He is everywhere!

 

“Look for Christ everywhere-I promise He is there! True joy rests on our willingness to come closer to Christ and witness for ourselves.” -Bonnie H. Cordon

This morning my view out our front window looked like an outline of Christ in the clouds with outstretched arms. He really is there, is here actually. 

The need to Nourish the good

 

Lessons from nature

 

“Nature does not hurry yet everything is accomplished”

Sermons you act

 

“Children are more influenced by sermons you act than sermons you preach.” -David O. McKay 

We were able to take our 4 oldest children to a session of General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Before the session began we met a friendly and kind man who was waiting for his wife. His picture happened to be on the wall by where we met him! As a general authority he has spoken in conference before. His greatest sermon was the Christlike way he interacted with our children! We later met Elder Pieper and Elder Taylor who actually spoke in the session we attended. They were all different personalities, stature and conversations but we left them all feeling the love of the Lord through them. They are sermons we will remember for sure. 

Okay in the end

 

Happy day

 

 

“Happy the man, and happy he alone, He who can call to-day his own; He who, secure within , can say: ‘To-morrow, do thy worst, for I have lived to-day.” - Horace, a Roman poet 

Recently I went for a walk with my good friend Joy. As we chatted I mentioned that I live with a lot of fear and anxiety. She recommended I read the book “How to stop worrying and start living” by Dale Carnegie.  The quote above is in this book.  There really is so much joy to be found each day. Little children are so good about being in the moment. Yesterday I got to watch the partial solar eclipse with my daughters kindergarten class. Their joy in just being outside and seeing something new was incredible to them(even though half were looking the wrong direction!) I wish I’d snapped a photo! 

Seasons

 

Because of Him

 

Nourish the good

 

Give a smile

 

Investigators

 

Start with you

 

This is from the Book of Manners for Teens from Brooke Romney.  What a great reminder! Instead of being the complainer, be what you want to see. 

Books

 

“Books are the quietest and most constant of friends, they are the most accessible and wisest of counselors, and the most patient of teachers.”  -Charles William Eliot

He never loses sight of us…

 

We were able to go to Elder Gong’s devotional yesterday. 

We had no idea we’d have the opportunity to shake his hand before it started. He asked our names after President Meredith introduced our kids saying, “These guys claim to be the youngest BYUI students…” 

It was a special experience to be greeted by an apostle of the Lord Jesus Christ. We could feel His love through the testimonies shared and the warm welcome and feeling there. These quotes from his talk really stood out to me.  

Appreciation changes our world

 

“Trade your expectations for appreciation and the world changes instantly.” -Tony Robbins

When I first saw this quote on my sisters fridge a few years ago it was a paradigm shift for me! Now I just need to remember that shift each moment. 

Also, this sweet photo of H teaching me how to use a wrench so we could fix his little sisters bike almost 5 years ago is still such a precious memory! 

Comfort vs comfortable

 

There is a saying that goes…

“The point of Christianity is to comfort the afflicted and to afflict the comfortable” -unknown 

This has been on my mind quite a bit the past few years. Through the years I’ve found much comfort and hope in the gospel of Jesus Christ. I’ve also learned that being a disciple of Christ by nature takes me out of my comfort zone. That is a good thing because I’ve also learned that my comfort zone is the “natural man”, even “carnal, sensual and devilish”

Breath of kindness

 

“Oh, the comfort of feeling safe with a person, having neither to weigh thoughts or measure words, but to poor them all out, just as they are, chaff and grain together, knowing that a faithful hand will take and sift them, keep what is worth keeping, and then, with a breath of kindness, blow the rest away.”  -George Elliot

Give your all

 

“I want to be remembered as a ball player who gave all he had to give.” -Roberto Clemente

Recently I saw this quote and was reminded of when Henry was in 3rd grade. He love baseball and dreamed of playing professionally someday. He chose to represent Roberto Clemente at his school wax museum that year. 

Home

 

“Home is where you are loved the most and act the worst.”

-Marjorie Hinckley 

This quote reminded me of parenting advice a friend gave many years ago. They said to take it as a compliment if at home my child was extra emotional.  That means they feel safe to feel and let out their negative emotions after a day of “being in their best behavior.”  It’s also good practice to show grace and unconditional love when we see each other at our worst. But it’s also a place to practice showing love to those we love the most. My sister gave me the advice, “don’t be a mother that is yelling at your kids and disrespecting them but as soon as the doorbell or phone rings you transform into nice mom….try to give your best to your family”

Living well

 

“The secret of living well and longer is: eat half, walk double, laugh triple and love without measure.” -Tibetan Proverb

Just Bloom

 

“A flower does not think of competing with the flower next to it.  It just blooms.”  -Zen Shin

For my birthday a few neighbors showed up on my doorstep with this beautiful bouquet and also a box of yummy apples. Each of my girls asked if they could pick out a flower to put in a case by their bed. Each chose a different kind and it reminded me of how each of my kids is unique and beautiful in their own special way. 

Kindness

 “No act of kindness, no matter how small, is ever wasted.” 

                                                               -Aesop

   My daughter’s primary teacher at church passed her this little note.  My daughter then slipped it into my shoe. I kept it there and each time I put the shoe on I was reminded of this sweet act of kindness.

Give a smile

 

“If you see someone without a smile, give them one of yours”-Dolly Parton

Entrusted with children

 

“Clearly, those of us who have been entrusted with precious children have been given a sacred, noble stewardship, for we are the ones God has appointed to encircle today’s children with love, and the fire of faith, and an understanding of who they are.”

- M. Russell Ballard

God’s forgiveness

 

“If God forgives us we must forgive ourselves.  Otherwise its like setting up ourselves as a higher tribunal than him.”

-CS Lewis

“And a little child shall lead them”-Isaiah 11:6