A Choice Land

Yesterday was the Fourth of July and I usually feel very patriotic and proud to be an American. But for some reason, this year I felt a little melancholy and a bit sad because of some of the things going on in our country recently make me very concerned that some of our precious freedoms are in jeopardy. I am concerned because it appears that we have a president that feels apologetic about our country and the ideals that it stands for. What concerns me more, is the fact that so many people seem to idolize him, and they don't seem to recognize what is happening to our freedoms. So much is just taken for granted.

But then I am reminded of another time in this nation's history when the early Latter-day Saints were being persecuted and driven from their homes, even in the dead of winter. They tried to get help from the United States government, but their pleas fell on deaf ears. Then, in the middle of their exodus west, the US government asked for volunteers to form the Mormon Battalion to fight for the United States. These faithful saints, in spite of all the wrongs that had been commited against them, left their families and went to serve their country. They were patriotic, and knew that this is a choice land whose constitution is inspired of God.

I, too, love this country. I know that I am very blessed to live in this great land. I never want to take for granted the liberties that I enjoy here, or the price in human life that was paid so that we have these freedoms. I just hope that we wake up as a nation and return to God and to living His commandments. If not, one day we may wake up and realize that the freedom that our forefathers fought so valiantly for is gone. I pray that the people of this nation won't let that happen.

The Blessing of Inspiration

The other day as I got into my car to drive to work, I went to turn on the radio, as I normally do, to listen as I drive. I felt impressed that I should leave it off for awhile, and just listen. I felt that the Lord wanted to communicate something to me that would help me that day. As I listened and meditated, thoughts spontaneously came into my mind: thoughts of comfort, counsel and direction. This continued on for most of the way to work. It was so comforting and enlightening, and I felt a feeling of deep gratitude for the blessing of prayer and inspiration. I pondered on the blessing of being able to communicate with God, and was grateful that He felt He could entrust me with knowledge and direction. It gave me comfort to know that even though we live in very challenging times, I can depend upon the Lord to be there, for protection, help, and direction. This experience greatly increased my faith in Him. He is my most faithful and dearest friend.

Welcoming a new daughter to the family

It has always amazed me at the depth of love that I feel for my children. They have always been my greatest joy, and I am grateful to the Lord for allowing me to feel, in this small way, the love He feels for each of us. As each of my daughters have gotten married, I was even more surprised at how I could love my sons in law with this same love, even though I didn't give birth to them. And now that our son, Jason, is getting married and we are welcoming Jess into our family, once again I marvel at how much love I feel for this beautiful, dear new daughter. She is like a ray of sunshine that radiates joy and love. I am grateful to the Lord for this tender mercy He has given me. I miss living near to my two daughters so much, and now He has blessed me with a daughter nearby. I count this as a great blessing. I am especially thankful for the joy Jess has brought into my son's life. Our family is growing and so is the love.

Basking in the Light of the Son

Since I have relocated to Northern Utah from sunny California, I have come to really appreciate the sun. The winters here seem to last forever, and I struggle feeling as happy without so many bright, sunny days. I am even considering buying a full spectrum lamp or light box to bask in during the winter months next year. As I have considered how much I crave the light and warmth of the sun, there is another light that I need and desire even more. It is the light of the Son. The Son of God. Even when the days are cloudy, I know I can bask in the warmth and light of His love. He is always there. Sometimes, during my trials, it seems that clouds of darkness block the light. But just as I know that the sun is always shining above the clouds in winter, I know that the Lord is always there. How grateful I am to know that I can always turn to Him in faith. Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ pierces through the darkness and I can feel his light and his love. As much as I need the light of the sun for my physical health and well being, I need the light of the Son even more. I will bask in the light of his love forever.

In Defense of Jesus Christ

Today I found out that the president of the United States declared to the world that we do not consider ourselves a Christian nation. He said we are a nation of citizens. Words cannot express how deeply painful it is to me to realize just how far we have fallen away from Christian values as a nation in just my lifetime. And now we have our president declaring it. We know from the scriptures that this nation is a promised land: one that will be blessed and protected and free as long as we serve the true and living God, Jesus Christ. If we are not righteous, we will be swept off when we are fully ripe. We know from history that this has happened several times before.

Today I declare to the world my witness that Jesus Christ lives. He is the Son of God and the Savior of the world. I stand in awe of His love and sacrifice and His infinite long suffering and patience with me and with all the world. It baffles me how we can turn our backs on the one who gave the ultimate sacrifice for us, the one who created us! Oh how I love Him! How many times will we reject our Savior? Have we learned nothing from the past?

I pray for this nation and the leaders of it. I pray we will repent and return to our God. I, for one, know He lives and I love Him with all my heart. I feel His love in my daily life. All that I have comes from Him, even the air that I breathe. How can we reject the very being who gives us life?

My Sister Carol

I have been reading a book recently about my sister Carol's life. She passed away a number of years ago in a car accident. I was very touched by the way she lived her life in quiet, Christ-like ways. She was a mother of 9 children, and the family struggled quite a bit financially. She had to work outside the home part of the time, and she was always very tired with everything she had to do to care for her large family. 5 of her children wanted to play soccer and there was no money to pay for their registration. So she made a deal with the person in charge that they could all play in exchange for her setting up all the nets, flags, etc. for each of the games. This she did, as well as drop off her kids at four different locations, and pick them all up and take everything down.

Well, there was a neighbor boy who used to come to visit, named Albert. He didn't come from a very good home, and he was treated unkindly there. He used to come and visit at Carol's home, and she always treated him kindly, and fed him and showed him love. He eventually got into drugs, and started stealing from them to support his habit. Over time, he stole hundreds of dollars in cash from her purse, and thousands of dollars in things in the house. One day he was caught by Carol's son in law, and he was arrested. Carol was glad about this, because she thought that now he could get the help he needed. He was sent to jail(not prison, like he normally would have been), and was sent to rehab, all because Carol went down and plead his case. Even though he had abused her kindness, she forgave him and tried to help him.

Sometime later, after she died, Carol's husband and new wife saw Albert in Denneys. He hadn't heard about what had happened to Carol. When he heard of her passing, this 6 foot 2 inch tough guy broke down in tears. He said he wished he had been able to thank her for all she did for him. He had since gotten out of rehab and had turned his life around and had a good job.

Carol lived her life always thinking of others and serving others. She has been a beautiful example to me of Christ-like love.

Let the Little Children Come

Liz Lemon Swindle painted this remarkable picture of the Savior, Jesus Christ, with the children. I like this picture because this is the way I see Christ: as my friend who loves me and rejoices with me and enjoys my company. He is personal. He laughs and is someone I can always talk to and depend on. He always sees me in a better light than I do my own self. He sees the best in me and inspires me to be my best self. He is never critical and is ever patient. He leads me with His love to become nearer to Him. Without my Savior, life has no meaning at all. I would feel desperately alone. With Him, I can do anything. I can meet every challenge. I know great challenges are coming. Christianity is being assaulted everywhere I look in our world. It is time to decide where we stand. I recommit this day to live a Christ-like life. I have taken His name upon me. I have made sacred covenants to remember Him and to keep His commandments, all of which bless my life continually. I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ. I love Him with all of my heart and look forward to the day when I shall kneel at His feet and feel the loving embrace of His arms around me. He is the Savior of the world, the Son of God. He is divine. This I know and testify of in His sacred name. Amen.

Planting Seeds

My daughter, Stacy, gave my son, Cody, who is on a mission, a little kit for Christmas where he could plant grass seeds for hair on a little man. He planted the seeds, watered it, and patiently watched it grow into the very attractive hair style we see today.

Likewise, Cody is planting the seeds of the gospel every day as he tracts, and teaches people about the gospel. As he nourishes people with the good word of God and patiently watches over them, he will be able to rejoice with them as they embrace the joy that come through living the gospel of Jesus Christ.

I am grateful for the light of the gospel in my own life. My greatest joys in life have all been centered around the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am especially grateful for temple ordinances that seal our family together forever. As I watch our family grow with sons-in-laws and grandchildren, all striving to live the gospel, I feel great joy. I am grateful for the seeds of truth that my parents planted in my life, and for the seeds I planted in my children's lives. We are all reaping a great harvest!

Insights on the Atonement of Christ

A few days ago, in the wee hours of the morning, I woke up with a really bad headache. I felt so sick that I got up to take something for it, and as I got back in bed, I wondered to myself why we have to suffer and go through pain. What is the purpose for suffering? In my case, I realized that suffering brings me closer to God, because that's when I really turn to him for help - through prayer and supplication, asking Him to help me through it.

Then my thoughts turned to our Savior's suffering and to His atonement, and I realized that He had not only suffered for our sins, but He had suffered for all our sicknesses and pains of every kind, both mental and physical. It was incomprehensible to me how He could have accomplished this: suffering for all mankind all at once for everyone who would ever live on this earth, and other earths, as well. I was having trouble handling the pain of my own headache!! How awful, I thought, that our Heavenly Father would ask Him to do such a horrendously painful thing! How awful that it had to be done! I thought how much our Heavenly Father must REALLY love us to have asked His beloved Son to go through such a thing. I thought of how hard it must have been for our Father to ask this of Jesus; how much it must have hurt Him.

Then, clearly to my mind, came this thought: "The Son can do nothing of himself, but what he seeth the Father do."(John 5:19) And, "When ye have lifted up the Son of man, then shall ye know that I am he, and that I do nothing of myself; but as my Father hath taught me."(John 8:28)

I realized then, like I never had before, that the Father knew exactly what He was asking of Jesus. He had experienced it Himself. He had been a Savior and suffered the same way Christ did in another time and place. He wasn't asking anything of His Son that He hadn't been willing to do Himself. I realized how important the plan of salvation really is. I never want to take repentance for granted, for I was truly bought with a price - and that price, even for me, just one person, was incomprehensible suffering. How could I have anything but adoration for my Savior, my closest Friend.

I still don't completely understand why there has to be suffering, but I think it might be tied to our joy. Maybe if we weren't capable of great suffering, we wouldn't be capable of great joy. Having each of my children has brought me the greatest joy I have experienced in my life. Giving birth to them, also brought me the greatest physical suffering I have ever experienced. My great love for them, I believe in part, comes from what I went through for them. By that same token, I am able to better understand why the Savior loves each of us so much. His suffering for each of us individually during His atonement, connected Him to us more than could have happened in any other way. Because of this, I know that He will do all He can to help me become the kind of person I need to be and to stand clean in His presence. It gives me great peace and hope. I want to praise His name forever!

Family Love

This IS a great day! I just found out that one of my daughters, and her family, are planning to come out for a visit in June. I have been missing them so much. It's been nearly a year since I've seen them. I am more excited about this visit than I would be if we were going on a cruise or to Hawaii. The love I have for each one of my children goes so deep that I cannot adequately express how much I feel for them. And the love just continues to grow as our family increases in size by adding sons-in-laws and grandchildren. It makes me truly appreciate the wonderful plan of happiness that Heavenly Father has for us. I can't imagine what it would be like if I didn't know that I would be with my family after I died. To be capable of this much love in this life, and then to not have it continue after death makes no sense and would be unbearable if it were true. Having a family has far and away been my greatest joy in life, and that joy just continues to grow. My husband and my children are my best friends, and the most incredible people I have ever met. My cup runneth over.

Snowflake Stars

As I was driving to work a few days ago, I noticed that the snowflakes that were landing on my windshield were perfect little stars. When it's really cold here, the snowflakes don't melt immediately upon landing and you can see the detail on each one. They are absolutely beautiful and each a tiny, intricate star. The first time I noticed this after moving here, I was moved to tears. That may sound silly, but I am awed by the beauty that God has created all around me. There are billions of snowflakes that make up the snow banks, but each one is beautiful in its own way. There are billions of people in the world, and its easy to feel lost and like nobody special at times. Then I remember the snowflakes. Among so many billions of people in the world, I know that I am beautiful and have a purpose and that God knows me and has created me to be someone special. If God took the time to create each snowflake with so much intricate detail, I know that He knows me as His daughter, He knows my name, and He has great things in store for me.

Sharing the gospel

My son, Cody, is serving a full time mission for two years for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. He is currently in Maine. I am very proud of him that he would be willing to sacrifice so much to share the restored gospel of Jesus Christ with the people in New England. It's hard to imagine how I would feel or how I would be living if I had never heard about the gospel. I have so much peace of mind knowing what my purpose in life is, where I came from, and what is in store for me after I die. This knowledge guides each every day action in my life. There is so much to be happy about when I think of what the Lord has done for me and what He offers me if I choose to accept His gift of Eternal life. I know that because I am His daughter, Heavenly Father wants me to inherit all He has. And the Lord has made it possible, through repentance, for this to happen. Not very many people know these truths. So I am grateful that Cody has the chance to share this message with others.

Practice Random Acts of Kindness

A great thing that happened today was a service done for me. My husband gave me a ride to work, put gas in my car, did a little shopping for me, brought me dinner at work, and then picked me up in a warm car after work. He continually does many kind acts of service so that I won't be uncomfortable. Last night after a meeting at the church, I came out to find my car running and all nice and warm for the 2 1/2 block ride home. It was totally unnecessary, but so thoughtful. I had a delicious lasagna for lunch today that he made last night, as well. And all this was after caring for his invalid mother all day. She has dementia, and can't do anything for herself. I am grateful for such a thoughtful man in my life. He makes me want to do more to serve others.

She met the Savior

Today I met someone who has seen the Savior. Kim Rives came and spoke at our church to the young women about how to come closer to Jesus Christ. She is a cancer survivor, and had a near death experience 12 years ago. She wrote a book titled, "My Walk Through Heaven". I read it a few months ago and found it to be one of the most inspiring books I've ever read. When she met the Savior in Paradise, she was surprised that He didn't ask anything from her. He asked, "How can I serve you?" How amazing that God, the creator of worlds wants to serve us. This made me realize that if I want to become like Christ, I need to always be looking for ways to serve others.

I was thrilled that she agreed to come and speak to the young women in our ward. I felt the spirit very strong as she shared her message through word and through song. You can tell by the peace and love that radiate from Kim that she lives a Christlike life. I also have felt the unconditional love of my Savior. I know He lives. I love Him more than I know how to express. It is worth any sacrifice to live so that I can return and live in His presence.

Looking for the Positive

In a world where it is far to easy to focus on the negative we see around us and constantly hear about, I have chosen to look each day for the positive and good that is also happening around us, and rejoice in the happiness that comes from trying to follow the example of the Savior, Jesus Christ. Each day I will share my experiences as I try to follow Christ and the things I learn from others who are positive examples to me, either in the scriptures, or in my daily life. I invite anyone who may be interested to join me in finding the joy that comes from more diligently living the gospel of Jesus Christ in our daily lives. I would love to read your comments and uplifting stories.