Sprinkles of Goodness

Focus on the Present

2011-01-01T11:40:00.001-08:00

And now, Israel, what doth the Lord they God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord they God with all thy heart and with all thy soul.

– Deuteronomy 10:12

“I don’t worry too much about the future, and I don’t worry very much about the past. The past is gone, and you can’t change, you can’t correct it. The future, you can anticipate, but you can’t necessarily do very much about it. It is the present you have to deal with. Reach out for every good opportunity to do what you ought to do.”

– Gordon B. Hinckley

Today is a new day; a new year. Make the best of what you have! You can start fresh today…to be a new you and to be your best self! Remember all of those things you have desired to change, to do, to say, to be – this is your day!

Keep moving forward in the cause for good and in helping to build the Kingdom of God on the earth! The Lord needs a valiant army to help accomplish His plan. Are you on His side? If so, DO something about it, today! I love you. May the Spirit guide you to do right. May you have angels round about you to uplift you in a world of darkness. May the Lord bless you for your efforts. Keep up the fight… every effort is worth it!

Courageous Parenting

2010-12-13T19:49:00.000-08:00

“What the world really needs is courageous parenting from mothers and fathers who are not afraid to speak up and take a stand.”
– Elder Larry R. Lawrence

In our General Conference studies, my husband and I have read, studied, and pondered a conference address that speaks volumes to my heart. I found great confidence and courage in the words that Elder Lawrence shared with each of us on that Sabbath afternoon a few months ago.

In the conference address, he counsels parents with this…

“Courageous parenting does not always involve saying no. Parents also need courage to say YES to the counsel of modern-day prophets. Our church leaders have counseled us to establish righteous patterns in our homes. Consider five fundamental practices that have the power to fortify our youth: family prayer, family scripture study, family home evening, family dinner together, and regular one-on-one interviews with each child.

It takes courage to gather children from whatever they’re doing and kneel together as a family. It takes courage to turn off the television and the computer and to guide your family through the pages of the scriptures every day. It takes courage to turn down other invitations on Monday night so that you can reserve that evening for your family. It takes courage and willpower to avoid overscheduling so that your family can be home for dinner…

…Try to imagine what the rising generation could become if these five righteous patterns were practiced consistently in every home. Our young people could be like Helaman’s army: INVINCIBLE!” (see Alma 57:25-26)

I bear testimony that these important patterns, things that we are suppose to be doing, are for our good. I think of them as… The Golden Five will help us THRIVE! (not just survive, but THRIVE in a world filled with good things that distract us!) I also think back to President Eyring’s talk years ago about good, better, and best! I often have to ask myself, is this the best choice I could make?

A recent experience I had with Bryson has reinforced my testimony of the power of these important principles. Bryson had decided to play basketball on the city rec team this year, and before making that decision, we researched when the practices would be and when the games would be. We were so happy to find out that the practices would be on Tuesdays and Thursdays, which would not conflict with Monday night (the night reserved for family home evening) and Wednesday night (the night reserved for cub scouts, and in the future, mutual). With such information in hand, he was enrolled to play.

However, the next day I received an email from the coordinator that because of the conflicts of kids that are in youth hockey wanting to play basketball also, they were highly considering changing the practice schedules to accommodate the other kids. My initial response was to be upset and be discouraged that finally, my son has picked an extra-curricular activity to do that he would not be able to participate in. And yet, as I prayed about what to do, the thought came to me to reply to this email and share with him my thoughts. And so… I did just that.

I expressed my thoughts that children are so over-scheduled these days, as are their parents. I understand the desire that we, as parents, have for our children to be well-rounded and participate in good activities that cultivate teamwork, determination, and sportsmanship. Yet, are we really willing to sacrifice the well-being of our families, for something that is good, but maybe not the best. I expressed to him that my son has a family commitment every Monday night, as well as Boy Scouts on Wednesday night, and if he changed it, he would not be participating. I expressed the importance of family time and not over-scheduling our children, thus making it harder to strengthen our families by being separated.

The response he returned with the next day was quite remarkable. He agreed with me and said that as far as he was concerned, the schedule would remain as it was. He even thanked me for my insight. Oh, how I was relieved. I am not one to have the courage to speak up, and yet as I prayed and acted, I was given such.

We have to speak up. We have to have the courage to stand for what is right. We have to preserve our family time and the things that we have been taught are essential to the success of our little family units. I am so grateful for Jason’s new job, for the Lord answering our prayers and the righteous desires of our hearts. He knows us. He knows that while he has had to work every Monday for the past 2 and a half years, our Family Home Evenings have struggled and we have squeezed them in wherever we can. He knows how sacred Sunday and Monday night are to us, and He is blessing us with the ability to strengthen our family!

Please, I plead with you, ask yourself…

Do we have family prayer daily? Morning and Night?
Do we have family scripture study?
Are we reserving Monday evening, enough time on Monday evening, to have an effective Family Home Evening?
Do we take advantage of family dinner together, unrushed from running children to-and-fro?
Do we have regular one-on-one interviews with each child?

We must simplify our lives…not cram in more activities that can possibly cut into the time of the essential activities! As this Christmas season allows us to reflect on the Savior, and giving, and what matters most… let us remember to GIVE our families the best – the Golden Five that will help us THRIVE. Be courageous parents. Don’t get caught off guard, justify, or sacrifice these things – whatever it is, it’s not worth the salvation of your family! And I know that although not every profession has every Monday evening off, aim to preserve the time as best you can, and the Lord will reward you for your efforts. Together, as courageous parents, we can make a difference and preserve our families!

Purpose…

2010-11-15T20:04:00.001-08:00

“We are living for eternity,

and not merely for the moment”

-Joseph F. Smith

Although it is important to enjoy every moment of our lives, make those moments count by doing something that invests in eternity. Forget about the dishes, the laundry, the dirty floor…play with your children and strengthen the bonds of family, read your scriptures and feast upon the words of Christ, plan a date with your eternal companion and feel the strength of the temple, together. Keep enjoying the moments that take your breath away…and those moments that help you get closer to eternity. You are worth it!

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character

2010-11-09T19:18:00.001-08:00

“Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.”

– Richard G. Scott

Please know that God is aware of you and your circumstances. I bear testimony of that. He knows the deepest yearnings of our souls for righteousness. I have witnessed the very power of God’s timing through a personal experience of my very own quite recently. Although I have struggled in my heart to understand His timing and His will for me and my family, and the very purpose that He would withhold the blessings so eagerly sought after, I have never given up hope that He has the power to grant the righteous desires of our hearts. And within the past few days, I have witnessed small tender mercies that I realize are part of the greater plan – His eternal plan – that is best for me, for us, when it will yield the greatest advantage. And I am thankful for my struggles…and for the added prayers and fasting on behalf of our family. My faith has been strengthened.

Believe in yourself

2010-11-08T14:12:00.001-08:00

“Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward.”

– Hebrews 10:35

“Believe in yourself. Believe in yourself as a child of God. Believe in your capacity to do good in the world, to spread light and truth and understanding; to reach out to those in distress and need to help and bless them.”

– Gordon B. Hinckley

We have the gospel in our lives. Such knowledge should prompt us to share the “good news” which we have with others! Others will be perplexed at the unfailing optimism which we display, because of our knowledge of the gospel and the truth behind it. If the gospel is as precious to us as we claim it is, we should desire others to share the same joyous secret that we enjoy! Keep being who you are. Your example is felt. Your testimony radiates. I have felt of your love and joy. Continue to “let your light so shine”. You are a daughter of God, of noble birth, with a loving eternal Father in heaven who knows you and your potential. May we strive to keep Christ’s image in our countenance!

Invitation to Prayer

2010-11-04T11:58:00.000-07:00

"Pray always, that ye may not faint, until I come."

- Doctrine & Covenants 88:126

"Come to know our Father in Heaven. Say your prayers. Get on your knees and pray to the God of Heaven, and He will hear and answer your prayers." - Gordon B. Hinckley

It is crucial that we are building a relationship with our Heavenly Father and Savior daily. The adversary is only getting stronger and more clever in his approach... I have heard it said, but I do not quote exactly... The adversary only needs to distract us these days (with enough electronical gadgets that disconnect the genuine communication between families and relationships and with good things that keep us from spending quality time together as a family doing the things that are essential to our safety in this life). Instead, he has upgraded from temptation to mere distraction.

My loving sisters, don't allow yourselves to get distracted by the "worldly noise" that busies our lives. Take the time to thank your loving Heavenly Father for the blessings he has bestowed upon you and pour out the desires of your heart to him... put your trust and faith in Him. He will guide you, love you, and sustain you in even your darkest hours of discouragement. Always remember...when life gets hard, don't just stand there - kneel!

sharing with each other

2010-11-03T10:18:00.000-07:00

I have had a sincere desire for quite sometime now to spread some goodness with my loving friends and family, and have been unsure just what the best way to do this is. Obviously, I cannot call each and every one of you every single day...to share the events of my day, the joys of my heart, the fruits of my study, the witnesses of the truth, and the goodness that I am uplifted with daily as I strive to live a righteous, consecrated life.

I am not perfect by any means, but I desire to be perfected in my Savior, and strive for goodness everyday! With the tools I have been given - prayer, the scriptures, a prophet, my family and good friends, and the temple, I can fight off the "natural (wo)man" that I am! I know that we can find strength together, in this mortal journey we call "life".

Therefore, I am starting a friendly blog, where I can share uplifting thoughts, spiritual quotes, and inspiring short stories with each of you. I have included all of you, because I consider you very dear friends to me. We are all a sisterhood and can all glean from one another! So, please enjoy the sprinkles of goodness!

The Cellphone vs. the Scriptures…what’s your choice?

2010-11-03T10:16:00.001-07:00

I wonder what would happen if we treated our scriptures like we treat our cell phones?

What if we carried them around in our purses or pockets?
What if we turned back to go get them if we forgot them?
What if we flipped through them several times a day?
What if we spent an hour or more using them every day?
What if we used them to receive messages?
What if we treated them like we couldn't live without them?
What if we gave them to other kids as gifts?
What if we used them as we traveled? What if we used them in case of an emergency?

Where are your scriptures?

Unlike our cell phones:
One Plan does fit all.
Unlimited usage. No roaming charges.
You always have reception.
You can use it in the mountains and in a tunnel.
It's free with no hidden costs,
AND… you don't ever have to worry about your scriptures being disconnected because…

… CHRIST has already paid the bill!

“Our humility and our faith that invite spiritual gifts are increased by our reading, studying, and pondering the scriptures. We have all heard those words. Yet we may read a few lines or pages of scripture every day and hope that will be enough.

But reading, studying, and pondering are not the same. We read words and we may get ideas. We study and we may discover patterns and connections in scripture. But when we ponder, we invite revelation by the Spirit. Pondering, to me, is the thinking and the praying I do after reading and studying in the scriptures carefully.” – President Henry B. Eyring

These are just a few things that I came across today in my studies and wanted to share with you. May we all cherish and treasure the word of God in our lives and read and ponder it daily! Have you had your daily dose of spiritual power, guidance, and blessings today? If not…take the time to be uplifted and nourished right now! We all need it! I love you all! Have a great day!