Pearls & Perfection Pending

I have been more than amazed by the amount of support and enthusiasm we have found as we have asked people to help with the DREAM Project. We emailed some friends and family and checks started showing up within days. Yesterday we wandered around town explaining what we were doing to a few business owners and we now have a BBQ fundraiser and benefit concert set up for this month. We ran into Sam Schultz (Sammy's) at the copy store and I opened my mouth. We went to Broulim's and the manager volunteered his grill, Coke trailer and ice as well as any food we might use at their price. I highly underestimated our power to influence others for good and the willingness to support a good cause that most people demonstrate. We are getting very excited for the challenges and adventures that await us this summer. Today in Sunday School, I taught a lesson on John 9&10. We discussed Christ's invitations to both see and hear what he has to teach. I told the story of John ...

Goals: Read the Book of Mormon in Spanish by the end of our time in the DR. Physical Activity for 180 minutes each week. Grocery shopping once each week with planned menus. Limit fast food (Costa Vida!, pizza, etc.) to one meal each week, no more. Donate to the mission fund. Increase fast offering. Make 72 hours kits. Compliment people on their choices. Read the May Ensign and study it consistently until October.

This picture always reminds me of the way I feel inside when I am excited. David and I have been really starting to get ready for the DR lately and I am stoked! We sent out some letters inviting friends and family to donate to the cause and I got an email back today with our first $50 donation! Carrie Cole came to our school this year to give trainings on implementing effective literacy in the classroom and she was the first to help us out! Thanks Carrie! As I am putting together materials to share with the teachers I will be working with, I am realizing how very unprepared I am and how far I have to go, but I am grateful for such a unique learning opportunity. I hope I can do some good. Yay for cool life experiences!

We really do appreciate the comfort of watching conference from home. This morning we woke up and made yummy pumpkin spice waffles and delicious smoothies in our new blender! What a fun morning! I have been strongly impressed by the talks this general conference that we can do more to serve and help those less fortunate than ourselves. We can do more to live simply so that we have more of an abundance to share. I am grateful for our opportunity to go to the DR to serve this summer. I think there is a lot we can do in the next two months to prepare to really help those people. We are excited to share our lives and talents with them. In the meantime, we need to do all that we can here. President Monson: Attend the temple more often. We live within 2 miles of it. Put a picture of the temple in every bedroom of the house. When our children reach the age to make the decision to go to the temple, it will have already been made. Elder Robbins: Compliments should be bas...

President Monson: Donate to the missionary fund. Elder Perry: Make sure that you worship on the Sabbath. The Sabbath day is for us to draw closer to God. Elder Cook: Be a modern day heroic woman. Appeal to the Lord when I face difficult circumstances that my trails will be consecrated for my good. Elder Eyring: We have covenanted to help those in need. Ask yourself each day what good you have done in the world today. Don't just feel sympathy for those who suffer. Act on your covenants. Gain surplus so that you can serve others by spending less than you make. Make 72 hour backpacks Elder Nelson: The world is crazy, but we have no need to fear. Do what is right. Keep the commandments. Pay tithing. The storm clouds may gather, but we will be joyful as we keep the commandments and walk uprightly. Fear not. The future is as bright as your faith. Covenants help us to face the future with faith. Elder Oaks: Desire can be trained. Desire, labor, and faith wor...

"Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world, yea, even a place at the right hand of God, which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast, always abounding in good works, being led to glorify God." As a missionary I remember one of my mission presidents telling us that his mission statement in life was, "Inspire hope, not despair, in every person, every situation." That always stuck with me. David and I started reading a lot to get ready for our trip to the DR in just two months this weekend. I hope that by starting a pattern of service now, we will be able to find ways to serve throughout our marriage and our lives. While the world is falling apart daily, I believe it is our responsibility to give people hope for a better world and to give them an anchor. When we serve others through good works, we serve God.

Yesterday I had a meeting with the parents of one of my students. She has missed 44 days of school and been tardy 43 days. In our meeting, my principal and our community specialist talked with these people through their issues and why Lexie hasn't been coming to school. It always amazes me to see how some people live and truly believe that they can do no wrong or that the world is out to get them. It was everyone's fault except their own, from the Mormons to the teachers to me personally, the school system in general, the illnesses of family members, the doctors...the list went on and on. It is interesting that some people just can't connect that choices have consequences. It made me want to better myself and to never back down from the responsibilities I should carry. What a sad life it would be to always think that someone is out to get me or to excuse myself time after time from the consequences of my actions. On the other hand, it made me think about the positi...