I went to church in camoulage

Last night, during our DI trip, I found and purchased some Sunday clothes. Non-maternity-new-to-me clothes. Delightful!!! After 9 months of the same skirt and top to church, I had a change of clothes. And they are pretty clothes to boot!

So, today, I went to church in my new clothes, with my hair down and not in a claw ( how I usually wear it on Sunday). On my way out the door while swapping places for church and  leaving sick kiddies with my DH, he gives me a big kiss and tells me how pretty and young I am looking.

When church ended, my nine year old came to Relief Society to find me so we could go home together.

Our conversation on the way home went something like this.

Me (rather happy asking): So, how do you like my new out fit?

Nine year-old: What new out fit?

Me (kind of surprised, because she notices whenever I get anything new): The one I'm wearing. Did you see it?

Nine year-old (somewhat irritated): Of course I saw it. That's why I couldn't find you. Your hair was all different. And those clothes! Mom. No wonder I couldn't find you! You were camouflaged!

So. I guess if I want to hide out from my kids, all I need to do is get new clothes and fix my hair.

Thankful Thursday and French Cut String Beans

 When DH and I married, we decided not to postpone starting our family.  So we were not completely surprised when as newly weds we were expecting our first child.

What we didn't expect was nine months of morning sickness accompanying our scholastic poverty.

One morning we were discussing our plight...both of us jobless, with him in school and living in Hawaii. I had been having what seemed like severe cravings. I wanted a milkshake or fruit. Something fresh, or cold. That something did NOT include canned french cut string beans, which was what we had in our cupboard.

So, laying in bed, hoping for a reprieve from the nausea and vomiting, I tried convincing DH to go for a walk to the nearest Star Market or Jack-in-the-Box and buy me something my stomach would enjoy. Like a piece of fresh fruit or a milkshake.


DH is very practical. We had both been seeking for jobs for a couple of months but were still without work. And looking at the budget...of something like $11.00...and knowing that was all we had, he said very practically, "Honey, I'm sorry. We don't have any money for that. But, there is a can of string beans I can open for you."


With those words, I was convinced DH didn't love me. He did not understand my need to satisfy this craving. He didn't know that I could not stomach another can of string beans. But maybe he did. And maybe he knew that was the best he could give then.


And so, he walked to the shelf, picked up, yes, the last can of beans...which was the last can of anything on our shelves, opened it and handed it to me with a fork.


I slowly ate over half the can, all the while complaining in my mind about the lack of empathy he had over our situation. I thought nothing about this being the last can of anything. I thought nothing about my DH who had nothing for breakfast...and now nothing at all.


Needless to say, the beans stayed down for the most of five minutes. And then I cried. Cried over impatience with this situation. Cried over DH and lack of empathy. Cried over missing family. Just cried. 

Did Heavenly Father remember us in Hawaii? If so, I was convinced He would help. But where was the help?

Shortly after eating and spewing the beans, and feeling really left alone, the mail came. 

Enclosed was an unexpected check from a loved one whom I had loaned money to years previous. The money was enough to cover rent, utilities, expenses, groceries, and yes even a milkshake. 

Time and other pregnancies have helped temper me during these craving moments. To realize the world will not end if I cannot satisfy that craving instantly. 

It has been just recently that DH has explained his side of the story and that I have understood his love in giving me that last can of beans. My selfishness blinded my ability to see this.

Tonight, DH and I went to the temple and reminisced about this experience. I have tender feelings about it now. Tender feelings toward DH. Tender feelings toward God. 

So, tonight for Thankful Thursday, I am thankful for the can of beans.

A hug for the Prophet

Today, I am home from church...sick with a cold...and keeping our little new one away from other sick ones.

And with my two year old home as well, I decided to watch Mormon Messages together with her.

I watched messages from Pres. Uchtdorf and Elder Holland and then Pres. Monson with my two year old asking, "I wannother one".

When Pres. Monson began talking and she saw him, she hopped off my lap, walked to laptop and wrapped her arms little around the screen and said with a smile, "I hug him. Mmmmmm."

What I felt as I watched them speak, she voiced and expressed with own words and Hug.

Is it no wonder children are an heritage of the Lord?

FHE and 14 Fundumentals

Tonight, we took Elder Costa's words to action and taught Pres. Benson's Fourteen Fundamentals in Following the Prophet.

We cut out each point and gave each family member 1 or 2 strips to draw their idea of what was said. Then, in order of number, we had each family member read and talk about what they had drawn. DH and I added to their ideas from Pres. Benson's talk.

Okay, and so what we felt as a family was, THE SPIRIT!

It was AMAZING!!! By # 11, we stopped and asked the family what feelings they felt? Peace, happiness were the feelings most easily recognized. We asked them if they knew what they were feeling...and yes, two of our children exclaimed, "The Spirit!"

DH shared a short testimony to wrap up FHE and then our 7 year old wanted to share her testimony (and she is shy as a church mouse). It was a testimony of following living prophets. Another daughter shared hers, I shared mine and then my 7 year old shared again. She was so full of the spirit she wanted to keep sharing (reminds me of reading in the Book of Mormon how when the Spirit filled hearts, testimonies could not be kept quiet).

So, what I want to share tonight is that I know for myself that when we follow the words and counsel from the messages of living prophets and the messages at conference, our families are blessed...with increase of testimony.

Here are the 14 points from Pres. Benson:

1. The prophet is the only man who speaks for the Lord in everything.
2. The living prophet is more vital to us than the standard works.
3. The living prophet is more important to us than a dead prophet.
4. The prophet will never lead the church astray.
5. The prophet is not required to have any particular earthly training or credentials to speak on any subject or act on any matter at any time.
6. The prophet does not have to say “Thus Saith the Lord,” to give us scripture.
7. The prophet tells us what we need to know, not always what we want to know.
8. The prophet is not limited by men’s reasoning.
9. The prophet can receive revelation on any matter, temporal or spiritual.
10. The prophet may advise on civic matters.
11. The two groups who have the greatest difficulty in following the prophet are the proud who are learned and the proud who are rich.
12. The prophet will not necessarily be popular with the world or the worldly.
13. The prophet and his counselors make up the First Presidency—the highest quorum in the Church.
14. The prophet and the presidency—the living prophet and the First Presidency—follow them and be blessed—reject them and suffer.