Week 1

"Now, mothers, I understand that it sometimes appears that our children aren’t paying attention to the lessons we’re trying to teach them. Believe me—I’ve seen that glazed-over look that comes to the eyes of teenagers just when you’re coming to what you think is the best part of your instruction. Let me assure you that even when you think your daughter is not listening to a thing you say, she is still learning from you as she watches you to see if your actions match your words. As Ralph Waldo Emerson is believed to have said, “What you do speaks so loud that I cannot hear what you say”."

Mothers and Daughters

Elder M. Russell Ballard
Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles

Last week was a church wide General Conference. We were very uplifted by talks from prophets, apostles, and other church leaders. The talks give instruction and guidance for our daily lives. For the next few weeks, I want to focus on the talks from this past General Conference and share a little thought that touched me.

Making Lemonade from Lemons

This past week, the girls had a little vacation and Grandma and Grandpa's house in while Jeremy and I went on a little vacation to Washington DC. We tagged along with my mom while she was at a conference. Thus we got a free hotel room at one of the nicest hotels in DC and we were also able to get free airfare.

However free airfare comes at a cost. Somehow, it always does. We had a layover in Phoenix that was only supposed to be about 45 minutes. However, our plane was delayed about 45 minutes. So our layover time was doubled.

We were supposed to get into BWI at 11:35, however we got in at around 12:30. Then it took a long time for our baggage to get up to us. Then we hurried over to the shuttle service whom we had booked a ride with.

At 1:02 they told us that we would have to wait 20 to 30 minutes for another plane with some other passengers that was just landing.

Well we waited...and waited...and waited. We had to wait. It was so late that only one shuttle driver was still working that was going to DC.

At 1:48 the others arrived and we were on our way...not straight to DC. First we made a stop at a residential neighborhood to drop one man off. Then we stopped at another hotel on the other side of DC for another man.

After we dropped off the second passenger, Jeremy decided to strike up a conversation with the driver. He was a black man with an accent. Jeremy served his mission with many blacks in the West Indies and dove right back into the missionary inside him. (Complete with his West Indies accent slipping back. Ya Mon!)

He asked the man about himself. Where he was from and if he had ever heard about the Mormons. He talked to him about the temples and church and the Book of Mormon. I even found a pass along card in my scriptures to give to him. The man was very nice and receptive to the discussion about our church.

It always amazes me at how Jeremy can take a crumby situation and turn it into a good experience.

At 3:00 am we FINALLY made it to our hotel.

Promptings from the Holy Ghost

I have felt many promptings from the Holy Ghost throughout my life, but the one time I remember feeling strong promptings was a time that I didn't listen.

I was 16 years old and had just received my driver's license weeks before. My friend and I were driving to another friend's house one evening when a distinct voice came into my thoughts that said, "Turn here."

Then I reasoned, "No I shouldn't turn here. I'll have to make extra turns if I do. I'll just keep going and I'll only have to make one turn before getting to our friend's house."

I heard the promptings again a second time, "Turn here."

That way would send me into a residential area that I didn't know very well. "No I'll just get lost in that way."

The third time I heard the voice it was strong and loud, "Turn here."

"No I am just going to keep going." And I did.

When I came to the light at the intersection, the light was green. However it was a three way intersection and I didn't realize that another direction had a green light at the same time. I turned left and straight into a car. It was completely my fault.

Luckily nobody was hurt and there wasn't much damage. But the whole accident could have been avoided if I would have listened to the promptings I heard.

I realized that these promptings weren't just thoughts in my head. They were directions from the Holy Ghost to guide me and keep me safe. From that day on I have been determined to listen to the promptings no matter how out of my way they may send me. Sometimes the promptings have led me to friends and people who needed my help and other times nothing has happened. But I wonder, what would have happened if I didn't listen. That is something I don't want to find out anymore.

"As you strive to stay on the path that leads to eternal life, the Holy Ghost "will show unto you all things what [you] should do". He will guide you in your decisions and protect you from physical and spiritual danger. " (True to the Faith, pg. 82)


2 Nephi 32:1-5

1 And now, behold, my beloved brethren, I suppose that ye ponder somewhat in your hearts concerning that which ye should do after ye have entered in by the way. But, behold, why do ye ponder these things in your hearts?

2 Do ye not remember that I said unto you that after ye had received the Holy Ghost ye could speak with the tongue of angels? And now, how could ye speak with the tongue of angels save it were by the Holy Ghost?

3 Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost; wherefore, they speak the words of Christ. Wherefore, I said unto you, feast upon the words of Christ; for behold, the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.

4 Wherefore, now after I have spoken these words, if ye cannot understand them it will be because ye ask not, neither do ye knock; wherefore, ye are not brought into the light, but must perish in the dark.

5 For behold, again I say unto you that if ye will enter in by the way, and receive the Holy Ghost, it will show unto you all things what ye should do.

Book of Mormon Challenge

The bishop of our ward challenged us all to reread the Book of Mormon by June 15th. I love reading the Book of Mormon and have a testimony of its truthfulness. However, it is hard to find time to sit down and read the scriptures with two little girls keeping me so busy all the time. But I am determined to take the challenge and finish by June 15th. I am already ahead of schedule and am in 1 Nephi 8.

I love the story of Lehi and the tree of life. The path way which leads to our Savior is a straight and narrow path. If we just hold onto the iron rod, which is the word of God, we can make it through the mists of darkness and partake of the fruit of the tree of life which is the love of God. Although at times we may be tempted to let go of the rod and follow the way of the world, we must hold strong and keep the commandments of our Lord. Let us all endure to the end.

I challenge anyone else to read the Book of Mormon along with us and finish by June 15th. For if you read the book and pray about the things which you read, the Lord has promised that the truth of it will be made known unto you.

Merry Christmas!

Merry Christmas!

We had a wonderful Christmas this year. I love this time of year and the feeling the spirit brings while we ponder on the birth and life of our Savior. I hope everyone had a wonderful Christmas season.

Recent thoughts

There are times when we can become upset at imagined hurts or perceived injustices. President Heber J. Grant, seventh President of the Church, told of a time as a young adult when he did some work for a man who then sent him a check for $500 with a letter apologizing for not being able to pay him more. Then President Grant did some work for another man—work which he said was 10 times more difficult, involving 10 times more labor and a great deal more time. This second man sent him a check for $150. Young Heber felt he had been treated most unfairly. He was at first insulted and then incensed.

He recounted the experience to an older friend, who asked, “Did that man intend to insult you?”

President Grant replied, “No. He told my friends he had rewarded me handsomely.”

To this the older friend replied, “A man’s a fool who takes an insult that isn’t intended.”


- President Monson, General Conference October 2009

Plan of Happiness

A couple weeks ago, my cousin and his wife had a premature little baby boy who lived for 5 days and passed away in his mother's arms. My husband and I took the girls and drove 5 hours with my mom and grandma to be able to go to his funeral last week. I am very grateful that I was able to be at the funeral, even though I was trying very hard to keep the girls happy and reverent throughout the funeral. Watching his father carry the tiny casket in his arms was so moving.

In a perfect world, there would be no caskets that size and no parents left without their children. But we are here in this world to be tested. To do the tasks that the Lord has for each of his children and each has a different mission to achieve. Our father's plan is a plan of happiness and love. We will be able to live forever with our families and raise children who left this world before adulthood. Heavenly Father has created a way for everyone to be with their families forever through the atoning love of Jesus Christ. I love these truths. In times of trials it is the truths of the gospel that help us live our lives and find happiness and joy.

President Monson said in April's General Conference, "None of us makes it through this life without problems and challenges—and sometimes tragedies and misfortunes. After all, in large part we are here to learn and grow from such events in our lives. We know that there are times when we will suffer, when we will grieve, and when we will be saddened. However, we are told, “Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.”

We will miss this little baby boy in this life, but look forward to knowing him better in the next.