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.

Just a thought

It is a Thursday evening and I just got back from my Missionary service in the ARP program(Addiction Recovery program.)We are on Step 3 which is Trust in God, so I thought well that is a great topic to put my thoughts to. But before the meeting started, I was looking In a book of quotes in the institute Library. I happened to turn to a quote by Abraham Lincoln who I admire so much he said " What I do say is, that no man is good enough to govern another man without the others consent"

So I decided to turn my thoughts to what I think about that quote. I will talk about Trust another time.

As I have grown older I have learned to appreciate the great wisdom from our for fathers and this great country we are blessed to live in. I spend some of my time listening to the political process, I love to watch a good debate, you can tell alot about a person if you watch closely to how they speak, their posture, the look on their face, and then of course the words they speak. I feel if I don't listen I will not be able to make a good choice. I hear people say" Their all just crooks" Well some are, but not all, there are many good men and women who choose to serve the citizens of this country for the benefit of all men and women.

We have a government set up that give us freedom to choose who we will let govern us. Sometimes we don't get who we voted for, sometimes we have to wait our turn for our guy to be up. But the point is we have a voice.
This country was organized with a set of checks and balances We are encouraged to vote to use that God given gift of agency and use our voice to say what we think.
Although the church I belong to is Politically Neutral we are encouraged to vote. In the church news recently an article was sent out in Utah as they are preparing for their caucuses. here is a part of it.

"Principles compatible with the gospel may be found in the platforms of the various political parties. We encourage members to attend their precinct caucus meetings
The First Presidency has made the same appeal in the past of encouraging members of the Church to participate, with other good citizens, in the political process as part of their individual civic duty, while the Church itself remains politically neutral."

I personally will choose as my heart and mind dictate, I will listen, think , and pray about my decision when it comes time to place my vote.
I trust the system that was set up for us, it works. We are given a choice to Act or be Acted upon. If we don't vote we are being Acted upon.

The other great quote I read on the white board, was by Thomas S. Monson it said
" The past is behind- Learn from it.. The future is ahead - Prepare for it. Th present is here- Live in it..
We can learn so many great things from the past, but we should not dwell on what could have been or what once was, It is exciting to look to the future for what might be, but we should not spend to much time in state of mind, of what could be. But we should be preparing for the future based on what we have learned and the great wisdom of others. To live in the present is a daily gift, life is precious and we should not waste minute of it.
So I will live in the present, learn from the past, and look forward to a great future. I am excited to see how this election turns out. I hope my guy will win. But if not I will support the laws of this land and be a good citizens. I think that is what is expected of all of us that live in America.
Watch, Listen, and Vote....

A need to fill up my cup

My family all became ill last week, so when Sunday came around we were all to sick to attend church. Oh how I missed partaking of the Sacrament and hearing the word of the Lord. There is a reason we attend weekly and why we take the Sacrament weekly.
It gives us the opportunity to renew the covenants we have made at our Baptism and for those who have made Temple covenants to re commit and repent of our sins.
In the Doctrine and Covenants Section 59: 7 -9 It says "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things,
Thou shalt offer a sacrifice unto the Lord thy God in righteousness, even that of a broken heart and a contrite spirit.
And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day.
So missing Sunday was hard for me, I rely on the Sacrament and the rest of my church service to keep me going through the week.

So come Monday morning I felt my cup empty, and as the week dragged on it was struggle to get through. Obviously being sick makes your physical body tired and dragging. I knew there was only so much I could do to feel better. I could take medicine, cough drops, try and get extra sleep, which never happens by the way. This was going to take its course and I just have to endure it with patience. Well I am now on my 8th day of this stupid cold, this morning I read a quote by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf on Patience.
"Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith." - This is my favorite quote on patience, it really says exactly what it is. When we ask for patience most of the time I think we are asking to make it go away, instead of help me while this lasts.

Thank you President Uchtdorf for the reminder....

So of course I am always looking for a spiritual parallel in my coming on goings. It helps me to stay spiritually fit to always look for that connection. If you look you can find God in everything.

The Savior taught in parables, he took everyday activities and turned them into a spiritual comparison. What a great way to teach a gospel principle. Those who are looking would understand and those with hard hearts were just confused. One of my favorite parables is the parable of the Ten Virgins; From the primary Manuel( A book that we teach our children ages 4 to 12) it explains it as follows "the parable is based on ancient Jewish wedding customs. The bridegroom and his friends escorted the bride from her home to the home of the bridegroom. Along the way friends of the bride waited to join them. When they arrived at the bridegroom’s home, they all went inside for the wedding. These weddings usually took place in the evenings, so those waiting for the bride and bridegroom carried lamps."
The Savior taught a great lesson from a basic common costume of the time. If they wanted to meet the bridegroom they needed to be have their lamps trimmed and filled with oil, or they would miss the event. So what does the oil represent? To me it means being spiritually and physically prepared for short term and long term goals. I know the Savior will come someday, when ? don't know. But what I do know; is that we are to prepare for his coming. Spiritually and Temporally, Just like in the parable: in order to enjoy the festivities the girls needed to have their lamps prepared, so when the five virgins realized their lamps were not ready they wanted to borrow oil from their prepared friends. Some might think why did they not share so all could join. I look at that precious oil as all my life experiences that have built my testimony of my Savior. The time I have been preparing myself for his return. Our testimony and Faith is a personal choice to have and work on. Only we as individuals know were we stand with the Lord. We have to work on ourselves little by little, having faith and patience in ourselves.

The wise virgins who had prepared themselves for the coming their Lord were ready and they could not share their oil, it was their hard work, faith, and testimony it belonged only to them.
I think individual can lean on someones faith and testimony until they are strong enough on their own. That is the beauty of the gospel to share our light so others will see and want to enjoy the fruits of the gospel. Being a member of the church is such a joy, but I would be miss leading if I did not say it is work, It is hard work, it was meant to be. No pain no gain, that is why are asked to sacrifice our time and talents to Lord. If you want to be physically fit you must exercise, if you want to be spiritually fit you must spiritually exercise. But it is the greatest work and the rewards are eternal.

While I have been sick, I noticed my lack of enthusiasm for about everything ,it came to my mind that I have such limited control over this cold. I have to do my part in order to keep functioning. So as I mentioned before I am always looking for a spiritual parallel, so I can keep growing and learning. I learned more this week while I was sick. I honestly can say It is so important to keep up on our prayers, scripture reading, service to family and friends, repentance. All these things and many more keep our lamps full of spiritual oil.

So although I was tired and not feeling well, I knew I needed to rely on the Lord to get through the week, as I could not miss work or stop life all together. All though I did think a pause button might have been useful at some moments.

Well our family is now on the downhill slide of this silly cold, I am grateful for my health and the blessings I have in my life. I wish only through this blog to help those who are looking for comfort or direction to their Savior. It also helps me to see where I am in my life at the moment, I think putting your feelings on paper really gives you pause to think and focus. So of course I desire to be a Lady with a fully trimmed and oil filled lamp.

The sweetness that comes from Forgiveness

A commandment close to my heart is forgiveness. I think it is a very misunderstood commandment.
If you are a person of faith, it is something you will be familiar with. If you don't have a religion you follow but you lead your life by conscience, I still think forgiveness is something most of us are aware of. But what to do with it? Is it in the back of the closet, something we pull out when necessary. Or is it always there in the front pocket ready to pull out and use.
I believe Repentance and forgiveness are interlinked. Richard G. Scott said" Repentance is the gateway to Forgiveness"

Repentance is an humbling act on our part, where we ask our Father in Heaven to forgive us of our sins.


Each day I begin my day with prayer giving thanks for my blessing, asking for his spirit to be with me(Holy Ghost, third member of the God Head) each day to guide my day. I ask for blessing for those I love, and for those unknown to me; but I am sure need prayers. I ask forgiveness of my sins and the ability to resist temptation. I then close in our Saviors name. Every prayer is never exactly the same but I do follow a pattern. I greet him and thank him, then I ask him for things I feel impressed to seek or that I might need help with. Always seeking his will not mine. I am so thankful for prayer just to know that he is just a thought a way. The more you practice praying the easier it is. You realize you can pray anywhere anytime. Because I pray it is easier for me to see the need to forgive and be forgiven.


I am so thankful that Heavenly is patient with me, and I know he expects me to give that same courtesy to my fellow brothers and sisters. Now that being said, it is a process that takes time. That is why I chose to write about it. It is something I know that I will have to be diligent about in order to see changes in myself. That is why is said it is misunderstood, I see many who try to change their lives for the better but they are hung up on forgiving others as well as themselves. There is story about a little girl, who gets a splinter, she goes to he Father and asks him to please remove the splinter. You can picture this little girls tear filled eyes. Of course her Father wants to help,so he goes and gets the needle, tweezers, ointment, and band aid. The little girl says to her Father" no Daddy just put a band aid on it. " Of course he explains that if he just puts a band aid on it, it will fester and she could get and infection and it will hurt even more.
This is what happens when we don't take care of the hurt and pains caused by life's lessons. We don't really clean out the closet we just sweep it in a corner and hope it stays there after we shut the door.

My husband and I serve in our church as service missionaries for the Addiction Recovery
Program. It mirrors the Original Alcoholics anonymous 12 step program.

Step 8 is Titled Seeking forgiveness, each step is separated into 3 parts. First is the key principle, second action steps, Third is study and understanding. In this particular step in the actions steps their is a great teaching moment that really helps, it is as follows. "
In preparation for making amends, many of us have found the following exercise helpful. Think of someone for whom you have had hard feelings. For two weeks,deliberately kneel and pray for him or her each day.Keep a record of changes in your thoughts and feelings about that person. (See Matthew 22:37–38; 1 Corinthians 13; 1 John 4:19; Moroni 7:44–48.)
When I came across this step it was such an answer to a prayer, I had been struggling with how to let go of some hurt and disappointment. I felt I was justified because it was done to me so I could hold hard feelings. It was killing me to keep it. So this was my answer, I set a plan and and prayed for two weeks for this person. I actually missed a night and I felt it,I knew if was making a difference. I can honestly say it was the best thing for me. To forgive really forgive; application of a great principle was now applied and I learned a great lesson. I can now walk the walk not just talk the talk.

There is a great quote by Ralf Waldo Emerson. "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do, not that the nature of the thing has changed; but our power to do will increase"

That which we desire, we will eventually overtime become. Practice makes perfect. All great motivating sayings.
The beauty of it is, when applied and after hard work and persistence; It works.

Repentance truly is the gateway to Forgiveness. I am so grateful for this commandment.
In Doctrine and Covenants Chapter 64 9 -11 It says "Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.
10 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.
11 And ye ought to say in your hearts—let God judge between me and thee, and reward thee according to thy deeds."
In my calling I get to witness people change, they let go of addictions, they become close to God. They Forgive themselves and others. They then become mold able, just like the clay in the potters hand. They become the masters hands.
We have such and opportunity to make the most out of the life that our Father in Heaven has blessed us with. To be the Son or Daughter he knows we can be and should be. He is just waitng to bless us as we comply with his laws. For we are tuly blessed by the commandments we keep.

The ennobiling principle of work

There is a quote by Dieter F Uchtdorf from a talk titled Two principles for Any Economy.

" It is often in the trial of adversity that we learn those most critical lessons that form our character and shape our destiny"

The two principles he speaks about are Work and Learning. These two principles no one should try to escape but we should embrace them as our lifeline to help us become and overcome.

In his talk he says that " work is an antidote for anxiety, and ointment for sorrow, and a doorway to possibility"

As my work week ended this week I was grateful to come upon this article as a reminder of how important it is to work and learn. As I reflect upon this past week my first thoughts are I am grateful it is over; then on a more realistic note, I am grateful for the ladies I work with who I could not do what I do without them. My job is to lead in feeding a thousand students two meals everday. That equals to about 1700 or so meals everyday.

There are fifteen of us who under my stewardship pull off this great task.
So you can only imagine the fun we have, the work is mind boggling and back breaking sometimes, but very rewarding. We always start our day off with great music, we have been known to dance and sing while we work. There are many times that I will be doing some computer work and one of my girls will come and get me so I can join in the line as we dance around the whole kitchen to one of their favorite songs. You learn a lot about people when you spend eight hours a day with them, they become an extension of your family.

In spending that much time and doing what we do; there will be times that mistakes are made. This past week was one of those times. I was asked to make Oatmeal cookies for all the elementary sites, that is a lot of cookies. There are about 10 or so sites and they all need 500 to 700 cookies. I have until Feb 10th to get them ready. We will make the dough and freeze it then send it out for them. This week I needed to get started, I am currently missing two of my employees for a large period of time and have had several girls out sick, but the cookies still need to get done. So the adventure began this week, without telling the whole story needless to say a mistake was made where an amount of a particular ingredient was added to the dry ingredients.

So now instead of making a batch of 400 cookies we will now have to make this batch for 1600 cookies. That is a lot of product!!!! One example it will take 96 eggs to pull this off. So the rest of week was spent figuring this out. We have still yet to finish, and will start Monday ready to tackle it.

The greatest thing that I learned from this experience is One :Mistakes will happen and its okay, Two : appreciation for the people you work with, Three :Friday always comes, Four: I am a lucky lady to have such a great place to work and the freedom to be creative.

Would I have learned this without this particular experience, didn't I already fill this way?
I think all experiences add up and reinforce our belief system.
Work is what make us who we are, the work we do tells a story about us.
Another quote from the previous talk mentioned by Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: “It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we’ll make the effort. … It’s in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled.”

At almost 47 I still have many mornings ahead of me that will start at 4 am and end with my work at home at 10 pm. Am I tired most of the time? I am; but I find that in hard work there is an energy that comes form no other place. It propells me forward to keep going ,kind of like that little choo choo train... I think I can, I think I can .

" The Lord doesn’t expect us to work harder than we are able. He doesn’t (nor should we) compare our efforts to those of others. Our Heavenly Father asks only that we do the best we can—that we work according to our full capacity, however great or small that may be."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf.

If we want to be educated we have to study, If we want to be physically fit we have to exercise and eat right, if we want to be successful at a work or life in general we have to Work at it.
Small steps !!!!
6 Now ye may suppose that this is foolishness in me; but behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass; and small means in many instances doth confound the wise.
7 And the Lord God doth work by means to bring about his great and eternal purposes; and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls. Alma 37: 6&7
So let's all role up our sleeves and be engaged in the work that is our lives.

Love thy Neighbor

Love thy neighbor as thyself: As member of the LDS faith(Mormon) we attend church in a three hour block. Sacrament(Communion to some) Sunday School and Relief Society for the Sisters and Priesthood for the Men. In the third hour the women and men are all studying the same thing; talks by our past Prophet George Albert Smith.

The topic Love thy neighbor was the subject: In Matthew 22 37-40 it states Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind.
38 This is the first and great commandment.
39 And the second is like unto it, Thou shalt love thy neighbour as thyself.
40 On these two commandments hang all the law and the prophets.

So what does it really mean to love thy neighbor? and who is our neighbor?

In the lesson George Albert Smith said the following

"All people are our brothers and sisters, children of our Heavenly Father.
We look upon all men as our brothers, all women as our sisters; we look upon the face of every human being that is in the world as a child of our Father, and believe that as each is in the image of the Father, so also each possesses a spark of divinity that if developed will prepare us to return to His presence." …

When we get up and face each day do we look at each person we come in contact that way?

It is a worthy goal, to look at all mankind as a brother or sister as a child of God. In families we know that it is not always peaches and cream there is happy times and hard times; so it is with our neighbor there will be many people we struggle to get along with. But if we look at our neighbor as a Child of God we can see them as our Father in Heaven sees them as his child who he loves unconditionally.

Pres Smith goes on to say : "As I think of my regard and my affection for my Father’s family, the human family, I remember something my earthly father said, and I think probably I inherited that in part from him. He said, “I have never seen a child of God so deep in the gutter that I have not had the impulse to stoop down and lift him up and put him on his feet and start him again.” I would like to say I have never seen one of my Father’s children in my life that I have not realized he was my brother and that God loves every one of his children."

When I read his comments I thought to myself how am I doing am I true... do I treat my fellow friends, co workers, the man on the corner with the sign, the person who cuts you off on the freeway and most importantly my family. So I decided to put myself to the test.. and pay attention to my actions through the week as life came at me. Well I have to say when I focused my attention on myself I saw more clearly all the different situations I had an opportunity to respond or serve my neighbor.
It is like that old saying If you ask for patience you will get a trial to test you patience.
The true test of a man or women is when times are difficult or challenging.
I saw how my prayer was answered, I was tested all week. I think I did fine but it defiantly was like looking in the mirror all week; seeing myself and the person I am today, recognizing the improvements I can make.
I have always believed I should love my neighbor as myself, but I think it is time to really work on how I can show my neighbor I love them. It is an individual decision to be kind and caring.
I love that we are given the opportunity to be clay in the Masters hands, to know that he will mold us to the son or daughter he knows we have the capacity to be. Just like Pres Smith stated in the earlier quote. We all have a spark of divinity in us if developed that being the key word. We will then be worthy to live in his presence.
So I will keep up with my efforts to widdle away my weakness and make them my strengths. King Benjamin said " when ye are in the service of your fellow being, ye are only in the service of your God."

So I jumped...

So the other day I was on a lunch date with my best friend and my grandson at Panda Express. In the seat behind us was a little boy a year older than Atticus; they were having quite the time of it, talking , staring at each other. After a while I think Atticus decided well we have spent time talking to each other so now I want to come over to your seat and hang out.
He kept trying to scoot his way over there via the side closes to the window. Like I cant see the little bugger trying to escape. So we played this game for awhile, not sure I even got to eat or enjoy my lunch or hear any conversation my best friend was telling me. The second I turned my head he was inching his way to the other side, I said to him " Your going to get stuck" he said Not get stuck Bee"Your going to get Stuck" Back and for this went for a while until finally he made a mad rush for the other bench. Stuck!!! So here I am a 46 year grandmother standing up on her seat and jumping over to the other booth. Sitting next to me now are two strangers watching me help my grandson from his now stuck position. Oh how this brings back all the memories with my five wee ones. Thank goodness his head was easily retrieved and the sweet girl next to me let me slide out instead of climbing over the way I came.
Well the one good thing is that my friend said I jumped over so fast that no one would have noticed if I did it gracefully or not.
So as I reflect on this little experience of mine; I was thinking about all the times we tell someone "Hey this is yummy or you should try it; or you should read this book it is amazing. We think just based on what we know that by our experience or our likes that you of course would want to taste, read or try some new experience. Of course this does have merit we gain friendships and we base our minds on what we learn from others But ultimately we decide what decisions we will make good or bad.
So my grandson did not believe he would get stuck just because I told him he would; he chose to check it out himself and then he got to experience the consequences himself.
Nor will I be surprised if he tries it again just to make sure his head should not fit between a table and a glass wall.
I heard this great story tonight about this beautiful place with a great vista over looking the valley, many people would go right to the edge just to get as close to this great vastness and beauty that lay out before them. They would go so close that they would fall to the bottom; and have to be rescued by the local ambulance; where recovery from their folly was possible.
In this beautiful place it became quite common for visitors to fall off the vista, the ambulance was kept quite busy. So the towns people got together and talked over whether they should purchase more ambulances or build a fence to protect the many on lookers. What a question.In our lives do we build fences or boundaries that keep us safe or do we teeter over the edge hoping not to fall, sometimes falling and hoping their is an ambulance close by to pick up the pieces.
We are given commandments to protect us, and keep us close to Lord
In the Book of Mormon their is a story about Father who sees a beautiful tree who bares amazing white fruit, that delights the eye. He partakes of the fruit, it is delicious to the taste. Based on his experience he wants his family to come and taste this amazing fruit, he beckons them to come to him. His wife and two of his sons come and partake but two of his sons refuse. Later in the story one of his sons who partook of the fruit desires to know the meaning of this dream. So he goes and asks the Lord, It is revealed to him that the tree and the fruit represent the Love of God. There is much more to this story but just this small part means so much.
As a parent we want to share all that we can that is good and will bring our children success. Our job is to set the example by living our lives in accordance with God's commandments.
I have learned over time that consistency really does matter, it is important to be patient, long suffering, kind, and slow to anger.
Like this Fathers story in the Book of Mormon he is taught about the Love of God so he want so much to teach it to his children so that they too can experience for themselves joy.
So how many times will I have to jump over a table? No idea.

I thought I was tired.. but then

This morning when I woke up at the crack of dawn; which is my norm. I thought to myself " I am so tired" That was going to be my morning post on Facebook as I paroosed the page. Then I came upon a link I had subscribed to about the Willie Martin Handcart company. Growing up as a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latterday Saints, I am very familiar with the story but decided to watch the movie posted anyway.
The handcart company were Saints from England who desired to move West to join the Saints in Utah. Unfortunately they left very late in the migrating season and suffered greatly due to poor weather conditions. Their story is inspirational as they were motivated by their faith to keep moving regardless of their dire circumstances. Needless to say after being reminded of their sacrifice I no longer felt tired.
Here I am in a beautiful home, with my wonderful husband, nice cozy temperature in the house, plenty of food in the cub boards. I have nothing to complain about only many things to be grateful for.
I thought how would I have been on that journey, I don't really know the answer. I would hope to say that I would have been brave. It is a journey I was not required to go through, I am grateful though for those who did and did it well as to inspire me and many others to strive do my best.
I have kept a journal since I was a new Mom documenting my life alongside me children's.
I have often wondered why? I remember always hearing from church leaders the importance of journal keeping
If nothing else, write your testimony. Nephi said, “We … write, to persuade our children … to believe in Christ” (2 Ne. 25:23).
So I have made a meager attempt to do so, hoping someday my children will see my willingness to serve the Lord and be the best Wife and Mother I knew how to be. Through the pages I have written I can see the changes I have made in my life for the positive. I have definitely traveled my own journey.
Imagine if these saints who traveled west had not kept a journal, we would never know their story.
I have often been inspired by my own family history as I have written stories down as I sit at my Grandmothers feet as she tells of her family history.
What story am I writing as I live my life? to most of the world at large it won't matter. To my family and close friends I thinks it matters a lot. There are so many people I look up to and admire, that have motivated me to be the person I am trying to be. So even though I will not likely have to push a handcart in my lifetime. I think we all have our handcarts.
Therefore, I would that ye should be steadfast‍ and immovable, always abounding in good works,‍ that Christ, the Lord God Omnipotent, may seal you his, that you may be brought to heaven, that ye may have everlasting salvation and eternal life, through the wisdom, and power, and justice, and mercy of him who created all things, in heaven and in earth, who is God above all” (Mosiah 5:15; emphasis added).
So was I tired this morning? Yes, but that is okay.

Freedom

I read an article about Religious freedom today. Got me thinking about what a lucky Lady I am to live in a Country that has put Freedom as one of our most important constitutional rights. I am paraphrasing here, but it spoke of how Freedom of Religion is often spoke of as our first freedom whether you are religious or just guided by conscience. Having that Freedom allows us to make decisions for our self based on faith or our own conscience of what we see as the right thing to do.
So what do we do with that Freedom? Take it for granted mostly I think, we are so used to waking up each morning and the water comes out of the faucet, food is in the fridge, car in the driveway, Internet at our fingertips. I guess I just don't want to be a person who takes these great freedoms for granted. So many other nations have seen what we have done and model after this great country. It all comes down to the individual we cant change anyone but ourselves.
Funny how we are all so different all drawn to likes and dislikes. The great thing is we get to choose what we will like and not like. Which faith to follow or not.
I think as Americans if we really want to be a great nation we should take our Freedoms more seriously. Stand up for our beliefs, live them, wear our faith on our sleeve. If we all stood for our faith or good conscience we would all benefit from others good choices.
James and I serve as Addiction Recovery Service Missionaries, it is a non paid service we do for our church. I bring it up because once a week I see great people who come to try to gain their freedom back by learning to live free from addictions. It is hard to be a productive member of society when you are chained to an addiction. I applaud anyone who seeks help to be free.
There is a scripture in Alma 39: 12 - 13 that says" The Spirit of the Lord doth say unto me: Command thy children to do good, lest they lead away the hearts of many people to destruction; therefore I command you my son(or daughter) in the fear(reverence) of God, that ye refrain from your iniquities;
"That ye turn to the Lord with all your mind, might, and strength; that ye lead away the hearts of no more to do wickedly; but rather return unto them, and acknowledge your faults and that wrong which ye have done"
We are all either a good example or bad, If we choose the right we have to opportunity to help other make good choices.
I am thankful for so many wonderful people in my life who set such a great example for me, so when the time came for a choice to be made I had lots of great examples to draw from.

The pitter patter of 38 feet

For the past two weeks 38 feet walked, jumped and ran around my house. And what a joyous noise it was. I started my preparation for Christmas in late September buying a gift every weekend until the I felt I had accomplished the gifts of Christmas. I have been known to go a little crazy with gifts, but I love it so much.... Funny as I type I am listening to Come Thou Fount of every blessing, such an amazing and inspiring song.
The Reason we have Christmas is for the Celebration of our Savior Jesus Christ so by proxy we give gifts to those we love as symbol of the gifts given the Christ Child.
So as I spent dollar after dollar on these symbols, knowing my children and Grandchildren would feel the love I have for them. Not so much because of the gifts but because of the thoughts behind them.
We as a people need Christmas it is the one time of year we really put forth the effort to draw ourselves to our Savior. Should we be that way all year around? YES!!!
So as these feet pitter patterd around my home, I was full of gratitude for a Heavenly Father who helped all the pieces come together. It is not an easy thing to bring together Four Children ( Dylan was missing) Two daughter in laws, Three grandchildren, James and I, three dogs and one traumatized cat. Do the math that equals 38 feet/paws.
Nicholaus sent out an email to everyone that asking each one to be in charge of two meals so I would not have to think of what to cook. So the fun began as each person took on a dinner. Zachary made the first meal it was a two day process General Tso and Orange Chicken with Fried rice and Cream cheese filled wantons: It was amazing... Kailey was next with Chicken Tortilla soup and not just any soup it was soupalicious... Nick and Kat Homemade cream sauce, fettichini with spinach and Brachetta are you jealous yet.. Then came South west egg rolls by Kailey, Coconut Shrimp with Butter garlic sherry Fettichini topped with baby shrimp by Tiffanie, Nick and Kat then made Homemade Chibatta pizzas after a night with the Harrison's they brought home this yummy idea.
So now the tradition begins, we have all shared the recipes on paper and in a few years time we will have a cook book.
It was awesome sharing these fun moments with each other. The best though was all the baby time we had, as Aunts and Uncles played with babies and helped stop Little Atticus from escaping out the doggy door a million time each day. This was Christmas for me.
It was hard to say goodbye to my children who travel long miles to be here. I miss them so much already. I am blessed Mother who has Children who love me and take the time each day to call and check in.
So why Christmas? Why Christ? In Gethsemane as our Savior atoned for our sins by proxy he took on each one of our sins, heartaches, illness, trials, all the human depravity so he personally would know how to succor his people. The greatest gift to mankind was born in a stable, bleed from each pore for our sins, and hung on Calvary's cross, gave up the ghost and then rose on the third day. We have a great debt to pay for this great gift, all he requires is that we keep the commandments, try to live as he lived. I life long process but well worth the journey.