I know it's been a very long time since I've posted anything to this blog, but I have something to post today. I happen to hear the talk given by Richard G. Scott during this last October conference again the other night and it kind of struck a cord with me. It might be because there are a lot of changes going on in my life right now and I really trying to focus on where I am at spiritually. Here is a link to his talk.
http://new.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-transforming-power-of-faith-and-character?lang=eng
I have to admit that I have a hard time listening to him speak, following what he's saying, etc. But this one is very good. I've printed it out and I'm going through it with highlighter and pen in hand.
Tuesday, November 9, 2010
Sunday, January 31, 2010
Motherhood
Mothers can have a powerful influence for good on their children.
One of the greatest needs in the world today is intelligent, conscientious motherhood. …
Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world.
The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.
No nobler work in this world can be performed by any mother than to rear and love the children with whom God has blessed her. That is her duty.
-David O. McKay
One of the greatest needs in the world today is intelligent, conscientious motherhood. …
Motherhood is the greatest potential influence either for good or ill in human life. The mother’s image is the first that stamps itself on the unwritten page of the young child’s mind. It is her caress that first awakens a sense of security; her kiss the first realization of affection; her sympathy and tenderness the first assurance that there is love in the world.
The noblest calling in the world is motherhood. True motherhood is the most beautiful of all arts, the greatest of all professions. She who can paint a masterpiece, or who can write a book that will influence millions, deserves the admiration and plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose immortal souls will exert an influence throughout the ages long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God.
No nobler work in this world can be performed by any mother than to rear and love the children with whom God has blessed her. That is her duty.
-David O. McKay
Sunday, January 3, 2010
One word for 2010 - great idea!
I came across a really good idea the other day from a blog that I check regularly and I wanted to share it because it has already helped me start off this new year with a goal. A good goal that I'm excited about.
The idea is to come up with one word for yourself to focus on throughout the entire year. Here is her explanation...
I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.
Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.
Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.
Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.
2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]
Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.
Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.
Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.
My word for 2010 is STORY.
I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.
Have you chosen your word yet?
She has since posted her whole story about her "One little word" for 2010 and I encourage you to check it out. http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/my-one-little-word-story.html
My one little word for 2010 is COMMITMENT.
This last year was a big year for me and my family and starting this new year with goals in mind has helped me a lot. After reading Ali's blog several different words went through my mind, but as I was starting in on something else my word came to me. And the more I thought about it the more firm and settled I became about it. Personally I am doing a lot right now, as we all are, as women we have sooo much going on and so many things we want to do and get done and sometimes I find myself wishing I could have done a certain something better or get something done that I've been working on for a long time. And over the past few days I narrowed my focus down to a few directions I want to take myself this year.
First: I want to commit myself to going to the temple more regularly and I've set a goal for us to go once a month. We were doing that quite well in the beginning of last year, but have let it slip, so my "action" for this has been to write "temple" on one Saturday in each month on my calendar. It's there, I can see it, I am reminded. As members of the church we are asked to go to the temple. We can learn so much, receive so many blessings, receive personal revelation, be in a place so sacred, and do the work for those who are unable. With that in mind I wish I could go today! It's a beautiful place the temple. I have also put my temple reccomend in my wallet. So I can see it. There is nothing better then a visual reminder. And I can also take note of when to get it renewed!
Second: I once had a professor on college tell us that she was "the queen of unfinished projects". And I think I am becoming her predecessor. I have photo albums of the kids, quilts, Christmas projects, house projects, and clothes I'd like to make for the girls that I all nicely organized and ready to be worked on, but they are not getting finished! They are projects that I want to get done, but life happens and there they sit. So. My goal is to get all my unfinished projects DONE this year. I have all year right! Yes. And I have already has success in this area. I finished my Christmas advent calendar while I was at my parents house! It has been unfinished for 9 years and we've been using it every year, but every Christmas when I get it out and hang it up I always grumbled that I hadn't finished it yet. No more! It's done, completed and reay to be packed away with the other Christmas decor. It felt so good getting that done and I am ready to tackle the next project. It's important to have "action" with your word. DO something with it on a regular basis.
Third: My beautiful children. I have three and I am so blessed to have them. So I want to commit myself to being more for them. Not just cleaning them and feeding them, but doing more with them. Read with them--play with them when they ask me to. Provide better teaching opportunities--meaning helping them on regular scheduled basis of things they are learning at school or extra things they are involved in like soccer, reading, painting, gymnastics, piano. I want to be a resource for them and I want them to know that they can come to me for help and more importantly that I will stop and help them with it. And if I can't right that second then explain and follow through. They only grow up once.
So those are my three main areas of focus for me this year. I do have other directions, like my calling in the Primary, Visiting teaching, friendships, etc. So I encourage and challenge you to come up with your own little word for 2010. It's the perfect time to do it. I my word on my desktop. Again--visual reminders.
The idea is to come up with one word for yourself to focus on throughout the entire year. Here is her explanation...
I am a fan of welcoming the new year with open arms. I love fresh starts, new opportunities, clean slates, possibilities.
Back in January 2007, as a way to celebrate these beginnings, I started a public tradition of choosing a single word to focus on over the course of the year.
Many of you are familiar with this tradition and have been joining me in selecting a new word each year. If this is your first time reading about the idea of one little word I recommend taking a few minutes to read my original post here.
Here's a look at my words from the past three years with links to the original posts.
2007 : Peace [ read my post for 2007 ]
2008 : Vitality [ read my post for 2008 ]
2009 : Nurture [ read my post for 2009 ]
Essentially the idea is to choose a word (or let it choose you) that has the potential to make an impact on your life.
Maybe you want to invite something or maybe you are hoping to subtract something. Maybe your word will be practical or hopeful or creative or fanciful. Maybe you need a big word, something in-your-face that will challenge you everyday. Maybe you need something smaller and quieter that will whisper gentle tidings as you make your way throughout the year.
Whatever word you end up with, make sure it is your word (not your sister's, mom's, partner's, child's, etc). You can share it publicly or keep it close to your heart.
My word for 2010 is STORY.
I'm planning to do a post with more details on my thoughts about this word on Wednesday (look for the finishing pages of my December Daily tomorrow). I am hoping to use my word as a springboard for a variety of different projects and inspirations, in my life and my scrapbooking, over the next 365 days.
Have you chosen your word yet?
She has since posted her whole story about her "One little word" for 2010 and I encourage you to check it out. http://aliedwards.typepad.com/_a_/2009/12/my-one-little-word-story.html
My one little word for 2010 is COMMITMENT.
This last year was a big year for me and my family and starting this new year with goals in mind has helped me a lot. After reading Ali's blog several different words went through my mind, but as I was starting in on something else my word came to me. And the more I thought about it the more firm and settled I became about it. Personally I am doing a lot right now, as we all are, as women we have sooo much going on and so many things we want to do and get done and sometimes I find myself wishing I could have done a certain something better or get something done that I've been working on for a long time. And over the past few days I narrowed my focus down to a few directions I want to take myself this year.
First: I want to commit myself to going to the temple more regularly and I've set a goal for us to go once a month. We were doing that quite well in the beginning of last year, but have let it slip, so my "action" for this has been to write "temple" on one Saturday in each month on my calendar. It's there, I can see it, I am reminded. As members of the church we are asked to go to the temple. We can learn so much, receive so many blessings, receive personal revelation, be in a place so sacred, and do the work for those who are unable. With that in mind I wish I could go today! It's a beautiful place the temple. I have also put my temple reccomend in my wallet. So I can see it. There is nothing better then a visual reminder. And I can also take note of when to get it renewed!
Second: I once had a professor on college tell us that she was "the queen of unfinished projects". And I think I am becoming her predecessor. I have photo albums of the kids, quilts, Christmas projects, house projects, and clothes I'd like to make for the girls that I all nicely organized and ready to be worked on, but they are not getting finished! They are projects that I want to get done, but life happens and there they sit. So. My goal is to get all my unfinished projects DONE this year. I have all year right! Yes. And I have already has success in this area. I finished my Christmas advent calendar while I was at my parents house! It has been unfinished for 9 years and we've been using it every year, but every Christmas when I get it out and hang it up I always grumbled that I hadn't finished it yet. No more! It's done, completed and reay to be packed away with the other Christmas decor. It felt so good getting that done and I am ready to tackle the next project. It's important to have "action" with your word. DO something with it on a regular basis.
Third: My beautiful children. I have three and I am so blessed to have them. So I want to commit myself to being more for them. Not just cleaning them and feeding them, but doing more with them. Read with them--play with them when they ask me to. Provide better teaching opportunities--meaning helping them on regular scheduled basis of things they are learning at school or extra things they are involved in like soccer, reading, painting, gymnastics, piano. I want to be a resource for them and I want them to know that they can come to me for help and more importantly that I will stop and help them with it. And if I can't right that second then explain and follow through. They only grow up once.
So those are my three main areas of focus for me this year. I do have other directions, like my calling in the Primary, Visiting teaching, friendships, etc. So I encourage and challenge you to come up with your own little word for 2010. It's the perfect time to do it. I my word on my desktop. Again--visual reminders.
Tuesday, December 15, 2009
Heaven at Christmas and Troughout the Year.
A former seminary teacher of mine posted the following on his facebook page:
I'm guessing that's pretty accurate. What an amazing thing to ponder. There's nothing better than a hug from my mom to make things all better. No wonder it's a state of having no cares or worries. I'm thinking in that one hug all is taken from us. Isn't that part of our job as 'Mom"? To remove some of the cares and worries from our kids. We can't take them all but hug them and protect them from those things that they don't need to worry about. To create a magical childhood. I know mine was like magic all the way through my senior year. I believe Christmas is one of those times where we can put wonder, excitement and a feeling of peace in the hearts of our children. I do believe some of that comes from well thought out presents. Not necessarily expensive, elaborate, or lots, but in picking out something that they'll love and enjoy. And even more so in the traditions we practice. From our Holiday Sing Along Party with real music from the piano and violin, and a guitar. To our traditional Christmas Eve dinner and the acting of the Nativity with dear friends and opening the one present of pajamas. To simply spending time at night with just the lights of the Christmas tree on and reading some really great Christmas books. We have some unique ones if you ever need a new idea for a great Christmas story. These are the moments of magic that I can create here at home, removing from my kids their worries and protecting them from some of the hardness that they face when they are away. So hug your kids when they leave and hug them when they get home and go to bed every night knowing you have created a little bit of Heaven in your home.
Bro. Maughan "
I reviewed an ancient biblical text today from first century christian writters that suggest the last person in the premortal realm to hug you and the first to greet you when you return to Heaven would be your Heavenly Mother that was inspiring... thought I would share."
I'm guessing that's pretty accurate. What an amazing thing to ponder. There's nothing better than a hug from my mom to make things all better. No wonder it's a state of having no cares or worries. I'm thinking in that one hug all is taken from us. Isn't that part of our job as 'Mom"? To remove some of the cares and worries from our kids. We can't take them all but hug them and protect them from those things that they don't need to worry about. To create a magical childhood. I know mine was like magic all the way through my senior year. I believe Christmas is one of those times where we can put wonder, excitement and a feeling of peace in the hearts of our children. I do believe some of that comes from well thought out presents. Not necessarily expensive, elaborate, or lots, but in picking out something that they'll love and enjoy. And even more so in the traditions we practice. From our Holiday Sing Along Party with real music from the piano and violin, and a guitar. To our traditional Christmas Eve dinner and the acting of the Nativity with dear friends and opening the one present of pajamas. To simply spending time at night with just the lights of the Christmas tree on and reading some really great Christmas books. We have some unique ones if you ever need a new idea for a great Christmas story. These are the moments of magic that I can create here at home, removing from my kids their worries and protecting them from some of the hardness that they face when they are away. So hug your kids when they leave and hug them when they get home and go to bed every night knowing you have created a little bit of Heaven in your home.
Sunday, October 11, 2009
grace
Sometimes there are words that have so much meaning that they are hard to grasp--hard to understand. Or maybe they are used in a way that makes them seem out of our reach. The word "grace" is one of those words for me. And I actually didn't realize this fact until tonight at a fireside that I went to. One of the speakers talked about grace and shared a personal experience to help relay what he wanted to say. It was such a wonderful moment for me. Sometimes at church meetings there are small things that touch our hearts, we can feel uplifted by the entire meeting, but there might just be one thing that we take home with us. This speaker read about grace from the bible dictionary and I had never read it before, or thought of grace this way, but I wanted to share it...
Grace. ...It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.
Today was kind of a personally emotional day for me. I just had one of those days where I felt inadequate, like I was not doing as much as I should or could be doing, and like I just couldn't get anything right. It probably didn't seem like that to anyone else, or maybe it did I don't know, but inside I felt these things. But when he talked about grace and shared his experience and read those words, it was exactly what I needed. I know where to go from here.
Grace. ...It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts.
Today was kind of a personally emotional day for me. I just had one of those days where I felt inadequate, like I was not doing as much as I should or could be doing, and like I just couldn't get anything right. It probably didn't seem like that to anyone else, or maybe it did I don't know, but inside I felt these things. But when he talked about grace and shared his experience and read those words, it was exactly what I needed. I know where to go from here.
Sunday, October 4, 2009
finding hope
Here is a new link to a site done by the church. http://www.lds.org/topic/hope/ It's called "Finding Hope".
I am loving all these wonderful videos and websites that the church is providing to help us feel the spirit, be uplifted, and strengthen not only ourselves personally, but also our families. Enjoy! And hope you are having a wonderful conference weekend.
I am loving all these wonderful videos and websites that the church is providing to help us feel the spirit, be uplifted, and strengthen not only ourselves personally, but also our families. Enjoy! And hope you are having a wonderful conference weekend.
Thursday, September 17, 2009
Those Good Ol' Days
The following story was contributed by my good friend Esther...
My family and I are very religious, or at least we try to raise our children in organized religion. One of our nightly routines is we try to read scripture every night before bed. We read out of the King James version which as many of you may know uses older English and phrases like, wherefore, and thus, and it came to pass. Most nights as I read to my 4 year old, Mona, and my 18 month old, Jacie, they are jumping around, playing and what I assume to be not paying attention. I always think of pioneers who would gather at their parents feet to listen intently as they were read to out of the family scripture, and I wonder what happened to those "good 'ol days?" For the last week Mona has asked to borrow my scriptures while she lay in bed. Now knowing she is still unable to read and that there really are no pictures I have wondered what she actually does with the scriptures. Tonight I gave her my older scriptures to read and I waited around to listen and see what she did with them. She opened up the scriptures and right out loud says, "And it came to pass," and then proceeded to tell a story about a brother and a sister. Of course being pregnant I quickly teared up and my husband and I shared a surprised, but gleeful smile. I now know that those "good 'ol days" are still around and the children still do listen when read to from scripture, it just takes patience for those sweet rewards!
My family and I are very religious, or at least we try to raise our children in organized religion. One of our nightly routines is we try to read scripture every night before bed. We read out of the King James version which as many of you may know uses older English and phrases like, wherefore, and thus, and it came to pass. Most nights as I read to my 4 year old, Mona, and my 18 month old, Jacie, they are jumping around, playing and what I assume to be not paying attention. I always think of pioneers who would gather at their parents feet to listen intently as they were read to out of the family scripture, and I wonder what happened to those "good 'ol days?" For the last week Mona has asked to borrow my scriptures while she lay in bed. Now knowing she is still unable to read and that there really are no pictures I have wondered what she actually does with the scriptures. Tonight I gave her my older scriptures to read and I waited around to listen and see what she did with them. She opened up the scriptures and right out loud says, "And it came to pass," and then proceeded to tell a story about a brother and a sister. Of course being pregnant I quickly teared up and my husband and I shared a surprised, but gleeful smile. I now know that those "good 'ol days" are still around and the children still do listen when read to from scripture, it just takes patience for those sweet rewards!
Thursday, August 13, 2009
helps on "nurturing"
Today I found the following information from the site about "nurturing". Here is a tidbit and then the link...
As our professional lives develop and our management and organizational skills expand, do we make equal progress
in our ability to nurture? Nurturing is perhaps the most important aptitude of parents and an essential capacity in any relationship.
in our ability to nurture? Nurturing is perhaps the most important aptitude of parents and an essential capacity in any relationship.
Tuesday, August 11, 2009
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)
