Wednesday, October 19, 2011

Precious Promises

The First Presidency Message in the Ensign (A Magazine the LDS church publishes each month) this month was excellent. I hope you don't mind, I just feel like sharing it tonight.

Precious Promises of the Book of Mormon

Many years ago I stood at the bedside of a young father as he hovered between life and death. His distraught wife and their two children stood nearby. He took my hand in his and, with a pleading look, said, “Bishop, I know I am about to die. Tell me what happens to my spirit when I do.”

I offered a silent prayer for heavenly guidance and noticed on his bedside table a copy of the triple combination. I reached for the book and fanned the pages. Suddenly I discovered that I had, with no effort on my part, stopped at the 40th chapter of Alma in the Book of Mormon. I read these words to him:

“Behold, it has been made known unto me by an angel, that the spirits of all men, as soon as they are departed from this mortal body, … are taken home to that God who gave them life.

“And … the spirits of those who are righteous are received into a state of happiness, which is called paradise, a state of rest, a state of peace, where they shall rest from all their troubles and from all care, and sorrow” (Alma 40:11–12).

As I continued to read about the Resurrection, a glow came to the young man’s face and a smile graced his lips. As I concluded my visit, I said good-bye to this sweet family.

I next saw the wife and children at the funeral. I think back to that night when a young man pleaded for truth and, from the Book of Mormon, heard the answer to his question.

From the Book of Mormon come other precious promises, including promises of peace, freedom, and blessings if we “will but serve the God of the land, who is Jesus Christ” (Ether 2:12).

From its pages comes the promise of “never-ending happiness” to “those that keep the commandments of God. For behold, they are blessed in all things, both temporal and spiritual” (Mosiah 2:41).

From its pages comes the promise of “incomprehensible joy” to those who become “instrument[s] in the hands of God” in rescuing His precious sons and daughters (Alma 28:8; 29:9).

From its pages comes the promise that scattered Israel will be gathered—a work in which we are engaged through our great worldwide missionary efforts (see 3 Nephi 16; 21–22).

From its pages comes the promise that as we pray unto the Father in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, our families will be blessed (see 3 Nephi 18:21).

From a study of its pages comes the fulfillment of the prophetic promise that “there will come into your lives and into your homes an added measure of the Spirit of the Lord, a strengthened resolution to walk in obedience to His commandments, and a stronger testimony of the living reality of the Son of God.”1

And from the pages of the Book of Mormon comes Moroni’s promise that through prayer, real intent, and faith in Christ, we may know the truth of these promises “by the power of the Holy Ghost” (see Moroni 10:4–5).

With other latter-day prophets, I testify of the truthfulness of this “most correct of any book on earth,”2 even the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ. Its message spans the earth and brings its readers to a knowledge of the truth. It is my testimony that the Book of Mormon changes lives. May each of us read it and reread it. And may we joyfully share our testimonies of its precious promises with all of God’s children.

Tuesday, October 18, 2011

The Dentist

Scarlett loves "Teeth". She loves to brush her teeth, and point to her "teehh". She also loves playing w/ mom and dad's toothbrushes when she can't find one of her own.


Last Wednesday we took a family trip to the Dentist. Yay for clean teeth!

It was Scarlett's first time, they call it a "Happy Visit". The hygienist was showing Scarlett the different tools she was using on my mouth to clean my teeth, while Seth was getting his cleaned in a different room.

Scarlett was not impressed with all the tools. If looks could kill ... Scarlett was just staring that hygienist down. Priceless.

The dentist couldn't quite get a good look at Scarlett's teeth but he said "so far so good" She still has her cuspids to come in, but the dentist said they are pretty close to breaking through.

And sure enough, tonight, our poor uncontrollable crying-in-pain little girl is teething. Thank goodness for ... oral gel, Israel Kamakawiwo'ole's Somewhere over the rainbow, a rocking chair, and a mommy.

It is moments like these that I wouldn't trade for anything in the entire world. Anything.


Get your carpets cleaned more often

Painfully gross carpet = Embarrassed to have visitors



Investing a little $$ with a coupon from the free ads in the mail on carpet cleaning = Visitors welcome and encouraged.

Garage Sale'ing

I only went to on a garage sale kick one Saturday this summer. I loved it. I wish I had gone more. I left Scarlett and Seth at home to sleep while I went to a first few, and then they joined me. Seth about freaked when he saw my wad of cash I was ready to give to anyone for their junk. But it was a ton of One dollar bills... I felt so rich though.

We got some sweet and CHEAP toys for Scarlett, some jeans and shoes. I got this gigantic framed art piece that I only want for the frame - project in the works. At our last garage sale stop there was a lady just trying to get rid of a ton of other people's stuff for them. She pretty much said take whatever you want and give me $5. Score! I got a lot of smaller frames for projects I make as wedding/baby gifts. Like this: I made it for my cousin Mary's wedding gift. A bit of spray paint and sanding here and there.We also got a table /chair set that is just right for Scarlett. She likes having her own little chair. I want to put new fabric on it and paint it... too many projects.We got a few new games and hair bows. It was fun to find new treasures - will definitely try to go more next season.

Thursday Nights

Seth has class from 6-10 every Thursday night. One of Seth's classmates, a single dad, brings her little girl over for me to watch and they carpool to class.

She's 7 months older than Scarlett, it's been about a year now that she's been coming over. They're great fun together, she's a fun little girl. We like to have our girl dance parties... I'll have to get a few photos of that. But here are a few snaps of Cheese stick & Strawberries snack time! Yay!!!

In September... I turned 29


Twenty Nine. Years. Old.

It's not bad... It's just kinda weird to think I'll be in the 3-0's next time September 25th rolls around on the calendar.

Seth and I went and saw Kalai in Concert. I'm a huge fan of his music. Later in the week we went to Texas Roadhouse for dinner, my favorite! And Had some friends over to play games and blow out the ball of fire. My biggest request was brownies instead of a cake, these two are the best brownie makers ever.

Monday, October 17, 2011

Alive!

Yea... I'm a lazy blogger. About every other month, you know... I'm sure ya missed me.

I just came across this blog, and I'm totally motivated to cook some yummy - EASY - recipe's this week. http://eyelikesfood.blogspot.com/ <--- Check it out!

Honestly - I really do not like to cook. I don't. But after I do I realize how easy, satisfying, and really yummy it is. I should be into these kinds of cooking blogs more - great ideas. I just never seem to have everything in the kitchen - so we end up going to the store. I think that's what I don't like most about cooking. I feel like I never have the ingredients, and I don't like the plan a head, shop for everything a week in advance. I've done it before... I just need to get in a habit of it.

Scarlett would not stop saying "eye brow" at church yesterday. She loves naming off her "face parts". . . "Tongue, teeth, eyes, nose, ears, head, eye brows!!". She also is on this screaming kick, it KILLS MY EARS! I don't know what to do!! She really doesn't get in trouble often, but this is making me want to start a "Time Out" process with her. She screams SO High and loud. I try to tell her how "It gives mommy's ears Owies". She likes the word "owie". And she makes this really sad/concerned face when she knows she has given someone else an "owie". Who knows what it was about, but she screamed like 3 times in a row during a brother's talk at church in Sacrament Meeting. I'm talking about the blood-curdling screams. Just at the right time too, when he was sharing how his a significant time in his family. Sigh... Oh Scarlett.

I made a super cute Halloween wreath, inspired by pinterest. I need to fix part of it, but I will post a photo soon!