For Such a Time as This

We are beginning preparations for girls camp and I love girls camp. I am looking forward to being able to go again this year. I went to a stake meeting where they introduced the theme, and then our ward camp director came in to talk to the girls today and I heard the theme again and it really touched me. It touches me because, I can see the wisdom and inspiration and the application for each of those special young women. They had all just experienced the importance of the principle yesterday at a funeral.

Our theme is going to be:  for such a time as this, taken from the talk that Pres. Monson gave at the YW broadcast last year. "Again, my dear young sisters, although there have always been challenges in the world, many of those which you face are unique to this time. But you are some of our Heavenly Father's strongest children and He has saved you to come to the earth "for such a time as this." With His help, you will have the courage to face whatever comes. Though the world may at times appear dark, you have the light of the gospel, which will be as a beacon to guide your way.

My earnest prayer is that you will have the courage required to refrain from judging others, the courage to be chaste and virtuous, and the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. as you do so, you will be "an example of the believers," and your life will be filled with love and peace and joy. May this be so, my beloved young sisters, I ask in the name of Jesus Christ, our Savior, amen."

So, my heart cries out "I whole-heartedly support this theme!". I believe it is an important principle that will sustain the YW through difficult, threatening times, if they will listen as the Spirit teaches and bears witness to them of its truth.

Sister Larsen, our past YW president, taught this principle through her own testimony that she so sweetly bore at her baby daughter's funeral yesterday.  We, as the YW, sang "Abide With Me" for the service, so there were many of our YW present to witness the strength that she spoke of, that peace and even joy that she has found by relying on the Savior. He will be there in all situations-from feeling like you don't fit in to dealing with the loss of a loved one.  She isn't their yw leader anymore, but once again she taught the girls through her words, but most importantly through her actions, as they could see her sorrow, yet also see how she has been able to bear with courage and with faith, the passing of her sweet baby. She testified of the Father's plan and the worth of passing through difficult trials, and the peace that comes only through the Savior, Jesus Christ. Her example, her testimony was powerful and sweet.

And I was taught as well.

Temporary Home

The first time I heard this song, it touched me, and I liked it instantly. Then I saw the video and I loved it.

It reminds me an eternal truth, "this too shall pass" and if you endure it well "it will be for your experience". This life offers some "funky" times, but we have to remember that things always get better, eventually. There is always hope. Even in death, there are reunions to look forward to.

Everything that brings sadness is temporary.

And thanks to our Savior, everything that brings joy is Eternal.

Elder Wirthlin said it better in this article:

http://lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?hideNav=1&locale=0&sourceId=00400d034ceae010VgnVCM100000176f620a____&vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRDOn Sunday will come!

On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.
On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled.
It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world's history, that Friday was the darkest.
But the doom of that day did not endure.
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again.

We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow,
Sunday will come.
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, Sunday will come. In this life or the next, Sunday will come.

Primary Activity Day

Saturday was our annual Bishopric Breakfast primary activity. The bishopric comes and cooks a delicious meal for all the primary children and their teachers. On the menu this year--just like every year--was the works! Pancakes, bacon, sausage, hash browns, otherwise knows as tater tots and fruit. Looking at the pictures it looks like it was a success!

 

 

 

 

 

Maryn and Kelsey went with Kelly since I was working at the gem show. (It took two of them to make up for one of me--just kidding!) They were a big help and it was great to rely on them. I think they had fun too. Thanks girls!

Jasper and Agate and Scarves

Oh my! Just a few photos of where I will be spending most of my time this week--if you don't count sleeping.

 

Crazy Busy

Wow! What a week...lot's of stuff going on. And the end is not in sight yet.

I added "working" at the Gem show this week and next, to our schedule so that has made us all feel just a bit crazy. I am grateful for the chance to help out and grateful that it is temporary! It is fun to meet people from all over the country, practice basic math skills and see all of the creations. And it is good for my family to be reminded of all that I do "behind the scenes". They have been awesome! Once again, I am in awe of the women that do this all the time. I really love not having a job that takes me out of the home all day.

Most exciting is looking forward to the daily emails from Mandee and Merritt to catch up on what is happening with Maggie. We just couldn't be happier for them. Hopefully we will make a trip to Idaho in the NEAR future.

Maryn and Kelsey are back in school. We hardly see Maryn! That will get us all acclimated for when she moves out, I guess. She is really excited about the para-legal stuff she is learning. It makes her mom and dad happy to see her so excited. Kelsey has been working A LOT. She doesn't love her reading class, but knows it is what she needs to work on. Her efforts make us happy too!

I have someone I want you to meet

This is my brand new niece...Maggie.

Can't wait to get my hands on her and kiss those cheeks...

And see this sight in person!

Merritt and Mandee, she is a keeper! We are so excited for you.

Give her some hugs and kisses from her Aunt Danette.

For more pics go to the VanOrden blog on the right