Store Up The Sunlight

Just a few days ago we celebrated my sons first birthday.  It's been a busy year for us.  Well, to be honest this has been the hardest year - no year and a half, of my life.  Some of the struggles I have shared, but there have been some extremely difficult personal struggles as well.  I've been doing a lot of cleaning lately, which I call therapeutic cleaning.  For some reason purging the house of junk helps me feel ..... better, happier, more optimistic.  It makes the chaos going on in my life feel less chaotic.  Anyways, as I was cleaning I came upon a cute little solar dancing flower. 

This trinket was given to me by my dad.  We were at the hospital with my little baby who had surgery on his skull.  Dad went to the gift shop to look for a toy for the baby and came back with this.  With everything going on at the time I didn't think much of it, (no offense dad).  I packed it up and brought it home and forgot about it.  But as I came upon it the other day, months after it was given to me, and after some super hard things have come my way, I was so happy to see it.  Now it has a message and a purpose.  It is a reminder to me to store up the sunlight for the dark days.  So that when those dark days come I can have a reserve of happiness to get me through. 

Since I found it I put it on the corner of the dresser, where it gets a bit of sunlight.  I love to watch it and hear the tick, tick, tick, as it dances.  I notice the silence on overcast days.  I also notice that even just the tiniest bit of sunlight is all it needs to dance.  Just as this flower stores up the sun to dance its happy dance, we too can store up the good things for the bad days.  Just as people have food and blankets for emergencies we can also have a surplus storage of happiness to keep us afloat during times of stress or anguish.  Because everyone has hard days.  Everyone. 

How can we store up happiness?

Look For The Good
Take in the good that is given to us. If you're wearing sunglasses you can't see the full brightness of the sun, right?  We need to take off our metaphorical sunglasses and see all of the goodness that is around us.  It's in all of the little things.  Someone held the door open - that's a good thing.  Someone smiled at you as they walked by - another good thing.  If we look for them they will not pass us by.  Each positive thing we notice can become a brick that we add to our foundation of happiness.  But we have to look for it, and not ignore it. 

What if there is nothing good happening around me?

I believe that there is always some good happening to everyone.  Sometimes it's abundant, other times we have to look harder to find it, but there is always some good. And if you can't find it, then make it. 

How do we store it up?

Grab On To The Good 
When we find those good things, hold on to them.  Write them down, talk about them, be thankful for them.  Put them on your FB timeline.  Call your girlfriends to talk about them.  Tell your kids about them.  Don't let them be like a feather in the wind.  Etch those good things in the stone of your memories!

Keep a Gratitude Journal 
A gratitude journal is a  book that you use to write down all of the things you are grateful for.  One of the things I've dealt with is insomnia.  I tried everything I could think of to get some sleep but the only thing that helped was thinking about all the things I was grateful for.  I would think about my day and make a long mental list and before I could even finish I would fall asleep, and stay asleep.  A gratitude journal could be the perfect remedy for so many of life's trials.

Do What Makes You Happy
This is self explanatory, but think about what brings you peace and joy and make sure that is happening in your life.  For me that might be playing with my kids, reading my scriptures, doing yard work, helping others, etc.  Do whatever brings a smile to your face. 

Hard times are a part of life.  They are supposed to happen, and they are supposed to happen to everyone. 

"These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." John 16:33 

If we can successfully store up the sunlight on those good days, we will have the energy to dance, even in the dark. 

Update: PoTS, Pregnancy, and Miracles

Hi guys!

Forgive me for taking so long to write and update you all.  The last time I wrote I was sick, very sick, and pregnant.  Well we had our baby, a beautiful baby boy, and my illness went away!  Hooray!!!  Here is a picture so you can oooh and ahhhh. 

I know.  He's way cute. 

Well you heard right, my PoTS just went away.  Shortly after I gave birth my body went back to normal.  What a miracle!  (What a mysterious condition)  Boy am I glad it is gone.  The other day I ran up the stairs and stopped to realize that not too long ago that was an impossible task.  What a relief that I am symptom free! 

As I look back on the last several months I realize I have much to be grateful for.  Grateful first and foremost for my beautiful son.  I cannot begin to tell you how much I love him and what a joy he has been in our family.  We all treasure him.  I am grateful to be independent again.  I am grateful to be physically active again.  I am grateful to be surrounded by wonderful supportive people. 

Glancing back, I can see some of the miracles that took place.  The first has to do with my husbands job.  My husband started a new job shortly before all of this happened.  I have to admit I was weary of him taking this new job.  His earnings would be half, HALF, of what he was making.  That's a big deal.  But it turns out his new job was part of Heavenly Father's plan.  At his old job he worked long tiring hours and I never knew when he'd be home.  The distance of his job sites were varied also.  Sometimes he'd be an hour away, sometimes 3 or 4 hours away.  With his new job he is less than a mile away, working normal business hours.  When things got bad and I needed him home in a moments notice, he was there.  This NEVER would have been the case if he still had his old job.  I believe that this is an example of God knowing our needs before we do. 

Another miracle was when the baby was delivered.  There were some complications.  All of a sudden they were calling for doctors, the room was tense, and I found out we would be having an emergency C-section.  During all of the chaos I was completely calm.  This is NOT my personality.  I do not react well to last minute change, especially at a time like that, but I felt peace and comfort.  The thoughts; "there's nothing to worry about", "everything is going to be fine", "trust in the doctors" kept gently whispering to me to calm me down.   I believe those feelings of peace came from Heavenly Father.  I was not alone in those moments of distress.  He comforted me when I needed comfort. 

I have to admit the last several months have brought about a great deal of physical and mental stress.  I would not ask to go through this again, nor would I wish it on anyone.  But as I look back I can see some good.  I can see God's hand in my life.  I have much to be grateful for, and I because of these experiences I believe in modern day miracles.  Thank you for your patience with me over the last few months, in my lack of posts.  I hope you are all doing well!

 

 



Learning How to Live with Physical Limitations

Here's some background for this post.  I am a wife and mother in my early 30's with 2 kids and one on the way.  This is my 6th pregnancy, so we've had some pleasant and unpleasant experiences.  Pregnancy for me is difficult.  It's just not a sure thing until there is a healthy baby in my arms.

So we have 2 beautiful girls (7&3), and are pregnant with a boy, yay!  In this pregnancy however I have encountered difficulties that I have never faced before.  Somewhere early in the 2nd trimester I started feeling weak, too weak to even stand up.  My heart would race and my body wasn't strong enough to keep me upright.  Then I had a set of very severe chest pains that brought me to the floor.  The next day I was too weak to do anything, and passed out at home with my 3 year old next to me.  (she was safe, I had her on my bed with me reading books because I knew I was not well)  That was the beginning of it all.  

It took several weeks, tests, doctors and specialists, but we finally figured out I had something.  I was diagnosed with PoTS, Postural tachycardia syndrome, and quite a bad case of it.  Due to this illness I am very limited in my physical abilities.  Let's see, I am able to sit up with my legs elevated.  Fun!  And.....yeah, that's about it.  Of course I do get up, gotta use the bathroom, etc.  I'm a mom of two kids too, so I get up to tend them too, not very much, but sometimes.  And I get to get out of the house for my frequent doctors appointments.  

I've been dealing with this all together now for 2-3 months, and have 2 months left to go.  I think I'm finally at the point where it feels good to talk about it.  I'm past the figuring out what's wrong phase, and the dealing with the diagnosis phase.  I am ready to open up to get out what's inside of me.  I hope that this will help me deal with what I am going through, and possibly help others in similar circumstances.  So if you are struggling with physical limitations, or are a family member or friend to someone who is, here are some of the thoughts and feelings I have had through out my experience that I hope will be helpful to you in your process.

Here are some of the feelings I have felt, they are very honest, but I think they are worth sharing:

Crazy.  

At first I had no idea what was wrong with me.  I thought it could all be in my head.  I pay pretty close attention to my body when I am pregnant, maybe I am just being too sensitive to normal pregnancy symptoms.  Besides, who is incapable of standing up?? No one.  I'm crazy.  (this lasted a long time, until I had symptoms that I felt finally required a doctor's attention)

Angry  

I was SO angry at myself because I couldn't do things.  I was angry at my body.  I hated feeling helpless.  I hated not being able to do things for myself.

Prideful

My pride kept me from asking for help, and accepting help when it was offered.  Not because I was shy, or didn't want to put people out.  But because I did not want to admit that I couldn't do things for myself.  I felt like if I asked someone for help I wasn't asking for help, I was saying "I can't do something, I am flawed.  There is something wrong with me" and that is a really really hard thing to tell people.  And I certainly wasn't ready to accept that fact myself.

Sad  

Yes I will admit, Miss Focused on the Positive here wasn't able to stay upbeat and chipper.  I've shed plenty of tears throughout this experience.  I've had to come to terms with a lot of different things throughout this, and honestly tears helped sometimes.  There's nothing wrong with feeling sad.  It is perfectly O.K. to have a sad day every so often.

Frustrated  

There are many days that I long to go outside, go for a walk, switch my own laundry, do a project, etc. and I can't.  It is absolutely frustrating to have physical limitations.  Especially when it's something that was so easy, but now either requires help, or isn't possible anymore.

Lonely  

My house has levels.  Kitchen on one floor, family room (tv) on another, bed rooms and bathroom on another.  Due to my physical abilities I have to pick a level and stay there.  It is not easy.  Especially when I was not asking for help.  I'd pretty much assemble everything I needed for the day, hope my kids were ok, and wait for my husband to get home so I had someone to talk to.  But even then he could rarely talk because he had to do all the stuff I hadn't been able to do during the day.  It was lonely.  And I was a pregnant emotional wreck.

Of course it wasn't all bad.  One of the many blessings I've found in this trial is knowing that no matter how awful/bad/lonely I feel, I am not alone.  Not even close.  I know my Heavenly Father and Savior have been with my every step of the way.  They have witnessed every tear, and felt every heartache.  They have comforted me when nothing else could.  They have sent help in the form of dear friends to me.  They help remind me that this will end.  I will get through it.  And I will be better because of this experience.  And, oh yeah, I'll get a beautiful baby boy too. 

I've also felt loved by friends, neighbors, and acquaintances who have heard what we are going through and reached out to help in numerous ways.  I have felt an abundance of love and support.  I have felt the love of those who are praying for me.  I have felt strength from the prayers of others.  I know that when I have a good day, it may entirely be because others are thinking and praying for me.  I know God hears and is answering those prayers, and I am forever grateful.  Probably the most helpful thing you can do, especially if there really is nothing else that you can do, is to pray for them.   

So this is my advice for friends and family of someone who is going through a physical trial:

- Pray for them, 

- Love them flaws and all, 

- Call them or send them notes of comfort, 

- Think of them often, (I kid you not, as I am typing this someone rang the doorbell and dropped off flowers for me)

- Serve without judgement, 

- Don't be offended if they say no when you know they need help, they are learning, continue to love them

My advice to those going through a physical challenge is to:

- Find strength in knowing you are not alone.  I found great strength in learning about my condition, and realizing that there are many people living with it as well.  

- Know that there is nothing wrong with you, you are still the same person you were before.

- One day you will accept and  understand your limitations, and when you do life will be easier. 

- If you are strong enough, tell someone.  They will help you, or find someone to help you.

- Accept help from others (easier said than done, I know)

- Have faith.  Whatever you believe in, how ever you express your faith, do it now and don't stop.  It is only harder if you stop.  Keep your faith strong.  Believe in miracles.   

- Allow yourself to have sad moments, then try to look for something positive in your situation.

- When you are ready, talk about it.  Get your feelings out so you can move on.  

I have learned through this experience that a physical trial is hugely a mental trial.  There are so many mental hurdles you have to get over before the physical healing can even begin.  We can make it better for ourselves or worse depending on how we handle it.  I hope if you are going through something as difficult as this that you will find the help and strength that you need.  My prayers are with you. 

If you have something to add I would love it if you shared it in the comments.

My Conversion Story

A couple of weeks ago I was asked to prepare to be a speaker at church.  I am NOT good at giving talks, or doing anything that involves an audience.  I AM a fainter and a shaker.  Needless say I do not volunteer for these things.  However the topic I was given about was something I enjoy talking about because the spirit always takes over and testifies.  Plus, there were 5 speakers, so I only had to speak for 7 minutes!  So, yesterday was the big day, and it turns out I did fine!  I believe that it was totally due to me being obedient and doing what I was asked, and the fact that I had complete faith that if I was supposed to speak God would help me do it.  And he did. 

For those interested here is a copy of my talk.  Do not feel obligated to read it.  But I know some of you will be interested in what I said.  It is about my conversion, and some of the teachings of the church that helped me gain my testimony.  Here it is:

In 1995 two missionaries knocked on the door of a home while serving in the small town of Salmon Arm, British Columbia, Canada.  The mother reluctantly let them in, and over a period of time was taught the Gospel of Jesus Christ, along with her two children.  I would like to share with you a few ways the Gospel of Jesus Christ has blessed my life when those two missionaries visited my home years ago.

I was 14 years old and I took the discussions with the missionaries very seriously. I didn’t want to get baptized just because my mom was.  I wanted to know for myself that it was the right thing to do.  It was a few months after my mom and brother were baptized that I received the answer to my sincere prayers, that the information I had learned from the missionaries was true.  I was baptized 3 days after my 15^th birthday.

What is most inspiring to me about my conversion was that at the age of 14 I received such a strong witness that the church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was true.  It is not hard at all for me to believe that God answered the prayers of Joseph Smith when he was a young man, because I knew that he too had answered my prayers when I was young.  I would like to take a few minutes to share with you some of the wonderful truths I learned from the missionaries that helped me gain a testimony of the gospel.

First, they taught me that I am a child of a Heavenly Father.  I was 14 at the time, and felt in a vague way that there was a God, and that he knew of my existence.  The only stories about God that I knew were; the commandments, and the story of Abraham and Isaac.  So, for the first time I was taught, and taught by the spirit.  I felt the spirit testify that there is a God, he is my Father in Heaven, and that he loves me.  I now know that we are all His spirit children, literally the sons and daughters of God.  He has created us in His image.  He is the Father of our spirits, and we call Him our Heavenly Father.

I had never heard the term Heavenly Father before.  I immediately felt it was an appropriate name for him.  I felt the depth of his love for me, and for all of mankind.  Because I have the gospel, I now believe as the scriptures say, "that nothing shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Jesus Christ our Lord."  Romans 8:38-39

I was taught that there was a pre-earth life, where we existed as spirits in Heaven before we came to earth.  Before we were born everyone who has lived or will live on earth, lived with God in heaven as spirits. In the “pre-earth life,” each of us were individuals with a divine nature and destiny.  It was in the pre-earth life that Jesus was chosen to be our Savior.

I also learned that Heavenly Father created a plan to overcome sin and death to return to his presence.  It’s called the plan of salvation or the plan of happiness.  Those who follow this plan are promised “immortality and eternal life” or unending happiness with God and our families in heaven. This is what God wants for all of us.  Following the plan of happiness is easier when we do the simple things, like reading the scriptures, going to church, praying, and serving others. Jesus Christ was the perfect example of following God's plan.

I learned that because we are human, we are not perfect and are prone to sin.  Sin results in the withdrawal of the Holy Ghost. It makes the one who sins unable to dwell in the presence of Heavenly Father, for “no unclean thing can dwell with God” (1 Nephi 10:21).  Being separated from God by sin is called spiritual death.  We can overcome sin through sincere repentance, and faith in the Savior's atonement.  His Atonement, or sacrifice, can wash us clean of our sins and make us worthy to return to God’s presence. Christ’s sacrifice and Resurrection also allows us to overcome physical death.  Because of His Atonement, all people will be resurrected, and those who obey His gospel will receive the gift of eternal life with God.

Lastly, I learned what the purpose of this life is.  In Abraham 3:25 it says, "And we will prove them herewith to see if they will do all things whatsoever the Lord their God shall command them".  We are here to be tried and tested, to see if we will keep Gods commandments.  We are here to gain a physical body and learn to choose between good and evil. We are here to do the work that God has for us to do, like sharing the gospel.   And we are here to prepare ourselves to live with God again with our eternal families.  You can imagine how valuable it was for me, as a teenager, to know these things.

The gospel of Jesus Christ has been such a blessing to me.  Because the gospel was shared with me I now know who I am, where I came from, and what my purpose is.  I know that life does not end with death.  I know that I can live again with my family, Heavenly Father, and Jesus Christ.  Because I have the gospel in my life I have the tools I need to raise my children in the turbulent times of today.  I have the added confidence of knowing that good will prevail.  I do not have to fear or worry about what is going on around me. 

Of everything I have been given in my life, I am the most grateful for the gift of the gospel.  I love my Heavenly Father, and Savior Jesus Christ.  I testify that your life can also be blessed by following the teachings of Christ which are found only in the Gospel of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  I say these things in the name of Jesus Christ.  Amen.

Bearing our afflictions with faith

Well hi there!  It's been a long time since I've written anything.  Did you miss me?  Ah, shucks, thanks.  I came down with a case of "life-is-hard-can't-do-anything-without-crying-itis".  Wasn't fun.  Not sure I'm over it, but you don't need to know the details.

Anyhoo.  What's been going on with you guys?  Any exciting news?  Please feel free to share your joys with us in the comment section.  I'd love to hear about the great things going on in your lives!

My thoughts lately have been turned to accepting trials.  Trials are a part of life.  I know this.  That statement makes sense to me.  Why then, when a trial is placed before us do we crawl into the fetal position and wonder "Why?"  Interesting question... Why do we ask "Why" during trials?   Perhaps out of fear that we cannot handle it, that it is too hard, that we will break instead of grow.  I'd love to hear your thoughts.

I have come to know that we can handle each trial that we face.  The scriptures tell us:

"And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which The Lord hath commanded, for I know that The Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commanded them." 1 Nephi 3:7

He does not give us challenges that we cannot conquer.  He has placed each trial in our lives for our benefit.  Yeah, it's contradictory, but it's true. If you look back on the things that were difficult, I think you will find that after it was over it had some reason, some benefit, for you or someone else.  And I do believe that there are some trials we will not understand until after this life.

That being said, if you want to truly understand why we go through trials, I think you have to ask yourself why we are here.  What is the purpose of this life?  

In my opinion we are here to be tested and tried, to learn and grow through our trials, so that one day we will be proven worthy to live again with our Heavenly Father.  If you want to be truly optimistic, then you could rejoice when a trial is given.  Knowing that you will become better for it.  If that thought is a little hard to grasp, here's another scripture to help:

"But that ye have patience, and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions."  Alma 34:41

That scripture has bought me peace recently.  I just have to keep making good choices, and continue on in faith, and one day I will receive rest from my afflictions.  I am grateful that God believes I am as strong as the challenges he gives me. I believe in God, and I believe he knows me.  He knows: what is best for me, what my potential is, what I can handle, and he knows the greater purpose.   We have many reasons to rejoice.  God loves us.  God is with us in our trials.  Each of our trials have a purpose.  And one day we will be able to live again with our Savior and Heavenly Father.

May you be blessed with strength in your struggles.  Please share your thoughts and perspectives.

Not forgotten

Remember how I had been feeling for the last few weeks?  Well last night I read something that sunk in my brain and I had to share it.

"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea, he trieth their patience and their faith." 

Yes, that is what was happening to me.  My patience and faith were being tried.  I can attest He does do that.  Then it goes on to read: 

"Nevertheless- whosoever putteth his trust in him the same shall be lifted up at the last day."

Ok, I can do that, I want to be lifted up at the last day.  

So I kept reading, and here it is, the comfort of the scriptures, are you ready?  The next chapter says:

"And I will also ease the burdens which are put upon your shoulders, that even you cannot feel them upon your backs, even while you are in bondage; and this will I do that ye may stand as witnesses for me hereafter, and that ye may know of a surety that I, the Lord God, do visit my people in their afflictions.  

And now it came to pass that the burdens which were laid upon Alma and his brethren were made light; yea, the Lord did strengthen them that they could bear up their burdens with ease, and they did submit cheerfully and with patience to all the will of the Lord."   

PEACE.  Peace came to me while reading that scripture.  Ease my burdens.  Yes.  I know that he has the power to ease my burdens.  Not take them away, but ease them, and give me the strength I need to  endure them.   He does not forget us in the midst of our trials! 

Oh, how grateful I am for the scriptures.  It seems they are a simple way for God to speak to me when I need it.   How wonderful that we can communicate to God today!  That he hears our prayers, and that he lets us know of his abounding love for us.   If you need help in any way, I highly reccomend turning to the scriptures.  It is a great way to receive answers and guidance.  

The scriptures I have shared with you today are found in Mosiah 23:22, and Mosiah 24:14-15 in The Book of Mormon, which I am reading right now.  If you would like more information about the Book of Mormon, or a free copy of The Book of Mormon please click on the link below. 

Book of Mormon 

Faith and Fasting

I am a fainter.  All it takes is skipping one meal, or being stressed, or nervous, or any one of several other circumstances and I will faint.  It has happened several times in my life.  I am used to it.  But it has yet to happen on a day when I am fasting. 

Wait, go back, what is fasting?  Fasting is not eating for usually 2 consecutive meals while concentrating your thoughts and prayers on specific needs.  Here is a great article on fasting if you are looking for more info.

In my religion we use the first Sunday of every month as a day to fast and pray.  We call it Fast Sunday.  So you see it happens quite frequently, which is why it's weird that I have never fainted on Fast Sunday.  Especially if it's a rare Sunday when I get up and share my testimony with the congregation, and I still don't faint.  Are you kidding me?!?  There has to be something helping me, strengthening me. 

I believe that the Lord is strengthening me when I excersise faith in him.  I have faith that the Lord will sustain me.  And he always does.  Each and every time.  Coinsidence?  I do not believe so. 

I am grateful that we can come closer to the Lord through fasting and prayer.  We can receive answers to prayers.  We can receive Divine inspiration directly from the God.  Fasting is a wonderful blessing.  I have faith in it.  I have seen it work in my life.  If you need direction, or answers, or just desire to come closer to God I invite you to try fasting with prayer.

Small and Simple Things

"Behold, I say unto you, that by small and simple things are great things brought to pass;" Alma 37:6 
                                                                                                 
I LOVE this scripture.  I really do.  It makes life seem easier.  It reminds me that I can accomplish even the hardest of tasks, by doing the best that I can, a little at a time. 

My husband is training to do a HUGE hike.  It will be many miles long over great elevation and terrain changes.  He has been training for several months now, and is prepared to accomplish this challenge, but he wouldn't be ready now if he didn't start out with small steps (literally). 

I also love this scripture because it reminds me that I can help others in small and simple ways.  Sometimes we don't do things because we think it's not big enough.  It's my belief that small things can be big.  A smile, a pat on the back, a call to check on someone can have a great impact even though it is a small act of kindness. 

May you find comfort in knowing great things can come to pass through small and simple things.  If you are facing a daunting task, take a deep breath, and a small step.  Before you know it, it will all be behind you.

Please share some of your experiences of either giving or receiving small acts of kindness, or accomplishing a goal/task/trial through simple steps.

A Winter Poem

To Winter with love


Oh how I love winter,
the glistening snow,

watching icicles drip

and sipping cocoa.

I love to hear children

all giddy with joy

 a ball of snow in hand

and a sinister ploy

Come here mom,
they say with such grace

as they throw that snow ball

smack dab on my face.

        
           

I love warm breakfasts
like bacon and eggs.

But I do find redundancy

 in shaving my legs.

One more thing winter
I like my scarf and my hat,
but wearing all these layers
kind of makes me look fat.

So how long is winter

is it almost over yet?

It's pretty and all

but I'm ready to SWEAT!

Finding Peace

And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.   Helaman 5:12

Life has been insane lately.  Seriously.  But let me tell you, when I am in the middle of those winds and storms I am SO grateful for 2 things; my family, and my belief in Jesus Christ. 

Here's what I find interesting about that scripture, it says WHEN, not IF the devil shall send forth....  It is a given that we will be tested and tried.  It's part of the deal.  Oddly enough, I find that kind of comforting.  I am not being tried because I am being punished, but because that is part of life.

Anyways, that's what I have been thinking about lately.  There is peace in the scriptures.  May you be blessed through your storms as well.

Think happy thoughts

Watch your thoughts; they become words.  Watch your words; they become actions.  Watch your actions; they become habits.  Watch your habits; they become your character.  Watch your chatacter; it becomes your destiny. 

I went to the dentist this week.  I have been having headaches, and tooth pain and wanted to find out the cause.  The dentist said there was nothing wrong with my teeth, but I have been clenching them so tightly that it has been causing these headaches.  (Not my migraines, just regular headaches) 

For 4 days I had been suffering terrible pain and getting no sleep because of my own actions?  That made me think about how our disposition can affect our physical being. 

I had been concentrating on my stresses and letting those thoughts get to me.  Those negative thoughts turned into negative actions (clenching my teeth) leading to physical pain. 

So even though life is tough sometimes, I am going to try to think happy thoughts and make an effort to keep my disposition pleasant and hope that it will lead to less pain. 

Funny how something so small can really affect you!  So, everyone KEEP SMILING and think happy thoughts.  No frowning, no clenching. 

The Extras

Hey, look up.  You see the pages above this post?  Did you know there's even more cool stuff on this blog?  I have updated them recently just for YOU!  There's a new "Weekly Challenge", and "Warm Fuzzy".  Feel free to browse through everything.  And don't forget, this blog is I N T E R A C T I V E...  meaning, you can comment, or email me your thoughts and I can post it for you.

PS
Here's an awesome quote from Dr. Martin Luther King Jr.  "All labor that uplifts humanity has dignity and importance and should be undertaken with painstaking excellence."
Have a lovely day friends!

New button

I finally figured out how to make a blog button.  Yeah, I'm not computer savvy.  Oh well.  Make sure you take my new button with you to your blog!  Thank YOU for checking out my little blog and keeping up with me.  If you like us make sure you sign up as a follower, or to receive my posts in your email.  Oh, and if you're new make sure you check out my favorite posts!  There are some good ones!  Have a great day folks!

Just because

Saw this and needed it.  Thought, if I do maybe someone else does too.

Give Thanks

I love Thanksgiving.  I love the chance it gives us to ponder our blessings and give gratitude for all that we have.  I love that it starts the holiday season, the season of giving. 

I have many blessings to be thankful for.  Here are a few that are not too peronal, and I can share.

I am grateful for my lovely family, for our children and the love that we have for each other.  We welcomed a new baby this year.  I have enjoyed seeing not only our family grow, but our love multiply as well.  It has been a beautiful blessing.

I am grateful for our home, job, and our abilities/skills and talents that God has given us that help provide for our needs.

I am grateful for the desire to not give up when life is hard.

I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father, whose love is constant and unconditional.

I am grateful for our Heavenly Father's plan, the Plan of Salvation, to know where we came from and why we are here.  And for our Saviors atonement.

I am grateful that we are not expected to be perfect.  We can learn from our mistakes, and try better next time.

I hope this season of thanksgiving lasts longer than a meal or a day.  I hope we recognize our daily blessings and give thanks often. May you be blessed to spend time with your loved ones today. 

Happy Thanksgiving! 

Don't Despair

Recently I have learned of some tragedies and trials that are happening to my friends, family, and neighbors.  It has made me think about what these people must be going through.  I would like to share two short thoughts, and hope that it will lift the spirits of anyone who may be going through a hard time. 

First, people care about you.  We may not know how to tell you, I know I get nervous when visiting someone who needs a smile, and never say the right thing.  But in our hearts we want you to know how much we care about you, and  how often we think of you.  There are people praying for you, and hurting with you.  You are not alone.  Please know how loved you are. 

Second, have faith.  Whether in God, or whatever you receive strength from, but don't try to get through this alone.  Keep your faith strong.

Times are hard right now.  On top of rough circumstances, life is not relenting.  People are getting sick, bad things are happening to good people, our faith and patience are being tried. 

Please join me in spreading hope by sharing your thoughts.  Click on the comment link at the bottom of this post and share your own words of encouragement.  There are many perspectives out there, and yours can help.  It is times like these that we need to reach out and do something for someone else.

Try, and have faith

Do the best that you can, and then have faith.  That's what I believe.  And sometimes it works. 

My Megan is almost 5, she is pretty smart (learning comes quite naturally for her, she gets it from her dad).  I have been frustrated during my attempts to find her a preschool, since the preschool she attended last year closed (we loved them), and she didn't make the cut off for kindergarten.

Here is my frustration: knowing that I am going to have to pay for her to go to preschool and learn stuff that she already knows.  I don't want her to think that school is boring.  So, I tried my best to find the most suitable school in our budget and had faith.  I found one in our neighborhood.  I was disappointed that the curriculum was basic, like shapes and colors, but it was a better solution than staying at home.  She started 2 weeks ago, and I kept up my faith that things would work out.

Here's the good news!!  This weekend I got an e-mail from the local Montessori preschool inviting us to their fall picnic, and the teacher said she wanted to talk to me about Megan.  We had met in the past and definitely could not afford their tuition.  BUT, I went to the picnic today and the teacher had an idea!  She asked if I would be willing to be a substitute teacher as a trade for tuition, since I have a background in Montessori! 

What?

You mean Megan can get a Montessori education and I can occasionally be in the classroom again? 

Absolutely!!

What a blessing!

So, she was invited to start this Monday.  She had a blast at the picnic, and can't wait to go there.  What a wonderful wonderful blessing. 

The first school would have been..... OK.  But this is just the best thing for Megan, and for our budget.  I am SO glad this teacher tried to find a solution for us.  SO grateful.  And, I am excited that I get to occasionally work in the Montessori environment again!

Our faithful decision

Here's the true story of a decision we made completely based on faith.

My husband and I had been married for about 7 years, with  1 child who was 2 at the time. We had been living in the same city he had grown up in his whole life, with the exception of his mission, and I thought I was totally living there for the REST of my life.  (didn't really like big cities, or the climate) 

He started casually looking for a new job, and found a company that he thought might be good to work for.  One of the jobs they had was in a small town, in another state, where we had never been.  He felt prompted/inspired that we should move to that small town.

We decided to take a trip and check out the town, and see if we received any more inspiration.  We liked it. It was cute, small, a good place to raise our daughter.  So we went back home and prayed about it.  The answer we received was that we needed to move. 

We had a house that we owned, all of our family was around us, everything that my husband knew was there in that big city.  But we followed the promptings, and started making arrangements to move.  The housing/rental market was terrible, but we found great renters in days.  The company he wanted to work for never worked out, other than letting us know about the town.  So we actually moved, without a job to come to, when the job market was non existant.  He got a job in under 10 days.  The same job he still has now, 2 years later. 

We found a house to buy, to raise our family in.  He has always had a job here.  We feel like we will be here for years, unless we are prompted to move again.  In which case, we would.  We don't know why we are here?  But we feel that we are supposed to be here.  Sometimes we miss our family, etc. but we do not doubt that the Lord wants us here.  That brings comfort, and dismisses doubt. 

Our faith brought us here, and we believe in being faithful, and following promptings that we feel.  I think that we are blessed when we follow promptings.  I am glad my husband shared the prompting he received.  I found strength in him going through that process.  I look forward to learning why we are here, and know that I may not find out for a long time, but that's ok. 

That is our experience, and why we all of a sudden moved.  I hope you found it faith promoting.

Have a similar experience?  Please share it.