When you're hungry, you are hungry. I made a quick Turkey Salad with pico de gayo, cheese. sunflower seeds and croutons crumbles with Ranch dressing. It was delicious and worth every bite. Happy Eating Everyone!
Hot Chocolate Shake
Bishop Otuafi's closing remarks after the youth's devotional
Getting ready to eat a yummy meal before the devotional, provided by the Relief Society and Young Women Leaders
Ana showing some love before eating the yummy food made from Sister Nickie Otuafi and the Relief Society Sisters
Mika opening the youth gathering
Preparing to watch the devotional from Elder Gerrit Gong
Our youth listening to the General Authorities and their message to them (The Youth world wide).
Today for our Ward Conference, everything went smoothly and spiritually uplifting. The main message that the Stake President felt prompted to share with our ward was service. This main topic has been the biggest issue that we've been facing. It seems that everyone wants things to happen that is good and exciting but do not like to put in the work to get it done. Not many wants to bring food, provide activities to help out in a ward level, not many wants to stay and help clean up. It is usually the same small group of people, including myself and Mika helping til the end of any ward function to set up, bring something, provide entertainment, break down tables and chairs and clean up. During the second hour of church, we as the adults with the Stake Presidency had a ward and stake discussions about a variety of things some of the Elderly or OG's had concerns about. Like closing the doors during sacrament meeting, need help with service in our ward, especially dealing with the Elders quorum needed more support from them, speaking more Tongan during sacrament meetings than English, Stake changes and food storage self reliance preparation. Half of the time it was in Tongan, so I don't know exactly they were talking about, but I felt that the Holy Spirit was helping me understand some of what they were talking about. Overall it was a good discussion and hopefully there will be a balance in our ward and with those Older Tongans opinions about traditions and church policies. Mika did a wonderful job conducting and he looked handsome wearing the orchid lei that was given to him by the Relief Society Sisters. Great turn out from those in our ward and a great message from the Stake. Now we can slightly relax until the next big event which will be sometime in February. Happy Sabbath Everyone!
4:00 PM | 29 January 2023 Online Broadcast
Worldwide Event for Youth: I Can Do All Things Through Christ
Elder Gerrit W. Gong of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints will speak at a worldwide devotional for youth that will becoming available for viewing on January 29, 2023, at 4 p.m.* Mountain Standard Time. (This event will be pre-recorded on January 22, and tickets for the pre-recording have already been distributed.)
Elder Gong will be joined by Young Women General President Bonnie H. Cordon and Young Men General President Steven J. Lund.
Youth are encouraged to gather with their youth groups or families to view this broadcast, which introduces the 2023 Youth Theme. The event will be available on Broadcasts.ChurchofJesusChrist.org, Gospel Library, Gospel Media and the Strive to Be YouTube channel in the languages below.
The youth theme for 2023 is “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me” (Philippians 4:13). This theme encourages youth to look to Jesus Christ as their source of strength in all they do. The theme will be the focus of FSY conferences and can be used in weekly activities, camps, and Sunday lessons to unify the youth of the Church.
*Time has changed from what was originally announced
Youth Theme Music and Resources
The 2023 youth music album and theme song, youth theme artwork, activity ideas, and other information can be found at Youth.ChurchofJesusChrist.org.
It's another weekend of sleeping in and the winter snow falling from the sky. Nothing being planned for us today, and we just relax and wake up whenever we wake up. When I finally got up from a long nap, Mika came to the room and ask if I would like to join him to go to the Temple. He felt prompted by the Holy Spirit to go to the Temple. Not knowing why but he knew that we needed to go. And that's what we did, got ready and made it for the 6:40 Endowment session. I tried my best to stay up, and doze off a few times but I made it through. The session went well besides the officiated making a few mistakes but it was minor. Overall we felt great to have done some work at the Temple and Mika slightly understood the purpose of going to the temple tonight. He felt the spirt explained to him that his purpose was to spiritually help him, the Bishopric and the ward to have a good turnout for our ward conference. The business of this ward conference has everyone in leadership worried. But the Lord did bring comfort to Mika and to myself. We both had a lot going on but with humility and faith, it has got us by and Trust in God's purpose and will for us. No matter what lies ahead, we can find joy and learning for us and for God's blessing in our lives. May we all find the joy in Jesus Christ and the blessing of our own life. Please be safe and have a great weekend everyone!
Breakfast while editing our ward dance video
These two cuties about to perform their Taualuga
Vahi and Brenda from our ward dancing a Taualuga
The Young Men of the West Jordan Ward
Si'i from our ward performing a taualuga
Today's Temple shift was wonderful and uplifting. Mika and I had to go in a bit early since he needs to have the Officiator training for next month. So as Mika went to his instructional training, I went to do some Initiatories and I felt the Holy Spirit during that session. The names of the sister that I did their Ordinances were all from the United Kingdom. My heart was filled with great joy because it felt as I was doing the work of the Lord for my ancestors. Once I was done with that session, I went into my shift spiritually content and ready to roll! Even though I was a bit tired, but that didn't stop me from doing my duties with love and compassion. Once this shift is over, Mika and I will head over to our combined ward dance at the stake center in West Jordan. Anyways, I hope and pray that you all are having a blessed day.
Mika and I woke up late for our appointment at the Temple with his mom. But I thank the Lord and the power of prayer. Both myself and Midka prayed personally to God and he heard our prayer by intervening spiritually to touch the heart of Vake to wait patiently for us to arrive. And she did felt that prompting to not go I to the session prior to our arrival. The Holy spirit and the angels of God to make our session smooth sailing and to bless Vake to be at peace.
After our session, we went to village inn to eat and picked up an Aloha shirt for Mika to use for our ward party tomorrow night. He is borrowing from his dad's closet.
We also stopped at Walmart to get some pre-made sub sandwiches for part of the refreshments for the dance. Mika got it all prep and we are good to go. Anyways, I got to get some sleep since Mika has to train tomorrow for next week officiating for 2 months at the Temple. I'm still editing videos but I'm gonna take a break to get some rest. I'll be chatting with yall later. Goodnight!
Vake and I got the French toast combo that came with eggs and a choice of meat (she got sausages and I got bacon)
Mika's Chicken bacon burger with fries
Mika showing his mom how to use the LDS Gospel Library to audio listen or read the scriptures, watch General Conference and read the Come Follow Me weekly lessons.
Making chowder tonight was one of the quickest thing I did by far this week. I didn't get much sleep and I had to make something to eat, since my brother was bringing some food from the food bank later on tonight. So after being awaken from my nap, I quickly looked through my pantree to see what to make. And that's when I saw the baby potatoes on my counter and immediately thought of chowder. I got the potatoes chopped and boiling, frying the bacon, mixing the liquids to make the base soup. Whipped it all together and like magic, food was done right on time.
This weekes food Henry brought was a lot of good brands and good meals. I can't wait to eat some White Castle burgers I got from my brother. It will go perfect with the fries I got last week. Make due what you got, right?!?
My Dad is awesome and I am grateful that he sends me treats from Hawaii. It's nice to know, if I can't find my Hawaiian treats here in Utah or online, I got Dad to my rescue. So much yummy snacks in my package that I'm excited to eat them. It came at the perfect time because I am finishing up our Hawaii trip 2018 video and I was missing eating some of those childhood treats. Thanks again Dad for my goodies!!
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I had the pleasure to drive a few of my youth girls to our activity tonight at All star bowling and they were a hilarious bunch. We had about 12 girls and 9 boys come out tonight and everyone did a fantastic job during their game. Our Stake leaders came and hanged out with us. A few of them even played a few games with the kids. Overall it was fantastic and full of energy.
After our bowling, Myself and 2 other girls, Vahi and Brenda grabed something to eat at McDonald's but we had to hurry back to the chapel to end the night with the youth. Unfortunately, we didn't made it back to close with the rest of the group, so we came back to the chapel with our food and ate it upstairs in one of the classrooms. These sisters are just too cute. Very respectful and kind. We talked stories and ate our meal with a lot of laughter. I am grateful to have these one on one moments with our youth. Creating an understanding and bond with respect for one another. Treating the youth with respect and being real can make a difference in their lives. We don't have to be pushy adults to make a point to them, but treating them equally and with trust, they will show the same courtesy to you. Also knowing your boundaries in interaction and speech. Other than that, I had a fun time tonight filming and capturing cool moments of our youth. Have a blessed and safe evening everyone!
Tonight Mika and I was invited to his cousin, Tony's house for game night. Whenever they host this night time event, it's game on for everyone. I usually don't play the games because its more enjoyable to be a spectator and watch everyone get intense and crazy. But overall it's hilarious to watch. The games they played tonight was Taboo, Chameleon, and Scadigories. And boy was everyone going crazy with their answers and shouting out loud with tons of laughter. It's always fun to be with good company and also eating yummy food. We brought some donuts and I made cookie brownie for dessert. Keala, Tony's wife made meatloaf, mash potatoes, rice and chicken long rice. Tiare brought mixed veggies and salad. So we had a feast and it was delicious.
Tony's kids, Vise, Hiring, Kyani and Mika sang to us a Tongan Hymn since they sand it yesterday for their family sacrament meeting at their ward. Some of us didn't know they spoke in their ward and were offended that they weren't invited (which was funny to tease Tony about it). So they was willing to sing to us and they did great job.
Everyone talked stories and continue to play other games while I was filming this moment. I will make a video of this night and posted on my YouTube channel for memories sake. Well I hope yall are well and staying safe. Have a blessed night everyone!
