Family Matters: For Time and All Eternity

While visiting the Marikina Shoe Museum, we stumbled upon something that stopped and amazed us – a massive old tree that had clearly fallen during a strong storm. But instead of decay and death, what we saw was a powerful testament to life's ability to adapt and thrive against all odds.   The tree’s thick trunk lies horizontally across the ground, its original roots still partially anchored in the soil where it once stood tall. Based on its size and the rough texture of its bark, it must have been growing there for decades, witnessing countless seasons pass in Marikina City. The storm that brought it down likely hit with tremendous force, bending and breaking parts of its structure as it crashed to the earth.   A Remarkable Turnaround   What makes this sight so extraordinary is that the tree never gave up. The far end of its fallen trunk – the part that would have been its top branches – touched the ground and took root on its own. Now, new roots d...

With around 1 billion students globally learning English, certified teachers are in high demand across classrooms and online platforms. A TESOL/TEFL certificate isn’t just a qualification—it’s your key to building a meaningful career helping others master the world’s most widely used language.   Why TESOL Certification Is Essential   - Meets Global Hiring Standards: Most schools and online tutoring companies require a TESOL/TEFL certificate when hiring ESL teachers. It’s proof you have the foundational skills to teach effectively. - Builds Core Teaching Skills : Courses cover English language structure, classroom management, and proven teaching techniques—giving you the confidence to lead lessons for learners of all ages and levels. - Unlocks International Opportunities : Certified teachers can work in popular destinations like Vietnam, China, Japan, and Korea, or teach from home with top online platforms.   What Makes World TESOL Academy Stand Out   W...

In today’s uncertain world, having reliable health coverage isn’t just a personal necessity—it’s a cornerstone of family well-being. KwikCare’s health subscription plans  offer an accessible way to protect every member of your household, ensuring you can focus on what matters most without worrying about medical costs.   Key Reasons Family Insurance Is Essential   - Financial Protection : Unexpected medical expenses can strain household budgets. KwikCare plans save up to 50% versus traditional health plans, with cashless transactions at accredited facilities to avoid out-of-pocket costs. - Comprehensive Coverage : Plans include inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care. For families, this means everyone—from infants to seniors up to 65—can access quality care when needed. - Peace of Mind : Knowing your loved ones are covered lets you face life’s challenges with confidence. As one subscriber noted, having a trusted insurance partner provides reassurance during ...

  Since we started our family, it has been a New Year's tradition for my husband, Anatolin , to give a priesthood blessing to me and each of our children. As we prepare to welcome the new year and seek the Lord's guidance for the months ahead, these blessings have become a cherished part of our family gospel culture – a way to invite the Spirit into our home, express love for one another, and set our hearts on things of eternal worth.   We gather in our living room and Anatolin would begin by opening his mouth in prayer, then place his hands upon our heads as he pronounced blessings tailored to each of our individual needs and circumstances – whether it was for a child preparing to serve a mission, for me navigating a new career chapter, or simply for strength to face whatever challenges lay ahead. For years, he has been our steady anchor for our family in this covenant path.    This year was especially meaningful because our oldest son, Ammon Jarom, who...

As 2025 drew to a close, I knew I wanted more than just another year of "getting by." When I joined Gemma Stone's THRIVE program days before the new year, I was ready to make a change – and what I discovered was the path to building a life I genuinely love.   Living the Life You Love Starts Within   At the heart of the program is a powerful truth: we can only create lives we love when we're deeply connected to who we are and what matters most. We went through three core phases that turn this idea from a dream into a tangible reality.   Phase 1: Reflecting – Seeing Our Lives Clearly   The journey began with Reflecting – not just a quick look back, but a thoughtful exploration of where we are today and how we got here. We identified moments that brought us joy or drained our energy, and dug into the values that truly drive us (not just the ones we think we should have).   For me, this meant recognizing that while everything seems to be doing well, v...

January 1, 2026 | Calgary, AB   As the clock struck midnight on New Year’s Eve, I did something I’ve been putting off for years – I hit "delete all" on my phone’s photo and video gallery. After backing up every single file to Google Photos, I watched thousands of moments from the past few years disappear from my device’s storage. It felt both terrifying and incredibly freeing.   Why I Decided to Hit Reset   My gallery had become a digital junk drawer. There were blurry duplicates of the same mountain, screenshots of messages I’d already acted on, videos that never loaded properly, and hundreds of photos taken just to "remember later" that I’d never actually looked at again. With over 10,000 files clogging up my phone, opening the gallery took seconds longer than it should have, and finding recent photos felt like searching for a needle in a haystack.   More than just freeing up space, I wanted to create intentionality around how I capture memorie...

As a Sunday School teacher, I have always sought inspiration from leaders within The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Having served in various wards teaching adult classes,, including Tarlac 3rd Ward (Tarlac Philippines Stake), University Ward (Baguio Philippines Stake), and Riverbend Ward (Calgary Alberta Bow River Stake), I've always sought inspiration and guidance from church leaders. One name that consistently resonated with me, and with countless others worldwide, is Tad R. Callister. I always looked forward to watching the Sunday School training sessions for teachers during his time. His service as the General President of the Sunday School (2014-2019) left an indelible mark, and his teachings continue to influence my approach to gospel learning and teaching. With a heavy heart, we mourn his passing yesterday at the age of 79, but we also celebrate a life dedicated to service and unwavering faith.   Tad R. Callister's service as the General Presid...

For Latter-day Saints , the concept of eternal families is central to our beliefs. We strive to create homes filled with love, respect, and growth. This vision has been powerfully shaped by the teachings of prophets like President Russell M. Nelson , whose recent passing has brought a wave of reflection and gratitude.   In a talk given in 1968, then-Elder Russell M. Nelson shared timeless wisdom on how to cultivate a strong and loving marriage. These words, which have profoundly impacted our family and countless others, remain incredibly relevant today.   He stated:   " Our home can never be any better than our selection and care of the one to be the queen in our castle. This sweet and hopefully eternal companion needs particular attention, for she is so tender and so special. 'Thou shalt love thy wife with all thy heart, and shall cleave unto her and none else' (D&C 42:22)   If you really love her, you are more concerned for her welfare than for that...