I was recently asked this question of a friend and Three things immediately came to mind. As I was typing them out I thought I should share them here as well.
I’d love for you to answer this question, too.
How are you preparing your family agains the enemy?
Read MoreAwhile back, I saw an episode of Oprah with Martha Beck that talked about the philosophy shared in this quote. There was a study done with a group of college students trying to discover where happiness comes from. They interviewed a bunch of 20 somethings and only one seemed happy. After a little more discussion, that one answered a question with, "My mother loves life." MY mother loves life and I recognized what a gift that had been given to me. I vowed that day to do the same for my kids.
Read MoreGod has a way of reminding me the importance of a Sabbath day of worship. Especially when I travel.
Read MoreI wrote this last fathers day and I am thinking about the amazing men that have been in my life again today.
I had a hard time with this year's Father's Day. I didn't cry or anything, but I had so many thoughts running through my head.
On the plus, It was a wonderful day celebrating my husband and being with my kids. Nothing in this world makes me prouder than watching my husband be a dad. My kids follow him around and want to be with him all day.
Read MoreFor the last week, or maybe even for this whole pandemic, I’ve been thinking a lot about trusting God. I don’t understand all of this....
Should we stay home or should we be free to do whatever we want?
Should I watch the news to be informed or throw my phone into a drawer and shield myself from all of it?
Read MoreMy father passed away from SARS 17 years ago today. Here are some thoughts that have been rolling in my mind this week, and an invitation.
While I write this, I’m coughing. Unsure if I have COVID-19 or caught something else while keeping stringent social distancing rules. 🤷🏻♀️ But I have very few of the other top symptoms, so I’m hopeful.
Read MoreI’m so grateful for talented friends who listen to promptings and create beautiful things. My friends James and Chelsea Stevens are the brains behind this number. Just in time for Easter.
And just in time for our hearts to remember that despite the craziness going on the world, Jesus is our Savior. He lives and we can #HearHim
Read MoreI'm grateful for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I'm grateful for the ways I have been able to gain my own testimony of God, His son Jesus Christ and in living prophets. I find great comfort in the scriptures and love reading from the Bible and our church's The Book of Mormon: Another Testament of Jesus Christ. When I make the choice to put God first and have faith in Him and His timing, I feel blessed, preserved and happy. And I'm grateful to live in a free country where we all have the right to worship any way we choose. If you worship/however you worship, I honor and respect your beliefs and your freedom to worship how, where or what you may.
Read MoreThis quote sums up my belief in Jesus Christ in one sentence. I first saw this quote in junior high and it pops up from time to time like a Godwink. This is true to me.
Read MoreIt’s been a week. Tuesday wasn’t even the beginning and it won’t be the end. But I found solace in the temple. I *may* have gone three times this week - a survival tactic.
I so grateful for the restoration of the gospel of Jesus Christ and how this building (and the other temples I’ve visited) has/have provided me so much comfort, peace, and connection to ancestors who have gone before.
Life is tricky and awesome at the same time. I’m gonna be fine. How are you? Where do you go when you need peace? What survival tactics do you have up your sleeve?
Read More"The inclination might be to scream, "Stop growing up!" But the truth is, I really, really, like who they are becoming." - Jenny Noonan Eckton
My friend posted this on Instagram and I can't believe how much it has crossed my mind over the last three weeks. The last couple of weeks have been a lot of growing up for my kids and me. This quote shifted me from the sobby mess of a mom that has to take tissue to the first day of school drop off, to the mom instead noticing how grown up they are and how they have changed and how they are becoming really great kids. I still miss them being little, but I'm acknowledging who they are growing up to be even more.
Read MoreA few years ago my friend suffered more than I can imagine. I will never fully understand tiny caskets and why some mothers have to have heartbreak like this. What I do know is that God knows and understands what my heart doesn't. He has a plan and while I may not understand, I have faith. I know that there's a heaven and that my sweet friend will see this baby girl again. And I know that the Spirit can fill my soul with peace for the things that I do not know. Here's to faith, hope and peace.
Read MoreAbout a year ago in a Sunday school class we were talking about the creation of the world. One of the questions posed by the teacher was, “What part of nature or God’s creations are you drawn to the most?” For me it’s the sky.
The light and the darkness.
The sun and the moon.
The sunrises and sunsets.
The way the clouds move across the sky.
I posted this back in 2014 and I am grateful for you then and grateful for you now.
Good friends invite you to stay at their house when you come to town. Great friends still invite you when you don't arrive until Midnight, leave at 8:30 the next morning AND they are also getting ready to leave on a trip of their own. Thank you Ashlee!
Read MoreIt wasn't until I was driving up to Heber that it hit me. Silent retreat = no cell phones. I had packed earbuds, decided which conference talks and podcasts I was going to listen to, and I was set for a day of silent thinking and learning.
Read More"Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can.
He can
deepen their joys,
expand their vision,
quicken their minds,
strengthen their muscles,
lift their spirits,
multiply their blessings,
increase their opportunities,
comfort their souls,
raise up friends and pour out peace."
- Ezra Taft Benson
I want all of these things...
I stumbled across this facebook post from 7 months ago on facebook, but it is still relevant today.
Sometimes Monday mornings start with big plans to take on the week as a wife, mother and business owner. 👊 I’ve blocked out time to write my next book, I’m putting the finishing touches on an event for 250 women for my church on Saturday AND I’ve meal planned - ready to cook for my people so they don’t feel like I’m sacrificing them during this busy and awesome week. 🌟
Read MoreThis week in our Come, Follow Me study (and in the previous weeks) Nephi has made mention of the "mysteries of God".
For some reason this phrase has been a throughline in my adult life. I CRAVE to know the mysteries of God. I pray to have them unfolded unto me. I think that's one reason why I loved studying Spiritual Gifts in 2019, they had a sense of mystery and yet I knew God would enlighten me if I did the work.
Read MoreI know that everything I have is a gift from God. I also know that there are bigger ways I can use what I have for good. I want to be used.
Read MoreLast year was a little rough. Last January at this time was one of my hardest.
This memory came up in my Facebook feed and I felt like I should share.
If you’re having a rough go, pause for a minute and think of all the things, even little ones that are going right.
January 14th, 2019
The last 4+ weeks have been a little rough, okay A LOT rough. But instead of sharing all the bad stuff, I'm going to share all the wonderful things that made it all bearable. (in no particular order)
1. Family time, especially my brother who flew in from Philly to hang out with us for the holidays
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