Questions and Answered Prayers

Febuary 27 1998,  I had been a member of the church for about 7 months at the time when this had occurred. I was visiting some friends in Ont. Canada for the week, where I was baptized, at the time I was living with my Grandmother in Michigan. I had got very close to the Elder who had baptized me, his name is Alan Stanford. I had written letters to his family and became Pen-pals with his little sister Becca. I was very curious about how he was doing because at the time I wasn't able to get a letter from him or his family. (There was a mix-up at the post office and they were sending my mail back to the senders.) So in prayer I asked if he was doing well and how his family was. 

I had the opportunity to go to visit my good friends the MacDonald's in Sarnia Ont. While I was there Br. MacDonald was looking for a job. He was going on a lot of interviews. One in particular was in Stratford Ont. So his wife and I accompanied him on the trip it was somewhere between 2-3 hrs on the road each way. As we were driving we sang church hymns all the way there. Br. MacDonald was in the interview for 2hrs everything went very smoothly. On the way home we were blessed with a beautiful sunset, I couldn't help but marvel at Heavenly Fathers work, it was spectacular. 
As I was admiring the sunset we noticed that there were people alongside the road taking pictures. Br. MacDonald (being Ward Mission Leader at the time) recognized them right away as missionaries and shouted "that's Elder Stanford!" We pulled over to the side of the road.

(This is not the picture they took but one very similar to it.)

By this time they had already gotten back in their car and were driving away as they rode past us Br. MacDonald beeped the horn several times to get their attention. They then parked in front of us and got out of the car. As the Elder and Sisters walked up, I was so floored to see my answer right in front of me. He came to the window of the old station wagon that we were in and was amazed to see the MacDonald's I sat up to the front seat from the back and quietly said "Hi Elder Stanford" and he was overjoyed to see me. We made plans to meet up at a diner we saw along the side of the road so that we could catch up on what was going on in our lives. I seriously could have done cartwheels I was so excited. (Now mind you I have never been able to do a cartwheel in my life I just knew though that if I tried that day I may have been able to. So much adrenaline and excitement at the same time. Thank goodness I didn't have a heart condition, that could have been bad.)
At the diner the Elder explained about what was going on with the letters and that he too had often prayed to know how I was doing. He had also told me that he was supposed to be somewhere else that day but the plans did not work out.  We then knew it was divine intervention that we happened to meet up in such a manner. He told us that he was an assistant to the Mission President and that he had been doing very well on his mission and how much he loved it. I told him of my callings in the church and how much I loved it. (At the time I was a part of a small ward and at the most I held 3 callings.)
After our dinner we exchanged addresses again to make sure that we had the right ones. I was on a spiritual high for days after this meeting, even after the years since it warms my heart to think of it. Even though Br. MacDonald did not get the job we found that the reason that we had such positive spirits about going to this interview had been the answer to not only my prayer, but, Elder Stanford's as well. Had I made the choice not to go I would have missed out on seeing my friend. I am thankful that the choice I made was the right one. I have been a member for almost 16 years and since that night I have made many right choices because of the things that Elder and his companion have taught me. I married my sweetheart in the Temple I have a wonderful family and children that I adore. Before I had met the missionaries I had often prayed to find the true Church Of God. They brought me that gift and I am thankful for it every day, even though I didn't want to let them in at first. I know that Heavenly Father answers our prayers we just have to listen to get the answer, although it doesn't hurt when you are with the right people too. I know that when we pray that Heavenly Father really hears what we say although we don't always see the outcome He knows what is best. I have learned that to trust in Him and he will never lead you to disaster.

JS Matthew 1:1 "Blessed is he who comes in the name of the Lord, in the clouds of heaven, and all the Holy Angels with him. Then understood his disciples that he should come again on the earth, after that he was glorified and crowned on the right hand of God." 

New Beginnings Hollywood Premier

I saw this picture and thought "Hollywood Premier" You see we are Presenting the girls with a Plaque of Women who have completed their Personal Progress for inspiration. Our "Stars" will be Faith, Divine Nature, Individual Worth, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability,  Good Works, Integrity, and Virtue which all will be a star on the Walk of Fame. Then at the end of the "Walk of Fame" will be a picture of the Temple.

Each of the girls will have a "role" to play. Telling how a Personal Progress value has helped improve their lives. The girls that are planning on talking about the values are going to be the paparazzi and dress like such and make handouts explaining what the value is, having pictures and articles set up that represent the value (like in a tabloid.)

I was thinking of clear plastic shoes the ones you get for a wedding or shower keepsakes and a printable that says "Step out from the crowd and Stand Ye in Holy Places and Be Not Moved." like the ones here. At the end of the girls talking have the YW president present the Plaque to them with a brief explanation of what it is and why we now have it. "After Party" themed refreshments will be served at the end.

The invitations for parents (we have some girls that don't have a mom in our ward) will be in the form of movie tickets.

Our agenda:

We have a smaller ward but I am very glad to be a part of it. It is an amazing growth experience. I am hoping all goes smoothly. We shall see and I will update after we are done.

UPDATE!!!!

I am so proud of our girls they all came prepared and did there parts. It was an amazing night. The spirit was there and I think people actually learned a thing or two. I loved how the girls got into their roles as paparazzi it was great!!

Etiquette

History of etiquette. The word Etiquette came from an old French word meaning ticket or label. From the 1500's through the early 1900's, children learned about etiquette at school. Nevertheless etiquette has changed and evolved over the years. In French, the word "etiquette" has been described as the one word that aptly describes life during the reign of Queen Victoria.

In ( 2414-2375 BC) Ptahhotep, (ptāħ ħwtp, sometimes known as Ptahhotpe or Ptah-Hotep, was an ancient Egyptian official during the late 25th century BC and early 24th century BC) wrote The Maxims of Ptahhotep. The Maxims are conformist precepts extolling such civil virtues as truthfulness, self-control and kindness towards one's fellow beings. Learning by listening to everybody and knowing that human knowledge is never perfect are a leitmotif. Avoiding open conflict wherever possible should not be considered weakness. Justice should be pursued and in the end it will be a god's command that prevails. Some of the maxims refer to one's behavior when in the presence of the great, how to choose the right master and how to serve him. Others teach the correct way to lead through openness and kindness. Greed is the base of all evil and should be guarded against, while generosity towards family and friends is praiseworthy. From: Ancient Egypt encyclopedia.
The philosophy of Confucius (Chinese teacher, editor, politician, and philosopher) emphasized personal and governmental morality, correctness of social relationships, justice and sincerity.


King Louis XIV (1638-1718), transformed a royal hunting lodge in Versailles, a village 25 miles southwest of the capital, into one of the largest palaces in the world, officially moving his court and government there in 1682. It was against this awe-inspiring backdrop that Louis tamed the nobility and impressed foreign dignitaries, using entertainment, ceremony and a highly codified system of etiquette to assert his supremacy.


Rules of etiquette encompass most aspects of social interaction in any society, though the term itself is not commonly used. A rule of etiquette may reflect an underlying ethical code, or it may reflect a person's fashion or status. Rules of etiquette are usually unwritten, but aspects of etiquette have been codified from time to time.


Modern etiquette provides the smallest numbers and types of utensils necessary for dining. Only utensils which are to be used for the planned meal should be set. Even if needed, hosts should not have more than three utensils on either side of the plate before a meal. If extra utensils are needed, they may be brought to the table along with later courses.


A table cloth extending 10–15 inches past the edge of the table should be used for formal dinners, while placemats may be used for breakfast, luncheon, and informal suppers. Candlesticks, even if not lit, should not be on the table while dining during daylight hours.



If food must be removed from the mouth for some reason, a diner should subtly bring the napkin to his/her mouth (as if to wipe his/her mouth) and quietly spit out the food into the napkin, which is then returned to the lap (while still concealing the partially chewed inedibles). The diner thus avoids insulting the cook/host since the process is nearly indistinguishable from merely wiping one's mouth. An exception is that fish bones may be removed from the mouth between the fingers.


The fork may be used in the American style (in the left hand while cutting and in the right hand to pick up food) or the European Continental style (fork always in the left hand). The napkin should be left on the seat of a chair only when leaving temporarily. Upon leaving the table at the end of a meal, the napkin is placed loosely on the table to the left of the plate. 

Basic Table Setting

For a basic table setting, here are two great tips to help you -- or your kids -- remember the order of plates and utensils:

1. The order, left to right, is: Fork,  Plate, Knives and Spoons.
2. Bread and butter go to the left of the place setting and drinks go on the right.
3. Knife blades always face the plate.
4. The napkin goes to the left of the fork, or on the plate.
5. The bread and butter knife are optional.

Below is an example of a formal place setting which is similar but slightly different and has more utensils.




Basic Etiquette for everyday situations.

1. Wait for everyone to be served
If you're seated at a table with eight or fewer guests, wait for everyone to be served and for the hostess to begin eating before you dig in. At a long banquet table, it's OK to start when several people are seated and served.

2. Keep your things off the table
All things not having to do with food (and decoration) should remain off the table: keys, clutch bags, i-pods, tablets, sunglasses, phones.


3. Don't text at the table
If you're in a situation where you'd excuse yourself to go to the bathroom, you should also excuse yourself before reaching for your phone.

4. If you prefer not to have wine while dining out, don't turn your glass upside down
Don't make a big deal of saying you don't drink. Simply place your fingertips on the rim of the glass and say "No thank-you." This implies no judgment of those who wish to imbibe (drink alcohol).


5. Practice good speakerphone manners

Don't use a speakerphone unless you're alone or holding a meeting that's being attended by someone relevant . Alert the person you're speaking with that others are present, and close the door. FYI: Using a speakerphone at full volume to go through your voice mailbox is the definition of annoying if others are present.


6. Whoever arrives at a door first holds it for the next person
It doesn't matter the gender of either.


7. Keep your cell phone out of the conversation

When talking to someone in person, don't glance down at your cell phone to see who's trying to reach you. This includes when ordering something from a restaurant, paying for something in a check out line (any check out line) or anytime that you are desiring service from another person.