Preparedness & New Year’s Resolutions
Here is a great quote as we contemplate the new year ahead of us and any possible resolutions (particularly on preparedness) that we might make. “We seldom perform to the level of our knowledge. This brings me to the subject of resolutions—resolutions to...
Three Goals for the Disciple
I ran across a beautiful article the other day by Thomas S. Monson entitled “Three Goals to Guide You.” Though the address was given to a group of women, I think its message sets the tone for anyone who wants to serve the Lord to the best of their ability every day of...
Goal Setting for the New Year
The beginning of a new year is intuitively a time that many people choose to evaluate their lives and set goals for themselves. Sometimes temporal concerns such as losing weight or making more money are at the tops of our lists. But perhaps we should be more concerned...
Make Your Own Ball Pit
There is something about a ball pit that brings out the kid in me — and my son is in love with them! Every time we have therapy, they reward his hard work with some time in the ball pit. It is so hard for us to get him out of that thing! So I decided to make him his...
Is Christmas Really That Simple?
I enjoyed a wonderful Christmas season and hope everyone who celebrates Christmas did, too. A thought I saw repeatedly this season was along the lines of "The first Christmas was pretty simple. It's okay if yours is too." I felt the intent of the statement. No...
Godly Mercy
In the Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ, in the book of Mosiah, we read, And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply...
Singles, Take Your Business Card to the Temple! Pt 2
Editor's Note: This article includes practices suggested by Church members that are not necessarily espoused by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As always, since this is not a publication of the Church, the views in this blog are solely those of the...
Forgiveness and Offense
I recently remembered a little song the children sing in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints about forgiveness and offense: Help me, dear Father, to freely forgive All who may seem unkind to me. Help me each day, Father, I pray; Help me live...
Covered
Okay. Before we begin the topic of this article, there is a little housekeeping that needs to be covered. I am not talking about anything you or I have or haven’t done. I am referring to a piece of understanding that we need to ensure is clear in our minds. To...
Christmas Is More Than the Birth
This Christmas season, as I’ve reflected on the Savior, I’ve contemplated His effect on my life. I’ve always loved Christmas. Even as a little child, I was totally immersed in the wonder of that special birth. I may not have been able to comprehend the importance of...
My Christmas Psalm
I look over the vastness of the dark sea Only a few stars glitter in the great beyond I feel the small glimmering lights call to me Encouraging me to stretch beyond the dark vastness of the waters to something more familiar, to the place I know My nighttime wanderings...
“A Life Full of Riches”: Being Rich in the Things That Really Matter
During the Christmas holidays in particular, it’s easy for our hearts and minds to be drawn to material possessions. Advertisements everywhere lure us to believe that we need this gadget or that car or this house or that lifestyle in order to be happy. But are these...
My Health Journey: Getting Help
Read the last installment in Ashley's health journey here. Have you ever felt like you need a rest from resting? For a week or so, I laid around watching tv, reading, and paying far too close attention to the ceiling tiles. My roommate was uncomfortable with me...
I Can
I keep fighting voices in my mind that say that I'm not enough Every single lie that tells me I will never measure up Am I more than the sum of every high and every low Remind me once again just who I am because I need to know You say I am loved when I can't feel a...
Family History for Christmas
In a previous post, I talked about preserving old photographs. Photographs are, of course, not the only things we can or should preserve when it comes to family history — and while an original of something is always better, that doesn't mean we shouldn't make copies...
Why I Wish I Hadn’t Been Released from My Calling Early
I have had many callings during my life, but I never thought much about the process until recently. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, when you get a church job, it’s called a "calling." The bishop (the leader of your congregation) calls you and asks...
Brothers Can Be Angels, Too
Malia Bond shared a tender and profound story of saving and loss that I wanted to share with everyone. Especially at Christmastime when so many suffer loss and grief, her story reminded me of the angels nearby ready to help and save. Malia Bond's Story I...
Singles, Take Your Business Card to the Temple! Pt 1
Author's note: Just one week before our 25th wedding anniversary, this post is a tribute to my sweet husband and the events that brought us together. I've learned that when you want a miracle in your life, you need to shop at the right store! My first...
What Do Latter-day Saints Believe About Mary and Joseph?
This Christmas, you may be wondering, "What do Latter-day Saints believe about Jesus Christ's parents, Mary and Joseph?" Read on to find out! When he was still a teenager, Nephi, the first prophet whose writings we have in the Book of Mormon, was given a...
How the Gospel Changes Lives
I am going to try really hard to communicate a particular sentiment to you. I’m not exactly sure where this article is going at this point. That’s okay. That is usually the way the best kind is created. We had an amazing sacrament meeting today. It was one of...