ABRAHAM AND DODO

Some great talks were given yesterday and I was grateful for the sweet spirit. Our Bishop started a minute of silence after the Sacrament was passed. This was just 60 seconds where everyone, including those who passed the sacrament, could have a moment to ponder on the Savior. I have never been in a sacrament that did this before, but I really appreciated the moment of pause. It also does help to be in a singles ward where we aren't yet blessed with the awesome challenge of helping our children behave in church! It was a sweet.

Brother and Sister Walker shared a story that really touched my heart. When their boys were just little they got two goldfish. They named them Abraham and Dodo. After a few days, one of the boys decided that he would share his chocolate chips with the fish. They left for a couple of hours and when they came back, they found their Goldfish floating on top of the water.


Brother and Sister Walker tried to explain the life expectancy of goldfish to their two little boys. One of their little boy's said that they needed to say a prayer. So trying to keep their chuckles down to a serious tone, Brother Walker said a prayer, talking about letting Abraham and Dodo be sent to fish heaven with their friends. Sister Walker said she was half opening her eyes during the prayer feeling a little foolish for praying over two Goldfish.

The prayer was finished and they said amen. Still two belly side up goldfish. Brother walker swirled the fish around in the water and fumbled for the right words to explain why the fish had to die, when the 3 year old said, "Daddy, I say the prayer." Now the Walkers were feeling quite silly about praying a 2nd time over the goldfish. They described what their three year old said in his prayer, "Heavenly Father, please let Abraham and Dodo to live. Amen." The Walkers said they opened their eyes and found Abraham and Dodo swimming happily around. !! They could not explain this miracle. Several hours belly side up and dead. Swirling the water around by Brother Walker to stall/prove that they were "gone" to his boys... but here were the happy swimming fish!!



Brother Walker said that after that experience he ponder why such a miracle happened. He said that his boys were so young, that he is pretty sure they don't remember the experience on their own--only knowing and hearing their mom and dad share the story. So then why the miracle? What was the point? They concluded that the miracle was for "them"--and "Why not". These two little boys had faith enough to ask, regardless that a miracle was needed for two goldfish. Brother Walker discovered that he was being a "Deny-er" of miracles. Just because something is not important to us, doesn't mean that it isn't important to others.

Am I stopping such miracles to be preformed because I lack the faith, confidence, or trust that such a miracle can be done? Even over something as small as would seem to be insignificant Goldfish?

Brother Walker testified that he didn't want to be a deny-er of miracles. What a beautiful and profound statement. Who am I to snicker over the desires/needs/wants of others. To think them silly or trite? God, who knows us perfectly, wants to bless us. He loves us and sees/knows fully who we can/will become.

On such a personal way--- I had an institute teacher that was a powerpoint king. Well, not for all of his classes, but just for ours. He would have slide after slide with amazing quotes. The only down fall was that he always called on volunteers to read the slides out loud. I STILL dread being called on to read out loud. I can't describe the amount of anxiety it causes me.

For several weeks going to this class---it always seemed miraculous to me that the Teacher would always have the students furthest away from me start reading the powerpoint slides. They would read down the row, so for several weeks I never was called on to read. And every night I wasn't called on to read I would ofter several silent prayers of deep thanks.

One night as I went into class, and the reading began and my silent prayers to NOT be called on had started... I pondered and worried that perhaps the Lord would not let me "get" out of reading because perhaps he wanted to "teach me a lesson" that "Bryndi, you need to get over this fear/anxiety you have and the only way to do that is by reading out loud." I actually pondered over that and thought, logically as a parent, I could see a parent having their child do what they really didn't want to do so they could overcome their fear/hesitations... Walking, riding a bike, eating peas..etc.

As it came time for me to read, I felt my face becoming hot and my mouth turning into cotton--I prayed if He [Heavenly Father] didn't mind, I would love to not be called on to read.

All of a sudden the teacher totally skipped over me and called the kid sitting next to me to read!! What just happened?!!

If you knew this teacher you would know he doesn't really skip around after he has started a "flow" in the rows of reading. And there are enough slides, that not a lot of time goes between each one so it is not like he can forget who just read or who hasn't read. But sure enough I was the next one in the sequence to read, and he just skipped right over me. I silently said a prayer of thanks...and had a beauitful insight to how merciful the Lord is.

Something I really don't like doing--reading in front of others. Have I done it--oh yes, ever since the mission, so 7 1/2 years of random reading out loud. You would think that would make you just get over it, but I have not yet. And a merciful Heavenly Father, knowing my amazing uncomfortableness, could have had me read to "learn a lesson" or to just work on "getting over" something so dumb... But the only lesson given that night was like the fish. I needed a miracle, and God, was so willing to supply. Even what would seem like to someone else I was asking "goldfish to live again". God is not a deny-er of miracles. And like Brother Walker taught, I don't want to be either!

Taylor just flew in today. What a grown up young woman! I can't wait to spend the next few weeks with her!

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints IS true!
Jesus is the Christ! Thank goodness for His mercy. I am constantly in need of it! My cup runneth over!

HAPPY for lots of reasons day!

Today my sister was born--we won't state how MANY years ago that was-- ;) ha ha, but I am so grateful for the person she is. It is amazing her heart fits inside her. She is constantly doing things for others... when she comes to town, she IS the life of any party. And if there is not a party-she makes a party.

I love you Kiss! Happy Birthday.

The past few weeks represent a lot of wonderful blessings God has placed in my life. Jenny, Nykki, Nic, Becky and Krysti all have June birthdays. Five amazing people that God has given me. I love you all.

This picture just makes me laugh!


Dad stuffing the turkey.

If you don't know my dad, you should! You would find a man of integrity. A man who is constantly bettering his best. A man who honors the priesthood which he holds. He truly is a wonderful father, husband, and one of this girl's best friends. I love you Dad! Happy Father's Day!

I don't have words to express it, but to all those father's out there--my fabulous and almost perfect in this sister's eyes, brothers. To my Uncle Paul and all my uncles. To my friends whom I dearly love that have a spouse that honor their wives- Ben Larson, Richard Winget, Seth, Lester, Danny, Derek--just to name a few of the many men that God has placed as examples in my life. I love the families they love!

How thankful I am for a Father in Heaven who has allowed us to not only be physically created in His image, but that means we have also been created spiritually in His image with who and how He IS. I listened to a talk this weekend from Michael Wilcox where he shared that insight. What a beautiful truth! We are to become like the Father and His Son, Jesus Christ. What lays in them, also lays within each of us.

What a sacred day. We ALL have a Father in Heaven-who loves us more than we can possibly understand/comprehend. Oh how I want to be like Him and His Son. How perfectly He loves. I am so grateful for his patience in my progress.

Happy Father's Day!

ONE YEAR OLDER!

My morning--Dad, mom and I all garthered around the phone to wish Nykki a Happy birthday.

US: Happy Birthday to you, Happy birthday to you....
Nykki: Thanks! My birthday isn't until tomorrow, but thanks for the early birthday song!
US: Nyk, today is your birthday.
Nykki: Nope, it is tomorrow.
(Bryndi walks over to her wall calander and comes back to the phone)
Bryndi: Chick, today is the 15th--I am pretty sure you were born today, a long time ago, thus today is still your birthday.
Nykki: Pause... Carson! Did you know today was my birthday?! Chuckle Chuckle
US: Well glad we could call and remind you it is your birthday!

:) We will blame it on her being in the middle of her move, the baby that is almost done baking, and a lack of her morning chocolate! ;) ha ha

Chick-- I love you! I couldn't ask for a greater younger sis! And you couldn't ask for a greater middle sis! ;) ha ha, kidding! Wish I was there to give you a hug! I love you! Happy Birthday!

REMINDER: TODAY--IS your birthday! ;) ha ha

--Love forever- Brattney

...made for ME!

Probably just some random thoughts, but good ones! At least I think!


This evening I was studying in the gospels about the Savior's teachings on the Sabbath day observance. His teachings are brought up because the disciples picked some corn from a field and ate it on the Sabbath day. And the Pharisees, being letter of the law and oral law keepers, asked how this could be done on the sabbath day. Christ in Matthew, Mark and Luke shares some insights about what is lawful to do on the Sabbath day. Great counsel! (Matt 12:1-14, Mark 2:23-28 3:1-6, Luke 6:1-5)

Mark 2:27: "And he said unto them, The sabbath was made for man, and not man for the sabbath:" And the Joseph Smith Translation on that adds that "...the Sabbath was given unto man for a day of rest; and also that man should glorify God... For the Son of Man made the Sabbath day, therefore the Son of Man is Lord also of the Sabbath."

As I was pondering and trying to get my head around the significance of why the Sabbath day was made for man, not man for the sabbath-- the idea came that BECAUSE Christ is the Lord of the Sabbath day--for He made it for man, my mind naturally took out "Sabbath" and replaced it with Christ--to read:

Christ was made for man, and not man for Christ. (!!!)

What a beautiful, simple, but deep truth. Christ was "given unto man for...rest" and also [given] that man should glorify God. And He truly does that doesn't He?!

We came into being because of the fall, separated spiritually and physically from our Father in Heaven. We needed/NEED a Christ! He was "made" for us. He can give us rest and because of Him we should and CAN glorify God.

On this occasion, the Savior enters into a Synagog and finds a man there with a withered hand. The Pharisees "watched him, whether he would heal him on the sabbath (Mark 3:2). It was not a question for the Pharisees of whether He could heal or not--it was a question of whether He would (!) on the Sabbath day and thus by healing on the Sabbath day they could "accuse him". What a lesson/example taught by the Pharisees! No doubting here! Although their motives were all wrong, they knew the Savior could heal--there was no question of IF he could.

Christ asks the man with the withered hand to stand. Now I was not that man, but what if that withered hand represents a weakness, a sin, something I am trying to overcome? The Savior asks me to stand--obviously folks are watching, and perhaps this man is not ashamed of his withered hand, but maybe it is something he would like to keep hidden and at least not let everyone focus on. The Savior has a dialect towards the Pharisees after he has asked this man to stand. How long did the man have to stand--center of attention, eyes? But finally the Savior asks him to stretch forth his hand. Was this hard for him to do? Did the withered hand hold a position that stretching it would have been painful? Nevertheless "he stretched it out". [Now his weakness was exposed, no hiding in the shadows, all eyes and attention must have been on him]--- "...and his hand was restored whole"(Mark 3:3,5).

I praise this man, that with a withered hand [weaknesses, struggles, sins] he was where he needed to be on the sabbath day--the synagog! Just think had he decided to not go to the "church" that day?! He would have missed not only being with the Savior but being made "whole"! What courage it took. He was in the right place, where the Lord could bless him. And surely there were hearts and testimonies strengthened/learning that took place, faith built and hope given to others in the synagog who watched the Savior make someone's "withered-ness" WHOLE!! Where any of them (obviously not the Pharisees who shortly after the miracle too up counsel on how they might "destroy [Christ]" ) thinking, "His withered-ness was made whole! Perhaps my withered-ness can be made whole too?...! My eyes that are withered from the things they view in private, or my ears that have withered from the things I listen to/or allowed to be said, my foot that is withered when it comes to service- or my mouth that is withered and will not open up and share the the gospel, or my heart is withered because someone's withered-ness was used to abuse my wholeness... He was made whole. Perhaps I can be too. ? !!"

HOPE BUILT!

There are so many other things my mind pulls from this story, but with the Savior being "made" for us-- to give us rest, to give great reason to glorify God for his goodness... to make us whole! And oh how He can! We may be asked to stand or do something we would prefer not doing, a calling, an assignment, following through on an impression. Asked to "stretch" forth out of our comfort zone or the way we have made our life to be... And after we are asked to do that thing, we may have to "stand for a while"t, but the Savior who was made for us, knows how to make us whole! He knows how to give us rest! He knows how to make our hearts to rejoice and give Glory to God, because of God's great kindness in providing "making" a Savior for us! It is not a question of whether He can. He will! His timing, His way--in accordance with what the Father's will is.

"Stretch forth thine hand. And [she] stretched it out: and [her] hand was restored whole as the other." (!)

INSPIRED CRUSH?!!!!?!

Back in Jr. High I discovered that I had the ability to fall in love rather quickly and it didn't necessarily matter if the kid was a good kid or not. So to put a stop to that potential danger, I prayed quite a bit to not have crushes. I figured they were a waste of time for why would I want to live that part of the girl life of fantasizing over something that was going to go no where. (ha, you can call me crush-crusher.)

My request and consistent pleadings were granted and for a very long time I was not plagued with the typical girl agony of the heart of crushes. God blessed me so much in fact that a little bit of an alarm came when I took a collage class where a dear friend/professor told all the single students that we were to find someone, we did not know, whom we were attracted to, and bring them to class. Yes, this assignment not only stressed me out, but I realized that I had put off "looking"/crushing for so long that I didn't even know how to find someone I was attractive to. Sounds pathetic I know, but none the less it was true.

Once I finally DID find someone that I was attracted to, he ended up being a MARRIED MAN who was not wearing his wedding ring! After approaching the third married man(!) I called my professor and said the assignment was too dangerous and she could give me a F, but I was not about to go lusting after someone that would yet again prove to be married. :)

Well there is a little bit of the background so you can understand a little more fully where I am coming from. Back in about Sept or Oct of last year, I was completely caught of guard when a kid walked by at church and my heart almost skipped a beat. WHAT IN THE WORLD!? This was not a feeling I was used to feeling. The more I observed him from a far off the more I became curious as to who this person was that not only was I spiritually attracted to, but physically too. That just hasn't happened much in my go arounds. Don't be getting your hopes up, I have NO announcements! ;) This kid just proved to provide a very annoying little crush. Since I had trained myself to not crush--having a crush was pretty much horrible. I was smitten by a kid that didn't even know my name. Pathetic, I know.

Seriously, when a boy distracts you from the sacrament, you know your crush needs to be crushed! The crush, thankfully is gone, but something so sweet came that I could have never predicted.

This kid bore his testimony once about his love for his grandmother and how touched he was to be around her and to hear her sing. His love for his grandmother pricked a reminder in me of how much I love elderly folks. His testimony stirred an idea which was followed by some strong impressions.

For a few months prior to that time, I had pondered over how the Lord would have me spend my time. I thought of my stake and because not being connected to a family ward, I just didn't know any elderly folks outside the sweet women I see every week in the temple and a few neighbors.

During his testimony, I immediately thought of my parents branch up in the mountains. I thought of the handful of widows that go to their branch. The promptings came and for the last six months I have been taking every Thursday I can to go and be with them. That is where tonight took me.

This is the beauitful Myrna!

She lives all alone--literally in this small little town in the mountains. So rural is the town that in the winter time, she is the only person in the whole town that lives there. This woman is as strong as an ox and yet as kind and loving/with the humor to match Pres. Faust at the same time. On a previous visit I found her up kitchen COVERED in home made suckers/flavorings and molds. She has a habit of making suckers of all different flavors, shapes and colors so that she can have something to share with others.

I had a wonderful evening with her as we worked on some of her life experiences with her family.

Before I left her house, Myrna said that she had had an interesting night. She said that she had always wondered what she would do if there was a knock at her door in the middle of the night. She lives alone and the thought quite terrified her.

She fell asleep in her chair and there this morning at 1:30am there was a knock on her door. She woke to the sound and her heart started to race. Maybe it was just her sub pump kicking on? But sure enough the knock came again. Completely struck with fear, this good woman of God said a prayer and asked God if she should answer her door. To which she felt she should. She cautiously opened her door to find two grown boys shivering on her doorstep. They had gone up a canyon road in their little car to see if the snow pack was gone. The mud overtook the wheels of the car and they were stuck in a ditch. No coat (it has been snowing off and on with six inches this week) here they were shivering on Myrna's porch. She took out her chains drove them to their mud stuck car, and pulled them out. (Told you she was an ox!) She told me she was so glad she prayed and that she was not only protected, but could help them.

As we have gone through her life's stories we have laughed, and have had beautiful moments discussing how God's hands have been seen. Myrna was God's hands last night. This faithful woman--that lives literally alone in the middle of the mountains.

We hugged, not wanting the evening to end. She warned me of the elk that would no doubt jump in front of me and said that she would pray for me. (And thank goodness for her prayers because a huge elk did run out in front of my car and so close was it to my car that the mud flying off it's hooves as it ran splattered my windshield...! It was a close call and my heart pounded for a good little distance after slamming on my brakes.)

I left her house in deep gratitude.

After a visit, I usually jump in my car and say prayer of thanks... but tonight was more. I pulled down the empty town street and parked. I could not help but just cry in gratitude for the evening I was just given. I was overwhelmed with gratitude for so many things. I then remembered my "crush" and how seriously annoyed I was to have a crush. (I speak only for my crushes and to those of my friends that seek to have crushes--all the more power too you! Just don't pass the "crushing" onto me. :D) I don't know if I would be having these amazing Thursday nights had I not been in love with a kid that caused me to eat up every word he said... which words were how much he loved being with his grandmother. That set the chain reaction/reminder of how much I love being with wiser in years folks too!

Looking back I see how that crush cultivated a place in my heart (even if it was at the time a drooling cultivation) for a story to be heard, an idea promoted by the spirit to start visiting the widows I so dearly.

President Monson talked about the one widow that he went to go see at a care center after midnight. She said she knew he would come to which his response was how could he not have come. I truly felt that tonight. These choice women. Who remain faithful even when alone. Sure they know how to stay busy, but nevertheless they still face waking up alone, spending the day alone, and then going to sleep alone... all to just face the same "aloneness" the next day. These women have/are inspiring to me!

And now--I must thank God for that inspired crush! For through it, the seeds of my Thursday nights were planted in such a way that the spirit and the book "To the Rescue" had a perfect ground to cultivate an action. And oh how this tree has sprung up into the most choice fruit!

My folks ask how I will drive the distance to just stay the short time... how can I not?! These women are so choice, and my life is better because they are in it.

God bless that inspired Crush!

And God bless that I no longer have that crush. ;) THANK GOODNESS! :) ha ha. All things shall work together for our good.

And God bless this sweet sister, who has trained herself that in her moment of fear--her first reaction was to say a prayer! What a great lesson she has taught.

What a choice choice evening it was.

ARE YOU up for the CHALLENGE?! [Part 1]

Who is with me?!! :)

The conference Ensign has been mailed out to those who have a subscription (I received my a few days ago) and they will be in the distribution centers/online for purchase hopefully next week. If you would like to experience an amazing power in your life--consider this challenge...

PART 1 CHALLENGE:
As soon as you get the magazine (yes you can do the online version (click here) but I would HIGHLY recommend you spending the 1.50 and getting your own copy of the magazine, for 37 days (call it the 40 day challenge to give you a little buffer room), read/study/ponder one talk per day. (Or you could do two each Sunday.) But for 40 days/or your choice of the week day to study a couple talks (about 1.2ish talks will a week will have you complete the magazine before Oct Conference). Highlight/circle/use dictionary.com--however you like to study--but devour each talk. I like to pray before reading and asking God to help me get out of the talk/scriptures what he would have me get out, and then Pres Eyring suggests that after we have read/studied/pondered to pray again in gratitude and relay back what God has taught your heart (praying after I study is a new habit I am going to work on.)

Why take apart of this challenge?! The Prophet says we do this, and I for myself did this with the Oct conference Ensign and it was an AMAZING experience for my soul. More power, more strength, a greater desire to be more kind and more quick to forgive or to want to serve. More desire to give love to strangers... the power that came from taking "in" the general conference talks has been life lifting/sustaining/satisfying. It has been life giving!

PART 2 CHALLENGE:
Just about 40 days before the October Conference this year, watch for a reminder blog. But at that time, I would challenge you to go over a talk a day again--being reminded of all the highlighting/insights you had before... and let this be a preparation and a feast again for your soul as it will prepare you to hear the words of the prophets at the Oct General Conference. Ryan from work said his Stake President challenged the Stake to do a 40 day read before conference for preparation and I thought the idea was pretty inspired.

What you may find, at least for me, as I have gone back through and have seen what things I highlighted or what impressions I wrote in my magazine some times I have been floored by what impressions I had and I am always reminded of the great truths taught. And often new impressions and items I had not marked before will jump out again.

ARE YOU UP FOR THE CHALLENGE?!! :) You are welcome to join me!

And just for fun....if you have any insight you would like to share or impression(s)/experience(s) that tie back from you studying or something you learned, you can click here and share your experience in this Google doc. If there are things you would like to share, paste your thoughts impressions/ in there and I will check the doc periodically and post your thoughts here. For quick access I will add a link to the document at the top of this blog right above the Book of Mormon picture on the right hand side.

Don't worry, you don't have to do this! ha ha, I could say, don't worry, you don't have to bless your life...! :) At least it has been true for me! Happy reading/studying and pondering!

"Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. ...But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures [general conference talks] carefully." -- Henry B. Eyring

You don't have to join me. But if you want to--I promise an amazing journey!

Yeehaw! :D

BECAUSE, I LOVE JESUS

This morning was beautiful as I rushed out the door to make it in time for Ali's third little girl--Rachel's baby blessing. Meadow was having her own bundle of joy blessed this morning and I wish I could have been in two places at once! With both blessings being at the same time but an hour in distance apart from one another I prayed where God would have me be. I was to go to Orem. Not only was the blessing wonderful, and my life is always better when Ali is in it--but I was to hear the testimonies given in Ali's ward. :) God is so perfect with his timing. And AMEN to wearing waterproof mascara on my bottom lashes. Seriously, who ever came up with that stuff was BRILLIANT! :)

The testimonies shared were beautiful.

One man shared how simply partaking of sacrament, that little sip of the water each week is refreshing. And how when each of us turn to the Living Waters (Jesus Christ) and just take a sip of His teachings/His words, our life is refreshed.

How true this has been for me! The past two weeks the sky has dumped, poured and even at times drenched the earth. And the only thought I seem to have while I am watching everything get soaked/or shortly after it has been soaked is the fact how much better/more beauitful the world looks after it has been wet. All the colors are more vibrant, even the brown on the mountains is more rich. More alive. Water makes the details stand out. How true like the simple sip of the sacrament is refreshing, a simple sip, a taste of the Savior in our life whether drenching style or starting out with a small drizzle... ones life that is "touched" with the Savior's water is all the more better. That life is all the more bright and brilliant. LIVING WATER MAKES EVERYTHING BETTER!

I was also touched by a sister who said she and her husband had a busy Sat. They woke up earlier than they would have liked to get up for a Sat. As they hurried around, her husband was getting ready to go with the young men or scouts on a hike. It had just snowed and the land was covered in it. This woman watched her husband bundled up in his coat go out to the car. She noticed how he didn't seem too excited to be going on the hike. She wished him good luck. To which he responded, "I do it because I love Jesus." She was deeply impressed with his statement. She went back inside and worked on a part of her calling that she wasn't ever thrilled to work on, but her attitude was a little different as she reflected why she did it--because she too loved Jesus.

I was touched by this story. Sometimes we are asked to do things that we just don't want to do or care to do--but why do we do/should we do it regardless of our own wants/desires... BECAUSE WE LOVE JESUS. Loved it!

There were other stories born about God's miraculous wisdom and power. One sister was impressed she needed to fly south to find some of her ancestor's graves. She was led to meet a woman who knew exactly where the little, in the woods, cemetery was- three miles off the main road on a gravel road. This woman went and took pictures at the grave side. One week later- this last week the tornadoes hit, and that little cemetery is completely gone now. She had just been led there the previous week! God is amazing.

I am convinced that Heavenly Father also wanted me to hear about a sister who said that she was living the impossible. She had a husband, children and they cherished her. I needed to hear that.

Being with Ali, always choice. I love that girl. In so many ways.

I don't talk about it--but Ali's first daughter is named Bryndi. I don't know if there is a higher complement then someone YOU look up to chooses to name their daughter after you. I don't mention this for any praise to me for surely I would never want to disappoint or give this little girl a reason to not want to live up/like the person's who's name she bares, and truly this little girl will make her own mark and her name is completely hers. But I shared with Ali's grandmother in detail why when Ali was pregnant I never asked Ali what her baby's name was going to be. See--Ali and I in one of the first RS activities we ever had together played this awesome game with a ball of yarn being thrown around in a circle symbolic of being tied together and unity. Then the other part of the activity was taking a paper and writing passing it around and letting others write you a personal note. On my paper, Ali had written that she liked my name and thought she would name her first daughter Bryndi. I never mentioned this to Ali--and when she became pregnant--years later (I had served a mission and had come home) I never wanted to ask her what she would name her daughter because 1.) I didn't want her to feel obligated that just because she stated that on a paper, she was "held" to that comment she had made so long before and 2.) I felt a little prideful/embarrassed that if she was choosing the name Bryndi, I didn't want to assume that it had anything to do with me as a person but rather just because she liked the sound of the name. (I have no idea why I am sharing all of this) So I just never talked to Ali about it. Truth is, if she did choose that name, and even if it was just because she liked that "name"... it was deeply not only flattering, but a lot to live up to.

Well the day of the baby shower came... and still I had never asked Ali. WHICH, mind you was silly, because Ali IS one of my heroes and I care about EVERYTHING in her life. And a first baby, and the name, is pretty much the topic of conversation.

It was there at the baby shower Ali shared with everyone that her little girl would be named Bryndi. Afterwords, I wept. And that sweet little girl has said to me in private out of the blue, "Know what?! I have your name." "Did you know I was named after you?". Deeply honored. Oh to have a name that that little girl would be proud to have/share. Ali, I should tell you to your face--it is a great honor to share names with your daughter. I pray and will strive to be/share a name that she won't regret being tied to. I love you Al.. A lot!

Tonight was history in the making as my ward and I attended the announcing of my area's new YSA stake. There were 30 stake president's before us, four quorums of the 70 and then walked in Elder Cook! I was sitting on the 2nd row, talk about blessing! It was deeply moving to see such a powerful display of the priesthood that was before me. The talks and testimonies each shared were choice. Here was Elder Cook. A special witness for Christ. One of 15 men in the whole world, was sitting/talking there 15 feet in front of me.

The spirit was present and I felt a desire to rescue. A theme ever present in my life but I have never really looked at it as a "rescue". The conference was choice. And with the preparation of Ali's ward I had some specific things God was telling me.

After the meeting everyone rushed to go shake pres cook's hand. I was standing around and when the crowds died down, I noticed that elder Gong was coming off the stands. No other YSA were around. I shook Elder Gong's hand and thanked him for the meeting. Then he caught me completely off guard when he asked me what was the one thing I got from the conference. I had taken several pages of notes, and been moved by the spirit and for a split sentence didn't know what I was going to say--when I caught myself saying, "That I can trust the Lord". The words spilled out, and almost felt not conscious/in control of what I was saying. He said that that was very interesting.

I left his hand shake a little stunned. I had not written anything about trust. nor had the many lessons God wanted me to hear that morning been connected with trust, but when asked by Elder Gong, that is what came out of my mouth. Guess, that I needed to hear it from my own mouth! :) And surely the Lord wanted me to hear that lesson.

In a hundred little small ways, it has been an amazing Sunday. Then again Sunday is my FAVORITE day of the week.
Just a sip of the Savior will refresh and immediately brighten our life. Even when our heart isn't in doing something/would long to do something else, we do it BECAUSE we love Jesus. When your life hero names their daughter with your same name, there is a huge honor, deep profound awh and a lot to live up to, and God wants us to trust Him! I WILL trust Him. I have been praying and fasting for a vision and to have faith in that vision. Today was the cap stone of what God want's me to envision for my life. For my future. I will/DO trust in Him!

FREEDOM --WORK IN PROGRESS

My heart is full. This morning was an amazing trip to the temple. An anticipated trip that has been hoped for and worked for. Choice choice people. As we sat in the baptistery I just wept and remembered the words from Alma:

And behold, when I see many of my brethren truly penitent, and coming to the Lord their God, then is my soul filled with joy; then do I remember what the Lord has done for me, yea, even that he hath heard my prayer; yea, then do I remember his merciful arm which he extended towards me.

Seeing them [anyone committed to living the gospel/turning their life over to God/trusting Him], then is MY soul filled with joy! Then do I REMEMBER WHAT the Lord has done for ME! Even that He hath heard MY prayer, and it is THEN (because seeing "them") do I remember His merciful arm which He extended/s towards ME. Choice morning this morning. Thank you Micarie!

Monday was sweet as I met the Ortiz's at the temple. Sister Ortiz could not remember the last time she and her husband were able to be in the temple together for a session. The spirit was sweet. My mom's eye was healed quite miraculously and she was able to come be with us as well. It was choice to be around people that I love. This life is about experiences says my wise sister-in-law Jinger. God will not force us to have "choice" moments. But my experience has been that He provides a WHOLE LOT, IF we choose to partake of such moments.

As I came into the locker room I felt impressed that I needed to make a covenant with the Lord. Interestingly, we are taught that a covenant is a two way promise. Something you promise to do and something someone else promises to do. I felt impressed to covenant something to the Lord--but I have no idea what His covenant was back--but it didn't matter. A covenant for me goes so much deeper than word. I may say I will do something, keep a commitment, and no excuses, but things may come up. I am going to study morning and night, get up by 5, sleep by 10, and although I say it, and intend to keep my designed schedule, stuff happens. (And I am SINGLE! I hear when you are a mom just chuckle at getting to "have" a schedule for "you".) With a covenant, at least for me, there is a greater mental effort to keep such a promise. So when the impression came to make the covenant, I knew that I was going into COMPLETE commitment. I knelt in my locker room, and covenanted to the Lord. I knew completely what I was fully promising to do. IMMEDIATE PEACE! The turmoil, the wishwashyness that I am too often good at doing with commitments/vanished. This amazing freedom washed over me. I covenanted. The Lord knew it, and I knew it, and I KNEW/KNOW I will not break such an oath. Pure freedom. Light! Like the kite that has the string attached that now can soar greater heights.

Yes, one may say, Bryndi, you made covenants when you were baptized. You have been through the temple you make covenants there. Every Sunday I renew covenants in the sacrament. Why was this random covenant different?! Well perhaps it shouldn't have been, but like someone captive in the chains of a sin, I felt to sing ever lasting praises to God. Freedom, I felt freedom. Perhaps, those other commitments are not necessarily things I fight and struggle with--so to recognize the significance of their sweetness, because I feel no bitter trying to keep them, makes them still sweet but... Oh the sweetness making a covenant over something that my natural man had before brought so much bitterness. My lack of keeping a commitment was great bitter. But with a covenant, I will not break it--so therefore the sweetness of knowing/having to be committed because of a covenant has filled my bitter with peace. With joy! I feel liberated!

Now, just because I am completely committed in what I covenanted to do, does this mean I get to escape Satan's temptations and all the wailing from the devil? Absolutely not, but like Sheri Dew once said that there is power in making covenants with the Lord. Spiritual Power. This week, I have tasted such power.

Well, my heart is full. I know in whom I trust. I have a somewhat new, profound, realization with what making convents with the Lord can do. THEY CAN MAKE ONE FREE! One doesn't need to guess with how they will react with the temptation comes, for the covenant makes them "sure and steadfast". Can, make them immovable. Thus--Freedom. Liberation. No longer held captive by the "chance" of being wishywashy/non-committed. Freedom!

Now of course to work on my daily one of taking His name upon me, keeping His commandments and "always" remembering Him....

ALWAYS a work in progress. :)

"...MAY REJOICE TOGETHER"

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." John 4:36

Now I must admit, at first I didn't think this seemed like the set up was fair. Why would anyone choose to be a sower over a reaper? Why would they rejoice together? Would one be jealous of the "work" the other was called to do? Why would a sower rejoice when a reaper got to "see" all the fruit/yielding of the sows work? A reaper must harvest and store/take care of the pickings. How profound the thoughts are of why both would rejoice together?

As I read these words last night, my mind was filled with beauitful logic..

Sower:
If someone sows something, they have had to cultivated the soil/worked hard to prepare the earth for the seed: clearing weeds/grass/bushes/stumps, taking out the rocks. They would have to know the season and the time when the seed needed to be planted. After the seeds are planted, there is constant caring for the earth that holds that seed. Little by little, the seed may take start and grow. But the sower might not get to see the "fruit" for years to come. If they plant a peach tree from a seed, it will take some time to become a seedling, and then years for that seedling to become a young tree, then pruning, and finally years worth of time until the tree is mature enough to bare fruit. And often times the start of the fruit is just a few pieces on the tree. Not much to offer--all the young tree's energy goes to developing those few pieces of fruits. If that sower moves away or is taken down another path, often times that fruit will never be a reality for that sower who so tenderly planted and cared for the tree.

Reaper:
There is a time to reap. Pauly calls me over in the summer and tells me when the berries are on so I can come and pick them. There are times when I have reached deep into the bush of the raspberries and have found a beauitful ripe berry, next to a small, still growing green one, and even on the same vine I will find a handful of shriviled up dry ones. If one is a berry picker, for several weeks, in order to pick the berries at their prime moment, one would benefit from checking the vine morning and night. Reaping a garden is a constant effort. President Eyring talks about short havests and long harvests. Winter squash does not come into bloom in June, but takes all summer to develop and provide hearty squash that if kept somewhere cold and dark, can be stored up and enjoyed all winter. (I better stop here before I offend real gardeners with my lack of knowledge and before non-gardeners give me credit for being a "knowledgeable" gardener.) ! Uncle Paul and Marsh are the current garden growers in the family..! ;)

"...both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." Doesn't say separately, but rejoicing together. I think I understand a portion of Christ's profound statement.

Adam, Noah, Abraham--all these wonderful prophets, who "sowed" seeds of truth--they all testified that Jesus Christ would come and would atone for all mankind. Nephi, and Lehi, Mosiah and Alma, also testified. Sowed seeds of faith. They, in physical earth life, yes through visions, but in their mortal life, like the sowers they were, were putting seeds into the hearts of men preparing them to believe on and in Jesus Christ. They were in the beginning dispensations of this earth life.

Christ is born, the law of Moses is fulfilled. Apostles and prophets on the earth. Truths rejected, seeds planted so long ago, remain dormant. Darkness, black abyss, no priesthood power on the earth... No way for people to receive the gift of the holy ghost. Beautiful light, Jospeh Smith, in the woods, two members of the God head seen and surely the third member ever present testifying to Joseph Smith's heart. Glorious light and truth. We have a father in Heaven, and He sent his son Jesus Christ, His only begotten Son--he sent Him to live, atone, die, and live again so that we might all live. The fullness of the gospel here on the earth.

Rejoice TOGETHER--!
Those sowers, who worked so long, who kept scroll, who etched on plates of gold, on plates of brass. Seeds planted, a hoped for, prayed for harvest to come in the souls of men. So many sowers, so much faith. Now a field of white. Berries, ripening. Fruit and vegetables can and DO mature--and there is a prime time for cultivating and harvesting. And once something is harvested/reaped, there must be time in preserving. Something left on the vine/branch/stem/dirt, kept as long as the root source can keep it, but if not reaped/harvested--will fall, will be eaten by bugs, will decay and wither. The Sowers truly have planted and have worked the ground work for a magnificent harvest! What better, choice nutrients given then the Bible and The Book of Mormon, prophets, apostles, priesthood, temples... etc! Never in the history of the earth has the ability to nourish sowed seeds been so great. Never has there been a great time for reapers.

I rejoice in those who sowed with never seeing. Who sowed with an eye of faith, keep that eye single to God's glory. For sowers, who so depend on reapers to do their part. And for reapers, who day by day check/search and seek out the ripe and ready. They pick, they harvest, and diligently prepare. When they see a "fruit" still in "ripening" process, they wait, they watch and tenderly look over, pray for the day when the fruit will be fully ripe, and if God is willing, pluck a sweet, choice fruit.

Oh the rejoicing--for the reaper needed(s) the sower and the sower needed(s) the reaper. And both.. "rejoice together".

My heart is full.

My ultimate goal is to help others partake of His fruit... the tree of life, one who's fruit is most desirable above all things, most joyous to the soul (1 Nephi 11:22-23), which fruit makes one happy (1 Nephi 8:10). Oh to the Lord of the harvest... "Then sings my soul, my Savior God to thee--how great Thou art...HOW GREAT--THOU ART..!" (Marshyl's family night sketch of the Tree of life."

"Jesus saith unto them, My meat is to do the will of him that sent me, and to finish his work.

"Say not ye, There are yet four months, and then cometh harvest? behold, I say unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on the fields; for they are white already to harvest.

"And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both he that soweth and he that reapeth may rejoice together." John 4:34-36 (emphasis added.)
...What is your "meat"?...

Jesus is the Christ.

!

WHO COULD HAVE SUPPOSED...LESSONS NOT LOST... VOL 1

So I LOVE President's Monson's autobiography, "To The Rescue"! Besides just being an amazing book truly through example of the Prophet's life one is taught "how" to become like Christ... there was/is an underlining theme... When God teaches President Monson through life experiences President Monson notices/observes, contemplates, learns, and applies. He talks about how the "lesson" (whatever God had him observe) was not lost on him.

I try to take a picture when God has allowed me to learn something. Not always do I document them, but I sure try to take a picture of why that moment meant so much to me/and what God taught me through it/with it.

These are just random, not in any order, lessons that have not been lost on me.



HABITS
After several years of my dad seeing that I would have a towel on my counter to dry items--he bought me a drying rack for Christmas.

After a good month of using the drying rack I made my breakfast shake, which has been a year long habit, and rinsed out the blender and placed it upside down on the counter top--! (Notice that there is plenty of room in the rack but out of habit, I placed it next to the sink where it could dry out a little.) I laughed that even after a month of faithfully using the rack, out of a quick habit/not thinking I went back to the way I used to dry my blender. How often does God provide me something better in life--insight, direction, friends, tools, drying rack/whatever, and me in my quickness and hurry revert without even thinking to past habits/forget the tool?



DENTURES?!
The other day I was in my mom's bathroom and noticed this box of Denture "stuff". I did a double take because no one in my family has dentures. I pondered why my mom might have the box, and then the thought of her retainers that she wares at night came to my mind. Over time retainers can become crusty white from the saliva in the mouth, and it dawned on me that my mom was using the Denture cleaner to clean her retainers! How brilliant she was/is! God provides unexpected means to accomplish tasks. I know this is a duh-, but truly who would have thought to buy denture cleaner!?!



BREAKFAST
While staying in New Jersey with Sister and Brother Ortiz, on the second morning, I was quite in a hurry to get out the door to meet Marcel. There was a knock at my bedroom door and there was Sister Ortiz with a homemade shake ready for me to drink. I thanked her and she left the room to allow me to get finished getting ready. How thoughtful--I didn't ask, and yet she perceived that I was in a hurry and so made me something that I could eat/drink quickly. What a sweetheart!



CALL ME GEORGE
As I was walking into a hospital, I notice what appeared to be an adult daughter, tenderly helping (who I assume was her dad/relative) to sit on the park bench. She assisted him very carefully and then told him that she would be back. This man was smiling from ear to ear.

I pondered over what it must be like to be older, and have to be cared for--having lived a life of choices and whatever level of independence, and then in the older years and for whatever reason(s) one finds they are depended on the service and kindness of others. This man could have been grumpy. He could have told the girl that he was find to wait and ask her to not treat him as a child, but here he sat--beaming in the crisp, pretty cold air. He had no idea I was watching. When I approached him I thanked him for his smile and asked if I could take his picture. He told me to call him George. I left his presence, only have a 40 sec encounter, determined that when life gets older and my body falls apart, or whatever comes, I will choose to be smiling and strive for kindness for those who serve me. Prime example of Elder Worthlin's "Come what may and love it".




CHERISHED!
This is Davey holding up his Baptismal certificate and his Aronic Priesthood Certificate. His proud, loving and supportive wife Mandi and cute daughter Sammi are standing equaly pleased. This little family has overcome major obstacles, but is remaining focused on Jesus Christ. Since that picture Davey has been ordained to the Melchizedek Priesthood and they all are preparing to be sealed in the temple this July!
Satan rages--but they heed him not! How sacred Davey feels about his membership to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He read the Book of Mormon, he prayed to know if it was true, he received his answer from God. This family makes me want to better keep my commitments to God and to better follow Jesus Christ.




AND THE OIL SPLASHED UP!

So Nyk says that this picture isn't even bad--but when I saw her hand I FREAKED OUT. So raw, so yuck. Nykki wrote in her journal what happened to her hand. (The bracketed items I added from what she shared with me.

January 31, 2011

I witnessed a miracle yesterday. It was a Sunday and I was making dinner to put in the crockpot before church. I had put olive oil in a pan to heat up to sear some meat, and I accidentally let the oil get so hot it started smoking up the house. I dropped the meat pieces in one big clump [into the pan] and a big portion of oil shot up and scorched my hand. It literally melted the skin on 4 of my fingers. I have never been in such excruciating pain from a burn. As soon as the ice was off for more than 5 minutes, [the] burn and sting [were] worse than I had ever experienced. I took a frozen gel pack to sacrament with me, but half -way through [the meeting the gel packet] was warm and the [warm plastic from the gel packet made] my skin feel like it was about to rip off when I touched it. All of the sudden the burning sensation came on so strong that I didn't know what to do-- other than to tap my feet and shake my hand. I told Carson [husband] I couldn't handle the stinging and I needed to go to the kitchen to find ice. However, I didn't want to be rude to the missionary who was speaking. The pain was so excruciating that it would rival giving birth for me. The only thing I could do was to pray in my heart in Jesus' name that through the atonement, He could remove the pain. I told the Lord I had faith He could do this and I had been studying regularly to try and keep the spirit with me, and I really believed He could. Then I witnessed a miracle. All of the sudden the pain was numbed and I could tell it was still burning and stinging, but the feeling was numbed so I couldn't feel the pain. I couldn't believe how fast the Lord answered my prayer. The next day I woke up with no pain, not even to the touch. The Lord truly had blessed me and produced a miracle in healing my hand. I believe in the power of the atonement and sincere prayer. I know the Lord still produces miracles, even today.

I was deeply impressed with Nyk's faith! And the fact that she recognized that the atonement is not just for our sins/the sins of others, but that the Savior truly did suffer and bleed for our infirmities, all heartaches, heart breaks. He suffered it all! And tenderly reminded by President Eyring said about the Savior's suffering that: "He [Jesus Christ] could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience." They Savior suffered for all that we go through.

Now why would you ask for the pain to be taken?! Was it a life/death situation-no. Was it to help with her eternal salvation? No. But she had faith enough to ask, and it wasn't against God's will--therefore her fingers became numb! What things do I miss out on with the Lord making my burdens light even to "numbing" them, simply because I have not asked!?!

The Savior... is the utlimate healer of mens'/womens' souls!
The Ultimate healer of me!



MUSHROOM Birthday and Date!

"Ding Dong"
"Hello?!"
"Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday to you, Happy Birthday Aunt Brynni, Happy Birthday to you?"
(GRIN and then a sequel at seeing...) "A Birthday Cake?!"
"Make a wish!!"

So this really happened for my 28th birthday. Jinger, knowing I can't do any dessert--but still wanted me to have a birthday cake for my birthday. My eyes became wet with such a thoughtful action. Yes I know they are mushrooms with the candles placed in them, but my family knows that I am a MUSHROOM FREAK, and Jinger had already been over earlier in the day to wish me a happy birthday. There were several other little gestures like this from others that really touched me. Oh to be remembered is a beautiful and powerful thing.

So Thaynermack and I have been on some awesome dates. And for months whenever I pick him up he always has something to give me. Thayne is a giver. I always thank him and then try to get out of explaining/reminding why I can't have the treat. Well, last month we went to go see the Young Ambassadors. When Thayne called up to verify I was coming when he announced that he had a surprise for him! Not wanting to turn him down yet again, I told him there was no need for that and reminded him that I can't eat most things anyway. To which he said, "I know."

Well I pulled up and he excitedly gave me a grocery sack. Before opening it I told him I was sorry if I could eat it... to which he assured me (like he has previous months) that this was a treat jut for me. I opened up the sack to find a box of mushrooms!!! I was floored!! Thayne doesn't buy mushrooms!! I asked him if mom told him what to get me, but he said that he remembered me saying I loved mushrooms. He went to target just to pick me up some mushrooms as a gift for our date. I know, again it is just mushrooms, but my eyes were wet. What a thoughtful, out of the way, kindness. I told him he trumped on best date surprise ever!

I had better get a move on this post or else I will never get to bed. Don't worry, I will try to only give basic details!




COMMITMENT
This picture is the morning Kristina received her mission call. This girl completely changed her life. Was basically a 4.0 student going into nursing and was not accepted into the program. Before applying she told God if he wanted her on a mission, to not let her get in the program. PRAYER ANSWERED! She changed her whole life. Gave up all her friends, became alone--because she refused to hang out with past crowds, she told God that if he would help her get on a mission, she would give up her music and listen to only good things in her room. She would pray every day, she would study her scriptures, write in her journal and attend church whenever she could. Her list was even more intense. When she shared it with me I just smiled from ear to ear and told her that she had just covenanted/committed to becoming an AMAZING missionary!

This call represents a woman who gave up everything, willingly, for God and has so much joy that she can't be stopped or her testimony quieted. I love her example.



ANSWERED
I can't even express all that I feel at looking at this picture. You can not tell, but I can, that Kat's eyes are moist... something I was not accustomed/privileged to see ever. This picture represents a girl's quest of not giving up on God even after years of not feeling an answer to any prayer. This picture represents months of sincere fasting and praying and pleading and trusting that God would make a way for a friend. After this picture was taken, later that evening as I drove back from Salt Lake City, I cried the whole way thanking Heavenly Father through great sobs for one, letting me drive and not crash as it was difficult to see through my tears and the added rain outside, but for allowing me to witness such a miracle in the life of a friend that I care deeply for. This picture is a reminder that God does grant unto us the desires of our hearts and that we can put our faith and trust in him. I love you Kat... I love you!



"PLEASE COME" A friend's mom passed away yesterday morning. She was only 49 and my friend found her mom laying "asleep" in her bed. In speaking with my dear friend I asked if she had someone to give her a priesthood blessing, or if she would like me to bring someone, to which she responded that it would be best for me to bring someone. I followed the chain of command and tried calling her bishop, no home teachers that she knew of, the EQ president was stuck in the library... so I felt it was okay/right to ask my dad to help. He was living for a 1 AM flight out of the country, but when I called him he said that he would come. I met with my friend and we sat on the porch and cried some together. My Dad had just made soup for my uncle and cousin and I knew he wanted to be with them. After being with my friend, I knew it was important that my dad come right away. I texted him, "Please come". 10 mins later I called him to which he said he was just getting off the exit. He sped through his soup and his sacred time with his brother, whom he loves, and when the text came from me, he did not argue, he did not question, he just came to serve my friend.

The blessing was a great comfort to my friend and she felt that she would be able to sleep. As I drove home tears fell for gratitude that God has a plan for all of us. That families can/do live after this life. Jesus Christ has given us away to live again! As stated in Alma it says "...he [Jesus Christ] breaketh the bands of death, that the grave shall have no victory, and that the sting of death should be swollowed up in the hopes of glory..." The sting of death should be swollowed up in what? The HOPES of glory. Of what Jesus Christ did. He overcame death--! And we will officially celebrate His triumph over the tomb in a few Sundays. ...I was comforted by what was said in the blessings. Surely my friend has a long road ahead of her, one of pain and grief but also one of hopes of glory.

I drove home and pondered as the tears spilled down, how thankful I was/am to have assess to the priesthood of God. To have a father, that would not question/make me justify why I was asking him to give up his cherished time with his brother, again, whom he loves, to come quickly to offer a blessing to my friend who was in need... Oh I must marry such a man. One that is willing to use the priesthood to serve. One who will not make me justify/beg/convince as to why a particular blessing needs to be given.

Recently a friend asked her husband for a blessing. She had had a pretty rotten day and had felt bad with how she reacted to her child. In asking her husband for a blessing he gave her quite a hard time and basically came off with the attitude that what she was asking a blessing for was silly and that she was being too sensitive and that prayer would be just fine for the situation. This is the same friend that another time when feeling impressed to receive a blessing for a business trip, asked her husband for a blessing and he told her she did not need a blessing for such a thing and that she could pray. Rather than go around her husband, she respected him, and took her concerns back to the Lord. She told the Lord that she could not get a blessing and asked him to sustain her through her event--which the Lord did honor.

Regardless of the intent behind why the husband was giving her a hard time about getting a blessing, my friend felt guilty for asking... but again, that night before she went to bed she asked if he was going to give her a blessing. To which he started with the same tone of voice and the looks like she was being ridiculous/not a good enough reason to ask for a blessing. My amazing friend, with kind but firm boldness told her husband that it was not his right to judge whether a stated reason "justified" for getting a blessing, but that as a priesthood holder, it was his duty to serve with the priesthood for and in behalf of others. (I was so proud of her--for when she told me the language she used, the spirit filled me, for she spoke with the tongue of the spirit.) Being so bold, she feared her husband would just become angry and allow his pride to overcome him with hard feelings, but the opposite happened, and this good man did not resist her any more and he agreed to give her the blessing. She was worried how his heart would be, and if anything would flow, but he submitted to the truth that was placed before him, and he was a wonderful mouthpiece for God that night.

My friend was filled with answers that she needed and peace and comfort came through the blessing.

My friend's husband is a good man--and I do not want anyone to point a finger grumpily. Believe me, I already did, :) teasing, but what great lessons learned! We all are learning... we are all on our own paths of progression. And where a truth is learned--conversion can happen.

Oh to the husband who is willing to serve with the priesthood! Last night I wept over such willing men!



PROFOUND THOUGHT
Lloyd bore his testimony a few weeks back. He held up his hand and said compared the talks we hear at General Conference to his hand. He said that from the congregation's view, his hand (palm fasting the congregation) just looked like a hand. But from his view, if he had a smiley face on the back of his hand--his perspective/the angle he was able to view his hand, allowed him to see what was on the back of his hand. He then could testify that he had a smiley face on the back of his hand. He shared that although the congregation could not see the smiley face on the back of the hand, did not change the fact that the smiley face/or whatever was on the back of the hand. Simple principle-but then Lloyd expounded the truth, that at General conference, we might hear the same message over and over, but new speakers have different perspective/insights on the topic they are sharing... and can help us "see" what we cannot see, but yet nonetheless whatever we are taught to see, is really there.

I think I am botching up this amazing thought! Seek out Lloyd and he will share it with you, but I was very impressed with the truth he testified of. Thank you Lloyd!



IMPRESSIONS This picture represents a wedding that was very important that I be at. I was at a funeral all day and could not remember the time I needed to be at the wedding. At the luncheon of the funeral, the spirit whispered that I needed to go to the wedding. In my mind I thought I would be an hour early, but perhaps I could help set up. I drove around for a bit until I found the wedding. As I parked I noticed the bride and groom outside the barn where they were going to be married. I thought that was odd. There were many many cars. I quickly walked over and asked the bride what was up and she said I had just made it. That they were late starting. I literally walked into the barn and 30 secs later the wedding march started. And here I thought that I was an hour early!! It was just a wedding, but it was important to me that I be there-- God made a way.



Okay coming out of the closet--I have a THING for earrings. Confession 101! ;) That being said, I am extremely picky/choosy with earrings. I don't lose earrings. I have several pairs from jr high and high school--still! I do not do gold, and I only do mostly silver and black. Because I am so picky, my family knows better than to pick me out earrings. (Told you I have a "thing" for them! ;))

I have always pondered over how to keep/organize the masses! :) Several years of wondering/never having an ideal set up. Well one day I was in JcPennys and saw this earring stand--that DID hanging earrings! Oh I LOVED it, I wanted it... but could not justify and would not justify the $50's for it. A month later every time I was in JCPenny's I would gawk over a piece of metal that could bring such happiness to my soul. Well around the third month I figured that I had spent enough time thinking about the thing, that I should buy it. I went to buy it--and sadly I found that they were gone. Interestingly enough even after I knew they were gone, I would keep going by the department to reminisce over the earring stand. (This is an amazing story in its self because I HATE to shop, and I don't do a lot of "things".)

One day, with a few coupons/save 15% and 10 bucks off here, I felt impressed that I need to go into JcPennys. I obeyed and went in and literally wondered the store for nearly an hour. Why was I there? I picked up a few items and went to the check out. The sales clerk informed me that I if I bought 8 dollars worth of stuff, I would save 15 dollars and pay less then if I didn't buy an 8 dollar item. So back to the store I went. yes I did go over to the earring section to see if there was something there. NOTHING! I know, for a normal girl, 8 bucks would be used up in mins. It is not that I am indecisive, I just really wasn't in the mood to spend money, but really didn't see anything I wanted. Over and over I looked, until finally I picked up a black bracelet that I felt "ehh" on. I then thought to walk by the jewelry stands area. (I had already passed it several times that night) and as I did so, right there in front of my eye was the sign that read 40% off the earring stands... and there in a slightly damaged box was the stand I LOVED!!! As if a clerk had just put out a returned item. I grabbed the box, filled with a lot of thankful emotion--i put down the bracelet and other garb and went to the check out stand. With the sale price, discounts, and coupon, my 50 dollar Perfect earring stand was about 12 dollars!! Seriously, I bought the stand and went right out to my car almost levitating in pure bliss! (I told you this was a confession.) And yes, I know it is just a piece of metal. But one that suited my wants/needs ( ;) ) PERFECTLY! And did you notice, it came with a bird on the top?!!! And the stand was NOT GOLD! (Told you I strongly dislike gold.) :) It was as if the angels in heaven said, "Let's inspire the perfect earring holder for Bryndi" ... AND THEY DID!!! But not only that--again my eternal salvation is not passed on a bird/earring swirling stand. But God, being my father, knowing the little pleasures I take pleasure in, just decided to spoil me! OH thank you prompting to go into JCPenny's!


I was running late to get everything accomplished for a night out with Micarie and a sister we visit teach, when I felt impressed to go into Shopko. I know better then to ignore impressions although sometimes I am dumb and still do(!) but this time I went in and ended up walking the almost the whole store when I shamefully a little grumpily questioned the Lord as to why I was in Shopko. At that time of making almost a full circle of the store I came to the electronics department. I thought it couldn't hurt looking for an alarm clock that may work with the iphone 4. No luck at TJmax, Ross, Walgreens, or Walmart. What would be the luck shopko would have one. Well... look at that box!!! Notice the sticker! the alarm clock was on sail and I saved 15$!! It was even the look and size I was hoping for in my mind.

Seriously, God loves us, ME!! Again, he is our Father in Heaven. It was just money spent on a piece of plastic--, but he knew my search and that finding the right machine would be a very happy spot for me. Oh to follow whatever I am told to do.




LORD, HOW DO I MORN WITH THOSE THAT MORN? When sweet Becky was in the hospital and we all were trying to support Paul and kids--the longer I was there in the hospital that night, the longer I just simply did not know how to give comfort or to be a support for my cousins and Uncle who were rightfully so grieving. So disturbed and concerned was I that after the first night in the hospital, I went home and pleaded not only for their family and Becky's life, but I asked the Lord to teach me how I was to be.

On Sunday, God's beautiful answer came as I observed two people who are great at morning with those that morn. I watched Connie, Becky's best friend, quietly go and give one on one support to each of my cousins. And then Paul's Bishop who's heart was so tender, and in quite dignity, stayed to support the family. Ask and it shall be given...! I was deeply touched by their quite examples. They didn't know that the Lord had me view them as they quietly went about doing good, to my cousins and Uncle that I love so much. I was grateful for their examples.

And the food provided at the funeral. Not asked, just sweet sisters providing a meal for a HUGE family. These woman made sure the tables were dressed, the food stayed out, and cleaned up all the mess... choice people that serve and love god--always end up serving me.




TO NOTICE THE ONE
I love this picture of my mom and Becky's mom! At the funeral, everyone was busy doing everything, talking with old friends, speaking kind things... and I look over to find my mom, sitting with Becky's mom Jeanette. Here her daughter is gone, and although she is a little forgetful and worried in her older year, she was all alone. But my mother, not saying a word to anyone else, left the acquaintances she knew and went and sat by Jeanette. My mom is not a spotlight seeker, but truly notices, like President Monson, the one. This picture moves me.



TALENTS SHARED
This is the beautiful tribute displayed that Kiss put together for Becky. My sister has an amazing ability to make things come together in order and beauty. A talent I try not to covet. :) My sister lovingly placed each flower and ribbon and put her heart into the display as her gift/contribution to not only Becky's wonderful life, but also to the life of our wonderful uncle Paul. Selfless service. To make beauty, is a gift. To make beauty that is shared... is a gift.

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