I've been entering giveaways right and left trying to win a copy of her new book shown below. I haven't won yet, but believe me, I intend to keep trying! Thanks Melanie!
Wednesday, September 28, 2011
I won! I won!!
I can't believe I won! A while ago, I entered a giveaway on this blog and I won a beautiful handcrafted necklace made by the blogger's husband!
I've already worn it once and gotten some compliments on it and I love it!
I've been entering giveaways right and left trying to win a copy of her new book shown below. I haven't won yet, but believe me, I intend to keep trying! Thanks Melanie!
I've been entering giveaways right and left trying to win a copy of her new book shown below. I haven't won yet, but believe me, I intend to keep trying! Thanks Melanie!
Tuesday, September 27, 2011
Cutest commercial ever!
I've never owned a volkswagen, nor do I even know whether or not it's a quality product. But I smile every time I see this commercial!!!! That's got to count for something!!!
Monday, September 26, 2011
General Relief Society meeting
This past Saturday we had an extremely busy day in our family. We went to this festival along with everyone else on the planet (not kidding--there were too many people). It was similar to a county fair, but without the rides. There was food and flea markets and booths etc, etc, etc. When the hubs and I decided to attend this festival, we had no idea it would be as crowded as it was. There were waaayyy too many people. It didn't take long to figure out that a couple who doesn't like crowds or, in our case, has some serious spatial issues has no business at this festival.
We were able to salvage the day however, by taking a nice long scenic route home and enjoying visiting with each other. I arrived home at 5:10, put my skirt on and ran over to the church house for the Relief Society broadcast.
As usual, it was wonderful. All of the talks were great, but also as usual (sorry to be so unlike most of the other blog posts I have read) my favorite talk was by Sister Thompson. For some reason she just speaks to my heart.
She spoke of the past year or so of her life and going through her parents' home and belongings since they have recently passed away and the things she found there. It gave her courage to read the journals and patriarchal blessings of her parents and grandparents. One of her grandmothers had even received a promise that Satan would have no power over her. What a wonderful promise!
The most thought provoking quote for me was : "When the time comes for others to look through our belongings, will they find evidence we kept our covenants?" Will my children and grandchildren know how much I love going to church, how much I love the gospel, how sacred my temple covenants are to me? How many mind blowing experiences I've had in the temple? How many wondrous gifts of gospel understanding I have received simply by asking? If that doesn't motivate me to do better at journaling and bearing my testimony to those around me, I'm not sure anything will.
Keeping Covenants brings joy and peace
We were able to salvage the day however, by taking a nice long scenic route home and enjoying visiting with each other. I arrived home at 5:10, put my skirt on and ran over to the church house for the Relief Society broadcast.
As usual, it was wonderful. All of the talks were great, but also as usual (sorry to be so unlike most of the other blog posts I have read) my favorite talk was by Sister Thompson. For some reason she just speaks to my heart.
She spoke of the past year or so of her life and going through her parents' home and belongings since they have recently passed away and the things she found there. It gave her courage to read the journals and patriarchal blessings of her parents and grandparents. One of her grandmothers had even received a promise that Satan would have no power over her. What a wonderful promise!
The most thought provoking quote for me was : "When the time comes for others to look through our belongings, will they find evidence we kept our covenants?" Will my children and grandchildren know how much I love going to church, how much I love the gospel, how sacred my temple covenants are to me? How many mind blowing experiences I've had in the temple? How many wondrous gifts of gospel understanding I have received simply by asking? If that doesn't motivate me to do better at journaling and bearing my testimony to those around me, I'm not sure anything will.
Keeping Covenants brings joy and peace
Wednesday, September 21, 2011
New recipe
Budget-Friendly Meals: Peanut Chicken
I tried this recipe tonight for supper and it turned out fabulous! I did serve it over drained ramen noodles instead of rice since my darling hubs doesn't care for rice, but it was still fabulous!
I tried this recipe tonight for supper and it turned out fabulous! I did serve it over drained ramen noodles instead of rice since my darling hubs doesn't care for rice, but it was still fabulous!
Wordless Wednesday
Monday, September 19, 2011
Feeling Better
If you've read the last few weeks of entries, you've probably picked up that I've been a little blue in the gills. However, last week, I had a heart to heart of sorts with my branch president and I have really felt much better since then. I always find it thought provoking how just having someone validate my insecurities or share with me that they feel the same way sometimes is so comforting to me.
That led me to thinking of the atonement. Our Savior knows every emotion, every hurt feeling, every betrayal. He chose to actually feel those things so that He could help us that much more. Because there is not one of us that he could spare--not one.
Is that a part of why that concept is so comforting? I think it helps everyone to have someone to identify with.
We also had an excellent Sabbath this week, with talks on personal revelation and obedience. Those two items are so intertwined. One brother challenged us to ask ourselves why we are obedient. He listed 3 possible reasons:
Fear
To obtain blessings
Love of Heavenly Father
I wasn't sure I saw my reasoning in any of those reasons. I obey just because I like the way I feel when I am worthy to have the Holy Ghost present in my life. I've been without and the difference is noticeable. And I mean noticeable. But also I want to please Heavenly Father. I guess you could sum it up in a comment made at BYU-P by Glenn Pace waaaaayyy back in 1987---we all want to please our Father, but the more we try to please Him and thank Him for our blessings, the more blessings we receive, so we are constantly and eternally under this mountain of blessings our Heavenly Father is thoroughly enjoying heaping upon us. I cannot think of a more wonderful problem to have!
That led me to thinking of the atonement. Our Savior knows every emotion, every hurt feeling, every betrayal. He chose to actually feel those things so that He could help us that much more. Because there is not one of us that he could spare--not one.
Is that a part of why that concept is so comforting? I think it helps everyone to have someone to identify with.
We also had an excellent Sabbath this week, with talks on personal revelation and obedience. Those two items are so intertwined. One brother challenged us to ask ourselves why we are obedient. He listed 3 possible reasons:
Fear
To obtain blessings
Love of Heavenly Father
I wasn't sure I saw my reasoning in any of those reasons. I obey just because I like the way I feel when I am worthy to have the Holy Ghost present in my life. I've been without and the difference is noticeable. And I mean noticeable. But also I want to please Heavenly Father. I guess you could sum it up in a comment made at BYU-P by Glenn Pace waaaaayyy back in 1987---we all want to please our Father, but the more we try to please Him and thank Him for our blessings, the more blessings we receive, so we are constantly and eternally under this mountain of blessings our Heavenly Father is thoroughly enjoying heaping upon us. I cannot think of a more wonderful problem to have!
Wednesday, September 14, 2011
Monday, September 12, 2011
Just what I needed to hear!
In case you haven't noticed, I 've been a little discouraged lately. I went to the temple on Saturday and had a wonderful time, which made me feel a little better. I went to church on Sunday and heard some excellent talks and lessons, which also helped me feel better. In Sunday School, the teacher included a scripture in the lesson which to me said "this one's for you---hang in there". It was 1 Corinthians 2:9 "But as it is written, Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hath prepared for them that love Him.". That promise just blows my mind. What a wonderful thought!
I also, tried forgetting myself and providing a little service to someone who hadn't been feeling well, and then came home, and later that evening watched the CES fireside with Elder and Sister Oaks. Sister Oaks' portion was also directed right at me. She's specifically speaking to singles, but I think it applies to everyone.
Elder and Sister Oaks devotional
I also, tried forgetting myself and providing a little service to someone who hadn't been feeling well, and then came home, and later that evening watched the CES fireside with Elder and Sister Oaks. Sister Oaks' portion was also directed right at me. She's specifically speaking to singles, but I think it applies to everyone.
Elder and Sister Oaks devotional
Tuesday, September 6, 2011
Faith or Forgiveness???
The internet troubles my family was having last week have been remedied, so YAY!! I can make blog posts again.
I have been experiencing some discouragement lately due in part to the behavior of some others in my branch. Now, before you begin the lecture, <smiles> I do know that I choose my own reactions and that only I can change my mindset and how I respond to the behaviors of others. And I am fervently striving to do so.
With that being said, I have been wondering and praying and trying to determine where to draw the line between a test of faith, and forgiving others for faulty behavior that affects both me and my family. Does it matter? Am I over thinking? Are they both a test of faith?
I'll let you know when I obtain an answer. I've already forgiven any and every one that needs forgiving on my part, but am concerned that the trial continues. The situation continues. Praying daily that I can find within myself the power to change what I need to change to help my family and be who Heavenly Father needs me to be for Him. I'll get there.
I have been experiencing some discouragement lately due in part to the behavior of some others in my branch. Now, before you begin the lecture, <smiles> I do know that I choose my own reactions and that only I can change my mindset and how I respond to the behaviors of others. And I am fervently striving to do so.
With that being said, I have been wondering and praying and trying to determine where to draw the line between a test of faith, and forgiving others for faulty behavior that affects both me and my family. Does it matter? Am I over thinking? Are they both a test of faith?
I'll let you know when I obtain an answer. I've already forgiven any and every one that needs forgiving on my part, but am concerned that the trial continues. The situation continues. Praying daily that I can find within myself the power to change what I need to change to help my family and be who Heavenly Father needs me to be for Him. I'll get there.
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