I hope you enjoyed the long weekend as much as I did.  I went to the Peterborough Farmers' Market, did some shopping, enjoyed a BBQ with friends, had to give a talk at church, spent time gardening and enjoyed walking in the woods with my dogs.  Spring is a wonderful time of year.  

The longer days are such a treat!  We can sit out on a deck and watch the sun set.   We have enough time to drive out of the city and enjoy nature because the days are longer.  We can go to a conservation area and walk in the woods.  We can spend more time outside rather than hiding inside to avoid the cold, the snow and the early nights.

I don't know about you, but I find that I get super busy at this time of year.  It seems like the to-do list is never ending!  And yet in the midst of all this business, I have to remind myself that it is super important to take a moment and just appreciate everything that I have in my life.  It is important to not get wrapped up in the pressures and expectations of the world and take a moment to reaffirm who we are, reminding ourselves that our mortal lives are a way to build eternal memories and experiences and that there is more to life than being busy.

Take the time to sit on the deck.

Take the time to laugh with your family.

Take the time to enjoy your grandchildren.

Take the time to go for an evening walk in your neighbourhood.

Take the time to just be alone and enjoy the stillness and quiet.

Here are some spring photos I recently took.  Enjoy!  The video is of trillium dancing in the breeze - I was thinking that if the little flowers enjoy life so much, we should too!

It's finally Spring!

There are robins in my garden!

There is mud everywhere and my dogs track more of it home every day after our walk in the wood!

There are buds on the trees.

Birdsong has returned!

But the most important thing for me, the thing that points me towards Spring, is General Conference!  I love the Spring General Conference.  I find it insightful, entertaining, and most important of all, uplifting.  How I wish I could actually be there someday.  It's on my bucket list to attend General Conference at some point in my life!  I loved listening to the Prophet this Conference.  His message might have been short, but it was pithy and insightful and we need to read it and read it and read it again and again and again.  He is the most inspired man on the planet.  He is wisdom and strength and love and kindness.  He is the voice of the Lord and we need to heed his words.

I also love this time of year because of the wonderful and inspiring memes that are posted on LDS.org that come out of Conference.  If you haven't been over to look at them, below are a few of my favourites!

So, take a moment and re-watch a Conference Session.  Print off and read one of the talks.  Really ponderize what they are telling us.  And then go outside and enjoy the sunshine and mild spring temperatures!

I don't know about you, but I'm getting tired of snow.  As I look outside my window the snow is falling.  It's not a heavy downfall but it's still coming.  I see it piling up and I know that eventually I'm going to have to go out and shovel my driveway.  I'm going to have to wade through the snow while I walk my dogs.  I'm going to end up carrying the little one because he's smaller than the snow banks and I'm going to be cold and damp.  

I know that the groundhog saw his shadow.  Or didn't see his shadow.  Or didn't even come out of his groundhog hole.  Either way we have more winter days ahead of us.  Why am I complaining?  We had an easy beginning of winter.  December was lovely and January was a gift.  It just seems like the shortest month of the year is also the coldest.  Last week a friend and I braved -39C windchill to walk our dogs - we didn't get very far because it was simply too cold for dogs or people to be outside.

And yet, there are little hints that spring is going to come.  In the depths of this winter chill we know that warm days are ahead.  It's just like our lives isn't it.  We face different seasons in our lives.  Sometimes we have good times and sometimes we have difficult times.  And yet when we rely on the Lord, we know that things will improve for us.  We know that Heavenly Father loves us and wants the best for us.  If we put our trust in him, he will be with us.

Hebrews 13:5 is one of my favourite scriptures because it has such promise for us:

Let your conversation be without covetousness; and be content with such things as ye have: for he hath said, I will never leave thee, nor forsake thee.

What a glorious promise!  

I'd like to share a little video with you.  It's a promise that spring will return.  Enjoy.

How did 2015 go by so quickly?  

Doesn't it seem like time flies by?  Looking back on the year that was we can remember so many fun activities.  Dances, conference, activities, institute classes, firesides.  We hope that you too took the opportunity to attend these activities and spend time with other LDS Single Adults.

At this time of year we look forward to the year that is to come.  We make grand plans of all the things that we wish to accomplish.  We want to get into better shape, eat properly, exercise, spend time with family and friends.  Those are all great goals and it is important to try and set some for ourselves.  While we are at it, though, we should take some time to set some spiritual goals for ourselves as well.  Perhaps we can do some of the following:

- Pledge to re-read the Book of Mormon this year
- Be more earnest in our daily prayers
- Visit the Temple more often
- Vow to complete our Home and Visiting teaching assignments
- Make friends with a less active single
- Invite other singles in our wards and branches to attend SA events they might not know about
- Put attending Regional Conference at the top of the activities we are going to attend this year

I hope that this New Year is extra special for you.  I hope that you are happy and healthy.  I hope that you set some goals for yourself this new year and that you achieve them.

Happy New Year!

​At this special time of year, the Ontario Multi-Stake Regional Single Adult Committee wishes you a safe and happy Christmas.  Our thoughts and prayers are with you and your families as you celebrate this holy season.  We wish to thank all those who have volunteered to help plan an event or serve at an event.  Without you our activities wouldn’t run as smoothly as they do.
 
We are so grateful for the friendships that we have made through the Single Adult program.  We appreciate that this endeavour of linking Singles beyond the boundaries of our own branches, wards and stakes means that we have the opportunity to get to know people all across the region.  What a gift those friendships have become!
 
We are excited to begin 2016 with our New Year’s Eve Dance and we hope that you can join us.  The dance will be DJ’d by Mike Deeks and there will be light refreshments served.  We hope that you will find your way to the Bayview Chapel at 19 Northdale Road in North York around 8 pm.  If you register ahead of time it serves two purposes:  first we have some idea of how much food to prepare and second we will be able to hand out gas cards once again for those who fill their car with friends and drive a long distance.
 
Save the evening of February 13 for our Valentine’s Dance.  Once again Mike Deeks will supply the music and we expect that it will be a great evening.  Please remember that everyone, aged 31+ is welcome at the dance – it isn’t just for dating couples!  It’s a great evening to socialize with your friends and maybe get up on the dance floor and dance with your friends. 
 
On May 14 we are planning a Temple Day for the Regional Singles.  We have Initiatories at 12:30, the Endowment session at 1:45 and Sealings at 2.  We are going to gather for light refreshments at 4-5:30.
 
There are other events planned for the year, and we hope that you are able to join us.  For more information about your own Stake Single Adult events, and for Regional events, go to our website – www.ontariomultistake.com.  The website is updated regularly and if you have local events you can forward them for inclusion.
 
As we get swallowed up in the hustle and bustle of the holiday season, please remember the true meaning of Christmas.  The birth of a tiny baby boy who changed the world, we honour him at this wonderful time of year. 
 
Merry Christmas
Your Ontario Multi-stake Committee

Sister Charity Fleming 
Sister Fleming gave a talk entitled "Healing, Hope and Happiness.  She is a Cognitive Behavioural Therapist.

Cognitive Behavioural Therapy is based on scripture - and on the concept of Healing, Hope and Happiness.

We need to develop a core positive belief that we expect that God will bless us.  
Healing is the outcome of Hope and Happiness is the result.
We are saved by "Hope"
Sadly, suicide is the lack of Hope. The greatest opposite to hope is misery.  
To have more hope and happiness we must accept and not resist suffering even though we don't have to like suffering.  Remember that even the Saviour asked Heavenly Father to have the bitter cup taken from him.  He understands how we feel in our darkest moments.
As long as we keep holding on, God will lead us where we need to go.  We need to be humble enough to follow.  

Job is a wonderful example for us.  He is an example of suffering, and how he handled all the misery in his life is something that we should try to emulate.  To be inspired, please read Job chapters 3-38.

Lazarus is an example of healing.  The Saviour wept.  He knows what it is like to feel that deep pain of loss.  He feels compassion for us.

Scriptures to ponder:
Proverbs 23:7
Isaiah 55:8
2 Nephi 9:29
2 Nephi 2:11
Matthew 26:38
Ether 12:27
Alma 5:28
Proverbs 3:5-6
Proverbs 6:33
Abraham 3:27
Isaiah 6:8
1 Samuel 3:30
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If you have time, please go to LDS.org and read the talk from October 2008 by President Uchtdorf entitled "The Infinite Power of Hope".  There is a video that accompanies the talk.  The talk is about hope in God, His goodness, and how His power refreshes us with courage during difficult challenges.

Brother And Sister Warner
Brother and Sister Warner are very active in leadership positions in the church.  Brother Warner is Stake Patriarch for the Brampton Stake and a Sealer in the Temple while Sister Warner is currently writing a history of the Church in Ontario and continuing her mission of helping women in prison connect with their children.
Sister Lynn Park interviewed the Warners and they spent their workshop time delighting us with stories about their life together.  We heard how they first met and we learned about Sister Warner's experiences as a young woman attending church by herself in Toronto.

We talked about what Joy is and defined many ideas about how to have Joy in our lives.

We focused on three main questions:
1.  What is Joy?
2.  How can we have it in our lives?
3.  How do we recognize it?

President & Sister Maglioli
President Maglioli serves as leader over the Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake Single Adult Program.  He is  First Counselor in the Oshawa Stake while Sister Maglioli serves in Public Affairs for the Oshawa Stake.  Their talk was entitled  "Strengthening Your Confidence"
Self confidence is self esteem and it can change daily,  or even hourly for many people.  
You need to ask yourself "What makes you change HOW you feel about yourself?"
President Monson said "DON"T TAKE COUNSEL FROM YOUR FEARS".
We are advised to fall in love with taking care of ourselves. - Remember that you must take care of your mind, body and spirit.

We were advised to get the APP for self esteem:
Authentic - know your true identity.  You are a Child of God.  Heavenly Father is the father of your spirit.  YOU are of infinite worth!
Positive - Take action  - don't be passive.
Posture - Learning to believe in yourself

Don't let inner negative talk affect you.  When you have Clarity you will have Focus and that will lead to living your life with Intent (being self-aware).

Try to develop "I am" gratitude statements.

The name of Jesus is Jehovah - The Great I AM.

Remember that the only time you are really growing is when you are out of your comfort zone.

Scripture to ponder
​Doctrine & Covenants 121:45

President De Jong
President de Jong is serving as the Second Counselor in the Toronto Temple Presidency. 
​ He spoke on the topic of "Strengthening Ourselves Through Keeping Covenants"
Go to the temple as often as possible and remember the symbols that you take home with you.  
Blessings come from temple attendance and from temple services.
Where do YOU rank temple attendance in YOUR life?
Attend as often as your life circumstances will allow.

Read the lyrics to Hymn #44 - contemplate the meaning!

Read the October 2000 talk by Elder Oaks entitled "A Challenge To Become" (In contrast to the institutions of the world, which teach us to know something, the gospel of Jesus Christ challenges us to become something.)

Seek the Lord diligently.  The Temple is the best place for that.  

There are many distractions in our lives that the adversary uses to distract us from things that are truly important.  Don't let that happen to you.

We strive to acquire worldly things we can't take with us when we die.  We should focus on the things we do take - our spirituality and our families.

Are we hearing the Lord's voice and not the voice of the world?

Lyrics to Hymn 44 - 
​Beautiful Zion, Built Above

1. 1. Beautiful Zion, built above;
   Beautiful city that I love;
   Beautiful gates of pearly white;
   Beautiful temple--God its light;
   He who was slain on Calvary
   Opens those pearly gates to me.
2. (Chorus]
   Zion, Zion, lovely Zion;
   Beautiful Zion;
   Zion, city of our God!
3. 2. Beautiful heav'n, where all is light;
   Beautiful angels clothed in white;
   Beautiful strains that never tire;
   Beautiful harps thru all the choir;
   There shall I join the chorus sweet,
   Worshiping at the Savior's feet.
4. 3. Beautiful crowns on ev'ry brow;
   Beautiful palms the conq'rors show;
   Beautiful robes the ransomed wear;
   Beautiful all who enter there;
   Thither I press with eager feet;
   There shall my rest be long and sweet.

I don't know about you, but fall is one of my four favourite times of the year.

I love the crisp days, the leaves changing colour in all their brilliant glory and the feeling of snuggling in for the oncoming winter.

I love taking a walk in the woods with my dog and listening to the silence that surrounds us.   There is a distinct smell in the air of apples left on wild apple trees and rich smells of the earth.  Most of the time we are alone, it is silent except for the cry of wild geese flocking overhead or the crunch of my dog’s foot falls as she explores and follows an interesting smell.
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The silence is solace to my world weary soul.  So often life becomes busy and stressful and chaotic.  There is work stress that can be difficult, and family needs that must be met and sometimes getting away into the woods for an hour is the best balm for the soul.

It is in this return to nature that I often spend time contemplating the goodness of life and the wonder of creation.  And it is at this time that I am most grateful to my Heavenly Father for the wonder of the world he has created. 

For me, fall is a time of renewal.  It’s a time of reflection as well.  It’s time to think about all the busyness of my life and reconnect with the core of who I am and what my values are.  It is a time when I really begin to understand who I am as a human being.

The cycle of life is so wonderful to contemplate as we enjoy the four seasons of this beautiful part of the world.  Spring is fresh with newness of life, summer is fun with the carefree vim of youth, fall is a time when we hunker down and begin planning for winter which is exactly what you do in the mid years (the SA years) and Winter is when we are winding down and enjoying the pleasures of retirement.  Fall is the time of life I’m in now.  And I think it’s been my favourite part of life so far.

Many of you who stumble upon this little blog and actually read this might be in the same stage of life as I am.  You too are blooming in your beautiful colours.  You too are shining trees standing out in your bright colours.  You are unique and colourful and beautiful inside and out, and it’s your beauty that makes the world a special place to be.
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It doesn’t matter if you live in a city or if you live in a rural area.  Nature is all around us.  Take a stroll through a park, enjoy the brilliant orange or red of a tree in fall foliage.  Enjoy the crisp nights.  And, as you enjoy this special time of year, take a moment and say a little prayer of gratitude that you are a precious son or daughter of a Heavenly Father who loved you enough to provide you with a beautiful world upon which to live.

My grandmother was a poet.  One of my favourite poems that she wrote was about the fall and I would like to share it with you:

Our Lord just took his paintbrush, scattered colour all abroad
The trees reflect His glory; and speak to us of love.
Gone now is all the drabness of dusty summer morn
And in its place with beauty the trees he has adorned.
And as our souls drink in the sight, we revel in beauty with pure delight.
Now is the time to pause and think of all that he has done.
Remember Spring’s sweet promise, that blossomed in Summer’s sun.
And now this feast of beauty set before our eyes
Prepares our hearts for winter’s blasting cold surprise.
Each season that we pass through reminds us of our God,
And in the changing seasons too, a reminder of his love.
Spring was when we met Him, just bursting forth with joy
Summer’s calm sweet spirit let nothing in us destroy.
And now come all this beauty to fill our very souls;
Before we enter winter and face that bitter cold.
Now isn’t this just like our God, our hearts to so prepare?
When wintry blasts of trouble come, we know that he is there.
                                                                 by Gladys Hazel Read

Enjoy the pictures in the slide show - I just took them this week at a conservation area in the Kawartha Lakes.
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