Letter - basketball, stake youth conference

November 23, 2014

Hello.  How are you?  I hope life is going well for you.  My last letter was on Nov. 11^th so I’ll start from the 12^th.

On Wednesday, Nov. 12 we had stake yw’s kickball.  It was bishopric night so our ward yw leaders and the bishopric played against our young women.  It was fun.  My competitive nature was dying though because it was all just for fun.  Now I really want to play something competitive. 

On Thursday the 13^th Marlee, Tilly and I went to Spencer’s school and had lunch with him.  His lunch hour starts at 10:00am since he has the first lunch shift.  (His school starts at 7:25.)  He requested Panda Express but it wasn’t even open yet.  So we drove over to McDonalds and it was still serving breakfast so since we couldn’t get any burgers we got breakfast sandwiches.  That evening Spencer had his first basketball game.  He made a 3 pointer!  Later that evening I attended our ward’s RS meeting. 

Friday the 14^th I was able to go help in Marlee’s class.  I spent the rest of the day cleaning and getting ready for Karalee’s baptism brunch.

Karalee was baptized on Saturday, November 15^th.  It was a beautiful baptism.  It was fun to be able to help her get dried off and changed.  Since she is my first daughter, this is the first time I’ve got to have more of a part in the baptism process.  After the baptism we hosted a brunch at our home.  It was nice to have family over to visit.  That afternoon Marlee and Karalee had soccer games and then that evening we watched the phoenix temple cultural celebration.  I couldn’t help but feel relieved that I wasn’t part of it as we watched.  It was a special experience to be part of the Gilbert Temple Cultural Celebration, but it was a LOT of work.  I guess it’s kind of the same feeling as when you see someone about to have a new baby and your baby is just a few months old so you’re glad you don’t have to go through that again so soon.   

Last Sunday was the Phoenix Temple Dedication.  It was beautiful.  That evening we had our ward’s YW in excellence.  It was a nice evening.  Our YW are AMAZING!

On Monday of this week Marlee had her soccer party and got her first soccer trophy.  Karalee had soccer practice that evening and then we had FHE.

Tuesday Spencer had a basketball game in Globe.  He hit another 3 pointer!  Since mutual was canceled due to youth conference the kids and I went to go watch him.  It was an exciting fast paced game against a scrappy reservation team; Spencer’s team won by 2 points.  After the game we got some Burger House burritos for dinner and then headed home.  It was a nice little trip.

Wednesday the little girls had Grammy days.  It was Chad’s sister Shannon’s birthday.  She is a wonderful sister.

Thursday night Spencer had a basketball game.  They lost.  In this league several of the teams don’t have separate 7^th  and 8^th grade teams so Spencer’s 7^th grade team plays against 8^th graders a lot and is at a disadvantage.

Friday night was the start of our stake youth conference.  The stake had a lady from the area named Sis. Potter speak and then they had games and refreshments.  Sis. Potter was such a fun speaker to listen to.  She is originally from England and she joined the church when she was around 19 years old.  She is the youngest of 16 children; there were 4 sets of twins.  She grew up in an abusive home and had several major trials, but has risen above them with the help of the Lord.  She had several amazing life experiences that she shared with us.

Saturday we had youth conference all day long.  They served us a nice breakfast then we rotated to different classes and activities.  Then after lunch we all listened to an lds artist Howard Lion speak.  He painted the murals in the Gilbert Temple.  He was a fascinating speaker.  He showed us several of his paintings and the meaning and story behind the paintings.  I especially loved his explanation of his painting From Fear to Faith.  There is a video of him explaining it on that link.  After the speaker we went to Williamsfield high school for a service project.  We scraped gum off the sidewalks and did a lot of painting in their gym.  I can’t believe how much gum was on the sidewalk.  It was gross and is just so rude.  Later than evening there was a dance.  I asked Chad to chaperone with me for our date night so none of my other leaders would have to go.  He lovingly came along. 

Today has been a nice Sabbath day.  I love the opportunity to go to church to renew my covenants and to have my testimony strengthened and to participate, teach and share my testimony with other. 

My quote today is about forgiveness.  I know I am commanded to forgive others.  But how can I know if I’ve truly forgiven someone?  I haven’t had much luck finding answers to that on lds.org, but I found an article called The 10 Things That Show you Have Really Forgiven Someone that I really like.  Here’s a quote from that article.   “It really is so true that when we can find our way to forgiving someone, I mean really forgiving them, we are enlarging our future and opening ourselves to all the good things that are there waiting for us. It is so important to not allow any negativity to linger in your mind, and sometimes that can be hard -especially if you don’t realize it’s there because you think you have forgiven someone.” I don’t want any negativity left lingering in my mind.  I want it clear so it can be filled with love, light and knowledge from God.

Love,

Mindy

The Covenant Path to Come Unto Christ - Young Women in Excellence

Tonight I help put on our ward's young women in excellence.  It turned out really nice.  Our theme was "The Covenant Path to Come Unto Christ".  We had set up a path that led to the temple and the Savior decorated with mini Christmas trees to make it look like a path in the forest.  Then for dessert we had a trail mix bar with a several non-traditional items for a trail mix.  We also made the girls a picture of Christ with their name to take home and as a name tag to mark the items being displayed.  I am not much for decorating so thank goodness for counselors and advisers who can help me out with that!!  I thought it was a wonderful evening and that the spirit was present.  Here are a few pictures of the decorations.

One of our yw advisers had access to this giant canvas of the Gilbert temple.

Our covenant path

The sign says, "make your own trail mix for your journey".  Item for the trail mix were:  Golden Graham cereal, mini marshmallow, frosted cheerios, goldfish crackers, white chocolate covered pretzels, regular pretzels, m&m's, peanut butter chips, granola, and  raisins.

Tables where the girls displayed the things they worked on in personal progress this year.

Our program

   

Here's my talk that I gave.  

Talk for Young Women in Excellence – November 16, 2014

Welcome to Young Women in Excellence!!  Tonight is a celebration of Personal Progress.  Our theme for the evening is The Covenant Path to Come unto Christ.  Along with leading us back to Christ, covenants gather us into the Lord’s kingdom.  They also bring us wonderful blessings.  Sister Jean A. Stevens said, “Covenants with God help us to know who we really are.  They connect us to Him in a personal way through which we come to feel our value in His sight and our place in His kingdom.  His desire is that we will choose the path that will bring us home to Him” (Covenant Daughters of God).  I love that, we will know who we are and feel valued as we make covenants.

Each of you young women started on the covenant path when you were baptized.  Sister Stevens goes on to say, “As essential and significant as the covenant of baptism is, it is only the beginning—the gate that puts us on the path to eternal life.  Ahead on our journey are temple covenants to be made and priesthood ordinances to receive. … ‘As we stand in the waters of baptism, we look to the temple’” (Covenant Daughters of God).  Baptism is the starting point on our covenant path.  It leads us to the temple where we can receive our endowments and be married to our spouse for time and all eternity.  Prayer, scriptures study, and personal progress are tools that will help us stay on the covenant path.  I would like to talk a little bit about personal progress since that is your current point on the covenant path.

I love personal progress because it helps you young women work on specific goals that keep you on the covenant path.  In our recent stake conference Pres. Derek talked a lot about making sure that returned missionaries stay anxiously engaged on fertile ground.  I think it is also important for you young women cultivate fertile ground and avoid barren ground.  Personal progress = fertile ground.  It will prepare you for the rigors of college life, the blessings of the temple, a mission if you so choose, marriage and motherhood. 

Personal progress takes away the curse of idleness from your lives.  It is ok to have some “downtime”, but it would be good if you young women could prayerfully counsel with the Lord and with your parents to set some personal limits on how much time you spend on “downtime” activities.  Then after you've set some limits you will be able to use the time that has opened up to set, work on and accomplish specific goals to improve yourself.  When you set a specific goal with a deadline it will improve your chances for success.  It will bless your lives.  It will keep your feet planted on the covenant path. 

I would like to share a personal example of how I set a specific goal this year and how it has blessed my life.  Since we have a temple so close now, I made a specific goal regarding the number of times I wanted to attend the temple this year.  In order to make sure I could achieve this goal, I wrote down my goal and placed it in an area where I would see it often.  I also figured out how many times I would need to go each month and I have kept track of my progress.  Going to the temple more often has blessed my life in ways that I have never imagined.  I feel greater confidence before the Lord.  I feel guidance and peace in my life more strongly than before.  I have learned more about the ordinances, sealings and blessings in the temple in this year than I have in the other 13 years that I’ve been endowed combined. Plus, now two of the sealers in the temple have become like Grandpa’s to me.  They ask about my family, they love and care and look out for me.  The temple has brought the power of God into my life in a way that can’t be denied.  I want these same blessings for each of you young women and your families.  They can be yours.  I hope you will stay on the covenant path that leads to the temple.  It is worth any sacrifice.  

I love each of you young women.  I’m excited to be a part of your special evening and to see the things you’ve accomplished this year.  In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Karalee's baptism

Karalee was baptized yesterday.  It was a wonderful baptism and we had a fun brunch at our home afterwards to celebrate.  Thanks to all who were able to make it!!

My Testimony of the prophet Joseph Smith

Nov. 12, 2014

There has been a lot of talk and news about this article recently published by the church regarding Joseph Smith and plural marriage: https://www.lds.org/topics/plural-marriage-in-kirtland-and-nauvoo?lang=eng

I read the article and a lot of the information in it was new to me. I always kind of figured Joseph Smith probably practiced plural marriage but did not know there were "eternity only" sealings or that he was sealed to women who were already married. However, the article does not shake my faith regarding his validity as a prophet. I do not think he ever led the church astray. I feel he was doing his best to implement and live a very difficult commandment.

I love that in the most recent general conference, before these articles were released, we were given a challenge by Elder Andersen to find out whether or not Joseph Smith truly was a prophet:

"To the youth listening today or reading these words in the days ahead, I give a specific challenge: Gain a personal witness of the Prophet Joseph Smith. Let your voice help fulfill Moroni’s prophetic words to speak good of the Prophet. Here are two ideas: First, find scriptures in the Book of Mormon that you feel and know are absolutely true. Then share them with family and friends in family home evening, seminary, and your Young Men and Young Women classes, acknowledging that Joseph was an instrument in God’s hands. Next, read the testimony of the Prophet Joseph Smith in the Pearl of Great Price or in this pamphlet, now in 158 languages. You can find it online at LDS.org or with the missionaries. This is Joseph’s own testimony of what actually occurred. Read it often. Consider recording the testimony of Joseph Smith in your own voice, listening to it regularly, and sharing it with friends. Listening to the Prophet’s testimony in your own voice will help bring the witness you seek" (https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/joseph-smith?lang=eng)

I know that Joseph Smith restored the Church of Jesus Christ. I know he translated the Book of Mormon and that it is the world's most correct book. I have read it several times. I have put into practice the teachings contained in it, and they have brought me joy and peace. Even though I don't feel like my faith has been shaken, I plan to take the challenge given by Elder Andersen. I know that when you accept a challenge or counsel from the Lord's Apostles and prophets you will be blessed greater than you can even imagine. If your faith in the prophet Joseph Smith has been shaken, or if you've never gained a witness that Joseph Smith was a prophet, or even if your faith is strong, take Elder Andersen's challenge. Find out for yourself. I know it will bless your life.

-Mindy F. Sanders

Letter - I Love the Temple, Hope

Tuesday, November 11, 2014

Happy Veteran’s Day!  I am so very, very thankful for the soldiers and their families, who have fought, are fighting and will fight for my freedoms.  I am thankful to be able to worship and raise my family as I choose in a safe place.  We’ve had a nice day celebrating Veteran’s Day today.  The bank is closed so Chad didn’t have to work and the kids didn’t have school so we went to see Big Hero 6 this afternoon after a leisurely morning at home.  It was very cute and made us all laugh.  I plan to buy it when it comes out on DVD. 

So in my last letter I wondered which one of my first cousins was closest to me in age.  I found out my cousin Martha Skouson Taylor is the closest in age.  I sure love her.  We’ve become close in the last few years through our letters and Facebook for which I am so thankful.  She is a wonderful friend and example to me.

I’ve spent a lot of time over the last two weeks working on projects for Christmas.  I can hardly wait to give them out to my family and friends.  I also got some online shopping done for several people a couple weeks ago.  I love online shopping! 

Spencer's tried out for the 7th grade basketball team Oct. 27 – 29.  Chad and I were so nervous and anxious for him.  He came home from the first day of tryouts very nervous about his chances of making the team; 37 boys tried out, only 12 would make the team.  He found out Thursday Oct. 30^th that he made the team.  We are so happy for him! 

Karalee turned eight years old on Nov. 1^st.  She had a soccer game bright and early at 8:00am on her birthday.  On the way there she told me she wanted to score a goal.  She played so well.  She was so aggressive on defense, which is her specialty, and made a lot of good stops.  When she got a turn on offense she got her goal!!  She’s very determined and talented.  We look forward to her baptism on November 15^th.  I still haven’t heard from several family members if they will be able to make it to the luncheon afterwards.  Please let me know.  We would really love to have you come, but will understand if you can’t make it.

We also had the adult session of Stake conference on Karalee’s birthday.  I was a bit nervous to play for the special musical number that night, but it went well, except for when the violinist’s music blew off their stand.  One of the violinists was able to manage to keep going while the other one picked up the music so they recovered well.  I still feel like we were able to bring the Spirit into the meeting.  The adult session was very nice.  The Sunday morning session was so frustrating it almost brought me to tears.  It was a statewide stake conference broadcast.  Chad and Spencer sang in the choir so I had the rest of the kids by myself.  Tilly lasted through our stake president’s talk before the broadcast began, but as soon as the broadcast started she was done.  I took her out to the hall to quiet her down 3-4 times before I stayed out there for good.  I was so sad I couldn’t hear the talks.  I really wanted to hear them and knew I wouldn’t get the chance to hear them again.  (Unless there is a way to see it again on lds.org, I’ll have to look.)  Anyway at one point I noticed a couple of adults sitting on the couches without small children who were busy on their phones and I judged them and resented them for not listening, but I quickly repented of that.  I don’t know their story.  I know I could have been more prepared with snacks and quiet activities to keep Tilly quiet so I could listen.  I’ll have to do better next time.

Bryant had a band concert on Nov. 6^th.  It was a very nice, short concert.  He likes band and says he wants to play again next year and through jr. high and high school.  I know he can become a talented trumpet player if he sticks with it.  He’s a quick study at just about everything he tries to do.

Sunday afternoon Chad’s brother Jace took some new family pictures for us.  A couple weeks ago I got the girls matching Christmas dresses at Costco and have been saving them in my closet.  I realized they would be perfect for family pictures and so I set it up.  It was so nice of Jace to take them for us.  He’s a good brother.  I’ll share the pictures after I send out our Christmas cards. 

Yesterday we had quite a few sickies in our house.  Marlee had a fever and sore throat.  I got a terrible, terrible headache, probably the worst I’ve ever had.  Chad had a headache too and worked from home all day.  We are all glad to be feeling better today.

The last couple of weeks the other young women leaders and I have been planning our ward’s Young Women Evening in Excellence.  There have been some differences of vision about how we should decorate and it has been stressful for me as I’ve tried to make sure everyone feels appreciated and that their ideas have been heard.  No one has gotten mad or anything and everyone has been flexible and there haven’t been any hard feelings, but there has been tension because the ideas that we’ve been working on don’t seem together very well.  Yesterday morning after making a few calls to the leaders we figured out a way to tie everyone’s ideas together and we’re moving forward.  I do not like tension.  It stresses me out.  In the future I have figured out that I need to plan these types of activities with my presidency instead of with my whole YW board that way there will be less opinions and it will go more smoothly.

My quote for today is about the temple.  “In addition to the closeness we feel to the Lord when we are in the temple, we can continue to receive blessings even after we have returned to our everyday lives. Attending the temple gives us a clearer perspective and a sense of purpose and peace” (https://www.lds.org/church/temples/why-we-build-temples/blessings-of-the-temple?lang=eng).  My love for the temple has grown so much this year.  Since we have a temple so close now and since I don’t have a tiny baby anymore, I made a specific goal regarding the number of times I wanted to attend the temple this year.  It has blessed my life in ways that I have never imagined.  I feel greater confidence before the Lord.  I feel guidance and peace in my life more strongly than before.  I have learned more about the ordinances and blessings in the temple in this year than I have in the other 13 years that I’ve been endowed combined.  In the past I’ve heard my Mom and Brenda (my MIL) and another lady in my ward speak about the temple and how they miss it when the temple is closed and they can’t attend every week.  I kind of wondered why they felt so strongly about it, but now I know.  I guess I’ve finally exercised enough faith in regards to temple attendance to receive a witness of the power of the temple. (Ether 12:6)  The temple has brought the power of God into my life in a way that can’t be denied.  I will set a similar goal regarding temple attendance next year so I don’t lose these blessings that I’ve been given this year.  When I was talking to my mom about these feelings last week she said that’s how she felt when she started reading the scriptures every day.  She grew to love them so much that she could feel it when she missed a day.  It is an eternal principle that you have to live a principle in order to gain a testimony of it; you have to experiment on the word. (Alma 32)

Love,

Mindy

P.S.  The other day while I was reading in the Book of Mormon a particular verse stood out to me that I had never noticed before.  “I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream, we being a lonesome and a solemn people, wanderers, cast out from Jerusalem, born in tribulation, in a wilderness, and hated of our brethren, which caused wars and contentions; wherefore, we did mourn out our days” (Jacob 7:26).  Jacob sounds so depressed here.  I never pictured in my mind how hard it must have been for him to have his brothers and their families hate him so much that they tried to kill him. He had difficult circumstances his whole life, yet his words that are recorded in the Book of Mormon are so full of hope.  I hope I can leave a record of hope even when I struggle.