The 3 C’s

 Brad had to speak in another ward today and I decided to join him. It was the ward that meets just before ours so it was close and easy to do. Tenley decided to join me as well. I loved listening to Brad. He gave a great talk about how he asked for some advice from one of the patriarchs in our stake on how he keeps the spirit with him and he said he learned that he had to stay away from three things: conflict, contention, and controversy. I think we’re confronted with those things every day and the challenge is to find a peaceful way of dealing with it. We need to be peacemakers! 

Stake Conference

 We have stake conference this weekend with a visiting authority so today was pretty busy for Brad. He was at the church from 1:30-9 for meetings, the leadership session, dinner, and then the adult session. I was able to join him for the leadership session, dinner, and the adult session even though I didn’t get to sit with him for the sessions. He spoke at the leadership session about preparing ourselves for the second coming of Jesus. It was a great talk. I loved when he talked about how we need to be able to recognize the Savior when he comes again spiritually and that we need to be able to be recognized by Him spiritually. Out inward, spiritual preparation is more important than how we look outwardly. 

I also loved this thought from Sister Johnson, our mission president’s wife: “What the world needs now is love sweet love. Alma 34:28 ‘There is no better way to manifest love for God than to manifest love for your fellow men.’ David O McKay.”

It was a great night. Our kids had fun together as well. They even helped our neighbor get rid of some snakes that she found in her yard. I don’t know where Tenley got the desire to hold things like snakes! 😆 

Football with Kade

 Life has been so busy every night that when the kids had thirty minutes to play football with Kade in the backyard they were so excited! And I just heard giggles from them. Those are the best sounds to hear. I love it when they’re playing and enjoying time together in the backyard. It makes me want to cancel all of our other plans! I heard the best quote today from Elder Shumway, “We cannot overestimate the unimportance of practically everything!” I couldn’t agree more. I want to free up our lives for more family time at home.

Ryder and I did have to leave for his football game and Tenley came with me. Kade also had to leave for soccer practice. But at least we had a little bit of time all together at home!

God’s Love

 On Sunday nights I’ve started asking the kids to share how they felt God’s love the past week. Their answers have been pretty amazing and I need to do better at documenting them. We started the week of the primary program and Luke raise his hand and said, “I felt the Holy Spirit when I was singing the primary songs.” It was so sweet and genuine. I hope it helps them look for blessings every day and realize that God loves them so much.

Kade is leaving for a few days on a choir trip. We will all miss him a lot but maybe not as much as Luke will!

Children’s Faith

 We had our co op Thanksgiving party today which was a lot of fun! We played minute to win it games and the kids did such a great job. Luke and Ryder tried real hard to win the pudding challenge. It was so funny! Tenley won her kernal challenge and felt pretty dizzy afterwards!

Tonight we talked about faith while we read scriptures and I had the best conversation with my kids. I asked Luke what faith is and he wasn’t sure for a bit but I made him give me some sort of answer so he finally said, “Believing in Jesus?” I said, “Yes that’s right. Faith is believing in things we can’t see that are true. Can you see Jesus?”

“No.”

“Can you hear Jesus?”

“No.”

“Can you feel Jesus?” I have to admit I was expecting another no to this question but he said yes. I asked him when he can feel Jesus and he said it’s when he prays. Then I asked him what that feels like and he said, “Like His hand is on my back.” 

It was the sweetest conversation with Luke! I love his sweet answers and his faith! 

Ryder then taught us about the Jaredites in the Book of Mormon and how their faith was tested and how they were blessed. 

I’m so inspired by my smart kids! They taught the whole lesson tonight and they didn’t even need me!

Fear Not

 Apparently the storm in Missoula last night was more intense than I realized. Missoula is a bit of a disaster right now and the university where Kade is lost power and won’t have it back on until Saturday! His phone is dead so I haven’t been able to talk to him again but I did talk to one of the counselors there who said they have plenty of food and water and are still planning to keep FSY going as normal. I can’t wait to hear more details! I do remember asking Kade last night if he was scared at all and he said, “No mom! Fear not!” It’s his companies theme for this week and it’s a perfect one! I hope he goes through life with that mentality!

The Plan of Love

 We had a great lesson about the plan of salvation today in relief society. Our sweet teacher put up the segments of the plan and it spelled out LOVE. It was really sweet to see. It really is a plan of love! We are all really here because God loves us and wants more for us and this is our opportunity to choose to have that. 

We got to have dessert with friends tonight and she made the most delicious strawberry shortcake that I’ve ever had! I’m craving it now! Haha. But our kids had such a great time and so did we.

Seminary Graduation

 The graduating seniors from our ward had seminary graduation tonight. Brad was going so I decided to join him and I'm glad I did. Our stake president had some great words of advice for the youth, but I appreciated it as well. He gave them four things to remember: 

1. Don't think about your hair. Meaning don't be selfish and think about yourself too much...

2. Don't be afraid to commit. Keep your covenants.

3. Hold your horses! Be patient

4. Learn what it means to trust in the Lord.

It really is good advice for everyone! 

Stake Conference

We’ve had such a spiritual weekend so far and tonight just added to that. Our Stake conference session tonight was so good and filled my heart in all the good ways. People are amazing. Relying on the atonement of Jesus Christ can get us through anything. Life is precious. Seek Jesus in the temple. True disciples build, lift, and inspire. I feel so inspired to be better and do better. 

The kids were happy to kick us out tonight and play video games and watch a movie. Kade also had a basketball game this morning and played hard! I love cheering on his team!

Warm Weather

Warm weather has come back to us for a few days and I love it! I sat on the grass enjoying the sun while Luke had football practice today. It felt amazing.

School went well today. Luke and Ryder made a breakfast shake by themselves. It’s good to see them getting more independent. We had a great discussion about faith, what it is, and how to strengthen it. They always have such great comments. Reading scriptures with my kids every morning is precious and I love that we get to do that. It doesn’t even take long. I don’t know why I never made time for it before.

Ward Conference

We had ward conference at church today so I my kids and I were able to hear Brad speak. I love listening to his talks. He puts so much thought and time into his talks. Two of his employees even came to watch him which was so nice of them to be so supportive. My favorite thing he said; “In order to know the answer to the question, ‘What would Jesus do?’ We have to learn and know what Jesus did.” It’s caused me to think a lot!

We had some guests over for dinner tonight. Tenley was really helpful in getting it all set up. And we have strawberries in our garden!

Wise Words

Brad’s cousin passed away unexpectedly earlier this month. It has been so sad, but as I watched his funeral service I was so uplifted. They shared this acronym of his that he often shared with others and I haven’t stopped thinking of it since. It truly is the simple, sacred acts that we consistently repeat every day that will bring us peace, power, and perspective.

Funeral Services

I was able to watch the funeral services for Brad’s cousin over zoom this morning. It was a beautiful service and even though it is so heartbreaking the words and stories that were shared were so uplifting. The plan of happiness is real. Families are forever. And Jesus is able to help us through our struggles. His cousin loved the acronym for sacred: Simple Acts Consistently Repeated Every Day. Making time to have those sacred moments each day is important and helps bring us closer to the Lord.

Comforting Words

We were told today that Brad’s cousin died suddenly from a heart attack. He was two weeks away from turning 50 and a very fit person. We had just received a Christmas card from his wife last month. He has four kids and they are such a beautiful family. It was so shocking and so sad. But my nephew Koy who is serving a mission shared a powerful testimony in his letter about the plan of salvation. And we also heard a comforting quote about death from Gandalf on The Lord of the Rings of all places! Separation from those we love because of death hurts, but it is not the end! We will see them again.

From Elder Koy Murdock:

I got some rough news this last week and today as of an hour ago.  I'm glad I'm on a mission right now and that I don't have a lot of free time to think about it.  I was able to go out to work and focus on the Lord to where it wasn't as saddening as it usually is, but I have a strong and unbreakable testimony about the Plan of Salvation.  I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us and that whatever happens in our lives, we will all be able to reunite again someday.  I know some of us will long for that day but I promise it will come.  I know that with all my heart.  I hope you all can build your testimonies on the foundation of Jesus Christ because that is the most solid rock you will ever know.  With that being said, live everyday like it's your last.  I know everyone says that, but I invite you all to say that phrase and repeat it 3 or 5 times and say it with emotion because you might not be on this earth tomorrow.  Any impression of the Spirit that you get, you NEED to follow that before your agency comes in.  God truly knows what your life is like.  He knows you better than you know yourself.  He can help you because you don't know what's best for you.  He does.  And when you can figure that out on your own, you will live so much happier and you will be more in tune with the Spirit and I promise that as a representative of Jesus Christ.  I am forever grateful to be on a mission and that I can bring people closer to our Savior.  He's coming soon.  Many prophecies have been fulfilled so I also invite you all to repent, and come unto Him.  I love you all so much and hope that one day, we can all see each other again and share stories of our lives.

Christmas Parties

We had our church Christmas party tonight and it was really nice! The kids got to see Santa, we had a delicious dinner and a wonderful program. Tenley and Ryder sang with a few other primary kids. Kade got to play the part of a lamanote and a shepherd in the play, and I got to be an Angel. The Christmas story really seems to take on a new meaning when you’re a part of it. How we all must have sang and rejoiced at the birth of our Savior who came to redeem us all! What a wonderful night to celebrate. 

Little Burritos

We had a good Sunday! The kids practiced for their primary program that they’ll have in two weeks at church and they enjoyed that. Since it was a 5th Sunday we had a special meeting with all of the adults and were able to hear from our ward leaders about WHY they attend church and what their conversion story is. It was a spiritualy powerful meeting and I really enjoyed it. My favorite thoughts were: “I come to feel the spirit,” “I come because when you show up, blessing come,” “I come to continually work on my conversion,” “I come because I believe in the Savior’s promise of eternal families.” For me, I go to church each week because I love Jesus. I want to strengthen my relationship with Him and I know that can happen as I renew my baptismal covenants when I take the sacrament. 

Brad had an emergency patient when we got home so we didn’t see him very much today, but he did find time to twist up our little boys into burrito blankets! The loved it! 

Psalms

I have loved reading the Psalms this week. They’re so beautiful and they bring me peace. In Psalms 19:7 it says “The law of the Lord is perfect, converting the soul.” I love the thought that it’s obedience to the Lord’s laws that converts our souls. We have to do, we have to follow, in order to be converted. It doesn’t just happen. Another thought shared today at church during the lesson was that we choose to hold onto the iron rod and it is our choice to let go. No one can force us to let go or tear our hands away. It’s always a choice.

Apostolic Blessings

Kade didn’t feel well at all this morning. He would get winded half way up the stairs. I haven’t seen him this sick for this long since his stay in the ICU in Indiana. He knew he wouldn’t be able to go to his morning soccer game. We did a treatment and rested all morning hoping that he’d be better for the afternoon game. Luckily he seemed to be doing ok even though his blood oxygen levels are still around 90. So we went to the afternoon game and he played goalie the whole time. He did well and looked almost like his normal healthy self. Since this was the last game of the season, the team all went out for pizza afterward. Kade was happy to be with his team.

Brad was away in Missoula all day for a Bishop and Stake President training with Elder Gong. He had to leave at 5 am to make it in time for the 8 am meeting. And he made it back just in time for Kade’s afternoon game. He enjoyed the meeting though. One neat thing that he shared with us tonight was that at the end of the meeting Elder Gong gave them all an apostolic blessing and blessed them and their families with help to overcome any health challenges that they may be struggling with at this time. Brad’s thoughts went directly to Kade and he felt peace that Kade would get feeling better soon. It was such a sweet and tender thing to hear. I hate seeing Kade struggle in this way with his breathing and tonight after his game he really took a turn for the better. We didn’t even have to give him a treatment tonight. It was such a blessing.

Routine

I always enjoy getting back to a routine. I seriously love being out of one as well, but it is nice to be back to school. We’ve changed things up a little bit and we had our scripture/inspiration time while we had breakfast. I even made Tenley wake up early so we could all eat at the same time. We talked about our fears and the tools we can use to crush them. It was interesting to hear them talk about what scares/worries them. But I love love love giving them pep talks to help them overcome their fears and insecurities. I hope these morning talks help them in their lives.

After breakfast we all went straight downstairs to practice Cosmic Kids yoga. After yoga Kade and Tenley got ready while Ryder and I did his school together. Then we had a science lesson all together and then I had the rest of the time to just focus on Kade and Tenley and their math and English. It worked out so well. I hope we can make this more of a habit. 

Gratitude

Last Friday the Prophet shared a wonderful message about the power and gift of gratitude. For an entire week he invited us to thank our Heavenly Father in our Prayers. He also encouraged us to turn our social media feeds into a gratitude journal. It’s been really fun to do that and to see so many others doing the same thing. It’s incredible to realize all that we really do have to be grateful for. I’ve been keeping this blog as my own little personal gratitude journal for over eight years now and I’m sure I’ve found hundreds of different things in my life to be grateful for even during hard times. President Nelson’s message was so powerful and so positive. It has made my whole week. I am so grateful for gratitude.