36 DAYS

Thanks to Shani at work, she reminded me that I needed to check when I needed to start reading to finish the last conference talks before 2012's March/April Conference. Apparently I should have started two days ago--but I will catch up tomorrow! Join me! Every six months when I do the "pre" conference challenge, I have never been disappointed with my use of time in studying the talks over!

I have 14 pages of favorite quotes from the Oct 2011 conference... but here are just two pages of them. A taste of what this challenge can/will bring! 

Jesus Christ is the Only Begotten and Beloved Son of God. He is our Creator. He is the Light of the World. He is our Savior from sin and death. This is the most important knowledge on earth, and you can know this for yourself, as I know it for myself. --Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Never stop striving for the best that is within you. Never stop hoping for all of the righteous desires of your heart. --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Let us not give up on the Lord. His blessings are eternal, not temporary. --Elder Robert D. Hales

Tests and trials are given to all of us. These mortal challenges allow us and our Heavenly Father to see whether we will exercise our agency to follow His Son. He already knows, and we have the opportunity to learn, that no matter how difficult our circumstances, “all these things shall [be for our] experience, and … [our] good.” --Elder Robert D. Hales

Perhaps as much as praying for mercy, we should pray for time and opportunity to work and strive and overcome. --Elder D. Todd Christofferson

At times we may even feel insignificant, invisible, alone, or forgotten. But always remember—you matter to Him! --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

He [Jesus Christ] waited upon His Father—exercising His agency to forgive His enemies (Luke 23:34). --Elder Robert D. Hales

...what you see and experience now is not what forever will be. You will not feel loneliness, sorrow, pain, or discouragement forever. --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Our Father in Heaven understood that for us to make desired progress during our mortal probation, we would need to face difficult challenges. Some of these would be almost overpowering. He provided tools to help us be successful in our mortal probation. One set of those tools is the scriptures. --Elder Richard G. Scott

Let us be as quick to kneel as we are to text. --Elder Ian S. Ardern

The way to receive personal revelation is really quite clear. We need to desire to receive revelation, we must not harden our hearts, and then we need to ask in faith, truly believe that we will receive an answer, and then diligently keep the commandments of God. --Sister Barbara Thompson

Satan is a real being set on destroying you... --Jeffrey R. Holland

“Let us plead with the Lord to endow our mind and soul with the spark of faith that will enable us to receive and recognize the divine ministering of the Holy Spirit.” (President Dieter F. Uchtdorf) --Sister Barbara Thompson

“The Lord expects our thinking. He expects our action. He expects our labors. He expects our testimonies. He expects our devotion.” (President Monson) --Elder Jose L. Alonso

...your eternal destiny will not be the result of chance but of choice. It is never too late to begin to choose eternal life! --Elder Randall K. Bennett
You may in time of trouble think that you are not worth saving because you have made mistakes, big or little, and you think you are now lost. That is never true! Only repentance can heal what hurts. But repentance can heal what hurts, no matter what it is. -- Elder Boyd K. Packer

Dress modestly; talk reverently; listen to uplifting music. Avoid all immorality and personally degrading practices. Take hold of your life and order yourself to be valiant. -- Elder Boyd K. Packer
“Motherhood is not a hobby, it is a calling. ... It is what God gave you time for.” (Rachel Jankovic) --Elder Neil L. Andersen

Time is never for sale; time is a commodity that cannot, try as you may, be bought at any store for any price. Yet when time is wisely used, its value is immeasurable. --Elder Ian S. Ardern

Whoever you are and whatever you have done, you can be forgiven. Every one of you young men can leave behind any transgression with which you may struggle. It is the miracle of forgiveness; it is the miracle of the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ. But you cannot do it without an active commitment to the gospel, and you cannot do it without repentance where it is needed. --Jeffrey R. Holland

A temple marriage for time and all eternity is worthy of your greatest efforts and highest priority. --Sister Elaine S. Dalton

The Lord’s way is not to sit at the side of the stream and wait for the water to pass before we cross. It is to come together, roll up our sleeves, go to work, and build a bridge or a boat to cross the waters of our challenges. --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

The greatest compliment that can be earned here in this life is to be known as a covenant keeper. --Elder Russell M. Nelson

When we have charity, we are willing to serve and help others when it is inconvenient and with no thought of recognition or reciprocation. We don’t wait to be assigned to help, because it becomes our very nature. --Sister Silvia H. Allred

“There is no chance, no fate, no destiny that can circumvent or hinder or control the firm resolve of a determined soul.” (Elder Marion D. Hanks) --Elder Quentin L. Cook

Accept the restored gospel of Jesus Christ as your way of life. --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

There is power in being reminded of how great God is and His son Jesus Christ!  There is great power in being reminded of Heavenly Father's plan for us ... of the "why" we are here on this earth ... where we are going ... and who we really are. There is power in remembering. There is power in perspective...! 

Jesus LIVES!

INEXPERIENCED

Ryan saw this quote in the elevator at the church headquarters. He liked it so much he took a snapshot of it. Other then VERY clever marketing (thanks Jing for pointing that out) of "elevate" in an elevator... the message is so profound.

Inexperienced in parenting, a calling, a job, a task, a relationship, a new trial, teaching, a new abyss, DATING :), etc. If we will allow, God will help us BECOME!

DON'T WORRY! (Remember, worry is a faith KILLER and a peace DESTROYER.)

YOUR/OUR/MY God is in control! And His timing/ways are perfectly perfect. Oh may we allow Him to reason with us.

Come now, and let us reason together, saith the Lord... Isaiah 1:18

...let us reason together, that ye may understand... Doctrine and Covenants 50:10

FAMILY

      How merciful our Heavenly Father is. This morning I read "The Doctrine of the Father" (click here for article) from the Ensign. Elder Cook stated: "...God the Father is ... the Author of the plan that gives us hope and potential." He shared that observing families now, can bring great understanding about our heavenly Family.
    I loved this reminder of who we are.

"Regardless of the circumstances of our mortal birth, we are all spirit sons and daughters of heavenly parents. God is a righteous and loving father. Our spirits came into being out of love and a deliberate choice to give us life and opportunity." -- Elder Cook!

 It was a GREAT article to be reminded.

This past week has been amazing! Paul and Sue were sealed in the temple! An event we have been anticipating for many months. Paul felt/saw Becky in his mind's eye walking/giving Sue to Paul in the temple. What a sweet gift from God. Welcome to the family Sue!

Highlights from an AMAZING weekend!

Having Kiss out for a WHOLE week!!

Paul and Sue's sealing!

Getting to see the birthday boy try to "pin" the worm on the hook!

After a several years of not getting on the snow mobiles--Dad took me on a beautiful SAFE ride onto the lake.

Finding Micarie & James trying their luck with ice fishing down an 18inch thick hole!

Hearing Micarie squeal as James flew over an expected jump! 

Listening to all the kiddos giggle!

Dad's homemade Tamales!

And over all, JUST SPENDING TIME WITH FAMILY.  This picture about sums up the weekend. A LOT of love!

Thank you mom and Dad for such a wonderful weekend! Thank you Sue for "waiting" on the Lord and His timing. Thank you Paul for trusting in God. Thank you Kiss for hanging out with your favorite sister with brown hair!  :D

God is good!

PRAYERS NEEDED...!

This girl is in need of prayers.  You can check out her blog (click here).

Today is a big day for her for she is hoping to be well enough to make it to the doctor's appointment to have tests run to see what is wrong with her body. No cancer, no "anything" ???  they don't know what is wrong with her other then she doesn't have an immune system. Today is a big day in that she needs to be "well enough" to go to the doctors.  And prayers that the doctors might be inspired.  Please keep Whitney in your prayers.  This is a movie Whitney's little sister made for at Christmas... Whitney is a beauitful girl, inside and out. You will see her testimony shine through her blog. She is courageous in facing and fighting something doctors haven't been able to diagnose yet.  She is an inspiration to all!!

People are praying for you Whitney!! God loves you!! We love you!!

HAPPY FAVORITE DAY!

It is true-- Valentine's is one of my most cherished holidays. I love the reminder and the excuse to express love and appreciation for those who have been placed in my path. I am overwhelmed with gratitude.

I made this sometime ago!  I remember driving through the back roads of springville after a particular heavy snow storm. It was very cold out, and although the storm had left it's mark, it also left it's beauty...



Every time I read a scripture that talks about doing things in the light of day, because when the darkness comes, no man can preform their labor--I find myself going into a contemplation mode. There are handful of these types of verses:

...for after this day of life, which is given us to prepare for eternity, behold, if we do not improve our time while in this life, then cometh the night of darkness wherein there can be no labor performed. (Alma 34:33)

Why is it so important for us to have already made up our mind in the light of day? Because one day we will be tested... and that testing time may be dark, and if we have not set our mind firm, we may waver and give into things we ought not give into because the "darkness/night" of the test has come.  So what will I decided now, to be immoveable in/with?

I may have shared this before, but it bares reapting. I had an institute teacher share an experience once of one of his daughters who went into labor. There were many life threatening complications for she and the baby and for a time, it was not certain that either one would make it. My institute teacher had a huddle out in the hall with his other daughters and his wife. And his father council was this, that no matter what happened that they would still love and honor God and still trust in him. Everyone was in tears and they agreed to remain faithful to God no matter what. This father then went into see his sweet daughter, who at any time was at high risk for loosing not only the unborn baby, but also her own life. Without her father even saying anything, this sweet girl who was in an awesome "hell" of her own, told her dad that she knew that no matter what happened, she would still honor and server God.

I have always been impressed by that story... in the heat of the moment, who will I be? Just because I choose to follow Christ and try to stay postitive, doesn't mean that I can drown the pain of the particular path out with my postitive atttidude, however, I believe GREAT faith comes and can be accessed by continuing in trusting in God and His timing no matter what.  Shani at work kept up a beauitful saying that said something to the effect of faith in God also means faith in His timing.

So in my currant "light" of life moment, I am striving to work on my own vessel. that when the storms come, I can remember and act upon following and trusting in Christ--come what may!

Myrna told me once that while she was in the hospital after some chemo, that she was in an amazing amount of pain. So much pain that she didn't know how she could go on and even have the will to live. The pain was more than she thought she could bare. She pleaded with God to take the pain away. Then she had in interesting impression. She felt that God would not allow the pain to be taken away, however He would help her get through the pain. And she said that the pain still remained and it was awful, but she felt strengthened (not less pain, but strength) while going through the pain.

I know who Jesus Christ is. And Heavenly Father. And although I know it is easier said then actually put into practice, especially in the heat of the moment, I will do as 2 Nephi 25 directs (bolds mine):

…for the right way is to believe in Christ and deny him not…

…And now behold, I say unto you that the right way is to believe in Christ, and deny him not; and Christ is the Holy One of Israel; wherefore ye must bow down before him, and worship him with all your might, mind, and strength, and your whole soul… (vs 28-29)

THE RIGHT WAY-- in all my life, all situations, circumstances, instances, decisions, attitude--THE RIGHT WAY is to believe in Christ and deny him not! Deny him not the opportunity to comfort me, to bring peace to my mind. Allow the time to teach me and help me learn what I need to learn. Deny Him not my agency in allowing the Father's will to be done and not mine.

The right way/answer is always CHRIST!  The application is huge. One can ask, How would Christ handle this. What would he do. What did he do (when rejected, mocked, spit upon, walked lonely/friendless paths). How was His attitude. How was His faith even when he asked to have the bitter cup removed, but it was not! His way, should/needs to be my way.

Jesus is the Christ!!  Deciding in the light, what I will be/hold onto when surrounded by "dark". I will be HIS! I know easier said than done. But like Myrna, I may not have the burden lifted, but HE can/will help me through them.

Oh I LOVE Valentine's Day!! God so LOVES US!! YOU!! ME!!  Keep trusting in Him. All things shall work together for our good! 

God, so loves YOU!

When you feel like you are drowning...

JUST REMEMBER!
...THE Lifeguard walks on water!  

I saw the saying -- When you feel you are drowning, remember, your Lifeguard walks on water--online the other day. Such a clever saying! It was attached with a beautiful picture of Christ's feet walking on top of the water. I decided it just needed a little tweaking. Yes, YOURS and MY Lifeguard walks on water, but ultimately there is only ONE Lifeguard, THE Lifeguard of all our souls. If we allow ourselves to, we can stretch out and reach for His hands for His hands are always reaching for us. 

So many miracles, I don't have enough time to write them all. I have seen God's hand and tender mercies unfold time and time again. There is no limit to His goodness, His long suffering, His kindness!

In needing and wanting to visit with someone who seems impossible to visit--for months I have talked to God about not knowing what new game plan to take. The impression came to stop by her house before work. 8:30am brought me knocking on her door and her mom saying that she would wake her up. I half expected rolling eyes and daggers to pierce me when she found out I was the one who took her from her dreamland slumber... but a hour later we were talking about God and His plans for her. The spirit was present and I know she knew God had sent her a message. God made a way! 

I have not seen Myrna since Christmas Eve where my mom, Thaynermack and Santa snuck over to visit her in the rehab place. She cried with our visit and we cried seeing her fighting for her life. She did not want to be in there and had even attempted to go home. The doctor told her she could go home and die, or she could stay at the center and learn to live. She chose to learn to live!

Myrna has now been home for almost a month and her health has improved! Dad cooked up her favorite, spaghetti and I had the privilege of taking it to her home. Boy did she look so good!  She is not 100% Myrna but she was cracking jokes about her hair and she was filled with so much light and joy! Look at that smile!



She said while she was in the hospital that there many times where she just wanted to die. She even asked God to allow her to die. She did this several times, but to no avail... God still has a work for Myrna on THIS side of the veil. And thank goodness! 

With permission from Myrna, I would like to share with you some of her sacred testimony about her experience with cancer.

Q:How did you discover you had cancer?
I started having bleeding, and I thought I better go to the doctor. I thought it was a hemorrhoid, but they found a tumor and it was a 2 out of 4 stages of cancer.

After my surgery I just wanted to die and I wanted to be with Jim [her husband that passed away nearly 5 years ago] so bad. I prayed for the Lord to take me but he wouldn't do it. I should have listened to all my priesthood blessings. They all said I would pull through it and I was going against the Lord's will by asking him to let me die.

A couple days after the surgery I looked at Craig [her son] and I thought he looked so scared and so worried. He said "mom, promise me you wont give up." That is when I knew I had to live. He and I are really close. After that I snapped out of it and was doing very good [for a time] ...

I was in there [the hospital] for 10 days and came home for 3 weeks. Then they started the chemo... I did really good for the first 3 or 4 months of chemo, but then they gave me too much chemo and I just could not eat. I was getting worse and worse instead of better. ...

After being rushed to the hospital after one of her treatments, they found that her levels were at zero. Dr. Radly told Debbie (Debbie is Myrna's sweet daughter-in-law who like Ruth of old, has never left her Mother-in-law's side) that one more hour and Myrna would have been dead. They had given her too much Chemo. It was the hospital's mistake. Myrna recalls:

I can remember feeling like I was floating... and the clouds were so bright, you can't describe them... so peaceful... but then BOOM (!) I wasn't there and something pulled me back. God didn't want me back [with him]. I didn't see anyone or hear anyone just those bright bright clouds.... but that is when Dr. Radly thought they were loosing me.

When I was going up [to the the hospital] every 2 weeks to get chemo... I have an old car and I would always say a prayer that we would be safe and the car wouldn't have any troubles and we [never did have any troubles].

I kept having [a] dream over and over... there was a long hall... and there was a man that had his back to me and he was sweeping--he was sweeping away the debris in the hall. When he got to the end of the hall he turned to face me. It was the Savior and he smiled. He had such a beautiful smile. I didn't understand the meaning of the dream but I had it over and over... but it then came to me that the Savior was clearing the way for Debbie and me...  [With reverence and quiet emotion Myrna then declared] So I have seen the Savior.

The second time when I was in the nursing home I prayed for God to take me and he didn't... I did not want to be there, but he didn't take me. [Then with perfect "Myrna humor" she said] God didn't want me neither did the devil so I am back here to torment you guys!

 In church Sunday, Myrna had no intentions of baring her testimony and even told her self that she was too emotional to share, but then "BOOM I am up there.... sometimes you have got to do it because the spirit told to."

When asked what advice she would give to anyone who is in the thick of their storm Myrna said: "Don't give up, have faith and have [priesthood] blessings all along [the journey]."

We laughed, we cried, we hugged, and we praised God for his goodness.  I wish everyone could have her the profound conviction in her realization that she was praying to die when it was God's will for her to live. This woman is surely among the elect of God.

In prep for Jinger's birthday and some other experiences I was led (with a heart and mind that was ready to pay attention) to sing and take notice of the words in Hymn 85. I have taken out the repet of most verses... but how profound the lyrics to this song are!

How firm a foundation, ye Saints of the Lord, Is laid for your faith in his excellent word! What more can he say than to you he hath said, Who unto the Savior for refuge have fled? 

In ev’ry condition—in sickness, in health, In poverty’s vale or abounding in wealth, At home or abroad, on the land or the sea— As thy days may demand, so thy succor shall be. 

Fear not, I am with thee; oh, be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Upheld by my righteous, omnipotent hand. 

When through the deep waters I call thee to go, The rivers of sorrow shall not thee o’erflow, For I will be with thee, thy troubles to bless, And sanctify to thee thy deepest distress. 

When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie, My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply. The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine. 

E’en down to old age, all my people shall prove My sov’reign, eternal, unchangeable love; And then, when gray hair shall their temples adorn, Like lambs shall they still in my bosom be borne. 

The soul that on Jesus hath leaned for repose I will not, I cannot, desert to his foes; That soul, though all hell should endeavor to shake, I’ll never, no never, I’ll never, no never,
I’ll never, no never, no never forsake!

I am not sure why we are called to go through all that we are called to go through... but this I do know.  Our Savior, WALKS on water! And when through fiery trials our pathway shall lie, HIS grace, IS sufficient and will be our supply. The flames will not hurt us, but will be the KEY to consume our dross and refine the gold "divine" that is in us.

MY SOUL on Jesus shall lean for repose. I WILL NOT, I CANNOT desert to His foes. And although all hell will endeavor to shake me (physically, spiritually, mentally, emotioally)...

I'll NEVER, I'LL NEVER, I'LL NEVER MY GOD forsake!

Jesus walks on water and He has and will continue to clear the debris! 

Oh Lord my God, when I in awesome wonder...!