Kendree and Kindsey after the concert.

Kendree at her concert.

Kymberleen at Harris Elementary concert.  She had crazy hair day at her school. 

That's Mike in the background.

My sweet Kendree.

Hillary's talk for Seminary Conference at Mesquite High

1 Nephi 3:7 says…And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

Nephi had faith in the Lord and to have faith is to have confidence in something or someone. The Lord has revealed himself and his perfect character, possessing in their fulness all the attributes of love, knowledge, justice, mercy, unchangeableness, power, and every other needful thing, so as to enable the mind of man to place confidence in him without reservation. Faith is kindled by hearing the testimony of those who have faith like Nephi.

The way has been prepared for us as in Genesis 18:14 it reads… Is any thing too hard for the Lord? Or in Philip 4:13 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

We are blessed as we keep the commanments, in Luke 11:28 it says…Blessed are they that hear the word of God, and keep it.

I pray that we may all have faith, the willingness and obedience like Nephi had.

I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Sick kids....

Kallee is sick. Last night her fever was 100.2 and I gave her fever meds and she fell asleep. She woke up many times in the night. In the morning she was 100.1 so more fever meds. So need less to say we didn't go to church. Kendree kept coughing and later she had a fever too. So now two kids keep telling me they don't feel good. So they will see the doctor tomorrow. I love my kids and do not like to see them suffer. Part of life though.

It is important to have friends.

Love your friends.

Love yourself.

Be your best friend, even if you have many friends.

Make new friends and reach out to others.

Say hi to strangers and smiles make such a huge difference.

Kristi

Thoughts for the day

I am thankful to be who I am. I am thankful for the wonderful heritage that I have and all the wonderful blessings here on this earth. I am thankful for my loving Father in Heaven and his only begotten son, Jesus Christ, our Savior and our beloved Redeemer. So many things are recorded in the scriptures, but as in Jacob he writes about the prophets of old and he himself can only record but a little.

A few days ago I was picturing in my mind the Saviors life and all He did and I had the thought and feeling come over me that He most likely did so much more, yet there are no other records besides what we have in the scriptures. We know of His life through the prophets and apostles. We can feel of His life through the help of the Holy Ghost. We can prayerfully study the scriptures.

We have such beautiful literature, true and wonderful. We have the Old Testament, the New Testament, the Book of Mormon, the Pearl of Great Price and the Doctrine and Covenants. We also have the help of the Topical Guide and the Bible Dictionary. Each month we can enjoy the Ensign, The New Era and the Friend. Twice a year we have General Conference and can read it online on the church website even before it comes out in the May and November Ensigns. I can not forget to mention all the inspired literature from leaders of the church.

The list can go on. There is so many ways to become more edified and our spiritual growth can increase ever so much. I always prayer before I read my scriptures. I ask for the spirit to be with me and help me to understand and to also remember what I read. I do not only expect to understand the scriptures with prayer alone. I must also take the time to study what I am reading. Cross reference is critical to comprehend and learn.

It is amazing to me how the Holy Ghost is a guide and we can have the sweet promptings and personal revelation that we need in our own lives as we read the scriptures and the spoken word from our prophet today and other leaders of our church. So many times as I am reading the scriptures thoughts come to mind, answers to things I had been praying about.

I feel impressed to mention that I thank my Father in Heaven in prayer for the desire to read my scriptures and prayer to have that desire continually. One sweet pleasure I have is before an endowment session in the temple I choose to get there early enough to read the scriptures before we are led to the session. Afterwards I love to sit in the Celestial room and continue to read. It is so great and the spirit is so strong.

I love to be in the temple and I grow so much each time I am there. As a youth I thought it was the neatest thing to do Baptisms for the Dead. That was a choice and blessed experience. Two months before my twentieth birthday on May 11, 1996 I went through the temple for the first time. I had worked hard to be worthy. I knew I was worthy.

I balled as I went through the veil. Family and friends were there. My young women leaders and one of my friends from my ward that I grew up with was there. Even one of my friends from my singles ward was in attendance also. VerRona and Erika wanted to know what was wrong. I said nothing was wrong. I felt so wonderful and great. I was so happy. I felt like I got my first glimpse of Heaven. I am crying now just writing about that and my memories. I have cried many times in the temple.

I know it is important to be worthy to enter Gods Holy Temple. There is so much to learn and the Holy Ghost will help when we are worthy and ready. I love the fact I get to do for someone that has no chance. They are not here on the earth to partake of the everlasting covenants that we by proxy have the sweet blessing to serve them and do the work for them. Then and only then do they get to partake of those ordinances. What a great act of charity we do. God loves His children and set the way so all His children can have the opportunity to receive all that there is. We all can have the chance to live with our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and our loved ones. Through temple work families are bound to each other.

There are many ways to serve as Latter Day Saints. Our callings and positions can be such a wonderful learning and spiritual growing experiences. Some may seem hard or we may feel inadequate. I have felt that way at times. Yet there is hope if ever you are in doubt. If you live worthily and repent continually, pray always and study the scriptures and do what you can then it becomes easier. Then you are not doing it alone. We have God the Father, Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost. Those three will help and they do help in countless ways.

We can be so blessed when we serve and love others. We have been counseled to pray for those we serve and we will love them. It is true. Try it and see how great it can be.


I wrote this September 15, 2009 I will add more later.

Talents...

While we are not all equal in experience, aptitude, and strength, … we will all be accountable for the use of the gifts and opportunities given to us. James E. Faust

My designer plates........

This was fun. I love these plates. Super cute too. Someone posting plates on blog spot. She used vinyl cutouts and painted the designs. I used card stock and scrap booking paper. I drew the designs, then traced them on the paper. I cut them out and glued them on with mod podge. I used a sponge to make a textured look. They turned out so good. Now I need some plate hangers. The birdhouse was my idea, because I love birdhouses. Anyone who knows me, should know that. Crafting is super fun. I love learning new things. WOO HOO!!!

Hillary making a fire and Kindsey watching.

Kendree on second night in her pajama's.

Our fire with water heating up for hot cocoa.

Kymber down in a canyon looking for Kindsey.

Kindsey and Kallee.

KINDSEY LOST IN WOODS

I was scared and panicked when my eight year old, Kindsey went missing in the woods while camping and we had to call the forest service and they called in the sherriff and the search and rescue volunteers. So many people helped out and people kept showing up to help search. I kept praying for her. I was an emotional wreck. Almost five hours later some campers found her. She had walked about five miles with no food or water. Still in her pajama's. She said people kept driving by her and no one stopped. She was scared and hot, thirsty and hungry. Thankfully the campers that found her fed her a sandwich and a bottle of koolaid. She said they were really nice. I don't even know their names. How eternally grateful I am to them. I am grateful for all the forest service, the Sherriff and the deputies. For all the volunteers and campers that heard the news and came to help. All were complete strangers, yet all with a desire to help find a missing child. For they would want the same if their child was missing.
This experience has changed me. I am humbled. I already know of the divine power of prayer to a kind and loving Heavenly Father. This weekend in the forest added to that testimony and my faith increased. I realized the lessons it taught my daughters that in a time of need that prayer and faith is needed.
The Sheriff talked to each of my daughters that when lost in the woods to hug a tree. They thought that was funny. He explained that means you stay put. I had realized I never told my children what to do if lost. We have camped numerous times and never had a child wonder off by themselves. I never thought one would.
I had called my mom about eight thirty, two hours after Kindsey was gone. My dad is in the Bishopric of his ward and the Bishop was out of town so he was supposed to conduct. My brother Isaac had just turned fourteen and that day he was going to be ordained a teacher. That is why they left on Saturday. They had camped with us. My dad, Isaac and Hillary, my oldest drove up to where we were. Right before they got to the campsite we heard they found Kindsey. It touched my heart for my dad to drive to help. He cried tears of happiness.
I cried off and on while she was lost. I cried more when she was found. I was so relieved. I said a pray thanking Heavenly Father for her safe return. Of course we had to wait for reports to be made for her to be brought back. When she did she ran out of the Sherriff's SUV and kept yelling, Mom, mom, mom and she hugged me so tight. We just hugged and hugged. Her sisters wanted hugs and she hugged them with one arm, not letting go of me. While holding on to me we walked to where Mike, her step-dad was and hugged him with one arm. I looked up and said to the Sherriff, she loves her mom. I had tears running down my cheeks.
I love my daughters so much. I am so full of gratitude for all my blessings.

Ten children Of Hubert and Eva Harmon.....

Bottom left to right: Nell, Doris, Clarence, Nancy, Marilyn.

To right to left: Charles, Daniel, Susan, Jeanene and Alan.
I have WONDERFUL aunts and uncles. My dad is Daniel.

Our Tombstone trip. Top: Kindsey, Mike, Kendree

and Kallee. Bottom: Our motel...Hillary, Kallee, Kymber,

Kindsey and Kendree in front. We had so much fun!!!

Three temples I have done endowment sessions in.

I went through for the first time May 11, 1996 in the Mesa, Arizona Temple. That was such an awesome experience. I love going there and how great I feel there. At sixteen years old the Laurels and Priest and our leaders went to San Diego, California for the open house in March of 1993 during spring break. We also went to the beach and to Sea World. A little over a week after I went through the Mesa temple I went to San Diego temple for a session. That was really neat for me. In July of 1998 I went to Kearns, Utah for a wedding and that morning before everyone showed up at the Salt Lake Temple for the wedding I went through and did a live session. That was special. I would love to visit more temples. Someday.

The red pants are fire retardent pants.

They are not the new fashion statement.

Mike's first practice race...

June 24, 2009, was a really fun night. I met Mike at his work at four thirty in the afternoon. We met up with Reed Veralrud, Mike's cousin. We headed for Canyon raceway in Peoria, Arizona. Mike was able to race at a practice race last night. He had so much fun. He said that he always wanted to. It was exillerating for him to ride in the racecar. He did two races and the last one was the last race of the night. Reed's car is a pure stock car. There were several other kind of cars racing. Mike was so glad he didn't wreck the car. He did really great. I am so happy he got the opportunity.

Trek was May 27, 2009 to May 30, 2009. Only four days, yet a life changing event.

Hillary went on the trek and grew so much. She came back with a stronger testimony of the Savior and of prayer. The next day was Sunday and church was excellent. The spirit was so strong and I kept crying. The whole sacrament meeting was about the trek. The last hour the men and women met and the Bishop spoke about trek and two ma's and pa's spoke about the trek. The tears flowed then too. It was fantastic.
Sunday night was a stake fireside about the trek. After the speakers the kids were invited to bear their testimonies. Hillary was the second to go up. The tears of course came down when she spoke. I love that she has a testimony of the Savior. Afterwards the families met in groups and we were shown a slideshow. It was neat to see all the pictures of Hillary and all of the other trekers.
I am so grateful to the pioneers and all that they went through. They made so many sacrifices that we could never comprehend. They had a testimony of the Savior and of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ.

She wrote me a letter while there...
Dear mom,

This has been the most amazing experience I've ever had. I think that as I am cold, wet, stiff, have aches and pains or have a hard time sleeping at night, that I am better off and have a way less hard of a time as the pioneers did. It is Saturday morning and I am ready to come back to my bed, shower, easy to cook food and the Arizona heat! It has only been four days, but the pioneers had to do this for three months. It is so amazing how much we take for granted. I miss you so much. You do do a lot and I am sorry. I love you. I have also made great friends in my "family". We all worked together to try to make every ones experience that much better. I am glad I came and I will come next time.

Love, Hillary

P.S. You are amazing!

Kindsey, Kendree and Mike

Kendree Megan my pretty sweetie!!!