I am another one of Nora's many Allen cousins and admirers. One of my favorite memories of Nora is playing "Annie" at our family reunions. She was Miss Hannigan and all of us younger cousins were the orphans. There were tons of us so she had her hands full. We had so much fun saying, "We love you Miss Hannigan!" She was also the one to teach me "My Aunt Fanny Knows How to do the Rumba". If you don't know what that is, ask her and I am sure she would be glad to teach you! She has always been a lot of fun and I am so blessed to be related to her!I live in St. Louis, Missouri with my husband, David and 3 kids. Caleb, 9, Jacob, 6, Emeline, 2 and 5 bantam chickens.
We have a lot of fun! We are the only ones in both our families that don't live in Utah so sometimes we get a bit lonely but we love the city and have really enjoyed meeting so many new friends that have become another family. The sky is huge here and the sunsets are breathtaking. I do miss the mountains though and being able to get away from the heat in the summertime was nice. In Missouri there is no escaping the heat and humidity. I am often reminded of the hardships the saints had to endure when living here in the early days of the church. I am grateful for my air conditioner.
We moved to St. Louis so David could become the Grounds Supervisor of the LDS temple.
David does an amazing job and I enjoy taking pictures of his handiwork! I just recently opened my first shop on Etsy called The Barn Next Door and I am learning a lot. I really enjoy photography, traveling, cooking, my family and anything related to the arts.
I do not, however, enjoy speaking in public. At all. So when I was asked to speak in sacrament meeting at the beginning of January, I decided that it would be a good idea to make a goal of it so that I wouldn't put it off. I used to be in the Stake Relief Society presidency and we had to speak in other wards about five times a year and it about killed me. I would like to say that I have gotten over this "obstacle" and that with practice, speaking is no longer a problem for me, but it is. I always learn so much from writing talks but the process of actually writing and putting all the gathered information together is incredibly difficult for me. I don't feel like writing is one of my strong points and I would rather eat mold than stand in front of a congregation and share my thoughts. I do have a testimony, however, and know that I need to share it.
Well, to make a long story short, I wrote my talk on "Keeping the Sabbath Day Holy", and I didn't die, throw up or faint (although I came close) while speaking at the pulpit. Success! If you would like to read a copy of my talk or are in need of some spiritual enlightenment, comment and I will email you a copy. I don't know how I would create a link to it. See you next month!
15 comments:
Me me! I want a copy of your talk! donnaahawkins@yahoo.com Does it make it easier to have a lot of advanced notice? Or is it better to wing it a couple days before? I totally forgot that we used to play "Annie"! Oh, I miss those big reunions when we would sleep over all together, though there would be very little sleeping going on! Anyway, congrats on speaking. I don't know how people can do it so easily! I'm sure you did an awesome job!
There are a few on here, me included that can chatter on and on over the pulpit and low and behold, there's only minutes left for our husbands to speak...okay, just me...I used to think that notes and few scriptures scrawled down was all I needed, but after a few talks where i crashed and burned I started writing it all out and it's really better. I don't necessarily read it word for word but my thoughts are there and it helps a bunch.
Amy, I loved those big reunions, and I love reading about your adventures in Missouri. I was there for 3 months waiting for a visa before I went to Brazil and lived right off of Kings Highway. We went to the botanical gardens on a pday and to see the arch where I left my camera...boo. Anyway, so glad you're doing the project. I saw your sisters yesterday at Carly's shower, they're gems.
Great goal Amy! A lot of people have your same fear and I am always impressed with those who face it. So many people have such great things to share but never do because of the fear of speaking in public. My husband and 3 oldest kids will be doing baptisms for the dead in the St Louis temple on our way to Nauvoo during our kids Spring Break. We are so excited! We've never been to St. Louis. If your husband needs to hire a lawn mower and trimmer for the temple grounds my husband is his man haha. Mowing the lawn is one if his greatest joys :).
I like that you embraced the opportunity to speak. I hopped on your Etsy link and love your work! Maybe for a future project you could teach us how to create that painting-like feel with photographs? Just a thought. :)
Congratulations! I'm quite sure you were kidding when you said you were glad you didn't faint or anything, but my brother in law passed out at the pulpit in the middle of his Mother's Day talk last year. And just a few months ago, my cousin had a heart attack while giving a gospel doctrine lesson! Paramedics were called in both situations. So it really is an accomplishment for you to have stayed upright! :)
Giving talks are so much better when they are over! I'm glad you got through it!
I love your temple picture! It is beautiful!
I hate speaking in church so good job on getting it done! Also, I love your pictures on Etsy!! They are gorgeous!
I hate speaking in church.....why didn't we get that gene? The pictures on your website are beautiful, impressive skills!
I went over to your etsy shop and about fell over!!!! Your photos are GORGEOUS!!! I love photography and like to fancy myself pretty decent at it, but I'm really bad at the post-processing part.
Great job on speaking! I didn't use to mind it so much but now with 3 kids and a scattered brain I worry much more! The best part of a talk is sitting down when it's over!
Absolutely stunning pictures! I'm so impressed. Yes, speaking is not on the top of my list either, but I'm glad it went well! That's a big accomplishment.
Wow! Your pictures are beautiful! I love your etsy shop. Congratulations on a talk given! I liked how you said you didn't pass out, throw up, etc. I get nervous to play the organ in church and I consider it a job well done if I don't fall off the bench.
Thanks everyone for you kind compliments on my shop. It makes such a difference to me!
Those temple grounds look amazing. Sounds like an adventure to be living where you are. I've never been to Missouri. Sounds lovely. And, whew! Now you can knock that one off your list. Who looks forward to speaking in sacrament meeting?!
What a cool job your husband has! That is really neat. And way to face your fears and speak in church! My husband hates it too, so I try to take up most of the time and leave him with just a little bit. Hopefully your good for the next few years huh ;).
Yay for not throwing up at the pulpit!
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