Coincidence? I think not.

This past Sunday President Mooring, our current Stake Patriarch (and our previous Stake President) spoke about the Prophet Joseph Smith.  As President Mooring closed his talk he bore testimony of the Lord’s hand in the work of the restoration and the life of our beloved Prophet Joseph. As he did so, he repeated over and over again the words, Coincidence? I think not. It was a powerful testimony and since then I have found these words fill my mind as I see the Lord’s hand in my life. As such was the case further on that day. I was conducting in relief society and had asked if any one had good news to share? Since no one had responded I shared my good news, that our Melissa was once again pregnant. The room was immediately filled with oohs and awes of joy and gratitude. It then quieted down and with perfect timing, little one year old Aaron McCormick, clapped his hands together and shouted yea! 

  ... even babes did open their mouths and utter marvelous things; (3 Nephi 26:16)

Coincidence? I think not.

The Wedding...The Wedding... The Wedding

This title comes from an experience John had with our oldest grandson, Kade. While he was visiting with us, (he was five at the time) Grandpa was trying to talk him into going to Walmart with him, which Kade wanted no part in. John had offered (well actually bribed) him a shopping spree with grandpa, still to no avail.  John then resorted to psychological tactics and said, well, pretty soon Amber will be here with baby Brooklynn and I'll bet she will go with me. To which Kade immediately responded with disgust, the baby..the baby..the baby. Perhaps we had spoken of the baby one too many times in his presence? 

Since then, in our family when we are sick of hearing about something or feel like one aspect in our lives is encroaching brilliant glare, without allowing us to see anything else, we respond the baby the baby the baby.

I suppose that anyone talking to me for longer than a period of oh say, 5 seconds, may want to respond in such a way. The wedding...the wedding...the wedding. 

My appologies to those who may relate to this comment.

August 15th is the wedding the wedding the wedding!

Better Than Yesterday.

Last night as John  and I closed the day with prayer, he prayed that tomorrow we would find ourselves better than we were today. I have reflected upon those words wondering if indeed, I am and if so how and why?

I believe I am. Why? Not because of anything I did but rather from being blessed by others faith and goodness. Yesterday Niki Decca (a counselor who serves with me in the Relief Society) and I went on what we call shepherding visits. We were trying to visit sisters we don't know whose names are on our records yet don't come to church. The last sister we went to see, (after the first two not being home), was an older woman whose faith has strengthened my own. She spoke about the Savior and her love for Him. Her humility was apparent from the moment we met her. She openly discussed her weakness of smoking and yet spoke from heart the Lord's Prayer and the Lord is my Shepherd (psalms 23). Before we left we asked if there was anything we could do for her. She didn't shake her head quickly like some usually do (myself included) but pondered for a moment, then said yes, there is something you can do for me. I always get these two prayers (the two afore mentioned) mixed up, can you tell me where they are found? Though I couldn't recite the reference from memory then, because of her, I can now. As we prepared to leave she asked if we would bless her. She then held out her hands and asked me to pray. So there in a circle, united in faith we prayed.

There have been times when I have been visiting someone and know I should ask if we could pray and felt a little hesitant to ask. Yet, here was this sweet sister, asking with assured faith, two sisters she had just met, to pray for her and with her. I left her home better than when I entered it. 

How I am or rather will be better than yesterday, depends on if my actions will reflect my newly strengthened faith.

Because....

 

The Lord is my shepherd I shall not want.

   He maketh me to lie down in green pastures: he leadeth me beside the still waters.

   He restoreth my soul: he leadeth me in the paths of righteousness for his name’s sake.

      Yea, though I walk through valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil: for thou art with me; thy rod and thy staff they comfort me.

   Thou preparest a table before me in the presence of mine enemies: thou anointest my head with oil; my cup runneth over.

   Surely goodness and mercy shall follow me all the days of my life: and I will dwell in the house of the Lord for ever.

Psalm 23

The dawning of a new day!

Yes, it is true, a new day, a new blog, a new way to keep up with the ever changing "techy" world we live in. My children will be so proud. I welcome myself to the world of blogging!