Dancing Through Life: And Lo...They Came

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Trust God With All thy Heart

Today in Testimony meeting I could feel the spirit testify to me of the divinity of Jesus Christ and God the Father. Then again in Relief Society. Each meeting seemed to reflect the idea that we must put our trust in the Lord and he would make things work for our benefit, no matter how hard the trial may be.

The Lord loves me I know this. I marvel how he works miracles for me through the angels he sends into my life.

The more I live, I realize how each one of us is tied to the other and how we truly need each other. "No man is an island. No man stands alone."

We each have love to give and hearts to fill. I listened and heard people give thanks for all the acts of service they had recieved from people in the ward. Many of these small none the less, very meaningful.

I see tragedy slowly turned to hope.

I thought of my prievious ward where the same thing is happening and the love is reaching out to me from Colorado. How blessed I am to be able to witness this out pouring of love for those whose hearts are aching.

My testimony is strengthened by witnessing the gospel of Christ working in the lives of all I know.

"My Soul Delighteth"

Susan Tanner gave a wonderful talk on delighting in all that the Lord has blessed us with. Sometimes I feel so over whelmed with life that I forget to delight. Life comes fast and hard. There are times when I feel I am on the edge.
Reading this talk help to ground me once again. Isn't that the way with conference talks, they bring you back to the center.
I delight also in the scriptures. They are my book to life. All my lifes answers are found there in.
I delight in the world around me, it is so beautiful, it smells so fresh and alive and it gives my senses life.
I delight in my family. I just love to watch and listen. What joy feels my heart to be so blessed.
I delight in serving my Savior. He is my joy and my song. I love to see my children serving.
I delight in choosing the right. I don't always choose the right words, but I am working on it.
I am so grateful that the Lord delights to honor and bless us as we serve and endure.

" The Great Commandment" Elder Joseph B Wirthlin

Today in Relief Society we had a wonderful lesson on Charity. My friend Suzi gave the lesson. The spirit was so strong. It was from a general conference talk by Joseph Wirthlin.

“Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity,” Paul told the saints at Corinth, “I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.”Paul’s message to this new body of Saints was simple and direct: Nothing you do makes much of a difference if you do not have charity. You can speak with tongues, have the gift of prophecy, understand all mysteries, and possess all knowledge—even if you have the faith to move mountains, without charity it won’t profit you at all.

One of the main focus of the lesson was how we as sisters can serve each other and the world. We are responsible as the children of Christ to help all of God's children.

If we can live close to the Lord and listen to the promptings of the spirit we can be instrument in the hand of the Lord to help and comfort others.Many times this help and comfort comes in small and simple ways.
I am blessed with parents that are great examples of living in this manner and are able to serve when called upon by the spirit.
"Brethren and sisters, as you prayerfully consider what you can do to increase harmony, spirituality, and build up the kingdom of God, consider your sacred duty to teach others to love the Lord and their fellowman. This is the central object of our existence. Without charity—or the pure love of Christ—whatever else we accomplish matters little. With it, all else becomes vibrant and alive"

I hope I can live closer to the Lord so I hear his call to serve.

Jacob 2-3

These are the chapters that I have used to help teach my boys, especially Jack about how to treat women. It speaks of the tenderness of women. I love to talk of the importance of virtue not just in women, but in men too. I love that the Lord listens to the prayers of women and wants to bless them. He says he delights in the chastisy of women, what a great place to teach about honoring girls and looking at them from the Lords point of view. I am so thankful to have these scriptures to allow me to teach such important principles of courtship and love.

2 Nephi 12-13 "Ponderings"

What would it be like if everyone followed the Saviors plan? What would it be like if everyone could enjoy the blessings of the temple? No wars, no rumors of wars, no strife or contention. We could all live in joy and peace.

It is to bad that eventhough we have a living prophet upon the earth, people still look to men of the world to gain enlightenment. Sometimes I look else where to find truths. When, if I was better at studying and making my prayers more fervant the truth that I seek would be revealed unto me.

Chapter 13 speaks to me of modesty. Even in the church women of all ages continue to dress in a manner after the world. In fact companies which shall remain nameless, came out with shirts that were longer to cover the belly and back, yet missed the mark on tightness. I really don't understand how someone can stand before a group in a tight shirt that shows her complete form {when it is cold} and feel comfortable.

That being said Isaiah's is quite clear in his prophetic words. Read Vs 24-26. I remember I as a prelude to a modesty lesson in Young Womens, I asked the girls what they want boys to see when they look at them? The number one answer was sexy and cute. To bad it wasn't, A girl with high integrity, smart, or spiritual. The world has infiltrated our ranks and many young ladies scoff that they are dressing in a revealing manner and that it has no effect on their spiritual well being. They are sorely mistaken, If the temple of your spirit is not dressed appropriately the spirit cannot dwell there, wherein the world tightens it's flaxen cord.

Relief Society ...165 years

As I prepare a lesson on the importance of Relief Society, I find myself pouring over the history of this organization. It is pretty remarkable how it all started with the need to provide shirts for the men working on the Nauvoo temple. Joseph Smith under the direction of our Savior established it.

Then as I read the theme I feel a great sense of honor and humility,that I get to participate in helping those in need. In the eternities I will be able to stand side by side with those sisters that have gone before and know that each of us in our own time was able to reach out and help others though the Relief Society. This makes me feel so Joyful!

2 Nephi 9:20-21,51

I love the description here of our Redeemer. I love that I can turn to him when I feel that I am all alone, when I feel there is no way out and when no one can understand my pain. I know for sure that he understands, that he will carry me at these times. I am grateful to know that he knows all things. He knows the desires of my heart, my needs, and what my spirit can take. He knows that I am trying and giving my all. He knows when I am weak and can't carry on, this is when I feel angels around to lift me up. He knows all things today, yesterday and forever. There is so much hope when I think of this.
In verse 51 Jacob says "Feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted." We had a wonderful Relief Society lesson on Sunday about reading the "Book of Mormon" and how if we feast everyday our testimonies can grow stronger but if we stop reading our testimonies go stagnent and we began to have a stupor. I hope as I read I can grow closer to my Father in Heaven and be led by him.
Jacob descibes Our God in so many wonderful ways in chapter 9 . As I was discussing life with Jack today he said " Heavenly Father is so incredible,the way he made our bodies. He made us have laughter and then he made it so laughter can heal the body, make us stronger, relax our bodies, destress our bodies, He really must want us to be happy sense he gave us laughter.It's pretty cool" I agree with Jack, Laugh more !

"Mothers who Know" Julie B. Beck

Mothers who know bear children, Sister Beck taught in the last General Conference several great principles. Bearing childern; I put off in favor of my career, accolades ,money, and general selfishness. I have sense repented and subsequently had four children. I am in my fortieth year pondering on the fifth. Tough questions for this day where the world caters to those with no children and looks in disdain as you walk through a store with four, may I add beautiful, little human beings, that add joy and a fulfillment to my life. "There is eternal influence and power in motherhood" Beck. I look back at my attitude and can't help but think that I was influenced by the world. I pride myself in not following the crowd. My pride blinded me and I was caught up, lost to the eternal blessings that were just waiting for me. I am grateful to a Heavenly Father that pushed me from that path by denying me all that I was walking toward, stopped me in my tracks and woke me from my stupor.

Mother"s who Know contiued....

Mothers who know Are Teachers. This is a constant in my life not just because I have choosen to home school my children, but because as Sister Beck says we mothers are never off duty. This 24 hour a day job seems daunting at times, infact I am overwhelmed a majority of the time. I just have to go back to the basics. Our scripture study, journal writing, and family prayer give me hope that these will tie up all the loose ends that I am trying to get through their heads. I find that I have to start this process over and over again because, it seems, that we are constantly bombared with activities that take us away from our plan. Our goal for our children to is to see them as strong, motivated adults with families, living and teaching the gospel principles that they were taught in their youth. I rework and try to figure out what we need and what we don't, then I push forward in hopes that the act of trying and trying will show great results. Hopefully they will not doubt, because their mother knew and taught that if they run a good race, fight a good fight God will deliver them.

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Monday, December 22

And Lo...They Came

So many traditions so little time. Christmas is almost here and tonight we held our annual Christmas Family Home Evening Nativity...uhhh play?
Mary was played by Riley, with her shadow Claire the Angel/Mary, to help her take care of Baby Jesus. Riley and Claire play the Nativity weekly so they were totally prepared for the role. Blake was Joseph. More about him later. He is the total protector....

The sheep was played by Leo with Samuel as the shepherd. It got a little crazy.I think the sheep were in awe of Christ just as much as the shepherds.

Angels were heard singing through out the house. Sam brought good tidings of great joy to all that would hear!

The wise men came bearing gifts from afar. Ethan and Fisher were very kingly.Being in total character and not knowing who these strange men were that came from a far, he did what any good protecting father would do. Blake decided that a little Kung Fu would be in order. Rocky played a sort of guardian Angel, making sure nobody messed with the manger. {Which Jeremy built for Riley as a Christmas present. Thanks for letting it be apart of this fun night!}

I love sharing this important part of Christmas with close friends. A shout out to Jack...he took all the pictures!Thanks to the Romans, Ashtons,Carlsons and Romans for sharing the night with us.

2 comments:

Suzie Soda said...: Very cute pictures. What a fun tradition. Thanks for letting us be a part of it. xoxoxo; December 23, 2008 at 12:01 AM
ShelleyG said...: Wonderful, wonderful! This is a great tradition. Thanks for sharing. Is that a real manger? Very authentic. I love it!; December 23, 2008 at 6:55 PM

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"From the Mouths of Babes"

Mom,Grabbing Claire by the waist," I am going to eat you up, yum, yum ,yum,... giggle, giggle..." As I naw on Claires arm, tickling her. Claire, pulling away with a serious look on her face" Don't eat my arm. Jesus made this." As she points to her arm in a 'Price is Right' fashion. She smiles!

Claire Ross 2 Yrs, Oct 08

Blake to Sam as we are looking at house plans," What is that room?"askes Blake "That is the master bedroom." says Sam. " I think we should get that room." says Blake. " Mom and Dad get that room." says Sam. " They always get that room." Declares Blake,"We get the servants room. " { How right you are Blake}

Blake Ross 5 yrs, Sam Ross 8 yrs, Aug 08

Claire" I want a drink."Laurene, " Say it nicely." Claire says " I want a drink" , in a very high pitched voice, head tilted to the side , smiling. Laurene,"What is the nice word?" Claire thinks for a second, tilts her head, then says in her best high pitched voice,"HAPPY"

Claire and Laurene Ross, age 2, July 08

" Mom put on some music we can really dance to!Not veggie Tales, Smash Mouth!"
Blake Ross, age 5, May 08

"Mom, just a 'Veggie Tale' Cd I want to dance...now."
Claire Ross,age 2, May 08

"This game is only for people with really big brains" Said Blake to Claire about the game "Rush Hour", To which Claire grabbed it out of his hands. "Or really big Hands"
Blake Ross, age 5, April 08

"Mom," said Claire with her legs pointing toward the ceiling as I change her diaper," I'm a 'Y', I'm a 'Y'!!
Claire Ross, age 2, April 08

"Mom" said Claire ready to toss a coin" Heads or eyebrows?" I picked eyebrows of course!
Claire Ross, 23 months, Feb 08

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