So, baby is nearly...18 mos.
She went potty for the first time today!
A lot of older sibling encouragement, clapping from everyone, and hugs from mom and dad went a long way!
Saturday, January 30, 2010
Thursday, January 21, 2010
Relief Society Meeting...What a Blessing!
We had a Relief Society meeting tonight about Mosiah 4:19-27.
Elders Quorum president spoke to us about managing our earthly sterwardships, specifically in financial matters, but it applies with everything Heavenly Father has blessed us with.
We discussed living on a budget, teaching children eternal principles of sacrifice brings blessings - saving now for what we want later, and allowing the Lord to teach these principles to our hearts, so they can sink in and take root.
The Spirit confirmed these principles to be true.
Managing what Heavenly Father has given me is a BIG deal! But I know He will help me to progress in this thing, because I am His daughter, and He loves me, and wants me to be successful in this life. He knows I can and need to teach these principles to our children.
And He is so very patient as I learn.
Elders Quorum president spoke to us about managing our earthly sterwardships, specifically in financial matters, but it applies with everything Heavenly Father has blessed us with.
We discussed living on a budget, teaching children eternal principles of sacrifice brings blessings - saving now for what we want later, and allowing the Lord to teach these principles to our hearts, so they can sink in and take root.
The Spirit confirmed these principles to be true.
Managing what Heavenly Father has given me is a BIG deal! But I know He will help me to progress in this thing, because I am His daughter, and He loves me, and wants me to be successful in this life. He knows I can and need to teach these principles to our children.
And He is so very patient as I learn.
Book of Mormon Joys
This morning, I woke up late to children ready to read the Book of Mormon!
Yay!
The routine for beginning the morningis:
* wake up
* get ready...if I'm up that much earlier than my children
* wake up children
* meet together in the "front room"
* family prayer
* scriptures
So, this morning, having children up and gleefully ready for scriptures was a Joy!
Way to go!!
Yay!
The routine for beginning the morningis:
* wake up
* get ready...if I'm up that much earlier than my children
* wake up children
* meet together in the "front room"
* family prayer
* scriptures
So, this morning, having children up and gleefully ready for scriptures was a Joy!
Way to go!!
Who am I?
Many early mornings I wake-up, go from room to room and check the children, then go back to bed. Or try to. Sometimes it is easy to crawl back into bed and continue sleeping where I left off.
But other mornings, as I rest my head back on my pillow my mind will snap "AWAKE".
All sorts of thoughts begin swirling through my head. They scream anxieties about my own shortcomings. They try to bury what I know to be true.
I am a Child of God and He loves me.
Heavenly Father helps me feel his love by the sweet comfort of the Holy Ghost.
His love and hope fill me with a great desire to want to be more like Him.
His love reminds me of my Divine Nature. It reminds me that I am His daughter.
Elder Neil L Anderson's words are reassuring:
"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God. It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments. Being disciples of Christ, we rejoice in the blessing of repenting and the joy of being forgiven. They become part of us, shaping the way we think and feel."
So, this morning, when I woke and these familiar anxieties rushed though me trying to dispell peace and claim hold of my mind and heart for the day, I prayed for help. And it came.
First through truths reminded me by my husband. That I am a child of God. And He always speaks with love. That the screaming feelings of self doubt, or failure or hopelessness are not His. That inside me, I know Heavenly Father loves me and take hold of that when these voices scream so loud.
And then I felt His love for me.
I know who I am. I am a daughter of God. He loves me, and will always love me. And even when I mistake in parenting and in callings and in life, His teaching is peaceful to me. It is healing and hopeful.
I am thankful that He hears and answers prayers.
But other mornings, as I rest my head back on my pillow my mind will snap "AWAKE".
All sorts of thoughts begin swirling through my head. They scream anxieties about my own shortcomings. They try to bury what I know to be true.
I am a Child of God and He loves me.
Heavenly Father helps me feel his love by the sweet comfort of the Holy Ghost.
His love and hope fill me with a great desire to want to be more like Him.
His love reminds me of my Divine Nature. It reminds me that I am His daughter.
Elder Neil L Anderson's words are reassuring:
"The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a loving appeal to turn around and to “re-turn” toward God. It is the beckoning of a loving Father and His Only Begotten Son to be more than we are, to reach up to a higher way of life, to change, and to feel the happiness of keeping the commandments. Being disciples of Christ, we rejoice in the blessing of repenting and the joy of being forgiven. They become part of us, shaping the way we think and feel."
So, this morning, when I woke and these familiar anxieties rushed though me trying to dispell peace and claim hold of my mind and heart for the day, I prayed for help. And it came.
First through truths reminded me by my husband. That I am a child of God. And He always speaks with love. That the screaming feelings of self doubt, or failure or hopelessness are not His. That inside me, I know Heavenly Father loves me and take hold of that when these voices scream so loud.
And then I felt His love for me.
I know who I am. I am a daughter of God. He loves me, and will always love me. And even when I mistake in parenting and in callings and in life, His teaching is peaceful to me. It is healing and hopeful.
I am thankful that He hears and answers prayers.
Friday, January 15, 2010
Missionary Moment
Sar and I were in the kitchen preparing dinner, watching "Finding Faith in Christ".
During this time, my friend, Linde, from a few houses down, stopped by to find out if we are moving or staying.
As we were talking, the impression of giving her a link to the video ran across my mind. In that second I wondered how I could do that. I hesitated...okay, I doubted I could do that.
She was telling me how God answered her prayers. And that we are all in His hands. That He is watching over me and my family (I know, perfect opportunity to have given that link to her).
Not a few minutes into conversation, Sar came in with the web link written on paper and handed it to Linde, explaining she would really love it.
Sometimes, the Lord will bypass the faithless to get His work done.
I hope I am quicker to follow the spirit next time. I am also VERY thankful for a quick to act daughter.
During this time, my friend, Linde, from a few houses down, stopped by to find out if we are moving or staying.
As we were talking, the impression of giving her a link to the video ran across my mind. In that second I wondered how I could do that. I hesitated...okay, I doubted I could do that.
She was telling me how God answered her prayers. And that we are all in His hands. That He is watching over me and my family (I know, perfect opportunity to have given that link to her).
Not a few minutes into conversation, Sar came in with the web link written on paper and handed it to Linde, explaining she would really love it.
Sometimes, the Lord will bypass the faithless to get His work done.
I hope I am quicker to follow the spirit next time. I am also VERY thankful for a quick to act daughter.
Wednesday, January 13, 2010
Malachi: the blessing of tithing
Malachi 3:8-12
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In thithes and offerings.
"Yea are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enouth to receive it.
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
"And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts."
Malachi 4:1-4
"For behold the dreadful day cometh,that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall come as stubble:and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves in the stall.
"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgements."
"Will a man rob God? Yet ye have robbed me. But ye say, Wherein have we robbed thee? In thithes and offerings.
"Yea are cursed with a curse: for ye have robbed me, even this whole nation.
"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me herewith, saith the Lord of hosts, if I will not open the windows of heaven, and pour out a blessing that there shall not be room enouth to receive it.
"And I will rebuke the devourer for your sakes, and he shall not destroy the fruits of your ground; neither shall your vine cast her fruit before the time in the field, saith the Lord of hosts.
"And all nations shall call you blessed: for ye shall be a delightsome land, saith the Lord of hosts."
Malachi 4:1-4
"For behold the dreadful day cometh,that shall burn as an oven; and all the proud, yea and all that do wickedly, shall come as stubble:and the day that cometh shall burn them up, saith the Lord of hosts, that it shall leave them neither root nor branch.
"But unto you that fear my name shall the Sun of righteousness arise with healing in His wings; and ye shall go forth, and grow up as calves in the stall.
"And ye shall tread down the wicked; for they shall be ashes under the soles of your feet in the day that I shall do this, saith the Lord of hosts.
"Remember ye the law of Moses my servant, which I commanded unto him in Horeb for all Israel, with the statutes and judgements."
Monday, January 11, 2010
Christ Love
At church yesterday I got to sub for Nu's CTR class. The lesson was about Choosing the Right and Following Jesus.
Just before we were excused to class, one of the mothers of the children in my class pulled me aside and told me how nervous her little girl was...new teacher and all.
I understand how this can affect the children in the class.
My own Hess and Nu get the jitters when they have teacher rotations in Primary.
So, with this bit of information, I went to class with resolve to show as much Christ love as I knew how.
And as the children were filing into class, the Spirit taught me how to love these little ones.
I followed as best I could to teach these little 6 year olds like 6 year olds.
And as I started, my ability to teach them with Christ love grew.
He helped me to give them what they wanted and hoped: to feel loved, accepted, heard, important. They taught me why Jesus loves little children sooo. They are perfect, trusting, loving, forgiving, and learning.
Today was carry over from a wonderful Sunday. I was more patient with my own children. Teaching to age came easier today. I listened more intently and tried to understand their hearts. And the Spirit encouraged me to comfort and console sad hearts, to encourage love with love when arguing began and to just love and enjoy the children. I was reminded that this is where the peace and real success comes rather than rushing about doing "needful" duties.
Christ love is filling. It is contagious. It is beautiful and the most wonderful thing one could ever have or wish for.
Just before we were excused to class, one of the mothers of the children in my class pulled me aside and told me how nervous her little girl was...new teacher and all.
I understand how this can affect the children in the class.
My own Hess and Nu get the jitters when they have teacher rotations in Primary.
So, with this bit of information, I went to class with resolve to show as much Christ love as I knew how.
And as the children were filing into class, the Spirit taught me how to love these little ones.
I followed as best I could to teach these little 6 year olds like 6 year olds.
And as I started, my ability to teach them with Christ love grew.
He helped me to give them what they wanted and hoped: to feel loved, accepted, heard, important. They taught me why Jesus loves little children sooo. They are perfect, trusting, loving, forgiving, and learning.
Today was carry over from a wonderful Sunday. I was more patient with my own children. Teaching to age came easier today. I listened more intently and tried to understand their hearts. And the Spirit encouraged me to comfort and console sad hearts, to encourage love with love when arguing began and to just love and enjoy the children. I was reminded that this is where the peace and real success comes rather than rushing about doing "needful" duties.
Christ love is filling. It is contagious. It is beautiful and the most wonderful thing one could ever have or wish for.
Friday, January 1, 2010
Day in a month
My brain was in full gear today. It felt WONDERFUL!
So, I used it to prepare for "down time"...which seems to be a lot of each month. I cleaned some things up and out, packed some uneccessaries, and spent quite a bit of time with the children.
It was Hess who prayed this morning, and asked that we would use our time well today. I feel like the Lord helped me to do better today than I did yesterday.
It has been a great day!
So, I used it to prepare for "down time"...which seems to be a lot of each month. I cleaned some things up and out, packed some uneccessaries, and spent quite a bit of time with the children.
It was Hess who prayed this morning, and asked that we would use our time well today. I feel like the Lord helped me to do better today than I did yesterday.
It has been a great day!
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