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.

Christmas is about Jesus

Christmas was wonderful! I was reminded the Real meaning of Christmas. Sar was so excited about her new mp3 player. But not sooo excited that she forgot the meaning of Christmas. In my hubbub of cleaning up after lunch and with my ears half in and out of listening she and I had the following conversation.

S - Mom, I think I could almost spend my whole day listening to my Mp3 player.

M - You really could if you wanted to. That is what Christmas day is all about.

S - (so matter of fact and really sincere) No. That's not what Christmas is all about.

M - What is it about? (I'm thinking about her gifts and her wanting to enjoying them all Christmas day).

S- It's about Jesus.

M - (I stop and look up from cleaning) Yes. (pause) You are right. Christmas is about Jesus.

Thank you for being so forthright. Christmas is about Jesus.

Go and Do

I know Heavenly Father loves us because He continues to provide answers and solutions to all life's questions and problems. He will never give up on us. He will always listen to our pleas, to our struggles, to our joys, to our hopes and desires and He will always provide a way for us to find happiness.

On Sunday, during sacrament meeting, I found answers I was seeking. The speakers were asked to teach on the principles outlined in the pamphlets Family Finance and Family Home Storage. Here are the things I gleaned most: 1. If God commands and I follow it, I will receive the promises attached to that command because He is bound to His word. 2. If God's command seems bigger than me or my ability, and often it does, I can do what He commands because he has promised that he will always prepare a way to accomplish what he commands. 3. I can always trust Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ because they love us and we are their greatest interest.

Tips on listening 101

Open ears. Close mouth. Lock it shut.

We Thank Thee O God for a Prophet...

What an emotional and yet beautiful week. I have reflected on the life of and the lessons taught by our dear past Prophet President Gordon B. Hinckley. I marvel at his love for all of humanity, his quick wit and good humor, his total faith in God and Jesus Christ. I marvel at his constant and persistent way of moving forward. I have reflected on his ability to find the positive in life, yes,this life.
I love President Hinckley.
His counsel to "do your best" are encouraging words to me. His call to read the Book of Mormon is being heeded and I feel my Savior near. His plea to prepare by putting away food storage and getting out of debt feel challenging and yet, as our little family is "doing our best" to heed this counsel, we feel his promises are sure. One step at a time.
I know he was the prophet for our time and feel very blessed that I can live now and that he is MY prophet. And in that same breath, I feel secure knowing that President Hinckley's death is not the end of living prophets. WOW! I am thankful for Living Prophets who walk and talk with God and Jesus Christ. And in days, we again will have another living Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson whom I will love and pray for as he "guides us in these latter-days".