Most months, Michelle, Ella and I go to a mother-daughter book club at Kearns Library. My good friend Becky goes with her daughter Maggie as well, and there are quite a few others that come. We read a book in advance, then everyone talks about it a bit and there is a craft that relates to the book.
This month we read "True...Sort of" by Katherine Hannigan. This is a story about Delly Pattison and her brother R.B. Delly is a bit of a handful. She is full of adventure and is always getting into trouble, although she doesn't really mean to most of the time. She has a lack of impulse control...she doesn't stop to think about consequences or to ask permission. I love Delly, almost right from the start. She would be one of those students that would drive you crazy but that you'd still love. I love her silly vocabulary, especially her "surpresents" (a present that is a surprise) and her "holidellydays". (holidays for Delly)
Delly's little brother R.B. and her new friend Ferris Boyd teach Delly how to stay out of trouble...R.B. by teaching her to count when she is upset and Ferris Boyd by teaching her to ask questions and by being her friend.
Ferris Boyd is new to their school, and she doesn't talk. No one is allowed to touch her. At first, I wondered if she fell somewhere on the autism spectrum, but it soon became clear that she was being abused by her father. Delly suspects this but it is a long time before she really accepts that it is true and she doesn't know how to help. There are some very touching parts and it led to a few uncomfortable and sad discussions with my kids. They are getting older and know that there is evil in the world, but they are still fairly sheltered and while the book doesn't delve too deeply into the abuse, it was still something I felt we needed to talk about. I'm sad that it exists (and angered)...but it is real and I wanted them to know what they should do if they suspect abuse was happening to a friend of theirs.
My favorite scene occurs after a bully has teased Ferris Boyd and called her an it. She runs home and is very upset. RB and Delly follow her and RB says that Ferris isn't an it. She's a hummin bin. Then Delly tells her a story. She says when she was young and learning to read, she read to her mom one day. The book was about hummin bins. Here's what she said:
“In the book, hummin bins made castles, and towers up to the sky. They tamed the animals and took care of them. And hummin bins helped each other. They were always good.
"When I was done, Ma asked, 'Delly, what are hummin bins?' 'They're like people, but better,' I said. Then I told her, 'When I grow up, I'm going to live with the hummin bins,' and she smiled.
"But Galveston grabbed the book, 'Let me see that,' she said, and started laughing. 'This says human beings. There's no such things as hummin bins.'
"'Ma, is it true?' I asked, and she nodded. 'How come you didn't tell me?' I cried.
"'I liked the hummin bins better, too,' she said." ...
"RB's right, Ferris Boyd. You are a hummin bin." Her eyeballs were wet, like they were swimming.
It was quiet, then, till RB's soft cloud voice said, "You're a hummin bin, too, Delly.” (I don't know what page this is on, as we listened to this on CD.)
I think there are such things as hummin bins...all people who try to make this world a better place. Any one who helps a child to feel safe is a hummin bin. Any one who finds ways to bring happiness to the life of another. Those who help the poor and the needy, who are friends to the lonely, who go outside themselves to cheer and bless others lives are hummin bins. I am trying to be a hummin bin. I fall short, but I won't give up. I will keep trying to be better than a human being, to become a hummin bin.
I thought this book was well worth reading and look forward to our mother daughter book club this week.
Tuesday, January 22, 2013
Monday, January 21, 2013
Love My Blender
As I mentioned before, I got a Blendtec blender for Christmas from Alfredo. I LOVE it! Love, love, love it. I've used it 44 times since I got it at the beginning of December (it keeps track for you!) There are lots of things I haven't tried yet that I plan to try eventually. Mostly I use it to make smoothies, whole juices and milkshakes.
I am loving the whole juice option. I am planning to branch out soon and try some more unusual combos, but I love loading it with fruits and getting a thick, yummy juice. So far our favorite combo is this:
2 tangerines or mandarin oranges (peeled)
1/2-1 whole banana (fresh or frozen...when bananas get too ripe, I just peel them and stick them in a freezer bag and then I can pull 1 or more out for smoothies and other recipes)
6-10 strawberries (fresh or frozen)
1/4 - 1/2 cantaloupe (peel, remove seeds, cut into chunks)
1 apple (cored), cut into 1/4's
1/4 of a pomegranate
1 kiwi if I have one on hand
We've tried other variations, and really I often just throw in whatever fruits I have on hand. But the cantaloupe adds a nice flavor that I don't think you get without it.
I make these whole juices several times a week ...or I'll make a smoothie with similar ingredients but include yogurt and/or milk along with the fruits.
But perhaps our favorite new thing to use the blender for is to make homemade milkshakes. My girls and I really like to go to Arctic Circle (or occasionally Abs) for milkshakes. We probably go about once a month. But now there is no need...I can easily make them at home and they are just as good or better. (Really I probably could have made them with my old blender, too. I just never thought about it. But this blender is amazing because you just push the button for milkshake and it does all the work and makes it perfectly each time.
Alfredo is partial to the fresh fruit milkshakes...either raspberry or strawberry. When we don't have fresh fruit, frozen will also work...although the flavor isn't quite as good.
The girls love Oreo shakes. We've also tried M&M shakes and Reese's peanut butter cup shakes. My favorite are shakes made with mint oreos. I bet shakes with Girl Scout Thin Mint Cookies would be heavenly as well. Maybe when I get my girl scout cookies in a month, I will make some.
Anyway, I don't even measure anymore... just pour in some milk, add some vanilla ice cream and the fruit. Then press the button, wait for it to do its magic and voila...yummy goodness. For the nonfruit shakes, I make the shake with just the milk and ice cream. THen when it is done, I add the oreos or M&M's or whatever and press "pulse" 2 or 3 times. Perfecto!
I seriously love this blender! It can turn sugar into powdered sugar, grind wheat, chop nuts and even make soup. I haven't tried these features other than the soup feature (and it wasn't a big hit...but I'll try it again with a different recipe one of these days)...but I will use them eventually.
Sunday, January 20, 2013
My kiddos
I adore my sweet girls. We have not done anything too exciting in the past two weeks, and I can't even think of any funny stories. But I think my favorite thing about being a mom is seeing their relationship with each other. They love each other, comfort each other and help each other. (And do plenty of arguing with and teasing each other, too. They are normal kids.)
Michelle and Ella have bunk beds, but they often sleep together, curled up with their arms wrapped around each other or their legs flung across each other. I often walk into a room to see two of them or all three of them snuggled together, watching tv or drawing pictures or playing a game.
Gabby absolutely cracks us up all of the time. She loves to sing and dance and has the most expressive faces as she sings and dances. Yesterday afternoon, I came home from the grocery store to find the three girls and two of their friends dancing around the living room. Later, Michelle grabbed pom poms and they were singing, dancing and cheering.
How I love these kids!
Michelle and Ella have bunk beds, but they often sleep together, curled up with their arms wrapped around each other or their legs flung across each other. I often walk into a room to see two of them or all three of them snuggled together, watching tv or drawing pictures or playing a game.
Gabby absolutely cracks us up all of the time. She loves to sing and dance and has the most expressive faces as she sings and dances. Yesterday afternoon, I came home from the grocery store to find the three girls and two of their friends dancing around the living room. Later, Michelle grabbed pom poms and they were singing, dancing and cheering.
How I love these kids!
Monday, January 14, 2013
More Tender Mercies
How can one person get so many blessings in such a short period of time? Really, I probably am always this blessed but am not in tune enough to notice. Anyway, I went back to work last week. Aly was in Disneyland, and she usually watches Gabby for us. But I am blessed to have such great neighbors and friends that I was able to easily find people to watch Gabby. She spent two days at Sara's house and three days at Jami's. She had a wonderful time with them. I feel so blessed that other people are so willing to help me.
Once I am back to work, it seems harder to keep up on housework. Granted we are gone much of the day, so there shouldn't be as much. But there's also little time after working, cooking, supervising homework, music practice, listening to reading, etc. And so despite my efforts, sometimes my house begins to suffer somewhat. I try hard to keep the kitchen and living room clean, but bedrooms especially often get quite untidy. But last week, that didn't happen. I mean there were a few things out of place but my house just stayed pretty clean with less effort than it usually takes. And I was gone doing Relief Society things two nights last week. But all of our responsibilities still got done and the house stayed cleaner than normal. Some of this is due to Alfredo picking up the slack and my older two working hard to be really responsible, but some of it really was just a blessing from Heavenly Father.
One final thing. I am getting less sleep. I got less sleep during my break than I usually do when I'm working. I would go to bed around midnight and then about 6:30 AM I would be wide awake with things/people/etc. on my mind. So I would get up. I took two short naps, but mostly I just worked hard all day each day. This past week, I went to bed on time but often woke up before my alarm and got up to get things done. I am sleeping less. Yet, I feel fine. The Lord has blessed me with more energy than normal so I can accomplish what I need to.
I am so thankful for the help I've received already... both from those around me and from my Father.
Once I am back to work, it seems harder to keep up on housework. Granted we are gone much of the day, so there shouldn't be as much. But there's also little time after working, cooking, supervising homework, music practice, listening to reading, etc. And so despite my efforts, sometimes my house begins to suffer somewhat. I try hard to keep the kitchen and living room clean, but bedrooms especially often get quite untidy. But last week, that didn't happen. I mean there were a few things out of place but my house just stayed pretty clean with less effort than it usually takes. And I was gone doing Relief Society things two nights last week. But all of our responsibilities still got done and the house stayed cleaner than normal. Some of this is due to Alfredo picking up the slack and my older two working hard to be really responsible, but some of it really was just a blessing from Heavenly Father.
One final thing. I am getting less sleep. I got less sleep during my break than I usually do when I'm working. I would go to bed around midnight and then about 6:30 AM I would be wide awake with things/people/etc. on my mind. So I would get up. I took two short naps, but mostly I just worked hard all day each day. This past week, I went to bed on time but often woke up before my alarm and got up to get things done. I am sleeping less. Yet, I feel fine. The Lord has blessed me with more energy than normal so I can accomplish what I need to.
I am so thankful for the help I've received already... both from those around me and from my Father.
Tuesday, January 8, 2013
My Relief Society Lesson
I have a very old computer, and I feel pretty sure that someday soon it will crash. I felt the spirit quite strongly as I prepared and gave my lesson in Relief Society this past Sunday, and I want to preserve it so my children can read it and so I can reread it. So I'm posting it here so that if my computer crashes, I still have it. I learned quite a bit as I prepared it. I think the lesson was as much for me as for anyone else.
****
Relief Society Lesson
January 6, 2013
Presidency introduces selves-5-7 minutes
Today I want to share my vision for our Relief Society. It is a new year. Many of us have set goals and are going to try to be a little better this year. Now I want to apologize up front, because I am probably going to be emotional. And I think I’ve probably over prepared. I know it is best when the lesson comes not just from me, but when others participate, so please make comments. Usually, I include a lot of questions in my lessons, but in this one I found that I had so much to say that I haven’t done that as much. But please feel free to share your thoughts.
Why are we here on Earth?
What is our goal? Eternal life Moses 1:39 Who do we want to be there with us? Our families…our friends… our neighbors, our sisters
Our goal as the Relief Society Presidency is to help each of you, each of us, to really know that we are daughters of God and to really feel loved…by us as a Presidency and much more importantly, by your Heavenly Father and Savior. We want to strengthen your faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and help you prepare for eternal life.
Let me share three scriptures with you that I love: Oliver Cowdery had been serving as scribe to Joseph Smith. He desired the opportunity to translate. Doctrine and Covenants was the Lord’s answer to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Will someone read D & C 6:20... He truly can encircle us in the arms of His love if we turn to Him. He knows us, by name--just as he called Joseph Smith by name when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in the Sacred Grove, here they called Oliver by name. They know your name too. Our Savior loves us so much. (Temple?)
D&C 18:10...this is a missionary scripture to remind us to find those who are seeking to know the truth…but it is also a deeply personal scripture. Your worth is great. Your neighbor’s worth is great. The sisters you visit teach…their worth is great.
Romans 8:16-18
***
JULIE BECK: Relief Society Auxiliary Training
Preparing Now for Eternal Life
Moses 5... Adam and Eve… The world today teaches the gospel of ease…. The world says you should please yourself and make yourself happy… It stirs up discontent. All these things we know are the devil’s offense. They’re his gospel. He’s preaching that everyone has got to get ahead and there are winners and losers. And if you’re not a winner, then you are a loser.
It’s hard to see ourselves on this eternal continuum, as our Heavenly Father sees us. As a work in progress. We’re not finished yet. We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants that the Lord loves beginners. .. I sometimes wonder how the Lord can put up with all of our mistakes, but he does. And we have this wonderful gospel of the Atonement that’s just out there like a beacon of light. The Apostle Paul teaches in the New Testament that every week when you partake of the sacrament, you get a new you. …You can just bury the old you and get a new one each week… Because of the Atonement, we get new chances all the time….
In chapter 5 of Moses, we learn about Adam and Eve. They were in the garden and they had this glorious existence….They didn’t have to think about cooking dinner. They didn’t have to think about earning money or about disobedient children. It was just happy and sweet all of the time. But Eve knew that was not the dream. She was not living the dream. The dream is eternal life and that’s what God has promised us. But to get to the dream, we have to go through an experience. That’s mortality…. Moses 5... Verse 10-11... Our transgression…our mortal experience… “This life is the experience.”
We all have questions, problems. That is the experience. It prepares us for eternal life. Adam and Eve understood from the very beginning. Relief Society is to prepare all sisters to receive eternal life. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is our propelling force. And then to increase in personal righteousness, that’s the daily personal effort. P. 5 in Daughters of my Kingdom (Not for the seasonal worker, Pres. Kimball)
“So when we feel discouraged and sisters say, “I’ll never be enough,” That is true. But it’s okay because we have the Atonement in our lives and the Savior makes up the difference for all our inadequacies and imperfections and the things we miss and regret and the things we need help doing. That faith in the Lord Jesus Christ gets us through the hard days and the difficult journey.”
******
We are all at different places on the road, but we all need to be strengthened. We need to attend church, renew our baptismal covenants. We need to repent. We all need to study our scriptures and pray. And we all need to help each other along the path.
Brigham Young…plight of pioneers and he told them< “Your faith, religion, and profession of religion will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains...otherwise your faith will be in vain.” … Sisters took off their petticoats and stockings right there in tabernacle to donate. They showed obedience to the prophet, sacrifice, service… they saved the lives of their brothers and sisters. Sisters, as I reread this story this past week I was hit so strongly that we have the same obligation. I have wondered and hoped that if I had been there, I would have also done my part to rescue those saints. Well, we have been asked to help rescue our fellow saints.
Each of us knows sisters that are in just as desperate a plight spiritually and/or emotionally. We know sisters that are struggling spiritually and that need us to come to their rescue. It might be a neighbor, a family member or a sister we visit teach. The need today is just as great, although it may not be as visible Many of the trials we experience today are more private but the Lord is just as aware of the needs of our sisters. We need to listen to the spirit and then follow its promptings. You never know if your phone call or visit or helping hand might be the one that saves a life, a spiritual life. Maybe as I am talking/teaching, a name will come into your head of someone you can reach out to. I hope you will follow that prompting. Or perhaps this week, your thoughts will linger on someone. Give them a call or stop by to visit. As President Hinckley said we all need a friend, a responsibility and nurturing with the good word of God.
In Relief Society auxiliary training last February, Sister Bradshaw (part of the former General Relief Society presidency) said, “We have been invited by the Savior to participate in His work and that is a privilege.”
Quote #1 Pres. Kimball said, “There are many sisters who are living in rags--spiritual rags. They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes…. It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags… You are going to save souls.”
As we visit teach, as we invite someone to sit by us in Relief Society, as we smile and say hi, as we take meals to those in need or perform countless other acts of service, we are helping our sisters to remove their spiritual rags and replace them with robes. As we follow the promptings of the spirit, we can change lives, soften hearts and lift spirits.
In conference, Elder Ballard talked about honeybees. Each bee only produces 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its life. But together, they produce massive quantities of honey. He went on to compare this to our service. If each of us served one person each day or even each week, think how many acts of service that would be. How many burdens would be lightened and testimonies would be strengthened?
Quote #2 Elder Ballard said, “What would be the cumulative effect of millions of small, compassionate acts peformed daily by us because of our heartfelt Christian love for others? Over time this would have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father’s children through the extension of His love to them through us. Our troubled world needs this love of Christ today more than ever, and it will need it even more in the years ahead….There is power in our love for God and for His children, and when that love is tangibly manifest in millions of acts of Christian kindness, it will sweeten and nourish the world with the life-sustaining nectar of faith, hope and charity.”
Elder Ballard asked us to each ask in our morning prayer daily to have Heavenly Father guide us to an opportunity to serve. If we do, we will be led by the spirit to know who to serve and how to serve them. It doesn’t have to be something big…and often it won’t take more than a few minutes out of our day, but if we pray for this and then keep our eyes, open we will notice chances to serve. And even if our actions are small, they will add up, just as the bees 1/12 of a teaspoon.
DROPS OF AWESOMENESS… But I would call them drops of divinity, for who you truly are is a daughter of God. So when you do Christlike things, when you make right choices, you are choosing to do what He would do. You are choosing to be who you really are, a righteous woman of God. An imperfect woman, a human, but still a daughter of the divine, a woman of infinite worth. (See my previous post.)
Our Relief Society General President, Linda Burton asked us to first observe, then serve. In the General Relief Society meeting, Sister Burton spoke about having faith in the Atonement written in our hearts. She said this, “Remember the woman President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke of recently? He said: “One woman who had been through years of trial and sorrow said through her tears, ‘I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But I am still a 20-dollar bill. I am worth something. Even though I may not look like much and even though I have been battered and used, I am still worth the full 20 dollars.’”15
This woman knows that she is a beloved daughter of her Heavenly Father and that she was worth enough to Him to send His Son to atone for her, individually. Every sister in the Church should know what this woman knows—that she is a beloved daughter of God. How does knowing our worth to Him change how we keep our covenants? How does knowing our worth to Him affect our desire to minister to others? How does knowing our worth to Him increase our desire to help those who need to understand the Atonement as we do—way down deep? When each of us has the doctrine of the Atonement written deep in our hearts, then we will begin to become the kind of people the Lord wants us to be when He comes again. He will recognize us as His true disciples.”
Let’s all go home together… let’s make it home. I don’t want any of us left behind.
Quote #3 President Uchtdorf said, “One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely. It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today.”
Let us follow the Savior today. Let us remember who we are, beloved daughters of God. Let us help to lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. Let us dress our fellow sisters in spiritual robes and rescue those who are struggling. Let’s all go home together, to be with our familes and our loved ones and our neighbors and with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sisters, I want you to know that I love you. Many of you have been my friends for years, but there are some of you that I don’t know as well. But my heart has been filled with love for you. I hope you know that you truly are a daughter of God. That you are doing great things and that with the Savior’s help and by following the promptings of the spirit, you can do even more. I know we are busy. I know we get overwhelmed and discouraged, but the Lord is there. He knows you and He knows what you need. He wants to bless you, and He wants to bless those around you. Pray to feel His love for you and to feel His love for those around you.
****
Relief Society Lesson
January 6, 2013
Presidency introduces selves-5-7 minutes
Today I want to share my vision for our Relief Society. It is a new year. Many of us have set goals and are going to try to be a little better this year. Now I want to apologize up front, because I am probably going to be emotional. And I think I’ve probably over prepared. I know it is best when the lesson comes not just from me, but when others participate, so please make comments. Usually, I include a lot of questions in my lessons, but in this one I found that I had so much to say that I haven’t done that as much. But please feel free to share your thoughts.
Why are we here on Earth?
What is our goal? Eternal life Moses 1:39 Who do we want to be there with us? Our families…our friends… our neighbors, our sisters
Our goal as the Relief Society Presidency is to help each of you, each of us, to really know that we are daughters of God and to really feel loved…by us as a Presidency and much more importantly, by your Heavenly Father and Savior. We want to strengthen your faith in our Savior Jesus Christ and help you prepare for eternal life.
Let me share three scriptures with you that I love: Oliver Cowdery had been serving as scribe to Joseph Smith. He desired the opportunity to translate. Doctrine and Covenants was the Lord’s answer to Joseph Smith and Oliver Cowdery. Will someone read D & C 6:20... He truly can encircle us in the arms of His love if we turn to Him. He knows us, by name--just as he called Joseph Smith by name when God the Father and Jesus Christ appeared to him in the Sacred Grove, here they called Oliver by name. They know your name too. Our Savior loves us so much. (Temple?)
D&C 18:10...this is a missionary scripture to remind us to find those who are seeking to know the truth…but it is also a deeply personal scripture. Your worth is great. Your neighbor’s worth is great. The sisters you visit teach…their worth is great.
Romans 8:16-18
***
JULIE BECK: Relief Society Auxiliary Training
Preparing Now for Eternal Life
Moses 5... Adam and Eve… The world today teaches the gospel of ease…. The world says you should please yourself and make yourself happy… It stirs up discontent. All these things we know are the devil’s offense. They’re his gospel. He’s preaching that everyone has got to get ahead and there are winners and losers. And if you’re not a winner, then you are a loser.
It’s hard to see ourselves on this eternal continuum, as our Heavenly Father sees us. As a work in progress. We’re not finished yet. We learn from the Doctrine and Covenants that the Lord loves beginners. .. I sometimes wonder how the Lord can put up with all of our mistakes, but he does. And we have this wonderful gospel of the Atonement that’s just out there like a beacon of light. The Apostle Paul teaches in the New Testament that every week when you partake of the sacrament, you get a new you. …You can just bury the old you and get a new one each week… Because of the Atonement, we get new chances all the time….
In chapter 5 of Moses, we learn about Adam and Eve. They were in the garden and they had this glorious existence….They didn’t have to think about cooking dinner. They didn’t have to think about earning money or about disobedient children. It was just happy and sweet all of the time. But Eve knew that was not the dream. She was not living the dream. The dream is eternal life and that’s what God has promised us. But to get to the dream, we have to go through an experience. That’s mortality…. Moses 5... Verse 10-11... Our transgression…our mortal experience… “This life is the experience.”
We all have questions, problems. That is the experience. It prepares us for eternal life. Adam and Eve understood from the very beginning. Relief Society is to prepare all sisters to receive eternal life. Our faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is our propelling force. And then to increase in personal righteousness, that’s the daily personal effort. P. 5 in Daughters of my Kingdom (Not for the seasonal worker, Pres. Kimball)
“So when we feel discouraged and sisters say, “I’ll never be enough,” That is true. But it’s okay because we have the Atonement in our lives and the Savior makes up the difference for all our inadequacies and imperfections and the things we miss and regret and the things we need help doing. That faith in the Lord Jesus Christ gets us through the hard days and the difficult journey.”
******
We are all at different places on the road, but we all need to be strengthened. We need to attend church, renew our baptismal covenants. We need to repent. We all need to study our scriptures and pray. And we all need to help each other along the path.
Brigham Young…plight of pioneers and he told them< “Your faith, religion, and profession of religion will never save one soul of you in the Celestial Kingdom of our God, unless you carry out just such principles as I am now teaching you. Go and bring in those people now on the plains...otherwise your faith will be in vain.” … Sisters took off their petticoats and stockings right there in tabernacle to donate. They showed obedience to the prophet, sacrifice, service… they saved the lives of their brothers and sisters. Sisters, as I reread this story this past week I was hit so strongly that we have the same obligation. I have wondered and hoped that if I had been there, I would have also done my part to rescue those saints. Well, we have been asked to help rescue our fellow saints.
Each of us knows sisters that are in just as desperate a plight spiritually and/or emotionally. We know sisters that are struggling spiritually and that need us to come to their rescue. It might be a neighbor, a family member or a sister we visit teach. The need today is just as great, although it may not be as visible Many of the trials we experience today are more private but the Lord is just as aware of the needs of our sisters. We need to listen to the spirit and then follow its promptings. You never know if your phone call or visit or helping hand might be the one that saves a life, a spiritual life. Maybe as I am talking/teaching, a name will come into your head of someone you can reach out to. I hope you will follow that prompting. Or perhaps this week, your thoughts will linger on someone. Give them a call or stop by to visit. As President Hinckley said we all need a friend, a responsibility and nurturing with the good word of God.
In Relief Society auxiliary training last February, Sister Bradshaw (part of the former General Relief Society presidency) said, “We have been invited by the Savior to participate in His work and that is a privilege.”
Quote #1 Pres. Kimball said, “There are many sisters who are living in rags--spiritual rags. They are entitled to gorgeous robes, spiritual robes…. It is your privilege to go into homes and exchange robes for rags… You are going to save souls.”
As we visit teach, as we invite someone to sit by us in Relief Society, as we smile and say hi, as we take meals to those in need or perform countless other acts of service, we are helping our sisters to remove their spiritual rags and replace them with robes. As we follow the promptings of the spirit, we can change lives, soften hearts and lift spirits.
In conference, Elder Ballard talked about honeybees. Each bee only produces 1/12 of a teaspoon of honey in its life. But together, they produce massive quantities of honey. He went on to compare this to our service. If each of us served one person each day or even each week, think how many acts of service that would be. How many burdens would be lightened and testimonies would be strengthened?
Quote #2 Elder Ballard said, “What would be the cumulative effect of millions of small, compassionate acts peformed daily by us because of our heartfelt Christian love for others? Over time this would have a transformative effect upon all of our Heavenly Father’s children through the extension of His love to them through us. Our troubled world needs this love of Christ today more than ever, and it will need it even more in the years ahead….There is power in our love for God and for His children, and when that love is tangibly manifest in millions of acts of Christian kindness, it will sweeten and nourish the world with the life-sustaining nectar of faith, hope and charity.”
Elder Ballard asked us to each ask in our morning prayer daily to have Heavenly Father guide us to an opportunity to serve. If we do, we will be led by the spirit to know who to serve and how to serve them. It doesn’t have to be something big…and often it won’t take more than a few minutes out of our day, but if we pray for this and then keep our eyes, open we will notice chances to serve. And even if our actions are small, they will add up, just as the bees 1/12 of a teaspoon.
DROPS OF AWESOMENESS… But I would call them drops of divinity, for who you truly are is a daughter of God. So when you do Christlike things, when you make right choices, you are choosing to do what He would do. You are choosing to be who you really are, a righteous woman of God. An imperfect woman, a human, but still a daughter of the divine, a woman of infinite worth. (See my previous post.)
Our Relief Society General President, Linda Burton asked us to first observe, then serve. In the General Relief Society meeting, Sister Burton spoke about having faith in the Atonement written in our hearts. She said this, “Remember the woman President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke of recently? He said: “One woman who had been through years of trial and sorrow said through her tears, ‘I have come to realize that I am like an old 20-dollar bill—crumpled, torn, dirty, abused, and scarred. But I am still a 20-dollar bill. I am worth something. Even though I may not look like much and even though I have been battered and used, I am still worth the full 20 dollars.’”15
This woman knows that she is a beloved daughter of her Heavenly Father and that she was worth enough to Him to send His Son to atone for her, individually. Every sister in the Church should know what this woman knows—that she is a beloved daughter of God. How does knowing our worth to Him change how we keep our covenants? How does knowing our worth to Him affect our desire to minister to others? How does knowing our worth to Him increase our desire to help those who need to understand the Atonement as we do—way down deep? When each of us has the doctrine of the Atonement written deep in our hearts, then we will begin to become the kind of people the Lord wants us to be when He comes again. He will recognize us as His true disciples.”
Let’s all go home together… let’s make it home. I don’t want any of us left behind.
Quote #3 President Uchtdorf said, “One day we will take that unavoidable step and cross from this mortal sphere into the next estate. One day we will look back at our lives and wonder if we could have been better, made better decisions, or used our time more wisely. It is my testimony that many of the deepest regrets of tomorrow can be prevented by following the Savior today.”
Let us follow the Savior today. Let us remember who we are, beloved daughters of God. Let us help to lift up the hands which hang down and strengthen the feeble knees. Let us dress our fellow sisters in spiritual robes and rescue those who are struggling. Let’s all go home together, to be with our familes and our loved ones and our neighbors and with our Savior, Jesus Christ. Sisters, I want you to know that I love you. Many of you have been my friends for years, but there are some of you that I don’t know as well. But my heart has been filled with love for you. I hope you know that you truly are a daughter of God. That you are doing great things and that with the Savior’s help and by following the promptings of the spirit, you can do even more. I know we are busy. I know we get overwhelmed and discouraged, but the Lord is there. He knows you and He knows what you need. He wants to bless you, and He wants to bless those around you. Pray to feel His love for you and to feel His love for those around you.
Monday, January 7, 2013
Drops of Divinity
I saw this amazing post entitledDrops of Awesome on my friend's Facebook page. I shared it on my Facebook page too. It really touched me. Basically, she says to stop being so hard on yourself. That when you do what is right, in that moment, you are who you want to be. We can't always change who we are completely or make the right choice every time, but we can change the next choice we make. Each time you do the right thing, you are adding a drop of awesome into a bucket. But the amazing thing is that you are not alone to fill your bucket. Because really, we never will on our own. But Christ will fill it to overflowing because of his Atonement. It is so beautifully written and expressed in such an eloquent way. I shared it as part of my lesson in Relief Society yesterday.
I decided, and shared in Relief Society, that instead of referring to these as Drops of Awesome, I'd prefer to refer to them as Drops of Divinity. Because we are children of God, we are of divine nature. When we do what is right, when we make good choices, we are being our true selves. We are being who we are meant to be. We all have the divine within us, and it is easy to forget that or to get confused and make poor choices. But Romans 8: 16-18 teaches us: "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
I spent some time thinking about it yesterday afternoon. We are so hard on ourselves. We often let the mistakes of the past keep us from appreciating the good things we do today or from recognizing that we can change.
Since being called as Relief Society President, I have taken the opportunity to do several small acts of service. Nothing major. But I have tried to reach out, to go beyond my comfort zone, and to listen to the promptings of the spirit. But each time I have done this, there has been a thought in the back of my head that says something along the lines of "You wouldn't have done that if you weren't called as the Relief Society President. YOu wouldn't have helped them before your call. You aren't really that willing to serve others." And perhaps there is some truth in that. I haven't always been as good about serving as I could be or should be. But I am trying to become better. So rather than letting these negative thoughts plague me and make me feel bad, I am going to ignore them, banish them and replace them with the thought that in that moment when I serve, I am adding a drop of divinity to my jar. Right then, I am being who I want to be. And if I keep adding drops, keep repenting when I make mistakes and keep trying to heed the promptings, then someday, with Christ's help, I will become who I want to be and who the Lord knows I can be.
Yesterday, one of the sisters in my ward shared with me how much this had meant to her. She had told her children about it and was planning to buy a jar and each time she or her children did the right thing, they would add drops of water to the jar. Or she said maybe she'd buy M&M's or other candy and add those instead. Then when the jar is full, they'd get a treat, and it would be a visual way to encourage each of them to make more right choices. I thought that was a great idea.
I decided, and shared in Relief Society, that instead of referring to these as Drops of Awesome, I'd prefer to refer to them as Drops of Divinity. Because we are children of God, we are of divine nature. When we do what is right, when we make good choices, we are being our true selves. We are being who we are meant to be. We all have the divine within us, and it is easy to forget that or to get confused and make poor choices. But Romans 8: 16-18 teaches us: "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, that we are the children of God. And if children, then heirs; heirs of God and joint-heirs with Christ; if so be that we suffer with him, that we may also be glorified together. For I reckon that the sufferings of this present time are not worthy to be compared with the glory which shall be revealed in us."
I spent some time thinking about it yesterday afternoon. We are so hard on ourselves. We often let the mistakes of the past keep us from appreciating the good things we do today or from recognizing that we can change.
Since being called as Relief Society President, I have taken the opportunity to do several small acts of service. Nothing major. But I have tried to reach out, to go beyond my comfort zone, and to listen to the promptings of the spirit. But each time I have done this, there has been a thought in the back of my head that says something along the lines of "You wouldn't have done that if you weren't called as the Relief Society President. YOu wouldn't have helped them before your call. You aren't really that willing to serve others." And perhaps there is some truth in that. I haven't always been as good about serving as I could be or should be. But I am trying to become better. So rather than letting these negative thoughts plague me and make me feel bad, I am going to ignore them, banish them and replace them with the thought that in that moment when I serve, I am adding a drop of divinity to my jar. Right then, I am being who I want to be. And if I keep adding drops, keep repenting when I make mistakes and keep trying to heed the promptings, then someday, with Christ's help, I will become who I want to be and who the Lord knows I can be.
Yesterday, one of the sisters in my ward shared with me how much this had meant to her. She had told her children about it and was planning to buy a jar and each time she or her children did the right thing, they would add drops of water to the jar. Or she said maybe she'd buy M&M's or other candy and add those instead. Then when the jar is full, they'd get a treat, and it would be a visual way to encourage each of them to make more right choices. I thought that was a great idea.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Tender Mercies
1 Nephi 1:20 "...But behold, I Nephi, will show unto you that the tender mercies of the Lord are over all those whom he hath chosen, because of their faith, to make them mighty even unto the power of deliverance."
I have remarked to a few people over the break how fortunate the timing of my call as Relief Society President was. Because I found out a week before break, and because we didn't have piano or violin lessons that week, I was able to stay late and plan most of the rest of the school year. I got so many things photocopied and organized, so that my job will come easier to me. I know there will be some changes made as the year goes on and I know that I will still need to do some planning, but I feel so relieved that I got so much done.
In addition, I had a two week break in order to get some things organized in my home, time to process this new calling emotionally and time to get started on my calling. I was able to attend the temple twice during the past two weeks, watch the Auxiliary Training and Worldwide Leadership Training from last year, watch the Leadership Training Library, read most of the handbook, and complete a few other things that help me feel more prepared to serve as Relief Society President.
Anyway, I have been saying how good the timing was and how lucky I was that the call came when it did. Suddenly, yesterday, it occurred to me that this wasn't just good fortune. This was a blessing from my Heavenly Father. It was one of his tender mercies. (I am a little slow to catch on at times, I admit.) He is aware of me. He knows that I care deeply about both my own family and my students. I truly believe that being a teacher is part of my mission here on Earth and that even though I can't teach the gospel at school, that my good example, my love and my kindness to the children I teach makes a difference for them. Despite this deep conviction that I am supposed to teach, I still worry that I am not home with my children as much as I could be or should be and so I guard my time with them pretty closely. It is important to me to be there for them in the evenings and to be able to help them with homework, read to them, listen to them, supervise them as they practice piano (Ella and Michelle) and violin (Michelle), cook dinner for them, read scriptures and pray with them. So other than my monthly book club, I try hard not to schedule activities for the evening. I realized yesterday that my Heavenly Father is aware of my time constraints, my desires to be a good mother and wife and teacher and is aware that I tend to "stress out". So, being the kind Father that He is, He extended this call at a time when I could do my best to prepare for it, process it and begin to plan for it. It will require sacrifices, and it will take me away from my children sometimes. But I also know that it will strengthen my faith and bless my family in ways that I probably can't even imagine right now.
In addition to these tender mercies, the Lord has witnessed to me that this call came from Him. That I am supposed to be the Relief Society President right now. I still struggle with self doubt at times, but I have felt his love enfolding me and I have felt the spirit testify that I can do this. In addition, I know that the counselors I chose are who he wants to serve with me in this presidency. We had our first presidency meeting last week, and I feel so much calmer and better since meeting with them.
I tried to express this in my testimony today, although I'm not sure I expressed it very well. I mentioned that I have felt like I couldn't possibly add one more thing to my plate, but that due to the timing I feel like I've been able to take care of my other responsibilities so that I will be able to handle it. Our former Bishop, Bishop Gustafson, stood up and shared his testimony. As part of his remarks, he said that when our lives seem too busy and we feel like we can't handle one more thing, that's when we often need to accept a call or make a change so we can receive the Lord's blessings. I have felt the truthfulness of this...already I am learning things that I feel quite certain I wouldn't have learned otherwise. I am being challenged to stretch in ways that I wouldn't have if I continued to teach Sunbeams. I love the Sunbeams, and I would happily have taught Sunbeams for many years. They are so full of love, and I often felt that I received more from teaching them than I gave. But it is time for a change, for new chances to grow, and for more opportunities to serve. I am grateful that my Father knew this and provided this opportunity to me.
I have remarked to a few people over the break how fortunate the timing of my call as Relief Society President was. Because I found out a week before break, and because we didn't have piano or violin lessons that week, I was able to stay late and plan most of the rest of the school year. I got so many things photocopied and organized, so that my job will come easier to me. I know there will be some changes made as the year goes on and I know that I will still need to do some planning, but I feel so relieved that I got so much done.
In addition, I had a two week break in order to get some things organized in my home, time to process this new calling emotionally and time to get started on my calling. I was able to attend the temple twice during the past two weeks, watch the Auxiliary Training and Worldwide Leadership Training from last year, watch the Leadership Training Library, read most of the handbook, and complete a few other things that help me feel more prepared to serve as Relief Society President.
Anyway, I have been saying how good the timing was and how lucky I was that the call came when it did. Suddenly, yesterday, it occurred to me that this wasn't just good fortune. This was a blessing from my Heavenly Father. It was one of his tender mercies. (I am a little slow to catch on at times, I admit.) He is aware of me. He knows that I care deeply about both my own family and my students. I truly believe that being a teacher is part of my mission here on Earth and that even though I can't teach the gospel at school, that my good example, my love and my kindness to the children I teach makes a difference for them. Despite this deep conviction that I am supposed to teach, I still worry that I am not home with my children as much as I could be or should be and so I guard my time with them pretty closely. It is important to me to be there for them in the evenings and to be able to help them with homework, read to them, listen to them, supervise them as they practice piano (Ella and Michelle) and violin (Michelle), cook dinner for them, read scriptures and pray with them. So other than my monthly book club, I try hard not to schedule activities for the evening. I realized yesterday that my Heavenly Father is aware of my time constraints, my desires to be a good mother and wife and teacher and is aware that I tend to "stress out". So, being the kind Father that He is, He extended this call at a time when I could do my best to prepare for it, process it and begin to plan for it. It will require sacrifices, and it will take me away from my children sometimes. But I also know that it will strengthen my faith and bless my family in ways that I probably can't even imagine right now.
In addition to these tender mercies, the Lord has witnessed to me that this call came from Him. That I am supposed to be the Relief Society President right now. I still struggle with self doubt at times, but I have felt his love enfolding me and I have felt the spirit testify that I can do this. In addition, I know that the counselors I chose are who he wants to serve with me in this presidency. We had our first presidency meeting last week, and I feel so much calmer and better since meeting with them.
I tried to express this in my testimony today, although I'm not sure I expressed it very well. I mentioned that I have felt like I couldn't possibly add one more thing to my plate, but that due to the timing I feel like I've been able to take care of my other responsibilities so that I will be able to handle it. Our former Bishop, Bishop Gustafson, stood up and shared his testimony. As part of his remarks, he said that when our lives seem too busy and we feel like we can't handle one more thing, that's when we often need to accept a call or make a change so we can receive the Lord's blessings. I have felt the truthfulness of this...already I am learning things that I feel quite certain I wouldn't have learned otherwise. I am being challenged to stretch in ways that I wouldn't have if I continued to teach Sunbeams. I love the Sunbeams, and I would happily have taught Sunbeams for many years. They are so full of love, and I often felt that I received more from teaching them than I gave. But it is time for a change, for new chances to grow, and for more opportunities to serve. I am grateful that my Father knew this and provided this opportunity to me.
Friday, January 4, 2013
New Years Eve
This year, we went to our dear friends' home for New Years Eve. Jeremy and Stacie had prepared 
a wonderful dinner...prime rib, delicious mashed potatoes, shrimp, pasta, and cream puffs and cookies for dessert. Such a nice dinner. The kids played happily for hours, and we visited and ate and talked and laughed and did fireworks and had a great time.
We went to Alfredo's aunt's house afterward for about an hour to wish all of them a Happy New Year. Traditionally, we have spent New Year's Eve with them. In the past 12 years, this is only the second time that we didn't spend the whole evening at their house. But we did get to visit for awhile and give our love to them.
New Years Eve always seems a little strange to me...I really do set goals for each year and try to improve. But it seems a little odd that such a big deal is made about one day... it seems a little dramatic to feel like one day...the turning of a calendar page... makes such a big deal. At least that has been how it has felt in the past. This year, my emotions are much closer to the surface and it did feel more momentous. I am excited for 2013 and the changes it will bring. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life and so many opportunities to look forward to.
(I also want to add that on New Year's Eve, several people sent me good wishes on Facebook and I thanked them. Then I responded that my goal for the day was to stop crying and clean my house. I am happy to report that I did eventually stop crying...at least most of the day... and I did get my house clean.... Hooray! I have got to get a bit of a handle on my emotions because I think my kids are starting to worry about me. There have been a lot of tears, but they are good tears.)
a wonderful dinner...prime rib, delicious mashed potatoes, shrimp, pasta, and cream puffs and cookies for dessert. Such a nice dinner. The kids played happily for hours, and we visited and ate and talked and laughed and did fireworks and had a great time.
We went to Alfredo's aunt's house afterward for about an hour to wish all of them a Happy New Year. Traditionally, we have spent New Year's Eve with them. In the past 12 years, this is only the second time that we didn't spend the whole evening at their house. But we did get to visit for awhile and give our love to them.
New Years Eve always seems a little strange to me...I really do set goals for each year and try to improve. But it seems a little odd that such a big deal is made about one day... it seems a little dramatic to feel like one day...the turning of a calendar page... makes such a big deal. At least that has been how it has felt in the past. This year, my emotions are much closer to the surface and it did feel more momentous. I am excited for 2013 and the changes it will bring. I am so thankful to have so many wonderful people in my life and so many opportunities to look forward to.
(I also want to add that on New Year's Eve, several people sent me good wishes on Facebook and I thanked them. Then I responded that my goal for the day was to stop crying and clean my house. I am happy to report that I did eventually stop crying...at least most of the day... and I did get my house clean.... Hooray! I have got to get a bit of a handle on my emotions because I think my kids are starting to worry about me. There have been a lot of tears, but they are good tears.)
Tuesday, January 1, 2013
New Year's Resolutions
Time to set new resolutions for this year and to review how I did on this past year's resolutions.
For 2013, I wanted to record both my resolutions and my family's resolutions.
Gabby wants to keep her room cleaner, and she will pray daily.
Ella will be responsible for her homework, reading and piano without reminders. She said she will make her bed daily. (I really don't think this will happen on school days, and frankly, I am okay with that. But on weekends, it is a good goal.) At church, she wants to always sing during singing time.
Michelle will help her mom and dad with cleaning, laundry and dishes. (I asked her to also be very responsible for her own homework, reading and music practice without reminders...piano and violin). She will also offer to pray at church more often, especially when no one else in her class volunteers right away.
Alfredo wants to lose weight and exercise regularly.
This year, I am just setting one New Year's Resolution... but it feels like a big one, so I think it is sufficient.
I am going to do my very best to magnify my calling as Relief Society President. As I've expressed in this previous post I feel humbled and overwhelmed and grateful for this calling (and I haven't really done anything yet!) I know that it will require great amounts of time, effort, compassion, spiritual guidance, humility, study, prayer, faith, love, and probably many other qualities that I will have to work hard to develop. I am grateful to have good counselors and so many wonderful sisters in my ward that will support and sustain me. I am sure that my family will be blessed and that this will be an unprecedented year of growth and probably of challenges. So I will do my best. I am going to stretch myself in ways that I already know will be uncomfortable and will be a great blessing to me and to my family. I am going to do this while trying to still be a good wife, mother and teacher.
That's it. :) Say a prayer for me... I'm going to need it.
******************************
Here's a review of how last year's goals went:
This past year, I really worked hard to incorporate 5-7 or more fruits and veggies in my diet each day. For the most part, I was quite successful at this. I had days/weeks where I did really well and occasional days or weeks when I was a little less successful. But overall, I really worked hard on this resolution and feel that I kept this resolution.
As spiritual goals, I resolved to attend the temple more regularly and hold Family Home Evening weekly. I didn't hold Family Home Evening every week, but I was pretty consistent...more so than ever before. I didn't attend the temple as much as I would like but I am going to do better this year.
As a mental goal, I resolved to continue to read and participate in the Salt Lake County library challenges. I participated in nearly every one and read many good books, and I learned a lot.
So definitely some growth...and definitely also room for improvement.
For 2013, I wanted to record both my resolutions and my family's resolutions.
Gabby wants to keep her room cleaner, and she will pray daily.
Ella will be responsible for her homework, reading and piano without reminders. She said she will make her bed daily. (I really don't think this will happen on school days, and frankly, I am okay with that. But on weekends, it is a good goal.) At church, she wants to always sing during singing time.
This year, I am just setting one New Year's Resolution... but it feels like a big one, so I think it is sufficient.
I am going to do my very best to magnify my calling as Relief Society President. As I've expressed in this previous post I feel humbled and overwhelmed and grateful for this calling (and I haven't really done anything yet!) I know that it will require great amounts of time, effort, compassion, spiritual guidance, humility, study, prayer, faith, love, and probably many other qualities that I will have to work hard to develop. I am grateful to have good counselors and so many wonderful sisters in my ward that will support and sustain me. I am sure that my family will be blessed and that this will be an unprecedented year of growth and probably of challenges. So I will do my best. I am going to stretch myself in ways that I already know will be uncomfortable and will be a great blessing to me and to my family. I am going to do this while trying to still be a good wife, mother and teacher.
That's it. :) Say a prayer for me... I'm going to need it.
******************************
Here's a review of how last year's goals went:
This past year, I really worked hard to incorporate 5-7 or more fruits and veggies in my diet each day. For the most part, I was quite successful at this. I had days/weeks where I did really well and occasional days or weeks when I was a little less successful. But overall, I really worked hard on this resolution and feel that I kept this resolution.
As spiritual goals, I resolved to attend the temple more regularly and hold Family Home Evening weekly. I didn't hold Family Home Evening every week, but I was pretty consistent...more so than ever before. I didn't attend the temple as much as I would like but I am going to do better this year.
As a mental goal, I resolved to continue to read and participate in the Salt Lake County library challenges. I participated in nearly every one and read many good books, and I learned a lot.
So definitely some growth...and definitely also room for improvement.
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