strengthen & lift

I was feeling a little weighed down this afternoon... emotions, discouragement with household things, tired physically, etc.

So I looked for a pick-me-up... words of encouragement. I was pleased to see that Julie Beck's Women's Week Transcript has finally been released.

It is a keeper.

A few quotes that spoke to me:

I feel a great urgency for the daughters of God to do all they need to do to strengthen and lift not only themselves, their families, sisters who are in their wards, but also the world.

“Think of the achievement of purpose our family has come to the earth to perform. A vision of our family is the vision of our purpose before the Lord.” “What is your mission?”

With the Lord’s Spirit, weak and simple women can know what to do. ... With the Lord’s Spirit upon us, we are strong and solid and will be able to walk with Him.

Power and strength will come to you as you understand who you are in the Lord’s kingdom.

We understand the power of a group working in faith, strengthening homes, and seeking out to help one another.

Women are like lionesses at the gate of the home. Whatever happens in that home and family happens because she cares about it and it matters to her. She guards that gate, and things matter to that family if they matter to her.

Remember that influence and power come when we prioritize correctly.

Priorities: the essential things, the necessary things, and the nice-to-do things.

We know that when our priorities are out of order, we lose power. It takes personal revelation every day to help us prioritize and reprioritize and keep at bay the influences of the world that would draw us from what we are to do.

Get a new little copy of the Book of Mormon. In the front of it, open to a blank page and write three questions: Who am I? What are my responsibilities in the house of Israel? How do I fulfill my responsibilities? As you read and study, you will find some blank pages in the back. You can add Post-it notes if you like. Start writing your answers in the back as you read, and you will have a journey of discovery about who you are. ... The Lord knows who you are. He knows what your responsibilities are and how you can fulfill them. Power and strength will come to you as you understand who you are in the Lord’s kingdom.

Julie Beck 2010 Women's Conference Address

I originally watched her message on BYUtv. It's worth taking a few minutes to watch to hear her earnest and sincere message.

Now I'm excited to be inspired by the other messages in print from Women's Conference. I watched Renata Forste's and it was humorous and insightful.

I'm grateful for encouraging and uplifting messages to brighten today's quiet time.

Speaking of encouraging words... This is the word cloud of April 2010 General Conference. What good thoughts and messages!

Thanks to MormonWoman.org who put that together through Wordle.

Simple Dreams

I recently read Hattie Big Sky. It's a book about a young girl who tried to tame the land in Montana during WWI (a historical fiction). So - I've been thinking once again of those who came before. How did they do it? How were they so strong physically to endure? Did they cry alot? I would have. But I love their courage, their example ... of relying on the Lord for strength and daily guidance.

Years ago I came across a statue of a pioneer woman in a magazine. I wish I knew who the sculptor was. I agree with Abigail Adams that we reap so many of the blessings of those who came before... we hardly know how good we have it.

Recently Pioneer Woman posted about a local museum in Oklahoma. She shared this statue, Pioneer Woman by Bryant Baker (unveiled in 1930).

“In appreciation of the heroic character of the women who braved the dangers and endured the hardships incident to daily life of the pioneer and homesteader in this country.” Pioneer Woman Museum

Thinking of those who have gone before reminds me that I have so many niceties in my life. I ought not complain about the time it takes to apply sunscreen to 4 tots, do laundry in my automatic washer/dryer, vacuum my carpeted floor, waiting in line at Walmart, etc, etc, etc.



These are from a journal entry written July 2009.  Thought I'd share the fabulous paintings and quotes on PIONEERS.

Joseph Brickey (Carried by the Covenant)

I love this painting. Doesn't it give a glimpse into of the life of a young pioneer mother ... child ... family? What a life they must have had... full of adventure, heartache, joy, work, struggle, etc...

"Much could be said about the toil and hardship endured by the Saints in their westward migration. Our focus is on their faith, obedience, and steadfastness in the face of immense difficulty and uncertainty. Although their physical circumstances were much different than ours, the personal trials and challenges may, in fact, be very similar." Faith of our Fathers, 1996, CES Education Week

Dell Parson (James Kirkwood carries Brother Joseph)

With Pioneer Day being celebrated last week in Utah, my thoughts have been on the Pioneers ... their work ... all they endured ... their faith ... their example ... their lives and stories. We didn't attend any of the glorious Utah celebrations but we did work in the yard ... in the dirty, dirt, dirt.
David Koch (By Small and Simple Things)
This painting reminds me of this quote I read recently on a friend's blog. I want to be like this Pioneer mother.

"Be there for your children. Sit on the bed and enjoy the late-night talks -- try to stay awake! Pray for the Lord to inspire you. Forgive often. Choose your battles. Testify frequently of Jesus Christ and of His goodness and of the Restoration. And most of all, let them know of your trust in the Lord." Bonnie D. Parkin

David Koch (Hope Shining brightly) - I love the name of that painting!

David Koch (Crossing the Sweetwater) - I loved this painting on the front of the Friend magazine this month. Why do I ever complain about cleaning my stinky toilets? .... there are bigger issues in life.

David Koch (Tell me the Stories) - This is another of my favorite pioneer paintings. Imagine those sweet pioneer children!

President Eyring gave a great 'Faith of our Fathers' message. He shared this story about his pioneer ancestors. I enjoyed the pleasant 'crossing the plains' story.

Mary got to America, joined a pioneer company, and walked across the plains. She described that crossing on foot as one of the happiest times of her life. On that walk she met a returning missionary, Henry Eyring. They went in front of the wagon train to be clear of the dust. They described that trek not as a trial but as a time of joy as they told each other what a remarkable chance was theirs to have been found by the servants of God and to be allowed to help build the kingdom of God in the last days. They fell in love. For them, that passage was not a trial but a time of refreshing, of refuge. They chose to see in it a respite, he from his five-year mission and she from working her way alone from Switzerland. It was their youthful faith that made it a romantic stroll.

He continues on sharing that their main troubles hit once they arrived in Utah. It's a great message to read.

"I see a thread of faith, a particular faith, running in the lives of those heroes of the Restoration whose steadfastness and courage leave us in awe. Perhaps if we examine that thread today, we may find it in our own lives and strengthen it." Henry B. Eyring

I believe in MARRIAGE and MOTHERHOOD

I read an appalling article in Newsweek: The Case Against Marriage. "Once upon a time, marriage made sense," is what they wrote. I won't quote all the things I cringed at... and those statistics... sad that those are reality. Newsweek even had "I Do" arguments to counter the "I Don't"... but the statements were not strong... and were mostly based on secular benefits.

BUT - despite how twisted the views in the world are...

this, I know...

I BELIEVE in MARRIAGE ... and the honor in MOTHERHOOD....
why?
not because I am benefitted secularly/financially...
but because MARRIAGE and MOTHERHOOD are of God.

I never felt "forced into the kitchen" when I married. I saw motherhood as part of my mission here on earth. Is marriage hard?... yes. We have to work to keep relationships strong and healthy. We need to obey the commandments... live unselfishly.  Is motherhood hard?... yes. Was anything on earth meant to be easy?... I don't think so. Afterall, the hard is what makes it great.

My friend Angela reminded of this quote tonight. This is PERSPECTIVE!

After a long grouchy day which was not pleasant - this mother was not pleasant at all, I'm afraid... I needed to revisit the Relief Declaration. I believe in this doctrine. I want my daily attitude, actions, and choices to reflect these eternal principles.

In the end... things of God feel good to me. Obeying the commandments, working hard at a marriage, keeping temple covenants, striving to be a pleasant mother who teaches children of Jesus... those things feel right and good inside. So - I'll keep on keepin' on... trying to live and teach these principles in my home.

real ... good ... man

My sister Mary shared this video of an honorable man - Coach John Wooden. I love good, good, deep and real people... who are thoughtful about character, who speak of and live in faith, who create a long and lasting love with their spouse.

Here - just watch this... he reminds me of President Hinckley... loyal... full of love... good.

How sweet it is - all the love letters he wrote to his wife Nellie, even after she had been gone for 20 years. Here's a link to the bio on John Wooden who recently died at the age of 99!

Yonder

Once I was afraid of dying.

Terrified of ever-lying.

Petrified of leaving family, home and friends.

Thoughts of absence from my dear ones,

Drew a melancholy tear once.

And a lonely, dreadful fear of when life ends.

But those days are long behind me;

Fear of leaving does not bind me.

And departure does not host a single care.

Peace does comfort as I ponder,

A reunion in the Yonder,

With my dearest who is waiting for me there.

written by Former player, Swen Nater

after being inspired by John's life-long devotion to Nellie.

A few good quotes from John Wooden:
"Success comes from knowing that you did your best to become the best that you are capable of becoming."

"Be more concerned with your character than your reputation, because your character is what you really are, while your reputation is merely what others think you are."

"What you are as a person is far more important that what you are as a basketball player."

"There are many things that are essential to arriving at true peace of mind, and one of the most important is faith, which cannot be acquired without prayer."

"You can't live a perfect day without doing something for someone who will never be able to repay you."

"For an athlete to function properly, he must be intent. There has to be a definite purpose and goal if you are to progress. If you are not intent about what you are doing, you aren't able to resist the temptation to do something else that might be more fun at the moment."

"I always tried to make clear that basketball is not the ultimate. It is of small importance in comparison to the total life we live. There is only one kind of life that truly wins, and that is the one that places faith in the hands of the Savior. Until that is done, we are on an aimless course that runs in circles and goes nowhere."

Oh, the Places we'll Go!

I thought it would be fun to have a large map in my home... to see where places are... read the names of countries, cities, oceans, lakes.

So - I decided to buy some maps so our family could learn together. For $10 each, I found Classic Edition Rand McNally maps on parchment paper at a local educational store. They are each 50x32 ft.

It would have cost $400 to "cheaply" frame just one of them (and that was half off) So..... we went the inexpensive route and had them laminated for $4 each (go BYU copy center!!). We put Command sticky thingies all over the back to adhere it safely to the wall. We bought some mdf molding, painted it Behr Bison Brown (which I love and want to paint all our old furniture with!), and put it on the wall with finishing nails (well.... and unfortunately a little glue since the boards were bowing). I got this idea for framing from A Soft Place to Land. I love the look of it all! It's not perfect and it was hard to get the maps exactly smooth... but it's just fine for our purposes.

Things to do next time:  I wish we had put it lower and on the kid's level. I thought having it above the couch would be fine, but the kids are just jumping on the couch to see it. As it is, it needs to be about a foot lower on this wall. Oh well. Next time I would probably do two separate frames for them as well.  Also, I would only use 3M Command poster stickies.  I ran out and had to use the Scotch ones which weren't nearly as good.  Lessons learned for next time.

The laughable part: I told Jimmy this was a project I could mostly do myself. Oh - I had the idea and purchased the boards and painted them. But Jimmy cut the boards, did all the millions of measurements to get it centered and level on the wall. He's my math-man, my handy-man, and good with a hammer. So - basically he did most of it. Thanks Jimmy!

Anyhoo... why am I so excited about maps! When we first pulled out the world map the kids were amazed by all the countries. It opened up a whole new "world" to them! Really. They are still trying to grasp what states and countries are, but it's a start.

I also have loads of ideas of how to use the maps. Tonight for FHE we put red sticker dots where all the temples are in Utah. Next we'll do all in the United States and then the World. That's something like 132 stickers just for temples.

I also want to put pictures of our family members where they live so they can stay somewhat connected even if we don't live close. How fun to actually see on a map where people live.

We'll also put pictures of uncles, grandparents, etc where they served their missions.

How fun to locate places from history: the First Vision... where Jesus walked... etc...

This summer we're learning about 12 different countries - 1 a week for TRAVEL TUESDAY. Just basic stuff that might take an hour or so a week.

Ok - I realize Africa is a continent, but we'll learn about that and clarify. Most of the places are where relatives have served missions. Fun Stuff!

So - yep! I'm excited about our maps. Hopefully they will stay up and be put to good use!

Oh, the Places You'll Go!

by Dr. Seuss

Congratulations!

Today is your day.

You're off to Great Places!

You're off and away!

OH!

THE PLACES YOU'LL GO!

the gift of *LIGHT*

Needing some encouragement today. It's the first real day of summer break and after all... it takes us all a little time to get used to a new groove. And though I love the rain today, my quiet time needs some LIGHT.

"Every person born into the world is given the gift of light - the Spirit of Christ." (see Moroni 7:16) Sherrie Johnson

Sunshine and happy children... a perfect combination!

I love the gentle LIGHT coming in from the window. Also love the idea to make kid's scanned artwork into a huge framed poster. Creativity is full of LIGHT.

Love these INSPIRING words in this definition:

Dew and LIGHT ... perfect quiet still morning.

I want some happy birds such as these on my wall. 

A bright window, red floral curtains, and happy flowers... Love that!

Mild LIGHT of stillness.  The sound of waves coming ashore.
The smell of salt and sun.  Time... quiet.  A coastal breeze. sigh ... relax ... breathe...

The LIGHT Divine

Hymn 305

The LIGHT of God rests on the face

Of brook and flow’r and tree

And kindles in our happy hearts

The HOPE of things to be.

Father, let thy LIGHT divine

Shine on us, we pray.

Touch our eyes that we may see;

Teach us to obey.

Ours the sacred mission is

To bear thy message far.

The LIGHT of faith is in our hearts,

Truth our guiding star.

The LIGHT of faith abides within

The heart of ev’ry child;

Like buds that wait for blossoming,

It grows with radiance mild.

Today thine unseen purposes

By faith’s rare LIGHT we feel.

Dear Father, make us pure in heart;

To us thy will reveal.

Text: Matilda Watts Cahoon

(i wish i had the links for the photos, but I just randomly saved them... mostly from flickr)