Leadership Clovis

Michael had the opportunity this past year (thanks to his boss) to participate in a program called Leadership Clovis. This is what the flyer says about the Internship:

"Leadership Clovis is an opportunity for talented, civic and open minded people to work together with mutual purpose as we learn, develop and share principle based leadership and team building sills to enhance our lives and benefit our business, community and legacy"

He met with a Program Facilitator and other interns every 2nd and 4th Thursday of the month to discuss the book "The 7 Habits of Highly Effective People". Michael even presented a PowerPoint presentation to his fellow colleagues for two of the chapters of the book. He went on "Field trips" to Hanford to meet local leaders, toured the city, visited landmarks and of course went to Superior Dairy for yummy ice cream. He toured Clovis City Hall and met some of the leaders of Clovis. Some of the class sessions included guest speakers like Doc Buchanan former CUSD Superintendent, and other local business men and women who are leaders in their fields.

For the second year of the internship they will carry out a project that they came up with as a group, presented to the Clovis City Council, and had approved. Since the internship is costly, they came up with the idea to have a scholarship to help those who need financial assistance. Hopefully this idea, as well as more advertising will increase interest. Thankfully, he was able to attend these meetings during work hours, or else he wouldn't have been able to be a part of this great opportunity and learning experience. So, today the interns were honored at a luncheon to celebrate not only them but all those in the community who go above and beyond and are leaders.

After a year, the circle on the left will be filled with the words

"Leadership Clovis Graduate"

In the picture above he was shaking hands with the President/CEO, of the Clovis Chamber of Commerce. I am very proud of Michael and most of all, I am thankful that his employer thought of him, and allowed for my husband to be apart of this. I was also humbled by all the others who were given awards today for their various volunteer contributions to the community. It is simply amazing the wonderful acts of service people do on a daily basis to better our communities.

Grass and Garden Updates

In the bottom left corner is the cucumber, and they are almost tall enough to start weaving through the netting. The cilantro and basil are coming up. One Jalapeño plant is doing better than the other. The tomatoes are officially in their cages, so hopefully soon well start seeing some tomatoes. The watermelon and cantaloupe plants have come up too, hopefully they produce something good come summer time.

Here is the results of much cow poo, seed, patience and watering. I've mowed once. This has been the hardest place to grow grass. It still has bare spots, but it is an improvement from the desert, rock garden that it used to be.

My First Class Scout

In April, while I was at the play Wicked, my wonderful hubby played Mr. Mom and stood in for me as Damien received his awards in Scouts. The advancements he earned were Tenderfoot, Second Class and First Class. Now he (we) are working on getting his Merit badges so that he can earn his Eagle. He is farther than some of the older boys, which is surprising since it wasn't too hard to get this far. Earning Merit Badges however, does take more time and motivation both on Mom's part and the Scouts'. Thank you Jesse for taking pictures, and that is why this is the best we get. Here Damien is pinning Mike with pins to also award the parents for their efforts in helping their sons. In June he will be off to Scout Camp to earn 5 Merit badges of the 22 I think he needs to earn his Eagle. Way to go Damien!

My Quest

This has been my new quest lately. To firm and tone up and lose the "gut over hang" over the waistband of my pants. I have been borrowing videos such as this from the library (for variety) and I've been liking it so far (there have been some rejects like Abs of Steel from 1993). Loving that they have been FREE! I squeeze in a workout here and there when I can, and after a month, I am seeing results physically and emotionally. I am beginning to feel better about myself, and that was the ultimate goal. I do have my wonderful hubby to thank for getting me started one night after the kids went to bed and since then I have taken off on my own. I really needed that first push. At a YM/YW Auction dinner I won a month's membership to a women's gym that I am excited about using, just need to time it just right so I can use it to it's fullest. I even got my first pair of stretchy workout pants! I know many in the world struggle with their weight at greater levels than myself, however, when I saw that my self image was interfering with my relationship with others, even seeing myself as my Heavenly Father sees me, something needed to be done. I'm not out of the woods yet, but it's a START!

Face the Future with Faith

Last night I was flipping through the April Conference issue of the Ensign and I came across this Talk by Russell M. Nelson. What comfort it provided me and it also helped to remind me of what I do have going for me as I face the trials of my life. I picked out the parts that really stood out to me.

"Teach of faith to know that obedience to the commandments of God will provide physical and spiritual protection. And remember, God’s holy angels are ever on call to help us. The Lord so declared: “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up.”6 What a promise! When we are faithful, He and His angels will help us."

"Unfailing faith is fortified through prayer. Your heartfelt pleadings are important to Him. Think of the intense and impassioned prayers of the Prophet Joseph Smith during his dreadful days of incarceration in Liberty Jail. The Lord responded by changing the Prophet’s perspective. He said, “Know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good.”7

"If we pray with an eternal perspective, we need not wonder if our most tearful and heartfelt pleadings are heard. This promise from the Lord is recorded in section 98 of the Doctrine and Covenants:

“Your prayers have entered into the ears of the Lord … and are recorded with this seal and testament—the Lord hath sworn and decreed that they shall be granted.

“Therefore, he giveth this promise unto you, with an immutable covenant that they shall be fulfilled; and all things wherewith you have been afflicted shall work together for your good, and to my name’s glory, saith the Lord.”8

"The Lord chose His strongest words to reassure us! Seal! Testament! Sworn! Decreed! Immutable covenant! Brothers and sisters, believe Him! God will heed your sincere and heartfelt prayers, and your faith will be strengthened."

"Why do we need such resilient faith? Because difficult days are ahead. Rarely in the future will it be easy or popular to be a faithful Latter-day Saint. Each of us will be tested. The Apostle Paul warned that in the latter days, those who diligently follow the Lord “shall suffer persecution.”12 That very persecution can either crush you into silent weakness or motivate you to be more exemplary and courageous in your daily lives."

"The greatest of all the blessings of the priesthood are bestowed in holy temples of the Lord. Fidelity to covenants made there will qualify you and your family for the blessings of eternal life.16"

"Your rewards come not only hereafter. Many blessings will be yours in this life, among your children and grandchildren. You faithful Saints do not have to fight life’s battles alone. Think of that! The Lord declared, “I will contend with him that contendeth with thee, and I will save thy children.”17 Later came this promise to His faithful people: “I, the Lord, would fight their battles, and their children’s battles, and their children’s children’s, … to the third and fourth generation.”18

"Our beloved President Thomas S. Monson has given us his prophetic witness. He said: “I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments.”

President Monson continued: “My beloved brothers and sisters, fear not. Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith.”19

I am so thankful for wise and inspired leaders. I needed these words this week to impower me in my life to live righteously so that I can live with my Heavenly Father again with my wonderful Husband and ALL my children. I CANNOT let Satan win or get me down!