SO the last week of June and the first week of July are my busy weeks for birthdays. Nader turned 7 on the 23 and Bobo turned 13 today.
Holy cow they grow up so fast. It does seem just like yesterday that they were born.
So my Bobo is an amazing and great kid. He is a wonderful big brother. He is kind and gentle. I love that about him. He loves his family, he is a fierce friend, and he knows the church is true.
Nader is a great little kid. He is full of energy and life. He is brave and fearless. His looks up to his big brother like know one else. He is so great.
HAPPY BIRTHDAY to my boys. I love them so much. I am so blessed to be their mom. To have them as a part of my family. I couldn't ask for anything more!!!!
Thursday, July 1, 2010
Friday, June 18, 2010
The winds That Blow.
Just wanted to share one of my most favorite articles from the Ensign. I love the perspective it gives me.
I want to add. I am grateful for Father in Heaven that does not let me sit still in stagnate waters.
The Winds That Blow
By Jenna L. Staley
Jenna L. Staley, “The Winds That Blow,” Ensign, Apr 2005, 61
The Jaredites didn’t have a smooth-sailing voyage. But I realized fierce and steady winds were blowing them—and me—towards the goal all along.
Despite diligent efforts in my life and in my temple marriage, I now find myself a single mother raising three children in the gospel without a father and priesthood holder in our home. Sometimes the betrayal and hurt I feel are a tangible pain, as is the loneliness that often fills my heart. But a loving Heavenly Father has compensated for my emptiness and anguish with sweet assurances from the Holy Ghost. As I have pored over the scriptures searching for guidance, I have come to know my Savior, and He has blessed my mind with understanding and peace.
Recently I read Ether 6, where the Jaredite barges cross the sea to the promised land. Although I had read this account many times before, I noticed something this time that had never stood out to me, and I felt the Spirit whisper that it had application in my life.
I noticed that the Lord gave light to the Jaredites so “they might not cross the great waters in darkness” (Ether 6:3). I thought about the great waters I must cross and the lights Heavenly Father has given me that I may be spared darkness. Among them are access to Him through prayer, the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, priesthood blessings, my patriarchal blessing, and my testimony of the gospel.
I also noticed that the scriptures mention the preparation Jared and his family had to make before this great journey. I thought about how doing our part is essential before we can expect the Lord to do His. Then the record states that they “set forth … commending themselves unto the Lord their God”—an act of faith (Ether 6:4). They prepared themselves, they used the lights the Lord provided them, and then they set off on their journey, exercising faith.
The following verses, however, affected me the most: “The Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land” (Ether 6:5). As I read this, the word towards stood out to me. Although the Lord was carrying the Jaredites forth, I wondered whether they felt their progress or whether they were more aware of “a furious wind” and the “many times [they were] buried in the depths of the sea” (Ether 6:6). Were they able to feel the Lord’s guiding hand through the “mountain waves which broke upon them,” the “great and terrible tempests,” and “the fierceness of the wind”? (Ether 6:6). Verse 8 [Ether 6:8] reads, “The wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land.” It wasn’t a smooth-sailing voyage for them, even though they were chosen of the Lord, even though they were filled with faith, even though the brother of Jared had seen the Lord face-to-face. But interestingly to me, the fierce and steady winds were blowing them towards their goal all along.
I was ashamed to think of the times I have focused on the storms instead of the momentum they bring. Without them, I’d just be floating aimlessly. I came to understand that while trials are a natural part of mortality, the Lord can use the winds and waves of adversity to guide us, like the Jaredites, towards our personal promised lands.
[illustration] Illustrated by Steve Kropp
Notes
Jenna L. Staley is a member of the Show Low Fourth Ward, Show Low Arizona Stake.
I want to add. I am grateful for Father in Heaven that does not let me sit still in stagnate waters.
The Winds That Blow
By Jenna L. Staley
Jenna L. Staley, “The Winds That Blow,” Ensign, Apr 2005, 61
The Jaredites didn’t have a smooth-sailing voyage. But I realized fierce and steady winds were blowing them—and me—towards the goal all along.
Despite diligent efforts in my life and in my temple marriage, I now find myself a single mother raising three children in the gospel without a father and priesthood holder in our home. Sometimes the betrayal and hurt I feel are a tangible pain, as is the loneliness that often fills my heart. But a loving Heavenly Father has compensated for my emptiness and anguish with sweet assurances from the Holy Ghost. As I have pored over the scriptures searching for guidance, I have come to know my Savior, and He has blessed my mind with understanding and peace.
Recently I read Ether 6, where the Jaredite barges cross the sea to the promised land. Although I had read this account many times before, I noticed something this time that had never stood out to me, and I felt the Spirit whisper that it had application in my life.
I noticed that the Lord gave light to the Jaredites so “they might not cross the great waters in darkness” (Ether 6:3). I thought about the great waters I must cross and the lights Heavenly Father has given me that I may be spared darkness. Among them are access to Him through prayer, the Holy Ghost, the scriptures, priesthood blessings, my patriarchal blessing, and my testimony of the gospel.
I also noticed that the scriptures mention the preparation Jared and his family had to make before this great journey. I thought about how doing our part is essential before we can expect the Lord to do His. Then the record states that they “set forth … commending themselves unto the Lord their God”—an act of faith (Ether 6:4). They prepared themselves, they used the lights the Lord provided them, and then they set off on their journey, exercising faith.
The following verses, however, affected me the most: “The Lord God caused that there should be a furious wind blow upon the face of the waters, towards the promised land” (Ether 6:5). As I read this, the word towards stood out to me. Although the Lord was carrying the Jaredites forth, I wondered whether they felt their progress or whether they were more aware of “a furious wind” and the “many times [they were] buried in the depths of the sea” (Ether 6:6). Were they able to feel the Lord’s guiding hand through the “mountain waves which broke upon them,” the “great and terrible tempests,” and “the fierceness of the wind”? (Ether 6:6). Verse 8 [Ether 6:8] reads, “The wind did never cease to blow towards the promised land.” It wasn’t a smooth-sailing voyage for them, even though they were chosen of the Lord, even though they were filled with faith, even though the brother of Jared had seen the Lord face-to-face. But interestingly to me, the fierce and steady winds were blowing them towards their goal all along.
I was ashamed to think of the times I have focused on the storms instead of the momentum they bring. Without them, I’d just be floating aimlessly. I came to understand that while trials are a natural part of mortality, the Lord can use the winds and waves of adversity to guide us, like the Jaredites, towards our personal promised lands.
[illustration] Illustrated by Steve Kropp
Notes
Jenna L. Staley is a member of the Show Low Fourth Ward, Show Low Arizona Stake.
Tuesday, April 20, 2010
What was He Thinking?
Now please understand. Brad is one of the smartest people I know. But really what was he thinking
He sent me to the Nursery J and J garden and nursery, and he said get 6 tomato plants.
For real 6 just 6 I would never plant just 6 tomato plants, and what about the other things I know we will need.
Truly sending me to a nursery alone is like sending me shoe shopping with Stacy. He did actually think I could just buy 6 tomato plants. J and J's are all the way in Layton. I have to make the trip count don't I? That is rhetorical. Don't answer it. Please
So I came away with a lovely purple fountain grass, a beautiful black mound grass, two peppers, tons of alyssum, plenty of pansies and 20 tomato plants. No that not a typo It really is 20.
Bring on summer because I am ready for warm tomato's fresh off the vine.
He sent me to the Nursery J and J garden and nursery, and he said get 6 tomato plants.
For real 6 just 6 I would never plant just 6 tomato plants, and what about the other things I know we will need.
Truly sending me to a nursery alone is like sending me shoe shopping with Stacy. He did actually think I could just buy 6 tomato plants. J and J's are all the way in Layton. I have to make the trip count don't I? That is rhetorical. Don't answer it. Please
So I came away with a lovely purple fountain grass, a beautiful black mound grass, two peppers, tons of alyssum, plenty of pansies and 20 tomato plants. No that not a typo It really is 20.
Bring on summer because I am ready for warm tomato's fresh off the vine.
Friday, April 2, 2010
Better late then never. HAPPY BIRTHDAY NUKER
My nuker turned 10 last Sunday. WOW how did that happen. I may really be getting old, when my baby girl turns 10.
So I was in California for her birthday. Don't worry she got extra souvenirs for her suffering and parting it up with her cousin at Chucky Cheese. I still wanted her to know I think she is incredible.
10 Wonderful things I love about her
1-Have you seen her smile! It could truly light up the world.
2-Pink and Purple. She is still a girly girl.
3-Hugs and kisses. Need I say more.
4-She is a fierce friend.
5-She stands up for what is right.
6-She is super smart and loves school.
7-She loves her Heavenly Father, and she knows he loves her.
8-She thinks her big sister is the greatest, and her brothers are the best.
9-Blue blood. GO BYU
10-She knows the church is true, and is a witness for it.
What ever happens in this crazy world. I am so grateful I get to go through it with my sweet nuker. She is pure sunshine. I love her so much and could not ask for anything more then to get to be her mom.
Happy Birthday peanut!
Tuesday, March 2, 2010
Taking it Slow
I thought for a while there, that I might stop time I was going so fast. Visions of superman circling the earth were going through my head. I felt for a time like I was be pulled in every direction, but not enough in one direction or the other to be fully effective. Was I really do all I could for my family, for my work, for my parents, for my young women. And to be honest I was not sure I could do it.
Then It happened. I shouldn't be surprised. Of course it happened. It is the way of the world.
You keep going and going and going, and just when you have time to catch your breath. You get sick :(
Lets look at the up side of being ill.
1-No one wants you to take care of them. They really do not want to get sick with you
2-Staying in bed is not only necessary to getting better, but it forces you to stop going.
3-When you slow down you have time to remember things like, sleep, or eating healthy meals, or prayer. You know the little things.
What did I learn.
I can't do everything, nor do I have to.
I can put thing in priority order with me in the top three, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am not selfish. I am just alive.
I can not, and I mean NOT ever think I can do it all alone. I must include my Father in Heaven in all I am doing.
I can lean on my friends, my children, my husband for help. If I can help them. Then I should trust that they can help me.
The most important person I can lean on is my savior. When I feel at my whits end, when I think I can not take one more thing going wrong, when my plate is spilling over because it is so full. He is there for me. He is always there for me. He has never failed me, nor will he ever fail me.
It only take three weeks of crazy and one week of sick to remind me.
The truth is. I already knew that. I learned these lessons before at least ten times. I have even tried to teach these same lessons to my children. Guess I am human after all.
Then It happened. I shouldn't be surprised. Of course it happened. It is the way of the world.
You keep going and going and going, and just when you have time to catch your breath. You get sick :(
Lets look at the up side of being ill.
1-No one wants you to take care of them. They really do not want to get sick with you
2-Staying in bed is not only necessary to getting better, but it forces you to stop going.
3-When you slow down you have time to remember things like, sleep, or eating healthy meals, or prayer. You know the little things.
What did I learn.
I can't do everything, nor do I have to.
I can put thing in priority order with me in the top three, and there is nothing wrong with that. I am not selfish. I am just alive.
I can not, and I mean NOT ever think I can do it all alone. I must include my Father in Heaven in all I am doing.
I can lean on my friends, my children, my husband for help. If I can help them. Then I should trust that they can help me.
The most important person I can lean on is my savior. When I feel at my whits end, when I think I can not take one more thing going wrong, when my plate is spilling over because it is so full. He is there for me. He is always there for me. He has never failed me, nor will he ever fail me.
It only take three weeks of crazy and one week of sick to remind me.
The truth is. I already knew that. I learned these lessons before at least ten times. I have even tried to teach these same lessons to my children. Guess I am human after all.
Sunday, February 14, 2010
16 years and still counting!
Brad and I just had our 16th wedding anniversary on Thursday and I can't help but love him more.
He is the most wonderful amazing man I know. He is my best friend. I am so grateful to have him as my eternal companion.
Friday, January 1, 2010
2010
so a new year has started.
I remember when I was young that time moved so slowly. Nothing happened when you thought it would and one year sounded and seemed like forever.
O what I would give for that slow year. That long lasting time. Now thing go to quickly. Time flies by so fast., and one year. That just isn't long enough.
The kids grow too fast. The months pass to fast. The world moves to fast.
It is true, just when you think everything that needs to be done is done, and you have a few minutes to stop and smell the roses. There is more to do. Things you forgot. Thing others need from you. Things you added to yourself.
So my goal this year. ( among others of course ) Take a breath. slow my steps, look around and enjoy the beauty that is everywhere.
I will listen to the wind and watch the birds in the trees. I will look at the clouds like I did when I was a child. I will hold the hugs a little longer, even if the kids think I am weird. I will find joy in silence. I will enjoy the snow fall. ( I really will )
I think what I am saying is I will try my best to slow down and look around me. I will find peace in my imperfection and know that I can be made better through my savior, and I will be OK with that.
I remember when I was young that time moved so slowly. Nothing happened when you thought it would and one year sounded and seemed like forever.
O what I would give for that slow year. That long lasting time. Now thing go to quickly. Time flies by so fast., and one year. That just isn't long enough.
The kids grow too fast. The months pass to fast. The world moves to fast.
It is true, just when you think everything that needs to be done is done, and you have a few minutes to stop and smell the roses. There is more to do. Things you forgot. Thing others need from you. Things you added to yourself.
So my goal this year. ( among others of course ) Take a breath. slow my steps, look around and enjoy the beauty that is everywhere.
I will listen to the wind and watch the birds in the trees. I will look at the clouds like I did when I was a child. I will hold the hugs a little longer, even if the kids think I am weird. I will find joy in silence. I will enjoy the snow fall. ( I really will )
I think what I am saying is I will try my best to slow down and look around me. I will find peace in my imperfection and know that I can be made better through my savior, and I will be OK with that.
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