Mom & Alivia @ the Women's Broadcast

{9.24.16}

Its that time again for the General Women's Session broadcast. We got to the meetinghouse and Alivia remembered we took a selfie last time we came, so she was sure we took another one this time too. Good thinking babe.

I found these pics on my phone from our ride over. 😜👍🏻

I love this girl. 

We heard some wonderful messages in the Broadcast. Here are a few of my favorites:

• ***We can't direct the wind but we can adjust our sails. Pres. TS Monson
• Sister Jean Bingham- 
• When we see our own imperfections clearly we are less likely to see others through a dark glass.
• Look for the good in others and in the circumstances around us.
• Sister Carole Stephens-
• Regardless of our differences, we are all in need of His infinite Atonement. 
• He meets us where we are. He understands because He has experienced our pain.
• When we come to Him with humble, teachable hearts He can change us, for He is mighty to save.
• Sister Bonnie Oscarson-
• As covenant people we need never fear.
• Heavenly Father's compensation in living in perilous times is that we also live in the fullness of times.
• Despite the conditions of our day, we have reason to rejoice.
• We need to be women who study the gospel and have an unshakeable testimony.
• There are answers to the questions being asked.
• **Be bold in teaching our children and youth the gospel principles they need to navigate the world in which we live.
• Pres Dieter F Uchtdorf
• There are more ways to see than with our eyes, more way s to hear than with our ears.
• Just because we can't hear something doesn't mean there's nothing to hear.
• Listen differently.
• Faith is powerful and oftentimes results in miracles. No matter how much faith we have there are 2 things faith cannot do.
• It cannot violate another person's agency. He will not force anyone to choose the path of righteousness. He will invite, persuade, reach out tirelessly with love, persuasion and encouragement.
• It cannot force our will upon God. We cannot force God to comply with our desires.
• The purpose of faith is not to change God's will, but to empower us to act on God's will. 
• Faith is trust; trust that God sees what we cannot; that he knows what we do not.
• Faith means that we trust not only in God's wisdom, but we trust also in his love.
• We walk by whatever faith we have seeking always to increase our faith. Faith comes to the humble, the diligent, the enduring, those who pay the price of faithfulness.

I love General Conference. I love that we have a Women's Session for all girls 8+. I love that Alivia and I can go together. I hope our kids are learning how much we love Conference, the importance of listening to our latter-day prophets and leaders, and are feeling the Spirit and the love that comes with Conference. 

Philadelphia Temple dedication

{Sept 18, 2016} 

From the Church News: The Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple will be dedicated in three sessions on Sunday, September 18, at 9:00 a.m., noon, and 3:00 p.m.

The sessions will be broadcast to all the stakes and districts in Pennsylvania as well as to the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple district. The three-hour block of meetings will be cancelled for that Sunday to allow members in the area to participate in the dedication services.

A cultural celebration will take place Saturday, September 17, commemorating the heritage of the region through narration, song, and dance. The celebration coincides with the 229th anniversary of the signing of the Constitution.

President Thomas S. Monson announced the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on October 4, 2008, and the groundbreaking ceremony was September 17, 2011. A public open house was held August 10 through September 9.

The temple will serve more than 41,000 Church members who live in 11 stakes in Pennsylvania, Delaware, and parts of New Jersey and Maryland.

Daddy was asked to sing in the choir for the Temple Dedication. He's been practicing every other week with the choir since July. What an honor to be asked to sing for this momentous occasion!

He's in the 2nd row from the top, 3rd from the middle. The choir sang "We Thank Thee Oh God for a Prophet" and "On this day of joy & gladness". They were beautifully done and really brought the Spirit to the dedication.  

The kids and I were at the Stake Center watching the dedication broadcast and were so happy to see Daddy singing in the choir for this momentous event.

 Elder D. Todd Christofferson and his wife came and were a part of the cornerstone ceremony also.

Pres. Henry B Eyring gave the Dedicatory Prayer and I wanted to preserve it for myself and our posterity. Here it is:

O God, our Heavenly Father, Thou Great Elohim, in the name of Thy Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, we come before Thee in love and humility to dedicate this holy house. We are grateful for the blessings that have been showered upon us.

First and foremost, we remember the gift of Thy Son, the great Jehovah, Savior of the world. We are grateful that He came down from His place in glory at Thy side to offer the infinite sacrifice that makes it possible for us to be purified and to return to Thee.

We are grateful for the hospitality of this historic city and pray that it may be blessed by the very presence of Thy house. May the light of the gospel that emanates from this holy temple be felt throughout the community.

We thank Thee for all who have made possible this day, those who have made the decision to place a temple here, the architects and contractors, the city officials who have granted the necessary permits, the workmen, and all associated with this undertaking. Bless the faithful tithe payers of the Church who have given to further the building of temples. Keep Thine promises made by the prophet Malachi to open the windows of heaven and shower blessings down upon them.

We are profoundly grateful for the Constitution of the United States and for the Bill of Rights. These are the guarantors of our independence and our liberty.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on September 18, 2016. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.

We pray for this nation of which we are part. Preserve the freedom of the people now and for generations to come. May these blessings rest upon its citizens without restraint or hindrance of any kind. Bless those who lead, and inspire them in their endeavors that righteousness may grow, that the people may look to Thee, and that this nation, under God, may continue as a base from which Thy work may spread throughout the earth.

Many not of our faith have previously visited this building. May they reflect on their experience with reverence and appreciation. May they be led, as Thou hast promised, to acknowledge that this is indeed Thy house.

May the sanctifying influence of the temple be extended into the families, the neighborhoods, and the communities of those who will come to worship here. We seek Thy favor, Father, in pouring out Thy blessings upon all those who reside in the temple district. Prosper them as they honor this Thy house.

May it ever be a place of peace, of order, and of love, where hearts are turned heavenward, whatever tumult may be in the world around it. We ask that the Holy Ghost may be unrestrained in this sacred place.

We ask that no unclean thing shall enter the portals of this Thy holy house. Rebuke the devourer and him who seeks to disrupt and destroy. Guard and fortify and strengthen all who come here against the forces of evil.

Now, acting in the authority of the holy Melchizedek Priesthood, we dedicate and consecrate unto Thee and Thy Beloved Son this sacred structure, the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. We ask that Thou will accept it as a gift of love for Thee and for Thy Son.

We dedicate this beautiful temple with all its facilities, furnishings, ancillary structures, and the adjacent meetinghouse. We dedicate the place on which it stands, with the vegetation growing thereon to add such beauty to this structure. We dedicate the temple from its foundation to the figure of Moroni, which crowns its steeple. We dedicate the sacred baptistry, the initiatory ordinance facilities, the endowment rooms, the sealing rooms with their altars, and the crowning jewel of the temple, the celestial room, and every part of this sacred house. May it be safeguarded from vandalism, fire, the elements of nature, and any evil hand that might be inclined to deface or defile it in any way.

Bless Thy worthy Saints who come here that they may grow in faith and testimony concerning Thy Beloved Son. May they grow in understanding of Thy eternal purposes in bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of Thy sons and daughters. May they stay faithful to their promises and covenants made herein.

We pray for those who are sealed as man and wife in this temple for eternity. Bless them with charity, the pure love of Christ. Protect them from evil. Protect them from selfishness and pride. Bless them that their hearts will be turned to each other, to their children, to their descendants, and to their ancestors with the hope of eternal life.

Please strengthen the youth who are surrounded by temptations and evil. Give them the courage to stand firm for truth and righteousness. Bless them with a vision of temple service and of their eternal purpose.

Bless the temple presidency, ordinance workers, and patrons. Bless them that they may feel Thy loving arms and those of the Savior in whatever challenges may come into their lives and the lives of their children. Bless them with the peace Thy Son has promised His faithful disciples.

President Henry B. Eyring, First Counselor in the First Presidency, dedicated the Philadelphia Pennsylvania Temple on September 18, 2016—the weekend anniversary of the September 17, 1787, signing of the U.S. Constitution. Photo by Sarah Jane Weaver.

Father, we ask Thee to endow with power those who go forth from this house as Thine authorized servants to carry the message of the eternal gospel to the people of the world. Let Thine inspiration rest upon them. May the Holy Ghost be their companion. May they be protected from harm and evil. May Thy work roll on across the earth to touch for everlasting good the lives of all who will accept it.

On this historic day in Philadelphia, we sing Thy praises, dear Father. We are mindful that Thou art God, the Father of our spirits, the Almighty Governor of the universe. How thankful we are that we know Thou hearest and wilt answer our prayers. We pray for these blessings as we renew our faith and strengthen our determination to honor our own covenants, in the name of Him who is our Redeemer, our Savior, our Lord, and our King, even Jesus Christ, amen.

Inspiring new quote finds

I have always loved quotes. I'm a very visual person so having a little paper with a quote or thought on it has always caught my interest. 

I've been looking around for quotes that are uplifting and inspiring, for personal use or to display in our home. I thought I'd share the ones I've found recently. Maybe they'll inspire you too.

• Always be kinder than you feel.
• As we arise each morning, let us determine to respond with love and kindness to whatever might come our way. - Thomas S. Monson
• Good intentions are not enough. We must do. - Dieter F. Uchtdorf (LOVE LOVE this one!)
• Don't give up what you most want in life for something you think you want now. - Richard G. Scott
• Testimony is to know and feel, conversionis to do and become. - Dallin H. Oaks (another one I LOVE)
• Nothing is cute enough to compensate for how modesty feels. (LOVE!!)
• Family: forever, for always, no matter what (LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE LOVE!!)
• Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work. - Gordon B. Hinckley
• When life gets too hard to stand, kneel.

Aunt Timna's Sesame Seed Salad

This salad green salad has been coming to almost every spring/summer/early fall family gathering for a long time. I anticipate it at every gathering. It is SO very yummy and not your normal green salad. Can't wait to have this recipe for my collection.

AUNT TIMNA'S SESAME SEED SALAD

INGREDIENTS:
Part 1-
1 lg head romaine lettuce, chopped
1 bunch spring onion, chopped (optional)

Part 2-
1 stick butter (I use less)
2 pkgs ramen noodles, crunched
1/2 c. Sesame seeds (use less)
sm. pkg slivered almonds (about 3 oz)

Part 3-
1 c. Oil (use less)
1/2 c. Sugar (use less)
1/4 c. Vinegar
2 T. Soy sauce
(You can make this all the written way first and then tweak to how you would like it. Never put all this dressing on the salad. It gets really soggy and too greasy.)

DIRECTIONS:
Put part 1 in bowl. 
Sauté part 2 all together. 
Whisk part 3 together. 
Keep parts separate until ready to serve. Toss.