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Samantha's First Temple Trip/What Defines Us?



On October 29th we took Samantha to the temple for the first time.  It was so good for all of us.  Elizabeth did a great job directing Samantha and making sure she knew where to go.  Samantha was nervous, we had talked about it a lot so she would know what to expect.  Once we got there and got dressed Derek was asked to be their first one in the font.  Samantha pushed Elizabeth forward not wanting to be the first to be baptized.  But then when Elizabeth got out and it was Samantha's turn she jumped out of her seat and rushed to the font.  She was so excited!


The girls did about 6 family names each and Derek did 12.  Samantha had helped me with several of the names and was excited to choose which girls she would get to do.   It was such a blessing to have family names to do.
 

 Sunday Samantha got up and bore her testimony about faith.  She told about the YW having a night to do Personal Progress and Samantha was able to do 2 goals.  She was so excited.  She really is enjoying being a Beehive and really wants to do well.






The Master Healer
By Carole M. Stephens, October 2016 General Conference
"When we come to Him with humble and teachable hearts—even if our hearts are heavy with mistakes, sins, and transgressions—He can change us, “for he is mighty to save.” 10 And with hearts changed, we can, like the Samaritan woman, go into our own cities—our homes, schools, and workplaces—to witness of Him."
  • As I read this I thought about my feelings towards Samantha. I need a more humble and teachable heart and I need Him to change me. The anxiety is not her fault. I should not get frustrated with her and I need to find a way to be her mother while dealing with the anxiety and see that those moments are not what defines her.
Derek shared something he learned listening to Michael Wilcox. Bro. Wilcox talks about the Apostle Thomas who is known as doubting Thomas. That in John 11:16 Jesus is wanting to return to Judea to visit Lazarus who has died. The apostles do not want to return because they fear for the Savior's life, but Thomas speaks up and says, "Let us also go that we may die with him."
Bro. Wilcox talks about how each of us have good and bad moments. The world has rememberd Thomas's weak moment, but forgotten his willingness to die for the Savior. How are we remembering our loved ones. Are we only looking on their times of weakness or are we looking at their strengths?
This week I am trying to look at my children's strengths, the good in them, things I should be proud of. I don't want their mistakes be what defines them in my mind.
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