Blessings~

Did u know when you go to the temple and do initiatories, that those blessings are promised to u as well? I thought that when u go and take out your own endowments, and do your initiatory that that was it. I was wrong, that's why it's good to go to the temple often, I always take home something new that I didn't know before. I don't do initiatories very often but when I do, I get teary eyed everytime listening to all the blessings us women receive it's just overwhelmingly beautiful to hear~ I love it. I am so grateful to be able to enjoy the many wonders of the temple and all the beauty and reminding it has to offer me. I am grateful to know that those blessings I received when taking out my own endowments are given to me again everytime I go. It's wonderful. I am amazed at the temple working women who offer their time and knowledge to us, time and time again. It's so wonderful to belong to a church full of amazing people. Amazing, smart, and selfless :) I LOVE GOING TO THE TEMPLE, it's a safe, peaceful place for me to go and feel edified, and engulfed in the spirit. It gives me hope, more faith, and a positive outlook on what life is really about. I'm blessed!

Slacking or Lacking?

So it's been a while since I wrote here, but I think about it all the time. It's hard to write down my spiritual thoughts, & feelings when I feel as though I am slacking in all areas of my life. I know it boils down to spirituality first, and I'm unsure if I've been lacking or slacking in that area?? I was called as 2nd counselor in the Primary Presidency, and I am beyond happy about that...but I feel like since I'm not the president, I can't really make a difference in what I think needs to be done, so I feel useless, and helpless. :/ I haven't gone to the temple as often as I really really need to & want to, I haven't been doing scripture study & personal prayers. I am just stressed and when I'm stressed I think I lack, no I know I lack in faith! :'( I use to pride myself in having unwavering faith, & now I can't say that. I don't know what has changed, but all I know is I need to get back the faith I once had. I need to feel at peace again. So I ask u who read this blog to please pray for my weak moment/trial I am facing, I need to get outta the slacking/Lacking phase & into the crackalackin!! Lol :)

Conference

My favorite talk that was given during General Conference was by Sis Elaine S Dalton. She spoke about Fathers and the importance of being involved in their daughters lives. She said something that really stood out to I'm sure not only me, but women across the Nation! She said the best thing a father can do for his daughters is to love their mothers! That was super sweet, and I hope and pray my husband can live up to that for the sake of our daughters future husband lol.. I am always so amazed at the sweet spirit I feel when conference weekend comes around. I feel humbled, excited, and mostly just grateful for a living prophet who guides us in these latter days! Good news came to me conference weekend. My cousin from Hemet Na'ati Ika was proposed to that weekend! She came down for a visit last weekend and told me all about her cute lil proposal her beau did for her. Her wedding date is Feb 10th...I CANNOT WAIT to see her take his hand and be sealed for all time and eternity! Sealings are my favorite thing to attend at the temple. It's such a beautiful bond, & to see the love in that room as they are sealed, melts my heart! I'm so blessed to know Na'ati and to be able to see her get married to a worthy priesthood holder is magnificent :)

I think this is beautiful

A Metaphor




Life is bigger than you are. That is not to say you are not important. You are important. That is why you can't allow yourself to mope any longer. Realize your potential. Make your contribution to God's canvas of life. No matter how small your strokes, how drab your paints, His final masterpiece will never be as beautiful or complete without you.



You make think, It is already miraculo...us. It already has more color and technique than Michelangelo could have dreamed up in a million years, let alone me, someone who can't even draw a straight line. What could I possibly add that wouldn't just mess it up?



I reply to your question with another. Do you truly believe any novice's hand could ruin that painting? Do you not think that the Master painter can incorporate your clumsy blotches into something breath-taking? Do you not think that the Master Teacher can train you up until your blotches are fewer and your strokes are in sync with what He has in mind? He will even guide your hand with His if you let Him. You have only to pick up your brush again.



Do not be overly concerned about the blotches you will make. As I said, He will make it as though they were meant to be there.



As for your blotches already dried and glaring at you in contempt, take a step back. His canvas stretches out of sight in every direction. Notice how small those blotches are? Can you even pick them out anymore?



Perhaps one or two especially unsightly ones? Look to His tools. Look. There is a scraper. Look. There is a color that would be stunning next to that blotch (you didn't think anything could look stunning on that noxious color, did you?). Look there. See the man who is painting over his blotch? He is using it to add texture to his contribution. You could do that. Look there! That child is already transforming your mistake into something surprising and heart-warming.



Life is bigger than you are. That is not to say you are not important. You are important. Pick up your brush.

Struggles

I always have a distinct feeling that when the Lord throws us a curve ball, we are being tried and tested and we are in need of some teaching. So when Pulu got laid off from his job, had surgery on his arm, and wasn't able to work at his 2nd job as well, I thought WOW...but then he got into a car accident after that, and we haven't heard back from the insurance company going on 2 weeks now...then outta nowhere our brakes on our one good vehicle went out, the kids started back to school, and we have to drive em there which is a 15min freeway drive, and to put the cherry on top I am due to have this baby in 20 days! Stressed much, overwhelmed with anxiety, horror, and all around just BUMMED out?...YES, YES, YES, & YES. lol...BUUUUUT, at the same time I am an observant person. I know that the Lord doesn't give us any trial we cannot overcome. So we continued to adjust, we drove our car carefully while trying to find someone to fix it, we have been blessed with workmens comp from BOTH jobs, which is a HUUUGE help, I am getting things organized and ready to go as far as our insurance goes. Things are hard, but DO-ABLE. We have been set back, but our bills are paid, kids are happy, food is on the table....and I have to be GRATEFUL. Sometimes I get down in the dumps cause I start to feel sorry for us. We have goals to buy a home, and it seemed as if we were being cursed with jobs for Pulu. He would get a great paying job, then bam laid off. I honestly know why he got laid off this time tho, we received Pulu's patriarchal blessing a few months back, and it clearly clearly stated throughout the WHOLE blessing that he is to fulfill going to school in this life! Pulu's always been a hard worker, and he kinda gets addicted to working hard...so I think he needs to focus on school, and part time at Delta. I want to work as well just to help him out in pursuing his blessing on this earth. I know without a doubt in my mind that if we LISTEN & REMEMBER the teachings that our loving Heavenly Father has been showing us through scriptures, and all different ways, we will be blessed with whatever we so desire. Our desire is buying a home we can afford, and I know with these struggles, trials and changes...we need to have a tune up, and change our lives to what the Lord has fit for us. It's not our plan, but the Lords and it's time we listen. So when u feel struggles are unbearable, just think what is it that I need to learn from this? And then your burdens will be lighter. :) And with faith n humility answers come. Happy Sabbath!!

Sunday Quote

Something I've been working hard at this year...I'm glad I have changed in this area :)
"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"

Doctrine and Covenants 88:119
It's a daily challenge and one I'm sure will be lifelong. But I can see myself so aware of this scripture and doing it. I am more prepared now, I am constantly wanting to learn as well as our kids and hubbs, We always say family prayer, faith has never left me, our home is always in order, we keep GOD and the base of everything we do. It's a hard scripture to live by, but once you get certain parts down, things seem to go with ease. I adore this scrupture, it may just be my FAVE! :)

Sunday Quote

Within the Clasp of a Father's Arms




"I believe this wise counsel from President Joseph F. Smith:



"'Brethren, . . . If you will keep your [children] close to your heart, within the clasp of your arms; if you will make them . . . feel that you love them . . . and keep them near to you, they will not go very far from you, and they will not commit any very great sin. But it is when you turn them out of the home, turn them out of your affection . . . that [is what] drives them from you. . . .



" 'Fathers, if you wish your children to be taught in the principles of the gospel, if you wish them to love the truth and understand it, if you wish them to be obedient to and united with you, love them! and prove . . . that you do love them by your every word and act to[ward] them.' (Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed., Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1966, pp. 282, 316.)"