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.

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

Conference Store: General Conference Activity

Conference Store

Use conference cash to purchase snacks and treats from the conference store.

Ideas for your conference store:

• small piece of candy $1
• gatorade $5
• cookie $2
• soda $5
• candy bar $6
• fruit by the foot $3
• can of Pringles $10
• small bag of chips or chex mix $3
• markers $6
• coloring book $4
• Ritz cheese and crackers handi-snacks $3

Play around with the prices and items.  You want your kids to be able to earn fun stuff, but you don't want them to eat so many snacks and treats that they will get sick. :)

How to earn Conference Cash:

·        Take notes on the General Conference Journal Page.  You can earn $1 in conference cash for every talk if you write down:

a)   the name of the speaker, 

b)  what the talk was about, 

c)   and if you are present, reverent and quiet during the whole talk.  

You have to do all of these things to get $1.  

·        You can earn $2 in conference cash for writing about your favorite part of the session on your journal page.

·        You can earn $2 in conference cash for writing about how this session taught you to follow Jesus on your journal page.

·        Your mom or dad may randomly give out conference cash if you are very reverent during the prayers and/or if you sing nicely during the rest hymn.  

·        Younger kids who can't write get conference cash for quietly playing while listening.  Fun quiet activities include: coloring,  find the hidden pictures, play doh, dolls, blocks, legos, etc.

I Think The Lord is Trying to Teach Me Something

  Today in our family study Chad taught us about how Christ used parables to teach and then Chad shared the parable of the laborers and used excerpts from Elder Holland’s talk, The Laborers in the Vinyard.  A few minutes later while I was walking on the treadmill, I listened to some talks to prepare for my upcoming lesson to the young women in my ward.  One of those talks was The Challenge to Become by Elder Oaks. (Which is a FABULOUS talk by the way). In his talk he too talked about the parable of the laborers.  He have a wonderful explanation. He said,

"Like other parables, this one can teach several different and valuable principles. For present purposes its lesson is that the Master’s reward in the Final Judgment will not be based on how long we have labored in the vineyard. We do not obtain our heavenly reward by punching a time clock. What is essential is that our labors in the workplace of the Lord have caused us to become something. For some of us, this requires a longer time than for others. What is important in the end is what we have become by our labors. Many who come in the eleventh hour have been refined and prepared by the Lord in ways other than formal employment in the vineyard. These workers are like the prepared dry mix to which it is only necessary to “add water”—the perfecting ordinance of baptism and the gift of the Holy Ghost. With that addition—even in the eleventh hour—these workers are in the same state of development and qualified to receive the same reward as those who have labored long in the vineyard."

"This parable teaches us that we should never give up hope and loving associations with family members and friends whose fine qualities (see Moro. 7:5–14) evidence their progress toward what a loving Father would have them become. Similarly, the power of the Atonement and the principle of repentance show that we should never give up on loved ones who now seem to be making many wrong choices."

Then this parable was brought to my mind a THIRD time later this morning when I was doing sealings in the temple. When deceased people are sealed to their parents or to their spouses they get the same blessing as those of us who were born in the covenant and who have tried to live right all our lives. It's interesting that when it comes to the blessings of the temple I don't think we ever feel slighted that people who have passed on get the same blessings as those who've been members their whole life. I think most who serve in the temple only feel joy to have helped bring them the opportunity to get those blessing.  

Heavenly Father loves me. I think he is trying to teach me that he also loves all the rest of his children--my siblings, my neighbors, the guy who cut me off, the lady who works at the grocery store, those who have different political view than me, etc. He wants me to be happy when they are happy. He wants me to mourn we they mourn. He wants me to bear their burdens when they are heavy laden. He wants me to do good to those who hurt me.  He doesn't want me to give up on others.  He wants me to love as he loves--to have Charity.  I need to apply the feelings of happiness I feel for others when I serve in the temple to other relationships and aspects of my life.   

Be Believing

September 3, 2014

In the first few verses of 1 Nephi 4, Nephi recorded an experience he had with his brothers where he was giving them a pep talk because they had expressed doubt that the Lord could deliver Laban into their hands.  Even after they had seen an angel, they still doubted.  Verse 3 particularly stood out to me, it says, “Now behold ye know that this is true; and ye also know that an angel hath spoken unto you; wherefore can ye doubt?  Let us go up; the Lord is able to deliver us, even as our fathers, and to destroy Laban, even as the Egyptians.”

The belief that the Lord could deliver him, made all the difference in Nephi’s life.  He Believed!  He was believing.  Or in other words, he had faith.  I know that the Lord can deliver me!  I know he can deliver you too!!

Part of what helped Nephi to have that faith is the fact that he REMEMBERED his fathers.  Knowing about our heritage can make a big difference in our lives.  It has made a difference in my life.  Reading about my great grandparents who joined the church even thought they were persecuted and learning that they stayed true to their faith even when things were hard gives me strength.  It helps me to believe, to be believing, to have faith.  I want to be like Nephi!!

This is my Great Grandmother, Gerda Alma Reinholdson Hendrickson.  She was the only member of her family to join the church.  Her mother did not like the Mormons and disowned her.  Her mother told her brother to begin introducing her around town as a harlot.  One day her brother went to her apartment and pointed a gun to her head and told her to deny her faith.  She said, "You may take my life, but never my faith."  If my Grandma could be faithful, so can I!!

Wasted Watermelons

August 18, 2014

Today I threw several watermelons away that rotted because I never harvested them.  Sadly, this isn’t the only thing I’ve grown that has gone to waste.  I do great at planting a garden and weeding the first month or so then when things get a little hot outside I get too tired, busy, lazy, etc. to go out and harvest the things that are there waiting for me.  This made me think about other blessings that I might be able to claim if I made a little effort.  What is keeping me from those blessings?  Laziness, being to busy, anger, resentment, low self-esteem, inability to forgive, pride, feeling ashamed, fear, retaliation, and vengeance are all tools of Satan to keep me from claiming the blessing that could be mine.

However, the teachings of Jesus Christ, which are the key to mostly likely achieving happiness in individual and family life, gives the antidote to those temptations.  Jesus Christ teaches, diligence, being still long enough to ponder, joy, happiness for others, individual worth, divine nature, reaching out to others, forgiveness, humility, asking for advice, heeding good advice, praise, faith, sympathy, turning things over to the Lord by using his atonement.

I also realize that I could have also blessed other’s lives if I would have shared my watermelons with my neighbors instead of letting them rot in my own yard.  The Lord wants me to claim blessings to bless my life and the lives of those around me.

Love,

Mindy

Hymns are Powerful Sermons

I love Hymns!  I love primary songs and sacred music.  I love that with only a few, simple words they can teach powerful sermons.  I love that they can penetrate deeply into my soul.  Several times in my life I have had words to hymns and primary songs come to my mind to give me comfort and peace and/or teach me the words of God.  On Monday morning as I was driving school carpool we were listening to the Mormon Tabernacle Choir on Pandora.  As they sang “Where Love Is” the phrase “'Tis love we get when love we bring” stood out to me.  To back track a little farther, on Sunday in my ward’s Gospel Doctrine Sunday School class, my friend Nicole Rudd shared that when we do good to others, we get good returned to us because it is a principle of the law of the harvest.  So on Monday morning that phrase stood out to me as another principle of the law of the harvest.  It also reminded me to give love in all my relationships and to teach my children to love others if they want to be loved.

Life Lessons

What life lessons have you learned?  A few weeks ago I was asked if I had any suggestions or wisdom about life. These life lessons are what popped into my head: 

1) Give sincere compliments to as many people as you can
2) Be confident
3) Read your scriptures daily 
4) Say your prayers every night and morning and keep a prayer in your heart
5) Look for opportunities to help others
6) Stretch yourself by doing hard things
7) Attend church every week and be on time so you can take the sacrament

These things have brought me happiness even through hard times.

One of our Favorite Dinners - Goulash

Goulash

1 pound lean ground beef

1 large onion, chopped

2 cloves garlic, minced

1 t salt

½ t pepper

2 cups water

1 large (28oz) can crushed tomatoes

½ T Italian seasoning

2 bay leaves

2 T soy sauce

½ t garlic powder

½ t seasoned salt

1½ cups dried elbow macaroni

In a large pot (at least 3 quarts), brown the ground beef, with the onion, minced garlic, salt and pepper over medium-high heat until no pink remains and the onions are tender.  Spoon off any grease.   Add the 2 cups water, along with the crushed tomatoes, Italian seasoning, bay leaves, soy sauce, garlic powder, and seasoned salt. Stir well. Add the elbow macaroni, stir well, cover and simmer for about 15 - 20 minutes. Turn off the heat, remove the bay leaves, and serve.

Optional Mix-ins:  Diced fresh zucchini and/or diced pepperoni.  If adding fresh zucchini, add it before putting in the elbow macaroni and you may need add little bit more water.  (We added these in tonight and it was delicious.)

Other Notes:

Sometimes this turns out too salty.  I tried to make adjustments but if it is still too salty add a little sugar and it will counteract the salt.

Tilly going back for more!

Father's Day Tribute to Three Wonderful Men

As today is Father's Day, I'd like to honor the three father's who mean the most to me.

First, Chad, the Father of my Children.  I couldn't ask for a more kind, patient, humble, capable, loving, charitable man to be the father of my children.  He looks for the best in others and is a friend to everyone.  He loves being a Father and I love watching him hold our babies.  I am so lucky to be married to him.  My kids are so lucky to have him as their father.  He is amazing.

Chad's first day as a father.  He is holding Spencer just minutes after he was born. Dec. 6, 2001

Chad and Tilly at the Natural Bridge area.

Chad and Spencer indexing

Playing play-doh with Marlee and Tilly

Next is my Daddy.  I am so lucky to have been raised by such an, outgoing, fun loving cowboy.  My dad was kind, a great teacher, a great motivator (sometimes with a spanking), honorable, honest, respectful and respected.  After a recent conversation with my brother-in-law Trever, I pulled out the letters that my Mom and Dad wrote me as part of a stake youth conference.  My parents loved being parents and they were good about praising their children and helping them reach their potential.  I am so lucky to have such a good Father and Mother.  I loved being around my Dad.  He seemed to receive positive attention and praise wherever he went.  He was a friend to all and could find a connection with pretty much everyone he met.

A trip to the State Capitol when the Snowflake Madrigals were invited to sing the national anthem my Senior year. 

And lastly, but not least, is my father-in-law Arthur Sanders.  I am so thankful for him and the wonderful man he helped raise.  He taught Chad by his good example how to be a fun, loving, kind father.  He is inventive and Chad also has that wonderful trait.  He loves the Lord and is a wonderful father and grandfather.

Shall I Falter, or Shall I Finish?

This morning I read the sad news about a tragic accident that occurred yesterday on the way to church in which my cousin’s toddler was killed.  This had me reflecting about other major trials that several other loved ones are going through.  Two people I love recently battled life threatening illnesses that have left not only physical but emotional scars as well.  Two people I love are going through a divorce that is also causing arguments, anger, sadness and stress within the family.  People I love have struggled with infertility.  People I love recently delivered a still born baby and are struggling as life marches on.  I know of a young mother who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.  When hard trials hurt those I love sometimes I feel a type of survivor’s guilt, but when I have gone through trials of my own I haven’t wanted other people to feel guilty for what I am going through.  As I’ve thought about these circumstances I remembered something President Thomas S. Monson said, “Brothers and sisters, it may be safely assumed that no person has ever lived entirely free of suffering and sorrow. ... When the pathway of life takes a cruel turn, there is the temptation to ask the question ‘Why me?’ At times there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, no sunrise to end the night’s darkness. We feel encompassed by the disappointment of shattered dreams and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea, ‘Is there no balm in Gilead?’  We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We become impatient for a solution to our problems, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.  The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?” 

I’ve come to realize that every one of us is going to have a major, knock down trial at least once in this life.  At times life is going to test your very limits and give you more than you can handle … on your own.  But you will never be given more than you can handle with the help of our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is mighty to save (2 Ne. 31:19).  He has surely borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isiah 53:4).  Jesus Christ will help us finish when we feel like faltering.  He is why we can have hope when everything seems so bleak.  

President Monson goes onto say, "The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer. The reason? They have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. We will still experience difficult challenges, but we will be able to face them, to meet them head-on, and to emerge victorious" (I Will Not Fail Thee nor Forsake Thee).

Life is short and temporary.  Hug your children a little tighter.  Love a little bit more.  Be more kind.  Forgive and make amends with those you may be at odds with today.  Don't wait until tomorrow.  You may not get another tomorrow.  You don't have to agree with each other, but maybe you can agree to disagree and move forward with love.

One more quote that brings me comfort today.  "We Are Not Made for Endings--In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Grateful in Any Circumstances).

Fathers and Sons Campout = Girls Night Out

Chad and the boys went on our ward's annual Fathers and Sons' campout so that means the girls and I had our annual girls night out.  Each year I look forward to our GNO more and more because my girls are getting old enough to look forward to it, appreciate it and realize that it is a special occasion.

The boys left for their campout around 4:30 while Tilly was still taking a nap so to start out the evening we played Chutes and Ladders while Tilly was still asleep.  

Marlee beat Karalee and I really quickly so she took our pictures while we played for 2nd place.

Then we went and played at the "train park" in San Tan Ranch.

I'm a lazy Mom at the park.  I usually just sit and watch while the kids play.  Every once in awhile I'll get up and slide and play with them if they ask me.

Then we went to eat at Some Burros since the girls wanted nachos.

Then we went to the Mall playground while we waited for our movie to start.

We went to see Rio 2"

On Saturday morning our fun continued.  We used my new Belgium waffle maker that I got for my birthday to make a yummy breakfast and we invited our friends Gracie and Emmie to join us.  We even used our fancy dishes.

A More Personal Relationship with the Savior - entry #2

If you'd like to read my previous entry and learn more about this program click HERE.

• Alma 5:14-16 – “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?  Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?  I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day:  Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?  I love Alma chapter 5.  I love that it asks so many introspective questions.  I think this technique allows people to really judge their actions themselves without feeling judged by the person teaching.  During the first part of these verses I feel that Alma is describing what it means to be truly converted and consecrated to the Lord--spiritually born of God (baptism), His image in your countenances (taking upon you His name, doing what the Savior would do), mighty change in your hearts (thinking of others more than yourself by stripping yourself of pride and sharing the gospel), exercising faith (obedience in keeping the commandments and acting on your beliefs).  It is important that we do each of these things in this life because we will be judged of God.  These things will keep us on the straight and narrow path.  If we try our best to do these things and repent and return again to God and to His path through the grace of Jesus Christ after we sin and mess up then we can feel confident that the Lord will say to us “Come unto me ye blessed.”  What could be better than that? 

• Proverbs 31:30-31 – “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”  To me this scripture speaks of motherhood, and service.  Finding favor with man and concentrating on beauty should not be our top priorities.  Fearing the Lord, or keeping his commandments and doing his work should be our priorities and should be where we give most of our time and energy.  Those are the things that will bring praise.  What is the Lord’s work? Bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).  Bearing and raising children and spreading and sharing the gospel are the fruits of our labors that will be able to be carried with us into the next life.  Our children and those we teach will be able to “praise us in the gates.”

Easter/Birthday Dinner Pictures