DIY Wedding: Catherine

DIY Wedding: Catherine & Hans (Part 1)

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disneyland + angels = unforgettable

meet grace. she has leukemia.

me and kennedy were at disneyland for kennedy's birthday & we were walking by it's a small world from the train & noticed the parade was about to start so we decided to stay & watch. we were lucky & got front street seating. as we were waiting i turned around and noticed a cute little girl in a wheelchair & her mother standing behind her holding a younger little girl. i thought to go tell the mom to bring the little girl up front where i was standing, but i didn't act on it. then a few minutes later i turned around & noticed that they had moved a little further over & behind more people...that's when i put my purse down to save my seat and told kennedy "stay here and save our seats, i'm going to get a little girl in a wheelchair", something must have told kennedy to agree, becasue she didn't question, she just said "ok". i walked over to the mom and tapped her on the back and told her that i had a space up front for her daughter. i really didn't give her much time to think and i probably took her completely off guard, but she agreed and grace had a front row seat.

i have to give the disney parade cast huge kudos because they really made an effort to make grace feel special. the dancers would wave to her, the characters would make contact with her, she was given props to participate with... it was awesome. gracie's mom said "that is so sweet" and started to cry. i then too began to cry. we laughed and determined "it's a mom thing". we didn't say anything during the parade and when it ended i asked her if she had a blog, and we exchanged blog addresses {funny how first it was home phone numbers, then cell phone numbers, then it was email addresses and now blog addresses}. i don't know why i was to meet this family, but i am so glad that i listened to the promptings of the spirit.

this is gracie's story.

beauty, part 2

here's the view from santa monica blvd - awesome! i parked across the street and was a total tourist walking up and down the street taking pictures.

this should be the end of the temple shots since i don't think there is a spot i haven't shot.....{at least for this season}

beauty

Angel Moroni Statue Los Angeles LDS Temple


(i love my camera!)


The Beautiful Los Angeles Temple

as most of you know, once a week i am in los angeles for kennedy's acting class. i am so excited that for the next two years i get to spend at least an hour on the grounds of this beautiful ginormous temple. the the temple is only 2 minutes from the playground. i didn't notice anywhere else, but near the entrance where the water is, there is music to be heard. i can't wait to listen to the scriptures (because we all know that i hate reading, so all the scriptures and anything else churchie is downloaded on my ipod), near the water, with soft hymns playing in the background. i'm a lucky girl!

mom, being on the grounds reminded me of the day you received your endowments. please email me the family picture.

BREAST CANCER...NOT JUST A LUMP

WARNING! This video does show pictures of diseased breasts. Not suitable for all viewers.

STAKE CONFERENCE

Today was Stake Conference and, as usual, we arrived 1 hour early to make sure we got a comfortable pew and not a folding chair. The talks were filled with the spirit and the music was beautiful. This is my first lengthy post, sorry, but I really felt the spirit today as each speaker was giving their talk. If ever I have the slightest doubt all I have to do is listen to a church hymn and my testimony ignites. I know this church is true. I know Joseph Smith was a true Prophet. I know that this is exactly where I'm supposed to be. I know that I will have my husband and children for time and all eternity. I know that I love and have faith in my Heavenly Father and His son, Jesus Christ. I know that Jesus Christ suffered so that we may return to Heavenly Father. First President Hampton, 1st Counselor, spoke on the phrase of the Lord "Come Follow Me" and gave the examples of Lehi's dream and his desire to share his dream with his family. He also spoke of Saul the Prosecutor, after listening to Jesus became Paul the Apostle. Disiples today are to continue to pray and follow the Lord. Angels today are sent in the form of Visiting Teachers, Home Teachers, Class Leaders, Bishops....(makes me feel a little guilty that I'm not a better visiting teacher, sorry Misty). There was a young man, 17 years old, and he spoke on staying true as a youth. He spoke about how him and the other priesthood holders on his football team come together before a football game and pray! How cool it that! When he feels temptation he sings to himself "Called to Serve". The Smith couple spoke as well. She was inactive, but her son would go to church with her parents. After he was baptized, he asked her to please come back to church because that's the only way they would be able to go to the temple. She returned faithfully and prayed and fasted for her non-member husband to ultimately join the church, she never pressured. He spoke of how and when he began to build curiosity regarding the church. He admitted to not letting the missionaries in when they would knock at the door, then over time he did allow them in the door. He went through several sets of missionaries while taking the discussions. He was starting to build a testimony and through losing his father to cancer he found the answer he was looking for. While going through his fathers things he came across a picture of the Mormon Temple. At that moment he knew, that his father too had welcomed missionaries into his home. He returned and was baptized last October. He will be receiving the Melchizedek priesthood this month...AWESOME!! Sweet Sister Nevarez spoke and she was sooo nervous, but as usual, her sweet spirit shone through and she gave a beautiful talk on faith in the Lord during afflictions and burdens. President and Sister Sanchez, Mission President, spoke on sharing the Gospel. Don't worry about feeling that we are not "perfect" enough to share the gospel, we just need to share what we have witnessed. Witnessing investigators entering the waters of baptism, worthy 8 year old's getting baptized, witnessing Temple marriages, witnessing healings from a Priesthood blessing. And final speaker was President Rich, Stake President, I Love this man...he cries when he speaks of the Lord. I LOVE IT! My Ward family knows how I love when a man can express with words and actions (not one or the other, but both) his love and appreciation, if not for all things, at least for his wife, children, and the Lord. He referenced Alma 32: Developing and strengthening our faith; Alma 33: How we should plant the seed; then drilled down versus that I will post at the end. He gave counsel to have Family Home Evening, Family Prayer, Family Activities, Be More Caring, Be More Forgiving, Go To The Temple Often, for those struggling spiritually, he read verse 7 of How Firm A Foundation: He reminded us that He will not forsake or forget us.
7. The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose
I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes;
That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake,
I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

SCRIPTURE REFERENCES:
Young Brother: Mosiah 5:15
Sister Smith: Alma 5:38
Brother Smith: 3 Nephi 11:32
Sister Nevarez: Mosiah 24: 14-15; D&C 43:45; D&C 84:88; Psalms 145:9; Helaman 5:12
President Rich: Alma 32; Alma 33: 11, 14, 16, 19-20, 22-23; The Acts 13-28; Romans 7, 12-13, 15-16; 1 Corinthians 7, 9-11, 13, 15-16; 2 Corinthians 10-12 (Paul); John 9:23
Others: Mosiah 18; D&C 123; Luke 10:38-42