I miss Osborn Ward and the YW

When Freddie first went into this nursery, he would cry and cry. But the nursery workers would shoo me away and hold and comfort him, read to him, hug him, sing to him, play with him. In time he loved that nursery and now whenever we travel, he has no problems going to any other nursery or class. He's so outgoing and says hi to everyone and makes himself at home. The move into our new ward was effortless for him.

Osborn

My heart is very full of love. Today was out last day in the Osborn ward. I'll never forget driving up to this gorgeous building 3+ years ago, pregnant with Freddie, not knowing what life would bring. I've served in Young women for 2.5 years and it has blessed my life! By the grace of God I was able to know and be a part of the lives of his amazing daughters. 

They are smart, interesting, kind, beautiful, strong. They are future mothers, missionaries, leaders. They make me proud. They represent Jesus Christ. They know who they are, what they want, where they are going. 

They have taught me so much. I love them!!! The others leaders have also blessed my life and have been my rriends, confidants, my sisters! Becky Astorga-I am your loyal, loving counselor. You have taught me about being a mother and juggling all of life's craziness. You are an example of true, sincere, Christlike service. Dorothy Finn-you taught me to teach by the spirit, to challenge the girls, to laugh at myself and  be forgiving. You have become two of my best friends. All the leaders and girls have touched my life in many ways. They all are important and bring something to the group. They all are missed when they aren't present. 

I have learned that I can do hard things, that I can have a relationship with Heavenly Father, that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, I am made whole. I can be successful at this calling and others because he makes up for where I lack. 

The future is bright. 

An after life

'sometimes when I am alone I go into my bedroom and take off my shoes and look at my feet and think, "is it him?"'

-David Grossman, Falling out of Time.

This man is so insightful and has so much pain, wisdom, healing behind his words, yet he says he is a nonbeliever and that he cannot draw comfort from the idea of an afterlife. I can't understand this. 

Today at church I led the lesson in Mia Maids (young women ages 14-15) on the subject of the resurrection of Jesus Christ. I felt deeply that I know that this is real- that our Savior is Jesus Christ and that he atoned and suffered for us and felt every pain, embarrassment, loneliness, and hurt from sin that we have and will feel. Then he sacrificed his life for us but after 3 days rose from the dead, his spirit and body reunited for forever. I know he did this and that we will also be resurrected someday, after we leave this world, and our bodies will be perfect. I know this means I will live forever with my family and friends if I am faithful. I know this means my Savior and Heavenly Father love me immensely. I know that I want to be more unselfish, more serving, more grateful, as Christ is. I find much hope in the thought of the life after this one. 

Stripes family!! (I think it's all we own)

For the strength of youth

I have been studying and analyzing the for the strength of youth pamphlet for personal progress for the past few weeks. I feel so blessed to have this guidance and these standards in my life. It has given me much insight into what I can do better to make my life easier, my relationships stronger, and to be a confident strong daughter of God.

I wish for my young women to make and accomplish these goals because I love them very much and know it will bless their lives. I also desire for my family and especially my children to become familiar with and live these standards. We will work in then together! We are a very blessed people and church. We are never alone. We are never in the dark. We have every resource given to us and it starts with personal, sincere, humble prayer to our Heavenly Father. 

Good night!

Link:

https://www.lds.org/youth/for-the-strength-of-youth?lang=eng

Young Women In Excellence 2013

The girls decided to make the theme Yw in excellence, through the years. The Yw program was established in 1870 and each girl picked a decade from then to now to represent. Many dressed up, decorated their desplays etc with their decade.

Father's Day 2013

Happy Father's Day to my best friend and a great dad...the greatest there could ever be for frederick. I don't think I could do this without him. I certainly don't want to. Love you, Collin.

Testimonies

I have been very emotional today. I felt the spirit strongly at the wedding we attended last night. My dear friend, Katie was married to her best friend, Alani Tufi, in the Mesa temple. They had a ring ceremony where their Bishop testified of the love they had for each other and for God. I knew they were making the right choice. 

I had such a great time w my little family in the making. We ate and danced and laughed. I feel that God loves me and that he is my father. And he allows me these blessings.

Today at church people shared their intimate testimonies, their struggles. I felt the strength and reality of our ward family. I feel humbled to know these beautiful people and feel so happy about the successes and stories they share. 

I'm teaching today in young women's and I again feel humbled. Ill miss my husband being set apart in his new calling but I have committed to support him and I know I'll be where I'm supposed to. Ill be starting the discussion on supporting and upholding the Priesthood, but I have asked a bunch of the girls to teach what they feel about it. When they speak I feel the spirit so strongly. I know the Holy Ghost will be there. 

I love my husband and my son and my extended family.  I know we are in ward families to support each other. I know Heavenly Father loves me. 

Puking all night

The only thing worse than waking up and puking is your son puking every day for 4 days and then your husband joining him and puking every 2 hours all night. Poor poor Collin. :( To the doctors tomorrow we go. Fred picked a great night to sleep through the night: when we are up sick!!!

Downton Abby...I don't even know what to say.

Taught YW today and had a great time discussing the purpose of life. True to the faith: Mortal Life:
"You are now experiencing mortal life. Your spirit is united with your body, giving you opportunities to grow and develop in ways that were not possible in your premortal life. This part of your existence is a time of learning in which you can prove yourself, choose to come unto Christ, and prepare to be worthy of eternal life. It is also a time when you can help others find the truth and gain a testimony of the plan of salvation."

Phoenix LDS Temple Site

In October the Young Women visited the Phoenix LDS Temple building site. It was a beautiful experience for us all. We felt the spirit so strongly in the little trailer as a missionary couple talked about the progression of the construction. It's exciting to be young and a part of such things! The girls lovede it too. And what an exciting announcement that there will be a 6th temple in AZ! To be built in Tucson!!! SIX!!!!! That's an amazing blessing!

Happy November! We're off to vote!

up in the pines

the air was cool and smelled deliciously. the trees were tall. frederick was happy (wouldn't you be if you got to run around in the woods, find pine cones and rocks and flowers and eat lots of dirt?) I enjoyed my time getting to know the young women and being in nature. of course, I wished cs could have been with us; i never like doing things without him, but it was a quick trip, and a good one. 

Ashley, the dog

we got the americana room. this bed was divinely comfortable.

 






serious. silly!

thanks, buddy!









my little man



that night we talked about things we struggle with such as our perceptions of ourselves. these thoughts and feelings don't stop when you become an adult. we all wrote down things we want to do better with and crumpled it up. the next day we buried our "weapons of war." It was all anonymous, but I'll tell you mine: I want to pray everyday, morning and night, and I want to stop feeling negatively about my body and clothes postpartum. two of a few goals I've set for myself recently. I think I can do it. we talked about HOW we will do it. when I am getting dressed or look in the mirror, when I'm about to think something negative, I just don't. I just get dressed and go and don't worry or think about it. I've done it for a few days now, and it's working! though I've been working hard at exercising and eating healthily, I can't change the fact that after having a baby, my hips are just wider. my tummy has stretches. my breasts are huge and full of milk! hehe. I'm instead grateful I was blessed with these things. they gave me.........well just look at this little boy.
 
we got to shoot these cool blue-lighted airplane thingies. mine didn't work so fred just held it. it was pretty though!

Hike the next morning: when you think you can't go on, know you can always do more!





they made it to the top!

 
see ya next time, Ashley!

Young Women Spa and Personal Progress night at my house