Writing in a journal can be fun & relaxing. Naw, for me it's more accurate to say, "a good habit to have...a hard one to form". I've been trying to write/type in my journal. It's getting a little easier, but I found something that helps to jump start my thoughts.
There is a site that is being built where you can see answers from real people (like myself) to some of life's toughest questions: "What is life after death", "Why did Jesus Christ have to die for us", "How do you draw close to God". These questions and answers will be soon found at a website being renovated: mormon.org If you would like to see more, or if you are a Mormon and would like to share how you find peace and answers to life's difficult questions... just click here: mormon.org and you will find a little uplift for the day.
Check back later in the summer and I will provide a link to what I shared on that new site. For now, scroll down and you will get a little sneak peek on a few questions I shared experiences about. While reading, go ahead and sing, "getting to know you". I'm a Mormon and have approved this message :)
Sunday, June 20, 2010
Sifting can build Strength
President Thomas S. Monson once said, "I believe that among the greatest lessons we are to learn in this short sojourn upon the earth are lessons that help us distinguish between what is important and what is not. I plead with you not to let those most important things pass you by."
Difficulties help us to sift quickly the things of greatest worth. I have been struggling with health issues and chronic pain for the past...about 7 years. For several years, we were desperate to find a diagnosis and I had no strength, no energy, and was in intense pain. My children were so young and it was difficult to be in bed most of the day. I could only get out of bed to do the most absolute necessary. One year, my strength had left my body and while I was in my 30's I looked like I was ready to dye my hair white and live in a housecoat. Everything was exhausting, I didn't have strength to drive, fix a meal, or even leave my house except for Dr appts. Even sitting for more than 15 minutes was a great accomplishment. I had a severe tremor in my hand and difficulty finding words. I lost the ability of a few small motor skills like having legible handwriting. During the most difficult stage, friends and family would take my children in shifts and bring in meals.
After a few years of searching, we found that I had Fibromyalgia and was trying to get the pain and dysfunction to become manageable. As friends would ask me how I was holding up, I had to share with them that I have been learning of God at an accelerated rate. My weakness had brought a greater faith in God, an even greater closeness within my family, a need to prioritize. Even now, working through this trial, I have seen the blessings and miracles that have come through faith in the Lord. Through our weakness, we can be made strong. As we try to come closer to the Lord, we will be able to witness how he blesses our lives. Before these difficulties, I felt like I had endless energy. I was getting a lot done each day, but now I look back...were those things it the most important? Now, because my energy and strength are limited, I evaluate my priorities daily: will this bring us closer as a family, will this help me draw closer to God, is this a priority? My strength continues to improve, my tremor only comes to visit when I am exhausted, and maybe my handwriting wasn't that great to begin with. Even though many of abilities that were temporarily lost have been restored... I realize now that my faith has gotten stronger through my trial of weakness.
Difficulties help us to sift quickly the things of greatest worth. I have been struggling with health issues and chronic pain for the past...about 7 years. For several years, we were desperate to find a diagnosis and I had no strength, no energy, and was in intense pain. My children were so young and it was difficult to be in bed most of the day. I could only get out of bed to do the most absolute necessary. One year, my strength had left my body and while I was in my 30's I looked like I was ready to dye my hair white and live in a housecoat. Everything was exhausting, I didn't have strength to drive, fix a meal, or even leave my house except for Dr appts. Even sitting for more than 15 minutes was a great accomplishment. I had a severe tremor in my hand and difficulty finding words. I lost the ability of a few small motor skills like having legible handwriting. During the most difficult stage, friends and family would take my children in shifts and bring in meals.
After a few years of searching, we found that I had Fibromyalgia and was trying to get the pain and dysfunction to become manageable. As friends would ask me how I was holding up, I had to share with them that I have been learning of God at an accelerated rate. My weakness had brought a greater faith in God, an even greater closeness within my family, a need to prioritize. Even now, working through this trial, I have seen the blessings and miracles that have come through faith in the Lord. Through our weakness, we can be made strong. As we try to come closer to the Lord, we will be able to witness how he blesses our lives. Before these difficulties, I felt like I had endless energy. I was getting a lot done each day, but now I look back...were those things it the most important? Now, because my energy and strength are limited, I evaluate my priorities daily: will this bring us closer as a family, will this help me draw closer to God, is this a priority? My strength continues to improve, my tremor only comes to visit when I am exhausted, and maybe my handwriting wasn't that great to begin with. Even though many of abilities that were temporarily lost have been restored... I realize now that my faith has gotten stronger through my trial of weakness.
One of the "Why"
There are so many reasons to answer the question "why I am a Mormon". The one that comes to mind is my experience that happened within the year prior to my father dying. My mom and dad, both drew others to their company through warmth and a sense of humor. The strong bond between them only grew deeper as their trials continued and they found peace through the Savior. When my father was 45, he began having heart attacks and at 48 he suffered a massive stroke. He was in a coma for a little while and as he returned consciousness, we found that life for him (and us) would be very much altered. I saw my Mom find strength by growing closer to God and through the service of others. I'm sure it wasn't easy for her to navigate care for my father and having to find full time work after being out of the workforce for years to be a full time mom.
Dad was blessed by the prayers of others and continued to fight through his recovery with always a contagiously positive attitude. It was difficult for me to watch at times his struggle and many times would bring tears to my eyes. But his love for the Savior seemed to deepen as I would talk with him about God and I learned that trials can make you draw closer to God. The stroke took many things away from my father that people take for granted. Once, a very eloquent speaker was now left with a vocabulary of three words: "Yah", "But", and "two two two". Through months of rehabilitation he had to learn again how to walk, feed himself and operate with a non-responsive right side of his body.
The weekend before his death, Dad and I went on a little road trip. During the drive, I felt strongly to turn off the radio and talk with my Dad. So, off went the radio and I used the next minutes to learn from my Dad. I asked him if he knew there was a God. I already knew the answer to this question, but I wanted him to have an opportunity to teach me about what he had learned during this trial. His voice became animated and with all the expression he could muster came "two, two two". Even though the words were limited, I could fill in what he was trying to say. With each question, a strong feeling confirmed to me that life after death as taught by the Mormon church were true. Within a few minutes, tears were streaming down both of our faces and we both knew that God had helped us communicate that day. The message was very powerful and I am so grateful for those precious minutes with my Dad.
Many times I have felt confirmation that there is a loving God. Following my Father's death, I felt a strong confirmation that families can be together forever. That means I will see my Dad again and be able to hear in his own words declaration that God lives, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he will always be my Dad.
Dad was blessed by the prayers of others and continued to fight through his recovery with always a contagiously positive attitude. It was difficult for me to watch at times his struggle and many times would bring tears to my eyes. But his love for the Savior seemed to deepen as I would talk with him about God and I learned that trials can make you draw closer to God. The stroke took many things away from my father that people take for granted. Once, a very eloquent speaker was now left with a vocabulary of three words: "Yah", "But", and "two two two". Through months of rehabilitation he had to learn again how to walk, feed himself and operate with a non-responsive right side of his body.
The weekend before his death, Dad and I went on a little road trip. During the drive, I felt strongly to turn off the radio and talk with my Dad. So, off went the radio and I used the next minutes to learn from my Dad. I asked him if he knew there was a God. I already knew the answer to this question, but I wanted him to have an opportunity to teach me about what he had learned during this trial. His voice became animated and with all the expression he could muster came "two, two two". Even though the words were limited, I could fill in what he was trying to say. With each question, a strong feeling confirmed to me that life after death as taught by the Mormon church were true. Within a few minutes, tears were streaming down both of our faces and we both knew that God had helped us communicate that day. The message was very powerful and I am so grateful for those precious minutes with my Dad.
Many times I have felt confirmation that there is a loving God. Following my Father's death, I felt a strong confirmation that families can be together forever. That means I will see my Dad again and be able to hear in his own words declaration that God lives, that he hears and answers prayers, and that he will always be my Dad.
Sperry's sacrifice
Our 6 yrs old daughter will find out tomorrow if her hair is long enough to donate. I mentioned to her several months ago that Auntie Kris, my sister, has cancer and is now bald. We talked about what bald meant and I told her that some girls with long hair can give their hair to a company to help make wigs.
Recently Sperry surprised me, she wanted to donate her hair to help make a wig for someone. This is from a little girl who has always wanted long hair. She has learn how to style her own hair, many times having it look nicer than if I had done it that day. She can put it in ponytails, part it, and headbands. Everything but braids. And now, she wants to see if it is long enough to donate it.
That is very touching to me. Sometimes we need to give something of ourselves to give a little light to someone else. Sperry's sacrifice to her is something she is excited about. Giving with a happy heart, once again I am taught by someone in my house under the age of 11 years old. Auntie Kris, this story is for you, we love you.
Recently Sperry surprised me, she wanted to donate her hair to help make a wig for someone. This is from a little girl who has always wanted long hair. She has learn how to style her own hair, many times having it look nicer than if I had done it that day. She can put it in ponytails, part it, and headbands. Everything but braids. And now, she wants to see if it is long enough to donate it.
That is very touching to me. Sometimes we need to give something of ourselves to give a little light to someone else. Sperry's sacrifice to her is something she is excited about. Giving with a happy heart, once again I am taught by someone in my house under the age of 11 years old. Auntie Kris, this story is for you, we love you.
Saturday, June 19, 2010
Our resident, "Big Guy"
Here's a few things that helps one achieve "big guy" status:
-Enjoying life, as it comes. Where would I be without someone quietly keeping me balanced. "It's not that big of a deal" is whispered as one of our kids is doing something. In my mind I am already 20 steps ahead of the action thinking of what injury might result from this. But, as the whisper comes, I realize... it's not that big of a deal. (I repeat this several times, to help me believe it).
-Living life as an example of strength and stamina. When it seems that I am running low on both strength & stamina, super dad comes in and saves the day. In a single bound, helps to save this stay at home mom from times of distress or potential burn out.
-Darn good cook, and I don't mean the kind that microwaves his meals. He is a true Dutch Oven wonder. Go ahead, check our fridge for the sourdough start.
-Always patient, warm and sincere. Our kids are drawn to him...I know this will come in handy in the "tween" years.
-Honest heart, if you don't know what this means, you don't know someone who is.
-Can take a joke, make a joke, and laughs easily.
And he's smart enough to be a rocket scientist... what...he's smart, handsome, matches his clothes with ease & has a sense of humor?? Are you sure he's an Engineer?
We love this big guy! Happy Father's Day, Scott.
Thursday, June 10, 2010
It's true, donate without cashoola
It's true, I saw it with my own eyes. (Of course I linked it for you to the site telling the details) Here's your chance to donate, without any money. Mention on your blog hotelscombined.com and they will send your charity $20.00
Click on the hotels combined logo, or picture below to see how you can get money donated, it's easy!!HotelsCombined.com is the world’s leading hotel price comparison engine used by over 80 million people every year. We help consumers to find the best hotel rates by searching all the best travel sites at once.
I recommend HotelsCombined.com and sent $20 to Avon walk: finding a cancer cure!
You can shout and help too.
You can shout and help too.
One Happy Customer
Thank you Craig, whoever you are, for helping us to find wonderful deals without looking hard.
We have been shoppers of Craigslist for a few years now and have been very happy with the results and many of the new people we have met in the process.
This summer's finds: wrought iron patio table set, and "new to you" bikes for the kids. $100 not too bad for a girls Specialized mountain bike with a shock and flowers on the frame. We just tell our kids that they can get better bikes gently used, then we teach them how to lube the chain and whalla, they are ready to ride. They get to earn $$ for 1/2 the cost and the mom & dad match fund will "match" what they earn to put towards it.
Here's the craigslist website. Don't let the view get you nervous, just start typing in the "search" box on the left side. We have seen both sides of Craigslist: buyer and seller. Deal in cash, only with those you feel good about. Then go ahead and do a little spring cleaning, donate most of the items to another family in need and keep a few things to sell and get money to upgrade.
Go ahead, search for yourself and see if there's a deal in your area. I've gotten a bedroom set, kids bed frames, computer monitor, the wii, and many other things that have saved big money. I bet Santa's elves have a special department to search things out on the web for a deal. Things don't have to be expensive or junkie and you don't have to be a shoppie (which I'm not) to find deals.
I'll have to post a picture of Sperry girl and her bike soon.
~Signed, One Happy Customer!
We have been shoppers of Craigslist for a few years now and have been very happy with the results and many of the new people we have met in the process.
This summer's finds: wrought iron patio table set, and "new to you" bikes for the kids. $100 not too bad for a girls Specialized mountain bike with a shock and flowers on the frame. We just tell our kids that they can get better bikes gently used, then we teach them how to lube the chain and whalla, they are ready to ride. They get to earn $$ for 1/2 the cost and the mom & dad match fund will "match" what they earn to put towards it.
Here's the craigslist website. Don't let the view get you nervous, just start typing in the "search" box on the left side. We have seen both sides of Craigslist: buyer and seller. Deal in cash, only with those you feel good about. Then go ahead and do a little spring cleaning, donate most of the items to another family in need and keep a few things to sell and get money to upgrade.
Go ahead, search for yourself and see if there's a deal in your area. I've gotten a bedroom set, kids bed frames, computer monitor, the wii, and many other things that have saved big money. I bet Santa's elves have a special department to search things out on the web for a deal. Things don't have to be expensive or junkie and you don't have to be a shoppie (which I'm not) to find deals.
I'll have to post a picture of Sperry girl and her bike soon.
~Signed, One Happy Customer!
Friday, June 04, 2010
A Place of Peace
The Mormon Temples are designed to be a place of peace. After construction, and before a building is "dedicated" it is open to the public to see the inside. Once it is dedicated, only LDS members who are in good standing can go inside, because it is so special and sacred. If you have ever wondered what it is like inside, here's your opportunity.
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints Temple is a place where families can be sealed together forever. I am grateful for that gift and to have a place that has been set apart from the world. A refuge, a place of peace. Even on the Temple grounds, you can feel that sweet feeling that makes it, a special place.
The pictures are from the article in "Mormon Times" a newspaper covering this event. Click HERE for article.
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