I went shopping with a friend and we made a stop at the post office. When we were ready to go my car wouldn't start. Before I even got out of my car, two people had noticed and were ready to help. Then more people were willing to help.
Jumper cables came out and we were on our way. Those generous people amaze me and I'm grateful. I truly believe the Lord works through other people.
Tuesday, December 20, 2011
Sunday, November 13, 2011
New Stake Conference
Our ward was placed in a different stake so that stake could split in two. We gathered in a community building to fit everyone there. After the split we watched a broadcast for our stake conference and the man speaking said the stake we were joining was a "low maintenance, high yield stake." I'd like to be low maintenance, high yield...
Highlights I liked:
*Youth need parents who teach and live the gospel. Improve the quality of life in the home. Fathers have the priesthood to protect the home. Mothers support. It is more important to have these things than youth activities.
*Our most important responsibility is to live to have the spirit with us.
*To keep ourselves grounded we need to keep our eyes on the goal. If we look for frailties in humans, we will find it.
*Choose the higher ground of obedience
*Marriage is the highest order-Commitment-Make it work. All marriages have the same problems it is the commitment level that tells if it will last. It is the biggest test of fidelity. It gives us reason to soften our hearts, have a contrite spirit, be patient, be an example, be willing to change ourselves.
*Marriage is an anxious concern for our spouses well being.
-speak in soft and kind voices
-stay out of debt
-parent as partners. work together in harmony
-pray together
-Divine Words- I LOVE YOU
Highlights I liked:
*Youth need parents who teach and live the gospel. Improve the quality of life in the home. Fathers have the priesthood to protect the home. Mothers support. It is more important to have these things than youth activities.
*Our most important responsibility is to live to have the spirit with us.
*To keep ourselves grounded we need to keep our eyes on the goal. If we look for frailties in humans, we will find it.
*Choose the higher ground of obedience
*Marriage is the highest order-Commitment-Make it work. All marriages have the same problems it is the commitment level that tells if it will last. It is the biggest test of fidelity. It gives us reason to soften our hearts, have a contrite spirit, be patient, be an example, be willing to change ourselves.
*Marriage is an anxious concern for our spouses well being.
-speak in soft and kind voices
-stay out of debt
-parent as partners. work together in harmony
-pray together
-Divine Words- I LOVE YOU
Saturday, November 12, 2011
9 Year Old Blessings
Our oldest is nine and that has been a HUGE blessing since she can babysit. We can go to the temple more and other dates. Not only is she nine but she is responsible and has learned with experience how to be a good babysitter. My husband and I are thrilled we have more opportunities to have one on one with each other.
Cause and Effect
We were able to finally put down two nusense dogs that were harassing our horses. They were chasing cars, making the school bus slam on the brakes, etc. My husband warned the owners before he did it and they said the dogs deserved it if they were after horses. We were glad to be rid of the problem, especially since two horses got hurt when they got spooked and ran through the fence most likely by dogs.
We feel sad since the dogs were sweet and good with people but we can't make the owners keep the dogs in their yard.
We feel sad since the dogs were sweet and good with people but we can't make the owners keep the dogs in their yard.
The Kids Say...
The kids say that they are blessed to do really good in school. It's true, they are doing really good.
Guard
We were able to find a really nice grill guard for our truck my husband uses to commute to work. He has already hit a deer and happened to drive the vehicle that had a guard on it that day. Since that truck has poor fuel mileage we were thrilled to have the protection on his commuting vehicle and it looks great too! It was half price and local.
Bonus
My husband received a bonus check from the farm this year. We hoped for five hundred but it ended up being three thousand.
We have budgeted really well and feel so blessed to actually have it as extra money instead of trying to catch up with it. My husband has wanted a clutch for his 4x4 and a couple of drill batteries and then we can pay our car down faster. Tithing will come first of course.
We have a goal to become debt free and we are almost there. We have the school loan, car payment and our house. The school loan will be paid off in the next year. We are so grateful that our obedience to stay within our means is paying off financially.
We have budgeted really well and feel so blessed to actually have it as extra money instead of trying to catch up with it. My husband has wanted a clutch for his 4x4 and a couple of drill batteries and then we can pay our car down faster. Tithing will come first of course.
We have a goal to become debt free and we are almost there. We have the school loan, car payment and our house. The school loan will be paid off in the next year. We are so grateful that our obedience to stay within our means is paying off financially.
Rent Lessons Learned
Last month we had our previous renters move out. My husband and I were feeling the strain of their presence and didn't know how well we'd make it to the end of their contract (3 more months). The yard was always messy with neglected toys, constant garbage and dog poop. They were pretty good people but were just hard to live with because the apartment is above our garage.
The renters found a place and we immediately found new renters within days of our posting our ad. HUGE blessing since last time it took six months. We were happy.
It didn't come without struggle. We'd helped the previous renters financially by charging less rent for yard work (which wasn't done completely). I ended up charging $60 for three hours of cleaning and we had to charge for a new lock since they lost the key. The woman threw a fit and demanded items back we had helped them get rid of when they first moved in. She determined we weren't welcome at their new house.
I was so sad that she threw away our friendship over a cleaning bill and a lost key that was all in her control. We were friends and had gotten along very well.
My husband and I learned a great lesson. It is hard to help people and use good boundaries. We were tired of helping them since they took advantage of our generosity. In the end they didn't appreciate anything since we stopped helping them and made them responsible for things they could control.
We also saw, again, how the Lord takes care of us and got us out of that situation in excellent time. We are so grateful and our new renters don't demand any favors!
The renters found a place and we immediately found new renters within days of our posting our ad. HUGE blessing since last time it took six months. We were happy.
It didn't come without struggle. We'd helped the previous renters financially by charging less rent for yard work (which wasn't done completely). I ended up charging $60 for three hours of cleaning and we had to charge for a new lock since they lost the key. The woman threw a fit and demanded items back we had helped them get rid of when they first moved in. She determined we weren't welcome at their new house.
I was so sad that she threw away our friendship over a cleaning bill and a lost key that was all in her control. We were friends and had gotten along very well.
My husband and I learned a great lesson. It is hard to help people and use good boundaries. We were tired of helping them since they took advantage of our generosity. In the end they didn't appreciate anything since we stopped helping them and made them responsible for things they could control.
We also saw, again, how the Lord takes care of us and got us out of that situation in excellent time. We are so grateful and our new renters don't demand any favors!
Monday, October 3, 2011
Home
(An article I wrote from The Gunlock Informer, September 2011)
Home is a place we saw little of during the summer months. My children provoked this article since they have really missed their home. The children were used to long days at our home playing in the yard, going to the splash parks and checking out books at the library in past years for summer activities.
Disappointment struck briefly as those past events were not to take place during this last summer. That disappointment faded quickly as the pursuit of the new and unknown came. The excitement of preparing and thinking of all the fun things to be done while on vacation, going to family reunions or just supporting their dad working on the farm, was special.
With each trip a new adventure unfolded, it created a summer that leaped by while time was flying just as fast. Packing and unpacking, doing laundry just to put it back into the bags. Doing dishes by hand, sitting in tractors, counting ladybugs and grasshoppers, applying layers of sunscreen. Collecting a hay cube to show off to mom so she could see the success of the day.
The return home was welcomed more and more with each trip. The door to the house would unlock and the children would disappear to be with the things they love most in their own home. Sighs were more and more heartfelt each time their heads lay on their very own pillow, in their very own room, surrounded by their very own belongings.
Although it is fun to be constantly doing things and going from one event to another, there is something to be said about being home. I believe my children have learned for themselves how special a home can be.
Home is a place we saw little of during the summer months. My children provoked this article since they have really missed their home. The children were used to long days at our home playing in the yard, going to the splash parks and checking out books at the library in past years for summer activities.
Disappointment struck briefly as those past events were not to take place during this last summer. That disappointment faded quickly as the pursuit of the new and unknown came. The excitement of preparing and thinking of all the fun things to be done while on vacation, going to family reunions or just supporting their dad working on the farm, was special.
With each trip a new adventure unfolded, it created a summer that leaped by while time was flying just as fast. Packing and unpacking, doing laundry just to put it back into the bags. Doing dishes by hand, sitting in tractors, counting ladybugs and grasshoppers, applying layers of sunscreen. Collecting a hay cube to show off to mom so she could see the success of the day.
The return home was welcomed more and more with each trip. The door to the house would unlock and the children would disappear to be with the things they love most in their own home. Sighs were more and more heartfelt each time their heads lay on their very own pillow, in their very own room, surrounded by their very own belongings.
Although it is fun to be constantly doing things and going from one event to another, there is something to be said about being home. I believe my children have learned for themselves how special a home can be.
Saturday, October 1, 2011
Thursday, September 29, 2011
Again, Small Desires
I have wanted a surger for years and we planned to get one and it fell through a few times and I just figured it would be a while before it actually happened. A woman moved into the ward who had a surger that was given to her in the past that was barely used and didn't want to take the time to figure out how to use it, so she gave it to me.
My smallest desires are heard. The things in this world that I want are things my Heavenly Father is mindful of.
My smallest desires are heard. The things in this world that I want are things my Heavenly Father is mindful of.
Small Desires
Two years in a row I have shown up at the school on picture day to help a teacher and end up helping the photographers. This means I get a free portrait package for one of my kids. Every year the price of the package goes up and I decide to take pictures in my own yard. This year I wanted my youngest to have school pictures since I've done it for the older two at least once. (My son got the free package last year.) So I just show up to help her class and they need a parent helper. I think even my smallest desires are heard.
Priceless Peace
This last summer I have felt amazing peace through the good and the bad. Since my husband has started working on his family farm again, I have felt peace in knowing it is what we are supposed to do as a family. We had some confrontations to fix past conflicts and made it through better.
This peace has been priceless to me since so much has been required of me and there's been so much change. I know my life and happiness is important and what I do matters and how I feel matters too.
This peace has been priceless to me since so much has been required of me and there's been so much change. I know my life and happiness is important and what I do matters and how I feel matters too.
Sunday, September 18, 2011
Sunday, September 4, 2011
Marriage Warranty
Marriage doesn't come with a guarantee, but it comes with a warranty. Marriages can break or malfunction but we are given tools to fix it as part of the warranty.
Thursday, March 24, 2011
Tonsils
My youngest has needed her tonsils out for many reasons-snoring, teeth, mouth breathing, sore throats, etc. Finally I took her in since the symptoms were getting worse. Within one week she had her tonsils out.
Day 3 of recovery and she is doing GREAT! The doctor said she'd have a rough first 2 days and, especially day 2 and she has done amazingly well. She is eating and drinking like she's supposed to. We haven't had any problems and she is smiling and playing. This is a great blessing, especially since she is so small for her age. It is dangerous for her to get dehydrated and we have experienced no threat!
Before her surgery, her dad gave her a blessing and said she would recover well and us as parents would know how to take care of her.
I know the priesthood blesses our lives directly through my husband from the Lord. I know Heavenly Father cares about our daughter specifically (and our other kids too) to help guide and direct us to take care of her and help her heal quickly. I know He has given her comfort to get through this hard experience.
My son got horribly sick right after his sisters' surgery. He was out of school for almost 2 weeks. We took care of him too at the same time and we know the Lord was watching over all of us to meet each need when needed.
Day 3 of recovery and she is doing GREAT! The doctor said she'd have a rough first 2 days and, especially day 2 and she has done amazingly well. She is eating and drinking like she's supposed to. We haven't had any problems and she is smiling and playing. This is a great blessing, especially since she is so small for her age. It is dangerous for her to get dehydrated and we have experienced no threat!
Before her surgery, her dad gave her a blessing and said she would recover well and us as parents would know how to take care of her.
I know the priesthood blesses our lives directly through my husband from the Lord. I know Heavenly Father cares about our daughter specifically (and our other kids too) to help guide and direct us to take care of her and help her heal quickly. I know He has given her comfort to get through this hard experience.
My son got horribly sick right after his sisters' surgery. He was out of school for almost 2 weeks. We took care of him too at the same time and we know the Lord was watching over all of us to meet each need when needed.
Wednesday, March 23, 2011
The Easy Lie
Satan wants us to think life is supposed to be easy. This is a lie. We are supposed to have trials and tribulation so we can learn and grow.
Priesthood
The priesthood is an important part of the gospel for men and women. Some people have a problem with it being given only to men. I can see how they feel, but I'm going to use my husbands words to explain.
Men and women are clearly different. It can be said that generally women are closer to the spirit and have a more service oriented attitude than men. Men are good but get focused in and can miss stuff. Men have the priesthood to give service and as an opportunity to be closer to God. The priesthood can never be used selfishly. It can only bless others. A priesthood holder can never bless himself.
Although the priesthood is only given to men, it equally blesses men and women. It is a way to use God's power to serve others.
Eve was made for Adam as a helpmeet. Adam goes to the Lord and is guided. Eve is guided by what Adam was told by the Lord. So it makes sense that Adam would have the priesthood since he is the one directly guided by the Lord and Eve receives full benefits through Adam. There is an order and the order makes sense.
Men and women are clearly different. It can be said that generally women are closer to the spirit and have a more service oriented attitude than men. Men are good but get focused in and can miss stuff. Men have the priesthood to give service and as an opportunity to be closer to God. The priesthood can never be used selfishly. It can only bless others. A priesthood holder can never bless himself.
Although the priesthood is only given to men, it equally blesses men and women. It is a way to use God's power to serve others.
Eve was made for Adam as a helpmeet. Adam goes to the Lord and is guided. Eve is guided by what Adam was told by the Lord. So it makes sense that Adam would have the priesthood since he is the one directly guided by the Lord and Eve receives full benefits through Adam. There is an order and the order makes sense.
Sunday, March 13, 2011
Good Rut Made Better
My oldest came and asked me if we could read the scriptures together as a family after church. We already read scriptures together as a family every night with picture books, and we've read the Book of Mormon together already (without pictures).
What she wanted was for everyone to read from their own scriptures since everyone has some. It was such a great idea and really made sense. Sometimes we get stuck in a good rut and miss a good thing. I'm glad she made us get out of our good rut for something better. She is such a good girl! We read after church and plan to read the picture scriptures during the week and from our own on Sundays together.
What she wanted was for everyone to read from their own scriptures since everyone has some. It was such a great idea and really made sense. Sometimes we get stuck in a good rut and miss a good thing. I'm glad she made us get out of our good rut for something better. She is such a good girl! We read after church and plan to read the picture scriptures during the week and from our own on Sundays together.
Monday, February 28, 2011
Salt of the Earth
Salt makes things better. We need to be like salt, and make others better.
Example: I thought of a girl in my neighborhood and she was a great basketball player when I was in young women. She was a year younger than me. When we played basketball, she made us all better. Without her we were terrible and had no savor-and we never won! She was our salt.
Example: I thought of a girl in my neighborhood and she was a great basketball player when I was in young women. She was a year younger than me. When we played basketball, she made us all better. Without her we were terrible and had no savor-and we never won! She was our salt.
Mustard Seed
Faith like a mustard seed can mountains. Our problems, sins, pains, are mountains that we can move with faith.
Faith is a choice though. We have to choose to do our part. We are responsible for our faith. Do we pray, seek knowledge, have hope, etc? If we do, our mountains will move with the Lord's help.
Faith is a choice though. We have to choose to do our part. We are responsible for our faith. Do we pray, seek knowledge, have hope, etc? If we do, our mountains will move with the Lord's help.
Thursday, February 3, 2011
Jealousy Has a Mind of it's Own
Jealousy has a mind of it's own. I'm watching 3rd grade girls go through it. They get so blinded and really, I'm learning a lot, but it is hard to direct a child to get away from it. When jealousy takes over, its hard to talk sense into them! It doesn't leave us as we get older. We can always be led by jealousy if we let it. We have to make sure we change our hearts and get away if it starts taking over. Lesson relearned.
The Atonement
At church we discussed the atonement and how Christ died for our sins. The perspective was brought up that when we sin there is an effect on others. Their lives are effected by our choices and their choices effect us. The Savior atoned for the sins of that person and also heals (emotionally, mentally) those who have been effected. It really is amazing. Of course in both cases, the person involved has to ask for forgiveness or ask to be healed. He wants us to come to Him but we have to choose to.
As a little Child
As parents we teach kids to be independent adults. Our Heavenly Father is teaching us to become as a little child-teachable, forgiving, unconditional love, etc.
Thursday, January 20, 2011
Growing Wisdom
I have been struck with the thought that I am so grateful I am where I am in my life. In talking with friends and discussing being younger, we agreed we would never want to go back to when we were younger. We learn and grow and I'd never sacrifice the knowledge I've gained to go back to a previous, younger time. In fact I'm excited to be older because I know I will refine myself, react better, make better choices faster. I'll see life with more wisdom.
I see the wisdom I've already gained and I'm grateful I have it. Although, sometimes I wish I could skip ahead so I'd deal with my children more wisely now. I do know we are to learn and grow and it is a cycle everyone goes through.
The crazy part is, I randomly saw a book at the library called "The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain" and it discusses those same ideas of wisdom. And besides that, it makes me feel better now when I can't remember simple information or a name, or when I walk upstairs and forget why I was there. I love how I find comfort for my life for things I can't control. I am definitely led and watched over.
I see the wisdom I've already gained and I'm grateful I have it. Although, sometimes I wish I could skip ahead so I'd deal with my children more wisely now. I do know we are to learn and grow and it is a cycle everyone goes through.
The crazy part is, I randomly saw a book at the library called "The Secret Life of the Grown-Up Brain" and it discusses those same ideas of wisdom. And besides that, it makes me feel better now when I can't remember simple information or a name, or when I walk upstairs and forget why I was there. I love how I find comfort for my life for things I can't control. I am definitely led and watched over.
A Solution
I have been blessed by being led to EFT (Emotional Freedom Technique). I was seeking for a way to get rid of my negative emotion from the past. It keeps getting triggered and upsetting my everyday life. I had my Aunt drawing negative emotions out with her skills as a massage therapist, but she lives 5 1/2 hours away. I needed a local outlet.
I tried to look up her therapy but didn't find it since I didn't know what it was called, but I came across EFT after a few days of searching on the internet. A chiropractor talked about it and then I was able to look it up specifically. I found EFT for Dummies at the library and have felt at peace and excited (if those two words can go together) to have this answer.
I am excited to use the atonement since Christ suffered for our fears and hurting as well. We are allowed to find peace and I'm so grateful.
I called my sister and asked if she had heard of it. After I explained it, she said she had used it in her therapy and still uses it now. She just didn't know it was called EFT. It will be a long road but now I have a tool that can help me use the atonement to help me find emotional peace.
I tried to look up her therapy but didn't find it since I didn't know what it was called, but I came across EFT after a few days of searching on the internet. A chiropractor talked about it and then I was able to look it up specifically. I found EFT for Dummies at the library and have felt at peace and excited (if those two words can go together) to have this answer.
I am excited to use the atonement since Christ suffered for our fears and hurting as well. We are allowed to find peace and I'm so grateful.
I called my sister and asked if she had heard of it. After I explained it, she said she had used it in her therapy and still uses it now. She just didn't know it was called EFT. It will be a long road but now I have a tool that can help me use the atonement to help me find emotional peace.
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