My mother-in-law and I haven’t always had a smooth relationship. She confuses me more often than not. And for many years I kept my distance. Then I got to know a new neighbor, and in serving her I found a new perspective and the key to a better relationship with my mother-in-law. New Neighbor, new perspective It all started when my new neighbor C.C. moved in. She is a really fun lady! She has such a big smile and... Read more
We have gotten a lot of snow and storms lately. It’s a major change from the last couple of years where we barely had to shovel more than once a winter. My husband has been joking that the Lord is forcing us into a regular exercise routine. The most recent snowfall followed hours of rain. The heavy, wet snow weighed down some trees till they broke. Then I noticed that some other trees, though equally snowed on, were not bending.... Read more
Have you ever wondered if God listens to you? I’ve been stuck lately. I love writing, and I love the Lord. But sometimes finding inspiration in my life is harder than it seems. I didn’t have anything new to share, so I prayed for help. I knew God listens and would answer my prayer. Then this morning I woke up to six-plus inches of snow. It was so pretty! But it was heavy snow, and I wasn’t looking forward to... Read more
I love Christmas. I started watching the Hallmark Christmas in July and never stopped. Who is the set designer for Hallmark? Seriously there is a wreath, poinsettia, bow, or Christmas tree every 3 feet or less! I’m confident it’s a subliminal advertisement for Christmas decorations. But sometimes Christmas is painful. But this year, the closer Christmas gets, the more my heart is heavy. I miss so many people I love. I’m lucky I haven’t lost more. But my aunt’s passing... Read more
I love the holiday season. Christmas fills me with sentimentality. And the lights and nativities bring reverence and sweetness to every evening. Even driving home at the end of the day, with the shorter daylight hours, can be a Christmas light-watching tour. And naturally, we tend to focus more readily on what matters. My favorite part of this season, along with the lights, is the Christmas movies. Some of them are so well done and thought-provoking. I recently watched a... Read more
This Christmas season I have been studying the names of Christ in the scriptures. I am trying to gain a deeper understanding of our relationship with Him. And I have found something profound. In the Bible Dictionary, I found that Christ had 20 different names in the Old Testament. And in Revelation, there are 24 more names for the Savior. From the Gospels and Acts, 66 more names for Christ are added. And in the Epistles, a staggering 116 names... Read more
Am I the only one who has become a hermit since COVID hit? I used to always be going and zipping all over town. Now I stay home and spend time with the family. It’s been wonderful for our family’s closeness. But it has affected my mental health and isolated me more than I like. And I honestly feel like I need to recover from this Pandemic. My friend and I were talking yesterday. She moved here just as COVID... Read more
SO much changed for me when COVID hit. I had been the type who loved to wander the aisles at stores. I met my friends on a regular basis. We hosted huge parties with everyone we know. I went to church every week, and activities with the congregation several times a month. I was rarely home because I would drive my son to school and stay out doing errands until pickup. Then it was off to lessons and playing at... Read more
I have an admission to make. I see a therapist. I love therapy! I think everyone should at some time in their life. But this time I am seeing one be a better mom for a teenage boy. I have no idea how boys’ brains work, and I have learned a LOT as we talked. 5 More Minutes As I have thought about therapy, and life, and processing hard things, I want to talk to you about writing. There... Read more
Do you remember the way Visiting Teaching used to be? The older generation in my ward does, and they are struggling to switch to the Ministering format. I remember when I was in college we used to Visit Teach and almost reluctantly stuck with the old style. We would gather and read the message in the Ensign, and then visit for an hour and spend time laughing. That was how I continued to do it after college till I moved... Read more
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