Hey there pals!
I just loved reading all of your experiences and encouragement for each other. Thanks so much for sharing yourselves with us. Week 5 was such a blessing to so many lives and such a success! It was so neat to read about all of your experiences and how the ancestor challenge and temple challenge went well together!
24 of you took the survey! Thank you! Thanks to all who read these emails and who are still finding ways to search for that tree of life. I hope that you are really feeling closer to the Savior, and our Father in Heaven and the Holy Ghost. I pray that this is brining you peace in your crazy busy lives. Please keep hanging in there! Great job earning points and blessings. You amaze me!!
WEEK 5 “Ah ha” moments
I'm excited about his weeks challenge as Music is the universal language & is the only language that speaks to our soul. I have been blessed, inspired, motivated throughout my life with music & I'm excited for this week. – Tava Udall
Sarah's encouraging email of last week to become "that" person has helped me. I re-read Cindy Seipert's suggestions on decluttering and getting more peace in our lives, and saw what will help me. Thanks to you both. Mary Anne Koski
I randomly ran into my cousins' husband at the grocery store & we chatted for a few minutes. He asked me questions about my current situation & I was telling him how, as a single Mom, it's been a difficult decision for me to not get a full-time job while my daughter is still so young. I've had to be creative in my effort to stay at home with her as much as possible while still earning a living. His kind response really touched me. He said, "Well, I KNOW that Grandma Mary Hatch Brimhall (my sweet great-grandma, the mother of 13, whom I never got to meet) would approve of your decision. I'm SURE she's proud of your choice and is helping you out with this one." The Spirit testified that this is true. She IS proud of me and she IS helping me out on this one. I've thought about those words quite a few times this week and they make me smile. – Janell DeWitt
I think the more you learn of your past, the more kind you want to be to others, they could be your long lost cousin. – Cindy Sorenson
What has helped YOU do hard things, or survive hard trials?
Heavenly Father is compassionate. The Savior is compassionate and empathetic and kind. We need to become like them in order to feel at home and choose Heaven and be Heavenly. Those attributes are the exact opposite of the natural man inside all of us. So, Heavenly Father will give us trials to teach us compassion and empathy and kindness. How can we be compassionate if we don't know sorrow and pain? We could only say kind words and do kind things to help others, we couldn't BE compassionate (which, dividing up the latin roots means with feeling) unless we have already felt the sorry and pain and hurt from whatever trials and tests we have gone through. And we don't even have to have gone through the same trial to be compassionate. So, if you are in the middle of something terribly difficult, tell yourself, "The Lord needs as many compassionate people as He can get. He's going to get me. And this is the way He can do it." – Jennie Blaser
I have found that when my pain is intense and the wound deepest, that there is the greatest opportunity for our Lord's grace. His hand is extended toward us in love and we have a crucial choice, to take it or turn away. It sometimes takes great courage to grasp His outstretched hand. His love is perfect.- Cindy Seipert
My Mom & Dad are my inspiration & example of two people who have been through so much from arriving from England with $450 yet through perseverance, hardwork & mental tenacity of never giving up built the American Dream, gave me a childhood & a work ethic that is unparalleled in today's world, fell on hard times, lost almost everything they had & yet they have never given up, they still wake up every morning with smiles on their faces ready to greet the day with postive energy & love life. Truly my inspiration to never give up, never quit & to always thank God for everything you have.- Tava Udall
I know there is a God. Mary Anne Koski
I have a new saying that I borrowed from "Come Come Ye Saints". It is "Fresh Courage Take!" Some days require a new round of courage to face things I've not faced before. I'm thankful for ancestors who faced each day with courage also.- Lachelle Hull
Prayer! I honestly don't know how many times pouring my heart out to the lord has helped me too many be able to survive a trial or hard time and knowledge of the atonement that I don't ever walk this journey alone! – Jessica Despain
The best thing I can do to survive hard trials is to Keep an Eternal Perspective. Life is really hard sometimes, but I have to remember that it'll be worth it in the end. Heavenly Father has never let me down before. In fact, He always come through for me in Awesome ways! ...so I have to keep that in mind when I'm enduring a particularly difficult trial. I know I can trust Him, so I just need to continue to prove that He can trust me.- Janell DeWitt
D&C 122 – Cindy Sorensen
Positive attitude! – Maryjane Wilson
All the things that we are doing with this certainly help but I found that weekly temple attendance regardless of what you are doing, even just going to the temple grounds and sitting helps to bring that comfort that things will work out. I have made it a goal to take my children to do baptism once a month and so far they are really enjoying that experience. I have been able to have some really good discussion with my children about the blessing of temple attendance and why it is so important and we are starting to help find family names to take to the temple.- Dan Brimhall
Thoughts on LEARNING ABOUT OUR ANCESTORS:
I took the opportunity to learn more about Mary Ann Tracey Shepherd, the great, great grandmother I was named after. Well, that is according to my father. According to my mother I was named after Mary Anne Swenson, the daughter of my mother's dear friend. That in itself is sort of a funny story, and also a sweet one. But I've always focused on the Mary Anne with the "e," so this was enlightening to me. March 7 was Mary Ann's 166th anniversary of being baptized a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, in England. Cool. She faced the challenges of being poor with a large family to feed, in ways I have not experienced. I am impressed. I did learn that we both have experienced living around wild blackberry bushes! And yes, I do feel closer to her. Mary Anne Koski
I loved learning and relearning stories about my ancestors. What impacted me the most was that so many of them lost young children and infants (so much more common in those days), but nonetheless, very painful! Ten years ago this coming July, my sweet little Katie Irene passed away. She only lived a couple of days, but I felt an instant deep love for her when she was born and I heard her sweet, but faint cry, and saw her little face all bundled up in a soft blanket. Such a precious daughter of God!
I couldn't help but feel sorrow for the trials my ancestors went through, but felt a definite connection to them as it pertained to losing a child. I got the impression that when I was going through my loss, my ancestors were near and felt a connection to me. After reading about them, I was reminded that Katie is with all those amazing people now! What a comfort that is to know she is among such stalwart men and women.
One of my ancestors broke her leg and it never healed causing her a great deal of pain. One day a man showed up at their house and asked her parents why their girl was in so much pain. After explaining why, this man stated that it hadn't been set right after it was broken and that he needed to break it again and reset it; and they allowed him to do it. They said that almost immediately after it was set correctly, their daughter wasn't in pain. They were overjoyed. They turned to thank him, but he was gone. They ran out of the house to find him, but he wasn't anywhere to be seen. They lived on a farm out in the boonies, and said no one could have left that quickly and not be seen from their house. They guessed at the time that one of the three Nephites did it. Lately, I have been reading a lot of stories about Angels and I wouldn't be surprised if they were right, or if not, that it was definitely an angel! We are so much more connected to those beyond the veil than we realize. :) – Janet Seto
I was reminded who my grandparents really are by reading their journals, stories from their youth and memories of them from my cousins. I felt like they were close by. – Sarah Crawford
This week I accompanied my wife, Tawna, to the funeral of her uncle Harold - the last of 13 children. One of his children told about things his father accomplished during his life. One thing that stuck out was that uncle Harold invented the mechanism that would raise and lower the podium in their chapel. He went on to patten the design. Years later the LDS church called and wanted to buy the design to put it on the podium in the tabernacle. He gladly donated it to the church and they used it in more buildings than just the tabernacle. – Dave Petersen
I do have a great love for family history. I gained a greater appreciation for the hard work and sacrifice that they went thru, which blessed them, their children and their descendants (me). – Cindy Soresen
Ever since I was a young girl, I have always felt that I can never disappoint my ancestors, so I must always try to live a life that is close to the Lord and the gospel – one that they will be proud of and allow me to be with them again. This week I thought a lot about my heritage. I have many ancestors who dedicated their lives to the Lord, and sacrificed so much. I feel in debt to them for their stalwart lives. I studied journals of my grandfather who I never personally knew in this life. He died when my mom was only 10 years old, but he is such an amazing example to me. He was only five feet six inches tall, but was larger than life, and had a magnetic personality. He accomplished so very much in his short life, but his greatest accomplishment was his family and dedication to the gospel of Jesus Christ. It was wonderful to read his testimony. Makes me want to do and be better, and I hope I can live a pattern of his life, so that those who follow me, will feel the same way. – Spring Thibaudeau
For my children I read from Kathy's journal about our dating, breaking up, dating, engagement, etc. Although it was very emotional for me so very important for them to know their mother better and how much she absolutely was crazy in love with their dad. For myself I read stories from my ancestors and had them do their four generations and ask their grandparents about their parents first hand. It was a great experience. – Dan Brimhall
How was your TEMPLE EXPERIENCE?
I went back to the Gilbert Temple where I work every Wednesday. Normally, we have 1-2 stake volunteers which are different each week. We normally visit with them and get to learn all about them. But, no volunteers showed up this week, so we didn't have the typical surface get to know you chats, and ended up having great and deeper discussions with the people I get to work with each week. Loved it. The Gilbert Temple will always be such a special place to me. On Mar. 1st, 2014, I got to meet President Monson in the temple presidents' office and he visited with my little family and then gave me a blessing. I don't share that with many people, so don't share it with the whole group, but it was so neat to be back in there almost a year to the date and reminiscing on that special moment.- Jennie Blaser
Loved this challenge because I didn't even remember it was the Mystery Challenge til I was reminded after I attended the NewPort Temple with my beautiful daughter. It was a beautiful day & it means so much to have her sitting by my side & getting to be in the celestial room seeing a little piece of heaven here on earth. We met a very sweet sister who joined us for a yummy lunch at this cute little bakery. It was fun making a new friend. It's amazing what happens when you just reach out, smile & say Hi. She even offered to take a few pictures of us at the Temple to capture he memory...super sweet. – Tava Udall
Yesterday, I gave the lesson in relief society on repentance. While in the temple this week, I was inspired to read the Bible dictionary on repentance. It beautifully explains how we need to overcome the natural man and there's no way around it. It's wonderful how the Savior makes that possible through His Atonement. My stake president gave a fantastic talk about repentance a few years back. I remember a quote he shared, "Repentance… A gift I GET to use to become what He knows I can become with His help." I am thankful that when I go to the temple, Heavenly Father gives me the insights I need to change and become what He sees me as and knows I can become. – Lachelle Hull
Loved the challenge. I wasn't feeling the best and normally wouldn't have gone, but so glad I did. Seattle is gorgeous this time of year and we had to cross over Lake Washington on our way as the morning sun was rising. It was breathtaking. My husband and I were asked to be the witness couple. :) We both had a few new "Ah ha" moments that we were able to share after our time there. Thanks for the encouragement to go! – Janet Seto
Every time I go to the temple, it is an experience. I went to the Gilbert temple. I went alone and appreciated that communion with my Father. I love that the spirit and reverence is there even just walking the grounds of the temple, a true sanctuary.- Spring Thibaudeau
I went to the temple Tuesday, the day before I got sick. Boy am I glad for the mystery challenge. Otherwise, I probably wouldn't have made it there:) – Maryjane Wilson
I go to the temple twice a week for sealings on Fridays and endowments on Saturday all with family names and it wonderful so connected and more focused on those things that are important. I always find peace and comfort and feel the presence of Kathy. – Dan Brimhall
MYSTERY CHALLENGE: After every time you brush your teeth this week, I want you to look in the mirror, smile at yourself and "I am a daughter (or son) of God, and I am LOVED!"
| Yes! It's true... so I might as well remind myself every day! | 24 | 13% |
| No. Too cheesy for me! | 0 | 0% |
Which challenge was hardest for you this last week?
| Praying twice daily | 10 | 5% |
| Scripture reading daily | 24 | 13% |
| Exercise 3x weekly | 60 | 31% |
| Eating healthier | 43 | 22% |
| Rotating Challenge (Learn about my ancestors) | 5 | 3% |
| Mystery Challenge (Have a temple experience) | 3 | 2% |
Which challenge had the most positive influence on you this week?
| Prayer | 62 | 32% |
| Scripture | 36 | 19% |
| Exercise | 12 | 6% |
| Eating Healthy | 6 | 3% |
| Rotating Challenge (Learn about your ancestors ) | 8 | 4% |
| Mystery Challenge (Have a temple experience) | 6 | 3% |
How much effort did you put into the challenge this week?
| 5- I am a real go-getter!!! | 4 | 2% |
| 4- I go and I get, but I'm not quite a go-getter.. | 9 | 5% |
| 3- I go OR I get, but doing both is still tricky! | 3 | 2% |
| 2- I'm still here! | 8 | 4% |
| 1- I'm going... someone please come get me! | 0 | 0% |
How was your week of learning about your ancestors?
| I learned a lot of new things about them | 8 | 4% |
| I learned a lot of things about myself too | 4 | 2% |
| Fun reliving old memories of my family members | 10 | 5% |
| It was hard to find new information on them | 1 | 1% |
| There are somethings I wish I didn't know about them | 1 | 1% |
| I really liked this challenge | 11 | 6% |
| Not my favorite challenge | 3 | 2%
|
Lots of love!
Sarah
480-236-2326
