I am very excited today, guys! Courtney is here! She and I have become great (blogger) friends and I LOVE both her and her blog. Her positivity is contagious and I just know you will love her too! In fact, I would be willing to bet my right kidney again. That is how serious I am about that statement.
Hi there! I am here to tell you all about the best first impression I’ve ever made…not. I hope you get a good laugh about this for me, because I’m still not sure that I can laugh about it yet
When Eric and I were first dating he told me all about his amazing family and of course, I couldn’t wait to meet them! I remember the weekend he took me home like it was yesterday. To get caught up on why it is so memorable you really should read this post. I promise you’ll love it
After we got home from the funniest (for me) and most embarrassing (for Eric) reception I met Eric’s parents. They had just flown in from a business trip and we were all really tired, so we pretty much said “Hi, nice to meet you” then went to bed. The next morning we woke up and scrambled to get to church on time so we didn’t really have time to chat. After church we ate a delicious lunch then lounged around and started to really get to know each other. Somehow we got on the subject of names when my mother in law told me that her middle name is Gay. I remember telling her that wasn’t surprising at all because of the era she was born in. I then proceeded to make the biggest fool of myself….
me: “What I don’t understand is why someone would name a baby boy “Guy”. Seriously? Where is the creativity? Oh gee, I just birthed a boy and I think I’ll name him Guy??! What is with that?” Oh believe me, I just went to town about how silly I thought that name was… Eric: “Um Courtney? That’s my dad’s name.” me: “NO way! Shut up! You’re teasing me!” MIL: “No, really. His name is Guy.” My father in law was just staring at me with a half smirk/half bewildered/half this girl’s an idiot-look. me: “I don’t believe you!” So, my MIL goes and finds a Navy certificate (yes, my amazing FIL served in the Navy) to prove to me that his name truly is Guy.
Awkward….
I wanted to die. Why didn’t Eric stop me when I was ranting about the name? Or better yet, why didn’t Eric tell me his dad’s name in the first place? Or best yet, why didn’t I remember what his name is? Luckily, his parent’s figured there was a reason I have blonde hair They forgave me, I married Eric a few months later, and I am now apart of an amazing, loving family! I am the luckiest, happiest girl around! And I’ve since learned to think before I speak haha!
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Go visit Courtneys blog and find out why I love her (as if you cannot tell already;-)
President Obama failed to get tax hikes on the wealthiest Americans for now, but in January 2013 the Bush-era tax cuts expire. That’s a tax increase by any calculation. But Paul Ryan gave Sean Hannity assurances tonight (Monday after the House passed the bill) the measure will not allow it to happen.
There’s a bicameral bipartisan committee of twelve (six from each house) being handed authority to come up with more spending cuts (half defense and half entitlements) by November of this year. If they don’t, some “triggers” kick in that are designed purposefully to be painful enough for both sides to compel action. We’ll see. There is a troubling habit in Washington in recent years. We don’t openly debate anymore. We appoint committees. It’s a trip down memory lane.
The House has held its ground since the mid-term elections in 2010. They repealed Obamacare, they passed the proposed Ryan budget, and they passed Cut, Cap and Balance and got an assurance for an up or down vote in both the House and the Senate on the Balanced Budget Amendment. Apparently the sticking point for Democrats is a mechanism for a “super majority” vote of 67% in each house to raise taxes. Look for that provision to be modified to be more acceptable.
But tonight it’s all political, not meaningful. Here’s the biggest problem — the entitlement spending is on autopilot and increases (because of the absence of a restraining budget) by 8% for the next several years. The “cuts” proposed in this compromise deal merely state we will cut 3% from the projected spending we haven’t spent yet, and it’s not real. The net result that just got cast in stone today is that S&P will downgrade the AAA bond rating, assured by this deal. Moody’s may be more patient, but not for long. Strange, that knowing what the rating agencies wanted to see, the politicians couldn’t satisfy their demands.
This is a political compromise of the first order, nothing more nothing less. It’s avoided a default in the short term, but the structural economic weaknesses still remain. We’re on a path to borrow 100% of our GDP, and this does nothing to short circuit that trajectory. The total economy is $14.8 Trillion, and we’ve borrowed $14.3 to date with more coming. The debt is accumulating at $4 Billion PER DAY! Astounding to me is Obamacare and its impact, already being
We need to take the baseline for this year, then cut 1% off that per year until spending comes down to the level of tax revenue. That’s real. This deal is just more Washington compromise as usual. Watch for Paul Ryan (R-WI), the House Budget guru, to take up the return to the baseline budgeting in committee. We learned nothing from the TARP lesson of September of 2008, and you can add Obamacare to that pattern. Remember, “We have to pass this bill to know what’s in it?” (That was Nancy Pelosi when they passed Obamacare).
Some members of the House and Senate complained that the details of the backroom deal were in the hands of the media for a full hour before getting a conference call to their respective caucuses. That doesn’t sit well with elected representatives who were sent there as the representatives of the people. What a horrible example of Constitutional government!
However, lest we sink all hope with these comments, there is a ray of sunshine. The House and Senate freshmen Republicans who were sent to change things have held their ground and have succeeded in changing the conversation. Instead of being able to buy votes with more pork barrel spending, this time the POTUS and the Senate majority leader were compelled to have a conversation with Speaker Boehner in the back room, all of them realizing the American people now had representation and they meant business. We sometimes forget that only a year ago the Obama administration got a $1.9 Trillion increase in the debt limit rubber-stamped through both houses of Congress without anyone even finding the story in the mainstream media because it was buried on page 10 under the fold. Why? See Obamacare — you’ll find it there.
So that’s some progress on some level; some, but not enough.
What comes next? We haven’t really had a comprehensive debate yet about the underlying economic issues. That has to come next, and it isn’t going away until after the 2012 election, like President Obama would have preferred. He’s actually going to have to defend his record as the biggest spender in the history of the Republic.
So what we got after all the angst over the last two months was the one thing the country can least afford — more uncertainty. We’ll lose the AAA bond rating, there’s little doubt. Whether or not S&P decides to follow through on their threat of a downgrade, that fact may be the least of our financial worries. A Democrat-controlled Congress seems to believe adding a “mere” $7 trillion to our debt between now and 2020 instead of $10 trillion represents a victory for prudent budgeting. GEEZ! And even a “modest” $3-trillion trim is a theoretical number. Further, nothing can bind a 2018 Congress to follow the will of Americans expressed in 2011. That’s a lot more frightening than any credit downgrade. Married with inflation that’s already on the way, the impact on discretionary spending is negative for everyone.
Last night CNN interviewed Senator Mike Lee (R-UT). Notice how many times the interviewers bring up the political implications, none of which Lee is interested in discussing. Instead, he’s focused totally on the underlying economic issues that have not been addressed. Blitzer tried to suggest the Republicans got nearly everything they asked for, so why can’t Lee be happy about that? Well, it’s simple. This request for an increase in the debt ceiling is unprecedented in U.S. history, and cannot be granted without a structural reform to the way Washington spends our money in the future. This is a debate that has just barely begun, and I don’t expect a political “deal” to tamp down that economic debate.
The rest of the story is even easier, which may make all this academic — will the deal actually pass through both houses among the rank and file members? Lee first wanted to invoke the filibuster, requiring 60 votes in the Senate for passage to break the filibuster, then backed off when the votes lined up in support of the measure. It’s the American way. It’s the Constitutional way. It’s not the political way Lee’s interested in. Orrin Hatch (R-UT) also stood by his pledge to oppose it without the BBA.
We are finally beginning to wake up from our long national nap, it seems. If there is any good news, both sides are finally compelled because of the economy to end their lavish dreams. The Tea Party uprising has killed both the neoconservative dream of an ever-expanding American empire and the liberal hopes once entertained that roughly 100 years after Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson, roughly 75 years after the New Deal and roughly 50 years after the Great Society, we were living in another great age of progressive reform.
Given the era of fiscal scarcity we’re now entering, those neocon and progressive dreams are now likely dead for many years to come. This recovery will take years, not months, to materialize. Meanwhile, the Tea Party’s dream of a government reduced to its pre-welfare state size becomes self-fulfilling.
Stay tuned, this thing isn’t a done deal yet, even when the votes are in.
Yesterday I was working in the yard with my white iPod earbuds tucked securely in my ears. My boys were doing the same, which makes effective communication almost impossible. I know wearing headphones while doing yardwork with my sons smacks of lousy parenting – it probably is – but at least we don’t argue this way…
But we do have out share of this…
My son waves frantically at me as I am mowing the lawn.
I look at him, raise my eyebrows, and lift one palm up, gesturing “What?”
He makes a slashing motion across his neck for me to kill the mower.
I stop mowing and reach down to pull the rubber end off the spark plug, because the throttle cable is broken.
I say “What?”
His lips move, I hear nothing.
He points to his ears.
Oh yeah. I take one of my earbuds out.
He repeats what he said. I still hear nothing.
I take out the other ear bud and fumble to push the pause button. Finally I can hear him.
“Dad, can I go in and get a drink?”
(Grr.) “You bet!”
He puts his earbuds back in, and turns to go in the house.
“Hey, bring me one too, please.” I shout after him.
He keeps walking, oblivious.
I grab a tiny rock, and toss it at him. He stops and turns around, confused.
“Brink me one too. please.” I repeat.
He shakes his head and points to his earbuds.
I motion for him to remove one. He does.
“Please bring me one too, please.”
“One what?”
“A drink”
“OK”
“Thanks”
I turn back to the task at hand, put my earbuds back in, hit play, put the rubber cap back on the spark plug, and re-start the mower.
From out of nowhere, my son taps me on the shoulder, scaring me to death. I jump and whirl around.
He laughs at me.
I reach down, kill the mower, pause my iPod and take out my earbuds. Again.
“You scared me!”
“I know – that was funny.”
‘Thanks. What do you want?”
“What do you want to drink?”
“I don’t care. Water is fine.”
“OK.”
One again, I put my earbuds back in, hit play, put the rubber cap back on the spark plug, and re-start the mower.
I look up, and my nine-year-old is waving frantically at me…
A leading conservative pundit in Anchorage, Alaska is the latest to join the chorus of opinion-molders calling for people not to judge Republican presidential candidate Mitt Romney simply because he’s a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Paul Jenkins, who also edits the Anchorage Daily Planet (temporarily offline), published his appeal in an Anchorage Daily News column entitled “Rate Romney for business acumen, not his religion”.
Jenkins notes that similar anti-Catholic bigotry was directed against John F. Kennedy when he ran for president in 1961, yet enough people were willing to set it aside to elect him President of the United States. Jenkins reminds us that despite Romney’s previous flip-flopping, as governor of Massachusetts, he eliminated the state’s budget deficit by cutting spending, hiking fees and closing corporate tax loopholes. In three years, he transformed a projected $3 billion deficit into a $600 milliion surplus. All of this was facilitated by Romney’s private sector experience; unlike Barack Obama, Mitt Romney understands what it’s like to have to make a payroll. But here’s the money shot:
Why, I wonder aloud, is being Mormon bad? The Mormons I know are upstanding, decent people. Is it the polygamy thing? I ask. Romney condemns the practice, I tell him, and do you really want to explore the sordid history of other religions? Do you fear that if he were president you all of a sudden would want to marry more women, or what? I ask.
Look, I tell him, I have no idea whether I can vote for him, but considering the lesser luminaries so far in the GOP field and the kibitzers, Romney looks pretty good. Minnesota Congresswoman Michelle Bachman? Nuts. Herman Cain, the pizza guy? No chance. Former Minnesota Gov. Tim Pawlenty? Worn out tennis shoes poll better. Sarah Palin? A loser. Former Utah Gov. Jon Huntsman? Uh-uh. Newt Gingrich? Scary in a scary kind of way. Texas Gov. Rick Perry? Evangelicals love him. Texas Congressman Ron Paul? I wish I could vote for him, but cannot.
Paul Jenkins obviously keeps up with the national polls, because he states that Mitt Romney is the only one of the stated candidates who could defeat Obama at this time. He just doesn’t want the Evangelicals to “screw it up”. Of course, the Evangelicals tend to be fueled by ex-Mormons who leave the Church, become anti-Mormon, and launch campaigns to “rescue” people from Mormonism. Evangelicals are slowly becoming more tolerant; their respect for us increased when we decided to put it on the line for Proposition 8 in California.
While it is entirely appropriate to consider religion as one of a multitude of factors when evaluating a candidate’s viability;, it is inappropriate and small-minded to exclude a candidate in advance strictly because of religion. Fears that Romney (or Huntsman, who’s also LDS) might put the Church’s interest ahead of the national interest are groundless; the LDS Church has previously stated that they do not expect LDS political candidates to run interference for the Church. Remember that Senator Harry Reid disagrees with the Church on a number of political issues, yet remains a member in good standing.
Hey friends and loved ones. Would you like to know what we did on our vacation to the lovely state of Maine? Okay.
Day 1: We drove up to Brunswick, where Harry’s sister Mary lives with her husband Nick and darling child Benjamin. Harry’s mom drove us since she too would be enjoying this vacation with us. Originally the plan was to stop in Hooksett, New Hampshire to watch Harry Potter 7.2 at an IMAX theater. But Mary was feeling left out so she requested that we wait until we get to Maine and see it with her in Saco, since there’s an IMAX there, too. Well, long story short, we complied and we all went to see Harry Potter that night in IMAX 3D and holy crap did we love it. Confession: I wept openly. Especially during the whole Snape memory sequence. Don’t judge me! It touched my heart! In conclusion, it was incredible, sad, triumphant, and yes, a little emotional for me.
Day 2: Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth! This is the very shack where I partook of my first lobster. We later saw this shack featured on Man vs. Food as the best lobster in Maine (!). It is way out in the middle of nowhere, but the lobster served there beckons to people, and they find this place and it changes their lives. It’s just a little shack on a beach with a constant line of folks streaming out of it.
Here are some then-and-now photos for your amusement:
August 2008
July 2011
And the lobster was just as spectacular now as it was almost 3 years ago. We also went and walked on some beaches and perused this here lighthouse:
Aren’t we cute? It was hard not to squint. Maine can be very bright. And since I am an english nerd, I slightly geeked out a little bit when I saw this sign on the lighthouse premises:
Day 3: Mainly just a beach day. Man, I love the beach. I love it so much sometimes I want to cry when I see it. It gladdens my soul. Look, a beach and Harry! A joyous combination for me, personally:
That evening, Harry, Mary and I had a vacation adventure! Mary’s lovely in-laws took us kayaking (a first for Harry and myself) down a GORGEOUS river that wound through the lush Maine countryside. It was definitely the most beautiful part of our trip, and since I was fearful of getting my camera wet, I didn’t bring it along. Sad. For you guys, anyways. I know I fancy myself a writer of sorts, but I cannot imagine any combination of words that could describe how perfectly breathtaking the scenery was. It was pretty captivating. And very peaceful and relaxing. A perfect vacation/evening activity.
Day 4: Canobie Lake Park! We drove into New Hampshire to visit this small but quaint amusement park that was the location of many fond childhood memories for Harry and Mary. I’ve had some good memories there too. I spent a whole day here with Harry’s family for the first time before he and I were even engaged. And I fit in just dandy with them. I still do, I like to think. They’re not all as crazy as Harry but they come close, which means we all have a lot of fun together.
Day 5: Back to Vermont. Sadness. First we had a goodbye luncheon with Mary and baby Benjamin, then me, Harry, and Harry’s mom hit the road. This time we did stop at the movie theater in Hooksett, NH to break up our journey a little bit. We saw Cowboys and Aliens. It featured some cowboys and some aliens. The title of the film pretty much tells everything you need to know about it. It was a fun pitstop.
Anyways, that night we stayed over in Norwich with Harry’s parents and drove back to Burlington the next day. It was a very relaxing trip. And I totally recommend Maine as a summer vacation spot to everyone that ever existed. Summertime can be a very uncomfortable time due to the heat and humidity and bugs and sunburns but Maine was undoubtedly the most comfortable place I’ve ever been in the summer.
Hey friends and loved ones. Would you like to know what we did on our vacation to the lovely state of Maine? Okay.
Day 1: We drove up to Brunswick, where Harry’s sister Mary lives with her husband Nick and darling child Benjamin. Harry’s mom drove us since she too would be enjoying this vacation with us. Originally the plan was to stop in Hooksett, New Hampshire to watch Harry Potter 7.2 at an IMAX theater. But Mary was feeling left out so she requested that we wait until we get to Maine and see it with her in Saco, since there’s an IMAX there, too. Well, long story short, we complied and we all went to see Harry Potter that night in IMAX 3D and holy crap did we love it. Confession: I wept openly. Especially during the whole Snape memory sequence. Don’t judge me! It touched my heart! In conclusion, it was incredible, sad, triumphant, and yes, a little emotional for me.
Day 2: Lobster Shack in Cape Elizabeth! This is the very shack where I partook of my first lobster. We later saw this shack featured on Man vs. Food as the best lobster in Maine (!). It is way out in the middle of nowhere, but the lobster served there beckons to people, and they find this place and it changes their lives. It’s just a little shack on a beach with a constant line of folks streaming out of it.
Here are some then-and-now photos for your amusement:
August 2008
July 2011
And the lobster was just as spectacular now as it was almost 3 years ago. We also went and walked on some beaches and perused this here lighthouse:
Aren’t we cute? It was hard not to squint. Maine can be very bright. And since I am an english nerd, I slightly geeked out a little bit when I saw this sign on the lighthouse premises:
Day 3: Mainly just a beach day. Man, I love the beach. I love it so much sometimes I want to cry when I see it. It gladdens my soul. Look, a beach and Harry! A joyous combination for me, personally:
That evening, Harry, Mary and I had a vacation adventure! Mary’s lovely in-laws took us kayaking (a first for Harry and myself) down a GORGEOUS river that wound through the lush Maine countryside. It was definitely the most beautiful part of our trip, and since I was fearful of getting my camera wet, I didn’t bring it along. Sad. For you guys, anyways. I know I fancy myself a writer of sorts, but I cannot imagine any combination of words that could describe how perfectly breathtaking the scenery was. It was pretty captivating. And very peaceful and relaxing. A perfect vacation/evening activity.
Day 4: Canobie Lake Park! We drove into New Hampshire to visit this small but quaint amusement park that was the location of many fond childhood memories for Harry and Mary. I’ve had some good memories there too. I spent a whole day here with Harry’s family for the first time before he and I were even engaged. And I fit in just dandy with them. I still do, I like to think. They’re not all as crazy as Harry but they come close, which means we all have a lot of fun together.
Day 5: Back to Vermont. Sadness. First we had a goodbye luncheon with Mary and baby Benjamin, then me, Harry, and Harry’s mom hit the road. This time we did stop at the movie theater in Hooksett, NH to break up our journey a little bit. We saw Cowboys and Aliens. It featured some cowboys and some aliens. The title of the film pretty much tells everything you need to know about it. It was a fun pitstop.
Anyways, that night we stayed over in Norwich with Harry’s parents and drove back to Burlington the next day. It was a very relaxing trip. And I totally recommend Maine as a summer vacation spot to everyone that ever existed. Summertime can be a very uncomfortable time due to the heat and humidity and bugs and sunburns but Maine was undoubtedly the most comfortable place I’ve ever been in the summer.
When I started this blog I had no idea what to expect. I just knew I needed to finally follow my heart and obey the impressions to just write and share my testimony of Jesus Christ and how He has helped me through this life. I have felt a little reluctant to post some of my feelings. One such post was a very brief portrayal of my ordeal with infertility. That was a little scary to share. But guess what? Several times a day, someone, somewhere in the world, reads that post. (Empty Arms On Mother’s Day) I had no idea. I mean, I know it is a common problem but I had no idea anyone would care about what I had to say on the subject.
I guess I’ll share more…
Here are the facts: My husband and I married in 1996. In the spring of 2004 we finally tried In Vitro. 4 embryos were implanted – 1 resulted in a pregnancy and in January of 2005, our beautiful daughter was born. 18 months later, I discovered I was pregnant again! Wowsers! In February of 2007, our wonderful son was born. But we had 4 remaining embryos left over from our first try with In Vitro. We had originally wanted a big family with lots of children so we prayed and prayed and decided to give those embryos a chance. They were not the healthiest embryos so we knew there was a huge chance that I would not become pregnant but we felt very strongly the need to give them a try. I did not become pregnant.
Below is a post I wrote on my family blog after that 2nd failed in vitro attempt:
This last August (2008), we tried in vitro again. We had four remaining embryos to use after trying for our daughter. These embryos were our responsibility and we didn’t feel right about turning them over to science or donating them to someone else. After all of the hormones, appointments and money, we finally went through with the procedure. Three embryos were implanted (one did not survive the thawing process) but I did not become pregnant. My body thought it was pregnant because of the drugs and so I had to go through a natural process of balancing my hormones out again and getting back to normal.
For those who have never tried this, it just sounds like we didn’t get pregnant, oh well, just keep trying right? Wrong. It’s not that way with in vitro – I felt as if I had miscarried 3 babies. I know some of you who have never been through this have a hard time understanding how this could have felt like a miscarriage – but it does. I have no idea when the spirit enters the body, but I am still grieving the loss of those little lives. I am not sad as much about not getting pregnant, I’m more sad at the loss of those three little ones – they were very much alive to us and already felt like a part of our family. We had prayed about them, fasted for them and spent so much time and energy in their behalf – of course we would feel great sorrow at their loss. We will not be trying in vitro again as it is very expensive and I’m getting “old” according to fertility docs. Our son did come naturally but it took 11 years of trying the “normal” way for that to happen and so I cannot let my hopes get too high that it will happen again.
I have not wanted to share this info with many people because it is a very private matter and it hurts, to be completely honest. When someone doesn’t understand how badly it hurts they tend to make comments that just make it worse (I know the comments are made innocently and so I am never angry at the person but my heart aches just a little more than it did.) I also don’t know how to verbaly relay that I have complete faith in the Lord’s plan, but I still feel pain. I usually come off sounding like I don’t feel sadness at all and then people think I don’t care and then they don’t care – at least that is how I feel. So, I just keep my mouth shut and don’t say a word.
But here I am making a public announcement on our blog for the whole world to read. I have not been able to stop thinking about the need to let this be known. Since August, (2008) the Lord has put in my path so many women who are dealing with infertility, whether it be initial infertility or secondary infertility – it still hurts and it is still a very lonely problem. I know many couples have tried in vitro several times and have not even had the success we have had. I know some women only have to wait for 6 months and others their whole lives. I know some women have miscarriage after miscarriage and some find themselves needing to adopt in order to have children. Some women probably don’t think I have any rite to write this post because I did give birth to two children. But the Lord has taught me over the years to never discount the pain of others just because you think it is not as hard as it could have been. Everyone’s pain is painful because we do not know all of the dynamics involved and so we can never compare one person’s pain to another.
During the long years before children came to our home, I grew to love and feel very close to some of the women in the bible. Did you know that almost all of them had to wait a very long time for children to come and then, when they finally did have children, they only had one or maybe two? The Lord pointed that out to me – I think He knew their powerful, righteous examples would help me survive. He was right. He always is.
As I’m writing this it occurs to me that I would love to be able to correspond with Sarah. If I could write a letter to her, what would I write? Hmmm…
Dear Sarah, Several years ago I got to know you as I was waiting for children to come to my home. I read about you in the bible. I read about the others who waited too – Rebekah, Rachel, Hannah and Elisabeth. You seemed like a group of sisters to me. Sisters in suffering. Sisters in faith and righteousness. The Lord pointed each of you out to me and told me to learn from you. He pointed out how valuable you were to Him in the building up of His kingdom and that the amount of children a woman has doesn’t make her of any more worth than another. In fact, He taught me that if I never had a child in this life, I would still be able to perform an amazing work on this earth. I just want you to know how grateful I am for your willingness to trust the Lord, especially when you thought your chance was long gone. Because of your example, I have also tried to place my trust in Him and let Him be in control. He sees what I do not see. He knows what I do not know. He has a plan for my little family and I know it will be greater than any plan I could devise on my own. Love, Lisa
I will share more of my survival techniques later…those two babies I longed for, are longing for me right now and they come first. I know you understand.
I remember a few times in my youth when I would lie outside on the cool grass under a star filled night and just wonder why. I would pinch myself and think; I am a live and I have a brain to think with and a body that can feel. The smell of the cottonwood trees would linger in the air; I could smell. I could view the star filled sky and see the constellations; I could see. I would look into the sky and wonder where does God live? Is there a Mother in heaven? How do we stay on this plant as it rotates around the sun? Why is there night and day? Why do we have a sun during the day and a moon and stars at night? Why do we have days, hours and minutes that we live by? Why can I see? Why can I hear? Why can I smell? Why can I speak? Why can I feel? Why can I move? Why are our bodies alike; but yet different shapes? Why are men shapes different than woman’s? Why is there so many differences between men and woman? Why is each individual person unique? Why do we all experience trials and tribulations? Why are there disasters, war, and famines upon the earth? Why are there accidents, terminal illnesses and death? Why do some die young and why do some live to be very old? Why are some people wealthy? Why are many people very poor? Why are there so many religious beliefs. How can people not believe in a God? Why? Why? Why?
I believe that we are spirit children of Heavenly Father. He sent us here to earth to gain a body in his image. There is a plan of happiness for each of us. If we follow that plan we can return to live with him someday. We must experience trials and learn to follow him through faith in his plan for us.
I believe that Heavenly Father sent us here to experience life. We will all sin and make mistakes. In the Pre-mortal life Jesus Christ was chosen by our Father In Heaven to provide the way for us to return to him again. This will only happen if we accept the Atonement of Jesus Christ, follow him, and keep his commandments. Through his sacrafice in the Garden of Gethesemane and on the Cross we can be saved from spiritual death which is a separation from our Heavenly Father and physical death through Christ’s Resurrection.
I believe that our happiness comes from following Jesus Christ and keeping His Commandments. Besides gaining a body, experiencing life tests; we must learn of and follow our Savior, Jesus Christ.
I believe that one of the greatest reasons for our earth life is to find, learn and believe in Jesus Christ. Only through Jesus Christ can we return and live with our Heavenly Father in His Kingdom.
As I gave birth to each of our 6 children and held those precious newborns in my arms; I would marvel at how perfect they were. I would look at their wee little bodies and count each finger and toe. I would stare into their eyes and wonder what will they be like. I knew that they had just come from the presence of loving Heavenly Parents. I knew that there was a plan for their lives. I would look forward to witnessing the unfolding of their unique passage through life. I knew beyond doubt that there was a bigger picture. I felt the sweet reminder that I was to care tenderly for these precious spirits. I would be held accountable for teaching them to know and understand where they came from, where they were going and a sure knowledge of why they are here.
151. I am grateful for my God, the ceator of this world 152. I love looking at the vast amount of space filled with stars that form the constellations. 153. I feel deep gratitude to know that I am a daughter of God. 154. Within my heart I feel I have a Mother in Heaven and I am grateful for that. 155. I am grateful I can observe the different and beautiful stages that the moon goes through each month. I56. Though imperfect and not the perfect shape I would desire; I am grateful for my body. 157. I have deep gratitude that I can see the beauties of this world. 158. I am forever grateful that I can see with my eyes my wonderful family, siblings and friends. I have a sweet granddaugter that is blind and I look forward to the day when she will meet our Savior and will see again all those that love her so much. 159. I can’t imagine a world without light; I am grate for the light of the day and the dark of the night. 160. I am grateful for the sun and love to bask it it’s warmth. 161. I love the gently falling rain and the smell of the earth after a rain storm. 162. I love to see a rainbow and it makes me happy but at the same time sad that the Savior will not come this year. 163. I love to smell the signs of spring; the sweet fragance of a rose, lilac bush, or cottonwood tree. 164. I am grateful that I can hear the sounds of a birds, the wind, the gentle rain and just all of sounds of my environment. 165. What is more beautiful than to hear the voice of your husband, the sound of grandchildren playing and the sweet converstions of your children. 166. I love to hear the prophet’s voice and hope to always follow him. 167. I love to hear the sweet voice of the spirit when I am needing guidance. 168. I love and have deep gratitude for the people of this earth. I recognize that we are all children of God. I pray that we will always be kind to one another even though we may have different beliefs. 169. I have deep gratitude for the part the Savior plays in my life. I am so thankful for his Atonement and resurrection. This knowledge gives me hope in my everyday life experiences. 170. I know that happiness comes through following my Savior. 171. I am grateful to serve my Savior by serving others. 172. I am so thankful for the sure and true knowledge that I have that there is life after death. 173. I can’t imagine never seeing my loved ones again; so I am thankful that I know that I will. This knowledge can give comfort in death. 174. I want to live with my Savior and Heavenly Father again. I am grateful to know that I can. 175. I love that I have many of the comforts of life; but at the same time a desire to help those that do not.
My scriptures fell open to this verse this morning.
It’s from the Old Testament, but it is priceless.
I am certain the Lord whispers this to the Earth every single new day. The invitation is ever present and ever real.
31 ¶Cast away from you all your transgressions, whereby ye have transgressed; and make you a new heart and a new spirit: for why will ye die…?
32 For I have no pleasure in the death of him that dieth, saith the Lord God: wherefore turn yourselves, and live ye. Ezekiel 18:31-32
Everyone of us needs to be renewed in our energies and dedication at least once in a while.
Repentance was never meant to be daunting or like giving a pound of flesh. Sin brings its own consequences. Repentance on the the other hand is liberating. I’ve heard it taught “pent” comes from the root word “to turn” and repent literally means “to turn again”. This is the best explanation I’ve ever heard for repentance: to turn and face God again.
I know from my own experience, when I finally make up my mind and will to do so, turning to God with renewed purpose is an uplifting, buoyant experience. And our heart and spirit become new and fresh as well.
Whether turning again to God simply means better spiritual habits or digging out of habits much deeper, this is an invitation to experience it! Turn to God again and live with a lighter, merrier heart.
– Jun 2, 1844 Nauvoo, Illinois. Joseph Smith was visited by John C. Calhoun Jr. and his brother Patrick, sons of John C. Calhoun, a senator from South Carolina who Joseph had met in Washington, D.C. in February 1840 and was now a candidate for United States president. (1)[Joseph Smith Diary] Sunday, June 2nd 1844 At home. Pleasant day. (2)Dominicus Carter polygamous marriage to Mary Durfee (3)-
