Here is a quote from the World Wide Training on February 11, 2012
"Unfortunately, we sometimes don’t seek revelation or answers from the scriptures or the handbooks because we think we know the answers already.
Brothers and sisters, as good as our previous experience may be, if we stop asking questions, stop thinking, stop pondering, we can thwart the revelations of the Spirit. Remember, it was the questions young Joseph asked that opened the door for the restoration of all things. We can block the growth and knowledge our Heavenly Father intends for us. How often has the Holy Spirit tried to tell us something we needed to know but couldn’t get past the massive iron gate of what we thought we already knew?"DIETER F. UCHTDORF
This quote really stuck out to me. I wondered how many times in the past I have done this exact thing. I don't know, but I hope it hasn't been too often. I find myself now wanting to be more conscious of the decisions that I have to make and being sure to go to my Heavenly Father in prayer to ask for his guidance in making them.
Monday, February 13, 2012
We can do hard things
The following thoughts may be a bit disjointed, but some how, one thought led to the next, and somehow they are all connected in my brain, hopefully you can see the connection and not get lost in the process.
On Saturday we attended the World Wide Leadership Training of the church. It was wonderful, and if you didn't have a chance to attend you can view it here.
During the training they shared this video.(The one from the training was a little different you can view it here starting at 24:00)
It made me cry, as it does every time that I watch it. But it brought to my memory another Mormon Messages video that I watched recently that moved me greatly.
Elder Holland is talking to the young men, but all he says can easily be applied to the young women as well. His words "You must be ready and worthy to act" has stuck in my mind since I first saw this video. It is one of my greatest desires as a mother, that my children will be ready and worthy to act, in what ever situation they find themselves. That in that day when "lightning strikes" they will know to whom they must turn for strength and guidance. They will be ready, they will have already made those hard choices in their hearts and in their minds, and they will be able to press forward in righteousness.
A few weeks ago I finished reading Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites with Kathryn and Tansley. In those last chapters as the three youngsters are preparing to make their journey back to their own time, the Prophet Helaman councils them with these words
"Your visit to this people has been a very wonderful gift. It was meant to prepare your minds and hearts for the great struggle of the last days. The Lord has told me that the last generation before his final coming will consist of his choicest children since the creation of the earth. But you will face a world filled with much pain and evil. Men like Amalickiah will gain great power over God's children. You such as yourselves, will have a great responsibility to build up a pure and undefiled people in the midst of all this pain."
I know these are fictitious words written by the author, however they provided me with a teaching moment for my children. I told them that the choice generation that was mentioned included them. They are among Heavenly Fathers most righteous spirit children, and they were saved for this day, when things will be hard. But Heavenly Father knew that they could handle it. He knew they would have the strength to do hard things. I told them to always remember that, especially when things feel to hard or when it seems impossible. Remember, Heavenly Father know you can. You can do it. Don't ever forget it.
Yesterday, I was asked to do a hard thing. I had to remind myself that I was among this choice generation. That Heavenly Father knows that I can do these hard things. Just like Spencer from the first video, I have learned, in times past, that I can do hard things. I can do this.
On Saturday we attended the World Wide Leadership Training of the church. It was wonderful, and if you didn't have a chance to attend you can view it here.
During the training they shared this video.(The one from the training was a little different you can view it here starting at 24:00)
It made me cry, as it does every time that I watch it. But it brought to my memory another Mormon Messages video that I watched recently that moved me greatly.
Elder Holland is talking to the young men, but all he says can easily be applied to the young women as well. His words "You must be ready and worthy to act" has stuck in my mind since I first saw this video. It is one of my greatest desires as a mother, that my children will be ready and worthy to act, in what ever situation they find themselves. That in that day when "lightning strikes" they will know to whom they must turn for strength and guidance. They will be ready, they will have already made those hard choices in their hearts and in their minds, and they will be able to press forward in righteousness.
A few weeks ago I finished reading Tennis Shoes Among the Nephites with Kathryn and Tansley. In those last chapters as the three youngsters are preparing to make their journey back to their own time, the Prophet Helaman councils them with these words
"Your visit to this people has been a very wonderful gift. It was meant to prepare your minds and hearts for the great struggle of the last days. The Lord has told me that the last generation before his final coming will consist of his choicest children since the creation of the earth. But you will face a world filled with much pain and evil. Men like Amalickiah will gain great power over God's children. You such as yourselves, will have a great responsibility to build up a pure and undefiled people in the midst of all this pain."
I know these are fictitious words written by the author, however they provided me with a teaching moment for my children. I told them that the choice generation that was mentioned included them. They are among Heavenly Fathers most righteous spirit children, and they were saved for this day, when things will be hard. But Heavenly Father knew that they could handle it. He knew they would have the strength to do hard things. I told them to always remember that, especially when things feel to hard or when it seems impossible. Remember, Heavenly Father know you can. You can do it. Don't ever forget it.
Yesterday, I was asked to do a hard thing. I had to remind myself that I was among this choice generation. That Heavenly Father knows that I can do these hard things. Just like Spencer from the first video, I have learned, in times past, that I can do hard things. I can do this.
Thursday, February 2, 2012
Another cool thing
In my adventures traveling through my genealogical lines I took a little detour from the line that takes us to William the Conqueror. Eight generations into that line if I follow the mothers line instead of the fathers line, and keep going another 11 generations I come across a name that caught my eye. Lady Agnes Tansley of Hertfordshire England. Born in 1528 to Thomas Tansley and Mrs Tansley(possibly Agnes Andrews). Lady Agnes Tansley married Thomas Chandler the I. Lady Agnes Tansley is my daughter Tansley's 18th great grandmother. I also found Lady Agnes Tansley through the Campbell line so she is also Tansley's 15th great grandmother. Now, how cool is that?!
Umm...I've just discovered the coolest thing.
OK, so I didn't discover it, as in it's never been found before. But I discovered it for the first time for myself.
It all started when Kathryn asked me about our family tree because she wanted to do something with if for a heritage project that she will be doing at school. So I went straight to the Churches New Family Search website to show her that we could go back at least 15 generations on some family lines. I just started clicking randomly on a name after we went about 12 generations and before we knew it the name we were looking at was William I, King of England, The Conqueror. Now I already knew that we could trace our lineage to Royalty, I didn't know which ones for sure. Once I had hit the King of England I knew that we would be able to go back a lot farther. I never anticipated that we would find. I literally traced my blood line to Ephraim and right on through to Adam and Eve. My Patriarchal Blessing tells me that my blood line flows predominately through the blood of Ephraim, but I never imagined that I would actually physically see the link. VERY COOL.
If you are a Forsyth Relative and you want to see it for yourself here are a few key names to get you there.
Elna Bohne, Robert Cobb(married Mary Terrell), William Tyrell(married Eleanor Montague), John De Montague, Joan "of Acre", King Edward I, William I King of England the Conqueror, then I just follow the Father's line through to the end.
So I've been on the computer all morning exploring. I have come across the most interesting names. Here are a few;
Halfdan II Eysteinsson "The aged and Stingy", King of Norway (b735-d800)
Sveidi Svidrasson "The Sea King" of Noway(b705-d780)
Braut-Onund "The Cultivator, Roadmaker" of Finland (b280-d301)(there are more names form Finland)
Konung Fornjotursson of Finland (b135)
Robert II Capet "The Pios" King of France(b972-d1031)
Philip I "The Fair" King of France
Louis VI "The Fat" King of France (b1081-d1136)
Boaz of Bethlehem and Ruth of Moab
King Uzziah
1st King of Judah, Rehoboam
David ben Jesse
and one of my favorites Joseph Barnabus(born 5BC) and his wife Ruth(born 7BC and died around 61AD) of Jerusalem. This couple lived during the time of Jesus. Did they know him personally? Did they seek him out and listen to his teachings? Did they witness any of his many miracles? Did they believe? It will give me something to dream about. And lots of names to look into and learn more about. Kathryn and I are going to have so much fun putting together her Heritage project.
It all started when Kathryn asked me about our family tree because she wanted to do something with if for a heritage project that she will be doing at school. So I went straight to the Churches New Family Search website to show her that we could go back at least 15 generations on some family lines. I just started clicking randomly on a name after we went about 12 generations and before we knew it the name we were looking at was William I, King of England, The Conqueror. Now I already knew that we could trace our lineage to Royalty, I didn't know which ones for sure. Once I had hit the King of England I knew that we would be able to go back a lot farther. I never anticipated that we would find. I literally traced my blood line to Ephraim and right on through to Adam and Eve. My Patriarchal Blessing tells me that my blood line flows predominately through the blood of Ephraim, but I never imagined that I would actually physically see the link. VERY COOL.
If you are a Forsyth Relative and you want to see it for yourself here are a few key names to get you there.
Elna Bohne, Robert Cobb(married Mary Terrell), William Tyrell(married Eleanor Montague), John De Montague, Joan "of Acre", King Edward I, William I King of England the Conqueror, then I just follow the Father's line through to the end.
So I've been on the computer all morning exploring. I have come across the most interesting names. Here are a few;
Halfdan II Eysteinsson "The aged and Stingy", King of Norway (b735-d800)
Sveidi Svidrasson "The Sea King" of Noway(b705-d780)
Braut-Onund "The Cultivator, Roadmaker" of Finland (b280-d301)(there are more names form Finland)
Konung Fornjotursson of Finland (b135)
Robert II Capet "The Pios" King of France(b972-d1031)
Philip I "The Fair" King of France
Louis VI "The Fat" King of France (b1081-d1136)
Boaz of Bethlehem and Ruth of Moab
King Uzziah
1st King of Judah, Rehoboam
David ben Jesse
and one of my favorites Joseph Barnabus(born 5BC) and his wife Ruth(born 7BC and died around 61AD) of Jerusalem. This couple lived during the time of Jesus. Did they know him personally? Did they seek him out and listen to his teachings? Did they witness any of his many miracles? Did they believe? It will give me something to dream about. And lots of names to look into and learn more about. Kathryn and I are going to have so much fun putting together her Heritage project.
Wednesday, February 1, 2012
She cracks me up.
Not to long ago Kymberly came to me and we had this conversation,
Kymberly: "Mom, did you know that Mrs. Gamble doesn't live at the school? She has a real house!"
Mom: "Really? Is there somebody that does live at the school?"
Kymberly: "yes, the girl in the room with the big open window."
Mom: "Do you mean Mrs. Russell?" (Mrs. Russell is the school secretary)
Kymberly: "Yes, she is at the school all the time."
The kid cracks me up I tell you.
When I picked her up from Pre-K back in December, Mrs W, the assistant told me that that morning she had asked Kymberly to punch out some foam shapes. So Kymberly held up the foam sheet, made a fist, and started punching it. Then she said "they're not coming out!" It gave them all a chuckle. The funny thing is, she knew very well what Mrs. W meant, but being just like her dad, decided to take it literally.
The thing is, she has always been this way. She has always looked for any opportunity to make people laugh.
Today when I picked her up from Pre-K, her teacher said "Kymberly tell your mom what your prediction is for the ground hog." Kymberly replies with "I think that he maybe won't see his shadow." And that clears up everything.
What a kid.
Kymberly: "Mom, did you know that Mrs. Gamble doesn't live at the school? She has a real house!"
Mom: "Really? Is there somebody that does live at the school?"
Kymberly: "yes, the girl in the room with the big open window."
Mom: "Do you mean Mrs. Russell?" (Mrs. Russell is the school secretary)
Kymberly: "Yes, she is at the school all the time."
The kid cracks me up I tell you.
When I picked her up from Pre-K back in December, Mrs W, the assistant told me that that morning she had asked Kymberly to punch out some foam shapes. So Kymberly held up the foam sheet, made a fist, and started punching it. Then she said "they're not coming out!" It gave them all a chuckle. The funny thing is, she knew very well what Mrs. W meant, but being just like her dad, decided to take it literally.
The thing is, she has always been this way. She has always looked for any opportunity to make people laugh.
Today when I picked her up from Pre-K, her teacher said "Kymberly tell your mom what your prediction is for the ground hog." Kymberly replies with "I think that he maybe won't see his shadow." And that clears up everything.
What a kid.
Tuesday, January 31, 2012
Mothers
My 9yr old daughter has this notebook that she writes random things in. Things like lists of things to pack to go to grandma's, x and o games, notes from church, parts of talks she's working on, little doodles, and anything else that she finds interesting. It was just sitting here beside the computer so I was flipping through it's pages and then I found this statement, sprawled out on a page in the middle of nowhere.
And so it begins. I have officially moved into the "annoying Mother" category. Some how right now this just makes me laugh and love her all the more. One day, when she's 14, it will likely make me cry.
Friday, January 27, 2012
Projects inspired by Pinterest
Here are a few crafty things that the girls and I created today in preparation for Valentines day.
The heart butterfly, caterpillar and ladybug were Kathryn's idea and the heart flower was Tansley's creation.
These fuzzy pencils are for the primary. We had some pretty boring coloured pencils left over, so I brought them home and added some character to them. We will hand them out as Birthday gifts.
Now this project I have actually had bookmarked for ages, long before Pinterest ever existed. I just finally got around to making it. And I wasn't yet going to post it because I haven't added all the fun detail to it. But I'm starting to think that might never happen. So here it is. All the ones I have seen are meant to go over a card table, but we don't have one of those. What we do have is a plastic patio table that we sometimes bring in and cover with a table cloth(it is hideous, it has also doubles as our craft table and we don't bother to cover it) when we have company over for dinner and we need more seating. One day after company left and it was just sitting there, I thought to myself "that would work as a table for a play tent" so the very next day I set to work making this play tent out of some Melton wool that somebody had given to me years ago. I washed it and dried it and then did some measuring and some cutting and by the end of the night I had this cute play fort. The kids and cats can't get enough of it. It has been sitting in my living room for nearly two weeks now and gets plenty of use.
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