Submission to the Eternal Father

There is one mightier than we all. One who knows all and who loves us beyond comprehension. If we but learn to trust and obey we will be will blessed eternally.

"The Savior's perfect submission to the Eternal Father is the very essence of a broken heart and a contrite spirit. Christ's example teaches us that a broken heart is an eternal attribute of godliness. When our hearts are broken, we are completely open to the Spirit of God and recognize our dependence on Him for all that we have and all that we are. The sacrifice so entailed is a sacrifice of pride in all its forms. Like malleable clay in the hands of a skilled potter, the brokenhearted can be molded and shaped in the hands of the Master."A broken heart and a contrite spirit are also preconditions to repentance."

In light of the fact that two more glorious spirits have come to our family, I think it is appropriate to recall what President Brigham Young said concerning parents. It would be wise to remember that once you become a parent you are always be a parent.


Daily Gems
Parents Can Best Teach by Example
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"President Brigham Young instructed parents by saying:

"'If each and every one of us who are parents will reflect upon the responsibilities devolving upon us, we shall come to the conclusion that we should never permit ourselves to do anything that we are not willing to see our children do. We should set them an example that we wish them to imitate.' (Journal of Discourses, 14:192)

"If we are to instill faith in our children, they must see us demonstrate our faith in their young lives. They must see us on our knees daily, asking the Lord for His blessings and expressing our gratitude unto Him. They need to see us using our priesthood to administer to those in need, and to bless our children. They need to see us reverently worshiping in our sacrament meetings. They need to see us cheerfully and willingly giving of our time and talents to the building of the Lord's kingdom here on earth. They need to see us proving our faith by the payment of our tithes and offerings to Him. They need to see us diligently studying and discussing the scriptures to increase our faith and understanding."

Topics:
parents, teaching, example
(L. Tom Perry, "Train Up a Child," Ensign, May 1983, 78)

"And Nothing Shall Offend Them"

"During a perilous period of war, an exchange of letters occurred
between Moroni, the captain of the Nephite armies, and Pahoran, the chief
judge and governor of the land. Moroni, whose army was suffering because of
inadequate support from the government, wrote to Pahoran 'by the way of
condemnation' (Alma 60:2) and harshly accused him of thoughtlessness,
slothfulness, and neglect. Pahoran might easily have resented Moroni and
his message, but he chose not to take offense. Pahoran responded
compassionately and described a rebellion against the government about
which Moroni was not aware. And then he responded, 'Behold, I say unto
you, Moroni, that I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it grieves
my soul. . . . And now, in your epistle you have censured me, but it
mattereth not; I am not angry, but do rejoice in the greatness of your
heart' (Alma 61:2, 9).

"One of the greatest indicators of our own spiritual maturity is revealed in how we respond to the weaknesses, the inexperience, and the potentially offensive actions of others. A thing, an event, or an expression may be offensive, but you and I can choose not to be offended--and to say with Pahoran, 'it mattereth not.'"
(David A. Bednar, "And Nothing Shall Offend Them," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 91)

Priesthood Power

I have been and will be forever grateful for righteous Priesthood brethren who have blessed my life so many, many times in so many ways. Dan L. Thomas begins the list and each one of our sons: Luke, Will, Haini, Daniel, Mark, James, and Seth follows thereafter.

Daily Gems
Responsibilities and Blessings of the Priesthood
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"There is not a man or boy in this vast congregation tonight who cannot improve his life. And that needs to happen. After all, we hold the priesthood of God. If we are boys who have received the Aaronic Priesthood, we are entitled to the ministering of angels to guide and direct, to bless and protect us. What a remarkable and wonderful thing that is. If we have had conferred upon us the Melchizedek Priesthood, we have been given the keys of the kingdom that carry with them eternal powers. These were spoken of by the Lord when He laid His hands upon the heads of His disciples."

Topics: priesthood, personal growth, guidance
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Rise Up, O Men of God," Ensign, Nov. 2006, 60)


Daily Gems April 20, 2008
It Mattereth Not

"The Church of Jesus Christ is a church of priests, 'a royal priesthood, an holy nation' (1 Peter 2:9). "The restored Church gives to each home a priesthood holder with the power of God to bless. How many times I have been able to hear the soft, sweet voice of a little child at home say, 'Daddy, could you give me a blessing?' and put my hands upon his or her head in moments of pain and difficulty and pronounce
blessings of comfort and healing and see the power of the priesthood exercise its influence and the next day hear that little voice say, 'Thanks, Daddy, I slept just fine last night.' We don't need to go out looking for someone having that power--it is among us! What a blessings to be able to teach this principle to our children! This is the only church upon the earth which offers such a blessing to families.

"Through this power, I was able to ordain each of my sons to the priesthood and thus give them the power of God to administer His ordinances.

". . . This is . . . why I am a member of this Church: because the power of the priesthood is again upon the earth and has reached even unto our homes.""

Topics: priesthood, blessings, healing, family

(Enrique R. Falabella, "Why Are We Members of the Only True Church?" Ensign, Nov. 2007, 14-15)

God Knows You

"God has known you individually . . . for a long, long time (see D&C 93:23). He has loved you for a long, long time. He not only knows the names of all the stars (see Psalm 147:4; Isaiah 40:26); He knows your names and all your heartaches and your joys! By the way, you have never seen an immortal star; they finally expire. But seated by you tonight are immortal individuals--imperfect but who are, nevertheless, 'trying tobe like Jesus'!"

Topic: Immortality
(Neal A. Maxwell, "Remember How Merciful the Lord Hath Been," Ensign, May 2004, 46)

Daily Gems
The Future
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"In my quiet moments, I think of the future with all of its wonderful possibilities and with all of its terrible temptations. I wonder what will happen to you in the next 10 years. Where will you be? What will you be doing? That will depend on the choices you make, some of which may seem
unimportant at the time but which will have tremendous consequences."

Topic: Choices
(Gordon B. Hinckley, "Stay on the High Road," Ensign, May 2004, 112-113)

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2 CHRONICLES 7:14 IS GOD'S ANSWER.
0NE MINUTE EACH NIGHT

During WWII, there was an advisor to Churchill who organized a group of people who dropped what they were doing every night at a prescribed hour and for one minute they collectively prayed for the safety of England , its people and peace.

There is now a group of people organizing the same thing here in America .

If you would like to participate:
Each evening at (6:00 PM Pacific), (7:00 PM Mountain), (8:00 PM Central), (9:00 PM Eastern Time) stop

Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Dear Family,

The following link is very special. It filled my heart with the love I have for my Savior and my eyes with tears.

You will want to find five minutes to watch this and share it with your families.

There was a 'Reflections of Christ' photography exhibit recently on display at the Mesa Temple Visitor's Center in conjunction with the Easter Pageant produced by the LDS Church. The photographer was given permission to photograph Pageant cast members for the exhibit. The photographer worked with a few other individuals to put together a 5 minute slide show which includes every image from the exhibit set to the hymn 'Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing.'

This is from the pageant that we were able to attend a couple of years ago when we went to Mesa with Granma and Tessha.

Thank you Margie for sending this on to us.

http://mabrystudios.typepad.com/reflections_of_christ/2008/03/reflections-sli.html

You might have to cut and paste it before you can open it.

We are so blessed.
Love, Mom/Sandy

Trials and Faith

Picture by James
Daily Gems
Trials That Tax Courage and Extend Faith
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"[Today's children] will see many events transpire in the course of their lifetime. Some of these shall tax their courage and extend their faith. But if they seek prayerfully for help and guidance, they shall be given power over adverse things. Such trials shall not be permitted to stand in the way of their progress, but instead shall act as stepping-stones to greater knowledge."

Topic: trials
(Boyd K. Packer, "Do not Fear," Ensign, May 2004

Faith and Trust

Daily Gems
Faith and Trust
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"[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego] knew that they could trust God--even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.

"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."

(Topic: faith)
(Dennis E. Simmons, "But If Not . . .," Ensign, May 2004, 73)

Praise and Admiration for You!!

picture by James
Daily Gems
Praise and Admiration for the Youth of the Church
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"I want to say to . . . the vast majority of the youth of the Church around the world how extraordinarily proud we are of you. Moral and physical danger exists almost everywhere around you and temptations of a dozen kinds present themselves daily, yet most of you strive to do what is right.

". . . I wish to raise my voice in praise of you, to express my love, my encouragement, and my admiration for you."

Topics:
youth, temptation, faith, righteousness
(Jeffrey R. Holland,

This Thing Called Faith

Daily Gems
Faith and Trust
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"[Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego] knew that they could trust God--even if things didn't turn out the way they hoped. They knew that faith is more than mental assent, more than an acknowledgment that God lives. Faith is total trust in Him.

"Faith is believing that although we do not understand all things, He does. Faith is knowing that although our power is limited, His is not. Faith in Jesus Christ consists of complete reliance on Him."

The Blessings of Paying My Tithing

As Paul Harvey used to say, "And now, for the rest of the story..."
So a while back I told you about how I was really feeling a need to get out of debt (not that we haven't heard that before). But anyway, it was heavy on my heart and I wanted more than anything to be debt-free. I'd been praying about it and then one Sunday while listening to a HC speak, I was prompted that "if (I) would pay my tithing on my gross, (I'd) have what (I) needed." Since I hate to pass up blessings that I'm praying for, I decided to try it. The next Sunday when I got paid I wrote the check out for the gross amount. Yap, that was quite a hunk more than my monthly budget allows, but I also know the Heavenly Father blesses us when we do what He asks. (Kind of like Daniel, heading back to school or Gracie paying her tithing and going without food.

Anyway, I started watching for blessings to come floating in and in the mean time, I filled out a few applications for places that I thought I'd enjoy working at. I even started to get excited about having a 2nd job because, I figured if one came along I'd probably have to take it so I might as well be excited about it.

I kept checking back with those places and still no jobs were coming my way. I was getting nervous about not even having enough for that months bills so I increased my prayers and told Heavenly Father that I really needed His help because I really needed more money to meet the needs and that I would even work for it. He has a unique way of dealing with me because He just kind of says it as it is. He said, "Then you're going to have to fill out some more applications." That made sense to me so that's what I did.

One day I was checking back at Garcia's Mexican Restaurant where I had left an application. The boss just happened to be in and he asked if I could come back in a week for an interview. I say, "Of course." and returned in a week at which time he said, "Can you come back in a week when my trainer is here so we can set up a training session?" Again, I said I could do that. Well, here I am training to be a server at Garcia and I'm so excited to have a job.

After a couple training days I'm not sure if my skills are in restaurant work. I was sent home the first day with about 32 pages they want memorized. I'm tested on them every time I go in and it isn't pretty. I have to know every ingredient in every dish and drink that they serve, not to mention all the protocols of the chain. (I should be studying right now but I'll make up for it tomorrow morning.) My trainer talks faster than I can hear and refers to things I know nothing about. However, I think I may have passed my test yesterday- just maybe! If so, I'll try the next test. They are pass or fail and if I could just remember what I study then I could do ok. If I pass all the tests then I think they'll even pay me to come to work.

And then yesterday, I received a call on my cell when I was in a meeting so I had to wait until I'd left for work at Garcia's before I could listen to the message. I was so excited. It was Joe Holland who is the Head Pharmacist at the Walmart Pharmacy where we get our prescriptions. He was asking if I was still interested in a job with him.

Well, since I'm not sure how Garcia's is going to play out, and since I'd really like to work for Joe, and since Walmart isn't all the way across town and since I could actually walk to it from our house and not use any gas, and since they close at 9:00 on week nights instead of 10:00, I told him "Yes". He said he was impressed with me (he's waited on us ever since Walmart opened the Pharmacy and he's always been a real gentleman) and he was impressed with my resume and, get this, he is tired to teenagers who sometimes show up and sometimes don't and he needs someone "more mature". I replied that I was definitely "more mature". He laughed and I laughed knowing how true it is just in years. So, he's going to get things set up with Personnel and then call me in.

So, see, now I have 3 jobs. Let's hope I can do at least two of them. And like I said, the blessings are just floating in. Next Sunday I'll be able to write out another "gross check" and know that the Lord keeps His promises when we do as He asks.

The Bread of Life ~video clip from the Church

Daily Gems
Easter Greetings
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With you, we celebrate the Resurrection of our Lord and Savior Jesus Christ
this Easter season. We invite you to view "The Bread of Life"
(approximately 7 minutes), which can be found at the following Web
address:

http://jesuschrist.lds.org/SonOfGod/eng/multimedia

Cleave Unto Righteousness

Daily Gems
Savior's Protective Care Calms and Heals the Repentant Soul
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"The more we cleave unto righteousness, the more we enjoy the protecting care of our Savior. He is the Creator and Lord of the universe. He will calm the winds and the waves. His teachings and Atonement will heal the repentant soul. He is the Messiah or Deliverer, and because of Him, each of us can be in charge of his or her personal world, even as tragedies beset us."

Topics: Savior, protection, repentance

(Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared . . . Be Ye Strong from Henceforth," Ensign, Nov. 2005, 11)

Here is the website if you'd like to subscibe to the Daily Gems. Love, Mom (Sandy)
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TO SUBSCRIBE TO ADDITIONAL LISTS, UNSUBSCRIBE, OR CHANGE YOUR SUBSCRIPTION INFORMATION:
Go to LDS E-mail Subscriptions at http://www.lds.org/listservices and select the
appropriate subscription list. You can also learn more about each list on that page.

Elder Hinckley's Testimony of his Father - President Gordon B. Hinckley

Elder Hinckley was Haini's Mission President ~ STANDING TALL

THIS WAS SENT TO A FRIEND FROM A WARD MEMBER IN THE YOUNGER HINCKLEY SON'S WARD....

Date: Sunday, February 03, 2008 8:07:54 PM
Subject: Elder Hinckley 's testimony

Elder Richard Hinckley bore his testimony in Sacrament meeting today. He thanked everyone for the notes, calls, food, flowers, and all they had done for their family.

He said President Hinckley had been diagnosed with cancer early in 2006, and was not expected to last until the end of the year. He and his five children met with Dr. Ward, his cancer doctor, to discuss options. The doctor said they did not know how chemotherapy would work in a 95 year old, as they had not tried it before. President Hinckley said he had three questions, and had them written down on a paper. The first question was "Will I still be able to live on my own?" "Yes", the doctor answered. The second question was "Would I still be able to put in a full day's work?" "Yes", the doctor answered. President Hinckley's final question was "Will I lose my hair?" "No", the doctor answered. President Hinckley then agreed to have chemotherapy. He said his life belonged to the Lord, and He would take him when He was ready. President Hinckley said he needed to do all he could do to prolong his life, for he had work to do.

The doctors discovered the chemotherapy was not working in January (2008). Again, the Hinckley family met with the doctors. At 97 years of age, recommended President Hinckley do nothing. President Hinckley replied again his life belonged to the Lord, and that he needed to do all he could do. He received the more aggressive chemotherapy the Tuesday before he died. On Wednesday, he went to the office and did a full day's work. Thursday morning, he did not get out of bed.

Elder (Richard) Hinckley said he was scheduled to go preside over a stake conference in Henderson , Nevada that weekend. Before he left, he talked with his dad, and felt prompted to give him a blessing. He also said he would take his cell phone, and keep it on. Saturday, after meetings, around 4pm, President Packer called and told him he needed to come home. He did, and stayed with his father and other members of his family until his father died.

Sunday afternoon, Presidents Monson, Eyring, and Packer came and gave President Hinckley a blessing. About 7pm, President Hinckley took his last breath, and passed away peacefully.

Elder Hinckley shared some anecdotes about his father. He said one of his dad's favorite pictures was a picture of the Mormon Tabernacle Choir, with a photo of a singing President Hinckley electronically placed right in the baritone section. He would show it to everyone who came to visit. Elder Hinckley said this photo was something family members would fight over. Thursday night, after their practice, members of the Tabernacle Choir asked for their own private viewing. After, they presented each member of the Hinckley family with that photo.

Elder Hinckley spent a lot of time at the Conference Center during the viewing. One of the ushers shared a moment with him, which he thought was sweet-a small boy came through with his father. he asked his dad "Do you think President Hinckley has met Nephi yet?"

Elder Hinckley said true to form, his father had his funeral planned down to the last detail, leaving no decisions to his children. He planned the speakers, the hymns, everything. He said his father had "every button buttoned, and every knot tied"-as always, prepared.

Some of the things Elder Hinckley said about his father were that "he was reverent, faithful, humble, and true". As a family, the Hinckley 's said, "We hope others will turn their hearts to the Savior".

He said a new prophet would be announced tomorrow, around 11am, and, although the Hinckley family had never tried to be in the limelight, they were ready to step back and fade into the background as this new prophet takes his place.

Elder Hinckley said there were many flowers at the funeral, so he brought up two arrangements to our chapel for us to enjoy. One arrangement was from President Hinckley's counselors; the other from the quorum of the seventy. He said they didn't need all of the flowers at home, and that they were going to die anyway, and invited all of us to come up and take a flower after sacrament meeting. Many of us did so after the meeting, and we have made a bouquet we are enjoying here at the house. We are planning to dry as many as possible.

Annie babysat this morning for Michael and Heather Hinckley while they attended Music and the Spoken Word. The Mormon Tabernacle Choir was singing a medley of President Hinckley's favorite hymns. They had reserved 100 seats for the Hinckley family, and Heather and Michael (they are the ones who lived in our house while we were in Honduras), went.

It has been a very spiritual day for me, and something I really need during this dreary winter. We have had snow about every other day this January, and cold since the first of December. We have four feet on the side of our driveway, and two feet in the yard, and it is snowing again. I am glad I have these beautiful flowers, and memories of President Hinckley, to lift me up.

Promised Blessings

"While it may be true in some instances that our promised blessings will be fulfilled only in the eternities, it is also true that as we search, pray, and believe, we will often recognize things working together
for our good in this life."

Topic: Blessings

(Susan W. Tanner, "All Things Shall Work Together for Your Good," Ensign, May 2004, 105)

What Is This Thing That Men Call Death - President Hinckley's Poem/Song

I'm not able to upload the sheet music for this song. I will forward it by email so you can download and print it off yourselves. If you want it and don't get it through by email, just let me know. Love you!

Feelings of the Heart

It's a beautiful, bright, sunny, Sunday morning and I'm sitting here at my computer with gratitude in my heart, since I love the sunshine. I've sorted out, copied and prepared several stories and inspiring clips to add to my Uplift My Soul blog. I was wondering what to call this post when the speaker from the Sounds of Sunday on the radio mentioned "the feelings of the heart" and I realized that is just what I was looking for. These are articles, pictures or quotes that are feelings of my heart. I hope you find something uplifting and inspirational for you here.

I've also started a file of other thoughts to share as I can. I love you all and pray that you will have what you need today and forever forward. Together we will have all that we need to prepare ourselves to return to our Savior and our Father together. Happy Sunday and even more than that HAPPY BIRTHDAY, GRACIE!!

A friend just sent this to me. I thought that you might like it, especially the music and the words. Flora

Flora is a sister who works in the Provo Temple and met Seth while he was in the MTC. She took a real liking to him and we've kept in touch ever since then. She sent me this email a while back. There is also a website where you can download and print off a copy of the song they sang at Pres. Hinckley's funeral from the poem that he wrote. I will try to add the website since it hasn't come through with the email letter.


Don't forget to open the 'attachment' to see the hymn.
From: Janice K. Perry
To: Senior Missionary Friends
Sent: Saturday, February 02, 2008 8:28 AM
Subject: story behind hymn sung at pres. hinckley's funeral


During President Hinckley's funeral the Tabernacle Choir sang a hymn text written by President Hinckley which I set to music in December. I would like to share the story of it with you:
About two months before my niece Kathy Blacker died, on January 11, 2008,
she found a three-verse poem by President Hinckley among her files.
Although she was resigned to dying, she had some fears about the dying
process and his words greatly comforted her, especially the second verse
which described exactly what she was feeling. She wrote to Pres.
Hinckley's office to ask permission to have the poem printed on her funeral
program, and she received a very nice letter from his secretary, Don H.
Staheli saying that President Hinckley gave his permission for her to do so.
The letter also conveyed some very comforting words from Pres. Hinckley
which were helpful to Kathy in her final weeks, and he said he
would remember Kathy in his prayers.

Then Kathy suggested that I write and ask permission to give the poem a
hymn setting. I did so, and Brother Staheli conveyed President Hinckley's
permission for me to write the hymn. After offering some heartfelt prayers
that I might be able to write appropriate music for his profoundly beautiful
and moving text, I wrote the hymn setting and sent a copy to President
Hinckley's office for approval at the end of December. I received an
immediate response.

Kathy passed away January 11 and after her funeral I sent a copy of her
funeral program to President Hinckley's office so he could see how nicely
his poem was displayed along side my brother Gary Kapp's painting of Christ.
When I heard President Hinckley had passed away last Sunday night I was
feeling a little sad to think I hadn't received a letter with his official
approval. But the very next day, after his passing, the hoped-for letter
arrived with his approval, his permission for me to publish it in a future
volume of my series Inspirational New Hymns for Choir and Home, and leaving
it to my discretion as to whether to submit it to the Church Music Division.
The timing was so unusual and I was extremely grateful to receive the letter
as a tender mercy in my life.

Then on Monday afternoon Craig Jessop, Tabernacle Choir Director, heard
about the hymn and had his office call me to obtain a copy of the hymn for
consideration for President Hinckley's funeral. On Tuesday, while
travelling in California, I learned that the hymn would be performed by The
Tabernacle Choir at President Hinckley's funeral on Saturday.

Having seen the great comfort this hymn brought to my niece who died just
two weeks before President Hinckley passed away, my great desire is for
people throughout the world to have a free copy of these magnificent words
of President Hinckley to comfort them in times of the loss of loved ones.
This is just one more way his influence could be felt down through time.

Sunday Lessons

I've recently been released from serving in the nursery and have had to deal with going back into RS and SS where you just sit and listen. I've loved working in the nursery, tending to the little ones, teaching a simple lesson, singing simple songs about the gospel and rocking them as needed. It seemed that just sitting in a class and listening to a lesson wasn't going to cut it with me. However, I still went. Today was my second time. I tried to prepare myself for the RS lesson hoping that would help me. I read the lesson and studied the scriptures. I was even impressed with a thought about a "not so important" part of the lesson.
We studied in the Teachings of the Presidents - Jospeh Smith manual and it talks about Cain not making a blood sacrifice but instead offering up the "fruit of the ground". It first appeared to me that Cain had the cards stacked against him. Abel had charge over the flocks and Cain had charge of the crops as I understood it. So, Abel offered up from his works and Cain offered up from his. However, the lesson brought out the fact that the offerings were to be blood offerings in similitude of the offering of the Savior. I couldn't understand why the Lord would set Cain up with the crops and then reject his offering ~ unless, Cain could have offered up a blood sacrifice and choose to offer another sacrifice in mockery of the Lord. Sort of,"If this isn't good enough for you, so what!"
It made me wonder how often I say, "I'm doing my best" when really I'm doing what comes easiest for me. Nursery was easy for me. RS isn't. What kind of sacrifice am I offering. What I want or what the Lord wants? An interesting idea, uh!

Also, while "sitting and listening" to the lesson I was prompted to remember a blessing that I was given before most of my children were born. I was told that I would always know when one of them was in trouble. I took great comfort in that knowledge because one of the things I dreaded most was having one of my children need help and me not even know.

Now, most of my children are out of my house and seldom do I know what's really going on in the their lives. Except, sometimes the Spirit still prompts me, "So and so, is having a hard time." Or, "So and so is struggling." I still may not know what the "hard time" or the "struggle" is about but I don't need to know that. I do however, say a prayer for that child and keep that prayer in my heart. I know that the Lord blesses us as He sees best and that He is aware of each of us. And I appreciate the Lord keeping me aware of my children and of their needs so I can pray for them if nothing else.

In Sunday School the teacher asked if anyone had ever wondered "why" they could pray for something to get better and yet it still gets worse. As the class made comments about the "why" I raised my hand and said that I didn't know "why" that would happened but that I trusted that the Lord had a plan in place and if just trusted Him, all would work out the best way possible. She said something to the effect of "What faith." As I thought on that later, I realized it wasn't just faith. I thought, "If you just knew my Father." He has always been there especially when things are the hardest. Sometimes I wouldn't let Him in and that's when it was the darkest, but other times, He would hold me in His arms while I cried and I knew He cried with me. Things are the way they are for a reason and great blessings come because of it. We grow closer to our Father and we feel of His love for us as we work out our mortal lives.

Now this one is the hard one. Ever since I started working I've paid my tithing without exception. I never really minded paying it because I guess I just knew I should. But, as I took on more and more responsibility for the family finances I paid only on what I received. Meaning, I paid on my net not on my gross. I reasoned that I needed every extra penny to get through that month and that I was sure the Lord realized this as well. I never felt bad about it and I can honestly say that I knew in my heart I had paid an "honest tithe". Lately, things have been quite tight and I am finding it hard to stretch what I have to meet the needs. I long to be out of debt personally and have the money to help family as I can. So, I've been applying to work evenings and weekend jobs. I've been confident that something will come along to get me over the hump and help me pay off my debt.

Then today in Sacrament Meeting the speaker said something about paying our tithing. I can't tell you exactly what he said because I stopped listening to him and listened to the voice within tell me that "if I would pay on the gross instead of on the net, I would have what I need." Ok, that sounds good doesn't it, but in reality it means if I do that then I have less of what I already have and there is a larger gap. There wasn't even a promise of an extra job. So, how do I do this? I get paid on Wednesday and next Sunday I'm going to pay on my gross. I don't know how I'll pay the rest of the bills but we'll see. Keep me in your prayers and I'll let you know how it goes.

I've gone on so long today. I guess when I don't think I'm going to learn anything that's when the Lord laughs and says, "We'll see about that."

Oops, I goofed when I did the last Tall and Short blog "Standing Strong". It was supposed to be on this site, but look, I'm getting better. :-)

President Hinckley and Glen Beck

With the passing of President Hinckley there have been many tributes. Here is one that I appreciate. Glen Beck, who is a recovering alcholic and a great commentator, shares his feelings about President Hinckley. Perhaps you've seen it, perhaps you'd like to see it again.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Z58eHBnEHhk&eurl=http://www.glennbeck.com/content/articles/article/200/5127/

Our Dear President Hinckley

February 2, 2008 ~ Today has been a sad but wonderful day. I was able to sit with Will and Jenni and watch the funeral services for our dearly beloved President Hinckley. He was an outstanding Prophet who has inspired us for many years. I often think about a comment he made several years ago and after many years of service in the First Presidency. It was during one of his Conference talks when he said he would love to sit in the rocker on his front porch and watch the sunsets as he rocked, but that the Lord had called him to a work of service and that is what he would commit himself to do. I can sometimes relate to a wishing for a few hours of rocking on the porch and although I rock much more than President Hinckley ever did, I admire his desire and his willingness to put off the restful, maybe selfish things in life to serve the Church and the members of it with wholeness of strength. We will miss him dearly and remember him always.

Up Lift My Soul

I am excited to start this new blog and to share some more personal and hopefully inspiring thoughts with you. Our Church has recently encouraged us to use our technology to share our beliefs with others. Since most of the people who view my blog are family and close friends you will already know much about our church and I am usually the one learning from you. However, I often come across quotes or thoughts that I really appreciate. Sometimes I can even relate to it enough to bear testimony of it. And, there are many, many times I am given an inspiration from the Lord that I would love to share. That's why I'm starting this site. Jenni is helping me get it set up so that you can go to this site right from my blog if you want to read something along those lines. I hope that in this way I'll be able to share my testimony and inspiring thoughts with those I love. If you have any ideas about this, please let me know. I'd love to hear what you think about it. I will also probably sign "Mom" as I close out these posts. On this one I just want to thank so many of you for helping me with this desire. You are most often my inspiration!! I love you all, Mom