"it's just clothes after all!!"

"it's just clothes after all!!"  I just read this on a missionary blog about investigators who didn't make it into the Church building because of what they were wearing.  In the Gospel of JESUS CHRIST, when did what we wear keep a person from attending meetings?  When did clothing become more important than the worth of souls?

Studying Preach My Gospel

my missionary son has been studying Preach My Gospel, chapter 6, Developing Christlike Attributes.  I decided to also study it.

"Christlike attributes are gifts from God. They come as you use your agency righteously.
Ask your Heavenly Father to bless you with these attributes; you cannot develop them
without His help. With a desire to please God, recognize your weaknesses and be willing
and anxious to improve."

I love how we are told that they are GIFTS from God, and that they come as we use our AGENCY.  If we want the present given to us, we must be willing to receive it.

Happy One Year Anniversary!!

A year ago today, we packed up the car with suitcases, the family, and two missionaries.  What a wonderful year it has been!!!  I miss them terribly, but I am also happy they are where they are, doing what they are doing.  I wouldn't have it any other way!!

how appropriate

I have been thinking about Easter all week.  I kept feeling that I was missing something and thought maybe it was because 3 of my kids would not be waking up to Easter candy and coloring eggs.  I had been studying the Saviors life and Resurrection all week, studying conference talks, scriptures, youtube videos, and really thought I understood it all.  Of course, just when we think it is all going good, something happens to humble us.

I was ready for Church on time, walking out the door, all ready to be spiritually fed.  I always look forward to Church.  There was a time when I dreaded the thought of going, and only went because it was the right thing to do.  Now I love going.  I love Sunday School.  I love the Sacrament talks.  I love Fast and testimony meeting.  I love Relief Society.  I enjoy every meeting.  I love the feeling I have when it is finished, like a renewal of Spirit.

Needless to say, I never made it to the car.  I fell out my front door, right on my butt, skirt flying up, scraping and twisting arms, twisting an ankle and foot.  My foot immediately swelled, and I couldn't stand on it.  Once I got in the house, ice bags were placed on it, they propped it up, and Kiana stayed home with me in case I needed to run to the after hours clinic.  Drue headed off to Church, because he was being called as A Primary teacher. 

I sat for 3 hours, with ice on my foot and ankle, feeling lousy and depressed.  Why would this happen before Church?  Why me?  What did I need to learn?  As I pondered the meaning of Easter I realized that although I had focused my attention and studies on the Resurrection, I had not truly considered the Atonement.  My pain was His pain.  My humiliation was His humiliation.  My Joy is because of Him.  he takes my sorrow upon Himself.  How can I ever be like Him?

I hurt today.  I know He hurts today too--for me.

And my baby is 16

How did time pass so quickly?  Yesterday Kiana turned 16.  It has been a rollercoaster type of month.  Not everything she dreamed for came to pass, but at least she tried.  The important thing in life is that we try.  I wish for her that she knew the extent of her greatness, and yet, if she did she might not have the simple humility that makes her so compassionate.  I keep thinking of that song, "I Hope You Dance".  I hope that every heartbreak turns into determination.

So today, for Kiana:

I hope you never lose your sense of wonder
You get your fill to eat
But always keep that hunger
May you never take one single breath for granted
God forbid love ever leave you empty handed
I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance

I hope you never fear those mountains in the distance
Never settle for the path of least resistance
Living might mean taking chances
But they're worth taking
Lovin' might be a mistake
But it's worth making
Don't let some hell bent heart
Leave you bitter
When you come close to selling out
Reconsider
Give the heavens above
More than just a passing glance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

I hope you still feel small
When you stand by the ocean
Whenever one door closes, I hope one more opens
Promise me you'll give faith a fighting chance

And when you get the choice to sit it out or dance
Dance
I hope you dance
I hope you dance
(Time is a real and constant motion always)
I hope you dance
(Rolling us along)
I hope you dance
(Tell me who)
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
I hope you dance
(Where those years have gone)

(Tell me who)
I hope you dance
(Wants to look back on their youth and wonder)
(Where those years have gone)

Only one teen left....

Yesterday was Kade's 20th birthday.  I miss that kid!  Yes, I thought of him all day long.

I remember 20 years ago when he was in the NICU, a big 9 lb baby amongst the preemies.  He developed a respiratory infection sometime during his birth.  It took 4 days for them to figure out what was wrong and for him to finally be well enough to come home.  Holding him was difficult.  He had tubes and wires attached to his body and would rip the IV out of his arm, so they had to put it in his head.  Looking at him then, I never dreamed that 20 years later he would be a strong 6 ft 2 or 3 missionary.

Happy birthday Kade!!!

2 days until hump day for Destinee

I can't believe it has actually been almost 9 months since my kids left  their missions.  That means one thing--HUMP DAY for Destinee.  It will be Saturday.  Now the countdown begins.  I miss those kids, but I am so blessed to have one at home to keep me smiling.  I know it is where they should be, where I want them to be, and I sometimes wonder what life would have been like if they hadn't gone.  We would have progressed as far?  Would Destinee be heading towards marriage?  Would Kade be on the wrong path?  Thank goodness we will never know.