In John 17 Christ offers the great intercessory prayer. In the first part of his prayer, Jesus described the things he had done toward fulfilling his mission. How might if affect our actions if each night we included in our prayers a report of our efforts to serve him during that day?
The church is really set up on this Return and Report pattern. In the temple we are shown this pattern, in the Priesthood and auxiliary programs it is followed, and we should do the same thing with our prayers. Every morning I check in and kind of give an over view and pray for help and guidance in my days activities. Then at the close of the day, I report in my evening prayer how I did. I try not to forget to give thanks for the help that I am given. Knowing that I need to give this daily report helps me to try my hardest to live a satisfactory life and accomplish my daily goals.
Try the Return and Report method in your prayers and hopefully you'll find greater accomplishment and live closer to our Father's commandments.
Tuesday, July 5, 2011
Great Examples of Service
I want to share an experience Dan had on Sunday morning, July 3, 2011.
He was attending a Stake Bishop's training at 6:30 am with all of the eleven ward Bishoprics in our stake. Pres. Topham, our stake president, was speaking to them about how to teach youth to be service oriented. Dad kind of had his head down and was offering a prayer that Andrew would make it home safely from the early morning paper route he has been doing. He leaves at 2:30 every morning and drives down to Mesquite and through the little towns close by helping Sam Fullerton deliver the Las Vegas Review Journal and the Spectrum. He has been substituting for Mac Fullerton who is having surgery.
Andrew would probably be driving home through the gorge at that time. Dad was just finishing his prayer when Pres. Topham said that great examples of young men who willing give service are the Flake boys, Dawson and Andrew! He went on to say what fine young men they are and how they are always serving others so willingly.
That was a very kind complement given to our boys and of course to Dan who has trained them so well. The cool thing is that here Dawson was out at this time serving a full time mission and Andrew was out performing service for his home teaching family. Andrew most likely wouldn't be doing this job if it wasn't for the fact that he is helping out the Fullerton's while Mac has his surgery.
I am so proud of you great young men!
Keep serving with a smile!
He was attending a Stake Bishop's training at 6:30 am with all of the eleven ward Bishoprics in our stake. Pres. Topham, our stake president, was speaking to them about how to teach youth to be service oriented. Dad kind of had his head down and was offering a prayer that Andrew would make it home safely from the early morning paper route he has been doing. He leaves at 2:30 every morning and drives down to Mesquite and through the little towns close by helping Sam Fullerton deliver the Las Vegas Review Journal and the Spectrum. He has been substituting for Mac Fullerton who is having surgery.
Andrew would probably be driving home through the gorge at that time. Dad was just finishing his prayer when Pres. Topham said that great examples of young men who willing give service are the Flake boys, Dawson and Andrew! He went on to say what fine young men they are and how they are always serving others so willingly.
That was a very kind complement given to our boys and of course to Dan who has trained them so well. The cool thing is that here Dawson was out at this time serving a full time mission and Andrew was out performing service for his home teaching family. Andrew most likely wouldn't be doing this job if it wasn't for the fact that he is helping out the Fullerton's while Mac has his surgery.
I am so proud of you great young men!
Keep serving with a smile!
Sunday, June 5, 2011
You MAY have his spirit to be with you
I was asked to substitute and give the Gospel Doctrine Lesson in Sunday School. It was a great lesson from John 16 & 17. I love the New Testament. When I had the calling of teaching gospel doctrine, I think 8 years ago, I was able to teach from it. I believe the reason that I like it so much is that it was the first book I studied in 9th Grade Seminary. My awesome teacher, Bro. Sampson, helped my testimony of Jesus Christ to grow.
The other reason that I love it, was that when I was able to participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant, way back in 1981, I was in the scene where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. It was great to act out the part of sitting at Christ's feet and listening to his beautiful sermon.
Part of the lesson was on Christ giving the apostles the Gift of the Holy Ghost to have as a comforter when he left them. I brought up the point that we are all given the gift but it is up to us to be worthy to have his spirit to be with us. In the Sacrament prayers that are offered each Sunday it says, "that you MAY always have his spirit to be with you." May is a word that says we have to do something in order to qualify for this great blessing. We have to live worthy to have the Holy Ghost's constant companionship.
I hope that I can always remember him and keep his commandments that I MAY always have his spirit to be with me. I challenge you to think of that each Sunday during the Sacrament Prayers. Are you living worthily? If not, what do you need to do to have this great blessing of direction and guidance in your life.
The other reason that I love it, was that when I was able to participate in the Hill Cumorah Pageant, way back in 1981, I was in the scene where Jesus gave the Sermon on the Mount. It was great to act out the part of sitting at Christ's feet and listening to his beautiful sermon.
Part of the lesson was on Christ giving the apostles the Gift of the Holy Ghost to have as a comforter when he left them. I brought up the point that we are all given the gift but it is up to us to be worthy to have his spirit to be with us. In the Sacrament prayers that are offered each Sunday it says, "that you MAY always have his spirit to be with you." May is a word that says we have to do something in order to qualify for this great blessing. We have to live worthy to have the Holy Ghost's constant companionship.
I hope that I can always remember him and keep his commandments that I MAY always have his spirit to be with me. I challenge you to think of that each Sunday during the Sacrament Prayers. Are you living worthily? If not, what do you need to do to have this great blessing of direction and guidance in your life.
Sunday, May 15, 2011
50 Things at 50!
So I just turned 50 years old and I decided to make a goal to do 50 new things in my 50th year of life. I've been pretty blessed to have some awesome experiences in my life so far, so it may be kind of difficult to come up with 50 New things but I'm willing to give it a try! Here goes:
(I started this post last May 15th on my birthday when I was feeling a little blue about turning the big 5-0! I mostly forgot about it until a few weeks ago as my next birthday was creeping closer. But amazingly I came up with 55 fun new things this year, mostly just living life as usual. They are kind of backwards chronologically, so if you want to scroll to the bottom and start with number one you can or just count backwards. Your challenge, if you choose to accept it, is to start your own list. I was inspired by my niece who chose to do 20 something new things on her 20 something birthday, all on one day!
55. Road a 4 wheeler and then hiked to the Mail Drop point of the Mail Drop Loop Trail. This is where the mail used to be delivered from Kanab and dropped to the communities below in Zion Park. It is about 500 feet down.
54. Hiked the walking trail along SR 18 with some of my Team Millcreek Friends.
50. I almost got arrested! Our school resource officer came and got me out of class and told me he was told to issue me a citation. One of our students was stopped while out hanging posters on April 20, KONY day. The student told the officer that I, his teacher had assigned him to hang them up. Not exactly. My neighbor, Dannielle, had brought me over some posters and said that maybe my students would like them. I had forgotten about the whole KONY movement that had swept the internet several months earlier. I used it as a lesson in my Character Ed class, that they were all excited to do something to make a difference, and a few months passed and everyone had forgotten the KONY story. I made some posters available and had them watch the video on the KONY site that said that they should do a 3 hour service project in their cities to make a difference for good and then if they did hang up signs, that they needed to take them down in a few days. Well, I got off with a warning and learned my lesson to be a little more clear about my assignments. :)
42. Discovered a quaint little city called Jerome, AZ that sits on the side of a steep hillside. It is an old mining town between Prescott and Sedona.We definitely want to explore this city sometime.
41. Drove through the town of Sedona and wished we had time to stop and explore. It is beautiful city that reminded me of the scenery in the movie Cars. We will go back to Sedona, AZ!
26. Made friends with the lovely Liberian Immigrant sisters in the Philadelphia First Ward.
18. Headed out on a two week trip from St. George. It was a work and pleasure trip. First stop was Bear Lake for a family reunion where we launched and sailed our Hobie Cat. Next we were off to Folsom, CA for a job for the boys.
17. Swung on a rope swing out over Bloomington Lake up near Bear Lake.
I didn't jump but some of the kids and adults did.
16. Mother of a BYU graduate!
15. Attended an all day Yoga Retreat taught by my friend, Pam Molesworth.
13.. Videoed and produced my first Music Video, Peponi on Sand Mountain above Warner Valley.
12. Discovered the beautiful playground on top of the Red Sand Mountain.
11. Watched and participated in a natural birth, as my daughter Lindsey delivered
baby Dillon in Philadelphia.
10. Welcomed home my first son, Dawson after he faithfully served a two year mission.
7. Skippered a boat on Lake Powell
6. Raced in an official Hobie Regatta and took first place in the 3 man division!
5. Attended a Zumba Master Class with the Crazy Socks guy and my new friend Laurie.
4. Participated in the life saving efforts of saving children from tipped canoes at Sand Hollow Reservoir when a big wind came up and boats were capsizing.
3. Hiked to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
2. Performed with the singing Elvis's at our end of year assembly singing a medley of Elvis songs. My solo was "Jailhouse Rock." I'm the Elvis in the black leather jacket.
1. Lead the Singing in front of the whole congregation at Church!
55. Road a 4 wheeler and then hiked to the Mail Drop point of the Mail Drop Loop Trail. This is where the mail used to be delivered from Kanab and dropped to the communities below in Zion Park. It is about 500 feet down.
54. Hiked the walking trail along SR 18 with some of my Team Millcreek Friends.
53. Judged the National DECA competition in Salt Lake City with my friend, Jill Bridges.
52. Visited the new City Creek shopping center in downtown is Salt Lake City. Too bad it was a Sunday evening and all of the shops were closed. I'll have to return to shop another day!
51. Toured Temple Square in Salt Lake City by myself. Drove up on a Sunday night and enjoyed the beautiful spring flowers. I actually went in the visitor center and joined a group of DECA students from New Jersey and their adviser and visited with the sister missionaries.
50. I almost got arrested! Our school resource officer came and got me out of class and told me he was told to issue me a citation. One of our students was stopped while out hanging posters on April 20, KONY day. The student told the officer that I, his teacher had assigned him to hang them up. Not exactly. My neighbor, Dannielle, had brought me over some posters and said that maybe my students would like them. I had forgotten about the whole KONY movement that had swept the internet several months earlier. I used it as a lesson in my Character Ed class, that they were all excited to do something to make a difference, and a few months passed and everyone had forgotten the KONY story. I made some posters available and had them watch the video on the KONY site that said that they should do a 3 hour service project in their cities to make a difference for good and then if they did hang up signs, that they needed to take them down in a few days. Well, I got off with a warning and learned my lesson to be a little more clear about my assignments. :)
With student, Kyle. He used his poster to make a book cover!
49. Repelled down a cliff to the river at Beaver Falls at Havasupai.
48. Swung into the river at Havasupai on another rope swing.
47. Went to my first Lacrosse game. My friend, Gabe Suttner, called and asked me if I'd like to come watch his game and I said yes! Here I am with Gabe's mom, Mindy.
46.Witnessed a magnificent full rainbow above St. George. (Photo courtesy of Mike Anderson, taken up on Stone Cliff hill)
45. Ate a the first Pub in Philadelphia, McGillins. Great food! Good times.
Got a free trip to Philly to attend the National TESOL conference (for ESL teachers). This just happens to be the city where my daughter and her family live. What a blessing!
44. Had an up close and personal experience with the Liberty Bell in Philadelphia. It was after 10:00 pm and no one was around so I just set and reflected on our freedom for a few minutes.
43. Lost my I-phone on the streets of down town Philadelphia. Luckily, a nice tourist answered it when I called and he met me at the Old Station downtown and said, "Aren't you glad there are still a few honest people in the world". He was from England and had a wonderful British accent.Yes, I am glad!
42. Discovered a quaint little city called Jerome, AZ that sits on the side of a steep hillside. It is an old mining town between Prescott and Sedona.We definitely want to explore this city sometime.
40. Met Dan's cousin, Congressman Jeff Flake and family at the town Courthouse in Prescott, AZ. He was campaigning for his run for the Arizona Senate. Dan and his family used to stay at Jeff's home when they were boys and Dan's family would go to Snowflake for the annual July reunion.
39. Hiked nearly to the top of the Thumb above Prescott, AZ. There were endangered birds at the top so they wouldn't allow us to hike all the way to the top.
38. Looked down over the Colorado River from the new bridge at the Hoover Dam. 800 feet up.
37. Got to go down to the team room and video room at the bottom of the Marriott center after a BYU basketball game. Thanks to connections with the Jackson family.
36. Rode mountain bikes with my sister, Jill, husband, Dan and son Andrew in Green Valley.
35.Visited Vancouver British Colombia for the First time. Also first trip to Canada other than a quick walk over the border at Niagara Falls near New York.
34. Visited many of the Olympic sights from the Vancouver Winter Games.
33. Visited the Vancouver, BC, Canadian temple. Lindsey served her mission here but the temple wasn't quite complete.
32. Mountain biked along the famous trails of Whistler Canada. Even saw a bear near the lake.
31. Visited many beautiful waterfalls near Whistler, Canada.
30. Fed birds trail mix from our hands on the top of Whistler mountain.
29. Rode the longest spanning Gondola in the world from one ski mountain to another on top of Whistler.
28. Visited Linvilla Apple and Pumpkin orchard near Philadelphia.
27. Participated with Mormon Helping Hands to help Clean up a Philadelphia cemetery.
25. Happy that my daughter Lindsey graduated from Bellevue University.
I'll take credit for supporting her financially and helping to keep her motivated to finish.
24. Celebrated my 29th Wedding anniversary with my husband, Dan, by riding on the new St. George Carousal for the first time.
23. Spent $100's of dollars for food at Costco to feed the youth on their Temple Trek.
Then we had to load the refrigerated truck.
22. Was driven to drink with my fellow young women leaders after cooking food for 400 people during the Youth Conference Temple Trek. (Root beer of course)
21. Helped build a replica of the St. George temple on our stake youth Temple Trek.
20. Swung on a rope swing into the Merced River in Yosemite Park.
19. Rode down the lazy Merced River as my son and nephews paddled the boat.
18. Headed out on a two week trip from St. George. It was a work and pleasure trip. First stop was Bear Lake for a family reunion where we launched and sailed our Hobie Cat. Next we were off to Folsom, CA for a job for the boys.
I didn't jump but some of the kids and adults did.
16. Mother of a BYU graduate!
15. Attended an all day Yoga Retreat taught by my friend, Pam Molesworth.
14. Attended the inaugural session of Hot Hula at the Summit Fitness Center.
13.. Videoed and produced my first Music Video, Peponi on Sand Mountain above Warner Valley.
11. Watched and participated in a natural birth, as my daughter Lindsey delivered
baby Dillon in Philadelphia.
10. Welcomed home my first son, Dawson after he faithfully served a two year mission.
9. Ran my first 5K, well I actually walked, in support of Children of Hope. My good friend, Sam attends the school for students who have graduated from high school and post high and need somewhere to keep learning. Dawson went with me and he ran!
8. Designed, pieced and quilted a blanket for my little grand daughter for Christmas.
7. Skippered a boat on Lake Powell
6. Raced in an official Hobie Regatta and took first place in the 3 man division!
5. Attended a Zumba Master Class with the Crazy Socks guy and my new friend Laurie.
3. Hiked to the top of Angels Landing in Zion National Park.
1. Lead the Singing in front of the whole congregation at Church!
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