Navarro-Conder: February 2013

Being an ex-military wife I had always enjoyed moving around and meeting new people. I loved living where we were the only members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints on our block. I loved sharing the gospel with others through word and deed. I really miss that living in Utah because of the large population of members. You don't get as many opportunities to share the gospel. I realized that was a time in my life where I could Preach the Gospel a lot and was grateful to do so. Well now my season of life in Utah is to Redeem the Dead. It's such a blessing to have the temple so close to perform saving ordinances for my kindred dead. Two months ago I started getting
impressions that I needed to ask my dad how to do family history research. He was the one always doing the research and we would take all the female names to do the work at the temple. I started feeling that I could help out in the research department and get more names that needed and wanted their work done. Well, it has proved to be very fruitful. I am amazed at how many names I have been able to find in such a short time. I'm telling you our ancestors want these saving ordinances. The first two times I was researching, I felt like I was wasting my time. So on my third try I decided to start my research with a prayer. I quickly learned to always start with a prayer...it's almost as if that summons them to come help us find their names. :-) That third try...I hit the jackpot. I found so many names and got their ordinance cards printed up. Every time from then on when I've searched, in prayer, I have found lots of names. One Sunday night I found 18 female names and 18 male names. It was truly amazing. Now what's even more exciting about Family History work is that I get to take my teenage son with me to perform baptisms for these ancestors. It has become our Thursday afternoon ritual. I look forward to it, and so does he. He even attributes his temple attendance to the good grades he is getting in school and the help he is receiving in his daily life. The Spirit of Elijah is affecting our family and it is wonderful. I have actually become so overwhelmed with all the names we have to take through the temple that I've slowed down a little on the research. I even gave out some of our family cards to members of our ward for help. :-) I always thought...oh when I'm old and gray I will start family history work...I am glad I didn't wait. The field is white, the season is now...

Switching gears...
One of my sisters, two of my mom's best friends, and I went out this past Saturday to celebrate my mom's birthday. My mom passed away three years ago. We make it a tradition to all spend time together on her special day. Unfortunately, we chose a place that was not quiet for visiting and taking our time. I was really disappointed because I went for the company, not the food. We will have to choose a quieter, less busy place next time.

My mom's two best friends holding a picture of my mom's last birthday on earth.

My sister (she's getting married this summer) and I

Good news! My sister is getting married this summer. She has waited a VERY LONG TIME(she is 35 years old) and I am so happy for her. I will probably be bawling the whole day because of my JOY for her. She says when it's the right ONE it is worth all the wait, all the lonely nights, all the heartache, all the pleading and hoping. I hope to know what that feels like very soon in my own life.

However, I've had NO dates yet. I am thinking I am going to actually make it a little contest to see how many years I can be a divorced single mother and not have one single date. I bet I've already beaten a lot of you divorced single mothers out there...I am coming up on 5 years. NO, I am not proud of the fact, but I am proud that I won't settle for just anyone. I want someone with a pure heart and mind. If I have to wait for eternity then so be it. :-)

Until next time...

Joshua was baptized today. It was a very special day. A lot of very dear people in our lives were in attendance. It was bittersweet for me as a mother- as this is my youngest and last child- that I will witness being baptized into Jesus Christ's church.

There were a few bloops and blunders in the dressing room. Luckily, we had it all to ourselves. I accidentally pulled Josh's orthotic too quickly out of his shoe and it hit him in the lip. He started crying. I felt horrible. Those orthotics are some hard plastic. Plus, there was another blunder which is too embarrassing to share, and only Spina Bifida moms could relate.

When Josh was getting changed,after he was baptized, he told me , "Wow, that was cool. Can I do that again?" He also told me when he was confirmed a member and received the Gift of the Holy Ghost he felt the Holy Ghost's presence. He got teary eyed. He said, "Now mom I will cry like you do when you feel the Spirit". Such precious moments shared.

I was so proud of Matthew for giving the baptismal talk. He did such a good job. I loved hearing my sister bear her sweet testimony. I loved seeing and visiting with so many dear people I am privileged to know and associate with.

I only have a few pictures to share, but at least we got some as a keepsake.