I called my mom the other day to check in and see how she was doing. It made her day, she was so happy to hear my voice. We caught up on all the news for the family, and then got a little sentimental as we talked about my sister and her upcoming birthday. As usual, when it came to say goodbye, I got teary eyed because I missed the connection with my parents that you can’t get living four hours away. But I always feel completely loved when I hang up the phone after these conversations. I can feel the love just from the words.
The more I thought about this connection and my mom’s reaction, I realized my lacking connection with my Father in Heaven. Too many times we rush through prayers to get them over with, or just say words with no meaning. When was the last time you had a connection with your Father in Heaven like the connection you have with a loved one here on earth? Elder Uceda of the Seventy gave a devotional about this very same thing. He said “A prayer from the heart is indeed a moment in heaven, and even though answers may not always be immediate, a moment in heaven can help you to chart your course in mortal life.” We all want to be loved and to feel love. Including our Heavenly Father. Don’t you think he yearns for that connection with you as well? He wants to hear what is happening in your life. He wants to send you love and peace even when we can’t be together in person. He loves us so much, that he wants us to really FEEL it. When we are in our darkest hours, those feelings are what can lift us out. We should yearn for the feeling of love from our Father in Heaven. We should believe that we are worthy of it, and that we will feel it.
There can be many steps in making our prayers like a conversation on the phone. But the first one you should take, is to just speak. It takes a conversation to make a connection.
In the words from a beautiful Primary song, “Pray, he is there; Speak, he is list’ning. You are his child; His love now surrounds you. He hears your prayer; He loves the children. Of such is the kingdom, the kingdom of heav’n.” Prayer can be powerful. Love can be more. Know that we, as your leaders, pray for you girls. We pray that you will feel Heavenly Father’s love, that you will always feel love. Use the connection of prayer to have daily conversations with the Father. It makes him happy to hear your voice. And the blessings from those conversations will come flow continually.
In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.
-Sister Cuthill
February 11th: Madeleine Ivers
February 17th: Aubrey Peterson
February 17th Kya Smith
February 22nd Joslyn Sorensen
AVERY YOUNG
She enjoys being on the cheer team. Her favorite things to do are Netflix, Tic Toc and occasionally reading.
Avery has such a great sense of humor. She’s always made us laugh and is so fun to be around. She loves Harry Potter! And loves to play Harry Potter Scene It because she always wins!
BRAYLIE JENSEN
Favorite school subjects: Art
Hobbies: Gymnastics & shooting guns
Funny or special memory of your daughter:
A couple funny memories:
When she was 3, she was learning how to ride her tricycle, and anytime she got stuck and couldn’t get the pedals to move she would start to say “I think I can I think I can I think I can…” and then she’d start to move.
When she was 4, she taught herself to ride a bike, and she said to her dad “aren’t you so proud that you didn’t have to teach me?”
And the most special memory is when my husband was finally able to adopt her, after trying for 5 years. February 8th 2016 is her official adoption date. So it’s pretty cool that she’s featured this month, because of how special this month is to our family.
Abbey Valdez
Abbey has an amazing memory and can remember birthdays and the year people were born. She also loves to sing and you can hear her singing around the house on a regular basis.
February 7th: Presidents attend Ward Youth Council
February 9th: YW 16+ Drawing lesson by Amy on Zoom @ 7pm; YW 14-15 class craft
February 14th: YW 16+ presidency meeting at 2pm
February 16th: Combined YW murder mystery on zoom @ 7pm
February 16th: YW 14-15 class presidency meeting
February 23rd: YW 14-15 class activity Scavenger Hunt
Girls Camp: June 10th-12th
Multi Stake Dance Dates: March 20th, July 17th, October 9th, and December 31st