Elder Bednar

I love Elder Bednar. His talks over the last two conferences have resonated deeply within me. I have worked at implementing the changes he suggested. Despite my less than perfect attempt even small changes have resulted in miracles. Although I don't have time to go into depth right now here are the links and favorite quotes from his talks.
Pray Always- Oct. 2008
"Simply stated, prayer is communication to Heavenly Father from His sons and daughters on earth. “As soon as we learn the true relationship in which we stand toward God (namely, God is our Father, and we are his children), then at once prayer becomes natural and instinctive on our part” . . . "(Moses 3:4–5). We learn from these verses that the spiritual creation preceded the temporal creation. In a similar way, meaningful morning prayer is an important element in the spiritual creation of each day—and precedes the temporal creation or the actual execution of the day. Just as the temporal creation was linked to and a continuation of the spiritual creation, so meaningful morning and evening prayers are linked to and are a continuation of each other." (Pray always - www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-947-14,00.html)

Ask in Faith - Apr. 2008
True faith is focused in and on the Lord Jesus Christ and always leads to righteous action. The Prophet Joseph Smith taught that “faith [is] the first principle in revealed religion, and the foundation of all righteousness” and that it is also “the principle of action in all intelligent beings” (Lectures on Faith [1985], 1). Action alone is not faith in the Savior, but acting in accordance with correct principles is a central component of faith. Thus, “faith without works is dead” (James 2:20).
The Prophet Joseph further explained that “faith is not only the principle of action, but of power also, in all intelligent beings, whether in heaven or on earth” (Lectures on Faith, 3). Thus, faith in Christ leads to righteous action, which increases our spiritual capacity and power. Understanding that faith is a principle of action and of power inspires us to exercise our moral agency in compliance with gospel truth, invites the redeeming and strengthening powers of the Savior’s Atonement into our lives, and enlarges the power within us whereby we are agents unto ourselves (see D&C 58:28).
(Ask in Faith - www.lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-31,00.html)

ENJOY!

Gratitude for the women around me

Lately, I have been filled with gratitude for the women that are around me. I find myself always watching and learning from those around me. There are so many moments when I am struggling with a situation and I am able to think of someone else and their response to a similar situation and I think oh yeah I can do that too. I know that some of you will say "please, if you only saw the real me . . ." but the point is that I have seen these things and your actions continue to bless my life. Here are just a few:

1. My Mom - so many wonderful things but lately it has been her constant example of reading the scriptures and being prayerful . She never misses a day.

2. Pua - a working mom (and amazing teacher) who still manages to find time for her family as well as her friends and doing things she loves.

3. Hanu - I was so impressed by the spirit in her home. I know that doesn't just happen. She is so patient with her children and talks things out. I also admire her ability to make friends and to be a great friend.

4. Kahi - I love Kahi's ability to be "in the moment" of her children and those around her. She also as an incredible ability and courage to always speak the truth without hurting anyones feelings. I know it is because she is being true to who she is.

5. Nia - Nia is so outgoing. I love that she keeps in touch with everyone and manages to be in contact with so many people. She never lets time and distance come between her and her friends and family.

6. Emily - When Emily disciplines her children it is with a sweet "awww don't do that, that is not good". I have never heard her yell or be short.

7. Grace - Even though she works, she still makes time to play with her kids. Her children are obviously her first priority. I love the way she "plays" with her kids and even when she gets home late you can still find her with her kids at the park.

8. Halona - she is a leader's leader. Her ability to read into what people are really saying and find ways to motivate each person amazes me daily.

9.Ui-she fits into the not quite human category for me mainly because I am always amazed by the many things she can do and do well. What I have learned from her especially recently is that she is able to quickly adapt to different situations and make it work. She is also excellent at being involved in the community and finding time to do the things she loves. But what impresses me most is that even though she has an insane schedule that makes me exhausted just watching, she still is savors and enjoys each moment.

10. Meilani - I admire Meilani's insight about each of her children. In conversations she will say a little comment that makes me realize that I don't know that about my children. I also admire her faith in Heavenly Father and that her will take care of each of us.

11. Kaui-her ability to make anything a party. To be friends with everyone and no matter what the occassion might be Kaui has invited at least 10 families. She is so easy to be with and manages to keep everyone around her real too --especially me.

12. Diane - I have never met another person than serves more people silently than her. She quietly goes into the lives of so MANY people and finds a way to quietly serve. The acts are simple but always just what is so important at the time. She is quiet about her many, many talents but when it is time to serve they suddenly manifest.

13. Nue - So she is one of those all of the above women but she recently taught me another great lesson. Nalia and Azure decide to little "entrepreneurs" and pick the plumeria and sell them. They put the flowers in a laundry basket and were yelling at the cars as they passed by "Flowers! Flowers for sale". I was watching them and shaking my head. At one point I even told them to stop. Well a little later it was time to come in so I told her to walk Azure home. A little later Nalia shows up with 2 quaters. I asked her where she got it. She said , "Aunty Nue."
"Why"
"I sold her the flowers. At first I told her .10 cents a flower but she said that was too expensive. She said she would buy the whole basket for a dollar."
Embarrassed I called Nue back and apologized that she had to pay for the flowers. She said "No, I was just playing along. Next time though I will teach them how to make a lei so they can make some real money." Why didn't I think of that?!

OK so I will have to continue this post another time. So many other people came to mind it was difficult to stop (I am so blessed to be surrounded by so many amazing people). So thank you to the many women that bless my life just by being themselves.

Hawaii Fi-Do

What fun we had yesterday! Pomai had a project on animal and human teams and since Grandma works with a company, Hawaii Fi-do, that trains service dogs - she called in a favor. Susan Luehrs, the owner, was so kind to let us come last minute. She had Marie, a caretaker and service dog owner show us around. Marie was awesome and so patient. She answered all of Pomai's questions and showed her around. Nalia and Anela both have a fear of dogs (Nalia has gotten chased on more than one occassion) but it was fun to watch them go from stark fear to playing with the dogs.

These dogs are amazing and it was cool to learn the ins and outs of selecting the dogs to training them. We heard some amazing stories of the independence these dogs are able to provide for their owners. Everything from retrieving to warning them of possible seizures or food burning on the stove. You name they can do it. It was a wonderful way for Pomai to learn and as much as I love the internet - you just can't beat the real stuff. Please check out their website http://www.hawaiifido.org/ and see all the great things this non-profit organization is doing. I hear they are always looking for puppy raisers and donations. Thank you Susan and Marie.

MAYBE

So I was modeling, for my family, the new shirts I bought. We were deciding whether to keep all of them. Nalia was assisting me by making a list and writing down what decisions were being made. I was just about done when she had to go and rinse the dishes - so she handed me the list with the following instructions:
Nalia: Mom just finish marking the list. If it is Yes (keep) then put a check; if it is no (return) then mark an X; and if it is a maybe mark it with a "P".
Me: Why am I marking a "p" for the maybe ones
Nalia: You know Mom, mayPee (sounding it out for me) don't you hear it? mayPee

10 years of happiness

Today is our anniversary. Ten years have flown by! I am still in awe of the man that I married. What an amazing man he is. He is still my best friend and loves me unconditionally. He is an amazing father and works diligently to connect with each child. I love his insight about each of our girls. Here are the top ten things I love about Namu:

10. I love the way he rubs his feet back and forth between the sheets when he first gets into bed. His snore.

9. His cooking - Namu is the best cook I know. I LOVE everything he makes. Even before we started dating he made dinner for my roommate and I - peanut butter thai chicken and fruit pie. I distinctly remember how yummy it was and thinking man this guy is a good catch.

8. His confidence in himself. I love that Namu sticks to and does what he feels is right. He does not waiver from what he knows to be true and does not worry about what others think about him.

7. I love that any comment can bring on a song. Namu loves to take a word from what someone has said and break into song that uses the word. I love his voice. I remember when I made my list of what I wanted in a husband singing was in the category of "would be great if". I love that he is always willing to share his talent.

6. That we still go on "dates". We love movies and curling up to a good movie with mochi crunch, popcorn and m & m's is one of our favorite things

5. Namu is also the BEST listener. He is attentive and has great insight in every situation.

4. All the little things that he does to take care of me. Namu has always been a DOER. I learned while dating that this is how Namu shows his love for me. It is in making sure the car is safe, washing the dishes, folding the clothes, taking the kids out to give me a break, the list goes on and on.

3. His ability to make me laugh all the time. There is not a day that he has not made me laugh. Even in a disagreement Namu is able to difuse the situation with a joke. I don't know how he does it but I am so grateful for it. Namu also has this ability to give the punch line with straight face. I remember the night we first met after he left Colette said what did you do. I have never heard him say more than two or three words and yet the two of you laughed and talked. I remember even that first night thinking how funny he was. The rule is that 90% of what comes out of Namu's mouth is some sort of joke.

2. The father he is. When Namu and I were dating he told me he might not be able to have children. I remember being worried for 1/2 a second and then realizing that if that was the Lord's plan for us it would be ok. Well 4 children later we have been blessed in so many ways. Namu is a wonderful father. He takes time to know each of them personally and I love his insight about each of them. The girls love the many times that he takes them out to play with them. He makes them laugh too and they know that he is always joking too. They love that he is fair and kind and unconditional with his love.

1.His unconditional love for me. Namu is loyal and loves me despite my MANY idiosyncracies he still loves me. He always makes me feel like I can do anything! Sometimes he has more confidence in me than I have in myself. He always encourages me to do what I feel is right. He trusts me explicitly and he will do anything for me.

Namu I love you more today than yesterday. I am grateful everyday that you are my eternal companion and that the Lord put us together. I will be forever grateful for "the thousand tiny miracles". I love ya!!