Ethan's Seminary Graduation

Ethan and his last seminary teacher Brother John Butler at graduation 2016!

He had five teachers.  Brother Thompson, Sister Linda Urmston and Sue Porter in Bakersfield and Brother Tyler Smith and John Butler in Sienna. 

Early morning seminary is definitely a sacrifice, but one with many blessings in return.

Salt Lake City Mission President & Wife

George Scott Spendlove, 51, and Kariane Christiansen Spendlove, five children, San Antonio Texas North Stake: Utah Salt Lake City Mission, succeeding President Stephen W. Hansen and Sister Carol V. Hansen. Brother Spendlove serves as a stake president and is a former stake presidency counselor, bishop, stake Young Men president, ward Young Men president and missionary in the Italy Catania Mission. Retired chief financial officer, Tesoro Corp. Born in Salt Lake City to George Paul Spendlove and Louise Prestwich Spendlove.

Sister Spendlove is a former stake Young Women presidency counselor, ward Primary president, ward Relief Society, Young Women and Primary presidencies counselor and ward nursery leader. Born in Portland, Oregon, to David Glen Christiansen and Julianne Prude Christiansen.

2015-2018

General Young Women's Conference

So I really wanted to BE there at this General Young Women's Conference with Rachel. It was her first one and a nice trip to Utah with her sounded great. But it didn't work out this TIME. We did just get back from a great spring break camping trip at Lake Lopez, cleaned up and went to our Stake Center where they served us dinner and then watched another wonderful conference. We sat next to Patti Morris and her girls and Rachel couldn't stop laughing on the way home because of a story she told about her trip to Trader Joes. She had to return something and was working with an employer who she found out was deaf and he was reading her lips, she kept getting louder and louder....... Rachel just thought that was so funny.
You can find all the wonderful messages that were shared that night here.  Love, Love, Love General Conference and especially the Young Women's and Relief Society Sessions as they are a little more specific to me.

Priesthood Preview

 

There were a few boys not here tonight, but these are the boys from both Stockdale and Brimhall Ward who will be turning 12 in 2013.  Which means they will be recieving the Aaronic Priesthood. You can find out more about the priesthood here.   Each of the boys were introduced by a parent and Steve focused a lot on what Matthew focuses a lot on and that is soccer.  Matthew is a great leader everywhere he goes.

Bishop Hawley from Stockdale ward conducted the meeting.

Brother Morris, Brimhall YM President shared his testimony of the priesthood and his excitement to share some special experiences with these young men. 

Bishop Henderson gave a nice message encouraging these young men to be there best.  The bar has just been raised again as missionaries can now serve when they are 18.  A lot is expected of these young men.  And the part that brought me to tears is when he talked about making your mom's proud and happy.  In less than 2 months we will have 3 mutual age children.  Time is flying by too fast and I feel like I am not able to do and teach all that I want to teach my children. 

It was a special evening and Matthew did great as he participated and shared his thoughts.

Time Out For Women 2012

Such a fun girls weekend. I love going to Time Out for Women. And it is even better when you can go with such amazing women. Love Love Love these ladies. Cheryl and Kirsten are my counselors in Young Womens and we had a fabulous time together. And what a better way to start our weekend then a visit to the Los Angeles Temple.

The Time Out for Women speakers were all wonderful.  Thoroughly enjoyed being uplifted, encouraged, rejuvenated and motivated.  And I love feeling the spirit testifying to me of the truthfulness of the gospel and of Jesus Christ.  I took lots of notes and can't wait to go again next year.

Here is the line up for our session of Time Out For Women. 

FRIDAYPROGRAM

Macy Robison

Musical Dance Theatre, BYU; creator and performer, Children Will Listen: Reflections on Mothering

Music Artist
Enjoy a unique “cabaret-style” performance featuring music and musings with Macy Robison celebrating the women and mothers in our lives—daughters, stepdaughters, sisters, friends, teachers, wives, stepmothers, daughters-in-law, and mothers. We’ll bring Macy. You bring the tissues.

Laurel Christensen

V.P. Product Development, Deseret Book Company; author, He Loves Us and We Love Him

What Are You Waiting For?
Do you ever feel like you're waiting for a new opportunity or a new week (or a new year)? And while you're waiting, it seems that life is on hold? Although the scriptures invite us to “wait patiently for the Lord” (Psalm 40:1), nowhere do they tell us to sit while we’re waiting. There are things life can’t wait for you to do and that you aren’t expected to wait for—even while you might have to wait on the Lord for a time.

Brad Wilcox

Associate professor, BYU; former mission president; author, The Continuous Atonement

No Other Name
In Third Nephi Jesus said that His people will know His name. As we learn more about each of the names and titles of the Savior, we can begin to see more clearly all that He has to offer us. There is no other name that can do all the good for us that His name can and will do.

SATURDAYPROGRAM

Hilary Weeks

Top-selling female LDS artist; singer; songwriter; author; albums include If I Only Had Today and Every Step

Music Artist
You said you can't imagine TOFW without her; happily, you don't have to. Hilary is not just a great songwriter and incredible performer; she is first and foremost a woman—a wife, a mother, a daughter, and a sister. Her humor and her testimony make every event perfect.

Chris Williams

Executive, IBM; author, soon to be released, Let It Go

Letting Go
After the car Chris and his family were driving in was hit by a drunk driver, the first thing he remembers hearing were the words, “Let it go.” That invitation was key to a road of forgiveness and recovery as Chris dealt with the loss of his wife and two children. And he has learned that in “letting go,” you can prepare to be open to receive all the Lord has to offer.

DeAnne Flynn

Author, The Time-Starved Family and A Mother’s Mite

What Mothers Forget to Remember
Mental meltdowns, brain cramps, “momnesia" moments—most of us are all too familiar with frequent forgetfulness. And we sometimes even fail to remember what is truly essential for our families, and for us. But by re-memorizing a few simple principles, by heart, we can (and will) realize greater joy and success as we seek the good in motherhood.

John Hilton III

Religious instructor; co-author, WHY? and HOW?

543 Questions
Did you know there are 543 questions asked in the Book of Mormon? What do these questions mean and why are they relevant to us? John will focus on just a few of the key questions and help us learn how to apply these and other questions to our lives today.

Julie de Azevedo Hanks

Clinical Director, Utah's Wasatch Family Therapy; author; songwriter

Your Most Authentic Self
We women have a tendency to get busy and forget ourselves. It’s our strength but can also be our weakness. There are some key ingredients to making sure you have all of yourself to give while still protecting the parts of you that make you…you! Learn how to have a healthier sense of self, prioritize your own personal development, and better understand the role of healthy emotional management.

Emily Watts

Senior editor, Deseret Book Company; author, I Hate It When Exercise Is the Answer

Saving the Princess
Many popular video games feature a quest to “save the princess.” The more you know about the game (some people even publish books of “hints’), the better your chance of finding all the treasures along the way that will make your quest successful. Emily Watts takes us on a quest of our own, offering hints around every corner that can help the good prevail. The princess you save might just be you!

Daddy Daughter Achievement Day Activity

So the daddy-O's got to spend an evening with their cute girlies roasting hot dogs and smores and telling stories aournd the campfire in the Morris's backyard.  Rachel said they had to say a little prayer in her head as her and her dad let the Chinese Lantern off.  What a great opportunity to see all these lanterns lite up in the sky.  Rachel's was the first one to catch on fire and fall.   

Priesthood Preview

Priesthood Prievew in Katy 2nd Ward

YM Leaders: Brother Holt and Brother Hughes

 Drake, Josh, Ethan, Jacob, ? , Spencer