Primary Music Leader

 I was just called to be the new Primary Music Leader.  (Primary is the children's Sunday School, ages 3-11)  I've had a crazy mix of emotions about this new adventure, but after having a week to process it and let go of my previous calling as a youth Sunday School teacher I'm feeling excited!  Children are so forgiving, way more than adults (but not that adults aren't).  The last music leader moved out of the ward, but thankfully stuck around to finish out the Primary Program.  I'm glad I get to start with a clean slate!

I rarely attended Primary growing up, but our first calling after Adam and I got married was to teach a Primary class.  We did that for a year, and I had an awesome music leader model!  She was called into that calling right after we moved in, and she did a GREAT job, so I can too, right?  Even with my lack of Primary attendance I still know a bunch of the Primary songs, but I'll definitely be learning more!

I'm taking solace in the fact that I have an extra week to prepare because General Conference is this next weekend, and I also got to sit in during Primary last Sunday and observed.  We have an awesome Primary Presidency, I'm looking forward to learning from them!  And out stake is having their annual auxiliary training this month.  I couldn't have been called to this new position at a better time!

I'm looking forward to all the fun things I'm going to get to do with the children in our ward.  I hope I can learn all their names quickly!  We've only been in the ward for a year and we're still trying to learn who everyone is.  But I hope they will be able to learn through the music about how Heavenly Father loves them, that Jesus Christ is their Savior, that we need to be good so we can be worthy to have the Holy Ghost with us, and that we can be happy by living the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I hope I will be able to inspire them and invite the Spirit so they can feel the love our Father in Heaven has for them and learn by the Spirit, so they can feel real happiness!

I'm humbled by this call to serve, and I'm grateful for this opportunity.  I know I will grow right along with these amazing children.

Adam pointed out how fun it will be for Eli when he gets to Primary for his mom to be the music leader.  That's only in about 2 years, so it's possible!  In my married life I have yet to have a calling for over a year.  But we're not going anywhere for a while so maybe this will be the one to set the new record!


P.S. (10:45pm)

I got set apart tonight.  Bishop Alexander talked to us for a few minutes before.  It's his opinion that the music in Primary is one of the most important things.  He started to get choked up when he told me they (the bishopric) are grateful that I am in the ward (we just moved in last year).  And he said they felt strongly that I should be the one to take this place.  I don't know how deep this planning has been on Heavenly Father's part, if this is one reason why we were drawn to buy a house in this location (the past music leader just bought a house out of the ward), or maybe every good choice we've made has just led to more blessings...

The main points in Bishop's blessing tonight were:

• put family first
• be organized
• you've been blessed with talents to bless others

I definitely received some simple yet profound answers to recent prayers and some needed guidance.  I'm grateful for the priesthood and for those who serve under it's direction, and under the direction of Jesus Christ, who is the head of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  He lives!

She's Leavin' on a Jet Plane

My sister Holly left home this morning for the Missionary Training Center in Provo, Utah as a full-time missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  She'll be serving in the Salt Lake City, Utah, Temple Square Mission!  She is such a beautiful person, inside and out, and I'm so proud of her for being worthy and willing to put her life on hold to serve the Lord with all she's got for a whole 18 months!  She's going to bless so many people's lives in such a short amount of time.  

"Wherefore, whithersoever they shall send you, go ye, and I will be with you; and in whatsoever place ye shall proclaim my name an effectual door shall be opened unto you, that they may receive my word."

- Doctrine & Covenants 112:19

 (That's the scripture she chose to go on her missionary plaque.)

We are all missionaries for the good cause of the Gospel of Jesus Christ.  Some are blessed with the opportunity to dedicate a small portion of their lives to full-time service, but all have the opportunity to be a missionary wherever they are.  God is good.  He is the Father of our spirits.  He loves us and wants so much for us to have true joy in our lives and to live eternally with Him and our families.  True happiness is possible!  Real hope is possible!  Salvation and exaltation are possible.  We can overcome anything.  Through Jesus Christ.  His Atonement has made these possible.  I know that's true!  He lives!

"The Atonement was made. Ever and always it offers amnesty from transgression and from death if we will but repent. Repentance is the escape clause in it all. Repentance is the key with which we can unlock the prison from inside. We hold that key within our hands, and agency is ours to use it." 

— Boyd K. Packer, "Who Is Jesus Christ?", Ensign and Liahona, March 2008

"[Jesus Christ] made salvation available to every repentant soul."

— Richard G. Scott, "The Joy of Redeeming the Dead", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

"Wherever our members and missionaries may go, our message is one of faith and hope in the Savior Jesus Christ." 

— Boyd K. Packer, "The Atonement", Liahona and Ensign, November 2012

The End of an Era

Breastfeeding.  What an amazing thing!  Food for your child, great health benefits for both mom and baby, and it's free!  Who wouldn't want to breastfeed their baby?

It can be a struggle, in many ways.  Is it challenging?  Definitely.  Is it worth it?  Absolutely!  Do some mothers switch to formula earlier than expected, sooner than hoped?  Yes.

There are many reasons why a mother may choose (or have the choice thrust upon them) to formula-feed their baby.  And I just want to say that there is nothing wrong with that.

I never would have thought, but I am one of those mothers.

I'm starting to accept and come to terms with the fact that I'm done breastfeeding.  I've been trying to prolong it and avoid it, but it's time to accept it and move on.  This past Sunday was fast Sunday (the first Sunday of each month is designated in the Church as fast Sunday where members of the Church individually fast for two meals for a personal purpose) and since I've been breastfeeding I haven't been fasting, but since I wasn't really breastfeeding anymore I couldn't skip out this time.

I think it was Eli's surgery that started the downfall, or maybe that was my excuse.  The stress and lack of nursing and pumping instead was the beginning of it, followed by long out-of-town trips.

I'm proud to say that I lasted a solid 6 months.  I wanted to go a full year.  But I don't think Eli was getting enough to eat from nursing toward the end there.

My heart goes out to anyone to can't breastfeed or can't do it as long as they want to.  I always thought of course I would, and why wouldn't you?  But it's a lot harder than it seems.  And any mom who goes for it for however long deserves praise.  But any mom that doesn't shouldn't get the bad mom treatment either.  I feel bad that I won't be able to nurse Eli anymore.  And I feel like there are some people who look down on me for giving him formula instead.  But I have my reasons and I'm just trying to do the best I can for my son.  I didn't want to stop.  I probably should have tried harder, earlier.  I feel selfish for that part of me that wanted to stop.  It's such an internal tug of war.

All I've known is Eli needing me physically, when I was pregnant, when I was nursing.  It's strange thinking that he doesn't need me like that anymore.  And he won't ever again.  But he does still need me, in other ways.  So even though this is an end, it's also a beginning.

Eli is growing up.  He's learning lots of new things.  And he's doing so well!  He's such a great kid.  We have been so blessed to have been given him.  I know this is one of the biggest, most important purposes in my life, to have and raise and love a family, starting with Eli.  I love being a mom, being Eli's mom.  He is my world!  And I wouldn't change this for anything. :)

8/23/13

It's a Baby!

Well, it's official.  We are expecting a little family addition in January!  I am 9 weeks and due January 6, 2013.  We are super excited!  Enjoying pregnancy.  It's crazy!  :)

Young Women's & Personal Progress

Remember last post when I said I got a new calling?

Well, I'm the new Young Women's Secretary in our ward!

The Young Women program in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is for girls ages 12-18.  They have a program called Personal Progress where they complete value experiences and value projects, kind of like earning merit badges in scouts.  There are 8 values now (there used to be 7 when I was in YW's when I was a youth) -- they are: Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue.  This Personal Progress program is to help young women increase their faith in Jesus Christ and personal righteousness.  I earned my Young Woman Recognition (for completing Personal Progress) just a few weeks before I turned 18, and I was proud of it!  I had only started when I was 16 since that was when I really started going to church and being involved.  And now since I am again in the Young Women's program, I want to work on my Personal Progress again and be a good example for the girls.

I'll be working on it, and you'll be hearing about it!  :)

-- Young Women Motto -- 

"Stand for Truth and Righteousness"

-- Young Women Theme --

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we love Him.  We will 'stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places' (Mosiah 18:9) as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice and Accountability

Good Works

Integrity, and

Virtue.

We believe as we come to accept and act upon these values, we 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."

The Last Month

I guess it's time for me to play some famous blog catch-up.

Two days before Christmas I got to talk to my brother who is serving a mission in the Philippines for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  It was great to talk to him!  He sounds like he has an accent.  :)  Missionaries only get to call home on Mother's Day and Christmas.  He comes home in March -- So crazy!  It will be good to see him!  He has grown up a lot from what I can tell by his letters he writes each week.  It's nice to have someone else in my family who is as dedicated to the Gospel of Jesus Christ as I am.  I think we're going to end up getting close!  :)

We also got to talk with Adam's brother who is serving a mission in Portland, Oregon.  He comes home in July!  This is a crazy year for missionaries coming home.  It's going to be fun!

Speaking of this year...  2012 has some great things happening!  I got a new calling in church which I am totally excited about (but I can't say what just yet because I need to be sustained on Sunday first!).  We're thinking more about buying a house, which we may or may not do, but we would love to!  I'm being more involved with dancing -- My mom and I are taking a tap dance class this semester which I'm super excited about!  I'm also taking a ballet class this semester with the same teacher I've been taking other dance classes with, who I love!, and hope to keep working en pointe!  I'm also progressing at work in the mortgage biz.  I'm learning more and more every day and it's awesome, and fun!  And I'm sure there are tons of other things this year has in store, some things of which are probably not yet known!  But I'm way excited, and happy about life!

I took a ballet class at a studio this past semester and danced in a recital production of the Nutcracker!  En pointe!  It was challenging but super awesome and fun!!!  I miss it.  It's so crazy, I never would have thought I would be dancing en pointe for a performance.  I'm hoping to continue working on it and getting better!  I love dancing!  I can't believe it has taken me this long to figure out how much I like it.  Oh well, better late than never.  I figure I have more time for it now anyway and am more able to appreciate it.  :)

Adam and I took a trip to California when school got out for him in December.  It was our Christmas present to each other.  We got to see my aunt and uncle, and went to the Ghirardelli factory outlet.  Yum!  And we went to the Steelers game!  It was our first NFL game (for both of us).  Sadly though, the Steelers lost.  :(  But we had fun anyway!  We went to the LDS Oakland Temple (beautiful of course!) and also to the Golden Gate Bridge.  Surprisingly there was not even a hint of fog at the bridge!

Christmas was wonderful!  Adam and I opened stockings in the morning (since our present to each other was the Cali trip, including the Steelers game).  We went to church with Adam's family and my parents joined us too.  We had a nice Sacrament Meeting and then got to talk with Adam's brother, which I mentioned, and then opened a ton of presents with Adam's family.  Coming from a family that struggles to find one thing to get for each other (which we don't even bother with anymore) it's strange having 10 presents for each person to open, and we're all adults!  But it's super fun and I am not complaining at all!  Then we had dinner with my parents and my dad's parents who live in town and some of my dad's sisters who were there too.  It was a busy and nice Christmas, spending time with family and cherishing those relationships because those are the ones that last forever if we choose to live righteously and fulfill the ordinances required.  What a great way to remember Christ and all He has made possible for us.  :)

We went to Alabama with Adam's family to visit his dad's family.  It was a new experience for me!  I got to meet mostly everyone.  We spent time with Adam's grandmother, which was really good.  We even did some video recording of interviews with Adam's grandmother and her sisters and also Adam's dad's dad.  And we went to a bunch of grave sites where a lot of the family is buried.  We also went to the Blue Bell factory!  It was awesome and so yummy!  Unfortunately the tours were closed, probably for the holiday.  :(  But there was a window to see into the factory and we saw them putting together chocolate chip cookie dough ice cream!  We also went to the Talladega Super Speedway racetrack and took a tour on the track!  And got to take pictures in Victory Lane!  It was cool!  And we went to the Chick-fil-A bowl in Atlanta.  And celebrated 2012 twice!  (Once in Georgia and once in Alabama!)  You don't get to do that many times in a lifetime!

I'm learning how to use Photoshop!  We bought a Photoshop Elements and Premier (video editing) package on Black Friday for half off (yesss!).  It's been fun trying to learn how to use them.  I even created our own Christmas cards from scratch!!  I'm so proud of it!  But we didn't get to send them out at Christmas since it was so busy with our trips and everything.  I still want to send them out though because I can't let it go to waste!  And no, of course I don't want to wait a whole year to divulge my awesomeness with Photoshop!  I think I will still send them  :D

And of course, we squeezed in time for some shooting practice before school started back up again for Adam.  I did really well!  Better than him this time!  Hehe.

2012 has been good for us so far!  It's going to be a great year!  It always is.  :)

And the Verdict Is...

Adam applied for the Architecture program at the U of A and we have been waiting since May to find out whether or not he was accepted.  They were supposed to tell us at the beginning of June, and then they said they would tell us in the middle of July.  Well word FINALLY came!  Two days before we left on our two-week vacation to Utah and beyond, which would be July 19th or 20th, he got the letter.  Or email rather.  It said...  "Congratulations!"  I didn't have much doubt that he would make it in.  He worked really hard this last year (the "freshman" year of the Architecture program) and did a really good job at all of his projects!  Plus, it helped that the odds of getting in this year were apparently better than usual.  I think 80 applied and they were taking 70.  But nonetheless, YAY!  I knew he would do it.  I wasn't too stressed about it.  But he was!  Just the not knowing thing...  It kinda gets to you.  Especially since he kinda needs to be accepted into the program to be able to get a degree in this field that he wants to someday get a job in to support our family!  No pressure or anything.  So needless to day it was a load off of his shoulders.  And now begins the 4-year journey... (which isn't too bad considering some other majors!)

Times Are A-Changin'

Hello my slightly neglected blog!  I just finished putting together the first family newsletter for my mom's side of the family (which was super fun!) so now is as good a time as any, especially since I'm in the informing mood!

Most recently, Adam and I moved last weekend to an apartment that is BIGGER (yay!) and closer to the U of A.  We had tons of help -- it only took 30 minutes to move our stuff out and 30 minutes to move it in!  It was awesome.  We're still living out of boxes but we're slowly getting things arranged and organized.  So far, we love it.

 Old apartment:

This is the Living Room; notice that tons of things are crammed in here -

Adam's desk, the keyboard, coffee table, couch (not pictured but to the right), Adam's Architecture stuff...

 Old apartment porch.
(And that window to the left is the bedroom.)

 Move-out day: Goodbye old apartment!

Move-in day: Hello new apartment!
(Spacious.)

At least those are empty boxes...

New apartment means new ward!  And this time a whole new stake!  Church on Sunday was a little sad, but we are excited for the new opportunities we will have and the new people we are going to meet and get to know!

Did I ever mention that Adam and I went to the Air Show (which was in Phoenix this year) back in March?  Well we did.  And we saw the Thunderbirds (they are awesome).  And I got a nice tan line from my watch.  I (kind of) wish I had a picture of that!

 

Adam applied to the Architecture program at the UofA!  We won't hear back from them to see if he made it in until July.  Boo.  But we're hopeful and optimistic that he will!  My husband is talented and smart -- he's pretty awesome.

And Adam's sister gradidated from high school, LDS Seminary, and the JTED nursing program!  Of course we went to all three ceremonies.  I'm just so proud.

And last but not least, this weekend (Saturday to be exact) is our very first wedding anniversary!  We will be celebrating.  But I cannot tell how because it's a secret.  Adam doesn't know!  Hehe!

March Definitely Is Madness

I've never been a follower of sports but I admit I always hoped my husband would be so I could bum some teams off of him to cheer for.  Well not only did I get that, but I married into a family (or really just Adam and his dad) who are a little obsessed with college sports, namely football and *basketball*.  And if you don't live under a rock you should know what basketball means in March.

Absolute MADNESS.

Adam and I entered into the couples tournament for March Madness that his parents do with some of their friends from our ward (church term).  This is my first time filling out a bracket.  And I have hardly any knowledge if any about the teams.  And let me tell you, I have not had much beginners luck!  The only time I wasn't sitting at the bottom in last place was at the very beginning because I was the second person to join the group.  I also filled out a bracket at work, and that one's even worse!  But I guess you just never know how these games are going to go.  And that's why they call March madness!  I have to say though that at least I've had lots of fun following my bracket and following the games.  It is a tradition I will continue to take part in!  It brings the family together...  Lol!

Hiatus

I've decided to take a short hiatus in my internet fixation.  At least at home.

Starting today, for the next week:

No e-mail, facebook, or blogger.  And instead scripture study, exercise, and going to bed early enough to be able to wake up to get to work on time.

There are lots of things I need to get crackin' on around here but the tasks are intimidating and only get worse as the days go on.  Constantly having to figure out dinner (with my limited knowledge of such) and then making it (with almost zero counter-space), then also grocery shopping (shudder), not to mention breakfast and lunch, cleaning up - everything!, (which goes hand in hand with) organizing... which I've never been good at, and the classic needing-to-go-to-bed-at-a-decent-hour (so I can get out of bed early like a responsible grown-up!).

Maybe re-occurring short term plans are easier to stay with than long, drawn-out, never-ending plans?

New Blog for Recipes!

So I've caught another creative bug annndddd...

I created a blog for recipes!

What's so great about this new blog?  Well... 

              Not only will you see recipes from me, but...

I want to post recipes from you also!

Check it out: kamisrecipebook.blogspot.com

Send in a recipe: klferguson88@gmail.com

I can't wait to try everyone's yummy recipes!

Introducing!!

So a couple years ago I had an idea to gather together a bunch of modest prom dresses and rent them out to make the search for a modest formal dress in Tucson a little easier.

Well, the idea fizzled and withered, BUT it has come back to life!

I'm starting small but I have ambition to grow big!

Here's a little description:

(Sorry if you've already read this, I've posted it just about everywhere on Facebook!)

Modestly Formal is the name, and renting modest formal dresses is the game.

Some of you may remember a couple years ago me asking for your prom dresses for a rental service I wanted to start. Well, I've decided that I'm going to go ahead and really do it for reals! You can help by donating your old dresses that are wasting away in your closet, and/or by telling others about this great new service!

Check out the website: www.modestrental.com

Tell all your friends!

Thanks to all of you for your help and support with this new endeavor! :)

(Located in Tucson, AZ)

Run run run!

So I learned in church today that our annual stake bbq will be held on Saturday, November 6th.  Along with this bbq (and games and entertainment and stuff...  It's going to be fun, you should come!) there will be a 5K run.  And for some cRaZy reason I've decided to join on this embarkation of running.  (Does that make sense?  Just go with it.)  I've never done a 5K.  I've had tiny slivers of wanting to do one, however.....  So here we go!  I'm a little nervous!  I have 4 weeks to train.  Yikes!  That means I'll be running every day (except Sundays of course) for a while starting tomorrow.  Ahhh.  Hello 6:00 AM.

Feel free to join me if you wish.

I think I want to make t-shirts.  I'm pretty sure I'll need the support!

Goals goals goals!

Goals are important.  They help us progress and be better and just feel like we're doing something with our lives!  Which is why it's important to have both long and short term goals.  Because seeing no results can be frustrating and depressing.

MY GOALS (either already made and in process or recently made and newly in process):

• To bed by 10:00pm
• Out of bed by 6:30am
• Work out for at least about 15-30 minutes at least 3 or 4 days a week (on Wii Fit!)
• Read at least one book every month
• Make dinner a couple times a week
• Get better at playing the hymns on the piano
• Attend the temple at least once a month
• Study in the scriptures every day
• Write in my journal more often, like once a weekish
• Be more involved, go to activities
• Be crafty once a month
• Memorize the 100 mastery scriptures
• Memorize the Articles of Faith
• Memorize the Relief Society Theme
• Memorize The Living Christ
• Memorize The Family: A Proclamation to the World
• Work on family history at least once a month
• Food storage!
• Get our 72 hour emergency kit together
• Work on learning Spanish...  Rosetta Stone
• Drink more water!  For starters I'm trying for at least: one glass in the morning before work, one bottle at work, and one glass at home before I go to bed.
• Be more careful not only about what I eat but when and how much

I think that about covers it?  I'm sure there are things I'm forgetting.  Look at all this fun stuff to do!!

Hello to the blogging world!

I decided I needed something new!  Hellooooo blogging!

I'm trying to find things to do that I enjoy and that help me be excited about life.  I can only work on family history stuff for so long in one sitting!  I think I need things to help me be more dedicated...  Like I'm going to play soccer again this season, but for fun on the C league so I can feel good about myself, ha.  I'm also thinking about taking a dance class or two at Pima this semester.  I like to dance and I want to learn.  I just get discouraged sometimes because I feel like I don't know what the heck I'm doing!  But just like with anything in life you have to start where you are and keep learning!

Also in the meantime I'm going to develop skills that will be useful when I eventually become a mother (yay!).  Such as making dinners, being crafty, getting better at playing the piano, writing in a journal even!  And this can count as working on that I think.  :)  And just plain having fun!

Speaking of having fun, my cousin Trista and I sang the National Anthem at the Diamondbacks game at Chase Field last Thursday!

These are all our groupies who got to come onto the field with us and this was our personal conference room where we waited, complete with water and a bathroom.

My mom took video of us and put it up on youtube.  In about another week we'll get pictures and video from the Chase Field people.

Oh and by the way, here's a link to some wedding pictures.

:)

"You will come to know that what appears today to be a sacrifice will prove instead to be the greatest investment that you will ever make."

- Gordon B. Hinckley -