The Atonement

When my youngest son, Benjamim left to go on his mission in 2004 I was googling the MTC and came across a wonderful web site set up by a woman named Betty Pearson in Utah. It was called the Missionary Moms. There are different things you can sign up as: stay at home mom, early release mom,etc and she asks you questions such as where your child is going. The greatest thing about this site is moms who are registered can keep an eye on your child while he/she is out in the mission field. Because you are paire up with moms whos chidren are in your area. I was lucky that a missionary from Nevada came to the Canada Winnipeg Missiona and we were able to have him and his companion over for supper while he served in my area. His name is " Elder Harding. When Benjamin came home early, I changed to another group called early release missionaries. And thus the crux of my blog today.

We, the sisters from the US have been talking alot lately about the Atonement of Jesus Christ and what a wonderful thing that it is. When (and its usually sons, some daughters) are sent home most are because prior to leaving there were things that were left unresolved and they need to clear this up so they come home to meet with their SP or their Bishop about. The ERM find when they are either in the MTC or the field that they don't have the spirt with them and are having a diffucult time. teaching to the converted. Most at that point go and meet with their MP and are sent home to meet with their Bishop and work through the process.

The sisters have all marveled at the price that Christ payed for our sins and how through repentance we can be forgiven. Now some missionaries are able to return and complete the mission they started doing. Alot thought don't and stay home.

When talking about my son Benjamin I think the reason he came home early ( don't know the complete reason why) was I had been excommunicated when he was a baby and in 2004 was re-baptised again. I like to think he bought a lost soul back into the Gospel and that was me.
Through all of this I have seen first hand what the Atonement can do. I am living proof it works and that even though it seems like our friends, maybe even a family member have lost there way in the Gospel and life there is hope.

What I have learned from the sisters in this group is don't give up hope, pray, fast and attend the temple. I am working towards getting my endowments back and one day being able to attend a session.

Thats it, all for now. Safe trick or treating tonight.

Stake Conference---awesome

What a awesome weekend! Friday I picked Lane up from daycare and had him for the weekend. we spent some quality time together. Saturday after saying goodbye to granddad, Lane and headed out for an adventure. First stop was Fort Whyte Centre to see the geese, for those of you who haven't been, its a large pond/lake for geese and other fowl heading south for the winter. There is an interpretive centre and bison in a field. Alos lots of trails which Lane loved to explore and thus our adventure. After that we went to the cheap cinima to see Kung Foo Panda.
Sunday was Stake Conference, Lane and I arrived early to get a seat in the front. For those with little ones the front is the best, less distractions. Lane started getting sick, which at the time I didn't realize, (bad grandma) and he slept for an hour and half. Conference was inspiring!! 4 speakers --2 talked about their conversion to the Gospel and 1 talked about her friend and how easy it is for us with Prayer to talk to friends about the church and then the Mission President--Brother and Sister Morgan.
Like I said it was great and made me go home and ponder the things that I should be doing, and how we never know who might be watching us. I left wanting to do better.
If during the day we can just mention the Gospel or ask questions of our friends and see where it takes us. Like Brother Morgan said we'd be helping out the missionaries.

turkey day

well everyone finally left. and i mean finally as one of the kids. I should say adults was running around 15 minutes before he needed to have left our house to make it to the airport. I thought for sure that peter would be bringing him back.
Peter took the rest of the family later in the day down to Minniapolis as they fly out tomorrow morning early. Also everyone wanted to do some last minute shopping.
Thanksgiving wasn't the same we had roast pork as some of our guests don't like turkey. they weren't to keen on the pumpkin pie either. The nice thing was we didn't eat our selfs into nothingness. You know where afterwards you're so tired all you do is sleep.
Stake conference this week. One of the sisters in our ward is speaking so I am looking forward to hear what Danille Street has to say.
I hope everyone had a wonderful turkey day.

visitors leaving

I don't know if I should be happy or not. Next week the visitors who invaded our house some 6 weeks ago leave to go back home to England. I go with the yes, and I will be very excited to reclaim my independance and my space. The hope was that the boys would have finished the basement, but considering they don't get up til almost 11:00 am that didn't happen. I think that hubby will take a couple extra days off when he come back from Minneapolis and do some work downstairs. Sadly there isn't much left to do, it just getting to it. Then we can sit back and enjoy the fruits of his labour. Me I just provided cups of tea to keep him going.
Shannon and Lane have been away this week in Lethbridge visiting her dad. Sorry Angela she didn't get a chance to see you. We were unsure about Lane and his first airplane ride. But he did better than grandma would have done.

1 week and counting!

I'd like to say that I was a good LDS mother and woman and went to all the conferences this past week, but I'd be lieing. With non-LDS visitors here for 6 weeks the only time I can spend with them is the weekend. Something had to give. Unfortunally it was conference. Thank goodness I can listen to it this week online. Boy can Peter's family shop. They have one week left and then everyone goes back home to England and we get the house to ourselves.
Saturday we went to the Forks, to see a friend of Peter's who was doing a cooking demo using honey and of course shop--- for aborginal jewerly. Then off to my parents house for supper with all the family. Sunday we came back into the city to find suitcases needed to take all the newly aquired stuff, that has been purchased while here. And then off to my youngest sisters house for supper and dirt biking. I never thought I'd be so happy to have Monday come and be back at work, but I am.