December Scripture

My new years goal comes to an end. The goal was to keep my thoughts positive and uplifted by memorizing one scripture every month. I did good in the beginning, memorizing long scriptures but as each month came I chose shorter scriptures and then decided to just think about the scripture through out the month rather than memorize. Nevertheless, I accomplished my goal. I don't think I would have if I wasn't accountable to this blog. It's easy to let goals fall by the wayside if not accountable to something. So thank you blog.

My December scripture is already memorized and a good reminder for this holiday season.

D&C18:10

Remember the worth of souls is great in the sight of God.

Remember how God sent His Son, for he so loved the world? He loves us. Each of us. Our souls have great worth. It's something I want to remember this month and always. Every stranger on the street or person I pass has a soul of great worth. Not only that but they are my brother and sister. I need to show more love and kindness. I need to give more time to serving. I want to be a better disciple.

This little girl inspires me. Makes me want to be better. I have a big responsibility to teach her truth. I will strive to teach her not by word only but also by example. 

November Scripture

1 Corinthians 3: 16 &17
Know ye not that ye are the temple of God, and that the Spirit of God dwellth in you?...for the temple of God is holy, which temple ye are.

I love this comparison of our bodies to temples of God.
I want this to be at the fore front of my mind.
Especially with the holiday season approaching. I want to remember that my body is sacred and holy. It doesn't need to indulge in and eat an OVER abundance of food. Every time i make that choice i no longer feel the spirit. I feel sluggish, slow, and a lot of guilt.
I have been interested in learning about better eating. I am following two blogs about healthy eating.
100 Days of Real Food
Weed 'em and Reap
Both emphasize cutting out processed foods and focusing on the REAL stuff.
Like: fruits vegetables dairy cheese and quality meat
They share recipes, their research, and the why's of eating this way.
Ultimately, it just makes sense.
As a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints I live the Word of Wisdom. It has a list of things not to ingest, which are, alcohol, tea, coffee, tobacco, and anything harmful to our bodies like drugs. It has been an easy thing for me to live. But i am ready to step it up a notch and focus on the list of do's, which are, fruit and vegetables in their season, grains, meat sparingly.
I want to make eating this way my new normal.
I have been slowly making changes in what i buy at the store.
I am already feeling changes in the way i feel.
The more i eat better, the more i don't care about that other stuff i thought was so great.
I also feel more satisfaction in making meals.
I made Charlie's birthday cake from scratch. And this morning for breakfast i made these great muffins. (Its a vegan recipe, i am not vegan, i didn't follow this recipe exactly, i put in my own substitutes and it still turned out great! Don't be confused by the link, Homemade by Blaire. It's a different Blaire. She shares great stuff though.)
As a mother and wife i feel a big responsibility to feed my family food that will be a strength to their bodies.
So this is my newest journey and so far it's awesome! 

October Scripture

Luke 12:15

And he said unto them, Take heed, and beware of covetousness: for a man's life consisteth not in the abundance of the things which he possesseth.

I have been enjoying the book, How Will You Measure Your Life? by Clayton M. Christensen. It has caused me to think more about my priorities and see if my actions are aligned. This scripture has reinforced what the book teaches. Material things don't bring happiness. They may momentarily but long term happiness is achieved through sacrifice. Thinking about these things has helped me be a better mother and wife. It has caused me to want to improve and be better, thinking less about the worldly matters that try to pull me away from what is MOST important. Satan is trying so desperately to distract us. He is doing a pretty good job. But remember, we are stronger than he is. He will win if we follow Christ! 

September Scripture

This is embarrassing. Its the end of the month and i am now posting my months scripture. Memorizing a scripture every month this year is slowly getting less attention. At least I chose a scripture this month. Actually I chose a small phrase from the scripture to focus on and ponder.  

D&C 58:27

Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

Even though i have gotten more lazy with this goal, I am still fulfilling its purpose. And that is, filling my mind with uplifting thoughts. This months thought was a good one for me. I have been anxiously engaged in the lives of my children. This scripture helped me further that with teaching Charlie more actively about gospel things. 

I've also been brainstorming how to magnify my church calling and calling as a visiting teacher. I realized i can't sit around and wait to feel prompted to serve i should just go forward and serve. I need to do things by my own free will.

I feel happier with this mind set. 

I just can't get enough of this little angel!
Olive @ 2 weeks and 3 days old.

August Scripture

I have been slacking with my new years goal this month! With all the moving and transitioning to Provo it has been so busy i have gotten out of some of my original habits. I am grateful I remembered this morning. I read this scripture last month and was saving it for the month of August. I finally pulled it out and because of pregnant brain i am only going to memorize the first line of scripture. It is something i want to remember in my hardest moments of labor.

D&C 58:4

For after much tribulation cometh the blessings.

I know that is true. I hope to endure this next chapter of our life with JOY. Andy will be a full time student and I a mother of two wonderful kids. Things will be different and challenging but it will also be fulfilling and rewarding. 

Gordon B. Hinkley said, "In my ninety-plus years, I have learned a secret. I have learned that when good men and good women face challenges with optimism, things will always work out! Truly, things always work out! Despite how difficult circumstances may look at the moment, those who have faith and move forward with a happy spirit will find that things always work out.”

I am so grateful for the support of Prophets, modern and ancient, who encourage us with faith and hope in all we do. I will try to get back to my regular updates of our wonderful life in Provo. 

My Favorite Day

It's Sunday. A day of worship. A day with my family. A day to be uplifted by testimonies. A day to feel renewed. A day to visit with friends and loved ones. A day to rest. A day to gain a better perspective. A day to give and love and serve! Sadly, today I am sick am not able to enjoy this day in the way that I wish. My family is at church and I am in bed, close to the bathroom, trying to not think about the discomfort I'm feeling. I have music playing which helps. I love the gospel library app. It has all the scriptures and manuals both written and on audio. I was able to listen to the lesson Andy will be teaching today.

Then I started to look up scriptures with the word "sick". Just to see what I could find. 

I loved this one!

Moroni 8:8 Listen to the words of Christ, your Redeemer, your Lord and your God. Behold, I came into the world not to call the righteous but sinners to repentance; the whole need no physician, but they that are sick...

I need that physician, Jesus Christ. He completes me and makes me whole. Even in this physically sick moment I feel his love and comfort. I am often in need of the spiritual care as well. I am grateful that with His help I can overcome, improve, and be a better person. It's work everyday but necessary. If this doesn't make sense remember I am pregnant and sick! I think I am starting to ramble...

Anyway, those are my "sick" thoughts today. 

Here's my Little Olive. I think about her daily. I look forward to being her mother. The time is approaching quickly. I feel so many emotions about the whole thing. Excitement, anxiety, peace, and worry. But I am focusing on the peace because I know I will not be alone. 

July Scripture

I have had a difficult time choosing a scripture for this month. But I am grateful to have the time today to sit down and make it happen. Andy and I were discussing 2 Nephi 4 recently. Both of us had been feeling similar feelings to Nephi in this chapter. Nephi is struggling with the natural man and his own mortal weaknesses. He wants so much to be good and do what's right but he feels that he keeps failing. I often feel those same feelings. "Why do i mess up when i know what i know!", "Why do I let me weaknesses keep me from doing the best things!" Its frustrating. I totally understand Nephi's frustrations in this chapter.  So i am choosing a part of Nephi's prayer to remember this month, and make it a part of my own prayer and plea to the Father.

2 Nephi 4:31, 34

O Lord, wilt thou redeem my soul? Wilt thou deliver me out of the hands of mine enemies? Wilt thou make me that I may shake at the appearance of sin? 

...(vs. 34) O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever.

So there is my scripture this month! I noticed myself reciting one of Charlie's bedtime stories completely from memory. It's weird how the words just felt like they were a part of me. I want to feel that way about the scriptures. I want to be able to recite them in ways that they are just a part of who I am. I am not there yet...not even close...but if i can do it with Charlie's bedtime stories i can do it with the scriptures :) 

June Scripture

John 5:30 

I can of mine own self do nothing: as I hear, I judge: and my judgment is just; because I seek not mine own will, but the will of the Father which hath sent me.

This month i want to remember the Savior and how he only did the things Heavenly Father wanted him to do. I want to align myself with the Father in this way. If i am always doing what He would have me do i know i will have peace in my life. I know this will be a lifelong effort but i just have to keep trying. 

May Scripture

Doctrine and Covenants 100:12

Therefore, Continue your journey and Let your hearts rejoice; for behold, and lo, I am with you even until the end.

This scripture is the the theme for Women's Conference 2013. I have never been to Women's Conference or even known what it was about. But it's a 2 day conference with speakers speaking to women to strengthen and uplift and inspire. Sort of of like EFY for women. I am excited and equally happy about the theme. With the point our family is at right now it is just what i need to hear. I need to to continue on, having faith in Christ that all will work together for our good. I need to rejoice that God will be with me even until the end. He will be with me as we pack up and move, as i give labor to our little girl, he will be with me as i try to make new friends, he will be with me as i try to juggle the two kids act. 

I am glad to memorize this scripture this month because I so desperately need to remember these words from my Savior: I am with you. I worry too much. But i don't need to worry when he is with me. 

You can still decide to come and you should!

learn more

April Scripture

I share personal things here. I do it for the sake of my personal history, just so you know :) 

The scripture i chose to memorize for this month is: Matthew 28:5-7. I chose this scripture because i want to keep the spirit of Easter with me a little bit longer. I love the phrase He is Risen. It has so much meaning to me. It means he overcame death and sin. It means i can be forgiven of my wrongdoings. It means my family can be together forever. It means Christ is the winning team! It means we are saved. It means i have work to do to now fulfill my end. When it says, "Go quickly, and tell..." I feel those words being spoken directly to me. I feel the responsibility to share my testimony of the risen Lord. "There shall ye see him" reminds me that i will see Him face to face one day. My heart is full of love and gratitude for my Savior Jesus Christ. Happy Easter! 

Matthew 28:5-7

5And the angel answered and said unto the women, Fear not ye: for I know that ye seek Jesus, which was crucified.

6He is not here: for he is risen, as he said. Come, see the place where the Lord lay.

7And go quickly, and tell his disciples that he is risen from the dead; and, behold, he goeth before you into Galilee; there shall ye see him: lo, I have told you.

March Scripture

This month i will be focusing on, pondering, and memorizing this scripture.
Doctrine and Covenants 11:10

Behold, thou hast a gift, or thou shalt have a gift if thou wilt desire of me in faith, with an honest heart, believing in the power of Jesus Christ, or in my power which speaketh unto thee;
I came across it as i was reading this last month. I liked it. It reminds me that the Lord has blessed me with different gifts and talents. But there are many gifts i wish i had. I know that through the power of Jesus Christ i can overcome my weaknesses and receive other gifts that i so desire.

love my baby boy!

February Scripture

This month the scripture i chose to memorize is:

Moroni 7:45 & a bit of 48

It reads:

And Charity suffereth long, and is kind, and envieth not, and is not puffed up, seeketh not her own, is not easily provoked, thinketh no evil, and rejoiceth not in iniquity but rejoiceth in the truth, beareth all things, believeth all things, hopeth all things, endureth all things....

pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love.

I wanted something to go with this month, the month of LOVE. And this scripture tells us what true and selfless love is. Charity is the pure love of Christ! As i read through the scripture, it felt daunting to me. I felt humbled. I have much to do to emulate this quality of charity. The main things that stand out to me are:

envieth NOT! not easily provoked! REJOICE in TRUTH! endureth ALL things. Pray with all the energy of your heart! And pray i will. This scripture is my focus this month. I hope some changes happen within me as i do. 

Here's to the month of LOVE 

January Scripture

Ether 12:27

And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness. I give unto men weakness that they will be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will i make weak things become strong unto them.

I tried to type this scripture from memory...It's not quite fully memorized yet but close. I am very familiar with this scripture and have read it many times at many different periods of my life. I think about being a teenager, shy and struggling to make friends, this helped me. I think about college and how i struggled with my grades, this helped me. I think about being a missionary in New York with a bundle of new challenges, this helped me. And i recently had an experience preparing a lesson for our Relief Society. I feel that teaching is my weakness. I felt very humbled preparing but the Lord asked me to teach, so i would go forward with faith and teach. He, once again, helped me. I know that I owe him all success. I am grateful that He shows me my weaknesses (and i have many) but that means i have much to improve and much that He can help me with.

Here's to a New Year of strengthening my weaknesses!

And here's a picture to show how much Charlie loves his veggies...(i do the food pouches because its the only way he'll eat veggies...this night just wasn't a good night!)