Who said?

When I work in the Primary for achievement days I would play the game who said? I wrote quotes that stood to me during Conference and had the kids guess who said it. They would get points if they knew the answer and with those points they would get prizes. Here are examples of those quotes from April 2021 General Conference. 

 

“In spite of betrayal and pain, mistreatment and cruelty, and bearing all the accumulated sins of all the human family, the Son of the Living God looked down the long path of mortality and saw us this weekend and said: ‘Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid’[John 14:27].” Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 

 

“On this Eater weekend, my thoughts are focused on the Atonement and Resurrection of Jesus Christ. The Resurrection gives us the perspective and the strength to endure the mortal challenges faced by each of us and those we love. It gives us the strength to endure sorrows, failures, and frustration. Because each of us has an assured resurrection, we know that these mortal deficiencies and oppositions are only temporary. “

 “God has given His children moral agency—the power to decide and to act. The most desirable condition for the exercise of that agency is maximum freedom for a person to decide and act according to his or her individual choices.”   “Our Savior feels and knows our temptations, our struggles, our heartaches, and our suffering, for He willingly experienced them all as part of His Atonement. All who suffer any kind of mortal infirmities should remember that our Savior experienced that kind of pain also and that through His Atonement, He offers each of us the strength to bear it.”—President Dallin H. Oaks 

 

“The temple is a Holy place where revelation comes to us easily if our hearts are open to it and we are worthy of it.”  “You may feel small compared to the great sweep of what the Lord will do. If you do, I invite you to ask prayerfully how the Lord sees you. He knows you personally.” President Henry B. Eyring 

“Not throwing stones is the first step in treating others with compassion. 

The second step is to try to catch stones thrown by others.

Elder Dale G. Renlund 

 

“The gift of repentance is an expression of God’s kindness toward His children and is a demonstration of His incomparable power to help us overcome the sins we commit.”

Elder Ulisses Soares

 

“Christ’ s gospel is a gospel of second and third chances, made possible by His atoning sacrifice.”    "We all have something needed to contribute. Our journey to God is often found together. We belong as a united community—whether confronting pandemics, storms, wildfires, droughts, or quietly meeting daily needs. We receive inspiration as we counsel together, listening to each person, including each sister, and the Spirit." Elder Gerrit W. Gong 

 

“If you're not sure how to respond to a challenging situation, respond with kindness. Show kindness today and every day. Kindness is a fundamental healing process.”

Elder Gary E. Stenson 

 

"To you, my dear brothers and sisters, and to all who are searching for answers, truth, and happiness, I do offer the same counsel: Keep searching with faith and patience."

– Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf

 

“Not throwing stones is the first step in treating others with compassion. 

The second step is to try to catch stones thrown by others.”

 

Dale G. Renlund 

 

“I Invite you to pray to identify the debris you should remove from your life so you can become more worthy. “Russell M Nelson.

 

Starting today, I am going to study each talk every week for the next 24 weeks.

Con amor,

Vero 

Happiness is

Happiness is: 

Spending Easter listening to General Conference

From this article on the paper,

"Few things are as harmonious as Easter and a Sunday morning session of general conference.

President Russell M. Nelson anchored the Sabbath day gathering of the 191st Annual General Conference, testifying to his vast audience that the restored gospel of Jesus Christ delivers hope to a divided, weary world.

“My dear brothers and sisters, my call to you this Easter morning is to start today to increase your faith,” the Church President said. “Through your faith, Jesus Christ will increase your ability to move the mountains in your life, even though your personal challenges may loom as large as Mount Everest.”

 

Faith in the Savior, he assured, makes all things possible.

Sunday morning’s session was distinctly international, reflecting a global Church. Each speaker hailed from a different country — and the prerecorded music was performed by a variety of choirs from around the world singing in their native languages.

Elder Ulisses Soares of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, and a native of Brazil, said Easter is a joyous celebration of “the most immeasurable act that has occurred in all of human history” — the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

“I assure you that as we put our trust in Jesus Christ and His Atonement, enduring in our faith to the end, we will enjoy the promises of our Beloved Heavenly Father, who does everything within His power to help us return to His presence one day,” he said.

New Zealand native Elder S. Mark Palmer, a General Authority Seventy, said a knowledge of the Resurrection of Christ gives meaning and purpose to life. “I invite all who feel sorrow, all who wrestle with doubt, all who wonder what happens after we die, to place your faith in Christ.”

Sister Reyna Isabel Aburto, a Nicaraguan and second counselor in the Relief Society general presidency, spoke of the pain of losing her brother to an earthquake when he was a child. But she testified that her brother will live again because of the “redeeming Atonement and glorious resurrection of Jesus Christ.”

A Zimbabwe native and a General Authority Seventy, Elder Edward Dube taught that individuals can face mortality’s challenges by pressing forward with faith in Heavenly Father and His Son.

My humble invitation to all of us is to never give up,” said Elder Dube.

Elder Jose A. Teixeira of the Presidency of the Seventy, a Portugal native, said the journey back to God requires a person to remember his or her heritage — and to remember to pray and serve others. “As we strive to follow Jesus Christ by serving and showing kindness to others, we make the world a better place.”

Fiji native Elder Taniela B. Wakolo, a General Authority Seventy, testified that God demonstrates His love by providing eternal relationships, calling prophets and, when necessary, chastising His children.

“Sometimes God manifests His love by chastening us,” he said. “It is a way of reminding us that He loves us and that He knows who we are.”

Elder Chi Hong (Sam) Wong, a General Authority Seventy who was born in Hong Kong, taught that safety is found by anchoring one’s life to the Rock of Jesus Christ. “Our entire lives should be filled with the gospel of Jesus Christ. The gospel is not part of our life, but our life is actually part of the gospel of Jesus Christ.”

Philippines native Elder Michael John U. Teh, a General Authority Seventy, declared that “knowing” the Savior is different than simply “knowing about” the Savior.

“I am realizing that how intimately I know the Savior significantly influences my ability to hear Him, as well as how I respond,” said Elder Teh.

Prayers at the Sunday morning session were offered by Elder Terence M. Vinson, an Australian-born member of the Presidency of the Seventy, and Elder Arnulfo Valenzuela, a General Authority Seventy from Mexico.

 

20 New temples!!! 

“Temples are a vital part of the Restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ in its fulness. Ordinances of the temple fill our lives with power and strength—available in no other way. We thank God for those blessings.” —President Russell M. Nelson #GeneralConference

To extend the blessings of temples to more people around the world, President Nelson announced a historic 20 new temples. See below to see the list of locations:

Oslo, Norway

Brussels, Belgium

Vienna, Austria

Kumasi, Ghana

Beira, Mozambique

Cape Town, South Africa

Singapore, Republic of Singapore

Belo Horizonte, Brazil

Cali, Colombia

Querétaro, México

Torreón, México

Helena, Montana

Casper, Wyoming

Grand Junction, Colorado

Farmington, New Mexico

Burley, Idaho

Eugene, Oregon

Elko, Nevada

Yorba Linda, California

Smithfield, Utah"

 

I am so happy for the people in Mexico and Brazil who are adding another temple to their country. I am curious where Yorba Linda, CA and Burley, ID and Eugene, Oregon are located. I visited Singapore a few years ago and would have never guessed that a temple would be built there. What a blessing for the Saints in that part of the world.

 

Con amor,

Vero

General Conference for Spring 2021

Every six months there is a General Conference put on by the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints in which there are six hours of inspirational talks on a first Saturday in April and October and four hours the next day on Sunday that are broadcast worldwide for anyone who wants to listen.  

 

These two weekends each year are my very favorite weekends of the entire year because they give my mind a massive inflow of positive inspiration on topics from Overcoming Trials, Kindness, Charity, Being Grateful, Valuing Family, putting our Priorities in Order, and a ton of other amazing topics that don’t just apply to people of one religion- they are topics that are helpful to anyone trying to fill up hearts with positive motivation and inspiration.  

 

Daniel and I always listen to the entire ten -hour block and then I go on line to listen to them again and again throughout the six months until the next conference is held.  I love having them playing as I get ready in the morning because they always put my head in the right frame of mind to start my day off right.  They keep my tank full. I also get a journal where I write my impressions on the things that speak to me personally.

 

You can watch individual talks, listen to them, or download them.  In a day or two you will be able to also download the printed text from the talks as well. Here are some quotes of some of our dear friends we had the privileged of knowing either because they were our neighbors or worked alongside with them. 

 

The gift of repentance is an expression of God’s kindness toward His children and is a demonstration of His incomparable power to help us overcome the sins we commit. “As we put our trust in Jesus Christ and His supernal atoning sacrifice, enduring in our faith to the end, we will enjoy the promises of our beloved Heavenly Father, who does everything within His power to help us return to His presence one day.” Elder Ulisses Soares 

 

 

“Oh this Holy Easter weekend, I find abiding peace in knowing that the Lord is my shepherd (Psalms 23:1) and that each of us is known by Him and under His kind watch care. When we confront life’s wind and Rainstorms, sickness and injuries, the Lord our shepherd, our caregiver will nourish us with love and kindness. He will heal our hears and restore our souls.” If you're not sure how to respond to a challenging situation, respond with kindness. Show kindness today and every day. Kindness is a fundamental healing process. As you extend yourself with kindness, care and compassion, even digitally, I promise that you will lift up arms that hand down and will heal hearts. Elder Gary Stevenson 

 

“Knowing the Savior is the most important pursuit of our lives. It should take priority over anything else. “Elder Michael Teh

 

“Sometimes God manifests His love by chastening us. It is a way of reminding us that He loes us, and are, His promised blessing of peace is open to all those who courageously walk the covenant path and are willing to receive correction. Elder Taniela B. Wakolo

 

“I feel eternally grateful that from my young age, the law of the Lord started to be engraved deeply in my heart through sacred ordinances in His holy house. How fundamental it is to know that he is our God, that we are His people, and that whatever circumstances surround us, if we are faithful and obey the covenants we have entered into , we can be encircled about eternally in the arms of His love. “ Alan Walker 

 

I specially love it when the April conference fall on Easter weekend! Hope you all had a fabulous Easter week!

 

Con amor,

Vero

Starting Today

Starting Today 

 

I love the new campaign for Easter this year where individuals would think of things they could do to celebrate Easter week by using the Phrase, ”starting today” Here are a few examples:

 

*Starting Today, choose to see the light 

Jesus invites us to “believe in the light” (John 12:36) 

When we believe in Jesus Christ, we can lift our sights above the things of this world and focus on what is sacred. 

 

*Starting today, choose to reset 

When we choose to repent, we choose to change! We choose to grow spiritually and receive joy. 

 

*Starting today, choose to open your heart 

Jesus invites us to love one another (John 13:34)

As we increase our capacity to love and work on the relationship in our lives, we will be able to grow into the person Jesus knows we can become. 

 

*Starting today, choose to serve

“The needs of others are ever present, and each of us can do something to help someone.” President Monson Oct. 2009

 

*Starting today, I am opening my heart

“Let us never forget that the Lord gave us this commandment to love God and to love one another, applying the Golden Rule. We cannot love God without loving our neighbor, and we cannot truly love our neighbor without loving God. This applies to you and to me, and if each of us applies it to himself, we need not worry about the other. 

If we are to have this love of which the Savior spoke, and which he emphasizes as being the most important thing in life, it must begin in the home and then carry  into our daily lives. Love begins in the home. Sacrifice for one another, Make one another happy.” President Tanner, October 1972 

 

*Starting today, choose to let it go 

Jesus invites us to “forgive, if ye have ought against any” (Mark 11:25) 

Through Him, we can repent and have the burden of sin removed from our hearts. But to truly experience the power of this blessing, we must follow His example and work to forgive the people who have wronged us. 

 

*Starting today, choose to forgive

“We can all receive unspeakable peace and partnering with our Savior as we learn to freely forgive those who have trespassed against us.” Elder Larry Echo Hawk April 2018 

 

*Starting today, Choose to ask for direction 

Jesus taught, “Ask and ye shall receive” (John 16:24) Prayer has the power to bring blessings into our lives. 

He encourages his disciples to ask their Father in Heaven for the things they need so that they can know that God hears and answers the prayers of His children. 

 

*Starting today, choose to pray

President Henry B Eyring said: “As we pray in faith, we become a vital part in the Lord’s work as He prepares the world for His Second Coming.” 

I invite you to pray always. Pray for your family. Pray for the leaders of nations. Pray for the courageous people who are on the front lines in the current battles against social, environmental, political, biological plagues that impact all people thought the world: the rich and the poor, the young and the old.” President Ballard October 2020 

 

*Starting today, choose to take the leap

Jesus invites us to “not be afraid” (John 14:27 Transform fear into faith.

Because of what He did, we can also leave fear behind as we use the power of His sacrifice to become a better version of ourselves. 

 

*Starting today, choose to focus on the Savior 

“This Easter, I encourage you to focus on the Savior. After all that Jesus Christ did for you, I invite you to do something this week to follow His teachings. You can start today on a new spiritual quest.“ President Nelson 

 

*Starting today, Choose to follow Him

Jesus invites us to “keep His commandments (John 14:15)

If we want to truly feel close to the Savior, we must take action and do the things He asked us to do. 

Review His words from the Sermon on the mount as you strive to follow Him. 

 

*Starting today, choose to learn

“Our efforts to prepare for the proving experiences of mortality should follow the example of the Savior, who incrementally increased in wisdom and stature, and in favour with God and man” a blended balance of intellectual, physical spiritual and social readiness.” Elder Bednar

 

*Starting today, I am walking the walk

“My message to you tonight is straightforward. It is this: keep the commandments. 

He who created us and who loves us perfectly knows just how we need to live our lives in order to obtain the greatest happiness possible.” President Monson, Oc. 2015 

 

*Starting today, choose to make time for Him

Jesus invites us all to “come unto Him” (Matthew 11:28) When we turn to Him by giving Him our time, He can change our hearts and brighten our lives. 

He calls on us to become more like Him and experience the true peace that His gospel brings. 

 

*Starting today, follow the prophet

“As you are humble in following the counsel of the Lord’s prophet, I promise you an added blessing of safety and peace. A prophet’s greatest responsibility and most precious gift too us is his sure witness, his certain knowledge that Jesus is the Christ.” 

Neil L. Andersen April 2018 

Incidentally, President Nelson gave 5 ways to develop faith and trust in the Savior 

1.    Study. Become an engaged learner

2.    Choose to believe in Jesus Christ  

3.    Act in faith

4.    Partake of sacred ordinances worthily

5.    Ask Heavenly Father, in  the name of Jesus Christ for help.

 

Easter week a.k.a. “semana santa” (Holy week) was a memorable one. 

 

Con amor,

Vero 

A month -long marathon

We went on our home leave early this year because we wanted to be in Denver for Graeme’s baptism. We also wanted to see our doctors and take the vaccine if it was available and it was. What a tender mercy! 

 

We left exactly a month ago on March 2^nd and couldn’t stay longer because of my visa situation. What would have been perfect was to go with Bianca to Puerto Rico, or see my mom in Orlando or Ani in Nebraska although she was spending Easter with her in-laws. Nevertheless, I am happy with the time we were allowed to stay. 

 

Richard and Linda Eyre give each day a name. They have said: “Why should every Tuesday just called Tuesday? Why not name each of our own days in a way that makes us appreciated their uniqueness. As you are climbing into bed, think back over the day and come up with a name based on a special moment of feature or something accomplished. A day might be called, new idea for investment, or quality time with the grandkids! They even go to the extent of writing a short poem for every week. Amazing! 

 

Taking their suggestion, I am doing a sort of poem for each travel adventure.

Here is the one for the trip to the U.S. from March 2^nd to April 2^nd. 

 

A month- long marathon 

Getting the infamous PCR test in Buenos Aires. It hurts!

Arrive in U.S. soil

Left the Salt Lake airport leasing a brand -new Audi

Daniel gets the vaccine

Purchased Graeme’s scriptures

Took our first Uber from the Denver airport

Said the prayer and Daniel was a witness at Graeme’s baptism 

Checking out the gorgeous new home Pablo is building 

Went back to Utah to take the vaccine for me 

At Doctor Hale’s checking my thyroid medication 

Daniel’s skin doctor finds some growth and does a biopsy

Attending book club zoom meeting 

Getting all the needed paperwork done for our 2020 taxes 

Driving to Denver in a snow storm

Snowing so much in Denver that Church got cancelled

No chance on continuing to Nebraska

Spending quality time with Pablo and family for a whole week 

Got our much-needed haircuts from our hair dresser Cozanne 

Drove to Moab, Utah to meet up with the Dames 

Exploring Canyonlands, Arches and swimming in the fun pool 

Sunday dinner with Jami, Andy and family

Attending the DTA cluster meeting

Getting our teeth cleaned 

Watching the grandkids while Cristi and Brooks get a new car

A day at the Zoo and the Aquarium with Cristi and family 

Having dinner with the missionary couples at the Hawkins residence 

Looking at houses with Vale

Attending annual HOA zoom meeting for 99 West building units 

Ordering take out at our favorite restaurants 

Sending packages to our grandbabies for Easter 

Having Sunday dinner with the family at Hernan’s and family

Vale’s offer on the house got accepted 

Watched via zoom Bianca and Joseph adoption of Lyric

Looking at our deplorable condition of our home in Bountiful 

Going to the Cheesecake Factory with Ariel and his wife

Having dinner with Mandy and Spencer 

Shopping for last items to bring home at Target and Costco

Taking the PCR test before we board the plane 

Saying good bye to family and friends 

Taking the red eye long flight 

Arriving in Buenos Aires to take another PCR test before leaving the airport 

It's Good Friday and luckily for us, Martin was kind enough to pick us up 

Home at last, forced to be on quarantine over again

 

I feel so blessed to be back home but missing my family dearly. Is there a perfect state when you have it all? Nope! I can’t have the cake and eat it too. When I am away, I miss my bed and home and When I am home, I want to be there enjoying time with family. 

 

Con amor,

Vero

My self-worth

I have been thinking about this quote while getting ready for another trip. 

 

“Your value does not decrease based on someone’s inability to see your worth.” –unknown

 

I absolutely LOVE that quote and I think everyone in the world needs to hear that quote and know that it is true.

 

Far too often we allow other people’s opinions to impact our own feelings of self-worth.

 

I especially worry about our young people today. I worry about our grandchildren. They are growing up in a world where bullying is all too common. Then there is cyber-bullying behind anonymous identities where people tear others apart. We see reports of young people committing suicide because they allowed someone else’s words to determine their own self-worth. No one else can determine your value…to God you are ALWAYS valuable!

 

Then there is the man or woman whose entire self-worth came from the person they were dating or married to, only to have the relationship come to an end and the person things they are no longer lovable. Or they lose their job and believe their talents and skills aren’t valuable. But it’s just not true…you are still lovable and you are still valuable.

 

There was a time in my life after going through a painful divorce when I was struggling with my own self-worth, or lack thereof. One day I was walking through a bookstore and I saw a book titled, “Confronting the Myth of Self Esteem” by Ester Rasband. The title of the book stopped me and I couldn’t help but pick it up. I knew it was a book I just had to read. I poured over its pages and I can honestly tell you that it literally changed my life. 

 

In the book, she expresses the importance of not basing our self-esteem on what anyone else thinks about us because the reality is that we have absolutely no control over what others think. We could literally be a perfect person and someone else will still find a reason to talk bad about us or not life us because that is just what some people do, so it is a totally unfair metric to judge yourself by. Rather, she explains that we should focus our self-esteem on caring about what God thinks and only what God thinks about us, because that we can control. When we are living in a way we know God would be proud of, the result will be having a high sense of self-worth.

 

Coming to understand that changed my life. Our value truly isn’t impacted by other’s opinion of us – regardless of what anyone else thinks of you, you are still valuable to God. Always. So focus your efforts on caring what He thinks and everything else that matters will fall into place.

 

Con amor,

Vero