Back home!

Alright so who's the biggest blog slacker you can think of?.... i think i top them!

I've now been home from my mission nearly 2 weeks. .

the mission was great fun and id do it all again... just more prepared! I loved the people and i loved the areas! My family was also glad to welcome me home...

I loved brasil! i know there was no other mission for me! and no people better prepared for me! I loved everything... there are some pretty crazy things that happen down south... here's a few..

cats on leashes.... (who does that..??!)

gettin' crazy with... tampons!? Only in the sisters home! ... and,

... evil monkey stares! ya, didnt want the hat anyway!

Its safe to say there was never a really dull moment out there once things got goin' for me! everything just became hilarious as i started to observe the culture more closely! I regret not one moment that happened out there! It was all worth it!

The greatest man i ever knew!

"Hey Dad!" are the 2 words you love to hear from my mouth! It´s a call for your attention and your love. I love you Dad, and I know you´ll always know! I have had so many fun times with you even though our relationship sometimes ran short. I know through past years my patients has been short but as Ive been here serving our Lord, He´s helped me become better. Father, do you know how much I really love you..? I know you

´re thinking "Yes." but Dad, you havent an idea of how much I do because I cant explain in wo

rds how much. I can only express my love and thanks for you through showing it. I am thankful everyday for the power you have that no other ordinary man has: PRIESTHOOD POWER! Do you know how awesome this power is? Do you know how powerful it really can be? Do you know how many times it has helped me in my life because you are worthy to hold it? Let me help ya remember.. It’s through the laying-on-of-hands that the priesthood is conferred. By those who have authority, to preach and teach His word. Not by man, but through God it came, and Peter, James and John, Returned to earth, to confer the keys, so Christ’s gospel might roll on.Mighty or simple the miracles, the priesthood power brings, It can raise the dead or bless a child; still they’re both inspiring, And both bring the powers of heaven, down on the heads of men, As it baptizes, administers, holy ordinances enters in. But because men hold the priesthood, are w

omen inferior beings? Subject to every wish of man, as though he were her king? No, the role of woman is different; she’s co-creator with God, Bears a child then nurtures, teaches children the path to trod. - Carolyn Peryy Fife

“The priesthood is a privilege, not just a right of men / Which must be earned and then upheld, through covenants entered in.” Growing up in the church and following the traditional path of priesthood ordination too often holding the priesthood was merely a cultural step to manhood, and not the privilege that it should have been.

I always knew its power.. I always wanted your help. I was sick and I asked "Dad, give me a blessing." It wasnt really a question more of a request. I had the faith to know I would be healed by the power you have. I came into this world because

of you and mom. I recieved my name and a wonderful blessing because of you Dad. I have the

best name ever and its all because of you. I cant think of a better father God couldve give to me and I am thankfull everyday He gave me YOU!

You are a wonderful father, and though at times its hard to think of, but you have taught us everything that we know to be right and true. I have faded memories of you in my childhood because you worked so hard away from home to care the your wonderfull family. I hardly knew you dad but by what youve shared with me I loved you still the same. Everytime i think you the sacrfice youve given nothing fails but to think of the perfect description given in the song of Holly Dunn "Daddy´s Hands"-

I remember Daddy´s hands, folded silently in prayer.

And reaching out to hold me, when I had a nightmare.You could read quite a story, in the callouses and lines.
Years of work and worry had left their mark behind.
I remember Daddy´s hands, how they held my Mama tight,
And patted my back, for something done right.
There are things that I´ve forgotten, that I loved about the man,
But I´ll always remember the love in Daddy´s hands.
Daddy's hands were soft and kind when I was cryin´.
Daddy´s hands, were hard as steel when I´d done wrong.
Daddy´s hands, weren´t always gentle
But I´ve come to understand.
There was always love in Daddy´s hands.
I remember Daddy´s hands, working 'til they bled.Sacrificed unselfishly, just to keep us all fed.
If I could do things over, I´d live my life again.
And never take for granted the love in Daddy´s hands.

a perfect way to describe the perfect father! Those crazy times of chillin´watchin SpongeBob! Sitting there on the couch sharing our crazy dreams and making mom so frusterated.. the times we spent alone in the moutains having daddy- daughter time, just you and me were the most special moments to me as your daughter, and they will always be the special memories never to be forgotten. You are the mirror of my Heavenly Father for God made man in His own image. He knew I needed you! I now know that is true! You own my heart dad! Good luck when I get married! Haha.. Happy Fathers Day

2011 DADDY!I LOVE YOU BIG MUCH!!!

Love, Samantha Fay

ps.. YOURE AN AWESOME GRANDPA TOO..

"Where´s mother?".. "Mothers in Israel"

“Until ‘Where’s Mother?’ receives no sweet response do the childish minds realize how much Mother has been to them! Not until her smile and loving presence are but sacred memories do the children know that Mother held a place in their hearts that no one else can fill! It’s an unfortunate phase of human nature that it is always inclined to undervalue its present blessings, that of Mother’s and Father’s presence being no exception. . . . Not only on one day, then, should we pay tribute to our mothers; but rather make that day the means of increasing our determination and ability to make every day of the year a day in which to honor Mother in particular and every woman who desires to be like Mother” (David O. McKay, Gospel Ideals,p. 454-455).

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“We shall prosper and build up Zion upon the earth; for this is our mission, and the work of your mothers and daughters of Zion-the mothers now, and by and by the daughters, who will, in turn, be mothers in Israel. Great responsibility rests upon you. Upon you depend the training and the direction of the thoughts and the inspiration of the hearts of your children, for they drink into the spirit of their mothers, and the influence of the mother over the children is the most enduring impression that can be made. There is nothing so imperishable as the influence of the mother; that is when she is good and has the spirit of the Gospel in her heart, and she has brought up her children in the way they should go.” Joseph F. Smith, Teachings of Presidents of the Church: Joseph F. Smith [1998], 33

A Mothers Letter

Mom, do you know how much i love you? If you were to answer you say" How much Sammy?" and I´d tell you " So much mom!" and I give you a hug and a kiss. and then you´d tell me you love me too!

Today is your day to be recognized for what you do! If I were to say just one thing about you to anyone that asked " What has your mother done for you?" I´d say " She loves me so much she gave me life. Is that not good enough to be recognized for?" You´ve done so much I cant explain! You´ve worked so hard and even through it all you were at every game, play, there for when we were sick , and hard time for us all! You´ve had your hard times too and through your faith you overcame them because youre a strong woman of God! You try your best and sometimes you doubt, "Maybe Im doing something wrong...?" But you know just what to do when thing get tough, when you finally realize you can do nothing more!

When I see you laugh it makes me want to do something stupid to make that laugh and smile NEVER go away! But when I see you cry it makes me think "Wow, I never knew such a strong woman could become so blue!"

I love who you are right now! I love your sweet personality! I am in AWE at your sweetness! If I was there with you right now I´d give you the biggest hug, you couldnt even imagine then I´d whisper in your ear asking if you can buy me something cause I know how much you 'like' to hear the phrase "can I have it?" These are the most precious moments to me as your daughter. I hope never to forget them. Although I also love my father very much. He is an amazing man that always works very hard to support us. I understand that children can not love their parents the same just like a love that every parent has for every individual child. I have a bond with you I can not form with dad! Youve changed my life!

Mom, do you know what you mean to me? Do you know that I pray for you everynight? Do you know that I thank Heavenly Father for you everyday? Do you know I talk about "MY MOM" all the time? That everyone says "Your mother is beautiful!"?

No matter where I go in life and no matter what I do, you will always be my mother the woman I will never lose! No matter how much you embarrasse me or me to you, I will hug you right in front of my friends cause I know they wont mind at all! I love you BIG MUCH mom! ... and with my arms stretched wider than yours, you´ll know its true! Hugs and Kisses to you tonight and always! Love, samantha fay!

HAPPY MOTHER´S DAY 2011!!

Do It... With a Plan!!

Question 1: How do we overcome any trial thrown out at us? And why do we even have them?

Purpose:

Trials are a part of God´s plan to make us stronger! He gives them to us everyday to test an attribute we must always have and that we must never fail to use and that we must always help grow... Any idea of what the attritube possibly could be...??? Thats right...

Faith is Strength!

Object:

Spiders, How I will die, losing a friend and family members, not having all my family with together in the celestial kingdom, and not succeeding in doing my best... I guess failing.

Here, I wrote a few of my fears. (Im pretty sure thats all.) Anyway my friend Jerrica had told me about a family night she had gone to and they had done an activity where they discussed their fears and what they needed to do to over come them.

I always think of how I can overcome and better these fears all the time. Honestly, I never thought there would be any manner of beating them.

Question 2: To overcome...

How to gain the faith we need to overcome our fears? And what do we need to do to help our faith grow?

Faith is our foundation to success! Its the starting point in our lives, and to help us get started we must put our TRUST in the Lord! Without Him

we have nothing. By trusting and letting Him guide and help us on our way everything in our path will be lighter! For example: He´s our force to move the boulders in our path and that force comes because of FAITH in Him!

Solutions:

I now know how to conquer my fears!! .. I will conquer them with FAITH IN CHRIST! & WITH FAITH IN EVERY FOOTSTEP!

We must always have a starting point before we begin! Everytime we prove our faith, it grows more and more everyday!

Conclusion:

Faith is power!.. we all know! And the things that happen when it is proved are amazing! I know my faith has grown so much! Ive overcome many trials and obstacles thrown in my pathway! Trials that Christ knew I needed to be tested on! There have been many trials Ive seen my family ovecome and they have resulted in being miracles!I know personally what faith can do to change a life when proved!

I KNOW how powerful it is! I know faith is small but when used it proves GREAT things! "By small and simple things great things are brought to pass"-(Alma 37:6-7)

My faith will never stop growing and it will never stop being proved!! Faith is my foundation and the Lord is my Rock!!!

So heres my plan: To keep going with faith! To never stop! To keep moving forward! and to always smile!!! STRENGTH + TRUST IN THE LORD = FAITH

WHATS YOURS?

Heres what you do:

Get a piece of paper and makes you plan today!

write down your fears/trials and discuss or think about what you could do to become stronger!

*Photo shoot*

Mike & Ash were so kind to help me out with takin' some missionary pics before I leave. (So kind) I like these three cause in the others my face looks very fat and I don't like that I have a double chin goin' on. . it's icky. Ha. Ha. I just can't believe time is here already for me to leave. Every time I think that it's really here and it's really happening I get very shakey and I can even feel my insides shake. . .weird. Anyway just wanted to post them and give a BIG THANKS to Mike & my bestie Sal for assisting me in these photos. Thanks to Ash for hurrying Mike to show cause he was running late. :)

RECKLESS AND EXCITING!

I've become a procrastinating blogger lately. . Sorry. I've had some bad, good, and great days. Let me share with you my life the past few weeks. . I had a little mishap with my rip stick (see below photo on what it is in case you don't know)

Friday I was going over graveyard hill (the one in Eagar) on my way to pay the water bill. I was doing really good then I got kinda scared as a gained speed. My rip stick didn't do anything to lose control, it was all me. I jumped off cause that's the only thing I thought of that wouldn't cause me to crash. WRONG! As I jumped I failed to think that I'd need to run the same speed I was going to refrain from falling. My feet slipped out from under me and my head hit the road first thing. My leg and elbow got pretty damaged. This blood running down my face was NOT from my face. It was coming from the back of my head where I had hit the road. I was so sad! (hence the frown)

I tore it up down that hill! BTW: I had to get 5 staples in my head and my leg had became infected but all is well now. Other news: MY NAME TAG CAME BY FEDEX TUESDAY!!! Along with my E-tickets, passport and visa! I was very happy!

Friday my bestie graduated from ASU. That's my bestie! Good job sis! Also my farewell talk was Sunday and apparently I did really well according to those who attended and I also surprised myself cause I thought I'd get all emotional and cry. . It didn't happen. Afterwards we had a get together shin-dig at my g-parents' home. This is my g-pa with my new baby niece, Bailee. She's so cute!