Our Cups Runneth Over

We read Psalms 23:5.

We discussed it's meaning.

We talked about who we should show love to. (Everyone.)

We discussed why that's so important. (Because our Savior did.)

We talked about how we can help other's cups runneth over. 

We enjoyed delivering these little cups to those who we love.

Wins All Around

It's not often I feel like I've got a solid win on my score board as a parent.

In fact most days, I don't.

My losses highly outrank the wins.

But last Saturday night, there were wins all around.

Win #1 - We got to drive to Safeco Field in Seattle for a memorable evening to see some pretty amazing people. None of them were in baseball socks, unless they had them on under their suits. The prophet, Russell M. Nelson, his cute wife Wendy Watson Nelson, and Henry B. Eyring were the speakers.

Win #2 - We had Seattle dogs for dinner, and no one spilled on their church clothes.

Win #3 - We happened to have some extra tickets that we were able to negotiate some amazing goods for trade.

Win #4 - We managed to somehow sit with a group of friends from our ward without planning. Pretty impressive in a crowd of 49,089 people.

Win #4 - It really doesn't suck having family up here.

Win #5 - As we drove away from the fireside, devotional, event, once in a lifetime experience, whatever you want to call it, we asked our babes what was their favorite part.

Jack said, "I liked when the first bald guy (Eyring) was talking about when he was a little boy just like me. He was wriggling around at church and his mom was getting mad just like you always do, but he was actually listening to the speaker, like I do. Sometimes."

Afton said, "I liked when President Nelson told that story about him on the plane when it was about to crash. I remember that Mormon Channel video we've watched, but it was cool to hear him tell it again."

Jocelyn said, "I liked the durl who gave me stickers."

Win #6 - Dick's for a late dinner is always a luxury. And my babes suggested we feed the gentleman who was holding a sign that read, "Just food."

Wins all around.

Black and White

The gospel is pretty black and white.

It's simple.

It's beautiful.

It's beautifully simple and simply beautiful.

Or simply handsome, since this is a boy baptism post.

We could not be more proud of our handsome boy for taking this simple first step in life, towards his eternal happiness.

 

A Whole Month

This call came to me over a month ago.

And I've been sitting on it. Festering over it. Talking myself out of it. Crying over it. Depressed about it.

And there was no one I could really talk to about it.

I felt overwhelmed and inadequate. Unqualified and lacking spirituality, emotionally, wholeheartedly. 

I was not right for this job.

And I prayed. I prayed for understanding as to why my name was selected. I prayed for comfort. I prayed for guidance. I prayed. And I would feel better. For a time.

And then the doubt, fear, and anxiety would creep in, slowly at times. Sometimes like a wave crashing into me.

It was crazy how fast Satan worked on me during that month.

I reached out to my past Relief Society presidents. Women I love, cherish, and have always admired.

These women are the elite. The best of the best. Women I want to be when I grow up. Ha! (Is it bad that I still think of myself as a young, extremely wise teenager with 3 babes and a cute sugar?)

And they had such comforting words of encouragement and belief in me. Belief that I will be able to help so many in our ward because of my ability to listen to the spirit. They didn't sugar coat anything, because it's a really tough call to hold. But they spoke of the blessings they had while serving, the changes they witnessed in themselves and others, and the love they had for the sisters in their ward while serving. They put me at ease. I felt peace because of their kind words.

And then the night before we were supposed to be officially sustained, that peace was gone. I was not able to sleep. I was back to feeling overwhelmed and inadequate. Unqualified and lacking spirituality, emotionally, wholeheartedly. 

We walked into church late, because 9 am church, come on... it's just impossible for us to be on time no matter what time we seem to set out clocks to.

Just 5 minutes or so late, but late enough to miss opening prayer and song. However, we were right in time for the bishop to release the previous amazing presidency and then read our names aloud.

As he did that, it was weird. I knew he was going to ask me to bear my freaking testimony, and I felt that sweet peace again. The peace I had been praying for all night the night before. I was still super overwhelmed and inadequate. Super unqualified and lacking spirituality, emotionally, wholeheartedly. But, there was a difference. I could feel the support of all of those faces in the room. I could feel their love almost instantly. More importantly, I could feel the love of my Heavenly Father. It was powerful.

I bore my testimony. Not sure of anything at all that I was saying. Expecting it to be a hot mess. But when I asked my Sugar later that night, he said it was the most clear testimony he has heard me share in a long time. (So, that was a nice backwards compliment. Thanks dear.)

The best thing of all from that sacrament meeting came after wards.

I had so many past Relief Society presidents come up and hug me, love me, offer their congratulations and support. They assured me that they too had felt the same things I had, and that it was normal. (Knowing for as long as I had, was not normal... but the feelings were.)They too had no idea what they were doing, but they learned to really listen to the spirit. They told me to delegate, pray, go to the temple, read my scriptures, (you know the basic church answers) and do what I am good at... love the sisters of this ward.

A whole month I knew this was coming. Maybe even over a month, now that I really think about it.

And in just 1 week after, I can already see the changes it is making in the lives of my family and myself. I want to be a better mother, wife, daughter, sister, friend, and a true example of Jesus Christ's love for us all. 

Here is hoping I don't screw this ward up. Good thing I have an amazing presidency that won't let that happen. Beyond thankful for them, this call, the sweet sisters of this ward, and the love and trust my Heavenly Father has for me!

Handsome Boy

He hates taking pictures.

He is nothing like his sisters in this regard.

I had to mentally prepare him to be able to get these pictures done this morning.

I knew I had to act fast or else I'd lose his adorable smile and see his frustrated frown. I'd probably even see his scrunched up eyeballs due to the sun, which was nowhere to be found this morning. "My eyes. It's too bright. The sun hurts my eyes," is regularly heard if I'm taking his photo.

But today, for 12 minutes we took pictures and I can't be more pleased with the result.

He's the cutest, smartest, funniest, kindest (except to his sisters), loving, most creative, most handsome little boy there ever was. And no, I'm not biased.

Just look at these pictures.

He's getting baptized on September 2, and he's really excited. He's a great kid in his primary class and always first to share the answers according to his sweet teacher, Sister Newvine. He always sings in primary if it's Solos for Rolos, but pretty much hates when I make him sing during sacrament with me. He is too nervous to share his testimony in public, but he assures me he has one, and will one day get brave. He's not sold on going on a mission because he'll miss us too much. "But that could change, maybe. I just love you a lot." He says the best prayers, always thankful for his family, especially his mom and dad. He is a peacemaker, an excellent example, and tender hearted boy.

I'm am so very proud of my Jack boy. Love him so much.