Okay, maybe I am speaking out of turn, but LDS General Conference is fantastic! I love it. My boys, for the first time in the 8 and 9 years, loved sitting and learning and watching as our beloved Prophet and Apostles spoke, with many others, including members of the Seventy and General Auxiliaries of the Church.
It was heart-wrenching this morning, watching President Thomas S. Monson go from standing at full stature, to sinking lower and lower as he finished his message to the members of the Church. He is an incredible man who has inspired and motivated members of the Church for decades. It is painful to see him in distress and discomfort.
It was amazing to hear the messages prepared for us, for our time, for our people, for our circumstances. I am reminded during Conference of the Savior's love for us and his concern for our well-being. I am so grateful for the wonderful men and women who lead and direct our Church according to the will of our Savior. I know that there is refuge from the storms of the adversary in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints and I am eternally grateful for that.
One of our favorite talks from Conference today was delivered by Devin G Durrant (possible relative?). He shared two important ideas -- 1. Put a little money away for saving each week. 2. "Ponderize" one specific scripture each week.
The first will help us temporally, the second, spiritually. His words were uplifting and inspiring (just like the others) and he shared the blessings that would come from familiarizing ourselves with and MEMORIZING passages of scripture. I don't think I've memorized a Scripture since Seminary!
Tonight the kids and I sat down and talked about "Ponderizing" and decided that we would choose a scripture as a family. That may change as the years go by, but for now, we'll do it together. Mason insisted that we take a scripture from Moroni 10, because he already has memorized verse 5. He thought that would work. He was wrong. We took a scripture from Moroni 10, alright, but not verse 5. We chose verse 18. I love it. It reads "And I would exhort you, my beloved brethren, that ye remember that every good gift cometh of Christ." It is on our fridge and the boys are working hard at memorizing it. Me too.
Again, I am so grateful to be part of an amazing Church. I am grateful for the love, kindness, goodness, charity, and faith that is increased and strengthened in my life because of it and the people who serve within it. I wish everyone felt the way about the Church as I do and I hope that somewhere, someone will be interested and forever changed because of my ever-growing testimony.
If you would like to hear the talk referenced in this blog, please visit:
https://www.lds.org/general-conference/watch/2015/10?lang=eng&vid=4531487647001&cid=4
Sunday, October 4, 2015
Monday, August 24, 2015
Just Doing His Job
Happy Monday :)
Things here have been lots of fun recently. Summer has come and gone and the kids are back in school. We had a fun trip to Lagoon and did some Bowling to finish off the summer, and now the kids are ready to learn and grow and they have fantastic teachers to help them do it. One week in and we're still having fun. :)
John still works at the prison and still enjoys his job. They have been doing a lot of searches recently because someone stole a bag of needles from a Med-Tech and they have to find them. They don't know exactly how many were taken, so that has been SUPER fun. John assists in the searches and they have found a ton of potential weapons, drug paraphernalia, etc., but the search isn't over yet.
Last night during searches an inmate stole a baton from one of the Guards. Technically he was one of the SWAT guys (though they aren't called SWAT anymore). John was standing right there next to him when it happened and was able to take the guy down quickly without any injury to the inmate. The SWAT guy had no idea it happened. It is just a slight tug on the uniform -- hardly noticeable. It really could happen to anyone.
Sometimes I forget how dangerous John's job can be. I forget that, even though he works with them every day, these guys are ruthless. Maybe even BECAUSE he works with them every day, they would be willing to do some serious harm. I'm grateful that John has presence of mind to keep track, be observant, and be ready. I love him and I'm grateful for his training that keeps him, other guards, and yes, even inmates, safe. I know he doesn't think it's a big deal because he says he's "Just doing [his] job."
I'm proud of him.
-C
Things here have been lots of fun recently. Summer has come and gone and the kids are back in school. We had a fun trip to Lagoon and did some Bowling to finish off the summer, and now the kids are ready to learn and grow and they have fantastic teachers to help them do it. One week in and we're still having fun. :)
John still works at the prison and still enjoys his job. They have been doing a lot of searches recently because someone stole a bag of needles from a Med-Tech and they have to find them. They don't know exactly how many were taken, so that has been SUPER fun. John assists in the searches and they have found a ton of potential weapons, drug paraphernalia, etc., but the search isn't over yet.
Last night during searches an inmate stole a baton from one of the Guards. Technically he was one of the SWAT guys (though they aren't called SWAT anymore). John was standing right there next to him when it happened and was able to take the guy down quickly without any injury to the inmate. The SWAT guy had no idea it happened. It is just a slight tug on the uniform -- hardly noticeable. It really could happen to anyone.
Sometimes I forget how dangerous John's job can be. I forget that, even though he works with them every day, these guys are ruthless. Maybe even BECAUSE he works with them every day, they would be willing to do some serious harm. I'm grateful that John has presence of mind to keep track, be observant, and be ready. I love him and I'm grateful for his training that keeps him, other guards, and yes, even inmates, safe. I know he doesn't think it's a big deal because he says he's "Just doing [his] job."
I'm proud of him.
-C
Tuesday, July 14, 2015
A Human Life
This week has been a bit eye-opening for me. Last Wednesday was one of tragedy, and yet, also hope, miracles and mercy.
Last Wednesday a head-on car crash shook our community in devastating ways. Three young people (in their 20s) were travelling on their way to business in Las Vegas, and were hit, head-on, on the freeway. An 18-year-old girl had too much to drink, entered the freeway going the wrong direction, and ran her car into their Honda Civic at extremely high speeds (I have been told upwards of 85 mph, but I have not verified that speed). The Honda Civic was completely obliterated, the driver and passenger in the back seat were ejected from the vehicle and killed instantly. The passenger in the front seat was found, still strapped to his seat, 30 yards from the wreckage. As his friend said "It looked as if he had been scooped up and set down away from the crash." He is expected to make a full and miraculous recovery. He had to undergo surgery, but had no broken legs or arms, just a couple of ribs. Obviously there are other complications, but he is on the mend. He has a wife and two children. The young woman who died in the crash was married with no children, and the driver was not married.
There were a lot of prayers and well-wishes sent out for all families and friends involved, and there were some hurtful words spoken about the young 18-year old girl who caused the accident. She was found pinned under the tires, with spinal and head trauma. She also lost both of her legs in the crash. She was air-lifted out to the hospital, later transferred to another facility, and died of cardiac arrest later that night. So sad. A friend of mine said it best when she said "The Lord shows so much mercy." What a blessing it is for her to not have to live her life with the guilt and the difficulty she would have had to face after all of this is said and done. It may never have been over for her.
The same day, on the same stretch of highway, an elderly Idaho couple died when they ran into an overpass.
But it doesn't stop there. Last night, while John was working an overtime shift in a different building than his normal work space, an inmate, who was a member of a gang, hung himself. John's comment was "That's one way out of the gang." Probably his only way out.
Each of these situations were so different. And yet, they are all the same. So the question is, what is the value of a human life? Does it matter if one is a young adult making poor choices, working adults headed out of town on business, elderly folks travelling home from a vacation with the kids, or a member of a gang, locked up in a prison cell, paying for poor decisions and violent crimes? I don't believe it matters who we are, where we come from, or what our personal situations are. I believe that what matters is that we are children of our Heavenly Father. A Father who loves us all, unconditionally, and is with us through everything. He is there when we fail. He picks us up when we fall. He dries our tears. He hurts when we hurt. He rejoices in our victories. He mourns when we mourn. He swells with pride when we succeed and recognize His hand in all things. These tragedies matter to Him and I can only imagine the heartache He must feel as He allows us to make choices when He knows exactly how each will play out.
As I have seen the miracles of recovery and the community pull together to surround others with love and hope, I have such a redeemed affirmation that the Lord loves each of us. I know that He never will leave us alone in our trials. I know that He understands all that we go through, all that we love and know and feel.
One thing that I was surprised by through all of this, was to know how much I sympathize with both sides of the tragedies. I was surprised that it didn't matter who was right and who was wrong -- but that lives are lost, people are hurting, worlds are rocked -- that made me so emotional. There is so much hurt all around, so much judgement and so much pain. Who advocates for the families of those at fault? Who comforts those who stand in the need of comfort?
My prayer is that we can all be those who are needed in times of distress and tragedy. I hope that we can help all of those who need love, support, and sympathy, rather than pointing fingers. A human life is worth so much more than just the mortal moment spent here on this earth. A child of our God resides in that body. And that soul deserves the same love, compassion and kindness as any other.
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (D&C 18:10)
-- C
The same day, on the same stretch of highway, an elderly Idaho couple died when they ran into an overpass.
But it doesn't stop there. Last night, while John was working an overtime shift in a different building than his normal work space, an inmate, who was a member of a gang, hung himself. John's comment was "That's one way out of the gang." Probably his only way out.
Each of these situations were so different. And yet, they are all the same. So the question is, what is the value of a human life? Does it matter if one is a young adult making poor choices, working adults headed out of town on business, elderly folks travelling home from a vacation with the kids, or a member of a gang, locked up in a prison cell, paying for poor decisions and violent crimes? I don't believe it matters who we are, where we come from, or what our personal situations are. I believe that what matters is that we are children of our Heavenly Father. A Father who loves us all, unconditionally, and is with us through everything. He is there when we fail. He picks us up when we fall. He dries our tears. He hurts when we hurt. He rejoices in our victories. He mourns when we mourn. He swells with pride when we succeed and recognize His hand in all things. These tragedies matter to Him and I can only imagine the heartache He must feel as He allows us to make choices when He knows exactly how each will play out.
As I have seen the miracles of recovery and the community pull together to surround others with love and hope, I have such a redeemed affirmation that the Lord loves each of us. I know that He never will leave us alone in our trials. I know that He understands all that we go through, all that we love and know and feel.
One thing that I was surprised by through all of this, was to know how much I sympathize with both sides of the tragedies. I was surprised that it didn't matter who was right and who was wrong -- but that lives are lost, people are hurting, worlds are rocked -- that made me so emotional. There is so much hurt all around, so much judgement and so much pain. Who advocates for the families of those at fault? Who comforts those who stand in the need of comfort?
My prayer is that we can all be those who are needed in times of distress and tragedy. I hope that we can help all of those who need love, support, and sympathy, rather than pointing fingers. A human life is worth so much more than just the mortal moment spent here on this earth. A child of our God resides in that body. And that soul deserves the same love, compassion and kindness as any other.
"Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God." (D&C 18:10)
-- C
Sunday, June 28, 2015
A New Day
Hi Friends and Family!
Summer is in full swing and that means that life is good and busy in our home these days.
School ended exactly one month ago and the kids have loved having their days free. Really they've loved having lots of time to play Nintendo and Pokemon while only having to complete a few minor chores each day. They are good kids and keep themselves relatively busy.
John started a new shift at work last April, which is less ideal for his sleep schedule, but he has more days off in a week and is able to complete all of his working hours in just 3 or 4 days each week. He seems to like it and with him home so much we haven't had a need for a sitter this year. That's a HUGE blessing for our family!!
I'm still working both jobs and teaching piano on the side. It's a fun thing for me to do and I really enjoy all of my activities, but sometimes I just need a break. :) For the most part, though, I enjoy being busy. The truth is that if I didn't have all of these things filling up my time, I would find other things to fill my life with. Such is life, I suppose.
Andrew is officially a 3rd grader. It's scary that he could possibly be old enough to be in 3rd grade (and really, he's old enough to be in 4th). He loves to read, play Pokemon, Minecraft, Halo (yes, I'm one of THOSE parents), and ride his bike. He likes to be with his friends and he is a little timid about taking risks. He's a sweet boy and has a good heart. He loves to tell jokes and always has something really funny to say. :)
Mason is moving on to 2nd grade. He's really super at math and loves to learn, though he doesn't seem to enjoy reading. He tends to want me to read to him, so now we read every other page. That seems to work. Mason is a rough and tumble kind of kid. If he crashes on his bike, he gets back up without a tear in his eye. He tends to look out for others and make sure that they are happy before worrying about what he wants. I love that about him. He's really sensitive to the needs of others. Lucky for me, he will still let me give him hugs, though kisses are totally out of the picture!
I always say I am going to try to be better about blogging on here, but the truth is that I'm really forgetful! I'll just do what I can.
-C
Summer is in full swing and that means that life is good and busy in our home these days.
School ended exactly one month ago and the kids have loved having their days free. Really they've loved having lots of time to play Nintendo and Pokemon while only having to complete a few minor chores each day. They are good kids and keep themselves relatively busy.
John started a new shift at work last April, which is less ideal for his sleep schedule, but he has more days off in a week and is able to complete all of his working hours in just 3 or 4 days each week. He seems to like it and with him home so much we haven't had a need for a sitter this year. That's a HUGE blessing for our family!!
I'm still working both jobs and teaching piano on the side. It's a fun thing for me to do and I really enjoy all of my activities, but sometimes I just need a break. :) For the most part, though, I enjoy being busy. The truth is that if I didn't have all of these things filling up my time, I would find other things to fill my life with. Such is life, I suppose.
Andrew is officially a 3rd grader. It's scary that he could possibly be old enough to be in 3rd grade (and really, he's old enough to be in 4th). He loves to read, play Pokemon, Minecraft, Halo (yes, I'm one of THOSE parents), and ride his bike. He likes to be with his friends and he is a little timid about taking risks. He's a sweet boy and has a good heart. He loves to tell jokes and always has something really funny to say. :)
Mason is moving on to 2nd grade. He's really super at math and loves to learn, though he doesn't seem to enjoy reading. He tends to want me to read to him, so now we read every other page. That seems to work. Mason is a rough and tumble kind of kid. If he crashes on his bike, he gets back up without a tear in his eye. He tends to look out for others and make sure that they are happy before worrying about what he wants. I love that about him. He's really sensitive to the needs of others. Lucky for me, he will still let me give him hugs, though kisses are totally out of the picture!
I always say I am going to try to be better about blogging on here, but the truth is that I'm really forgetful! I'll just do what I can.
-C
Wednesday, January 15, 2014
Family Portraits
Well,
2013 is over! Can you believe it?! What a crazy year!
To celebrate the end of the year (and make Christmas just a little more special), Grammy and Grampy, John's parents, came to visit. We had a TON of fun!
While they were here, we had our family portraits taken. I had wanted to do them before we moved from Seattle so they would have some cute photos of all of us together, but it never worked out. So, while they were here, we hired our neighbor, Nicole, to take some photos of our crazy group. She did an AMAZING job and I am so thrilled by how well they turned out!
We hope you enjoy them! Happy New Year from the Cross family!
~C
Friday, December 27, 2013
Update
Well, it has been entirely too long since I logged on to share our latest happenings.
Cindy started the new job at Prudential as an Accounting Assistant. She also had an emergency appendectomy, which was awesome (ugh). Overall, she loves life and is always up for a new adventure!
John got on with the Corrections Department. He worked all through the Academy and graduated in November. Then he did his On-Job Training at the Prison and now he is working a full-time schedule there, swing shift. He loves it and that's been good for all of us.
Andrew is in 1st Grade. He LOVES it! He gets bored with the homework he has to do all the time. It's extremely repetitive and quite a bit below his level as far as academics go, but he does have fun. He loves to learn and he loves his teacher. He is learning and growing so fast!
Mason is in Kindergarten and loves every minute of it. He has really grown so much this year and we have seen him really develop in leaps and bounds so far. He lost two teeth over Thanksgiving break and is currently beating his brother, who has not lost any. Mason is bound and determined to save all of his baby teeth until the last one falls out and then get his tooth money in one lump sum. Crazy kid.
More later!
~C
Cindy started the new job at Prudential as an Accounting Assistant. She also had an emergency appendectomy, which was awesome (ugh). Overall, she loves life and is always up for a new adventure!
John got on with the Corrections Department. He worked all through the Academy and graduated in November. Then he did his On-Job Training at the Prison and now he is working a full-time schedule there, swing shift. He loves it and that's been good for all of us.
More later!
~C
Sunday, June 16, 2013
A.F. Adventure
Well, today is Father's Day.
I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband who does his best to keep the kids happy. He works hard, he plays hard, and he spends almost all of his free time doing whatever I ask or whatever the kids apparently need from him at that moment. He's a wonderful father and I'm grateful to have him for my husband.
As a celebration today, we went up American Fork Canyon to take a drive and do a little exploring. It was a beautiful day -- 95* with a light breeze. The drive was GORGEOUS and the sunshine made an ethereal feeling spread through our family. It was so nice to just walk and discover. We got to the summit on the Alpine Loop Road and had to take a picture. John said to me "Thanks for letting me get high on Father's Day." haha. What a goof.
Here are a couple of pictures from the trip. Some didn't turn out too well, but I can't complain about the day as a whole. Hope you like them!
~C
I am so grateful to have such a wonderful husband who does his best to keep the kids happy. He works hard, he plays hard, and he spends almost all of his free time doing whatever I ask or whatever the kids apparently need from him at that moment. He's a wonderful father and I'm grateful to have him for my husband.
As a celebration today, we went up American Fork Canyon to take a drive and do a little exploring. It was a beautiful day -- 95* with a light breeze. The drive was GORGEOUS and the sunshine made an ethereal feeling spread through our family. It was so nice to just walk and discover. We got to the summit on the Alpine Loop Road and had to take a picture. John said to me "Thanks for letting me get high on Father's Day." haha. What a goof.
Here are a couple of pictures from the trip. Some didn't turn out too well, but I can't complain about the day as a whole. Hope you like them!
~C
Saturday, April 27, 2013
Milestones
It's almost the end of April already!
Over Easter weekend, we were lucky enough to have John's parents out to visit for a couple of days. Though our visits are always too short with family, we really enjoyed having them out. We got to celebrate Easter and show them our new home and neighborhood. We even went to Temple Square on Easter and went out to dinner. The boys adore their Grammy and Grampy and were so excited to decorate their room and show off all of their tricks. We have been so grateful for the wonderful relationship we have had with them throughout our marriage. They have been so kind and supportive -- even when it was less than convenient for them. We're glad our kids have had a chance to build such a strong relationship with their grandparents and I'm so grateful for my close relationship with them.
I wanted to hop on and post a few pictures and a video of the kids today. Since the sun has been shining so much and the weather is starting to warm up a bit, Andrew and Mason have finally had time to get out and ride their bikes. They love to get outside and be active, even if I have to force them out initially. Once they're out there, they hate to come in. :)
Andrew has been riding with training wheels since he was 4 because we never had any level ground to teach him to ride his bike without them. Things sure have changed now that we're in Utah! About a week or two after Grammy and Grampy left, we took his training wheels off his bike and he took off up the road without any problems. John and I ran beside him all the way up, turned him around, and ran all the way down again about a half a dozen times. I nearly died, but Andrew has gained such confidence knowing that he can ride that bike all by himself. It only took him one more day to learn how to start and stop himself without help and now he wants to ride ALL the time. :)
Over Easter weekend, we were lucky enough to have John's parents out to visit for a couple of days. Though our visits are always too short with family, we really enjoyed having them out. We got to celebrate Easter and show them our new home and neighborhood. We even went to Temple Square on Easter and went out to dinner. The boys adore their Grammy and Grampy and were so excited to decorate their room and show off all of their tricks. We have been so grateful for the wonderful relationship we have had with them throughout our marriage. They have been so kind and supportive -- even when it was less than convenient for them. We're glad our kids have had a chance to build such a strong relationship with their grandparents and I'm so grateful for my close relationship with them.
I wanted to hop on and post a few pictures and a video of the kids today. Since the sun has been shining so much and the weather is starting to warm up a bit, Andrew and Mason have finally had time to get out and ride their bikes. They love to get outside and be active, even if I have to force them out initially. Once they're out there, they hate to come in. :)
Andrew has been riding with training wheels since he was 4 because we never had any level ground to teach him to ride his bike without them. Things sure have changed now that we're in Utah! About a week or two after Grammy and Grampy left, we took his training wheels off his bike and he took off up the road without any problems. John and I ran beside him all the way up, turned him around, and ran all the way down again about a half a dozen times. I nearly died, but Andrew has gained such confidence knowing that he can ride that bike all by himself. It only took him one more day to learn how to start and stop himself without help and now he wants to ride ALL the time. :)
Mason is having a hey-day with his bike as well. He still has training wheels, but I think those will be off by the end of the Summer. These kids are awesome. :) For now, he races Andrew all over the place, and sometimes he rides his scooter (though it's not nearly as fast!).
Andrew showing off
A couple of weeks ago John's uncle Gary and his wife, Janet, came to visit us, too! We've been so lucky to have visitors! They were kind enough to take us out for dinner at my favorite restaurant (Chili's), and we had a nice visit. Their stay was even shorter than John and Carolyn's, but we were grateful to have them stop in while they were travelling through on their way back to Seattle. We love our family!
Here are a few pictures of the family. Enjoy!
~C
At the Monster Truck Show
In the Toy Room
Andrew reading to Mason
Mason playing You To The Rescue
Mason with the Horton mask
Play time at Utah Lake
Outdoor Fun: Tether ball!
Mason on the dirt bike with Daddy
Andrew on the dirt bike with Daddy
Some of their favorite time is computer time
Donut Date at Andrew's school
Mason visiting Andrew's class for Donut Date
Wednesday, April 10, 2013
Springing
Hi Everyone!
Well, it's officially April and officially Spring! Here in Utah that means that it's April and we may still have another snow shower or two before we stay warm continuously. The last few weeks have brought such warmth and beauty as I've seen the grass getting greener and the trees start to bud and flower.
Andrew is really enjoying his new school. He has a wonderful teacher and a great group of classmates, though he rarely actually says anything about them. He'll have a comment now and then about what they do at recess or how many Beyblades his friends brought to school that day. That kid would KILL for his own Beyblade, but he'll have to wait until he earns it. ;) He's learning how to ride his bike, again, and will soon have his training wheels off. He's getting so independent and I love to see him learning new things and making new discoveries.
Mason is on the verge of reading. He starts Kindergarten this coming Fall (boo hoo!) and he can hardly wait. He really wants to be in Andrew's class, but that's not going to happen and he's bummed about it. It seems like he is growing more and more every day. He certainly talks more now than he ever did, but he usually has pretty intelligent things to say, which is a nice breath of fresh air from the fluff that I talk about all day. He really likes learning new things and asks great questions. He says a lot of funny stuff, too, like "I'm such a bugger for beating you again!" His love of board games is one of the things I love most about that kid. He always wants to play games, and I welcome that with completely open arms!
John and I are grateful for our jobs and even more grateful for our extra space. John has enjoyed having a garage back and a big yard to care for. He has turned on the irrigation a few times to make sure everything works, mowed the lawn, fertilized, and overall just enjoyed making plans for our yard. He is less than satisfied with his job, as has been the case for quite some time, and now he's putting in applications for Corrections and Police departments in the area. We're hoping something good will come from that and we'll keep praying, crossing fingers, etc.
Well, that's our update for now. Enjoy the pictures.
-C
Well, it's officially April and officially Spring! Here in Utah that means that it's April and we may still have another snow shower or two before we stay warm continuously. The last few weeks have brought such warmth and beauty as I've seen the grass getting greener and the trees start to bud and flower.
Andrew is really enjoying his new school. He has a wonderful teacher and a great group of classmates, though he rarely actually says anything about them. He'll have a comment now and then about what they do at recess or how many Beyblades his friends brought to school that day. That kid would KILL for his own Beyblade, but he'll have to wait until he earns it. ;) He's learning how to ride his bike, again, and will soon have his training wheels off. He's getting so independent and I love to see him learning new things and making new discoveries.
Mason is on the verge of reading. He starts Kindergarten this coming Fall (boo hoo!) and he can hardly wait. He really wants to be in Andrew's class, but that's not going to happen and he's bummed about it. It seems like he is growing more and more every day. He certainly talks more now than he ever did, but he usually has pretty intelligent things to say, which is a nice breath of fresh air from the fluff that I talk about all day. He really likes learning new things and asks great questions. He says a lot of funny stuff, too, like "I'm such a bugger for beating you again!" His love of board games is one of the things I love most about that kid. He always wants to play games, and I welcome that with completely open arms!
John and I are grateful for our jobs and even more grateful for our extra space. John has enjoyed having a garage back and a big yard to care for. He has turned on the irrigation a few times to make sure everything works, mowed the lawn, fertilized, and overall just enjoyed making plans for our yard. He is less than satisfied with his job, as has been the case for quite some time, and now he's putting in applications for Corrections and Police departments in the area. We're hoping something good will come from that and we'll keep praying, crossing fingers, etc.
Well, that's our update for now. Enjoy the pictures.
-C
Monday, January 14, 2013
Reflections and Testimonies
Today has brought with it an immense amount of gratitude in my heart. It seems that Sundays have been especially nostalgic lately.
I have been able to attend Relief Society the last couple of weeks, due to my release as the ward's Primary Chorister (the BEST calling in the whole church, I'm certain), and have actually thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I've been able to sit next to a good friend both weeks and have enjoyed being near her and being able to share of her wonderful spirit. She is a relatively new convert to the church and I can tell how much she loves the Lord and how much being a member of the Church means to her. I'm so greatly blessed by friends like this wonderful young woman and am so grateful for her. I am going to miss my beautiful Chanel (sad face).
Today we were chatting about President Lorenzo Snow and his feelings about Spiritual education. There were a few tangents that made their entrance into and away from the conversation, but as we chatted and as we were taught, I had a few things come to my mind that I felt I needed to share.
1. Sometimes a speaker in church just hits you. In my experience, the most powerful message I have ever heard was given by Jeffrey R. Holland in the 2009 LDS General Conference. It was so amazing to see him stand there, adamantly expressing that the Book of Mormon and the Gospel are true. As I watch it, 3 years later, I feel as grateful for his testimony today as I did then. I sat there in that chapel watching the small t.v. and listened intently to his witness of the Book of Mormon. My two children (Andrew only 3 and Mason only 8 months old) were completely quiet for this 10-minute moment in time.
Have you ever had that moment? You know, the one like in the movies when everything in the background goes out of focus and the person in the foreground seems to come more forward? That moment of focus that lets you know that each thing that is said is meant JUST for that person, and they are 100% aware of the impact that it is going to have on their lives? That's my moment. All of a sudden, Elder Holland was speaking DIRECTLY to me, challenging me to doubt what he was testifying of, and I couldn't do it. I remember sitting there, listening to his powerful testimony, and thinking to myself "Of COURSE it's true! I already know it!" For the first time in my life, I felt like I didn't have to lean on anyone else's testimony. I knew it all on my own and it was good enough for me. No doubt. And I haven't doubted it since.
2. A few months later, in my ward in Wenatchee, Washington, I had quite an experience that frustrated and exhausted me. I had been attending church alone for some time (as I always do, since my husband is not a member of the LDS Church), and, while sitting in Sacrament Meeting, my then 1-year-old, Mason, crouched down and peed right out of the side of his diaper... all over the floor in the Chapel. As if it weren't horrifying enough to try to wipe it up as everyone around me saw the panic in my eyes and the pee all over the floor, my oldest son, Andrew, ran out the other side of the pew and up to the stand and into the empty choir chairs. Right in the middle of Sacrament Meeting, during our Bishop's wife's talk, Andrew took off running. I tried to catch him on his way up, and as I did, Mason took off up the other side. I was mortified! On my own, trying to catch TWO running children was proving to be impossible. I was able to grab Andrew and right when I was near tears with all eyes of the congregation on myself and my defiant children, my Home Teacher, Brandon Child, rushed up and grabbed that little Mason and sat him on his arm. *Face Palm* Here he was, helping me in such an embarrassing moment for me, and he set that little peed bottom right on his Suit Coat. I could hardly stand it. I went home that day nearly consumed in self-pity and tears, trying to muster the courage to call him and thank him for his help, as well as offer to dry clean that suit jacket for him.
I was despondent and beyond frustrated. As I stood making dinner that night, I got a phone call from my Bishop's wife, Elisabeth. She called me to encourage me, to tell me how inspiring I am for coming to church all alone and doing the right thing even though it's hard. She told me that she hoped I wouldn't let the events of that day keep me from attending church in the future and she told me how much she admired what I was doing to instill faith and good Sunday practices in my very young children. I already knew I wasn't going to leave the church because of an embarrassing 10-minute horror story (as it seemed), but it was so nice to have a call from a wonderful person who took the time to call and lift me up when I was feeling so completely defeated. Her words stick with me to this day, and even when I feel like it is too much to do on my own, I remember her telling me "that it will all be worth it" as my children learn and grow in the Gospel. I am truly grateful for her every day.
3. About a decade ago (ugh) someone challenged my mom to read the Book of Mormon every month for an entire year. That required a full 18 pages of reading each day in order to make the goal. Twelve times through the book. I remember days when she would miss a day of reading and the next day would require 36 pages of reading. I remember how much she would sit there, determined to get all of those pages read, no matter how tired she was, and still managed to get all of her work done and be an amazing mother to myself and my siblings (though I never appreciated her enough). Her dedication to reading and to meeting that challenge has affected me in so many different ways. I remember how she would tell me that each time she read through it, she would get so much more out of it and it would affect her in different ways each month. It's like she was learning things on a new level with each turn of the page.
As I prepared to take out my endowments and attend the temple for the first time a few years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would read the Book of Mormon all the way through before my temple date. I made that promise to myself 3 weeks before I left for Utah. I realized that I would have to read a few more than 18 pages a day to get it done, and as I started to really read it... with a real earnest desire to read it and know it was true, I found myself hardly able to put it down. All of a sudden so much of it made sense in my life. Maybe it was because I was reading it for myself this time. Maybe it was because I was reading it so quickly. Regardless of the reason, I found myself enjoying every verse, drinking in every moment and spending all my free time studying and pondering those words. Even days when I needed a good nap, or needed to go to bed, I wanted to read instead. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to read and re-read the Book of Mormon.
I know that these three examples may not mean much to the average person. I know that people who read this may look at what I wrote and doubt and question and ignore what I feel and what I say. But I will testify right here that I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one TRUE church on this earth. I KNOW that what is taught is true, that this organized religion is IMPERATIVE and that every moment I live, I am affected and changed for the better because of this church. I am grateful to be able to share with my children and teach them the things that I know. I am grateful for the Atonement of the Savior and the opportunity that it provides me to right my wrongs and repent of my sins. I am grateful that I have an Advocate to have mercy on my soul at the last day and the Judgement bar of God. I am grateful for mercy, for suffering, for challenges, and for the love I feel for and from my Savior. I am grateful for the many examples and kind people that have been placed in my life to help me grow and help me learn. I am grateful for a living Prophet, who speaks God's will and prophesies to the world of the things He would have us know. I am grateful for all my blessings -- whether I recognize them or not -- and hope to be able to deserve the wonderful things in my life.
If you don't know, if you're not sure, and if you're even slightly curious, I would urge you to get your hands on a copy of the Book of Mormon and read it for yourself. Pray about it, give yourself 10 minutes a day to REALLY ponder, read, pray and search your heart to know if it's true. And I promise you that if you do, you will see what I see. You will know what I know. And you will want to learn more, be part of something bigger, and pattern your life after that of Jesus Christ. I know that the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers this to me and to anyone on this earth who will truly seek the truth.
This is my testimony to you. This is my testimony to my children. This is my testimony before the Lord Himself. It is personal, it is powerful, it is everything that I am.
Thank you for taking the time to read as I shared what is most precious to me.
-C
I have been able to attend Relief Society the last couple of weeks, due to my release as the ward's Primary Chorister (the BEST calling in the whole church, I'm certain), and have actually thoroughly enjoyed every minute of it. I've been able to sit next to a good friend both weeks and have enjoyed being near her and being able to share of her wonderful spirit. She is a relatively new convert to the church and I can tell how much she loves the Lord and how much being a member of the Church means to her. I'm so greatly blessed by friends like this wonderful young woman and am so grateful for her. I am going to miss my beautiful Chanel (sad face).
Today we were chatting about President Lorenzo Snow and his feelings about Spiritual education. There were a few tangents that made their entrance into and away from the conversation, but as we chatted and as we were taught, I had a few things come to my mind that I felt I needed to share.
1. Sometimes a speaker in church just hits you. In my experience, the most powerful message I have ever heard was given by Jeffrey R. Holland in the 2009 LDS General Conference. It was so amazing to see him stand there, adamantly expressing that the Book of Mormon and the Gospel are true. As I watch it, 3 years later, I feel as grateful for his testimony today as I did then. I sat there in that chapel watching the small t.v. and listened intently to his witness of the Book of Mormon. My two children (Andrew only 3 and Mason only 8 months old) were completely quiet for this 10-minute moment in time.
Have you ever had that moment? You know, the one like in the movies when everything in the background goes out of focus and the person in the foreground seems to come more forward? That moment of focus that lets you know that each thing that is said is meant JUST for that person, and they are 100% aware of the impact that it is going to have on their lives? That's my moment. All of a sudden, Elder Holland was speaking DIRECTLY to me, challenging me to doubt what he was testifying of, and I couldn't do it. I remember sitting there, listening to his powerful testimony, and thinking to myself "Of COURSE it's true! I already know it!" For the first time in my life, I felt like I didn't have to lean on anyone else's testimony. I knew it all on my own and it was good enough for me. No doubt. And I haven't doubted it since.
2. A few months later, in my ward in Wenatchee, Washington, I had quite an experience that frustrated and exhausted me. I had been attending church alone for some time (as I always do, since my husband is not a member of the LDS Church), and, while sitting in Sacrament Meeting, my then 1-year-old, Mason, crouched down and peed right out of the side of his diaper... all over the floor in the Chapel. As if it weren't horrifying enough to try to wipe it up as everyone around me saw the panic in my eyes and the pee all over the floor, my oldest son, Andrew, ran out the other side of the pew and up to the stand and into the empty choir chairs. Right in the middle of Sacrament Meeting, during our Bishop's wife's talk, Andrew took off running. I tried to catch him on his way up, and as I did, Mason took off up the other side. I was mortified! On my own, trying to catch TWO running children was proving to be impossible. I was able to grab Andrew and right when I was near tears with all eyes of the congregation on myself and my defiant children, my Home Teacher, Brandon Child, rushed up and grabbed that little Mason and sat him on his arm. *Face Palm* Here he was, helping me in such an embarrassing moment for me, and he set that little peed bottom right on his Suit Coat. I could hardly stand it. I went home that day nearly consumed in self-pity and tears, trying to muster the courage to call him and thank him for his help, as well as offer to dry clean that suit jacket for him.
I was despondent and beyond frustrated. As I stood making dinner that night, I got a phone call from my Bishop's wife, Elisabeth. She called me to encourage me, to tell me how inspiring I am for coming to church all alone and doing the right thing even though it's hard. She told me that she hoped I wouldn't let the events of that day keep me from attending church in the future and she told me how much she admired what I was doing to instill faith and good Sunday practices in my very young children. I already knew I wasn't going to leave the church because of an embarrassing 10-minute horror story (as it seemed), but it was so nice to have a call from a wonderful person who took the time to call and lift me up when I was feeling so completely defeated. Her words stick with me to this day, and even when I feel like it is too much to do on my own, I remember her telling me "that it will all be worth it" as my children learn and grow in the Gospel. I am truly grateful for her every day.
3. About a decade ago (ugh) someone challenged my mom to read the Book of Mormon every month for an entire year. That required a full 18 pages of reading each day in order to make the goal. Twelve times through the book. I remember days when she would miss a day of reading and the next day would require 36 pages of reading. I remember how much she would sit there, determined to get all of those pages read, no matter how tired she was, and still managed to get all of her work done and be an amazing mother to myself and my siblings (though I never appreciated her enough). Her dedication to reading and to meeting that challenge has affected me in so many different ways. I remember how she would tell me that each time she read through it, she would get so much more out of it and it would affect her in different ways each month. It's like she was learning things on a new level with each turn of the page.
As I prepared to take out my endowments and attend the temple for the first time a few years ago, I made a promise to myself that I would read the Book of Mormon all the way through before my temple date. I made that promise to myself 3 weeks before I left for Utah. I realized that I would have to read a few more than 18 pages a day to get it done, and as I started to really read it... with a real earnest desire to read it and know it was true, I found myself hardly able to put it down. All of a sudden so much of it made sense in my life. Maybe it was because I was reading it for myself this time. Maybe it was because I was reading it so quickly. Regardless of the reason, I found myself enjoying every verse, drinking in every moment and spending all my free time studying and pondering those words. Even days when I needed a good nap, or needed to go to bed, I wanted to read instead. I have been so grateful for the opportunity to read and re-read the Book of Mormon.
I know that these three examples may not mean much to the average person. I know that people who read this may look at what I wrote and doubt and question and ignore what I feel and what I say. But I will testify right here that I KNOW that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the one TRUE church on this earth. I KNOW that what is taught is true, that this organized religion is IMPERATIVE and that every moment I live, I am affected and changed for the better because of this church. I am grateful to be able to share with my children and teach them the things that I know. I am grateful for the Atonement of the Savior and the opportunity that it provides me to right my wrongs and repent of my sins. I am grateful that I have an Advocate to have mercy on my soul at the last day and the Judgement bar of God. I am grateful for mercy, for suffering, for challenges, and for the love I feel for and from my Savior. I am grateful for the many examples and kind people that have been placed in my life to help me grow and help me learn. I am grateful for a living Prophet, who speaks God's will and prophesies to the world of the things He would have us know. I am grateful for all my blessings -- whether I recognize them or not -- and hope to be able to deserve the wonderful things in my life.
If you don't know, if you're not sure, and if you're even slightly curious, I would urge you to get your hands on a copy of the Book of Mormon and read it for yourself. Pray about it, give yourself 10 minutes a day to REALLY ponder, read, pray and search your heart to know if it's true. And I promise you that if you do, you will see what I see. You will know what I know. And you will want to learn more, be part of something bigger, and pattern your life after that of Jesus Christ. I know that the Church Of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints offers this to me and to anyone on this earth who will truly seek the truth.
This is my testimony to you. This is my testimony to my children. This is my testimony before the Lord Himself. It is personal, it is powerful, it is everything that I am.
Thank you for taking the time to read as I shared what is most precious to me.
-C
Friday, December 21, 2012
House Hunting
We did it! We got all the way to Utah and did the house hunt! We looked in South Salt Lake County and North Utah County for a house to buy. We had compiled a list of about 30 houses, but before we got there, more than half of them had gone under contract! What a bummer! Regardless of the slim pickings, we found a great house. Well, actually, we found THREE. So we put them in order of the ones we liked the most to the least, with all things considered -- location, price, bedrooms, lot size, house size, etc -- and made our first offer.
After a few hours and a good night's sleep, and another few hours (ugh), we found out that our offer had been outdone and we missed it! So we moved right away on to our second choice and put in an offer. After waiting to hear back (and having to get on an airplane and fly home in the middle of it), we got an answer and we got the house! Hooray! We only had to counter once, which is nice, and it turned out to be just lovely for us. Our new house is in Lehi, UT and will be so good for our family!
Everything has been going well since Sunday. We have had the inspection done as well as sent in all the paperwork for the contract, etc. It's been a bit of a busy week, but it's been really nice and exciting, and we're getting pumped for the move. I've felt relatively un-motivated recently, but I did find the energy to pack a few boxes and make a few changes around here to make packing easier. The next month or so will be fun in trying to get everything worked out. Below are a couple of pictures from the Realtor's website. We think this is going to be a great place for our little family!
Thanks for keeping up with me!
-C
After a few hours and a good night's sleep, and another few hours (ugh), we found out that our offer had been outdone and we missed it! So we moved right away on to our second choice and put in an offer. After waiting to hear back (and having to get on an airplane and fly home in the middle of it), we got an answer and we got the house! Hooray! We only had to counter once, which is nice, and it turned out to be just lovely for us. Our new house is in Lehi, UT and will be so good for our family!
Everything has been going well since Sunday. We have had the inspection done as well as sent in all the paperwork for the contract, etc. It's been a bit of a busy week, but it's been really nice and exciting, and we're getting pumped for the move. I've felt relatively un-motivated recently, but I did find the energy to pack a few boxes and make a few changes around here to make packing easier. The next month or so will be fun in trying to get everything worked out. Below are a couple of pictures from the Realtor's website. We think this is going to be a great place for our little family!
Thanks for keeping up with me!
-C
Front of House
our GINORMOUS back yard!
Our formal living room in front and family room behind it
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