A talk on the spirit and Pictures from Lloyd's field trip to Chuck E. Cheese

Before each zone conference we were given a topic in which we were expected to write a 5 minute speech.

At zone conference one or two missionaries were assigned to share their prepared speech.

Luckily, we got practice for this in the MTC.

Here's part one of the talk I wrote:

***ZONE CONFERENCE TALK:  Doctrine and Covenants 8:2-3 "How the spirit speaks to me"
          In the book of Alma, Alma and Amulek taught the people of Ammonihah.  But the poeple got angry and tied up Alma and Amulek.  While they were bound, Alma and Amulek, were made to watch the destruction of the members of the church.  Amulek knew that with help from God, he and Alma could release themselves and save the people.  Amulek asked Alma, why they didn't do something to help.  Alma said to Amulek, "The spirit constraineth me that I must not stretch fort mine hand."  Alma knew just as well as Amulek, that they could have freed themselves and saved the people, bu the was able to recognize the promptings of the spirit.  Alma was familiar with the Holy Ghost.  Alma knew how the Holy Ghost spoke to him.
          The spirit of the Lord speaks to each of us individually.  The Holy Ghost is personal with us. He customizes and caters to our individual personalities.  The church hymns do an excellent job
of describing the Holy Ghost.
          "The spirit of God, like a fire is burning!"  I remember the first time I received that type of experience.  I remember giving a talk in the singles branch back at home.  As I bore testimony saying that I know this is the true church of God and that I Jesus Christ is our Saviour and Redeemer, I knew what I said was true.  I knew because I felt a warm "burning" feeling in my body.  An overwhelming warmth. I knew that the spirit of God was testifying to me and through me that what I was saying was true.  The spirit of God like a fire is burning.

24 June 2013

On Friday,  Lloyd went on his first field trip.  The preschool had an end of the year party at Chuck E. Cheese.

Sadly, Nakeu had to work, and I knew I would not be able to manage all three kiddies at this even where families were invited and encouraged to attend.  Alesandra and Itasca stayed with MommyDaddy.

Also, I tried to get the tb results from my last scan so I could ride the bus with Lloyd.  Of course the results showed up in my email box Saturday morning ...  So, I met Lloyd there.

Here's the bus!

The parents and families waited outside until after the kiddies got in and got seated

I got to sit next to Lloyd

"If you're happy and you know it, Clap your hands!"

Class picture.  Lloyd doesn't like the characters.

Teachers and assistants all trying to fit their faces in a sketch booth picture.

"Lloyd take a picture with Sean"

Add caption

Lloyd and Logan watching Polar Express while we wait for lunch.

These characters did a good job of rocking out with the kiddies.

Last night, after we got home from Sunday night dinner, we switched the car seats from Nakeu's car to mine. Lloyd asked why.  I told him in case it rains tomorrow and we need to drive to school.  Good thing we did, 'cause it's a raining right now!

Happy morning!

Cornelius and an Awesome RS Spring Conference

The story of Cornelius and Peter is another commonly recurring topic in our missionary training.

***06/17/2004 Orientation Notes: Day One Part Three

          1. Acts 10

               a.      Cornelius <-- Holy Ghost --> Peter

               b. non-member  <-- Holy Ghost --> member (missionary)

          2. World Class Missionary

               a. Alma 17-27 - read and record what makes these missionaries world class

               b. We need to be consumed with missionary work

               c. 1 Corinthians 9:24-27

          3. Moroni 10:3 - Adam to 2004

"...remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things..."

               a. God Always:
                     1. Prophets
                     2. Angels
                    3. Miracles
                    4. Prophecies
                    5. Covenants
               b. God has been merciful to the children of men since the beginning until now
ADAM --------Christ--------Joseph Smith----------2004
|                           |                       |                                |
Noah               mercy              restoration           Me
|                                                   |
Abraham                                  world
|
Moses
|
|
Jesus

20 April 2013 Awesomest RS Conference
Today was RS Spring Conference.  Here's the effect it had on Tactac -->

There main theme was based on the Relief Society Declaration

We are beloved spirit daughters of God, and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction. As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our Savior and Exemplar. We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who ... Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.

We watched the segment: The Power of the Priesthood in the Family.  It talks about how fathers and mothers can work together to raise families in righteousness.  Also the role of priesthood in our homes.

Sister Porter taught a workshop: Following the Promptings of the Holy Ghost.  She referenced a book by Sister Sheri Dew, "If Life Were Easy It Wouldn't Be So Hard," which reminded us about the importance of prayer and scripture study.  This things will "help us draw down the powers of heaven into our lives."  She asked us a question then turned on static on the radio.  It was hard for us to hear and understand each other.  Once the static was turned off, things were much clearer.  We learned that we need to turn of the static in our lives and tune into the Holy Ghost.  "When we are distracted by the world we cannot receive what Heavenly Father has for us because we are not diligently searching."

She shared a story about two sisters.  The older sister chastised the younger sister abusing prayer by praying for simple, small things.  We learned that nothing is too small to ask for help from our Heavenly Father.  If we can learn to trust Heavenly Father in small things, he becomes like our friend and we can trust him with our larger, more difficult problems.

She then showed us some dead leaves.  The leaves died because they cut themselves off from what sustains them.  If we choose not to study the scriptures, we too are cutting ourselves off from Heavenly Father, who sustains us.

She concluded that we are only alone if we go through life trying to rely only on ourselves and not the Lord.

Mommy (Sister Manoa) taught: Supporting and Sustaining The Priesthood

We started by writing down how and why we support the priesthood.  I said I support the priesthood by following the counsel I am given, seeking counsel when I need help, making Nakeu available when he needs to fulfill his duties and not complaining.

We talked about how the priesthood has influenced our lives.  We call on priesthood holders to exercise their power so they know we value their power and worthiness.  We are grateful for the ordinances they are able to perform.  We make it easier for them to perform their duties.

Sister Aken taught: Loving Life through Simple Pictures

This picture broke all the rules she taught us because I took it from an angle below my subject.  It is not following the rule of thirds.   And my white balance is off.  But she is following the rules of tilting her head to the side and elongating her neck.

It was a really fun class





Sister Takeuchi and Ashley helped us make these neat flowers to give to the sisters that we visit teach.










Then we got to watch a presentation by a group of Native Americans.  It was completely awesome!

The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog

I know I said that today's post would cover the Parable of the Bean Bag Frog, Cornelius and Elder Holland's Talk.  There is, however too much that goes with the Cornelius story so it will have to wait for the next post.  Elder Hollands talk will also have to be in another post on account of how long this post is.  Kapwuramahk!  (sorry!)

***06/17/04 Orientation Notes: Day One, Part Two
          1. Principles of the Bean Bag Frog
               a. problem/need
               b. do your part: ask
               c. listen/act

CONFESSION: I don't have my copy of the Parable of the Bean Bag Frog.  I have used it's principles and am still working on trying to find it.  Although, I think I gave it away (my copy of the story, not my frog).  So, I'm also trying to get a new copy from the source, along with permission to use it here.  I have added a page (/\)with an edited version of a one I found on someone else's blog.

          Here's the basic run-down of "The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog"
A true story about our mission president, President Pulsipher, his wife, Sister Pulsipher, and their daughter Kristen.

• Kristen lost her bean bag frog that she loved.
• Kristen's dad asked her if God knew everything, and therefore knew where her frog was.
• Kristen and her dad prayed and asked God to help them find her frog
• Kristen's dad told Kristen they needed to wait and pictures would come to their heads of where to look
• Whenever a picture came to mind they went to look
• They prayed as a family that night for more help
• Kristen's mom woke up, in the middle of the night and found Kristen's frog

Here are some of the things we can learn from "The Parable of the Bean Bag Frog"

• God knows all things
• God can help us with everything and anything that is good
• We need to ask God for the help that we need
• God communicates with us, through the Holy Ghost,by sending us thoughts and ideas or pictures to our minds and feelings to our hearts
• We need to wait quietly, ponder and study in order to receive answers to our prayers
• God sometimes answers our prayers through others

President Pulsipher used to share a story about how he would get help at work. He worked for an engineering company in computer software production.  Sometimes he would reach a point where the software wouldn't do what it was supposed to do.  He would ask Heavenly Father for help in the following format, "Heavenly Father, I have a problem and I need your help.  Will you please help to me ..."  Then he would wait for the answer to come.  And the answer would come to his mind as pictures and thoughts and he would be able to work out his problem.

The interesting ending to the story is that Sister Pulsipher is the one who found the frog up high on a shelf, in a place no one considered.  She was able to receive the answer to the prayer when her mind was quiet and open.  Sometimes we pray and ask God for help and go on expecting an answer, which is good.  But the noise of being busy during the day, and focusing on other things doesn't leave our minds open to hearing the quiet promptings that God is sending to us.   When we especially need answers from God, it does well for us to find a quiet place to think, ponder and listen for God's answers.  Then when we receive an answer we must act on it.  Even if we don't understand how it will work out in the end.  We need to trust that God knows all things and can help us with all things.  I know that God will always answer us, because God loves us and wants us to be happy.

Next Post: Cornelius (for reals!)

Now onto the literal mountain of dishes that need to be done ... :) Happy Friday.