EVER wear anything that was not temple worthy.  She made sure that every article of clothing that she owned she could wear after she was endowed.  She never wanted to be embarrassed in front of Heavenly Father because of the way she dressed.  Her example and guidance has taught me what it means to be modest. 

I LOVE the next Christlike attribute: Knowledge.  Learning is something I REALLY enjoy.  In D&C 88:118 it states:  “Seek ye diligently and teach one another words of wisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

My mom and dad say that I love knowledge almost as much as Grandpa Mac.  My grandpa spent his entire childhood reading everything he could get his hands on.  He read the entire Old and New Testament about 5 times before he was a teenager.  He still consistently learns.  Whenever he comes to visit, he brings books for us to read, takes us to the book store to get new books to learn from, and teaches us what he has learned.  He has taught me how to take care of bees.  He has taught me to play the ukulele.  He has shared his knowledge of gospel principles with me.  And he inspires me to learn more.  I am grateful for his example and his sharing of knowledge.

Patience is the 6^th Christlike attribute mentioned in Preach My Gospel.  President Monson said, “Life is full of difficulties, some minor and others of a more serious nature.  There seems to be an unending supply of challenges for one and all.  Our problem is that we often expect instantaneous solutions to such challenges, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.”

Amy Bettenhausen is one of my school teachers.  She show constant patience with me and my sister as we learn grammar, writing and discuss concepts in the novels we read together.  She also shows tons of patience with her own children.  She is a great example to me of patience.

Humility is the willingness to submit to the will of the Lord and to give the Lord the honor for what is accomplished.  It is also the 7^th attribute to becoming a disciple.

Many of you may be acquainted with Corrie ten Boom’s book entitled The Hiding Place.  It is the true story of two Dutch women who were imprisoned during World War II for harboring Jewish refugees.  Corrie and Betsie (her sister) lived by the precepts of Christ and found great comfort in reading the Bible.  (not the Book of Mormon, because they didn’t have it.)  Their prison cell was infested with fleas.  Remembering that the Bible says to thank God for all things, Betsie told Corrie that they should thank God for the fleas.  Corrie did not want to, but Betsie insisted.  Weeks later they found out that the fleas were indeed something to be thankful for.  It was because of the fleas that they were able to keep their Bible without the guards finding it.  They were humble enough to give God honor for the fleas even when they didn’t realize how much the fleas were a blessing to them.

Diligence reminds me of my 41 year old dad.  He is steady, consistent, earnest and energetic in doing the Lord’s work.  No matter what life throws at him, he continues to pray, read his scriptures and ponder upon the things of Christ.   Just like in D&C 58:27, my dad is anxiously engaged in good causes, and does many things of his own free will and choice to bring to pass righteousness.  When my dad was out of work for a year, he studied his scriptures daily and attended the temple weekly.  At an early age, I learned how diligence blessed his life and ours. 

The last Christlike attribute is obedience.  Christ is the ultimate of example of obedience.  He set the example to be baptized, even though he was perfect and had never sinned.  He was baptized to show obedience to His Father.  He Atoned and was crucified to obey the law.  Despite the difficulties of these tasks, he did it.  The least we can do is obey His commandments and strive to be like him in all we do.  This is discipleship in it’s fullest. 

BOOK REVIEWS: EXERCISE, RADIANCE AND CONFORM

I've actually finished 3 books in the last month.  And I thought I'd review them for your reading pleasure!  :-)  It's a service I dutifully perform for my faithful followers and fellow readers.  (Note the sarcasm?  I read because I like to read.)

So.... Let's start with Conform: Exposing the Truth About Common Core and Public Education by Glenn Beck.
This book is an easy read.  It is clearly written and logically argued.  Many liberals may disagree with this book and try to sabotage it.  Their take is that the only problem with public education is that we are not "investing" enough in our children.  They believe that we need to spend more money to improve our kids' educations.
Unfortunately, statistics paint a different picture.  Despite increasing educational spending, the U.S. has witnessed drops in SAT scores since the 1950s.  The goals of education have been perverted to that standards have been lowered so that everyone is able to perform well and "no child is left behind."  The truth is that academic excellence is no longer pursued.  We are "dumbing down" our education.
Glenn Beck does a great job of dismantling common education myths.  And after reading this book, I am SOOOOOO glad that I home school my daughters!  Glenn Beck said it best:  "The more the federal government has inserted itself into public education over the years, the worse our kids have fared."

For Mother's Day I received the book, I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer: A Fitness Program for the Soul by Emily Watts.  I read the book in two days... and LOVED it!
I had heard Emily Watts speak at TOFW and her book read just like she spoke - funny, entertaining, and uplifting.  I especially liked the "Exercise" suggestions at the end of each chapter.  They helped me want to better myself.
I especially liked the "Exercise" in chapter 3:  Write down 5 things your mom has done to help you become the person you are today.  Share the list with her if possible.  So here are my 5 things:
     1.  Mom taught me how to pray.  She introduced me to my Heavenly Father.  Her prayers are always so sincere and I know she has a personal relationship with God.  I want to be like her.
     2.  Mom taught me how to create.  My mom is one of the most creative people I know.  She taught me how to use band-saws, markers, scissors, and glue!  I love making things with my mom.
     3.  Mom taught me how to be polite.  I remember once, she spent an entire afternoon teaching my brothers, sister and I how to answer a phone politely.  "McCallisters residence.  Sundy speaking."  :-)
     4.  Mom taught me to keep learning.  Mom is an avid believer in continual education.  She loves learning and has instilled that value into all of us siblings.  Her example with her continual reading, getting her masters degree, etc. is invaluable.
     5.  Mom taught me that "cleanliness is next to Godliness."  Mom LOVES a clean house.  I'm not near as good as she is.  But I do value cleanliness and try to keep my home "mom worthy."  :-)

Most of the time when I read a novel, it is entertaining and I enjoy it, but then I move on.  Not with Brandon Sanderson's book, Words of Radiance.  This book has changed my life and the lives of my family.  We have listened to the first novel in the series and just finished the second book.  This story just keeps getting better and better.
Roshar is an amazing and compelling fantasy world.  The characters are dynamic and vibrant.  And just when you think you've got someone figured out, another piece of the puzzle emerges and everything you thought you knew shifts and refocuses.
Throughout these epic novels, my family has learned about love, hope, honor, betrayal, fear, anger, revenge, mercy and justice.  We have had marvelous discussions about the characters and their choices.  Not only are these wonderful stories but they are wonderful learning opportunities too!
I can't recommend this book series highly enough!  I'm soooooo grateful my little brother recommended them to me, I've recommended them to everyone else.  :-)  We cannot wait for book 3!

WHERE DOES THE TIME GO?

May is almost over.  Where has it gone?   It seems I blinked this month... and it's disappeared.

Two weeks ago, we got to have Elder Tolman (Justin) come visit with his parents.  Justin was one of our all time favorite missionaries that served in the area.  He was so excited about the gospel.  And he has a great personality to boot!  (We also loved that he  liked the same things we do.  ie. Star Wars, Star Trek, Danny Elfman, film music, etc. etc. etc.)  And we loved getting to know his parents as we spent a Monday night (FHE) with them.  The apple doesn't fall far from the tree.  They are GREAT people!  I just wished they lived closer since Utah is so far away!

Last week my parents came to visit for an entire week!  It was WONDERFUL!  We wish they could stay forever... we already miss them!
While they were here, we got to take them to Church with us!  The girls loved "showing off" their awesome grandparents.  We also went walking/hiking in the beautiful, giant park between Louisville and Shelbyville.  It was a gorgeous day and lots of fun.
Then my parents decided to spoil us rotten with service.  Dad organized and cleaned out our garage (which really needed it - but Scott couldn't do, due to his hand surgery.)  Dad also helped us with fertilizing our garden and harvesting our honey.  Not to mention, he taught the girls how to make a mouth bow (which is a really cool instrument that you play by plucking and using your mouth as a sounding box).

Mom helped me organize my kitchen, pantry and food storage.  It was soooooooo helpful!  And fun to work side by side with her.  We also played over 10 games of Scrabble.  (I actually won one game against her and Scott - which means I get to brag about that for a year!)  And mom also spent quite a few hours reading out-loud to Key Lime Pie and Kotten Kandy as they cut tubes for Scott's work.  The girls' LOVED the book (the first book in the Children of the Promise series by Lund) and really appreciated the quality time they got to spend with Grandma Mil.
Wednesday night was a bit exciting.  There was a huge thunder storm.  Grandpa Mac and the girls went to a concert and we were a bit distraught about them driving home in the stormy conditions.  At the same time, the power went out in most of our county.  We were without power from 7 p.m. to early Thursday morning.  It was an exciting night.  Luckily, Dad and the girls got home alright.  Amy ended up coming over for a few hours too, due to the storm and locking herself out of her dark house.  (She had lost power also.)  It was an scary and intense evening, but we are all OK.

Mom and Dad were also able to stay for my studio recital on Thursday night.  I have 12 students who performed.  And they all did a really nice job.  I was super proud of them.  Key Lime Pie sang a gorgeous version of "Hold On" from the musical, The Secret Garden.  Kotten Kandy made us all laugh when she sang "My New Philosophy" from the musical, You're a Good Man, Charlie Brown.  I have talented (and gorgeous) daughters!

Memorial Day was a beautiful day!  We discussed the reason for the holiday and thanks my dad for his service to our country.  We also BBQed with the Bettenhausens.  (By we, I mean, Scott BBQed!  - He is so talented when it comes to grilling!)  We had a delicious dinner and then played games the rest of the day.  It was fun!
It has been an amazing two weeks!!!!!

WEEK UPDATE

Happy Mother's Day!  - I have 2 WONDERFUL mothers!  And I am truly grateful for both of them and their loving examples.  I know that words are not adequate to express the deep feelings I have for these wonderful women.  - But I do appreciate all they do for me and my family!  Thank you!
I also had a GREAT Mother's Day.  I was spoiled rotten by my husband and two gorgeous daughters.  I got to:
     eat orange danish rolls for breakfast,
     eat Scott's homemade, time-consuming, delicious, sesame chicken for dinner (and shared with my best friend, Amy!),
     take a nap,
     and watch the season finale of Once Upon a Time (which totally played with our emotions at the end...  We went from happy, to angry, to laughing hysterically in the space of the last 5 minutes.  Amy and I laughed until we cried.)

My family also spoiled me with gifts.  (I make no secret that I enjoy a small gift - but they went above and beyond.)  I got the Pride and Prejudice DVD starring Colin Firth.  (Yes, my daughters and I LOVE Mr. Darcy!)  I also got a book by Emily Watts (who I saw at TOFW).  She is so funny!  The book title says it all:  "I Hate It When Exercise is the Answer."  My family also got me The Addams Family Musical song book.  (I love these songs.  They make me laugh.  Especially: "I'm Crazier Than You" and "Just One Night")
I also got an AWESOME CD by Vocal Point.  Their newest release is Spectrum, and it ROCKS!  Dove chocolates (my favorite) were also included in my gift basket.  Talk about spoiled!

In other news:  Look at my mailbox!  Isn't it gorgeous?  I LOVE the purple flowers.  They make me soooooooooo happy!!!!!!!

And Kotten Kandy finally (after 2 years) purchased her hunting bow.  It is totally cool!  And she is totally excited.  She shows it off every chance she gets.  And she can't wait to learn how to shoot it better... and go hunting.  Thank you, Schmids, for helping us get the "right one" since Scott and I know NOTHING about bows and arrows.  The Schmids are such amazing friends!  We LOVE them!

We also had lots of company this week.  Egg Plant came to stay with us for the week while her host family was out of town.  She is AWESOME!  We had so much fun with her and wish she could stay with us indefinitely.  She is an amazing young woman from Brazil.  We love her!

Scott's sister, Kerri, and her husband, Mark, also came to visit.  Although their stay was SUPER short.  (TOO short.)  We have really missed being near family and it was great to visit with them one evening.  They spent the night and left the next morning.  Kerri is amazing and I wish we lived closer.  We love them too!!!!!

I have always wanted a family wall.  (family wall - (n.) a wall full of family pictures.)  So my sweet husband helped me put this together this week in our hall way.  It's AWESOME, if I say so myself.  (I just did.)  It makes me smile to see pictures of my family (lots of my sweet daughters - past and present).  I love walking through my hallway right now.

And finally:  The girls performed in their final show choir concert last week.  All the girls did a fantastic job!  And I really do enjoy directing these kids.  It's rewarding to see them succeed and love sharing their talents.  I love kids!  I'd adopt the entire 15 girl choir if I could.  They are awesome young women!  I can't wait for next year to start again!  We videoed the performance and hope to have it up on the blog soon....  We are trying to figure out Scott's new video camera...  So stay tuned.

TOFW & WEDDINGS & TALKS & SURGERY & BOOKS

Dina, Me and Claudia

WOW!  We have been REALLY busy!!!!  But it has been a really productive and fun-filled kind of busy.  This weekend was Time Out For Women - Cincinnati (TOFW).  My dear friend, Dina Smith, took me to the event.  And I was spoiled rotten!  I got to be spiritually uplifted by great speakers, and wonderful music for two days.  I took notes.  I strengthened my friendship.  Made a new friend.  And increased my testimony.  All from one marvelous event - TOFW!
The theme for this year's TOFW is Inevitable Light.  I was blessed to see Jenny Oaks Baker and Hillary Weeks.  And some of my favorite presenters were Elaine Dalton, Laurel C. Day and Emily Watts.

Elaine Dalton spoke about our spiritual gifts and how they create light for the world.  She talked about when she was set apart to be the general Young Women's President, she was blessed with the gift to see young women (and women) the way the Lord sees them.  Wow!  What an amazing gift!

Laurel C. Day said, "God gives us a customized curriculum!"  That is a great way to look at our trials, tribulations and even happy moments in this life.  (Did you know that Laurel lived in Crestwood, KY when she was 10 years old to 16 years old?)

Emily Watts shared "little bits of light" for our lamps.  Some of her thoughts were:
     It won't always be this way.
     Embrace the manna plan.
     Remember why you are doing what you are doing.
It was a great experience.  Thank you, Dina!!!!!

My daughters went to a wedding this weekend with the Bettenhausens.  Amy's sister got married in the Nashville Temple!  Yeah, Jenny!  They said everything was beautiful!  And they LOVED spending time with Amy's family, the Topps.  Grandma and Grandpa Topp spoiled them rotten....  The only sad thing was that Kotten Kandy sprang her ankle or twisted it or something.  She's still in pain 4 days later.  Grandpa Topp got her a wrap for her ankle.  She's iced it, kept it elevated and taken lots of Ibuprofen.  Poor girl.

Scott and I had to give talks in the Lagrange Ward.  Our topics?  We spoke about Visiting Teaching and Home Teaching.  It went well.  And I really enjoyed the Lagrange Ward.  They are very friendly.  I'll include a copy of my talk at the end of this post....

Scott had surgery this morning.  He has been struggling with carpal tunnel syndrome.  They did the surgery on his left hand, because it is worse than the right.  He won't be able to use his left hand for about 2 weeks.  Poor guy!  He's a trooper, though.  He hasn't complained at all....

I finally finished the Prydain Chronicles series (5 books in all) by Lloyd Alexander.  They are GREAT books!!!!  Alexander based Prydain and his tales loosely on Wales and the legends surrounding the Welsh people.  It kinda reminds me of the Chronicles of Narnia... kinda.  I LOVED these books.
The main characters are delightfully original.  Taran is the hero.  He starts out as an orphan and Assistant Pig-keeper.  As the books continue the story, he matures into a great leader.  Throughout the books he acquires the marks of a true hero: wisdom, humility, persistence, patience, leadership, respect for his fellow human beings, and strength of character.
Taran is accompanied along much of his journey by a series of companions, each with their own strengths and weaknesses - and their identifying characteristics.  Princess Eilonwy is a tomboy, who refuses to sit around the castle but insists on taking part in every adventure - often saving the day. Fflewddur Fflam is a bard and is constantly snapping harp strings with exaggerated tales.  And there is fiercely loyal Gurgi, who loves "crunchings and munchings."
If you somehow managed to miss the Prydain books when you were growing up (like I did), read them now!  You won't be sorry.  The books have adventure, humor, satire, philosophy, friendship, love, valor, etc.  I LOVE them!  They are on my "classics" list!

Here's my talk:

When I found out today that I had to speak about visiting teaching, I made special arrangements that no one who has ever had me as a visiting teacher would be allowed to attend this meeting today, so they can’t tell stories on me…

 I read an amazing quote this week by Sister Julie B. Beck.  In 2009, she said, “A sister in this Church has no other responsibility, outside of her family, that has the potential to do as much good as visiting teaching.” 

In other words:  Many of the best, most spiritual, happyfying, and tender experiences that we have happen when we visit someone in their home.

 Now, since this is the last week of April, we have all done our visiting for this month.  Right?  Of course, we have.  OK, maybe I haven’t finished… but I did make phone calls. 

But is that enough?  The Lord expects us to increase our offerings.  He expects us to fulfill the purpose of Relief Society as never before.

How shall we do that? How shall we increase our offering? I think each of us must search our soul and make a personal commitment as to what we wish to do.

 I love the invitation as recorded in the Book of Mormon: “Come unto Christ . . . and offer your whole souls as an offering unto him” (Omni 1:26). How different our lives can be when there are others watching out for us, caring for us, wanting to know and understand us. This feels like an offering that is beyond statistics.

 Do those we visit know that we love them? That we care? What do they sense from our interaction with them?

 Have you ever done this?  [On the phone]

“Umm, hi, Joanne, can we come over and visit in half an hour?

Yeah, yeah, we do need to come today. I know, it’s the 31st

…

Oh, 30 days hath September—we missed it?

Well, how about if we come over and spend about 20 minutes and we’ll make it good for October too? How’s that grab you?”

When I find myself resorting to this type of interaction with the sisters I am called to visit, I realize that I really need to change my attitude and my heart. 

I have an awesome Visiting Teacher.  Mary Nelson doesn’t just count me as a number every month.  She loves me.  She has brought me flowers (knowing that I LOVE flowers) from her garden.  She has cried with me when I miscarried last year.   Every fall, she shares her garden produce and fruit trees with me so I can share in her harvest.  I have canned her green beans, made applesauce from her apples and dried her pairs for my family.  She has sent cards for all the special holidays and visited as well.  And 2 months ago when we moved into our home, she came without being asked with the priesthood to help clean my rental home.  She has been like a grandmother to me.  And since my family is far away in the west, she has been there to love and comfort me.  This wonderful woman has become my friend, as well as one of my heroes.  She is an incredible example to me.

So yesterday as I was preparing this talk, I imagined an interview with the Savior at the end of our lives.

 “I heard you were a visiting teacher.”

“Oh yes. Wasn’t everyone??”

“Well, maybe not the men.”

“Oh. Yeah. That’s right.”

“Did you enjoy the calling?”

(Oh my word, He knows what I’m thinking. I can’t lie!) “Well . . . I had some times that I pretty much did come close to almost nearly enjoying it . . .”

“But not all the time?”

“Not all the time. Sorry.”

“Why not?”

“Well, sometimes I wasn’t in the mood.”

“Oh, but you had to go?”

“Well, yeah . . . they keep records . . . they’re trying to get 100%.”

“And how did you reach 100%?”

“Well, everyone got visited or contacted or something like that.”

 Well, you can see the whole imagined interview kind of went downhill.  What if this interview really happens someday?  I hope it goes better than it did in my imagination.

 I don’t think Heavenly Father would ever ask us to do anything stupid—anything that doesn’t really matter. And visiting teaching really does  matters—we just maybe don’t understand how much it does. We are not called to serve each other in the Church to annoy us, to keep us overly busy or stressed or something.   There must be a reason. There must be a good reason, and there is!

 We are asked to minister, like Christ did, to our fellow men (and women.)  We are asked to care for each other and watch over each other.  He asks us to minister to each other because: 

“The errand of angels is given to women,
And this is a gift that as sisters we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity’s name.”

We are called to the work of lifting and comforting, of teaching and encouraging, of loving and serving in Christ’s name.

Remember in Matthew:  “I was an hungered, and you fed me.  I was thirsty, and you gave me something to drink.  I was naked, and you clothed me.”

What was Jesus teaching us? I contend that he was teaching us that inasmuch  as ye visit the least of these, of your ward members or neighbors, and have responded to their hunger, to their thirst, to their nakedness, it’s as if you have done it unto him! 

What are some things that would make a difference for you as a visiting teacher? Would it make a difference if we would pray for those whom we are assigned to visit, by name, and ask Heavenly Father what they need and ways in which we could serve them better?   Would it make a difference if we remembered a birthday, followed someone to see how they did after a crisis, sent a card at Christmastime or any other time, sent an e-mail, dropped by with something somebody might enjoy—soap, flowers, a book, a hug, dinner. . . .

As I’ve pondered all of this, I’ve asked myself some questions: “What am I willing to do to be a more effective representative of the Savior as I visit my sisters?” “What might Heavenly Father have in store for me that I’m resisting by not responding more completely to His promptings as I go to visit?” 

Several years ago, I was serving in the Relief Society Presidency in Las Vegas.  We were making ministering visits to inactive members in our ward.  As we visited one young woman, I instantly knew I wanted and need to be friends with her.  She had a daughter my daughter’s age.  They were 3 at the time.  She also had Chrones disease.  I had studied the disease for a project in college and knew an awful lot about it and knew I could help her with her illness and make a friend at the same time.  Being a member of the presidency, I pulled some strings and became this woman’s Visiting Teacher. 

This relationship has blessed my life and hers.  She had to have surgery shortly after I was assigned as her Visiting Teacher.  I got to watch her beautiful daughter for the day and thus begun a WONDERFUL friendship.  Our daughters are turning 16 this year and Joanne is one of my best friends still!  Although I have since moved away, we talk on the phone weekly.  She is serving in her ward as the Young Women’s President.  Our daughters still consider each other best friends. – And all because of Visiting Teaching!!!!

Another good friend of mine was made because of Visiting Teaching.  20 years ago, I was assigned to be Lori Haskin’s V.Ter.  We have stayed great friends through 4 moves.  And when she was blessed to adopt her little girl I found it exciting that the women who were in the sealing room with her at the temple were 4 of her past and present visiting teachers.

Was being a Visiting Teacher worth it to these beautiful women?  Was Visiting Teaching worth it to me?  I think so!  “The errand of angels is truly given to women!”

(Testimony)