Time to go ShOrT!

My hair is getting way too long for me.  It is constantly up in a clip and even with that I am starting to get more headaches.  I think it's time to cut it off!  This is kind of scary for me as this is the longest I have ever had my hair EVER!  Oh, well.  It does grow back.  So here are some that I've found that I think are adorable.  I love the middle one and the last one.  Any thoughts? 

Another Confession...

To say that I am not familiar with where the books are located in the scriptures is an understatement. As you may know, this year in Gospel Doctrine we are studying the New Testament. For the first time ever I am taking the time to go through the lessons and read through them and the correlating scriptures prior to class. In fact I am on lesson 14, which is totally off the subject. Anyhow, reading through these lessons has really been great for me. It has helped me to focus on studying certain topics and not just reading the scriptures straight through...not that there is anything wrong with that. Also, as an added bonus, I can take as much time as I need to find the book and not feel stupid in class as everyone around me can open right up to it in no time. I know that this is silly and that no one even notices that if I don't know where the book is I will just kind of stare into space. Stupid I know but it's true!

I thought that perhaps I would share a scripture that really stood out to me tonight in my reading. In the special session of conference that was help recently for the people of Arizona, I found great comfort in something that was said. I do not remember it word for word but basically it was stated that the Lord gives plenty of warning, through the prophets, before anything happens. In this world we are living in I needed to hear this. In Amos 3:7 it reads: "Surely the Lord God will do nothing, but he revealeth his secret unto his servants the prophets." If you follow the footnote for a it translates the word "but" into "until". I love how the servants of the Lord can say things so plainly and simply and that this Gospel is so plain and simple! It is absolutely astonishing to me how much is given in the scriptures right there for anyone and everyone to read for themselves!

One more awesome scripture that I will share is found in Alma 5:46. This explains what feeling and/or having personal revelation feels like..."Behold, I say unto you they are made known unto me by the Holy Spirit of God. Behold, I have fasted and prayed many days that I might know these things of myself. And now I do know of myself that they are true; for the Lord God hath made them manifest unto me by his Holy Spirit; and this is the spirit of revelation which is in me". Seriously, could you have said it any better yourself? I know I couldn't!

So, I guess the moral of this post is if you ever happen to be lucky enough to sit by me in Gospel Doctrine I promise I won't embarrass you! :) and THE CHURCH IS TRUE and how LUCKY we are to have it!

Amazed

I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints my entire life. I have heard numerous testimonies born wherein people have prayed for something specific and then opened their scriptures randomly to find an answer to their prayer. I have never had that happen to me...that is until just now. I had been reading my scriptures and following along with the member study guide and just wrapped up with a prayer. I specifically prayed that I may continue to learn of my Savior's role in my life specifically and also as it pertains to my salvation. I prayed that I may have a greater understanding of Him and that my gratitude for Him may increase. I then randomly opened my scriptures to a verse that I had previously highlighted in Moroni Chapter 9 Verse 25. It reads :"My, son, be faithful in Christ; and may not the things which I have written grieve thee...but may Christ lift thee up, and may his sufferings and death, and the showing his body unto our fathers, and his mercy and long-suffering, and the hope of his glory and of eternal life, rest in your mind forever." I am amazed at the love that my Father in Heaven has for ME. I am merely one person and yet without fail I can constantly feel of His love. I love the Gospel with all of my heart. Saying that I am grateful to be a member of the church and to have the knowledge that I have doesn't seem adequate. I am grateful for my Savior and I look forward to gaining a better personal relationship with Him.

10 Years Ago

I cannot believe that it has really been ten years! Holy crap! Today Lonnie and I are celebrating our ten year anniversary. I watched our wedding video the other day and I must say that I am so glad that we have that. So much has changed, besides the obvious. Being able to see my grandmother, who has since passed on, was so great. Seeing how young everyone, especially our siblings and cousins were was fun. I am so grateful for Lonnie and all that he does for me and our family. To say that our life is a bit stressful is putting it nicely. He is sooo patient with me and loves me unconditionally. I truly couldn't ask for more. I am priveleged to be his eternal companion!

Such Questions Already

So as you know we adopted our children and they are Hispanic.  Michelle has always seemed to be aware that her skin color is quite darker than others.  She has been known to try and wash the brown off in the tub.  We obviously have explained to her that she is beautiful and that this is how Heavenly Father has created her.  Well, lately she has been trying to figure out who belongs to who.  She's asked questions like "Who is your mommy?" or "Who's mommy is Grandma?"...you get the idea.  We have always been very open with our children that they are adopted and when asked have told them that I am not their tummy mommy.  Michelle has been having quite the questions in regards to her other mom.  We have spent much time talking about their birth mother and why they aren't with her.  One thing that Lonnie and I never want to do is to lie to them about what happened.  Although, going into what really happened with a 6 year old I don't feel is appropriate either.  So we just say that their mommy loved them but made some bad choices, was sick and was not able to take care of herself or them.  Needless to say, we knew that we would have to talk about this issue with the children but never in my wildest dreams did I think it would be this soon.  Although through it all I am still so thankful that I can look my children in the eye and tell them that their mother did love them.  There are so many children that have been or are in the system that this is not the case.  I know that some of you who read our blog have adopted yourselves.  Any suggestions and/or ideas on what you do in these situations?

It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year!

As is everyone else, we are getting all ready for Christmas over here!  It is so much fun and this is by far my most favorite time of year.  All of the decorations inside the house are done...except for the tree!  Last year we decided to throw it away after I was getting shocked a lot.  Needless to say, we have not bought one yet and are thinking of having a real Christmas Tree this year.  We will see!  Anyhow, here are some of my favorites around our home!

A Few Family Pictures

We met up with my sister in law this evening to snap a few photos of the family! To check out more of her work click here! Thanks Jenni and I can't wait to hopefully capture a few for you soon!