I'm a new aunt!

I forgot to post pictures of my new niece!  And, my new nephew!  We didn't get babies this time, we got teenagers!  Liza and Bryan are Jeremy's new step-kids.  Jer and Lilia were married Friday, June 13th!  We like to add to the Hansen family in lumps the last few times.  I added three people when I got married, and now Jeremy added three more!  We're very happy to have them!

The pay off

Sometimes, it's easier to let the kids keep watching their movie.  Sometimes, it's hard to be patient with their fidgety bodies while we sit at the table.  Sometimes, I think we should just wait until the weekend when Jake is home.  But, so far, I can see a positive result every time we sit down and study the scriptures together.

The kids and I started studying from Gospel Principles.  We read the chapter and any of the scripture verses from The Book of Mormon.  I thought that would be a less overwhelming way to begin for Abbi than flipping between the Bible, The Book of Mormon, the Doctrine and Covenants, and the Gospel Principles book.

Abbi's job is to read the scripture verses and Noah and I read from the book.  Tonight, Noah was repeating the words in a big voice.  A few minutes in he asked me if I knew why he was doing that.  I confirmed that, of course, I didn't know why he was using such a big voice.

"I want God to hear us."

A few minutes later, we were discussing why we would choose to make good choices.

"If we could remember God and when we lived with Him, we would make perfect choices so we could get back to Him."

That four year old boy made me stop in stunned amazement.  Pretty good pay off for our few minutes of scripture study, I would say.

I believe.

I believe in the doctrine of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and hope to align myself with that gospel.

I believe that God directs His church, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, through direct revelation given to the living prophet.

I believe The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is led by a prophet who holds all of the keys of the priesthood.

I believe that the prophet and apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints are human, but that God will not allow any one of them to lead His Church in error.

I believe that the priesthood of God is on the earth and is fully available to all mankind.

I believe that all worthy males can hold priesthood keys and administer in the capacity God calls them to.

I believe that women, through the priesthood, lead in their homes and callings.

I believe that women act through the priesthood when they worthily serve in callings God called them to do.

I believe that through covenants, women have every blessing a worthy male priesthood-holder has.

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I believe that marriage is between a man and a woman.

I believe that individuals with heterosexual or same-sex attractions can choose to live lives that make all blessings and covenants available to them.

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I believe that when official members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints choose to believe, act, or encourage others in doctrine and principles that are not in accordance with God's revealed gospel they should not represent themselves as "official members" any longer.

I believe that priesthood leaders have the responsibility to direct the affairs of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as God has called them to do.

I believe that priesthood leaders hold a burden of responsibility when they have to work through difficult situations with members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who believe, act, or encourage others in doctrine and principles that are not in accordance with God's revealed gospel.

I believe that members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints who become dis-fellowshipped, excommunicated, or remove their own names from the records of the Church are loved sons and daughters of God.

I believe that God is waiting with open arms for all of His children to work through their sins, weaknesses, and shortcomings and to return to Him through the power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

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I believe that my feelings, beliefs, values, and testimony can define me and I hope that they do.

I believe that my testimony and beliefs are mine and their purpose is not in personal opposition of others beliefs, values, and desires.

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I am a daughter of my Heavenly Father, who loves me, and I love Him.  I will stand as a witness of God at all times, in all things, and in all places as I strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith
Divine Nature
Individual Worth
Knowledge
Choice & Accountability
Good Works
Integrity
Virtue

I believe as I come to accept and act upon these values I will be prepared to strengthen home and family, make and keep sacred covenants, receive the ordinances of the temple, and enjoy the blessings of exaltation.

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As a female member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, I do not wish to be represented or affiliate with any organization other than the Church itself.  I do not want to be counted in a tally of "us vs. them."  I only hope to represent myself in a way that will eternally affiliate me with The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, as I believe that is the only way I can achieve my eternal goal of living with my Father in Heaven and my family in the eternities.  There is no other organization on the earth that can so fully fulfill my every desire and happiness as the Lord's gospel, as revealed through prophets in these latter days.

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

Now you see them ....

Now you don't.  My parents leave in the morning for their mission to the South Africa Johannesburg Mission Office.  Their little white handbooks say they finish December 2, 2015.  We'll see about that.  It's hard to say goodbye when so much of your life and thoughts and feelings go together.  We tested our Facetime and Vonage connections and they seem to work satisfactorily.  Jeremy put it well when he told my mom, "I can't be sad about you leaving when you're going to do something you have always wanted to do."  I'll work on thinking that too.  Until then, I'll secretly work on trying to figure out my feelings and turn whatever they are into happy ones.

Storage Room Wall

If anyone recalls, the last house I owned was covered in color.  Since moving, I've yet to add any color on any wall, you know paint like.  So, for $25.00 I decided to try something new.

Now, the Storage Room has one wall this color:

And, I made a long, narrow rectangle of chalk paint with this color:

Now, we can write down what we take off the shelf so grocery shopping is a little easier.

Maybe one day I'll add a picture of the finished product but my dummy flip-phone just doesn't do the color justice.  And we all know, I believe in justice.