Nearly One Year Ago since I Arrived to Texas US

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

Where did the time go? Has it really been nearly one year ago since I left Brisbane Australia? 

Has it really been nearly one year ago since I have arrived to Texas, US? 

Upcoming Sunday would mark one whole year ago since I have left Brisbane Australia, and upcoming Monday would mark one whole year ago since I have landed and arrived in Dallas, Fort-Worth International Airport with the K1 visa approval mark on my Australian passport from an officer. I remembered that officer  had a quick interview with me, he wanted to make sure for my intentions are still true and correct for the purpose of the visa, and asking me some quick and easy questions. 

Afterwards; I knew in my mind that I was feeling overjoyed because I knew that the reality has sunk in and of course another beginning has just began. I felt so relief after long haul of flight of getting over here and I finally got to reunite with my husband (who was my fiànce at the time). I haven't seen him since he left Brisbane Australia towards end of late February last year. I remembered my husband and I both went to Chili's to dine-in for celebrations of me to be back in Texas, US. 

Well one month and twenty-one days (fifty-two days) after my arrival to Texas, my Mum and my grandparents (my Mum's parents) has arrived in the same airport that I did. I absolutely cried and filled overwhelmed joy to see my Mum and my grandparents at the Airport. I was tracking most of their flights on their way to Dallas Fort-Worth International Airport from Brisbane Airport, in Brisbane Australia. 

Wouldn't you feel scared or worried to know if they flew just before the hurricane and horrible storm that has arrived in Houston, Texas? Houston Texas was their last layover before they landed into Dallas, Houston LDS Temple was originally the Temple where my husband and I considered to be sealed in, and I think Satan was really trying his hardest to stop my Mum, and my grandparents from attending my own sealing. I am forever grateful that my husband and I changed our minds and made the decision to be sealed in Dallas LDS Temple. 

I had so much happened within twelve months/a year of living in Texas US.

I would like to share several highlights that I have been able to do and accomplish since I have been over here. 

~ I had to change two different US mobile phone numbers - I got a new mobile phone with a new US mobile number for a better reception of the area where I currently live and most of other places that I go to. ~ I didn't make too many new friends which is fine by me. 

~ Exactly eight weeks mark after my arrival in Texas US; my husband and I got sealed in Dallas LDS Temple. 

~ Either early or mid December last year; I have completed Starting and Growing My Business Self-Reliance Course. ~ Either early or mid December last year; I have completed Personal Finances another Self-Reliance Course.

~ I felt privileged of getting a ride with seven elderly church members from my stake to go to Dallas LDS Temple together at least once a month while my husband was working. I got a ride with another church members to go to the Temple with, again while my husband was working. My husband and I went to Dallas LDS Temple together a few times together prior to the Coronavirus.

~ I had two blood tests taken within a month - February 2020 and March 2020. I won't be sharing the results. I had two ultrasounds out of three ultrasounds done; one for pelvic (hip) and the other one in March 2020 - I won't be sharing the results and I am not pregnant. I had one dental exam (dental checkup) about a week ago. 

~ For the past ten months since I have been married; I have been asked if I was pregnant, when my husband and I plan to have children, asking if I have any children, requesting for my husband and my future children's names that we liked and agreed on, so forth. My husband has been asked several occasions during work about if he has any children.  

~ I have gained weight and it has been no surprise to some people. When I was living in Australia, I was underweight and I finally got to weighing normal weight (healthy range) sometime since I have been over here. I have my weight under control, and I know that I wasn't expecting to weight more than 22 LBS/10KG within a year. I won't be sharing exactly how much I gained over the past twelve months. Many thank you to the goodness of American food regardless how much I tried to be fit and healthy.

~ I have applied for my Green Card in October 2019, I still haven't had my interview for my Green Card and still no Green Card. Due to the Coronavirus; it has been delaying the progress of Green Cards - unfortunately.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Disadvantages of Living in United States

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever wondered what disadvantages that comes with living in United States either short-term or long-term? Over the past twelve months of living over here, I have acknowledged and recognized some 

disadvantages that comes with living over here.

~ Paying the cost of trash collection service each week - the bill will come out monthly along with water and sewage bill. In Australia, the trash collection service each week is FREE of charge. 

~ The cost of medical insurance per month and annually. It can be so pricey and expensive. The medical insurance that my husband and I have together costs $719 US dollars ish (about $1,004 ish Australian dollars) a month. Thank goodness; my husband was eligible for us to get subsidy to help pay a portion of medical insurance each month. I won't share how much of the total that we have been able to save a month. 

~ The cost of mobile plans are so expensive, my husband is paying over $100 US dollars (about over $140 Australian dollars) a month just for my mobile plan and it's not even included international calls. I won't be sharing exactly how much my husband is spending on my mobile plan a month. 

~ The cost of rentals for newly built apartments (less than eight years old) can can be expensive. My husband and I live in a two bedroom apartment and rental cost over $700 US dollars (over $980 ish Australian dollars) a month. I won't be sharing exactly how much my husband has to pay for rent a month.

~ Dining-in Restaurants and Fast Foods can get expensive easily with two people or more. Just two people can cost roughly $35 US dollars (about $49 Australian dollars) or more depending on the Dining-In Restaurants and Fast Foods without tips.

~ Eating Fast Foods can be addiction. Whenever you ask for a meal from Fast Foods, you would always get a medium portion and you can upgrade to a large. In Australia, the portion size for meal of Fast Foods would 

be small. 

~ Depending on the countryside areas; there might be limited or no public transportation. Where I live currently; there are no nearby bus stations for me to catch a ride on the bus, there are no nearby train stations for me to catch a ride on a passengers train to go anywhere, there are no one who lives nearby and within twenty minutes who does Taxi, Uber, and Lyft. 

~ Depending on the countryside areas; there might be limited or no Food Deliveries Services such as Uber Eats, DoorDash, Instacart, Postmates, etc. Where I live currently; if I really wanted to get Fast Food delivered, it would be Domino's and Pizza Hut even though I live less than eight minutes drive from McDonald's, Subway, Whataburger, Taco Bell, Jack in the Box, etc. 

~ Each state has its own rates of Sales Taxes and it varies of depending on the products for each purchase. 

~ The cost of vehicles' insurance - it can be expensive if you aren't able to find a great price.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Advantages of Living in United States

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three minutes to five minutes to read from start to finish.

Each state of United States has its own state laws, state rules, and costs of living. 

~ Purchasing land in Texas is cheap. It varies from $10,000 US dollars (about $14,000 Australian dollars) to over $35,000 US dollars (over about $49,000 Australia dollars) - depending on how many acres. 

~  Vehicle registration in Texas cost $75 US dollars (about $105 Australian dollars) a year. 

- I am sure each state has its own cost for vehicle registration. 

~ In United States; if you have a passport, you can drive to the Canadian border from the following states from United States; Washington, Montana, North Dakota, Minnesota, Michigan, New York, Vermont, and Maine. 

Driving to Canada can be cheaper than flying.

~ In United States; if you have a passport, you can drive across the Mexico border from the following states from United States; California, Arizona, New Mexico and Texas. Driving to Mexico can be cheaper than flying.

~ Prior to the Coronavirus; United States have Walmart Stores that are open for twenty-four hours, seven days a week. If you were wondering what Walmart Store sells, it sells a lot of variety of things. I mean it sells of most things that you need in life to keep yourself alive and living. 

Walmart sells lawn mowers, variety of clothing - including baby clothes, prams, variety of past movies in DvDs, variety of past TV shows in DvDs, brand-new electronics (such as TVs, mobile phones, etc), food and drinks groceries, sim cards, pain killers, multi-vitamins, medicines, schooling supplies, bikes including bike accessories, kitchen appliances (such as; microwaves, coffee machines, etc) shampoos, conditioners, vehicles' oil, parties supplies, and so much more. I know that's super convenient for shift workers who works full-time and had no trouble of finding the right time to groceries shopping.

~ Dollar Stores - I love the Dollar Stores and everything in that store costs $1. The store is convenient for variety of things such as brooms, dustpan and brush, android mobile phone chargers, 100 pages notebooks, small magnet white boards, pack of permanent markers, hair accessories (such as bobby pins, hair brush, etc), toothbrushes, birthday cards, calendars, etc. 

~ The summer season is in the middle of the year. While I was living in Australia, it was always winter season in the middle of the year and I always wished it was summer instead of winter. ~ Americans celebrates great holidays such as Indepence Day, Halloween, Thanksgiving, etc. ~ The cost of gas/fuel for vehicles is way cheaper over here than the cost of gas/fuel in Australia by per liter.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Disadvantages of Past Living in Australia

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever thought about the disadvantages that comes from short-term and long-term living in Australia? Does it really matter to beware of the disadvantages that comes from living in Australia?

~ I have acknowledged and recognized the cost of residential living for renting in Australia is more expensive than United States. ~ I have acknowledged and recognized the cost of residential living for buying a house in Australia is more expensive than United States.

~ I have acknowledged and recognized the cost of getting a house built in Australia is more expensive than United States. ~ I have acknowledged and recognized the total cost of car registration for three months period with and without concession and senior discount is expensive.

~ I have acknowledged and recognized the total cost of car registration for six months period with and without concession and senior discount is expensive. ~ I have acknowledged and recognized the total cost of car registration for twelve months a.k.a a year period with and without concession and senior discount is expensive.

~ I have acknowledged and recognized the costs of travelling via plane to international locations can be expensive. ~ I have acknowledged and recognized the costs of travelling via plane to domestic locations can be expensive.

~ Depending on the locations; car rental places requires minimum of twenty-five years old driver for renting a vehicle - the additional driver/s must be over twenty-five years old. Again similar depending on the locations; car rental places requires minimum of twenty-one years old driver for renting a vehicle - the additional driver/s must be over twenty-one years old.

~ Car insurance can be expensive a month to month if you have previous past three years to five years claim history regardless who's fault and it can cost about $390 Australian dollars ($280 ish US dollars) a month.

~ It cost roughly $200 ish or more Australian dollars (roughly $145 ish or more) for a new legal name change. ~ Depending on dining in restaurants can be expensive and pricey. ~ Cost of groceries each week can be pricey and expensive.

The following are my husband's several inputs what he would say about Australia.

~ The average cost for gas/fuel for vehicles including trucks is more expensive in Australia. 

~ Having roundabouts. 
~ The cars are smaller in Australia.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Some Advantages of Past Living in Australia

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is short and sweet. I often do my best to remember and reflect on many memories that I had while I was living in Australia. Have you ever wondered about some advantages that comes from living short-term or living long-term in Australia? 

~ In the past; I have acknowledged and recognized education is free in public government schools (Primary Schools and Secondary Schools). There are private schools, but it cost money. The last year in most Primary Schools is sixth grade when the students are eleven years old and the last year in most Secondary Schools is twelfth grade a.k.a seniors when the students are seventeen years old.

~ Depending on Secondary Schools; students from tenth grade (fifteen years old) to twelfth grade (seventeen years old) has opportunities to do school-based traineeships and school-based apprenticeships. Those school-based traineeships and apprenticeships are organized by two teachers of the school, and the locations of where to do them. You can be doing a school-based traineeship at KFC once a week away from school to be paid while you are learning new skills. - It can lead to greater opportunities later after finishing school and it can be a head start into your preferred career choice.

Link for more information - www.desbt.qld.gov.au/training/apprentices/sats

~ The weather for all seasons are wonderful in Queensland, Australia. I love Australian weather better than United States weather and my husband agrees with me. While I was living in Australia, my hairstyle would naturally be curly and my hair would also be in ringlets. During cooler months including winter season; it gets so cold in the morning between zero Celsius to eight Celsius/thirty-two Fahrenheit to forty-six Fahrenheit, and it gets warmer throughout the day between fifteen Celsius to twenty-four Celsius/fifty-nine Fahrenheit to seventy-five Fahrenheit. 

~ I have acknowledged and recognized the wages for employment in Australia is higher than United States. I remembered when I was employed at a Domino's Pizza Store in Australia, I was getting paid roughly $26 Australian dollars ($18.50 US dollars) an hour on weekday shifts as a delivery driver.  

~ As far as I know that the Australian Healthcare system is public and FREE to Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents. Depending on the areas; I know that people can be seen by a doctor with no
appointment has been booked in and doctors who are registered are able to home visit patients after
doctor office closing hours and before doctor office opening hours.

~ Doctors and Nurses prescribe patients of medications cheaper at Pharmacies and Chemists in Australia than United States. For an example; I was able to get prescribed to my Asthma inhaler for less than $8 Australian dollars (less than $6 US dollars) instead of paying $65 Australian dollars ($45 ish US dollars).

~ Depending on the areas; there are public transportation which is mostly buses and mostly trains available. Some areas would have Trams and Ferries. Some public transportation are great and reliable. I had no issue with public transportation while I was living in Australia.

- I remembered the moments when I relied on public transportation for going to Brisbane City on my own multiple times, going to Sydney City twice via public transportation and going to Perth City once on my own via public transportation. I know that it certainly does take longer to get to places and destinations via public transportation.
I also know that the costs isn't so bad for the ticket or travel card to travel via public transportation.

~ Depending on the areas; mechanics offers mobile mechanic services which means a mechanic would drive in a van to your house or wherever is your vehicle at, they can do certain mechanical work on the spot. It is useful but it is expensive. 

~ Free to air TV and radio stations. ~ Mobile plans are reasonable priced. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Past Desires, Current Desires, Near Future Desires, and Future Desires

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take roughly five minutes to read from start to finish.

Have you ever found some time to reflect on some of the desires or all of the desires that you've had in the past? Have you found some time to reflect on some of the desires or all of the desires that you currently have now? 

Have you had a spare moment to think about what types of desires that you would experience in the near future? Have you had a spare moment to think about what types of desires that you would experience in the future?

I know that in the past, I was able to accomplish many desires prior to meeting my husband and I would like to share with you several of those desires. 

~ I had a strong desire to graduate High School successfully which I was able to accomplish; I had great encouraging and helpful teachers, fellow students, my immediate family members and my friends who believe 

in me that I can do it. 

~ I had a strong desire to graduate Seminary successfully which I was able to accomplish, I had great encouraging and helpful teachers, my parents, fellow students, and my friends who believe in me that I can do it. I remembered many hours was spent on catch up with missed lessons. 

~ I had a strong desire to get my Australian drivers' license eventually which I was able to accomplish after my second attempt of taking the practical driving test in Year 2014. I had a great driving school instructor and I have patient parents to supervise me driving to places for helping me to achieve the requirements of being a learner.

"If you desire to make a difference in the
world, you must be different from the world."
- Elaine S. Dalton.

~ I had a strong desire to graduate Institute successfully which I was able to accomplish. I had some great teachers, my immediate family members and my friends who believe in me that I can do it. I learned so much and I took many notes throughout mostly all of the lessons.

~ I had a strong desire to serve a full-time mission which unfortunately I wasn't able to accomplish. I know that I had great missionaries, my immediate family members, my friends and other people who came into my life believe in me that I can do it. 

I know that in the past, I was able to accomplish some desires after meeting my husband and prior to when I got married to my husband. I would like to share with you several of those desires. 

~ I had a strong desire to drive on the opposite side from Australian roads and streets. My husband believe in me that I can do it, he had confidence in me, and he was great at supervising me to drive on the "right" - correct side of the roads and streets in United States when I drove in the car that he rented in Utah, February 2018.. 

~ I had a strong desire to serve as a Temple Ordiance Worker prior to marriage successfully which I was able to accomplish. I appreciated the constant support that I got from my immediate family members, my husband and my friends to help me to remain Temple worthy. 

~ I had a strong desire to finish The Pathways Program via Brigham Young University (BYU) Idaho online successfully and it runs by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I'm truly grateful that I was able to accomplish. My husband, my friends and I'm confident that my immediate family members has helped me to stay focus with the studies and believe in me that I can finish the program. I learned so much.

What are my top three desires that I currently do have?

~ I have a strong desire to always keep myself busy especially while my husband is working.

~ I have a strong desire to not allow any negative thoughts and suggestions to come into my mind.

~ I have a strong desire to continue being the best person who I can be.

What are my top three desires that I would like to have in the near future including in the future?

~ I have a strong desire that I would be able to get the Green Card interview notice in the mail within a few months to within a year from now, followed by I would be able to go to my Green Card interview, and then sometime after the Green Card interview - I would be able to receive my Green Card in the mail. I applied for the Green Card since towards end of October, last year. Due to coronavirus, the USCIS - United States Citizenships and Immigration Services has delayed many applications includes the Green Card application. 

~ I have a strong desire that I would be able to get my United States driver's license, I want to be able to drive again instead of myself to rely on others excluding my husband for transportation to go to places. 

~ I have a strong desire to continue exercising - bike riding and go on walks regularly. I would like to remain fit and being healthy as best as I can be. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

According to the Desire of (Our) Hearts ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is focus on October 1996 General Conference and it is called, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts" by Neal A. Maxwell. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Maxwell mentioned the following;

"Thus knowing gospel truths and doctrines is profoundly important, but we must also come to love them. When we love them, they will move us and help our desires and outward works to become more holy. Each assertion of a righteous desire, each act of service, and each act of worship, however small and incremental, adds to our spiritual momentum.

Fortunately for us, our loving Lord will work with us, “even if [we] can [do] no more than desire to believe,” providing we will “let this desire work in [us]” (Alma 32:27). ... Some of our present desires, therefore, need to be diminished and then finally dissolved. ... Once again, we must be honest with ourselves about the consequences of our desires, which follow as the night, the day. ...

For instance, what is now only a weak desire to be a better spouse, father, or mother needs to become a stronger desire, just as Abraham experienced divine discontent and desired greater happiness and knowledge (see Abraham. 1:2). Our merciful and long-suffering Lord is ever ready to help.

"In order to succeed, your desire for SUCCESS should be
greater than your fear of failure." - Bill Crosby.

... In the same redemptive reaching out, our desiring to improve our human relationships usually requires some long-suffering. Sometimes reaching out is like trying to pat a porcupine. Even so, the accumulated quill marks are evidence that our hands of fellowship have been stretched out, too! 

It is up to us. Therein lies life’s greatest and most persistent challenge. Thus when people are described as “having lost their desire for sin,” it is they, and they only, who deliberately decided to lose those wrong desires by being willing to “give away all [their] sins” in order to know God (Alma 22:18).

Unquestionably, parents have such a profound role in assisting in the educating of our desires, especially when parents combine explanation and exemplification! Even so, given our responsibilities for our own desires, we should not be surprised that Adam and Eve, such superb parents who conscientiously taught all things to their children, still lost some of them!

Lehi and Sariah made the same effort, doing so “with all the feeling of a tender parent” (1 Ne. 8:37). Yet they experienced the same thing with Laman and Lemuel, who “understood not the dealings of the Lord” (Mosiah 10:14). Fixing responsibility for such recalcitrance where it should be, the Prophet Joseph Smith observed: “Men who have no principle of … truth, do not understand the word of truth when they hear it.

The devil taketh away the word of truth out of their hearts, because there is no desire for righteousness in them” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, sel. Joseph Fielding Smith [1976], 96). ... Besides, righteous parents are teaching more than they now realize. The later applications of and the grateful expressions for earlier parental influence are often delayed, and often for a long time.

... Brothers and sisters, a loving God will work with us, but the initiating particle of desire which ignites the spark of resolve must be our own! It all takes time. Said the Prophet Joseph: “The nearer man approaches perfection, the clearer are his views, and the greater his enjoyments, till he has overcome the evils of his life and lost every desire for sin; ...” (Teachings of the Prophet Joseph Smith, 51). Thus the work of eternity is not done in a moment, but, rather, in “process of time.” Time works for us when our desires do likewise!"

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1996/10/according-to-the-desire-of-our-hearts

Stay Tuned until next time.

According to the Desire of (Our) Hearts ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is focus on October 1996 General Conference and it is called, “According to the Desire of [Our] Hearts" by Neal A. Maxwell. This post is part one. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk. 

Elder Maxwell mentioned the following; 

"... Exemplifying this happy reality are the doctrinal teachings concerning desire, which relates so directly to our moral agency and our individuality. Whether in their conception or expression, our desires profoundly affect the use of our moral agency. Desires thus become real determinants, even when, with pitiful naivete, we do not really want the consequences of our desires.

Desire denotes a real longing or craving. Hence righteous desires are much more than passive preferences or fleeting feelings. Of course our genes, circumstances, and environments matter very much, and they shape us significantly. ... what we insistently desire, over time, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive
in eternity.

Alma said, “I know that [God] granteth unto men according to their desire, … I know that he allotteth unto men … according to their wills” (Alma 29:4). ... “For I, the Lord, will judge all men according to their works, according to the desire of their hearts” (D&C 137:8–9). God thus takes into merciful account not only our desires and our performance, but also the degrees of difficulty which our varied circumstances impose upon us.

"All efforts begin with desire." - Dallin H. Oaks.

.

.. God delights in blessing us, especially when we realize “joy in that which [we] have desired” (D&C 7:8). ... Satan “[desires] that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi. 2:27). 

                                                                                        

Mostly, brothers and sisters, we become the victims of our own wrong desires. Moreover, we live in an age when many simply refuse to feel responsible for themselves. ... But that deflection is, in itself, an act of choice, because we so desired. 

... Like it or not, therefore, reality requires that we acknowledge our responsibility for our desires. Brothers and sisters, which do we really desire, God’s plans for us or Satan’s? Whenever spiritually significant things are underway, righteous desires are present. 

No wonder desires also determine the gradations in outcomes, including why “many are called, but few are chosen” (Matt. 22:14; see D&C 95:5). It is up to us. God will facilitate, but He will not force. Righteous desires need to be relentless, therefore, because, said President Brigham Young, “the men and women, who desire to obtain seats in the celestial kingdom, will find that they must battle every day” (in Journal of Discourses, 11:14). 

... Even a spark of desire can begin change. ... Remember, brothers and sisters, it is our own desires which determine the sizing and the attractiveness of various temptations. We set our thermostats as to temptations. Thus educating and training our desires clearly requires understanding the truths of the gospel, yet even more is involved.

President Brigham Young confirmed, saying, “It is evident that many who understand the truth do not govern themselves by it; consequently, no matter how true and beautiful truth is, you have to take the passions of the people and mould them to the law of God” (in Journal of Discourses, 7:55). ..."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Heavenly Father Has Guided Me to Two Other Righteous Desires ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

What have you been able to see that has happened in your life by having righteous desires? Does righteous desires really do matter? This is part two. It is crazy how I prepared for a full-time mission, prepared physically, spiritually and mentally to receive my endowments, received my endowments, found out my mission isn't going ahead and I was able to my husband online.

Things didn't seemed serious between me and my husband at first, it was just friends and was always great to have always someone to talk to despite the time zones differences and long distance. Indeed rest is history - enough to say that my husband and I decided to become more than friends, become boyfriend and girlfriend which led into engagement and then led into marriage.

Although my husband and I had a dream of me leaving for a mission and we worried that we might lose each other. I remembered moving into a new ward, I saw the stake president and the bishop. I got a missed call from someone who's in High Council and I called back, it was in regards of my mission papers and he was saying that my full-time mission papers hasn't been submitted since 2016. He kindly asked me if I still had a strong desire to serve a full-time mission and to see my bishop about my decision whether if I do still want to go ahead with serving a full-time mission or finding an alternative way. 

I was able to see the bishop at the time to express my interest of serving in Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple as a Temple Ordinance Worker, and I also mentioned about my husband and I do plan to get engaged and married one day. I still had a desire to serve a full-time mission, but I was just emotionally upset to find out that my mission papers did not got submitted. I got a priesthood blessing of what Heavenly Father would tell me what I should do in my deep sleep that I would have overnight. I had a dream of being a mother and having children, therefore I knew then to decide to not go ahead and start the full-time mission papers ALL OVER AGAIN.

"Sometimes life seems very unfair especially
when our greatest desire is to do exactly
what the Lord has commanded."
- Neil L. Anderson.

Not long after I landed over here in October 2018, I got a phone call from Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple if I would be interested to come in for an interview and see if I'm ready to become a Temple Ordinance Worker.

I wasn't able to come in, I did mentioned about what day I would be expected to be back and I would be able to come in as soon as I could when I get back to Australia.

My husband asked me .. along of the lines with "Will you marry me?" during my visit over here in November 2018. Within 5 days after being back in Australia, I was able to see the Temple President and I was successfully worthy and ready to become a Temple Ordiance Worker in Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple.

I was able to get set apart for the calling. It was such wonderful blessing for me to be serve in Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple and I was engaged.

I had the opportunity to get released honorably from serving in Brisbane Latter-Day Saint Temple, and about within a few months, I was able to get married to my husband. Heavenly Father certainly knows our righteous desires, even the littlest desires counts. I know that he always does his best to help us to be guided in righteous decisions throughout our lives as long as we remain worthy, and to be able to be in tune with the Holy Ghost. If something doesn't work out the way you wanted, seek help and find guidance by Heavenly Father of what other things that you can do better and help you to stay active in the Church.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Heavenly Father Has Guided Me to Two Other Righteous Desires ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

How has Heavenly Father blessed you with having righteous desires?
How has Heavenly Father blessed your immediate family and extended relatives with having righteous desires?
How has Heavenly Father blessed your friends with having righteous desires?

This post is part one. Sometime after I landed back to Brisbane from living in Perth for short-term in mid 2015; I fasted and prayed about if Heavenly Father would like me to go and serve a full-time mission. I felt a great impression enough for me to gain a strong desire to serve a full-time mission. I was so excited.

I remembered talking to the bishop at the time and he has given me privileged access to fill the full-time mission papers online and I still remembered when I was filling out the mission papers online. I remembered having my Dad by my side to help me with answering some questions, I remembered when I saw my GP doctor for medical examination of my mission papers and it costed FREE.

I remembered getting my dental work done, I had 4 fillings to be done, and x-rays. Unfortunately, I had to pay 40% from the total cost and thanks to my dental insurance at the time paid the remaining 60% of the the total cost. Total ended up costing about less than $100 US dollars. I was able to see my bishop again to give him the medical examination printed copy and the dental work has been completed printed copy as well.

"Desires dictate OUR PRIORITIES Priorities shape our choices
and choices determine OUR ACTIONS" - Dallin H. Oaks.

I had to see him for an interview of my worthiness to serve a full-time mission; he was able to submit approval at his end and referring me to see stake president at the time (who's still stake president today). I was looking forward to the next stage of the full-time mission papers.

I had to see stake president for an interview of my worthiness to serve a full-time mission about a few weeks or so after seeing my bishop. The stake president has requested for me to come in again for another interview, I came in for another interview, then he delayed about submitting my mission papers because he knew that there would be stake boundaries changes was coming up.


                                                                            Eventually, he mentioned about my mission papers has been submitted to Salt Lake City Church Headquarters. I was so excited. During the process of waiting for the mission call of the full-time mission to arrive; I have given updates of where the mission papers was, and he thinks that I might be called to serve in New Zealand. The stake president even followed up with me if I still had a desire to serve a full-time mission. Of course, I knew that I still had a strong desire to serve a full-time mission. I had nothing to stop me from serving a full-time mission.

After such a long wait, I followed up with the stake president and he mentioned about my full-time mission call was on its way back to Australia and I still didn't get the mission call. I decided to get a priesthood blessing and it mentioned that I would be able to find employment before end of the year. I asked the stake president if I can receive my endowments prior to my sister Emma's sealing and he has mentioned, "no." Emma and I did temple preparations classes together. I was disappointed that I can't receive my endowments prior to Emma's sealing, and he wouldn't allow me to become a Temple Ordinance Worker.

I remembered when I kept applying for jobs, even jobs that was about thirty-five minutes ish drive one way from my family's home at the time. I eventually found successful into employment. I moved away from my family's home. I don't even remember too much about meeting and greeting with the new stake president that I moved into a new stake. I know that he's such a great stake president.

I have spoken to a self-reliance missionary couple about my strong desire to serve a full-time mission, and he mentioned about that I get called to serve. I got called to serve as a Self-Reliance Missionary in Brisbane Australia Mission. I wasn't upset, I just thought it was strange. I remembered to pray to Heavenly Father to express to him that it was okay for me not going on a full-time mission and a part-time mision, it would be good to meet a temple worthy priesthood holder to seal me in the Temple one day.

By the time when I followed up about my mission call, the couple mentioned to me that the mission isn't going ahead. I went ahead with seeing my new bishop and stake president at the time for an interview of my worthiness to receive my endowments. Somehow towards end of that year, I was blessed to meet my husband on LDS Singles and then somehow found him on Facebook. I remembered first time messaging my husband on Facebook messenger and I wasn't so sure if he was ever going to reply.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning of You Can

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately three minutes to read from start to finish.

Did you know that sometimes we may forget about certain things and how to achieve those things when we don't feel like doing anything about it? 

You can accomplish a lot of things even when you don't feel like achieving anything at all. You can accomplish a lot of things when you put some time and effort into it. You can accomplish things that requires a lot of planning and organizing. I know that there are still going to be some people who would stop us from doing certain things. Remember to be strong, even when certain things takes longer to accomplish than expected.

"you can"

Can you make wise choices? Yes, you can make wise choices even when you don't feel like it at times. 

Can you make wise decisions? Yes, you can make wise decisions even when you don't feel like it at times.. 

Can you be friendly and kind to someone? Yes, you can even when you don't feel like it at times.

Can you make mistakes and still be forgiven? Yes, you can make mistakes and still be forgiven. Can you make someone feel appreciative? Yes, you can make someone feel appreciative even when you aren't able to find ways to help someone to feel that way. Can you make someone smile and laugh? Yes, you can make someone smile and laugh even when you don't think you are trying to do so.

It's always a great to offer your help towards your immediate family members, your living extended relatives, your close friends, your friends, your neighbours and so forth.  There are many activities that you can do, there are many sports that you can do, there are many options of courses for what you can study, there are many options of places where you can work, and so forth.

Some Activities that you can do;

You can do arts and crafts including scrapbooking, you can do blogging, you can go camping, you can go groceries shopping, you can do family history, you can read books, you can spend some time with your immediate family members, you can spend some time with your living extended relatives, you can spend some time with your close friends, you can spend some time with your friends, you can go on walks, and so forth.

Some Sports that you can do; 

You can play basketball, you can go bike riding, you can do bowling, you can play football, you can play golf, you can play field hockey, you can play netball, you can go skiing, you can play soccer, you can go swimming, you can play table tennis, you can tennis, you can play volleyball and so forth. 

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning of Positives and Negatives

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take appropriately three minutes to read from start to finish.

This post is short and sweet.
What are your true definitions and understandings of the following words, "Positive" and "Negative"?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your immediate family members and extended relatives?

What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your work colleagues if you're currently employed?

What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your fellow students if you're currently studying?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your neighbours if you have neighbours?
What does "Positives" and "Negatives" means to your close friends and your friends?

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to follow positive influences or negative influences. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to express our positive feelings or our negative feelings. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to think about the positive thoughts
or the negative thoughts.

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to show our positive actions or our negative actions. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to speak positive words or negative words.

"Positive anything is better than negative nothing."
- Elbert Hubbard.

Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to listen to positive songs or negative songs. Throughout our lives; we do get to choose whether we would like to view to positive shows and movies or negative shows and movies.

I know that I constantly do my best to follow most positive influences more than I do with negative influences.
I know that I constantly do my best to express most positive feelings more than I do with expressing negative feelings.

I know that I constantly do my best to think most positive thoughts more than I do with thinking about negative thoughts.

I know that I constantly do my best to show most of my positive actions more than I do with showing negative actions. I know that I constantly do my best to speak most positive words more than I do with speaking negative words.

I know that I constantly do my best to listen most positive songs more than I do with listening to negative songs. I know that I constantly do my best to viewing most positive shows and movies more than I do with viewing negative shows and movies.

Does it matter for us to experience positives and negatives throughout our lives? Should we be more positive than negative throughout our lives? Why do we experience positives and negatives throughout our lives?

I strongly believe it should definitely matter for us to experience positives and negatives throughout our lives. I strongly think that we should be more positive than negative throughout our lives. I think we experience positives and negatives throughout our lives to help us to make wiser decisions and choices.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Emotions and Feelings

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

What are your true definitions and understandings of the following words, "Emotions" and "Feelings"? 

What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your immediate relatives and your extended relatives?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your work colleagues if you're currently employed?

What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your fellow students if you're currently studying?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your neighbours if you have neighbours?
What does "Emotions" and "Feelings" means to your close friends and your friends?

In the past; I know that each of us had opportunities when we were able to expressed emotions and feelings. I know that there has been times when we felt happiness, when we felt sadness, when we felt fear, when we felt anticipation, when we felt loneliness, and so forth. At this present time, tomorrow, days that turns into weeks, weeks that turns into months, and months that turns into years; we would continue expressing emotion. I know that we would have plenty of opportunities to continue expressing emotions for the remaining of our lives

Have you ever acknowledged when you expressed emotions and feelings in the past? 

What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed happiness in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed sadness in the past?

What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed fear in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed anticipation in the past?
What were some of the things that you have acknowledged when you expressed loneliness in the past?

"You'll become happy when you stop reacting
and start controlling your emotions."

I am sure that you have been able to acknowledge all those times when you have expressed happiness in the past, when you have expressed sadness in the past, when you have expressed fear in the past, when you have expressed anticipation in the past, when you have expressed loneliness in the past and so forth. I know at times throughout our lives when we feel two different emotions at the same time.

Have you ever understood or knew reasons why you expressed emotions and feelings in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed happiness in the past? How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed sadness in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed fear in the past? How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed anticipation in the past?

How did you understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed loneliness in the past?

I am sure that you must have understood why or knew the reasons why you expressed happiness, you expressed, you expressed fear, you expressed anticipation, you expressed loneliness, and so forth.

In the past, I knew that I had emotions and feelings for variety of reasons;

I know that I have felt happiness whenever I was available to spend some time with my immediate family members, whenever I was available to spend some time with my extended relatives, whenever I was available to spend some time with my close friends, whenever I was available to spend some time with my friends, whenever I have accomplished something that I thought I wouldn't ever been able to do and so forth. 

I know that I have felt sadness sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my immediate family members - I know that I have strong hope for me to be able to see them again some day, sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my extended relatives - I know that I have strong hope for me to able to see them again some day, sometimes after I said "goodbye" to my friends - I know that I have strong hope for me to be able to see them again some day and so forth.

I know that I have felt fear most times whenever it was heavy raining while I was driving to go to places, I felt fear when I flew in the plane for the first time - I was so scared of heights, I know that I have felt fear when I hear thunderstorms - I still feel fear about thunderstorms, and so forth.

I know that I have felt anticipation just days prior to going to my K1 visa interview. I had a strong hope that I would be able to be confident of what to say during my K1 visa interview. I also know that I have felt anticipation to when reality sinks in on my last shift of being employed in Australia.

I know that I have felt loneliness at times when reality sinks in and reminded myself when I was living on my own. I know that I would be all good.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Timing

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your definition and understanding of "Timing"? What does "Timing" means to your immediate family and extended relatives? What does "Timing" means to your friends?

Each of us have twenty-four hours for a full day including the evenings. Each of us have one hundred and sixty-eight hours for a full week. We often use our time on eating - indeed snacking counts, sleeping - napping counts, doing the house chores - indeed doing laundry counts, drinking, sleeping, and so forth.

How can we use our time wisely?

We can do house chores such as deep cleaning the bathroom/s, mopping the floors, sweeping the floors, doing loads of laundry, and so forth. We can write letters to our immediate family members, extended relatives and in-laws {if we're married}. We can write letters to our closest friends. We can exercise such as going on walks, bike riding, and so forth. 

We can working towards a project whether it's massive or small - for an example, printing old photos and placed them into photo albums books, help someone who needs help with a lift to go groceries shopping, we can be a babysitter to someone to watch over their children for them while that person and her spouse can go out on a date, we can do family history, we can go out and do our own groceries shopping, we can read books, we can help our new neighbour who needs help moving into their new home, we can do blogging, we can do vlogging, and so forth. 

How do we waste our time?

Sometimes we can get caught up and waste our time on playing the games that we have on our mobile devices and computers/laptops .Sometimes we can get caught up and waste our time on playing our video games whether it is played on Playstation 3 or Playstation 4 or Xbox 360. 

We can get caught up and waste our time on watching TV - Disney+, Hulu, Netflix, any catch up of more than five missed episodes for shows that we like to watch. We can be napping throughout the daytime when we could've been awake and using our time wisely, and so forth.

"Timing is everything." - Buck Brannaman.

Do you consider and think that timing is everything? 

Well I know for myself that I honestly believe that timing is everything. Twenty-hours may not seem much to us but in reality we can accomplish many things throughout the daytime and nighttime when we wake up about 6am and then we won't go to sleep until after 9pm.

Whatever things that we weren't able to accomplish throughout the daytime and evening, there's always the next twenty-four hours to accomplish those things. If we didn't accomplished those things today and tomorrow, there's still remaining of the week to accomplish those things. 

I know that people who has employment or hired into more than one employment; uses their time on working. Sometimes expected long shifts can be ended shorter than expected, and sometimes expected short shifts can be extended longer than expected. 

Everywhere for employment has its quiet days and quiet evenings, everywhere for employment has its busy days and busy evenings, everywhere for employment has its quiet days and busy evenings, everywhere for employment has its busy days and quiet evenings.

I know that a lot of people would always wanted extra hours, more than twenty-two hours in a day including the evening because they just aren't able to accomplish everything that they want to do throughout that time-frame. I know that people who has been enrolled into courses or any form of education; uses their time on studying, learning something new, studying for their exams, studying for their assignments and so forth.

Do you think if we had extra hours throughout a day including the evening would help us to accomplish more things? Do you think we had extra hours throughout a day including the evening would get us to have more time for us to procrastinate and waste time to put things and priorities to the last minute?

I remembered when I used to refuse and procrastinate from doing house chores before I moved out of  my family's home in January 2017. I didn't like doing the laundry without listening to any songs - taking the clothes off the clothes line, cleaning my own bedroom without listening to any songs - it seems to be no fun and enjoyable and so forth.

I do know that it can be massive responsibility to keep a house/apartment/granny flat in order to ensure that the people who lives in any form of homing would have clean clothes to wear each day, has clean dishes to eat out of, their place is free from dust, free from clutter and so forth.

When I moved out of my family's home in January 2017 and all of the homes that I was living at; I had responsibilities for me to do. I had to my own laundry, washing up my own dishes after using them, I had to always clean my own bedroom, and so forth.

Stay Tuned until next time.

Seek Learning for Education

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take five minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your definition and understanding for "Education"? What does "Education" means to your immediate family members and extended relatives? What does "Education" means to your friends?

There are some people may think and consider that "Education" is a massive topic to talk about, and I know that they just doesn't like "Education." They may think that "Education" is way too boring for them, sometimes they refuse to learn some new things, not engaging into starting and completing the tasks that is required of them to get grades, they often procrastinate until the last minute and they just doesn't want to be involved with the class discussions.

There are some other people may think and consider that "Education" isn't a massive topic to talk about, and I know that they just like "Education." They may think that "Education" is useful and handy for them. They are doing "Education" to learn many new things, properly engaging into starting and completing the tasks that is required of them to get grades, they prioritize their time wisely to make sure that they put in a huge effort into their "Education" and they always enjoy to be involved with the class discussions.

What are some types of "Education" have you seen throughout your life? Do you think and believe in "Education" is essential for us having to do in our lives?

From Preschool age to Senior, there's an option of homeschooling and mostly preferred Schooling from Primary School to Senior - 17 years of going to school or 18 years of going to school. Some people have the option to study a bachelor's degree, a master's degree, a vocational certificate - Certificate I to Certificate IV, a short three months basic course, either online or on campus for going to classes in person.

Those options would come available for colleges, universities, tafes, and so forth. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints religion; we have been taught that most things to be taught and learned in the family homes.

"Education is the passport to the future, for tomorrow belongs
to those who prepare for it today." - Malcolm X.

I know that we would be able to learn some life skills such as how to cook for a family, how to do fold clean laundry, how to wash the dishes clean and properly, so forth in the home.

We have recently have the opportunity for the parents to teach their children how to prepare for a full-time mission, and how to help them to feel worthy, be spiritually, mentally and physical ready to receive their endowments through temple preparations.

There are many useful resources that we can have access to whether it is online or in textbooks that we were able to keep from school. If you are currently enrolled with schooling, learn as much as you can and write down or take many notes if you can as well. It would be handy.

I do think and believe in "Education" is essential for us having to do in our lives, there are plenty of things to learn. As we learn something new in "Education," we can do our best to share with our families, our friends, our extended relatives and our future children - there are generations to come forth.

"Education" has given me the knowledge of what I do need to know, and I am still constantly learning something new. The more "Education" that we have succeed in, helps us to have better skills for appropriate job or jobs that we have applied for.

I also know that it helps for the employer or the management team to know that we have took the time and effort for having an "Education," and it gives them a reason why they should hire you more than the chance of someone who dropped out of school.

While I was in high school; I often saw myself taking notes while the teacher was teaching the class and sometimes people may think that was a silly idea while others think it was a great idea. It has helped me to learn quicker, it has helped me to review my notes after school hours, it has helped me to keep myself awake despite how tired I would be, and so forth.

Some "Education" helps us to be prepared for the future. I remembered when I was in high school; I had the opportunity to learn some idea of the costs that I would be expected to pay for after I graduated senior and when I have some form of employment. Those examples was somewhat idea of the costs to be expected for paying to run and maintain a vehicle to be constantly roadworthy, another example was of somewhat idea of the costs to be expected for when building a house on some land, and so forth.

I know that keeping a vehicle to run and maintain for it to be constantly roadworthy can be pricey, it consist of wheel alignment, new battery, new bulbs, and so forth. I also know that building a house can be pricey too, it consist of electrical work to be done it, the doors inside the house, the shower, the countertops, etc.

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of the Family ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take three to five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on a April 2003 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Importance of the Family" by Elder L. Tom Perry. This post is part two and I hope you would enjoy reading and would be able to learn something new from this post. I would like to share with you some highlights while I reading the talk. 

Elder Perry mentioned the following; "Children and youth are shown, through prophetic words and through living examples, the importance of loving and honoring their parents. Parents are taught ways of building and maintaining close family ties, both in good times and in difficult times. The good spirit in these magazines will help fill your homes with warmth, love, and the strength of the gospel. ...

We hope that by flooding the Church with family-oriented media, members of the Church will be assisted and encouraged to build stronger and better families.  ... At least by seeing family issues mentioned so often, we all will be reminded to focus our attention on the most important organization the Lord has established here on earth."

From the very beginning the Lord has established the importance of the family organization for us. Soon after Adam and Eve left the Garden of Eden, the Lord spoke to them: ... 

“[Then] in that day Adam blessed God and was filled, and began to prophesy concerning all the families of the earth, saying: Blessed be the name of God, for because of my transgression my eyes are opened, and in this life I shall have joy, and again in the flesh I shall see God.

“And Eve, his wife, heard all these things and was glad, saying: [If it were] not for our transgression we never should have had seed, and never should have known good and evil, and the joy of our redemption, and the eternal life which God giveth unto all the obedient.

“And Adam and Eve blessed the name of God, and they made all things known unto their sons and their daughters." “President Brigham Young explained that our families are not yet ours. The Lord has committed them to us to see how we will treat them. Only if we are faithful will they be given to us forever. What we do on earth determines whether or not we will be worthy to become heavenly parents.”

"Families are the treasure of heaven." - Neil L. Anderson.

The Church has established two special times for families to be together. The first is centered around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. This is the time we are to attend our regular meetings together, study the life and teachings of the Savior and of the prophets. “Other appropriate Sunday activities include (1) writing personal and family journals, (2) holding family councils, (3) establishing and maintaining family organizations for the immediate and extended family, (4) personal interviews between parents and children, (5) writing to relatives and missionaries, (6) genealogy, (7) visiting relatives and those who are ill or lonely, (8) missionary work, (9) reading stories to children, and (10) singing Church hymns.”

The second time is Monday night. We are to teach our children in a well-organized, regular family home evening. No other activities should involve our family members on Monday night. This designated time is to be with our families.

We hope all of you have noticed the special emphasis the First Presidency has put on family home evenings. The First Presidency letter of October 4, 1999, was recently repeated in the magazines:

“To: Members of the Church throughout the World

“Dear Brothers and Sisters:

“Monday nights are reserved throughout the Church for family home evenings. We encourage members to set aside this time to strengthen family ties and teach the gospel in their homes.

“Earlier this year we called on parents to devote their best efforts to the teaching and rearing of their children in gospel principles which will keep them close to the Church. We also counseled parents and children to give highest priority to family prayer, family home evening, gospel study and instruction, and wholesome family activities.

“We urge members, where possible, to avoid holding receptions or other similar activities on Monday evenings. ... May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. Let us again remember the promises and instructions from the Lord to His children:

“The glory of God is intelligence, or, in other words, light and truth. “Light and truth forsake that evil one. …“But I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth.” ..."

You may or may not would like to read the whole talk in your own time, here's the link to the whole talk below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2003/04/the-importance-of-the-family

Stay Tuned until next time.

The Importance of The Family ~ Part One

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately four minutes to read from start to finish.

What is your true definition and understanding for "The Importance of the Family" ? 

What were some of the things that you considered important in families? 

What are some of the things that you consider is important in families now? 

Did your family mean important to you in the past? Does your family means important to you now? 

Did your family cared about you in the past? Does your family cares about you now? 

Did your family supported you in the past? Does your family supports you now? 

_________________________________________________________________________

This post focuses on a April 2003 General Conference talk and it is called, "The Importance of the Family" by Elder L. Tom Perry. This post is part one and I hope you would enjoy reading and would be able to learn something new from this post. I would like to share with you some highlights while I reading the talk. 

Elder Perry mentioned the following;

May it be our resolve this year to build a gospel-centered home, a safe harbor from the storms of the adversary. In a world of turmoil and uncertainty, it is more important than ever to make our families the center of our lives and the top of our priorities. Families lie at the center of our Heavenly Father’s plan. This statement from “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” declares the responsibilities of parents to their families:

“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. ‘Children are an heritage of the Lord’ (Psalms 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, to teach them to love and serve one another, to observe the commandments of God and to be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations.”1

... We will use all of the resources we have to encourage greater harmony, greater love, and greater influence in the Lord’s special designated unit - the family. We need to make our homes a place of refuge from the storm, which is increasing in intensity all about us. Even if the smallest openings are left unattended, negative influences can penetrate the very walls of our homes. ... Oh, what impact advertising, television programs, the Internet, and the other media are having on our family units!

Helps and reminders will come from the Church Internet site and television channels, as well as through priesthood and auxiliary leadership to assist you as we strive to fulfill our family responsibilities. In some of the zones of the world, we have an alternative to commercial television networks and some of their anti family programming.

We have BYU Television, which presents family-oriented programs. In addition to programs that bring gospel teaching, there are programs directed to parent instruction and family entertainment. We will also be striving to increase the quality and frequency of our family-centered Home Front public service spots.

... The page includes thoughts from the scriptures and Church leaders to strengthen the family. It also includes ideas for family activities. A new home and family section provides: ... Ideas for family activities. Family home evening quick tips to help you have meaningful and enjoyable family home evenings.

"Family is the support you will never have to pay for because come
rain, or shine, they will be there to cheer you on with every of your
life goals."

Featured articles on topics such as making family home evenings more successful, strengthening the relationship between husband and wife, and ideas for feeling closer as family members. ... 

We do have one media source, however, that reaches the entire Church - it is our wonderful Church magazines. These magazines come into our homes regularly and are another way of delivering information to help strengthen the family. Perhaps you noticed in the March Ensign and Liahona - the international magazine - a message from President Gordon B. Hinckley on family home evenings:

“‘We have a family home evening program once a week [Monday night] across the Church in which parents sit down with their children. They study the scriptures. They talk about family problems. They plan family activities and things of that kind. I don’t hesitate to say if every family in the world practiced that one thing, you’d see a very great difference in the solidarity of the families of the world’ (interview, Boston Globe, 14 Aug. 2000).”

Following President Hinckley’s encouragement for us to hold family home evenings, the next article in the Ensign was entitled “The Calling I Didn’t Know I Had”:

“Family home evening was challenging when our children were young. ... “Just then a thought came to mind: ‘Family home evening is one of your callings. In fact, it is part of your most important calling - motherhood!’ I reflected on that insight. ... 

... In addition, throughout the year there will be issues of the Liahona, Ensign, New Era, and Friend containing materials for teaching in the home. There will be wonderful suggestions for family home evenings and ideas for everyday teaching moments. The articles are written so they can easily be adapted for lessons for your family."

Stay Tuned until next time.

Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty ~ Part Two

Good Morning, Good Afternoon, Good Evening,

this post should take approximately five minutes to read from start to finish.

This post focuses on April 1999 General Conference talk and it is called, Strengthening Families: Our Sacred Duty" by Elder Robert D. Hales. This post is part two. I would like to share with you some highlights while I was reading the talk.

Elder Hales mentioned the following; "Teach our children the significance of baptism and confirmation, receiving the gift of the Holy Ghost, partaking of the sacrament, honoring the priesthood, and making and keeping temple covenants. They need to know the importance of living worthy of a temple recommend and preparing for a temple marriage.

If you have not yet been sealed in the temple to your spouse or children, work as a family to receive temple blessings. Set temple goals as a family. Be worthy of the priesthood which you hold, brethren, and use it to bless the lives of your family. Through the power of the Melchizedek Priesthood, dedicate our homes. ... Talk to our children’s teachers, coaches, counselors, advisers, and Church leaders about our concerns and the needs of our children.

Know what our children are doing in their spare time. Influence their choice of movies, television programs, and videos. If they are on the Internet, know what they are doing. ... Encourage worthwhile school activities. Know what our children are studying. Help them with their homework. Help them realize the importance of education and of preparing for employment and self-sufficiency.

Young women: 

Attend Relief Society when you reach your 18th birthday. ... You may fear that you won’t fit in. ... There is much in Relief Society for you. It can be a blessing to you throughout your life.

Young men: 

Honor the Aaronic Priesthood. It is the preparatory priesthood, preparing you for the Melchizedek Priesthood. Become fully active in the elders quorum when you are ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood. The brotherhood, the quorum instruction, and the opportunities to serve others will bless you and your family throughout your life.

FAMILIES 
Families are the Lord's workshop on earth to help us learn and
live the gospel." - Cheryl A. Esplin.

Every family can be strengthened in one way or another if the Spirit of the Lord is brought into our homes and we teach by His example. Act with faith; don’t react with fear. ...

This is the time for added love and support and to reinforce your teachings on how to make choices.

 It is frightening to allow our children to learn from the mistakes they may make, but their willingness to choose the Lord’s way and family values is greater when the choice comes from within than when we attempt to force those values upon them.

The Lord’s way of love and acceptance is better than Satan’s way of force and coercion, especially in rearing teenagers.


... While we may despair when, after all we can do, some of our children stray from the path of righteousness, the words of Orson F. Whitney can comfort us: “... Either in this life or the life to come, they will return. They will have to pay their debt to justice; they will suffer for their sins; and may tread a thorny path; but if it leads them at last, like the penitent Prodigal, to a loving and forgiving [mother’s and] father’s heart and home, the painful experience will not have been in vain. Pray for [our] careless and disobedient children; hold on to them with [our] faith. Hope on, trust on, till you see the salvation of God” (Orson F. Whitney, in Conference Report, Apr. 1929, 110).

What if you are single or have not been blessed with children? Do you need to be concerned about the counsel regarding families? Yes. It is something we all need to learn in earth life. Unmarried adult members can often lend a special kind of strength to the family, becoming a tremendous source of support, acceptance, and love to their families and the families of those around them.

Many adult members of the extended family do much parenting in their own right. Grandparents, aunts and uncles, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, cousins, and other family members can have great impact on the family. ... Sometimes extended family members can say things parents cannot say without starting an argument. ...

Knowing that we are in mortality to learn and to develop our faith, we should understand that there must be opposition in all things. During a family council in my own home, my wife said, “When you may think that someone has a perfect family, you just do not know them well enough.”

Brothers and sisters, as parents let us heed the admonition, even the rebuke, given by the Lord to Joseph Smith and the leaders of the Church in 1833 to “set in order [our] own house” (D&C 93:43). “I have commanded you to bring up your children in light and truth” (D&C 93:40). “Set in order [our] family, and see that they are more diligent and concerned at home, and pray always, or they shall be removed out of their place” (D&C 93:50).

The prophets of our day have given a similar admonition and warning to parents to set in order our families. May we be blessed with the inspiration and love to meet opposition with faith within our families. We will then know that our trials are to draw us closer to the Lord and to one another. ... The family is strengthened as we draw near to the Lord, and each member of the family is strengthened as we lift and strengthen and love and care for one another. “Thee lift me and I’ll lift thee, and we’ll ascend together” (Quaker proverb). ..."

If you would like to read the whole talk either now or in your own time, here's the link below.
www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1999/04/strengthening-families-our-sacred-duty

Stay Tuned until next time.