I Taught

About a month ago Jodi Merril asked me to teach her lesson for this month.  Right away I started reading and studying for it.  It was on the Atonement and the Resurrections.  It would have been a perfect lesson for Easter Sunday, which by the way is one of my favorite Sundays of the Year.  Since it's a few weeks before Easter I decided to focus more on the Atonement, hoping that the Resurrection will be the focus on Easter.

I learned a lot about the Atonement.  I grew up thinking that the atonement was just for our sins if we repented.  That is a huge part of the Atonement but it is so much more.  The Atonement is also for our hurts and disappointments.  It's a healing power for absolutely everything.  As I studied I thought about the hurts, and sins in my life.  I thought about how I ached inside and how painful some of those things were and then I tried imagining experiencing those few things at the exact same time.  Whoa.....a little of the reality of this wonderful act of love hit me hard.  I don't think  it's possible to understand what Christ really did for each of us individually.  No wonder he bled from every pore, the pain was excruciating to say the least.  I am thankful for Christs Atonement.  I am sorry for the pain that I caused Him.  I am thankful that I can repent and be forgiven of my imperfections and that I will be able to live with my Heavenly Parents and Christ again.

I am thankful for the Wonderful Miracle of the Resurrection!  From the darkness of the Atonement to the Lightness of the Resurrection is amazing and wonderful.  The Resurrection is a free gift to everyone ever born.  We will all be Resurrected just like Christ was.  We will all return to our bodies and be glorified in God.

Our life is a test that will bring us closer to our Savior.  We will continue to have challenges so that we can grow and progress.  Dallin H. Oaks taught, "Our needed conversions are often achieved more readily by suffering and adversity than by comfort and tranquility."

Jesus is "our" advocate with our Father and has paid, in advance, for our faults and foolishness we often see in the exercise of our freedom.  His atonement also was for our suffering of every kind, sickness, wrongs, and pains of the world.  We need to accept His gift and repent and follow His commandments in order to take full advantage of this Redemption.  We need to let go of our wrongs and hurts which is hard to do but through faith and work it can be done.

A few quotes about the Atonement:
"We understand that the Atonement of Jesus Christ gives us the opportunity to overcome the spiritual death that results from sin and, through making and keeping scared covenants, to have the blessings of eternal like." Dallin H. Oaks

"You and I in a moment of weakness may cry out "no one understands, No one knows." No human being perhaps knows, bu the Son of God perfectly knows and understands, for He felt and bore the burdens before we ever did." David Bednar

"The Savior's Atonement lifts from us not only the burden o four sins but also the burden of our disappointments and sorrows.  Our heartaches and our despair.  I promise you He is not going to turn His back on us now.  When He say to the poor in spirit, "Come unto Me," e means He know the way out and He knows the way up.  He know it because He has walked it. He knows the way because Hi is the Way!" Jeffrey R. Holland

"The Savior can wipe away our tears of regret and remove the burden of our sins.  His Atonement allows us to leave the past behind and more forward with clean hands,a pure heart, and a determination to do better and especially to become better." President Uchtdorf

"However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed,,, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talent you think you don't have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of Divine Love.  It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement Shines!" Jeffery R. Holland

"When yo do you part, the Lord add His power to your efforts." Henry B. Eyring

"Making, Keeping & Rejoicing in our covenants will be the evidence that the Atonement of Jesus Christ is truly written in our Hearts." Sister Burton

Saturdays

Kimi got up early and went and had her hair trimmed.  She was excited to have it all even on the bottoms.  She was excited to have me color her hair since she decided she likes her original color better than Jet Black.  Well we learned that it's impossible to cover jet black hair.  We put the dye on and waited for 45 minutes and washed it out and she looked exactly like she had before we put any dye on her hair. Except now she had stains on her forehead and ears. ☺ The good thing about this lesson was that Kimleighel posted it on face book and a guy she is interested in commented on her post.  So it was worth the effort and price of the dye!  Kimleighel will just have black hair until it grows out.  Before the color we went to my mom's just to visit her for a bit.

While I was at my mom's Larry called and told me that he had tickets to the U of U game that was in Las Vegas.  He was so excited and was ready to leave shortly.   I reminded him that I was teaching for Jodi M tomorrow and there was no way I could go. (because I'm dependable) I suggested he ask our boys and I even suggested a few of his friends.  Kevin and Jared were able to go and since none of our other boys could he invited the grandsons.  He didn't get a hold of Zaden but Parker was able to go.

Kevin liked both of the teams playing and so it was a great game for him. (U of U and the Ducks)  The guys had a great time.  They stayed with Jerry and Darinda after the game.  I had tried getting in touch with them earlier to see if they had made it and I couldn't get one of them to respond.  My mind did the "ol' what if" thing.  I was a little worried that they might have been in an accident and was experiencing a little of the grief I would feel if that were truly the case.  Thank goodness Kevin ended up checking his phone and noticed I had tried calling and had sent a text.  He called me and relieved me of my fears.

 I noticed a little later on Instagram that Trichelle's cute family had gone to a Hockey game.  I was glad that Larry didn't get a hold of them and that Zaden didn't have to choose.  He belonged at the Hockey game with his family.

My Boy is Strong

Jaydan goes to Cross Fit and is pretty stinking strong.  Tonight we went to a competition that he participated in and I got light headed just watching him.  He lifted 75 lbs over his head 10x and then had to pull himself up on a high bar to his waist 2x and then repeat.  I think it was for 10 minutes...maybe 7.  I'm not sure how many times he made it through each repetition but I think it was 5 or 6.  I'm so impressed with his strength and endurance.

Jaydan wanted to me to join Cross Fit since my friend Suzie goes.  I don't want to. It's expensive and I don't want to spend my time doing that.  Suzie's niece owns the place and she doesn't have to pay since she also takes a few turns in the nursery a few times a week.  It's a great past time if that's how you want to spend your time but right now I'd rather be with friends socializing.

I couldn't help but think about an earlier conversation at book club.  Susan had to have her shoulder repaired and the other ones needs to be too.  Her doctor and her were talking about her life and what she has done that could have caused the damage in her shoulders.  Ummmm......hauling hay, riding horses, yard work, water skiing, hunting, snowmobiling are all things Susan has done over the years. I know all these things can be good for you but they can also be harmful.  I'm  thinking at my age strength exercises would be great but lifting probably not.

Wise Gals Book Club

Today I hosted Book Club and had it at my house.  I decided I wasn't going to stress about the food.  I made Chicken Crack and we had sandwiches and since I remembered Susan can't swallow bread I had crackers and plenty of veggies that she could have with the Chicken Crack.  I also had grapes and a cupcake.  It was simple but filling.  Shanna goes all out and I decided to just be me and keep it simple.  Now I hope that the others won't feel pressure if they decide to have Book Club at their house instead of going out.  I liked going out since everyone could order what they like and can eat but I like the coziness of having Book Club in someone's home.  No one is as rushed and we are able to visit and share with each other.  We talk about health issues.  We talk about spiritual things and we talk about books.  We started today at 11:30 and it went until just after 3:00.  Shanna was happy because that's the kind of book club she enjoys.  I have to agree with her. I prefer to be together for a few hours too.

I love hearing others report about their books.  I really love listening to Susan.  Susan can sell a book because she remembers so much and is able to share such good points and details.  I really admire that in her.  She shared things about the book I took for her to read "The Lion and the Lamb" and now I need to read it again because I couldn't remember some of the things she shared.  I really learn a lot from these "wise gals".  Belonging to this Book Club has been really good for me!

Kindy 500

 The kindergarten kids all made cute cars and invited the parents and grandparents to come to a little parade they had.  First they met in the gym and sang some cute patriotic songs.  Parker didn't know that I was coming and had the cutest grin on his face when he saw me there with Natalie and Macie.  I signed "I Love You" to him and he mouthed (very clearly) "I Love You Most"!  He is such a cutie.

My hot flashes seem to attack me when I see my cute grands perform.  My eyes were "sweating" and I had to wipe a few tears away.  I've always had a problem with the my eyes "sweating" and suppose I always will.  I'm so tender hearted!

The cars were all so cute.  We have some very creative and talented "kids". Oh my heart swells at the cuteness of little ones.

When Parker was singing, I quite enjoyed the rhythm he possesses.  His little head bounced with the bead of the songs.  Such a cutie pie.  It amazes me all that these kids learn in such a short period of time.  We humans are pretty dang amazing.  My cute kids and grands are pretty dang amazing!

Food 4 Thought Friday

Food 4 Thought Friday

A little feast without the calories!! 
Feel free to play along for some yummy fun! Go HERE to join in

WOULD YOU RATHER???

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Breakfast ~ Would you rather legally change your last name to Hitler?  OR  Never eat chocolate again? I'd rather change my last name to Hitler.  It would be easier to spell and pronounce for others than Ropelato is.  I enjoy chocolate way too much to give it up!

Lunch ~ Would you rather have no internet?  OR No cell phone? I could go without my phone easier than the internet.  With the internet you would still be able to communicate with others.  I don't think we have to be available 24/7 but it seems it has gotten to be that way. 

Dinner ~ Would you rather go back in time and meet your ancestors?  OR Go way into the future and meet your great grandchildren?  As much as I love, appreciate and respect my ancestors I would much rather meet my grands that will be coming.  The future appeals to me much more than the past.

Midnight Snack ~ Would you rather know the date of your death? OR  The cause of your death? I think I'd rather know the date more than the cause.  Knowing the cause might be way too stressful however knowing the date might be too.  I'd like knowing the date so I could be on top of things and have things in order when they would need to be.  I think it would easier to see the good in every day and appreciate the time you have left.

Recipe for the Week ~ (instead of your recipe for life, what is it just for the week?) Be Kind to Everyone!  Pay attention to who might need you.  Kindness really does matter and it can be so simple!

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Cup Cakes Wars

We had cupcake wars for our activity tonight at Special Needs.  Really it was more of a decorating competition.  It was simple and the girls seemed to enjoy themselves.  Many of the gals finished quickly and so we had each gal show their creation to the others and we all clapped for them.  This would be fun with a smaller group and to use decorating bags.

Virginia asked me if I had brought wet wipes?  Well..No I didn't think we would need them.  However Rachel loved this activity so much and was eating all the left over frosting and anything else she could get her cute stubby hands on.  Her cupcake was gone so fast and even when Virginia was trying to get her to go wash her hands she was scooping any little crumb left on her plate.  She was hilarious and I'm glad she loved our activity.  Most of the cupcakes were similar since most of the treats were being used on all the cupcakes.  Amy only used chocolate chips on hers and Vonna made a sun.  I thought those two were the most unique.

I was laughing after the activity to myself.  I am such a simpleton...go with the flow kind of gal and didn't even think about having anything else planned to go with this activity in case we had more time, which is why we had everyone show their cupcake to the others..that took time.   Wanda was a much more organized President than I....bless her heart!

Tonight was our last class activity.  We will now focus on the production that will be presented on May 6 & 7.  The next weeks after that will be our testimony meeting and closing social.  I wouldn't mind serving one more year.  I really want to take the girls to the Heber Valley Girls camp and we almost have a date for that the summer of 2017.  After that I would be okay with being released but I wouldn't complain if I was asked to serve longer.  Serving the Special Needs is very rewarding.