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Longer Days and Better Weather

5/24/2016

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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!
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Spring is in the Air!

4/14/2016

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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!
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Winter Wonder

2/16/2016

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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.
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Happy New Year!

12/30/2015

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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!
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Merry Christmas

12/23/2015

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​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
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December 08th, 2015

12/8/2015

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What a wonderful time of the the year!
 
Our theme for the Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake single Adults for 2015 was:
I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me. Phil. 4:13
 
And here we are at this special time of year, Christmas!  A time when we will honour and celebrate the Saviour who stregtheneth us.
 
In Luke 2: 7-15 (please read the entire chapter and discover more meaning to this Scripture)
 
7. And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes and laid him in a manger because there was no room at the Inn.

8. And then were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night.

9.And lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: and they were sore afraid.

10. And the angel said unto them, Fear not:for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.

11.For unto you is born this day in the city of David Saviour, which is Christ the Lord.

12. And this shall be a a sign unto you: Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, lying in a manger.

13. And suddenly there was with the angel a multitude of heavenly hosts praising God and saying,

​14. Glory to God in the highest, and on earth peace, good will toward men.
 
Merry Christmas and Happy New Year to all our friends in the Single adult program!
 
The Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake Single Adult Committee
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November Conference Notes

11/21/2015

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Keynote Address : President & Sister Clayton
  President & Sister Clayton gave a Keynote Address from 9:30 - 10:30 in the chapel.  President and Sister Clayton are originally from the Eagleridge Ward in North Salt Lake, Utah.  They are leading the Canada Toronto Mission.

​Their topic mirrored our Conference theme "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me."

Sister Clayton began her talk with a discussion of Jesus and the loaves and fishes.  She said that what Christ received from his disciples was just a meager offering but the Lord blessed it and it multiplied beyond the immediate need into abundance.   She asked us to consider what are our own personal loaves and fishes to bring to the Lord.  Even though we have only meager offerings to give to him, he will take our offering and turn them into abundance.

Scripture references to ponder:
Matthew 15:32 - 28.

President Clayton continued by saying that Elder Perkins doesn't like to use the word "meeting" because meeting means to act or to be acted upon.  He said that it is up to the person doing the listening to make sure that they have a great experience.  So, instead of saying that we are going to a church meeting, we should say that we are going to a Revelatory Experience.  Think - what do you want to get out of the meeting?  How good your experience at our conference would be determined by you and your positivity will be an influence to those around you.

Scriptures to ponder:
Doctrine & Covenants 88:63-64
Moroni 7:33
1 John 5:14-15
Luke 1
Philippians 4
Alma 26
Helaman 9:4-5
Moses 1:39
John 14:6
1 Nephi 27:19-22

He also recommended that we go to LDS.org and watch the video "Be of Good Cheer  (or click on the link below to watch it).
The second video that President Clayton showed is also on LDS.org, it is "Wherefore Didst Thou Doubt?" 

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
​
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.
Hi Brothers and Sisters                            Tuesday November 24, 2015
 
We  would like the to take this opportunity to thank everyone  who participated in the 2015 Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake Single Adult  conference. From the comments that we have received, the conference was a success!
 
CONFERENCE SPEAKERS
 
We would like to thank our conference speakers for their messages  of hope. They brought a beautiful spirit into the building and into our hearts. With this, were all better able to receive the messages that were chosen specially for us. We can now go forward, with strengthened testimonies and renewed hope in our Heavenly Father and our  Saviour, Jesus Christ.
 
CONFERENCE VOLUNTEERS
 
We would like to thank all the volunteers. Countless hours went into preparation before, during and following the conference. Each person used their unique individual talents and gifts  and sacrificed their time just for you.
 
CONFERENCE COMMITTEE
 
We would like to thank the conference committee. Starting in January 2015 we started to meet monthly, bi weekly,  then weekly (phone conference) to share ideas and work together to prepare fore the conference. Many people came up to me, (Lynn ) to thank me for the conference. The true success of the conference, came from each of the conference committee members. How I appreciate their wisdom in their council. It is a better conference them.
(An example of the 2015 Hamilton Stake Relief Society theme)  “We are all in this together”
 
DONATIONS AND DISCOUNTS
 
We would like to thank the band, Sunstone, (Live music is always best!)
We would like to thank our: Caterer Sister April Trink  (Simple Elegance) ‘Simply fabulous!” ( Awesome price!)
We would like to thank: Subway Sandwiches in St. Catharines for the good deal on the submarine sandwiches
We would like to thank Courtyard Marriott on Upper James: Special rate for our conference for advance bookings 
we would like to thank the Super 8 Hotel  in Mount Hope
We would like to thank Sister Terrie Lynne Allan’s cousin (Kelly Young) for donating 12 dozen eggs for breakfast
We would like to thank Sister Karen Brock for getting a great deal on the cards  from work  for the missionaries
We would like to thank Sister JoAnn Burke who made up the pictures and frames for the speakers
We would like to thank East City Chinese food: For the discount and extras in the meal Fridaynight
We would like to thank UPS store in Burlington for signs an the printing of the posters at a discount
 
We would like to thank Brother Dave Burton for his time and effort designing the poster
We would like to thank Sister Janet Farrow and Sister Kristy Gordon for the Gas Allowance idea
We would like to thank all those who drove (did not attend) the single adults to the conference 
 
Excellence abounds among the volunteers, the committee members and the generous donations of many!
 
In fact the committee’, volunteers  theme should be:  “We can do all things in Christ which Strengthen us.”!
 
ALL OF YOU
 
Now to all the single adults who came to the conference. Traffic issues, weather conditions and other priorities did not keep you from coming and helping to make our 2015 conference a success. We loved having you with us!
 
THOSE OF YOU WHO WE MISSED
 
We missed all of those of you could not make it. It would have been better if you were there!
We hope to see you at the next  multi-stake event.
 
The 2015 Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake Single Adult Conference Committee
 
Below is a spiritual thought:
 
The Theme for our 2015  Single Adult Ontario, Canada Multi-Stake Conference is
“ I can do all thing through Christ which strengtheneth me.”Philipians: 4:13
 
I took a  moment and read the all  4 chapters in Philippians to help me gain a better understanding of our theme. 
I read these before the  S/A conference, and am reading them now following the conference. After listening to the conference speakers, these verses have a new meaning to me. I invite you to do the same and enjoy your discoveries.
 
Philip: 1:1. Paul and Timotheus, the servants of Jesus Christ, to all the saints in Christ Jesus, which  are at Philippi, with the Bishops and deacons. (This is who Paul and Timotheus were speaking too.)
 
Philip 1: 2 Paul says:”Grace be unto you, and peace from God our Father and from the Lord Jesus Christ.”
( To me, it felt like all four verses ( and our conference theme) hinge on the blessings found in this one verse.)
 
CONFERENCE THEMES IN 4 VERSES OF PHILIPPIANS
I read messages of hope, happiness, healing ( workshop Sister Fleming)
I read  messages being self confident and being confident in the Lord ( Workshop by the President and sister Maglioli)
I read  messages of joy (Workshop by Brother and Sister Warner)
I read messages of the importance of keeping our covenants  (Key note speaker: President de Jong)
I read messages of receiving blessing by having faith  (Key note speakers: President and Sister Clayton)

An added bonus: The 13 articles of faith are found in Philippians 4:8
 
As you read all 4 chapters, Paul comes back to these thoughts with this awesome  promise: in Philippians 4:9
“These things which you have both learned and received, and heard and seen me do
(now the promise) and the God of peace shall be with you.”
 
What impressions did you receive as you studied these verse?
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It's a wonderful time of year!

10/23/2015

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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.
​
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.
​
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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favourite Memes from General Conference

10/17/2015

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