How is it that my sweet 4 year old son, Anderson, can melt my heart in a jiffy? He's really good at it. Watch out he might melt yours as well if you keep on reading...
On Sunday, shortly after church, he came up to me and said,"Mommy, I can say in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.". I Said,"that's great!"
As he was walking away, I heard him say, "Heavenly Father" and then he preceded to practice saying a prayer, even the older kids noticed him practicing.
So last night, at dinner time, I asked him to say the prayer and he said, "sure, I can do it!!!".
This was the first time he said the prayer without any help, all on his own. When he was done, we all said,"great job, Anderson, you did it all by yourself!" He then clapped his hands together and said, "yep, I DID IT!"-- with the biggest smile on his face. Too cute.
Wednesday, August 31, 2011
Tuesday, May 17, 2011
Bella and I
I decided to take our dog, Bella on a 5 mile walk today. I wasn't sure if she would make it since she is a fairly small dog.
She started out full of peppiness (is that even a word?), jumping from side to side on her leash. She wouldn't walk in a straight line, there was just too much to see and smell. We walked half-way with Morgan to school, and enjoyed his company. It's the strangest thing to look up at your son. He sure is growing! When it came time for us to part and go separate ways, Bella looked perplexed. Morgan and I joked about the possibility of him bringing her to school with him. He was sure his English teacher, Mrs. Mongielo, (who happens to be a dog lover) would gladly allow Bella to stay.
But Bella had a mission to accomplish, or rather I, to see how she would fare on such a long walk. We said our good-bye's and off we went.
When we reached the main road, Bella seemed to get even more excited when she saw the cars whizzing by and the high school girls walking to school. As a group of three girls approached us, they all said at once, "awe, she's so cute!" One of course wanted to pet her, and put her hand out for Bella to sniff. Bella took this jester quite seriously, and sniffed intently. Then all off a sudden, she let out a loud and slightly aggressive "ROOF!" The girl then looked at me with the most perplexed look, and I said, "sorry..."
We then proceeded past the new Walgreen's on our right, and over a bridge. This really intimidated Bella. The noise from the cars passing by was much louder and seemed to echo on the bridge. Then a huge truck drove by, which seemed to frighten her, and from that moment on she seemed very apprehensive of automobiles.
We had probably walked around 2 miles by then, and now we were walking uphill. She seemed to want to stop for a rest, so we did every so often. As I was walking, my mind started to wander on how I could seem to handle the walk with ease, and why she, a young dog might be getting tired? Anyways, the only thing that made sense to me was that she had to take more steps to keep up with my stride.
When we reached the top of the "mountain," we took a left toward the golf course. The sprinklers were on, so she and I walked closer to the course. I thought she might enjoy a sip of water from one of the puddles on the ground. Nope, she's too good to drink straight off the ground. She would not stoop to such a level!
As we wound our way around the course, she saw a bird. The type that run on the ground with a little plume on their head. I so can't remember the name for this bird. From that moment on, she was alert and re-energized! I learned something new about her today, that she loves chasing little birds! Every time she would hear a rustling sound in the bushes or the trees, she would get more pep in her step and pull forward on her leash. This slowed our walking pace quite a bit.
We turned around and then I decided to jog up the hill in hopes to keep her focused on the task at hand-- completing our walk. This seemed to work and before we knew it, we were back on the main road, heading home. She seemed to recognize that we had already been this way, and that we were headed home. She picked up her pace and we made it home an hour and a half later. We were both so thirsty! As Madison was filling up her bowl with fresh water, I was getting a glass of water for myself. Bella didn't see her bowl of water, so she kept jumping up to my glass of water, begging for her own. As we both settled down, and refreshed our thirst, I realized-- "hey, I have a new walking pal!" YAY
She started out full of peppiness (is that even a word?), jumping from side to side on her leash. She wouldn't walk in a straight line, there was just too much to see and smell. We walked half-way with Morgan to school, and enjoyed his company. It's the strangest thing to look up at your son. He sure is growing! When it came time for us to part and go separate ways, Bella looked perplexed. Morgan and I joked about the possibility of him bringing her to school with him. He was sure his English teacher, Mrs. Mongielo, (who happens to be a dog lover) would gladly allow Bella to stay.
But Bella had a mission to accomplish, or rather I, to see how she would fare on such a long walk. We said our good-bye's and off we went.
When we reached the main road, Bella seemed to get even more excited when she saw the cars whizzing by and the high school girls walking to school. As a group of three girls approached us, they all said at once, "awe, she's so cute!" One of course wanted to pet her, and put her hand out for Bella to sniff. Bella took this jester quite seriously, and sniffed intently. Then all off a sudden, she let out a loud and slightly aggressive "ROOF!" The girl then looked at me with the most perplexed look, and I said, "sorry..."
We then proceeded past the new Walgreen's on our right, and over a bridge. This really intimidated Bella. The noise from the cars passing by was much louder and seemed to echo on the bridge. Then a huge truck drove by, which seemed to frighten her, and from that moment on she seemed very apprehensive of automobiles.
We had probably walked around 2 miles by then, and now we were walking uphill. She seemed to want to stop for a rest, so we did every so often. As I was walking, my mind started to wander on how I could seem to handle the walk with ease, and why she, a young dog might be getting tired? Anyways, the only thing that made sense to me was that she had to take more steps to keep up with my stride.
When we reached the top of the "mountain," we took a left toward the golf course. The sprinklers were on, so she and I walked closer to the course. I thought she might enjoy a sip of water from one of the puddles on the ground. Nope, she's too good to drink straight off the ground. She would not stoop to such a level!
As we wound our way around the course, she saw a bird. The type that run on the ground with a little plume on their head. I so can't remember the name for this bird. From that moment on, she was alert and re-energized! I learned something new about her today, that she loves chasing little birds! Every time she would hear a rustling sound in the bushes or the trees, she would get more pep in her step and pull forward on her leash. This slowed our walking pace quite a bit.
We turned around and then I decided to jog up the hill in hopes to keep her focused on the task at hand-- completing our walk. This seemed to work and before we knew it, we were back on the main road, heading home. She seemed to recognize that we had already been this way, and that we were headed home. She picked up her pace and we made it home an hour and a half later. We were both so thirsty! As Madison was filling up her bowl with fresh water, I was getting a glass of water for myself. Bella didn't see her bowl of water, so she kept jumping up to my glass of water, begging for her own. As we both settled down, and refreshed our thirst, I realized-- "hey, I have a new walking pal!" YAY
Thursday, April 28, 2011
Lesson #5 Good News, All Trials End!
I leave you with the last lesson, the one that brings hope to anyone who might be suffering and feeling that all might be lost.
It's a lesson taught to us by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday Will Come
I will not attempt to summarize what he wrote, because it is beautiful.
He states:
"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.
Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day those men stood triumphant.
On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross.
On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.
On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest."
And here is where the hope comes:
"But the doom of that day did not endure.
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come."
"Sunday will come!" Hang in there, things do get better. Never give up, put your trust in the Savior. The hymn "I know That My Redeemer Lives" comes to mind:
1. I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to bless in time of need.
2. He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives, all blessings to impart.
3. He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend,
He lives, and loves me to the end,
He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing,
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King.
He lives, and grants me daily breath,
He lives, and I shall conquer death,
He lives, my mansion to prepare,
He lives, to bring me safely there.
4. He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
It's a lesson taught to us by Elder Joseph B. Wirthlin Sunday Will Come
I will not attempt to summarize what he wrote, because it is beautiful.
He states:
"I think of how dark that Friday was when Christ was lifted up on the cross. On that terrible Friday the earth shook and grew dark. Frightful storms lashed at the earth.
Those evil men who sought His life rejoiced. Now that Jesus was no more, surely those who followed Him would disperse. On that day those men stood triumphant.
On that day the veil of the temple was rent in twain.
Mary Magdalene and Mary, the mother of Jesus, were both overcome with grief and despair. The superb man they had loved and honored hung lifeless upon the cross.
On that Friday the Apostles were devastated. Jesus, their Savior—the man who had walked on water and raised the dead—was Himself at the mercy of wicked men. They watched helplessly as He was overcome by His enemies.
On that Friday the Savior of mankind was humiliated and bruised, abused and reviled. It was a Friday filled with devastating, consuming sorrow that gnawed at the souls of those who loved and honored the Son of God.
I think that of all the days since the beginning of this world’s history, that Friday was the darkest."
And here is where the hope comes:
"But the doom of that day did not endure.
The despair did not linger because on Sunday, the resurrected Lord burst the bonds of death. He ascended from the grave and appeared gloriously triumphant as the Savior of all mankind.
And in an instant the eyes that had been filled with ever-flowing tears dried. The lips that had whispered prayers of distress and grief now filled the air with wondrous praise, for Jesus the Christ, the Son of the living God, stood before them as the firstfruits of the Resurrection, the proof that death is merely the beginning of a new and wondrous existence.
Each of us will have our own Fridays—those days when the universe itself seems shattered and the shards of our world lie littered about us in pieces. We all will experience those broken times when it seems we can never be put together again. We will all have our Fridays.
But I testify to you in the name of the One who conquered death—Sunday will come. In the darkness of our sorrow, Sunday will come.
No matter our desperation, no matter our grief, in this life or the next, Sunday will come."
"Sunday will come!" Hang in there, things do get better. Never give up, put your trust in the Savior. The hymn "I know That My Redeemer Lives" comes to mind:
1. I know that my Redeemer lives;
What comfort this sweet sentence gives!
He lives, He lives, who once was dead;
He lives, my ever living head.
He lives to bless me with His love,
He lives to plead for me above,
He lives my hungry soul to feed,
He lives to bless in time of need.
2. He lives to grant me rich supply,
He lives to guide me with His eye,
He lives to comfort me when faint,
He lives to hear my soul’s complaint.
He lives to silence all my fears,
He lives to wipe away my tears,
He lives to calm my troubled heart,
He lives, all blessings to impart.
3. He lives, my kind, wise, heav’nly friend,
He lives, and loves me to the end,
He lives, and while He lives I’ll sing,
He lives, my Prophet, Priest and King.
He lives, and grants me daily breath,
He lives, and I shall conquer death,
He lives, my mansion to prepare,
He lives, to bring me safely there.
4. He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives.”
He lives, all glory to His name!
He lives, my Jesus, still the same;
O the sweet joy this sentence gives,
“I know that my Redeemer lives!”
Tuesday, April 26, 2011
Lesson #4- Let People Serve You
This is one I struggle with. Letting others serve me. I love to serve others, but when I need it, it's difficult for me to say yes. This is something I've been trying to work on, but I'm the type of gal that would clean before anyone came over to help me clean. I know it's my pride that gets in the way.
I have learned how important it is to accept help from those who offer it. There are many reasons why, but I'm going to focus on what I learned several months ago.
One day back in December, I was going through several difficult trials, and I felt very self focused. I was seriously going on a pity party, and I knew it. It had been months of hardness, and on top of that, a major disappointment came my way. I was hurting inside, and needed desperately to overcome the sadness I was feeling.
I knew that if I could find someone to serve, It would help me pull out of the rut I was in.
I had no idea who to serve that day, but I was hoping to find someone.
While visiting with a friend, I realized she was overwhelmed and could really use some help. Excitedly, I offered, but she declined. I could tell she was worried that she might burden me.
I left thinking, if only she knew how much I needed to serve her, surely she would have let me.
It was then that I realized, sometimes the person offering the service needs the blessing of service, more than we need to be served.
I hope I will always gladly allow others the opportunity to serve me in the future.
I have learned how important it is to accept help from those who offer it. There are many reasons why, but I'm going to focus on what I learned several months ago.
One day back in December, I was going through several difficult trials, and I felt very self focused. I was seriously going on a pity party, and I knew it. It had been months of hardness, and on top of that, a major disappointment came my way. I was hurting inside, and needed desperately to overcome the sadness I was feeling.
I knew that if I could find someone to serve, It would help me pull out of the rut I was in.
I had no idea who to serve that day, but I was hoping to find someone.
While visiting with a friend, I realized she was overwhelmed and could really use some help. Excitedly, I offered, but she declined. I could tell she was worried that she might burden me.
I left thinking, if only she knew how much I needed to serve her, surely she would have let me.
It was then that I realized, sometimes the person offering the service needs the blessing of service, more than we need to be served.
I hope I will always gladly allow others the opportunity to serve me in the future.
Monday, April 25, 2011
Lesson #3- You Can Face Any Hardship, if You Have a Close Relationship with God
One night, about a month ago, I had a lot on my mind. I was thinking about the trials that completely blindside you, the REALLY hard trials. I have gone through very difficult trials, but I've not yet faced the ones I was thinking about.
I was thinking about death, and how hard it must be to loose a loved one, especially when it's premature and unexpected.
Or, what if it's you that must leave this life sooner than expected. How difficult would it be to leave your children before they've grown up?
At some point in our lives, we all will loose a loved one from time to time, how can we endure?
I was deeply troubled by the trials that just seem unfair. I have often seen someone suffering and in despair, and have thought, "why should they have to go through something that hard, it doesn't seem fair."
This was really weighing on my mind that night. I felt afraid, and prayed.
The thought came to me that there were many Conference talks on trials. So I decided to read one. As I was reading, my mind wandered to Joseph Smith and the trials he went through. It was then that I realized, that no matter how hard our life's journey is, if we have a real and close relationship with our Father in Heaven, we can get through anything! Anything!
I thought of the happiness I have felt in serving others, and I feel that we can find happiness, real happiness, even in our darkest hour through serving others.
What peace I found through prayer, scripture reading, and the Holy Ghost. My testimony was strengthen that night, as I felt of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
I was thinking about death, and how hard it must be to loose a loved one, especially when it's premature and unexpected.
Or, what if it's you that must leave this life sooner than expected. How difficult would it be to leave your children before they've grown up?
At some point in our lives, we all will loose a loved one from time to time, how can we endure?
I was deeply troubled by the trials that just seem unfair. I have often seen someone suffering and in despair, and have thought, "why should they have to go through something that hard, it doesn't seem fair."
This was really weighing on my mind that night. I felt afraid, and prayed.
The thought came to me that there were many Conference talks on trials. So I decided to read one. As I was reading, my mind wandered to Joseph Smith and the trials he went through. It was then that I realized, that no matter how hard our life's journey is, if we have a real and close relationship with our Father in Heaven, we can get through anything! Anything!
I thought of the happiness I have felt in serving others, and I feel that we can find happiness, real happiness, even in our darkest hour through serving others.
What peace I found through prayer, scripture reading, and the Holy Ghost. My testimony was strengthen that night, as I felt of my Heavenly Father's love for me.
Saturday, April 23, 2011
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to Our Problems, On Our Own
Sometimes in life, we come across a problem that seems way too big to solve on our own. During times like these, we may turn to family, friends, and even clergy for guidance and direction.
I am learning that there are times in life when you must figure things out on your own, except your really not completely alone, because our Heavenly Father will help you.
I came across this article in the Ensign the other day, and loved it! Finding Answers by Joseph Fielding McConkie
There is a key phrase in this article that stood out to me, "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations, Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn how to handle them."
I am learning that there are times in life when you must figure things out on your own, except your really not completely alone, because our Heavenly Father will help you.
I came across this article in the Ensign the other day, and loved it! Finding Answers by Joseph Fielding McConkie
There is a key phrase in this article that stood out to me, "It is not the design of heaven that we be rescued from all difficult situations, Rather, it is the Lord's will that we learn how to handle them."
Thursday, April 21, 2011
Things I've Learned (maybe subject to change)
Isn't it strange how life has it's ups and downs? I love life when things, for the most part, are going well. You may be very busy hurrying your family from one place to another and running errands, and maybe you even have a trial or two that weighs on your mind, but for the most part-- you're happy and functioning like a normal person. Then, WHAM, your whole world goes into complete and utter chaos!
About a year and a half ago, I was a very busy, homeschooling Mom. I was serving as a Compassionate Service Leader in the Relief Society. I won't lie, I was feeling very burnt out, but happy, because I was constantly serving others.
Then our ward split. I was called to be a Visiting Teaching Supervisor, which is a very simple calling in some respects. My responsibilities are to call the Visiting Teachers assigned to me once a month, find out who they were able to visit during that month, and then submit what I have found to the Visiting Teacher Coordinator.
I'll confess, I wanted to be more involved. I missed knowing how to serve the Sisters, and I loved working hard and feeling like I was helping others. I felt that I had so much more energy to give, and wondered why I was called to such a simple calling.
Little did I know just how much my life was about to change! It seemed that everything that could go wrong did, one trial, after another! There were many times that I felt, that my calling as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor was hard. I know now, that our Heavenly Father truly knows what's best for us! I will never doubt a call again. My testimony of the work we are called to do was strengthened, we are serving where God wants us. He always knows what's best!
So, the other day I was pondering all that I have learned during this mega rough patch, and I realized I have so much to share! I thought it would be sad if I forgot any of these life's lessons, so I think I will blog about them. I hope one day my kids will read them, and will glean something from the lessons I've learned.
Lesson #1- Trials are Hard!!!
Stay tuned for:
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to our Problems, on our Own.
About a year and a half ago, I was a very busy, homeschooling Mom. I was serving as a Compassionate Service Leader in the Relief Society. I won't lie, I was feeling very burnt out, but happy, because I was constantly serving others.
Then our ward split. I was called to be a Visiting Teaching Supervisor, which is a very simple calling in some respects. My responsibilities are to call the Visiting Teachers assigned to me once a month, find out who they were able to visit during that month, and then submit what I have found to the Visiting Teacher Coordinator.
I'll confess, I wanted to be more involved. I missed knowing how to serve the Sisters, and I loved working hard and feeling like I was helping others. I felt that I had so much more energy to give, and wondered why I was called to such a simple calling.
Little did I know just how much my life was about to change! It seemed that everything that could go wrong did, one trial, after another! There were many times that I felt, that my calling as a Visiting Teaching Supervisor was hard. I know now, that our Heavenly Father truly knows what's best for us! I will never doubt a call again. My testimony of the work we are called to do was strengthened, we are serving where God wants us. He always knows what's best!
So, the other day I was pondering all that I have learned during this mega rough patch, and I realized I have so much to share! I thought it would be sad if I forgot any of these life's lessons, so I think I will blog about them. I hope one day my kids will read them, and will glean something from the lessons I've learned.
Lesson #1- Trials are Hard!!!
Stay tuned for:
Lesson #2- Sometimes We Have to Figure Out the Answers to our Problems, on our Own.
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