Pride.

Wow. Thanksgiving came and went. And I'm hoping so did my pride. Some things happened this week that Brian and I definitely learned from. We found ourselves being covetous. Silly, when we are so blessed. We have everything and more then we possibly need. We have been extremely blessed. And of course the time of year when we should be most thankful for what we have we fail to give thanks. After we finally realized how prideful we were being we had a little talk and decided to change things. We changed our mind set. We suddenly realized everything we have is from the Lord. We have been so blessed. I keep repeating that but really we are.  The rest of the weekend we spent trying to focus on being more grateful and not so much on what we don't have or what we don't get to do. We tried to put our focus more on giving. Pride is such a nasty cycle. And no matter how much we try to avoid it, it always seems to slip back in to the picture and then we have to push it back out before some real damage has been done. The Lord has given us everything we have. He has provided us with this life. All the things we do, opportunities we get come from Him. How silly it is for us to forget that. Forget that you would not even be reading this if it weren't for His blessings He has provided. This time of year there seem to be two types of people. The type that get so carried away in the worldliness of Christmas and then the type that seem to do nothing but give more and more without once ever thinking of themselves. The ones who don't even get a Christmas. What would the world be like without all the Christmas hype. All the presents. All the craziness. All the Pride. We would be simply celebrating the birth of Christ.  What joy. After all, His birth was the start of such greatness. The start of the life of a man who provided the world for us. Provided peace. Provided the atonement. A way out. Such love and mercy from this Man. Eternal life. Hope. What more can we do for this Man then to show our appreciation. Celebrate Him. Do as He has done. Give. Sacrifice. Love unconditionally.
Lesson Learned:

(Alma 26: 35-37)

"Now have we not reason to rejoice? Yea, I say unto you, there never were men that had so great reason to rejoice as we, since the world began; yea, and my joy is carried away, even unto boasting in my God; for he has all power, all wisdom, and all understanding; he comprehendeth all things, and he is a merciful Being, even unto salvation, to those who will repent and believe on his name. 

Now if this is boasting, even so will I boast; for this is my life and my light, my joy and my savlation, and my redemption from everlasting wo....

Now my brethen, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen."

I would hope that this time of year that we can all take the time and effort to sacrifice a bit more for others. Give thanks a bit more. Do something a bit more then you have in the past. Make it a more joyful time of year for people. Give a bit more. Remember Him. Give as He does. Love as He does. 

Kite Flying

Yesterday I had the opportunity to go to the General Young Women Auxiliary Leadership Training Meeting. It was really uplifting. The last speaker talked about his mother and how she loved to fly kites with her father. One day she was flying a kite with her father when she was younger. She came up with the brilliant idea that if she let go of the kite it would fly even higher. Oh how she wanted to let this kite fly high into the sky. She even thought maybe I will break the world record of the highest a kite has flown. She asked her father if she could let go to let the kite fly higher. And her father replied with a simple no. She then asked again a few minutes later if she could let the kite go, wanting so badly to let it fly high. He again replied no that is not a good idea. She thought to herself I'm holding this kite down and if only I could let it go it could go even higher. So once more she asked her father if she could let the kite go to fly high in the sky. He replied no once more, and that it was not a good idea. But also told her it was her choice if she wanted to let go. So the little girl used her free agency and best judgement and let the kite go. Sadness came upon the little girl. For the kite did not fly high into the sky. The second she let go it flew sideways, then down down, and got tangled in the trees.
Lessons Learned:
"Sometimes the things that we think are holding us down are actually holding us up."
This is true in so many aspects. The one I would like to compare it to is the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and the standards we are to live by. Following the commandments is not always easy. Following the Gospel is not always easy. Being the odd one out because of the standards you have is NOT always easy. Choosing to say no to that cute guys who asked you out on your first date because you are not 16 yet is not always easy. Putting on the modest dress even though it may not be as cute as everyone else's is not always easy. Saying NO to your friends, or simply stop being friends with them because the choices they are making aren't good choices is not always easy. Going through trials and tribulations in any part of life is not always easy. It is NOT always easy to be a member of the church. BUT it is worth it. Sometimes I think we tend to forget that when we are following these gospel principles and going through the hard times that it is for our good. If we do not remember that it is really those principles and Jesus Christ at the base holding us down we would not be flying at all. If we fail to recognize that the standards of the gospel are for our benefit and help us then we fail to fly. When we have Christ as our base, holding our string, that is when we are able to fly higher and higher. The more we put our trust in Him and follow His teachings, the stronger our string becomes which allows Christ to let us go higher. We can not go higher if we do not have the strength for it or we will break. We will lose our base. Trust in Him. Push through those hard times. Because if you do, when all is said and done your kite will be flying higher then you ever imagined. You will not be tangled in a tree. He is not holding us down. He is holding us up.

I'll Stand By You

*Sorry It's a long one*
I remember when I was a senior in high school and it was that time of year where everyone was applying to colleges and pretty much making the choices that would affect the rest of their future. I knew I wanted to go to beauty school...but that was about it. I started to realize, as I was deciding where to go, that I would probably be alone. All my friends were applying to places where they could room together. It seemed I was the only one staying home to go to school. I thought seriously about going to a beauty school where ever my friends went so I could at least room with them.  I prayed and prayed, asking where I should go. When I got my answer I wasn't pleased. I needed to stay here and go to the community college for beauty school. I remember crying for days. Sounds dramatic, but really I was so sad.  I was so caught up in the fact that I wasn't going to be with my friends, I didn't take the time to think that maybe the Lord has a different plan for me that is better. I wanted the same plan as my friends. I even remember the first night they all moved away. My best friend called me and all I could hear was people in the background talking and laughing. My heart just sunk. Not only was I feeling alone because my friends had moved away, but I had also been struggling for a while with some choices I had to make and ended up breaking up with my boyfriend of 2 years at the time. Life couldn't have been more lonely. I asked my dad and bishop for priesthood blessings. So many blessings, comforts, promises. I heard it but I didn't seem to believe that all would be well. That I would make new friends. That I would be a mother and wife in Zion someday. That I would be ok. The Lord had a different plan for me. And with much humbling I was able to realize that that plan was far better then the plan I wanted. Sometimes it's easy to forget that the Lord really does know best. He can see the bigger picture. We can't. So why not put all trust in Him. Pride. Failure. Fear. If only we could always remember and have full faith in Him we wouldn't have pride, fear of failure, fear of stepping into the unknown. I ended up getting a scholarship which paid for my entire schooling. Blessing. I made new friends and to this day are some of the people I cherish most. Blessing. I went on my first date with my husband now,  after a week into school. Married that Spring. Blessing. I was able to find a job without any complications to get me through college, that I had for two years. Blessing. We we're able to buy a home after a year of being married. Blessing. I have had the opportunity to serve in many callings in my wards. Blessing. I have a sweet baby boy. Blessing. We have been given a grant that pays for the amount I would have made if I work so I can be home with my baby boy. HUGE blessing. (Coincidence, I think not.) I have been blessed beyond measure. I never dreamed that when I was given the answer that I needed to stay home and go to school that it was really because I needed to get married and start a family. The Lord has a plan for each of us. And He doesn't promise that we can see the out come. But He does promise that He will stand by us. All times. As long as we put our faith in Him.

 "Oh why you look so sad
The tears are in your eyes

Come on and come to me now

Don’t be ashamed to cry

Let me see you through

Cause I’ve seen the dark side too

When the night falls on you

You don't know what to do

Nothing you confess

Could make me love you less

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

So if you're mad get mad

Don’t hold it all inside

Come on and talk to me now

Hey, what you got to hide

I get angry too

Well I’m a lot like you

When you're standing at the crossroads 

And don't know which path to choose

Let me come along

Cause even if you're wrong

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in into you darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

And when, when the night falls on you, baby

You feeling all alone

You won't be on your own

I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you

Won’t let nobody hurt you

I’ll stand by you

Take me in into you darkest hour

And I’ll never desert you

I’ll stand by you

Oh I’ll stand by you

I’ll stand by you"

(The Pretenders)

Lesson Learned:

"Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will  not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in His strength I can do all things..." (Alma 26:12)

When nothing seems to go right.

Lesson Learned:
"Sometimes things have to fall apart, so other things can fall into place."

Instrument in the Lords hands

Last Sunday I had the opportunity to give the "Fast Sunday" lesson in Young Womens. It was one of those times in my life where I knew that the Lord had put His trust in me and I became and instrument in His hands. My lesson was on Personal Revelation. (Which is our theme for the month) We talked a lot about the different ways the Holy Ghost can communicate to us. Whether its a "still small voice", "He enlightens our minds", "causes a burning in our bosom", "He gives peace", or "line upon line, precept upon precept".  As we discussed these I felt as though I should share a personal experience: 

"My mom had gone out of town. I was about 16. It was the day she was supposed to come home and I hadn't heard from her yet. So I tried calling her. The phone didn't even ring, it made this fuzzy beeping noise and then hung up. I tried several times to call her. The thing that scared me was that it didn't even go to her voice machine.  All these scenarios ran through my head that maybe she got in an accident and her phone was smashed. It started getting late and I was getting more and more scared. I felt sick inside. So I said a little prayer and I had this overwhelming feeling of peace run through my body. I had the feeling that everything would be alright. So I continued on with my night and quit worrying. Hours later, I still hadn't heard anything from my mom. I began to worry again. Only this time more then the first time I was worrying. I had forgotten the feelings of peace that the Lord so graciously gave me. I said another prayer asking the Lord to give me comfort and to keep my mom safe. After I finished I had this feeling to read my scriptures. So I opened them and I came upon this verse:

 (D&C 6:23)

"Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have then from God?"

Lessons Learned:

I then bore my testimony on the power of prayer and personal revelation. I know that it is real. I know that the Lord does speak to us individually through the Holy Ghost. When we are worthy of it.  I also know that just because you haven't received a lightening bolt answer about something doesn't mean the Lord didn't answer you and it also doesn't mean you don't have a testimony. 

Elder Dallin H. Oaks cautioned: “Some [people] have looked exclusively for the great manifestations that are recorded in the scriptures and have failed to recognize the still, small voice that is given to them. … We need to know that the Lord rarely speaks loudly. His messages almost always come in a whisper. …Not understanding these principles of revelation, some people postpone acknowledging their testimony until they have experienced a miraculous event. They fail to realize that with most people … gaining a testimony is not an event but a process.” 

There was a specific girl in my class that I know this lesson was for. She isn't a member but she comes faithfully every Sunday by herself. I could see the light in her eyes as she took in the spirit and tried so hard to understand what was being said. I know that seeds were planted at that moment. I am grateful that the spirit was there that day to teach for me because He is a far better teacher then I could ever be. 

Divine Calling

This past week my little boy has been doing so much. I feel like he grew up over night. He just hit 6 months and I feel like he is already 5 yrs. He is all over the place. It is so fun for me to watch him learn. As I was enjoying this week, watching him roll all over the place, eat rice cereal for the first time, drink out of a cup, etc... I suddenly felt like I hit a brick wall. My heart sunk. I had no idea why I felt such...RESPONSIBILITY. That's right. Responsibility.  Things have been so AWESOME.  I felt like I was on top of the world. Finally getting the hang of this "mom thing".  And then without warning WORRY for my little boy's future over powered me.  I couldn't sleep all night. I felt sick inside. I even felt scared. I no longer felt confident. Doubt and failure kept running through my mind. How do I raise my little boy? All of a sudden the basics seemed hard. Where do I even start? Good heavens. After hours of complete torture, I said a little prayer. Comfort, strength, knowledge, humility, patience. I am grateful for the Lord's work. I am grateful that He knows me and is always there to guide me. "Kim, you are capable. Not only capable but you are chosen for this. You have the great privilege and duty to be a mother in Zion." 

Lessons Learned:

"The Lord has directed, Bring up your children in light and truth. To me, there is no more important human effort. Being a father or a mother is not only a great challenge; it is a divine calling. It is an effort requiring consecration. President David O. McKay (1873-1970) stated that being parents is the greatest trust that has been given to human beings."
--President James E. Faust, A Thousand Threads of Love, Ensign, Oct. 2005, 3

Smile :)

Lesson Learned:
"...S.piritually M.inded I.s L.ife E.ternal." (2 Nephi 9:39)

Don't forget to S.M.I.L.E. :)

Virtuous Women

This past week we did a really fun activity for Young Womens. Our theme for this month is Virtuous Choices. So we had some virtuous women of the past come and speak to our girls.

We had Eve, Mary, a Stripling Warrior's Mother, Emma Smith, and Queen Esther talk. I think the girls liked it, or it could have been because they were making fun of our bad acting skills and silly costumes. I thought it ended up being a very spiritual night. We had the room only lit by lamps to kinda tone down the mood for the night. It was a big success.

Lesson Learned:
 I chose to be a Stripling Warrior's mother because of their obedience to the Lord. I can't imagine first not being able to defend for your life and second sending your son to battle not know if he would ever return to you. What a hard covenant to be obedient to. They were so brave.  I felt I could relate to this the most out of all the other Virtuous Women. I know that I have been blessed with a wonderful husband and son because of my obedience to the Lord.  There was a point in my life that I wasn't making the best decisions. It was when I asked for forgiveness and changed those things about my life the Lord blessed me. He blessed me with Brian. I have been so happy ever since.  I know my happiness has come from obedience to the Gospel.  I know I didn't have to worry for my life or send my son out to battle to keep a commandment but there definitely were hard moments and choices I had to make. People to say goodbye to. But the Lord knows best. He always will. I'm grateful for this activity and for the lessons it taught me.

His Infinite Love

Lesson Learned:

To Make You Feel My Love

"When the rain is blowing in your face
And the whole world is on your case I would offer you a warm embrace
To make you feel my love
When the evening shadows and the stars appear
And there is no one to dry your tears I could hold you for a million years
To make you feel my love I know you haven't made your mind up yet
But I would never do you wrong I've known it from the moment that we met
No doubt in my mind where you belong I'd go hungry, I'd go blind for you I'd go crawling down the aisle for you
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
To make you feel my love
The storms are raging on a rolling sea
Down the highway of regret
The winds of change are blowing wild and free
But you ain't seen nothing like me yet
There ain't nothing that I wouldn't do
Go to the ends of the earth for you
Make you happy, make your dreams come true
To make you feel my love"

Thought of the day.

"May it be a light for you in dark places, when all other lights go out..." - Galadriel Lord of the Rings

Lessons Learned:

it= Jesus Christ/The Atonement

light=hope/comfort

dark places= trials/afflictions/sin

The Lord won't give us anything that we can't handle. But when we are given hard moments remember to always rely on him and he will help push you forward.  It's in the moments of stepping into the darkness without hope or light that He provides the light for you. 

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it." 

Integrity

Lesson Learned:

"Good men sometimes make mistakes. A man of integrity will honestly face and correct his mistakes, and that is an example we can respect. Sometimes men try but fail. Not all worthy objectives are realized despite one's honest and best efforts. True manhood is not always measured by the fruits of one's labors but by the labors themselves--by one's striving."

(D. Todd Christofferson, "Let Us Be Men," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 47-48)

Short Cuts

My sweet husband and his presidency for Young Mens spoke in church on Sunday.  I thought they did a great job.  The talk that stuck out to me the most was the one his Secretary gave.  He talked about "short cuts".  He talked about how we need to keep the commandments and follow the principles of the gospel and not try to find  short cuts. He said there are three main reasons why we have a hard time following the commandments. 1. We simply don't want to. 2. We think it's too hard.  3. We think it does not apply to us. ALL COMMANDMENTS APPLY TO US! The Lord may even understand our thinking of why we may not think this commandment does not apply but it still doesn't make it right.  It is still the Lord's commandment and we are still commanded to follow it. Although at times we may think that they are too hard or that it is restricting, it isn't.  If you understand that the Lord has given us these commandments for our benefit then you will understand that the Lord would not give us anything that we can't handle.  It is not too hard. It can't be.  The Lord promises us that we can do it. He also promises us that when we follow His commandments he will bless us.  Let me repeat...He will bless us. Lessons Learned:
1. Doctrine & Covenants 82:10 "I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."
2. Doctrine & Covenants 130: 20-21 "There is a law, irrevocably decreed in heaven before the foundations of this world, upon which all blessings are predicated. And when we obtain any blessing from God, it is by obedience to that law upon which it is predicated."
3. Don't take short cuts when it comes to the Lord's will. If you stay on the narrow path he is "bound" and promises to bless us.

Not a state of mind... but a lifestyle

Lesson Learned:

"When I was little, my mom told me that the key to life is happiness. I went to school & they asked me what I wanted to be when I grew up. I wrote down "happy". They said that I didn't understand the assignment. I said that they didn’t understand life."

Peace

"Life often feels like a great pile of obligations, frustrations, and disappointments. But the Lord is there, always the same, His arms still outstretched. When we feel overwhelmed, we have to remember the peace He has spoken to us on previous occasions. His peace brings comfort and strength; the world cannot give that to us."
(Kathleen H. Hughes, "Remembering the Lord's Love," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 111-12)

Lesson Learned:

"Peace is not the absence of conflict.  It is the presence of God whatever the conflict."

The Hour Glass

Once again we had an awesome lesson in my Provident Living Sunday school class.  We talked about the plan of happiness.  I really liked the way the teacher portrayed which way we can live our lives. He said we can either follow God's path or Satan's path. Which would you choose?  

Obviously the one to the right looks pretty promising.  The further you go it seems as if you just get more and more freedom.  More and more possibilities for life. The one on the left all you see is that your path gets smaller and smaller.  It seems as if you will end up with no freedom at the end.  No more possibilities. Sure Satan's path is wide open.  SUPER FUN.... While God's path seems limited.  That's the way Satan works though.  He doesn't show you the rest of his picture. He makes you think and believe that his way is the best and will give you more freedom.  He deceives the image of a happy ending.  While if you were to live God's path He will show you the rest of his image and you can clearly see that his ending is by far much better then Satan's.

I know that it's not always easy to follow the Lord's commandments.  It's not always easy to choose His way.  Especially in times when it would involve embarrassment or loss of pride.  But in the scheme of things Pride is the cause of all sin. Pride is what gets you to lead the path of Satan anyway.  All God wants for us is happiness.  He wants us to experience the things we experience and make those hard decisions because he sees the bigger picture.  He can see that if we follow his path to the narrow way that just beyond that is a never ending path of happiness.  So think twice when you have those moments of "Do I choose this? or do I choose that?"  No one is perfect but I know remembering this helps me to try and make the right decision.  It gives me comfort knowing that living the gospel is all worth it in the end.  The hard things bring good things. Lessons Learned:

"For whosoever will save his life shall lose it: and whosoever will lose his life for my sake shall find it. For what is a man profited, if he shall gain the whole world, and lose his own soul?  or what shall a man give in exchange for his soul?  For the Son of man shall come in the glory of his Father with  his angels; and then he shall reward every man according to his works."  -St. Matthew 16:25-27

Kindle Your Testimony

This past week I had the opportunity to go to the testimony meeting at my girl's camp.  It was so neat.  It is interesting to see the difference between when you are the youth and when you are a leader.  I was so proud of my girls.  They are so strong.  I am so grateful for their courage to try.  Most of my girls got up and bore their testimonies and I felt very blessed to hear them.  I remember being in Young Womens and thinking girls camp was one of the best times ever.  Mostly because of how you bond with each other and the spirit that you feel.  I know that my Young Womens experience was a very positive one and it was a huge influence in my life.  It definitely helped build most of my testimony as a youth.  A girl that wasn't a member stood up and compared a testimony to a fire.  How you have to build your foundation and then start it. Then you have to keep it going and add things to the fire (testimony) or it will eventually die out.  If you don't always nurture and kindle it it won't keep going.  The more you add the stronger your fire (testimony) gets.  She also mentioned that a testimony is also like a fire because of the warmth and that it brings people together.  What an amazing young woman.  I was very impressed.  I am grateful for the spirit felt that night.  I hope that you whether a youth or a leader can always remember that your example and testimony will affect others and in most cases help others strengthen theirs and bring them closer to the spirit.  I also hope that those who are struggling with their testimonies or who don't think they have one yet that as long as you try it will come.  It's up to you to build that fire (testimony).  Once you build the foundation its easier to keep it going then to let it die out and try to build it again.  It won't always come fast and most of the time it comes in little moments when we least expect it to.  Remember in order to know something is true you have to learn of it first. Lessons learned:

"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies then will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives."
--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

"A testimony of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ will always include these clear and simple truths: 
"--God lives. He is our loving Father in Heaven, and we are His children.
"--Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and the Savior of the world.
"--Joseph Smith is the prophet of God through whom the gospel of Jesus Christ was restored in the latter days.
"--The Book of Mormon is the word of God.

--The Power of a Personal Testimony, Ensign, November 2006, 38

Why do you live the gospel?

My ward has just started this new Sunday school class on Provident Living.  I LOVE it. We talked about temporal and spiritual needs.  We discovered that all things are spiritual.  Everything given to us is God's.  All the way down to our talents that able us to work to provide for our families.  Brian made the comment that when we pay tithing it isn't giving God our 10%, it's that God gave us 100% and we are just giving back 10%. I really liked a comment someone made in the class though.  The question was "Why do we live the gospel?"  Why do we live the gospel?  Why do we do the things we do?  Why are we obediant?  Why do we keep coming back to church? There are many answers and I'm sure you have your own point on it but I liked what he said. He said: 1. We live the gospel because we are afraid of the consequences. 2. We live the gospel because we desire blessings. 3. We live the gospel because we love God. 
Lesson Learned:
"If ye love me keep my commandments." (John 14:15)   so "Keep my commandments, If ye love me."
I would like to add a number 4 though to the list of why we live the gospel.  4. We live the gospel because it brings us happiness. I don't think any of us want to be in a state of unhappiness.  Yes we have hard times in our lives but with the Atonement we can have those hard times and still be happy.  Like I stated earlier.  We choose happiness.

Sisters

I love this story:

"I walked into the house, exhausted. It had been a long day, and I was starving. I sat at the table while my mom made dinner, telling her everything I had done that day. All of a sudden my little sister, Cherri, was at my side. She twisted her hands together nervously and didn’t quite look at me. “What happened?” I asked, not feeling very sympathetic. “You know your pearl necklace?” she replied in a small voice. “Well, I was playing with it, and it broke.” A million thoughts raced through my head. How many times had I told her not to play in my room or with my things? The necklace was hardly important, but that was beside the point. She had ignored my warnings one too many times. Somehow I managed to bite my tongue, and an exasperated sigh escaped my lips. “Come on, show me where it is,” I said. She took my hand and led me to my room. Pearls littered the floor, which wasn’t exactly clean to begin with. “What have I told you about playing in my room, Cherri?” “Not to,” she mumbled. “Okay, then, why did you?” I pressed. She just shrugged her little shoulders and looked at the floor. “I’m really sorry,” she said. “Help me clean them up, and don’t play in here again,” I said. She did so and left the room, and I put the incident behind me. The next day, I came home to an ecstatic Cherri. She grabbed my hand, jumping up and down. “I have something for you!” she said. “Sit here on the couch and I’ll be right back.” She raced downstairs and returned a few minutes later cradling something in her hands. “Here, I made it for you all by myself,” she said proudly. “Mom didn’t even help me at all!” She held out her little arms so I could see what she had made. Laying in her hands was a scrap of frayed black ribbon strung with meticulously arranged yellow and white plastic beads.“It’s a necklace!” she said, jumping up and down again. “I made it for you because I broke your other one. Do you like it?”I smiled. The necklace was a bit tacky, and yet it was beautiful. “Yes, Cherri, I love it.” I put it on and wore it the rest of the day to show my appreciation. I was so glad that I hadn’t yelled at my sister in anger and made her feel like I didn’t love her.I kept her little token of restitution in my drawer, a constant reminder that a pearl necklace could never be as special or beautiful as my frayed black ribbon with yellow and white plastic beads from a precious younger sister.”
(Liora Johns Phillips, “Pearls and Plastic Beads,” NewEra, Mar 2008, 22–23)

“So many of us make a great fuss of matters of small consequence. We are so easily offended. … I plead with you to control your tempers, to put a smile upon your faces, which will erase anger; speak out with words of love and peace, appreciation, and respect. If you will do this, your lives will be without regret. Your marriages and family relationships will be preserved. You will be much happier. You will do greater good. You will feel a sense of peace that will be wonderful.”

(President Gordon B. Hinckley, “Slow to Anger,” Ensign, Nov. 2007, 63–66.)

Being the younger sister is never easy growing up, but being the older sister might be a bit harder.  Oh the joys of sisterhood!  I love this story because it reminded me of me and my older sister.  And then it reminded me of me and my younger sisters.  Oh dear, I’ve been on both ends.  Unfortunately I don’t ever remember being that nice to my younger sisters though when they bothered me like that.  But I do remember looking up to my sister thinking she was the best person in the whole world, and if only I could be just like her, wear her clothes, have her friends, be her age, do what she does, say what she says, eat what she eats…etc…(You know what I’m talking about if you are a younger sister).  There is something special about the relationships that Heavenly Father lets us sisters have.  We truly are blessed.  So don’t take it for granted.  Lessons learned:

1.    It’s better to ask permission then forgiveness.

2. President Hinckley was a great man and had many wonderful things to say.

3.  Read the church magazines. They have great stories. 

4. Stop to think before you choose to get offended or angry.

5.  Love your sisters.  They can become some of your best friends.  True that.

6.  It’s ok to want to be like your older sister.

7. It’s ok for your younger sisters to want to be just like you and try to copy everything you do.

8. Bitterness only hurts you.

Be That Woman

Lesson Learned:
“Women of God can never be like women of the world.  The world has enough women who are tough; we need women who are tender.  There are enough women who 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 fame and fortune; 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.

(Margaret D. Nadauld CR Oct. 2000)

Apply it: It's possible

I remember the first time that I had an experience and was able to realize I could apply the scriptures to my life.  I was probably about 13.  My sister and I decided to go run errands because she had recently got her license and we wanted to feel independent.  Our last stop was my grandma's house.  When we got home we realized her purse was missing.  We went back to my grandma's and couldn't find it.  We figured out that she had put it in the top if the car and it must have fallen off when we drove home.  So we drove slowly all the way home to see if we could find where it fell off.  But being a purse we figured we wouldn't have much luck because of the value inside.  Someone would most likely grab it and keep it.  We got home again very discouraged.  Giving up, we tried to except that the purse was gone.  Not even five minutes of being home I went to my front door to go outside and there was the purse hanging on the door knob.  Someone had found the purse, took the time to find out who it belonged to and drove it to our house.  I was shocked.  I went up to my room and wondered how on earth was that possible and did that really happen to us.  I had a feeling to open my scriptures and the verse I found was this (St. Luke 1:37):  "For with God nothing shall be impossible."  


Lessons learned: 
1. Don't put your purse on top of your car.
2.There are honest people in this world, more then we might expect.
3. God has a hand in everything.


To this day that is my favorite scripture. As long as we have the Lord in our lives, we can do it all.  We can overcome any trial. We can do the hard things in life. I know that to be true because I have experienced it.  I am grateful for that knowledge because it is what will keep me going to the end, no matter the circumstance.

Choose Happiness

Recently I have found that I get to choose the way I feel. Sounds pretty obvious but I have discovered that with my new lifestyle of being a full time mom you don't get a lot for yourself. Sometimes I even find I have to find time to go to the bathroom. I felt myself getting more and more stressed out and feeling well not quite "my-happy-self." My wonderful husband gave me some advice that normally I would be giving to someone else in need, but in this case I got some of my own "medicine." He asked me if I had been saying my daily prayers and reading my scriptures. "Whoa!" I thought. I had been but not with real intent. It was more of a hurry and get it done because I have to kind of thing! Of course everything changed once I chose to make it meaningful. And then in return it became a lot easier to choose to be happy. To this day it still amazes me how the gospel works! All I know is that it does work and even sometimes everyone needs a bit of reminding that it does! Lesson learned:

"Yes, my beloved brothers and sisters, life is good if we live in such a way to make it so. Believing, desiring, deciding, and choosing correctly are the simple actions that define an increase in happiness and an increase in the inner assurance that transcends this life."
(Benjamín De Hoyos, "True Happiness: A Conscious Decision," Nov. 2005, 32)