A collection of things to be happy and have joy in, and always to remember.
Friday, December 23, 2022
He is the Gift!
Sunday, September 25, 2022
Grateful for Takeways and Insights from Isaiah 40-49
Sunday, August 7, 2022
A Grateful Recognition of God's Miracles
Wednesday, August 3, 2022
Gilgal Gardens
Sunday, May 8, 2022
Thoughts on Mother's Day 2022
This Mother's Day I am very grateful for all the mother examples in my life. Those young and those old. Those women who influenced and helped me when I was a child, in my teens as a young woman, and when I became married but without children of my own. I appreciate examples around me as a young mother, and even now as a mother with grown children. I know the next five years will probably bring grandchildren so I will need examples for that season too.
I'm grateful for my own mother who at different seasons was not only the mother but a full-time, working outside of the home working mom; the gardener; the beautician that cut and permed hair and had a busy Saturday evening doing a wash and blowout session with four girls; the pristine housekeeper and taskmaster; the cake decorator; the cook and baker, including a warm breakfast every morning. She is the mom that sewed and canned; shopped and budgeted; and rarely got a break. My mom is a faithful disciple of Jesus Christ and an example of keeping on and keeping on when life is not always easy. She is a person who likes to sing, loves God, loves her family, and loves the temple.
I'm grateful God has blessed me to be a mom. There was a season I longed to be a mom and it didn't happen for a few years and Mother's Day was difficult. I'm honored and blessed to be the mother of Emily, Abbey, Andrew, and Eliza. I am thankful for the many things they have taught me.
I thank Heavenly Father that I'm married to a man that has always supported and respected me being a mother. He is one who supports womanhood and motherhood. It has made all the difference!
I am appreciative of many other mothers and women who have helped to mother my own children – teachers, leaders, neighbors, the mothers of my children’s friends, grandmothers, and aunts. Including my own sister, Nancy, who doesn't have children of her own, but has and continues to love and support and help to mother my children. What a blessing it has been to have many good women in their lives.
I appreciate and value my involvement in Mothers Who Know and Mom Power Training, which has helped me in many ways to be a more peaceful and confident mother. It is wonderful to connect with, learn from, and support other moms.
There are many things I have not gotten right as a mother. Actions I look back on that I should have done differently or better. Satan will try to torment me with this. The work of every mother is to give her best, which as moms we most often do. But when not at our best, we strive to extend ourselves grace and forgive ourselves. Hoping that our children and spouse will also forgive when we are not quite our finest. Picking ourselves up and going at it again. Doing so with God's help and with Jesus Christ’s mercy and redeeming love. They make all the difference in my mothering! I am understanding, a home is a place for learning not a place for perfection, and while we are learning, we are loved.
The world would try to define who I am or who I should be. But I am grateful for a prophet of God who reminds me of my truth. President Nelson also admires women and motherhood and seeks to praise women. He inspires and encourages women in our important work. Several weeks ago, I posted on my blog (https://
To all of my women friends, thank you!! May you stand in your truth and keep shining your light. I need your example, so do my children and many more do too. Happy Mother’s Day!
Wednesday, April 20, 2022
Declarations of Truth for Me From a Prophet of God
Sunday, April 17, 2022
Happy Easter!
What does that "coming to Him" look like? It'll be different for each of us, but also the same. The condition of our heart and our desire matters. He will want our time, not a lot of it but a consistent effort to hang out with Him. It might look like reaching up to Him in humility in a heart-felt, pleading prayer. But also, with prayers of gratitude, a noticing of the good things He has already done for us. It looks like reading His words in the scriptures and hearing His words from His leaders and prophets. Being intentional about and wanting to hear Him. Being intentional about opening that door every day and letting Him in. Coming to Him looks like hearkening to His word and doing those things He inspires us to do. Trusting Him by putting aside our will and getting up and following Him to do His will.
Just like the image I chose for this post; can't you just envision following Him and His footsteps? His invitation to the rich, young ruler is the same for each of us - "come, follow me" (Luke 18:22). As we lay aside some of our desires and trust the Savior and follow Him, we can each know that Jesus Christ lives; He is calling out to us, and He is offering each of us a better way to live, to have His peace, and experience true joy.
Jesus died for my sins.
Jesus suffered in Gethsemane and died on the cross for me.
Jesus Christ is my God and my Savior.
Jesus is my friend.
It is by His name I want to be known.