28 Perfect Days!

What would you give for a perfect day?  Most days, even good ones, have their ups and downs.  In fact, the imperfections in life are often the source of laughter and family memories.  I know I will never forget the time I almost ruined Passover or the sleepless Christmas night!  Still, I long for days when I feel successful.

I always want to improve and often I set goals, but it can be hard to follow through.  Fortunately, I found something that really helped me.  For the past month I have been part of a class called "Mothers Who Know."  We set goals, keep track of our progress and have weekly conference calls where we learn to combat negativity and draw closer to the Savior.  Everyone in the class has three goals in common:
1. Pray 5+ minutes morning and night
2. Write a page in your journal daily
3. Study the scriptures (or words of the prophets) daily

Each of us also chose three personal goals.  This month mine were:
1.  Make my bed every morning.
2.  Log my food and exercise daily and stay within my Weight Watchers point total.
3.  Sweep the kitchen floor every night.

Do these sound like simple goals?  Well, they are!  They were simple enough that was able to do them perfectly for 28 days in a row.  It was empowering to keep my personal commitments and it motivated me to do more.  Once the bed was made, I picked up the rest of the room.  When I swept the kitchen, I continued sweeping the dining room.

Best of all, the principles we learn in class help us defeat the adversary and overcome bad habits.  In fact, the class was originally developed to help people struggling with addiction.  I can use what I am learning to help my children become self-disciplined.  This is something I can do to help my sons and daughters prevent addictions before they begin!

Our mentor, Celestia, starts new classes every month or so to help women become "Lionesses At the Gate" and "Mothers Who Know."  HERE is a link to her blog with more information about an upcoming class. Why don't you take a look?  It is exciting to have perfect days!

Happy Birthday Mom!

Today is my mom's 71st birthday. We will celebrate her birthday later today, but I wish she was here so we could celebrate it together. I sure do miss her!

Both John and I are blessed to have amazing mothers. Both were faithful, Christlike women, loved by everyone who knew them. That's why we named our daughter "Marianne." We were hopeful she would follow in the footsteps of both her grandmothers.

This week I want to share some stories about my mom. Here is the first one:

One of my earliest memories is of my mom teaching me to forgive.  When my brother Scott and I would argue, she would bring us together.  She taught us to say, “I’m sorry” and in return “I forgive you.”  Sometimes we had to repeat these words until they could be said in a loving and sincere way.  Most important in this process was giving each other a big hug.   All of my siblings have learned this lesson well and I am grateful that each of them has been quick to forgive when I have lost my temper or offended them in some way.

The summer before I was in 6th grade, our family moved from Iowa to Southern California.  There were several girls my age in our neighborhood and things seemed to go well at first.  Then I began to have problems with one of these girls at school.  She started to make fun of me and say unkind things about me to our classmates.  At first, I tried to ignore it, but over the next few weeks, I became more hurt and upset.  I went home and indignantly told my mother what was happening.

I couldn’t believe her response! She suggested that I invite this girl to come over after school and make cookies.  I told Mom that the invitation would never be accepted, but Mom patiently sat next to me while I made the difficult phone call.  To my surprise, our neighbor agreed to come over after school on Friday.   Mom had everything ready when we got home and she stayed with us while we began rolling out the dough and cutting out the cookies.  At first, the conversation was awkward, but soon we began to have fun.  When it was time for my friend to go home, she apologized to me. Things weren't perfect from then on, but I immediately noticed a change in her behavior at school.

I am grateful that my mother understood and lived the principle of forgiveness. I hope that I can be more like her and strive to follow Christ’s example and the words of Ephesians, “And be ye kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God for Christ’s sake hath forgiven you.”

Mom with her mom - 1981 or 1982.  In Hawaii with the wind blowing through their hair!

Surprised by Joy

CS Lewis wrote, "Joy is the serious business of Heaven."  Perhaps this is why babies, so fresh from heaven, seem to find so much joy in life.  Lavender is quick to smile and she delights in new sights, textures and sounds.  She is thrilled by the familiar as well.  Her whole body quivers and exudes joy when someone she loves approaches.  I feel her joy each day and it heightens my awareness of the joyful moments in life.

Here are a few things that have brought me joy:
receiving an email from my missionary son
the smell of rain in the air
my granddaughter's sweet voice shouting "Hi!" as she runs towards me
feeling the Spirit when I read the Book of Mormon
conversations with my children
holding my husband's hand
talking to a friend
anticipating a trip with my family
listening to my dad tell stories of his childhood
looking at photos of my mother

At times, I have had similar experiences without feeling joy.  Why?  Perhaps it was my attitude or state of mind.  CS Lewis explained the elusive nature of joy:

"Only when your whole attention and desire are fixed on something else--whether a distant mountain, or the past, or the gods of Asgards--does the 'thrill' arise.  It is a byproduct.  Its very existence presupposes that you desire not it but something other and outer."

Joy is a gift from God.  When my heart is ready, I am often, as Lewis described, surprised by joy.

". . . men are, that they might have joy."  2 Nephi 2:25

Sweet Sunday - A soft answer

Spreckles Organ Pavillion

On Monday we went to an organ concert in Balboa Park for Family Home Evening.  We arrived a little late, but we got an incredible parking space and found great seats near the front.  The weather was perfect and we ended up sitting near 24 LDS senior missionary couples.  Evan caught their attention by reading and marking his scriptures.  He is reading The Book of Mormon in 30 days during August and he wanted to finish his 18 pages before dark.  During intermission we chatted with the missionaries and they shared their homemade cookies with us.

This peaceful scene was interrupted when a homeless man staggered across in front of the stage. He was obviously drunk and he was bold.  He made eye contact with anyone who dared to look at him.  I turned my gaze elsewhere, grateful that he wasn't near enough for me to smell him.  A few minutes later, the organ society began presenting awards to three young organists.  The homeless man began clapping and cheering loudly despite his slurred speech.  He was loud and obnoxious and it surely made audience members uncomfortable.  A security guard approached him and apparently asked him to quiet down.  This made the man angry and he began yelling and swearing. A volunteer came over to help and asked the man to leave.  In response he began screaming and using more profanity.  He got really angry when they threatened to call the police.  It was an unpleasant situation and I wondered if our lovely evening was ruined.

Then the president of the organ society approached the three men.  I couldn't hear what he said, but the homeless man began speaking more softly.  They talked for a minute and soon I couldn't hear the homeless man at all.  I watched the gentleman put his hand on the homeless fellow's shoulder.  He gently guided him to where the refreshments were sold.  He got him a cup of coffee and something to eat.  He walked with him and helped him find a place to sit.  Then he quietly went back to his own front row seat.

As I watched this scene, I was reminded of the Savior.  I knew he would have handled the situation in a similar way.  He would have treated the homeless man as a person--an individual with feelings, not as an annoyance to be dismissed or a disturbance to be dealt with.  I am grateful for the example of the president of the organ society.  He surely understands the wisdom found in Proverbs 15:1

"A soft answer turneth away wrath; but grievous words stir up anger."

The Angels Did It!

Although we are missing our wings and halos (and Brenda!) in this photo, we are still Annie's Angels and together we raised $12,255 to fight against breast cancer!  We are still accepting donations, so it's not too late to help out.

It was a tough 3 days with not enough sleep, too many porta-potties, lots of blisters and very sore muscles, but it was worth it!  We joined 3,600 walkers in San Diego and we raised a total of $9.2 million to defeat breast cancer.

I stuck with my plan to walk about 10 miles a day for a total of 30 miles.  At times it was hard to leave my team and take a shuttle to lunch, but I know it was the right thing to do.  My back hurt during the walk and I had Braxton-Hicks contractions (the first of my pregnancy) so I know I needed the rest during lunch.  I usually waited about 2 hours for my team, but it gave me a chance to meet so many great people and hear some wonderful stories.  Telling people that I was 6 months pregnant was a great ice-breaker.  There weren't too many pregnant moms on the walk!

One of the sweetest stories I heard was from a woman from Colorado.  She was walking in honor of a friend with breast cancer.  She had been training for 7 months and was so excited.  On the first day she fell off a huge curb (some of them were over a foot high!) and sprained her ankle.  She kept walking and ended up injuring her other leg in an effort to compensate.  That evening the medical staff told her she shouldn't walk any more.  She was crushed to have to give up her dream.  Her husband went out and rented a wheelchair so he could push her the rest of the way.  She started crying as she told me about it and I was really touched.

I met many other women who lost their mothers to breast cancer and walked in their memory.

Crowds of people cheered for us along the way.  They played music for us, sang, danced, offered gifts, candy, water and kleenex.  Some cute Girl Scouts even gave me a sleeve of thin mints which we enjoyed for our FHE snack tonight.  On Saturday John, Marianne, Evan, my Dad and Carolyn came to cheer us on.  They walked with us for a mile or so and it really lifted my spirits to see them.

The crew at camp was fantastic.  They fed us and took good care of us.  They even found the money and credit card I dropped!  However, I do not regret our decision to stay in a hotel.  It was worth every penny sleep in a real bed and have a real bathroom after a long day on our feet.

I am grateful for my experience on the Susan G. Komen 3-Day for the Cure Walk. Hugs to my fabulous teammates and thanks to everyone who donated!  Most of all, I send my love to the three women I walked to honor:  my mom who was a 15 year breast cancer survivor, my grandma who at nearly 90 is still going strong after defeating breast cancer, and my daughter Marianne who I pray will someday live in a world without cancer!

Our Annie's Angels theme:
For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind.               2 Timothy 1:7

Do You Want the Truth?

I have been thinking about my Mom today.  I think about her every day, but today she has been in my thoughts more than usual.  It is nearly a year since she died.  Last year at this time my sister and I were taking turns at her bedside in the hospital.

One year ago, I already knew my mom would not recover. A week previously, I had spent a sleepless night on the cloud bed* listening to her breathe, ready to help her at any moment.  I prayed over and over for her to recover.  Then a horrible thought entered my mind.  "What if she doesn't make it?"  No one at the hospital had even hinted at such a possibility. So I asked God the question, waiting for comfort and reassurance.  "Heavenly Father, Mom isn't going to die is she?"  The answer came quickly, but it was not the one I wanted.  I couldn't even begin to imagine life without my mom.  I sobbed and sobbed, only stopping because Mom needed help and sadly, protection from the hospital staff.

In the morning I tried to deny the answer I had received, hoping it was just a terrible dream. I wasn't sure why God had told me the awful truth.  Probably because I asked.  But no one else seemed to be able to see it.  And I didn't feel it was my place to tell them. One of Mom's doctors didn't believe she was dying until the day before she went home for hospice.

I know that God only speaks the truth.  He gave it to me gently and only when I asked, but it was still almost too much for me to bear.  Yet, I am grateful to know that Heavenly Father is a God of truth.  He will never deceive or manipulate me.  I can trust Him to always do what is right and what is best for me, even if I don't understand it.

"And ye shall know the truth, and the truth shall make you free." John 8:32 

*Cloud bed is the sarcastic name I gave to the fold-out chair that Jenny & I took turns sleeping on.  It was like laying on springs and metal bars.  To try and ease the discomfort, I asked for extra pillows.  I put them over the so-called mattress and then fitted the sheet on top of them.  As long as I didn't move or roll over (ha!) it was almost bearable.  Looking back, I should have brought an eggshell pad from home, but at the time it never occurred to me.  I guess the physical pain just seemed appropriate at a time of such emotional anguish.

O, Remember, Remember

A few days ago I mentioned to my kids that the 10 year anniversary of 9/11 was coming up.  I recalled what a shock it had been to see the attack of the Twin Towers on TV.  I was surprised to find that my younger kids have no memory of that day. They understand the basics of what happened and we've taken them to see Ground Zero twice, but they still don't remember.

Then I remembered a book I purchased just a few months after 9/11.  It was a little pricey at the time and I debated the purchase.  I kept it on our coffee table for at least a year, but then it got put on the shelf in the garage where I store homeschool books we aren't currently using.  I was able to find the book, dust it off and show it to my kids.  It is essentially a photo essay of the attack and the impact on our country.  Marianne appreciated all the incredible photographs and poured over the book. She learned a few things along the way.  She didn't know that the Pentagon was also attacked.  I also spent some time with the book and I realized that there are many things I have forgotten.  I need to remember.  I want my children to remember.

Marianne and I just finished listening to the Book of Mormon together.  We did it quickly, in less than a month.  At that pace, the themes just jumped out at me.  One theme is the importance of remembering.  Another theme is that we are blessed to live in a choice land; it will be strong as long as we are righteous.  I pray that each of us, and our country as a whole, will remember and that our remembrance will cause us to turn to God.  I saw it happen 10 years ago and I know it can happen again.

Sweet Sunday - Metaphor Muffins

I know that some of you are concerned that I never made it home from New York.  Let me put your mind at ease.  The flight home did not crash.  In fact, John and I had extra leg room since we got to share three seats.  We also got Ben & Jerry's as a snack, so it was pretty much a perfect flight!  Now that we have that out of the way, back to my post . . .

Right now my favorite muffins are baking.  I call them Raspberry Muffins, but we may have to change the name.  When I made them last weekend, Evan actually complained because the raspberries were a little bit tart.  I explained that the rest of the muffins were sweet so it was the perfect combination!

Then Aaron joined the conversation in the role of wise older brother.  "You know Evan, that's kind of how life is."  And it's true!  We have to take the bitter/sour/tart along with the sweet.

Here are a couple of scriptures for you to ponder while I go get my muffins out of the oven.

"And it must needs be that the devil should tempt the children of men, or they could not be agents unto themselves; for if they never should have bitter they could not know the sweet" Doctrine & Covenants 29:39

"Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy." Alma 36:21

P.S. If you want the recipe.  Go HERE and scroll to the end of the post.

P. P. S  Today, I left the raspberries out of one of the muffins especially for Evan.

Sweet Sunday - Father's Day

Today is one of a very few Father's Days I have spent away from my father. He is visiting two of my brothers this weekend and I am grateful they will be able to spend time together. Two of my brothers are loving and dedicated fathers and I know my youngest brother (who already has a special gift with children) will be an amazing father in the future.

Part of the reason my brothers are such fine fathers is because of the example of our own father. He always worked hard to provide well for our family. Dad lived much of his life without a father in his home, so he lacked the example of a strong father. Yet Dad always made his family a priority and strove to be a righteous father. Dad has never been perfect, but he has asked for forgiveness when he has made mistakes. I have been touched many times by his efforts to constantly improve and strengthen his weaknesses.

I have learned many important lessons from my father, but the most important lesson is to be a good judge. What exactly does that mean? Elder Dallin Oaks explained it perfectly in this talk when he said:

There are two kinds of judging: final judgments, which we are forbidden to make, and intermediate judgments, which we are directed to make, but upon righteous principles.

We must, of course, make judgments every day in the exercise of our moral agency, but we must be careful that our judgments of people are intermediate and not final. Thus, our Savior’s teachings contain many commandments we cannot keep without making intermediate judgments of people.

We all make judgments in choosing our friends, in choosing how we will spend our time and our money, and, of course, in choosing an eternal companion. Some of these intermediate judgments are surely among those the Savior referenced when He taught that “the weightier matters of the law” include judgment (Matthew 23:23)

My dad always taught us to make wise choices, especially when it really counted! He encouraged us to seek out "quality" friends and spouses. I have always tried to be thoughtful in making important decisions and I believe my siblings are all wise judges.

Thanks Dad for teaching me this lesson! I love you and will be eternally grateful for your guidance and example. Happy Father's Day!

Dad holding me as a newborn.
I love the smile on his face. It is the same today!
I also love the full bookshelf behind him.
I have clearly inherited my parents' love of books.

Sweet Sunday - Time at the Temple

Yesterday John and I went to the temple. As soon as I sat down, I noticed that a man near me was a little "different". Several times he tried to whisper across the aisle to his wife and she seemed slightly embarrassed as she put her finger to her lips to quiet him. I guessed that he suffered from some kind of disability or perhaps a brain injury.

Over the next hour or two I noticed how enthusiastic he was about everything. He was visibly excited for each step of the temple session. He watched the officiators carefully and was very exacting as he did everything required of him. Later, I watched as he stood, wrapped his arm around his wife and tenderly kissed her hand over and over.

By the end of session, I was in tears. His enthusiasm and devotion were inspiring. It was a striking contrast to the times I have struggled to stay awake or keep my thoughts from wandering while in the temple.

What would our temple experience be like if we were always filled with excitement? Are we joyful about our temple service?

"Now was not this exceeding joy? Behold, this is joy which none receiveth save it be the truly penitent and humble seeker or happiness." Alma 27:18

Sweet Sunday - The Elephant in the Room

No, not that elephant.

This elephant!

This picture was taken a couple of days before our big garage sale.
Marianne had decided to donate the largest member of her elephant collection
and took a few farewell photos.
She also captured the disaster area that was my living room.
The couches were piled with baby clothes and the room was full of
hangers, cardboard boxes and bags full of (hopefully) saleable items.

The mess wouldn't have been so bad, except I was feeling "messy" inside.
I was overwhelmed, worried and sad.
The joy I strive to feel in life seemed pretty elusive,
I was even irritated by the (literal) elephant in the room.

I had already forgotten the joy I felt a few hours earlier
when Brianne stopped by for a quick elephant ride.

In that moment I had been very grateful for the elephant
and the joy it brought to my granddaughter.

The scriptures are full of admonitions to remember:

"Remember his marvellous works that he hath done, his wonders, and the judgments of his mouth." 1 Chronicles 16:12

"And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ." Moroni 10:18

Sometimes it takes an elephant to help me remember, but remembering really does help me find the joy in life! Do you ever struggle to find joy in life? What helps you to remember?

"[Wo]men are, that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25

Sweet Sunday - Clean up Edition!

I understand the shock of pain when you drop a brick on your foot. I know the frustration and even fury that arises while raising children and (especially) teenagers. Unfortunately, at such times, words we wouldn't want grandma to hear may burst forth.

But we know better. At least I thought we did. I have noticed a disturbing trend over the past few years. Words that used to be considered off-limits are suddenly popping up in mainstream books, magazines and even mommy blogs.

I have chosen to avoid certain media because I knew they contained language I considered foul. But it the past couple of years something has changed. Suddenly the "f" word is no longer considered taboo. I am careful in my choice of reading, but profanity is becoming increasingly difficult to avoid!

The popularity of profanity saddens me. The word "profane" has its roots in Latin.

pro = instead of

fanum = temple

So when we use obscene or profane language, we are choosing something instead of the temple; we are choosing unholy words. Often this type of language mocks the sacred: the name of God or the God-given power of procreation.

Elder Dallin H Oaks said, "For many in our day, the profane has become commonplace and the vulgar has become acceptable. Surely this is one fulfillment of the Book of Mormon prophecy that in the last days 'there shall be great pollutions upon the face of the earth.'" (Mormon 8:31)

I challenge each of us to clean up our own language! I hope that we can avoid watching, reading or listening to profanity and speak up as Elder Oaks suggested "so that others cannot conclude that our silence means approval or acquiescence."

“A wholesome tongue is a tree of life: but perverseness therein is a breach in the spirit.” Proverbs 5:14

Sweet Sunday

Happy May Day! Your virtual basket and flowers are HERE!

And in honor of May Day, I have another gift for you. I want to share a story I read recently. It is called "Alone in the Garden." The author tells of an "extraordinary experience" she had while visiting the garden tomb in Jerusalem. Click HERE to read it.

Withhold not thou thy tender mercies from me, O Lord: let thy loving kindness and thy truth continually preserve me. Psalms 40:11

Sweet Easter Sunday

I love Easter and the chance to focus on my Savior, Jesus Christ, and his atonement.
We got to spend Saturday with lots of family. We dyed eggs, hunted for eggs and even had a passover dinner. This year's dinner definitely went better than last year's!

One of the things that stood out to me was the symbol of the four cups of wine. It is based on this scripture:

Wherefore say unto the children of Israel, I am the LORD, and I will bring you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians, and I will rid you out of their bondage, and I will redeem you with a stretched out arm, and with great judgments.

And I will take you to me for a people, and I will be to you a God: and ye shall know that I am the Lord your God, which bringeth you out from under the burdens of the Egyptians. Exodus 6:6-7

We used grape juice of course, but we drank four times to remember the beautiful promises.

1. The Cup of Sanctification of Consecration
Promise: I will bring you out of Egypt.

2. The Cup of Praise
Promise: I will deliver you from their bondage.

3. The Cup of Redemption
Promise: I will redeem you with a stretched out arm.

4. The Cup of Acceptance (Also known as the cup of Elijah)
Promise: I will take you to be my people.

I am so grateful on this Easter morning that my Savior has brought me out of the bondage of sin. He has redeemed me and I praise His holy name forever. I am blessed to be called one of his daughters.

HAPPY EASTER!

Sweet (Shakespeare) Sunday

Several years ago I read and watched Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona for the first time. Then my son Aaron was cast as Proteus in the play. Proteus is the guy who betrays his true love, manipulates his best friend, and then he tries to force himself on his best friend's girl. What a jerk! I saw Proteus as a very evil character.

Early this year, we decided to perform Two Gentlemen with our Classical Acting troupe. Since I would be directing, I spent hours reading and watching the play. I came to realize that Proteus isn't really evil; he is a self-centered teenager. He wants what he wants and isn't thinking of anyone else. It made even more sense when I realized that all four lovers in the play are immature and more like teenagers than adults.

Whenever I direct a Shakespeare play, there is a moment of epiphany--a time when I suddenly realize, "Oh that's what this play is really about!" But that moment always catches me by surprise. This year it was quite late in the process, just a few days before our performances.

The play ends rather abruptly. Proteus is about to force himself on Silvia, who has refused his advances. Fortunately, he is stopped by Valentine, who is his best friend and Silvia's fiance. Proteus apologizes immediately and just as quickly Valentine forgives him.

The play ends in one big love-and-forgiveness-fest!

Julia forgives her lover Proteus, even though she has witnessed all of his terrible behavior.

The Duke forgives Valentine for his deceit and trying to elope with his daughter.

Silvia forgives both Proteus (for his attack) and Valentine (for offering to give her up).

The Duke even forgives the outlaws and pardons them.

Initially, I thought it was ridiculous, even wrong, that everyone in this play is so forgiving. Then it hit me. That's the point! The message of this play is to forgive quickly and love freely.

Actually, that's the point of our life on earth!

Dallin H. Oaks explained it this way:

"To achieve our eternal destiny, we will desire and work for the qualities required to become an eternal being. For example, eternal beings forgive all who have wronged them. They put the welfare of others ahead of themselves. And they love all of God’s children.

If this seems too difficult—and surely it is not easy for any of us—then we should begin with a desire for such qualities and call upon our loving Heavenly Father for help with our feelings." (Desire, April 2011 General Conference)

[Bitter]sweet Sunday

Today is General Conference. I know I will learn and be inspired by the words I hear today. I will listen for the things I am meant to hear, for the whispers to my heart from the Holy Ghost.

But my heart will feel heavy as I remember last General Conference. Last October, my family spent conference weekend together during my Mom's final hours on earth. We knew her time with us was short. We made sure conference was on the TV in her room and we took turns sitting by her and talking to her. But she was unresponsive and I believe she had already begun her journey home.

This is our first conference weekend without Mom. I am excited to hear the Lord's word through His prophets, but I will miss my Mom. She won't be there to cook us bacon or share candy with the kids. She won't comment on which apostle is looking older or tell us which talk touches her heart. She won't give us a hug or discuss the scriptures with us.

My Mom loved watching and studying the conference talks. She loved pondering and talking about them. As I watch conference, I will think of her. But more importantly, I will think of my Savior. I know that He will bring peace and comfort to hearts that are burdened.

"Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest."
Matthew 11:28

Sweet Sunday with Shakespeare

This week I have spent about 12 hours a day working on our production of Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen of Verona. This Sunday is especially sweet because it really is a day of rest for me!

Being so immersed in this play has given me an opportunity to contemplate some of themes. In this play the two gentlemen, Proteus and Valentine, have an age old problem. Proteus is jealous of Valentine and betrays him and tries to steal his girlfriend. In the end, Proteus apologizes and is forgiven by Valentine and his girlfriend Silvia. Proteus' own faithful girlfriend, Julia, has arrived on the scene and witnessed his terrible behavior, but she also forgives him. The ending is like every Shakespearean comedy; the happy couples are reunited and plan a wedding.

That may sound like an unrealistic ending, but I know that ultimately all who repent and forgive will, through God's grace, enjoy an eternity of "happily ever after".

I love how Shakepeare describes repentance and forgiveness.

"Who by repentance is not satisfied
Is not of heaven nor earth, for these are pleased.
By penitence the Eternal's wrath's appeased."

It reminds me of this scripture:

"And again, verily I say unto you, if after thine enemy has come upon thee the first time, he repent and come unto thee praying thy forgiveness, thou shalt forgive him, and shalt hold it no more as a testimony against thine enemy." D & C 98:39

I am grateful for the gift of repentance from our Savior Jesus Christ. We all sin and His atonement allows us to be lifted from the depths of sorrow. Because of Jesus Christ there is always hope and the possibility of change.

I am also grateful for the opportunity to forgive others. At times, we are all offended or hurt by friends or family members. Sometimes we are even betrayed or sinned against. The opportunity to forgive others has been a great blessing to me and brought peace into my heart.

This reminds me of a favorite quote from the book Home I read this year.

"There is a saying that to understand is to forgive, but that is an error. You must forgive in order to understand. Until you forgive, you defend yourself against the possibility of understanding.

If you forgive, you may indeed still not understand, but you will be ready to understand, and that is the posture of grace."

May we all be blessed with forgiveness and understanding!

Sweet Sunday - Look up!

C.S. Lewis wrote in Mere Christianity, "A proud man is always looking down on things and people; and, of course, as long as you are looking down, you cannot see something that is above you."

Walkers, joggers and runners are advised to look up at the horizon rather than down at the ground. Apparently, this is good advice for all of life!

Where are my eyes fixed? What feelings are in my heart? Where is my mind focused?

"Therefore I will look unto the Lord; I will wait for the God of my salvation; my God will hear me." Micah 7:7

Where I Want To Be

Don't forget to enter my giveaway. Click here and leave a comment to enter! Now back to our regularly scheduled post . . .

I know I am blessed to live at a time and in a place of great abundance. And yet, I see so many people around me suffering. Suffering from depression or illness or betrayal or other trials. Most of the time I can't do much to ease the suffering. All I can do it listen and express my love. Why do people have to suffer? It is pretty rotten. Today I heard something that made me think about suffering in a different way.

Jeffery R. Holland said,

When suffering, we may in fact be nearer to God than we’ve ever been in our entire lives. That knowledge can turn every such situation into a would-be temple.

Regarding our earthly journey, the Lord has promised, “I will go before your face. I will be on your right hand and on your left, and my Spirit shall be in your hearts, and mine angels round about you, to bear you up” (D&C 84:88). That is an everlasting declaration of God’s love and care for us, including—and perhaps especially—in times of trouble.

I guess anything (however rotten it may be) is worth struggling though if it brings us nearer to God. That's a pretty amazing place to be! It reminds me of a song. Listen to it HERE

Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!
E’en though it be a cross
That raiseth me.
Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!

Though like the wanderer,
The sun gone down,
Darkness be over me,
My rest a stone,
Yet in my dreams I’d be

Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!

There let the way appear,
Steps unto heav’n;
All that thou sendest me,
In mercy giv’n;
Angels to beckon me

Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!

Or if, on joyful wing
Cleaving the sky,
Sun, moon, and stars forgot,
Upward I fly,
Still all my song shall be

Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer, my God, to thee,
Nearer to thee!

Sarah F. Adams, 1805–1848

Sweet Sunday - Bonus Edition!

Today at church I approached a friend of mine. She had made a generous donation to my fund raising efforts for breast cancer research and I wanted to thank her. But I was also a little worried, because I noticed she had made two donations of the same amount. I was concerned that perhaps she had hit "submit" twice. When I asked her about it, she explained that she had made a donation for each of her young daughters. She nearly made me cry and it gave me hope for a world where our daughters don't have to live in fear of breast cancer.

And now . . . here comes the bonus part of the post!

I didn't have a chance to blog about all of the sweet things from last Sunday. We got to spend some time with family. We sang a belated "Happy Birthday" to John while he ate his cherry pie.


We even got a picture of 5 generations, since my grandma was visiting for the weekend.

A big thanks to my Aunt Muff (no that's not her real name, but isn't it cute?) and Uncle Paul for bringing my grandma to see us. She and grandma were happy to see my mom's headstone and bring flowers to the cemetery.


And as yet another bonus, here's something I haven't seen often enough in the past few months--my dad smiling and being silly. He looks especially proud of the snack he chose. Now you know exactly who buys those giant tubs of cheese balls at Costco.

"And ye cannot bear all things now; nevertheless, be of good cheer, for I will lead you along. The kingdom is yours and the blessings thereof are yours, and the riches of eternity are yours." D & C 78:18