This made me think...

Favorite Quotes...

"Be so happy that when others look at you they will become happy too".

Each time I replace the quote at the top of my blog I like to record the one I have just taken down. I love this quote and how it reminds me to be happy. Life can be so difficult sometimes and being happy isn't always the easiest choice depending on what is going on in your life. I am working really hard to be happy despite what challenges I may be facing. Being happy isn't always my first response to certain circumstances, but I have learned through many life experiences that being happy is a CHOICE. I think it is easy to have thoughts like, "oh when we buy a house, then I will be happy" or "once I am done with school I will be happy". Reaching milestones and accomplishments are definitely something to be happy about, but I have learned that life is a journey, filled with lots of happy, sad, hard, fantastic, challenging experiences and to fully enjoy life we need to find ways to find happiness in all things. Also I TRULY believe that happiness is contagious, just like a bad attitude can spread to others, so can a good one! I want to be so happy that others look at me and want to find happiness to. My life is far from perfect but I can truly say that I am very happy!

Creating Healthy Habits

I found this today and really loved it! I am trying to work hard to create healthy habits in my life and in my families life. Changing our habits sure is hard work and requires so much motivation!!!

love this...

I ABSOLUTELY loved President Uchtdorfs talk from the Relief Society session of General Conference. What an incredible talk! I LOVED how he stressed to us women that we need to be more patient with ourselves and rejoice in our "small successes". I think often times we don't pat our selves on the back enough, we work hard and although things might not always go according to OUR plans, that doesn't mean that we aren't being successful in our endeavors. Having a sweet newborn at home has really helped me to stop and smell the roses! There are so many things that I WANT to get done... decorating, gardening, cleaning, etc... but none of those things are as important as me being a good mother. It is FAR more important that I take the time to snuggle, hold, and talk to my precious baby then to have a perfectly clean house! I am so grateful for this amazing talk given by this AmAzInG man, what a blessing to have the Gospel in my life and the opportunity to hear words from our Prophet and leaders.

You can watch or read President Uchtdorfs talk here... www.lds.org

The Temple Is My Quiet Place...

{Denver, Colorado Temple}

This morning I dropped the girls off at school and Court took little man with him to the gym. I had some extra time before I had to head back to the school to help in my Kindergartners class. I decided to drive to the Temple. When I was in high school (and in college before getting married:) I would drive to the (Denver) Temple often to pray, read my scriptures, and feel closer to our Heavenly Father. The Temple has always been a place of peace for me even before I first took place in the sacred ordinances inside the Temple.

This morning I had a lot on my mind and my emotions were running high. As soon as I drove up to the Temple I instantly felt more peaceful. I parked my car and just sat in front of the Temple for a little while. Then I grabbed my jacket and decided to walk around the Temple grounds. The air was crisp but the Autumn chill felt good. As I walked around the Temple I stared up at the beautiful Mountains covered in fall colors. Tears began to fall down my face as I could feel the amazing Spirit that fills the Temple grounds, as I was circling the Temple words of encouragement and peace filled my mind. It felt as if my Father in Heaven was right there with me. I found a private spot, sat down on bench and prayed. It was a very spiritual experience for me and reminded me of how blessed I am to have the knowledge of the Gospel and of our Father in Heavens plan for his children.

I am so grateful that I took time out of my day to spend just a little time at the Temple. Even though I didn't have time to go inside, I still feel so much more peaceful from my experience today. I know that our Father in Heaven loves each of us and I am so grateful that I can have a personal relationship with him. I know he loves me, he is mindful of me, and he is there to comfort me. I am so glad I did this today, it took me back in time and reminded me of the wonderful experiences I had growing up simply just walking around the Temple and feeling the Spirit that is there.

I am also grateful for the challenges and trials of life. I know that Heavenly Father does not give us any trial that we can not handle. I am grateful that trials remind me of who I am and what I stand for. I know that Heavenly Father knows each of us, he loves us, and he wants to have a personal relationship with us.

To learn more about my faith please visit www.mormon.org

Wow!

Tonight I had the privilege of going to a class taught by Charles Marcus, a motivational speaker who has overcome all odds. The class was absolutely phenomenal, I don't even know how to put into words how amazing this man is! I am so happy with my decision to transfer to Taylor Andrews Hair Academy to finish my schooling and I am so grateful that our owner Larry Curtis cares so much about his students that he will bring amazing guest speakers like this to come speak to us! If you or anyone you know has ever considered a career in the Beauty Industry, I HIGHLY suggest attending Taylor Andrews. Before moving back to Utah I attended what I thought was a good school in Kansas City, but it doesn't hold a candle to the education and opportunities I have been given at Taylor Andrews. I feel like I am getting so much more than just the stereotypical 'beauty school education' and I am loving it!!

Tonight while listening to Charles Marcus I took 5 pages of notes, seriously he was amazing! Charles suffers from a very serious stuttering speech impediment that for a good portion of his life caused him to have very low self esteem. Through lots of hard work and dedication he now speaks very well and is a motivational speaker all over the world! Here are a few of the things he said that REALLY spoke to me personally...

"Negative people will rain on your parade because they have no parade of their own."

"If you think education is expensive, try ignorance!" *Be a sponge *Be a life long learner

"Successful people never forget where they came from."

"Great intentions mean absolutely nothing until they are put into action."

"You make a living by what you get, you make a life by what you give."

"Fear can be paralyzing, learn to overcome fear. Fear is a reaction, courage is a decision."

"If you don't respect yourself first, how do you expect others to?"

"The more you give, the more you get."

"You are only as successful as the dreams you dare to live."

"Life isn't about deserve, it is about desire."

"Goals in writing are dreams with deadlines." -Brian Tracy

"When life gets tough, dig down deep."

"If you want to soar with the eagles you can't hang out with the turkeys."

I could seriously just keep going and going! I absolutely LOVE going to classes like this. I love the way I feel when I leave, I love the feeling of being motivated to be a better me!! More importantly I don't want to just feel this motivated after hearing a great speaker like Charles, I want to really learn from the things these people have to say and apply them to my life daily. I think that all of these quotes above could be applied in multiple aspects of our lives. There are so many different areas of my life that I want to improve on, being a better mother and wife, being more faithful in my religion and relationship with my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ, being a better friend, being healthier, being more organized, etc, etc..... One of the things that Charles talked about that I also loved was that he said, "Set large goals, but take small steps getting there." I LOVE that because I often set these HUGE goals for myself, then I get really overwhelmed and completely give up. Taking things one step at a time, slowing down but keeping your eye on the big picture is so important if you want to be successful in life! It isn't about coming in first, it is about finishing the race :). I can't wait to read his book, Success Is Not A Spectator Sport!

I Love This Blog...

Recently found this VERY fun blog called Design Dazzle, such a cute blog with TONS of great ideas for birthday parties, kids rooms, etc... Make sure you check it out ;)http://www.designdazzle.blogspot.com/

Tomorrow I am having a carnival birthday party for my oldest daughter and I got so many fun ideas from this blog!

{CAN NOT BELIEVE my little princess is EIGHT!!! Pictures to come...}

Material Diaries

My cute and sassy friend, Mimi (from hair school) started a fun new blog, http://www.materialdiaries.blogspot.com/, it is all about fashion, make-up, and hair, CHECK IT OUT!

Blog Envy (do you know what I'm talking about?)

Someone made a comment to me the other day that really got me thinking! She mentioned how she had been struggling in her marriage, she was trying to stay close to her friends and not alienate herself during this difficult time, but she mentioned how it was really hard because all of her friends lives "seem" so perfect. In this crazy world of blogging, facebook, etc... we often times think, "WOW, look how great THEIR life looks". We see friends blogs and pictures of their families and at times start to feel less adequate, like they have it better than us. I think that most of us at some point have thought, "gee, the grass sure looks greener on the other side."


I found this quote today and loved it...

"When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, I start watering my own lawn."

~Unknown

How great is that quote! I completely agree with it. When the grass looks greener on the other side of the fence, is it going to do 'our grass' any good to sit there and stare at our neighbors? We've got to focus on nurturing our own lives, accepting our shortcomings, work on improving them, and acknowledge our strengths, accomplishments, and blessings!

So here are some confessions about my life (one's generally not shared on my blogs;)

1. My brown hair in the picture above is now my natural color, I was blonde as a kid, but the older I get and the more babies I have the darker my hair gets (currently my hair is blonde, hehe:)

2. I am far from having it "all together", FAR!!!

3. I am not rich, but I am rich in the things that matter most

4. I don't have a perfect marriage and I am not the perfect wife or mother

5. I often struggle with daily reading my scriptures and praying (but I am making big improvements in this area)

6. I swear, yep, I try not to do it too often or in front of my kids, but I have been known to throw down some not so lady like language when I am mad or frustrated (p.s. I HATE the "f" word, but sadly will admit that I have said it once or twice)

7. It is 11am, I am still in my pj's (although that isn't usually the case), my sink is full of dirty dishes, and my kitchen floor really needs to be swept

8. I have loads of laundry calling my name!!! Laundry to wash, laundry wet needing to be dried, laundry that needs to be folded, and laundry that needs to be put away (usually my husband does the laundry but he is so busy with work lately that he just doesn't have time, so it is my chore for now, YAY me)

9. I weigh 10 pounds more than I would like to, I don't love to work out, but I do love how great working out makes me feel, my biggest problem is my SERIOUS SWEET TOOTH!!!

10. There are times that I think the grass looks greener on the other side while looking at others lives, but I am learning that we ALL have our struggles and trials, no one is perfect no matter how perfect things might appear

{Just some of my thoughts from today!}

Brittany

Another Family In Need!!!!!

I'm sure many of you that are from Utah or have family here have heard about the accident in the Nutty Putty Caves on Thanksgiving. A young man, John Jones was exploring the caves and got stuck in a very small spot upside down and was unable to free him self. For I believe over 24 hours emergency response teams from all over the Salt Lake and Utah County areas tried to free this man, sadly it was much too difficult and dangerous to free him and he passed away. John leaves behind his wife Emily, a baby girl, and a baby on the way.

Stephanie from the blog, http://www.adailyscoop.blogspot.com/ is holding an online auction to raise money for this young window, make sure to check it out! You can also helping by going to Wells Fargo and donating to the Emily Jones Memorial Fund.

You can read more about John Jones and his family HERE!

Our family, like lots of other families are having to be cautious this Christmas season due to the economy, but every little bit does help, and the little bit of extra I can come up with will go to help both this family and the family I posted about earlier today:). Giving is TRULY what Christmas is ALL about, I have been blessed with a home, a good job for my husband, food to eat, the Gospel, a healthy family, and my list could go on and on. I know that there are a few things I can scratch off my Christmas lists so that I can give to these families in need instead!

Liver For Lulu (please check this out)

I recieved an email today from a friend asking for help for her best friends daughter. This friends baby girl has a liver disease and this family is in need of help!!! You can check out her blog at...

http://www.liverforlulu.blogspot.com/

Being the Christmas season what a perfect time for us to GIVE!!! THIS Thursday December 3rd friends and family are having a boutique in honor of this precious little girl and her family to raise money for her medical expenses. So COME, SHOP, find some great Christmas gifts and support this darling family!!!

Cranberry Farms Club House
2400 West 2400 North
Lehi, Utah
Thursday December 3rd, 2009
3-9pm

There will be over 20 different vendors at the event...
Chic Boutique Jeans
Close to my heart scrapbooking
Glitter toes
Layers
It's sew cute (girls clothing)
Usborne Books
Pampered chef
Swanky hats
Scentcy
Cookie Lee Jewlery
Feel beautiful hair products
Watches
Photography
Bows & Hats
Vinyl
Baby Bedding & MORE!!!

LoVe this BLOG....

I foung this very fun blog tonight and thought I would share, this women is BURSTING with creative ideas! Check it out, you won't be disapointed :)

www.meandmyinsanity.blogspot.com

I have a feeling I will be visiting her blog often for fun, creative ideas!!!

{Nienie, you are my hero}

Since my blog is focused around "inspiration", I wanted to do a post specifically about one very incredible women who has inspired me in ways I don't even know how to adequately express. I'm SURE many (or most) of you have heard of Stephanie Nielson and her blog the nienie dialogues. If you HAVEN'T heard of her (or of her family) this is one story YOU MUST READ! It is the most beautiful story of love, peace, and hope.

I started reading Nienie's blog over a year ago. My cute friend Tara had been reading her blog and shared it with me. My oldest daughter was about to start Kindergarten and like most mothers I was having some very mixed emotions about my little princess being old enough to go to school! Tara had told me about a post that Nienie had recently done about a 'Back to School Feast' in honor of her daughters starting the new school year. No detail was left out in Nienie's dinner honoring her daughters. The table was decorated to a "T" with her most beautiful dishes, home made crowns were made for the girls to wear, they toasted to the new year, and even had a fashion show. As I read this post about this fabulous feast, I thought, "this is my kind of women". I was immediately intrigued by Nienie. As I continued to read more and more of Nienie's blog I soon discovered that she is not only an incredible mother, but she has an incredible testimony of the Gospel, she is madly in love with her husband, she's got spunk & sas (which I love), and she has her priorities right where they NEED to be. WHO wouldn't want to be like her?

Shortly after I started reading her blog, Nienie and her husband were in a plane crash and were both seriously injured. I was in total shock. It is so unbelievable how in a blink of an eye life can change so quickly. I continued to follow Nienie's story of recovery through her sisters blog, cjane (who is equally as delightful). I didn't realize last year when I just happened upon Nienie's blog, that her story, her families story, would change my life. I have prayed for this family, I have fasted for this family, and I have shed many, many tears while following their story. I have been deeply touched by their powerful messages of strength, courage, and faith. I don't even know how to put into words the impact this beautiful story has had on my life. I know that Heavenly Father lead me to this story to help me through my own trials, to help me re-focus my life on WHAT REALLY MATTERS, to put my life into better perspective and to strengthen my testimony. What an incredible GIFT!

Last year was our first year doing OUR back to school FEAST for our children. We made yummy food, invited great friends to join us, set goals for the year, had a rockin' fashion show, and then finished our evening with Priesthood Blessings given by the Fathers. It was so much fun and a tradition that we will carry on throughout our children's school years. Sadly school started today and we have not yet had our 2009 'Back To School Feast'. Our family has just moved and my husband is still working out of state, but AS SOON as he is HOME with us we will have our feast, I can hardly wait, the plans are already being made, and they kids are so excited!

With Love,

Brittany

*** To Nienie, you may never read this, but I wanted to Thank You for the amazing women that you are. You are truly a treasure, an instrument in Gods hands. Congratulations on climbing the "Y", WHAT an accomplishment! You are such a beautiful daughter of our Heavenly Father, both INSIDE AND OUT!

Our Homes, Sanctuaries from the World

I recieved this "family gems" email in my inbox today. It actually happened to be just what I needed to hear at that exact moment. Life has been a bit stressful lately, I know most people know what that is like :), I really need to work on staying calmer and working hard to always have our home be a place where the Spirit can dwell! I am grateful to a loving Heavenly Father who always ever so gently puts me in my place, I have some apologizing to do, to my husband that is, poor guy seems to always get the wrong end of the stick when I am in a bad mood. I'm sorry babe, I love you so much, I especially love that you love me even when I am grumpy!!

I came across this lovely blog a few days ago that I wanted to share. It is called

JOYS OF HOME. I really love this blog because the woman who the blog belongs to is so creative, she spends very little money making her home a beautiful place, and she inspires me to try harder to make my home a Sanctuary from the World for my family.

Enjoy!

~Brittany

Does Your Home Have a Place for Gospel Priorities?

“Imagine that you are opening your front door and walking inside your home. What do you see, and how do you feel? Is it a place of love, peace, and refuge from the world, as is the temple? Is it clean and orderly? As you walk through the rooms of your home, do you see uplifting images which include appropriate pictures of the temple and the Savior? Is your bedroom or sleeping area a place for personal prayer? Is your gathering area or kitchen a place where food is prepared and enjoyed together, allowing uplifting conversation and family time? Are scriptures found in a room where the family can study, pray, and learn together? Can you find your personal gospel study space? Does the music you hear or the entertainment you see, online or otherwise, offend the Spirit? Is the conversation uplifting and without contention? That concludes our tour. Perhaps you, as I, found a few spots that need some ‘home improvement’—hopefully not an ‘extreme home makeover.’ ”

“Whether our living space is large or small, humble or extravagant, there is a place for each of these gospel priorities in each of our homes."

65th Anniversary of D-day

Tonight as I was flipping the channels, I unintentionally made my way to C-Span, not a usual for me. When my children watch tv it is almost always on the Disney channel, and I am more of an hgtv kind of girl. Well as I saw what was on, I was immediately drawn in, it was a memorial for the 65th Anniversary of D-day. Something that most of my friends and family don't know about me is my fascination with history, it was by far my favorite subject in school. Someday when I go back to finish my degree I would love the opportunity to take many history classes. D-day holds a special place in my heart because both of my grandfathers are veterans and served in World War II. My dads father, Verdon, served in the Navy, as far as I know he was not near by when they stormed the beaches of Normandy, but non the less he left his home and his family as a 20 (something) year old man to serve his country. What a honor to know that my grandfather selflessly served the United States and the world in the effort to bring world peace and to stop the inhumanity that was taking place in Europe. My mom's father, Vernon served in the Army, he was there the day they stormed the beaches, he took place in that amazing sacrifice, and selflessly risked his life in the name of freedom. Once as a child I had to write a paper on D-day, so I called my grandfather (who has now passed away) to ask him questions about his experience there. My grandfather (who had a very tender heart, no doubt some of his emotions came from the events witnessed in World War II) wept into the phone as he described some of the things he had the unfortunate opportunity of experiencing. There were certain things that were to painful for him to even talk about. Ever since that experience with my grandfather I have a very special place in my heart for those that have served bravely in the armed forces. I can't even begin to understand the sacrifice! My grandfather was married when he served in World War II, in June of 1944 his oldest daughter was one year old, imagine what my grandmother endured while he was away. The not-knowing if you husband was going to live or die must have been excruciating for her. Having to raise and provide for a child as a young mother alone must have been such a trial. I am so grateful for the blessing of Freedom. I think often times it is easy to take our Freedoms here in the U.S.A. for granted. I salute all those that have served and defended our Country, you are truly hero's!!

HBO "Big Love" controversy...

I have received TONS of emails in regards to HBO's upcoming episode that is going to depict Temple ceremonies of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I wanted to share the article written by the leaders of our Church in regards to this situation. I believe that our Church leaders are handling this in the most Christ like and appropriate way possible.

This is so upsetting to members of the LDS Church because our Temples are so sacred to us. Temples are places we go to to feel closer to our Father in Heaven and to make sacred covenants with him. We believe that Temples are some of the holiest places on earth. It is very upsetting to think that a TV station is going to air on national television ceremonies that we consider to be so special and personal. I think what is equally upsetting is that HBO does not have their facts straight. HBO's show 'Big Love', is NOT a show about the LDS(Mormon) Faith and the ceremonies that they are wanting to show will not be accurate. I encourage everyone, LDS or not to please send a response to HBO asking them to NOT air this show. It is incredibly disrespectful to our Faith. I am so sad that HBO is planning to air this episode, I feel that it is so inappropriate and unprofessional on their part. I hope that through our responses we can help them to change their minds.

Please click HERE to contact HBO and share your opinion with them on why this episode should not be aired!

With Love,
Brittany

Response From The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints...
SALT LAKE CITY 9 March 2009

Like other large faith groups, The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints sometimes finds itself on the receiving end of attention from Hollywood or Broadway, television series or books, and the news media. Sometimes depictions of the Church and its people are quite accurate. Sometimes the images are false or play to stereotypes. Occasionally, they are in appallingly bad taste.

As Catholics, Jews and Muslims have known for centuries, such attention is inevitable once an institution or faith group reaches a size or prominence sufficient to attract notice. Yet Latter-day Saints – sometimes known as Mormons - still wonder whether and how they should respond when news or entertainment media insensitively trivialize or misrepresent sacred beliefs or practices.

Church members are about to face that question again. Before the first season of the HBO series Big Love aired more than two years ago, the show’s creators and HBO executives assured the Church that the series wouldn’t be about Mormons. However, Internet references to Big Love indicate that more and more Mormon themes are now being woven into the show and that the characters are often unsympathetic figures who come across as narrow and self-righteous. And according to TV Guide, it now seems the show’s writers are to depict what they understand to be sacred temple ceremonies.

Certainly Church members are offended when their most sacred practices are misrepresented or presented without context or understanding. Last week some Church members began e-mail chains calling for cancellations of subscriptions to AOL, which, like HBO, is owned by Time Warner. Certainly such a boycott by hundreds of thousands of computer-savvy Latter-day Saints could have an economic impact on the company. Individual Latter-day Saints have the right to take such actions if they choose.

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints as an institution does not call for boycotts. Such a step would simply generate the kind of controversy that the media loves and in the end would increase audiences for the series. As Elder M. Russell Ballard and Elder Robert D. Hales of the Council of the Twelve Apostles have both said recently, when expressing themselves in the public arena, Latter-day Saints should conduct themselves with dignity and thoughtfulness.
Not only is this the model that Jesus Christ taught and demonstrated in his own life, but it also reflects the reality of the strength and maturity of Church members today. As someone recently said, “This isn’t 1830, and there aren’t just six of us anymore.” In other words, with a global membership of thirteen and a half million there is no need to feel defensive when the Church is moving forward so rapidly. The Church’s strength is in its faithful members in 170-plus countries, and there is no evidence that extreme misrepresentations in the media that appeal only to a narrow audience have any long-term negative effect on the Church.

Examples:
During the Mitt Romney election campaign for the presidency of the United States, commentator Lawrence O’Donnell hurled abuse at the Church in a television moment that became known among many Church members as “the O’Donnell rant.” Today, his statements are remembered only as a testament to intolerance and ignorance. They had no effect on the Church that can be measured.
When the comedy writers for South Park produced a gross portrayal of Church history, individual Church members no doubt felt uncomfortable. But once again it inflicted no perceptible or lasting damage to a church that is growing by at least a quarter of a million new members every year.

When an independent film company produced a grossly distorted version of the Mountain Meadows Massacre two years ago, the Church ignored it. Perhaps partly as a result of that refusal to engender the controversy that the producers hoped for, the movie flopped at the box office and lost millions.

In recent months, some gay activists have barraged the media with accusations about “hateful” attitudes of Latter-day Saints in supporting Proposition 8 in California, which maintained the traditional definition of marriage. They even organized a protest march around the Salt Lake Temple. Again, the Church has refused to be goaded into a Mormons versus gays battle and has simply stated its position in tones that are reasonable and respectful. Meanwhile, missionary work and Church members in California remain as robust and vibrant as ever, and support for the Church has come from many unexpected quarters — including some former critics and other churches.

Now comes another series of Big Love, and despite earlier assurances from HBO it once again blurs the distinctions between The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and the show’s fictional non-Mormon characters and their practices. Such things say much more about the insensitivities of writers, producers and TV executives than they say about Latter-day Saints.
If the Church allowed critics and opponents to choose the ground on which its battles are fought, it would risk being distracted from the focus and mission it has pursued successfully for nearly 180 years. Instead, the Church itself will determine its own course as it continues to preach the restored gospel of Jesus Christ throughout the world.

Please Pray for Gracie - she needs a miracle!!

*** You can find the link to Gracie's blog on the side bar, Gracie and her family are in desperate need of our prayers tonight, baby Gracie had heart transplant surgery today, in the beginning things were looking very good, but tonight things have taken a turn for the worst and they are now unsure of her future.***

Please keep Baby Gracie and her family in your PRAYERS, if we all come together in PRAYER I know that MIRACLES can happen!!

Lift Where You Stand

Today at Church it was as if each talk and lesson was specifically for me. We have had some things happen the past week that have been really difficult to deal with and this morning I was struggling with even wanting to be at Church. I really can't ever remember a time other than today that I seriously DID NOT want to be at Church. It was such an awful feeling. I KNOW that is where I was suppose to be and I am so glad that I went despite of the feelings that I was having.

In Sacrament meeting today the subject was, 'Controlling Your Thoughts'. It is so easy for each of us to have thoughts of all different kinds pop into our head with out even really meaning for them to be there. Until today I guess I had never really thought about WHY different thoughts pop in our head. One of the speakers mentioned that often times it isn't us putting those thoughts there at all, it is Satan. He wants us to be unhappy, so it would make since that he would try to place thoughts in our minds that would cause us to feel sadness. She gave some great examples of what some of these thoughts might be. Honestly how many of us have ever had a thought like, 'Wow (so in so) is such a good mom, I am not as good of a mom as she is' or 'She is so pretty, why am I not that pretty'. I know that I have had similar thoughts to those and really I always just thought those types of thoughts were coming from my own insecurities when in actuality Satan is placing those types of thoughts in our minds. The speakers also touched on how important it is that we control our thoughts because ultimately our thoughts control our actions. When we have a bad thought we need to immediately replace it with a good thought. One speaker suggested singing your favorite hymn to your self whenever a bad thought comes to your mind. I am very grateful that this was the subject in Sacrament today, I really need to work on controlling some of my thoughts that are causing me to feel unhappy, I may not be able to control the trials I will face in my life, but I can control how I let them effect me.

Normally I don't get the opportunity to go to Relief Society, but I was able to go today and we had such a great lesson. The lesson was 'Lift Where You Stand'. I was actually on my way to my car right before Relief Society started, my little man was so tired so I was going to drive him around the parking lot a few times until he fell asleep, well as I was headed to my car I realized that it was a friend of mine giving the lesson so I thought, 'ok well I will just go in for a few minutes and see how he does.' The sweet little guy must of some how known how much his mama needed to hear that lesson because he made it through 3/4 of the lesson before we had to leave. It is so important that we work hard to 'Lift Wear We Stand' in whatever it is, wither it be our marriages, motherhood/parenthood, magnifying our callings, etc... We need to ALWAYS try to do our very best in all that we do in life. I know for my self that it is very easy for me to get discouraged and think that I can't do certain things, but if we put our trust in the Lord ALL things are possible. The Lord will help us to fulfill the challenges he has given us, he will help strengthen us, and we can 'Lift Where We Stand' when we have him as a companion in all that we do.

I am so grateful that I made the choice to go to Church today, it wasn't easy for me and it truly made me so sad that I was feeling the way I did. I know that my Father in Heaven wanted me to be there today, there were messages given that I NEEDED to hear. I feel so incredibly blessed to be a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints, my faith in the gospel is the foundation of who I am and without it I would be so lost.

With love-
Brittany

Please Pray for Gracie

My husbands cousin has a BEAUTIFUL baby girl, Gracie that NEEDS our prayers. If you go to the side bar and click on "Gracie" it will take you to her blog where you can read all about this amazing baby girl and the trials her and her family have been facing. Gracie was born with a sever heart defect and has over come ALL odds, she is absolutely a MIRACLE.

Gracie and her family NEED our prayers at this time!! I have a very strong testimony of the power of prayer and I know that if WE pray with FAITH, that our prayers can help this family to cope during this difficult time.

Humbled

{Two posts in one day, look at me go!!}


Recently my husband signed up to receive a daily inspirational email from our Church. I thought that I would share a few that I have read recently and have really left an impression on me. Our family is going through a difficult time right now, as I know MANY other families are. The economy has taken a toll on so many and it is easy to get discouraged when things don't seem to be going your way. We live in scary times, not only are people loosing their jobs, but all throughout the world there is turmoil of all kinds. I truly believe that we are living in the last days. With all that is going on I can't help but think about what the future will be like for my children. What kind of world will they live in? What trials will they face? Will I be able to protect them? The more I have thought about what is to come I have realized that this is all part of our Heavenly Fathers plan and that gives me peace in these troubled times. Of course he does not want these terrible things to be happening all over the world to HIS CHILDREN, but these things that are happening are SIGNS that the SECOND COMING of our SAVIOR JESUS CHRIST is NEAR. When will the Savior return, I don't know. But what I DO KNOW is that I AM GOING TO BE READY! I want to be worthy to kneel at the Saviors feet and show my love and gratitude to him for the precious gift of the ATONEMENT that he freely gave the world. I believe that Satan is DOUBLING his efforts, we wants us to fail. He is doing all he can to tear apart families because families are the core of our existence. If he can tear apart families, he can tear apart Nations. Satan has declared war on ALL that is good in this world. He does not want us to be happy, he does not want us to follow our Heavenly Fathers plan so that we can return to our Father in Heavens presence. He wants us to fail. I will NOT let him win. I am willing to do all that I possibly can to do what is RIGHT and live a Christ-like life because I WANT more than ANYTHING to be with my FAMILY FOREVER. I KNOW that families are ETERNAL, that this life is but a moment in our existence, but that it is in this life that we make the choices that will determine our future in the next life!

If you are going through a difficult time in your life I hope that you can find peace in knowing that if you do all that you are capable of to live a life that is pleasing unto the Lord and are willing to completely put your Faith in him that the Lord WILL provide a way. Often times we don't recieve blessings until after the TRIAL of our FAITH. The road may not always be easy, but when we turn our lives over to the Lord, He WILL BLESS US!

I am HUMBLED by the things I do not know, I don't know exactly what the Lord has in store for me, but I know that I am willing to do all that he asks of me because I have FAITH in HIM!

May these stories touch you as they have touched me...


Rich in Things That Matter

"Like so many young people do, when I was young I occasionally dreamed of being rich and famous. I am now grateful that that dream was not realized. My understanding of what success really is has changed over the years of my life. It began to change on my first mission to Brazil over 45 years ago."One day, my companion and I went out to visit a poor sister who was widowed. In those days there were no stakes or wards in Brazil, only mission districts and branches. Sometimes missionaries looked after the members."Finally, we arrived at a humble home in a very isolated area. This home had a dirt floor and open windows without any glass. The wind and the flies could come right through. Never before in my life had I been in a home where people live with open windows and a dirt floor. Despite this, the house was clean and neat, curtains were hung, and the boards on the inside of the house were whitewashed. Despite being primitive, the home had a cozy feeling about it. We asked after this poor widow's health and well-being. She seemed quite happy and contented. We then began to have something of a gospel lesson. She participated freely. We thought that we were the teachers, but it soon became apparent that she knew more than we did. Her faith was deep, and her knowledge of the great eternal truths of where we came from, who we are, and where we are going was very profound."I had my eyes opened. It was astonishing to hear this sister in these humble circumstances explain the great purposes of God in the grand scheme of the earth and its creation. I was reminded about what James said in his great epistle: 'Hath not God chosen the poor of this world rich in faith, and heirs of the kingdom which he hath promised to them that love him?' (James 2:5). . . ."This poor widow on the outskirts of São Paulo made the most of her straitened circumstances—circumstances that could not easily be changed. She realized that she should not make her life miserable by wishing it were otherwise. We ought always to try to improve on the things that can be improved, but there are some circumstances that cannot be changed. This impoverished woman enjoyed her independence, and she owed no one any money. She was industrious and thrifty. She crocheted beautiful cloths which were sold in the city to satisfy her simple wants, but she was not poor in spirit. She was rich in the things that really matter."From that experience many years ago, I learned much. I am persuaded that this humble widow who lived in a house with a dirt floor and no panes in the window is an heir to the exaltation of God."


Understanding the Character and Designs of God

"In a discourse given before thousands in Nauvoo in April 1844, the Prophet Joseph Smith spoke about the importance of starting out with a correct understanding of the character and designs of God. He stated, 'If we start right, it is easy to go right all the time; but if we start wrong we may go wrong, and it will be a hard matter to get right' (History of the Church, 6:303). As we consider what is ahead for ourselves, our families, and for the kingdom of God, do we fully comprehend the designs of God for our lives?"In 1920, Brother Marion G. Romney attended a Fremont Stake conference in the Rexburg Tabernacle. My grandfather, Elder Melvin J. Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, was the presiding authority. Because Brother Romney was twenty-three years of age and the financial circumstances of his family were very difficult, he had not contemplated serving a full-time mission. Years later, on 15 October 1963, Elder Romney explained his experience:" 'At the time I graduated, I planned to go in the fall to the University of Idaho. It was my intention to play basketball and football and prepare to be a coach. In late August, I attended a stake conference [and] sat on the front row at the east end of the choir seats directly north of the pulpit. As I listened intently with my eyes fixed on [Elder Melvin J. Ballard's] profile, there came to me by the power of the Spirit an irresistible urgency to go on a mission. There and then I abandoned my plans for a coaching career. In November I left for a mission to Australia' (address given at a Ricks College devotional, 15 Oct. 1963)."Elder Romney, en route to Australia, came to Salt Lake City, where my grandfather set him apart as a missionary. Grandfather gave Elder Romney counsel and said, among other things, 'One never gives a crust to the Lord without receiving a loaf in return' (quoted in F. Burton Howard, Marion G. Romney: His Life and Faith, Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1988, p. 66). Marion G. Romney never forgot that phrase."
M. Russell Ballard, "Anchored by Faith and Commitment," Ensign, July 1995, 12, 14