tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-75879260484880197482024-02-21T07:27:21.073-08:00Life's Not Fair...Thank Goodness!2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.comBlogger12125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-89272196771550556712021-09-16T23:29:00.009-07:002021-10-07T00:01:17.825-07:00What her future holds...<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2RXDOYqYFWsIvs0ZEkE9lUygaZM_2QehD0-F1zl3UDxGL5EHvBYR30JYXcY55L377AUJImvJSVzQVjSBe4Dl1-a8AJ0wizalXqsM7GJ4IpBB0DY9n3jyQDLYhBzAz9iTa9cyesJz8D76/s1024/IMG_3012.JPG" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1024" data-original-width="1024" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhS2RXDOYqYFWsIvs0ZEkE9lUygaZM_2QehD0-F1zl3UDxGL5EHvBYR30JYXcY55L377AUJImvJSVzQVjSBe4Dl1-a8AJ0wizalXqsM7GJ4IpBB0DY9n3jyQDLYhBzAz9iTa9cyesJz8D76/s320/IMG_3012.JPG" width="320" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p class="MsoNormal">I’ve been thinking about what I would tell this little girl
about her life if I had the chance. I smile to think of the fun days ahead
in high school--amazing friends, playing sports, and dating. Then moving onto college, waiting for
a missionary, and living the dream of being married in the temple and starting her family. She will have children all of whom will be the greatest gifts and blessings in her life.
Motherhood will be her greatest joy. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">Then I think of the pain that lies in her path. She will be hurt
in ways that her innocence could have never imagined possible. All she ever
hoped for will be ripped from her hands—more than once. Behind the scenes in
her life, and the happy face she keeps for her children, she will cry and be
broken. Darkness will threaten to overthrow her spirit. But she will move
forward, moment by moment, because that is all she can do and her children will depend
on her to do it. <o:p></o:p></p>
<p class="MsoNormal">That little girl has no clue what is to come, but as I have
thought about it, I’m so grateful for that. She will grow to understand that even when she doesn't have much to give, it will always be enough. She will be blessed with strength beyond her own. Her faith will be tested, but she will get to experience miracles so personal and
perfect that she will know with the deepest surety that she has infinite worth. Her deepest sorrows will lead to her greatest rejoicing. She will get to discover all the beautiful moments that make up a meaningful life. I’ve realized I wouldn’t want to tell her what is to come because it would rob her of the learning and understanding that allows for such discoveries and treasures of truth. </p><p class="MsoNormal">There is so much wisdom in Heavenly Father’s plan. Sometimes
our greatest Goliath can be the Unknown, but how beautiful the “not knowing” is in that it gives
us the opportunity to grow during difficult times and cherish more deeply all the goodness we experience. The Unknown surfaces our hope which
leads us to as much beauty, adventure, peace, and joy that we are willing to seek and live
worthy of. So if it came to it, all I would tell that little girl is simply (and
magnificently!) that she is loved and known by her Creator. Because of that love, her future has every possibility of all the happiness and joy that life could ever
offer. And that’s the reality for everyone—Heavenly Father loves and is aware of each and every one of us. His plan for each of us truly is a plan of HAPPINESS!</p><p class="MsoNormal"><o:p></o:p></p>2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-5105985852581653582021-06-07T18:58:00.004-07:002021-06-07T18:58:22.026-07:00Rerouting...<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://i0.wp.com/thetruthspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/GPS-Tracker.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="599" data-original-width="800" height="215" src="https://i0.wp.com/thetruthspy.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/05/GPS-Tracker.jpg" width="286" /></a></div><p>On a road-trip with my dad, we enthusiastically took off to go pick up my new van. Our destination: Bullhead City, Arizona. We had a rough idea of where we thought it was--somewhere up by Lake Powell so we headed north on the I-15 from our home in St. George. As soon as we were on our way, I decided to turn on our GPS to verify more specifically where our destination was located. My dad and I were both surprised to discover that Bullhead City was the opposite way we were headed. We needed to be headed south on the 15 and go through Las Vegas. Our GPS got us going the right way and we were both glad we checked before we had gone too far in the wrong direction. </p><p>We finally made it to Bullhead City. While we were waiting at a light we plugged in the exact address we were traveling to. The light turned green as it came up, but it was too late to make the correct righthand turn. Our GPS rerouted us. We were able to take another route that consisted of a slight detour, but we did make it safely to our intended destination.</p><p>Life can be a lot like my drive to Bullhead City. Sometimes we take a wrong turn and sometimes life sends us on other detours we did not anticipate. However, in Heavenly Father's most perfect plan, He provided the Atonement of Jesus Christ which can be our GPS. A perfect navigation system without flaw. Because of His sacrifice, we can always be rerouted to arrive where we are meant to go for our greatest happiness and to become who we are meant to be to find the greatest peace as we fulfill our eternal purposes. He knows our exact location and He knows every single possible route to get us to our destination. We are never too far lost. We are never so far off track that He doesn't know our location or how to bring us back on course.</p><p>I am grateful everyday that the Atonement has led me and brought me back on course after traveling through the roughest terrains when life has taken unexpected detours. Sometimes it has been step-by-step guidance, but it has always given me perfectly exact direction in getting me on course to the life I desire and am meant to live. </p>2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-26440382114243484562021-01-02T16:33:00.005-08:002021-05-06T17:18:17.677-07:00Happy For Those Who Are Happy<p>A few weeks ago when I was picking my youngest girls up from school, my six-year-old jumped in the car full of enthusiasm. With the biggest smile on her face, Kate joyfully exclaimed, "Mom, I just feel so happy for Kambrie." Curious and surprised, I asked Kate why she was so happy for her friend. She went on to explain that the next day was Kambrie's birthday. The following day would be their class's hard-earned "stuffed animal" party. Then finally, it would be Halloween when they'd get to have their Costume Parade! Kate told me, "She will have three good days in a row--the rest of the week--and I just feel so happy for her!"</p><p>My heart was touched by her genuine happiness for her friend. It wasn't Kate's birthday or about the fun she would have that caused her excitement. It was purely for another person's happiness. Hiding the tears that welled up in my eyes, I pulled on the the street toward home with a heart full of love and gratitude for the big lesson my little girl taught me about selflessly caring for others. </p><p>A few days later, as I was--you guessed it!---in the car, driving my kids to all the places they needed to be, that sweet experience came to mind quickly followed by the words "mourn with those that mourn, comfort those that stand in need of comfort." At first, I wasn't sure why that scripture came to mind in conjunction with my thoughts about my experience with Kate, but almost instantly, I recognized the message.</p><p>Through the ups and downs of life, I think we generally are able to mourn with those that mourn. Naturally, I think most of us seek to comfort, lift, and help those who are facing difficult situations. Then it hit me! It isn't always as easy to be happy for those who are happy. For the spouse whose marriage is falling apart, it can be painful noticing someone else enjoy the loving marriage they would do anything to have. For the couple who longs to start their family, but deals with infertility, it can be heartbreaking when their friends keep growing their families sometimes even without trying. To someone who sits in a wheelchair or suffers with health issues, it can be incredibly difficult to watch others take for granted the abilities that allow them to live their lives so freely. During different trials, some blessings that we so desire for ourselves can be painful to see another enjoy. Being happy for others especially when they receive the blessings we righteously and patiently seek, is a great indicator of, not only where we are emotionally, but spiritually as well. </p><p>Being happy for those who enjoy the blessings you have lived worthy of, but have not been blessed with, shows incredible <b>faith</b> in knowing that those blessings will one day be yours even if it means waiting until the next life. Being happy for those who are happy, shows significant <b>humility</b> in recognizing that although you have not been blessed in the ways that someone else has, you have a different calling and have been blessed in your own personal, sacred ways. Being happy for those who are happy, requires <b>charity</b> and love at its highest degree. Reaching past the pain of your own broken heart to feel happiness for someone else's joy is a love that cannot be matched.</p><p>May we seek to mourn and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, but may we also strive to to be the kind of person who can be happy for those that are happy despite where we are along our own journey. I'm grateful that the Atonement provides healing for the injustices of life which can allow each of us to be happy and content for the life that we individually have been given as well as being truly happy for the different blessings we see other's enjoy. </p>2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-80915698398198393202020-03-14T20:57:00.003-07:002020-03-15T11:23:44.425-07:00Making a Bigger Impact Than Cornoavirus<div>
Normally my Saturday would have started by sitting on the sidelines of my son's soccer game. I would have then coached my daughter's game and chased around doing things that need to be done before a new week starts. I would have spent my day tomorrow in worship services. Monday, I would have started our weekly routine of work, school, games, and other activities all over again. </div>
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Instead, I am sitting here on my couch writing. All the games have been cancelled. Worship services for tomorrow have been cancelled. Come Monday, I will not be returning to work at least for a few weeks. I am worrying about when toilet paper will become available again because we are down to a few last rolls. I finally turned my phone off. The constant bombardment of messages, emails, news stories, and people in panic has me exhausted.</div>
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How did something that started across the world come to affect my life so greatly? And not just my life, but it has literally affected the entire world--a virus that started in one small place. To that I don't have all of the answers, but there is one truth highlighted that I do know for sure. The impact of just one place, one person, one choice is more far-reaching than we can ever imagine. </div>
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The Coronavirus has closed schools, businesses, leagues, and corporations. The economic impact will surely be devastating to many businesses which ripples further down to the families who need the work and income to provide for their families. Children who rely on the school for their meals may struggle through the coming weeks. Athletes are losing future opportunities because of their seasons being canceled. The consequences are too numerous to list and there are many unknowns about how this will continue to influence our families and communities. But my question is, "what am I going to do about it?" </div>
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Am I going to sit around being upset about all the important events being cancelled or am I going to take the opportunity to reflect and ensure that my life is aligned with God's will, spend quality time with my children, and strengthen my home?<br />
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Am I going to let panic take over and push and shove through the crowds to get to the last roll of toilet paper on the shelf or am I going to see what items I can spare that someone else may stand in need of?</div>
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Am I going to be an example of what fear looks like or what faith looks like?</div>
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Finally, am I going to add to the stress and chaos or am I going to stand and make a difference for good?</div>
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During this tumultuous time, we have all been given a unique opportunity to lift where we stand and make an impact for good. We can use this time to strengthen our families, lift our friends, and build more unified communities by serving and reaching out in love. I dare say the rippling effects of choosing to react in that manner can spread just as far and wide as the Coronavirus itself! In a time when a single virus is affecting the entire world, we have the power to make just as big of an impact for good! </div>
2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-31041131412842506162019-04-21T17:47:00.002-07:002019-04-21T17:47:27.212-07:00Empty Easter Eggs<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I opened my eyes this morning to a bunch of little faces right next to mine, eager for an Easter egg hunt to begin! I watched as my children ran from room to room. Our house rang with random shouts of, "I found one!" After each egg, they couldn't help but to see the treasure left inside before rushing off to search for the next egg. At the end of the hunt, they gathered up all the eggs that the Easter bunny had given them and emptied the contents with much excitement. Empty eggs piled up on the table and were left behind as they went to enjoy all they had received. <div>
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Seeing the pile, I couldn't help but reflect on what Easter means to me. I am on my own sort of journey in finding all that Heavenly Father has in store for me. As I "search" the scriptures and words of the prophet, I am blessed. As I "seek" to do the Lord's will, I receive tender mercies and experience miracles in ways that carry me and motivate me to keep going. In life however, when the journey ends, it is because of something "empty" that it really only begins. There was something left empty long ago, and that is where the greatest gift is found. </div>
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Three days after the crucifixion of Jesus Christ, He rose and there was left an "empty" tomb. If we continue on our journey and keep the commandments, the significance of the empty tomb makes it possible for us to receive eternal life "which gift is the greatest of all the gifts of God." (Doctrine and Covenants 14:7) Because of an empty tomb, death is not the end. Because of an empty tomb, I will get to be with my family forever. And because of an empty tomb, I will get to know "the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom [He] sent." (John 17:13) There could be nothing greater and nothing I desire more!</div>
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Jesus Christ truly suffered and died for me and for all of us. He has carried my sorrows, He has made it possible for me to have hope. Without Him, I fall so very short. I know that He lives! I know that He knows me and He knows each of us. I am so grateful for all of the blessings that he continues to pour upon my family. Most of all, I am grateful for an "empty" tomb and what that means for me, my family, and each one of us as children of a loving Heavenly Father. </div>
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2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-19554011652144130092017-06-04T14:57:00.001-07:002021-07-24T09:34:04.007-07:00A Perfectly Imperfect LifeHave you ever been scrolling through your social media feed and just thought, "does everyone have a perfect life except me?" Sometimes (especially with social media) we fool ourselves into believing other people have it all going for them. In reality, everyone has their struggles. <br />
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On the outside, everything in my life seemed just peachy for a long time. On my anniversary four years ago, I made the following tribute to my spouse on my Facebook page:<br />
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<i>"Although my anniversary was yesterday, I couldn't let the chance pass me by to say I LOVE YOU to the man who was my first kiss, covered my yard with snow my first Christmas in the desert, was the pilot my first time on an airplane, is the father of our three beautiful children, works harder than any other person I know, moved to St. George mostly because he knew that is where I wanted to live, and has given me some of the best moments of my life. Forever and always Babe!"</i><br />
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It sounds just like a fairy-tale doesn't it? This was evidence to the world of a picture-perfect relationship. However, truth was that those words were from a woman who was trying to reach across galaxies to revive any life left in her relationship. My marriage was falling apart. I fought hard against the reality that I couldn't keep everything all together how I wanted. I finally had to let go of my perfect plan (my pride) and trust God with my life. <br />
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My marriage still ended in divorce. Looking back though, I can see how God had a plan much greater than I had for myself. He took all the ugly parts of life and of me and somehow brought them together in a way that made me better. He made me stronger. He taught me about forgiveness, compassion, empathy, and showed me who I am. I faced situations I would have never understood had I not lived through them. My family is much stronger because of the nightmare we lived through.<br />
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This is not the story I would have written for myself, but it is somehow okay. The journey has been filled and is still filled with so many unexpected bumps, but because of a loving Creator, all those imperfections have worked together so perfectly for the good of my family. <br />
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So even if life seems so perfect on the outside for everyone else, let's be aware that battles are often fought privately and silently. Let's reach out and love everyone no matter how ok (or not ok) they seem. And let's stop believing we are the only one that is less than perfect. Stop comparing the worst parts of your life to the best in those around you. And most importantly, let's turn to our loving Father in Heaven who can take all the ugliness in our lives to create a perfectly imperfect life. <br />
<b></b><i></i><u></u><sub></sub><sup></sup><strike></strike><br />2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-32058501973025530402016-10-16T21:10:00.000-07:002017-03-05T21:22:26.957-08:00He lives! And He has given me a weekly reminder...Every Sunday when I attend church I partake of the Sacrament. I partake of the bread that symbolizes Jesus Christ's body and drink the water that symbolizes His blood. I had always thought we are to remember His body that He sacrificed for us. I pictured His Atonement and what His body suffered and endured to make that possible. I believe that is part of it, but perhaps there is more. <br />
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Jesus Christ appeared to the people of Nephi after His resurrection. There He administered the sacrament. In 3 Nephi 18:7, Jesus teaches, "and this shall ye do in remembrance of my body, <i>which I have shown unto you</i>." In this account, it seems to me that the bread is to remind them of His resurrected body. <br />
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In a book written by Stephen Covey titled, "Spiritual Roots of Human Relations," he discusses how it is the Lord's work and glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39). "When the Lord revealed [this]...he essentially outlined the two great parts...of all that he has attempted to do among men since the beginning." The first part is immortality, and the second part is eternal life. Immortality is for everyone because of the miracle of the resurrection. Eternal life, "which has to do with the quality of the resurrection...is personal achievement by each individual made possible through the Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ."<br />
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Could it be that the sacrament symbolizes exactly that? We remember His body and the gift we have of immortality. We rejoice in the miracle that Jesus Christ indeed lives! Not only that, we will have that same opportunity! Then after we partake and remember that marvelous gift, we partake of the water to remember the second part. We realize our need for the Atonement in order to achieve eternal life which is really only possible because of the first part. <br />
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I've gained personal insight on the meaning of the <a href="http://2kwarriorsmom.blogspot.com/2014/10/the-sacrament-cup.html">sacrament cup</a> and the role of being able to follow the will of God no matter how bitter the "cup." Now, I add that it's really even a miracle in the first place that that matters. It matters that I choose His will because Jesus Christ actually lives! Otherwise there would be no point! <br />
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The sacrament, in addition to other important symbolisms, represents very well God's plan - to bring to pass the immortality AND eternal life of man.2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-39547540307764998502015-03-09T15:07:00.001-07:002015-03-09T15:07:32.581-07:00How Could I Forget Thee?<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">At nearly the
same time that I hit my <a href="http://2kwarriorsmom.blogspot.com/2014/10/look-up_25.html">low point</a> during the hardest time in my life, I was up watching some TV. I usually go to bed </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">at 10:00 but I
just sat there not feeling motivated to get ready for bed.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The ten o'clock news </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">came on and there
was a story about an accident that happened while a family was up at some </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sand dunes. They didn't disclose any names or a
lot of detail of what had happened. A
few other </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">stories came on
and then the weather report started.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I
decided I better get to bed.</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">The next day, I
saw hundreds of messages on Facebook offering prayers and support to my
friend.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">tried to figure
out what all these messages were about and somewhere was a link to a news
report </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">that shared the
story of what I saw on TV the night before.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">
</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">My stomach instantly dropped.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">immediately
called someone in my ward to see if everything was alright.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">It didn't look good.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their 15 year old
daughter was life-flighted to Salt Lake. She passed away not too long
after.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I was sitting on
my floor next to my bed in the <a href="http://2kwarriorsmom.blogspot.com/2014/10/look-up_25.html">exact spot I had knelt</a> not too many days before</span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">when I plead for
my suffering to be taken from me. I just
started sobbing. Why? Here was this <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">family who was
perfect. The parents seemed to have
respect and love for each other and their <o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">children were
such good kids; smart, kind, and good examples. They taught and lived the
gospel. </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Their daughter
Whitney, who had passed away,</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">was so
beautiful and she radiated the light of </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">She bore her testimony once in Sacrament
Meeting about prayer and her words were so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">touching. She</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">helped me to remember how powerful prayer
is in a time when I needed to hear it.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Why did this happen to them?</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">THEY DID NOT
DESERVE THIS!</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">No one had done anything
wrong to cause their hurting. I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">wished that I
could take it from them. This wasn't fair.</span></div>
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<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I felt sick to my
stomach knowing the pain I had been enduring in my life probably
wasn't even a </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">fraction of what
they were facing.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I knew I
couldn't begin to imagine their suffering. I prayed</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">and prayed and
prayed that they would feel comfort. I didn't know if that was
possible when they <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">had just lost
their beautiful girl, but I prayed for it anyway. I plead that they would feel Jesus <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Christ with
them. I hoped that they knew that He had
not forsaken them. Heaven's eye
was not <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">turned when this
happened. They were not forgotten. I
hoped they could hear Jesus Christ telling </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">them:</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">How Could I
Forget Thee?</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When
you're graven on my Hands</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Every pain and
heartache I understand</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Come to me and
rest</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I'll
never leave you comfortless</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I've
carried your sorrows</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">And bourne your
grief</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Please trust in
me</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">When I first
wrote this song every verse was about horrible tragedies such as a mother losing her
child, </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">but I changed the
verses because although I can't imagine anything more heart breaking
or </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">painful than
losing a child, I believe there are different degrees of pain and people feel
pain for so </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">many different
reasons.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Sometimes it is because of something that wasn't
caused by anything or anyone.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Other
times, pain comes from our own choices or the choices of others. Sometimes </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">people feel pain
just because they don't understand who they really are or what their
purpose is.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So no matter what
is causing our aching, Jesus Christ suffered and atoned for all of it, no
matter </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">how big or how
small our trials are.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> have pondered
why Jesus Christ still has scars in his hands and his feet if He has been</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">resurrected. I have always understood that we won't have
scars or blemishes when we are resurrected.
I </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">don't
know if there is a doctrinal reason (if there is, someone please teach me), but
to me it is </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">because His
atonement is infinite.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">He
didn't just suffer while in the Garden of Gethsemane or </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">while on the
cross and that was the end of His mission so He could move on and forget it all. He continually
feels </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">our pain and
sorrows.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are imprinted on His
hands.</span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">We are continually before Him and
He </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">sees and He feels
everything that we go through...still! And forever!!! Even though he actually </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Atoned for our
sins and sorrows long ago.</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">So, to my amazing
friend, Karin, and her husband and all of their family, I know that there are
no </span><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">words that can
take away your pain, but I know that Jesus Christ is there even when you
can't</span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">feel Him during
the moments when your heartache consumes
you. He cannot forget you. You <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">are graven on His
hands.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
<div class="MsoPlainText">
<br /></div>
2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-10731973159038504192015-01-09T16:31:00.003-08:002021-07-24T09:41:49.215-07:00Christmas of MiraclesIt has always seemed completely crazy how people in the scriptures lose their faith so quickly after a miracle. Isn't it insane that after the Israelites were freed from bondage and experienced the Red Sea parting that they were so quick to worship other idols and turn to their prideful ways? How could somebody forget so fast?!<br />
In <i>The Book of Mormon</i>, Laman and Lemuel were beating Nephi because of his determination to do as the Lord commanded to get the brass plates. An angel came and told them to listen to Nephi and that they needed to get the plates. It says that after the angel had spoken, he departed. IN THE VERY NEXT VERSE, Laman and Lemuel began to murmur. Immediately! Really?!<br />
I always think, "if I saw an angel, I would be so in awe that I would never doubt again!" But, I have a confession. I am just like them.<br />
2014 was filled with so much happiness and peace. I experienced so many miracles and without a doubt in my mind I can say that I know Heavenly Father has been guiding me. I had a tough day towards the end of that summer. I thought, "nothing ever goes right for me! I am trying so hard to do what is right. I am doing all I can to take care of and provide for my kids. I am doing my best to teach them the gospel and be an example to them. I am doing all that I've been asked. Then, why?"<br />
Despite every miracle and blessing that I had received the whole year (and my whole life!!!), I got so frustrated. I am so ashamed at my lack of faith. I am no better than Laman and Lemuel. I am no better than the children of Israel. <br />
This Christmas was one of many miracles. The scripture comes to mind in Malachi from the Old Testament that says, "I will...open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it." That is exactly what I experienced at Christmas. So many people have shown so much kindness and generosity. The things I was worried about taking care of, were taken of and then there was much, much more. I felt that way many times. "This is so much. I can't even take it all in. I don't deserve this." I thought back on my down days and thought, "how could I have ever questioned that God was taking care of me? After all I have already experienced and continue to experience that make it so clear He is aware." So I am pathetic! But I have to say thank you to all those who were my angels and who served in a way that was nothing short of how the Savior would serve. You all know who you are! I have cried many, many tears of gratitude for the way that you all have blessed my life!<div><br />
I realize I will never be able to repay everyone for their kindness and generosity, but I am inspired and determined to pay it forward. The Savior spent His whole life giving. I want to be more like Him. I hope that this year my family and I can show our gratitude to all of you by spreading His goodness and love. Thank you all again. I have been changed forever and your love will not be forgotten!</div>2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-84854845955002286252014-10-25T12:24:00.002-07:002014-10-25T12:26:46.510-07:00Look Up<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<br /></div>
<div style="text-align: center;">
<iframe allowfullscreen='allowfullscreen' webkitallowfullscreen='webkitallowfullscreen' mozallowfullscreen='mozallowfullscreen' width='320' height='266' src='https://www.youtube.com/embed/vYRic97dh54?feature=player_embedded' frameborder='0'></iframe></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;"><br /></span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
year 2012, was by far the hardest year of my life. I didn’t
realize it then, but looking back I would say</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> that I was suffering from
depression. My life was falling apart and I had no control over it.
It didn’t matter what I did or how hard I tried, nothing changed and my spiritual
reserves finally diminished. I was in a dark pit that I could not
get out of.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">No
matter how exhausted I was, every night I would lay in bed thinking
about how to fix my life. It would take me 1-3 hours to fall asleep.
Then throughout the night I would wake up with my baby or other
children which started the process of trying to fall asleep all over.
By the time morning came, I never felt that I had slept at all. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
days consisted of me running things over and over in my mind about my
life. I was trying to convince myself that I wasn’t crazy. I was
torn between reality and the part of me that kept trying to soften
the hardness of what was happening in my life. I was so burned out
by fighting this mental battle. I would frequently turn on some
Christian music and lay on the floor feeling lifeless. My kids playing around me was like background noise to this constant battle
in my head. On those days, I would be praying nearly every second
that I could get through that one day or even make it to lunchtime, or dinner,
or bedtime.</span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">I
distinctly remember when I hit my lowest moment. I was laying in bed
looking at the stars out of my window. I rolled onto my knees again
pleading for specific struggles I was facing to go away. I wanted to
run away, but knew that I couldn’t. I had to be there for my
children and really, I knew that there was no running from my life,
but I just couldn’t take it anymore. I finally just said aloud,
“It is not worth living through Hell if that is what it takes to
get to Heaven.” At that point, I didn’t care what eternal
consequences I would face, I just wanted my trial to be taken from
me. </span>
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">When
Carl B. Cook was called as a General Authority for The Church of
Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, he finished his first week feeling
extremely overwhelmed. He got on the elevator at the Church
Administration Building and was staring down at the floor wondering how he
would ever fulfill his calling. President Thomas S. Monson (the
President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints) walked
into the elevator and asked “what are you looking at down there?”
Elder Cook quickly looked up as he recognized the Prophet’s voice
and responded, “oh nothing.” To that, President Monson replied,
“it is better to look up.” </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 11pt;">The
phrase has stuck with me. It is better to look up. </span><span style="font-size: 15px;">I too have been given a certain calling in life, as is every person on earth, It felt so overwhelming at the time, but I knew I needed to “look up.” From that motto along with what I was experiencing came the creation of this song. </span></div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
<span style="font-size: 15px;">If you are reading this and are feeling any bit of this despair in your life, I testify that it is worth it to hold on.</span><span style="font-size: 11pt;"> I know what it
feels like to see no end in sight. I know what it feels like to
wonder if you will ever be happy. I too have felt that there was no
purpose to try anymore; that it really doesn’t matter how hard I
try to do everything I should. I was wrong though. I know with
every piece of my being that someone is there beside you. I look
back on that time and I see now how Heavenly Father’s hand was in
every detail of my life. He is with you too. He is leading you to
somewhere better. Accept where you are and what you are dealing
with, but then push forward and allow Jesus Christ to take the load.
There really is hope that the darkness can go away. I wish I would
have heard those words or at least allowed myself to believe them
when I was so miserable. Heavenly Father loves you and wants you to
be happy, but only He knows what path will help you reach the place
where you will be most happy. Look up and trust Him.</span></div>
2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-19571781283504375952014-10-02T18:01:00.001-07:002014-10-06T16:33:35.680-07:00The Sacrament Cup<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
A few years ago, I spent
countless days and nights searching the scriptures and praying for
answers to show me how to solve certain challenges that I was facing in my life at that time. I put forth all the faith that I had in hope that a miracle would
occur to take away the emotional pain I was suffering.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
When Christ was suffering in the
Garden of Gethsemane, He plead with His Father saying, “if thou be
willing, remove this <i><b>cup</b></i> from me: nevertheless not my
will, but thine, be done.”(Luke 22:42) Throughout my struggling, I
was constantly praying that my “cup” would pass from me, but it
wasn’t until I was able to accept that it wasn’t Heavenly
Father’s will that my trial would suddenly go away, that I was able
to find peace and allow the Atonement to begin to heal and strengthen
me.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
Elder Jeffrey R. Holland has said, “If
the bitter cup does not pass, drink it…” (October 2013 General
Conference). The Sacrament cup, to me, has come to symbolize the
acceptance of Heavenly Father’s will. Each week as I take the cup
and drink from it, I am promising Heavenly Father that I will accept and follow
His will and do whatever He asks of me.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
Being able to accept and try my best
to follow wherever Heavenly Father leads has brought so much light
into a world that was dark for me for so long. I know that as I
willingly drink from whatever cup Heavenly Father may ask me to
partake of, I will be able to withstand any difficulties I will face
in my life. I am grateful for my loving Father in Heaven who puts
struggles in my life that He knows I need to endure to become like
Him and I am grateful for my Brother, Jesus Christ, for making the
Atonement possible so I can make it through and accomplish those
things.</div>
2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-7587926048488019748.post-3256534537475689282014-10-02T17:56:00.002-07:002014-10-02T17:59:44.038-07:002kwarriorsmom<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
2kwarriorsmom? The name comes from
one of my favorite stories in The Book of Mormon that has become known as The Two Thousand Stripling Warriors.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
There were people called the
Lamanites. They were wicked. However, some of them repented of
their sins and murders when they were taught about Jesus Christ. Those that were converted called themselves the
Anti-Nephi-Lehies. They made a covenant with God that they would no
longer shed blood so they buried their weapons of war. They sought
protection from the Nephites when the Lamanites came to battle
against them. When the Anti-Lehi-Nephies saw all the the Nephites
were sacrificing to protect them, some of them wanted to fight back
and break the covenant they had made with God, but their sons who had
not made the promise to God that they wouldn’t fight, went and
fought in their fathers’ stead.
</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
I cannot imagine sending my son off
as a young man to fight seasoned, blood-thirsty warriors. These boys
were courageous though and they had faith that God would protect
them. It says in Alma 56:47, “Now they never had fought, yet they
did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their
fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by
their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them.
And they rehearsed…the words of their mothers, saying: We do not
doubt our mothers knew it.” They knew that God would protect them
because of the faith that was instilled in them by their mothers. In
Alma 57:21 it says,” yea, and they did obey and observe to perform
every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to
their faith it was done unto them; …[as] their mothers had taught
them.” These boys fought and though many were wounded, not one of
them died. In verse 26 it says that their preservation was
astonishing and it was accredited to their exceeding faith that there
was a just God and that whosoever did not doubt, would be preserved
by God’s marvelous power.</div>
<div style="margin-bottom: 0.14in;">
If I only accomplish one thing in
this life, I hope that it will be that I raise children who do not
doubt that God is there. Children who will courageously choose to follow
and obey Him with exactness. I hope they can say “my mother knew
it” because I do know it. I know that Heavenly Father is there and
that through faith and obedience great things, nothing short of
miracles, occur. Even if not one other thing turns out in my lifetime, I will die happy if I know my children have developed as deep and unwavering faith as the sons who became known as the 2,000 stripling warriors. </div>
2kwarriorsmomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04999513699726804263noreply@blogger.com0