June 2024 - Erana's 14th, Tyrell's 27th Birthdays

Sunday June 2nd - Taylorsville Temple Dedication. 

Leila's filling out her Mission papers. I have to make Doctors and Dentist appointments for her!

Murray District last day of school was Thursday June 6th. Two weeks after Granite District had finished. These weeks seem to drag on. Last Day of school was just signing our Year Book, the day before was a fun field day. It didn't seem as fun as the last years before, seemed a bit scabby. 

Thursday June 6th - Erana's 14th Birthday. She wanted to eat with all the family at 'Cafe Rio'! Erana growing so fast, we miss her baby toddler stage. Her teenage stage is a bit grumpy, little bit of an attitude now and then lol But she still is jolly and a crack up, kind and a loveable girl. We love her so much!

Friday June 7th - Girls and I went and helped with the Hiona show for 'Keala Heimuli'. She a little person in our Hiona group, it was her birthday party. It was outside of their church at a pavilion. They had yummy food. Our show was embarrassing only the girls and I, Jenny, Loni, Shallyn and Maioha, no guitarist. Shallyn played music on their speaker, it was louder than our singing. Another group was there that we knew and they performed different cultures plus maori, they were awesome! One of my Murray students were there - shame! 

First Sunday of each month we've tried to go to visit Mum and eat Sunday dinner at the Cemetary. 

Tuesday June 11th - I took baby to get her hair cut by Jamie (Ballou) she use to be in our ward. Baby wanted a 'wolf cut'. Baby got her hair washed, cut and styled, it cost a lot but she looks amazing! Girls had their Piano Recital. I took photos of the girls outside before the recital and with Vicky. We were early, they also got to practice. Erana played 'Lean On Me', by Bill Withers, she did an awesome job and Leila played a Sonata (duet with Vicky) by W.A Mozart, she was awesome too. It was another successful and entertaining recital evening. 

Most days if we can we go to get free lunch at Heartland Elementary. It will be Leila's last free lunch year since she'll turn 19 in October. 

Friday June 14th - Went to the 'Janet Jackson' concert at the UFC Amphitheater. Jay, girls and I, Scott and  Heather. We found a spot on the grass but later on found out that we should've not chosen that spot, cause we were to close to the booze cart lol Anyways we made the most of it. We got some food for the girls and some popcorn later (popcorn wasn't yummy like usual). Nelly was the opening show for Janet. Janet was on fire, she's so awesome. We loved the concert. We were able to stand up and dance or sit if we wanted to. But her songs were so reminiscent we were dancing most of the night. Afterwards we bought a Janet Jackson concert shirt from someone selling them in the parking lot.

Saturday June 15th - Baby and I went to a Car Show at Murray Park. There were a lot of cool old style cars, my favorite from the 50'-60's. We got a free piece of apple pie and ice-cream too, I saw a couple of my students.

Sunday June 16th we, Jay, girls and I went on our vacation to Cody, Wyoming. On our way there we stopped at Farson Mercantile for ice-cream. Ice-cream was big and cheap, just how I like it. We stopped in a little town at the park to have a rest and a picnic. Our hotel in Cody was nice, it had stuffed animals inside the lobby and an inside pool with a hot-tub. A BBQ restaurant was right next to it. Looked at these see through bubble tents, played at the park a little, with the musical instruments. Got hungry so we got the BBQ dinner 'Bubbas Big BBQ' dinner, it was delicious. 

Monday 17th - After our yummy complimentary breakfast, waffles, scrambled eggs, sausage, juice, milk. We went to the 'Buffalo Bill Museum'. It was a massive museum, first heard about it from Vance Edmonds, our neighbor. We looked at a couple of wings first one had guns second one had art, paintings. Girls did the scavenger hunt for each wing, if they get the all the answers correct they get a sticker.We watched a bird show, which I thought was going to be cool, but not really. The owl just sat on her arm the whole time. Got a drink from the cafeteria and sat out side.  Looked at the gift store, then came outside and took photos with the Buffalo Bill monument. We were hungry so we went to the only Chinese buffet restaurant called China Town. Food was okay, our Chinese Buffets are better. Went downtown and got tickets to sit on seats outside this saloon to watch their Buffalo Bill live re-enactment show. I thought it was going to be cool, but it was a bit cheesy. I could see where it needs improvement, especially their acting. Dad was part of the show, I think he got caught of guard and didn't know what to say, only after he thought of something witty. We looked in the gift stores and the girls found them Cowboy hats to go with the Korean ajumma jackets they were wearing. Relaxed in our hotel hot tub aftewards. 

Tuesday June 18th - Ate the same complimentary breakfast. Went to the next wing at the Buffalo Bill Museum which was about Buffalo Bill himself and had videos of his show, artifacts of his home and life. Got me a Buffalo Bill t-shirt in the gift store it was purple and had a bison on it. We left early to go to the Buffalo Bill Dam. We parked and got a golf cart shuttle to the Dam's visitors center and looked around, it was cool. Then on our way back we stopped at 'Old Trail Town'. It had all of the old Cabins, stores and saloons etc. It had a cemetery where you can read what happened to that person, very interesting. Most of the cabins smelt muggy. I liked the clothes the woman wore, I would wear those today haha. Some of the cabins were very nice with nice furniture and things inside. Since we liked the BBQ from the other night, we ordered it again. Jay and I went to relax at the hotel pool and hot tub. 

Wednesday 19th - We checked out after breakfast and drove to Yellow Stone Park. I drove, the scenery was beautiful, everything was green, reminding me of New Zealand. We stopped at a visitors center, it was a bit chilly outside and I was wearing shorts. We saw bear tracks by the lake in the sand. We went to a waterfall look out. While we were driving to another look out we were able to see a black bear with her cubs. Went on to see some geysers, 'Midway Geyser Basin. And a beautiful one with lots of colors. We were in a traffic jam and got to see some close up Bison crossing the road. People got out of their vehicles to take photos and videos, a Mom with her daughter an older lady that had a limp. I was telling Dad to get out and do the same, but the girls said NOOOO! cause they had just told us the other day that they watched Youtube videos of people getting attacked by bison in Yellowstone. But I figured Dad could out run the old lady with a limp lol. We drove to Old Faithful was and got a good seat to watch it erupt. Lots of tourists were there, it was cool. We then walked around and looked at other geysers. Went to the gift store and got me another t-shirt -Yellowstone. Our next hotel was out in the wops and did not have a microwave and wifi, so we had to improvise and make our ramen noodles in the coffee maker. 

Thursday 20th - There was no complimentary breakfast, so on out way out we stopped at there general/souvenir store and got us some food. I bought me another t-shirt it was green. At Colter Bay visitor center was busy with lots of people. Went on a little hike on a trail, saw amazing views of the Tetons with the lake. Took lots of cool photos, the hike was an easy hike. We stopped at the general store and got yummy ice-cream cones. Went to Jenny's lake visitor center it was crowded, then to another visitor center. We've been blessed to be able to find a parking space at every stop we stopped at. We then drove to Jackson Hole, a little town but bigger than Cody. Checked into our Hotel, it was right next to a cheap movie theatre place and other stores. Went to McDonalds for dinner and then went back to out hotel to chill, I had a bath. 

Friday June 21st - In the morning we had complimentary breakfast, I had cereal with bananas and a yogurt. They had a cool pancake maker which made cute lil'pancakes. Went to do the luge ride, it cost a lot of money. It was fun though but near the end of the luge we got held up because someone's luge car malfunctioned. I didnt' complain about it though cause we'd have to stand in a long line again and we wanted to look downtown. Downtown we looked at a lot of souvenirs store's I was looking for me a Jackson Hole t-shirt. I eventually found one. On our way back to the car I discovered a thrift store and spent a good amount of time in there. Got 3 dresses, one for baby, one black preggy dress for Alisa and a black dress for Leila. Wish we had more time to spend in the thrift store. We drove to Soda Springs, Idaho to Matt & Debs Finlayson's home. Matt had done a ton of work to their home since we were last there. There kitchen area was extended and had another family area, it was amazing. Debs gave us some sandwiches. And she invited us to go stay the night at Kawiti's, so we did. The girls rode with Debs in her jeep it had no roof on it. They enjoyed it, she got them a treat from the gas station.  We stayed at a new home Kawiti had bought, that we've not stayed at or seen before. It was a big beautiful home in a gated community. When we got there we chose our room, which was upstairs in the corner with a view of Bear Lake. We ate burgers and socialized, put our sheets and blankets on our beds. 

Saturday 22nd - We had waffles for breaky. Cleaned up and packed. Uncle Ken Finlayson came and we took photos outside. Went downtown to get shakes.  

Tuesday June 25th - 27th, Girls had Stake Youth Conference.

Friday 28th - Leila went and babysat early in the morning. Then I had to take her to the Doctors for her check up for her Mission Papers, she had her blood taken. Went  In the afternoon went to 'Taylorsville Dayzz'.  We met Scott, Heather, Dray, Tane, Mina,Alisa and Tyrell there and walked around and looked at the booths and got food and listened to the Concert and watched the fireworks, fun times! 

Candi's talk - Overcome the World and Find Rest

I’ve been asked to speak to you about President Russell M. Nelson's General Conf. talk he gave in October 2022 ‘Overcome the World and Find Rest’. I love this talk so much, this is a talk where it has so much awesome stuff in it. So I hope I’m able to express in my talk what I felt when I was studying it this past week.

My first QUOTE from Pres. Nelson:

Experiencing their love is vital, it seems that we are accosted daily by an onslaught of sobering news. You may have had days when you wished you could don your pajamas, curl up in a ball, and ask someone to awaken you when the turmoil is over.

But, my dear brothers and sisters, so many wonderful things are ahead. In coming days, we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior’s power that the world has ever seen. Between now and the time He returns “with power and great glory,” He will bestow countless privileges, blessings, and miracles upon the faithful. (close quote)

First, it's very relatable to want to curl up in your pajamas and never come out. News about natural disasters and man-made disasters and wars and horrible acts of violence, are scary and not only that but just that everyday life and trials can be hard. But then he counteracts that with this beautiful ‘so many wonderful things are ahead and this promise that you know we will see the greatest manifestations of the Savior's power that the world has ever seen.” 

What an incredibly powerful and intense way to start off a talk, a prophet of the Lord has promised us that we will see the greatest manifestations. What great manifestations of the Savior’s power have we seen so far? (think) I haven’t seen any that I know of, because I’m thinking of great manifestations as in Moses’s time and like him parting the red sea. It makes me excited to know that I will be able to see these manifestations in my lifetime. And I believe it will happen because I know that Pres.Nelson is a prophet of the Lord Jesus Christ.

QUOTE:

I grieve for those who leave the Church because they feel membership requires too much of them. They have not yet discovered that making and keeping covenants actually makes life easier! Each person who makes covenants in baptismal fonts and in temples—and keeps them—has increased access to the power of Jesus Christ.

The reward for keeping covenants with God is heavenly power—power that strengthens us to withstand our trials, temptations, and heartaches better. This power eases our way. Those who live the higher laws of Jesus Christ have access to His higher power. Thus, covenant keepers are entitled to a special kind of rest that comes to them through their covenantal relationship with God. (close quote)

The beginning of this quote makes me giggle a little bit because I do actually feel that being a member of this church requires a lot. A lot of time, and sometimes takes me out of my comfort zone, like for instance speaking in sacrament. But it’s not a burden and it’s my choice because I believe that this is God's church and I have also felt the power that strengthens us through our trials ….

I experienced having soreness in my jaw, back in 2008 I went to the Doctor and was diagnosed with TMJ,  TMJ stands for temporomandibular joint, which is one of two joints that connect the lower jaw to the skull, located in front of each ear. The TMJ is a complex joint that acts like a sliding hinge, with a cartilage disk cushioning the bones to allow for smooth movement.

Well both of my cartilages are gone, I have no cartilage in between the bones that move my jaw up and down. And so my bones are rubbing against each other and it causes alot of pain. 

I could have surgery to fix it but when we investigated it, it seemed for most people it didn’t help or it could make it worse. So I relied on the lord for help and I still do, I had a blessing, I remember praying a lot especially because of the pain I was in and having to use a lot of pain pills and heat pads on my face every day. It just got so overwhelming. I would cry  a lot thinking this is what I have to deal with for the rest of my life. I know my HF heard my prayers, he didn’t make it go away. I still have it today, but the pain is not daily. It comes and goes, whether I’m talking a lot, or singing a lot or chewing on meat - and actually 3 things that I love to do. I will have pain, but it seems better than what it should be. It should have gotten worse but actually I’ve improved. And I know that it’s because I know my HF loves me and knows what I can handle.

President Nelson gives us 3 questions in his talk and answers them as well:

First, what does it mean to overcome the world?

Second, how do we do it?

And third, how does overcoming the world bless our lives?

SO FIRST QUESTION: What does it mean to overcome the world? 

It means overcoming the temptation to care more about the things of this world than the things of God!!!    

It means trusting the doctrine of Christ more than the philosophies of men. It means delighting in truth, denouncing deception, and becoming “humble followers of Christ.” It means choosing to refrain from anything that drives the Spirit away. It means being willing to “give away” even our favorite sins. (close quote)

When Covid was happening I got into watching KDramas, KDramas are Korean tv shows where you read the subtitles. They're so good and more wholesome and innocent than American shows, and they make you feel all warm and fuzzy inside. I love them so much that any spare time I had I wanted to watch them. So I got addicted to them, or so my family tells me I have. I know I had a problem so I had to make some adjustments in my life. I had to prioritize my time so that I was reading/studying my scriptures each day, before I could watch a show and not feel guilty about it.

QUOTE:

Now, overcoming the world certainly does not mean becoming perfect in this life, nor does it mean that your problems will magically evaporate—because they won’t. And it does not mean that you won’t still make mistakes. But overcoming the world does mean that your resistance to sin will increase. Your heart will soften as your faith in Jesus Christ increases. Overcoming the world means growing to love God and His Beloved Son more than you love anyone or anything else. (close quote)

Now you’re probably thinking watching KDramas is not a sin, and it’s not but it was getting in the way of my spiritual growth and the desire for me to read my scriptures. I’m choosing to watch a show instead of choosing my Savior. I need to show him I love him by giving some time of my day to him and not just because I have to but because I want to. Also, I know that the only way to find the strength to overcome the world is in the Savior, we cannot do that in and of ourselves, we just aren’t fully able to do that, we need him, we need to rely on him and his atonement. 

NUMBER 2 QUESTION: How, then, do we overcome the world? 

King Benjamin taught us how. He said that “the natural man is an enemy to God” and remains so forever “unless he yields to the enticings of the Holy Spirit, and putteth off the natural man and becometh a saint through the atonement of Christ the Lord.” Each time you seek for and follow the promptings of the Spirit, each time you do anything good—things that “the natural man” would not do—you are overcoming the world.

Overcoming the world is not an event that happens in a day or two. It happens over a lifetime as we repeatedly embrace the doctrine of Christ. We cultivate faith in Jesus Christ by repenting daily and keeping covenants that endow us with power. We stay on the covenant path and are blessed with spiritual strength, personal revelation, increasing faith, and the ministering of angels. Living the doctrine of Christ can produce the most powerful virtuous cycle, creating spiritual momentum in our lives. (close quote)

Last year Jay and I decided to go to the temple every other week instead of once a month. And it’s embarrassing for me to tell you this, because once a month doesn’t seem enough, especially when there’s a temple nearly on every corner of the block. So I'm kinda thinking why we didn’t do this sooner. We did have the excuse of having small children back then. But our youngest last year was 13 yrs old, so there’s really no excuse. Except for, we didn't even think about it, cause that’s what we’d naturally do. We thought once a month was good enough. Now don’t feel bad if you can only go once a month, that's great for you. But Jay and I, our situation is we have that time to do that so why not use that time for the Lord. And because we’ve increased our temple attendance, I’ve noticed that it has increased our spiritual momentum in our lives. 

NUMBER 3 QUESTION: Now, how does overcoming the world bless our lives? 

The answer is clear: entering into a covenant relationship with God binds us to Him in a way that makes everything about life easier. Please do not misunderstand me: I did not say that making covenants makes life easy. In fact, expect opposition, because the adversary does not want you to discover the power of Jesus Christ. But yoking yourself with the Savior means you have access to His strength and redeeming power.

I reaffirm a profound teaching of President Ezra Taft Benson: “Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, … lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace.”(close quote)

This is a true principle that if we devote our life to the Lord, it doesn’t guarantee that we’re going to live a life of peace and prosperity, free of all pain and abuse and sorrow and setbacks. What it does mean is that we begin to live in heaven at that moment that we decide that we’re going to focus our life on JC, on His restored gospel, on true principles taught by His prophets, His appointed servants, and that we find in the scriptures.And then we leave all of the consequences in the hands of the Lord. We may experience difficulties and trials and setbacks or loss of a job or loss of a loved one. 

But the Lord will guide us and will turn those losses into eternal gain as long as we continue to think celestial, as Pres. Nelson has urged. 

So now here are the final pleadings of our Prophet, his call to action. Because, prophets don’t just teach doctrine and then say, just thought you might want to know. Good luck, have a good day. They teach doctrine, they reveal the Plan of Salvation, and then they follow it up with invitations, a call to action.What does the Lord want you to do? - Now that you know what you know? 

PLEAS:

He pleads with us to take charge of our own testimonies of Jesus Christ and His gospel.  As you make the continual strengthening of your testimony of Jesus Christ your highest priority, watch for miracles to happen in your life.

He pleas for us to find rest from the intensity, uncertainty, and anguish of this world by overcoming the world through our covenants with God. Let Him know through your prayers and your actions that you are serious about overcoming the world. 

He states again that the gathering of Israel is the most important work taking place on earth today. One crucial element of this gathering is preparing a people who are able, ready, and worthy to receive the Lord when He comes again, a people who can live the holier laws of Jesus Christ.

He calls upon us to become this righteous people to cherish and honor our covenants above all other commitments. And he leaves us with a promise of greater peace, confidence, joy, and yes, rest. 

So what’s all this for, what's all the urgency for, well we know if you’re paying attention to our Prophet we are preparing for the second coming we know that we are in the last days and because of that our days are really numbered the Lord has said that he will hasten his work in his time he will hasten his work for the sake of the elect.

It’s clear that we need to prepare, we need to be able, ready and worthy to receive the Lord Jesus Christ he has told us to become that righteous people. We can overcome the world, I know that it is true we need to consecrate our time, talents and energies to this work and we need to remember that there is absolutely hope And Jesus Christ’s return is that hope. We see terrible things in this world happening right now and they’ve been happening but the Lord has promised us that through his Prophet that we will receive countless privileges and blessings and miracles between now and when Christ comes and may that time come quickly………………. I'm praying for it, in the name of JC Amen.

Record of the Kids Chores

TYRELL 4/8/2014

$5    Vacuum mum & your level - includes bathroom/sauna room, inside closet, stairs 

$2    Take out rubbish from kitchen ALL - when its been accumulated by Leila. (check mail) ~

$3     Rinse & Put dishes in dishwasher from sink

$3     If snow day - Shovel sidewalk ~

$10   Mow Lawn every 2 weeks - Summer

$5     Trim lawn every 2 weeks - Summer

*       Clean room - dishes, rubbish, dust everything, floor is clean ~

WIRAMINA

$5     Clean downstairs toilet -  mop floors, wipe down counter & mirror, toilet & scrub bowl. 

$5     Sweep & mop living room level, kitchen & front door way.

*        Clean room, vacuum, dishes, rubbish, dust, deJunk, organize!~

JAXON

$3     Clean & Vacuum basement &room level - stairways, bathroom, washroom, closet.

$2      Help clean reading nook - pack bed away & blankets, pick up floor

$2     Put clean dishes from dishwasher away in cupboards~

$1     Water plants once a month

*       Clean room - dishes, dust, rubbish, pick up pack away everything on floor & closet~

LEILA

$1      Dust - Mum’s level, living room, reading nook & basement

$1      Collect all rubbish - mums room, bathrooms & basement

$2      Vacuum reading nook

$2      Put clean utensils away in drawer & utensil holder~

*         Clean room - rubbish, dust, clean mirror, pick up floor, make your bed~         

ERANA

$1     Dust Daddys desk

$1     Help Mina sweep/ & help leila Dust

CHECK OFF LIST:

MUMS LEVEL

• Vacuum

• Dust

• Trash Out

• Scrub & Clean Toilet - bowl, outside, Bathtub

• Wipe down counters 

• Put towels, face cloths, hand towels in Laundry

• Mop floors

• Clean Mirrors 

KITCHEN LEVEL

• Vacuum, entire flr, front entr.,reading nk, stairs

• Mop - Tiles & front entrance

• Dust - comp. desk, t.v & table in reading nk,entrance.

• Wipe down, counter, table 

• Pack away stuff on table & counters

• Put dishes in dishwasher, pack away dry

• Put out trash, under sink and in pantry

KIDS LEVEL

• Vacuum - entire flrs,Laundry,wardrobe,bathrm,stairs

• Clean rooms - toys

• Throw out trash

• Dust - cupboards, blinds

• Scrub & Clean Toilet - counters,bowl, outside, bathtub

• Put towels, face cloths, hand towels in Laundry

• Mop floors

• Wipe down Mirrors 

BASEMENT LEVEL

• Vacuum - stairs, entire floor of basement

• Dust entertainment area, book shelves, blinds

• Wipe down kitchen counter and sink 

• Do dishes and pack them away

• Clean up room, blankets, clothes, toys

• Throw out trash 

 

May 2024

Tuesday May 7th - Erana had her school dance performance at Bennion Jr High. I went with her tonight and filmed her. There were a lot of other dance performances besides the group she was in. They were very entertaining. Erana did an awesome job dancing, she a good dancer. She had some funny moves. After the show I too her and her friend to get a shake at Arctic Circle.  

Wednesday May 8th - I had to go to Mutual so Jay took Erana to her dance performance, where they performed the same dances. He took her and same friend to get ice-cream cones from Macys. 

Saturday May 11th - Leila went to her school 'Last Chance Dance'. She didn't go with anyone. 

Tuesday May 14th - Tyrisa's (Tyrell & Alisa) 2nd Wedding Anniversary. In the evening Jay, Erana and I went to Erana's school award ceremony. Erana received a certificate for POP (People of the Pacific). The announcer couldn't say Erana's name. We took her for a treat afterwards.

Friday May 17th - Girls went to a church dance organized by Daphne Ferguson, for anyone and everyone. 

Saturday May 18th - Girls and I performed downtown at the 'Living Traditions' festival. We performed with Hiona first and then the girls performed with Tausala. I liked last years Hiona Show better, more people and our performance was better. The guitars were too loud during our show and you couldn't hear us singing. Dad came and watched both shows we ate yummy food and Otai. Girls Tausala show was awesome, Leila did her poi dance she choreographed, did a little mistake but was okay. Scott, Heather, Tyrell and Alisa came to watch too. 

Sunday May 19th - Leila had her Seminary Graduation at the Stake Center. She graduated with the Leonard girls, Ben Ferguson, Damon Garcia, Aiden Jackson and Jared Jensen.  The Wedlings came, and Jaxon showed up with Talia and Kesiah's older sisters. We had treats and took photos. We also celebrated Tane's 25th birthday. 

Monday May 20th - Tane turns 25 and he and Mina celebrated the 2nd Anniversary as well.

Thursday May 23rd - Leila had her School Graduation at the Maverik Center at 6pm. We arrived early and got our seats. Leila wore a few of her leis, she also had a chord she received from school. Excellence in something lol Scott, Heather & boys, Wedlings, Jaxon and Talia came. When it was Leila's turn to go up, her name was said correct I think couldn't hear the ending cause someone shouted out prematurely lol Leila did the Korean heart sign with her fingers while waiting and then she did the PUKANA when her name was said. After we waited outside for her and took photos. Lai'i and her boyfriend came to congratulate her, Uncle Oliver and Aunty Fina Schwenke came as well. After getting out of the disorganized parking lot traffic jam we went to King Buffet to celebrate and eat yummy food. Jared, Camila and kids were there and we paid for ALL the kids. We are so proud of Leila and her accomplishments, we are blessed to have her for our daughter. 

Saturday May 25th - We had a TVB'z dinner at Jareds home. Fisi, Stan, Romaine, Eugene were able to come. 

Sunday May 26th - Kage's mission farewell was today. We went to their ward, which is before ours. He gave an awesome talk. We then went to his home for food and mingling. Our family only were invited for his setting apart and testimony bearing.