Let Christ in!

A little over 5 months ago I was called to serve as the Young Women's President in my ward. For those of you who are not members of my faith this basically means I'm in charge of the young women in my area.  I made three promises to myself when I was called. 1: I would have no regrets and do everything to the best of my ability  2: I would make our activities meaningful. 3: I'd make sure every girl knows she is enough! I have really tried to stick with these three things. For the month of December we did a lot of combined service with the Young Men. 1- Decorated the Canberra rock area for the community Then helped an elder sister in our ward get her Christmas up. 2- Sang at an assisted living home where one of our ward members now lives. We also sang for some of our ward members who haven't been feeling well. 3- Did a service project where we made kits of clothing, shoes and toys for kids in Ethiopia. (One of our young men will be delivering the kits the day after Christmas.) We then gave the youth a Pay it Forward challenge. They will report on what they have done this Sunday.  4-Gathered money, coats, shoes and blankets for the homeless then delivered them. And we did a Christmas lesson third hour at my home where all of the leaders shared their favorite Christmas experience or story then ended with their testimony.  



In preparation for our last activity in 2014 I slowly converted my garage into a manger scene. The purpose of the activity is the help remind the youth to keep Christ in their hearts this Christmas season (And Always.) In the words of Elder Waxwell : "Each of us is an Innkeeper who decodes if there is room for Jesus".......A few hours prior to the activity I had a moment of reflection. I sat in my garage with the lights off watching the candles flicker. I looked at the empty cradle and realized I HAVE NOT LET CHRIST IN! Sometimes we are busy doing GOOD things but even good things and distract us from much BETTER things. I Promise to let  CHRIST into my heart this CHRISTmas...and all year long. How about you???

Pictures of our activities below

Because I have been given much

Last year my sweet friend Michele and her husband took the youth of our church to Salt Lake city for a service project. They collected hats, shoes, coats, blankets and gloves then gave them to the homeless. The youth loved the experience. What impressed me most was the fact that Michele was sick, really sick with cancer. She was the perfect example of TRUE service! Read her blog HERE. She has since passed away.We decided to take her idea and make it a tradition in our ward family. This year we asked our ward to donate money, coats and blankets instead of doing neighbor gifts. I was blown away by all the love and support we received.  A doughnut company donated 7 dozen donuts and we provided hot cocoa to give to the homeless along with the coats, blankets, underwear, and socks. We took the youth up on a Sunday afternoon. The spirit strong and beautiful. I couldn't help but think of my sweet friend Michelle all day long. I know she is proud of us.

Watch a video of our experience HERE
 
It was a great experience and I pray that the youth took it all in. They are seeing reality. I hope they realize how blessed they are and I hope they see what addiction can do and I hope they understand that to matter the struggles some face in life, god loves us all just the same. His love is beautiful and perfect. Merry Christmas!

The making of "O Holy Night"

 I have always had a dream to record O Holy night with a choir. A few weeks ago that dream came true! My producer asked what my goal with this song is, it's very simple.....My hope is that everyone who listens will feel the spirit, and I hope it reminds everyone what Christmas is really all about. I was able to record with an amazing choir of wonderful people. Stephen Aldpis ,Andra Jonson, Beth Steagall, Luke Elmer, and Cody Atack. There is something special about Christmas music. I love it beyond words. I think it's the idea that most the world is singing about Christ during the Holiday seaso  

100% of the proceeds earned from this song will go to charity.  You can purchase O holy night on iTunes or AMAZON or CDBABY

 

 We really had a great time! And there was a beautiful spirit felt during the video shoot. The music was arranged and piano played by the talented Andra Jonson. The video was produced by Christean Jenson .Thank you to the video choir and those who helped.....Andra Johnson, Beth Steagall, Heather Gross ,Lance Nicholes ,Sarah Blackstone Bodine, Noah Burbidge,John Bodine, Savannah McGill , Lexi McGill, Alyssa Hutchinson, DeeAnn Meadows, Ashley Meados, Jana  Valerio, Luke Elmer, Stephen Aldous, Cody Atack ,Jason jones. Music was recorded at ART CITY SOUND 

Happy Birthday to my guy!

Happy Birthday to my favorite person in the world! You are my Rock, my cheerleader and my very best friend! I Love you FOREVER!

  Watch a little video HERE



 

Finding yourself through service

Date Night "Photo Shoot"

I was in need of some new promo photo's so I asked the AMAZING and INCREDIBLE Morgan Slade if she'd do me the honor. I wanted something fun, edgy and completely different. I asked her if she'd meet me downtown Provo. She agreed. It was Friday night and for those who know me well, know my husband and I never miss date night. Why not make my photo shoot into our date night, right?! My husband and Morgan hopped in our car driving around as if they were the paparazzi.  Morgan hanging out the sunroof snapping pictures left and right ( Wish I had a photo of the entire thing). SO MUCH FUN! At one point during the photo shoot Morgan captured some photos of me and my husband. I'm grateful she did. True candid photos! I don't think you can plan something like this, not without losing the authenticity. We ended the night by taking Morgan to our favorite Soda Shop SODALICIOUS for a dirty diet coke and sugar cookie.Thank you Morgan! These are photo's we will always treasure. It was the best "date night paparazzi photo shoot" ever!

                  You can view more of the Photo Shoot HERE

Beautiful Craig part 2

Here is a follow up from THIS POST about Craig.
First of all Craig want's to thank all of you who have helped him so far. He was a little apprehensive about taking a picture (as you can imagine) but he really wanted to do it, to let you all know how grateful he is. He is amazed, shocked and humbled that so many of you would be willing to help a stranger. What Craig doesn't understand is that he's really not a stranger at all,  he is our brother.


          My husband and I were a little uncomfortable about posting Craig's situation. We could have easily taken care of it on our own. (Like I mentioned in the previous post my husband comes across these situations often and takes care of those he can. Most times I don't find out about it until much later ) We have felt very strong that this particular situation isn't about our little family and our ability to help but something much bigger. We hope and pray that many of you have felt the spirit of love, brotherhood and service through this experience. It's been a beautiful sight to see so many of you come together to support Craig. I have watched my husband run errands with Craig taking him grocery shopping, gathering aluminum and wherever else Craig may need to go. I've watched this beautiful friendship take place between these two men.


     Several weeks ago  I watched my husband get up early Saturday morning to take Craig grocery shopping. He promised Craig he'd be there and he always keeps his word. I thought for sure he wouldn't go. You see two days prior my husbands Mother passed away. It  was somewhat of a traumatic experience as my husband  tried to  revive his mother with CPR. Surely he was mourning his mother. He got up early Saturday morning helped Craig, accomplished the task at hand and never said a word to anyone about it. (I want to be Lance Nicholes when I grow up) Lance, if you are reading this I know you are mad I posted these things about you. I can't help it. The world needs more men like you in it. 143!

Craig still needs our love and support

Craig was hired to work at Zion's National Park.  His start date was scheduled to start his job on March 19th but in his review of the hiring document his start date was postponed until April 2, 2014.

With the generous donations made in Craig's behalf he has been able to live in a warm home for the past month and purchase groceries.  With Craig's diligent collection of cans and recycling daily he has been able to help himself as well.

Craig's goal is to collect 500 cans per day or roughly $10 per day. We have run the math; 500 cans per day/ 30 cans per pound * $.65 per pound is roughly equal to $10.00 per day.

We know that Craig struggles to collect 500 cans per day especially with bad weather and being 66 years old.

Craig will be living in Provo Canyon for the next 21 days beginning this Monday as he has no money to pay rent.  He did tell us yesterday that he went up Provo canyon to check on his tent and some animals have torn up his tent and camp.  He said he would sleep on the ground and he could possibly make it until  he leaves town for the Zion's job

WE NEED CANS!!!!! If you have any you can donate please let us know. Also, you can make cash donations HERE

A special thank you to.......Bodine family, Mark Allen, Fran Nicholes, Lance Nicholes family, Burbidge boys, Daniel Williams, Doman family, Stay family, Susan Jones, Eric Nicholes family, Karen Matthews, Laura Belnap, Jeremy Stocks, Winston Williams family, and KC Smalley!

Craig receives $0.65 per pound of cans he collects. It's about 30-35 cans per pound