Father's Day Tribute to Three Wonderful Men

As today is Father's Day, I'd like to honor the three father's who mean the most to me.

First, Chad, the Father of my Children.  I couldn't ask for a more kind, patient, humble, capable, loving, charitable man to be the father of my children.  He looks for the best in others and is a friend to everyone.  He loves being a Father and I love watching him hold our babies.  I am so lucky to be married to him.  My kids are so lucky to have him as their father.  He is amazing.

Chad's first day as a father.  He is holding Spencer just minutes after he was born. Dec. 6, 2001

Chad and Tilly at the Natural Bridge area.

Chad and Spencer indexing

Playing play-doh with Marlee and Tilly

Next is my Daddy.  I am so lucky to have been raised by such an, outgoing, fun loving cowboy.  My dad was kind, a great teacher, a great motivator (sometimes with a spanking), honorable, honest, respectful and respected.  After a recent conversation with my brother-in-law Trever, I pulled out the letters that my Mom and Dad wrote me as part of a stake youth conference.  My parents loved being parents and they were good about praising their children and helping them reach their potential.  I am so lucky to have such a good Father and Mother.  I loved being around my Dad.  He seemed to receive positive attention and praise wherever he went.  He was a friend to all and could find a connection with pretty much everyone he met.

A trip to the State Capitol when the Snowflake Madrigals were invited to sing the national anthem my Senior year. 

And lastly, but not least, is my father-in-law Arthur Sanders.  I am so thankful for him and the wonderful man he helped raise.  He taught Chad by his good example how to be a fun, loving, kind father.  He is inventive and Chad also has that wonderful trait.  He loves the Lord and is a wonderful father and grandfather.

Shall I Falter, or Shall I Finish?

This morning I read the sad news about a tragic accident that occurred yesterday on the way to church in which my cousin’s toddler was killed.  This had me reflecting about other major trials that several other loved ones are going through.  Two people I love recently battled life threatening illnesses that have left not only physical but emotional scars as well.  Two people I love are going through a divorce that is also causing arguments, anger, sadness and stress within the family.  People I love have struggled with infertility.  People I love recently delivered a still born baby and are struggling as life marches on.  I know of a young mother who was recently diagnosed with terminal cancer.  When hard trials hurt those I love sometimes I feel a type of survivor’s guilt, but when I have gone through trials of my own I haven’t wanted other people to feel guilty for what I am going through.  As I’ve thought about these circumstances I remembered something President Thomas S. Monson said, “Brothers and sisters, it may be safely assumed that no person has ever lived entirely free of suffering and sorrow. ... When the pathway of life takes a cruel turn, there is the temptation to ask the question ‘Why me?’ At times there appears to be no light at the end of the tunnel, no sunrise to end the night’s darkness. We feel encompassed by the disappointment of shattered dreams and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea, ‘Is there no balm in Gilead?’  We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We become impatient for a solution to our problems, forgetting that frequently the heavenly virtue of patience is required.  The difficulties which come to us present us with the real test of our ability to endure. A fundamental question remains to be answered by each of us: Shall I falter, or shall I finish?” 

I’ve come to realize that every one of us is going to have a major, knock down trial at least once in this life.  At times life is going to test your very limits and give you more than you can handle … on your own.  But you will never be given more than you can handle with the help of our Savior Jesus Christ.  He is mighty to save (2 Ne. 31:19).  He has surely borne our griefs and carried our sorrows (Isiah 53:4).  Jesus Christ will help us finish when we feel like faltering.  He is why we can have hope when everything seems so bleak.  

President Monson goes onto say, "The history of the Church in this, the dispensation of the fulness of times, is replete with the experiences of those who have struggled and yet who have remained steadfast and of good cheer. The reason? They have made the gospel of Jesus Christ the center of their lives. This is what will pull us through whatever comes our way. We will still experience difficult challenges, but we will be able to face them, to meet them head-on, and to emerge victorious" (I Will Not Fail Thee nor Forsake Thee).

Life is short and temporary.  Hug your children a little tighter.  Love a little bit more.  Be more kind.  Forgive and make amends with those you may be at odds with today.  Don't wait until tomorrow.  You may not get another tomorrow.  You don't have to agree with each other, but maybe you can agree to disagree and move forward with love.

One more quote that brings me comfort today.  "We Are Not Made for Endings--In light of what we know about our eternal destiny, is it any wonder that whenever we face the bitter endings of life, they seem unacceptable to us? There seems to be something inside of us that resists endings. Why is this? Because we are made of the stuff of eternity. We are eternal beings, children of the Almighty God, whose name is Endless and who promises eternal blessings without number. Endings are not our destiny" (Dieter F. Uchtdorf, Grateful in Any Circumstances).

Fathers and Sons Campout = Girls Night Out

Chad and the boys went on our ward's annual Fathers and Sons' campout so that means the girls and I had our annual girls night out.  Each year I look forward to our GNO more and more because my girls are getting old enough to look forward to it, appreciate it and realize that it is a special occasion.

The boys left for their campout around 4:30 while Tilly was still taking a nap so to start out the evening we played Chutes and Ladders while Tilly was still asleep.  

Marlee beat Karalee and I really quickly so she took our pictures while we played for 2nd place.

Then we went and played at the "train park" in San Tan Ranch.

I'm a lazy Mom at the park.  I usually just sit and watch while the kids play.  Every once in awhile I'll get up and slide and play with them if they ask me.

Then we went to eat at Some Burros since the girls wanted nachos.

Then we went to the Mall playground while we waited for our movie to start.

We went to see Rio 2"

On Saturday morning our fun continued.  We used my new Belgium waffle maker that I got for my birthday to make a yummy breakfast and we invited our friends Gracie and Emmie to join us.  We even used our fancy dishes.

A More Personal Relationship with the Savior - entry #2

If you'd like to read my previous entry and learn more about this program click HERE.

• Alma 5:14-16 – “And now behold, I ask of you, my brethren of the church, have ye spiritually been born of God?  Have ye received his image in your countenances?  Have ye experienced this mighty change in your hearts?  Do ye exercise faith in the redemption of him who created you?  Do you look forward with an eye of faith, and view this mortal body raised in immortality, and this corruption raised in incorruption, to stand before God to be judged according to the deeds which have been done in the mortal body?  I say unto you, can you imagine to yourselves that ye hear the voice of the Lord, saying unto you, in that day:  Come unto me ye blessed, for behold, your works have been the works of righteousness upon the face of the earth?  I love Alma chapter 5.  I love that it asks so many introspective questions.  I think this technique allows people to really judge their actions themselves without feeling judged by the person teaching.  During the first part of these verses I feel that Alma is describing what it means to be truly converted and consecrated to the Lord--spiritually born of God (baptism), His image in your countenances (taking upon you His name, doing what the Savior would do), mighty change in your hearts (thinking of others more than yourself by stripping yourself of pride and sharing the gospel), exercising faith (obedience in keeping the commandments and acting on your beliefs).  It is important that we do each of these things in this life because we will be judged of God.  These things will keep us on the straight and narrow path.  If we try our best to do these things and repent and return again to God and to His path through the grace of Jesus Christ after we sin and mess up then we can feel confident that the Lord will say to us “Come unto me ye blessed.”  What could be better than that? 

• Proverbs 31:30-31 – “Favour is deceitful, and beauty is vain: but a woman that feareth the Lord, she shall be praised.  Give her of the fruit of her hands; and let her own works praise her in the gates.”  To me this scripture speaks of motherhood, and service.  Finding favor with man and concentrating on beauty should not be our top priorities.  Fearing the Lord, or keeping his commandments and doing his work should be our priorities and should be where we give most of our time and energy.  Those are the things that will bring praise.  What is the Lord’s work? Bringing to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).  Bearing and raising children and spreading and sharing the gospel are the fruits of our labors that will be able to be carried with us into the next life.  Our children and those we teach will be able to “praise us in the gates.”

Easter/Birthday Dinner Pictures

Family Home Evening Conducting Sheet

For a few weeks now I have thought that it might be a good idea to add a few things to our normal Family Home Evening meeting on Monday nights.  Chad and I discussed it and we decided to make a few changes.  First, I created a Family Home Evening conducting sheet to help the kids learn how to fill it out and how to properly conduct a meeting.  Secondly, we want to make sure we remembered to council together as a family to discuss calendaring and problems or issues that we may be having.  Thirdly, Chad and I want to add Preach My Gospel Missionary training.  In the most recent conference Elder Ballard said,  "I invite all members, regardless of your current calling or level of activity in the Church, to obtain a copy of Preach My Gospel. ... It is a guidebook for missionary work—which means it is a guidebook for all of us. Read it, study it, and then apply what you learn to help you understand how to bring souls to Christ through invitation and follow-up."  The new conducting sheet helps us remember to do these new things.  Hopefully these changes will be a positive thing for our family.

Download a pdf version of the conducting sheet HERE

This is what the conducting sheet looks like.  It used to be cuter until I realized that I would be printing this out every week and that I didn't want to use up a bunch of ink. :)

Happy Easter and Happy Birthday

Today is Easter and it is also my 35th birthday.  I love Easter and I love to celebrate my birthdays.  It has been extra special to be able to celebrate both events on the same day.  Because of Jesus Christ, we can celebrate birthdays for all eternity. My family and I wish all of you a Happy Easter.