Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Showing posts with label spiritual. Show all posts
Sunday, April 1, 2012
Spiritual Feast
Saturday, March 17, 2012
{Time Out For Women} 2012
My sister Katelyn and I had the wonderful opportunity to attend Idaho Falls' Time Out for Women. It.was.a.blast!!!
Next year we're all going to go...Mom, Me, Tricia (you're invited, too!), Stephanie, Katelyn, and Deseret.
I'll update more on the talks when I can locate my notes. LOL!
Next year we're all going to go...Mom, Me, Tricia (you're invited, too!), Stephanie, Katelyn, and Deseret.
I'll update more on the talks when I can locate my notes. LOL!
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| Friday Evening, No makeup for me! But I could TOTALLY see the stage, even in the top of the balcony! |
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| Saturday...in better seats! |
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| Met up with some good friends that I love dearly. ♥ |
Sunday, February 26, 2012
My {heart} is full.
We had a special stake conference today, and while I expected a new stake presidency or new stake/ward boundaries to be announced, I was pleasantly surprised, and my heart is full.
The only talk I was able to take notes on, and really hear (it's tricky to hear everything when three boys are being less than reverent), was that by our stake president, Kay Christensen. His message was simple and one our home desperately needed to hear.
He posed a question for us to think about: "What are the things we do that strengthen our family?
Specifically, how can we pattern our homes after the temple?"
Specifically, how can we pattern our homes after the temple?"
- Soft voices
- Appropriate music, movies, and reading material
- Activities: Service to others
- Building relationships
Our home and the temple should be our favorite place to be.
It is better to be kind than to be right. Sadly, entertainment has taken the place of communication...something even our 20 month old has started doing...(Kortlen knows 3 words (mama, mom!, and uhhhh!), and how to play on the iPod.)
He also asked the following questions...something to "Think on, Speak of, and Act on" :
1. What do you want?
2. What are you willing to do?
3. How far are you willing to go?
My heart is full. I needed a little reminder.
It is better to be kind than to be right. Sadly, entertainment has taken the place of communication...something even our 20 month old has started doing...(Kortlen knows 3 words (mama, mom!, and uhhhh!), and how to play on the iPod.)
He also asked the following questions...something to "Think on, Speak of, and Act on" :
1. What do you want?
2. What are you willing to do?
3. How far are you willing to go?
My heart is full. I needed a little reminder.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Some Personal Reminders
It's been a miserably long week over here. Lots of tears and just lots of lost hope...but I'm happy to say that I've been rejuvenated by a wonderful Stake Conference. Particularly the Adult Session that Ryan and I were able to attend.
A woman I admire very much, was the first speaker. Sister Joy Sorensen. Love her to pieces!!! She spoke on Testimonies. She stated that our testimonies should included these five basic principals: That God Lives, and Jesus is our elder brother. That Joseph Smith restored the gospel, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that we sustain our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Testimonies can begin in Primary...even young children can have these simple testimonies!
She invited us to read Joseph Smith's Testimony (link HERE).
A quote that I jotted down was a gentle reminder:
Next we heard from Brother Radford. While I don't know this man personally, he shared a message that I needed to hear. Desperately.
He started with the below story (you can read Elder Uchtdorf's talk by clicking on the story below).
He encouraged us to be unselfish in our teachings and learnings, "It's not about YOU"...as he gave us this council:
AS THE STUDENT (to get the most out of learning)
- Be there an be attentive. If we have no more to learn and are perfect, then by all means, enjoy the hallway time during class.
- Turn off the technology. Obviously. Technology is a wonderful thing, but there's something to be said about holding the Scriptures in your hands and delicately and reverently turning their pages.
- Prepare and be teachable and be humble. Enter the classroom with an open mind and an open heart.
- Listen with your ears, and listen with your heart.
AS THE TEACHER (I also applied this to being a teacher to my children)
- Teach true and key doctrine. It's futile to show how smart you are by give the most obscure references to prove a point. Even Christ taught in simple terms.
- Invite to action. Invite the learner to make a change, or challenge them to do something as simple as applying the principle being taught.
- Promise Blessings. Promise that if they act on the teachings they received, that they will receive blessings!
A member of our Stake Presidency, President Hatch, spoke on a topic that is dear to my heart, and just brought me such happiness. He talked about gardening. Yup! Growing a garden. I am by no means a good gardener, but do enjoy thing simple things that happen when a garden grows before your eyes.
{Gardening is a connection with the Earth and a connection with God. It is WORK. And there is something for every member of the family when growing a garden. While growing a garden, it is simple to reinforce the principles of the gospel...}
- From a small seed, great plants grow.
- Seeds will grow differently in rocky/sandy/dry/overly wet soil.
- How do we nurture a seed? How can we compare that to the gospel?
- Tasting of the fruits of your labors; something we work hard for and they taste delicious!
- Law of the Harvest: Sow what you reap (goals)
- Becoming more self reliant!
{These are some of the blessings that come from planning, planting and working in a garden with our families.}
There is responsibility that can be given to EACH MEMBER, no matter their age! We were also encouraged to share the work and the harvest with others.
I cannot wait to sow these seeds! We can literally start planing our garden in 4 months in starter cups, then we'll transplant them and watch miracles happen! Of course, with lots of hard work. :)
Our sweet Stake President, President Christensen, also shared a message that was "just for me". He began by asking us WHY we remember the bad that people have done, instead of the good...and brought examples to light, of Zeezrom, Amuleck and Alma in the Book of Mormon. They were hellions, at best, but they repented and brought many to the Gospel. (Alma 15:4-14)
{When we fail to forgive, we are denying the Atonement of Christ! It's as if we were to drink poison and then hope for 'them' to die!}
We I need to remember the good that people do, not the bad.
It's time we start doing that in our own little family. :)
After being spiritually fed a feast, we make a quick run to Kiwi Loco and got dessert - deal of the day was to guess the weight of your purchase and get it free...and wouldn't you know it? I guessed the weight of Ryan's frozen yogurt spot on at 10.2 ounces, so our date cost only half as much!!!
The boys did fairly well during the Sunday Session...but I didn't take notes, and didn't even jot anything down when I got home. Too busy helping them to be reverent and then getting lunch in their tummies so we could all have a long awaited nap!
In hind sight, the things that stuck with me most about the Sunday Session, was our Stake President's talk on keeping an {Attitude of Gratitude}. Simple. And True.
President Hillam shared that his father with Lou Gherrigs Disease had lost his ability to speak, but on a recent drive, tapped him on the shoulder and very painfully and carefully said, "Some people will say, 'I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, therefore', and others will say, 'I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, however'." Powerful.
A woman I admire very much, was the first speaker. Sister Joy Sorensen. Love her to pieces!!! She spoke on Testimonies. She stated that our testimonies should included these five basic principals: That God Lives, and Jesus is our elder brother. That Joseph Smith restored the gospel, and the Book of Mormon is the word of God, and that we sustain our prophet, President Thomas S. Monson. Testimonies can begin in Primary...even young children can have these simple testimonies!
She invited us to read Joseph Smith's Testimony (link HERE).
A quote that I jotted down was a gentle reminder:
Sister Sorensen also shared these words with us, also from Elder Bednar:
I loved her challenge for us to bear our testimonies "at all times".
__________
Next we heard from Brother Radford. While I don't know this man personally, he shared a message that I needed to hear. Desperately.
He started with the below story (you can read Elder Uchtdorf's talk by clicking on the story below).
{Love is the only appropriate way to teach the gospel of Jesus Christ.}
He encouraged us to be unselfish in our teachings and learnings, "It's not about YOU"...as he gave us this council:
AS THE STUDENT (to get the most out of learning)
- Be there an be attentive. If we have no more to learn and are perfect, then by all means, enjoy the hallway time during class.
- Turn off the technology. Obviously. Technology is a wonderful thing, but there's something to be said about holding the Scriptures in your hands and delicately and reverently turning their pages.
- Prepare and be teachable and be humble. Enter the classroom with an open mind and an open heart.
- Listen with your ears, and listen with your heart.
AS THE TEACHER (I also applied this to being a teacher to my children)
- Teach true and key doctrine. It's futile to show how smart you are by give the most obscure references to prove a point. Even Christ taught in simple terms.
- Invite to action. Invite the learner to make a change, or challenge them to do something as simple as applying the principle being taught.
- Promise Blessings. Promise that if they act on the teachings they received, that they will receive blessings!
__________
A member of our Stake Presidency, President Hatch, spoke on a topic that is dear to my heart, and just brought me such happiness. He talked about gardening. Yup! Growing a garden. I am by no means a good gardener, but do enjoy thing simple things that happen when a garden grows before your eyes.
{Gardening is a connection with the Earth and a connection with God. It is WORK. And there is something for every member of the family when growing a garden. While growing a garden, it is simple to reinforce the principles of the gospel...}
- From a small seed, great plants grow.
- Seeds will grow differently in rocky/sandy/dry/overly wet soil.
- How do we nurture a seed? How can we compare that to the gospel?
- Tasting of the fruits of your labors; something we work hard for and they taste delicious!
- Law of the Harvest: Sow what you reap (goals)
- Becoming more self reliant!
{These are some of the blessings that come from planning, planting and working in a garden with our families.}
There is responsibility that can be given to EACH MEMBER, no matter their age! We were also encouraged to share the work and the harvest with others.
I cannot wait to sow these seeds! We can literally start planing our garden in 4 months in starter cups, then we'll transplant them and watch miracles happen! Of course, with lots of hard work. :)
__________
Our sweet Stake President, President Christensen, also shared a message that was "just for me". He began by asking us WHY we remember the bad that people have done, instead of the good...and brought examples to light, of Zeezrom, Amuleck and Alma in the Book of Mormon. They were hellions, at best, but they repented and brought many to the Gospel. (Alma 15:4-14)
{When we fail to forgive, we are denying the Atonement of Christ! It's as if we were to drink poison and then hope for 'them' to die!}
Think of Paul the Apostle, Alma the Younger. Joseph of Egypt and his situation (Genesis 50:15). Think of Nephi and his brothers! Think of Victor Hugo's Les Miserables and poor Jean Valjean who was a thief, but then changed his life to become a great man...
{Matthew Chapter 7:4-5}
Pollyanna had a locket given to her by her late preacher father, and in it was a quote by Abraham Lincoln: "If you look for the bad in a person, you will always find it." She changed her entire town's outlook on life and each other by being the good, and helping them see the good in each other.
It's time we start doing that in our own little family. :)
_________
After being spiritually fed a feast, we make a quick run to Kiwi Loco and got dessert - deal of the day was to guess the weight of your purchase and get it free...and wouldn't you know it? I guessed the weight of Ryan's frozen yogurt spot on at 10.2 ounces, so our date cost only half as much!!!
__________
The boys did fairly well during the Sunday Session...but I didn't take notes, and didn't even jot anything down when I got home. Too busy helping them to be reverent and then getting lunch in their tummies so we could all have a long awaited nap!
In hind sight, the things that stuck with me most about the Sunday Session, was our Stake President's talk on keeping an {Attitude of Gratitude}. Simple. And True.
President Hillam shared that his father with Lou Gherrigs Disease had lost his ability to speak, but on a recent drive, tapped him on the shoulder and very painfully and carefully said, "Some people will say, 'I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, therefore', and others will say, 'I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ, however'." Powerful.
Sunday, November 20, 2011
It Testifies
It seems that lately my cup isn't full enough. It would only be appropriate for me to more prayerfully read, to become closer to He who cares so deeply for me. I know that the words of our prophets in the Book of Mormon are true. I know that they are for me. And for you. Go. Read that book.
Don't have a copy? Go HERE for your very own FREE copy. or let me know and I'd be happy to get you one so you can see how beautiful and wonderful and full of truth it is.
Thursday, October 20, 2011
Corn Maze+Scriptures=Family Home Evening
Such a nice cool evening to enjoy time with our sweet and eager little boys. Ryan and I took advantage of Monday Evening's crispness and time off to go to the Corn Maze in Rigby at the Family Fun Zone. The boys had a blast! Mom and dad had a blast! And we even got in a little spiritual message.
As we traveled through the maze to hole-punch markers and such, there were times we got lost. Luckily we had a map that showed us the way, showed us where markers were, and where to go. Sometimes we felt like we had been down a path previously, so we thought we could do it on our own, or let the boys lead. However, we were still lost! So, back to the map.
Like life, sometimes we feel like we can find our way on our own, especially when things are going well and we're doing 'good'. But I appreciated the gentle reminder Monday evening, that we need our scriptures, the words of the prophets, both past and present, and most important, the companionship of our Savior, to find our way and stay on the right path that will lead us to return to live with Him.
What a sweet, sweet, evening.
Tuesday, October 18, 2011
Sanctify Yourselves
Again. Profound. I am so thankful for my husband who worthily holds these sacred priesthood powers. My heart is full, to know that we have the blessings of the priesthood evident in our own home.
Would you like to know more? Go HERE.
♥♥♥
Sunday, October 16, 2011
Things as They Really Are
Profound. Loved this. It was on the Youth's part of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints' website, but I think it can apply to us all.
Watch it HERE. or click PLAY below.
Watch it HERE. or click PLAY below.
Saturday, September 24, 2011
Forget Me Not
What a beautiful ending to a roller-coaster of a day.
I had the opportunity to watch the General Relief Society Meeting this evening, and my heart is full. To watch the entire conference, click HERE.
We've been wrestling with a heavy decision. President Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk, and I wanted to jot a few notes here. I will link to the video or talk when I find the link. Watch a snippet of President Uchtdorfs talk HERE.
He outlined FIVE Forget Me Nots, in correspondence with the tiny flower's five petals that reflect the color of "the bluest sky", of course.
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself
Celebrate your good efforts and keep working on improvements. Be thankful for the small successes in your home. God notices, and we are not forgotten.
2. Forget not the difference of good sacrifice and foolish sacrifice
"Good-Better-Best"; Ask yourself: "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?"
3. Forget not to be happy now
Don't wait for the golden ticket!!! Remember the Simple Joys. Don't put happiness on hold. don't fail to notice the blessings that surround you. Never abandon hope, or righteous desires. Discover and treasure beauty in every-day moments.
4. Forget not the WHY of the Gospel
The Gospel is not a long list of tasks (despite what my lists look like. LOL!), Focus on what the Lord wants us to do and why. The Gospel is not an obligation, but a pathway...a light...it illuminates the way before us. See out the joy of the WHY of the Gospel.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you
I am not forgotten. No matter how insignificant I feel, or how dark my days are or how overshadowed I feel. He. Loves. Me. ♥ I am a daughter in His Kingdom. THe love of God is saving, it can dress any wound and soften sorrows. The Lord will Forget Me Not.
I am sure I got an answer to the issue I was struggling with. ♥
I had the opportunity to watch the General Relief Society Meeting this evening, and my heart is full. To watch the entire conference, click HERE.
We've been wrestling with a heavy decision. President Uchtdorf gave a wonderful talk, and I wanted to jot a few notes here. I will link to the video or talk when I find the link. Watch a snippet of President Uchtdorfs talk HERE.
He outlined FIVE Forget Me Nots, in correspondence with the tiny flower's five petals that reflect the color of "the bluest sky", of course.
1. Forget not to be patient with yourself
Celebrate your good efforts and keep working on improvements. Be thankful for the small successes in your home. God notices, and we are not forgotten.
2. Forget not the difference of good sacrifice and foolish sacrifice
"Good-Better-Best"; Ask yourself: "Am I committing my time and energies to the things that matter most?"
3. Forget not to be happy now
Don't wait for the golden ticket!!! Remember the Simple Joys. Don't put happiness on hold. don't fail to notice the blessings that surround you. Never abandon hope, or righteous desires. Discover and treasure beauty in every-day moments.
4. Forget not the WHY of the Gospel
The Gospel is not a long list of tasks (despite what my lists look like. LOL!), Focus on what the Lord wants us to do and why. The Gospel is not an obligation, but a pathway...a light...it illuminates the way before us. See out the joy of the WHY of the Gospel.
5. Forget not that the Lord loves you
I am not forgotten. No matter how insignificant I feel, or how dark my days are or how overshadowed I feel. He. Loves. Me. ♥ I am a daughter in His Kingdom. THe love of God is saving, it can dress any wound and soften sorrows. The Lord will Forget Me Not.
I am sure I got an answer to the issue I was struggling with. ♥
Sunday, June 26, 2011
{Good Things to Come}
"Trust God, and believe in good things to come."
-Elder Jeffery R. Holland
I think that I can do that.
I think that I can.
Thursday, January 13, 2011
"Give," said the Little Stream {giveaway!!! you really want to read the whole post!}
Every Sunday morning, as my sisters and I would be curling each other's hair and zipping up each other's dresses, spiritual, reverent, and beautiful music could be heard throughout our home. Often times it was hymns sung by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, or the inspiring music of Jon Schmit, Paul Cardell, Kenneth Cope, & Jenny Oaks Baker.
One of our favorite musicians is Jenny Phillips.
The CD "Steadfast and Immovable" is at the TOP of our list.
Jenny Phillips (and her crew) contacted me and said they'd give me
TWO EXTRA
2011 Primary Theme CD's:
{I know the Scriptures are True}
to give away!
So, I thought this would be a great way to 'give' like the Little Stream suggests.
The track list includes:
1. If I Listen with My Heart
2. I Will Follow God’s Plan
3. Stand for the Right
4. Praise to the Man
5. I Love to See The Temple
6. The Lord Gave Me a Temple
7. Search, Ponder, and Pray
I am so excited to be able to offer these to YOU! Jenny is an amazing artist, who portray's our Savior's Love for us through heart-warming and reverent music on all of her CD's.
These quiet and uplifting songs are great for soft listening, bedtime, for quiet time, or to sing along with (so your little ones, and maybe even you!) can learn the words for a wonderful Sacrament Meeting program in the fall. There's even a Children's Choir so your little ones don't feel like it's a grown-up CD.
Check out Jenny Phillips' facebook page HERE to see how you can get ONE or TWO CD's, but if you'd like even more (like one for your kids, one for you, one for the car, or to give away), you're welcome to enter this giveaway! (It's super easy to enter HER giveaway, by-the-way!)
***You will have TWO chances to win.***
Let me outline a few rules.
{FIRST ENTRY} Leave me a comment. In it, tell me what your favorite Jenny Phillips song is. If you have COMPLETELY MISSED OUT and never had a chance to hear this beautiful artist, check out her website HERE, where you can listen to some of her music (and even buy it!) and 'find' a favorite. Come back here to leave your comment about your favorite Jenny Phillips song.
{SECOND ENTRY} For an additional entry, tell me what your favorite Primary song is (or gospel-related song if you're not familiar with the Children's Songbook) and WHY it's your favorite.
Giveaway will close at midnight
on Wednesday, January 19th.
***That's the day my little sister reports to the Missionary Training Center in Provo!***
I will randomly pick TWO winners,
and each of you will receive one of Jenny's
{2011 Primary Theme:
I Know the Scriptures are True} CD.
Be sure to leave your name and email address in your comment so I can get a hold of you.
Good luck! And happy listening!!!
Tuesday, June 15, 2010
The ♥ of a Child
After family home evening last night, we read stories (so we can get our free weekly prize from the library for the summer reading program) and I fell asleep. So did Ryan. The boys played pretty well for a few minutes, although I'm wondering how long we were actually asleep...
As we were getting ready for bed shortly after our power-nap, we knelt as a family for family prayer. We almost always end up saying two family prayers, since the boys love saying prayers and fight over who gets to say it...they haven't quite grasped the concept that after we have family prayers, we go and say individual prayers...I guess too many prayers never hurt anyone, right?!
When it came time for Tanner's turn, he asked for help. You might know how the drill goes:
Tanner: "Dear Heavenly Father, we thankful for this day." Looks at me...
Me: "We're thankful for ... " and he copies everything I say, usually word-for-word.
Me: "We ask thee to bless daddy to find a job that will provide for our family."
Tanner: "We ask thee to bless daddy to find a job that will provide for our family so mommy can stay home with us all day and play and be happy."
Me: choking back torrents of tears, "We say these things..."
Tanner: "In thenameofJesusChristAmen!" (I don't know about your kids, but we strugle getting that last phrase out reverently, and enunciating all the different words...the boys say it so fast that it sounds like one giant mumble!)
Um, how did he know to add all of that about me being able to stay home? You can't tell me that he doesn't know what's going on. :)
By the way, we're still looking for a Human Resource job...anywhere...and in all honesty, I am pretty sure we'd take anything, anywhere at this point. So, if you know of any job openings, let Ryan or I know!!! I am excited but scared as all get-up that my last day before maternity leave is June 25th...this ought to be interesting....
Ahhh...the {heart} of a child. I love my little Tanner Boy. He probably knows far too much for a four-year-old, but is so sweet and eager to learn.
As Ryan and I were discussiong our monthly budget earlier in the day, we mentioned something about our Chase credit card, and Tanner pipped up, "Yeah! Dad! Like Cyberchase!!!" Cyberchase is a show on pbskids.org that he loves to watch. He apparently inherited my big ears, and was listening to every word...in his own context.
As we were getting ready for bed shortly after our power-nap, we knelt as a family for family prayer. We almost always end up saying two family prayers, since the boys love saying prayers and fight over who gets to say it...they haven't quite grasped the concept that after we have family prayers, we go and say individual prayers...I guess too many prayers never hurt anyone, right?!
When it came time for Tanner's turn, he asked for help. You might know how the drill goes:
Tanner: "Dear Heavenly Father, we thankful for this day." Looks at me...
Me: "We're thankful for ... " and he copies everything I say, usually word-for-word.
Me: "We ask thee to bless daddy to find a job that will provide for our family."
Tanner: "We ask thee to bless daddy to find a job that will provide for our family so mommy can stay home with us all day and play and be happy."
Me: choking back torrents of tears, "We say these things..."
Tanner: "In thenameofJesusChristAmen!" (I don't know about your kids, but we strugle getting that last phrase out reverently, and enunciating all the different words...the boys say it so fast that it sounds like one giant mumble!)
Um, how did he know to add all of that about me being able to stay home? You can't tell me that he doesn't know what's going on. :)
By the way, we're still looking for a Human Resource job...anywhere...and in all honesty, I am pretty sure we'd take anything, anywhere at this point. So, if you know of any job openings, let Ryan or I know!!! I am excited but scared as all get-up that my last day before maternity leave is June 25th...this ought to be interesting....
Ahhh...the {heart} of a child. I love my little Tanner Boy. He probably knows far too much for a four-year-old, but is so sweet and eager to learn.
As Ryan and I were discussiong our monthly budget earlier in the day, we mentioned something about our Chase credit card, and Tanner pipped up, "Yeah! Dad! Like Cyberchase!!!" Cyberchase is a show on pbskids.org that he loves to watch. He apparently inherited my big ears, and was listening to every word...in his own context.
Tanner - you bring such joy to our family. We love you so much!
Tuesday, June 1, 2010
Creating Memories
For as long as I can remember, our family would spend the morning of Memorial Day clipping daisies and roses and tulips and irises from my mother's beautiful flower beds to be arranged and placed on the headstones of loved ones passed on before us. We would meet family at the Evergreen Cemetery in Springville, Ut, to reminisce and laugh and cry, and then enjoy the day with each other.
Since moving to Idaho, there are very few of our relatives (mostly distantly related ancestors) who are buried close to us, so Memorial Day has become more of a celebration of our heritage than anything. Living in Chesterfield does have its advantages...one being the opening of the townsite. (The website, found HERE has some room for improvement, but will give you an idea of what the Chesterfield Foundation is about.)
While the weather threatened to deter us from having any outdoor fun, it didn't stop us from going on with our plans! Here's a breakdown of our weekend fun:
Saturday, May 29th
I spent the morning making surprize treats for a surprise occasion, while also doing laundry. *Note to self: While it is nice to leave a clean house while on vacation, it is seldom a good idea to pack everyone's clothes and put laundry away simultaneously. Let's just say my children were lucky to end up with Sunday clothes for Church. Taylor ended up with four pairs of pants, one shirt and a pair of socks in his bag...I must have put his pjs and other shirts and socks in his dresser.
After a quick peanut-butter and jam samwich, we arrived in Chesterfield amid torrents of rain and quickly hauled everything but the kitchen sink from our trunk into the house. The little boys were lucky to get a horse ride after the big boys finished moving cows, and we had a blast jumping on the tramp, playing in the dirt, and visiting.
The worst part of the weekend, Saturday Night: (Why does it always involve my child? And why does it always have to be Tanner?) After thinking our boys were alseep, Ryan left the bedroom to come back downstairs to visit. I forget the circumstances of him returning upstairs, but when he saw my sister's light on and realized Tanner wasn't in his bed, he went to find him...and it's a very good thing Tanner's daddy found him, and not his mommy. Tanner had somehow climbed up Deseret's dresser, and found atop a book case all of her fingernail polish. See where this is going??? Ryan found Tanner on the floor, painting a little one-inch piggy-thing with a rainbow of metallic fingernail polish...unfortunately for me and my mom and sisters, (not to mention Tanner) there was also fingernail polish drips and puddles and pools all over the carpet. It took a large bottle sol-u-mel from Melaleuca and my mom, me, Ryan, and Katelyn a good hour of scraping and scrubbing to get the polish out of my mom's light beige carpet. It took me longer than that to calm down from cussing, crying, and throwing a hormonal tantrum. I was most upset about the fact that now my son has to have 'supervised' bedtimes...is there no rest for the weary?!
Sunday, May 30th
My dad fixed us the infamous Apple Pancakes for breakfast, then it was off to get ready for church...my boys looked like they had stepped from the pages of j.crewcuts...their ties were that cute. (still waiting for pictures from my parents' camera of our family pictures...it might be a while before I get them. :) )
Church meetings left me thinking long and hard about my children and the unfortunate nail polish event of the night before, and I quickly repented of the nasty things I had said. I made sure I gave Tanner a hug at every opportunity that day. Although he was stubborn about staying in primary, he had a nice nap on my lap (well, what's left of it) during Relief Society, which my mom did a fabulous job of teaching about Self Reliance and and being Temporally and Spiritually prepared.
The best part of the weekend, Sunday Afternoon: Unbeknownst to my dad, we children had planned a simple and small surprise 50th birthday party for him. And although we wanted to surprise our mom with something (her birthday was May 27th), she was also in on the gig. She sent all the men-folk out of the kitchen because there were plenty of women. Instead of my dad protesting, he gladly went to his library and fell asleep. How he slept through all of us laughing and making his surprise dinner was beyond us. My mom had invited a few friends from the area so there were about 30 of us waiting outside when Reed dragged him from his nap, out the front door, and around back.... SURPRISE!!! And surprised he was! We had set up for a big BBQ, in the only shade on the entire ranch, and froze while eating outside. Tricia made delicious salads, and Ryan made his fabulous homemade ice cream (three kinds: huckleberry, Oreo, and strawberry) and I contributed the Lemon Cakes. Everyone chipped in to make dinner, including Reed's friend/Stephanie's Roommate, Amy, and Keith and Tricia's friends, Mike and Jen.
What started as a fun picture of the two of them quickly turned into a funny face contest...
We are incredibly blessed to have such wonderful and loving parents. Not only do they have strong testimonies of the the gospel, they love each other so much. They are an incredible example of selfless service, compassion, and dedication to all that they are involved in.
Monday, May 31
The morning was started off with a huge production of popcorn balls to be sold at the townsite...mmmmm! And then we all headed up the road to watch our awesome dad and his scout troop do the flag ceremony. After a beautiful tribute for fallen soldiers and ancestors who had gone on before us, it was time for the real fun. (Katelyn and Clay left for EFY, so I really had to step up my game and be a responsible mom.) This year I came prepared with sunscreen, a laid-back attitude, and some comfy walking shoes.
We visited the log store first thing, and walked away spending under $5. While all proceeds go to improving the townsite and restoring/maintaining historical buildings, it was my secret goal to not over-do it this year. The biggest hit was the $2 cotton candy that Stephanie made.
We scored some free root beer...
Also, we made butter and got to eat it with some delicious bread and homemade rhubarb-strawberry jam, saw some neat gun and saddle displays, and walked, and walked, and walked. And no, I didn't sing as I walked, and walked, and walked. I instead held up my belly or carried a very tired and whiny Taylor on my back...I wouldn't have made a good pioneer.
After a windy lunch, we headed home to wash clothes and take naps (Tanner had purposely dumped an entire can of root beer down the front of his only shirt. I wonder what was going through his tired mind when he did that, "I wonder what will happen if I just hold this can upside-down and watch my brother's root beer pour all over me and the stroller..."
Nap time went by all too quickly, and we then headed outside to watch Keith and Reed and the troops work 11 calves. (At this point, mom and Deseret were still at the townsite finishing up serving lunch to hundreds of people, and dad was being a blacksmith...making ropes and diamond prairie rings for every child that asked for one.)
It was quite the circus at times, with Keith, Reed, and Stephanie trying to get 11 calves branded, vaccinated, castrated, ear-marked or otherwise wrangled, with the help of Tricia, Amy, Mike, and Ryan.
Jen and I tried to stay out of the way in the calving shed with the little boys, but wherever we stood, we were in the way. My poor brothers were so frustrated...I eventually had to leave; it was too painful to watch it take over an hour to get that work done.
Tricia and Amy were quite the troopers; and Tricia said that giving cattle shots is quite a bit different than Novocaine at the dentist office (she's a dental hygienist)...
I got my 'round-up fix' and took my whiny kids back to the house...and no, I don't think I could have done a better job...it was just funny to watch.
By the time dinner was fixed and we snacked on this and that, everyone was ready to go back home. I was starting to get cranky, so I began packing everything to stuff in the trunk...as Keith and Tricia and Mike and Jen were getting ready to leave, my husband pulled out the guns...and we had a grand ole' time shooting a collection of water bottles and tuna cans.
And while it's been a few years, I was a pretty good shot. I got about 3 out of 50 targets. See that little puff of dirt in the upper right-hand corner? Yeah. There's a clear water bottle that just got shot all to heck. :)
Ryan even let Tanner do a little shooting.
I had to get a picture of the guys and their guns...
I will skip over the pigeon incident, only to say that it was absolutely hilarious, in a sick sort of way. May he rest in peace. (The fact that he died is not funny, but the events leading up to his tragic death were humorous.)
The ride home was the shortest drive I've ever had from my mom and dad's house. I woke up just as we were getting off our exit, and felt like I hadn't even been in the car. I love those short rides!
It was a wonderful weekend, full of memorable moments, good food, fabulous people, and great learning experiences.
Now, if only I had a day to recuperate after that fun three-day weekend. It was near impossible to pull myself out of bed this morning.
Since moving to Idaho, there are very few of our relatives (mostly distantly related ancestors) who are buried close to us, so Memorial Day has become more of a celebration of our heritage than anything. Living in Chesterfield does have its advantages...one being the opening of the townsite. (The website, found HERE has some room for improvement, but will give you an idea of what the Chesterfield Foundation is about.)
While the weather threatened to deter us from having any outdoor fun, it didn't stop us from going on with our plans! Here's a breakdown of our weekend fun:
Saturday, May 29th
I spent the morning making surprize treats for a surprise occasion, while also doing laundry. *Note to self: While it is nice to leave a clean house while on vacation, it is seldom a good idea to pack everyone's clothes and put laundry away simultaneously. Let's just say my children were lucky to end up with Sunday clothes for Church. Taylor ended up with four pairs of pants, one shirt and a pair of socks in his bag...I must have put his pjs and other shirts and socks in his dresser.
After a quick peanut-butter and jam samwich, we arrived in Chesterfield amid torrents of rain and quickly hauled everything but the kitchen sink from our trunk into the house. The little boys were lucky to get a horse ride after the big boys finished moving cows, and we had a blast jumping on the tramp, playing in the dirt, and visiting.
The worst part of the weekend, Saturday Night: (Why does it always involve my child? And why does it always have to be Tanner?) After thinking our boys were alseep, Ryan left the bedroom to come back downstairs to visit. I forget the circumstances of him returning upstairs, but when he saw my sister's light on and realized Tanner wasn't in his bed, he went to find him...and it's a very good thing Tanner's daddy found him, and not his mommy. Tanner had somehow climbed up Deseret's dresser, and found atop a book case all of her fingernail polish. See where this is going??? Ryan found Tanner on the floor, painting a little one-inch piggy-thing with a rainbow of metallic fingernail polish...unfortunately for me and my mom and sisters, (not to mention Tanner) there was also fingernail polish drips and puddles and pools all over the carpet. It took a large bottle sol-u-mel from Melaleuca and my mom, me, Ryan, and Katelyn a good hour of scraping and scrubbing to get the polish out of my mom's light beige carpet. It took me longer than that to calm down from cussing, crying, and throwing a hormonal tantrum. I was most upset about the fact that now my son has to have 'supervised' bedtimes...is there no rest for the weary?!
Sunday, May 30th
My dad fixed us the infamous Apple Pancakes for breakfast, then it was off to get ready for church...my boys looked like they had stepped from the pages of j.crewcuts...their ties were that cute. (still waiting for pictures from my parents' camera of our family pictures...it might be a while before I get them. :) )
Church meetings left me thinking long and hard about my children and the unfortunate nail polish event of the night before, and I quickly repented of the nasty things I had said. I made sure I gave Tanner a hug at every opportunity that day. Although he was stubborn about staying in primary, he had a nice nap on my lap (well, what's left of it) during Relief Society, which my mom did a fabulous job of teaching about Self Reliance and and being Temporally and Spiritually prepared.
The best part of the weekend, Sunday Afternoon: Unbeknownst to my dad, we children had planned a simple and small surprise 50th birthday party for him. And although we wanted to surprise our mom with something (her birthday was May 27th), she was also in on the gig. She sent all the men-folk out of the kitchen because there were plenty of women. Instead of my dad protesting, he gladly went to his library and fell asleep. How he slept through all of us laughing and making his surprise dinner was beyond us. My mom had invited a few friends from the area so there were about 30 of us waiting outside when Reed dragged him from his nap, out the front door, and around back.... SURPRISE!!! And surprised he was! We had set up for a big BBQ, in the only shade on the entire ranch, and froze while eating outside. Tricia made delicious salads, and Ryan made his fabulous homemade ice cream (three kinds: huckleberry, Oreo, and strawberry) and I contributed the Lemon Cakes. Everyone chipped in to make dinner, including Reed's friend/Stephanie's Roommate, Amy, and Keith and Tricia's friends, Mike and Jen.
Monday, May 31
The morning was started off with a huge production of popcorn balls to be sold at the townsite...mmmmm! And then we all headed up the road to watch our awesome dad and his scout troop do the flag ceremony. After a beautiful tribute for fallen soldiers and ancestors who had gone on before us, it was time for the real fun. (Katelyn and Clay left for EFY, so I really had to step up my game and be a responsible mom.) This year I came prepared with sunscreen, a laid-back attitude, and some comfy walking shoes.
We visited the log store first thing, and walked away spending under $5. While all proceeds go to improving the townsite and restoring/maintaining historical buildings, it was my secret goal to not over-do it this year. The biggest hit was the $2 cotton candy that Stephanie made.
We scored some free root beer...
Also, we made butter and got to eat it with some delicious bread and homemade rhubarb-strawberry jam, saw some neat gun and saddle displays, and walked, and walked, and walked. And no, I didn't sing as I walked, and walked, and walked. I instead held up my belly or carried a very tired and whiny Taylor on my back...I wouldn't have made a good pioneer.
After a windy lunch, we headed home to wash clothes and take naps (Tanner had purposely dumped an entire can of root beer down the front of his only shirt. I wonder what was going through his tired mind when he did that, "I wonder what will happen if I just hold this can upside-down and watch my brother's root beer pour all over me and the stroller..."
Nap time went by all too quickly, and we then headed outside to watch Keith and Reed and the troops work 11 calves. (At this point, mom and Deseret were still at the townsite finishing up serving lunch to hundreds of people, and dad was being a blacksmith...making ropes and diamond prairie rings for every child that asked for one.)
It was quite the circus at times, with Keith, Reed, and Stephanie trying to get 11 calves branded, vaccinated, castrated, ear-marked or otherwise wrangled, with the help of Tricia, Amy, Mike, and Ryan.
Jen and I tried to stay out of the way in the calving shed with the little boys, but wherever we stood, we were in the way. My poor brothers were so frustrated...I eventually had to leave; it was too painful to watch it take over an hour to get that work done.
Tricia and Amy were quite the troopers; and Tricia said that giving cattle shots is quite a bit different than Novocaine at the dentist office (she's a dental hygienist)...
I got my 'round-up fix' and took my whiny kids back to the house...and no, I don't think I could have done a better job...it was just funny to watch.
By the time dinner was fixed and we snacked on this and that, everyone was ready to go back home. I was starting to get cranky, so I began packing everything to stuff in the trunk...as Keith and Tricia and Mike and Jen were getting ready to leave, my husband pulled out the guns...and we had a grand ole' time shooting a collection of water bottles and tuna cans.
And while it's been a few years, I was a pretty good shot. I got about 3 out of 50 targets. See that little puff of dirt in the upper right-hand corner? Yeah. There's a clear water bottle that just got shot all to heck. :)
Ryan even let Tanner do a little shooting.
I had to get a picture of the guys and their guns...
I will skip over the pigeon incident, only to say that it was absolutely hilarious, in a sick sort of way. May he rest in peace. (The fact that he died is not funny, but the events leading up to his tragic death were humorous.)
The ride home was the shortest drive I've ever had from my mom and dad's house. I woke up just as we were getting off our exit, and felt like I hadn't even been in the car. I love those short rides!
It was a wonderful weekend, full of memorable moments, good food, fabulous people, and great learning experiences.
Now, if only I had a day to recuperate after that fun three-day weekend. It was near impossible to pull myself out of bed this morning.
Thursday, March 18, 2010
{peace}
I've had time to think lately, and it's been rejuvenating.
Our little family is coming to 'a bend in the road' as one friend has termed the phrase, meaning change is just around the corner...
We're growing. Spritualy. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Each one of us in this teeny, tiny apartment, is learning, growing, and working towards a common goal: Being an Eternal Family.
Some days we do better than others. Some days I downright feel like a failure. Lately, I feel peace when my simple chores are done, things are picked up, and I'm playing with my boys, teaching them, learning from them. I feel most at peace when the Spirit is in our home.
We have done a pretty good job at holding regular and consistent Family Home Evenings, along with family prayer each evening. However, we've been missing out on many blessings because of our lack of family scripture study. Who am I kidding...it's probably my lack of personal study, too. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true; I've been slacking.
I recently read the following from the Visiting Teaching Message for March.
President Thomas S. Monson said,
"A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them."
Just thinking about the tigers my children are going to have to wrangle in the coming years honestly scares me silly. Both Tanner and Taylor are at such impressionable ages, now is the perfect time to do what we've known we should have been doing all along. Not only participating in personal study and reflection of the Savior and the Scriptures, but sharing these plain and simple truths with our children...by reading to them, being an example, and by sharing our own testimonies.
I have fond memories growing up of watching my mother and father not only read, but study, pray, ponder, teach, and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even now, during a weekend visit, my mother can be found at the kitchen table with her scriptures before her. I look forward to being THAT kind of parent to my own children. Even the kind of parent who drags sleeping children from their beds to read as a family before the day begins and everyone gets too busy getting ready, eating breakfast, and off to activities.
So in keeping it real, my goal this coming week, is to participate in my personal scripture studies the way I know I should. No more skimming. No more quick reads. Really studying.
I have no doubt that after doing this for my own growth, I will feel even more {peace}.
Our little family is coming to 'a bend in the road' as one friend has termed the phrase, meaning change is just around the corner...
We're growing. Spritualy. Physically. Mentally. Emotionally. Each one of us in this teeny, tiny apartment, is learning, growing, and working towards a common goal: Being an Eternal Family.
Some days we do better than others. Some days I downright feel like a failure. Lately, I feel peace when my simple chores are done, things are picked up, and I'm playing with my boys, teaching them, learning from them. I feel most at peace when the Spirit is in our home.
We have done a pretty good job at holding regular and consistent Family Home Evenings, along with family prayer each evening. However, we've been missing out on many blessings because of our lack of family scripture study. Who am I kidding...it's probably my lack of personal study, too. I'm ashamed to admit it, but it's true; I've been slacking.
I recently read the following from the Visiting Teaching Message for March.
President Thomas S. Monson said,
"A study of the scriptures will help our testimonies and the testimonies of our family members. Our children today are growing up surrounded by voices urging them to abandon that which is right and to pursue, instead, the pleasures of the world. Unless they have a firm foundation in the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony of the truth, and a determination to live righteously, they are susceptible to these influences. It is our responsibility to fortify and protect them."
Just thinking about the tigers my children are going to have to wrangle in the coming years honestly scares me silly. Both Tanner and Taylor are at such impressionable ages, now is the perfect time to do what we've known we should have been doing all along. Not only participating in personal study and reflection of the Savior and the Scriptures, but sharing these plain and simple truths with our children...by reading to them, being an example, and by sharing our own testimonies.
I have fond memories growing up of watching my mother and father not only read, but study, pray, ponder, teach, and testify of the truthfulness of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Even now, during a weekend visit, my mother can be found at the kitchen table with her scriptures before her. I look forward to being THAT kind of parent to my own children. Even the kind of parent who drags sleeping children from their beds to read as a family before the day begins and everyone gets too busy getting ready, eating breakfast, and off to activities.
So in keeping it real, my goal this coming week, is to participate in my personal scripture studies the way I know I should. No more skimming. No more quick reads. Really studying.
I have no doubt that after doing this for my own growth, I will feel even more {peace}.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Showing Love Through Words
I have a friend. Her name is Emilie, and we've never met, but I like her, so she is my friend. Her outlook on life is inspiring. I love the way she finds time to do the little things. Through her generous nature and amazing testimony, she has created many beautiful things. One of my favorite things recently, is her Family Home Evening Blog. She, with her husband, have created "A Year of FHE" lessons in accordance with the counsel of Latter-Day Prophets.
We, as a family, have been very successful with using her FHE blog as a resource for our Family Home Evenings. We started out with a bang, and I'm proud and excited to let you all know that we've been successful in at least one night for our family each week. We're 6 & 6 (for 2010)!
I'll admit, that on February 1st, we deemed dinner with our family at a local resturaunt and games afterwards as our weekly FHE. There was not a spiritual message this night, but many compliments were paid to the boys for their good behavior, and the Spirit was present in our car on the way home and for the remainder of the evening. It was very uplifting.
The 'scheduled' lesson from Emilie's blog this week was titled "Showing Love through Words". It was a topic that needed to be addressed within in the walls of our home. It was essential for our family to communicate to each other and to understand the power of words.
Granted, we had to adapt the lesson for our younger children, but I pray with all my heart that we each learned and will be able to quickly apply that lesson in our home. Far too often, I am quick to yell, get upset, or bothered by the sweet things and not-so-sweet things my children and even husband does or doesn't do. I really appreciated this lesson, and asked one question to each family member that I hoped would help us to do better:
The various answers were touching. Our sons were sincere and honest. Ryan was silly, till I gave him the stink-eye, and I shared my testimony with my family about speaking kind words.
Proverbs 15:1 reads: "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Recently, and especially today, I felt like throwing in the towel from all the yelling, badgering, bickering, and complaining going on in my home. It was downright depressing. And I was just as much to blame as the other three family members.
I would say tonight's lesson was a successful topic. It didn't fix our problem areas, but helped us to see that we need to drastically improve the feeling in our home.
If you missed it above, the link to Emilie's FHE blog is HERE.
If you feel like Family Home Evening is something you'd like to try, consider this: It can be fun. It doesn't have to be stressful, and you don't have to be LDS to get involved with your family life! Something your family does together to show that you love each other, or to serve a neighbor, or to become closer to Christ 'counts'.
I challenge you to make one night a week meaningful for your family. I think you'll like what it does for you, your spouse, your children, and your home.
We, as a family, have been very successful with using her FHE blog as a resource for our Family Home Evenings. We started out with a bang, and I'm proud and excited to let you all know that we've been successful in at least one night for our family each week. We're 6 & 6 (for 2010)!
I'll admit, that on February 1st, we deemed dinner with our family at a local resturaunt and games afterwards as our weekly FHE. There was not a spiritual message this night, but many compliments were paid to the boys for their good behavior, and the Spirit was present in our car on the way home and for the remainder of the evening. It was very uplifting.
The 'scheduled' lesson from Emilie's blog this week was titled "Showing Love through Words". It was a topic that needed to be addressed within in the walls of our home. It was essential for our family to communicate to each other and to understand the power of words.
Granted, we had to adapt the lesson for our younger children, but I pray with all my heart that we each learned and will be able to quickly apply that lesson in our home. Far too often, I am quick to yell, get upset, or bothered by the sweet things and not-so-sweet things my children and even husband does or doesn't do. I really appreciated this lesson, and asked one question to each family member that I hoped would help us to do better:
"How does our home feel when we yell and say mean words?"
The various answers were touching. Our sons were sincere and honest. Ryan was silly, till I gave him the stink-eye, and I shared my testimony with my family about speaking kind words.
Proverbs 15:1 reads: "A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger." Recently, and especially today, I felt like throwing in the towel from all the yelling, badgering, bickering, and complaining going on in my home. It was downright depressing. And I was just as much to blame as the other three family members.
I would say tonight's lesson was a successful topic. It didn't fix our problem areas, but helped us to see that we need to drastically improve the feeling in our home.
If you missed it above, the link to Emilie's FHE blog is HERE.
If you feel like Family Home Evening is something you'd like to try, consider this: It can be fun. It doesn't have to be stressful, and you don't have to be LDS to get involved with your family life! Something your family does together to show that you love each other, or to serve a neighbor, or to become closer to Christ 'counts'.
I challenge you to make one night a week meaningful for your family. I think you'll like what it does for you, your spouse, your children, and your home.
Wednesday, December 16, 2009
{Reason for the Season}
♥Be sure to pause the music in the sidebar on the right
so you can fully enjoy this sweet message.♥
so you can fully enjoy this sweet message.♥
Saturday, September 26, 2009
{The Errand of Angels}
Tonight I had the opportunity to join with women from around the world in watching the General Relief Society Meeting Broadcast at our stake center. I must say, I have been looking forward to this spiritual rejuvenation for some time. :) It's always a wonderful meeting, and I thoroughly enjoyed being there with my ward sisters. I look forward to the day when I can watch it with my actual sisters, sister-in-law and mom...don't know when that will be, or if, but it sure would be fun!
I wanted to jot down a few things that came to mind (in italics), and also what was talked about in brief from these wonderful leaders we have.
Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President
Hymn 309 - "As Sister's in Zion" - I noticed that at the end, the text was sung as "Oh, give us the wisdom to truly succeed" and really liked that. Below I've typed out the words so you can read them...they describe perfectly the purpose of the Relief Society.
Sylvia H. Allred, 1st Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency
Barbara Thompson, 2nd Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency
Hymn 85, "How Firm a Foundation" - There are seven verses to this song, and I love each of
them equally, though one stood out to me this night. Verse three reads:
Doesn't that just make you want to stand on the rooftops and shout from the top of your lungs that life is going to be okay? That you're going to be okay? That He knows our worries and to trust in Him? I thought so. But maybe you'd do it a bit more reverently...not so much shouting.
President Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor in the Presidency of the Church
If you didn't have the opportunity to watch this wonderful meeting and partake of its uplifting goodness, or you're just curious about this broadcast, click HERE to go to the link to the broadcast to watch or listen to it. If you're interested in learning more about the church, click HERE.
I wanted to jot down a few things that came to mind (in italics), and also what was talked about in brief from these wonderful leaders we have.
♥
Sister Julie B. Beck, General Relief Society President
- "Visiting teaching isn't just a task. It's a way of life."
- How have I served and loved the sisters I visit teach? Have I talked heart to heart or just face to face?
- In her testimony she stated, "I rejoice to know that the Lord knows us enough to lead and guide us." I echo her words.
♥
Hymn 309 - "As Sister's in Zion" - I noticed that at the end, the text was sung as "Oh, give us the wisdom to truly succeed" and really liked that. Below I've typed out the words so you can read them...they describe perfectly the purpose of the Relief Society.
As sisters in Zion, we'll all work together;
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up His kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.
The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.
Oh, give me the wisdom to truly succeed.
♥
The blessings of God on our labors we'll seek.
We'll build up His kingdom with earnest endeavor;
We'll comfort the weary and strengthen the weak.
The errand of angels is given to women;
And this is a gift that, as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name.
How vast is our purpose, how broad is our mission,
If we but fulfill it in spirit and deed.
Oh, naught but the Spirit's divinest tuition
Can give us the wisdom to truly succeed.
Oh, give me the wisdom to truly succeed.
♥
Sylvia H. Allred, 1st Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency
- "Rise to the occasion."
- The Lord prompts a bishop to extend callings. He (the Lord nor our bishop) would never set us up for failure...so I should just buck-up and rise to the occasion!
- "The Relief Society was divinely organized to assist the priesthood and to build the kingdom." We are responsible for the sisters we've been asked to visit teach - the bishop cannot physically look after and watch over EVERY SINGLE PERSON, every single day. That's where we come in. If there is something needed, we can let the bishop know there is a need.
♥
Barbara Thompson, 2nd Counselor in the General Relief Society Presidency
- {Mind the Gap}
- "Believing vs. Knowing we are Daughters of God: Don't allow doubt and uncertainty to fill your mind."
- "Transitioning from Young Women's to Relief Society: Comfort the weary and strengthen the weak"...don't allow the {gap} to happen.
- "Believing in Jesus Christ vs. Being Valiant": I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. Am I being valiant to His teachings and doing? or just thinking?
♥
Hymn 85, "How Firm a Foundation" - There are seven verses to this song, and I love each of
them equally, though one stood out to me this night. Verse three reads:
Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed,
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Up held by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
For I am thy God and will still give thee aid.
I'll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand,
Up held by my righteous, omnipotent hand.
Doesn't that just make you want to stand on the rooftops and shout from the top of your lungs that life is going to be okay? That you're going to be okay? That He knows our worries and to trust in Him? I thought so. But maybe you'd do it a bit more reverently...not so much shouting.
♥
President Henry B. Eyring, 1st Counselor in the Presidency of the Church
- "Charity is born of Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ."
- "Charity. Never. Faileth. Moro. 7: 46 Wherefore, my beloved brethren, if ye have not charity, ye are nothing, for charity never faileth. Wherefore, cleave unto charity, which is the greatest of all, for all things must fail—"
- "The legacy of Relief Society is passed from heart to heart."
- My heart and soul are at peace and I am full of gratitude for my loving Savior
__________
If you didn't have the opportunity to watch this wonderful meeting and partake of its uplifting goodness, or you're just curious about this broadcast, click HERE to go to the link to the broadcast to watch or listen to it. If you're interested in learning more about the church, click HERE.
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