THE FLORIDA MORRILL'S: February 2009

It has been a busy but very nice weekend so far. Yesterday I took the day off and went to the temple with Christina (my dear friend from church). We left around 9 am and got home a little after 7:00 pm. It was a very spiritual and neat day. I have never felt the spirit like I did yesterday. It was very very awesome!

Greg left yesterday for a scout camp at Camp Miles. It was for one night, and we are still waiting for him to get home. I talked to him last night, and let's just say he wasn't too prepared for the cold weather last night. It got a little under 40
degrees and there was frost on the grass this morning...YIKES. I'm sure he will be a happy camper when he gets home.

While Greg is gone, the girls & I decided to have another marathon movie weekend, so last night we started 'The Work & the Glory'. We only got through one last night, so we are watching the other two now.

Earlier this afternoon we went to Holly's for a scrapbook day. She sells 'Close To My Heart', which I love!! They have awesome paper, ink, stamps...everything. It was fun, I always love being able to go to Holly's house and just hang out for a couple of hours with her and the girls.

Well, gotta go make some dinner..Jaycee thinks she is hungry. Silly girl! So demanding...ha ha

Yesterday morning...and when I say morning I mean early morning. Jordan & Jaycee had the opportunity to go to Orlando to do baptisms on Valentines Day. Most of the YW stayed at Sis Lambs house Friday night so they could all get up and get to the meeting place on time. However, they needed to be up around 3:30 am, and from what Jaycee & Jordan said wasn't a problem since they never went to bed. Bro Lamb stayed up and they played games and had a lot of fun. We have such awesome YW/YM Leaders.

I was planning on going, but ended up having a lot of preparation that I needed to finsh for the Ward Conference that I attended today in Lehigh Ward with the Stake. So I am going to go next weekend to temple work on the names Jordan & Jaycee took to do baptisms & confirmations on.

After the youth went to the temple, they went to breakfast then went to 'The Holy Land' experience in Orlando. It is kind of a theme park, but in the different kind of way. It takes them thru the Holy Land during the time of Christ. The girls really enjoyed it.

Here are a couple of pictures. One of the Temple the morning they arrived, and one of our YW/YM group that attended the Temple that day.

We have such a good group of kids. We are growing which is awesome!

On the Modern Molly Mormon blog that I am a part of, there is a recent post about watching our mouths when we speak of our children. I know this is something I need to watch. I love my girls and the thought of hurting them by the things I say about them makes me very sad.

Read this post 'Watching My Mouth', a very wise and helpful post.

I love my family. Here is why..I love Greg for making me laugh and for being so good to his girls, me included. I love Jordan for her personality and her funny ways. She is very easy going, and just doesn't let things get to her. I love Jaycee for her excitement for life. She was born just happy to be alive. Very happy, sweet & caring girl. I love that she laughs at everything and yet she is also tender hearted.

I am so blessed. Love my hubby & girls!

I'm so excited!! Tonight after looking nearly every other day since November, the General YW Presidency have added the new value of Virtue to the Personal Progress book. Here is the info I found at lds.org. I love this value and feel it is so needed.

As I was thinking about Virtue, I thought of Pres. Hinckley's Ten Neglected Virtues that he wrote about.

President Gordon B. Hinckley's
Ten Virtues

Love
"Love is the only force that can erase the
differences between people or bridge the
chasms of bitterness."

Honesty
"In our day, those found in dishonesty
aren't put to death, but something within
them dies. Conscience chokes, character
withers, self-respect vanishes, integrity
dies. How cheaply some men and women
sell their good names!"

Morality
"Both experience and divine wisdom
dictate that moral virtue and cleanliness
pave the way that leads to strength of
character, peace of mind and heart, and
happiness in life."

Civility
"Civility carries with it the essence of
courtesy, politeness, and consideration of
others. All of the education and
accomplishments in the world will not
count for much unless they are
accompanied by marks of gentility, of
respect for others, of going the extra mile."

Learning
"No matter how old we become, we can
acquire knowledge and use it. We can
gather wisdom and profit from it. We can
grow and progress and improve-and, in the
process, strengthen the lives of those
within our circle of influence."

Forgiveness and Mercy
"Hatred always fails and bitterness always
destroys. Are there virtues more in need of
application in our day ... than those of
forgiving, forgetting, and extending mercy
to those who may have wronged us or let
us down?"

Thrift and Industry
"I commend to all the virtues of industry
and thrift... The labor and thrift of the
people make a nation, a community, or a
family strong. Work and thrift make the
family independent."

Gratitude
"Gratitude is the beginning of civility, of
decency and goodness, of a recognition
that we cannot afford to be arrogant. We
should walk with the knowledge that we
will need help every step of the way."

Optimism
"My plea is that we stop seeking out the
storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight....
I am asking that we look a little deeper for
the good, that we still our voices of insult
and sarcasm, that we more generously
compliment and endorse virtue and effort."

Faith
"Great buildings were never constructed on
uncertain foundations. Great causes were
never brought to success by vacillating
leaders. Faith has always been, and always
must be, at the root of any meaningful
practice and endeavor.”

From Standing for Something: Ten Neglected Virtues That Will Heal Our Hearts and Homes, by Gordon B. Hinckley

As leaders, mothers, sister's, and women, we have such an important role in helping our youth. Our youth were saved for this time in history. They are so good and so valiant! I see this time and time again both with my two daughters and with the youth in our Ward & Stake.

These are very trying times and I know I wouldn't want to go thru the things I see my kids dealing with in school and with kids their age. We must keep our families strong and intact. We need to endure to the end and not EVER give up.

The theme that goes along with the virtue value is: I will prepare to enter the temple and remain pure and worthy. My thoughts and actions will be based on high moral standards.

This is something as a Mom, wife & daughter of God I will strive for always. I will never be without my temple recommend. I have in the past and I can tell you from personal experience, the spirit I feel when I am worthy and I have it is amazing. It is a feeling I never want to be without again. I know I continually need to work on my actions and thoughts, but I am trying.

This is dedicated to Patti, Susan & LaDawn...Happy Valentine's Day!! (or not) ha ha

Love you guys!

It's that time of year again...Girl Scout cookie time! Yummy!! I remember going around with Jordan when she was a Brownie...she was so cute. Not fun delivering 1000's of boxes of cookies, but Jordan was so proud of herself and it was really sweet.

Since Jordan is no longer in Girls Scouts, we have to scout around for another cookie girl. Thank goodness we have some one in our church who sells them. Now we are stocked up for quite sometime...Sounds like good food storage to me. I'm sure Greg would agree.

So I am freezing...Florida is in freeze watch mode, it is supposed to get down to 25 to 28 degrees tonight and will only be up to the mid-50's tomorrow. Brrrr....I'm not used to this. I know this sounds like spring weather if you are in other parts of the country, but man...I need heat!

You know it's TOO cold in Florida when:
-You put on long pants w/your flip flops instead of capris or shorts.

-You actually turn the air off and turn the heater on.

-The birds fly North for warmer weather.

-You have to scrape off the frost on your windshield with your debit card because you threw out your ice scraper when you moved to Florida...(ice scraper?!? who needs that?)

-You actually wear a jacket to go outside or even in the house for that matter!

-You wish you still had your mittens for the morning drive.

-You don't care about going to the beach, too cold to go outside. (Poor dolphins)

-You drink hot cocoa instead of ice water.

-The thought of going to Disney is out of the question. Splash mountain in this weather?!? I don't think so!

-It is no longer too warm outside to have soup. Hot soup actually sounds yummy!

-The orange farmers are covering up their oranges to keep them warm.

I just thought this was cute! Enjoy!

I saw this cartoon today, it reminded me of Greg & I had to laugh. Greg was recently called as Scoutmaster in our ward and is a little overwhelmed. He has done awesome at planning and getting organized. I know he will do an awesome job.

Our Stake Presidency has given our Stake the theme of "All Roads Lead to the Temple" this year. I love this and know how important the temple is to our eternal life. Without it, we can not be together as families or dwell with our Father In Heaven & His Son. I'm setting a goal starting this month to attend monthly. I love the temple and love the spirit I receive when I go there. So all my friends...help keep me in line.

President Thomas S. Monson
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints said the following:

“It is my personal priority to make sure members of the Church have access to the blessings of the temple, it is here where members learn of their divine origin and destiny, where they are strengthened spiritually as individuals and as families. Temples are sanctuaries from the storms of life.”

“To members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, temples are the house of the Lord, the most sacred place on earth. Temple services bind families together forever, teach the purpose of life and explain God's plan of salvation. Temple attendance strengthens Latter-day Saints' commitment to living Christian principles, emphasizes personal spiritual growth and increases devotion to family.”
--April 28, 2008

The world is becoming more evil and more ungodly every day. It is so important that we take advantage of the temple blessings to bring that spirit into our homes. Although for many years while living in Utah, I took for granted having a temple so close. It was within 15 minutes, yet I didn't take the time I should have to attend. I don't feel that way now, and am thankful that I have the Orlando temple within a couple of hours to attend. I love going with my girls when they do baptisms. What a neat thing to share this with them.

The follow was shared by H. David Burton, “Prophets Are about Miracles,” Liahona, Apr 2008, 19–21.
I once attended a meeting in President Hinckley’s office which was enlivened by some post-business reminiscing between Elder David B. Haight and President Hinckley. These 90-plus-year-olds engaged in a session of “Do you remember when?”

After some remembrances were shared, Elder Haight inquired, “President Hinckley, how many temples have you either dedicated or participated in their dedication or rededication?” President Hinckley began to identify each of the then 47 operating temples. My memory is that he had a part in the dedications of 30 of the 47. He then said, “My, I would love to be alive when the 100th temple is dedicated.” Later he repeated this statement to the Brethren in the temple. Soon his desire was to have 100 operating temples before the beginning of the next century—January 2001. By 1998, 51 temples were operating. In 1999, 15 more were dedicated, and in the year 2000, 34, with the Boston temple being number 100. Later this month, temple 125 will be dedicated in Rexburg, Idaho. A miracle? I think so! Prophets are about miracles.

I'm so thankful for Prophets like Joseph Smith, who restored the ordinances and blessings of the temple. I'm thankful for Brigham Young for carrying out Joseph's vision of the temple. I'm thankful for Gordon B Hinckley who was inspired and knew the importants of getting as many temples built as possible and who has left a legacy of the temple to all Prophets who follow him. I love the temple. It is such a wonderful, peaceful, calming place where we can be with Heavenly Father & our Savior.

Here are the temples I've been blessed enough to attend throughout the years. I would love the opportunity to be able to attend every temple in the US, and would love even more to attend every temple in the world. How amazing would that be?