Opportunities

      I love the many opportunities that the church provides families, especially for the youth.  When Christine was a teenager, our ward decided to do a slide presentation on the birth of the Savior.  Christine was selected to be Mary, Aaron Barker was Joseph. This was so well done that it was featured in the New Era in 1988.

     We were living in Pleasant View at the time and Sharon Ballif (very talented woman), spearheaded the project.  The project took many long hours and lessons were taught as the filming took place.  All the youth involved in the slide program were touched by the power of the scriptures and the significance that the Christmas story has in their lives.
     

     Christine has passed on to the other side of the veil now, however the traditions of Christmas in her family of 8 children derived much from the experience that was provided to her as she had that marvelous opportunity. Their focus on the Savior was taught foremost at the beginning of the Christmas season. In their home was the manger and as her children did good deeds throughout December they could place straw in the bed anticipating that the Savior would arrive on the 25th.  Santa's gifts were only what would fit in their socks.

Aubrey, Kaila, Kensey, Cody, Ashlee, Ryden

     This is just one example of the many opportunities our family has benefited from over the years.  All the girls camps, scout trips, youth conferences, special testimony meetings, sports activities, skits, plays, roadshows each child has participated in, along with hundreds of hours from dedicated leaders that have cared enough to present  lessons that my children would benefit from. I have a strong testimony that I could not raise my youth without the help of the church and the wonderful programs that has helped mold my children into responsible adults.  Thank you Pleasant View 7th ward for this great memory in behalf of our family.  Thank you to all the wards we have lived in, as our children and teens have been influenced for good.  Especially  a sincere appreciation to my Savior for the desire placed in my heart at a young age to keep close to the church.