GRATITUDE January 2026

 I decided to start the new year off with a BIT of GRATITUDE!!!

"Acknowledging the good that you already have in your life is the foundation for all abundance.'' - Eckhart Tolle

I am incredibly grateful for...

1/1/26-Grateful we got to spend the day w Steve. Had fun bowling. Glad he’s feeling better. 
1/2/26-Grateful for prayer….saying an outpouring prayer on my way to work. Grateful for work and to be healthy. So much flu and strep going around 
1/3/26-Opportunities to serve (stake dance)-all those willing. enjoy time with Steve, with youth, music, and for the safety in which we were blessed.
1/4/26-Opportunity to partake of the sacrament. The water was blessed twice so that EVERYONE had the opportunity to partake. Renew our covenants, the atonement of Jesus Christ, choice to repent daily. Testimonies-feel the spirit 
God uses the flawed imperfect people to lead, grow, to change. 
-what Old Testament teachings have already influenced my life?
The temple, the covenants we make
1/5/26-Grateful to talk to my boys serving missions. Witness their growth and to learn from them. To read all the emails from family and friend/missionaries: 
Noah(Georgia) Reed(Washington) Luke Aldrich(Aruba)Tucker Calderwood(Peru) Trey Mansfield(Washington DC) Pamela Helm(SLC) Aubrey Calderwood started home MTC Will be serving in Argentina. 
1/6/26-Grateful for a healthy body that can exercise. For a nice home. Spending time with family (even if we went and saw a lame movie Avatar-laugh about hissing) 
1/7/26-Grateful Steve and I made it to Florida safely. Grateful Jamie was able to help with the girls, for Georgia helping Jamie get our car from the airport, Ava enjoyed her ballet trial class.
1/8/26-laughter, sunsets, Steve’s picture of the bridge we went under
1/9/26- talents of others, Jamie willing to help out-go to temple with Grandma
1/10/26-hard workers, see color, ocean, adventure, culture, family and good morals/values
1/11/26- FOR STEVE being married for 23 years. For growth, gratitude, appreciation, devotion, faith, love
1/12/26- for Elder Noah’s email. For the Holy Ghost testifying to my heart of the goodness of God, His plan and all those who serve and represent His name and for what He stands for.
1/14/26- travel home safely, kids were safe
1/15/26- go to work and have awesome coworkers
1/16/26-go on date w Steve-warm hot tub
1/17/26- Steve and I could be sealed 22yrs ago in the Timpanogos temple-to covenant with God and one another
1/18/26-grateful to partake of the sacrament each Sunday-that each piece of bread is individual symbol of us and our Savior. For repentance and the Atonement. freedom to worship. 
1/19/26-grateful for warm showers, talk to my missionary boys
1/20/26- work hard, accomplish a lot at the store along side Steve, helping hands (Christian Hall) Costa Vida food.
1/21/26- ability to go to temple, watch the youth “walk with me” broadcast, to sleep, healthy body and medicine, Steve got to ski with Paige and Jamie, for the YW in our group
1/22/26-very able body, healthy kids, when kids help out(one another/home)
1/23/26-ability to gain knowledge and learn, for others who teach
1/24/26-That my kids will talk to me and show affection
1/25/26-For feeling the spirit, incredible spiritual music, youth choir singing “walk with me,” grateful for Steve and serving as a bishop for the last 5 yrs. Released today. Grateful for our good friends and leaders in stake presidency Pres Nathan Riley, Pres James Smith, Pres Corey Macy
1/26/26-healthy body
1/27/26- missionaries 
1/28/26- to go to the temple and do baptism with Steve, Jamison, Paige and Ava. To enjoy the spirit of the temple and spending time together. Got Bella’s donuts and chocolate milk afterwards. Paige’s donut was the size of her head
-going to the planetarium for our last Ym/Yw activity- being with friends 
Listening to my kids get along and laugh
1/29/26- Clean bathroom(though I avoid cleaning it like the plague)
1/30/26-go to lunch with friends Krystine Stephenson and Natalie Roberts. Have a positive attitude and see the bigger picture. Steve and Jamison could go skiing, my girls could hangout with friends, ability to catch up on my blog. 
1/31/26-go on a beautiful walk in the sunshine with Steve by the lake. Eat a yummy breakfast together with the girls. 

GOD IS BETTER than good, HE IS GREAT!!!

Bishop Steve Helm 5yrs

Bishop Steven Helm

Vineyard 12th Ward

February 2021-February 2026

Our stake presidency stopped by for a visit. Steve's 5 year mark as bishop is upon us and big changes are happening. Rumors of the ward split have been flowing for the last 6 months or so and it has finally arrived. New wards will be made, new calls extended, new unknowns and new growth.(2/1/26)

It's always bitter sweet with these kinds of change. We love the friendships made, and hate to leave the convenience and comfort of them behind. 

As our friends President Nathan Riley, President James Smith and President Cory Macy sat in our living room, the spirit flowed. My heart was full. We all shared our appreciations of Steve and his service as a bishop, leader, example and father. Noah and Reed were able to face time and share their feelings as well. It was tender to listen to each one of my children express their gratitude for their father and his righteous example. 

I shared the thought,

"Agency is Your Power to BECOME

each choice takes you closer to or further from what you are meant to become."

I reflected on how Steve's choices as a bishop, a husband and a father have helped each one of us to become. For those individuals he has helped along the way. He uses his agency to choose to follow the example of our Savior. His willingness and desire. Therefore making us all better people. 

Bishop Steve Helm, Pres Nathan Riley, Pres James Smith, Pres Cory Macy

Fresh Bishop Helm 2021-Seasoned Bishop Helm 2026

Vineyard 12th ward CHOIR-we had an incredible time!

January 28th 2026

Baptism Morning with my peeps!!! 

The Orem Temple

SuNdAnCe SKiiNg

SUNDANCE SKI SEASON

These snow bums bought a seasons pass, so they are trying to get the most out of it. Unfortunately we have gotten very little snow this winter. whomp whomp BUT January has been cold enough in the mountains to make snow and keep it. Still, nothing like powder...maybe one year. 

Paige and Jamison all tuckered out!

FLORIDA- Cruise, ACE Pinnacle

Florida JANUARY 7th - 14th 2026

*Wednesday 7th- 

Flew out of Provo Airport  by 12:00pm

Landed in Orlando around 6pm Florida time. Walked around the airport for an hour, hitting EVERY terminal and EVERY parking garage trying to find our rental car. That was exhausting!!!Then we decided to grab some chic fil a, then hit the road to Tampa an 1.5hr drive where we spent the night at a Hampton Inn. But we didn't end the night without some Ben and Jerry's and a bag of popcorn from the unique "convenient" store down the block. 

Just walking around the airport for an hour...or so

*Thursday 8th-All Aboard!

ate breakfast, got ready, headed to the ship port. We found some parking, walked 1.5miles to a CVS to find some deodorant and necessities. Enjoyed a sunshiny walk down to the river walk (though my feet were not well equipped for walking the city) We journeyed back to the parking garage to get our bags, (2.5 miles) my feet still killing me, I was sweating and my hamstrings were ridiculously tight. We boarded the cruise ship Enchantment of the Seas. Royal Caribbean. 

Theme of this trip- walking A Lot- WE made a pact...we walk everything. No elevators! and we did!

Found our room, explored the ship. Got ice cream, of course! got caught by the "spa guy" who gave me a foot analysis. (I could use some arch support) Ate lunch, took a little nap on deck, watched a millionaire show, dinner (escargot), watched an INCREDIBLE sunset and cruised under a bridge. Attended a show with comedian Basile. Walked ship, called kids, watched football, bed. 

*Friday 9th-SEA DAY

Woke up late, worked out on elliptical, breakfast, showered, belly flop contest, cha cha class, lunch, animal towel making, watched line dancing, scrabble, took a nap, dinner, karaoke, stage to show performance, bed

*Saturday 10th- Cozumel Mexico

Woke, breakfast, rented a moped in Cozumel Mexico, drove around coast, stopped at  Punta Merano Got an overpriced, non alcoholic fruit popsicle. We were serenaded Beseme mucho, laid on the beach in pink lounge chairs, Steve surprised me with chips and pico and a strawberry daiquiri. Then I drove the moped back into town. Steve has never experienced anything so "butt clenching" in his life! We strolled around over priced souvenir shops and then eventually got back on the boat. Steve helped some dude who jumped off the pier w his teenage daughter and couldn’t get back out. So stupid and dangerous. Then we showered, hung out on the deck, ran into a couple from Georgia again, ate dinner, went to a dance and karaoke show, then a magic comedian Matt Disero. (ran into same couple) tried calling kiddos

Sunday 11th -Happy Anniversary 23yrs! 

Slept in, ate brunch, watched the “hottest man” competition on deck, walked the deck, attempted backgammon? went to love and marriage Show, watched a veterans tribute, watched a countries from around the world representation, went to a fancy dinner for our anniversary-even got a window seat. Not a fan of jerk flavor, saw a Rock song/dance performance, listened to The Master Blasters live band.

—Royal Caribbean was a great ship, good food and great entertainment and service. Only complaint was the smell in the hallway to our cabin.

Characters aboard -honorable mentions:

Red hat drunk guy, toothless lady, “washy washy” girl, lost boy from Romania, lots of LGBTQIA’s on board, foot fetish guy. Gold jacket “Queen” lover. Harbor jumper guy, party boys, red head boy voluntold, Georgia couple and his ostrich/gator boots, 

*Monday 12th- ACE Welcome to Pinnacle Conference

Got up early and headed off ship. Drove to Kissemee Fl. Staying at Gaylord Palms, worked out, sat in hot tub, went to Walmart for lunch, drove to Disney Springs out door mall and entertainment all things Disney, talked to Noah/Reed. Ace welcome -too loud, ate some cheese, shrimp, dessert and called it a night!

*Tuesday 13th 

ACE Pinnacle Conference:
-John Vanhuizen: Power of Words. "What if" to "I Will!"

"Leadership is a set of observable, learnable skills."

"Pain of Discipline or Pain of Regret"

-Ben Rentin: "The Buried Life"

"The two most important days in your life are when you are born, and when you find out why."

-Kasey Harvey: All Star Ace, beat cancer-Not just alive, She's living!

-Ty Bennett: Ninja Warrior-"We don't rise to the occasion, we fall to the level of our training."

"Your rate of learning must keep up with the rate of change."

A "To Learn List"

-Worked out, went to Flippers for pizza, ate ice cream at a wanna be ice cream shop.

*Wednesday 14th

Finished the conference with inspirational speaker. 
John O'Leary - Live on Fire
"Be a leader worthy of being followed"

Headed to the airport, where we once again DROVE to EVERY Parking Garage and terminal trying to drop off the dang rental car...meanwhile I ALMOST peed my pants. We could NOT find a parking spot. Steve continued to drive up and down, around and around searching for a spot. I focused on my breathing, AND NOT screaming at Steve, with great power...I restrained myself from jumping out of the car and relieving myself wherever I could. It was to that point, I didn't even care if it was on the side of the road or parking garage. It was horrific!!! We finally found a spot to park. I hopped out and with gusto, headed to the elevators. Oh! but wait, where's Steve? He apparently had to take pictures of the car, stash the keys away and text the owner the whereabout of the vehicle. I frantically paced back and forth, LOOSING MY MIND! eventually we made it to the escalators. Prayers were answered...a glorious bathroom right at the top!  As I walked out of the ladies room, a new, rational, relieved, woman, Steve just embraced me. AND I apologized for my impatience. We walked around the airport again, because that's what we do. We grabbed some food, and chatted with our ACE friends Margaret and Logan Ray (own the Ephraim ACE). Boarded our flight home! YAY!

A very successful trip!

LOVED having no wifi for a lot of it, and having Steve's uninterrupted attention! 

Love you babe!