"Because He could handle them."

Can He handle me?

From: Wilford Woodruff: Humble Reliance on God  
(The quotes are not all in order.. but were my favorites this morning.)

Although President Woodruff was surprised at his callings in the Church, he knew why the Lord had called him. He observed: “Why did the Lord choose such a weak man as Wilford Woodruff to preside over His Church? Why did He choose Joseph Smith—an illiterate boy, as he was called? Why has He chosen that class of men? Because He could handle them. He has chosen men that will acknowledge the hand of God.”

“I thank the Lord for my life. I thank Him for His blessings and mercies to me. I have reason to rejoice in this, and I am obliged to give God the glory for all I have ever received. If I have ever done any good; if I have been able to preach the Gospel and to pursue a course whereby I have edified my fellow man, at home or abroad, it has been by the power of God."

"I am entirely dependent upon the Lord. I always have been during my life, and in my travels and pilgrimages..." 

"You have never seen a day, you never will see a day, in time or in eternity, when you can get beyond the need of the protection and care of God. You need it all the way through your lives. When our young men, or our old men, or our maidens, feel that they have arrived at a point that they are independent of the Lord, they will find that they are greatly mistaken."

"There have been two powers at work—one to destroy me, the other to save me. And I am here today, a weak instrument in the hands of God. But, as God lives, if He will tell me what my duty is, I am going to do it!"

"… I pray God to give us wisdom, and to help us to be humble, faithful, meek and lowly of heart."

Am I entirely dependent upon the Lord?

If He will tell me what my duties are, will I do them?

Can He handle me?

President Uchtdorf pinned me right by saying, "Every mortal has at least a casual if not intimate relationship with the sin of pride."

So the battle rages to sever such a relationship. God is good.

**Wilford Woodruff, is one of my life heros. One of the best books I have ever read was his, "Leaves From My Journal".

Y-serve -- BYU Experience Video

I have included Lizi's info below on this video. She did such a great job filming and editing it--and I feel it is true to the nature of joy these wonderful folks remind me to have/be! It's not long, but worth the watch. Thanks Lizi girl!

"Never have I been to a better activity at Brigham Young University than that of BYU Experience. A Friday night of empowering both participants and volunteers. A night of laughing and enjoying the company of one another."

"I prayed a lot while making this video because this event was so dear to my heart. How could I capture them accurately? How could I edit this video to make them proud? Never did I want anyone to make fun of these glorious people. This song is about power and honesty-a theme that I believe these participants deeply conveyed. I do not own the rights to this song so I will upload an ambient noise version of the night."

I'm living in the 21st century doin' something mean to it
Do it better then anybody you ever seen do it
Screams from the haters, got a nice ring to it
I guess every superhero need his theme music

[Chorus:]
No one man should have all that power
The clocks tickin' I just count the hours
Stop trippin' I'm tripping off the power
(21st century Schizoid Man)

My child-like creativity, purity and honesty is honestly being crowded by these grown thoughts
Reality is catching up with me, taking my inner child I'm fighting for custody
With these responsibilities that they entrust in me
As I look down at my diamond encrusted piece thinking...

No one man should have all that power
The clocks tickin' I just count the hours
Stop trippin' I'm tripping off the power
(21st century Schizoid Man)

Camera: Canon T3i
Sound: H2 Handy Zoom Recorder
Filmed by: Lizi Fesler
Edited by: Lizi Fesler
Edited on: Final Cut Pro
Advisors: Casey Peterson and Janine Green
Program Directors: Whitney Wing, Logan Bird and Audrey Blake.


BYU Experience, Y-serve yserve Center for Service and Learning Brigham Young University BYU

 And in honor of true Lizi style...

I believe in joy.

IT WAS A GOD THING

Here she is...!

I had no idea when I was taking the picture with my phone, that this sunspot was showing up, but I guess it is a good reminder of the process with this car.

It has been over a month since the guy hit me. A month of ups and downs, kindness from my parents as they juggled around their cars so I could have a car to use. (Thank you mom and dad!) Kindness from the folks who were searching for a car for me--truly the experience was a faith one.

Several weeks back as Kathy (the one who was searching the auctions for me) would send me over different cars--I was just at a lost as to which one. Through many impressions, and the blessing of "giving over my car burdens to God" (for entry click here), I came to feel that the car I should/would get would be a Toyota Camry. I didn't really describe my thought process/impressions with Kathy, but would simply deny all the perfectly right and perfectly priced cars she would send over. **Some were BEAUTIFUL temptations. Fully loaded leather, sunroof, pretty cars. And each one she would send over I would quickly respond no. I think she was getting a little frustrated as she was sending me cars that matched what I was looking for. Finally the impression came, "The next Camry she sends over will be your car." It was something to that extent... So when the impression came, I eagerly anticipated it would be that day or for sure the day after. ... NOTHING. For several days, then a full week went by of her sending nothing over. Then when she did finally send of a beauitful car, it was a very sweet loaded corolla. : / . Again I turned it down. And again almost another full week passed, but I could not deny what I felt impressed about. I even told her to stop looking at Honda Accords for so was the impression on the Camry.

I laugh and think of Karisa's impression. She pleaded with the Lord that she just needed one date, just one date with John. The revelation came that she would be given that one date and so clear was the impression that she no longer worried... but that date didn't happen for THREE MONTHS after that revelation came!  Talk about faith!  I only had to wait a few weeks, thankfully. But I like to believe, that I would have waited like Karisa, even for three months. I AM SO THANKFUL THAT THREE MONTHS WAS NOT MY LOT IN HIS PLAN HOWEVER! :D (Karisa--see your dating impressions still apply to different aspects in my life! Love you!)

Last Saturday as mom and I left the Manti temple and started to home, Kathy's email came through- "2009 Camry".  I almost dared not look at the "specs" of this auction car because I already knew this car was to be the one. So within mins of the email coming through (and just viewing the pictures on my phone) I called up Kathy and told her to get it. She sounded surprised. But she told me she would call me Monday. She felt there would be lots more cars going for sale on Monday. So the plan was she was going to call me on Monday. The auction was in AZ on Tues and she had a huge surgery Wed that would put her out for 8 weeks on her one foot That meant, that her husband wouldn't fly out to get the car until at least Thursday. I simply told her no problem and that I looked forward to chatting on Monday.

All last weekend, I didn't' even open the email on a big computer screen because I knew it was the car God was approving/directing me to have--so I didn't want to open up the pictures and start fault finding with the things I didn't like about the car.

Saturday passed, Sunday, Monday came and Monday went. No emails from Kathy no calls. Tuesday came. Still nothing. By 4pm I thought surely the Auction had finished, but not a word. Did the car go through? She was having surgery the next day, should I stay silent/call? After all this couple doesn't make that much money off of helping me--I didn't want to bother them.  So many questions floating around. I was going to the Timp temple that night, and as the temptation of the anxiety threatened to show it's ugly little head, I felt at peace and felt impressed that I would hear from Kathy after the temple.

I came out of the temple and as I looked at my phone, I fully expected to see something- a call, an email.  No email, no call.  I was not disheartened, but as I drove away from the temple (9pm) I reminded the Lord about the impression I had had. No sooner later, this email came through on my phone....

My husband is bringing home the camry, he won't be here till late tonight, but you can call and talk to him tomorrow afternoon, or I will have him call you.  he says it's a really nice car, will talk later take care

 Yes I did pull over to fully read the email.... and good thing too, for the tears just started to pour down my face. I know it is "just" a car, but it has been a month of testing. A month long lesson in faith building and trusting. Not only was the car purchased, but her husband had flown out/now was driving back from AZ with it. I didn't drive for a moment, for the tears were just too steady.

That was Tuesday night. It wasn't until yesterday afternoon that I found out the price of the car/all the details. Apparently their are a lot of rules when you are going to wipe out your saving accounts so you can pay for the car with cash. I was at the bank for nearly a hour with Kaiden. I wondered if just getting a loan instead of paying with cash would have been less "work". But in the end... I have a car, in my garage, completely paid for, and an almost completely empty banking account. A month long process. Saved $1,750.

Does God care about which car we get/have? Where to live, our jobs, our "any" concerns? While those items are just "mortal" items, I know God cares about me, and getting the right car/whatever package I was to invest in was important to me, and because I am important to God, I completely know, God opened up doors and led me to get this specific car.

"Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good..." Alma 37:37

It's just a car. = It was just a doing. And His counsel and impressions DID/always do direct me for good.

It was surely a faith thing. It was a God thing. I am a thankful thing! I have a car!

"...that grey area is all but closed"

A literal dream come true!

3.4.09 (Bridgette's Temple Dream)

So here is my dream.. and yes I still have full intentions on writing it in my journal!

There was a temple that was being built and I would drive by it because it was this beautiful temple and it sat in the middle on the gorgeous rolling hills of green grass and it always seemed to be lit up, whether it was at night or on a cloudy day there was always a glow around this temple. So one day I was going over to my cousins house and I had got lost and I knew where the temple was so I decided to go and walk by it. As I was walking up to the lawn, there was this beautiful tree so I stopped to adore it [the temple] from where this tree was and all the sudden the clouds broke and the sun was shinning right on top of the temple. I was going to take a picture, and then all the sudden there were hundreds of people gathered on the lawn. There were so many people that I was having a hard time walking through the crowd. I had been trying to get in to go and do baptisms but there were so many people we were going to have to wait. Next thing I remember is walking into this building and this place was so overcrowded inside I was having a hard time moving through. At one point I walked into this room and one of the walls was a bunch a windows that had a beautiful view of the temple that was apparently next door to the building I was in. My cousin and I decided to leave, so we made our way back down to the lobby and walked out the doors. When I walked out I turned around and I saw two buildings. One building was a square building that was made of all black windows, and next to it was the temple. I had not even realized that I was even in the black building until I walked out of it. The people in the black building were all hanging out of the windows and laughing and having a good time... there were even people bungee jumping off the roof. Me being the big adrenaline junky, really wanted to go over and join the people in the black building because they were having so much fun and laughing. Then I would look at the temple and want to be there too because the church is everything to me in my life and there is no way that I would ever give that up. It was clear to me as I looked at the divide between the two buildings was that it was time to make a decision and stick to it. It was a real struggle for me and as I looked down I was dressed in my Sunday outfit and I knew that the temple is where I belonged and I chose my side. As I was walking over I could hear my family in the distance sitting by the tree I was first leaning against and adoring the temple, and they were calling me over.

-          I know that times are tough and they are going to get tougher and that grey area is all but closed. The time is coming that not only do I need to make a decision as to what side of the line I am going to be on, but everyone does too, and we should help those who are struggling with that decision as well. As tempting as it was to join the other side because they were having fun, that is not where true happiness. There is true JOY out there that is ours for the taking, and there is plenty of GOOD fun to be had out there in the world; you don’t have to be bad to have fun (I am a true believer that the Lord loves to laugh!). I just hope that when the Savior comes I can look down and know that I am dressed in my Sunday clothes because I have stayed clean enough to always be able to enter into the House of the Lord.

Bridge took out her endowments in the Manti temple this past Saturday. She was ready in every way! It was as if she had already been going with me for the past seven years for she was so natural/comfortable with all the temple had/has to offer.

Truly the experience was among the choicest of life's experiences. To see her obtain her dream, literal and dream from her desires for the past several years--was moving. Congratulations Bridgette! You made the decision of which side of the line you would be on! ...where true happiness is! And yes, you don't have to be bad to have fun. I believe the Lord loves to laugh too!

Here's to choosing to be in "Sunday clothes". The Savior will come! 

I MADE A PLACE AND GAVE IT TO HIM

So... the insurance company deemed my car as totaled. WONDERFUL was not the word of choice I would describe how I felt/feel about this. More like UGGg! But the process has not been void of Heaven, for which I am very thankful.

I went to the DMV a few weeks back to get a copy of my car title. Apparently when I paid off my car in 2006, I never got the title from the bank. So the DMV showed that the bank still had a "lean" on my car. Again, "wonderful" is not the word that came to my mind. :)

I called the bank and asked them to fax the DMV a release on the title. As I walked over to a bench to wait for the fax to come through, I could not hold back the tears of frustration. It had been a long week, and this little "title" detail was not the last straw on the camels back, but rather a puzzle piece that seemed to link all the other bad ones more closely together. Working with the auto body shop was far beyond NOT desirable, the insurance guy was nice but way to smooth with his words. The amount I was receiving for my salvaged car, wasn't even half of what was paid for the car 6 years ago. ...

As I bowed my head to stop anyone from seeing my tears, ever so gently, a scripture was placed in my mind, "...all things shall work together for your good." What a sweet reminder. And with that, I bucked up my shoulders, took a deep breath and seriously had the mind set of, "Okay, bring it on." (I WAS NOT looking for more opposition in my current battle, but in a way, the reminder of Christ's words allowed me to square up my shoulders.) About 3 mins after the reminder scripture, a friend from work, called me on her drive home, and that too, lifted my spirits and seemed to help infuse me with a little more faith in the current situation.

The accident was three weeks ago. Bless the kindness of my folks with juggling around their cars to help me out, with my brother and friends who have given me rides. Truly all angels!

Since the wreck, I have been working with a sweet couple who buy cars straight from the auction. They have a small finders fee but basically in their retired situation, help people find cars. The first week of looking for cars--the more and more apparent it became of what this little journey was bringing... I am going to need a loan, and more payments for two years isn't the most exciting thing to my soul. Color, make, model, cruise control, no cruise control, high and low miles, gas millage, compact, midsize, coupe, civic, hatchback... And yes I know this is nothing like the decision over an eternal companion or anything, but if I am to fork out that much money, I sure do want it on a car that is going to last and will not only be good for a future family I hope is in the not too distant future--but I don't want a lemon/lots of drama if I don't have to have it. (This all coming from a girl, that three weeks ago couldn't tell you the difference from a Honda or a Hyundai, a Toyota or a Ford. Amazing what being car-less will do to you. I NOW can spot a Toyota and Honda out of a mix of cars. Now that is an improvement for sure! ha ha:))

After viewing lots of different cars via email... there was about a 6 day window where my contact didn't email me anything. The more I researched the cars, the more stressed and worrisome I became. Over and over the impression came that it would all work out. But as new concerns were made apparent to my newly educated brain, new worries and fears crept in as well. Knowledge can be power, but I was feeling the more I learned about what I didn't know or at least hadn't considered before, the more heavy my burden started to become.

My worrying was consuming. *Note to self: Worry, doubt and fear do not provide a comfortable/happy/stable environment and living space.

This past Tuesday I went to the temple seeking refuge from my little bothersome storm. I did not receive answers, but at least I could keep the anxiety of the unknown car monster at bay while I was within the temple walls.

On my way to work, or shortly there after, my mind took hold on all the things that were weighing on my heart. Items that at different times when they had shown their ugly new heads, one by one I had take them to the Lord. My mind was in conflict. I knew that God had told me it would all work out/not to worry. I have even had the impression with what type of car to go with, but the more I learned car lingo, the more worrisome I became.

I am not sure how I came to the conclusion, but I retired to my private spot at work where I can kneel down. Before starting the prayer, I wrestled a bit with the fact that God already knew all my concerns, all my drama--after all He is God. And although I had at times given a piece of the burden here and discussed some of the issues there--NOW feeling quite educated with car stuff, I decided I just need to dump ALL car burdens on His alter, all at once. I opened my prayer and told the Lord I felt quite silly, knowing He already knew my concerns, but that I just needed to place them before Him for the benefit and hopes that my conscious self would know I got all items "off my chest".

I did just that. One by one, I listed each concern. Each worry of "stipulation" on my wants/desires/fears and concerns. I truly just "unloaded" EVERYTHING at the Lord's feet.

After I had completely discussed every ounce of every concern, I told the Lord I was ready to give the burden over to Him and to trust in His timing, will and inspiration. Once again, the sweet assurance came (like it had already come a handful of times throughout the course of this event). The answer was, to not worry, things would work out and it would be good.

THE DIFFERENCE WITH THIS OCCASION was that I had fully unloaded all my burdens=concerns and worries first. And with my spiritual sack, emptied on His alter, my life sack now had room to be filled with His promises and reassurance. It was truly something beauitful and in a way, life changing/eye opening.

God has answers for our deep prayers and peace for our troubled hearts. But like anything valuable, there must be a place for those answers and peace to dwell/be kept. If my sack retains all the worries and all the doubts/fears--even in God's kindness to send me such answers over and over like He did, if I have not made room/given the answers any place to reside--He can send the message, but like the water that dances on the shoreline, if there is not a tide pool with empty walls to hold that tide, the water will quietly head back to where it came from.

How grateful I am for prayer! And even in my doubting states of life, God allows me to "unload"-- that truly my burdens, might be light/lite!

This beauitful reminder/miracle was last Tuesday, and I am still at/dwelling in/with peace. When I am tempted to indulge back into the habit of "worry", I simply shake my spiritual head (and sometimes my physical head) and remind myself that I have done all I can do and the Lord has "got this".

So what will this week bring? The right car?! That would be WONDERFUL! BUT IF NOT, I know in whom I trust. :) I have made place for His peace to dwell. I finally made room for His tide/reassurance to remain and I have no intentions of replacing them with worry and fears. *Note to self: Why settle for anything less than His peace?! If I will make room, it is mine for the keeping.

Amazing what He allows us to learn. His patience and willingness to allow me to learn at the pace my soul/body needs, astounds me. He, is good!
______

Response from Marshyl on this post:  "Amazing how much nicer the Lord decorates our Spiritual walls when we get out of our own way and let him come in to do some interior design work huh?  :)  Some things are just better left to the Professional.  ;o) "

Amen Marsh!

"Some things are just better left to the Professional."
--Marshyl Cloward :)

JAILBRAKE'N FROM HELL

The following is a poem written by a friend. I watched him put it together in under 7 mins... and the story behind this poem is someone who has been fighting the war between which side of the battle fronts to be on. God's or the Devil's.

When I got trampled down,
I almost forgot how to fight.
But someone reached below
and brought me to the light.

Knees wobbling
feet quaking,
I got sin fleeing
and Satan shaking,

Juggling and tossing
I can't decide
I'll watch the light
and let it preside.

Firm feet planted
on the Rock!
Scream and yell
let him watch
I'm Jailbrake'n from Hell.

--Author: Hammer 4.11.12

He is letting light preside! He is choosing God!

**Please don't be mad I shared it Mr. Hammer.

HE WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR TOMORROWS--trust/have faith in Him, TODAY.

I read this article today (click here) on a man's journey with same-sex attraction and how He exercised faith/trust in God and faith/trust in keeping the commandments, regardless of temptations. His courage to share as he calls "witness", moved me.

He shared: 

"In this area and so much of my life, I feel I’ve had to live the principle President Boyd K. Packer taught of going to “the edge of the light and [stepping] into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two” (That All May Be Edified (1982), 340). We have to put Him first today, taking the necessary steps of faith today, and simply trust Him to take care of tomorrow. It’s only been through my learning and living that principle that the Lord has slowly been revealing to me His plan for my life."
    --Ty Mansfield

How this rings true with what I need to do with my own trials. Put God first today, excising faith today and trusting that He will take care of my tomorrow. Ty's story/experiences gives my own Gethsemane hope!! (And no, I do not deal with same-sex attraction. But everyone one has something(s) that is(are) thorn(s) of the flesh, and Ty's words can be applied to ANY thorn!)

So my new quote for the back of my phone cover!

 

FIGHT 2 THE FINISH
I have a friend, Heidi Arave, who has shared with me the journey of her friends as their son has been battling liver cancer. This sweet family lost their son Sunday... and the blog post by the mom on Sunday is not only inspiring, but a beautiful testimony/reminder of Heavenly Father's ultimate plan of happiness.

This is what the mother posted the day her son passed:

Tyler returned home early this morning to his loving Father in Heaven after courageously battling liver cancer.  He fought valiantly to stay here and we are relieved that he is not trapped in his diseased body any longer.  We know he is free of pain of suffering and is happy to begin his new work in heaven.

As I was laying there last night watching Tyler struggle to leave, or to stay, I’m not sure which he was fighting for, I remembered a quote that my friend Ashley posted when her sweet Preslee passed away.  I knew there was one thing we had not completely given to Heavenly Father – our will.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: “The
submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we
have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give’ … are
actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.”

Tyler was never ours to keep here.  He was a gift to our family to bless us for a short time.  As soon as Darren and I let Heavenly Father know we had accepted His will and it was okay for Tyler to go, he was finally able to have peace.  We know the promise of peace is ours because of the Savior’s gift to us and that we will someday be reunited with our sweet boy and see his amazing smile when he greets us.

We are overwhelmed with the love we feel from friends, family, and community.  Please know that our family has accepted the plan for Tyler, and although our hearts are broken and the pain is more than we can explain, Heavenly Father has sent the Comforter to help us get through this.  Tyler, we love you with all our hearts.  Thanks for teaching so many what it really means to “Fight To The Finish”.  (Click here to read the blog.)

My prayers are going up for Tyler's family. What examples of Christ!

God bless the GREAT, Plan of Happiness! He will make a way for us. Help us fulfill the measure of our creation. God bless those who live their life in courage despite great odds. God's children, are awesome! I stand all amazed.

"HAMMER"! :)

Dear Mr. Hammer,

This made me think of you. :) "...God is faithful. Through the Holy Spirit, He will speak to our minds and hearts concerning the path we should follow during each segment of our lives." --President Uchtdorf

I LOVE the word each! :)  That's a direct promise! You are in my prayers! I hope you are happy. God loves you, not that you didn't know that, but in case you wanted/needed a reminder. Being for Him, is worth any sacrifice. Hope your Book of Mormon is getting littered with fresh impressions. DON'T forget to take pictures in the Sacred Grove so I can live vicariously through those pictures! I will hold you to your promise. :D If I had your address I would send you fun surprises in the mail! HINT HINT! :) ha ha

Love, a friend that hasn't/won't forget,

Bryndi

The Divine Role of Women

So for Mother's Day, I just have to say how thankful I am for all the women in the past and now living, and who will yet live on the earth, who once chose God's plan and Jesus Christ and are again choosing to live His plan in mortality. To the woman who have been blessed with families, and those who do it vicariously through actions... how grateful I am for the women in my life. The top of the list being my own amazing mother! (She is the one if you can't tell, keeps the sunshine where it should be--smack in the middle of EVERYONE'S lives!) I love you mom!

To my friends who's mother's have passed on... this talk is amazing speaking about those beyond the veil and gives choice info about others on the other side... click here to read.

To those who didn't know their Mother, claim hold of all the mother's in the past, even our Heavenly one, who helped shape the world for us to live in!

To Mothers: check out the Mary video on LDS.org
To Fathers: Check out the 2nd video on LDS.org

Oh a day for rejoicing in women!

I love you mom!

Happy Mother's Day

"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.