Chelsea's Last Stake Primary Activity.

I count my blessings for my current church calling, because I get to work with this amazing girl. Not only do I strive to teach her true principles in the home, but at church it's a totally different story. I want her to make sure that she is willing to serve, and do kind things because she wants to, and not because I'm her "mom leader." I'm pleased to say that she really does her best in doing so, and that she is always excited to attend faith in god for girls activities, and to get involved in any way that she can to help herself, and others. She truly is an amazing girl with a lot of potential, and goals to achieve in her future. Especially when it comes to preparing for young women. 

Which she already is. 

Last week we had our yearly stake primary activity, and boy did we have a good turnout. It made me so happy to see a bunch of girls attend. I believe we had over 50! There were stations where they made crowns to put on their head throughout the whole activity. They wrote cards to someone who could use a kind word. It was a perfect theme, and I'm so happy to see that Chelsea sees herself as a "princess" but what I want most of all for her to know is that she is indeed, a beautiful daughter of God. 

She was given a bag of goodies with a mirror, and a manicure set. So simple, and sweet, and there was a quote on the bag which read...

"I have amazing potential

I can make good choices

I can do hard things

I am beautiful 

Inside and out. 

I am of great worth

He has a plan for me

I know who I am.

I am a Daughter of God. "

How true those words are for every young girl in the universe. Every girl is a daughter of God. I, am a daughter of God, and to finally come to the realization that it's true makes me feel that I can handle any hard thing that comes my way because I know. I know who I am, and where I stand with God, and it is my prayer that not only do my children know that, but that every girl in the world knows that. 

It was a bittersweet moment knowing that this would be Chelsea's last stake primary activity to attend, and I'm so grateful that we participated and that I in turn am getting to know the girls that I'm teaching a bit more. 

I can't believe my baby girl is growing up. She sure has a lot to learn, but I think she's a had a pretty good head start seeing that she has had two older sisters who have gone through this program, and it is my hope that she will take every thing that she was taught in faith in god for girls into young women. 

Because young women is going to be a whole other dimension!  

Thankful For Callings In The Church.

One that gets my mind off of my own issues, and worldly chaos is serving others, and I'm in the perfect church for it. I love how how the church i attend is so service oriented, and how some members go out of their way to lend a helping hand. As a mother I tend to be subservient not only to my family, but to my friends, and neighbors, or anyone who may be in need of help. I've had many callings in the church, and at this moment I currently hold a calling where I teach the 8-11 year old girls. So far it has been a pleasure in being able to teach these young girls, and it is my hope that they will take in all that is being taught to them inside the home, and at church. 

Because I didn't have this growing up, I hope they know how much they appreciate this program, and how I wish I could have been in their shoes when I was their ages. 

To be taught about the savior. 
What service means.
How we can cultivate compassion. 
How we can be kind to others. 
What the atonement means. 
How we can forgive. 
To have faith. 
To have hope. 
To be peaceful. 

And the list goes on. 

But most of all...how we can gain a personal testimony of the Lord, and His gospel. 

Although I was raised a catholic, and went to CCD classes i wasn't devout, and in all honesty didn't apply any of it to my life at that time. So I didn't have any kind of gospel centered, service in the church kind of life growing up. And now I'm raising and teaching my kids, as well as these girls with the gospel. I hope that by the time they turn 12, they will be properly prepared to enter into a different kind of "fun" & spiritual territory which is the young women program. 

The young women program is a bit more intense because they'll be dealing with a whole lot of different. Same teachings, but in a different direction. The ages between 12 to18, in my opinion, are the most crucial years in an adolescents life, and it can be the toughest time for a teen. But knowing that they have the gospel of Jesus Christ in their life, and if they apply it...I mean really apply it daily they can endure all things, and have help from the Lord in leading them to all that is good. To know that they are indeed a daughter of a king, and that they no longer need to have the things of the world tell them what to do, and how to be. So being the girls achievement leader is a privilege to me because I will be helping them down that path. 

My youngest daughter Chelsea will be 11 in a couple of months and having her sit in with the other girls to teach them is a humbling time for me. At this moment she's been having a lot of questions, and is curious about other religions. Particularly the catholic religion. Luckily I was raised with that, and knew about the doctrine, and can explain to her such things as why they make a sign of the cross on their face, and pray with a pretty necklace with a bunch of colorful beads. Oh yeah...I explained all that to her, and in no way does she think it's weird. Different, but not weird. I'm grateful for her spirit, and for her questions because it allows me to teach her in a way that I wasn't taught. I didn't have an open mind growing up, and thankfully Chelsea does. I hope that she will continue to know that the things she is being raised with in the church, and taught in the home are true. 

I'm extremely grateful for all the callings I've had in the church because not only have they've helped me grow spiritually, but they have reminded me of something that I was once taught. The stories of Christ. It's almost like a refresher course on the basic principles. I also love that not only do I help teach these girls, but in return they are teaching me. 

The first night I taught them i was very impressed with their behavior, answers, and actions. They had it together, and I pray for many days like this. I hope that as we continue on this journey in learning about the gospel together that I will do more than my best. And that their parents will feel at ease knowing that their child is in good hands. Not the most perfect hands, but good hands. And that they will know that my heart is in the right place when it comes to teaching their girls true principles of the Lord. 

A New Calling.

Each calling that I receive, and accept in the church, and I've had quite a few, has been a blessing in my life, and in one way or another has strengthened me. I learn something different every time, and each calling helps me further my knowledge in the gospel. 

This past Sunday at church I was assigned to be the new Faith in God leader. And can I just tell you how much I have been wanting to serve in this calling?!? Sierra and Lexie experienced the faith in God program in different wards, and in two different states, and I saw so much activity & growth among them and the leaders that they had were amazing! I saw how involved the leaders were in their lives, and how much my daughters enjoyed going to the activities, but most of all how much they spiritually grew. Sierra received her award in North Carolina, and Lexie received hers here in Jersey.  I have one ore daughter left to accomplish the program, and I'm so excited to be her leader. 

When I told Chelsea what my new calling was going to be she smiled so big, and began jumping up and down whilst giving me a bear hug! It truly made me smile, and her reaction was a joyful one. I can tell she is thrilled for me to be her leader. See, some kids can find it annoying or even intimidating to have a parent as their leader in a calling, but luckily Chelsea is young and innocent and is not at that stage where she finds me annoying as a mom, (at least not yet!) and/or being her teacher when it comes to a church calling. 

^^^ me and my youngest daughter Chelsea. Can you tell she's excited?!?! ^^^

I'm really looking forward in seeking inspiration, and to spiritually grow in this calling. I hope that the girls that I'll be teaching will know that even though I don't know all their hobbies, likes, dislikes, and idiosyncrasies that I love them, and that my intentions are good. I want to help them accomplish their goals in preparing them for the young women program. I hope that after one hour of teaching them, that they'll leave with feelings of joy, love, and with a smile on their face. I hope that they'll leave feeling inspired knowing that they learned a Christlike attribute on how to serve, and love others, but most of all to establish a righteous pattern of living. I hope that they will develop gospel habits, and develop strong testimonies, but most of all increase their faith in Jesus Christ. I hope that they will spiritually grow in the things that they are taught while enjoying themselves at the same time. 

Faith in God truly does shape the lives of our young girls and it is my hope that I will do my best in my calling to help them along the way as they grow older so that they can grow up to be the best young woman in their generation!