Daffodils, Houseplants, and Testimony
Daffodils are one of my favorite flowers. Many years ago, the young women in the Church earned awards in what was then called the Mutual Improvement Association or M.I.A. These awards were displayed on a felt band that was worn over one shoulder. We were asked to...
Helping a New Deacon Adapt
I should be at church. But my son has refused to go. So that's how this morning has started. Great, right? As I fumed my way into my room for a break, a quote on my board by Richard G. Scott jumped out at me and changed my perspective. He says, “The Lord sees...
Reasons to Choose Conversion
Brynlee Ashton recently began life as a missionary. Before she left, I heard her excellent discourse on conversion, the process of becoming converted, and reasons we would choose conversion. I wanted to share her thoughts with you. Brynlee Ashton on Conversion...
Perspective
Several months ago, a sister who I had never seen at church before was seated a few rows in front and to the side of me. What was special about this woman was she had brought her dog. It was a big dog — a really big dog. Okay, I know you’re thinking what I was: this...
Finding Faith in Our Journey
A little over six years ago, my husband and I sat in a trauma room at the ER for over four hours as approximately ten doctors and nurses worked to fix our seven-year-old daughter’s arm after she suffered a fall. Upon landing on her arm, she split the two bones...
My Health Journey: A Concluding Start
This is the last in Ashley's eight-part series about her health journey. To read the rest, click here. After a year of intense experiences, the truth is that I am still striving to find the lighthouse every day. Some days my view is clear and focused, and...
The Dance
Life is like a dance. When I went to college, I expect my ultimate goal was graduation — but what I got was beyond my fondest imagination. This was the realization of my life’s dreams. And yet, the manifestation of my reality was not what I expected or even...
Knowing God
Knowing God is real is not the same thing as really knowing God. What is the difference?
Grief in the Church
There is a common misconception about grief in the Church that I feel compelled to straighten out. When my best friend’s dad died when we were in high school, I was told by my dad that I shouldn’t be taking it so hard because I understood the plan of salvation. ...
Follow the Prompting—the Lord Delights to Bless
I remember a time when I thought a prompting from the Holy Ghost really only answered a gospel question or warned someone of danger. It's been fun to discover that the Holy Ghost will guide and direct us in every aspect of our lives. Learning how the Holy Ghost speaks...
Shhh… Be Still
I have an ancestor who, years after she had passed on, had a journal published in her honor. In her journal, there is a collection of family pedigree charts, family photos, family stories, budget sheets, and poems that she had written, among other things. And although...
The Day I Fell in Love
How much is your integrity worth? Wow. This is incredible. I am all emotional, and I am not even sure why. Well, I actually know why. I just didn’t expect it. It caught me totally off guard. It all started as quite a surprise, really. My wife and I like...
The Miracle of the Human Body
I’ve been thinking about the miraculous capabilities of the human body. We take for granted the blood coursing through our veins, the ability to breathe, to stand, to walk, to bend, to stoop, to cry, to smell, to touch, and even the ability to procreate. How is it...
Homeschool Tips and Tricks
At the first of the year, we started homeschooling again. My son has been having kidney stones, and to date he is currently passing his fourth since October. Poor kid. We have appointments with specialists, but because he is not always fit for attending traditional...
Divide the Light from the Darkness Within
A persistent character flaw manifests regularly. The flaw doesn't bring any happiness—momentary or long-term. The flaw doesn't strengthen my relationship with anyone. In fact, because of it, I feel more isolated. The flaw doesn't cause any positive long-lasting...
Advice to the Happy Couple
A lot of my friends have gotten married in the last few weeks, and many more are about to get married. With all these weddings, there are usually bridal showers that I am invited to attend. I find it interesting that though these showers vary in style and activities...
My Health Journey: The Storm
This is the seventh in an eight-part series about Ashley's health journey. Read part six here. Coming back onto the grid after my second full-length hospital stay was extremely intimidating. I felt like everyone was watching me and afraid I would break at any...
Angels Among Us
Today, I would like to share with you a personal experience and testify of ministering. Throughout His life, the Savior ministered to others. I have come to realize that as we love and serve one another, we are following the example of Jesus Christ and ministering as...
Lifting the Weight of our Trials
Sixteen years ago on a cold and snowy Monday morning, I found myself sitting in a lawyer’s office as I filed for a divorce. My whole life, I had been taught that marriage was forever, yet here I nervously sat as my dream of an eternal family was shattered....
Prepare
The world looks a little less scary when you know that no matter what happens, you’ll have food on the table. Patty explains how to make sure that happens.