Captain Jack and His Lady Friend

Chantry and I went to an elementary school tonight to attend a pirate themed literacy night. Since Chantry does such a good impression of Captain Jack Sparrow he was asked to come and read a book and talk to the kids. He asked me to come along and dress up with him. It was really fun to see how excited the children were and to make reading fun. Here are some pictures we took right after ( I forgot to take my camera to the school).

Random Thoughts

I have been having alot of random thoughts this week that I would like to share. So here goes nothing. I hope that these thoughts make sense to more than just myself.

First of all, my heart goes out to my friend Heather and her family. After 3 months of being in a coma her father has passed away. She has been through so much in the last three months with not only her father but soon to be father-in-law, grandfather-in-law, and being robbed by gunpoint. All the while planning her wedding that will take place in about a month. She has shown a great strength through all of this and I hope she knows how much her Heavenly Father loves her along with all of her friends and family.

Sometimes life sucks. It can suck the big one. Things don't always go the way we plan. Unexpected things happen in our lives, but there is one thing I have learned in the last few months while watching others struggle and dealing with my own struggles. LIFE ALWAYS GETS BETTER! It may suck right now but it will get better. We have been struggling with an issue in our lives for a year and a half now. It is not something that I feel able to share with many others at this point. Maybe one day soon but not now. Somedays I have felt like climbing into bed and never getting out. Then it got better because I got down on my knees and prayed for strength. I immediately started to feel better. It has taken many months and not much has really changed in our situation but I feel the strength of the Lord. He has blessed me to have new projects and goals that have helped make my life better. I can see that Heavenly Father definitely has a hand in our life.

Stress is a funny thing. Some people it makes them eat or lose sleep. Lately I have realized that stress makes me do one of two things. Either want to sleep all day or clean. Since sleeping all day messes me up really bad I look to cleaning. I find it very therapeutic. Whenever I tell people how much I love to vaccuum I get the wierdest look. I love to scrub the heck out of my tub when life is stressful. I may not be able to control life but I can control that shine. I am so wierd I know.

I am so grateful for the gospel. To know that there is life after death. To know that we will see our loved ones again. It truly is a blessing in my life.

Also wondering, where is the sun shine? I miss being able to go outside. Oh well.

Memorial Day Flowers

Since my mother-in-law has been so busy with her new grandbaby I was asked to do the flowers for Memorial Day for their family. I did five this year. One for each of her parents, father-in-law, grandmother-in-law, and baby boy. This is how they turned out. I think that they look pretty good, if I do say so myself.

Continue in Patience

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf gave a talk about patience in the last conference. This is one of my absolute favorite talks. Since it was given at the priesthood session I did not hear it live but Chantry came home and told me to watch it online because it was so good. Not only did I watch it online but as soon as I got my Ensign I opened it directly to this talk. Apparently Heavenly Father wanted to make sure I was paying attention because my visiting teachers also picked this talk for me. So here are some things I learned from this talk:

Waiting can be hard
" Patience-the ability to put our desires on hold for a time- is a precious and rare virtue....Nevertheless, without patience we cannot please God; we cannot become perfect. Indeed patience is a purifying process that refines understanding, deepens happiness, focuses action, and offers hope for peace." What really spoke to me with these sentences is that sometimes I think that I know what is the best for me. What I struggle with is that sometimes what is wanted is not always the best for me at that particular time. My desires could even be righteous desires but the timing is all wrong. That is why waiting can so hard. The timing doesn't always match my plans...but what about Heavenly Fathers plans. He wants what is best for me and knows what I can handle and when I can handle it. He also wants me to be the best I can be. Why would I not want that? I will be happier and more peaceful.

Patience isn't merely waiting
"Patience means active waiting and enduring. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well.". Patience is all about attitude. How can I possibly grow if I am angry and brooding all the time about not getting what I want? It can be so hard. The only way to overcome these feelings is through prayer, forgiveness, and staying close to the Lord. If I do all that I can to be patient and pray to the Lord for help I can be strong. I can overcome all of my negative feelings. In essence, I can endure well. I can be happy while being patient.

Patience requires faith
"We must learn that in the Lord's plan, our understading comes line upon line, precept on precept. In short knowledge and understanding come at the price of patience.". I may not always be able to understand why I have to wait for my righteous desires. In fact, I believe most of the time we don't understand until the trials and waiting have passed. That is when we can most see the hand of God guiding and shaping us. That is why I must have faith. I must trust Heavenly Father to help me through and know what is best for me.

Patience, a Fruit if the Spirit
"Patience means accepting that which cannot be changed and facing it with courage, grace, and faith. Patience is a process of perfection.". Patience makes us more like Heavenly Father. It is also a choice. We can choose if we want to perfected and become like Christ. I can choose to be upset or I can have courage, grace and faith.

The Lord Blesses Us for Our Patience
The Lord does hear and answer our prayers. It may not be the way and when I want him to, but he always does. If I am patient I know that I will be blessed. I will grow in ways not imagined and become more Christlike.

I learned so many things from this talk. It has helped me to know that Heavenly Father does care about each and every one of us. He hears and answers prayers and wants to help us and comfort us when down. He truly wants what is best for us.