Visiting Teaching

This past Sunday I had the privilege of speaking at our ward visiting teaching conference, and at first I will admit I was a bit overwhelmed and didn't know how I was going to find time to write a talk.. basically I had to talk about positive experiences I have had with visiting Teaching well as I started thinking and praying about what I wanted to say, so many things just popped into my head, and before I knew it I had finished... and it was so nice to think about fond memories of visiting teaching, I wanted to share what I wrote because it is so important to me, and I absolutely love visiting teaching.

Every month I look forward to both giving and receiving the monthly Visiting teaching message.
I feel like I learn something different from when I am being given the message and when I read it and prepare to give the lesson. I try to do my best to really take in the message and follow what it says. Back in July I had been contemplating going back to school, and thinking about if it was important to do so. Then came the Visiting teaching message in Aug of last year it was “Seek education and lifelong learning”. And in that message President Monson stated “ beyond our study of spiritual matters, secular learning is also essential... I urge you to pursue your education- if are not already doing so or have not done so- that you might be prepared to provide if circumstances necessitate such.” and because of my visiting teachers taking the time to come over and share this message with me I am a full time college student. I have learned the importance of visiting teachers is in not only to visit with the sisters, but to gain valuable information from the message that you might not hear in relief society. I love to visit the sisters, give them the message, and share with them my thoughts on the message and to also here there thoughts.. I also look forward each month to my visiting teachers coming over not only teach me the message, but to just sit and visit as sisters. I enjoy being given the opportunity to get to know new sisters and building a friendship with them. Over the past 3 years in the laurelglen ward I have met some sisters that I have became pretty close to due to visiting teaching. One in particular is Shannon Royer, when I first moved to this ward I became her visiting teacher and she became mine , and because of that we became close friends. The example she set as a visiting teacher will stay with me forever. I remember one particular time when I had questions about going to the temple as my husband and I prepared to do so I called my visiting teacher to ask questions, And Not even 24 hours later I had a knock and my door at it was Shannon delivering a book The Holy Temple by Boyd K. Packer” she said “ read this and it will help you prepare for the temple” and that is exactly what it did, it is things like that I find so valuable in visiting teaching. Sisters I urge you to visit with your sisters monthly be there for them and share the messages with them. As you don’t know what is going on in there life or struggles they may have that they may need you and that message to help them. Like Shannon helped me prepare for the Temple and for my current visiting teachers sharing the message about seeking education which helped me to ultimately make my decision about going back to school.

This little girl of mine......

Happy 11th birthday to my lil girl.... I can't believe she is 11 years old and in just a couple of years she will be entering the teenage years.... lets hope these next 2 years go by really slow... LOL... what can I say about this girl.... She is so goal oriented, and loves to do everything.... just this year she is on the student council, was in a play, learning to play the flute, and the piano, is on the honor roll, played on the volleyball and basketball team and much more...she just gets out there and gives it her all ... there is no stopping her....she has such a big heart and loves to help people... and we are so proud of her. Yesterday I took her to get a big girl hair-cut and as we were sitting under the dryer.. I couldn't help but get a little teary eyed because it is mother daughter moments like this that I cherish.. She is growing up so fast.. and I am so excited to see what the future holds for this girl of mine.. Happy birthdy Kakala Alisi

Happy Anniversary!!

3 Years ago today I married, my best friend, my soul mate, my true love. Our journey started long before that... over 11 years ago.. Through life's journey we have made it through every obstacle, hurdle, and challenge, some might say it is not a fairy tale... but that is exactly what I call it.. The past 3 years have been the best years of my life... not only have we grew closer as a family.. but we have grown closer to our heavenly father and I finally know my purpose here on earth. I have been lost in life, but it wasn't til my husband brought our family to church 3 years ago that I finally discovered who I am and what I am capable of. when I look back to us 3 years ago .. and look at us now.. I can officially say that we have come along way.. and have progressed immensely. I am so grateful for that day that I walked down the Isle to marry my husband to commit to each other and to the life ahead of us. I am so excited to see what the future holds. Happy Anniversary honey I love you times infinity ;)

OUR FAMILY 3 YEARS AGO ON OUR WEDDING DAY 2/24/2007
OUR FAMILY TODAY IN FRONT OF THE LOS ANGELES TEMPLE AFTER BEING SEALED AS A FAMILY FOR ALL TIME AND ETERNITY... NOTICE THE LITTLE ADDITION .. JOSIAH MACON MANU ... HE HAS ADDED SUCH BLISS TO OUR FAMILY =)

Blog neglector!!!

Yes I know I haven't been blogging lately.. among other things ... So I thought I would take a break from studying and blog a little... let's see what have we been upto?? well as far as the kids ... Ty just finished his last chess tournament for the school year and he got 2 out of 3 games... he also just had his 4th article come out in the school newspaper.. and he is currently playing Basketball for our church league... last night was their first game, they won 44 to 31 and I believe he scored 28 points... so you can imagine how proud we were... next is Kala she recently was in a school play and did really well.. it was a fun little play and she just loves it...she is also playing basketball for school... and is quite aggressive on the court... she is in the middle of selling girl scout cookies in hope to raise money for her big bridging ceremony in May across the golden gate bridge in San Fran... she recently made honer roll too... Jayden has continued to enjoy scouting... and is practicing basketball and football for next year when he will be able to try out at school... Josiah has been growing so much... he can say his abc's upto about V and is learning all his nursery songs... he loves church and ask to go everyday... he loves to be picked to say prayer at FHE and dinnertime.. we have been having full blown conversations lately.. it is so neat to be able to just talk with him.. he loves his friends and wants to play everyday...as for the parents...Well I have been enjoying school.. except I have reconfirmed that I dislike history.. it just doesn't stick to my brain.. like other things.. but I am not giving up... I have found away to fit in school to my normal daily routine.. and I am enjoying it so far.... Kam has been busy with work and classes for his job... that he has been taking on the weekends... he also has been busy with his calling at church as 3rd counselor in the elders quarom, he is enjoying his calling and I am proud of his great service... and grateful for the many blessing we receive... so that is our life for the time being.. hope I didn't ramble to much.. and I will try to stay up with the blog...


Josiah's typical pout face
my handsome boy on his way to church
super star
Kala as will the goat in the adventures of Robinson curusso ( sp)
Josiah at pump it up.. he had a blast
my two boys enjoying a Popsicle!! aren't they cute...

First day of school

O.k. so the first day of school... was harder than I thought... and is definitely a learning process... for example I need to learn the parking tricks.. because even though I left at 5:15 for a 6pm class I was still late for class =/ oops!! then I had to walk hecka far... which is a good thing so I can exercise more than just my mind..so feeling like an idiot at the moment I walked into class late.. and had all eyes on me.. not so good... I got a seat in the front row which according to the teacher that is the best... so we will see... well I have to learn about a million medical terms... so I need to make about a million flash cards..LOL... so far so good though... I just need to learn how to juggle motherhood and studenthood... so all advice is welcome.... it was so sad when I walked out the door to go to class Josiah ( 2 year old) was just screaming MOMMY!! it broke my lil heart... and then the next day he held on to me all day... so hopefully he will get used to it too... o.k that's all for now...stay tuned for more tales from a 33 year old mother of 4 college student.. who doesn't know where to park.. =)

everything happens for a reason

Those were the words of my husband this past Saturday! lat week my husband was asked to drive the sister of someone in our ward to the Los Angeles Airport, and without any hesitation he said "yes" he got his friend Tyler to accompany him for the ride. So he left the house at 4:45am to pick the people up. I was glad Tyler went with him because I was worried Kam would be to tired to drive home. Well I guess after they checked them in to the airlines, they decided to get something to eat at Tommy burger, and Tyler wanted to go to a certain one. so off they went. well on there way back on the freeway or something like that, they were behind a car that veered off the road, went down and slammed into a tree. automatically without thinking Kam and Tyler went to the scene to help them out, as Kam was telling me the story I couldn't believe it... he said he saw a car seat and a lil boy.. and got them out first, then he assisted the driver a young woman who was hurt pretty bad, Tyler literally gave the back off his shirt so that Kam could apply pressure to her wound. Tyler called 911. Kam talked to the woman til the medics could get to her... it was so amazing to hear Kam talk he said he kept talking to the lady to keep her from falling asleep.. and that he felt heavenly father was directing him on what to say and do to help this woman. Kam found a cell phone of hers to notify the family but it was dead, and it just so happens that That Tyler brought his cell phone charger " that was a perfect match" how amazing is that, well the men stayed at the scene til they were taken away.. ... I know my husband doesn't like attention and will probably be mad at me for writing this, but I am pretty proud of him and his friend for the decision they made to stop and help, and for the promptings of heavenly father to help these men. great Job Kam and Tyler.. you will be truly blessed.

Happy new year ramblings......

It seems like forever since I have posted.. now that the holidays are over... I have been trying to get back into the groove of things... kids in school, and I starting in less than 2 weeks... which I am so nervous about... hoping I can pull it off... we shall see... well the holidays were great... we went down to my annual family Christmas party in LA and then went to my dad's for a lil celebrating... watched movies, opened presents, ate, etc... it was a great weekend... then we went up north to Kams family to celebrate Christmas.. we ate, played, games, stayed in our P.J's it was just a relaxing, good time.... then for new years we opted to stay home due to all the traveling... before it was kinda nice.... we decided to spend it with our friends that we still keep in touch with that we met at church... we ate, played games.. and just chatted away... it was alot of fun.. .and even Josiah made it to see the ball drop... we all slept in til 11:30 the next day.. it was a really nice needed sleep.. but yet felt like half the day was gone.. it was really nice to just hang out at home for the weekend.. anyways I dont have any pictures of the eventful festivities.. due to my camera stopped working... well now we are just trying to keep up with all the busy schedules in our family.. it seems like once jan4th hit... and the kids went back to school... everything just came up as well...just been go, go,go.. and now that I am starting school full time I am not sure when I will have time... but I will make time to blog... hope you all had a happy new year... 2010.. and yes I still can't write the year I have to keep making the 9 look like a 0 and squeezing a 1 in there.... well good night bloggers =)