"IN TUNE WITH THE MUSIC OF FAITH"

"Religious observance in the home blesses our families."

"Example is particularly important."

"What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say."

"Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example."

"The message, ministry, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, are our essential family curriculum."

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears."

"The Book of Mormon is of seminal importance."

"Clearly, a dividing line between those who hear the music of faith and those who are tone-deaf or off-key is the active study of the scriptures."

"...when we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace."

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns." (Spencer W. Kimball)

"Please understand that having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are and always will be the defining test of mortality."

"Above all else, each of us must realize that when one is tone-deaf to the music of faith, he or she is out of tune with the Spirit."

"Let us...resolve to awaken within us and our families a greater desire to claim the Savior’s incomprehensible gift of eternal life."

All from Elder Cook's masterful, move my soul, talk In Tune with the Music of Faith. (Click HERE).

**This talk is what I hope to use as one of the guideposts for when I have my own family. (There is SOO much more in this talk that I did not highlight here.)

I could not help think of all the 6am sessions of scripture study and all the times I tried to pretend like I was asleep to get out of going to family prayer, while reading this talk... Elder Cook says that "persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key."  Oh how I thank and praise my parents for their persistence even when rebellion and constant fights were their battle front. Thank you mom and dad for loving me enough to be persistent! Thank you for setting a life long example/habit not only for our family growing up, but the family I hope/will have someday! PRAY I will be able to be persistent too! :D And Elder Holland says that although it is late, it is not TOO late yet. Good habits are just small and simple things that if established will be the means of bringing great things to past!

 PERSISTENCE!

I SEE GOD'S HAND

My heart is full for a lot of reasons...! I received this picture and the following text from a dear friend tonight:

"Just got out of the temple for the first time in probably close to ten years it felt so good to finally be able to go back."

This friend has done a 180 with his life. Completely has changed and given his life over to God. When he told me he was getting his recommend for baptisms this past Sunday, I wanted to cry. He knows and values the power of the temple. He has tasted what it is like to live life for self instead of God. And has/continues now to live his life for God. His is an example/story of salvation and redemption!! Oh how I love the guy! What a tool for God he will continue to be... and all because he has decided to put the gospel of Jesus Christ in his center. He is a life hero! HE makes me want to be/live life better.

So little blessings today: I stopped pretty fast at a red light and looked in my mirror only to have the realization that the car behind me was not noticing the red light and was not slowing down. I literally had enough time to think, "They are not slowing down, I am going to get hittt........" and hit I was. I think he must have been going 30 or 40 miles per hour, maybe faster.

Poor dude, his car is a 2012 only 2 months old, sweet fully loaded nice car. He only had a slight mark on the front and a broken (fix it with glue) vent panel. I pulled over and after the shock wore off of getting hit went outside to see his and my car. My whole bumper needs to be replaced and my trunk is smashed in/no longer can stay shut. He was going pretty fast, but you know, for how fast he was going, I should be way worst than I am. I took his info and let him scoot off to get to his work. Apparently you are suppose to call the cops after an accident. (Leave that to an almost 30 year old who has never really been in an accident like this before to not know that detail. And yes already knocking on wood!)

I see God's hand.

We met up around 3pm to have a cop come meet us to make a report. And in the 45 mins of waiting for the cop that never came we talked about his life. He is 27. His folks are converts to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. At first he made some comments about just not going to the singles ward but going to the family ward. But several mins into the conversation he made some conflicting statements. He said that he wanted to marry a mormon girl in the temple, but that while he was single the church life (living commandments) was just not his thing. He talked about judgments and if he wants to drink, it doesn't make him a bad person. I totally agree, he is not a bad person. In fact, the fact that he was willing to meet me with the cops for him running into my car said a lot about his heart.

I noticed quickly that the the cop wasn't going to get there so I started to pray more fervently to know what I was suppose to say or how I was to listen. Once he started about the gospel, he started getting defensive because he didn't (and none of us like to) live with guilt. His actions after all were his own and who was to say what was good or bad. He talked about little kids being brain washed into believing a religion and almost in the same breath he said that the principle of over eating and not exercising was a proven prescription for an unhappy life and he couldn't see why people wouldn't live that truth. He also said how he could see how he would want to teach his children to keep the commandments because it was a good way to live, while again in the same breath stating that he basically didn't want to "feel" accountable when he made wrong choices. He was living/talking with conflict. Like all of us when we don't want to keep a commandment/struggle we serve two masters. We put the light of Christ (which helps us know right from wrong) under a basket and then justify that it is our life to live and our choice--and because it is our life we can and should numb our self from feeling any remorse or regret for sin/not keeping a commandment of God. 

He talked about how he feels people at church live in a fantasy land. That they need to wake up and realize that life is hard and not be so "cheesy". But that is just it, God has a plan for happiness for us NOW and AFTER. Not just after! Joy IN the journey, not just at the END. We talked about our baptismal covenants and what we promised when we were baptized. This realization seemed to be a new thought for him. I could see his inner thoughts starting to turn in a way perhaps he has never allowed/never realized/never cared to let in before. But the thought of taking on Christ's name, keeping his commandments, serving/loving others, and always trying to remember Christ--seemed to hit a chord with the kid. We talked about that trials and the "hard times" in their very nature HELP us TO REMEMBER Christ and to turn to him. I told him that I could see God's hand in the accident. Not that God caused it, but through it/with it, God was reaching out. The look of realization of the truth of that thought seemed to strike another chord with him, and he softened.

Well tomorrow morning 7:30am brings trying to meet up with the cops again to see if we can get things fixed.... our conversation ended well. I see God's hand. It could have been so much worst. And don't get me wrong. I had all the emotions of frustration, wasted time, hassle, royal pain all cross my mind and heart today. ... but why not have an accident bring about someone who deep down wants to change, and wants God, but is fence sitting. I had/have to smile at the "tools" / situations God chooses to use. I see His hand.

Then tonight at the temple, Mom was a worker when I was going through the end of the session, and the kind veil coordinator waited and held mom's spot clear just so I could go with her to the veil. Sweet!

My ward was to do the 8pm session, but apparently it was completely full, so we had to wait until the 8:20 session.... which put me getting out of the temple RIGHT when mom and dad finished their shift. I had the impression to get a blessing from dad while in the session, but I didn't know when I would see him knowing their shifts are late and I was going to have an early morning... but there was mom and dad waiting in the foyer-and there was the way to get the prompted blessing. And to top off my eventful day, my handsome (better than any date) nephews (and yes I mean that. I would choose to hang out with them then go on a date! They are just that amazing of young men!) were waiting for me because Jen dropped them off to do baptism...! I LOVE family!

A day that pretty much could be labeled as quite horrible, became and ended so choice!

I see God's hand. I am so grateful for the protection and the accident that led to a conversion of a searching soul. OH and I saw Micarie on the freeway. Happy spot!! 

Part 1 of the 3 Part Challenge!

Are you up for the challenge?!

This is a 5 month challenge!

Hopefully you have received your Conference Ensign...

The over all challenge is to read a General Conference talk every day for five months/until Oct's General Conference. In the past, I have read the Conference Ensign, every day until it is finished... then, I have re-read the Ensign about 35 days before the next conference. BUT WHAT ABOUT IN BETWEEN?

I heard Sheri Dew take on the challenge of reading/listening to a conference talk every day in between the six months of conference. I have never done it, so... I am going to try it!

Challenge 1: Read the Conference Ensign cover to cover (I am a week into this, and again, it is just soo good!) 

Challenge 2: After the May Ensign has been read, pick from favorite Conference talks in the past/let God impress on your mind the talks He would have you read and read at least one talk each day.

Challenge 3: 38 days before Oct's conference,  re-read the Conference talks from the May's Ensign. 

What do I hope to gain?

This tree is known as the bride tree at temple square, where couples would come sit on the branches. The tree is VERY old and cannot support its own limbs. You can see (there are at least 4) metal support beams holding up the limbs of the tree, sustaining the tree, allowing the tree to continue growth.

I believe that studying General Conference talks will be and do the same thing for me! The talks will act as beams of support... strengthening me through the next five months, allowing/providing the support to help me continue to grow as God would have me grow. Davey wisely put it, that what we receive in General Conference--is what God would have us apply to our lives/is the council for the next six months of our life. (Amen Davey!)

So who's up for this 5 month challenge?! :D  You are welcome to join me!

Q: What if I don't care for reading? Can I listen to a talk a day?
A: Go for it! (You can download a podcast and listen to it that way if you want to listen.)
Q: What if I miss a day and/or fall behind.
A: Elder Holland said, "His [God's] concern is for the faith at which you finally arrive, not the hour of the day in which you got there." : D

To listen/read April's Conference Click Here.
For all Conference's to choose from Click Here.

Q: What if this little challenge was life changing?
A: Blessed is the life that gets strengthened/changed for the better!!

What can it hurt?! There are only things to be gained!
JOIN ME! :D

Hand-cuffs, Blindfolds, and a Backward Grannys!

So I have spent a few months getting ready for our Leadership Conference. 52 energetic women from all over the US and Canada came together for a three night stay in Park City. Among all the little details to get ready for, I needed to plan and prepare our company outing to Jupiter Bowling Facility. (Notice I didn’t say bowling ally—when doing the inspection the manager quickly corrected Patti and I when we called the place an “ally”. :) Apparently when you have a full bar and restaurant inside, the correct lingo is Bowling “Facility” Who would have thought?! :D )

Truth—I could not grasp how to plan for the evening. I couldn’t wrap my brain around the teams/how it would all come together. Seems like not a big deal, but for seriously three weeks, as I tried to come up with the logistics of the evening—nothing came/was coming. I started praying for God to help inspire me or someone… and inspire He did!

God placed a friend on my path, that seriously after seven mins of chatting with him about my needs for the evening… he shared some ideas and literally gave me a jump on the whole company night. No more than seven mins of conversation, my stewed over problem of three weeks, was completely solved!  I think my friend became a little embarrassed with how excited I was with his ideas and he ended the conversation with, “Well, you will figure it out, YOU are the event planner.” :) His few mins of chatting with me, was an answer to much prayer! He will count it as just shooting the breeze, however, I count it as a direct tender mercy/answer from God!

The whole event went well, but the bowling night was a huge highlight and all my gals had a great time!

 We had a blind fold round, and a hand-cuff round. A granny shot and a backwards granny shot round. We had a "do your best disco move" before bowling with your non-dominant hand round!  And my personal favorite was a TEAM LINE UP-- where everyone had to bowl through the the legs of their teammates. This round, some bowled and some crawled through their team's legs. Needless to say it was hilarious to watch!

Team Line Up

Hand-cuff Wonders

Blindfold Spin! (Believe it or not, I actually had a gal hit nine pins down on this round! MOST team balls, ended in early gutters and a handful of balls jumped lanes/hitting brick walls!  And no, I didn't give the Bowling facility the heads up of what our plans for the evening was!)

The evening was a blast! Everyone had a really good time. The whole time I was snapping away pictures, I kept thanking God over and over for my favorite friend He placed to answer my many prayers!

Big or small, it really doesn’t matter. God knows the intents of our heart. How thankful I am that He places answers in the form of good people along my path! From my boss, who not only believes in me, but also happens to be one of my best friends, to all those who helped behind the scenes to make the event come together, to my friend that helped me figure out the bowling dilemma...

God answers prayers!

"THE ONLY WAY TO GET THROUGH LIFE IS TO LAUGH YOUR WAY THROUGH IT. YOU EITHER HAVE TO LAUGH OR CRY. I PREFER TO LAUGH. CRYING GIVES ME A HEADACHE."-- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

(Missed you Carson, Tay and Kiss!)

Love Marjorie Hinckley's Quote! And after reading my sister-in-laws blog, I just about died laughing. Oh the joys that come in little package. All three of the cute kiddos talked about below are in the picture above. And after reading this very entertaining blog on my niece and nephews... Sister Hincley's quote deserves an AMEN! :D

Wednesday, April 25, 2012 

T-ball and Pink Eye and a little bit of Poop!

My little one is beginning T-ball.  This is kind of a first for our little family.  In the past I have really enjoyed throwing around a baseball with my boys and like every good mother feel the world has been conquered when they finally HIT the ball!  I was however a little curious as to how my son felt about playing for the first time (nervous, etc).  I had to laugh when he said.  "I'm so excited! I'm going to hit the ball, catch the ball, get every body out." And then practically shouting with his fingers in the air, "I'm going to be AMAAAAAAZING!"  Then he proceeded to do his version of the John Travolta with both pointer finger poking the air!  I loved his confidence and enthusiasm.  It reminded me how we all must have viewed what marriage would be like.... motherhood.... or possibly out careers before we were actually up to our eyeballs in them.  We had all of the enthusiasm and confidence in the world.  And then, years later (sometimes more, sometimes less) with bumps, bruises, at times sad hearts, we forget that we even had those moments.  Maybe we all just need to get up in the morning, jut out a knee, throw our pointer fingers in the air and tell ourselves, "I AM going to be AMAAAAAAZING!" And then go back to bed, LOL!

My daughter on the other hand also gave me a chuckle.  One of those don't laugh out loud because you don't want her to know you thought it was funny laughs.  She has pink eye, and out of sheer desperation I HAD to take her to the store.  Fearing that she would spread it I told her, "you may NOT TOUCH ANYTHING! okay sweetie!"  To which there came a pause, followed by the quiet question, "Can my sandles touch the floor?..... can I breath? Because I might die."  The innocence of children.

Last and not all... the poop on the potty!  I could hear the water running in the bathroom so I went upstairs to investigate. (we mothers are quite the investigators!) I found my son squatting on the counter, washing his hands.  "Hey bud, time to turn it....... Why is there poop on the counter?" I asked.  "And why don't you have pants or underwear?" My eyes began to broaden their circle of recognition.  "(Gasp) Why is there poop on the rug? (Much bigger gasp) And why is there poop all over the toilet seat?!?  What happened buddy!" His reply.  "Well mom, I had an accident."  I quickly scanned for the underwear.  No where to be found.  "Where are your underwear?"  "They are in my room."  "Did you have an accident in your room?"  "No, I had an accident on the stairs."  "You went poop in your underwear on the stairs!"  "No.     I had an accident on the stairs, took my underwear off in my room and then got poop on my hands, so mom..... I did the right thing.... and I'm washing my hands!"  All I can say is Holy Talidoes!    (click here for "This Happy Mom" blog)

"The only way to get through life is to laugh your way through it. You either have to laugh or cry. I prefer to laugh. Crying gives me a headache."

-- Marjorie Pay Hinckley

AMEN! :D I love my family! Thanks for the post Jinger!

CAN'T AFFORD NOT TO

I have a pretty big week ahead of me. Yesterday I thought to hit the 5:40am session today, because if I didn’t, I knew trying to go on Tues just might not happen. I woke up late (6am) and thought "I can't afford to go to the temple!" (This coming from knowing I had so much to do.) The spirit immediately impressed on my mind the thought, "You can't afford not to go." And of course I knew that was true. So I jumped up and ran to the temple. While passing my work with it’s empty parking lot, I thought about how much I could accomplish without anyone there--but I kept on driving. I ended up on the 7:20 session, and it was wonderful.

God is right… I can’t afford not to go! There is power and strength to be had. Sometimes I kick against the pricks. Thank goodness God knows not only how to work with/on me but he also won't give up on me! And I am sure thankful He doesn't.

In Honor of Sam

YOU DID IT!

How do you find an engineer among 300? Look for the one with the biggest and BEST smile of course! (Funny how for 30 mins I could not find where you were sitting, until I saw your smile! And yes, this happens to be a lucky shot! I kept clicking my camera hoping that when I finally did find where you were sitting, I would have captured your location. SUCCESS!) :D

If the smile didn't give away your location... surely being the ONLY ONE with a Mexico flag on top the cap did! I didn't notice this until you were getting ready to walk across the stage. Very clever Sam Garcia! What a way to "engineer" a way for your family to find you in the mist of the crowd! I am happy to see you are putting years of schooling to work already! ;) ha ha
 

No doubt your Mom and Dad were/are smiling from beyond the veil, but God sent two physical/earthly stand-ins on your big day! And your brother and sisters beamed as we talked about who you are and what you mean to them and us.

We love you SAM GARCIA! The future is yours! God is your strength! Faith is the key! Christ is the way! Seize the DAY!

CONGRATULATIONS!

DEDICATED TO ALL THE WOMEN WHO HAVE TOUCHED MY LIFE

This is dedicated to all the wonderful women in my life. Girlfriends, co-workers, sisters by blood, and sisters by sealings (which I now count as blood!), nieces, aunts and cousins, my mom, and choice adopted grandmas... Thank you for being the beauitful part of MY world. Thank you for standing for truth and righteousness. Thank you for trusting in God. Thank you for loving others. Thank you for choosing faith even when it would be so much easier to choose to live life with/in fear. Thank you for setting mighty personal examples of how I can better live my life.

(To my choice deaf friends. Please forgive my "screaming" e. Bad habit not yet broken! : /  -  :D)

Right in the opening session of General Conference I was moved by a story President Packer shared:

I was stationed in Osaka, Japan, when World War II closed. The city was rubble, and the streets were littered with blocks, debris, and bomb craters. Although most of the trees had been blasted away, some few of them still stood with shattered limbs and trunks and had the courage to send forth a few twigs with leaves.

A tiny girl dressed in a ragged, colored kimono was busily gathering yellow sycamore leaves into a bouquet. The little child seemed unaware of the devastation that surrounded her as she scrambled over the rubble to add new leaves to her collection. She had found the one beauty left in her world. Perhaps I should say she was the beautiful part of her world. Somehow, to think of her increases my faith. Embodied in the child was hope.

"[She] seemed unaware of the devastation that surrounded her...She...found the...beauty
...she was the beautiful part of her world."

Seriously, those words move me, and throughout the last two weeks since the address was given, I have thought of them often.

Daughters of God are meant to not only see the beauty, but to be the beauty by standing for truth and righteousness and our Heavenly Father will help us to do so.

We know, because we have been taught through the scriptures and living prophets, that hard times are not only here but will continue to come.

When we find devastation surrounding us in any form, be it physical, emotional, mental and/or spiritual. Be it with our own self or of those we love and/or around us... May WE FIND the beauty.  May we BE the beautiful part, of the world. Beautiful in attitude, in trust, in faith, in prayer. Beautiful in temple worthiness and worship, in charity, in hope, in love. Beautiful in kindness, in forgiveness, in compassion, in service. Beautiful in selflessness, in joy, in humility...

My heart is swollen. I take this as a personal commission from the Lord. And with deep gratitude I thank God for the women he has placed in my life who have/are teaching me about what it means to see and be His beauitful.

IT's HERE!!!

I have finished the challenge! Just one last talk tomorrow morning to start my morning off right before Conference! I have six questions prepared! Wonderful friends and family around--I am in for a CHOICE weekend with GOD!!! I invite you to join in too! God will answer your prayers and guide your path! Peace and joy are to be had! His living prophet will speak! I can't wait!  9 1/2 hours and counting!!! 

Happy General Conference!!!

Can it really be that simple?!

Last night, to bring the Sabbath to a close, I went to a Fireside put on my a ward in my stake. President and Sister Moss shared a little of their love story and then shared some beauitful truths.  President Moss reminded us all of the story of the Children of Israel. They had hardened their hearts and so God had to straiten them because of iniquity. God sent "fiery flying serpent among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished." (1 Nephi 17:41). President Moss then held up The Book of Mormon and submitted that he believed that it is what has been prepared for us.  And all the labor which we have to do is look [read], BUT BECAUSE OF THE SIMPLENESS OF THE WAY, OR THE EASINESS OF IT, there are many who perish (choose to perish) because they will not read/open the book...!

Can it really be that simple? Fiery Flying Serpents: addictions, depression, sin, iniquity, pride, guilt, doubt, fear, etc--come and bite us in life... So god prepared something that if we "read"/apply--we might be healed?! The Book of Mormon? Can the answer be really that simple?

YES!

100% YES! Don't be fooled into thinking that it has to be something way more growling or hard. Aren't we told that the simpleness of the way or the easiness of it caused that people perished because it was just too simple and too easy. Isn't everything worth striving for should be hard?! The hard part about The Book of Mormon is having faith enough to "test it out" without an already predetermined opinion of what the book is or what it can do for ones life, and for some, maybe just making the time to pick it up daily and studying/reading it sincerely. Perhaps telling oneself, "I tried once before and never felt anything." Or "I have the bible it is enough."

I have a better relationship with my Heavenly Father because of the principles found/applied from The Book of Mormon. I know better who Jesus Christ is, and what He did for me, because of what I have found in The Book of Mormon. And my life HAS BEEN healed many times over, because of God's words found in The Book of Mormon.

Can your life change that easily? Go from an okay life to a life filled with power and daily revelation/communion with God?! YES, IT CAN!! Is it really just as simple as starting to "look" into the pages of that book?! YES IT IS!!  Can God help you start such a habit/see for yourself a change?! Yes HE CAN AND WILL! The right/REAL question is... WILL YOU ALLOW YOUR LIFE TO BE HEALED by trying the simpleness/easiness of the way HE has established, reading The Book of Mormon?!

Well that is a question. ...

The Book of Mormon has brought be closer to Jesus Christ! He is the master Healer! And anyone can just start, TODAY! It is really that simple and that easy! 

I have seen God's hand...

I have seen God's hand... I see life drenched in His tender mercies.  Jesus Christ is my Redeemer. He knows the depths of my soul. He knows my joys and my highest highs. He knows my dark and lowest lows. He leads, He guides, He reaches down, He fills, He strengthens, He stretches, and He tests, He answers, and He doesn't leave me alone. I have witnessed His hand not only in my life, but in the lives of those around me. He is the Christ, the great Savior of mankind. The Savior, of me. How I love Him.

Jesus is the Christ.

I know, He lives.

COULDN'T HOLD A CANDLE...

Of all the wishes in the world...

When I was a little girl, I enjoyed finding a dandelion, making a wish and watching all the little white floaties fly away. Dad then lovingly taught me (no doubt after watching me do this to a handful of ones growing in our yard) that these beautiful little white puff balls that I enjoyed blowing away, would plant little seeds in the grass... and as a result, the next year I would have even more "yellow" weeds to try and dig out of the grass.) WELL, I am not a lover of weeding, so that conversation stopped me from picking on/blowing on a dandelion while in a residential area! :D

With the picture above, when I first went to crop it, I focused on the dandelion right in the center. Full, and no "wasted" seeds missing for my wishes.  But it is actually the dandelion to the right that strikes a cord with me this morning. The last week or so, I have been contemplating on my life and not only what I am doing but who I am. This contemplation has been brought on because of some dates I have gone on, comments made by strangers and loved ones, and also the fact that this year I turn 30... needless to say my life has not really gone in the direction I thought it would. 10 years ago, I was focused on marriage and all the wonderful things that would bring... God took those "blown" wishes and turned them into a mission. Never have I been so grateful that my "Fairy God Father" knew perfectly what He was doing with my wishes. He blew them in a direction I had never dreamed of NOR wanted (at the time). And how those seeds have grown and become beauitful to me!

After the mission, I was "blown" into school and a path I was not interested in. Again the wishes for something I thought that would be good for me, but oh how God knew better. He always knows what is best...! The callings, the associations of those that have come into my life as a result of those callings, the trials, the tests, the sorrows and the joys... Michael McLean's lyrics state what is in my heart this morning...

God knew/knows where He was/is directing the seeds/paths of/in my life. How thankful I am for His kindness and long-suffering with me. My life is not where I dreamed/wished it to be--IT'S BETTER! (!!!)  And I see His hand daily.

All I ever wanted,              
all I ever dreamed of,                   
everything I hoped and              
all the things I prayed for,       
     Couldn't hold a candle to what I've been given! 
--

Because I have been given much, I too must give;
Because of thy great bounty, Lord, each day I live
I shall divide my gifts with thee With ev'ry brother that I see
Who has the need of help from me.
...
Because I have been blessed by thy great love, dear Lord,
I'll share they love again, according to thy word.
I shall give love to those in need; I'll show that love by word and deed:
Thus shall my thanks be thanks indeed.
               --Text: Grace Noll Crowell

The gospel of Jesus Christ, the atonement, a way to repent and become better, time to prepare to meet God--to work out salvation. And all those "wishes" I blew out, He has sent me countless seeds of blessings back on my path and has literally littered my way with His workings, His love and His angels. My heart is full.

I couldn't hold a candle, to what I have been given!  I too must give.

DESPITE WHAT'S LURKING

A few days ago I asked someone whom I love how they were doing. I knew that she has had much on her plate. Her response was profound, "Me.. I am decidedly good..." What a statement!! And let me tell you, she could be decidedly doom and gloom with the worlds approval and justification in her life's situations. HOWEVER she has chosen to be decidedly good, no matter what. What beautiful faith and trust in God. Does that mean everything is sunshine and roses! NO way!

I was searching through my pictures to find one that would go with this awesome statement, and I came across a four-wheeling trip Treebs, mom, dad, Thanyermack and I took back in July last year. We went up past where we call "The Sacred Grove" and continued on the trail until we came to a dead end. It is a beautiful little place where one can look down on Scolfield. (That particular day we were racing against the storm.)

We stopped to take a group picture and as we were getting ready to pack up, I noticed these pretty blue flowers growing right under the barbwire fence. The symbolism of something so beautiful growing despite something that can cause a lot of pain was overwhelming and I had to capture the insight by camera! The sad part however, was that I was not in focus with the flowers up front, but rather on the sharpness of the the barwire.... so I have never used the picture. (And yes, there is a lesson all there in itself of what one chooses to focus on in life. The beauty or the brier!) It wasn't until last night when looking through my pictures that I caught how much more amazing this picture is to me NOW after President Uchtdorf's Forget Me Not talk from last Sept. BY GEORGE, I HAD TAKEN A PICTURE OF FORGET ME NOT FLOWERS!!!! (For a refresher of President Uchtdorf's brilliant talk, click here.)

Here these flowers were growing in a pretty unknown/forgotten place! And they were growing despite the wires [experiences/conditions/afflictions/pain/LIFE] that hung over their head! You can see how perfectly a little left from the middle/bottom of the picture there is a piece of wire that has been wound over and over. And close to these words, you can see the rusty wire inching from the side of the picture. But these Forget Me Not flowers were DECIDEDLY GOOD! Still choosing to "bloom where they were planted" regardless of what stretched/gloomed before them. What an attitude!  
What great faith it takes to live decidedly good!  

President Monson has reminded on occasion of the adage “When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.” And Barbara Thompson shared:

In the book Daughters in My Kingdom, we read about Sister Hedwig Biereichel, a woman in Germany who suffered much sorrow and deprivation during World War II. Because of her love and charitable nature, and even in her own great need, she willingly shared her food with starving prisoners of war. Later, when asked how she was able to “keep a testimony during all [those] trials,” she replied in effect, “I didn’t keep a testimony through those times—the testimony kept me.”

So I must decide right now, what will my attitude and heart be when the wires of life poke or threaten to barricade my way progress/growth... will I be decidedly good come what may and no matter what? Will I forsake my faith/hope/joy, or allow God's plan of "keeping me" even in the mist of a storm? ... when time for decision arrives, I will, like my wise friend, choose to live my life decidedly good! I choose to live my life decidedly happy, decidedly optimistic, decidedly faith-filled, decidedly rejoicing/trusting in Jesus Christ. Decidedly firm in my commitments to God... BECAUSE Jesus is the Christ and I am decidedly seeking to become like Him.

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...!