Me and the boys headed to Lehi outdoor swimming pool yesterday. I had so much fun with them shooting down the water slides and bobbing in the water with them. AJ was so brave and tried both slides by himself! He didn't like the green slide because water got in his nose, but he loved the blue one. Moments like today are amazing. So thankful I get the opportunity to play with these two cute humans. They make me so happy!
On the way home T bug said in his most animated voice, "Austin, do you want to hear the legend of the boy at the water slide? He was wearing a life jacket and when he went down the slide he got STUCK in the tube! He was never heard from again...."
Random Recordings
A journal of sorts to remember the good, the bad, and the ugly.
Thursday, June 9, 2016
Saturday, January 24, 2015
Morning Devotional with Sherri Dew
My mom and I were fortunate enough to attend a devotional given by Sherri Dew today. It was a tri stake devotional given at the Alpine Tabernacle. We arrived early to get a good seat. As I sat and watched women fill the tabernacle this morning, I was overcome with the beauty of these righteous women who were gathered early on a Saturday morning to be spiritually fed. None of them were perfect, but they had shown up and were trying, just like me. I realized how NOT alone I am and it made me want to try even harder to be a better woman. I sat and felt the need to be stronger and keep moving forward striving harder to live better and build up the kingdom of God.
To start off her talk, she had all the girls 18 and under come to the front of the room. I was overcome with emotion as I saw these beautiful girls fill the front of the room. They were a little, righteous army standing up on that stage. The spirit testified to me the reality of Satan, BUT also the reality of God and our Savior. As I sat looking at those beautiful, innocent, bright Young Women I saw the future staring back at me. It looked bright! The strongest spirits have definitely been saved for the last. They are capable and able to stand up to the world they have been born into.
I didn't take many notes today but a few things stuck out to me.
1) Light and Truth push the evil one away
2) The Spirit comes when you testify of truth
3) Choose good in a world filled with evil
It was nice to be with my mom there today. I am grateful to be a woman in the Lord's church. I am grateful for the power of the atonement in my life. I am grateful for moments like today. Choices matter, even little ones, and I'm glad that today I chose to be spiritually fed. My cup runneth over today. :)
To start off her talk, she had all the girls 18 and under come to the front of the room. I was overcome with emotion as I saw these beautiful girls fill the front of the room. They were a little, righteous army standing up on that stage. The spirit testified to me the reality of Satan, BUT also the reality of God and our Savior. As I sat looking at those beautiful, innocent, bright Young Women I saw the future staring back at me. It looked bright! The strongest spirits have definitely been saved for the last. They are capable and able to stand up to the world they have been born into.
I didn't take many notes today but a few things stuck out to me.
1) Light and Truth push the evil one away
2) The Spirit comes when you testify of truth
3) Choose good in a world filled with evil
It was nice to be with my mom there today. I am grateful to be a woman in the Lord's church. I am grateful for the power of the atonement in my life. I am grateful for moments like today. Choices matter, even little ones, and I'm glad that today I chose to be spiritually fed. My cup runneth over today. :)
Friendship and Angels
My friend, Mandy, was in the hospital the last few days due to a ruptured ovarian cyst. She reached out to me for some help while there. I was happy to go and help my sweet friend during her time of need. This required me finding a sitter for the boys, though. Luckily I have an angel mother who happily obliged. After doing what I could for my friend that day, I left feeling so great. There is no more joy than serving someone who truly needs help. I was thankful my friend allowed me to serve her and I was grateful for my mother who also served in her own way by taking my rowdy boys and loving them while I was away.
There is a scripture in Luke 22:42 -44 that has hit me this week. Christ is in the Garden of Gethsemane and asks The Father to not have to go through this if possible. Heavenly Father was not able to answer Christ's prayer the way he wanted and Christ was obedient anyway, BUT Heavenly Father sent an angel to strengthen him during his agony. How many times are our prayers answered this way? Someone is sent to comfort, help, strengthen, serve, etc. during our hour of need. When he requires us to go through a trial, he does not leave us comfortless and he does not leave our prayers unanswered, but sometimes they are answered by the sending of an angel in human form.
I think of my friend Mandy this week. She has had to endure a trial of health this week and does not quite understand why, BUT the Lord first blessed her to have this happen at a time that her husband was home AND they happened to have a baby sitter lined up so it was not a challenge to get to the hospital in a timely manner. Also, she was given a friend to be there with her until her parents could come. I'm grateful that I was able to be the Lord's hands for that small moment.
I've seen him answer my own prayers in this way. There have many things I have had to endure, and have prayed not to have to. Instead of "removing the cup" from me, he sends someone to bless my life, more often than not, my angel mother. I'm thankful for my friends and especially my mother. Women are special. We need each other and quite literally we are often the angels that ease the burdens of others around us.
A line from Hymn 309 "As Sisters In Zion"
"The errand of angels is given to women;
and this is a gift that , as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name."
There is a scripture in Luke 22:42 -44 that has hit me this week. Christ is in the Garden of Gethsemane and asks The Father to not have to go through this if possible. Heavenly Father was not able to answer Christ's prayer the way he wanted and Christ was obedient anyway, BUT Heavenly Father sent an angel to strengthen him during his agony. How many times are our prayers answered this way? Someone is sent to comfort, help, strengthen, serve, etc. during our hour of need. When he requires us to go through a trial, he does not leave us comfortless and he does not leave our prayers unanswered, but sometimes they are answered by the sending of an angel in human form.
I think of my friend Mandy this week. She has had to endure a trial of health this week and does not quite understand why, BUT the Lord first blessed her to have this happen at a time that her husband was home AND they happened to have a baby sitter lined up so it was not a challenge to get to the hospital in a timely manner. Also, she was given a friend to be there with her until her parents could come. I'm grateful that I was able to be the Lord's hands for that small moment.
I've seen him answer my own prayers in this way. There have many things I have had to endure, and have prayed not to have to. Instead of "removing the cup" from me, he sends someone to bless my life, more often than not, my angel mother. I'm thankful for my friends and especially my mother. Women are special. We need each other and quite literally we are often the angels that ease the burdens of others around us.
A line from Hymn 309 "As Sisters In Zion"
"The errand of angels is given to women;
and this is a gift that , as sisters, we claim:
To do whatsoever is gentle and human,
To cheer and to bless in humanity's name."

Tuesday, October 28, 2014
Prayer is powerful
I put my own name on the temple prayer roll along with the names of family who are struggling last week. Oh how I have felt those prayers already today. Prayer is powerful.
I work. I hate it because it requires me to rely on others to care for my kids at times. It stresses me and my time and energy are spent somewhere other than on my children, and on something that I don't even value. I've felt it was necessary to make ends meet however, and so I continue to work. Last night everything came to a head with work and I was feeling STRESS! The kind of stress that wakes you up at 4 am and you can't go back to bed. So, I got up and read a scripture this morning and prayed. Do you know what scripture I happened to read? 3 Nephi chapter 13. Do you know what Jesus says in his last few verses to his apostles? The twelve disciples in their ministry are commanded to take no thought for temporal things.
I work. I hate it because it requires me to rely on others to care for my kids at times. It stresses me and my time and energy are spent somewhere other than on my children, and on something that I don't even value. I've felt it was necessary to make ends meet however, and so I continue to work. Last night everything came to a head with work and I was feeling STRESS! The kind of stress that wakes you up at 4 am and you can't go back to bed. So, I got up and read a scripture this morning and prayed. Do you know what scripture I happened to read? 3 Nephi chapter 13. Do you know what Jesus says in his last few verses to his apostles? The twelve disciples in their ministry are commanded to take no thought for temporal things.
" 25 And now it came to pass that when Jesus had spoken these words he looked upon the twelve whom he had chosen, and said unto them: Remember the words which I have spoken. For behold, ye are they whom I have chosen to minister unto this people. Therefore I say unto you, take no thought for your life, what ye shall eat, or what ye shall drink; nor yet for your body, what ye shall put on. Is not the life more than meat, and the body than raiment?
26 Behold the fowls of the air, for they sow not, neither do they reap nor gather into barns; yet your heavenly Father feedeth them. Are ye not much better than they?
28 And why take ye thought for raiment? Consider the lilies of the field how they grow; they toil not, neither do they spin;
30 Wherefore, if God so clothe the grass of the field, which today is, and tomorrow is cast into the oven, even so will he clothe you, if ye are not of little faith.
31 Therefore take no thought, saying, What shall we eat? or, What shall we drink? or, Wherewithal shall we be clothed?
33 But seek ye first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things shall be added unto you.
34 Take therefore no thought for the morrow, for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient is the day unto the evil thereof."
I pondered these verses and felt him speaking directly to me. "Seek ye first the kingdom of God" I need to be doing this by focusing my energy on my family for this season. Not on some corporate mandate.
Well, not long after that thought, a cousin, who I rarely get to talk with, happened to call out of the blue. She,without knowing, gave me the advice that I was needing. A testament that prayers are often answered through others (my prayers today) because as she spoke I felt as if God himself was speaking saying "Have faith. It may not make sense on paper. But you are promised that if you do all you can do, he will take care of the rest." I haven't taken that leap of faith. I need to envision him with open arms waiting to catch me and I need to leap, knowing, without doubt, that he will catch me. '
Because I have been of so little faith, I see Father in Heaven blessing me to even try and have faith. Clint recently got a job teaching a class at Salt Lake Community College. It pays double per hour what he is making now, it helps him get paid (and motivated) to study for the upcoming NABCEP test, AND IT BRINGS IN AS MUCH AS HALF OF WHAT I'M MAKING NOW. It's God's little way of saying...."Angie, I know this is hard and scary for you so I'm going to give you a glimpse of what I can do. Now take the other step and I promise I'll be there." I have to let go of control. I have to give the control over to God. I have to trust him. It is so scary for me. BUT I know I need to trust him. I need to take that step and let go. So.....Clint and I will be doing some discussing tonight about how to do this.
Then my visiting teacher came over, who I'd forgot was coming, and I was able to cry on her shoulder about all of it. She is praying for me to. She challenged me to write down these types of experiences so I can remember down the road, when I am feeling weak or questioning why I made a decision, I can look back and remember. So....I'm taking the challenge. I'm so thankful for my knowledge of the Gospel, for a loving Father in Heaven and his unconditional love, and for prayer.
Friday, October 10, 2014
Due to a chorus of coughing from the boys, this mama was up all night. I began reading the news and quickly became discouraged as I read about the recent ISIS attacks and the atrocities that they are committing. Its unthinkable and horrendous what is happening to these poor, innocent Christians there. My heart was aching for them and the others in the world who are suffering at the hands of evil. I did not like the way I was feeling. I felt helpless. How can I just sit back and watch these horrific things happen? I decided to read something uplifting for a moment. I went here and read through some of the messages given at General Conference last week. This talk, "Approaching the Throne of God with Confidence" stood out to me. I read late into the night and underlined parts that spoke to me. As I finished, I felt more hopeful. Then, I read in 3 Nep 8 -11 about the Savior's crucifixion and then his words to them. This particular verse in 3 Nephi 10:6 stood out: "I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart." Such a tender choice of words and image.
I have been wrestling with my testimony lately. I have struggled with guilt of not being who I need to be, not living up to what I've been given. This quote in the talk I read this morning really stood out to me: "Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving Saints such as you to abandon your belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between you and God. The adversary knows that faith in Christ—the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles—goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right. For that reason he will seek access to your heart to tell you lies—lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same evil theme."
The imperfect yet striving stood out to me. As long as I am striving, even though I stumble, if I will do as the Savior says in 3 Nep 10:6 and repent and return with full purpose of heart again and again and again....a thousand times if necessary, I will still be able to stand at the throne of God and feel confident. There is always hope there. The adversary would have you feel hopeless, but it is a lie. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
I prayed in the quiet, dark of the night that I could be forgiven. I prayed and committed to keep striving to follow his will. I felt his love this morning in the darkness. It is undeniable that there is a God and a loving Savior. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the peace and joy it brings to my life.
I also prayed this morning that I could connect better with Thomas. That I could understand his needs better and be more in tune with him. This prayer was immediately answered this morning. I was able to prioritize better today, to show T love in ways that he felt it. I am so thankful for prayer. It is powerful. I am thankful for my Father in Heaven who immediately bestows blessings when asked in righteousness and when we are obeying his will. The gospel is true. I know it. I want to live it even better and teach my children so they may have the same joy I have found in it.
I have been wrestling with my testimony lately. I have struggled with guilt of not being who I need to be, not living up to what I've been given. This quote in the talk I read this morning really stood out to me: "Whenever the adversary cannot persuade imperfect yet striving Saints such as you to abandon your belief in a personal and loving God, he employs a vicious campaign to put as much distance as possible between you and God. The adversary knows that faith in Christ—the kind of faith that produces a steady stream of tender mercies and even mighty miracles—goes hand in hand with a personal confidence that you are striving to choose the right. For that reason he will seek access to your heart to tell you lies—lies that Heavenly Father is disappointed in you, that the Atonement is beyond your reach, that there is no point in even trying, that everyone else is better than you, that you are unworthy, and a thousand variations of that same evil theme."
The imperfect yet striving stood out to me. As long as I am striving, even though I stumble, if I will do as the Savior says in 3 Nep 10:6 and repent and return with full purpose of heart again and again and again....a thousand times if necessary, I will still be able to stand at the throne of God and feel confident. There is always hope there. The adversary would have you feel hopeless, but it is a lie. THERE IS ALWAYS HOPE.
I prayed in the quiet, dark of the night that I could be forgiven. I prayed and committed to keep striving to follow his will. I felt his love this morning in the darkness. It is undeniable that there is a God and a loving Savior. I am so grateful for this knowledge and for the peace and joy it brings to my life.
I also prayed this morning that I could connect better with Thomas. That I could understand his needs better and be more in tune with him. This prayer was immediately answered this morning. I was able to prioritize better today, to show T love in ways that he felt it. I am so thankful for prayer. It is powerful. I am thankful for my Father in Heaven who immediately bestows blessings when asked in righteousness and when we are obeying his will. The gospel is true. I know it. I want to live it even better and teach my children so they may have the same joy I have found in it.
Wednesday, October 1, 2014
moments
This journey is daily teaching me that life has a whole lot to do with moments. I am working to drink the good ones in more deeply. Here are a few moments from the past week
Trained!!!
Thomas is FINALLY potty trained. After world War 3 to get him to wear underwear, he picked up the whole thing in a day. We've had a few accidents. One in particular was at my in laws home. Luckily outside. I smelled it and realized the situation. With a party going on inside, and in a moment of panic I ended up just hosing him off. He'll probably need therapy for it some day, but no more pooping incidents since that. He has also learned the joys of peeing outside and I turned my head at the bird zoo last week, only to turn it back and find him peeing on a bush. "Who's kid is that anyway?". He's been great at it otherwise and little brother is obsessed with doing everything big brother does so hopefully we won't be paying for diapers too much longer.
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