Are you Burdened Down?

Life has been weighing me down this week.  Every day I had a lot that I needed to accomplish and I have a lot to accomplish in the near future, and I might be at my breaking point.  Because of this I have had a heavy heart, a distracted mind and I have not been mentally with my family because I am worrying about the hundred things that are going to be coming at me.  Does anyone else feel this way? And honestly I didn't know that this was how I felt until yesterday, I was in a Relief Society* Presidency meeting when my dear friend said our opening prayer and it went something like this, “Father we come to thee burdened downed”.  Not until then did I realize that this is how I was feeling, and the tears flowed freely.  I finally recognized that I was feeling a heavy burden.

 In Mathew 11:28-30 we read,

 Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

This scripture is me. I am laboring with all my might, and I am very heavy laden.  But did I come unto Christ as the scripture said?  No, I haven’t.  Not once this week did I say in my prayers, “I am feeling burdened with all that I have going on in my life, can you help me with my burden?”  No, all I prayed for was that I would make it through the day.  But He promised something better than just making it through the day.

               

                In verse 29 and 30 it reads:  Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

A yoke is a harness that goes between two oxen.  It is usually made of wood so that it cannot flex, so that one ox cannot get ahead of the other.  The yoke makes it so that they must be side by side so that they can pull the burden equally.

                If Christ is saying take my yoke upon you, is He not saying keep me right next to you so that I can help you carry your burden.

                How do we yoke Christ next us?  It tells us in the very next sentence. I have never noticed until just now.  LEARN OF ME. What? I am burdened down with all that I have to do and Christ wants me to take time to learn of Him. He wants me to take time to read my scriptures, pray, and do things in my life that will bring me closer to Him. I am too busy; why should I? 

Why should I take the time in my busy life to learn about Christ?  Because I want the promise that follows, “and ye shall find rest unto your soul.” Isn’t that what I want, to feel peace; I don’t want to feel burdened by all that I need to do.  I want to feel peace.

But aren’t reading my scriptures and praying just more things to add to my burden?  Christ answers that question in verse 30:

For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.

He just told us that His burden is light. His burden – doing those things in our lives that will bring us closer to Him – does not add to our load.

Mosiah 24:15  And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord.

So this week I am planning on praying that the Lord will help me bare my burden, and Learn more of Christ, so that I can feel peace. 

If you find yourself feeling burdened I would urge you to join me in Coming unto Christ, and then share with me your experience.

*Relief Society is an organization of women from ages 18 and up in the Church of Jesus Chris of Latter Day Saints. This organization has a president, two counselors, and a secretary.

Happy Birthday Grandma

Happy Birthday Grandma!!!Today is my grandma’s birthday, and in honor of her memory I made Caramel Corn Pops. My grandma would make this for picnics and lazy summer evening.  I really miss her.  Grandma loved to cook, we went to her house every Sunday and she would have dessert for us.  She also always had homemade cookies waiting for us whenever we would pop in for a visit during the week.  My grandma was amazing.  I have so many great memories of her.

Grandma passed away back in January of 2001.

Grandma Delores was the perfect grandma.  The most important thing to her was our grandpa, and the next important thing to her was her family.  Grandma was a woman of service.  She was always cooking for someone, always crocheting something for someone, or doing something for someone. Grandma always made everyone feel that they were special to her.

Grandma took really good care of me when I was in elementary school.  My parents struggled finacially while I was growing up.  Grandma made sure I had a new dress for special occasions, new clothes for school and every summer she would let me come stay at her house for a week.

Grandma left us with many family traditions that we still celebrate with our families today.  Pizza for Christmas Eve, Christmas parties with hors d' oeuvres, homemade spudnuts for Halloween, and sugar cookies for every holiday.

Because of Grandma Delores’s example I am the person I am today. At grandmas funeral one of her children spoke about how she loved others and that she emulated the Savior.  That’s what I want others to be able to say about me.  I often find myself wondering  “what would grandma do?”

The last ten year of grandma’s life she was bedridden , I know that it was very frustrating for her, but she bore her trail with grace, patients and never wondering why me.

In proverbs 31 talks about the kind of woman Grandma Delores was.

10 ¶Who can find a virtuous woman? for her price is far above rubies.

 11 The heart of her husband doth safely trust in her, so that he shall have no need of spoil.

20 She stretcheth out her hand to the poor; yea, she reacheth forth her hands to the needy.

25 Strength and honour are her clothing; and she shall rejoice in time to come.

 26 She openeth her mouth with wisdom; and in her tongue is the law of kindness.

 27 She looketh well to the ways of her household, and eateth not the bread of idleness.

 28 Her children arise up, and call her blessed; her husband also, and he praiseth her.

 29 Many daughters have done virtuously, but thou excellest them all.

 30 Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.

 31 Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.

When grandma Delores passed away in 2001 she left a hole in everyone’s heart that knew her. But because I knew her I am better person today, and even in death she makes a difference in my life.  I look forward to seeing her again.  Love you Grandma, Happy Birthday.

For the recipe for corn pops you can find it on my other blog Little Delights Cafe

What have I done today?

I certainly can relate to this message, I don’t know about you, but I have had some of those days. There are those days when my list seems to get longer and longer, and the people around me are in  need  of my help and I just feel frustrated and want to yell “what about me, when is it my turn?”

 What I love most about this message is that we get to see what effect that her influence and service had on others.  Most of the times we never get to see the outcome of our influence and service to others. And most of the time we don’t take the time to stop and realize what we have done, we just look at what we didn't accomplish, or we are just focused on what we want to do most.

This is one of my favorite hymns, I do find myself singing this hymn when I have had days like is illustrated in this clip.  It sometimes helps me have perspective.

Have I done any good in the world today?

Have I helped anyone in need?

Have I cheered up the sad and made someone feel glad?

If not, I have failed indeed.

Has anyone’s burden been lighter today

Because I was willing to share?

Have the sick and the weary been helped on their way?

When they needed my help was I there?

This is posted as the tag line for this clip; I think it will be going on my bathroom mirror for a while.

“How many things did you get checked off your “to- do” list today? Sometimes, the most important things you do each day were never even on your list. As we help a neighbor or family member, we often overlook the results. You might worry about the things you never get done, but President Gordon B. Hinckley reminds us, “You never know how much good you do.”

Let us remember the words which King Benjamin taught us “And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God.” Mosiah 2:17.  (in the Book of Mormon)

Have a fabulous day and go and do something good today!!

Forgivng is a Beautiful Thing

Every day we are faced with the challenge of forgiving those around us.  Throughout the day small incidental things occur and we forgive without even thinking about it, and sometimes we have real hurtful things that happen to us, and we have to dig deep to  forgive.

Forgiving others can be challenging thing to do sometimes.  In the New Testament, Matt. 18:21-22 it reads:  Then came Peter to him, and said, Lord, how oft shall my brother sin against me, and I forgive him? till seven times?

 Jesus saith unto him, I say not unto thee, Until seven times: but, Until seventy times seven.

Jesus isn’t really giving us a number on how many times we should forgive someone, but he his telling us that we must always forgive, because he has forgiven everyone that asked for forgiveness.

In Doctrine and Covenants 64:9-10 it reads:

 Wherefore, I say unto you, that ye ought to forgive one another; for he that forgiveth not his brother his trespasses standeth condemned before the Lord; for there remaineth in him the greater sin.

 I, the Lord, will forgive whom I will forgive, but of you it is required to forgive all men.

Pres. Uchtdorf in April 2012 conference said “Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking—even a change of heart. But there is good news. This “mighty change” of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives. How is it done? Through the love of God.

When our hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us. We “keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.”

The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ. As we open our hearts to the glowing dawn of the love of God, the darkness and cold of animosity and envy will eventually fade.

As always, Christ is our exemplar. In His teachings as in His life, He showed us the way. He forgave the wicked, the vulgar, and those who sought to hurt and to do Him harm.

Jesus said it is easy to love those who love us; even the wicked can do that. But Jesus Christ taught a higher law. His words echo through the centuries and are meant for us today. They are meant for all who desire to be His disciples. They are meant for you and me: “Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you, and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you.”

When our hearts are filled with the love of God, we become “kind one to another, tenderhearted, forgiving [each other], even as God for Christ’s sake [forgave us].”  end quote.

I have had my own opportunities to learn to forgive, when I was in my teens I was molested.  I have had to learn to forgive this person for the hurt that he had caused me.  And has I have forgiven this person the pain has gone away.  It’s been almost 20 years and I hardly think of it.

I have many more examples of forgiving other, but this one incident affected my life in many ways.

I am grateful for my Savior and His infinite atonement that can allow me to forgive others and at the same time heal my pain.

You probably want to know how I could forgive someone of an awful thing, I did as President Uchtdorf said, “This topic of judging others could actually be taught in a two-word sermon. When it comes to hating, gossiping, ignoring, ridiculing, holding grudges, or wanting to cause harm, please apply the following:

Stop it!

It’s that simple. We simply have to stop judging others and replace judgmental thoughts and feelings with a heart full of love for God and His children. God is our Father. We are His children. We are all brothers and sisters. I don’t know exactly how to articulate this point of not judging others with sufficient eloquence, passion, and persuasion to make it stick. I can quote scripture, I can try to expound doctrine, and I will even quote a bumper sticker I recently saw. It was attached to the back of a car whose driver appeared to be a little rough around the edges, but the words on the sticker taught an insightful lesson. It read, “Don’t judge me because I sin differently than you.”

We must recognize that we are all imperfect—that we are beggars before God. Haven’t we all, at one time or another, meekly approached the mercy seat and pleaded for grace? Haven’t we wished with all the energy of our souls for mercy—to be forgiven for the mistakes we have made and the sins we have committed?

Because we all depend on the mercy of God, how can we deny to others any measure of the grace we so desperately desire for ourselves? My beloved brothers and sisters, should we not forgive as we wish to be forgiven?

Yes I had to do what Pres. Uchtdorf said and stop it.  I had to make the choice to stop thinking about being molested and I had to stop letting it affect my life.  I had a choice, to be unhappy or happy, I choose to be happy and forgive.

I hope that you will make the choice, choose to be happy and forgive.  It is hard but through the atonement of the Savior all things are possible.

Happy Mother's Day

This is my mom, she has taught me so much. Love you mom.

I love being a mom.  I remember growing up and all my friends saying when I grow up I want to be…a teacher, a nurse, a doctor, a vet…etc.  But all I ever wanted to be was a mom; I never wanted to be anything else.  I am grateful every day to be able to stay at home and be a mom.

It not always easy to be a mom, I remember the days when my kids were young and the days just seemed to blend together.  It was the same tasks day after day and the same phrases day after day.  Wipe noses, change diapers, feed kids, plan an activity, and fix meals, clean house, and grocery shop.   And somewhere in between teach: be nice, say thank you, say please, help mommy clean up, be mommies super helper, use your words not your hands.

Now my kids are older and my oldest son is about to leave on a mission for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and I am so grateful for those days that I got to share with him and the rest of my kids.  They are growing up so quickly. I love being a mom!

You can recognize women who are grateful to be a daughter of God by their reverence for motherhood, even when that blessing has been withheld from them for a time. In those circumstances, their righteous influence can be a blessing in the lives of children they love. Their exemplary teachings can echo the voice of a faithful home and resonate truth in the hearts of children who need another witness.

Grateful daughters of God love Him and teach their children to love Him without reservation and without resentment. They are like the mothers of Helaman’s youthful army, who had such great faith and “had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them” (Alma 56:47).

When you observe kind and gentle mothers in action, you see women of great strength. Their families can feel a spirit of love and respect and safety when they are near her as she seeks the companionship of the Holy Ghost and the guidance of His Spirit. They are blessed by her wisdom and good judgment. The husbands and children, whose lives they bless, will contribute to the stability of societies all over this world. Grateful daughters of God learn truths from their mothers and grandmothers and aunts. They teach their daughters the joyful art of creating a home. They seek fine educations for their children and have a thirst for knowledge themselves. They help their children develop skills that they can use in serving others. They know that the way they have chosen is not the easy way, but they know it is absolutely worth their finest efforts.

They understand what Elder Neal A. Maxwell meant when he said: “When the real history of mankind is fully disclosed, will it feature the echoes of gunfire or the shaping sound of lullabies? The great armistices made by military men or the peacemaking of women in homes and in neighborhoods? Will what happened in cradles and kitchens prove to be more controlling than what happened in congresses?”

Daughters of God know that it is the nurturing nature of women that can bring everlasting blessings, and they live to cultivate this divine attribute. Surely when a woman reverences motherhood, her children will arise up and call her blessed (see Prov. 31:28) Margaret D. Nadauld, Oct. 2000 General Conference

Happy Mother’s Day!

Families are Forever

I have always had a love for family history, but I have never produced a family file name. However, I have participated in family history in other ways.

When I was young I lived close to both sets of my grandparents and to 3 sets of my great grandparents, and got many opportunities to visit with them on regular basis. I loved to hear them tell stories of when they were younger.

Growing up every summer my family would go to one of two family reunions, there I also loved to listen to my great aunts and uncles and older cousins tell family stories.  You can learn a lot when you sit and listen to others tell their stories.  Also through these family reunions I got to know my second and third cousins and we became good friends.  

Elder Nielson said “We have a natural yearning to connect with our ancestors. When our hearts turn to our ancestors, something changes inside us.  We feel a part of something greater than ourselves.  Our inborn yearnings for family connections are fulfilled when we are linked to our ancestors…” end quote

When I turned twelve I had a great aunt who was very involved in researching family names and getting them ready for the temple.  I would go to the St. George temple with my dad, siblings, and cousins every other Saturday for four years to do baptisms for our ancestors.  We did thousands of names.  I gained several things from this experience.

First – I learned that my dad had a testimony of temple work and that he believed that families are forever.

Second- As I would stand in the font and be baptized for hundreds of ancestors over the years I could feel the excitement of those I was being baptized for.   I gained my own testimony of temple work and that families are forever. 

Third- It got me in the habit of regularly attending the temple and that has carried with me into my adult life.

Another way that I have been able to participate in family history is by reading stories of my ancestors. I’m lucky enough that when I google the name of one of my ancestors I can usually find a brief history and a picture of them. By reading their stories of conversion and the sacrifices that they made so that I can have the gospel it causes me to have the desire to keep my covenants and to continue to press forward with faith.  I do not want to be the weak link in my family chain.

 Elder Haight said “I would hope and pray that in our own families, all of us, that we would have a desire to be a strong link in our own family chain, in our posterity, so that the eternal blessings that are part of the gospel, the blessings of the temple and the eternities, will be taught to our families in such a way that they will go on and on forever to affect many, many people. Be sure that those links are strong in your chain and that you pass the testimony that you have, the devotion that you have to future generations.” End quote.

Then, last October with the push to do temple work, my son Christopher was able to find close to 200 names for our family to do.  I am grateful for the opportunity to once again to do family names.  I love performing the scared temple work for my ancestors. I am grateful for the peace I feel to that comes with the knowledge that I am linking my family together through the eternities. Elder Christofferson said “The vicarious ordinances we perform in temples, beginning with baptism, make possible an eternal welding link between generations that fulfills the purpose of the earth’s creation. Without this, “the whole earth would be utterly wasted at [Christ’s] coming.” Close quote.

On lds.org it list nine ways that we can participate in Family history and I added a few extra.

Interview family members, write and share their stories

Take and share photos                 

Prepare names to take to the temple

Indexing

Start a family blog

Create a digital scrap book of your ancestors

Create a scrap book for yourself and for your family

Plan and attend Family reunions

Learn the stories of your ancestors

Print your family fan chart

Help others with their family history whether it’s by teaching them to search names or helping them with temple work

Journaling.

Elder Cook in this last conference said “The doctrine of the family in relation to family history and temple work is clear. The Lord in initial revelatory instructions referred to “baptism for your dead.” Our doctrinal obligation is to our own ancestors. This is because the celestial organization of heaven is based on families. The First Presidency has encouraged members, especially youth and young single adults, to emphasize family history work and ordinances for their own family… We need to be connected to both our roots and branches… Don’t underestimate the influence of the deceased in assisting your efforts and the joy of ultimately meeting those you serve. The eternally significant blessing of uniting our own families is almost beyond comprehension.

Elder Bednar and Elder Scott have promised the following blessings you can receive if you will participate in Family History.

Your conversion to the Savior will become deeper

You will receive light and knowledge through the Holy Ghost

Your testimonies will be strengthened

Your patriarchal blessing will become more meaningful

Your Love and gratitude for your ancestors will grow

You will receive greater opportunities to serve

And your Service in the temple will become more sacred.

I can testify that these promises are true, for I have received or have felt each of these blessing in my life as I have participated in family history throughout my life. I would like to bare my testimony that I know that our Savior lives, and I am grateful for my knowledge that families are forever.   In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Finging Joy in the Journey

Last week my husband planned a hike for our whole family to go on including our three small dogs.  The hike had high reviews and said it was great for dogs.

 My husband told us that we would be hiking next to a small river, doing some boulder hoping and seeing a beautiful water fall. We were all excited for this hike.  

 So we loaded up the kids and the dogs and water and a snack for the trail and drove the 45 minutes to our destination.   When we got to our destination we loaded up the back pack with our gear, which I wore, not that my husband didn’t offer to carry the back pack a dozen times, but I wanted to carry the back pack and so I did. We headed off onto our great adventure with enthusiasm and a vision of a great hike. 

We hiked along this dirt road for about a ½ mile, with my kids and me questioning my husband judgment of a great hike.  “Are you sure we are going in the right direction?”  And “are you sure this is going to be a great hike.”, “I don’t see any water”; we teased our dad.  Finally after a ½ mile we came to a small stream, was this river that was supposed to be so great?  Patience was my husband replied   

So we kept on hiking.  During the hike we came to different obstacles along the trail like over a thin pipe near and edge of the river, over logs, and many stepping stones back and forth through the river, climbing steep in embankments, climbing over and through narly tree root.   To maneuver through these obstacles one of use would find the best path and help the others to cross, or we would discuss as a family which was the best path to take.  And at times one would want to take a different path than all of us, sometimes it was better and sometimes it was worse.   As I was hiking with my family and enjoying the banter that goes on in our family it got me thinking about our life’s journey here on earth.  

We are placed into families to help each other through hard things in life.  Sometimes we need to let other lead out and guide us through difficult times.  Even as parents, sometimes we need to let our children lead and rely upon their wisdom. Sometimes we are too close to the problem that we can’t see the best path to take. But if we seek council from our family members and if we can be patient with each other and work as a team our families can do hard things. 

As I mentioned earlier, I chose to carry the back pack, at times it was awkward or even difficult to maneuver through these difficult obstacles that nature placed in our way.  My husband and children offered to carry the back pack for a bit, and they were even willing to just to hold it while I was in the midst of an obstacle, but I was stubborn and wouldn’t let them help.  Like the back pack, sometimes we carry heavy burdens, for example:  poor choices we made, guilt, illnesses, pressures of life and sometimes it’s just life experiences that way us down.   When we are carrying heavy burdens we need to allow others to serve us and help us out, we don’t need to carry burdens alone. The most important thing that we can do is place our burden at our Saviors feet and trust in the atonement.  For our Savior taught: Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls. For my yoke is easy and my burden is light, (New Testament Mathew 11: 28-30)

This hike was not what I had envisioned and at times it was difficult and hard to maneuver, but I had fun.  I found joy just being there with my family and enjoying the beauty around me. Just like in life

Sometimes in life we can get caught up with the woe is me … I can’t wait until…., or when…,

President Monson gave a talk in October 2008 General Conference that changed my life, entitled "Finding Joy in the Journey"

I still had young kids at home and was not content with home life as it was then I heard this talk and realized I had to change.

I would like to share a few quotes from his Talk.

“This is our one and only chance at mortal life—here and now. The longer we live, the greater is our realization that it is brief. Opportunities come, and then they are gone. I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by as you plan for that illusive and nonexistent future when you will have time to do all that you want to do. Instead, find joy in the journey—now.

Rather than dwelling on the past, we should make the most of today, of the here and now, doing all we can to provide pleasant memories for the future.

If you are still in the process of raising children, be aware that the tiny fingerprints that show up on almost every newly cleaned surface, the toys scattered about the house, the piles and piles of laundry to be tackled will disappear all too soon and that you will—to your surprise—miss them profoundly.

Stresses in our lives come regardless of our circumstances. We must deal with them the best we can. But we should not let them get in the way of we hat is most important—and what is most important almost always involves the people around us. Often we assume that they must know how much we love them. But we should never assume; we should let them know. Wrote William Shakespeare, “They do not love that do not show their love.”  We will never regret the kind words spoken or the affection shown. Rather, our regrets will come if such things are omitted from our relationships with those who mean the most to us.

Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows.

Our realization of what is most important in life goes hand in hand with gratitude for our blessings.

Despite the changes which come into our lives and with gratitude in our hearts, may we fill our days—as much as we can—with those things which matter most. May we cherish those we hold dear and express our love to them in word and in deed."

I hope that you will take the chance to Find Joy in your Journey Today.

Patience and Faith

My oldest son has had a difficult two weeks.  It seemed like the world was against him and everything is his life was going against him.  Which was making him very frustrated and angry and very hard to live with.

Then earlier this week we got discussing Job from the Old Testament.  Here is pour Job, life was going great; his family was doing well, he was respected by his friends, and he was prospering.  Then one day Job wakes up and his children are a killed, his crops and animals have been burned or taken.  He gets nasty sores that are painful.   And his wife and friends leave him.

Yet through it all Job never curses God, he never stops praying, he never has self-pity and wonders “Why Me”.

My son and I discussed that when we are in the midst of our trails we have the option on how we behave.  We can be angry and curse God, hate the world, and take our frustrations out on those around us.  Or we can be like Job, and bear our burdens and endure our trails with patience and faith.  We know that God does good things for his children; suffering must benefit a person in some way.  And it may take years or a life time to see the benefits of certain trails.

In my reading this week I came across this thought from Emily Freeman’s book

 Written on Our Hearts,which lifted my spirits “Become a Possibilitarian.  No matter how dark things seem to be or actually are, raise your sights and see the possibilities-always see them for they’re always there….When you combine courage and strength with the companionship of the Lord, you can expect miracles-possibilities beyond your exceptions….Find courage. Gather Strength.  Allow the Lord to be with you wherever you go.  Then prepare to experience wonders.  Greet each day with an enthusiastic welcome no matter how it looks.

This quote was what I needed this week.  Sometimes the miracle that comes is the patients to endure the trail and faith that the Lord will strengthen us.  

This clip doesn't necessarily go with my thought, but the song "Abide with Me" usually runs through my head when I am going through a trail.

Happy 36th Birthday

Last week I celebrated by 36th birthday.  I really wanted to do something like I had last year.  So I decided I was going to serve 36 people in 36 hours.  Unfortunately that did not happen.  So instead I wrote 36 thank you cards to 36 different people.  Some were neighbors, teachers of my children, my husband, parents, children, etc.  It was great to be able to say "Thank You", we just get so busy in our every day lives that we forget.  And it seems that writing a note is a dying gesture.  It wasn't as amazing as last years birthday, but it still made for a great day.

For the recipe for the cake above you can find it on my other blog Little Delights Cafe, its the Chocolate Mousse Cake.

Happy 35th Birthday

Last year I did the most amazing thing for my birthday; it still bring tears to my eyes when I think about it.  I wanted to do something really special to celebrate half way to 40 ( :-( )
To celebrate I decided to make 35 cupcakes and write 35 cards to 35 different people.  To each of those 35 people I wrote one thing that I had learned from them that influenced my life for good.

I made sure that I handed the cupcake and the card to them, and told then to have a happy day.

My note went something like this...

Today I am turning 35, and to celebrate I am telling 35 different people thank you for being and influence for good in my life.  From you I learned...  ...Thank you for helping me to become a better person.

That night when I sat down for my birthday dinner I felt overwhelmed with gratitude; the Lord had blessed me with some amazing examples in my life.

If you do not look forward to your birthday and find that it's not your favorite day, I suggest that you do something like this.  It will be the best birthday you ever had!

You can find the recipe for this cup cake on my other blog.  Little Delights Cafe, its the raspberry lemonade cupcake.

Chances to Serve

This week has been a week full of service.  It started out by making cupcakes for a family in our neighborhood whose father had passed away and serving the family dinner.  The next two days I spent serving the sisters in my ward through my church calling.  Then it was teacher appreciation week at our elementary school, and I was privileged enough to be able to make 2 meals for the teachers at  school.  I love to serve; it brings me such great joy.

As I have been studying what I could share about service that would inspire others to go out and serve, I found it interesting that there are several types of service.  There is being kind to others, service in our church callings, temple service, service in our families, missionary service, community service, just to name a few.  I also found it interesting that as I was studying conference talks about service that service was most usually paired with another gospel principle.

In the Book of Mormon in Mosiah 2:17 we read, "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom, that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow being ye are in the service of your God"

Becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ- "As we obey His commandments and serve our fellowmen, we become better disciples of Jesus Christ" (Becoming a True Disciple- Elder Daniel L. Johnson)

Becoming Whole- "Be assured the Savior still seeks to mend our souls and heal our hearts.  He waits at the door and knocks.  Let us answer by beginning again to pray, repent, forgive and forget.  Let us love God and serve our neighbor and stand in holy places with a life made clean". (Wilt Thou Be Made Whole?- Elder Timothy J. Dyches)

Withstanding the Temptations- "Fill your life with service to others. As you lose your life in the service of Father in Heaven's children, Satan's temptations lose power in your life." (Personal Strength Through the Atonement of Jesus Christ"- Elder Richard G. Scott)

"I believe the Savior is telling us that unless we lose ourselves in the service of others, there is little purpose to our own lives.  Those who live only for themselves eventually shrivel up and figuratively lose their lives, while those who lose themselves in service to others grow and flourish-and in effect save their lives."- (Thomas S Monson)

I know that as I have served those around me, my life has been blessed in many way. To just name a few: I have learned to love those around me, look  for the good in others, my life is full of joy, and I have gained a stronger testimony of our Savior.

"We are surrounded by those that are in need of our attention, our encouragement, our support, our comfort, our kindness....We are the Lord's hands here upon the earth, with the mandate to serve and to lift His children.  He is dependant upon each of us." (First Observe, then Serve - Linda K. Burton)

I hope that you will take the chance to look around you each day and find at least one person to serve.

For the recipe for the cupcake in this blog, you can find it on my other blog Little Delights Cafe, it the lemon cupcake.

Faith to Reach Out

Today I was at a Women's Conference and one of the talks referenced this story in the New Testament, and it got me thinking.

And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians and could not be healed.

For she said within herself, If I may but touch His garment, I shall be made whole.

And straightway the fountain of blood was dried up; and she felt her body that she was healed of that plague.

And Jesus, immediately knowing in Himself that virtue had gone out of him, turned Him about in the press, and said, Who touched my clothes?

And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling, and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.

And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made the whole; go in peace

New Testament Matt 9:20-21, Mark 5:25-29, Luke 8:43-48

Here in this story this woman is struggling with health and she has tried all that she could do to be healed.  Then with her simple faith, she decides that she will simply touch the garment of our Savior, and has faith that she will be healed.

Just like the woman in this scripture story, all of us have many struggles and heart aches.  I know in my own life I have had my own struggles and heart ache  I got pregnant at a young age, was molested by a family member, had a miscarriage,  had a hard pregnancy, had a premature baby, and debilitating shyness, my list can go on and on just like yours.

Like this great woman, we need to have the faith to reach out to the Savior and have faith that he will heal us.  How can we reach out to the Savior?  We can read our scriptures, sincerely pray, fast, attend the temple. I think the most important thing we can do is have faith that we will heal us, because faith leads into hope and hope can lead us to act.

One of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon is about faith and hope.  I would encourage you to read it if you have time. It is Ether 12, in the Book of Mormon.

One of my favorite versus from this chapter is verse 4:

Wherefore, whoso believeth in God might with surety hope for a better world...which hope cometh of faith, maketh an anchor to the souls of men, which would make them sure and steadfast...

I love this scripture because to me it says he that believes in God, has hope for a better day.  And when we are in the midst of struggle and heart ache do we not hope for a better day?  We will find that better day through our faith that is anchored in Jesus Christ.

I know that if you will turn your struggles and heart ache to the Lord, he will make them lighter.

I hope you will take the chance to reach out to our Savior Jesus Christ and allow Him to touch your life.  I will close with this Mormon Message

A Woman of a Different Kind

My oldest daughter is at that stage of life where she has discovered that there are boys on this planet and she is wanting to be their friend and wants to impress them.  I find it interesting that she has decided that to impress them she needs to be like them.  So she dresses more in jeans and t-shirts, boys shoes, and boys hats. She has started to be a little more rough around the edges.  What I mean by that is she's trying to be tougher; we know how boys are, they throw a few punches, do a little wrestling and call it friendship. That's how she thinks she needs to act to be accepted by the boys that all of the sudden have appeared in her world.  I'm sure in a few years that she will probably think that it's her sexuality that will allow her to be accepted by the boys  I know that I went through simualar phases in my life.  What about you, did you go through any of these phases?

Margaret D. Nadauld, former young womens general president taught: "The world has enough women that are tough; we need women that are tender.  There are enough women that are coarse; we need women who are kind.  There are enough women who are rude; we need women who are refined.  We have enough women of fortune and fame; we need more women of faith.  We have enough greed; we need more goodness.  We have enough vanity; we need more virtue.  We have enough popularity; we need more purity." (The Moral Force of Women)

How do we teach our girls that's okay to be tender, kind, refined, to be good, to have virtue, faith and purity?

As I have been pondering this I have decided that through my own personal experinces there were three key things that allowed me to choose to try to be the things that Maragert D. Nadauld encourages us to become.

I think one of the keys is guidance and direction.  My parents did not pick very many battles with us as kids, but the battles they did choose they did not waver on.  My parents believed in wholesome and modest dress and language.  They believed the way we dressesd and the way we spoke would help determine how we would act.  Of course we as teenagers tried to challenge them,  but they were clear that they would not wavier.

I think the second key is that our girls need the women that are around them to exemplify these attributes.  Growing up I had many great women that were examples to me, aunts, young women leaders, grandmas, and of course my mom.

I have seen all of these women go though hard things: death of a husband, failed marriages, unfaithful husbands, death of childern, children with disablities, teenagers, bad health, husbands with health issues, loss of jobs, and the list could go on and on.  And through it all,  these women have not allowed their circumstances to make them become tough, coarse, or rude.  But I believe that through their individual challenges they have chosen be stronger and have more compassion and they have become women of faith.

I think the third key is that when the opportunity arises we need to let our daughters know that it's okay to be feminine and to encourage them to develop these attributes:  kindness, tenderness, refinement, goodness, virtue and purity.

I am grateful for the examples in my life and the guideance that my parents gave me that has helped shape the woman I am today. I love the scriptures found in Proverbs 31: 10,20,25,26,27, and 30. These scriptures also give us direction on the kind of women we should strive to be.

I hope that we will take the chance to stand out in the world and be a different kind of women then the world would want us to be.  And I hope that we will take the chance to encourage our daughters to do the same.

Welding Hearts Together

The other day my husband was at work and walked in on a conversation between some women.  They were comparing stories trying to decide who had the biggest jerk of a husband, and then the subject changed to how vindictive they could be to their husbands.

My husband was shocked.  He came home and asked if I did the same thing when I got together with my friends.  I'm grateful that I could say that I didn't.

So that you don't think that I have always have had a great marriage here is a little background on me in a nutshell.

My husband and I met when I was in the 9th grade and he in the 10th grade, and dated through high school.  I ended up getting pregnant at the end of my junior year.  We decided to get married.  After we got married we decided that we had not much in common.  About three months into our marriage we were struggling, after a small argument we looked and each other and asked ourselves if we really wanted to be married.  The answer was yes!

 We decided then and there that we would commit to our marriage and would do what we needed to do to strengthen it.  Sometime after this I was talking with some women and was doing the same thing as the women above were doing.  On the way home I was thinking to myself about the conversation I had  had with my friends and I thought to myself " I wonder if my husband talks about me with his friends or co-workers. And does he say mean things about me?  I realized then that if I didn't want my husband talking about me in mean way, I better not be talking about him.  I also wasn't living up to my commitment to my husband about making our marriage work.  I was focusing on those things that bugged me instead of focusing on those qualities that I did enjoy.

 I love this quote from Marjorie P. Hinkley "We loved each other; there was no doubt about that, but we also had to get used to each other.  I think every couple had to get use to each other.  Early on I realized that it would be better if  we worked harder to get used to each other than constantly try to change each other" (Church News, 26 Sept. 1998)

Gordon B. Hinckley Said: "Marriage, in its truest sense, is a partnership of equals, with neither exercising dominion over the other, but, rather with each encouraging and assisting the other in whatever responsibilities and aspirations he or she might have" ("I Believe", Ensign, Aug. 1992).

Of course we still had our difference of opinion and funny corks, which we still do, but thats part of marriage.

If you have sometime make a list of your characteristics and abilities and then a list of your spouses characteristics and abilities.
 Now:

1- In what ways can the characteristics and abilities that you have listed help you as a couple be unified

2- In what ways have you seen your differences become strengths?.

At my wedding my dad gave me two hearts that were welded together by my grandpa.  My dad said something along this line

" These two hearts were separate at one time, but with much heat and work these two hearts have come together, and are harder to break apart.  They also don't look like much; they are a little rusty, not very smooth, and not very beautiful to look at.  Like the hearts you and your husband are two separate people and with much work and patience and facing difficulties together  we as a couple would become like the heart and be welded together.  And it is up to us, if we wanted to keep our marriage rusty, or do we want to take the time to make our marriage beautiful.  It was up to us.

These two hearts hang in my bedroom as a reminder to both me and my husband that we will face difficulties and its ok because it will make us stronger.  And its up to us to make our marriage beautiful, by learning how to communicate, learning to love our differences and using our strengths.

I hope you will take the chance to do make the change in you.

Family Scriptures "Blues Clue" Style

Several months ago my husband and I attended a class that shared ideas how to teach your children  scriptures stories.  One of the ways they shared with us they called the "Blues Clues" style.  The makers of Blues Clues did a study that children need to hear things five times in a row to have them remember thing real well.  If you have young children a great way to teach them scripture stories is do the same story five days in a row.
We implemented this into our family and it has worked great.  We do it every other week and read the scriptures the other weeks. We have older kids so we tweaked it a bit so that it would be for meaningful for them.

For my older kids this is what we do. (I do have younger kids and it works for them as well)

Day 1- Share the story

Day 2- Share the story, and then discuss the principle that the story demonstrates that you want to                   focus on.

Day 3-Share the story, then share modern day examples of the the principle that you are focusing on.

Day 4- Share the story, discuss the context of the story, (what's going on around the story).

Day 5- Share the story, How are you going to apply what you have learned into your personal lives and            your family.

Here is an example:

Day 1- Daniel in the lions den from the Bible,

King Darius was the king of Babylon.  He chose men to help him. Daniel was their leader. They did not want Daniel to be their leader.  The men knew that Daniel prayed to God.  They went to King Darius and asked him to make a new law. It said that the people could not pray to God.  People who did not obey this law would be thrown into the lions den.  Daniel would not obey the law, he loved God and he still prayed to him.  The men saw Daniel praying, and went and told the the King. The King knew that Daniel had to be thrown in the lions den.  King Darius fasted all night that Daniel would be saved, and Daniel prayed all night to God.  In the morning the King went to lions to see if Daniel was still alive.  Daniel said that God had shut the mouths of the lions.

Day 2- Share the story, then choose a principle.  There are several you can choose from this story;      obedience, faith,the power of prayer, Standing up for what is right.  For our example lets choose obedience.  You would discuss how Daniel showed obedience to God.  God asked him to pray to him and no other thing.  So even when the law was made that no one could pray to God, Daniel still prayed to God.

Day 3- Share story, then remind everyone that your focus is obedience, ask them if they have seen others being obedient.  Example:  I asked Chris if he would put his toys away yesterday.  Chris was obedient and came right away and put his toys away.  You could also add how that person was blessed for being obedient.

Day 4- Share the story, then discuss the context.  You could explain how as a young boy Daniel was taken from his home and brought to live with the king.  And other stories of Daniel leading up to the lions den story. You still would want to tie in obedience.

Day 5- Share the story, discuss what you can do as a family to show more obedience.  Maybe your focus would be being more obedient to mom and dad, you could explain blessings that could come from that. Or being obedient to adults; teachers, parents and grandparents. Look at your family needs and decide.  Then I like to write that goal down and post it on the fridge so that we all can remember.  For individual goals I pass out a paper that we can right our own personal goal.

Don't think that my family is perfect, we just try to do our best.

I hope that you will  take the chance to share the stories of the scriptures and teach those around you how to apply them in their lives.

A Chance to Sing

My family along with another family got the chance to sing in our Sacrament Meeting on Sunday.  If you are not sure what Sacrament Meeting is, its our worship services for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I am one that does not like to sing in front of people but I was grateful for the chance to share my testimony of Joseph Smith.  Here is a link for you to hear the song.  I want you to know that I do have a testimony of Joseph Smith, I know that he was called of God.

Take the Chance to make your family feel special

I love Valentine's Day it is one of my favorite holiday's.  Not because my husband gets me a great gift, which he usually doesn't. But I love it because I get the chance to show my family I love them.

I started a tradition a couple of years ago when I was trying to build our family relationships with each other. What we do is have a fancy dinner; nice table setting, cloth napkins, table cloth, and goblets. Sometimes I will get them a little Valentine to put next to their plate.

For another idea : My neighbor has a "Your Hearts Desire Dinner".  What they do is write down each part of the meal like appetizers, main dish, salad, side dishes, drink, and dessert.  They write down enough that everyone can draw an item out of a bowl.  Then they get to choose their hearts desire for their part of the meal they drew.  Its ok if its cold cereal for the main dish or graham crackers and milk. And if you want you can have them help make, or cook, grab, what ever fits your families lifestyle.  Remember its suppose to be fun and bring you closer together.  Please have a great

 Valentin's Day, and take a chance to build your family relationships.

Everyone likes a Treat

My personal goal this year is to get to know all my neighbors on my street.  I'm not one that goes out of my way to meet new people, which surprises most people.  I am very much a people person, I love people, but leading out in new friendships is not my thing.   So I decided to make treats to take once a month to the neighbors I don't know, everyone likes a treat... Right?

Here is my go to treat at Valentines. When I lived with my mother in law when I was first married she made this every Valentine. If you have a neighbor that you should meet here's a chance for you to meet a new neighbor and share a yummy treat!

Holiday Chex Mix

1 large box Chex Cereal

1 large package M&M  (Holidays are my favorite)

1 package of peanuts (about 2 cups)

2 cups raisins 

Mix together in a bowl

In a saucepan place:

3/4 cup butter (stick and half)

1 3/4 cup Karo syrup

1 3/4 cup sugar

2 teaspoon Vanilla (add after the 3 Min boil, watch out it will spit at you)

Boil for 3 minutes. (it does grow a little so make sure your pan is big enough). Add vanilla.

Pour over cereal mixture, stir until cereal is coated well. Spread out on wax paper or foil and let cool