February 25, 2012
Sister Dibb from the General Young Women Presidency visited the Angeles Stake (this also included several of the nearby stakes) for training and a member devotional. President Martino asked us to attend and to represent the mission since he had a prior commitment at a Stake Conference in the mission. We were delighted to be asked!
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| Sister Becka and Sister Ardern outside after the meetings |
During the training, Sister Dibb asked for a Beehive, a Mia Maid and a Laurel to come forward. (These are the names of the classes for the young women in our church ages 12 - 17). She also asked a Young Adult (returned missionary) and a mother to join the group. The girls were timid and shy to say the least. She couldn't get the Beehive to answer her questions even when she told her she could speak in Tagalog! She was teaching that as the young girls come in to Young Women, they should look to the older girls for examples to be stronger in the gospel. She told them to focus on the temple and make it a goal to attend the temple. She told the leaders to PRAY daily, Read the scriptures daily OBEY the standards of Youth and to stand strong and to SMILE because we have the Gospel of Jesus Christ in our lives.
During the Member Devotional, President Ardern (Philippin4s Area Presidency), told us that "Trials are a way to shape us. Our trials mold us into the person our Heavenly Father wants us to be." He also told us that Heavenly father didn't send us to earth to start the race, but rather to finish the race. He gave six points that we must follow to finish the race:
- Always look to God ~ don't curse God when trials come, turn to Him in prayer
- Keep the Commandments ~ when you keep the commandments you draw closer to God. Keep ALL the commandments.
- Have good Friends ~ the company you keep so often directs the direction you go. be a good friend - always encourage to do right.
- Attend all my church meetings ~ you gain additional strength when you attend all of your meetings.
- Continue to make covenants ~ particularity those of the temple
- Read the Scriptures each day ~ they will draw you closer to God.
We have the atonement to overcome discouragement and help us to finsish the race!
Sister Dibb told us that we need to gain our own testimony; to be worthy to carry a temple recommend and to enter the temple. She quoted her father, President Thomas S Monson, Choose good friends, so you can make good choices." Then Sister Dibb ask the congregation if they had any questions about her father that she might answer for them . . . (it was still quiet) so she told us some things about him . . . He whistles a song all of the time. He always says how good looking his wife is. His favorite color is yellow - he always gives her mom yellow roses (she isn't sure that is her favorite color though). Favorite food - chicken dinner with mashed potatoes, but no broccoli or cauliflower. He likes vanilla ice cream with chocolate syrup. he likes Chinese Food but orders the same thing all of the time. Hobbies - raising chickens and pigeons and he likes to fish. His favorite church calling was the Deacons Quorum Secretary. He is concerned about his grand children and wants them to have good memories. His motto: 'On the Lord's Errand', 'Work will win when wishy washing wishing won't', and 'To the Rescue'. What a great way to get to know our living Prophet, through his daughter.
I was able to visit with Sister Dibb between the two meetings. She told me that you just never know what is going to happen when you call individuals out of the audience. She is a very special woman. I was glad that we were able to talk for a few minutes! What a wonderful evening and a privilege to attend these two meetings!
