I Am Glad For Many Things

I am glad for so very many things today and everyday.  I am so grateful for the quiet whisperings of the Holy Ghost and for the fire that I feel in my heart when He testifies the truth of something to my heart.  I just had such an experience while studying the words of scriptures and living prophets.
I just re-read the section on Visiting Teaching in the book, "Daughters in My Kingdom" and I just love it!  I am so grateful for this inspired program.  What a blessing it is to be able to learn how to love eachother like the Savior loves us.  I was recently assigned a new visiting teaching route.  Upon learning a bit about one of my new ladies, I was frightened and overwhelmed and wondered how I could help her.  After studying more about what Visiting Teaching really is, I am no longer frightened, but so grateful that Heavenly Father would teach me through this wonderful program and give me opportunities to serve and to stretch myself out of my comfort zone.  He is so wise. 
I am grateful to remember the words that President Uchtdorf spoke to us last month: (and it applies so beautifully to visiting teaching)
"My dear sisters, the gospel of Jesus Christ is not an obligation; it is a pathway, marked by our loving Father in Heaven, leading to happiness and peace in this life and glory and inexpressible fulfillment in the life to come.  The gospel is a light that penetrates mortality and illuminates the way before us. 
While understanding the "what" and the "how" of the gospel is necessary, the eternal fire and majesty of the gospel springs from the "why".  When we understand why our Heavenly Father has given us this pattern for living, when we remember why we committed to making it a foundational part of our lives, the gospel ceases to become a burden and, instead, becomes a joy and a delight.  It is precious and sweet....
The "what" and "how" of obedience mark the way and keep us on the right path.  The "why" of obedience sanctifies our actions, tranforming the mundane into the majestic.  it magnifies our small acts of obedience into holy acts of consecration."
I am so so grateful for the gospel.  Truly it is the source of all my happiness.  Everything I have comes from my kind and loving Heavenly Father and His Son Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful to have a forever family.  I am so grateful for the peace that comes from only from Him.  I wish I was better at expressing in words what I feel in my heart, but my heart is indeed filled with gratitude for a loving, merciful, involved, patient and attentive Father in Heaven.

This Is Interesting

Sister Scriptorians

"I stress the deep need each woman has to study the scriptures.  We want out homes to be blessed with sister scriptorians-whether you are single or married, young or old, widowed or living in a family.  Regardless of your particular circumstances, as you become more and more familiar with the truths of the scriptures, you will be more and more effective in keeping the second great commandment, to love your neighbor as yourself.  Become scholars of the scriptures-not to put others down, but to lift them up!  After all, who has any greater need to 'treasure up' the truths of the gospel (on which they may call in their moments of need) than do women and mothers who do so much nurturing and teaching?"

Spencer W. Kimball

Daughters in My Kingdom....aka My New Love

I am seriously IN LOVE with this book.  It has increased my understanding about what Relief Society actually is.  It has increased my love of Relief Society immensely.  It is full of the truth about who we are as women and why we are here and it is also full of examples of women throughout our history who have understood who they are and why they are here and how they accomplished hard and wonderful things.  I am so incredibly grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful that He organized this society of women so that we can remember who we are and so that we can strengthen eachother in fulfilling our purposes.  What a joyous thing it is to be a woman!  I am so grateful that they put this book together now.  In this upside down world, we so need a reminder about what it really means to be a woman....and what a beautiful reminder this book is!  Do you have a copy?  If you don't you can get one from your Relief Society presidency or from the church distribution center.  It is delicious food!!

A Moment

I just had a moment...one of those that I don't want to forget.  So I am writing it down.
I went in to comfort my baby girl who woke from her sleep, and as I was holding her close to me, she immediately calmed down and fell right back to sleep.  I just held her and soaked in the feeling of her breath, of her head right under my chin, of her soft and warm body snuggled up against mine...and as I did, I said a prayer of thanks to my Heavenly Father for letting me experience this.  And then I could almost see myself talking with my Heavenly Father before I came to earth and being so excited to experience having a family and all that being a mother would entail.  I was filled with gratitude that my Eternal Father loves me so much that He created this earth for me and provided a Savior for me so that I could come down here and experience it all, so that I could learn how to be happy forever by my own experience.  I want to go home and be in a family forever...in His family forever...with my family forever. 

Beautiful Heartbreak - Hilary Weeks - Every Step

Really beautiful.

How To Be A Happy Mommy

This is an excellent post about how to be a happy mommy....read it, you'll love it!
http://www.theidearoom.net/2011/09/how-to-be-a-happy-mom.html

Remembering 9/11

President Thomas S. Monson wrote this beautiful message to the world to remind us of the faith that we leaned on after 9/11 and how we should turn to our Heavenly Father every day of our lives.

http://www.washingtonpost.com/blogs/guest-voices/post/911-destruction-allowed-us-to-spiritually-rebuild/2011/09/08/gIQAbkjKCK_blog.html

We Must See Past What It Seems

A friend shared this post with me and it is really beautiful.
Read it...remember it...live it.
And have a great day!
http://bravegirlsclub.com/archives/2151

Fan the Flame

This is our Sunday box. A while back I was praying ( and I continue to do so) about how to teach our kids the importance and the sacredness of the Sabbath day. I found in my mom's old files a handout that had activities for Sunday on it that you could cut out and put into a box. So my little B and J and I made our own Sunday box that we put these different activities in. I found little pictures of Jesus and the temple from old Friend magazines and pasted them on the box, along with pictures of the First Presidency and the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles.

A few Sundays ago when I got out the box, little B looked at the back and asked about the pictures of the Apostles. Then he asked me to tell him a story about one of them. Then he wanted another one, and another one...he kept asking until I had told him a story about each member of the First Presidency and each Apostle. I told him a story about their own life, or a story that I could remember from one of their talks. Well little B and J absolutely love these stories. They will bring me the box and ask me to tell them an Apostle story.

Tonight they built a 'bed fort' in the living room with all of the blankets and pillows from the whole house :) and brought me the box and asked to hear some Apostle stories. My heart is filled with gratitude for the way Heavenly Father answers all of our prayers, because He most definately does, and I am also filled with gratitude for these precious spirits who are being sent to the earth in these last days. Notice in my story that little B took the initiative and asked to hear the stories, and then he loved them and wanted more! His little spirit recognizes truth and loves it. I am so grateful to be a mother and have the opportunity to teach these little ones, and to be taught by them.

I came across the awesome talk tonight by Elder Neil L. Andersen titled "Tell Me The Stories of Jesus". Here is just a snippet of it's goodness:

"President Thomas S. Monson has described the rising generation as "the best ever" and has said to our youth: "You have come to this earth at a glorious time. The opportunities before you are nearly limitless." But he also warned, "We have been placed on earth in troubled times." "It is a time of permissiveness, with society in general routinely disregarding and breaking the laws of God." We are surrounded by so much that is designed to divert our attention. "The adversary is using every means possible to ensnare us in his web of deceit."

"We hold in our arms the rising generation. They come to this earth with important responsibilities and great spiritual capacities. We cannot be casual in how we prepare them. Our challenge as parents and teachers is not to create a spiritual core in their souls but rather to fan the flame of their spiritual core already aglow with the fire of the premortal faith."

You can go here to read the full text. http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/04/tell-me-the-stories-of-jesus?lang=eng I love it!

Truly I can see the bright flame of faith that each of my children have brought with them to this earth. I will fan the flame as best I can, and I know that with the help of a wise and loving Father in Heaven that He will show me how to do it. There is so much hope and goodness in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for it! What a blessing it is to be a woman and a mother!

Excited To Read This!

Diversity and Strength of Mormon Women Highlighted in New Relief Society Book


Love Julie B. Beck. Love her! So excited to read this book that I know she had a lot to do with. We definately need help as women to remember who we are and why we are important. Hope it comes out really soon!

There Are Refugees Among Us

I think that this song has a beautiful message, especially for women and members of Relief Society in particular. Truly this is what we as women should be all about! Love it.

The Book of Mormon

This book has been the subject of slander and misrepresentation time and again since it was published in the 1800s. I am one who has been so blessed to receive a witness from our Heavenly Father through The Holy Ghost that this book is true. I know that it leads me to Jesus Christ and that is the only way to find happiness in this life or in the next. I know that anyone who reads it with a sincere and honest desire to know of it's truth can also receive such a witness. God is not dead! He lives and He speaks to us today, if we will only listen.

Me Too

Do you ever stop right in the middle of your day, when calling your kids in for lunch, and realize that you are living your dream and it is sweeter than you ever thought possible? Yeah, me too.

Click Here

...to read my friend Tracy's blog. I picked this post because I love this poem about motherhood...totally made me cry!... but I just love this woman. Her blog is very inspiring. Hooray for a woman who loves and embraces her womanhood! Have a fantastic day and embrace your womanhood!

Peace

I feel so blessed today to have the gospel in my life. It is my complete source of happiness. I know that all that I have comes from my Heavenly Father and that all happiness is made possible through my Savior Jesus Christ. I love Him. I am so grateful to remember the sacrifices of the early pioneers today and how they literally gave everything they had for the ability to live the gospel and worship and keep the commandments. I am so grateful for Jesus Christ. I am so grateful for His peace...the only real peace that there is. Have a wonderful day!

The Path To Lasting Happiness

"We live in a time when many worry about their livelihood. They are concerned about the future and doubt their ability to resolve the challenges that confront them. Many have experienced personal misfortune and sadness. They hunger for meaning and purpose in life.
Because there is such great interest in these issues, the world is not bashful in offering numerous new answers to every problem we face. People run from one new idea to the next, hoping to find something that will answer the burning questions of their souls. They attend seminars and buy books, CDs, and other products. They get caught up in the excitement of looking for something new. But inevitably, the flame of each new theory fades, only to be replaced by another "new and improved" solution that promises to do what the others before could not.
It's not that these worly options don't contain elements of truth- many of them do. Nevertheless, they all fall short of the lasting change we seek in our lives. After the excitement wears off, the hollowness remains as we look for the next new idea to unlock the secrets of happiness.
In contrast, the gospel of Jesus Christ has the answers to all of our problems. The gospel is not a secret. It is not complicated or hidden. It can unlock the door to true happiness. It is not someone's theory or proposition. It does not come from man at all. It springs from the pure and everlasting waters of the Creator of the universe, who knows truths we cannot even begin to comprehend. And with that knowledge, He has given us the gospel- a divine gift, the ultimate formula for happiness and success."

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Click on the title of this post to read the full text from President Uchtdorf in his talk "The Way of the Disciple" and have a great day!)

The Plan!

BYUtv - BYU Women's Conference: Primary General Presidency (2011)

I LOVE LOVE this! I want to stick to the plan and teach it to my children. :)

Anyone Else?

I really needed to hear this today :)

Yes!

BYUtv - BYU Women's Conference: David A. Bednar & Susan Bednar (2011)

Such truth about the importance of small and simple things!

"Motherhood and homemaking is surely, in reality, the most important work in the world. What do ships, railways, mines, cars, government etc. exist for except that people may be fed, warmed, and safe in their homes?... The homemaker's job is the one for which all others exist."
C.S. Lewis

Watch This!

Small Things

"As you create a home, don't get distracted with a lot of things that have no meaning for you or your family. Don't dwell on your failures, but think about your successes. Have joy in your home. Have joy in your husband. Be grateful for the journey." - Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"...Behold I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass....and by very small means the Lord doth confound the wise and bringeth about the salvation of many souls." -Alma 37:6-7

I was thinking of this in relation to the very small and simple things like.... loving and playing with a child, creating a clean and lovely environment, kind words said, choosing patience and charity instead of anger and selfishness. I am so grateful for the Lord's help with the 'small' things I do everyday, because I need it!

President Gordon B. Hinckley said of us:
"If anyone can change the dismal situation into which we are sliding, it is you. Rise up, O women of Zion, rise to the great challenge which faces you."

I know we can change the world because Heavenly Father has told us we can!

Mommy Moment

I have a good friend who is the mother of 6 children. She shared with me some of her feelings about her role as a woman and I loved it and wanted to share, with her permission:).
"Just today someone stopped me in disbelief and said, "are all those children yours"?! To which I enthusiastically said, "Yes! Thank goodness they are, and we have two more at home!" "Six?!" the guy said. Then he just smiled and went on his way. I LOVE being a mom. I love being married and being a wife and caring for my husband. And I love having friends who feel the same way- we gotta stick together, us homemakers. The world is trying to make us a thing of the past, but I will spend all my time and energy making sure I set the example for my daughters to pick up the torch and follow me into womanhood and rejoice in their roles as well. I hope deeply they want to follow. It was thrilling and humbling to me when my Anna had an "All About Me" poster to do for school and when it asked what she wanted to be when she grew up, she wrote two simple words "a mom". I love that Rachel, who is two, brings her stroller with her about town and pushes her baby on our errands and lovingly checks on her and makes sure she is ok. And I think one of the sweetest feelings in the world is holding a child in your arms, feeling their warmth, their love and their trust. What a sacred role we have been given!"

I couldn't agree more! If any of you reading this have any mommy/womanly moments you want to share, I would love it! Please comment and then I'll post it!

The Savior Honors Women

While studying the morning of our Savior's glorious resurrection, I came across this beautiful quote by Elder Bruce R. McConkie in the Church Education System book for the New Testament.

"How much there is incident to the death, burial, and resurrection of our Lord which ennobles and exalts faithful women. They wept at the cross, sought to care for His wounded and lifeless body, and came to His tomb to weep and worship for their friend and Master. And so it is not strange that we find a woman, Mary of Magdala, chosen and singled out from all the disciples, even including the apostles, to be the first mortal to see and bow in the presence of a resurrected being. Mary, who had been healed of much and who loved much, saw the risen Christ!...

"Jesus appeared first to Mary Magdalene and then to other women. To Mary the mother of Joses, to Joanna, to Salome the mother of James and John, and to to other unnamed women, the two angels announced the resurrection, and sent them to tell Peter and the other disciples. As they went, Jesus appeared and greeted them with the familiar 'All hail.' And so again it was women who were honored with a visitation from their friend the resurrected Lord."


I'm so grateful for the tenderness of our Savior in visiting these women and for the examples of these faithful women who were friends of our Savior. I want to be His friend too.

Encircled in the Arms of Safety

I am feeling very quiet inside as I have had the opportunity to ponder on the events of the last week of our Savior's mortal ministry. I have been thinking of Him today and studying the agony He endured in Gethsemane this night more than 2,000 years ago. I am overcome with awe at His perfect love. I do not comprehend as a mere mortal how He accomplished the atonement, but I do know that He did. I know that He suffered for every sin and every pain that I have ever felt. I know that because of this, I am free!
"And thus He shall bring salvation to all those who shall believe on His name; this being the intent of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy, which overpowereth justice, and bringeth about means unto men that they may have faith unto repentance. And thus mercy can satisfy the demands of justice, and encircles them in the arms of safety". (Alma 34:15-16)
I know that Jesus Christ is real. I know that it is only through Him that I or anyone can enter back into the presence of our Eternal Father and be happy forever. He is The Way, The Truth, and The Light. He is the Redeemer of all mankind. I am so humbled that He would allow me to take upon myself His name. I truly want to be a disciple of Jesus Christ and to follow Him faithfully forever. I know He lives and I love Him.

A Beautiful Thought

As quoted by President Gordon B. Hinckley: "E.T. Sullivan once wrote these interesting words: "When God wants a great work done in the world or a great wrong righted, He goes about it in a very unusual way. He doesn't stir up His earthquakes or send forth His thunderbolts. Instead, He has a helpless baby born, perhaps in a simple home and of some obscure mother. And then God puts the idea into the mother's heart, and she puts it into the baby's mind. And then God waits." "

Words To Live By

"It is for us, sisters, to make certain that underlying everything we do in the course of a day is a settled faith in God, in His existence, personality and attributes. There must be faith in the restored gospel and in its power to save; faith in the divine mission of the Savior. This faith will give us the power to work righteousness. God bless us all to do what needs to be done by our hands, and to do it cheerfully and with joy." Marjorie Pay Hinckley

What I Seek

I LOVE this song! This is what I believe.

We Can Walk And Talk With God

In April 2010, Julie Beck stated:
"A good woman knows that she does not have enough time, energy, or opportunity to take care of all of the people or do all of the worthy things her heart yearns to do. Life is not calm for most women, and each day seems to require the accomplishment of a million things, most of which are important. A good woman must constantly resist alluring and deceptive messages from many sources telling her that she deserves a life of greater ease and independence. But with personal revelation, she can prioritize correctly and navigate this life confidently. The ability to qualify for, receive, and act on personal revelation is the single most important skill that can be acquired in this life."
President Harold B. Lee taught not only the importance of the gift of The Holy Ghost, but the remarkable nature of that gift when he said,
"Baptism by immersion symbolizes the death and burial of the man of sin; and the coming forth out of the water, the resurrection to a newness of spiritual life. After baptism, hands are laid upon the head of the baptized believer, and he is blessed to receive the Holy Ghost. Thus does the one baptized receive the promise or gift of the Holy Ghost or the privilege of being brought back into the presence of one of the Godhead, by obedience to whom and through his faithfulness one so blessed might receive the guidance and direction of the Holy Ghost in his daily walks and talks, even as Adam walked and talked in the Garden of Eden with God, his Heavenly Father. To receive such guidance and such direction from the Holy Ghost is to be spiritually reborn."

What a tremendous gift the Lord has given us in The Holy Ghost! Truly with Him as our daily guide, there is never a need to worry or fear. We can walk and talk with God daily! It is so humbling to me to ponder on the magnitude of this gift. I feel overwhelmed by the love my Father in Heaven has for me that He would give me this gift....and this gift is available to all who come unto Him. I feel to say with Alma; "Let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." (Alma 26:16)

If You Have a Minute...

Sometimes I like to find a devotional or conference message on BYUtv and listen to it while doing a quiet activity with the kids. I love the spirit that it brings into our home, and even if I don't catch every single word, it really makes a difference in my day. I was listening to this talk yesterday while playing play-doh with my boys. I loved it so much! - which means that I have a lot to work on...but I want to work on it! This is a talk about the dangers of pride and how to overcome it. Really great stuff. So take a minute, pull out the crayons or puzzles with your kids and have yourself a listen. Or a couple of listens as I need to catch it all:)
BYUtv - BYU Devotional: Elder Kim B. Clark (9/29/2009)