The Worth of a Soul

Remember the worth of a souls is great in the sight of God; DC 18:10...
If God our Father believes that each soul is great and precious in his sight, how then it must be important for us to think and act the same about others including ourselves.
The world we live in is influenced so much by images we see in the media it  can be very easy to get caught in the trap of what makes a person truly beautiful inside and out.
A soul is our physical body joined together with our spirits, we are spirit Children of a loving Father who out of the dust created our mortal bodies to house our spirits. The body is a Temple a sacred tabernacle for our spirit to gain earthly experiences.
When I was younger I remember feeling like I was not as pretty as other girls, I wore glasses, had braces, and wore special shoes to help my feet. I did not seem to match the images that I saw on TV or in magazines, or the others around me. It took quit awhile for me to figure out that I was just fine as I was. That I had qualities that were unique that were given just for me. I noticed I had great skin, and my eyes were pretty, I had a great head a hair, long legs, and nice hands with long fingernails(before I had kids). 
I'm sure I am not the only one who struggled trying to understand who I was and how important I was to my Heavenly Father
In an article entitled Truth, Lies, and Your Self Worth, there are some great quotes from our Apostles

Lie: Your worth comes from how you compare to others.

"As a teenager, you’re probably well aware of how you compare to your peers. You want to fit in and be your best, which often means you want to be like someone else. When someone seems better at something than you, you may feel like you’re not good enough and that you need to be better in order to be accepted. One problem with this lie is that by tying your self-worth to other people, you’re often comparing another person’s strength to one of your weaknesses (see President Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Second Counselor in the First Presidency, “Forget Me Not,” Ensign, Nov. 2011, 120). This can also lead to envy and pride, especially if you put down other people to try and make yourself appear better."

 

I loved the part about comparing another person strength against one of your weaknesses.

If we spend so much of our time trying to be something we are not, we are wasting the precious time we have been given, to strengthen our very own personal strengths and weaknesses.

It is so gratifying to see something in yourself and know that you can improve, and make changes that will make you who our Heavenly Father has designed you to be.

I know this person who struggled with depression and anxieties, they kept him away from the Lord for a time,  I have had the privilege of watching his transformation, from a shy and quite person to a very determined person.  He uses exercise and healthy lifestyle to overcome some of his challenges, and now he inspires others to make those changes. Such a difference when we can learn from someone either from a strength or a weakness that they posses, but it ultimately is our choice to  make those necessary changes in ourselves because we know we can do it, and through prayer and dedication we can make those changes.

 

Here is the truth statement

 

"Truth: Everyone has different gifts. You can feel good about yourself and be grateful no matter what your talents are.

The Lord wants you to be yourself, not someone else. He knows that you and everyone on this earth have strengths and weaknesses. Comparing yourself to someone else doesn’t help you be better. Of course, it’s important to improve yourself and to make goals, but they should be based on doing your best, not someone else’s.

If you want to feel better about yourself, try being grateful for what you have. “Comparing blessings is almost certain to drive out joy,” says Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “We cannot be grateful and envious at the same time. If we truly want to have the Spirit of the Lord and experience joy and happiness, we should rejoice in our blessings and be grateful” (“Rejoice!” Ensign, Nov. 1996, 30)."

 https://www.lds.org/new-era/2014/01/truth-lies-and-your-self-worth?lang=eng

Gratitude is essential for happiness, without it we are always searching but never satisfied. Having a grateful heart and mindset gives you so much appreciation for the beauties that surround around us. You notice all that God has made for you to appreciate. When I go running I love to look around and see all that is before me, it adds to my drive to improve myself by surrounding my self in places that I know were made by my creator.
Being grateful for our bodies is so important and takes more effort on our part, to look at ourselves and see that we are beautiful regardless of our age or our genetic make up. It is true that some are blessed with a pretty face, some with a plain face, some are tall, short, more on the thick side or naturally thin.,
True beauty radiates from within and pours out in our speech and attitude, it is seen in the eyes of the grateful.
Our Heavenly Father wants us to take care of our bodies and treat them like the temples that they are.
They need occasional repairs, and constant maintenance. Our Father has given us agency to use freely at our own will to make those decisions. I am so grateful that I can do that for myself.
I decided that as my fifties were looming closer that it was time for change, I felt the promptings that I have not been good to myself over the last several years, not taking time out for me, bad eating habits, very little exercise.  All of that leads to stinkin thinkin as a good friend of mine says. So I set a goal for myself, a three year plan to make positive changes that will improve myself.
I am almost through year two and what a difference a goal makes, when you put your mind to it. I have changed so many things, but they all started out with small goals and have lead to bigger goals. But the best part is that I felt like I was being supported through each goal and being strengthened along the way. Now my journey is not for everyone, it is tailored just for me. Everyone can choose to change at their own pace in their own way. The point is there is always room for improvement and challenges to help stretch us and make those lifestyle changes that lead to a more confident and more self aware of what we really are capable of .

I love the following quote, I get a lot of great quotes from the addiction recovery class we lead.

Lifelong improvement
“I still feel to urge upon the Latter-day Saints the necessity of a close application of the principles of the Gospel in our lives, conduct and words and all that we do; and it requires the whole man, the whole life to be devoted to improvement in order to come to knowledge of the truth as it is in Jesus Christ” (Brigham Young, Discourses of Brigham Young, sel. John A. Widtsoe [1954], 11)."

To be our whole selves requires effort and work, but we are a work in progress, so the long road is the road best traveled, always focused ahead, don't spend time looking behind you, because the race is ahead of you.

Another great quote from Step 7

"The Lord did not begin such a revolutionary change of our entire character until we allowed Him to do so. Step 7 was our decision. We had to humble ourselves deliberately. We had to surrender every particle of self-sufficient pride and admit that our efforts to save ourselves had been insufficient. We had to feel and live the truth King Benjamin taught—that we are all beggars before God and have no hope of salvation by our own efforts but only through the mercy and grace of Jesus Christ (see Mosiah 2:21; 4:19–20)."

I have learned that he wants me to know that I matter to him, that I am his daughter and he wants me to learn, grow and make improvements in my character that will allow me to be more like him. But I also know that it will be a life long journey.

One more quote by Ezra Taft Benson

"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can. He will deepen their joys, expand their vision, quicken their minds, strengthen their muscles, lift their spirits, multiply their blessings, increase their opportunities, comfort their souls, raise up friends, and pour out peace. Whoever will lose his life in the service of God will find eternal life” (“Jesus Christ—Gifts and Expectations,” Ensign, Dec. 1988, 4)."

My testimony of the worth of a soul is strong because I am a soul that matters to my creator, and the amazing people I have been blessed to love and serve. I will rejoice in the day that I stand before him with my Savior by my side and kneel before him and present myself as a daughter to her Father.
 

 

To be Healthy in every way

I was just recently invited to speak at a Saturday RS Meeting on Emotional Wellness, what a great topic and I had a great experience giving it.  I was asked to also talk a little about the Addiction Recovery Program. I love the opportunity to talk about this great program. It really is a program that will change lives.
So I thought I would use my talk as a topic for my blog,
I spend each Thursday night with amazing people who are looking to make changes in their life by overcoming their addictions. If gives me the opportunity to search my own self and and see where I can improve,or share what I have learned from my life experiences. One of my favorite steps in  the 12 step program is Step 6 A change of heart, President Ezra T. Benson said" The Lord works from the inside out. The world works from the outside in. The world would take people out of the slums. Christ takes the slums out of people. and then they take themselves out of the slums. The world would mold men by changing their environment.Christ changes men, who then change their environment.The world would shape human behavior, but Christ can change human nature..... "May we be convinced that Jesus is the Christ, choose to follow Him, captained by Him consumed in Him and born again."
I love this quote, it teaches us how to change our weakness from the inside out by giving us tools that will help to shape and change our behavior. To be clay in the potters hand... Mailable, pliable, to be shaped or molded by the Savior himself. This can only happen when we allow his will to take over ours. We will face many trials in our life, some so hard it might cause us to look to heaven and cry out to our Father where art thou.
. Step 2 is Hope, David A. Bednar counsels us to  look or watch for the tender mercies of the Lord. He said "We should not underestimate or overlook the power of the Lord's tender mercies.  The simpleness, the sweetness, and the constancy of the tender mercies of the Lord will do much to fortify and protect us in the troubled times in which we do now and will yet live."
When I we focus on this principle I am able to notice those tender mercies even through the most difficult trials.
I was asked once," is it supposed to be this hard ", I quickly answered Yes, it is. But it will be worth every tear, every growing pain, and as you watch for those tender mercies each day you will see how the Lord is blessing you.  The simple things are usually the answer, Prayer real prayer where you speak to the Heavenly Father openly, honestly, and take time to listen to him. Our prayers are answered in so many ways, by someone who loves you, they just might say that right thing at that right moment. A passage of scripture, a conference talk, a feeling or impression.
 To have hope that you truly matter to him and that we are precious in his sight, that we are sons and daughters of God. Just knowing that gives us such power over the adversary who would have us dismiss this idea as soon as we find ourselves in the middle of difficult times.
In Todd D Christofferson's talk in October 2011 http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2011/10/the-divine-gift-of-repentance?lang=eng :
I would love to share a small par of this great talk to illustrate my point of the tender mercies of the Lord.

“In April of 1847, Brigham Young led the first company of pioneers out of Winter Quarters. At that same time, 1,600 miles [2,575 km] to the west the pathetic survivors of the Donner Party straggled down the slopes of the Sierra Nevada Mountains into the Sacramento Valley.

“They had spent the ferocious winter trapped in the snowdrifts below the summit. That any survived the days and weeks and months of starvation and indescribable suffering is almost beyond belief.

  "Among them was fifteen-year-old John Breen. On the night of April 24 he walked into Johnson’s Ranch. Years later John wrote:

“‘It was long after dark when we got to Johnson’s Ranch, so the first time I saw it was early in the morning. The weather was fine, the ground was covered with green grass, the birds were singing from the tops of the trees, and the journey was over. I could scarcely believe that I was alive.

“‘The scene that I saw that morning seems to be photographed on my mind. Most of the incidents are gone from memory, but I can always see the camp near Johnson’s Ranch.."

In his talk he was using this story to illustrate repentance and the mercy of forgiveness, but I thought it was such a great story to also point out;that even though so many of us will go through trials that may seem so difficult to bare, in the morning we will remember them no more, just the tender mercies of the Lord leading us through it and helping us to overcome it. We know no joy unless we have experienced sorrow.
Another great step is 3, Trust in the Lord. Elder Neal a Maxwell said "  The submission of one's will is really the only uniquely personal thing we have to place on Gods altar. It is hard doctrine, but it is true."  To trust so completely, to follow his commandments. Each commandment is for a wise purpose to help us in this mortal life. It was not meant to be a burden but a freedom from the adversary. For example,  The Lord asks us to treat our bodies as Temples, if we are spiritually, physically and mentally in good condition; we are providing a great vessel for him to use for his purposes.

So as I ponder how am I personally doing in my life to keep spiritually,mentally and physically fit?
The beauty of this life is that there is always room for improvement. I have always thought of myself as spiritually and mentally active, but physically I dropped off that train years ago. So when some health struggles started to appear, I gave some serious thought on how I could change my lifestyle. Watching Justin work so hard to loose weight the patience and diligence he showed was inspiring. So with much prayer to the Father asking for support I set my goal, the first day of summer I would start my life in a new direction. I am here to say that five months later, with the help from above and support of family I have seen much success and look forward to much more. I can now run on my treadmill, do push ups, and all kinds of core exercises. I start off on my treadmill about 4:oo in the morning, and I listen to conference talks while I walk, run. then some good music finishes out my routine. I have learned so much about the sustaining power of the spirit. I have bad feet, hips and back, so that was always my excuse why I could not exercises. As I exercised my faith and gave no room for excuses.I knew that Heavenly Father would support me. At times I feel like I am being picked up while I run, it is amazing.  I pray for my feet to sustain my goals, by exercising my faith I know the Lord supports my efforts. I have learned what I can do!!  I still have big goals to reach, and am exited to enjoy the journey, however long it may be.
 The Father knows how long our life span will be, the quality is up to us. So submitting our will to him puts us in a place of complete trust. We acknowledge that we will follow him and trust that he asks us to do those things that will bring us peace and help us pass through difficult times. I am so grateful for  the opportunity to keep learning about myself as I experience life's challenges. I have had to look deep down and see what I am really made of. I appreciate the opportunity to serve in the Addiction Recovery Program, I love the people I serve.  

The Lords Territory

Who's on the Lords side who, now is the time to show... I speak boldly when I say I have made that decision.I declare it  each day when I wake up and every night when I close my eyes. It is a decision that once made will place you on the right team, but not always the popular team, it will be the winning team. The outcome is already made but the players on the team are players that have to choose to stay on that team regardless of how bad the game gets even if it looks like we might be loosing at times.
In our lives we will be required to make lots of decisions big and small.Some of them will make all the difference in our life and the lives of those we love. So it is important to establish a life line with our Creator, the one Person we can always count on, he knows our names and our individual talents and weaknesses.  He wants us to choose him, that means there is a choice Him or the Adversary.

President George Albert Smith, repeating counsel from his grandfather, once said: “There is a line of demarcation well defined between the Lord’s territory and the devil’s territory. If you will stay on the Lord’s side of the line you will be under his influence and will have no desire to do wrong; but if you cross to the devil’s side of that line one inch you are in the tempter’s power and if he is successful, you will not be able to think or even reason properly because you will have lost the Spirit of the Lord” (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith [2011], 191).

Therefore, our daily question must be, “Do my actions place me in the Lord’s or in the enemy’s territory?”

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/abide-in-the-lords-territory?lang=eng
So as I ponder those words, and look at my own life and life of those I love I can see how important living the Gospel is and setting a good foundation. So when important life choices come we are prepared to make the hard choices, or choosing between good, better, and best.

Watching my son prepare for his mission has really been an eye opener for me, he has always attended but had not really put himself out there. He was always there but not there. He came to point where he had to make choice, a fork in road per say. Silently he came to place where he needed to stand up and choose.  He chose to serve a two mission , in order to prepare for the hard labor ahead of him, he had to become physically and spiritually prepared. The Lord works from the inside out, so I can only imagine the thoughts and prayers that went on in his mind and heart in order to come to this point. Knowing if he chose to serve he had a long journey of preparation ahead of him. In order to serve you need to be physically able to keep up with the daily schedule that a mission requires. Last October is when he told me he wanted to serve a mission and he was 375 pounds. According to his height he needs to be 280, Eight months later he is less than ten pounds away from his goal. I have watched him work so hard and change so much. Decisions really are that important, keeping himself in the Lords territory gave him the advantage to making the right choice, had he crossed the line he may have never had the courage to change, he might not have ever felt the spirit promptings to make change.
Justin has inspired me so much, that I have been on my own journey to become physically fit. It will take time but I am up for the challenge. Heavenly Father knows us so well, he knows when we are ready for change. Sometimes it takes a long time to work up the courage to want to work hard and make changes in your life. It is worth all the effort to be always and ever progressing.
Pres Uchtdorf said" It is your reaction to adversity NOT the adversity itself, that determines how your life story will develop."
Our lives are really one big story, with twist and turn, ups and downs. So our story provides lots of opportunity growth. We need to pray our way through adversity. Asking God to remove the adversity is really not the answer, asking him to help you through it and to grow from it. Sounds simple but we all know it is not. But we all have been through trials and overcome them, we have looked back and seen the personal growth that particular trial had on our life.  So making good decisions and choosing to stay in the Lords territory will help us navigate through our life.
I have been so richly blessed because of my good choices, that is not to say that I have been spared difficult, sometimes painful experiences. The Lord has defiantly blessed me with trials, and I have looked back and seen growth in myself. I trust that he knows me so well, he knows how to make the best Me I need to be. 
Staying in the Lords territory, wearing his jersey.......

Honesty is the best policy

What we insistently desire overtime, is what we will eventually become and what we will receive in Eternity. Neal A. Maxwell

I love this quote, it gives great hope, to know if I put forth the effort to seek after my best self, that I can achieve my greatest desires.

So how does a person come to that conclusion of what it is they desire to become?  Well for me it started at Motherhood. I started thinking differently I could feel the responsibility that was in front of me.

As a youth I dreamed of what I wanted to become but all of a sudden I came face to face with reality and then it became decision time. I had to look honestly at myself and decide what I needed to do to become that dream.

I wanted to be a Wife and Mother,not just any Wife and Mother but the best I could give, why? I cant explain it, I just had a drive that I was supposed to give it my all. So I have spent my life working at it, and it is work. But it is the most satisfying work. I have always told my family I want to be the little old Lady sitting in the front row with all my peeps behind me in one large family picture. And we are off to a good start.

I have also made a ton of mistakes, to many to name. I have learned many a lesson from my mistakes. I am thankful my family has been so patient and loving as we all grow together.

I found this quote when looking up the word honesty I thought it was sweet

Honesty... We grow great by dreams. All big men are dreamers. They see things in the soft haze of spring day or in the red fire of a long winter's evening. Some of us let these great dreams die, but others nourish and protect them; nurse them through bad days till they bring them to the sunshine and light which comes always to those who sincerely hope that their dreams will come true.

Woodrow T. Wilson quotes

In order to gain what we desire we need to look at ourselves with transparency seeing all the flaws and weaknesses, embrace them with vigor and tackle them. I think the Lord will help us as we earnestly seek his guidance as to how we can overcome our challenges.

If we look at ourselves with rose colored glasses on we will miss the opportunity to grow,

At the same time we need to see our victories and be pleased with all the goodness that we possess. I think the adversary would have us focus on all the negative trying to steer us away from trying to improve. If we honestly seek the Lord and ask him to show us how we can improve through the Holy Ghost he will show us. God knows our hearts and knows when we are being honest with him. He will show us when he knows we are truly ready for the commitment that change requires.

I have the privilege of watching two of my sons prepare for missions, they have both had to look at themselves and see where they could make changes, knowing that Heavenly Father would help them. Justin's challenge was physical and spiritual. Physical because he needed to loose at the minimum of 80 pounds, since October he has lost 65 pounds. It has required him to mentally, physically, and spiritually change. It his a humbling experience to watch. I can't be prouder of him. He has looked in the mirror per say and had to rely on the spirit for strength to change inside and out. He already had the foundation of the gospel to build upon,he just needed to become clay in the potters hand.

Both boys told me within several months of each other that they had decided to serve missions. I knew they had both had to look inward to come to that place where they could make that decision. They were not going because they felt they should. They were going because of personal choice.

When making a change we usually are trying to change a behavior that we don't like or needs improvement in ourselves. Pres Boyd K Packer said " The study of the doctrines of the gospel will improve behavior quicker than the study of behavior will improve behavior"

Don't you just love that Quote? It just makes sense. If we focus and study the doctrines of the gospel, example prayer, reading our scriptures, paying tithing, service etc... Our focus turns and we can then see clearly how to change our behavior.

I think we all want to be our best selves, sometimes we can become a little lost, sidetracked per say from our goals. We are all born with the light of Christ; that spirit will lead us back to our path, it we but seek it.

Two really great scriptures that speak of hunger and thirst for righteousness:

Matthew 5:6 "Blesses are they which do hunger and thirst after righteousness: for they shall be filled"

Enos 1:4 " And my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul, and all the day long did I cry unto him, yea, and when the night came I did still raise my voice high that it reached the heavens"

We all know what it feels like to be hungry and thirsty, if we wait to long to physically feed our bodies, our bodies react to lack of nourishment, we can suffer from all types of different physical aliments. Not to mention a sour attitude, impatience all things I personally feel when I withhold nourishment.  Our spirits too require proper nourishment to flourish and support and sustain us. Just like our bodies our spirit will give us signs that we need spiritual nourishment.

It makes such a difference in my day if I pray and read my scriptures, I know my heart is softer when I keep it turned to the Lord.

If we honestly get to know ourselves we will be able to see ourselves through spiritual eyes, we can see the royal within us and have a greater desire to stay connected to our Heavenly home.

I came to my self

It is EasterSunday, and I am sitting in my Son and daughter in laws home with their new baby girl. All three snuggled up on the couch together napping after church. I am listening to my favorite song Come thou Fount of every Blessing; pondering what I should blog about. I have so many thoughts running around in my head. I keep coming back to a talk I heard in conference by Robert D. Hales Called Coming to ourselves. I keep thinking what if I had not come to myself, what would my life be like? I shutter to think what my life would be like without he Gospel of Jesus Christ.
A week ago my youngest son called me at work and asked me why I go to church? What a great question I thought to myself. I quickly got my thoughts together, and here is a part what I told him.
Before I was ten my parents were not very active in the church, but I remember going to church and primary and I always felt happy there. I felt something inside that made me happy; almost an indescribable feeling. Because we only went sporadically, sometimes I would go with the neighborhood kids to different churches. I never felt that special feeling there, not that they were not nice people; on the contrary they were very kind. I just did not have that feeling I had when I attended my church. I desired so much to go where I felt that special feeling.
That day came when I was close to ten years old, my Dad and Mom had a special dinner and invited my Grandparents over and to announce that as a family we were going back to church. So life became just what I desired .
Soon after my Brother and I were baptized and then we prepared to go to the Oakland Temple to be sealed to my parents. What an amazing day that was as we knelt across the alter in the house of the Lord as a Family.
I spent my pre teen and teen years living the gospel and it became a part of me, it helped me build a foundation that I will continue to build upon the rest of my life. But even at my best efforts I still was vulnerable and found myself at eighteen starting my family without the gospel. So for a small painful period I found myself feeling like the prodigal son in a way. Walking away from something I knew was a treasure.
I would like to share a part Robert D Hales talk from General conference.

" The Savior told His disciples about a son who left his wealthy father, went to a far country, and wasted his inheritance. When a famine arose, the young man took the lowly job of feeding swine. He was so hungry that he wanted to eat the husks meant for the animals.Away from home, far from the place he wanted to be, and in his destitute condition, something of eternal significance happened in the life of this young man. In the Savior’s words, “he came to himself.”1 He remembered who he was, realized what he had been missing, and began to desire the blessings freely available in his father’s house.Throughout our lives, whether in times of darkness, challenge, sorrow, or sin, we may feel the Holy Ghost reminding us that we are truly sons and daughters of a caring Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we may hunger for the sacred blessings that only He can provide. At these times we should strive to come to ourselves and come back into the light of our Savior’s love..
So a now a young Mother of a four and two year old I found my heart was aching for the joy I knew the gospel promised.
Then a day I will ever be grateful for, a knock came at my door and there stood a CHP officer. At first I was very confused why he would be at my door. We lived out in the country in Yuba City and we did not get a lot of traffic. He said to me" I am not sure why I am supposed to be here but I was driving by and well, I am a Bishop of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints and I felt like I needed to stop and tell you that. I knew the Lord had answered my prayers, I needed the gospel in my life I just did not know how to go back. Here stood the bishop of the ward I should be attending. He did not know me, my records were not in that ward. He listened to the spirit and stopped at a strangers house and found a daughter of God who had been praying for help. Well my life changed that day and I never looked back. That was over 23 years ago the day I came to myself and returned to the life I knew I should be leading. I was welcomed with open arms and nurtured by the good word of God.
So when my son asked me that question I was eager to answer, we had a great conversation, and he was able to share with me his feelings of why he chooses to belong to the Church. We talked about the importance of sacrafice and how being a member is work but good work. I am thankful he wanted know, and I hope it added to his own testimony.
Joseph Smith taught that “a religion that does not require the sacrifice of all things never has the power sufficient to produce the faith necessary unto life and salvation.” In the eternal
perspective, the blessings obtained by sacrifice are greater than anything that is given up.
I think of all the many Sons and Daughters of God who look in the mirror one day and say to themselves I want to go home like the prodigal son I hope they know that they two will be received with joy.
Everybody has a story to tell of how they gained their testimony of the Savior I have only touched a small part of my conversion.
I am grateful for parents who helped build my foundation on teachings of Jesus Christ. I am Thankful to my Husband who holds the priesthood of God and loves the Lord. Together we have accomplished many great things; he is my best friend and my Eternal companion. I love my beautiful children and grandchildren they are truly my joy. My Savior stands in the center of the circle of my life and he is the only one who can brings us home.

The possibilities seem endless

I marvel at technology, the possibilities are endless I don't think I could keep up even if I really tried. There are gadgets to satisfy every aspect of our lives; cell phones with every app possible, ipads, ipods, ereaders, web pages like facebook and, the latest craze pinterest which I love by the way. There are endless blogs about everything; you can surf the information highway and never see it all.
In my wildest dreams I don't think I could have imagined all of the things we can do. When I think back to my childhood and the simpler slower pace that it was. It reminds me of some of the first sparks of an advancing technology; for example: color tv, it had been around for a little while but not all tv was color until the early 70's and at midnight the tv would play the national anthem and then a test pattern would come up.
Then came the blow dryer and the curling iron. Before that I used to stick my head under that big glass dome hair dryer. You would put your hair in curlers and stick your head under it and tada dry hair. Or some of my friends would put their hair in those pink squishy rollers with wet hair and sleep and wake up and they had curls. Then I remember the microwave oven ,the first ones were huge and heavy but they were amazing. I have to say I am always grateful to a Mother who cooked home cooked meals even with the latest craze she still popped out amazing dinners every night.

Music was on vinyl records so they had to be handled with care or they would scratch and then your song would skip, I was so excited when the eight track came out and then came the cassette,with all knew things comes a knew challenge and what to do with those eight tracks. Entertainment was so simple, when I was young the thing to do was be outside until the sun went down. We played tag, red rover, frisbee, football, we even built forts inside and outside. I used to walk down several blocks to the local 7-11 and trade in the glass coke bottles for candy. I'll never forget the day I walked down to the store and they had switched to cans and they would not trade in bottles anymore.

My favorite toys where what I called a clacker toy, in the 70's every thing was brown green and orange at least at my house. My parents bought glass looking grapes as a decoration for their book shelf, they were the size of ping pong balls. While they were cool looking; after awhile my dad made me my clacker out of them. He drilled a hole down the middle of two and attached heavy string and I had the coolest gadget. You would bounce the balls together and with enough momentum the would fly up and down into each other really fast, it was better than a yo yo, which was my second favorite toy. My barbies where dressed in my remaing one sock that was found after the dryer ate the other one. I loved making my own clothes; until I saw the collection of lovely real clothes the neighbor had. Then I decided I was not into barbies anymore. My favorite tv show were I love Lucy and Mash. Now it is hard to find a decent thing to watch on tv without being shocked at whats on there, and yes it still shocks me. I guess what has not changed is that I can turn it off except now I just hit the off button on the remote.

So as I think back to how things have changed by small degrees, the newest things just seems normal, instead of the Wow factor. All the new things now seem to be items that require more of our time.
Now I am only 46 and I have seen some amazing changes, but my parents, grandparents, have seen so many things, I love to hear them speak of all the changes in their lives.

James E. Faust made a statement in 1999 right before the dawning of the 21 century, He said"There has been an explosion of secular knowledge. I believe that God has opened up these treasures of intelligence to enhance His purposes here on the earth. The new century will bring exponential advances in that treasury."

So twelve years later we can see the wisdom of that statement, as we see now all the things that have occured since then. I am sure it will continue to progress even faster, but in his statement he talked about the why of all the advances, to bring about His purposes, which is to bless his children and teach them about Jesus Christ.

It all comes down to choice, what do I want to fill my the precious time with. If I am accountable for my time and how I spend it, then I think it is important to try to find balance in our lives I guess where my thoughts are is I don't want to be sided tracked by life and my responsibilities by being lead away because of the easiness of the way. In the Book of Mormon in Alma 37:46
"Oh my son,(daughter) let us not be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so it was for our fathers; for so it was prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, if we look we may live forever.

If I liken that scripture to my life and what it means to me and the present topic. I can see how easy it would be for me and others to get caught up in all the this and that's. If we are so preoccupied with things that make life so easy; are we doing the small and simple things that bring us close to God and his Son Jesus Christ. Taking time to make them partners in our life. Making decisions and relying on the Holy Ghost to confirm if we have chosen our Father in Heaven's will for us. Reading the scriptures by book form, ipad, smart phone, they are all on there. Taking technology and using it for our spiritual benefit.

This morning I jumped on my laptop before work and watched a talk from a previous General Conference. To be able to have all that great information so quick at hand. It was a great start to my day, I was reminded by Elder Robert D. Hales how to wait on the Lord. This morning my thoughts can now turn to that topic whenever I have a quiet moment to reflect and apply it.

So my goal is to put the Heavenly Father and Savior first, starting my day out on my knees in prayer then reading or watching his word. My 24hrs at a time just seems to fit and go better if I put him first. I find time to do all the other wonderful things life has to offer; like getting lost in a good book, or watching a good movie, my favorite thing to do is spend time with my family. I love that I can skype my children wherever they are and see their sweet faces.

Getting to know my Granddaughter through the computer not ideal,but getting to see and hear her instead of a still picture is such a blessing of modern technology

Now the big buzz word is reality tv or online play video games. Staring into a screen supposedly watching real people in real situation, Scripted of course. Playing video games online with people you have never met for hours at time. Forming relationships based on whatever the person chooses to tell you.

We have been counseled to beware of the trappings of the adversary who lulls us into complacency. If he cant win with us on the blatant wrongs he will try to work on us through other things that are not bad per say but can lead us into traps that are hard to get out of

We live in the greatest time on this earth, where the Lord is pouring out the greatest blessings, men's mind enlightened to the mysteries of this great universe. Everyone of us is born with talents to be discovered and used for the benefit of others. Each of us has the responsibility to find out what those talents are and what he would like us to do with them. That is why our time on this earth is so valuable, to precious to waste away in the wrong path.

Find a way to use the great gifts of an advancing world but not get lost in it. Take time to look out the window and see the real view, take walks and go on trips to see what is really out there to be appreciated. Finding balance in our lives, learning from the past and taking advantage of the present day advantages.

I will continue to enjoy my Kindle, Smart phone, Lap top, Pinterest ,and Facebook and all the other fun things that come around. But when I go outside to watch my grandchildren play, I will not take out my electronics and surf while they play, I will run around with them enjoying every second I can.

Being a parent

When I was a little girl, I used to dream of what my family would be like when it was my turn to be a Mother. I wanted a large family so I had twelve names picked out, six girls and six boys. I was a big dreamer. Of course I would have a handsome dreamy husband to go along with those twelve children.
Well I have the handsome dreamy husband, but after my fifth baby I decided that was the perfect number. My logic was that jeans were so expensive and I had four boys, and with one girl trying to keep up with all the pretty polka dotted this and that I better just stop while I was ahead.
So jump many years later I have a ton of great experiences with my Dreamy man and five children, and four grandchildren. Life has been busy, hard, lots of laughter,tears and so many well earned memories.
Family is so important I can't imagine my life without them in it. Each family unit is different; as it should be. But I believe that our Father in Heaven sent us to this beautiful place to thrive in a family unit. We learn so much about lifes mysteries as we learn to take care of each other

Boy and Girl, Man and Women, Husband and Wife, Father and Mother. We start out so Innocent as a boy or a girl with dreams of becoming and adult, what will we do? who will we Marry, will we have a family? if so how big will it. Is there a rule book on how to raise our little bundles of joy. Not all families are raised with a believe in God, thankfully I was. I will ever be grateful to my parents for introducing me to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I have chosen to live my life as a Member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latteday Saints, or as some people say a Mormon. I do believe there is a book of instruction called the Scriptures and modern day revelation revealed by Prophets and Apostles. In 1995 Gordon B. Hinckley introduced what is called The Family a Proclamation To The World. It starts out as follows.

WE, THE FIRST PRESIDENCY and the Council of the Twelve
Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints,
solemnly proclaim that marriage between a man and a
woman is ordained of God and that the family is central to
the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.

That first paragraph defines the purpose for families, he really does have a plan for us. The Family unit is designed to full fill his will for us.

Here is the link for the entire Document, it is divinely written and every Man Women and Child will benefit from learning the Purpose of Families.

http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng

I would like to share one more portion:

HUSBAND AND WIFE have a solemn responsibility to love
and care for each other and for their children. “Children
are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a
sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness,
to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to
teach them to love and serve one another, observe the commandments
of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever
they live. Husbands and wives—mothers and fathers—
will be held accountable before God for the discharge of
these obligations.
THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and
woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled
to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by
a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete
fidelity.

Having a Family is big responsibility, but having a Family and choosing to allow Heavenly Father to Guide you in your Duty as Parents will make the journey priceless. It does not mean it will be easy, on the contrary it was not meant to be easy. As a Wife and Mother I am so grateful to have current revelation regarding families. It makes my role as Mother clear and drives me to do better. This world we live in is becoming increasingly more difficult and challenging. Moral values are scued and the lines are not defined.
Speaking of the Proclamation Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said, “It was then and is now a clarion call to protect and strengthen families and a stern warning in a world where declining values and misplaced priorities threaten to destroy society by undermining its basic unit”
How true it is that we see the values we hold dear seem to crumble under our feet, The majority seems to becoming the minority. It is so important to stay close to our Faith and follow the counsel of a loving Heavenly Father. The role of Fathers and Mothers is made clear, the responsibilities of each parent and the value each one adds to the Family.
I have loved my children with everything I am, my responsibility as their Mother is an ever binding contract I made with my Heavenly Father. I will love them, set a good example for them, and just be present. My children are all grown up but I am still their Mother and hold my self accountable for my actions in there behalf. Now it is their turn to be parents and I have the best job now. I am BEE (Grandma) and that is the best title ever.

Before I end I want to share one more thought by Gordon B Hinckley 15th President of the Church, He counseled: "Never forget that these little ones are the sons and daughters of God and that yours is a custodial relationship to them, that He was a parent before you were parents and that He has not relinquished His parental rights or interest in these His little ones. Now, love them, take care of them. Fathers, control your tempers, now and in all the years to come. Mothers, control your voices; keep them down. Rear your children in love, in the nurture and admonition of the Lord.
Welcome them into our homes, and nurture and love them with all your hearts"
It does not get any clearer than that.