light | 3/52

I brought my camera to church to take some photos of the primary children for a mural they are working on. While waiting I saw a mirror, and well, I couldn't help take the shot. When I got home and looked through my images I stopped on this one -- I didn't realize I had captured the painting of Christ with the little children along side my reflection. It made me smile, I love that painting, and then the song I Am a Child of God played through my head.



It's one of the very first songs I remember learning as a little girl and singing, not only in church, but with my family at home. Years later I sang it to my girls when I would put them down to sleep or when they were scared to calm their fears. It's still to this day a very comforting song to me. It brings light when darkness threatens to cloud my spirit, reminding me that I am and will never be alone in this vast world of growing uncertainty. I have no doubt who I am, where I came from, and where I want to be -- this alone brings peace beyond measure to my life.


Below is my favorite verse of the song. Go here to read more and/or listen to the song.

I am a child of God.
Rich blessings are in store;
If I but learn to do his will,
I'll live with him once more.

Chorus
Lead me, guide me, walk beside me,
Help me find the way.
Teach me all that I must do
To live with him someday.

conference weekend

I am walking away from this conference weekend (for those of you who don't know general conference is a time when the Leaders of the LDS church speak to the entire church. It happens over a two day period every 6 months) feeling edified, with a renewed sense to try harder and do my best. I thought the messages given did not lack great wisdom and inspiration that I needed to hear. Here are just a few of the things that stood out to me.

Richard G. Scott
-Some truths comes when you are not actively seeking (e.g. dangerous situation), however, God will not force you to learn. You must exercise agency and authorize the spirit to teach you. As you do this you'll be more receptive to guidance and when it comes you'll recognize it more.

Russell G. Osguthorpe
-Aim High
-Rely on Lord. He will help you do things you think are impossible.

David A. Bednar
-We can become more faithful and diligent at home as we
1. express love and show it
-what we know isn't always reflected on what we do.
2. bear testimony and live it.
3. be consistent
-out of small things lead to something great.

Dieter F. Uchtdorf
- For what we love determines what we seek, and what we seek determines what we think and do, and that determines who we are.
-though we are incomplete God loves us completely.
-Don't get discourage the first step is to try and do. Keep trying until the difficult becomes possible and a habit - a part of you.
-love is the factor that takes obedience to dedication.

Dallin H. Oaks
-Laws are there to give us a way to advance (progress) like God.
-God's choicest blessings are contingent on our actions.

Jorge F. Zeballos
-God doesn't expect that we do what we cannot achieve. The command to become perfect as He encourages us to achieve the best of ourselves.
-God does not require more than the best we can give because that wouldn't be just, but He will not expect less than that. Always give your best.

Neil L. Anderson
-it is not easy to repent, to change is difficult.
-Repentance is turning away from some things such as dishonesty and pride, and turning toward other things such as kindness, unselfishness, & patience. It is returning toward God.
-How to decide where our repentance should be focused? Humbly petition the Lord. The answers will come and we will feel what changes we need to make.
-Christ knows how difficult it is.

Boyd K. Packer
-Know matter who you are or what you've done you're always worthy to pray.
-Prayer is your personal key to heaven and the lock is on your side of the veil.
-He concludes prayer with "they will be done". Do not expect to be free entirely from trouble, pain or discouragement. Theses are the things were sent to learn on earth.

Henry B. Erying
-We can and must expect to become better
-love is the motivating purpose
-husbands and wife pray for love that make weaknesses seem small
-you feel love of Savior when you try to do the things you know He would do.

L. Tom Perry
-looking to the past will help us find a better way to face the future.

H. David Burton
-faith will diminish if we follow world
-parents need to start in home by being an example

Ann Dibb
-We learn and grow by overcoming challenges with faith, persistence, and personal righteousness.
-Thomas S. Monson said, "Remember that you are entitled to our Heavenly Father's blessings in this work. He didn't call you to your privileged post to walk alone, without guidance, trusting to luck. On the contrary He know your skill, realizes your devotion and will convert your inadequacies to recognize strength."
-God has given us all what we need to return to Him. It is up to us to choose whether we use it or not.

Russell M. Nelson
-Generous gift God gave us is personal revelation...we need to be ready to receive it.
-Real intent means really intending to follow counsel given.
-We are given gifts precisely to fulfill Heavenly Father's purposes.

Prophet Thomas S. Monson
-What did you do for someone today? Each of us can do something
*"Whosoever shall lose his life for my save shall save it." I believe the Savior is telling us unless we lose ourselves in serving others there is little purpose to our lives.
-"Man's greatest happiness comes from losing self in others." - David O. Mckay
-We are one with you in moving forward this marvelous work. I testify to you that every man, woman and child has a part to play. May God give us the strength and the ability and the determination to play our part well.

Jeffery R. Holland
-One cannot come to full faith until one accepts the Book Of Mormon and Christ which it testifies of.
-God always provides safety for the soul and has done it through BOM.

Quentin L. Cook
-Try to do what is right because we love God not because someone else wants us to.
-When we are accountable to God we see how foolish our rationalizations are.
-Remember having religious observance in home is as important as feeding family.

Dale G. Renlund
-do not be casual about the small acts of praying and reading scriptures.
-consider where you heart is

Michael T. Ringwood
-Pray til you have faith in Christ
-daily living of Gospel brings a softness of heart.

This is just a glimpse of the goodness and a rough one at that coming from me. I am not so good at note taking, but I do my best. If you are interested in hearing the entire talks go here.









Besides the great talks that were given we had a great weekend together. I was so pleased with my girls that they were able to stay the whole time while conference was on. For the most part Bella sat and listened while Megan quietly (at times not) set up a closet for her stuffed animals and changed there clothes and Tess colored and hopefully heard some of the messages. We also had a fire going which makes everything seem a little cozier. When we weren't watching we made rolls for Sunday dinner, played go fish, ate a delicious turkey dinner, and carved pumpkins (yet to take a picture). It was delightful and was so grateful at the ease of 8 hours in front of the TV with little ones.

planting seeds

This morning Adam and I had the opportunity to take our girls to the open house of the LDS Draper temple before it's dedication on March 22nd. "LDS temples, for those who may not know, are considered sacred houses of the Lord. After temples are formally dedicated, only adult members of the LDS church who are living high moral standards and Christian principles can be admitted." -quote from robyn's blog. Temples are also a place where promises (covenants) are made with God and marriages are performed to seal families together for eternity.


[i didn't realize we really wouldn't be able to walk on the grounds so a quick photo before we got back on the bus.]

Because of this very unique situation, it's not every day that a temple is built close by, it was really important to both Adam and I to give our girls the chance to see the inside of the temple and share with them why it's so important to us, and why we chose to get married there. It's definitely a blessing I pray my girls will choose for themselves when the time comes.

I remember when I was a little girl going through the LDS Jordan River temple before it's dedication and being overwhelmed by all the beautiful rooms and how big it was. I remember thinking, I want to get married in a temple, but I don't think I really understood the gift I had, to be born into a family that was sealed together, until my brother died. Then I saw more fully the magnitude of this blessing and was determined to have it in my own life with my husband and children. With all the bad things that can happen in this life that I often find myself worrying about, death to be more precise, if I take a moment to put this life into perspective and look at the big picture I know that whatever comes our way, assuming that we live righteously, Adam, Bella, Tess, and Megan will be mine forever and ever. I just can imagine a better gift than that and thank God daily for it.

Have a great weekend.