Visiting Teaching Tales...

I am a Visiting Teacher. In The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter Day Saints, all women have a special privilege to be a Visiting Teacher, and to be "visit taught." As a Visiting Teacher we watch over other Sister's in the church, help them when they need it, and share a gospel related message with each other once a month.


This month was like any other. I was off with my Visiting Teaching Companion to visit two ladies. Unlike other months, I brought my two kiddos. *Sigh*


Our first stop went ok. Bristol whispered in my ear the whole time "Mom, there is a swing outside." In which I would stroke her face and nod while still trying to direct my attention to the two other women I was with. After telling me this a few too many times, she finally decided to make herself at home by climbing up to the table and coloring.


Not bad....


Then we were off to stop #2. Tytan was screaming, and Bristol was a bit agitated. So upon her request, I rolled Bristol's window down. I had never had a problem with this before. But there is always room for something new to happen! We were driving merrily along when all of a sudden my companion yelled "Bristol just dropped Belle out the window!" *Sigh*


I pulled over, turned around, and we looked for Belle along the road and canal. But to no avail, we couldn't find her. I said a little prayer in my mind...well it was kinda a prayer. "Heavenly Father, I'm doing my Visiting Teaching, which is what you would have me do! Please don't let Belle be lost forever!" I returned to the car to find Bristol screaming as my companion explained that she would buy Bristol another one. *Sigh* 


We kept driving, but the sign that said "road closed" really meant "road closed" and we had to take a detour in which we found Belle on our way back! All in all Visiting Teaching was a success, and another prayer answered!

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift: Oh Primary!

A little while ago I got a new "calling" in church. (This is when I am assigned to do something specific in church. Ex: I used to lead the music during our 3rd hour, now I teach the 11 year old girls Sunday School.) I not only teach Activity Days, but I now team teach the Valiant 11 year old girls. 


To be completely honest, I was extremely hesitant in accepting this calling. I hadn't been in primary for...14 years! And, I love being in Relief Society (meetings for just us women) so much that I didn't want to leave.


Let me just say that Heavenly Father knows exactly what He is doing. I LOVE Love love being in primary. I learn something new each Sunday, and what a refreshing 2 hours I have with such wonderful examples of Christ. 


Today we talked and learned more about the Book Of Mormon. Another Testament of Jesus Christ. And then we learned the song "Army of Helaman." There is nothing sweeter than hearing young children sing 100% doctrine. Brings tears to my eyes every time. To make it even better, these kids have this new thing going where they stand while they are singing if they are feeling the spirit. Oh it's amazing! The primary leaders (others who work in the primary...kinda like my "bosses") are absolutely a.maz.ing. at what they do. Spiritual giants! 


So looking forward to next time!


"Army of Helaman"/ "We'll Bring the World His Truth"


We have been born
As Nephi of old
To goodly parents who love the Lord
We have been taught and we understand
That we must do as the Lord commands

Chorus
We are as the Army of Helaman
We have been taught in our youth
And we will be the Lord's missionaries
To bring the world his truth

We have been saved for these latter days 
To build the kingdom in righteous ways
We hear the words our Prophet declares
Let each who's worthy go forth and serve

We know his plan and we will prepare
Increase our knowledge through study and prayer
Daily we'll learn until we are called
To preach the gospel to all the world

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

The unthankful heart discovers not mercies.

Let the thankful heart sweep through the day,

and as the magnet finds the iron,

so it will find in all, in every hour some heavenly blessings.

This week has been truly crazy. 

An emotional roller coaster.

And in the midst of it all, my heart is full of gratitude.

Gratitude for a Heavenly Father that loves me,

knows who I am, what my heart desires,

and who has watched over me and those who mean the most to me.

My cup overfloweth with the tender mercies from Heaven.

My sister walked away completely uninjured from a very severe car accident

The first on the scene was a first aid and CPR certified gentlemen.

He stayed with her until the police arrived.

Thank You.

My son choked at a restaurant. 

I'm grateful that I'm good at the finger swipe,

even when everyone is staring at me.

It was a close one.

My daughter was a champ at a difficult Dr.'s appointment.

She is going to be great!

Someone very near and dear to my heart was found cancer free.

CANCER FREE!

I could say the words over and over.

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

"When the moment for decision arrives,

the time for preparation is past."

Thomas S. Monson

trail in Logan Canyon

What decisions will you make, and which path will they take down?

Seen this?

Heard of The Killers? I love 'em. I found a video that you might like! I do anyway.



I love where he says something along the lines...your heart finds another chamber. LOVE it!

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

"A Child's Prayer"

Heavenly Father, are you really there?

And do you hear and answer every child's prayer?

Some say that Heaven is far away. 

But I feel it close around me as I pray.

Heavenly Father, I remember now.

Something that Jesus told disciples long ago.

"Suffer the children to come to me".

father in prayer I'm coming now to thee. 

Pray, He is there.

Speak, He is listening.
You are His child.

His love now surrounds you.

He hears your prayer.

He loves the children.

Of such is the kingdom.

The kingdom of Heav'n.

Go here to listen to the song. Click "words and music" to hear it all!

Sometimes life gets going so well, that I forget what it's like to have a trial. Then real life hits and something happens. This is the song that I always sing in my head, or hum as I'm going about my day.

I have a quote in my scriptures that says, "Trials are are an evidence of a Father's love. They are given as blessings to His children. They are given as opportunities for growth."

                                                                                      H. Burke Peterson

Finding Joy in the Journey

Yesterday I was doing the dishes (again) and tears just about came spilling out of my eyes. It had been a hard day. Sick kids, cleaning, dirty diapers, cleaning, sick kids, teething baby, cleaning, ugly telephone calls, etc. You get the picture.

Then-I laughed.

It hit me like a ton of bricks that my Mr. was going to come home beaten down and burdened with an even tougher day. I hate those days.

It made me think: "No matter what phase of life you are in, there are going to be tough days."

I remembered back to when Ty and I were first married. We had a teeny apartment, no kids, no furniture, and BIG dreams. We kept saying, this summer will be better when we are making good money. This went on for a couple years. We were happy, but had even BIGGER dreams. We will be happier when we start our family. Then we had Bristol and we were happier. Much happier. Then- We will be happier when we have our own house, don't have to move around a lot, a career "big boy" job, and continue to expand our family. Now we are there. Of course we are much happier and our love for each other and our kids have grown tremendously. We like to be positive about things and are forever grateful for the blessing we receive each day. We have made great friends every step of the way, and have really enjoyed the past 4 1/2 years.

BUT

I have learned that I need to breathe each moment in and really take life by the rains and just hang on. It can be a wild ride, but completely worth all the while. President Monson put it best when he said "Find Joy in the Journey." We are enjoying the journey.

My attitude quickly changed, and before my Mr. was home, dinner was set at the table (again) and we were chit chatting among the crying Big T. and talkative Bristol B. It was great. This is why we are here, this is exactly what we are up for. I'm counting my blessings each day, I love life. Even when it is hard. When I need to cry it out, I do it. When my Mr. needs to vent, I let him do it. We feel much better afterward! A hard time at work and a hard day with kiddos isn't what we will remember in 50 years, it's that WE DID IT!  Until that 50 year mark has hit, I'll just keep on keepin on!

And remember

FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY!

My Sister-Missionary

You may know Ashley. Well, let me put it this way, you should all come to know Ashley. She is my second younger sister, and no words can quite describe the "life" she brings to the family. She is full of it, whimsical, spunky, and awesomely lovable.


She is in a rural town a little bit away from Pnom Phen, Cambodia serving a mission for our church. She has been there for one year and one month. She has gotten sick, had stitches put in her leg, dealt with some heat, and fallen in love with the people. As a brief update: she is doing AWESOME! I hear from her almost weekly via e-mail. It is one of the highlights of my week! Maybe I should include snip-its of her letters? Let me know if you are interested.

This is where I know she is supposed to be. However, that doesn't make it any easier for me here back at home. I miss that girl! She will come home April 2012. She may be looking forward to it, but when the time comes I'm sure she won't be quite ready to come home. I'll be ready and waitin'. I love ya Ash!

Ashley on her bike. I don't think I'll ever complain about our rain again!

Her companion Sister Pin. They always go in twos!

Aren't the people beautiful! Always happy too!

I think I'll make her wear that hat when she gets home! Gotta love it.

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

"Suppose no one is as handsome or as beautiful as he or she wishes, or as brilliant in school or as witty in speech or as wealthy as we would like, but in a world of varied talents and fortunes that we can't always command, I think that makes even more attractive the qualities we can command-such qualities as thoughtfulness, patience, a kind word, and true delight in the accomplishment of another. These cost us nothing, and they can mean everything to the one who receives them."

Jeffrey R. Holland

Awareness

So, today on Facebook it says that today is "Worldwide Pregnancy, and Infant Loss Remembrance Day-Miscarriage, Stillbirth, SIDs."

I thought it interesting that my Mr. and I chose today of all days to support a local cause in Kamas, Ut. You see, little Kinley passed away about a month ago. Her mother Paige was my Mother in law's Young Woman in church. Kinley was 7 months old. Sure, she didn't pass away at our near birth, and it wasn't SIDS either, but she is gone from this Earthly existence none the less. Paige is raising money for funeral costs and a headstone. She is only 21 years old.

Can I just re-iterate my testimony about eternal families. I am so grateful for them. I have both of my babies, and I don't know what it is like to lose one. But  to those of you who have, you will see them again! This doesn't mean that losing a baby/child won't be difficult, but it just might make life a little bit easier.


To those of you who have lost a child, I love you, and your Heavenly Father loves you.

God Bless.

Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift

Death.
It scares me.
Am I afraid to die?
NO.
I'm afraid of what I would leave behind.
I'm afraid of those I love passing away.

What a depressing way to start a blog post right? Sorry, but church got me thinking today.

Death is a scary topic, that no one talks about much. You have probably had someone close to you pass away, as have I. Two close friends, Great-Grandparents, and an infant cousin. I have actually been fairly fortunate to not experience a lot of tragedy in my life, and for that I am truly grateful.

What I am even more grateful for is my faith in a loving Heavenly Father. You see, I believe that He loves us so much, that He devised a plan where families can be together forever. I'll see my friends and family after I die in Heaven. Isn't that beautiful?

We talked about this in church today. I thought it ironic that it was the same day I chose to wear a certain piece of jewelry. A watch that was given to me by my deceased Great-Grandmother, before she died. I hardly ever wear it, and on the day that I did I was reminded that she isn't that far away, I'll see her again.

Isn't it beautiful. A vintage Elgin wind up watch.

I believe that I will be reunited with those I love in Heaven. This brings me so much joy! I'll believe it for you too ;)

Favorite Things

As tradition, mia familia watches General Conference every Fall in McCall, Id. I can't wait! There is nothing better than sitting around the fire listening to latter day Prophets fill your heart with uplifting messages. 

And better yet, eating yummy food and lounging around all day! 

I'll wake up after sleeping in, maybe shower, maybe not. Maybe put my makeup on, eat an awesome breakfast of huckleberry pancakes, probably stay in my jammies, and then turn the TV on. In between sessions I'll change in to my cleaner not-slept-in jammies and go on a walk in the crisp fall air down to the lake. Doesn't that sound like relaxing? Oh and the naps I'll take! They are glorious.

There is no agenda really, just pure entertainment. literally 

Wait a second...that was before I had kids. Ha!

Much of it might still be the same, but entertaining the kiddos provides another dimension to General Conference. A 2 almost 3 year old won't sit around and watch old guys talk on TV, so here is what I do.

Lots of different coloring books, snacks, sticker books, snacks, toys, snacks, an i pad with awesome games, and snacks. Did I mention snacks? 

Really, this is one of my most favorite things. My "Thoughts of Spiritual Uplift" journal might go untouched as I wrestle the kids, but that doesn't mean that I won't listen intently and get the most out of every talk. And can I mention the music? I don't believe in rushing off to go do something while the choir sings. Sometimes that can be just as powerful as listening to the talks. 

As far as I know, General Conference is aired on BYU TV, but check your local listings. You can also listen on line at the above listed link. Enjoy your weekend, I will!

Life as I knew it

It is incredible how quickly life as we know it can change. What started out as a frustrating day finally started getting better. I was reading a friend's short blog post "What could God do if I were less focused on me?" and realized that I could make my day better. So I did, and it was getting there. I was anticipating some girlfriends coming over to make some yummy treats, when I find out (in not the best of ways...via facebook) that a friend had passed away. My first reaction was read more, make sure this is really happening, next thought...call Mom. She'll know. When Mom picked up the phone it was like she knew exactly what I was calling about...and it was true. We both agreed that FACEBOOK is NOT the way to find out, word of mouth is so much better. Then it hit. I was so MAD. This young woman has a YOUNG family. It didn't seem fair. I cried, hard. Bristol laid her head on my side and patted my back. The Spirit is so REAL. There is no doubt. My friends started coming over, and thanks to them whether they knew it or not, it felt nice to have people there to help with Bris, and to distract my thoughts. As real as death is, I know it is not the end. As much as it can seem unfair, I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for EACH of us. My prayers are with the family.

The funeral is on Monday. Maybe then I'll post more details. As for now, if you knew her I hope you find out by word of mouth and not because of someone's blog or facebook. And if I knew that you knew her and you may not know, I'll call you!