A Savior is Born

Love is Born 

Hope is Born

Joy is Born

#ASaviorIsBorn

DISCOVER WHY

christmas.mormon.org

Here's another excellent video that can answer the "Why?"

He is my (& yours) Prince of Peace, the Creator (and oh, what a gorgeous world He created for us!), and my Savior.
I have been blessed by the enabling power of His atonement for me; it has given me the strength to do, and bear, and be MORE than I could all on my own.  
I know He lives.  I know He loves me.  With all my heart, I want to be like Him, and I know I can see Him again!

We had the opportunity to visit with our missionary friends who are currently serving in Chinatown (Manhatten, NY), and they gave us one of their pass-along cards (as I'm sure our own missionary son will be sharing this with us in his next letter, as well) with this same great message:

Looks cool, eh? 

Can you read it? ;)

This Weekend:

* Katelyn went to her Annual Valentine's Tea Party with her friends.

(Her friend's grandma, who lives about 50 miles away, has them over every year for this event.

They go in their "Sunday Best,", use REAL porcelain tea cups/dishes to eat/drink from, 

make big hats to wear, do a craft, pamper & primp, 

and come home with a "goodie bag" of sorts!)

Katelyn feels so lucky to always be invited since it is limited to just the # of friends who can fit into their car!

This year, her friend's grandma had made them all CUTE pillow cases!

Do you like how Katelyn was "Valentine-ing it Up" with her heart night gown & heart jammie pants that match so well?  ;)

* We went to the big "RIVALRY GAME" for Kyle's [rec] basketball team.

It was the "Bearcats" vs. the "Rejects" (kids all from the same High School, but on different teams).

It was very serious.  The Bearcats (Kyle's team) put in an extra practice during the week PLUS a "team bonding" hanging out session to get ready for the game.

The Sophomore class was divided; picking sides, either for the Bearcats or for the Rejects

The Bearcats called for a "blackout" game - all their fans were suppose to wear black.

(which was easy enough for me, I have lots of black in my wardrobe!)

 In addition to us parents, their following of "Bearkittens" (girls their age) and the "Bearcubs" (boys their age) turned out in droves to support the Bearcats in the big game.

We're talking posters, painted faces, standing for the whole game, Bearcat "growls," and lots of cheering!

In the end, I think the Bearcats expending all their energy get psyched up (or psyched out?) for the game, and 

didn't have enough left to actually play the game.

The "Rejects" crashed the boards like crazy, and were able to score from their third & fourth chance shots.

The Bearcats lost.

But, they went out together to celebrate - or commiserate - afterwards anyway!

* Matt & I went out to Ruby River Steakhouse afterwards. (we had a coupon!)

There was a wait, but it was OK.  I still needed to get some Fitbit steps in for the day,

so we went walking around the parking lot and neighboring businesses in the meantime.

We were at the restaurant for a while......I ate veeeerrry slowly.  You see, I may or may not 

have been eating cinnamon lips candy lately, and there's an ingredient in 

cinnamon candy/gum that makes my tongue swell, which in turn makes me talk funny and it's hard to move it/eat. ;)

* My sister-in-law invited me to her stake's Women's Conference, so I went.

The guest speaker was Wendy Watson Nelson, wife of Elder Russell M. Nelson.

There were a few things that were impressionable to me that I have already shared many times with others.

She is the author of a book, What Would a Holy Woman Do?

(I'm going to check out the "book on CD" from the library!)

She also had us all stand up and recite, out loud, a portion from Elder Holland's General Conference talk he gave in October 2012.  She had us insert our own name instead of the name, “Peter,” who Christ was responding to, in Elder Holland’s nonscriptural elaboration.)

“What I need, Peter (your name), are disciples—and I need them forever. I need someone to feed my sheep and save my lambs. I need someone to preach my gospel and defend my faith. I need someone who loves me, truly, truly loves me, and loves what our Father in Heaven has commissioned me to do. Ours is not a feeble message. It is not a fleeting task. It is not hapless; it is not hopeless; it is not to be consigned to the ash heap of history. It is the work of Almighty God, and it is to change the world. So, Peter (your name), for the second and presumably the last time, I am asking you to leave all this and to go teach and testify, labor and serve loyally...”

It really was impactful to me.  And it was inspiration for a Relief Society presentation that I am currently preparing for.  I have been asked to speak on the topic of "Hastening the Work of the Lord" in an upcoming meeting, and I just think I might use this little bit!!  ;)

* Matt & I had a "date" at the plasma donation center.  Matt & I ended up on the same row, but a few beds down from each other, and the phlebotomis saw me wave & talk to him a bit.  

He asked me if I knew him, and I replied, "Ya, and I kinda LIKE him, too!"  ;)  

Then we went out to lunch at Nielsen's Frozen Custard. (we had a coupon!)

* After a break (3 months) due to the holidays of not doing private dates with our children,

we finally started up again and it was Haylee's turn.

She chose her favorite Gluten Free pizza - David's Pizza.

But, there's no seating there (it's just pick up & delivery), so we got hers from there,

and then went down a few doors to Big Daddy's Pizza (where they do have seating AND we had a coupon!) and

ordered mine & Matt's pizza, so we'd be able to eat at their tables.

Then she wanted to go shopping at the D.I.  - don't be jealous!  ;)

 She LOVES finding $0.50 treasures!

AND we found some brand new, with-the-store-tags-still-on clothes for all of us!

We finished off by going to Menchies. (we had a coupon!)

* Churchy-Church on Sunday.

We had a Missionary Homecoming, which was great.  The returned missionary

was someone who was in Young Men's when I was serving in Young Women's.

He's gone and come home already?  Wasn't that just the other day? 

Time flies......when it's someone else's child!  :)  haha.

*  We had our New Beginnings in the evening for Haylee & all the Young Women.

They did such a good job!  It's so different (& nice!) to just be part of the audience and not

be in charge of it.  I thought it was way better and cuter than the ones we did....probably because I could really sit back and enjoy it - unlike the last three years when I was IN YW!  ;)

Look how adorable our "cruise ticket" (program for the evening) was:

 {front}

{back}

The mutual theme for this year is D & C 4:2, "Oh, ye that EMBARK in the service of God...."

so they pretended we were aboard a "ship" for the evening.

That video presentation can be viewed HERE.

There are GREAT YW leaders now, it's good for everyone to change it up!  

* Finished the weekend (like I always do these days) by writing my letter to Ryan on his mission,

while "Talkin' Sports" was on T.V. in the next room.

This Weekend:

YES!  I am actually going to write a post that is not about Elder Brenchley!  ;)

THIS WEEKEND:
*Matt & I were in charge of our ward Christmas party this year.

It was on Friday night, the 12th.

But, I worked on getting it ready all day Friday.

And Thursday.

And Wednesday.

And the whole month before.

We had an awesome committee, though, who contributed a TON!

{Thanks Christensen's, Derrick's, Evans', Floyd's, Becky & Gina}

Some of the HIGHLIGHTS:

  ~"Neighborhood Trivia" was projected up on a movie screen up front as people arrived.

First, the "clue" would come up on the screen for people to read, and then a while later, the answer (person's name) would go up on the screen.
(THINK: movie theater before the movie starts.)

It was a great "mixer" to get people talking to start the party!
The ones from our family were:

This woman had a leg hair growing contest with a guy – and WON!

This person drove 140 m.p.h. in a blue Mustang GT – and lived to tell about it.

This [non-native Japanese] married couple both know how to speak Japanese. 

This person played on an ALL-GIRL baseball team (with pink uniforms) in a BOYS’ league.

This person has a purple belt in Karate.

This person cracked his head open doing a flip off the couch. 

This 6 YR. OLD likes to eat tomatoes, green peppers, avocado, cauliflower, & green salad! 

This missionary has now picked up the “Southern” patterns of speech. 

(Can you guess them all?!?)
~A "Green Screen" Photo Op

(THINK: weatherman on the news)

People literally just posed in front of a green screen......THEN......

it turned into THIS:

~Dinner with food from Mo' Bettah Steaks

I broke tradition and did away with the chili & soup (not my favorite) they'd done in the past!  I'm such a rebel!  But, that's one of the perks of being in charge!  

PLUS, this menu had the "gluten free" crowd in mind.

~Entertainment/Musical Program

{The Primary sang, "Stars Were Gleaming"}

Katelyn is 3rd from the left (fuchsia pants, turquoise vest).  Brookelle is 5th from the right (pink camo pants, navy shirt).

We also have this TREMENDOUSLY talented Sister Missionary serving in our area - she plays the ukelele, she sings, she plays the piano, she does it all together!
(Too bad [for us] she is returning home this week.)

She performed, "A Hallelujah Christmas."  Have you seen/heard this song?!!?

I've been watching/listening to it on YouTube ever since the party!
 

 You won't be able to get it out of your mind, I tell ya!

*On Saturday, we spent the whole day in bed recovering from the ward party.

HA!

NOT!

I WISH!

But, we had the Fowers Christmas party at our home that night.

We barely got all the dishes & small appliances from the night before washed up & returned, then started cleaning up our house before the people started to come!

{Scenes from the evening}

One of the highlights from the evening was when my Aunt Louise shared experiences

from her mission to Australia back in the late 60's and her news reporting career at KSL television.

(She started at age 22 and was the 1st and ONLY woman reporter at that time in the Salt Lake area!  She was just the 2nd woman in the nation to do it, and the ONLY woman on the air at that particular time.)

Many of the youngest generation did not know any of this family history, so it was great to have her share it!

She brought a few clips of her news stories she reported on from the past, too.  They were fun to watch!

She is also a talented musician, and we always gather around the piano and sing a Christmas song that she wrote, "Waiting for the Child."

She's written other songs, too.  You can see one of her pieces on YouTube here:

 https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=gsWIvnQHEa8

and here:

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9cZm8Ny0CoI

(That's my cousin singing the song!)

*On Sunday, we finally rested & recuperated all day.

(HA! again.....In my dreams)

Our darling niece, Megan, recently returned from her mission to Madrid, Spain on 12/9....

 YES!  I cried at the sight of the reunion between missionary & parents - THIS one AND strangers I don't even know!

 {COUSINS!}

Megan had her "Homecoming" (reported on her mission at church) on Sunday - at 9:00 in the morning!!

We got to attend that and hear her testimony (in Spanish - don't know what she said!) and her contagious enthusiasm for the Gospel!

We went to my brother's house afterwards for food and visiting and stayed well into the afternoon.

*We had Tithing Settlement with the Bishop later Sunday evening.

GOOD THING we discovered those missing checks so everything really could be "settled." ;)

*I realized I have 9 days to get ALL the Christmas stuff done, now!

THE LIST for this week started rolling through my mind at extraordinary speeds!

He Is The Gift

My missionary son, Ryan, wrote home yesterday insisting that I  #sharethegift.

He is very enthusiastic about the "He is the Gift" video he, and many other missionaries, are sharing with everyone.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints wants this true message to flood the nation.  He is doing his part, and he wants us to do our part.

The first gift of Christmas was a simple gift given by a father to all his children, to us. He gave us His son, the Christ. He is the gift. This Christmas season, how will you share the gift?




It's BEAUTIFUL. Just beautiful.

It really puts things into perspective......especially after the way I've been spending my time lately (See yesterday's post).  Woops!

Way to keep me on the "Straight and Narrow," Elder Brenchley!   ;)

The End of my YW Era

I got released from my church calling as 1st Counselor in the Young Womens' Presidency.

Siiiiggghhhhhhhhhh.

Such mixed emotions about all of this.

I've been serving in that position for going on 3 years now.

THREE!
That's 130 mutual activities, 75 meetings, Three Young Women in Excellence events, Three New Beginnings events, Three Girl's Camps (1 with my daughter, Haylee, in attendance!), three youth conference (attended one, helped/supported on the other two), a few culminating events and dinners for all the youth, dozens of hours on the phone and visiting homes, and on & on.....

I have come to love "my girls".  I thought about them and worried about them all the time.  I considered them an extension of my own children who live in my home with me.  Whenever I referred to them in conversation, I called them, "My young women....."

This calling, and each young woman, has been such a HUGE part of my life for the past few years.

I SO SO wanted each girl to have their testimonies strengthened during this very important & amazing time of THEIR life.   AND on various occasions, THEY shared an experience or scripture in class, or gave a talk in a meeting, or bore their testimony at camp & youth conference, and it strengthened MY testimony.

They will forever be apart of me.....I swear, when I am in my 80's, and if I run into one of them, I will hug them, then still call them, "my girl" (even thought they will be in their 50's!!!)

I am incredibly BLESSED to have had this opportunity!

I knew though...with serving for that amount of time...that this day would someday come.

Being in a Young Women's Presidency is A LOT of work.

It consumes MOST {if not ALL} of your extra time.

Mutual, lessons, firesides, Girls Camp, tending to the girls' needs, supporting the president & making sure she doesn't take on too much work....it is CONSTANT.
And, THAT SERVICE I gave is WHY I ended up loving them.....You LOVE who you SERVE!

And while I have {honestly} had some frustrations & heartbreak along the way (they are ATTACHED to their cell phones a little TOO MUCH!, they are, at times, persuaded by the ways of the world more than the church standards, and sometimes they chose not to join us in our mid-week & summer activities or at church on Sunday) but for the majority of the time, I LOVED it.....

I knew ahead of time I was being released.  My Bishop came to my home last week to extended a release - and thanked me profusely.  But, when it was officially announced in Sacrament meeting before the congregation, it became "official" to me - and I am sad.
I think I'll go into "mourning" - I can joke about that because I'll actually be gone for a couple of Sundays in July due to traveling....but it's kinda true.
I knew I'd be sad, but I also thought I would be relieved.  It was a LOT of work and there were so many other things on my plate that I could not keep up with for the life of me.

But man, I miss those girls already - more than I could have ever realized I would.  I'm thinking about them all individually and am going to write them all a letter letting them know of my feelings.  The relief I expected has not come yet.  It will take a little while to find peace with this big change in my life right now.

Good thing I sobbed my way through my final YW lesson -- NOT!  (little did I know, at the time, it was THE LAST)

I still need to pass off all my stuff to the new Young Women's 1st Counselor, but I might drag my feet a little bit - because maybe I won't be able to bear it?!?

I'll probably linger outside their classroom on Sundays and it'll feel so weird to send off Kyle and Haylee to their activities on Wednesday nights and not go, too.

Gradually I will start to feel how nice it is not to have to worry about all the logistics that went into every activity, every meeting, every group text, everything I was SUPPOSE TO be doing and couldn't quite get to.

Of course, other things will pile into my life and fill up every nook and cranny the Young Women things left behind (like getting Ryan ready to leave on his mission in 5 1/2 weeks!!), but oh, how grateful I am for that experience with those girls and I will always have a special spot in my heart for them and all the wonderful things I learned as their leader.

YES.......

Life goes on.

{We don't get to choose what church calling we will be given, but IF I COULD, I'd want to be the primary pianist for my next calling!  How could I NOT LOVE doing that?  Gosh, ANYTHING after being in the Young Women's presidency should seem like a walk in the park, right?  I would want the piano calling .....IF I could even play the piano well enough!!!  haha!  I don't know how to sight read!  Is that unusual?  I took piano lessons for 8 years - how long do you have to take to actually get good at it???  It maybe has something more to do with HOW MUCH I practiced - or how effectively/consistently I practiced (or didn't) during those years!!}

My faith is a HUGE part of who I am.

I thank my lucky stars each day for the knowledge of the Gospel that I have.

I look forward to what the future has in store for me now.

I hope you'll enjoy the ride with me!!

GO and DO

".....I will GO AND DO the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them."

 Youth Conference 2014 theme

During the 3rd week of June, the boys attended Youth Conference

with about 250 other youth, ages 14-18, and about 150 adult leaders/support teams

from our Stake (geographical area consisting of 9 local church congregations).

Every four years our Stake does "Moroni's Quest" for youth conference.

This includes about 38 reenactments from The Book of Mormon,

dividing into "tribes" with tribal leaders for discussions, games, 

spiritual activities, "solo" time to search, ponder, & pray, testimony meeting,

& lots of food.

It is one of those DEFINING MOMENTS in these youth lives!!!

NOT to be missed!  I feel sad for some of my young women who did.  :(

In the past, they have gone to an "undisclosed" remote location

to hold MQ and they camp there the whole 3 days, but this year, 

we had heavy rains the few days before, and it washed out dirt roads and made the fields all muddy.

So, they had to come up with PLAN B the night before.  

They used Woodland Park & the mountain side in our own Farmington,

and returned home each evening to sleep instead.
While disappointing at first to hear they couldn't go to their "regular" place,
WHAT A BLESSING that they will always be able to remember this precious
experience every time they pass by these close-to-home locations!

Everyone dressed up in Book of Mormon era "tribal wear" that we sewed ahead of time.

 

{Katelyn wanted to go up with me to take photos, so she wore Ryan's

old costume from 4 years ago - so she could blend in!}

I couldn't resist photographing *MY* Young Women (past & present).

They LOVED me sticking my camera in their faces every 5 minutes!  HA!

 Alana & Savana

 Ashlyn & Breanne

 Marissa & Elizabeth
(I don't know the girl on the left)

 Taya (& her brother, Grayson)

Jordan (& her admirer - heehee!)

Back in March, they held auditions for parts to play in the reenactments.
Ryan pretty much told Kyle HE WAS TRYING OUT (so he did)
and he got the part of Lehi (the son of Helaman, brother of Nephi from the book of Helaman)
His scenes were on the 3rd day, so I was not there to see him.
Ryan played the part of Moroni.
He was in the opening scenes that were done inside, on the church stage, that 1st day,
so I got to stay to watch him.

Both my boys came back on a "spiritual high."
It's hard to maintain that as they slipped back into regular life, petty worries, & the distractions
of electronics, World Cup, screaming little kids, etc. but they were both CHANGED in some way.
I could see it in their faces the moment I greeted them back.

We tried to extract as much info as possible out of them when they returned.  (Luckily we had some longer-ish drives to do)
I just wanted to soak in their enthusiasm of their experience, their strengthened testimony
of The Book of Mormon, & their overall joy.

I heard about how Kyle had born his testimony in front of and to those in attendance from our ward (our church congregation)
(Something he's not comfortable doing at all.)
He related how, in one reenactment, he was suppose to "act" like one of the angry and hateful Lamanites
who came up to fight against the Anti-Nephi-Lehies who, because they had repented of their past sins,
had made a covenant with God that they would literally bury their swords in the ground and never kill again.
As the Lamanites came against them, the Anti-Nephi-Lehies actually bowed down to the earth and began to pray
and would not fight back - 1,005 were killed, we know from the account in the BofM.
(See Alma 24 for full account)
  Kyle, at first, thought it would be *fun* to reenact this scene as one of the "bad guys" who
would just have "free reign" [with his FOAM sword] to attack, receiving NO resistance from others.
This would be satisfying that "destruction" urge that is an innate part of little boys, I swear!  ;)
BUT, when Kyle was in the moment acting it out, and he saw the others just drop to the earth because they
 WOULD RATHER GIVE UP THEIR OWN LIFE THAN BREAK A COVENANT,
it really affected him - and he started to feel really terrible about being a "bad guy" even though he was just portraying one.
And then, just like what really happened all those years ago in BofM times with some of the Lamanites,
Kyle's heart began to swell with sorrow for what they (the characters) were doing.
It was so impressionable to him that Kyle bore testimony that he knows & understands
that covenants made with God are SO IMPORTANT that they
are worth keeping - no matter the price!

It does my heart good to hear & witness his conviction like that.

Ryan gave me a note/letter he had written during youth conference

 - it was written after they
had reenacted the story of The 2,000 Stripling Warriors.  (See Alma 57)
He quoted Alma 56:47-48 in it "....yea, they had been taught by their mothers, 
that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.  
And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it."
He wrote me a personal message of how that applies to him & I, and his feelings about me.
{Needless to say, I CRIED when I read it!} 
That was very BIG and HUMBLE of him to write me such things.

Before they went, they were challenged by our Stake presidency to really be in tune
to what personal message Heavenly Father wanted them to learn/feel/know.

And that happened.

I'm so grateful for the some 150 adults who were involved to pull this event off.
Chairmen, performance directors, script writers, photographers, lighting & sound crew, 
medical crew, costumers, set/scenery crew,  food committee, tribal leaders, letter
delivery people, drivers, recording experts, grounds crew, facilities crew, Stake presidency/wives, Bishops/wives, etc. etc.
It takes so many people!  But, they do it because they know the experience for the youth is SO. worth. it!
It can be vital to their spiritual well-being.
I'm so grateful they had this experience and that they came to know even more that 
The Book of Mormon is true.  
And that they felt the reality of our living Savior.
And through that, they believe they can make it through this life armed with the love, example, & guidance 
of their "friends" they came to know in The Book of Mormon, including Jesus Christ.

Only One Casuality for a Klutz Like Me!

Our Young Women group at church is going to have a "RED HOT SUMMER!" 

"Red" as in "READ."  

Meaning, starting now and by the end of the Summer, we'll all have READ the entire Book of Mormon!

We're using an all-things-red theme to carry out this project.

(I dressed in a red outfit with red shoes to present it to the girls, we'll have red treat rewards,
handouts on red paper, red scripture marking pencils, a "red hot retreat" in the middle of it, etc.)

So, to get ready for this project, I had a "few" books to cover in red fleece with a red ribbon book mark.....
using a Glue Gun.

Which "attacked" badly enough ONLY ONCE to leave a battle wound - pretty good, revolutionary really,  
considering it was......ME involved!  ;)

***********

If you want to have a "Read Hot Summer" also, THIS is the reading schedule we are following:

http://ldsscripturetools.com/

Dare to Stand Alone

I have been serving in the Young Women organization in our church for just over a year now.

This week, I especially had them on my mind, and a prayer for them running through my heart.

Because of that, I was reading this month's issue of The New Era, a magazine geared for the youth, ages 12-18, published by the LDS church, for some inspiration and comfort. One article referenced THIS clip and I thought it was great.  It hit me as SO pertinent for them - and for me -- and for all of us.

I love this message from our living Prophet.....

"In reality, we are never alone, when we stand with our Father in Heaven."

The Behind-the-Scenes Story

Over time, I've learned a few "tricks" when showing a home - especially when you have very little or NO notice.  Allow me to share them with you....

Throw any extra stuff laying around the house, including the training potty because NO ONE wants to see that - YUCK!, in the back of your car before leaving.

Or throw it in between rows of seats - that works, too.

It's the laundry baskets full of CLEAN clothes that you haven't had a chance to fold and put away yet.  It's also the DIRTY clothes hamper removed from the boys' bedroom, both to "create" more floor space AND to remove the smell!

*In fact, I had forgotten that I had all that stuff in the second seat once when I picked up my Visiting Teaching partner.  She got in my car, looked back there at all the laundry, and asked, Are you going somewhere?  She later told me she thought it looked like I was planning on running away!  (Not a bad idea sometimes)

Put the crock pot in the dryer when the call for a [short notice] showing comes in the middle of dinner -
and there's no time to clean up and no room in the fridge RIGHT THEN.....

Stash extra "stuff" under the bed.

Or underneath the pile of pillows on your bed - that's a good hiding place, too -

and hopefully people aren't rummaging through your bed sheets....ARE THEY?!?

 Spray all the "good-smelling-challenged rooms" (i.e. boys' bedroom & bathrooms) with a nice fragrance.

 For the people we actually got an offer from, on their 2nd time through our home,
I made some homemade chocolate chip cookies right before they come (the aroma still fills the Kitchen)
and left them out on a platter for them to partake of.

You might be thinking, What "expertise" does SHE have?  After all, it took her a FREAKIN' 76 TIMES to get an offer(s) on her home!  What the HECK is SHE sharing "tricks" for?  I'm not listening to HER!

But, it was all about TIMING, my friends.  And WHERE we are suppose to be.

And NOT MY TIMING, but The Lord's timing.

You see, 7 years ago, we bought an "option" to build a house on some land near our current home that had now been sold to a builder.  The land used to be these giant corn fields that produced the. best. corn.  We loved walking down there to buy some in the Summer -- when we got there in time before it sold out, that is!  In the Fall, they turned part of the field into a big corn maze.  We were sad to see the corn fields sold off because it held some good memories for us, but that's part of what drew us to that location, we felt "connected" to it.  Although it would not be in our same ward, we would be in all the same schools.  It felt really good to us at the time.  Our plan was to build in the very last phase, Phase 6.  The whole project was suppose to be DONE in two years, which would put us moving around 2007.  This was about 2 years sooner than we had planned on moving when we first bought our current home, but like I said, It felt good to us.

And then the housing market went down the toilet.

And this new development didn't get started on schedule, and then the homes in the earliest phases weren't selling fast enough, either, so their "two-year-plan" was no longer a reality.  But, we didn't mind because that gave us more time to stay in our current home like we had wanted to - and to build more equity/pay our mortgage down further and to save more money, etc.

But then the housing market stayed IN the toilet.

And this new development was getting further and further behind schedule, and they weren't opening up later phases until their current phases were all sold which just wasn't happening very rapidly.  The builder had been struggling through this project for four years trying to stay ahead of their bank obligations that they have on this development. It had certainly been a lot different from what they had projected from the very start of
this project.  But, we had reached the point in our lives and the time that we had planned on moving.  We had wanted to move BEFORE Ryan started High School, even while he was still in Jr. High, and get all the kids settled in schools before they got too old and it became harder to leave.  So, we kind of gave up on the new build idea.

So, we started looking at existing homes instead.

(But left our "option" money with the build project)

We had our Realtor show us many, many houses.  On multiple occasions.  We probably looked at 40 or more houses.  The whole time, I had prayed that I would KNOW when we saw the RIGHT HOUSE.  That I would feel good about it.  I was looking for the same experience I had when we walked into our current home - within my first few steps into this house, I blurted out, I LOVE IT!  We even went back to a few houses a couple of times.  One house even changed their kitchen paint to a neutral beige color since our Realtor had told their Realtor that we hated the Orange Kitchen!  But, the paint overhaul still didn't cause me to feel good about it.  There WAS one house that I thought was IT - my heart stirred within me right there in the front foyer - but it turned out Matt had some serious objections about it, mainly because on the drive up there, we passed THREE BMWs - no lie!  We even stopped looking for a while because we were kind of disheartened when we never could find THE ONE that I felt good about.  On multiple occasions during this time, the thought/voice came to my mind, You felt good about building [in the corn fields.]   But, our current home wasn't selling anyway, so the urgency wasn't there. 

So, time went on, and we continued to look at houses.  We had first included four cities in our search; Bountiful, Centerville, Farmington, & Kaysville, but truth be told, whenever I thought about leaving Farmington, I was SICK - even though Bountiful is my beloved Alma Mater!  And then our oldest, Ryan, really started talking about how he didn't want to leave his school.  At the time, his Jr. High fed into two different High Schools, and he said he'd be fine going to either of those since he had Jr. High friends going to both, so that narrowed down the cities where we could look and move down to three.  AND THEN, our next son, Kyle, who typically is hesitant to tell his feelings, revealed that he really didn't want to go to any other Jr. High except for the one we currently lived in the boundaries for, so that eliminated one more city from our search.  And then they changed the Jr. High boundaries, which left us with only Farmington to work with.  Which is the place we LOVE and have always felt the best about anyways.  We just weren't finding the "perfect house" so we had tried to broaden our search.  People were telling me there was no such thing as a perfect house.  To which I silently thought, Unless you build your own "perfect" house.  Then the little girls begged to stay in their same Elementary School...and then later, our same ward.  Now, where were we suppose to look for a house?

About 15 months ago, in Feb. 2011, our ward boundaries changed (enlarged) to include the new build site.  At that time, many of our ward members were asking us, Why don't you build in the new neighborhood?  Then you can still be in our same ward!  Well, because, 5 1/2 yrs. after announcing the project, they were just barely plowing some dirt roads into Phase 5.  Our phase, Phase 6, was probably still at least 2-3 years off, and we were ready to move now.  But, interestingly enough, the more people asked me that question, my answer began to change to, We might.  Who knows [if we'll ever be able to find an existing house we like and feel good about].  And the thought, You felt good about building, was brought to my remembrance - again!  But, the new-build project didn't seem to be working out, so it didn't seem like a viable option.


Then 6 months later, I was released from my Primary Presidency calling and immediately called to the Young Women's Presidency in our ward.
In the Bishop's office, when I was extended the calling, sitting beside my husband, I remarked, Does THIS mean I can't move?
To which the Bishopric member responded, We hope so!
That day, the newly called Young Women's President came to talk to me.  She shared with me the very strong spiritual experience she had had when given the task of choosing counselors for her presidency.  She said MY NAME came to her mind and heart immediately. Strongly, almost forcefully.  Deliberately.  And without a doubt.  She admitted to me she thought, That's crazy!  Her house is For Sale and she is going to move.  But, she knew.  And she submitted my name anyways.
When she relayed that to me, it caused me to wonder also.....WHY ME?  What does this mean?  Am I supposed to be HERE? 
With that thought on my brain and with this new calling, it PUSHED me towards considering the building option again.  It OPENED MY MIND to the idea that I could just change Phases.  I had been stuck on Phase 6 all along, thinking it was that one or nothing.  But, then, all of a sudden, Phase 5 began to be attractive to me - and I couldn't get it out of my mind.

We switched gears with our Realtor.  Instead of looking at existing homes, we told her to now approach The Builder about making a deal with us to build in Phase 5.  The finding-a-plan and the negotiating process took several months, but finally we came to terms and our plans were sent to the city for approval.  And they got stuck there - for months!  But, even that ended up being good because then the great wind storm of Dec. 2011 came and took off our roof & siding and broke a window and we decided to take our home off the market - since it didn't exactly have great curb appeal in it's current condition.  Then it took 4 1/2 months to fight with the Insurance company (and call a hundred times) to get all the repairs approved, paid for, and completed - all the while our new house had started to be built - and I was stressing because I knew we needed to get our current home back on the market!  But, after it was all done, the projects, our new roof especially, really improved the look and condition of our home.  So, the storm was really in our favor!  :)  A $1,000 deductible for $15,000 worth of work!

We got our home back up For Sale in April - almost half-way into our new home's completion.  We had always prayed, and fasted several times, that our home would sell, but at this time, Matt & I started to pray even more fervently.
I was getting annoyed with the kid's prayers because they would go something like this, Please help that our house will be clean and look good for those who come see it, so someone will want to buy it.

AND THEN THEY WOULD NEVER DO THEIR CHORES & COMPLAIN WHEN ASKED TO DO ANYTHING!

What?  Did they think that the "house fairy" would come to visit and that every day the house would just magically clean itself all up?!!?  I told Matt that we needed an "intervention" during our next Family Home Evening.  He gave a lesson using the scripture in James 2:20, Faith Without Works is Dead.  To explain the meaning, we gave some examples:

What if you prayed, Please bless me that I'll get straight A's on my report card.  And then you never ever studied, did homework, or turned in assignments?
What if you prayed, Please bless me that I'll lose weight.  And then you sat around all day, inactive, pigging out on chips, Big Macs, and ice cream?
What if you prayed, Please bless me to gain a testimony of the Book of Mormon.  And then you never even opened up the book nor read one word?

They all were making fun of those scenarios and thought those "people" were RIDICULOUS!  Then we informed them that THEY were those "people" in the way they had been praying/failing to act.
It was definitely an, "AH HA!" moment for them.
And then we spent the rest of Family Night clearing out closets and wiping down every floor board and shelf in our home!  We're ALL in this together!  :)  (Are you thinking about High School Musical now?)
As the days followed, they improved and started contributing to our home & family, so now I felt that their prayers were not in vain.  I did a calculation of our new home completion time and also the time it takes to complete a deal after an offer is received, and I came up with a deadline of June 8th (Matt's Birthday) as the date we HAD to sell our home by.  And we started praying accordingly.  (More like pleading.)
Then during the first weekend in May, I went to a scrapbook retreat with a bunch of friends - something we do about 3X a year.  During the course of talking about my situation, one friend told me it sounded like it was time for me to do what her Grandma always taught.  Her Grandma swore by it.  It was her secret weapon in times when an extra measure of blessings was needed, and specifically when a house needed to sell.  Her Grandma had done it - and it worked.  Her parents had done it - and it worked.  And she had done it - and it worked.  (There's my THREE witnesses!)
The secret is THIS:
DOUBLE your Fast Offering.
Don't just increase it by 15%.  Or 20%.  Or 30%.  Or even 50%.  Completely DOUBLE it.
(I had never heard of this theory in regards to selling a house.  And I was intrigued!)
I texted Matt the idea, to which he immediately replied, OK.
And the following day just happened to be Fast Sunday.  Perfect!

I have heard it said of Tithing before that it is not a principle of MONEY, but rather it is a principle of FAITH.  That came to my mind when I was embracing my friend's Grandma's "golden nugget of knowledge."  Yes, doubling our Fast Offering DID involve money, but it was really another way - a harder way, a more out-of-our-comfort-zone way for us to demonstrate our FAITH to Heavenly Father.  It was something in addition to the prayer and fasting that we had already been doing for a while.

And it brought our desired results!  15 days before our deadline! 
And talk about TIMING, the people who we have an accepted offer with, are in a contract with their current apartment until July 31st, so aren't in a rush to move.  That is the same time our new house will be done.  They have agreed to close in June (more security for us) but let us live here until July (more convenience for us with only moving once!)  AND we have two "back-up" offers.

Sure, I posted about some changes we made to our home, which surely helped the appearance, but I believe the real reason, or the beginning of getting the ball rolling is the Fast Offering part.  Clearly those ideas/inspiration came to me after showing forth the necessary faith.  Other home selling strategies felt right to us, also, as a result of our actions....which all worked together to lead to a SALE!

And the fact that each of these circumstances, thoughts, events, conversations, and opportunities happened in the just the way that they did, over the last 7 years, led us to exactly the point where we are right now.

My mom used to always say, There are no coincidences.  Everything happens for a reason.

The Lord is in charge.

What I Gleaned From this Weekend

My favorite quotes from General Conference....

From Dieter F. Uchdorf: (quoted from a bumper sticker that he saw) "Don't judge me because I sin differently than you."

Also:

From Russell M. Nelson: (on the subject of the Big Bang Theory) "Ask yourself, Could an explosion in a printing shop produce a dictionary? The likelihood is most remote. But if so, it could never heal it's own torn pages or reproduce it's own newer editions."

Also: "God is the same yesterday, today and forever. BUT, we are not. Each day, ours is the challenge to access the power of the atonement, so WE CAN TRULY CHANGE; become more Christ-like and qualify for the gift of exaltation."


From Ronald A. Rasband: "If you come upon a person who is drowning, would you ask if he needs help? OR would it be better to just jump in and save him from the deepening waters? The offer, while well-meaning and often given, 'Let me know if I can help,' is really no help at all."


From President Thomas S. Monson: (after telling a childhood pastime of his - carving toy boats from the softwood of a willow tree to race down the Provo river, he described how these boats that had no keel for stability, no rutter for direction, and no source of power, so inevitably their destination was downstream; the path of least resistance.) "Unlike toy boats, we have been provided divine attributes to guide our journey. We enter mortality not to float with moving currents of life, but with a POWER to think, to reason, and to achieve. Our Heavenly Father did not launch us on our eternal voyage without providing the means whereby we could receive from Him guidance to ensure our safe return. I speak of prayer. I speak, too, of the whisperings from that Still Small Voice, and I do not overlook the holy scriptures which contain the word of the Lord and the words of the prophets provided to us to help us successfully cross the finish line."


From L. Tom Perry: (retelling an event in one of his friends, Scott's, life. He explained that Scott has some difficult challenges, but he is extraordinary in his boldness. This conversation was overheard on an airplane flight Scott had with the person sitting next to him.)
Scott: "Where do you live?"
Neighbor: "In Las Vegas."
Scott: "We have a temple there. Do you know where the Mormon temple is?"
Neighbor: "Yes. It's a beautiful building."
Scott: "Are you a Mormon?"
Neighbor: "No"
Scott: "Well, you should be. It's a great religion!" "Have you read the Book of Mormon?"
Neighbor: "No."
Scott: "Well, you should. It's a great book!"


From M. Russell Ballard: "According to the scriptures, the Liahona was a round ball of curious workmanship featuring two spindles; one of which pointed the way in which Father Lehi's family should go into the wilderness. I think I know why Lehi was greatly astonished when he first saw it because I remember my reaction when I first saw and witnessed a GPS unit. In my mind, it was a modern-day devise of curious workmanship.......For both my wife, Barbara, and me, the GPS is a blessing. For Barbara, it means she doesn't have to tell me to stop and ask for directions. And for me, it means I can be right when I say I don't need to ask anyone - I know exactly where I am......We have available to us, a tool even more remarkable than the best GPS. Everyone loses their way, at some point, to some degree. It's through the promptings of the Holy Ghost that we can be brought safely back onto the right path."

Also: "It is our homes and families that need reforming in this increasingly materialistic and secular world."


From Larry Y Wilson: (telling a story about a road trip he and his wife took in their newlywed days when his wife was driving.)
"I said, You're going too fast. Slow down.
She replied, What gives you the right to tell me how to drive?
Frankly, her question caught me off guard. So, doing my best to step up to my new responsibilities as a married man, I said, I don't know....because I'm your husband....and....I hold the Priesthood. (cringe)
Brethren, Just a quick tip....If you are ever in a similar situation, THAT IS NOT THE RIGHT RESPONSE!....And I'm happy to report; that was the one and only time I made that mistake."


I like to listen to the talks on www.lds.org in the coming weeks while I'm working in the kitchen or at my desk, too, so I have that to look forward to.

And my boys (Matt, Ryan, & Kyle) gave me a full report about the great messages from Priesthood Session on Saturday night, as well, when I met them for our traditional dinner out afterwards.

And we ate these delicious glazed doughnut muffins during Sunday morning session.

It was a WONDERFUL weekend.....heading right into Spring Break this week.....
LIFE IS GOOD!