New Power Point from class

Hey everyone! It's been a few weeks and life has been crazy. I've made another PowerPoint for class so I thought I would share. I've learned a lot these past few weeks. Can I just say how awesome King Benjamin is! And reading into this week’s material, what a difference he made! This book is so awesome. Speaking of, did you read the book like I challenged you to last time? I'd love to hear the comments on what insights you have gained. Please keep it to positive comments only. I will delete any negative. (Thanks!)

Life in the Van De Venter household has still been a roller coaster. It has been up and down for sure with us. We are trying to live life day to day and just make sure that our kids know how much we love them. Searching the scriptures and really studying them has helped me focus on what is more important. I start seeing things with a positive outlook. I know there is a lesson for me to learn through each trial that I face. I will accept any challenge that Heavenly Father throws at me, because I know that He will help me and guide me through it. He is a loving Father and He does not want to see me fail. I will look to Him for anything I might need. Guidance, Love, a Shoulder to cry on. I know He will be there.

With Thanksgiving coming up this week I thought I would share a few things I wrote down in my gratitude journal. It's quite a long list!

Family, Husband, Friends, Food, Clean Air to Breathe (asthmatic), Beds, House, Blankets, Clothes, Snow, Car, School, Internet, Book of Mormon, Sleep, Church Music, Kangen Water, Heavenly Father's Love, Priesthood Blessings, Charity, Sacrament, Work, The Gospel, Anything Purple, IPad, Testimonies, Zumba, Costco, Medicine, Scriptures, Modern Day Prophets, Holy Ghost, Temples, Eternal Marriage, Pencils, Pens, Chocolate, Five Senses, Talents, Doctors, Health, Freedom.

Just to name a few.

I was given a paper to write all the things I'm thankful for. On the top of it is this saying, 

"It is not happy people who are Grateful, it is Grateful people who are happy." 

I hope everyone has a great Thanksgiving Holiday and a safe shopping weekend! 

With Love,

Nini Van De Venter

PowerPoint Enos - Mosiah 3

Happy Birthday to Me! Oh wait, I'm studying.

We are cruising along with our college courses in Pathway. We are already on Lesson 7! I can't believe how close we have come as a group in our Thursday night gatherings. It's pretty neat. Last week I had one of those trials you wish you never had to go through. Can I just say that teenagers are the hardest? My gathering group had noticed the change in me, asked about it and all week have prayed for me and my family. So inspiring! I can feel their love when I walk through the door.

Speaking of trials and Pathway, I have grown so much through this that I was better prepared for this trial we are going through. I usually go deep into depression and feel sorry for myself. I think about how horrible of a mother I am and all the things I do wrong. But with my college course I am taking, I have been improving myself by working on a Christlike attribute. I chose self worth to work on. It has helped me so much! I haven't once thought down on myself. I know that I am going to get through this with my Heavenly Father's help and support. I love this gospel. We will never be alone!

So, what I've learned this last week has been very informing. Some things that I didn't even put together before.

I learned that if we have hope, we can stay on the right path. We can have hope that through the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the power of his resurrection we can be raised until life eternal. Did you know that the Book of Mormon says that Christ loves everyone? All nations! Every nation, every person, is invited to come unto Christ. He also gives us a hint about what's to come! "And because that I have spoken one word ye need not suppose that I can not speak another, for my work is not yet finished, neither shall it be until the end of man." I'm gonna leave that up to your imagination about what that means! But I've got my ideas.

What is the definition of witness? To sum it up? A testimony. So did you know that Divine Doctrines are confirmed by more than one scriptural witness? The scriptures are revelations to the prophets from God. When reading the Book of Mormon it is intended to help believe the Bible! The Book of Mormon reiterates the law of tithing, the temples, keeping the Sabbath day holy, and the Priesthood.

Now, of course with the good, there is always the bad. Satan is always around. He is very deceiving and entices us in such easy ways. Some of his followers will say there is no God, there's no one to follow. There is no sin, eat, drink and be merry, Some of them will have too much pride in their hearts that they will not follow God. Some will have more love for their pleasures then they will for following God. Then there's those that commit all sexual sins, lie, and steal. The Devil will portray these as fun but they result in spiritual fatality.

When reading all of these teachings in the Book of Mormon, one thing I did remember from before is that if we seek this knowledge by faith, He will give us the spiritual knowledge that we need. We will be taught by the spirit. We will learn by Faith. If we are learning with the guidance of the Holy Ghost, it will be remembered in the heart and not just in the mind.

So as Boyd K. Packer said, "We are in enemy territory" growing up in this era. Stand tall as a daughter/son of God. "Feast upon the words of Christ" (Boyd Baggett) and feel his spirit as the Holy Ghost comforts you and teaches you, for the Savior is never far from us. He is there to guide us and help us. I would like to challenge all those that are reading my blog to read the Book of Mormon and ask in earnest prayer if it is the word of God (ask me for one if you need one to read).

                                          

I know that I am a daughter of God. I know I am loved by Him. I know that through the Atonement of Christ, I can live with Him again. I am thankful for latter day prophets to guide us in our days. I am thankful that I have the Holy Ghost to guide me in the right direction, as long as I am following the commandments. It is my goal to endure to the end so that my family will be by His side for eternity.

Oh yeah, and Happy Birthday to me tomorrow!!!

So much spiritual growth!

Wow. So, where do I even begin. I absolutely love this class! I am so glad that I have this opportunity to be a student at BYU-I. I have learned so much already. This is such a blessing in my life. 

So, here is what I've learned about this week. Isaiah is hard but he rocks!!! (So does Jon Bytheway! Check out his book "Isaiah for Airheads" to better understand it) Ok, so technically I am no expert on Isaiah and I still don't understand everything in 2 Nephi but I can understand some of it and that is a Big change! 

In my Book of Mormon class we studied 2 Nephi chapters 9-16 this week. Can I just say that I am very luck because of the professor that I was assigned to. He is awesome. If any of you know who Brother Mike Beckstrand is, please tell him he is an awesome instructor!!! He sent us this awesome slide show and a video to watch starring (non other then) Jon Bytheway! It was a crack up to watch. Jon Bytheway states that Isaiah is like a great national forest. To start understanding it you need to first remember the 4 C's. Coventants, Christ, Current Events and Coming Events. The Covenants are pretty much telling the House of Israel to "get their act together." Isaiah tries to persuade the House of Israel to believe in Christ our Redeemer. In the Current Events Isaiah warns us about making alliances with kings, or not to make ally with some kings, during the time of Isaiah. Then the Coming Events are about things that are prophesied to come in the future, or our time now. So the 4 C's are a good way to start understanding the words of Isaiah. 

Now, I'm not saying that once you figure out the 4 C's you'll totally understand Isaiah. So our best friend (Jon Bytheway) has given us even more things to look at. So I would recommend when re-reading the scriptures try different ways of studying it.

What different ways are there you ask? Well! I'll tell you! There are also 4 keys to understanding Isaiah. 

1.) Understand the manner of prophesying among the Jews.

2.) Have the spirit of prophecy

3.) Know the geography

and 4.) Live in the last days

Or you could look at the "guides" talked about during 2 Nephi: Nephi, Jacob, Abinadi and Jesus Christ.

Elder Russell M. Nelson said "to gain salvation means to be 'saved' from physical and spiritual death. Through the atonement all will be saved from physical death but by having faith we will be saved from spiritual death." If we have unbalanced goals in our lives, more towards physical things, then that would lead us to spiritual death. "The Savior can not save us from our sins, we need to repent." 

He also states that "Zion is wherever righteous Saints are. Spiritual security depends on How one lives."  President Thomas S. Monson says that in order to gain exaltation, we must use our agency. President Boyd K. Packer said "Opposition is in all things...testing is the source of our strength." We will all make choices and have to go through the consequences, whether they be good or bad, it is our agency to choose, and it will be a test to strengthen us and help us become closer to God. My favorite saying throughout this whole lesson (I wrote it three different times in my notes!) is from Elder James E. Faust. He says, "Tomorrow's blessings and opportunities depend on the choices we make today." 

Nephi tries to help us understand Isaiah by giving us a few "keys" to look for. A few of them that I have found are: manner of prophesying among the Jews, Knowing the judgments of God, that no man can err and men shall know of a surety at the times that shall come to pass. 

Isaiah also mentions signs and events about the second coming. Some that I have found are: Temple to be built in the mountains (Salt Lake Temple anyone?), idol worshiping, people hiding for fear of the world, sins as even as Sodom, and corrupt leaders. 

How scary these are knowing that a lot of these are true in our world today. So, how can we prepare ourselves to live with our Heavenly Father again? Well, we have our Latter Day Prophets that have given us advice on how and what we can do. Some things I try to do are: tend a garden, stock up on food storage, be the learned man (or woman), and of course temple attendance. I'd like to leave with a quote from our beloved President Joseph Smith, Jr. "If you wish to go where God is, you must be like God, or possess the principles which God possesses." (Teaching of Prophets, Joseph Smith, Jr.)

Power Point Fun!

While going to college I am able to put together Power Points about what I've learned. Click on the link to watch what I've learned during my third week! This is so much fun!

https://onedrive.live.com/redir?page=view&resid=346C0819BD2533BC!918&authkey=!ADp919z6UPJaaTg

I hope you all enjoy! There will be more coming! 

With Love,

Nini V.

How is my learning affecting who I Become?

It has been quite some time since I've last posted. Life has been great! I'm very excited to say that I have started college courses this year. Let's back up a bit.

When my seasonal job ended in January last year I took the time to relish what I had before I worked. I enjoyed being with the kids and going to their events. It was great. We enjoyed the summer together, went on a few vacations and just enjoyed each other's company. Once they started school again I went looking for part time jobs. I found a great job at the school district where I was working as a sub. I worked as a parapro and as a child nutrition (CN) server. In October of last year I was asked to take a long term sub position as a CN server. I enjoyed the hours so I said sure. I go to work at 8:15 get done at 9:15 then start again at 10:30-1 every day. I was still able to be home when the kids got home from school. It was perfect. Well, a week later I had a visit from one of the CN managers. She flat out said, if I want this job it's mine. So with much thought and conversation with my husband, we decided yes, it was just what we needed. So I must have done a good enough job because I was hired back this year. It's great.

Like I said earlier I started college courses this year. I've been so excited to start I can hardly contain myself. Since I graduated high school in June then married in July I didn't really think about college. But I've always known I've wanted to go. BYU-I has this amazing opportunity called Pathway for LDS members to start a college. The Pathway program allows us to take 15 credits for the year at an affordable rate. So with lots of pondering and praying my husband and I decided that now is the time that I can return to school. So here I am! Writing one of my assignments in my blog! How great is that!

So we were asked to write about what we learned this week. I have to say that one thing that stuck out to me was the murmuring and the quotes that I learned along with it. Here are some examples of what I have read, 1 Nephi 2:11&12 "for behold they did murmur, and thus Laman and Lemuel, being the eldest, did murmur against their father...and they did murmur because they knew not..." 3:5 "And now, behold thy brothers murmur, saying it is a hard thing..." 3:31 "...Laman and Lemuel again began to murmur..."4:4 "...they continued to murmur..." Six times in the first four chapters! You hear how these brothers complained six different times! In a quote from Elder Jeffrey R. Holland he says "No misfortune is so bad that whining about it won't make it worse." This is so true! What is the purpose of whining (or murmuring)? What good does it do for us? If we do something that is not good, or doesn't help anyone then why do it? He then quoted Orson F. Whitney, "The spirit of the gospel is optimistic, it trusts in God and looks on the bright side of things. The opposite or pessimistic spirit drags men down and away from God. looks on the dark side, murmurs, complains and is slow to obedience." What better way to feel of the spirit then to be optimistic and look on the brighter side of things? You'll notice that some of these scriptures have other words to them. I added them on purpose. You'll see that it says something like "it is a hard thing," "because they knew not." Life isn't easy all the time. We may not know all the answers. But staying firm with the faith will keep us on the straight and narrow path towards our goal. Living with Heavenly Father again. I know I will always try to see the good in others, see the brighter side, and try my hardest to keep His spirit with me always.

I am so thankful for the gospel in my life and the knowledge that Heavenly Father is always there for me. And loves me for the person that I am.

With love,
Nini V.

Sitting at home...again

Well, I'm back to being a stay at home mom again. Yay! I was kind of excited to be laid off. That work stuff is hard to do! (Lol) :) It is now Wednesday and my last day of work was last Friday. It's been fun being at home. Monday was a holiday so the kids had no school. 

Tuesday was Karlee's first day at her new school. (We noticed her struggling ever since she went to middle school so we had her transferred. She really wanted online but we don't think that would have been best for her.) So as a SAHM mom again I was able to take her to her new school, get a tour of it and meet some teachers. When the counselor told me I could leave her there until they have her schedule printed out, I asked Karlee if she wanted me to go or not. We had the tour of the school but not her classes yet. It made me so happy that she asked me to go around with her to her classes before she went to the next class. I was so happy that I could do it with her! 

Then that night we had one of Jason's co workers come over for his taxes. (Jason does some taxes too) so it's about 9:30-10:00 and the guys were done. Then Jason's buddy comes back in and states, my truck was stolen out of your driveway! In all our 15+ years living here we've never had anything stolen here. Wow! So, of course, Ashlee hears him say that and literally, there went the whole night. 

Let me go back a bit. Back in the summer Ashlee's iPod went missing. We were so upset with her for losing it. So fast forward to two weeks ago. DJ and his cousin were playing a basketball game at the church. I guess it was all of the wards playing against each other. (We have boundaries in our city that puts us in a certain "ward" for our church that we go to.) So Jason was the only adult with our boys there and later that day he got a phone call asking if he knew of anyone who might have taken an iPod. Turns out they did the whole find my iPod thing and found it at my parents house where my nephew lives. In the long run, he stole it and our friends got it back. But it was cleared out and ready to sell. :( We were so disappointed. However, Jason had a feeling that maybe that's what happened to Ashlee's iPod. When I confronted him in front of my parents and my brother, and explained to him how unfair it's been for Ashlee to get in trouble for losing it if she really didn't, he finally admitted to taking it. At nine years old learning that your older male cousin had broken your trust and stole from you is a very hard lesson to learn! 

So last night when she found out his truck was stolen from our driveway she took it really hard. She came and laid with me, every noise she heard would make her nervous, every sound that was made had her asking what was that. I had her almost asleep 3-4 times when she heard something and wake up again. Once she told me she'd had a rough life. I asked her what she meant and she said, "With all the stealing." What could I say to that? She then went on and said we need to move. I kinda smiled because I've always wanted to move! Lol But I asked her why and she said because of bad people. I asked her where she wanted to move to and she said a new city because there's too much bad people here. I couldn't agree with her more. But I couldn't tell her that! I simply told her unfortunately, there's bad people everywhere. (Just way more here in Yakima! Lol) 

She finally went to sleep around 1:30-2:00. Jason took the older two to school and let me and Ashlee sleep in. Of course, Ashlee slept in our room so I couldn't sleep that well. After a night like last night we wanted her to catch up on her sleep. Once she woke up I let her shower with me, then we both got dressed and then headed to her school. Luckily her counselor agreed to meet with us so Ashlee was able to talk with her. I could tell it really did bother her but at school she was trying to play it off. She kept looking at me and I kept telling her to tell her counselor! Not me! I think the counselor got the point and said maybe we should talk again later this week to see how your doing. So Ashlee and I finished her lunch in Mr. Schultz's room. (All of the kids' 1st grade teacher, whom we all loved! He rocks!) Then I walked Ashlee back to her room and explained a little bit to her teacher so she could keep up with the story. I think Ashlee did ok. 

Last week (or two) when she found out her cousin took her iPod, she came home and had a rough day. When grandma grabbed her and cuddled her up and asked her what's wrong she mentioned her cousin stealing from her. I think she's trying so hard to be grown up about it but it's really bothering her and she just doesn't know how to deal with it. Poor girl. It is a hard lesson to learn at nine years old. That's for sure! 

So now, I'm sitting at home...again. Watching Ashlee fall gently asleep. With her warm glass of "chocolate" milk (she won't drink regular milk) all gone, her melatonin taken and her journal written in she's ready for a goods night rest. I just hope it works! 

So, I'm gonna hopefully fall fast asleep too, since I too took a melatonin! Goodnight everyone! 

Love Always and Forever, 

Nini V. 

P.S. My mom had her 4th chemo treatment today! It's her last three week chemo treatments. In another three weeks she'll go to once a week treatments which won't be so hard on her. This one is supposed to be her hardest. :( Glad I'm able to watch out for her now. 

What do I call this one?

Here I am, laying here wide awake after going to bed early to work at 5:30 the next morning. It is now almost 2:00 AM. I never sleep good anymore. Although, I have to put a little of the blame on my husband though. He was watching tv when I startled in my sleep and woke up. So, it was a bit hard hearing shooting noises in the background while trying to go back to sleep. But I have to give him props for trying to get me back to sleep by rubbing my back. Until he fell asleep. ☺️ Love you hunny!!! 

Well, Happy New Year everyone! We rang in the new year last night with the family minus DJ who is visiting his uncle in Spokane. We were watching the ball drop in time square but Ashlee and I were getting tired. So we headed to my bed where I pretty much fell asleep but Ashlee stayed up just enough to say happy new year. She's pretty cute. Even at 9 she's still my baby. She'll come in my room and snuggle up to me still. One of my favorite things to do. DJ and Karlee still do it too but not as much as Ashlee does. 

Anyway, back to New Years. So we all pretty much slept in this morning. Till around 10:30. Then we hung around the house watching movies and playing a couple rounds of dominoes. Then Jason took the girls and I to dinner at red robin. Pretty relaxing (and boring) new year. 

I got to talk to DJ today on FaceTime and I told him I was sad cuz I haven't seen him all year!  I know, it's lame. 

There's still a lot going through my head right now. It's still crazy that I'm a working mother. It's hard for me to adjust to that. My head still wants to have the freedom of relaxing when I need to but my eyes are telling my brain different. I've been getting headaches at work and I think it's because I'm staring at the screen all day. I'm still super tired at the end of my shift too. We were told we'd be laid off around the 19 this month so I'm ready to welcome it with open arms. Although, the extra income has been pretty nice! Jason really wants me to stay. If that's the case we could pay off the bills sooner which would be nice, but if I can't snap out of this funk it might not be worth it. I guess we'll see. I would start working part time hours though which I think would be a lot easier to get used to. I really was expecting to work part tr for just a little bit before the holidays started. I also think I would have adjusted way easier if I had started at part time hours. Jumping into 40 hours a week after 14 1/2 years of no work at all us hard! Definitely could have used a gradually adding hours over time schedule! I literally feel like my mind doesn't have time to stop and think! I hardly ever touch the house anymore (not that I did much when I wasn't working!) it's a good thing Jason's mom lives with us because we actually have clean dishes and clothes! 

Well, I'm starting to fall asleep again so I think I'm gonna go now. Thanks for reading! 

Love always and forever, 

Nini V.