It is fun to read all of the things on here and know how everyone is doing. I have been praying for the peace to be in our home and minds so far I am not seeing any change but I am hopeful that our vacation that we are leaving for on Sunday will help. Disneyland here we come. Thankyou for your prayers and help. WOW Heather I thought we had problems looking like a zoo sometimes with all the kids running around here but I think you have the prize in that area!
Nicole I haven't had a chance to re read the conference issue of the Ensign yet, but I do have something that I actually read about in a school newsletter that I decided to try and it has been pretty fun. They called it a brag board so I changed it slightly but all the rest of the idea is the same. We have been having a lot of trouble with the kids having trouble seeing any of their talents and well quite frankly lately I feel like all I ever do is get after them for something or another and it was bringing us all down then I read this idea and it has been great! The idea was to put up a board of some sort ours is just half of a poster board laminated. On the top it says have I done or seen any good....yes I have! It is....(my change) then underneath are two columns one that is for new things and one that says oldies but still goodies. Then we cut up index cards into thirds and wrote on them the good things we have noticed others doing or things that we thought we did really well on and then posted them on the poster that way everyone could see them. It has been fun the kids check it often to see what kind of new things are up there about them and they always get excited when there is something new but they also enjoy reading the older things too. I have to admit I am the one that posts things mostly but it has also helped me to notice the good and not so much the bad more often. It has made me have a whole new appreciation for all of my kids and the amazing people they are becoming! Some days I admit it is hard to think of things but sometimes those are the days when I try the most! I try everytime I add one about one child to think of one for at least 2 or 3 others but I usually end up thinking of one for all of them so it is a good way to also let them know that they are not just a number I think. I worry sometimes that they feel that way because there are so many of them and I hope this is a way to show them that they are noticed individually and appreciated. I know it didn't really start out from a spiritual source but it has been a spiritual experience for me. The day that I read it I was at my wits end with several of our children and then I read that and I started thinking about what I would write if I started one and I am ashamed to admit it probably took longer than it should have for me to think of things for all of them but I did and it was an answer to a prayer I hadn't even realized I had uttered until after I read the article. The prayer for a way to bring us back into harmony with each other. Obviously there are still good and bad days especially with so many teenagers at our house but I am feeling much more like a mother who appreciates and enjoys my blessings(children) than I was previously feeling. I hope this is kind of what you were wanting as a response. I enjoyed sharing it!
Tuesday, June 2, 2009
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Saturday, May 30, 2009
Our Update
So, I've been so busy posting my "thought blogs" I figured I should post something about the family. So here's what's going on here. Brent is still working hard at work and school but still seems to find some time for us too. I'm always so shocked at how much he can squeeze into his day. Something is changing though, work just put him on a 24/7 on call status which means he has to be available at all times for tech support. The good things about it means that no matter how long those calls are, he is paid for complete hours and all time spent is overtime. Yeah for the paychecks. At this point, we don't know how much it's going to impact our family time. He's trying to get approval to have a broadband card so that we can still take trips as a family without inferring with his new status. Either way, right now, we're looking at the blessings that this new assignment will bring rather than focus on the negative impact it could have.
He's really loving his calling in Scouts. He has been a great motivator to the boys he's over and to the boys he's not, he's trying to share information with them on their Scout leaders so that they can have the boys advancing together.
And speaking of Scouts, Morgan is plugging right along to his Eagle. His is so excited now and is constantly talking about what to do next so he can have his project ready to go in the next few months. The goal is to be finished with the project by the end of August if not sooner. My younger brother will be up at the end of July and that might be the perfect time to get the school bus stop structure up weather wise. We'll see and we'll post pictures as he starts the work so you can all see.
And speaking of Scouts again, there's Britt. She is about to advance in Girls Scouts from a Junior to a Cadette. She has her advancement ceremony next Thursday. She is also looking forward to this years Girls' Activity Day Camp at the end of June. It's her last year and that means extra stuff for the 11 year old girls.
Jesse is working hard at finishing the 3rd grade strong. She has never had any issues at school and all her teachers have loved her to pieces. They always send home really good comments about her. Her reading has really blossomed this year. She, like her older brother and sister, really likes to read. I don't know what's wrong with my kids. They are constantly reading. What happened to video games and playing with friends non-stop? ;) Just kidding, my children love playing video games and with friends too. Jesse is also very much into singing. She joined the school choir this year and they have the school end concert next Thursday. She told me on Thursday when I picked her up from choir that she tried out to a solo part for "My Country Tis of Thee." Wow! She is so courageous! I can't wait to hear if she got the part.
Kate, what can we say about her? She had her 2nd birthday recently. I can't believe two years have passed since she was born. On one hand it seems like only yesterday but on the other hand, it seems like forever ago! She has taken to singing too! I've had her in a YMCA gym class and they always start and end the group with circle time where they sing songs. Her favorite seems to be "Oh, Elephant" but she likes any song that has movement and noise. She is also talking up a storm and we have to be careful of what we say because she has also starting copying what we say. (She likes to say "what the flip" all the time because of Morgan.")
For me, I'm just trying to keep up with everyone and still take care of my responsibilities. I'm right in the middle of getting ready for Girls' Camp. Yeah! This year, I'm an advisor to 3rd Year girls (14 yr old). Our theme for the year is "Follow the Son". So everything revolves around Christ and his teachings. We had a camp meeting this morning with our cabins and we spent the morning making our signs with a cabin name the girls came on with (Sun Babes) and working on their skit and other little things. It was great fun and it gave us a little glimpse of what our week at camp is going to be like this year. I can't wait.
So there you go. That's us. Busy Busy Busy but who isn't? I love you all. I'll read you again soon (or post)! Have a wonderful weekend.
He's really loving his calling in Scouts. He has been a great motivator to the boys he's over and to the boys he's not, he's trying to share information with them on their Scout leaders so that they can have the boys advancing together.
And speaking of Scouts, Morgan is plugging right along to his Eagle. His is so excited now and is constantly talking about what to do next so he can have his project ready to go in the next few months. The goal is to be finished with the project by the end of August if not sooner. My younger brother will be up at the end of July and that might be the perfect time to get the school bus stop structure up weather wise. We'll see and we'll post pictures as he starts the work so you can all see.
And speaking of Scouts again, there's Britt. She is about to advance in Girls Scouts from a Junior to a Cadette. She has her advancement ceremony next Thursday. She is also looking forward to this years Girls' Activity Day Camp at the end of June. It's her last year and that means extra stuff for the 11 year old girls.
Jesse is working hard at finishing the 3rd grade strong. She has never had any issues at school and all her teachers have loved her to pieces. They always send home really good comments about her. Her reading has really blossomed this year. She, like her older brother and sister, really likes to read. I don't know what's wrong with my kids. They are constantly reading. What happened to video games and playing with friends non-stop? ;) Just kidding, my children love playing video games and with friends too. Jesse is also very much into singing. She joined the school choir this year and they have the school end concert next Thursday. She told me on Thursday when I picked her up from choir that she tried out to a solo part for "My Country Tis of Thee." Wow! She is so courageous! I can't wait to hear if she got the part.
Kate, what can we say about her? She had her 2nd birthday recently. I can't believe two years have passed since she was born. On one hand it seems like only yesterday but on the other hand, it seems like forever ago! She has taken to singing too! I've had her in a YMCA gym class and they always start and end the group with circle time where they sing songs. Her favorite seems to be "Oh, Elephant" but she likes any song that has movement and noise. She is also talking up a storm and we have to be careful of what we say because she has also starting copying what we say. (She likes to say "what the flip" all the time because of Morgan.")
For me, I'm just trying to keep up with everyone and still take care of my responsibilities. I'm right in the middle of getting ready for Girls' Camp. Yeah! This year, I'm an advisor to 3rd Year girls (14 yr old). Our theme for the year is "Follow the Son". So everything revolves around Christ and his teachings. We had a camp meeting this morning with our cabins and we spent the morning making our signs with a cabin name the girls came on with (Sun Babes) and working on their skit and other little things. It was great fun and it gave us a little glimpse of what our week at camp is going to be like this year. I can't wait.
So there you go. That's us. Busy Busy Busy but who isn't? I love you all. I'll read you again soon (or post)! Have a wonderful weekend.
Thursday, May 28, 2009
Dorius Update
Hi! I am tickled that we are all getting more active on here! I had envisioned such and agree with Nicole... we can't be close in person or telephone very often...but we can here! *GRIN*
We are hanging in there. ;) We have started some paperwork for a loan modification for our second mortgage. It could save us hundreds each month. I look back and am not sure how, but we survived from the end of Dec. through April with little to no work for JWD Electric. I know all our credit lines are maxed & our savings is gone... but even that couldn't have gotten us through... It's been hairy. Jess has been working more since April.. not 40 hours a week by any means... but working. :) Tithing brings blessings only the Lord can offer. And we are SO very grateful.
My work is picking up some. We closed on a house across the street from me while we were in Arizona. That makes it so I can get groceries. :) Gave them a huge a deal on commission (family rate because they were going to use us to buy)...only to have it go wrong. It is disappointing to learn how many people want ya to work your guts out for nothing. I keep telling myself it will eventually come back to bless us for being so kind and we will get an honest wage somewhere else. *sigh* I have quite a few possibles... and multiple clients looking/having to sell first etc... but I try to never count my chickens before they hatch... and before I am done and have completely earned what I make. I am still sitting at the Subdivision a couple of times a week. Our builder has a home that will be in the Parade of Homes starting tomorrow... so we are all praying for a pick up! (especially with the new $8k credit!) And I am thankful for the chance to sit down for a minute here though and give ya'll an update while I use up my shift of time here at our "ghetto trailer"! ;)
I like my new calling... though the research is quite time consuming! Emergency Preparedness is a HUGE subject area. Maria and I (my real estate partner, bishop's wife, best friend & co-E.P. specialist) are going to try to get Disaster Plans for the Neighborhood going. It is a BIG undertaking, but we both feel the urgency to do it. Should be an adventure. ;)
Emmalee is growing fast. She wears my shoes now, is almost the same bra size as me(sorry uncles!), is taller than her Gram (Jess' mom) and is dying to not be growing up so soon. She loves homeschooling... and has done more power point presentations on what she has learned than I can count! She was able to be in the same Hope Of America Concert as the boys, and I did get pics that I will post as soon as I can (2businesses plus regular "post-vacation chaos" and that just does not get to be high on the priority list right now darn it!) LOL She loved Arizona! She had a great time with the girl cousins, though the teenage drama was a little more than she could handle...LOL. She is a peacemaker child and does not do well with constant irrational contention. I pray it continues through HER teenage years and we can stay close. :)
Cody is doing awesome! My biggest hopes for his homeschooling career may have been manifest yesterday. One of the things he was struggling with was wanting to play with friends or be social...he always said no! Since starting homeschooling his personality has blossomed! He has such a quick wit and a cute sense of humor! He had one of the kids in our neighborhood call and ask if he could play... the one with severe ADHD that he has completely avoided because he was just too much for Cody's quiet personality. Cody said yes! He went to his house to play... they played there and then came to our house to play! And they played SOO well together!! I was thrilled beyond belief! Cody was so patient with him and they really had a good time. It tickled me to pieces! He of course is excelling in schooling. We have exhausted the interest of DNA and genetic modification...for now...and we are now on to solar energy. *grin* He is almost all done with his Bear book and is really excited for the Weeblos camp next weekend with his dad (they are letting him go because he is close within 30 days of becoming a Weeblos)
Cameron is a pickle. Sometimes he is SO sweet and other times he is a sour puss. He re-broke his arm, hates to do school work for me, is really emotional about his best friend moving the end of June, and could live on the computer playing webkinz, or any other virtual reality type games if we would let him. He gives the best hugs ever, loves you deep and long, and keeps us on our toes. He still has NO sense of time. He has figured out the art of manipulation and is not too crazy about mom and dad's rule of "what did your mom/dad say?". *giggle* We are almost through Alma in his Book of Mormon reading before his baptism next January. (btw - Uncle B & fam: if you'd like to try and come we would LOVE to have you!) He loves Piggies in a Pancake and would eat them for every meal if he could! :)
Caleb. Oh man oh man Caleb. He is so much fun! On the way to AZ he snuck into the snack box (that's what I get for putting it next to him!) and ate an entire GIANT sized Hershey's bar. From Phoenix to Tucson we could not figure out why he would NOT be quiet!! His mouth went a hundred miles a minute! We laughed so hard when we figured it out. The poor boy was on a huge sugar/caffeine rush!! He LOVED AZ and STILL asks if we are in AZ. He loves motel rooms/condos. ?? It is a hoot. Any and all we drive by now he wants to know if we are staying there. LOL! This boy likes vacations! ;)
We really did enjoy our trip to Tucson for Kayelani's Graduation. It was lovely!! It was so fun to see McOmber's so happy to see Grandpa and Margean, and even more so to spend a little time with him and then stay and spend some extra time with them. KK has a really nice boy she is dating and each night the 6 of us adults would stay up and play games until all hours. The last night we were shocked to realize it was almost 3am UTAH time! LOL. I felt so very loved by our Heavenly Father while we were there... it had been in the 100's the week before we went down. It even hit 110 in Phoenix on our car temp gauge as we drove through. We arrived in Tucson to cloud cover... and it stayed the ENTIRE time we did!! It lightly misted rain a few times and never got above 85! Jess and I were both REALLY concerned about how my heart would do... but with the exception of a few times of needing to lay down, my heart did FANTASTIC! Heavenly Father really does create miracles in our lives if we choose to see them that is for sure! Everyone kept saying Tucson weather is NEVER like that. Storms fly in and out and temps roller coaster all over. I was SO greatly appreciative of the tempered weather I can't even explain! What a humbling experience!
We have been working together the last few evenings on building a chicken coop. It is fancy. Jess laughed and said "Son of a Utah Home Builders Assoc Superintendent of the Year had better build a good one!" LOL He is making the plan up as we go... it will end up looking like a little school house I think! The kids and I are debating on painting a bell on the front and making a sign that says "Hen High school" or "Poultry Preschool"! LOL The chickens are doing great! Well... except one. She is still SO tiny! I named her Wilbur. She is a Bandee chicken and looks like she has only grown a week since we got her! Jess had to give her a bath the other night because she was so pooped on. She is the sweetest little thing and holds her own though!
We added to our zoo-like qualities while in AZ. The kids wanted a gecko and I made the mistake of saying "if you can catch one you can keep it". Ha ha on me. We now have a lovely little Mediterranean House Gecko. His name is Gilligan, Gilligan the Gecko. Cody is officially in charge of him and LOVES it! Now we have chickens, a Yorkie, 3 frogs, a tankful of fish, a gecko and a hamster. My life is complete?? Bwahahahah
Katina... I will add peace for you all to my prayers as well. That seems like the only real avenue available at this exact moment - and I hate to say it - but wouldn't that just burn *her* up to know she has not effected you and your family? It makes her seem more like the problem that she is as well! Your children will feel your peace and WANT to stay. ((hugs)) and prayers!
Nicole... I really appreciate all you have written. You are much more than a sister-in-law that is for sure! I feel so blessed to have 3 wonderful sisters on this side of my family now! I know we have had our baggage as a family, but I know we are stronger for it. And we have a history all our own that is for sure! :) May God Bless the Stoddard family as we strive to be closer and honor and support one another in our struggles!
Thanks for reading this novel! WOW! I DO need to update more often! And I will have pics soon as well!! Gotta run! Home Depot is calling... LOL!
We are hanging in there. ;) We have started some paperwork for a loan modification for our second mortgage. It could save us hundreds each month. I look back and am not sure how, but we survived from the end of Dec. through April with little to no work for JWD Electric. I know all our credit lines are maxed & our savings is gone... but even that couldn't have gotten us through... It's been hairy. Jess has been working more since April.. not 40 hours a week by any means... but working. :) Tithing brings blessings only the Lord can offer. And we are SO very grateful.
My work is picking up some. We closed on a house across the street from me while we were in Arizona. That makes it so I can get groceries. :) Gave them a huge a deal on commission (family rate because they were going to use us to buy)...only to have it go wrong. It is disappointing to learn how many people want ya to work your guts out for nothing. I keep telling myself it will eventually come back to bless us for being so kind and we will get an honest wage somewhere else. *sigh* I have quite a few possibles... and multiple clients looking/having to sell first etc... but I try to never count my chickens before they hatch... and before I am done and have completely earned what I make. I am still sitting at the Subdivision a couple of times a week. Our builder has a home that will be in the Parade of Homes starting tomorrow... so we are all praying for a pick up! (especially with the new $8k credit!) And I am thankful for the chance to sit down for a minute here though and give ya'll an update while I use up my shift of time here at our "ghetto trailer"! ;)
I like my new calling... though the research is quite time consuming! Emergency Preparedness is a HUGE subject area. Maria and I (my real estate partner, bishop's wife, best friend & co-E.P. specialist) are going to try to get Disaster Plans for the Neighborhood going. It is a BIG undertaking, but we both feel the urgency to do it. Should be an adventure. ;)
Emmalee is growing fast. She wears my shoes now, is almost the same bra size as me(sorry uncles!), is taller than her Gram (Jess' mom) and is dying to not be growing up so soon. She loves homeschooling... and has done more power point presentations on what she has learned than I can count! She was able to be in the same Hope Of America Concert as the boys, and I did get pics that I will post as soon as I can (2businesses plus regular "post-vacation chaos" and that just does not get to be high on the priority list right now darn it!) LOL She loved Arizona! She had a great time with the girl cousins, though the teenage drama was a little more than she could handle...LOL. She is a peacemaker child and does not do well with constant irrational contention. I pray it continues through HER teenage years and we can stay close. :)
Cody is doing awesome! My biggest hopes for his homeschooling career may have been manifest yesterday. One of the things he was struggling with was wanting to play with friends or be social...he always said no! Since starting homeschooling his personality has blossomed! He has such a quick wit and a cute sense of humor! He had one of the kids in our neighborhood call and ask if he could play... the one with severe ADHD that he has completely avoided because he was just too much for Cody's quiet personality. Cody said yes! He went to his house to play... they played there and then came to our house to play! And they played SOO well together!! I was thrilled beyond belief! Cody was so patient with him and they really had a good time. It tickled me to pieces! He of course is excelling in schooling. We have exhausted the interest of DNA and genetic modification...for now...and we are now on to solar energy. *grin* He is almost all done with his Bear book and is really excited for the Weeblos camp next weekend with his dad (they are letting him go because he is close within 30 days of becoming a Weeblos)
Cameron is a pickle. Sometimes he is SO sweet and other times he is a sour puss. He re-broke his arm, hates to do school work for me, is really emotional about his best friend moving the end of June, and could live on the computer playing webkinz, or any other virtual reality type games if we would let him. He gives the best hugs ever, loves you deep and long, and keeps us on our toes. He still has NO sense of time. He has figured out the art of manipulation and is not too crazy about mom and dad's rule of "what did your mom/dad say?". *giggle* We are almost through Alma in his Book of Mormon reading before his baptism next January. (btw - Uncle B & fam: if you'd like to try and come we would LOVE to have you!) He loves Piggies in a Pancake and would eat them for every meal if he could! :)
Caleb. Oh man oh man Caleb. He is so much fun! On the way to AZ he snuck into the snack box (that's what I get for putting it next to him!) and ate an entire GIANT sized Hershey's bar. From Phoenix to Tucson we could not figure out why he would NOT be quiet!! His mouth went a hundred miles a minute! We laughed so hard when we figured it out. The poor boy was on a huge sugar/caffeine rush!! He LOVED AZ and STILL asks if we are in AZ. He loves motel rooms/condos. ?? It is a hoot. Any and all we drive by now he wants to know if we are staying there. LOL! This boy likes vacations! ;)
We really did enjoy our trip to Tucson for Kayelani's Graduation. It was lovely!! It was so fun to see McOmber's so happy to see Grandpa and Margean, and even more so to spend a little time with him and then stay and spend some extra time with them. KK has a really nice boy she is dating and each night the 6 of us adults would stay up and play games until all hours. The last night we were shocked to realize it was almost 3am UTAH time! LOL. I felt so very loved by our Heavenly Father while we were there... it had been in the 100's the week before we went down. It even hit 110 in Phoenix on our car temp gauge as we drove through. We arrived in Tucson to cloud cover... and it stayed the ENTIRE time we did!! It lightly misted rain a few times and never got above 85! Jess and I were both REALLY concerned about how my heart would do... but with the exception of a few times of needing to lay down, my heart did FANTASTIC! Heavenly Father really does create miracles in our lives if we choose to see them that is for sure! Everyone kept saying Tucson weather is NEVER like that. Storms fly in and out and temps roller coaster all over. I was SO greatly appreciative of the tempered weather I can't even explain! What a humbling experience!
We have been working together the last few evenings on building a chicken coop. It is fancy. Jess laughed and said "Son of a Utah Home Builders Assoc Superintendent of the Year had better build a good one!" LOL He is making the plan up as we go... it will end up looking like a little school house I think! The kids and I are debating on painting a bell on the front and making a sign that says "Hen High school" or "Poultry Preschool"! LOL The chickens are doing great! Well... except one. She is still SO tiny! I named her Wilbur. She is a Bandee chicken and looks like she has only grown a week since we got her! Jess had to give her a bath the other night because she was so pooped on. She is the sweetest little thing and holds her own though!
We added to our zoo-like qualities while in AZ. The kids wanted a gecko and I made the mistake of saying "if you can catch one you can keep it". Ha ha on me. We now have a lovely little Mediterranean House Gecko. His name is Gilligan, Gilligan the Gecko. Cody is officially in charge of him and LOVES it! Now we have chickens, a Yorkie, 3 frogs, a tankful of fish, a gecko and a hamster. My life is complete?? Bwahahahah
Katina... I will add peace for you all to my prayers as well. That seems like the only real avenue available at this exact moment - and I hate to say it - but wouldn't that just burn *her* up to know she has not effected you and your family? It makes her seem more like the problem that she is as well! Your children will feel your peace and WANT to stay. ((hugs)) and prayers!
Nicole... I really appreciate all you have written. You are much more than a sister-in-law that is for sure! I feel so blessed to have 3 wonderful sisters on this side of my family now! I know we have had our baggage as a family, but I know we are stronger for it. And we have a history all our own that is for sure! :) May God Bless the Stoddard family as we strive to be closer and honor and support one another in our struggles!
Thanks for reading this novel! WOW! I DO need to update more often! And I will have pics soon as well!! Gotta run! Home Depot is calling... LOL!
Sunday, May 24, 2009
Something I Read
Hey Everyone,
I was reading my conference edition of the Ensign and came across this quote from Elder Cook's talk "Our Father's Plan-Big Enough for All His Children." He quoted John 16:55 which says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (I read this address shortly after Katina posted her comments of what they're struggling through right now and I've been meaning to post it for a day or two.) I love this scripture because it tells me that not matter the pain I'm going through, I know that I can turn to my Savior and He knows what I am going through and that can give me peace. And, boy, does that cheer me up. We suffer trials and tribulation for our growth but knowing that Christ knows our pain and struggles lets us know where we can turn for relief.
I also loved this other quote from Elder Cook's talk too, "...be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord made salvation 'free to all men' but has 'commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.'"
My family and our Stoddard family (and a few extentions) are perfect examples of this comment. Those of us that are stronger in the gospel need not "force feed" the gospel to those that are still trying to find out where they fit in. Today I was feeding Kate at the table and as I struggled to make sure that she was getting what she needs to sustain her energy if not add weight to her tiny body, I realized that I couldn't force open her mouth and put food into it with the expectation that she would swallow it down. She still has choice. A time or two, she would open her mouth and the food would drop into her lap or she would actually swallow it. The same holds true with those we share the gospel with. We can share our testimony with those we love but we can't force them to take it in with the expectation that they will let it sink into their hearts. They still have choice but regardless of that choice, we still love them and share our testimonies if only by our examples.
I love reading the conference addresses. It brings a different light on what I actually heard during conference. I love to read the addresses along with the notes that I took during the sessions to see what more I have learned since the intial address. It's fun to see if the goals I wrote on those days were actually met and applied to my life to this point. For this talk, the goal I made was to stop judging my family (especially my own siblings and parents). I didn't grow up in an ideal home but Heavenly Father didn't leave me alone and without blessings. Regardless of what my childhood was, I know that He loved me and blessed me with parents that tried to make the best of what they had. Could they have done better? Maybe, but I still love them and I will always treasure that they taught me good basic values. Because of them, I love the gospel and developed my own testimony. Because of them, I learned what a parent should be and try to be the mom my Heavenly Father wants me to be for my own children. My parents are good people. They are each in their own struggles, physically and spiritually, but as they continue down their paths, I hope that in some small way, I might be able to help them without them feeling like that I am "force feeding" them.
What was something you were able to read and apply from conference? I would like to know. Our best learning comes from sharing what we have learned with others.
I love you and I look forward to reading your responses.
Nicole
I was reading my conference edition of the Ensign and came across this quote from Elder Cook's talk "Our Father's Plan-Big Enough for All His Children." He quoted John 16:55 which says, "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world." (I read this address shortly after Katina posted her comments of what they're struggling through right now and I've been meaning to post it for a day or two.) I love this scripture because it tells me that not matter the pain I'm going through, I know that I can turn to my Savior and He knows what I am going through and that can give me peace. And, boy, does that cheer me up. We suffer trials and tribulation for our growth but knowing that Christ knows our pain and struggles lets us know where we can turn for relief.
I also loved this other quote from Elder Cook's talk too, "...be loving and kind to members of our own faith, regardless of their level of commitment or activity. The Savior has made it clear that we are not to judge each other. This is especially true of members of our own families. Our obligation is to love and teach and never give up. The Lord made salvation 'free to all men' but has 'commanded his people that they should persuade all men to repentance.'"
My family and our Stoddard family (and a few extentions) are perfect examples of this comment. Those of us that are stronger in the gospel need not "force feed" the gospel to those that are still trying to find out where they fit in. Today I was feeding Kate at the table and as I struggled to make sure that she was getting what she needs to sustain her energy if not add weight to her tiny body, I realized that I couldn't force open her mouth and put food into it with the expectation that she would swallow it down. She still has choice. A time or two, she would open her mouth and the food would drop into her lap or she would actually swallow it. The same holds true with those we share the gospel with. We can share our testimony with those we love but we can't force them to take it in with the expectation that they will let it sink into their hearts. They still have choice but regardless of that choice, we still love them and share our testimonies if only by our examples.
I love reading the conference addresses. It brings a different light on what I actually heard during conference. I love to read the addresses along with the notes that I took during the sessions to see what more I have learned since the intial address. It's fun to see if the goals I wrote on those days were actually met and applied to my life to this point. For this talk, the goal I made was to stop judging my family (especially my own siblings and parents). I didn't grow up in an ideal home but Heavenly Father didn't leave me alone and without blessings. Regardless of what my childhood was, I know that He loved me and blessed me with parents that tried to make the best of what they had. Could they have done better? Maybe, but I still love them and I will always treasure that they taught me good basic values. Because of them, I love the gospel and developed my own testimony. Because of them, I learned what a parent should be and try to be the mom my Heavenly Father wants me to be for my own children. My parents are good people. They are each in their own struggles, physically and spiritually, but as they continue down their paths, I hope that in some small way, I might be able to help them without them feeling like that I am "force feeding" them.
What was something you were able to read and apply from conference? I would like to know. Our best learning comes from sharing what we have learned with others.
I love you and I look forward to reading your responses.
Nicole
Tuesday, May 19, 2009
Advice
Thank you for the advice you are right about controlling the actions of others it seems everyday we find out something new that makes it even worse. I think that will be what I start praying for we can certainly use all the peace we can get at our house. I had to laugh when you mentioned the scheduling and calendar it does get crazy about the only way I can keep it all straight is that we have one of those large desk calendars on the wall and everyone has their own color so when they have something we can write it down and even then sometimes it is CRAZY! It is nice to know of the support we have. We will let you know as things progress with Sean and his schooling at some point I would like to be able to go back too. I am glad for the blessings you recieve you are awesome people and deserve them all. Tell everybody we love them!
Thank You For Sharing
Hey Katina - Thank you for sharing what is going on in your family and no, it didn't sound whiney. It's what's going on and if we don't know what's going on, then we don't know where to help or where to celebrate.
I can only imagine how hard it is having the blended family that you all have. I get a headache just thinking about the calendering and scheduling you guys have to keep. If anything, I pray for your sanity in keeping it all straight.
I'm sorry to hear that Nannette isn't being a very good person. I recently visited with a friend who is also dealing with her own blended family issues. Her two oldest children are from a previous marriage and suffer from medical issues that require certain medications. Her ex-husband has started manipulating their medication even though she has given him the strict guidelines that were stipulated by the children's doctor. It's sad when the one parent thinks they can get back at the other parent by using the children. She was telling me and my visiting teaching companion about how she started praying for justice on him because she was so frustrated with the health danger he is now putting their children in. This was a serious topic and we talked for quite some time about it but her advice to our friend, which is something you might want to think about, is to pray for peace, some type of understanding and strength for herself. We can't control actions the actions of others, we can only control our own. When we pray about us and our response to situations, we will have the Spirit to be with us more and Heavenly Father will hold each of us responsible for our actions.
To Sean, Brent and I so support you both in your decision to go back to school. It has been really good for Brent personally (as well professionally) going back to school. We have seen our financial outlook increase but more importantly, it has freed us to serve more. I know that this is what Heavenly Father wants for us. He helped Brent get this education not only to better our family but to better those around us. We have had numerous doors and opportunities open that we would not have with we continued on the path we were headed when we first moved here to Washington. Don't get me wrong, we are not rolling in the money, we make each and every paycheck work with very little wiggle room but because Heavenly Father has blessed us with a larger income, our focus is less on the bank account and more on serving those around us.
We love you guys and you are in our prayers. I know that Heavenly Father will bless you with peace and you will know how to handle the situation with Nannette. I know that you both are trying very hard to be Christlike with her and Heavenly Father will help your children see that and live by your example. Keep the faith and endure to the end!
Nicole
I can only imagine how hard it is having the blended family that you all have. I get a headache just thinking about the calendering and scheduling you guys have to keep. If anything, I pray for your sanity in keeping it all straight.
I'm sorry to hear that Nannette isn't being a very good person. I recently visited with a friend who is also dealing with her own blended family issues. Her two oldest children are from a previous marriage and suffer from medical issues that require certain medications. Her ex-husband has started manipulating their medication even though she has given him the strict guidelines that were stipulated by the children's doctor. It's sad when the one parent thinks they can get back at the other parent by using the children. She was telling me and my visiting teaching companion about how she started praying for justice on him because she was so frustrated with the health danger he is now putting their children in. This was a serious topic and we talked for quite some time about it but her advice to our friend, which is something you might want to think about, is to pray for peace, some type of understanding and strength for herself. We can't control actions the actions of others, we can only control our own. When we pray about us and our response to situations, we will have the Spirit to be with us more and Heavenly Father will hold each of us responsible for our actions.
To Sean, Brent and I so support you both in your decision to go back to school. It has been really good for Brent personally (as well professionally) going back to school. We have seen our financial outlook increase but more importantly, it has freed us to serve more. I know that this is what Heavenly Father wants for us. He helped Brent get this education not only to better our family but to better those around us. We have had numerous doors and opportunities open that we would not have with we continued on the path we were headed when we first moved here to Washington. Don't get me wrong, we are not rolling in the money, we make each and every paycheck work with very little wiggle room but because Heavenly Father has blessed us with a larger income, our focus is less on the bank account and more on serving those around us.
We love you guys and you are in our prayers. I know that Heavenly Father will bless you with peace and you will know how to handle the situation with Nannette. I know that you both are trying very hard to be Christlike with her and Heavenly Father will help your children see that and live by your example. Keep the faith and endure to the end!
Nicole
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