Introducing Julie Savage

Hi my name is Julie Savage. I grew up as Julie Lovell in Pleasanton CA, and then Sacramento CA (with a couple years in Union City CA, Houston TX, and South Jordan UT). I have 4 brothers, one sister, and one partial foster brother. I am so close with all of my family. I went to Ricks college in the fall of 1999 with my sister, and graduated with my associates in graphic design. Spent a semester abroad in Paris with BYU, and then transfered to BYU in Provo. I graduated in 2004 with a Degree in Communications marketing and advertising. I love any kind of art, and I love doing things with my hands. I met my husband my senior year when he was the EQP and i got called to be the RSP. We kept the romance a secret from almost everyone until we announced we were engaged, We got married July 2004, and had our daughter June of 2006. Before she was born I did all of the marketing and advertising for a couple small businesses my husband started through college, and worked as the Human Resources associate for Convergys (anyone from provo might be laughing at me now) I have been at home with my daughter since June of 2006, doing freelance jobs here and there. I love my family, and I love the gospel. I am excited to be here in Ann Arbor, although I am already understanding the term law school widow!

Prez Says: Obedience

The Prez Says… Recently I listened to a sacrament meeting talk at the Hill Street Ward. Because the young man spoke thoughtfully and sincerely, I could see what was in his heart, and I was touched with how strongly he desires to be obedient to the Lord. I know that he must have a firm testimony of The 3^rd Article of Faith, “We believe that through the Atonement of Christ, all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel.” His dedication and devotion to obedience was inspiring and reassuring. It encouraged me to continue taking steps toward greater obedience.

Obedience is not blind faith, but rather is a choice to submit to the will of a loving Father. The fruits of obedience are endless, one of which is happiness. Alma 41:10 clearly teaches that “wickedness never was happiness,” and a life of obedience is a total rejection of the adversary. Obeying with exactness demonstrates valiance and consistently choosing the Lord’s side.

Whether in sacrament meeting talks or in our conversations with family and friends, it is important for us to share our experiences and our desires to be obedient. By doing so, we lift each other, we encourage each other, and we inspire each other to be obedient to the laws and ordinances of the Gospel. And we demonstrate the way to achieve true happiness.

Support Your Local Blogger

This is a plea to my dear sisters to leave me some encouraging comments from time to time. We bloggers live for comments...they let us know that our words are reaching others, they make us feel connected, and they remind us that the time we spend writing into the void is worthwhile. Even if you have nothing to say, a simple comment like, "I read this post" would give me the inspiration to keep on keeping on. And any suggestions you have for how this blog might better meet your needs would be very welcome.

Welcoming More New Sisters

First of all, many weeks ago we welcomed Itzel Mostert to our ward, and somehow I have not mentioned her in this blog yet. I am so sorry! I think I was waiting to get a picture of her, but people are moving in so quickly now that school is about to start, I don't think I'll be able to get pictures posted of everyone right away.

Today we heard from the following new sisters:

1) Julie Savage, a friend of Jenny Peterson's, is here from Sacramento with her husband, who is starting Law School.

2) Sarah Francis has come to Ann Arbor to do a master's degree in social work while her husband goes to law school.

3) Tracy Oberholzer, from Harrison, Michigan, works in the pharmacy and hotel business.

4) Shannon Allen has moved here from Salt Lake for her husband to attend Law School.

5) Kesli Aiken, from Vista, California, is here while her husband does a master's degree in Russian and Eastern European Studies.

6) Michelle Eusebio is teaching at Gretchen's House while her husband does a master's degree in Math Education.

7) Brooke Rasmussen is here with 2 1/2 year old Lincoln and baby Tad while her husband does a master's degree in Public Policy.

I think I have done some serious misspellings in our new sisters' names, but as soon as I get more information (and pictures) I'll let you know. In the mean time, WELCOME TO ANN ARBOR!

26 August 2007 Lesson by Michelle Rackley: "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer" by Elder Scott

Today's lesson, taught by Michelle Rackley, was based on Elder Richard G. Scott's April 2007 General Conference address "Using the Supernal Gift of Prayer."

Michelle began the lesson by talking about four different types of prayer. As an example of the first type, a prayer for forgiveness, she read us Enos 1: 2-8. For the second type, a prayer for guidance or truth, she read us the account of King Lamoni's father in Alma 22: 15-18. For the third type of prayer, a prayer of gratitude, she read us 2 Nephi 4: 18-25. For the fourth type of prayer, a prayer for comfort, she asked us to suggest some examples from the scriptures. The first example given was of Christ in the Garden of Gethsemane (see Matthew 26, Mark 14, Luke 22).

Here are some of the great comments on prayer by various members of the class from the rest of the lesson:

-When my mother died it felt like the end of the world. I prayed a lot. I remembered that my mother had asked me not to grieve for her, and in time, I was able to focus on my happy memories of her.

-I was impressed when we read the scriptures in Enos and Alma that both men hungered for answers from God. If our desire is great, like theirs was, we are better able to follow through.

-I've found that my desires for good are stronger after trials and struggles which cause me to grow.

-Sometimes we need to pray to be sustained through ongoing trials that are not going away.

-For many years we struggled to get pregnant. I got to a point where I felt that I could not go on. I told my husband, and he said to me that we were not supposed to stop trying, that we would have a child of our own first, before we turned to adoption. I was angry at first, and felt that he didn't understand what I was going through. But as I prayed I received confirmation that what he had said was true and from God. I'm grateful for the guidance the priesthood can bring to our lives.

-Once I helped plan an activity for the graduating Laurels. For part of the activity, we asked the girls to spend 30 minutes saying a prayer of gratitude. I did this myself, and although I initially thought 30 minutes was a very long time, I had barely made a dent in the things I'm grateful for when the timer rang.

-There was a period of my life when I was a student at BYU when I felt an overwhelming sense of inadequacy. I had a Doctrine & Covenants teacher that I trust and admired, and I thought that she might be able to say something that would help me. I tried to talk to her after class one day, but was not able to tell her what I really wanted, and left disappointed. I went outside and prayed that if there was something she could say that would help me, the Lord would facilitate another meeting. Shortly thereafter, the teacher found me and we had a long talk, which left me feeling greatly comforted.

-I'm thinking about what Kathy wrote in her Prez Says column this week about being real with each other. When we are open and willing to share with one another what is really going on in our lives, we can bless each other. We can pray for each other.

-One day I was touched by the instruction to forgive found in conjunction with a description of prayer in Mark 11: 24-25. At the time I was feeling like nothing. I read this scripture and prayed. A feeling washed over me, and I said God, your son knows exactly how I feel. Please let him help me get over this. My Savior has been through what I'm going through. I know that he's real, that he's a person, a friend, a companion, and an adviser.

Michelle closed by reading John 17: 9, "I pray for them." She wants us to pray for each other, the way the Savior prays for us. She told us that she knows many people have been praying for her and for her family over the past several months. Her home has been filled with peace and love instead of discouragement and despair because of our prayers for her. God has filled her with peace and love every time she has gone to him in prayer.

SWK #16: The Sabbath--A Delight

I was out of town this week, and missed our lesson. Please feel free to leave your comments about it.

Prez Says: Be Yourself

The Prez Says… Marjorie Hinckley once presented a fireside at BYU where she captivated and delighted an audience of 12,000. At the conclusion of her remarks the audience jumped to their feet and gave her a standing ovation. She later remarked how surprised she was by the audience’s responsiveness. A friend told her, “Marge, they loved you because you were so relaxed and just yourself.” Sister Hinckley replied, “I couldn’t think of anyone else to be!”

Just being ourselves and honestly sharing the stories and lessons of our lives builds meaningful connections and true friendships. “When we risk sharing our real feelings, we develop relationships of understanding and trust. For we cannot really care or be cared for, love or be loved, understand or be understood, unless we are willing to open our treasures of time, substances, and self.” (Lloyd Newell, “May Peace Be With You”)

When we share how our lives really are, rather than trying to look like we always have it all together, it’s affirming and encouraging to others. When speakers tell personal stories the audience’s attention is riveted because honest stories and life lessons are meaningful gifts that can help everyone feel braver, stronger, less alone, and more capable of making it through life’s challenges.

This time of year brings many hellos and goodbyes in our ward. Let’s be as genuine, as relaxed, as open, as honest, and as real as Sister Hinckley was at the BYU fireside, and just be ourselves. By doing this we will build bridges of friendship and love that help us with our lives and that can span eternity.