Grateful Heart

My darling ward sister's made my Sunday such a surprise and "love fest". Your gifts and notes of kindness made me speechless and that's not easy to do. I came home from church, sat down and read each one. I felt underserving of such comments but very grateful and more determined to be MORE. I so appreciate the opportunity to continually grow, progress, develope and get better. That's what I'm still trying to do - daily. May these dear, dear sister's be blessed in return for all the kindness they have displayed to me. I love you.

Developing A Mother Heart

Julie B. Beck, Relief Society general president:

"Oh, that every girl and woman would have a testimony of her potential for eternal motherhood. . . . Female roles did not begin on earth, and they do not end here. A woman who treasures motherhood on earth will treasure motherhood in the world to come, and 'where [her] treasure is, there will [her] heart be also' (Matthew 6:21). By developing a mother heart, each girl and woman prepares for her divine, eternal mission of motherhood" ("A 'Mother Heart,' " Liahona and Ensign, May 2004, 76).

This is just a portion of the September Relief Society visiting teacher's lesson. Click on the link on my side board to go to the full lesson.

Who I Am Makes A Difference!

My thanks to cousin Skippie who sent this to me saying I or my church would put this information to good use. Thanks Skippie, I'm trying.

This short movie packs a whollop of a message. I hope you'll not only watch it but read the comments at the end relating to how often our children hear negative messages as opposed to a positive message daily. Powerful. I truly believe I am a child of God. So are you. Let's treat one another with that heritage in mind and with love, respect and a gentle heart.

Emergency Preparedness

I've posted on my other blog a really good article on emergency prep. Specifically, what if that emergency hits while you're not at home...or your children are not at home. Check it out at Snickerdoodles. It's a good read.

Glorious Parenthood

If I had My Child To Raise Over Again

If I had my child to raise all over again,

I'd build self-esteem first, and the house later.

I'd finger paint more and point the finger less.

I would do less correcting and more connecting.

I'd take more hikes and fly more kites.

I'd stop playing serious, and seriously play.

I would run through more fields

and gaze at more stars.

I'd do more hugging and less tugging.

I'd see the oak tree in the acorn more often.

I would be firm less often and affirm much more.

I'd model less about the love of power,

And more about the power of love.

by Diane Loomans

Pondering

This is a quote I've really liked for a long time. It is worthy of pondering.

"We are not human beings having spiritual experiences, but spiritual beings having human experiences." Teilhard de Chardin

Don't you think we really have so much control over the experiences we have, even create for ourselves. I know some experiences are truly out of our control but most aren't. Makes me more aware of my choices and wanting to create spirituality in my life.

How's Your FHE?

Life is really different at this "stage" of my life. No busy little bodies running around while trying to give a Family Home Evening lesson. I hope if you're in that busy-little-bodies-stage you will be patient and know that your good lessons are getting through on some level. I've just added two new lessons to my side board, on Knowledge and Plan of Salvation. Hope you find them helpful. We mom's need all the help we can get.