General Women's Meeting

 Last week I had the great opportunity to attend the first LDS General Women's Meeting at the Conference Center. It was AMAZING! If you haven't seen it yet or are wondering what it's about you can go here to learn more.

I really felt like I was supposed to attend this meeting. Our church got a hold of some tickets to the actual conference center. They got taken very quickly but I asked our bishop if he had anymore. He was able to get me two tickets but I spaced that I needed three or more. So after asking everyone I knew and praying about all week it the day before I got an extra ticket. While my mother in law got two extra tickets! I have never really had my prayers answered so quickly. It all just worked out great. I had planned to watch it with my cute in laws and we were able to have more fun by going to Salt Lake and being with everyone.

We went down early for some yummy lunch at Kneaders that was super crowded. The cool thing about this meeting is that it was for girl 8 and older, where as last year we had separate meetings for the young women (12-18) and the Relief Society( 18 and older). It was so cute to see all the cute little girls with their moms and their smiling faces. Definitely a change for the better.

Temple square was beautiful as always. The trees were all blossoming and they had spruced up some of the flower beds. It was so pretty to walk through. We saw three couples getting their pictures taken with some really pretty wedding dresses.

It was PACKED to the gills! ( If you have never been inside the Conference Center you should take a tour, it's pretty awesome.) But it felt so awesome to be with all these women young and old and these young girls. The spirit and feelings there were wonderful. After it was over I was saying how much more powerful it seems to be in the conference center. My mother in law said something like, "it helps her feel more unified that she's not in this alone." At times being a wife, mother, woman in this world it's hard and can feel very alone. But we have these amazing women all around us that we can go to for help. Women who may be struggling with the same thing or are on the other side of it and can say that it gets better. Either way I felt connected to something much more greater then myself. 

I was so glad to be able to share this experience with these lovely ladies. They are awesome too and I love them to pieces. After this meeting I felt so uplifted, so loved, and directed in how to best bless myself and my family. I came away from this meeting knowing that I am a child of God and that he loves me. I know that this church is true and I am grateful for it. 

It made me so excited for tomorrow to watch, listen and learn from General Conference! It's a group of meetings over the weekend in which the prophet of our church, his apostles and other leadership auxiliaries speak to us. It's awesome. If you'd like to watch, or read about it check it out. Conferencevideo 

For other gospel questions you can go to www.lds.org orwww.mormon.org. 

I belong, I believe

In a new missionary effort challenge from our bishop of our church I am going to be more vocal about my beliefs via social network. So get ready for some fun! =)

I belong to the church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, aka, "The mormon church." I have been blessed to be a part of the church all my life. I officially became a member when I was 8 years old and became baptized. The LDS ( short for Latter-day Saints) church brings true happiness, peace and blessings into my life. I know that it brings me closer to my family, and to my Savior Jesus Christ.

The first and foremost belief in the LDS church is of Jesus Christ. We believe in Him. We believe that he lived, that he died and that he lives again and that we may live again as well. We strive to live our lives the way that he lived his. By giving love, service, compassion and kindness to those we meet. In our church we have what are called articles of faith stating some of our basic beliefs. The first one goes like this: " We believe in God , the Eternal Father and in his Son Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost." We believe that they are three separate beings that we call the Godhead.

We also believe in Latter-day Prophets. Just as there were prophets in the Bible preaching the word of God we have a prophet to help guide us in the current days. Our current prophet is President of the Church Thomas S. Monson. He is a great man and truly lives a Christlike life. We believe that he has the gift of revelation to let us know what our Father in Heaven wants us to know. One of our more popular prophets was Joseph Smith. He restored the gospel back in 1830 and also translated the Book of Mormon.

The Book of Mormon is an aspect that is different from most other churches but is a key part in our beliefs. It is another testament of Jesus Christ and his teachings to the people of the ancient America's . It is a true book and testifies of Christ every time you read it. It was translated from Golden plates by Joseph Smith and for that we are grateful.

The family unit is very important in the LDS church. We believe that we can be with our families forever and so we strive to have a close, and united family.

I'd like to close with my testimony of the teachings of the gospel. I have searched them, prayed and lived them in my life I know that by doing so you can receive peace to your troubled mind, safety from harm, and more love and patience in your life. I know that Thomas S. Monson is a true prophet and that he leads and guides our church in this day. I know that the Book Of Mormon is a true book and that by reading it you can be happier. I know that families can be together forever and that we can be able to see our loved ones who have passed on again someday. I know that this is the true church of Jesus Christ. I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

If you have any questions please let me know. I'd be more then happy to answer them. If not or you just want to know more about the LDS church you can go to: www.lds.org and browse around there.


And for getting through all that here's a picture of Grace. She makes it all worth while and makes me want to be a better person.

Blessing day!

So I have been majorly slacking in the blogging department. I went back to work and it's all I can do to make dinner and keep the house clean. I like going to work but it does make for more messes to clean up. 

On April 14th we blessed our little Gracie. We were kind of nervous about how she'd do, I know Justin was especially but she did great. She was awake right before and fell asleep during the opening exercises. We also had 3 other baby blessings that day and we were the 3rd. So busy day in our ward. I swear our ward is keeping the population of Utah going. When we got here there was a big wave of babies and now there is another big wave of babies coming. Grace is at the beginning of it. 

It was a really nice day weather wise and with family. Justin was nervous but he did a good job. He gave her a beautiful blessing talking about having Faith and Charity. Our little girl will be great I just know it.

 We had to take some photos before hand since my dad left.

 4 generations on the Stoddard side

Yay for Stoddard cousins minus Gabriel- He came the next day.

With the Michilena Grandparents. I forgot to do a 4 generation of the Michilena side that day. We do have one from earlier.

Cutie pie in her sweet dress my mom got. I love it. 

All the Messenger clan minus Jayson and Neha. We were so happy to have everyone there. 

After a while this little miss had had enough pictures and conked out the rest of the day.

I really wanted to bear my testimony but with the 4 baby blessings and all the kids that share we ended up going twenty minutes over anyways. So, I'll share here. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and the peace and calm it gives to me. With so many changes for my family in the past couple months good and bad. I've never felt the love and protection of my Heavenly Father so close. I know that I am extremely blessed and that it all comes from my Heavenly Father. I know that prayer works and that it can bless lives and provide protection. I know that the Book of Mormon is a true book and that by reading it it will change your life. I know that Joesph Smith is a true prophet called of God. I know that President Thomas S. Monson is called to lead us today. I know that Temples can seal families together forever and that going inside the temple can bring you closer to Christ. I love my family, I am thankful for all that they do for me and my little family now. I love being a mommy as well.

Thank you to everyone for coming to show your support. We love you all and love to see you. =)

Happy 2 years to us!

Today marks our two year anniversary of marriage! We are still so happy and in love. We've been talking about what we remember in waiting for our wedding day and how it all went. 

We've also talked about how much we've learned about each other and how we have grown to love each other more each day. 

One thing that I have been trying to do more lately is to fill up Justin's love tank. Whether that be by building him up with kind words, or making him feel special, or just kissing him for no reason other then I love him. I have noticed that it has helped us so much. Also I get that same kind of treatment in return so we don't have much to complain about. =)

Justin's been really cute lately and going about doing things for me and then when I ask him to do them he just says, " wiggle your nose" aka bewitched. So I do then ask him to do it again and find that he already did it. 

We have had a lot of changes happen for us this year in a short time and I have relied on Justin so much for support, help and reassurance that everything will work out. 

I know that we'll make it and make it last for forever. That thought keeps me trying and finding new ways to love my husband and show him that love. I am grateful for the sealing powers of the temple and that I can be with my love, my sweetheart, my husband for forever. 

Brigham City Temple

On Saturday we went to the Brigham City Temple open house. It was such a beautiful temple! All temples are beautiful but this one had some very pretty aspects. It was modern with a pioneer edge to it. One thing that I loved about it was that they had lots of windows in the rooms letting in this beautiful natural light. They had gorgeous chandeliers around and really pretty stained glass windows. 

Along with the beauty of the temple the peace and joy that comes from going to the temple was there, even with the noise from the other guests and little kids. It was really special to share it with the Messenger family. We were supposed to meet my mom and sisters there but they got detained behind a car crash on their way. However, we saw them heading into the temple as we were on our way out so we stopped to say hi and tell them how pretty it is. 

One thing that I really liked was in the movie they show you before explaining temples and what we do in them, Elder Holland talked about his version of heaven. How in his version of heaven his family is all there with him and his wife.

It really hit me and made me grateful for the opportunity to be together with my family forever. My family that I grew up with, the family I gained with marriage, and the family that Justin and I will someday have. That is my definition of heaven as well. 

It's a lovely place and I can't wait to go through it again and really soak in the beauty of it all. I encourage you all to go! You don't need a ticket or anything just show up and they'll get you through. It might take longer but it's worth it. 

I love going to the temple and know that no matter what is going on in your life, you can find peace, joy, and courage to face your trials. 

New Job, New Routine

So as many of you know I got a new job! I will be starting at the end of this month at the Roy Instacare clinic. I will be working the off hours essentially so 5-9 on the weekdays and then every other weekend all day Saturday 9-9 and then 12:30-5 on Sundays. it's only 18 hours a week but that's ok by me.

I am really excited and it all happened so fast. I applied for the job in early July. I was feeling frustrated with my job and was looking like I usually do. I saw the clinic job and thought that sounds pretty good let's give it a shot. So I applied like I  usually do hoping that at least something happens along with other jobs that sounded good that day. Well I don't hear anything for a while and then while visiting my mom I get a phone call to interview for a different job I applied for at Primary Children's. That was exciting!

Then the next week I am home just working and doing stuff online when I get a phone call. It was a phone call interview for this other job I applied for. I could tell by the end that she was not going to interview me. Then about two hours later I get another phone call interview type thing for the Roy job. She explained all about it and then asked me some questions. I must have answered them right because she set up an interview time the same day as my other one! Phone call interviews are tricky because you are not prepared but I must have been directed as to what to say.

So I was going to have a busy day with two interviews, an appointment and having worked into that day. I honestly didn't know how I was going to do it all. But I got to the clinic and had to fill out a paper basically saying how would your prioritize these different actions that need to be done. I interviewed and got along with the ladies and it went well. One down.

Then the interview at Primary's was a little stressful. I was late which made me super anxious, couldn't find the lady or really remember her name. One thing that got me was that they asked how would I do adapting to taking care of one patient all night versus 3-4 busy patients. I told them I would welcome it, that it would be good. It gets really boring sitting and watching my patient sleep for 6-8 hours. So that went ok.

I interviewed on Thursday and on Monday I get a call to get a number for my boss so that they can check my references for the Roy job. I got pretty excited thinking that's a good step. Tuesday they call me and offer me the job! I of course accept and then had to go down to Murray and get all the paperwork and other things done. It all happened so fast which makes me feel confident that it's the right place for me to be.

I start with a company orientation on the 27th of Aug and then start my clinic orientation on the 29th. It was sad but oh so nice to write my two weeks notice letter to my boss. She was very sad to hear I am leaving but was really nice and understanding, saying that I can always have a job with them if I want.

Some of you may ask well what will you be doing now? I am not sure exactly but I do know that I will get to place IV's... if I remember how to. =) Take blood, give injections and anything that needs to be done that I can do. Instacare is like a watered down emergency room/Dr's office type of place. So I'll probably be seeing lots of sore throats, minor aches and pains and the basic stuff. But I will be able to do more which is exciting and nerve wracking as well. One bonus is that I might not have to work many Holidays and if I do they are only open for 4 hours. They are officially closed on Thanksgiving and Christmas.

It will help to sleep all night every night in my bed. Instead of leaving for work at 9:30p.m. I will be coming home. It does cut into the evening time spent with Justin but I will be more willing to get up with him in the morning and see him off to work. I was very nervous about starting and then I remembered a while ago I was having a hard time so I was praying and asking , more like begging, for a change in my job. Whether it was different patients or helping me have a better attitude or just knowing what to do. I remember feeling peace and comfort and just a sense of it will all work out. I have been trying for a new job ever since I graduated. I have spent many prayers asking for a change. But my Heavenly Father knew what was best for me and knew I needed to wait.

Remembering those feeling from that prayer helped me to be more confident in starting this new job. I know that if I have problems I can go to my Heavenly Father and he will help me. I know that he has a plan for me and while it is very hard to wait at times, I know that it will be worth it.

Life

Lately I have really come to appreciate this quote,  "Be kind for everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle." Plato.

It's so true in so many ways and very frequently it's hard to tell what or how hard a battle someone is going through. There are many things that can cause us stress and heartache such as work, family, family illness or personal illness, relationship problems with spouse or children, money, or just the personal battles that we all go through at times.

As I was thinking about this and taking inventory of my hard battles I came to realize just how blessed I am. While things may not be going how I would like them too at this time I got the powerful reminder that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me and has a plan for me. I became even more aware of the little and big miracles that I am blessed with daily to help me with my "hard battles." I know that he has a greater plan for me and that if I put my faith in him and become more like him then the pathway will become clear and I will not only know the plan for me but understand why.

Thinking of this got me very excited for General Conference this next week. ( Mar 31-April 1). I receive so much comfort, peace, and guidance in every minute. I know that President Monson is a true prophet and is the Lord's mouthpiece. I know with all my heart that I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and that it's true. I know the Book of Mormon is a true book and that it can truly change lives. I am so grateful for the blessings of the temple and to be a part of an eternal family. I believe in Jesus Christ.

I look forward to the messages and hope that you will too.