I am so grateful for my testimony.
I haven't planned an order for, or even a list of what will be included on, this gratitude list. It is in no particular order. But I suppose that if I had to put my list in order, this would be first. If I lost everything else on my list (even my family), it is my testimony that I would CLING to. It would be the only thing that could bring me any form of comfort. I've not been asked to sacrifice too much yet in my life. I have had trials and things to sacrifice, but when put into perspective, I've still had it pretty easy. I think that means that this is the time for me to be strengthening my testimony, so that when truly trying times come around, that testimony will be strong enough to get me through.
My testimony is about a lot of things, but it can be summed up by saying that I know the Gospel of Jesus Christ is true. I know that to some, that may be an impossible statement; how can one really "know". But I do. I can't prove it, but in my heart, I know it is true. Because I know the gospel is true, I believe a lot of things that I don't have knowledge of. I'm working on strengthening my faith so that those things become knowledge to me, too. Not because I will ever have proof or see for myself, but because at some point when you have experience after experience telling you it's true, it becomes enough.
I know God lives. I know He loves us. I know that while He is all-powerful, He is also kind, considerate, and generous. He is the perfect parent. And as an imperfect parent, I know that means He loves beyond what I can imagine. So, I know I can trust Him. He is my Heavenly Father and He wants me to be happy. Even if it means I have to experience things I don't want at the time. Just like I make my kids eat heathy foods or go to bed on time, because I know those things are important for their health.
I also know that the Holy Bible and the Book of Mormon are true and testify of Jesus Christ. I know that studying the words of Christ, and the words of prophets as they testify of Chrsit, are important ways that we can strengthen our relationship with God and Christ. For me, that is important because since I know they want what is best for me, I want to make sure my life is aligned with their will. I want my choices to be ones that they would have me make. I choose to follow them. The scriptures, especially the Book of Mormon, help me to do that.
Those two things (knowing God lives and loves me and knowing that the scriptures, including the Book of Mormon, are true) are critical in the rest of my testimony. Because I feel so strongly about my testimony of God and His scriptures, I believe all of the things they teach me, even if I don't always understand. And it gives me the strength to obey and live according to those things.
In times of trial or uncertainty, my testimony becomes even more essential. It seems that life continually becomes more and more trying and uncertain, and therefore, my testimony has become increasingly more essential to me. I don't ever see that changing. In fact, I'm determined to make sure it never does. :)
Friday, November 4, 2011
Thursday, November 3, 2011
A Month of Thanksgiving Day 3
School. When you're a kid, you don't like it. But when you grow up and realize that without it you wouldn't be able to be anyone or go anywhere, and you start to realize it wasn't such a bad idea afterall.
As a mom, I look at school much differently than I did when I was a kid. I understand a little better now how important it is, and also what a blessing it is for us to have such easy access to it. I realize now that really, US schools provide good, but not great, education. I had no idea, until I was older, that some countries require their students to learn so much more than we had to! But I did know that there were some countries that didn't provide any public education, so I knew we were supposedly "lucky" to "get" to go to school. ;)
I really like the schools that my girls are in. The teachers care. They make learning fun! The principal gets hands on with the kids and the kids know that she cares. The schools and teachers are doing their best (despite budget cuts) to provide as much as they can for the students, not just with acadmics, but extra-curricluar activities as well. In the grade school, teachers volunteer to stay after to teach classes on subjects like: dance, photography, computers, magic, track, etc. Just so the kids can have a little extra out of their school experience. It is free for the kids, and as far as I know, the teachers are not being paid for that time. I also love that music continues to be a strong focus, beginning in grade school. Without the music program, Cadi wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn violin. She wouldn't have had the experience of performing in an orchestra, working under a conductor, learning how to add one element to a whole to create something beautiful that none of them could have done alone.
When my kids go to school, I don't worry about their safety. I trust where they are and who they are with. I have appreciated that the teachers have always been interested in challenging my girls. I've been blessed with smart kids; they have (so far) always been at the top of their class in nearly every subject. It would be easy for them to be put to the side as other students were more concentrated on, but instead, the teachers have been great to find ways to challenge my kids, too. It means extra work, but it also means that they continue to progress, learn, and grow. Often, it has given them the chance to do something they wouldn't have thought to do. One year, Acadia was asked to participate in a young author's conference. She had to write a short story, completely seperate from her other class assignments. Another year, she was asked to tutor one of her classmates in math. I am glad that my girls' teachers expect them to perform according to their own abilities, not just at the "grade level". As a result, Acadia tests more than 3 years above her grade in most subjects. And Rori is aready testing a year ahead in some of hers. I know a lot of it is that they just are bright girls that grasp concepts easily. But also, I think it is due to good teachers who care about each individual students' growth, and good schools that allow for that kind of teaching.
And yes, I have learned to really enjoy school days for my own selfish reasons, too! lol Peace, quiet, a chance to get something done and for it to stay done for a few hours, freedom to run errands or go to the store without worrying about dragging along someone who wants everything they see, going to lunch with my husband on occasion, going to the temple or visiting teaching without worrying about needing a sitter first... yeah, school is pretty awesome. ;)
And today, I am very grateful for it. :)
As a mom, I look at school much differently than I did when I was a kid. I understand a little better now how important it is, and also what a blessing it is for us to have such easy access to it. I realize now that really, US schools provide good, but not great, education. I had no idea, until I was older, that some countries require their students to learn so much more than we had to! But I did know that there were some countries that didn't provide any public education, so I knew we were supposedly "lucky" to "get" to go to school. ;)
I really like the schools that my girls are in. The teachers care. They make learning fun! The principal gets hands on with the kids and the kids know that she cares. The schools and teachers are doing their best (despite budget cuts) to provide as much as they can for the students, not just with acadmics, but extra-curricluar activities as well. In the grade school, teachers volunteer to stay after to teach classes on subjects like: dance, photography, computers, magic, track, etc. Just so the kids can have a little extra out of their school experience. It is free for the kids, and as far as I know, the teachers are not being paid for that time. I also love that music continues to be a strong focus, beginning in grade school. Without the music program, Cadi wouldn't have had the opportunity to learn violin. She wouldn't have had the experience of performing in an orchestra, working under a conductor, learning how to add one element to a whole to create something beautiful that none of them could have done alone.
When my kids go to school, I don't worry about their safety. I trust where they are and who they are with. I have appreciated that the teachers have always been interested in challenging my girls. I've been blessed with smart kids; they have (so far) always been at the top of their class in nearly every subject. It would be easy for them to be put to the side as other students were more concentrated on, but instead, the teachers have been great to find ways to challenge my kids, too. It means extra work, but it also means that they continue to progress, learn, and grow. Often, it has given them the chance to do something they wouldn't have thought to do. One year, Acadia was asked to participate in a young author's conference. She had to write a short story, completely seperate from her other class assignments. Another year, she was asked to tutor one of her classmates in math. I am glad that my girls' teachers expect them to perform according to their own abilities, not just at the "grade level". As a result, Acadia tests more than 3 years above her grade in most subjects. And Rori is aready testing a year ahead in some of hers. I know a lot of it is that they just are bright girls that grasp concepts easily. But also, I think it is due to good teachers who care about each individual students' growth, and good schools that allow for that kind of teaching.
And yes, I have learned to really enjoy school days for my own selfish reasons, too! lol Peace, quiet, a chance to get something done and for it to stay done for a few hours, freedom to run errands or go to the store without worrying about dragging along someone who wants everything they see, going to lunch with my husband on occasion, going to the temple or visiting teaching without worrying about needing a sitter first... yeah, school is pretty awesome. ;)
And today, I am very grateful for it. :)
Wednesday, November 2, 2011
A Month of Thanksgiving Day 2
I take electricity and plumping for granted. But I am so thankful for them! It isn't until something goes wrong with one of them that we realize just how much we depend on them and don't even think about it. We flip a switch without care, expecting to get light. We turn on a faucet and expect not just water, but HOT water. Conveniences that my ancestors never knew.
Sometimes I wonder what it was like back before we had these things. Running to the outhouse in the midde of the night. Putting a hot rock at the foot of your bed to keep you warm at night. Lighting candles and oil lamps to see in the dark. Have you ever tried reading by candlelight? I've tried reading by flashlight... even that isn't easy sometimes! lol
This morning I woke up and the house was warm. Our central heat is programed to turn on before we get up. I don't even have to turn it on! Talk about convenience! It is hard to get up out of a warm bed when it is freezing in your room! I am grateful that I don't have to.
When I think of these kinds of blessings, I feel so spoiled. I know that there are some, right in my own city that don't have even this. They live in this modern world yet don't have all of it's conveniences. Maybe they are homeless, maybe they just can't pay for their electricity this month, maybe their house hasn't been equipped with an efficient heating system. Whatever the reason, I don't even have to look to a 3rd world country to realize that I am so very fortunate.
Today when I'm cleaning my bathrooms, I need to remind myself just how lucky I am to have them. :)
Sometimes I wonder what it was like back before we had these things. Running to the outhouse in the midde of the night. Putting a hot rock at the foot of your bed to keep you warm at night. Lighting candles and oil lamps to see in the dark. Have you ever tried reading by candlelight? I've tried reading by flashlight... even that isn't easy sometimes! lol
This morning I woke up and the house was warm. Our central heat is programed to turn on before we get up. I don't even have to turn it on! Talk about convenience! It is hard to get up out of a warm bed when it is freezing in your room! I am grateful that I don't have to.
When I think of these kinds of blessings, I feel so spoiled. I know that there are some, right in my own city that don't have even this. They live in this modern world yet don't have all of it's conveniences. Maybe they are homeless, maybe they just can't pay for their electricity this month, maybe their house hasn't been equipped with an efficient heating system. Whatever the reason, I don't even have to look to a 3rd world country to realize that I am so very fortunate.
Today when I'm cleaning my bathrooms, I need to remind myself just how lucky I am to have them. :)
Tuesday, November 1, 2011
A Month of Thanksgiving Day 1
I've seen others do this, and sometimes it is called something different. I don't know what the rules are but I don't really care, I'm making up my own rules because this is my blog, dagnabit! ;)
I haven't blogged daily for a very long time, so we'll see how this goes, but my goal is to blog a gratitude post every day this month. I have no agenda, no plan... there are lots of things that I'm thankful for that I will miss, things that may be extremely important to me, and just about everything I share is likely to be things I'm always (or at least often) grateful for, not just that day. Duh. ;) My only plan is to post what impresses me at the time I'm sitting down to write. So, with that...
Today, I am grateful for my husband. (Warning: Major Mushiness to follow...)
When I think of Ryan, I am flooded with emotions that are difficult to express or contain. For more than 15 years he has been my constant companion. Whatever we have faced, we have faced together. The good and the bad. Ryan is my very best friend. I never get tired of being with him, whether we are talking, working on a project, or just sitting quietly together. We don't always see eye to eye, but we rarely fight. It hasn't always been that way, but through years of practice, we are learning to respect and listen to one another... usually. ;) I know that he loves me and wants to protect me. I have heard him stand up for me, to defend me. I feel so safe and protected when he is near me. The touch of his hand and the look in his eyes can calm me more than any other physical thing. Even when he has had a long, hard day, when he comes home, he wants to serve me. He asks how he can help me. He treats me not like a princess that needs to be pampered, but someone that he cherishes and finds joy in sacrificing for. He says it's his pleasure. And he means it. He wants to spend time with me. He likes to try things that I enjoy. He finds that, often, he enjoys them, too. He encourages me in my interests, supports me, cheers me on, praises me. He lets me make decisions about our home. He respects that it is where I spend most, if not all, of my day. He wants me to be comfortable and happy. He and I have a similar sense of humor. We laugh... a lot! He loves being a dad! He always makes time for his daughters. He loves to take them with him when he needs to run errands, and usually buys them a treat while they are out. He reads them stories, tucks them into bed, sings to them, and prays with them. He encourages them in school and in their hobbies. He talks to them about God and life and all of the things that are important to him. He apologizes when he realizes he has made a mistake. He asks for forgiveness. He is smart and has really good ideas. He is interested in the world and what is happening, and how it affects us. He is a hard worker. He has sincere intents. He always wants to help others. He is one of the most unselfish people I know.
Ryan is one of the best people I know. And I know that I'm a better person because of him. I love spending my life with him. I cannot bear the thought of spending any time without him. He often hears me say, "I go, we go, " or "You go, we go." His love gives me strength and courage. He makes me feel so special. Sometimes I think he's like Shallow Hal (when Hal's not being shallow, lol). It is like he sees something in me that no one else (myself included), can see. But he sees it and is so confident in it and treats me like I'm that amazing person, that it makes me believe that he might actually be right, that I might actually be who he sees. It certainly makes me want to be her!
I hope that one day, Ryan and I are considered an inseperable duo. Where you just can't think of one without thinking of the other. Like peanut butter and jelly, movies and popcorn, Tom Brady and the Patriots, Disney and Mickey Mouse, Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. If someone looks at me, just me, I want them to think that I am "one half the greatest love story ever told*," because I cannot be complete without him.
Someone said you shouldn't love someone because you need them; you should need them because you love them. I need him because I love him. And I am the luckiest person because I have him, not only for now, but for always. And I am so grateful. :)
*Quote from the movie, Lost in Austen
I haven't blogged daily for a very long time, so we'll see how this goes, but my goal is to blog a gratitude post every day this month. I have no agenda, no plan... there are lots of things that I'm thankful for that I will miss, things that may be extremely important to me, and just about everything I share is likely to be things I'm always (or at least often) grateful for, not just that day. Duh. ;) My only plan is to post what impresses me at the time I'm sitting down to write. So, with that...
Today, I am grateful for my husband. (Warning: Major Mushiness to follow...)
When I think of Ryan, I am flooded with emotions that are difficult to express or contain. For more than 15 years he has been my constant companion. Whatever we have faced, we have faced together. The good and the bad. Ryan is my very best friend. I never get tired of being with him, whether we are talking, working on a project, or just sitting quietly together. We don't always see eye to eye, but we rarely fight. It hasn't always been that way, but through years of practice, we are learning to respect and listen to one another... usually. ;) I know that he loves me and wants to protect me. I have heard him stand up for me, to defend me. I feel so safe and protected when he is near me. The touch of his hand and the look in his eyes can calm me more than any other physical thing. Even when he has had a long, hard day, when he comes home, he wants to serve me. He asks how he can help me. He treats me not like a princess that needs to be pampered, but someone that he cherishes and finds joy in sacrificing for. He says it's his pleasure. And he means it. He wants to spend time with me. He likes to try things that I enjoy. He finds that, often, he enjoys them, too. He encourages me in my interests, supports me, cheers me on, praises me. He lets me make decisions about our home. He respects that it is where I spend most, if not all, of my day. He wants me to be comfortable and happy. He and I have a similar sense of humor. We laugh... a lot! He loves being a dad! He always makes time for his daughters. He loves to take them with him when he needs to run errands, and usually buys them a treat while they are out. He reads them stories, tucks them into bed, sings to them, and prays with them. He encourages them in school and in their hobbies. He talks to them about God and life and all of the things that are important to him. He apologizes when he realizes he has made a mistake. He asks for forgiveness. He is smart and has really good ideas. He is interested in the world and what is happening, and how it affects us. He is a hard worker. He has sincere intents. He always wants to help others. He is one of the most unselfish people I know.
Ryan is one of the best people I know. And I know that I'm a better person because of him. I love spending my life with him. I cannot bear the thought of spending any time without him. He often hears me say, "I go, we go, " or "You go, we go." His love gives me strength and courage. He makes me feel so special. Sometimes I think he's like Shallow Hal (when Hal's not being shallow, lol). It is like he sees something in me that no one else (myself included), can see. But he sees it and is so confident in it and treats me like I'm that amazing person, that it makes me believe that he might actually be right, that I might actually be who he sees. It certainly makes me want to be her!
I hope that one day, Ryan and I are considered an inseperable duo. Where you just can't think of one without thinking of the other. Like peanut butter and jelly, movies and popcorn, Tom Brady and the Patriots, Disney and Mickey Mouse, Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet. If someone looks at me, just me, I want them to think that I am "one half the greatest love story ever told*," because I cannot be complete without him.
Someone said you shouldn't love someone because you need them; you should need them because you love them. I need him because I love him. And I am the luckiest person because I have him, not only for now, but for always. And I am so grateful. :)
*Quote from the movie, Lost in Austen
Monday, October 31, 2011
Spook-tacular Party Pics
On Friday night we went to a Halloween party at the Hills. It was super fun because they are super fun! I think just about everyone who came had a costume on - yay for festive pary people!
Sami was a unicorn with wings... um, in PJs (lol). Joy'el was... I don't remember what. She was going to be Adele but changed her mind and costume at the last minute. Whatever she was, she looked pretty! :) Quin was a vampire, Ki was a unicorn (Sami was her Unicorn Mommy), Chelsie was a mouse, Kris was a little kid, Acadia was a nerd, and Rori was Minnie Mouse...
Andy came sans costume but wanted to join the cool crowd, so Chelsie hooked him up.
Let's see... who else?? Oh yeah! US! Ryan was Tom Brady and I was Wes Welker. That's a good duo, right there! ;)
I brought some witch's brew to have as a special drink. It looked creepy! But it was very sweet. Almost too sweet. I couldn't finish a second glass. Otherwise, it did taste good! Ryan, as usual, was the favorite person for the kids to gang up on. lol Cadi taught Joy'el part of a song she liked. And everyone just had fun hanging out!
After everyone had eated and visited a little, we started the games! First up, bobbing for apples! Little ones went first and we let them just grab the apples by the stem. They had so much fun that after everyone else was done, they kept doing it over and over again. lol
Next up - donuts on a string! It was harder than it looks! They had to keep their hands behind their backs and try to eat the entire donut as it hung on a hook, dangling from a string... swaying back and forth. Everyone ended up with messy faces. Messy, but tasty! lol
They had some fun props to take pics with, like these mustaches! I love these pics of Rori!!! Also, after the apple bobbing, Spencer's hair needed a make-over and that led to the next phase of his costume... like father, like son!
We gathered around the table to play some card games and ended up laughing an awful lot!!!
Thanks for another great night, Hill family!
Sami was a unicorn with wings... um, in PJs (lol). Joy'el was... I don't remember what. She was going to be Adele but changed her mind and costume at the last minute. Whatever she was, she looked pretty! :) Quin was a vampire, Ki was a unicorn (Sami was her Unicorn Mommy), Chelsie was a mouse, Kris was a little kid, Acadia was a nerd, and Rori was Minnie Mouse...
Andy came sans costume but wanted to join the cool crowd, so Chelsie hooked him up.
Matthew was a rockstar and MaryJane was his groupie. ROFL!!! Spencer came as a hipster, but you will see that later his costume evolved some. ;) I think only Debbie and Scottie were without costumes, but we like them and were happy they were there, anyway. ;)
Let's see... who else?? Oh yeah! US! Ryan was Tom Brady and I was Wes Welker. That's a good duo, right there! ;)
I brought some witch's brew to have as a special drink. It looked creepy! But it was very sweet. Almost too sweet. I couldn't finish a second glass. Otherwise, it did taste good! Ryan, as usual, was the favorite person for the kids to gang up on. lol Cadi taught Joy'el part of a song she liked. And everyone just had fun hanging out!
After everyone had eated and visited a little, we started the games! First up, bobbing for apples! Little ones went first and we let them just grab the apples by the stem. They had so much fun that after everyone else was done, they kept doing it over and over again. lol
Next up - donuts on a string! It was harder than it looks! They had to keep their hands behind their backs and try to eat the entire donut as it hung on a hook, dangling from a string... swaying back and forth. Everyone ended up with messy faces. Messy, but tasty! lol
They had some fun props to take pics with, like these mustaches! I love these pics of Rori!!! Also, after the apple bobbing, Spencer's hair needed a make-over and that led to the next phase of his costume... like father, like son!
We gathered around the table to play some card games and ended up laughing an awful lot!!!
Thanks for another great night, Hill family!
Today, I choose to be happy.
We can't always control things that go on in our lives. For various reasons. No matter how much we would like to.
For several days I've felt sick over something that I have little control over. What conrol I have, I believe that I've done my best with and everything in my power to help. It was eating me up inside that it might not be enough and that things beyond my control might have reprocussions that I didn't want. But after praying and pondering, I woke up this morning feeling peace. I feel good about my role in what has happened, and though things are still out of my control, I have done what I can do.
Today, I choose to be happy. I choose to have faith and hope for good things. I choose to be positive, friendly, and considerate. I choose to respect others, even if I don't agree with them. I choose not to play hurtful games or say hurtful words. And I choose to forgive those who do.
There are many things beyond my control, but how I feel and how I act are entirely up to me. "And that is an encouraging thought." :)
For several days I've felt sick over something that I have little control over. What conrol I have, I believe that I've done my best with and everything in my power to help. It was eating me up inside that it might not be enough and that things beyond my control might have reprocussions that I didn't want. But after praying and pondering, I woke up this morning feeling peace. I feel good about my role in what has happened, and though things are still out of my control, I have done what I can do.
Today, I choose to be happy. I choose to have faith and hope for good things. I choose to be positive, friendly, and considerate. I choose to respect others, even if I don't agree with them. I choose not to play hurtful games or say hurtful words. And I choose to forgive those who do.
There are many things beyond my control, but how I feel and how I act are entirely up to me. "And that is an encouraging thought." :)
Friday, October 28, 2011
JUMP!
A few weeks ago, we got together at the Hills for a FHE. Matthew gave a great lesson on the Articles of Faith. Just as all times we ever get together with them are, it was calm, quiet, reverent, relaxing... like this:
JUST KIDDING!!! Maybe it was all of those things... at times... but then, as all times we ever get together REALLY are, it got wild and crazy!
Everybody JUMP!!!
Yeah, that is more like how it usually is. ;)
JUST KIDDING!!! Maybe it was all of those things... at times... but then, as all times we ever get together REALLY are, it got wild and crazy!
Everybody JUMP!!!
Yeah, that is more like how it usually is. ;)
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