Monday, August 12, 2013

A cool and very worthwhile 5 minute video to share with you




I mentioned in one of my posts a while back about a wonderful book I was reading that truly changed my life for the better. Happiness is a serious problem by Dennis Prager.

Mr. Prager, on top of writing many other books is very involved in many other things. He's a very intelligent, interesting man. He's got a radio show where he mostly talks politics but also every week he's got an hour on the topic of men and women, an hour on happiness and an hour on ultimate issues (i.e. Does God exist, etc?) Relationship experts come on his show as well as a famous LA based psychiatrist. I can't tell you how valuable it all has become in my life. Shane downloads the shows for me and we listen either at home together or separately in our cars to work or together when we drive on vacation. My kids now like and sing the happiness song that comes on when the happiness hours starts. Prager sings along too and if you ever heard his deep voice... It's the best!

On top of his radio show I know he writes for some newspaper and has done TV and many other talks and appearances all over the world. I truly wish I had known about him earlier. He has thought things through very well and also explains them all and very clearly and also is very wise. We don't have the same religion, but so what? Anyone can take so much from him because some truths are just universal.

Anyway, the reason I am saying all this is because I just watched this video below today. I love it so much and want to share with you. We joined Prager University (a website where different people including Prager do short video segments on many different topics)  and have watched many other videos as well. Very well done, short and thought provoking. Let me know what you think.

http://www.prageruniversity.com/Political-Science/The-American-Trinity-2nd-Edition.html


Thursday, August 1, 2013

20th Mission Reunion-Romania-Moldova Mission

Here I am with almost a little over a week left of my summer vacation. I really feel so lucky to have had this summer time with my kids and family. 

We had a blast this summer and truly took advantage of every day. 

I  have to split the posts since I have so many pictures and fun adventures from this summer. 

For sure I want to document a very important and fun activity we had at the beginning of summer. It was the 20th Celebration Romania-Moldova mission reunion. 

20 + years since we got baptized. Wow! It certainly doesn't feel that long ago but 20 years... Geesh! 

Shane had to work and mom is in Romania now so I took dad and the kids and drove down to UT. 

I was asked prior to the event to speak at the reunion fireside. It gave me quite a bit of stress knowing I would have to speak in front of so many people but at the same time it was such a blessing to prepare for the talk, to remember all the fun and important things that took place in my life all these many years ago. I couldn't wait to see so many friends. We seem so at home when we're all together. I really miss those times! 

It was truly an honor to speak. The event took place at the Assembly Hall in Temple Square that was rented for the reunion. What a beautiful building. All the talks were inspiring, testimony building and full of interesting stories. 

The whole thing was recorded and is on you tube if anyone cares to listen to it. It's kind of long but there it has my conversion story and what the church has meant to us as a family. 


I'm around minute 24. :) 

Also a friend of mine and a returned missionary who served in Romania who works for the church wrote an article in the church news. I can't believe they chose a picture with me in it. My dad is in it too. He looks so cute! 


The morning after the reunion we had a picnic in SLC and here we could bring our kids. I was in heaven seeing Ioana, Irina, Maria, Dahlee, Eniko, Aurelia,  and so many dear missionary friends, mission presidents, etc. It truly felt like the good old times picnicking in RO. The kids had fun playing games and running around. 

My dear friend, Kirsten was awesome to host us at her house. We had a blast seeing her and Martissa Whelchel Spencer, who was her companion and who also stayed with Kirsten. Thank you, dear friend for loving us and being such a nice host. 

My sister in law and her husband who live in UT were so awesome to babysit my kids that Friday when I spoke and no kids were allowed to come. She ended up with them until midnight. There were a series of unfortunate events that happened that night that prevented us from getting there on time but we made it safely after all. Thank you for everything, Ash if you ever read this thing. 

President Morrey group

Ioana, her kids and a missionary friend whom I don't know 
Romanian girlfriends

The Hunsakers, the best missionary couple. They are so awesome!

Lavi got to make her ring at one of the activity tables for kids. It's so cute!

Lovely Cambry Larson Morley and me.

President Morrey is so frail . It was a miracle he actually even came. He's the first mission president call to the Romania Mission. He's awesome. 

President Orton and his wife and Gigi and Jean Alecu

Liz Anderson

Kirsten and Kim, who wrote the article. Love these girls. 

Robyn Patterson, dad, Sister Strong, Shanda Christiansen, me

Jensen, forget his name now, dad, Leavit, Martissa Whelchel, me 
After the picnic we were delighted to go visit Geambasu family in Provo. We had a blast with them and they served us the best food. How I love Romanians! :) 
 After we left the Geambasu house being in Provo we went to show the kids the BYU campus and Provo temple. It is always so fun to go there again. I was totally transported back in time. I miss you Holly, Cristina, Jessica, Ioana, Laura and many others. :)

These were new to me- near the art museum



In front of BYU library






Lavi Bavi-picture taking at the temple right before sunset

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