life in general

happy easter 2013

I hope you had a lovely Easter.  We did.

It was a pretty quiet day.  We went to church, whipped up an amazing dinner (pork tenderloin, funeral potatoes, asparagus, homemade rolls, honey butter, deviled eggs), and I even got in a nap.

Later, we had 3 families from church over for a short, casual evening of dessert and we had a great time visiting.  Each family was somewhat diverse in their current stage of life -- a couple with their youngest child (a teenager) left at home, a couple expecting their first child, a single woman, and then us.  And it was perfect.  It reminds me that friendship/connection/social enjoyment can be found across many ages, stages, and circumstances.

I am thankful for the blessings of family, home, and the gospel in my life.  I am especially thankful for my Savior Jesus Christ - for His unconditional love and His atoning sacrifice.  On Sunday I taught an Easter lesson to a class of 6-7 year olds.  When I showed them a picture of Christ on the cross they asked, "who are those other two guys?"  Thieves, criminals.  They asked, "Does Jesus love them too?"  Yes.  Another girl raised her hand.  "What about the soldiers who were hurting him?  Did Jesus love them?"  Yes.  Yes, he loved them all and he loves each and every one of us.

Happy Easter.

sunday thoughts: daughters of God

Anna and I were twins at church last week.  We didn't plan it.  Our skirts just happened to be the only "green" church dress items in our closets.

Last Sunday I also got to teach the lesson in Relief Society.  It focused on the truth that we are all created in the image of God and we are all his sons and daughters.

The Spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. -- Romans 8:16

If we live faithfully, we have the potential to become just like Him.

"I believe that we are sons and daughters of God, and that He has bestowed upon us the capacity for infinite wisdom and knowledge, because He has given us a portion of Himself."  -Lorenzo Snow

Love that . . . we have a portion of Him inside each of us, just as Anna has a piece of me inside of her.

What a humbling and empowering truth to know that we are daughters of God.  That we are created in His image.  He loves us eternally.  And we have the potential to become like Him someday.  It is awe-inspiring to think of who we really are and what we can accomplish!    

I know my potential. I know my strengths. I know I belong.  I know my eternal value.  We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us, and we love Him.  

This is something that lifts me up, encourages me, and fills me with love, peace, and purpose every day.  I hope it does for you too!

I am at church. I am learning.

Today we had Regional Conference . . . Instead of the regular church block we had a 2 hour meeting where we got to listen to church leaders via a broadcast from Salt Lake City.  We got there early so we could get padded seats.  Oh ya.  While we waited for the meeting to begin . . . 

Conner brought along piano assignments he needed to complete.  One of his weekly assignments is to copy 20 measures of music onto a blank music staff.

Payton had only brought his scriptures so Scott showed him a few of his favorite stories in the Old Testament.  Elijah and the priests of Baal (here), the battle of Jericho (here), and the youth who mock the prophet Elijah and are attacked by she-bears (v. 23-25 here).  Payton thought they were all very entertaining.

And Anna brought her journal.  This is what she wrote:

I am at church.

I am learning to be nice to one and other.

You need to sing a church song if someone is saying a bad word.

You need to chooes the right.

You need to say a praye with your family.

Y need to linsin to your pareintse.

You need to say good words.

God loves us.

You need to linsin to God.

You need to go to church on Sunday.

You need to read the sckipchers with your family.

You need to be thank ful for God.

You need to say thank you when you get something.

You need to love one and other.

You need to sit revrenty.

I love God.

conner is 12

and in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints when a boy turns 12, and he is worthy, he receives the Aaronic Priesthood and is ordained to the office of a deacon.

Deacons are assigned the responsibility of passing the sacrament (the bread and water) to the congregation each week.  Next week he'll get to do that for the first time.  I'm planning to bring some tissues to church.

12 is a big birthday.  A big milestone in the church.  And I know it was a big day for Scott as he has been waiting for 12 years to have his son join him in Priesthood meeting.

In sacrament meeting they called Conner to the front of the chapel to announce that he had turned 12, would be graduating from Primary, and moving into the Young Men's program and receiving the priesthood today.  I know that I was grinning from ear to ear as I watched this cute boy standing up front, smiling back at the congregation. (I made sure to tell him that he needed to smile -- so many times the boys go up there and look like they are in pain.)

Throughout the rest of our church meetings so many people stopped me to tell him just how cute he was.  He just had this awesome glow about him.  I nodded my head and smiled because they were right!

Both my dad and Scott's dad were there to participate in his ordination.

We all stepped into the Bishop's office where we watched these men place their hands on Conner's head and ordain him to the office of a Deacon in the Aaronic Priesthood.  Scott also gave him a wonderful blessing with reminders that this priesthood power is not so much for his (Conner's) benefit, but for the benefit of others and that service needs to be his focus.

What a wonderful thing that these boys are taught as 12 year olds, that they need to serve, help, and look out for others.  That this is their responsibility.

We are very proud parents.  

Conner is such a good good boy.  Every choice, every action . . . he always try to do what is right.  He is honest in everything he does.  He is very aware of his actions and how they affect others and always apologizes when he makes a mistake (many times we don't even even notice when these "mistakes" happen, but he lets us know).  I can't say enough good things about this boy and his heart and commitment to the gospel.

I'm thankful that he will be such a good example to his younger brother and sister.

I'm also thankful that the kids have such supportive and loving and fun! grandparents who take the time to be here and participate in these important events.

It has been a week full of thanks!  We are thankful for Conner and the choices he is making.  We are thankful for family.  We are thankful to have another worthy priesthood holder in our home.  And we are thankful for the gospel of Jesus Christ.

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If you have questions about anything I shared here regarding our faith, click on the links here:

• Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints
• Aaronic Priesthood
• Sacrament
• Deacon
• This video talks about the priesthood and includes a few scenes of Deacons passing the sacrament

sunday thoughts: kindness

"I plead with you my brethren and my sisters, let us be generous with one another. Let us be as patient with one another as we would like others to be with us. Let us see the virtues of our neighbors and our friends and speak of those virtues, not find fault and criticize. If we will do that we will radiate sunshine, and those who know us best will love us.

I pray that the love of the gospel of our Lord will burn in our souls and enrich our lives, that it will cause husbands to be kinder to wives, and wives to be kinder to husbands, parents to children, and children to parents because of the gospel of Jesus Christ, which is a gospel of love and kindness."

George Albert Smith

pitch your tents

For once I am ready for church more than 2 minutes before we walk out the door!  Woo!  All thanks an extra hour of sleep courtesy of Daylight Savings.

So I thought I'd share a little post this Sunday morning.  Last month we watched General Conference as a family.  I love conference weekend.

As the Saturday morning session began Payton grabbed supplies and began building this:

Beary, Octopussy, and Fishy are always close-by.

Oh, memories of apartment life . . . . so happy to be done with that chapter.

A few weeks previous the kids had learned how to do lashings along with Conner (for his Boy Scout requirements).  Now they are old pros.  The rest of them decided to get in on the action.

Our general conference set-up reminded me of the story in the Book of Mormon . . . . when King Benjamin speaks to his people a final time and they all pitch their tents around the temple, gathering with their families, with the door of their tents facing the temple so they could hear the prophet's words.

That was us.  I love that the kids did this so spontaneously and totally on their own.

As always, I really enjoyed all the things that we heard.  Many inspiring messages that seem to be pushing me to serve more, pray more, listen to the spirit more, and be sure that I am fully converted to the gospel of Jesus Christ.  Here are some quotes/notes that stood out to me . . . . 

Dieter Uchtdort

• Often we wear our "busyness" as a badge of honor -- as if it's the sign of a full/better life.
• Sometimes we focus too much on the finish line and we fail to find joy in the journey.  Life is not meant only to be appreciated in retrospect.  
• No matter our circumstances and trial there is something in each day to be enjoyed / appreciated / thankful for.
• "I pray that we will not wait until the day we die to learn how to live."

• Great things are brought about, and burdens lifted by the anxious work of many hands.
• Only when our testimony transcends what is in our mind and burrows in our heart, then will we love as the Savior did.
• At the end of the day may we answer "yes" to the question, "Have I done any good in the world today?"

Linda K. Burton

• Observe and then serve.

Jeffrey R. Holland

• The crowning characteristic of love is always loyalty.  Heavenly Father expects your loyalty and your love at every stage of your life.

Thomas S. Monson

• Take an inventory of your life and look for blessings -- large & small -- that you have received.
• The more we act upon impressions that come to us, the more the Lord will trust us with His errand.

 

 

 

learning from Ada

Another gem from my organizing project . . . . 

When I moved into our small town in Oregon I was paired up with a sweet woman, Irene Waite, to be my visiting teaching partner.  (Love her.)  One of the sisters that we visited each month was dear, Ada Gortler.  She was a strong woman who lived a long faithful life.  She loved her family.  She gave her heart to the church and Relief Society.  And everyone in the church loved her.  She was definitely a matriarch in the ward.

I remember visiting her home with Irene and Conner and eventually Payton (as a small baby).  She had a home that was full of memories and possessions that reflected her life and the things that she treasured.  Dozens of family photos, oil paintings that she had done herself, dolls (and more dolls) . . . . And oh my, her home at Christmas time?  A menagerie of sights, lights, sounds, and festivity.  You can BET that Conner (age 2) loved every inch of it (and keeping his hands off of it was quite the challenge).

Sometime after her passing the Relief Society President passed out these bookmarks to all the women in Relief Society.  I just think that this excerpt from her personal journal is such a treasure and I feel so honored that I get to hold a piece of it.

You really learn to give of yourself in Relief Society.  I hope if I didn't do anything more than teach the women about what a great organization Relief Society is, and what an honor it is to be a mother, have a good and loving family, and to make it the greatest goal in their life, and to learn to serve each other, I'll think I did great.

-from the journal of Ada Gortler
1913-2007 

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p.s. We are gaining possession of the house tonight!  Eek!  I'm about to embark on a massive painting project before we have movers bring all our stuff over on Friday.  Wish me luck.  Tomorrow, our internet is also shutting down and I'm not sure when we'll have it set up again in the new house.  In the meantime, I have a couple posts that are scheduled to pop up this week.  And I might even blog from my phone (thanks to Tyepad's mobile app - yay!)  It's going to be a big, happy, crazy, messy, wonderful week!

conference center

Happy Sunday!

While in Utah last week I had a few hours in Salt Lake with the kids so I decided that we should go on a tour of the Conference Center.  This is where a semi-annual conference is held for our church, during which we hear from church leaders, apostles, and our prophet, Thomas S. Monson.  

We have walked around the grounds of the conference center, but never gone inside.  The tour was great.  The conference center is bigger than you can imagine (it seats 21,000).  The many halls of artwork were a real treat to see.  And I think (I hope) the kids learned something new that day.

Today I thought I'd give a photo share (all from my iphone) from our morning there.

First we had to go to the Tabernacle, for comparison's sake. Built by the pioneers in 1865, it seats 7000, and was used for general conference meetings up until April 2000.

And here is the new conference center.  On this particular day the lights were dimmed, except around the organ.  It was being tuned.  Also, the lights in the organ attic (I think that's what they called it) were lit up (see the white/golden light behind the pipes).  It was cool to get a glimpse of some of the behind the scenes workings of the organ, even from far away.

Sitting in the first balcony, I believe, Payton asked, "Is this really where they have general conference?"

I think being able to connect what they see on tv with a real life building was pretty cool.

I think this was my favorite piece of art.  A stained glass depiction of Lehi's vision of the Tree of Life.

Looking up to the sklight.  Gorgeous!

Looking across to our reflection.

And looking down to the fountain.

A hall of busts of each of the 16 Presidents of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

From the roof

A mural, also on the roof

And my cute kids on Temple Square

I'm glad that we took the time to do this.  The hope is that someday we'll have an opportunity to attend General Conference in that building.  That will be awesome.

sunday thoughts: words with friends

watch this first

Scriptures can calm an agitated soul, giving peace, hope, and a restoration of confidence in one's ability to overcome the challenges of life.

Searching and memorizing scriptures is like filling a filing cabinet with friends, values, and truths that can be called upon anytime, anywhere in the world.

They can become stalwart friends that are not limited by geography or calendar.  They are always available when needed.  Their use provides a foundation of truth that can be awakened by the Holy Ghost.

A scripture that we may have read many times can take on nuances of meaning that are refreshing and insightful when we face a new challenge in life.

To memorize a scripture is to forge a new friendship.  It is like discovering a new individual who can help in time of need, give inspiration and comfort, and be a source of motivation for needed change.

- words by Richard G. Scott

I found this video on Friday and it touched me on so many levels.

First, seeing this gathering of women, friends, around a table . . . discussing their everyday challenges, asking questions, learning from each other, sharing ideas & thoughts based on faith and experience . . . it reminded me of what an amazing blessing these kinds of relationships are.  Coincidentally enough, that evening I was able to Facetime with my friends for an evening just like this.

I can't tell you how much I love & adore this picture and how much it fills my heart.  (courtesy of Paige)

Second, I realized that I am not taking advantage of and nurturing a personal friendship with the scriptures like I should.  Every single statement above resonated with me.  I want to bold and underline and highlight every single one!  Maybe amid all this change, and finding my place, and navigating through moments of loneliness, I need to put more effort into re-igniting a friendship with the scriptures.

This summer the kids have daily jobs to complete.  One of their jobs is labeled "Extra" and from the extras list they may choose to work on memorizing a scripture.  I think I should take on this task as well.  Hmm, and I think I just came up with goal number 101.  Right under #100 - make a new friend.  Go to the list and see.

He is Risen

We sang the song He is Risen twice in church today, and the ward choir sang it as well.  It is a great song with powerful words & music.

He is risen! He is risen!  Tell it out with joyful voice.
He has burst his three days' prison; Let the whole wide earth rejoice.
Death is conquered; man is free.
Christ has won the victory.

 He is risen! He is risen!  He hath opened heaven's gate.
We are free from sin's dark prison, Risen to a holier state.
And a brighter Easter beam
On our longing eyes shall stream. 

We have had a good Easter weekend.  The easter bunny came yesterday, we dyed eggs, did an Easter craft, ate cinnamon rolls for breakfast, the girls got new dresses . . . .

And now today is for remembering our Savior, Jesus Christ -- His life, the lessons he taught, all that he did for us, his sacrifice, and most importantly that he lives again.

He is Risen!

Happy Easter from our family

I would have had a picture of Scott but he was rushing us out the door to church.  We were still 20 minutes early.  :) 

ETA:  Here's a photo of Scott that I snapped on our way to church.

inspired weekend

This weekend I will spend much of my time listening to talks from inspired leaders.

I have my notebook ready.

Snacks ready.

Monkey bread is on the menu for Sunday morning breakfast.

Come join me!

 

 

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The April Date Link-up Party will be post-poned until Monday, April 2nd.  Everyone is welcome to share!

we found a cactus on our way to the temple

First order of business . . . we made it.  We are settling.  Expect a week of moving-related blog posts as I catch up on all the good-byes and hello's of the past week.

As for that cactus,

On Sunday afternoon we decided to take a drive up to see the temple.  This monster cactus lives nearby and everyone was stoked to see it.

We were also excited to see the temple

We took a short walk around the perimeter of the temple.  

And stopped for photos.  It reminded me of when I was 9-ish and posed with my brother Sam in front of this sign while the temple was under construction.

You don't see many flowers around here, so the colors in this flower bed were especially striking.

Enjoy the rest of the photos.  I'm going to crawl into bed.  Goodnight!

link: on becoming

I'm not really sure what to title this post.  Basically I just want to share & bookmark a few blog posts and articles I have read recently.  Things that made me think about little adjustments I should make on this path to becoming.  Things that have enlightened and inspired.

Source: simplemom.net via Shannon on Pinterest

 

10 Steps to Courageous Hospitality -- About putting fears aside, stop worrying about perfection, and just invite people into your home.  I'm not afraid to invite people into my home, but I love what she says about the relationship building that happens when we do.

Quote:   "#2 Know that you are unique and that people want to know you more."

Take home:  Take the risk to get to know new people.

Source: myshineproject.com via Shannon on Pinterest

 

Shyness, or whatever --  She shares how she, once a very shy person, made a choice to become more outgoing.  Reading her backstory (kindergarten to college) I felt like she was writing about me!  Just eery the similiarity of experiences and thoughts/feelings.

Quote:  "I knew that being shy was trapping my talents inside me, I wanted to change."  "Sometimes you have to pack your bags and bid farewell to the thing you have become comfortable with that you know holds you back."

Take home:  Say hi & talk to the old lady walking by, it just might make her day.  Break out of your comfort zone.

 

Source: lilblueboo.com via Shannon on Pinterest

little blue boo - comfort shower

A Comfort Shower:  I found Lil Blue Boo earlier this week, and it is my new favorite.  This gorgeous young mom is battling cancer, going through chemotherapy, and has the best attitude.  "Choose Joy".  So inspirational.  Her MIL and SIL threw a comfort shower for her - a gathering for her closest family & friends to celebrate love, friendship, encouragement, laughter.  And she was showered with gifts of comfort: magazines, pjs, comfy clothes, books, tea, essential oils, scarves, sharpies, snacks, comfy quilts....even frozen meals.

Quote:  "I'm truly blessed to be surrounded by such love.  I've never once felt alone in this journey."

Take home:  Deep, sincere, thoughtful, supportive, with-you-through-highs-and-lows friendship is absolutely beautiful.

His Grace Is Sufficient:  As I read through the Winter 2012 issue of BYU Magazine this past month I came across this article.  It was originally a BYU Devotional given by Brad Wilcox.  I once took a religion course from him at BYU and he has the most amazing talent for speaking, teaching, engaging his class/audience, and every subject he touches suddenly becomes clear and makes perfect sense.  This article was just wonderful.  Go to the link and you can listen or download a free PDF.

Quote:  "When learning the piano, are the only options performing in Carnegie Hall or quitting?  No.  Growth and development take time.  When we understand grace we understand that we never have to face challenges alone, that Christ's strength is perfect in our weakness and that he offers us his enabling power."

Take home:  The blessings of the Atonement don't come to us just at the end of our lives, but rather they are continuous, constant, right here, right now.

happy day

Today you get to be a part of my Sunday therapy.  :)

This whole moving / trying-to-find-a-house has been wearing.  There's anxiety over the prospect of starting some place new, and wondering if we'll even find a house, and basically just hanging in limbo.  There is frustration over the housing market being the way that it is . . . both on the buying and the selling end.  And there's that tinge of loneliness (although Facetime helps) that creeps in from time to time.

I've realized recently that way too many of my thoughts are consumed with "me".  Too many of my conversations revolve around my issues.  And I don't like that!  I've often heard it said that the best way to get through your struggles is to forget yourself and serve others . . . to turn your focus outward.

Last Sunday Conner was assigned to give a talk in Primary.  I gave him several suggestions for topics (pulled from his Faith in God booklet - a list of goals for 8-11 year old boys & girls) and told him to choose one and write a talk about it.  Saturday afternoon I picked up his notes to see how he was coming along.  It brought me to tears to read what he had come up with all on his own.  (Partly because of the subject matter and partly the fact that my boy is growing & is able to express and share mature thoughts and feelings.  He can write about more than Bionic Booger Boy!)

     

Conner's talk was the trigger to help me begin thinking about changing.

Also this blog post

And this idea I found via pinterest  -- 35 RAKs on her 35th birthday

As well as this one -- 38 RAKs on her 38th birthday

And finally this . . . The Happy Day Project (details here and here)

Now, is it simply coincidence that I found and was drawn to each of these posts in just the last week?  I think not.  I didn't go searching any of them out (I didn't google "RAK" or "service"), they just happened to spill out in my daily internet usage.  I'm trying to pay attention more and act when I see patterns emerge.

I'm especially intrigued by and ready to participate with the Happy Day project

It begins tomorrow, and they are suggesting a daily RAK (with various ideas on how to fulfill it) and offering a cute printable to make it easy.  And cute.

I think this will be great!   

The quote below reminds me that we are the Lord's hands upon the earth and that he uses us to answer other's prayers.

"We are surrounded by those 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 dependent upon each of us."   Thomas S. Monson

Let's see how much happy we can create this week.

in our vocabulary

 {anthropolgie window.  photo taken while on a date with my dad.}

For the past 5 months a new word has been a part of our family's vocabulary . . . 

cancer

In february my dad let us know that the doctors suspected something was there.  In april the diagnosis was official.  And in june there was surgery.

Our vocabulary has also included the words . . . . prayer, fasting, blessing, priesthood, inspiration, faith, tender mercies, and "say 8".  :)

{I'll keep this post short, because I know my dad does not like a big deal being made of this, but I figured since my mom blogged about his road to recovery I'm allowed to share a little snippet.  There's a lot more I'll record in my personal journal to document details, and feelings, and the e-mails that went back and forth.}

What I do want to share here from my/our experience:

*It is a strange feeling when, for the first time, you have to consider your parents' mortality.  Especially when they are so young.  (55th birthday just last month).  And in this circumstance knowing that this disease took my grandpa in his 60's.

*The power of the priesthood is real.  I am lucky to have 4 brothers who are all worthy priesthood holders. 

*Faith is real.  This word has been my motto and driving force.  I really, truly believe that through faith in Jesus Christ, we can be made whole.

The surgery was successful.  He is free and clear.

When we made our visit he was just 4 weeks out from surgery, still having to be careful, moving a bit slower, taking it easy.  I was excited at the opportunity to spend some one-on-one time with him when he suggested that just the two of us go out for the afternoon.  We did some light shopping, ate lunch at BJ's (ohhhh, the pizzookie goodness), and had some good conversations in the car.

Like any trial or crisis this has helped us to be closer, more mindful of each other, more prayerful . . . and despite the magnitude of the situation we remember to keep our sense of humor.  Just utter the words, "Say 8! Say 8!" and it's all good.