Seven on Sunday/Easter Sunday

I haven't done this in a while, I am looking forward to start writing again....

1. I am grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, because of Him we will be able to return to live with our Heavenly Father again.  I am extremely grateful for this knowledge in my life.

2. I am grateful for Eternal Families.  This week has been extremely difficult as I have been thinking a lot about my cousin, Chad. He was a huge influence in my life and I miss him every day. 

3. I am grateful for 2nd Chances, we have the opportunity to repent and become a better version of ourselves.

4. Even though, he will probably never see this, I am grateful for Benjamin Grubaugh. He has taught me about the person I want to be always.  I don't want to be a follower and yet, I don't want to be rebellious either. I have learned to seek out my own answers and because of him, I have strengthened my testimony in the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

5. I am grateful to be a dog caretaker to Cesar. He is a really good dog. He is always excited when I come home. He loves to go on walks and to play games.  I need to get some toys to play with him more.

6. I am grateful for Sundays, with the new program "Come Follow Me", it has become a day to really take a break from the world and allow me to study the Gospel. I have grown so much from the beginning of the year. It is amazing what can happen when we follow the Prophet and do what He asks us to do.

7. Last but not least, I am extremely grateful for my beautiful daughter Jacee. She is truly the love of my life. I cannot believe that she is going to be 7 years old next month. She is truly an example to me!

Seven on Sunday

Conference weekend has brought such joy in my life. It has reconfirmed my faith in my Heavenly Father and his plan for me. I still wonder why I received the answer that I did to keep Jacee as I listened to Elder Oak's talk about the Proclamation to the Family. Jacee had the right to be born inside the bonds of matrimony. I was judged harshly for not giving her this gift. To this day, I don't know why I received the answer to keep her. I know that she is a precious gift from my Heavenly Father and I know without a doubt we are where we are supposed to be.

1. I am grateful for personal revelation! We don't have to take a General Authorities word; we have the right to get down on our knees and ask if his/her words are correct. I love this! It helps us to know the will of the Father. It is important for us to be able to receive revelation from our Heavenly Father.

2. I am grateful to know that there is a Prophet on the Earth today that receives guidance from our Savior Jesus Christ. He guides and directs his church. He will not let anyone lead us astray.

3. I am grateful for the Book of Mormon. I know that by reading this book each and every day we can come closer to our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. We will develop a Christ like love. This Book has a spirit like no other book on earth. It is the divine doctrine of Jesus Christ.

4. I am grateful for the opportunity that I had to take Jacee & Aiden to the Phoenix Zoo. We had a great time looking at the animals. I think they loved playing in the splash pad and riding the carousel the most. I need to do more with them. They need to know how special they are and how important they are in my life. I love being a mom and an aunt.

5. I am grateful for my nephew, William Patrick Scott. His birthday was this past week. He turned 13 years old. I can't believe how time flies. I wish we lived a little closer to be able to go watch him play football. He is an awesome example to his brothers, sister and cousins.

6. I am grateful for the community that I live in. A little girl went missing on Friday and our community rallied together to pass out flyers, share facebook messages and even roam the streets to look for her. We didn't question if the police were doing enough; we all had a common goal and that was to bring the girl home safely. This happened! Our prayers were answered.

7. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach others about the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I love my Primary Class. However, I need to become better in many ways. I need to become a better witness and live his Gospel to the fullest. I need to be kinder, happier and full of love for my fellow men.

Seven On Sunday

This week has been a challenging week as I have started a new position with the Florence Unified School District as a 3rd Grade teacher at Florence K-8.  This means new routines for Jacee. Change has been hard for her this year; as we have changed schools, wards, houses and locations. She misses Lakeside and our old ward. She asks quite often if we can go back. I'm in the middle of deciding on what to do; do I leave Jacee @ Keller or do I move us both to Florence?  We have a lot of challenges our way on deciding what to do....

1. I am grateful for a Heavenly Father who hears and answers our prayers. Only through personal revelation can we navigate through the mist of darkness and overcome our trials. We need to have faith in the Lord and his plan for us.  #bearighteouswomanoffaith

2. I am grateful for General Conference and the messages that our General Authorities have for us. We missed President Thomas S. Monson at the Women's Session. I hope we get to see him next week. I look forward to this weekend every six months. We need a spiritual recharge to help us grow and become the person we need to be.

3. I am grateful for the scriptures. Every time I read the scriptures I learn something new. It is important for us to read them daily as now the Prophet, many Stake Presidents, and Bishops have asked us to do so.

4. I am grateful for a Bishop who has been patient and understanding with me. I have had some great talks and been inspired to become better. I have set goals and look forward to next month. I am excited to continue to grow and learn in the gospel. We always need someone to help us to stay focus on what is important.

5. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach primary. Today, I taught about the Thirteen Articles of Faith. It is important for us to memorize these as they are a basis for a testimony and an easy way to explain the gospel to others. I love my class!

6. I am grateful for the opportunity to learn the primary songs for the Primary Program. I have come to love a few of the songs. I love that Jacee has learned to love these songs too. We listen to a different one each night of the week.

7. I am grateful for this great Nation that we live in and for the Religious Freedom that we have. We are able to congregate together and worship as we please. I wish more people would understand what Freedoms we really do have. I have lived in a country where the government or another religion dictates how you should worship, when and where to work, what you should study and become. In the United States of America, we are able to freely choose each and everyone of these things. #GodBlesstheUnitedStates

Seven On Sunday

I wish I would have continued my blog during the last two years because I have grown so much in the Gospel and building my testimony and love for my Savior, Jesus Christ.

1. I am grateful for Firesides for Mid-single Adults. The last two firesides I have attended have hit home for me. They have strengthened my testimony of  Jesus Christ and the divinity of the Scriptures. I have learned that without either one of these, we will falter and be deceived through the whirlwinds of the world...

2. I am grateful for the Atonement in my life; without it, I wouldn't be where I am today. I know without a doubt that my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ, love me and know who I am and what I need. They know me very personally and I love them with all of my heart.

3. I am grateful for the opportunity Jacee has to go to school with a teacher that loves her. Mrs. Christopher is one of the best. Jacee loves school and looks forward to going each and every day.

4. I am grateful for Jacee's primary teachers, Sister Craig & Sister Albright. Jacee loves them so very much. She looks forward to going each and every Sunday.

5. I am grateful to be teaching in primary. I love the Primary Songs that we are singing this year for the primary program. I love teaching about the gospel and especially, about the blessings of the temple. We have been talking about the ordinances that take place in the temple.

6. I am grateful for Eternal Families. I have been following the story about the Abplanalp Family. Their daughter Evie Clair is about to perform in the finals on America's Got Talent. They recently lost their father, Amos, to cancer. This story has been heartbreaking and faith building as they have trusted in the Lord the entire way.

7. I am grateful for the opportunity to teach 3rd grade at Florence Elementary. I start this week. I know without a doubt my Heavenly Father has been watching over me and knows me very personally. As I have interviewed for this position and worked with the Lead Teacher; everything felt very natural. It has been easy to talk to the Principal and I'm looking forward to meeting my class this week.

Seven on Sunday

These past two weeks have been interesting. I have seen the Lord's hand play apart of my life in many ways. I can't even explain how many blessings I have received in the past 3 weeks and continue to receive them everyday.  I know without a doubt that our Heavenly Father knows us very personally and is able to help us when we need it.  All we need to do is ask and let him into our lives.

1. I am grateful for family.  Especially, my sisters and mother, they have helped me move up to Lakeside, Arizona.  Each one of them have taken time out of their schedule to come and help make my apartment a home for Jacee and I.

2. I am thankful for cousins who are willing to help out when needed. Jace and Linsday have invited Jacee and I over to their house every Sunday for family dinner.  I am also grateful for Brett and Susie Brinkerhoff who have continued to help us with this transition.  They have offered furniture and many other things. Jacee misses her best friend Weston! They had so much fun playing over Fall Break.

3. These last few weeks, I have had the opportunity to study the United States Constitution and have learned a great deal about Religious Freedom in the classroom that I didn't know before.  I have also have gained a greater respect for the men who wrote this document and know without a doubt that the hand of the Lord was apart of this great gift given to the United States of America.  I encourage everyone to take a class on the Constitution and be amazed at what it truly has to offer us!!!

4. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to teach the 16-18 year old Sunday School Class.  As our Stake President said today in Stake Conference, these young men and woman are class unto themselves.  They truly think about others needs before themselves. They have a desire to be on the Lord's errand and to serve others with all their heart, mind and soul!

5. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a teacher at Seven Mile Elementary School, I have learned so much in the past 8 weeks of school, and want to continue to learn so much more. I hope to keep pace with the rigorous schedule that is a head for my students. I love them with all my heart. Even when a parent accused me of only being there for the pay check. I truly do want what is best for them!!!

6. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to read with Jacee each night.  She amazes me each and every day! She has almost 4 books completely memorized! When she picks up "Brown Bear" and "Cats Colors", it is almost as she is reading it page for page.  I love it!

7. I am also grateful to be able to read scriptures and say prayers with this little girl.  She amazes me with her prayers and who she wants to bless every night.  We also listen to her favorite songs each and every night, "Follow the Prophet", "Jesus Wants Me for a Sunbeam", and "I am a Child of God". It is so awesome how much she really does understand about the Gospel.  I can't wait to see how much she will grow this next year when she enters into Sunbeams!!!

Seven on Sunday

This week has been stressful and I am grateful that it is over and I am ready to begin again....

1. I am grateful for my team lead who got upset with our Principal for not doing my observation at the scheduled time.  However, I am glad that it is over!!!  He did it on Friday....

2. I am grateful for the opportunity to listen to a Prophet's Voice. I love listening to Conference and learning about the things I need to do and improve on.

3. I am grateful for Revelation on the Earth Today.  We had the opportunity to sustain 3 new Apostles yesterday and listen to them speak today.

4. I am grateful for the opportunity to be a member of the only true church on the earth today. Yesterday while we were at Woodland Park, Jacee and I were told that we were an abomination before the Lord cause we were wearing long pants instead of dresses.

5. I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to read scriptures everyday with Jacee. She may not understand everything that is going on but you can feel the spirit as we do what is right.

6. I am grateful for my cousin Jace and his wife Lindsay, they have us over for dinner every Sunday.

7. I am grateful for our Savior, Jesus Christ and his atonement that allows us to live with our Heavenly Father again.

Seven on Sonday

This week was very stressful to where I wanted to throw in the towel and call it quits....I had a new student move in that was having a hard time adjusting to the new scenario and dynamics of the classroom.  Plus, it was my last week of my ESL class and doing my reports, trying to finish my observation hours, etc...didn't help one bit. The things that I am grateful for this week are....

1. A teacher who overlooked my shortfalls and gave me full credit for the assignment.  My final grade in the class was an A.

2. A parent who was willing to take the time to work with their son.  Whatever they talked about made a difference because he became a model student over night.

3. Another parent who isn't acting like nothing is wrong with their child.  She gave me ideas on how to bribe her son to do his work in my classroom.

4. A daycare/preschool teacher who was willing to redo Jacee's hair when it needed to be done.

5. A daughter who was excited about Nursery and the opportunity to sing "Follow the Prophet".  Their lesson today was "I will follow the Prophet".

6. Technology and for the opportunity to watch Conference from the comforts of my home.  Even though, I am sure that Jacee will want to go to church next week to watch Conference. I loved the Women's session.  It had a message that I needed to hear.  I am grateful for a LOVING Heavenly Father who knows us so very personally.  I know that if I keep doing the things that I know are right, I will be blessed in the long run.  We might not know the answer now but someday we will....

7. For the opportunity to have a Church House across the street from where I live.  I love that I can walk to church no matter the weather....People keep saying I will be grateful for this once it snows....