COURAGE: Look at those eyes!

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Look at those eyes!

I love mom's eyes in this picture! This is her with Cade. Cade is mom's good friend Jen's son.

2 comments:

me said...: love the picture... and the person in it!; April 2, 2008 at 9:33 AM
Anonymous said...: I think it's a great picture....who needs hair when you have such beautiful eyes and smile. Love you sis!!!

~Patti; April 2, 2008 at 2:17 PM

It's DONE!

Mom's Testimony 2/27/2008

There are so many people dealing with hardships that often lend to feelings of great unease and lack of peace. I’ve been pondering on how to cope (in a truly positive way) when hardships, and the chaos that seems to follow, invade our lives and override any sense of reason. My niece, Carrie, often reminds me of various scriptures and the parallels they hold to many of our own life situations. I want to bear witness on how I, too, find peace and comfort in the scriptures and particularly, in the experiences of the Brother of Jared (Mahonri Moriancumer, the first Jaredite prophet). The Brother of Jared (as he is referred to) led his people from the “great tower” in Mesopotamia to the Western Hemisphere. In response to his prayer of faith, the Lord did not confound his language or that of his family or friends at the time of the Tower of Babel. This group was then led to a place on the sea they called Moriancumer (hence his ‘last name’) where they dwelt for a few years. But the real story begins for me when the brother of Jared dwelt on the seashore. He apparently stopped praying for guidance (this shows he had weaknesses – not unlike us). He didn't pray for a time and the Lord came to him and chastened him, which caused him to repent and return to favor with God. This is evidence of God’s concern for us (his children) and the importance of daily payer. It speaks loudly to the fact that the Spirit of the Lord will not always strive with man (even a prophet in this case) unless he continues to petition the Lord. Then the Brother of Jared is told there is yet another journey to take and he was commanded to build barges to get to the Promised Land. As he contemplates this task, the Brother of Jared goes to the Lord and asks him how he is going to have air in the barges and the Lord provides a solution. Then the Brother of Jared asks him how he will have light in the barges. The Lord tells him he can't have windows because they will be broken in. So the Brother of Jared, with faith behind his actions, gets to work. He climbs a high mountain and makes small clear stones. He then takes the stones to the Lord. Elder Holland pointed out once that the Brother of Jared didn't even know what to call them but when he was talking with the Lord he just called them "things." Carrie said "Wow...think about that...the Lord asks you to figure out how to have light and you bring him some rocks...yes, rocks –to the God of the Universe who created the Sun, Moon and Stars!" The Brother of Jared really exhibited his faith when he then asked the Lord to touch the stones to illuminate them – knowing that is how they could have light. This should make us all think about our own lives and how we can have light (as in the light of Christ) for ourselves and our family. Not only did these small stones provide light, they were also used as a Urim and Thumim – WOW. Anyway, the Brother of Jared had so much faith he saw the Lord and was able to talk with Him. He was then allowed to see the Lord and was reinherited because of his faith. The part that is so compelling and a true parallel to some of our own difficult situations is when it’s time for the Brother of Jared to take his journey to the Promised Land. They get in their barges and head toward the Promised Land. The winds were ferocious. They were taken to the deep parts of the ocean, virtually swallowed in the sea. There were sea creatures and whales. Now, this was not a mild wind- it was frightening. So this ferocious wind was blowing -- but what direction was it blowing them? Toward the Promised Land! When I am going through my trials I want to always remember this scripture and the significance it holds. And if we’ll liken the Promised Land to the Celestial Kingdom – somewhere we want to go – then we see that these winds blow because the Lord loves us and that is the fastest most effective way to get us 'there'. If the winds were kind and gentle or not at all it’s scary to think where we might end up. The Lord doesn't expect us to journey without light or air either. Just like on the Brother of Jared’s trip there were times they could stop and get air on their journey. I think of those times as our ‘rest stops’ where even if the wind is blowing there is a little calm. It is helpful to remember that light can come from unexpected places. For the Brother of Jared it came from 16 small stones. For me, it often comes from Mark, my kids, and my amazing extended family. It always comes from prayer and scripture study. And as Carrie pointed out, it can come from unexpected places, too, because 'things' testify of Christ and Christ is the source of Light.

It seems that the winds have picked up in my life again; they have become more ferocious. Sometimes I have to really grope for the light - but it is everywhere. When I think of the journey the Brother of Jared took I envison them being tumbled about in the ocean, scared and wondering if it was ever going to 'let up', but I also envision him and the others offering gratitude for the great blessing the source of light was for them. I know I often forget or overlook the 'light' when there are so many other hard things to focus on. I am thankful for the other ‘light’ in my life, my church family, amazing work associates, and many other good people that have crossed our path over the years. Thank you for your friendship. Our bishop, Bishop Richardson, invited our ward family to fast with us this past Sunday; as did many in our family. I want each of you to know that your sacrifice was greatly appreciated. It really is an amazing thing to be buoyed up by the faith and prayers of others. I am grateful for my amazing husband who is my biggest champion; how I love him. I am grateful for our children who offer us the sweetest love and support. Our Heavenly Father loves us and he loves you, he is mindful of each of our own trials and successes. I pray that you and your loved ones are kept safe and secure in the peace of God’s plan (especially if the winds have kicked up in your life again, too). I offer my praise and gratitude to Him. I am a blessed woman, a daughter of a heavenly king and I bear witness of the divinity of our Savior Jesus Christ.

"What lies behind us and what lies before us are tiny matters compared to what lies within us." -Oliver Wendell Homes

COURAGE

Visitors

Mom and Dad

Sterling & Mom 1984

Mom & Shelbs 1985

Mom and that Sweet, Sweet Little One 1993

Dad and Mom

Bruce and Mom

Sisters Forever and Ever

Scott, Nesli, Stef, Sony & Bryant

Mom & Shelby Pacific Highway

The girls

Nana and Tankers

Forever Sweethearts

Rachelle and Mom

Nana w Vivian Alyssa w Vince and GPA

Dad and Mom 1994

Vince and Nana

Nana and Vincent

Easter Weekend 2008

A Beatufiul Day

Nana Gpa & Aunt Alyssa with Vincent & Vivian 03 11 08

Lions and Tigers and Bears, Oh My! Beautiful Montana

Nana & Jackson Christmas 2007

Gotcha! Mom and Casey

Nana and Ryan

Mom, Sterling & Dad

Reunion 2007 Grandpa & Aunt Sonya

Cousins Jace, Taylor, Aunt Alyson & Mom 2007

Mom, Dad, Shelby and Alyssa Margaritaville

Cousin Bryce and Mom, Dad & Alyssa 2007

Happy New Year 2006

Mom and Alyssa in Philly

Mom and Dad

Mom and Lizard "London Bridges"

Taking in Uncle Joe Colley's Work on THE Bridge

Mom at Lagoon with her Girl Scouts

Mom, Dad, Uncle Randy & Aunt Claudean Blenheim

Monterey Bay

Mom and Dad at Salisbury Cathedral

Aunt Sonya & Uncle Joe June 2007

Bruce & Zea w Auntie Nee & Spanky

Mom and Dad Stratford Upon Avon

Uncle Sterling! You scared us :)

Uncle Spanky and Lys

Those Reich Girls and their Kids

Family Reunion 07

Casey and Shelbs

Fun & Games

Thanksgiving 06

Our handsome boys

Mom and Lizard

Julia, Bruce and Josh

ABC Ry Sony

Bruce & Julia

Pumpkins 2007

Witch's Brew 2007 with Aunt Nancy

GPa & Mike & Robyn

Gingerbread Houses Rule!

Noah's Ark 2007 Wisconsin with Bruce & Zea, too!

Sterling & Mom Zions

Mom & Dad at Arcadia

Mom and Dad

Gingerbread Houses 2007

Da Girlies

Oh those boys!

Mom & her Girls Tea Party @ Grand America 2004

Sterling & Mom

Carrie & Nate"s Wedding Reception

Mom, Zea and Deanna

Lizard and Mom Christmas 2007

Witch"s Brew 2006

Pumpkins 2007

Wisconsin Trip 2007

Family Reunion Dallas 2007

Tuesday, April 1, 2008

Look at those eyes!

2 comments:

It's DONE!

Top 5 reasons to get radiation (in no particular order).