New Year

New!!!

Wonderful new year for the Youth of the Church.

I love the media they have out to help strengthen the youth.

Book of Mormon - almost finished

I am Almost finished reading the Book of Mormon.
I had hoped to finish on Christmas...
But, nights got later and readings got shorter.
Christmas has come and gone, and I've been able to
get some good reading in.
I am in Helaman.
I hope to finish Sunday :).
We'll see how it goes.

Get ready for Sunday

Saturday is a Special day
It's the day we get ready for Sunday!

Here's to a Sunday getting ready Saturday...

A white Texas Christmas

My children have been praying for snow on Christmas morning.

My oldest told me that that would be her Christmas wish...since we wouldn't be with "family" for the holidays.

Wednesday, it was a warm 75 degrees. Imagine the delight of children watching the temperature drop to 35 degrees...on a rainy Christmas Eve morning...

Will suggested they pray and ask for Snow...so, as we drove to Wal-Mart, they all bowed their heads and with absolute confidence prayed to Heavenly Father for snow.

I have no doubt what brought the day of snow...

Happy White Christmas from us to you!

Gifts

About gifts.

My children. They Love gifts.

They have hoped for a Christmas like today. Snow, gifts, gifts and more gifts.

I have thought about their excitement and joy of receiving gifts. They were so excited, that they couldn't sleep till wee into the night because Santa would bring gifts for morning.

They love gifts, they love help. They ask for both...a lot.

I think somewhere down the string of years, I figured I was too Old to Want help, too Old to Need help, and to Old to Ask for help. I was too Old to enjoy gifts, too Grown to receive gifts, and too Big to want gifts.

And so these gifts that were given so lovingly, so generously, so anonymously without want of repayment, so as to bless our family...has helped me see His love for me. My need for Him.

It is my "Remember" lesson...to want His help and want His gifts. To accept help...and gifts...because it is His love going through another.

Merry Christmas!

A few winks before morning

The gifts are all out. And it is time to catch a few winks and a nod before the kids are up.

We anticipated a sweet, small Christmas.

Not so, this year.

Members in our ward have been watchful over our family. Tomorrow, eyes will light up with the wonderous gifts from many "Santas". These acts of kindness reflect hearts of Christ. Thank you ward family for all you have given.

It's Christmas

So here in Texas, the wind blows harder and a bit colder. The air feels warmer before the gusts start. Yesterday was a balming 75 degrees. And today, it has dropped to 30-something degrees. Snow flurries are in the air. Our girls prayed for snow today...and it is coming down.

We've had a lot of "Heavenly Father is watching over us" experiences over the past few weeks...few months that I see now. I wonder why I was so slow to see His hand before. Perhaps being in a "dependent" place causes me to see His hand because I need Him.

Will is still without work...well...without work that provides income. He still applies for employment just about everyday. Our financial situation...from my perspective - which really is so narrow because Heavenly Father can see so much more than I can...looks bleak. And, yet I know, because I have felt so, that Heavenly Father is aware, mindful of our needs and situation.

So experiences 1 & 2:

1. On Tuesday, I used money we got back from a reimbursement check to take the girls to Christmas Shopping at Dollar Tree. Will and I had received an email earlier from our landlady inquiring if we were renewing our contract, and if so, we needed proof of income.

There is no income.

I was feeling very troubled about the current situation which is - we are here, states away from parents and siblings and "easy help". We are in a place where truly, our dependence on the Lord feels paramount. The Church has been helping us with food...and friendship...and callings. I would be lost without the Church. I would be lost without knowing that God speaks to us today.

Anyway, I was in the car with the children, despairing our situation. I bowed by head and offers a silent prayer to Heavenly Father asking for peace, for reassurance....My cell rang. It was Sis. Ballard. She had "something" to drop off for our family...not from her, but from another family who wanted to give us something for Christmas. I imagined packages for the children :). After bing in the store a few minutes, I called Will to let Him know about Sis. Ballard coming over.
Our conversation went something like this.

M- Hello?

W- Hello.

M- Hi Dear. I wanted to let you know that Sis. Ballard is on her way over to drop something off for the family.

W- Oh. She already came. And she brought a jar of money.

M- (GASP) Are you serious?

W- Yes. I think there's about $100.00 in here.

M- Oh, my goodness (and at this point, I started sobbing in the store).

W- I know. I can't believe it....

Anyway, I was overcome in that moment to know that the Lord is mindful of our needs and wants and situation.

Later that night, we had a secret Santa leave us gifts on the walk in front of our home.

And then even later, the peace came.

2. I woke at midnight. Anxious, unable to sleep. So, I did what I felt to. I opened my Book of Mormon.

I LOVE the Book of Mormon. It has brought me closer to Christ. It has whispered peace in the night. It has lifted my thoughts to Heavenly places.

So, on this night, I read and read and read...for 2 hours...uninterrupted. I read about Aaron and the conversion of the Lamanite King to when Alma, Ammon, Aaron, Omner, Amulek, Zeezrom, Shiblon and Corianton went to preach repentance to the Zoramites.

And after reading, peace came. I felt Heavenly Fathers kindness. His teaching me.

Heavenly Father wants me to be humble. To be maleable. To be submissive.

And I can choose to be so or not so.

And I choose now to be so. I make so many mistakes. But this is why Jesus is. Because we need Him...I need Him to help me back. In my quite times of praying, I feel His love so gently wrapping me, enfolding me. My eyes cannot stay dry...the tears, they just come. He is the miracle of Christmas.

I remembered that we are here in Texas because God wants us here and He will provide a way. His way.

Thanksgiving

I have felt so homesick for siblings, parents, dear friends, things that are familiar. Today, the pangs of family far away has ached deep inside of my heart.

I have been thinking a lot about being here and family states away...

which really isn't like countries away...

or heaven away...

I find I am on my knees more.

I seek for peace from Him and He comforts my sad, homesick heart.

And this is what I see...and thank for.

I am thankful for Jesus Christ.
He has lifted my heart when it has felt sad...
so sad to weep...
so sad that I thought it would crumble...
When I prayed,
He lifted me up,
to feel His love...
His Perfect love.
To keep moving...
To keep serving...

Posting Again

I'm posting again. Names may be changed to protect the innocent...and not so innocent...tee hee.

Book of Mormon

I've just started reading the Book of Mormon again. My goal is to finish before Christmas. In the past few days I have gained a greater appreciation for Nephi, Jacob, Momon, Moroni and other prophets who wrote in the Book of Mormon. There is a sense of urgency to leave their testimonies of Jesus Christ. They each express an immense desire for this record to return to the house of Israel and testify that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world. My spirit swells as I read, knowing that The Book of Mormon is true. That Christ lives, He heals, He saves. I am thankful for the Book of Mormon.

Moving!

Texas! Here we come!

Now the day is over

I am not adjusting well to daylight savings time. I am still on the old time...and that is not a good thing when the clock reads 1 am...like it is reading right now. But, the day is over! And my children are tucked in their beds. I have kissed them and loved them and helped them today. I read my scriptures, and didn't fall asleep during my reading. I talked with Will before either of us nodded off to sleep. It has been a learning and a wonderful day! And I can say goodnight and really mean it!

Experience

This morning, I woke next to a sick, fevered, sore throated, coughing Hess. She had crawled into our bed at about 2 am and I didn't have the heart, nor the energy to send her back to her bed...which leaves me a very sleepy mother this morning. None the less, she is sick. Her cough sounds painful. Her eyes are puffy from poor sleep. But with all that, she is chipper...and if she had it her way, she'd be out trying to turn cartwheels. But she doesn't have it her way this morning...she'll be in bed.

This flu that is passing through our family has been a bit nerve racking to me. It is not caring for the sick that seems hard, but knowing I have no control over who is going to end up with the flu next. Hand washing and location only go so far in a home. I have been worried that Bina will get it...if she hasn't already.

So, this morning, as I was praying with Will (my turn to pray), my own fears about Bina and the flu crept in. I am thankful for prayer. I can talk with Heavenly Father and tell him how I feel: my worries, my hopes, my joys, my sadness, my gratefulness, my disappointments. And He listens. And when I am still enough, calm enough and have faith enough, I can hear Him answer. And so, in answer to my worries this morning , I learned that this life gives "experience"...and it is good. And I don't need to worry. So for today, "Come what may, and love it!"

Day Light Savings Sunday

I love Sundays. I love Sacrament Meeting, Sunday School, and Relief Society. I ache for the sweet spirit that follows after active attendance to my church meetings. Today, Nu and Hess were both home with the flu which meant Will and I would be playing "tag team" for meetings. He missed church last Sunday due to a lot of back pain. His back is still sore and the waist band of his pants bind right where the most pain resides. We both knew that his time in church would be short , so, it was only fair that he attend Sacrament and I attend Relief Society and whatever Sunday School he didn't.

Well, I thought, "I bet I could catch the 9am Singles Ward Sacrament Meeting."

Clever me! I quickly got dressed to go to church, gathered with the family for family prayer, kissed Will and my sweet girls then left out the door. I walked as quickly as I could so that I wouldn't miss the sacrament. I slid in onto the very back bench right next to Bro. Heaton. I smiled at him, and he looked at me a little puzzled.

I asked, "Is this the singles ward?"

"Yes, " he whispered back.

"Oh great!" I was very enthusiastic about being there. "I came for the sacrament because my girls are home sick and Will and I are swapping through church."

"Um...." said Bro. Heaton looking a little surprised,"sacrament is almost over."

I must have had a really bewildered look on my face. I couldn't figure out when they moved the singles ward start time to 8am.

"Did you forget, " started Bro. Heaton, "It is daylight savings time."

My jaw dropped and my eyes widened. "Ahhhaaa." I got a huge grin on my face, stood up and walked out. Ooops.

All the way home, I giggled. I couldn't help but think, "Joke's on me!"

Needless to say, we changed the time on our clocks, Will and Sar made it to Sacrament on time, and I got to attend Relief Society. It was a great Sunday. Thank you Bro. Heaton!

Gracie Gledhill

Six months ago, shortly after I brought home sweet Bina, I read a link on Hoki's post, "Pray for Gracie". I was intrigued...so, I clicked. Since then, I've been following the ups and downs of this sweet baby and her precious family. Last Saturday night, I read and my heart broke. I hoped and prayed that her heart would work, that Heavenly Father would comfort her family...whatever the end would be. Then on Sunday, I read the heart breaking news that she would be taken off life support. I still cry as I think about this little baby, her family, this loss and the hope and promise of eternal families. I am thankful for good people everywhere. I am thankful for family.

Little Blessings

I know Heavenly Father loves me. I know he loves little children and wants us big people to love little children like he loves them.

Thank you Father,
for teaching me today to be softer,
to speak more lovingly,
to say,"thank you",
and give hugs generously.

Thank you, Father,
for reminding me
that I am still a child,
your child,
and I will always be special to you.

Thank you, Father,
for showing me
and whispering to me
answers to my prayers.

Thank you, Father,
for children.
Sweet, tender,
perfect,
Christlike
Children.