How Much I Like the Conference Talk - April 2014

“Why is it the ones we loves most often become the target of our harsh words?”  -- President Thomas S. Monson

"Don't destroy another's confidence with careless words." Thomas S. Monson

“All men have their fears but those who face their fears with Faith have COURAGE as well.”  Thomas S. Monson 

”Placing blame leaves the wounds open.... only forgiveness heals.”  Thomas S. Monson 

“Satan can keep us busy, distracted and infected by sifting through information, much of which can be pure garbage… One should not roam through garbage.  Marcos A. Aidukaitis. 

“Why do we resist endings? Because we are eternal beings.  Endings are merely interruption, a temporary pause in our eternal progression, which will one day seem small in the eternal Joy waiting for us.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf   

“All of God's children are made of the stuff of eternity.  Endings are not our destiny.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

“Choose to be grateful no matter what... “

“In his plan there are no true endings, only everlasting beginnings.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

“Instead of being thankful for things, we focus on being thankful in our circumstances whatever they may be.”  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“How much of life do we miss waiting to see the rainbow before thanking God for the rain?" Dieter Uchtdorf

"Being a disciple of Jesus Christ is not an effort of once a week or once a day. It is an effort of once and for all."  Dieter F. Uchtdorf

“Reaching out to rescue one another in any condition is an eternal measure of love.”  Ronald A Rashband

“God made your spirit strong and capable of being resilient to the whirlwinds of life.”  Neil. L Anderson 

 “Our priorities, tendencies, inclination, desires, appetites and passions will have a direct hearing on our next estate. Let us always remember the words of the Savior: ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also.” Michael John Teh

"The truth will always be opposed. " - Lawrence E. Corbridge Indeed! This is when you know you're in the side of truth.

"You've prepared for this for millennia.  This is your moment to perform.  This is your four minutes!  The time is Now!  Gary E. Stevenson
"You have the Savior of the World on your side, how can you fail?"

The miracle of the atonement can make up for imperfections in our performances. 

“The gospel is not weight; it is wings.  It carries us!” Jean A. Stevens

“Agency is your power to become.”  Randall L. Ridd

“In the temple, all feelings of inadequacy, and imperfection begin to fade.”  Rosemary M. Wixom

“We will become agents who act rather than objects who acted upon.  We will be blessed with spiritual traction.”  David A Bednar

“His atonement also enables us to do good and become better in ways that stretch far beyond our mortal capacities.”  David A  Bednar

“The unique burdens in each of our lives help us to rely on the merits, mercy, and grace of the Holy Messiah.”  David A. Bednar

“We are not and never need be alone.  We can press forward in our daily lives with Heavenly help.”  David A  Bednar

"Because our individual load needs to generate spiritual traction, we should be careful to not haul around in our lives so many nice but unnecessary things that we are distracted and diverted from the things that matter most." David A Bednar

“Destructive words can take a situation from hazardous to fetal.”  W Craig Zwick

"Today’s complexity demands greater simplicity." Elder L. Tom Perry

Conference Lunch!  Another incentives to watch the conference!  

Yes, we actually have bacon twice a year!  :D  Only when there's conference... 

An Email to Evan and Johnny (March 28)

Just want to let you both know that I can't sleep tonight because I am terribly upset with you both!  

Evan, how come you keep failing in your social study class and not telling us?  Why is that you think you are able to enjoy your privileges when you are getting a C in your class?  I told you to study and you said that you have read the chapter many times and did the tests at the back of the chapter, and I felt betrayal when the outcome didn't seem to match what you've told me!  What happen to your "zone"?  I hope you see the problem and learn a good lesson here.... When you are being prideful, starting to relax and being lazy.... This is what will get you!   I seriously not looking forward to a letter from your school!!!!!  

Dad, please stop blaming on me and asked me to sit with him.  He is in high school and he knows exactly what has worked in the past.  He is the one to be responsible for his own action.  It's not my fault if he knows how to study but choose not to.  He needs to learn self discipline and self motivation, not me!  He is compelled to be good if I sit by him.  I do not like forcing, stalking people and I don't want to turn to be a tiger mom or a helicopter parent!!!!  Do you read me or not????  I hope you also remember what you said at the beginning of the school year after I went to the guidance counselor who suggested of signing him off from the honor class.  You refused to take her advice!   .... "I don't think he should drop the honor class, if he gets a bad grade, it's okay with me... It's better for him to struggle!"  Then, stop getting upset on me when this is your choice!  Say what you mean!!!

Enough saying to the two of you!  

Evan, with your grade in 70...  In order to pull up your grade back to 80, you will at least have 90s in all your future exams and quizzes.  You should also be asking for extra credit work and check with your teacher for all the mistakes you made.  You obviously didn't spend enough time reading your text book.  You got side track with your laptop, emails, basketball and band.  Since you are not self motivated to study.... You will now need to do the following.

1 You will have to have an overall grade of 80 in order to go back to band practice. I will explain to sister Howard on this.  Getting a C is not acceptable and non negotiable in the house.  

2 Do not turn on your laptop until you are done with all your homework and study.   You will only get 30 min each day until your overall grade go back up to 80.

3 No basketball playing until you read 2 times of the whole chapter of what you are learning that day and will be learning the next day.  I mean the whole chapter of every single subject!  No question ask..... You know how much I hate to ask you everyday of the thing that you supposed to be doing!  Do not rush through your reading... This is probably why your grade is going down.  You can earn your time for basketball practice when your grade starts to show improvement.  

I am trying to be reasonable with you both!  So be responsible and do your part!  Evan, I need your stoga ID and password to your pinicle.

Opportunity or What

3/28/2014

The Lord always hint me for something.... About a week or two ago, Johnny told me about him getting bored with his current job.  I thought.... oh no.... we were not ready for retirement yet, there's simply no reserve for us at this point.

Then, I got this overwhelming feeling of gratitude and my submission to the Lord's will.  Now... it's becoming more interesting!  Johnny got an email from a recruiter at the church headquarter on Friday about a job opportunity.  The church is looking for someone to analyst the statistical work for the financial portfolio.  Johnny doesn't have the business background so he might not be the best candidate for the job, but he would like to talk to the guy and see what exactly this is about.

Needless to say.... I have been searching information on homes and schools in the Utah.  Why am I getting myself into this??  I don't know... Just have way too many thoughts.  We don't even know if he will get the job, but I know our hearts are prepared even if it means his pay will be so much less that he is making right now.  The school is decent but not as good as here and I know the adjustment is going to be difficult because the kids grow up here and it's more diverse.  I struggled a little after the past few days of searching.  But, it's always nice to be reminded of the incident I had yesterday.  After all, I asked for it!

Well, no more searching today until Johnny had the interview!  May be our time is not up yet!  Who knows?  Speaking of that... I also felt kind of weird the other day telling someone that we've been in PA for 8 years!  Don't know what tomorrow will bring...  But, if we truly are covenant people, we shall not fear!  :)

Feeling of Gratitude

March 27, 2014

I had a really interesting experience this afternoon as Johnny and I came home from car shopping. It's been just a week since he had the car accident.  He has been in good health and the insurance claim came through without much trouble.  We shopped at four different places and he eventually made up his mind for the one he really likes.

I was really tired to be out since I drove the seminary kids three times this week and the walk with Judy made me tired also.  So, it's a relief for me.  Besides, I have also been staying up late checking out recipe book software and researching ways to publish my cookbook.  I really want to publish a family one so when I come back from HK (with the cooking lesson and certificate), I'll have a better chance to teach at MainLine school.  I really enjoyed working in that type of setting.  Teach a day or two and be done with it.  :)  It's a super fun job!

Anyway somehow on Thur night as we came home from the dealer.  I couldn't help but to think how blessed we were to be financially independent!  We don't need to borrow money for the car and we don't need to worry about the monthly payment.  How cool is that to listen to the prophet's advice... to live frugal and save for emergency.

I looked into the sky outside the window, I had this overwhelming feeling of blessing pouring over me.  I couldn't denied how great I felt.  The only statement came to my head was, "What can I do for you?"  Music is the first thing that came to my thought.  I know I need to get back on track!

Sat (Time to work on his Eagle Scout!)  Another Court of Honor Evening...

   

Conference Address

Sat 3/22

Elder Robbins's talk was wonderful!  He message was on missionary opportunity!

He encourages us to use our eyes to see and ears to hear to open up conversation with others and be connected with people --  to bring them to Christ.  He shared with us a few successful stories about how a missionary was able to make a connection on a tattoo on someone's arm with writings about God.  He was able to carry a conversation on the Lord and eventually baptized her.  Another missionary asked the home owner to commit for a lesson when they bet on a game on the pool table.  Apparently the missionary was really good at pool and of course, he won and was able to teach one lesson after the other.... As he shared the many stories from the missionaries all over the world, I kept thinking about Jeannie.  She must have lots of interesting encounter with people as well!  Can't wait to hear from her when she comes home.

Sun 3/23

Another great talk from Elder Robbins.  Even though we were sitting behind the benches, I can literally feel the spirit in the congregation.  The members were attentive and quiet as he talk on Jesus being the best example of going about his Father's business.  The name "Father" was mentioned by Jesus in 3 Nephi (don't remember from which chapter to the end) for 163 times. Elder Robbins tied in his talk of a personal teaching moment from Elder Packer when he was asked a questions, "Which side are you facing?"  The Lord's work is real and he was advised to never lower his standard to please others as he go about doing His work.  He is representing the prophet to see the people not the other way around.  How true is that for such a simple sermon!!!



 

Super Busy Week!

Mon (3/17):
Took Tammy out to breakfast and reassure her that she did a great job introducing the compassionate service program.  I've came to a realization that no matter how well you prepare, and how thoughtful the plan is; there will always be someone disagree with you.  We simply can't please everyone!  There were a few sisters don't quite understand the reasons and changes behind it.  We prayed and hoped for these sisters will one day understand the way we structured the program.  It will only give more opportunity for people to serve, out of our comfort zone and be united in service and heart.

Wed (3/19):
Johnny was involved in a multiple car accident.  Presidency meeting at night.

Thur (3/20):
10:00-11:15 Scripture study
11:30-12:30 Lunch
1:00-3:30    Grocery shopping for the stake conf. with Mary -- didn't even know that she sprained her ankle.

Fri (3/21):

9:30            Help cutting and chopping (stake conf. dinner)
11:00          Leaving to cooking lesson
1:45            Went home and picked up Jady's violin and camera
2:00            Took Johnny to Jady's school for the "Celebration of Weather"
3:00            Took Jady home... took Evan out for a Shamrocx shake
3:30            Jady's violin lesson
4:15            Came home and cook food for Sammy's farewell party
5:30-8:30     Sammy's farewell party

Sat (3/22):
10:00-11:30     Dropped off Evan at Howards for band practice; went car shopping
12:00-1:00       Lunch
1:00-1:20         Gave Evan hair cut
1:30                Dropped off Johnny at the Stake center
2:15                Came home and fix dinner for Jady and the Smalx
3:30                Dropped off Jady at the Smalx and off to the stake center
4:15-8:00         Help prepared, serve dinner and clean up at the stake center
8:00                Sit down and listen to the talk

Multiple Car Crash

3/19/14 (Wed)

Thirty minutes after Johnny left to NJ, I got a phone call from him off the street.  He was involved in multiple car crash off the freeway.  My heart sank, but it was a relief to hear him that he and the other drivers were okay.  No one was injured....  The young driver two cars behind Johnny lost control and hit the person in front, and that person behind Johnny hit him at the back, and needless to say Johnny hit the car in front him.  As a result, Johnny's baby was totaled!

I often wondered what will happen if he was driving my car that day.  It was a little rainy, and I somehow want to visit with Michele (which is kind of strange since I don't like driving in the rain that much); so I asked Johnny to drive his own car to see his client.  The adjuster from the insurance came back and said the car was beyond repaired which is understandable.

As I looked back at the pictures now I would only call it a blessing.  The car was famous for its steel and when it's in such a bad condition after the accident, I could not imagine how my Japanese car looked like after crash.  He might have been in serious injury!

Johnny was a little sad to depart with his baby, but we both understand it's only a thing after all! We are so grateful for the Lord for preserving his life.  He was okay and went to play badminton the day after.