Celebrating LIFE!

Hi, friends!  I've got a digi scrapbook page to show you tonight.  I've had a fabulous week spent with family and especially my darling 3 year old niece!  I got to have her almost every day at my house to play and she now has a new friend she loves SO MUCH--Hundie, my fur baby!!!  Since Hundie's birthday is June 30 and she'll be three, same age as my niece, we decided that we would have a party for her while our family was still in town.  My DH, my fur baby, my niece, and I went shopping to get Hundie some gifts and then my niece and I went and picked out a cake for the people to eat after Hundie opened her gifts.  We had so much fun and I took some darling pictures of my niece with her "Baby Spectacular," aka Hundie! ;)

Here is the page I've made with those photos~

A few of you may know this, but my DH and I have tried for about 8 years to get pregnant and have not succeeded.  I was incredibly upset when my younger sister had my 3 year old niece as I thought it wasn't fair.  I was equally as angry when my sister got pregnant again "on schedule" and had my 1 year old niece.  It took hours of prayer for me to overcome these feelings of anger and I am so glad that I have!  I wasted 3 years with my precious niece!  You know that this is one aunty who will do her best to make up for it!  I LOVE THOSE GIRLS--they are such dolls and I am so glad to have them in my life!  I miss them since they're now at home after their week long visit, but I am so excited to see them again at the beginning of August for another sister's wedding.  I hope you take the time today to tell your family how much you love them--don't waste time with feelings of anger!  Forgive and move on--even if it's hard!  Have a blessed Sabbath!

Linking up to: Addicted to Stamps and Think on These Things.

Knowledge from God

I have been blessed with amazing parents who stressed the importance of education, both in spiritual matters and in earthly matters.  They instilled in me a love of learning from a young age and it has continued to grow as I've gotten older.  I am so incredibly grateful to them and for the desire that I have to continue in knowledge and learning.  As I study gospel principles, I feel the importance of what I am learning and learn more each day.  Sometimes the knowledge alights upon me quickly and suddenly while at other times I have had to take time to understand the principle I am learning about.  Each new day brings more light and knowledge from God, though, and I am eternally thankful that I have the ability to learn and understand.

These thoughts go perfectly with the scripture over at Word Art Wednesday this week.  I've made a printable that you may use for PERSONAL use if you'd like to.  Just left click to enlarge, right click and save!

Here it is~

One of the ways that I have always been helped in learning and understanding the gospel is by having personal and family scripture study and prayer each day.  It is so wonderful to sit down with your family and to discuss the scriptures that you are reading.  Many precious memories have been made in my immediate family and with my DH and I as we study the scriptures together each night before we go to bed.  When I was younger, my wonderful father would call us all in for prayer and scripture study before we would eat our dinner together.  I am so thankful for his righteous perseverance in not listening to our griping and complaining about wanting to eat! ;)  Prayer and scripture study are also a wonderful way to finish up a day!  I don't have any specific stories about scripture study from my childhood, but I do have one from this last week as we've had my two nieces (aged 3 and 1) visiting us from Utah.

Our 3 year old niece likes to participate in scripture study and will "read" a verse for use when it is her turn.  She will repeat exactly what she is told to recite and her sweet little voice sounds so beautiful as she speaks the words of God.  I imagine that this is how our Father in Heaven feels each time we listen and preach His word to those around us and in our families.  We are all God's children and it must make Him incredibly happy to see each of us learning what He has given us each day.  I encourage you (and myself) to do a little better each day at learning and applying the gospel to our daily lives.  God bless! :)

This post linked to: Word Art Wednesday, Tell Me a Story, Titus 2sdays, and Think on These Things.

A New Heart

I don't know about you, but there are times when I feel incredibly strong in my testimony of the gospel and other times when I question what I believe in.  The scriptures call these times "trials of faith."  I used to wonder WHY God would give us these times in our lives.  I used to be angry during these times.  It's only been recently that I have decided to embrace these "trials of faith" and learn and grow from them.

A few weeks back, a good friend of mine asked me to watch her three little ones this week because her regular babysitter is on vacation.  I told her I would, thinking that the money would be welcome since I'm not working at all this summer.  But then I started to realize exactly what I had agreed to. 

My only experience with motherhood has been either a miscarried pregnancy or else a foster placement.  Foster care was a severe "trial of faith."  I never want to do it again.  It has nothing to do with the children that we took care of--I will ALWAYS love them.  It has to do with other things that I just typed and then deleted.  I'm trying to be more positive about it. 

Anyway, we'll just say that foster care left me a panic filled, paranoid, wreck of a severely distrusting person.  I never wanted to take care of kids or even think about trying to have them again.  I seriously felt that motherhood was NOT for me.  And on Monday night it hit me that I would have children in my home again.  And I seriously FREAKED OUT.  I felt sick to my stomach, couldn't eat or focus, and wanted to call and cancel.  BUT, I remembered my resolve to embrace things that were difficult with me, said a prayer, and went to bed at nine.  It was the right thing to do.

Friends, these past two days have been two of the best days of my life!  I loved the kids I'm watching before I offered to do this, but now I love them even more!  I have seen what motherhood really can be and it is not as scary as I thought it would be.  Granted, I've only done this for 2 days and I KNOW it gets worse after the "honeymoon" period.  But I have proven to myself that I could stay calm and collected.  The kids still love me.  I adore them!  This has by far been the most amazing "trial of faith" that I have ever gone through!  And all because I put my trust in God.  And He took my hardened heart and showed me that I could have a different heart that would do more good for the world.

Doesn't that story go along PERFECTLY with the scripture at Word Art Wednesday?!  I was amazed when I saw this week's challenge--and I am sooooo amazed at the goodness and greatness of God!

Here's my digital print for today~

AND, a recipe that I came up with for the kiddos--they LOVED them!

Homemade Oreo Cakesters

1 Devil's Food cake mix
2 eggs
1/3 cup oil
1 container marshmallow fluff

Mix the first three ingredients, roll into small balls (about 1 inch in diameter) and bake for 8-10 minutes at 350*. When they come out of the oven, flatten the cookies slightly with a spatula. After the cookies cool completely, add marshmallow fluff to the bottom of one, and add another cookie on top!

Easy peasy, and OH SO YUMMY!!! :)  Sorry there isn't a photo...they were THAT GOOD. ;D

In addition to Word Art Wednesday, I'm linking up to Scripture Sunday @ Each Card Tells a Story, Think on These Things, Titus 2sdays, and Tell Me a Story.  I hope you all have a fabulous rest of your week--feel free to use my digital print for PERSONAL use!

Sunshine in Your Heart

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As part of my "structured summer," I decided that I would spend some of my time each day focusing more on spiritual things.  We recently had a General Conference of our church back at the beginning of April.  My goal is to read one talk a week and blog about it as part of my spiritual study.  I also want to study my Sunday School lessons, my Relief Society lessons, a hymn, and be better prepared to teach my Primary lesson each week.  I'll probably create some digital artwork to represent what I studied each day.  Then maybe I'll have it printed...So, now you know everything!  I've decided that I'll start today with a Conference talk.

The talk I chose to read was the first talk given, entitled "As We Gather Once More" and given by our prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  He starts out by giving a very concise explanation of WHY we have general conference by saying, "We meet each six months to strengthen one another, to extend encouragement, to provide comfort, to build faith. We are here to learn. Some of you may be seeking answers to questions and challenges you are experiencing in your life. Some are struggling with disappointments or losses. Each can be enlightened and uplifted and comforted as the Spirit of the Lord is felt."

I LOVE general conference!  Each time I listen to the words of living prophets and apostles, I feel the love of Christ emanating around the globe as words of exhortation, love, peace, and goodwill are spoken from the words of men called by God.  I resolve to do a little bit better.  I learn something new from each talk and gain insight into how my Father in Heaven and Savior want me to conduct my life.  IT IS AMAZING.

President Monson went on to say, "Should there be changes which need to be made in your life, may you find the incentive and the courage to do so as you listen to the inspired words which will be spoken. May each of us resolve anew to live so that we are worthy sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father. May we continue to oppose evil wherever it is found." 


I'm not sure about you, but I KNOW that I am far from perfect.  I think that it is amazing that such an exhortation of this magnitude could be given and that millions of people around the world can feel how POSSIBLE it is.  That is the beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ--it is so easy!  You just have to DO IT.

The next portion of Pres. Monson's talk is about the blessings we have been giving in our generation.  How lucky we are to have the modern technology that is available!  He says, "How blessed we are to have come to earth at such a time as this—a marvelous time in the long history of the world. We can’t all be together under one roof, but we now have the ability to partake of the proceedings of this conference through the wonders of television, radio, cable, satellite transmission, and the Internet—even on mobile devices. We come together as one, speaking many languages, living in many lands, but all of one faith and one doctrine and one purpose."

It is amazing to think that just less than 100 years ago, NONE of these modern marvels were available for use to use!  How great is the wisdom and love of God to give the inspiration for this amazing technology to be present here on this earth at this time--I for one am MOST grateful for indoor plumbing and central heating and air conditioning...I think I would die without it...probably not really, but I am SOOOO grateful for them!!!

President Monson continues, "From a small beginning 182 years ago, our presence is now felt throughout the world. This great cause in which we are engaged will continue to go forth, changing and blessing lives as it does so. No cause, no force in the entire world can stop the work of God. Despite what comes, this great cause will go forward. You recall the prophetic words of the Prophet Joseph Smith: 'No unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persecutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independent, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept every country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the Great Jehovah shall say the work is done.'"

A story from the Bible comes to mind when reading these statements.  It is found in the book of Daniel.  The prophet Daniel had been called before King Nebuchadnezzar to interpret a dream that he had experienced during the night. The king saw a great statue made of different materials and then a stone cut from the mountain without hands that came and destroyed the image.  That same stone continued to grow until it filled the entire earth.  

Daniel 2:44 states, "And in the days of these kings shall the God of heaven set up a kingdom, which shall never be destroyed: and the kingdom shall not be left to other people, but it shall break in pieces and consume all these kingdoms, and it shall stand for ever."

As a Latter-day Saint, I believe that this stone or kingdom is the restored gospel of Jesus Christ, the Kingdom of God here on the earth today.  Although it is populated by imperfect people, it will one day be populated by a people made perfect by the Atonement of our Savior, Jesus Christ.

As I try to live this gospel more fully each day, I am convinced a little more each day that this gospel is true.  The convictions that I feel come from the DOING of the word, and not the hearing of the word alone.  If I am to become strong and unmoving, I must continue to DO what God wants me to do.  Doubt comes only when I stop the DOING.  Faith is an action word, my friends.

President Monson says that, "There is much that is difficult and challenging in the world today, my brothers and sisters, but there is also much that is good and uplifting. As we declare in our thirteenth article of faith, 'If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.' May we ever continue to do so."

It is so wonderful to be reminded that in a world with so much that is bad, there is also so much good!  There is always so much to be thankful for!  And you know who is in charge of making sure that we are grateful and happy?  WE are!  I LOVE that I am the person in charge of my own personal happiness--I can be happy no matter what happens, because I have Hope in Christ!  This reminds me of a fabulous hymn.

  

You Can Make the Pathway Bright

Helen Silcott Dungan

You can make the pathway bright,
Fill the soul with heaven’s light,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
Turning darkness into day,
As the shadows fly away,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can speak the gentle word
To the heart with anger stirred,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
Tho it seems a little thing,
It will heaven’s blessings bring,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can do a kindly deed
To your neighbor in his need,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
And his burden you will share
As you lift his load of care,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

You can live a happy life
In this world of toil and strife,
If there’s sunshine in your heart;
And your soul will glow with love
From the perfect Light above,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

 If there’s sunshine in your heart,
You can send a shining ray
That will turn the night to day;
And your cares will all depart,
If there’s sunshine in your heart today.

Is there sunshine is YOUR heart today?  I hope so!  My sunshine has been getting stronger with each word I've read and written! :)  I am so thankful to be on the earth at this time and to have a loving Father in Heaven who has provided so many wonderful opportunities for me to serve Him!  

Here is my digital print for this post, I'm calling it "Sunshine Soul"~

Gratitude is so very important.  Our prophet is very big on gratitude.  He has stated on more than one occasion that one of the greatest sins that we can commit is the sin of ingratitude.  He is always a wonderful example of gratitude, and towards the end of his talk he expressed his gratitude to us by saying, "I thank you for your faith and devotion to the gospel. I thank you for the love and care you show one to another. I thank you for the service you provide in your wards and branches and in your stakes and districts. It is such service that enables the Lord to accomplish many of His purposes here upon the earth. I express my thanks to you for your kindnesses to me wherever I go. I thank you for your prayers in my behalf. I have felt those prayers and am most grateful for them."

How blessed are we to have such a wonderful example of gratitude and thanksgiving given to us through our prophet dear?  I just love our prophet!  I love him for all of the countless hours he spends serving the Lord by serving US, His children.  I love him for the kindness that he show in each word that he says and for the life that he has led.  I love him for the humor and youth and vitality that he still has, even at a ripe "old" age!  I love him for his willingness to set aside the things he would have done for the things that the Lord needed him to do.  A fabulous example to all of us of Christ-like service and love!

He ends his talk by stating, "Our Heavenly Father is mindful of each of us and our needs. May we be filled with His Spirit as we partake of the proceedings of this conference. This is my sincere prayer in the sacred name of our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ, amen."

Amen to that, indeed!  I need constant reminders that my Heavenly Father is mindful of me.  Why?  Because I am one of the most insecure people you could meet.  Apparently it doesn't show very much, but my DH will attest to the fact that I am not one to have much self confidence.  The things I do the best are the things that I criticize myself about.  It has taken me YEARS to work on this.  I am grateful to a Heavenly Father who has provided a Savior to help me through this struggle.  He has also blessed me with an excellent husband who is a righteous example to me and helps me through the trials of life that I face.  I am also grateful for each person who has touched my life in a positive way.  No matter how "small."  Because in the grand scheme of things, there is no such thing as a "small" act of service and kindness.  God bless you all!  Have a fabulous day!!!

This post linked to Word Art Wednesday,  Think on These Things, Hearts 4 Home, and Scripture Sunday.