We Rejoice in Christ Part 2

As I read through my family's testimonies, I marvel at their strength and I feel closer to them. I have probably said many times that family is everything to me. My testimony of Christ grows as I read these, and my love for my family grows. Remember Christ lives and we rejoice.

Dad--A few years ago, along with the Luke and Matthew accounts. of the Nativity, we read "The Living Christ" document. I would highly recommend it. As the Brethren remind us, even though the birth of Christ is sacred and beautiful, His ministry and especially His Atonement are MOST important.

Since the 23rd is the Prophet Joseph Smith's birth, and we celebrate the birth of Christ shortly
thereafter, I like D&C 76:22-24  "And now, after the many testimonies which have been given of him, this the testimony, last of all, which we give of him: That he lives! For we saw him, even on the right hand of God; and we heard the voice bearing record that he is the Only Begotten of the Father--That by him, and through him, and of him, the worlds are and were created, and the inhabitants thereof are begotten sons and daughters unto God."


Mom-- I think of the lyrics of two Christmas carols that are the most joyful and the most happy of all the carols; "Joy to the World" and "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful."  In "Oh, Come All Ye Faithful, the Chorus is "Oh, come let us adore Him."   How can I better adore, or worship Him?  Can I be more reverent in His temples and chapels?  Can I keep the commandments more perfectly?  Can I think of the Savior with more gratitude?  I want to do all of these things. In "Joy to the World" We sing a line in the first verse; "Let every heart prepare Him room." Do I have room enough in my heart for Him? Is my life too much filled with other things?  Does love of my family count toward room for Him? Does love of my fellow man count, too?  I do hope so. My thoughts at Christmas time is a mixture of wonder at the coming of a "Lord at His birth" and a love for a Savior that died and suffered for me.  I came across a quote by C. S. Lewis that has a similar sentiment to the words of "I Stand all Amazed." "When Christ died, He died for you just as much as if you had been the only one."  I truly do "stand all amazed!"

Sister #2--Matthew 11:28-30 "Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light."

This is my favorite scripture because it's true. When I am worn down with life, every time I have prayed, and have worshiped in other ways, I have ALWAYS felt better.

Sister #4-- The song Away in a Manger always finds a way to the soft parts of my heart. I love how the perspective changes from looking into the Christ child's birthplace to me (or us) in the cradle. The last verse brings a sense of pleading with Jesus to be with me as if I were still a babe AND to be with all the children. I believe the author was asking to bless all God's children as we should be-as little children. This brings me to my favorite scripture 3 Nephi 17:11-25. Jesus who is visiting the people of the Americas after the atonement asks to bless their children. What love emanates from those verses. Angels encircle them. The people feel great joy as does Jesus. That is the same joy we sing of when we sing "Joy to the World." It is the same joy the angels sang when Christ was born. Jesus commands his disciples to become as little children in Luke 18:17. I have felt Jesus' tender care. He does watch over my cradle, for there are times when my understanding is simple and my faith is basic. I am grateful for His love.

Mine-- I have so many favorites. I will share two scriptures if I may. Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, the everlasing Father, the Prince of Peace."

And Matthew 11:28-30 (see sister #2).

The birth of Jesus was a miracle all in itself, and is wondrous and glorious, but His life, ministry, and His infinite atonement were the most important, as my daddy said. Because of the Atonement I can lay all of my stresses, hurt feelings, troubles, or what-have-you, at Christ's feet. He suffered not only for my sins, but for my pains as well. I know that when I take advantage of the Atonement, I am much more at peace. My soul is definitely de-stressing when I bring myself closer to Christ, His teachings, and taking his name upon me. Christ is the Prince of Peace. I have felt His loving arms around me at my most desperate times. I've felt his love and joy at the happiest times in my life. All of which has brought me peace. Christ is all of those things written by Isaiah. He is the light of the world. "Joy to the world, the Lord is come!" And as my mother said, give him room in your heart.

Remember Christ this season. Find reason to rejoice. He is with you. He loves each and every one of us individually and unconditionally. Find that love and share it with others. Show the true love of Christ, and serve and give of yourselves. So many people lose hope in Christmas because of circumstances. Bring that light and joy back into their lives. Shun the darkness, because where there is light, darkness cannot be. Where Christ is, Satan cannot and will not be. Christ has room for all of us, even little children hold special places in His heart. Will you let Him into yours? He is waiting at the door. Christ was born the Son of God, he lived, died and was resurrected for our own sake. The most selfless act that has ever been.

I pray that you have felt the spirit testify that these things are true. Christ is why we celebrate every year on the 25th of December. "We talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)  I hope you were able to strengthen your own testimony of Christ by reading the words of some of my family in parts 1 and 2. They truly are amazing, and they have awesome testimonies. Merry Christmas everybody!!

We Rejoice in Christ Part 1

I mentioned several times that I love Christmas. I love Christmas mostly because each year it brings me closer to Christ. There was a Christmas several years ago, where my family and I sat around the kitchen table and shared with each other our favorite scriptures or stories of Christ and why. It was a most spiritual and tender moment for me as our testimonies of Christ brought us closer together as a family. I wish that I had had the insight to write some of those down. So this year, I decided to do just that. I got all the family I could, my side and Hubs' side to share their testimonies of Christ. I am bringing you the Spirit of Christ to you. Merry Christmas!

Father in-law-- 3 Nephi 11:10-11 "Behold, I am Jesus Christ, whom the prophets testified shall come into the world. And behold, I am the light and the life of the world; and I have drunk out of that bitter cup which the Father hath given me, and have glorified the Father in taking upon me the sins of the world, in the which I have suffered the will of the Father in all things from the beginning."

Every time I read this I feel the spirit testify that this really did happen, and it is true. That is how I, myself, feel, and I know that He lives and is the savior of the world. That he suffered and atoned for all mankind and especially for me. I love Him and pray everyday that I will be worthy to be in His presence when that time comes. I am sending this to all so you can know that I have a true testimony of Him, Jesus Christ, and of His gospel. I love you all, Merry Christmas.

Mother in-law-- My favorite scripture in 3 Nephi 17:21 "And when he had said these words, he wept, and the multitude bare record of it, and he took their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them."

I can imagine how the children felt and also their parents to be able to experience that. I think that we probably had a close relationship with our Heavenly parents and Jesus in our pre-mortal life, we just can't remember it, and I am sure we will have this experience of being taken in His arms when we pass through the veil. I can't wait for the day.

Sister in-law #3-- I do like the one that says those that haven't sinned cast the first stone (John 8:7 "So when they continued asking him, he lifted up himself, and said unto them, He that is without sin among you, let him first cast a stone at her."). Means nobody is perfect, and everybody makes mistakes. I'm the odd one out in the family. I strayed from the church, and I make mistakes. But I know I am not the only one who has made mistakes. *My side note, the story to which she is referring is in John 8:1-11. *

Hubs--Alma 34:8-16  Because it is about Christ. Why we are here. The plan of salvation. That’s all that needs to be said. I guess I like it because it tells of the role of Christ, and gets straight to the point.  

Mine-- I love Isaiah Chapter 40. Specifically verses 11, 28-29,and 31. (11) "He shall feed his flock like a shepherd: he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom, and shall gently lead those that are with young." (28-29) "Hast thou not known? hast thou not heard, that the everlasting God, the Lord, the Creator of the ends of the earth, fainteth not, neither is weary?[...] He giveth power to the faint; and to them that have no might he increaseth strength." (31) " But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint."

I love these verses not because they are used in Handel's Messiah or in the movie "Chariots of Fire", but because the message is of the strength that Christ will give everyone. The atonement is personal. Christ suffered so we can rely on his strength as we struggle through our lives. Then we will be made strong again because of his sacrifice. Mine and your strength will be renewed. I think of times of trials, at the end of them I had renewed strength, understanding, and love for Christ and for others. Trials can be invigorating, after the weight of it is lifted by the power of the atonement. I love the line "he shall gather the lambs with his arm, and carry them in his bosom." How wonderful it is to have someone all the time, any time of day or night, to comfort and to love us unconditionally. I long for the day when Christ will put his arms around me and say, "Welcome home!"

This Christmas season may you all find your strength in Christ's arms. As you read through my family's testimonies, there are commonalities, but they have different perspectives. Each person has something special to share. Live your lives with Christ at the center, and you will find strength, peace and happiness.

Mary the Mother of Jesus

Every December the world is in a frenzy of Christmas. As I have mentioned several times, I love Christmas. I love Christ. But because Christ is the major player in the story, we sometimes forget the other characters, for instance, Mary his mother. Not much is shared about her after Jesus' birth. I believe that this is because she is precious, sacred, and a chosen daughter of God. I have great respect for Joseph too, but he is a little bit harder to make sense of because he is only mentioned as Mary's fiancee, and after the birth of Christ, he very much disappears but for a brief mention of him when Jesus was twelve. So while I hold these two people in great esteem, I am going to focus on Mary. I very much would love to meet Mary, because I am always curious to her character and personality. Since her diary is not available. I can only comment on what is shared about her in scripture and in my own and others imagination.

Alma 7:10 says "And behold, he shall be born of Mary, at Jerusalem which is the land of our forefathers, she being a virgin, a precious and chosen vessel, who shall be overshadowed and conceive by the power of the Holy Ghost, and bring forth a son, yea, even the Son of God."

1 Nephi 11:13-21 "[...] and in the city of Nazareth I beheld a virgin, and she was exceedingly fair and white. And it came to pass that I saw the heavens open; and an angel came down and stood before me; and he said unto me: Nephi, what beholdest thou? And I said unto him: A virgin, most beautiful and fair above all other virgins. [...] And he said unto me: Behold the virgin who thou seest is the mother of the Son of God, after the manner of the flesh. [...] And I looked and beheld the virgin again, bearing a child in her arms." I love that image, of Jesus cradled in his mothers arms.

Luke 1:28 "And the angel came in unto her, and said, Hail, thou are highly favoured, the Lord is with thee: blessed art thou among women."

I often wonder how Mary must have felt. I wonder if she really understood all that was in store for her son when the angel Gabriel first came to her. Her own response to all of this is amazing. I would be freaking out, and maybe she was to an extent but her faith in God made all the difference. Plus, she probably had a little time to ponder on her journey to cousin Elizabeth. Her response is also found in Luke 1:46-55. "My soul doth magnify the Lord, and my spirit hath rejoiced in God my Saviour." I think she did understand, but I don't think that made it any easier for her. From all that I witness of the many mothers that surround me, I have come to understand you don't come between mama bear and her cubs. Mary, I am sure, wanted to save and protect Jesus, but she knew that he was her savior. It would take great courage to raise the man who would save the world. Two of my favorite Christmas songs were written in the perspective of Mary. Both are called the same thing, Mary's Lullaby, but they are by different people. The first one is from our church's children songbook, check it out here. Read the words. They are beautiful. I love the line "Thy tender hands so tiny now, have blessings great to bring." She must have known. In the other Mary's Lullaby by Wanda West Palmer words by Bertha A. Kleinman, she says to her baby, "For you are a king, but tonight you are mine." She goes through Jesus' life and fate, and like any mother is protective, but for this one night of heralding angels, Jesus is hers. This is my absolute favorite song, but I would love for you to listen to the words as I sing it for you. (I am a bit out of practice so forgive the clumsy playing and choking).

I think this is why I admire Mary. She was a mother. A caring, loving mother. She had worries. She had doubts I am sure(see Luke 1:34. She even questions the angel because she is not with any man yet, and that is when Gabriel said "With God nothing shall be impossible"). Mary, when Christ was on the cross suffering, she probably felt such anguish. I would imagine she was questioning why they were doing this to the person she raised, taught, clothed, fed. Still, I am sure Mary knew what was in store for her son, her baby, because she knew of the prophecies. Because she knew Jesus must die sometime, she wanted to remember all that she could. Luke 2:19 &51 (when the shepherds came) "But Mary kept all these things and pondered them in her heart." (and when Jesus was 12 and found in the temple teaching) "And he went down with them, and came to Nazareth, and was subject unto them; but his mother kept all these sayings in her heart."

Mary and Joseph were chosen people. Mary most of all. Here was probably a young teenager, told, not asked, that she was to be the mother of God. That is truly amazing. I love how God uses kids to fulfill His plan (think Joseph Smith for example). What strength of character and spirituality she must have had. For these things I admire her, and I do call her "blessed" (Luke 1:48)

Christmas Everything!

It is times like these that I wish that the month of December leading up to Christmas day was just a little bit longer. That way I could write about everything Christmas that makes me happy. But since it is not, and next week I have a special blog planned, this week I am going to try and share a bunch of everythings (Yes, I am aware that that is not a word) in this week's blog.

First-- Christmas movies, TV shows, Christmas books. Movies and TV shows of Christmas can be corny and cheesy. I know this, but even still all of them are feel goods. My favorite book and favorite movie is A Christmas Carol with George C. Scott as Scrooge. I love movies about Christmas. A Christmas Story is a classic that must be watched every year. Same with It's a Wonderful Life, Miracle on 34th Street, A Charlie Brown Christmas, and so many countless others. I love these stories so much. I find it impossible to walk away from these movies without a smile and fuzzies in my stomach. I loved watching these movies with my family, and now I love watching them with Hubs. I love them because they share messages of hope, love, joy, friendship, and share the true meaning of Christmas. Miracle of 34th Street is about believing in Santa Clause, but more than that it is about believing in something that maybe is impossible. Is it impossible to believe in Jesus? For some it is. If you need some faith boosting, there is an awesome Christmas campaign run by my church called "A Savior is Born." Check it out. At the bottom of the page, they have 12 days of social media Christmas. In reality it is 13 because they wanted to put together a special conglomeration of the YouTubers they featured.

Second-- Christmas music/carols. I am one of those people who starts listening and singing Christmas music at Halloween, I love it so much. Music is one of those mediums that can bring in the spirit so fast. It can teach, strengthen, and comfort. Songs about Christ are especially "chicken soup for the soul." At a work party, they arranged a local high school choir to perform for us, and everyone in that room was enthralled. It was magical. They sangs songs that were fun, and songs about Jesus. They really brought a special feeling to the party. (It also made me miss singing in my high school choir). A couple of weeks ago, some young girls from my church ward came to our house to sing carols. It was so special. It was the first time we ever had carolers. I loved it. What is amazing to me is that Christmas is so special, some of most beloved carols were written by Jews. These songs however, are not about Jesus, but about the season itself. Still there is no denying the feeling of the time. Whether for the money or because there is something special about the season, Jews writing Christmas songs is a bit ironic. Anyway, recently I found on YouTube a new favorite rendition of "Silent Night" (not written by a Jew), by Kelly Clarkson, Reba McEntire, and Trisha Yearwood. Check it out.

Thirdly-- Christmas Parties. Parties can be fun if the company you work for allows for it, and the people themselves want to organize one. I have attended some really fun parties in the past and recently. They can be white elephant parties, ugly sweater parties, church parties, gingerbread houses parties, or an elegant party, or just a simple let's get together party. I really enjoy being with people I care about and having fun with them.

Fourthly-- Family, presents, traditions and everything else. Growing up over the years, many of my family's traditions stayed the same, and others changed. Now that all of us kids are out of the house, they all changed. Some of my fondest memories however, are playing scrabble, decorating a charlie brown tree that we picked from a lot, reading the Christmas story, playing the chimes that my daddy made and singing carols, waking up at four in the morning and all eight of us jumping into my parents bed (I still don't know how we fit even with some of us still small), lining up at the top of the stairs (me first) and running to our presents. Christmas sugar cereal also played a big part of our traditions. I love all things Christmas. Since Hubs and I have not been able to really visit our families since married, we have attempted to set some of our own traditions. It is hard when there are no children. Still, we have enjoyed and loved our time together enjoying the reason for the season. And let's face it, all of us enjoy Santa Claus and giving/getting presents.

All of these things put together make for a perfect Christmas. I hope as you read this that you can find your own happiness in the season. For those who may be alone this season, I pray that you find joy in Jesus Christ, and you can find bring love and joy to someone in need.

"There are many things from which I might have derived good, by which I have not profited, I dare say,' returned the nephew. 'Christmas among the rest. But I am sure I have always thought of Christmas time, when it has come round -apart from the veneration due to its sacred name and origin, if anything belonging to it can be apart from that- as a good time; a kind, forgiving, charitable, pleasant time; the only time I know of, in the long calendar of the year, when men and women seem by one consent to open their shut-up hearts freely, and to think of people below them as if they really were fellow-passengers to the grave, and not another race of creatures bound on other journeys. And therefore, uncle, though it has never put a scrap of gold or silver in my pocket, I believe that it has done me good, and will do me good; and I say, God bless it!" Charles Dickens

Christmas Lights!

It's so beautiful! Who needs music and a light show?

One of my favoritist traditions growing up was driving around the streets of my hometown at night as a family to look at Christmas lights. They were all so beautiful. Lights of different colors, lights of the same color, net lights in bushes and or trees, lights in the form of a star or words, icicle lights, lights that blinked, lights that were set to music, etc. I loved, and still love, them all. I also love lights on the trees, and I don't know what kid (and grownup) doesn't enjoy laying underneath the tree to see all the sparkles and lights from underneath.

This past week has been Hubs and mine decorating week. I decked my hall inside, and Hubs decked the house outside. We have only lived here for not quite a year, and so our decorations are few, but it doesn't matter because they are special to us. I think our house turned out quite good.

You can't see my shelf with the nativity very well, but it's there.

Aren't they nice? (see above picture) It's not fancy, but I love it. It is perfect. When I first saw the lights lit up outside, I almost started crying because a prayer of mine was answered. For the first time since we lived here, I felt like I was home. I felt for certain that this was where we are supposed to be. Hubs and I have been truly blessed. I love going to work now. Hubs has been successful at his job and finally feels like he's on the way to where he wants to be. Just in that moment (and I have been on a high since) I felt happy and at peace.
Happiness and peace are what Christmas should be about. Christ is the Prince of Peace, and He does bring joy. Like I mentioned in the last post, the angel and angels proclaimed joy, glad tidings, and peace to all. Lots of warm and fuzzies. I love Christmas. I love Christ, and I don't care if a bunch of the traditions have pagan roots. For the most part all of it was started to celebrate Christ and the miracle of His birth. To top it off for a perfect weekend, Hubs and I enjoyed the LDS First Presidency's Christmas Devotional. Now it truly feels like Christmas, and I feel happy.

Yes, I Really Believe that three: Angels

Christmas is a favorite time of year for many many people, and I believe there is the obvious answer of why. It is because it is the celebration of Christ's birth, and He brings happiness and peace. I love the Christmas story. One of my favorite parts of the story is the angels. They play such a profound part in the story. One told Mary about her being the mother to the son of God, and there were the angels that sing praises and rejoice at Christ's birth as told in Luke 2. There was the angel who told the shepherds that he brings "good tidings of great joy." I always picture Handel's "Messiah" (Listen to Glory to God ) That is how I imagine the heavenly hosts. I just set up my first ever of my own nativity. This one has an angel, and I think it is my favorite piece. It would make sense that there would be an angel, or even several angels, witnessing Jesus' humble beginnings. Also I feel confident that Mary would need some watching over. The idea of angels around me has always been a source of comfort, and many times have lifted me when I am at my lowest. It also makes me happy to know that angels are with us always even if we can't see them or always feel them.

Doctrine and Covenants 84:88 says, "And whoso receiveth you, there I will be also, for I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up." This scripture is popular among the LDS people because it has a profound and comforting message. It recently has become very popular with recent events in our last General Conference concerning our dear Prophet, Thomas S. Monson as he struggled to give his message. He looked as if he was going to collapse but didn't. Children later said that he had angels surrounding him. I also recently watched a movie about events that happened in Cokeville, WY, and how the children and everybody in that elementary school were protected from a bomb by angels of past family members. (It's called The Cokeville Miracle. Excellent movie. Powerful message.) I was told the story many times by people who were actually involved in that incident, and I have been always struck by the miracle that nobody was seriously injured or died because the school should have been blown to smithereens.

There are many instances in the scriptures of angels of all kinds, warriors, messengers, agents of comfort and strength, protectors. Besides the angels in the Christmas story, I love the angel that comes to Jesus in the Garden of Gethsemane. Because Christ was suffering so much an angel came down to be with him (Luke 22:43). I believe that we can receive that too. Why can't we receive strength and help from angels? I like to imagine the angels I have around me at times. I am positive that I have had guardian angels protecting me and Hubs. I always wonder who my guardian angels are. I believe they are family, friends, or anyone who cares for me. There have been times when I should have been in terrible car accidents. Or Hubs when there should have been damage done to our car, or even an accident, when inadvertently running over roadkill of a deer (or something of the like) that wasn't completely pulled off the road. There was evidence that he ran over it, he felt it, but no damage was done. Huge miracles? Perhaps not, but enough to be significant. Hubs and family members have told me other stories of divine intervention. They are fascinating, amazing and compelling. The stories are also testimony builders of God's plan for us and of His love. This doesn't mean that people will always be accident-less, or not harmed, sometimes God does allow bad things to happen. I do know, however, that God doesn't let you suffer those trials alone, your angels are there too. You never know what might have happened if angels weren't there. This is a comforting thought to me. I also cherish the idea that angels are there at the good times too. Perhaps when a baby is born, or you are performing, giving a talk, doing temple work, anything that is important to you. It's sometimes nice to think you have much more of an audience than you can see. I have heard stories from people close to me of this very thing. How special right? Gives me warm fuzzies.

Now the depiction of angels have generally been portrayed the same way, shiny bright beings with wings and halo, and/or the naked chubby cherubim things. Do I believe they have wings and halos, or are necessarily pudgy? Not really, but they make for a pretty picture. I don't know. I write of this because if an angel was going to reveal itself in any way, it might make sense to manifest itself in a way that the beholder would understand. For example, Joan of Arc, if she really received messages from God, then why not be in a form she would understand? She claimed she saw the Archangel Michael, Saint Catherine, and Saint Margaret. I don't know anything about Catholic saints, so I don't really know their significance, but they must be remarkable for someone to willingly follow their direction. Joan of Arc did some amazing things for how young she was, that it would make sense if she had some help from God. I am pretty sure God is smart enough to know what would bring Joan the most comfort, and get her butt moving to the French battlefront.

No matter what you believe, there are some things that just cannot be explained except by divine intervention. I must quickly make mention that sometimes angels are other living people. Your kids, maybe friends, even a stranger can become your angel. Sometimes the "angels round about you, to bear you up." are people. It could be a stranger. We could be someone's angel. There were only two times in my life when I did not want to live anymore, but because of the kindness of two wonderful women, living was made much more bearable. These two friends do not really know how much they helped me. This carries to my next point. Be willing to be someone else's angel. One never knows who's life may be saved.

Angels are amazing, and with the holiday season they are on the mind. Don't let skepticism cloud your spiritual eye. Embrace the message that these angels have to give. Angels are there for us when we need them. They are divine, so let them be near and so will God be also.

"Make yourself familiar with the angels, and behold them frequently in spirit; for, without being seen, they are present with you." St Francis of Sales (random quote I found on the net.)

Be as a Little Child

So many things on a Sabbath day make me smile and happy. Taking the sacrament, listening to testimonies, feeling the spirit are just a few things, but for the last couple of Sundays and for probably a few more I have been subbing as a pianist for the Primary (a Sunday school for children ages 4ish?-11). I love it. Don't get me wrong, I love going to the adult Gospel Doctrine class and all, but there is something about playing for the kids that just makes me melt. Primary children have the ability to bring out the spirit in the best way. (not to be confused with the few mishaps that happen to argue to the contrary)

Kids, especially the youngest ones, are so incredibly funny. They each have their own personalities, and probably because they aren't my children I find them all very sweet. We have the ones who are very gentle, quiet, sit very still, and will raise their hands. There are those who will sit quietly until it comes to singing, and they will belt the song out. Their whole body gets into it, especially when you have sign language added to the mix. You have those who are somewhere in the middle. They want to sit quietly and behave, but eventually they have to wiggle. We have children who are so shy, they spend their time hiding their faces behind their hands. Then you have the kids who just do not want to be in primary. They won't sing or participate in anything. These are the kids who will want to spend the whole time talking, and the teacher is spending the whole time shushing them. In the meantime, I being behind the piano, can smile and laugh.

This video is the best that I found that illustrates a couple of these personalities. The spirit they are conveying is beautiful, but watch the kids themselves. Some of them are really having a hard time standing still. My favorite is a boy in an orange tie around the 2:48-2:50 mark. He has his hands in his armpits. HAHAHA!! (I am sorry to the mother of this child. I took great delight in this. You were probably mortified.)

When I looked at the faces of the children in Primary today, I could see such sweet innocence. They are so smart, and the littlest ones were so kind and generous to help the leader carry things so she could set up for her lesson. The older kids helped, but it wasn't as quick. I had the thought of why aren't we all like that? As a child we are trusting, loving, and willing to lend an awkward tiny hand, even the shy ones. Unfortunately, as these children get older, as we get older, they will become less trusting, less willing. There was a movie that came out in 1993 called House of Cards. There is a comment made by Kathleen Turner's character about when her son was born, and she looked into his eyes, she could see everything. She saw intelligence, and that it was like he knew everything that there was to know. However, with each second that "knowledge" was slipping away. That was how I felt today. These babies come into the world innocent, full of life, love, and open to the wonders of the world. Then with each passing moment that innocence quietly slips away.

There is a reason why Jesus tells us so many times to become as little children. Matthew 18:3 "Verily I say unto you, Except ye be converted, and become as little children, ye shall not enter into the kingdom of heaven." This is because of their innocence, and their willingness and open hearts and minds to learn. They are humble enough to learn as we should be.

I saw this in those little children today as I accompanied their sweet voices. I loved every minute of it. Seeing these children gave me hope for the world. It made me happy. With all the sorrows and the devastating events in the world, these children are our future, and I can see their potential to make it better. I just pray they can keep their innocence for just a few moments more. They don't have the cares that we adults do. It is their time to live, enjoy life and to wiggle and giggle as much as possible before they become too lazy and/or tired.

Now just a few more pictures that does my heart good. Picture of my nieces and nephews from my family and from Hubs' family (disclaimer, I do not own any of these pics. I did not obtain permission from the families to which these pics belong to, so I hope they are okay with me stealing them. Also there are a few nieces and nephews I am missing. Sadly, I have no way of getting those pictures.) I just love these kids. Yes my oldest nephew is still a kid to me. :) In some of these pics, you can really see their personalities. Doesn't it just make you want to hug and kiss them all? ... Maybe that is just me.

The one on the left is my oldest nephew

Sister-in-law's girls

Brother-in-law's kids

all my siblings children

 HAPPY THANKSGIVING EVERYONE!!! (you thought I forgot didn't you?)

We Need the Words

"A book is a present you can open again and again." Mary Engelbreit

The last few posts I was amazed and grateful for how many people read them. They were so serious, but they were about things that really do make me feel peace, contentment, and happiness. So this week it is time to lighten the mood, and write about something I am very passionate about and take seriously (mostly). Reading.

I love to read. When I was young, you would always find me reading something. Late at night I would stuff towels under my bedroom door, so anyone looking wouldn't see the light. I am not really sure that that worked. I may have been caught a few times. Anyway, I love the feel of books in my hands, and I am very proud of my "library." Hubs tried to make me get rid of some books when we moved. I don't believe he was expecting the fight and tears that ensued. However, I did cave on a few and gave them to a second hand place. I cried. Don't get me wrong. I love people, but I have only a few true and loyal friends. Books are where I find my constant and unchanging friends. I have a personal connection and memory with each book I own, even the ones I haven't read yet. I can laugh and cry with Anne Shirley of the drama of childhood. I can ride on a broomstick with Harry Potter. I can gain wisdom from Jane Eyre. I can fall in love and marry Mr. Darcy as Elizabeth Bennett *sigh*. I can ask questions about society with Jem and Scout Finch. I can solve a murder with Hercule Poirot or Miss Marple. I can learn how eat right, exercise right, sleep right, I can learn about religions. How much we have to learn from a book? I can escape my reality by reading a book. I can find friends who would understand me in a book. Mario Vargas Llosa said, "It is the food of the rebellious spirit, the promulgator of nonconformities, the refuge for those who have too much or too little in life." I have many times gone to books for comfort, release of stress and pent-up emotions, but also to share in my joy when I did not have a human friend nearby. I have gone to books for confirmation and justification of beliefs and have feelings reciprocated. In my loneliest times of life I was caught with a book in my hand.

"The dearest ones of time, the strongest friends of the soul--books." Emily Dickinson.

The excellent, excellent essay I am quoting by Mario Vargas Llosa entitled "Why Literature?" it was written in 2001. I highly recommend reading it. It will convert you to the world of words. It talks about technology, and the downfall of society without literature. I wish I could quote the whole thing, because he explains so well why we need literature in our lives. You can feel his passion for it. I wrote an essay on Llosa's essay once back in 2003, and although I received an A, it fell short of really convincing people to read more. Still there are a few points I would like to make taking a bit from this essay and my own essay.

1. Reading helps bridge the gap between societies, people, cultures, histories etc.
     "Literature has been, and will continue to be, as long as it exists, one of the common denominators of human experience through which human beings may recognize themselves and converse with each other, no matter how different their professions, their life plans, their geographical and cultural locations, particularities of their lives, to transcend history: as readers of Cervantes, Shakespeare, Dante, and Tolstoy, we understand each other across space and time[...] We learn what we share as human beings, what remains common in all of us under the broad range of differences that separate us. Nothing better protects a human being against the stupidity of prejudice, racism, religious or political sectarianism, and exclusive nationalism that this truth that invariably appears in great literature: that men and women of all nations and places are essentially equal[...] Nothing teaches us better than literature to see, in ethnic and cultural differences, the richness of the human patrimony, and to prize those differences as a manifestation of humanity's multifaceted creativity." (Llosa)
     Okay in a nutshell, literature is a common ground for many people and cultures because not only can you learn about all of our differences but you can embrace them. Because of this knowledge you can avoid fear and hatred of those differences and escape the prison of racism and prejudices. A society without literature is a society that "jeopardizes its freedom."

2. Reading helps shape nations
     I seem to remember, and I am not going to look it up, but the best way to dominate a country and take over is to take away the people's freedom to read and to educate themselves. An uneducated person is not going to have the know how to overthrow a throne. Hitler destroyed thousands upon thousands of books that challenged his political views and agendas, or anything that was Jewish. Also because Hitler himself was not an intellectual it would be "smart" to educate the youth in his beliefs and ways and in all things German. The youth were taught Nazi propaganda and were in great physical condition, but they did not know basic math, science, or basic reading and writing, some not even knowing how to capitalize their names. But these kids knew how to follow orders and fight for the fatherland (taken from this site here). Scary to think of it. But it is how he planned to create a new Germany. This sounds a lot like the book "Fahrenheit 451" by Ray Bradbury. Hmmm... the book was written after WWII. Also, think of how the world changed when women started to become more educated and were allowed to read. Perfect illustration, in Disney's Beauty and the Beast, Belle is a reader. She is intelligent, and the townsfolk even sing about how she always has her nose stuck in a book. She doesn't fit in with the simple, uneducated folk in the town. They wouldn't be able to hold a conversation with her. Then you have Gaston who says it all with this short video clip. He does have a simple and unenlightened view about women and their place.


And today in our educated and literate world, we now have women who are vying for the office of US President. For US history the last few years have been unprecedented.

3. Reading is fun and will give you the riches of knowledge.
     Reading opens your minds and allows freedom of imagination. As mentioned before you can choose between the werewolf or the vampire, ride the back of a dragon, or whatever it is you want to do, but reading is for knowledge as well as pleasure. You can learn so much about a person by reading a biography. You can learn about politics, religion, cultures, history, so many more things. It also teaches you how to think and how to communicate your thoughts. Words are so very important for society and a person. I cannot imagine trying to communicate through a series of grunts. I need my words. I need my written words. Llosa says, "A person who does not read, or reads too little, or reads only trash, is a person with an impediment: he can speak much but he will say little, because his vocabulary is deficient in the means for self-expression." This is one of the reasons why I started writing this blog, was to learn better how to express myself in a educated and precise way, and to increase my vocabulary. I have learned a lot writing this blog, because I have had to extra reading and research, and I come across so much more than I share. It is beautiful.

4. A computer will never replace a book.
I cannot stand reading a screen. It gives me a headache. Of course dropping the book on your head (which I have done) can do that too, but it is so much more fulfilling than to have your eyes hurt from a screen. Besides what are blind people supposed to do. Sheesh. I love the smell of books, that a tablet just cannot give you. Plus I like to write notes in the margins and underline phrases and words that I like. I enjoy flipping through a book, an experience again that a tablet cannot give you. One of my most beloved books has all the pages taped together. It is falling apart. I've read it so many times. Llosa says (and I agree), "I cannot accept the idea that a nonfunctional or nonpragmatic act of reading, one that seeks neither information nor a useful and immediate communication, can integrate on a computer screen the dreams and the pleasures of words with the same sensation of intimacy, the same mental concentration and spiritual isolation, that may be achieved by the act of reading a book."
Of course, if you are like Hubs, who does not like the feel of the books in his hands, then by all means please purchase a tablet, or the kindle app, or iPad, or whatever device it is that you use to read. Please please read. I would rather you read by those means than not at all. Or if you enjoy, like I do on occasion, to listen to audio book. They are great for long car drives or trips. Still there is something to be said about owning and having a book. It is an intimate and personal experience.

There is so much to this essay of Mario Vargas Llosa that I cannot comment on it all, though I wish I could. Mostly I just wanted to express how important the written word is. Even in math and science you need to be able to read and comprehend. The more you do it, the better you will become. Reading is something we should all make a priority at some point in our day. Maybe if it is just for 15 minutes before we fall asleep. If I do that, I tend to be the "just one more chapter." type, and then poof it is three hours later.

Life without literature is what I imagine hell to be like. Or the setting in the book, Fahrenheit 451 (remind you of Nazi Germany at all?) which maybe I should read again because I hated it when I first read it in fourth or fifth grade. Society would be dead, and we would become obsolete without literature and words. Shakespeare would have been just another dude if it weren't for words. Movies would be nothing without words. Treasure the words, the books, the literature. Set yourself free.

"If we wish to avoid the impoverishment of our imagination, and the disappearance of the precious dissatisfaction that refines our sensibility and teaches us to speak with eloquence and rigor, and the weakening of our freedom, then we must act. More precisely, we must read." Mario Vargas Llosa.

Yes, I Really Believe that too: Tender Mercies

Another religious post. I have decided that my posts that fall under religion, they are going to be titled the same. That way, you can decide beforehand if you want to read. I do this because I know not all of you share my beliefs, which is totally cool. I apologize for the length, but I feel the things I share are important. These things also give me much peace and comfort. This is a state of happiness for me.

With all the political and religious hubbub over the last few years, I am disheartened by stories of lost faith, distrust, and even hate. I believe many of us, myself included, sometimes lose sight of the bigger picture. We lose sight of how much Heavenly Father loves each one of us. Many think that Heavenly Father has abandoned them, doesn't love them, and that He doesn't accept them. We mistake "acceptance of" to mean both actions and person. God accepts and loves everyone, but he doesn't always accept our actions. Too often we expect blessings to be just handed to us without any effort on our part. We feel as though we are entitled to the world for free. We also believe that we will live without any struggles, heartache, sorrow, offense and that we will live in absolute happiness. There is a tendency to forget that their must be opposition in all things (2 Nephi 2:11). We are here to be tried and tested. Inevitably we are disappointed as we step into the world and learn that most everything comes at a price. As a result we blame God and we stop doing the things that matter the most. We stop being obedient. Then there are the people who struggle so much that their faith slowly dwindles away, and all ultimately come to the same conclusion, hopelessness. Now I have had different struggles of my own, and many have had struggles that make mine look like walks in the park. The thing is they are my own struggles. God gives us struggles that we can handle and withstand, but that doesn't make it any easier. Remember that He "makes weak things become strong unto them." (Ether 12:27) How much might have I received from fighting my battles? God doesn't give up on us, and He only "leaves" if we leave Him. Still He is always willing to come back. Repentance is one of the many "tender mercies" of the Lord. These tender mercies give me much comfort and sometimes joy. I pray they do the same for you.

Tender mercies. Our worlds are full of God's tender mercies. I absolutely love this talk given by Elder David A. Bednar given way back in April 2005, "The Tender Mercies of the Lord". I am going to comment about this talk, but I recommend reading it (or watching it). It is prophetic and pertains so much to our lives today. The phrase of the title comes from 1 Nephi 1:20 with emphasis on the last bit. "But behold I, Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance." I love this. Not only because I can see these tender mercies in my own life, but I can also see them in others' lives too.

What are the "tender mercies of the Lord?" Elder Bednar describes them beautifully as "the very personal and individualized blessings, strength, protection, assurances, guidance, loving-kindness, consolation, support, and spiritual gifts which we receive from and because of and through the Lord Jesus Christ." Elder Bednar goes on to give more examples such as not leaving us alone during trials, our faith, self-confidence, repentance, forgiveness, and "peace of conscience", "persistence and the fortitude that enable us to press forward with cheerfulness through physical limitations and spiritual difficulties" are all tender mercies. I would add to that the gift of the Holy Ghost is definitely a tender mercy. Being someone else's tender mercy is an amazing experience. A previous post of mine was about service. The video I linked at the end about the kids putting money in the stranger's shoes. That man needed that money desperately, and those children were his tender mercy. Be open to give as well as to receive tender mercies. Be God's instrument.

Elder Bednar also testifies that the mercies from the Lord are real, not a coincidence, and they happen at the time we need them. Things happen on the Lord's time. I am reminded of  Job. He had it all, but then literally everything was taken away. His whole life was in shambles. Even his friends turned away. He was truly alone.  He says of his suffering, "Even today is my complaint bitter." (Job 23) Then he goes on to say, "But he knoweth the way that I take: When he hath tried me, I shall come forth as gold." God, if I remember correctly, let him struggle emotionally and physically to test Job's faith and obedience. He allows all of us to go through trials, heartaches, and all else that ails us. But He also brings the peace, the comfort, and eventually the joy. After everything, the tender mercy that Job experienced was his testimony. Job 19:25-26 "I know that my redeemer liveth [...] And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God."  Job chose to remain obedient. As a result of Job's faith and obedience, he received so much more than he had before, truly a tender mercy. D&C 121:7-8 says "My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment; And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes." And verse 46 "The Holy Ghost shall be thy constant companion." How beautiful a promise, and how true for all of us. Still the timing of these blessings are in the hands of God. I know I have had times when I had to wait for my answer. Getting married did not come when I planned, but looking back, I certainly wasn't ready. I planned to get married by age 20 or 21. At that age, I was just diagnosed with T1diabetes. I was trying to figure out my disease and adjusting. I was in no shape to get married. That fantasy husband and I would never have been able to afford the expense of supplies and doctors, and we would never have survived my depression. It was a tender mercy that God brought Hubs into my life when He did five years later. Now there is my plea for children. I have been frustrated, angry, sad, jealous, and resentful. I am trying to remember and have faith that Heavenly Father will bless Hubs and I with children when we are ready. Perhaps right now we just aren't, or we have lessons to learn. Perhaps our lack of children right now is a tender mercy in other respects that we are available to people and family who need us. "Often, the Lord's timing of His tender mercies helps us to both discern and acknowledge them," says Elder Bednar. Faithfulness, obedience, and humility invite tender mercies into our lives, and it is often the Lord's timing that enables us to recognize and treasure these important blessings."

As I mentioned earlier, the world of late, is in a state of pandemonium. It is times like these that we need the Lord's hands in our lives more than ever. I was amazed and heartbroken when I saw a Facebook comment saying that no one, not religion, not even God himself, should dictate how we live our lives. That God will accept us and our life just as it is, no conditions. To me this seems like such a hopeless directionless life. It's like raising a child with no rules or boundaries, allowed to run amok. How many blessings are we missing out on if we cut God out of our lives. Life is hard. I understand how hard it is when trials are raging. I know how easy it is to lose patience. But it's also times like these when we learn who our true friends are, and we can feel so much love from family and other loved ones. That is a tender mercy. "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 words cannot provide the solace we need or express the joy we feel, when it is simply futile to attempt to explain that which is unexplainable, when logic and reason cannot yield adequate understanding about the injustices and inequities of life, when mortal experience and evaluation are insufficient to produce a desired outcome, and when it seems that perhaps we are so totally alone, truly we are blessed by the tender mercies of the Lord and made mighty even unto the power of deliverance." This wisdom from Elder Bednar I believe is saying, if and when we recognize these tender mercies, which are powerful, will make us mighty to withstand anything. Earlier in this post I mentioned that God cannot do everything for us, we have to do our part. We have our agency to choose our paths in life, and God will help guide us if we allow Him to do just that. Our actions determine His reactions.

The talk goes on to explain who qualifies for God's tender mercies. In the scripture that I began with in 1 Nephi, it says "the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith." Chosen is a key word, but it does not mean that somebody is more blessed with the tender mercies than others. They are available to all. "Rather," Elder Bednar says, "it is our hearts and our aspirations and our obedience which definitively determine whether we are counted as one of God's chosen. [...] As we learn in [...] scriptures, the fundamental purposes for the gift of agency were to love one another and to choose God. Thus we become God's chosen and invite His tender mercies as we use our agency to choose God." Simply put, choose God, and He will choose you. Turning yourself over to God, living with faith and obedience, will expose the tender mercies we all so dreadfully need. "Our work is to keep His commandments with all of our might, mind, and strength-- and we thereby become chosen and, through the Holy Ghost, receive and recognize the tender mercies of the Lord in our daily lives." Faith and obedience are what binds God's promises to us.

Now I know this is a long post, but I believe it is so crucial to our outlooks on life's trials. The common theme is that God will bestow his tender mercies on His time, and according to our faithfulness. I have witnessed and felt many of His tender mercies in my life and of those around me. They bring me so much peace, comfort, and joy. I know they can do the same for you, if you allow God to do His wonders.

A Whole Lot of Stuff

So much has happened these last two weeks. It has been rather overwhelming, but it's been a fabulous overwhelm. Having been out of work for even just a few months has been stressful not only on me, but on my little family as well. I'm not preferential to meatless spaghetti, so I am feeling so much gratitude, happiness, and satisfaction that soon I will be able to add the sausage back to my spaghetti.

I am actually happy about a lot of things right now, so I think I will just conglomerate them all. I have been writing this post for two days, and it hasn't been coming together how I want. It's been a couple of weeks full of frustrations, yes, but also of some incredible spiritual experiences. I feel I just need to share it all. I will try to keep it as brief as possible to accommodate my thought process.

So back to bunching all my happies today into one post. Happy number one is my brand new job as a receptionist. So incredibly happy that it isn't retail, and I had a strange satisfaction that I was able to turn down two retail job offers on my first day. God is definitely blessing us, and is answering our prayers. I have new opportunities, so much to learn, and I am excited to see what this job will unfold. I am also excited about earning a paycheck again and not feeling like a financial burden. We will soon again be able to pay off some bills easier. Always a blessing. A country song just popped into my head by Chris Janson, "I know everybody says money can't buy happiness, but it can buy me a boat, it can buy me a truck to pull it[...]" Go ahead and sing it. You know you want to. I don't want a boat, nor a truck, but you know what I mean. It buys sausage for spaghetti. I am super excited about this new job. "You are never too old to set another goal or to dream a new dream." CS Lewis

Happiness number two is temples. I love living so close to so many temples within a really short distance. I was really needing some spiritual pampering (kind of like how some women needing a mani/pedi). I was feeling frustrated over everything under the sun. I was stressed and needed peace. The temple gave me exactly that. Some of the feelings and the overall experience I had in the temple that day was truly amazing. I felt at peace. Feelings that I know stem from the Gospel of Jesus Christ.

My favorite temple. Oquirrh Mountain

Isaiah 9:6 "For unto us a child is born, unto us a son is given: and the government shall be upon his shoulder: and his name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, the mighty God, The everlasting Father, the Prince of Peace." Christ truly is the Prince of Peace. Without Him we would not be able to return to our Heavenly Father's rest (see the book of Hebrews. I just gave a lesson on it). I have felt His peace through the Holy Ghost. My favorite scripture John 14:18 "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you." Answers to prayers came that day in the temple.

Happiness number three. Being able to directly communicate to our Heavenly Father through prayer. This is such a blessing, and makes me happy. Here is a semi-quick version of why. I am a person who needs to vent. I bottle things up so much, I occasionally need to explode. To whom can I unload my woes? Who is the perfect confidant? Heavenly Father of course! Heavenly Father wants us to come to Him with our troubles, our happies, our whatevers. He wants us to ask for things, to show gratitude for the blessings He deems fit to give us. If it is important to us, it is important to Him. People gossip. They spill the beans, and soon many people that you have never even talked to know about your life. Guess what? Heavenly Father doesn't do that. He won't gossip and spill the beans. He may give someone inspiration to come to your aid if you have need, but He won't betray trust. God always answers prayers. It is up to us to have faith, to be patient for (sometimes answers don't come until years later) listen for, recognize, and accept the answers that we get. Silly example, when I was young, I put my name in a drawing for a huge stuffed lion. I wanted it so bad. I prayed to win. Guess what I didn't win the lion. I was disappointed in God. He did not answer my prayer the way I wanted. I didn't understand. I prayed for it, and I "knew" that God would get it for me. Now years later in retrospect, me not winning was the answer. I did not need the lion. It would have never fit in my room, so what was I to do with it? I probably would have hated it the first day. I know I would hate it now. God knew those things, so His answer was "No." God knows best, and it is His will, His plan. Well, that will and that plan said I did not need that gargantuan stuffed lion, and I survived. Reminds me of another country song by Garth Brooks, "Sometimes God's greatest gifts are unanswered prayers." I know you sang it in your head. Don't lie!! LOL.

Happiness number four. Just a funny from taking a word in the scriptures in the wrong sense. Hebrews 11:33-34. It says that faith will save us from alien invasion. War of the Worlds, Independence Day, Signs, those movies got nothing on how to survive alien doomsday. Just saying :). I am sure God has a sense of humor.

So a whole lot of stuff for which to be both grateful and happy: new job, temples, prayer, and safety from aliens. It really was a lot of emotion to handle all at once. I sign off with a quote from President Ezra Taft Benson, "We will never be alone if we live as we should, because our Father will always be with us to bless us. He wants us to be successful. He wants us to be happy. He wants us to achieve the good goals we set. He will do His part if we do our part."

"Don't You Have a Good Feeling?"

On my quest for happiness, many of the things I read and watch all the say the same thing. Service is the key to happiness. It is something that I need to do more. Service is a loaded subject in that there are many different avenues I could take it, service in marriage, families, friends, neighbors, fellow church members, coworkers, etc. I realize that that is it. Opportunities to serve are everywhere and in every aspects of our lives, and it is up to ourselves to take advantage of the opportunities. It doesn't always matter how you serve, but always be willing, even if it is a smile. Don H. Staheli said, "I don't want to forget that it doesn't take much personal sacrifice to make people happy, that a little reaching out, and bit of inclusiveness, never hurts and will likely do a lot of good, for us as well as the recipient of our minor benevolence." With my experience with service, I know this to be true. Serving one another has a huge benefit to everyone's emotional well-being.

There were many things I did not love about my work in a clothing store, and many people would ask me, "What is the best part about your job?" I would promptly answer, "The people." Then they would ask with the follow up question, "What is the worst part about your job?" I would promptly answer, "The people." I would not elaborate. Some people would get it, and others would not. People could make or break your day. Still the person with the most responsibility for my day was me. I was my own make it or break it person. If I did my job right and serviced the customers and coworkers to the best of my ability, then I would have a successful happy day. If I ignored my customers, and provide them with no service, then where do you think my day would go? Even the customers coming in with some sort of complaint, if I did my best to help them, then they would have no reason to fight me and leave satisfied. I loved to help these ladies feel good about themselves. It made me happy. Would I have considered every day a "service project?" Of course not, but I did provide a service and put many happy faces on a lot of women. And that made me feel good. Those were the days I loved being at work. I was happy on those days.

I always hear, that the more you serve people, the more you love them. Yes. Serving in church callings, I have always been amazed at how much I come to love the people I helped or taught. I became friends with some of my customers in the store. The more I try to support and help Hubs, the more I love him. I think of Christ. How much love did he have for us before he suffered in the garden and the cross? Now think of how much more he loves us after the fact? How much more do we love Him for His sacrifice?

When people serve you, it is an incredible feeling. You feel loved, valued, and great self-worth and it is an incredible feeling. Don't we want to spread that around?  I told Hubs once, in my great wisdom, that it is a lot easier to serve someone who is also willing to serve. If you want help, then make sure you are helping others. Quid pro quo. Karma. Golden rule. Whatever you want to call it. People watch. They see. If they see you helping, they will be much more willing to help you. And remember it gives you a good feeling. When Hubs and I lived in Wyoming, he helped so many people move. I sadly helped only one, but I tried to serve in other ways. When it came our turn to move, we had friends and neighbors help us with the packing, cleaning, and loading. We could not believe the benevolence of these people, who I know had busy lives of their own. Moving is hard, so Hubs and I are still incredibly grateful for all of those dear people. I also just have to say, sometimes it is easy to believe that we have nothing to share or give, but let me remind you we each have different gifts and talents. And we need to share those things with others. I have no great talent in organizing a pantry, but I can make cake cookies. I never know when cake cookies will come in handy.

YouTube's Mormon Channel has many videos and messages about service. I wish I could share them all. Many of them make me cry. This one is one of my favorites, and I believe it carries many of the messages of service.

I will let you watch and take your own message from it. One lesson that I learned is that you never know a person's situation. Can you imagine what would have happened if the boys took the man's shoes? Instead we got to see his happiness. Because we don't know anyone's situation we must willing to serve and to show kindness. Sometimes that is all that service is is kindness.

I know that service will make you happy. Service is serving God. So get out there and serve! It will give you a "good feeling."

Matthew 25:40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Not Completely in Love with You

"Marriage is a mosaic you build with your spouse, millions of tiny moments that create your love story." Jennifer Smith
I have been sick this week, so I have been cranky and whiny. My poor Hubs. He is so good and patient, and he hasn't felt that great either. House full of sicklings. Because he has been so great, I just have to give a shout out to my Hubs and my marriage. I have to say that my marriage is the thing that makes me the happiest.

For us marriage is eternal. It does not end when we die. "Till death do part" (or whatever it is) is not in our ceremony. Our words say "for time and all eternity." Marriage is another step to bringing us closer to our Father in Heaven. I am so excited that I get to spend eternity with this wonderful guy. Weddings are happy affairs. That moment when you and your spouse truly become one literally and figuratively. Then to build that relationship, making it stronger. Hubs once told me, he wasn't completely in love with me when we got married. I was of course a little taken aback and momentarily insulted, but then he said, "How could I have been when I fall more in love every day?" Good point, right? Still gives me warm and fuzzies when I think of that. Sweet moment. Love is a progression. The word "complete" is so final. I completed my homework, means I'm done. Complete means an end. Love, on the other hand, it should never end, and if it does, then what? I would be worried if our love stopped growing. We still have so much more to learn. I fall in love again with Hubs over and over again, and more and more. Those times I can't help but stare at him, and he tells me to stop looking at him. I can't help it. He's a fabulously good looking man.

Don't we look so cute?

Hubs and I, we took the dating slow, and then we were engaged for a really long time. Okay, slow and long for LDS standards. We were engaged for over a year. Normal LDS couples are engaged for only three months or so. We waited for so long because we wanted to be married in the temple. Because Hubs had been married before in the temple to his ex, he had to get special permission from the first presidency of the church. That is the prophet and his counselors. Since marriage is such a big deal, the first presidency does not take these things lightly. It's a huge undertaking to even get the process started, but that's a different story. It took over a year to get permission. Sometimes it takes less, I think it just depends on circumstances. That was one of the hardest years of my life. Hubs was getting a different job and moving to the next city over. I had to wait till my lease was up before I followed him. I lost my job, and then I was homeless when I finally was able to move. It was a rough year. Many tears were shed, and we almost gave up on our temple wedding. You can see we didn't, and I am so happy that we stayed strong. And that difficult year, made our wedding day that much sweeter.

Hubs and I are not perfect. We have squabbles sure, but that makes us normal I think. I wouldn't say opposites attract when it comes to marriage. I would say marriage is an attraction and joining of complementaries (I know it isn't a word). We are not an opposite of each other. We compliment each other. We are not the same. First one is the easiest one. Male and female. We fill in each other's gaps. I am a hopeless romantic, and Hubs just isn't. I am somewhat of a dreamer and can be caught with my head in the clouds, Hubs keeps me grounded. I am uncomfortable in a starchy clean house. I don't mind a little clutter or the look of "someone lives here", and Hubs is clean and organized. I am a terrible housekeeper. I clean something, and it doesn't look clean. I can scrub and scrub to no avail. Even vacuuming eludes me. Then Hubs comes in and nonchalantly swipes the rag and whatever it is is clean. Where Hubs is direct, I am subtle. Hubs would probably be good at poker, because he has the ability to be stoic. I wear my emotions all over. Where I am touchy feelie, Hubs is not so much. Still we have things in common. We like the same type of music. We share a love for movies of all kinds (maybe not so much chick clicks on his part). We love documentaries about nature and animals. We enjoy games (except we cannot play Monopoly). We like trivia things. I could go on, but I won't. I learn from Hubs. Hubs learns from me.

Hubs, he is a good guy. It may be what I love most about him. One thing that made me fall in love with him, was when he had problems in the process of his divorce, Hubs decided to stay close to his testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Hubs was tempted to stray, but he didn't. Hubs is so committed and dependable. You can count on him to do something that he says he will do, or if you ask him. He will do what he can for you if you need help. Hubs works hard. He really does his best to provide and make sure I am taken care of. We are not blessed with children yet, but when we are, I know he will work just as hard if not harder for them. He does his best to be understanding when I am moody or in emotional upheaval. Hubs makes me laugh. Somehow he is excellent at timing his little quips and comebacks. In spite of his direct personality, he is quietly mischievous. His jokes or pranks aren't huge and elaborate but subtle. If you look over and see a cheesy grin, you know something came or is coming. He is an all around good man. Sure there are times I want to throttle him, and he wants to throttle me, but that's life and those times end in love. I would be worried if there weren't those times. I love my man.

So yes our marriage needs nourishment and care, but that's why we have each other. Even in our down times, I can honestly say I am happy. We get to be together. We have each other to count on when times are rough. We have each other's support. Why would anyone choose less? Love is an endless progression. I love you incompletely, Hubs.

Thank you, Hubs for five (and a bit) wonderful years.

"Dating and marriage aren't final destinations. They are the gateway to where you ultimately want to go." Robert D. Hales

Food for Thought

"Put 'Eat delicious food' on the top of list of things to do today. That way, at least, you'll get one thing done." (sign at a Red Robin in Fort Collins)

Oh my goodness I love food!! So that sign is so true. If I eat something delicious, I can cross that off my list, and more often than not that is all I accomplish. Sometimes it really stinks being a diabetic, and having to think about how much I am eating blah blah blah. Still, I love food. I would make the perfect Oliver Twist when he says, "Please, sir, I want some more." I always want more. I am always hungry. I always want to eat. Food is the ultimate source of comfort for most everyone. Chocolate is high on that list. And they say that America has the highest obesity rate of anywhere, and today I am okay with that because it is so much fun to get there (I do support a well-balanced diet FYI). This song is in my head so I have to quote it. It is from the musical "Oliver" the song "Food, Glorious Food" says, "Just thinking of growing fat/ our senses go reeling/ one moment of knowing that full-up feeling."  Poor orphans. It is such a glorious feeling especially that feeling of bliss and tranquility after a huge holiday dinner. Siiiiiiighhhhhh!!

I have tons of favorite foods, but I love snacking. Besides things like gummy bears, gummy worms, or chewy things like that, my favorite snack food is chips. I love chips, but of course they are the thing that completely makes my blood sugar spike like no other. I just can't help it. Chips are sooooo good. What goes well with chips? Why dip of course. There are many delicious dips, but the one that tops my chip is guacamole. Looking for a recipe brings up thousands, but I found one (with the help of one of my siblings) that even provides a song with the recipe. It gets in your head really easily, so watch with care. Guac is funny. It looks terrible, but oh tastes so good, and it is good for you. I consider it a snack that I don't need to feel guilty over. I will eat it with a fork if I am overloaded on chips already. YUM!!

Food is central to almost everything in our lives. Holidays, birthdays, and every day in between, we have food. When you attend a get together of some sort and you want people to come, you must have food. When you have a family reunion, what do you share the good old times over? Food. When someone shows up to your house for some sort of random visit, what is it we offer? Food and/or drink. Food is our one common thing that everyone everywhere can relate to. People bond over food. I never understood why politics aren't discussed over food. I think the parties would get along with each other much much better. There is my change as President. When congress meets, serve them food. After all the way to a person's heart is food. We cannot forget the bond over a romantic dinner. Hello! We all know that food can be used as an aphrodisiac... ;) tee hee.... AHEM! Point is... Food is our everything. It is linked to so many emotions. If you are feeling happy, you want to celebrate with food. If you are feeling down, you have a pity party with chocolate, spaghettios, and a chick flick (yes it is a fabulous food combination). We get angry when we realize we ate way too much and we are five pounds heavier. I could give so many more examples. Food is the ultimate significant other. We take it for granted, but it is (hopefully) still there when you need it. You can't live without it, and food's the cause of so many heartthrobs and heartaches.

I am so happy for food. I love it! It is always the one thing I can cross off my to do list "eat delicious food." .... Shoot! Now I am hungry. I wonder if there are chips. You go and have a little snack for yourself. You know you want to. If you need to be pushed even more over the edge to grab a snack, watch something from the food network. You will eat! And you will sing, "Food, glorious food!"

Really. I believe that.

I struggled this week about my next happy topic. I have another post written, but when I went to read it over and edit it, I felt like I should write about something else this week. After looking online for some inspiration, the idea came to me that I needed to bear my testimony of my belief in Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost. After all it is this testimony and belief that forms the foundation of everything that makes me happy.

Recently on my Facebook page I posted a Mormon video about Jesus Christ and asked the question "After watching this can anyone explain to me how or why Mormons aren't Christian?" Now only two people gave me a response. The one response that made the most sense was, "if we do not accept Christ in all his roles within the Trinity, then we do not accept the fullness of Christ and cannot be considered Christians." So here are my two cents of why I am a Christian according to this definition.

I did some research online about what the Trinity is, because I didn't want to sound ignorant when referring to it. The Trinity started in 325 when a bunch of religious scholars came together in Nicaea, called The council of Nicaea. So this council formed to come to an agreement about the nature of God. Christianity is a monotheistic religion, but the Bible sort of names three "gods": God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Ghost. Now in a monotheistic religion there can't be three Gods, especially when you have the Commandment that says "Thou shalt have no other gods before me." So to appease this, they wrote the Nicene Creed, which in a nutshell, says that the three are one and the same being. "Consubstantial" is the word used. Meaning the one god, one substance, in three forms. From my own ideas, Jesus is "the son of God,"so in Luke it says that Mary was visited by the Holy Ghost and conceived. So the Holy Ghost is God because Mary got pregnant by the Holy Ghost, and God through this act came to earth as Jesus. Just as a side note, the first Creed was revised by a council in 381 at Constantinople, which is the version commonly used, but it says the same thing. One scripture among many that would probably be used to support the creed John 17:21-22. Disclaimer, I am not an expert on this at all. These are my own understandings from my own research.

I believe in God the Father, Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost as three separate and distinct beings. This distinction came when Joseph Smith as a mere boy of 14 prayed. His prayer was answered in the form of a vision. That vision was of two, I repeat, two personages: God, the Father, and His son, Jesus Christ. Read the story here (verses 14-17).  That being said. I know Heavenly Father lives, and I know Jesus Christ lives. Christ is literally the son of God (John 3:16). Christ died for us on the cross for our sins, and was resurrected. These things were done so that we could return and live with God. Part of the Plan of Salvation is to have us return to live in Heavenly Father's presence. This is the will of God. Christ did his Father's will. So to return to John 17, Christ and The Father are "one" in purpose, one goal, for us to be with Him. So Christ is part of God, the Father. Christ is essential to the Father's plan. Without Christ we could not be saved. This fulfills the first and second role of Christ. Now to the other role of Christ and the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost has many many "roles", but the one most pertinent to my testimony is the Holy Ghost's role as a teacher.

You know those feelings you get when someone is talking about Christ, or the Gospel in any way? Some people might call them "warm and fuzzy feelings," and you believe, and you know that what you are hearing is right and true? I think you know what I am talking about. That is the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost testifies of  both Christ and Heavenly Father. The Holy Ghost reveals the truth. John 14:26 says "But the Comforter, which is the Holy Ghost, whom the Father will send in my name, he shall teach you all things[...]." John 15:26 says "But when the Comforter is come, whom I will send unto you from the Father, even the Spirit of truth, which proceedeth from the father, he shall testify of me." And looking through my topical guide, I could reference so many biblical scriptures that say that the Holy Ghost testifies the truth of Christ. It is by the power of the Holy Ghost that I know these things. I know that they are true. That Jesus is the resurrected Christ. I have felt God's and Christ's love through the Holy Ghost. Without the Holy Ghost, there would be no sure witness of the truth of Christ, the Savior of the world. Without Christ, I doubt there would be a need for the Spirit. So this fulfills the stipulation of Christ's role in the third member of the Godhead.

So to my own conclusions Mormons are Christian according to the stipulation of "accepting Christ's roles within the Trinity" or Godhead, as us Mormons call it. And I bear my testimony with the help of the Holy Ghost that God lives, Christ lives, Christ suffered through the Atonement for each and every one of us. Through Him we are saved. I know that the three members of the Godhead are separate individuals. How glorious they are! How magnanimous! I am a Christian. I am a monotheist. There is only one god, God the Father. Christ is His literal son, born of Mary, and the Holy Spirit lets us know. Thank you for bearing with me through this long post, and I hope it helped some people understand, that yes, I really do believe that. The knowledge of these things do and will make me happy, but it would take another post to say why. I pray, whatever religion you are, that your testimony of God, Christ, and The Holy Ghost makes you happy too.
Feel free to respectfully ask me questions, I will do my best to answer.
lds.org and mormon.org are great sites to ask questions and seek answers about Mormon beliefs.
Some more reading material of a man who knows more than I do. Robert D Hales
Click on this link to read my church's testimony of Christ.

Sitting in a cactus?

"Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus, but you don't have to sit on it."

I don't know the author of this quote. I saw it on Facebook one day and I laughed. Now this isn't exactly a happy quote, but it is something to remind us to look on the bright side. Cacti are beautiful, but they do pack a punch. I have never sat on a cactus, but I have fallen one. It hurts. I must have been around six or seven when my family went on some sort of day trip holiday. We were hiking around and little me somehow tripped over a boulder that was at least as big as me. Well that six year old size boulder was hiding a lovely little something on the other side. I found out that day that cacti not only have those long porcupine like spines, but thousands of tiny ones that you don't see, but definitely feel. One of my sisters had the job of tweezing out all the spines from my hands and wrists. Falling on that cactus definitely made that hike a lot more difficult. I share this somewhat humorous story to say I know what the cactus feels like, so stay away. Look but don't touch... er.. sit.

This is also a good reminder of "The grass isn't always greener on the other side." A cactus might be on the other side. Be happy with what you have been given. I was reminded recently that our bodies are gifts from God, and that God didn't create us to be sorrowful. He created us to be happy and have joy. Too many times we let the spines of a cactus ruin our outlook. We can choose to be happy. I know I am guilty of being envious and jealous of other people and desire things for myself. I start a journey to obtain those things, thinking they will make me happy, only to be met by a prickly cactus of pain and disaster.

We all have times that just make us want to scream, throw fits and tantrums, and talk to anyone who will listen. Luckily for me, I have terrific friends, family, and Hubs who are always willing to listen, but then they tell me how to look on the positive side of things. They help me through the difficult journey. The movie Pollyanna (I have yet to read the book so I cannot reference it) the main character, Pollyanna, has a game. She calls it the glad game. Whenever she is faced with something that isn't too pleasant, she finds the positive. When Pollyanna is faced with the trial of possibly not being able to walk again, she has a difficult time being "glad." Who could blame her? But then she saw how many people cared for her. How many lives she touched and changed because of her positive way of looking at life, and it changed Pollyanna's way of thinking about her trial. I watched this movie a couple of months ago and how poignant. Too many of us see the glass as half empty (to use the old cliche). If you are having a bad day, or even a rough patch in life, I challenge you to the glad game. Play it for a week. Here are my rules (slightly different from Pollyanna's but I am a beginner at this game): day one: think of one positive thing It can be anything, like I have a job that helps me to support my family, or I have beautiful eyes. Day two: think of the first positive thing, then think of another positive thing. On day three repeat the first two and then add one more, and so on until you get to day seven. So you should have seven positives. By day seven, report back on if those positives changed your outlook on the days or even the week just a little. Repeat for as many weeks as it takes to start thinking more positively, and see how your life changes. Or variation: for each day of the week, day one: one positive, day two: two new positives and so on, so by the end of the week, you have 28 positives. I feel for certain that this will keep your rear end from sitting in the cactus.

A cactus is beautiful. It has flowers that bloom, and some have long arms that stretch to the sky, others cover the ground in little mounds. Even the spines are beautifully designed. But still, no matter how beautiful they are, and how good they look in the window, you cannot expect to touch it and not get hurt. So I repeat the same saying, "Being negative only makes a difficult journey more difficult. You may be given a cactus but you don't have to sit in it."