New Calling

Today I was sustained and then later set apart as Stake Primary Secretary.  DH and the girls were all there to support me and DH was even asked to set me apart.  This is the 2^nd time around for me for this calling.  I guess I didn’t get it quite right the first time around.  J  Anyway, every time is different. 


We'll get off to a roaring start by attending the stake Pinewood Derby this coming Wed night and then on Thursday night we will have our first presidency meeting.  I do know the new primary president, but am not acquainted with her new counselors, so I look forward to getting to know them and work  with them

Next week is the 13^th ward conference, so I will be privileged to attend that before attending our own ward primary.  So far I have not been released from my calling as a Primary Teacher, but then I do have DD1 to fill in and teach if I can’t be there, for now at least.  I love teaching primary, so hope to be able to continue for as long as I can, at least for now. 


I'm grateful for callings to serve in the church, even though I know it means more meetings and more time spent with planning and paperwork etc.  I love serving in stake callings and getting to meet new people and visit the wards in the stake.  I love the children of the church and those faithful members who teach and love the children.  New callings are definitely a blessing!

Memorial Day

I found a quote on facebook for Memorial Day:

https://www.facebook.com/#!/TellThemThanks

Growing up, Memorial Day was not only a day to honor the veterans in our lives, (We always spent several hours in the morning going door to door selling red paper poppies for the American Legion) but it was also a day to remember and honor our pioneer ancestors, grandparents, and other loved ones who had worked and sacrificed so much for us.  We are so blessed with freedom, the gospel of Jesus Christ, temples all over the world, and an economy and style of living that are so very much more prosperous than almost any other time in history. 

Thanks to all who have worked and sacrificed so that I can enjoy the wonderful blessings that I have.



Angels Around Us

I just attended the temple this morning, and while sitting in the chapel listening to the organ, this phrase struck me and has stayed in my mind all day:

"Oh, know you not that angels are near you "--Orson Pratt Huish

Very comforting to think of others watching over and cheering us on from the other side.

Blessings of Being a Mom: Faith

There are many blessings that come from being a Mom, but as my children grow older they are not only becoming some of my greatest friends, but also some of my greatest examples and teachers.  One of the things I am learning from my children is to have greater faith and patience.  One example:

DD2 graduated from college a year ago with a degree in Biochemistry.  Many Biochemistry majors either go on to graduate school in Biochemistry to teach and do research or go to medical school.  DD2 decided to take the route of applying to graduate school for her Master's Degree in Library Science.  She was accepted at the University of Michigan, but did not receive any funding, so made the decision to defer her acceptance for a year in order to save up some money towards the expensive out of state tuition she would be paying there.  Long story short, she was not able to find a full time job in the Biochemistry field without commiting to stay for several years.  Eventually she did find a part time job as a reference librarian at the local community college, but has not been earning nearly enough to save for the tuition.  She has felt strongly that this is the direction she should go, but has also been worrying herself sick about being able to pay her expenses.  Nevertheless, she has moved forward with faith even though at times it has seemed impossible.  Here is the link to one of her blog posts where she explains how Heavenly Father has helped her faith. 
And yes, just a little less than a month ago she received word that she has been chosen  as a University Library Associate at the University of Michigan! All of her tuition will be covered.  She will have health insurance, and earn a fairly nice stipend. 

The examples of faith that my children provide help me to continue on through my own challenges with the faith that yes, everything will work out. 

"Don't get discouraged.  Things will work out." 

-- President Gordon B. Hinckley

Strawberry Shortcake

Some days you just have to have dessert.  Thank goodness for strawberry shortcake!

MOM'S TAXI

Last week my car was in the shop for its annual checkup.  I have the tendency to wait until the very last minute to take it in to be inspected each year, mainly because I know it will take some time and $$$ every year to get it road worthy once again.  This time it needed a new engine mount, and a power steering fluid leak needed to be fixed.  I'm very grateful that my DH had just been paid for a job and was able to cover the inspection and the repairs for me.  Thank you DH!!♥♥♥

Yes, I am very glad to have my car back.  I'm also grateful that DH has a reliable car that I was able to commandeer last week to keep Mom's Taxi Service up and running.  Of course that meant that I had to add an extra passenger to my normal daily clientele, since DH had to get to work and back each day too.  One day (was it Wednesday or was it Thursday?  Right now it's all one big blur. .) I figure that I spent between five and six hours in the car, in addition to my five or six hours at work, plus the daily dinner and laundry etc.  Yes, it made for a long day, and a long week.   I do like and appreciate my car.  It has its own idiosyncrasies, but it fits me.  The seat is comfortable, and adjusted to my legs, and the mirrors to where I like and need them.  It no longer moans and groans (thanks to sufficient power steering fluid), is now legal and registered, and gets me where I need to go.  I may complain a bit about all the running around I end up doing, but I must let you in on a little secret:  As long as it isn't raining or snowing and the traffic isn't horrendous, I actually quite enjoy the job!  Hooray!  Mom's Taxi is now back in service.

Million Dollar Diva Book Review

Author Tristi Pinkston recently asked me to read and review her latest book, Million Dollar Diva, which she co-authored with Brett Kitchen and Ethan Kap. I received a free copy of this book, but have not received any other compensation for this review.  For a limited time, you can also order a free copy of her book from the Million Dollar Diva website (http://www.milliondollardiva.com/).  Here is the back cover description of this new book:

Finally--the woman's answer to growing rich safely! Women today face more money challenges than ever before, from managing careers and families to finances--the demands on their time and resources are increasing. Bad financial advice abounds, and it can be hard to know what to do. Award-winning author Tristi Pinkston teams up with bestselling authors Brett Kitchen and Ethan Kap to bring you Million Dollar Diva. Experience Tristi's real-life transformation from struggling in debt to million-dollar retirement!

In this book you'll discover:


• The 5 step, simple safe, and predictable process to change living paycheck-to-paycheck to enjoying wealth and security.


• How to give yourself a $400 per month raise without asking the boss or working a minute of overtime.


• "Spend Like a Diva" How to have anything you want--nice vacations, eating out, trips to the mall. It's all part of the plan!


• The secret formula of how to completely eliminate your debt in 1/3 the time and save tens of thousands on interest costs in the process. You'll see why all the TV gurus are wrong!


• 5 Million Dollar Diva investing strategies that will grow your money safely and predictably every year, without the guesswork.


• Plus! Discover the key to stop fighting and quarreling with your spouse about money forever!


Imagine yourself living debt-free and building a million-dollar retirement safely and securely, so you can have total confidence in yourself and your future. YOU CAN BE A MILLION DOLLAR DIVA!


I picked up Million Dollar Diva the day it arrived to glance through it, and ended up finishing the entire book that same evening. The book is a quick and easy read, yet it is filled with strategies for increasing your income, eliminating debt and investing wisely. The authors also explain how all of the areas of our lives are impacted by our financial situation. Money isn't everything, but everything in our lives is affected by our financial situation, so we need to learn how to control it.

The first few chapters of the book introduce us to Tristi, her co-authors, and Tristi's desires to improve her financial situation.  The authors explain how closely our financial situation is tied to our emotions, and how important it is to carefully track spending so we can control it.

Chapter 5 outlines strategies for driving down debt and lists the url for the Million Dollar Diva website (http://www.milliondollardiva.com/) where for a limited time (Until June 15, 2012) you can order your own free copy of the book.  (You will be responsible for the $5.95 shipping and handling charge.)  You can also download free apps for your phone to help you track expenses, and request a free Million Dollar Diva Blueprint to guide you in paying off your debt in half the time you thought possible. The website includes a blog authored by Tristi Pinkston where she chronicles her experiences in following the strategies introduced by her co-authors.

Although I would have liked to see more advice on budgeting and limiting the use of credit, the authors did share personal stories of how learned as youth to not expect entitlement, and to work for what they need. I'm not totally convinced  that the strategies outlined in this book will enable me to "Spend like a Diva" and fulfill my financial dreams, but I did like Chapter 8, where I read one of my favorite pieces of advice:

"Becoming a Million Dollar Diva requires both sides of the coin---paying off your debts and starting your wealth account. And I mean today. Not tomorrow. Not next year. Not after your debts are paid off . . . pay yourself first."


The authors then go on to share their thoughts on safe investing for retirement and other future needs. I have always believed in setting aside some savings every paycheck, and have often tried to do so, but the money always seems to disappear before the account grows very large. For some time I have been planning to set up an automatic withdrawal from my paycheck to a savings plan through my work, and this chapter has inspired me to set things in motion. I know that I need to pay myself first!

Brett Kitchen, Tristi Pinkston, Ethan Kap 

This book is not intended to give individual tax or investment advice, but is intended to introduce some unique and powerful concepts and strategies to help you improve your financial situation.  If you, like me, feel that your financial situation could use some improving, this free book and website may provide the help you are in need of.

 Million Dollar Diva is also available for purchase through Amazon.