tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-54006507833784518802024-02-18T20:50:07.446-07:00Still SwingingBecoming a Little Bit More ME, Every DayMarnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/02716988450649905133noreply@blogger.comBlogger313125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-54295313899775228952019-12-30T11:22:00.000-07:002020-01-25T11:18:02.699-07:00Children and Youth Program PrintableWith the new program change for children and youth in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints, I made this for my children to plan and write their goals so they can keep them in a visual place. I might as well share!<br />
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Microsoft Publisher<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1GFX_Ev_HZ1M5v6uneHFJ2s4gaxxAqE8j" target="_blank">Full page</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1RwKygrj0fKsScpwlRBDgKiDjF8EWJJSd" target="_blank">Half-sheet</a><br />
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PDF without names<br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1PROuf14mQ7nMXzTrgNaLaYQq6gkUV80E" target="_blank">Full page</a><br />
<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1KfGKT_G_Qbd3yaBbUs6p4MX8fqLLIABR" target="_blank">Half-sheet</a><br />
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<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-22888617959401481552019-04-29T11:18:00.000-06:002020-01-25T11:22:01.232-07:00Angels Around Us<br />
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I have loved this painting by Brian Kershisnik since I first saw it. It speaks a variety of messages to me. Know you're not alone. There are angels around you to lift you up. More people care about you than you realize, on earth and beyond. Maybe that's a moment of despair, and angels are rushing to surround her, and those first few touching are just the beginning.<br />
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If our eyes could be opened to see the unseen, I wonder what they "they that be with us are more than they that be with them" would really look like. I realize periodically that I'm listening to messages and voices that aren't angelic, and have to kick them out - again. I wonder what the battle for us really looks like, especially as the battle continues to heat up. "Time is running out" (Russell M. Nelson, April 2019).<br />
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My husband's grandmother passed away in December, and a statement made at her funeral struck me with so much truth, I felt like it echoed through me for the next few weeks, and still comes to mind.<br />
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"<span style="font-size: 14px;">She will continue to take care of us in ways that her body would no longer allow her to do here on Earth."</span></blockquote>
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I reflected on her life and the way she lived. I'm grateful for the truth she knew and knows, and the many ways she will continue to nudge at her family to choose good, to love, and to serve.</div>
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Claudine Bigelow gave a talk at BYU on creativity. It's inspiring and beautiful, and helps me think about ways I create that have nothing to do with art. This quote from that made me think of the painting above as well.</div>
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"All textiles interest me. I am an avid knitter, embroiderer, and quilter. I love to work with my hands. I am a maker. It is hard to explain why I am good at it, but it is almost like I have a genetic connection on a cellular level with all of the generations of grandparents who have had these same gifts before me. My fingers just know what to do... I feel warmth, comfort, and connection to my ancestors who had these same talents and to God, who gave them to me. I feel at peace with handwork because I am doing what I was created to do. There are moments it feels sacred."</blockquote>
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Both my grandmothers, my husband's grandmother, my mother, and my husband's mother all were or are blanket makers. One of them took it as a personal project during the last several years of her life to bless the world by making hundreds and hundreds of blankets (I wish I knew numbers) and donating them to the Linus Project. A special story that stemmed from that - my aunt set up a quilt in her elementary classroom for the children to work on when they had a break, and that was donated to the Linus Project as well. One of those children ended up at Primary Children's Hospital and received that exact blanket. #tendermercy<br />
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A few months ago when a friend was adopting three orphans from Ukraine, I thought and thought about what I could do for them. The thought came, make them each a blanket! Everyone loves a good soft blanket, right? Cuddling up, feeling safe and cozy. It wasn't until I was making them that I realized that special legacy and felt that "genetic connection." What a sweet, loving service they've given to so many, and especially their families.<br />
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I've felt angels while doing family history and temple work. I've felt people tapping me on the shoulder and whispers to keep looking on their line.</div>
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So thankful for all my angels.</div>
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-8185831173494721352019-02-25T23:39:00.000-07:002019-05-01T12:31:04.501-06:00What Kind are You?<br />
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<span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">Benjamin Franklin once stated that, "All mankind is divided into three classes: those that are immovable, those that are movable, and those that move." If I simply listed that and asked, "What kind are you?" I'm sure I would get a variety of answers. One scripture that I'm sure you've all heard shows partially why, stating that we should be "steadfast and immovable, always abounding in good works." Isn't that saying we should be immovable, but also moving?</span></div>
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<span lang="de" style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10.0pt;">For a moment, focus on the "always abounding in good works" type of </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">immovable, movable, or mover. So now, what kind are you? Are you the kind </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">of person that may see good things happening around you, good things to do, or </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">opportunities, but other distractions or tasks stop you from moving? Are you </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">the kind of person that is movable if the right reasons persuade you, if the right </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">person is also involved, or if you see how it can benefit yourself personally? Or, </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">are you the kind of person that sees things to be done, lessons to learn, a person </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">that needs help, and moves forward, even if it's hard?</span></div>
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<span lang="de" style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10.0pt;">In Handel's Hallelujah Chorus he included the words "King of King and Lord of Lords.“ If we look to Christ as a leader, we can see that He was not a king as we normally think one, sitting on a throne making grand statements and declaration. He didn't wait for others to serve and minister to Him. He was the servant. He was a teacher. He watched, went, healed, lifted, succored, and gave all.<o:p></o:p></span></div>
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<span lang="de" style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10.0pt;">To look at both sides of the scripture above, Christ was the most immovable </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">and the biggest mover. With Him as our ultimate example, we should also strive </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">to have our core strong and align our purpose with Heavenly Father's, then be </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">quick to move where He leads us. That way, we won't be just moving, but </span><span style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10pt;">moving in the right direction.</span></div>
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<span lang="de" style="font-family: "gadugi"; font-size: 10.0pt;"><span style="mso-spacerun: yes;"> </span>God needs service-oriented leaders. Be immovable, and move.</span></div>
<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-28300252235672316152018-04-07T14:12:00.001-06:002019-12-30T11:25:47.148-07:002018 General Conference FilesAnother great conference!<br />
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<a href="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2018/02/01/350-2040743-First%20Presidency%2020180123-Leslie_Vertical.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="200" src="https://www.lds.org/bc/content/ldsorg/church/news/2018/02/01/350-2040743-First%20Presidency%2020180123-Leslie_Vertical.jpg" width="160" /></a><br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/e4bvlf4bpzwjpj8/2018%20April%20Saturday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Morning Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/kdvk5bqcz9ekr92/2018%20April%20Saturday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Afternoon Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/kykx1mlvwon8qs5/2018%20April%20Priesthood%20Meeting.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Priesthood Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/soubdlbuhsecj99/2018%20April%20Sunday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Morning Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/v5s9a43991bk2zl/2018%20April%20Sunday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Afternoon Session</a><br />
<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-53768851317114603812017-10-15T17:57:00.000-06:002019-12-30T11:26:03.236-07:002017 October General Conference FilesSharing the wealth - enjoy these printable PDF files of the October 2017 general conference.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/qyh17nbl25px0zr/General%20Womens%20Meeting.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">General Women's Meeting</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/t1ibld9vcp7ljib/Saturday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Morning Session</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/v1ndbz47drstm79/Saturday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Afternoon Session</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/9gu3miybwnsg3go/Priesthood%20Session.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Priesthood Session</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/axjpfymq9f4996l/Sunday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Morning Session</a></div>
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/tgwwlo3lfvrh9rk/Sunday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Afternoon Session</a></div>
Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-40725310834404702382017-08-18T12:03:00.002-06:002017-08-18T12:23:08.430-06:00Caterpillar DecisionsWe've raised loads of Monarch butterflies the past three years. We carefully scan our milkweed plants for tiny eggs, and have seen many special stages. Tiny just-hatched babies, shedding skin to allow more caterpillar growth, caterpillar into chrysalis, and emerging as a butterfly. So many quick moments, so many miracles in just a few weeks' time.<br />
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A couple weeks ago I realized there was one part of the process that I hadn't seen - when a caterpillar goes into a J formation, the very beginning point from "I am a caterpillar" to "I am changing into a butterfly."<br />
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The very beginning of that process involves the caterpillar deciding its eventual hanging spot, then spreading silk strands lightly in seemingly random patterns. It goes on another eating binge, something it also does leading up to that point, packing away almost an entire large milkweed leaf (the only food they eat) in just a few hours. It heads back to its spot, creates a little ball of silk to hang from, maybe eats a little more, rests for a bit again, then attaches to the ball of silk, finally stating, yes, I'm doing this.<br />
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The caterpillar I was watching had already attached its back feet, so I knew I would soon see what happens. Soon is a relative term, though - I watched intently for about an hour and a half to see the full process. That's coming from a girl that can't hardly sit through a TV show.<br />
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This particular caterpillar had chosen to attach to a milkweed leaf that was leaning at the side of a jar. It was upside down along the leaf, all pairs of feet attached. Later in the process it seemed each set of feet was holding to some of the randomly placed silk. Maybe not so random to the caterpillar?<br />
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As I watched, its body started to pulse, and suddenly its front three pointy pairs of feet weren't holding on anymore, the front section of the caterpillar hanging maybe a centimeter from the leaf, but unattached. The caterpillar "rested" (I guess?) about 10 or 15 minutes, then again the body pulsed for a minute, and the furthest back pair not attached to the silk weren't attached to the leaf. Another long period of rest, pulsing, and another front section of feet detached. Rest, pulsing, and another back set away, leaving only the final center set holding it to the leaf. More rest, pulsing, and they were off, the caterpillar officially hanging, visually declaring, I'm becoming a butterfly. Amazing!<br />
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It took a little time for it to straighten then curl into the J, but the *decision had been made, and the J is the final show of that decision, before all the big changes start happening. It's still another day before its skin splits for the last time, revealing the chrysalis.<br />
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It surprised me how powerful the whole experience was. So normal in a Monarch's life, so brief, so seemingly unimportant verses into a chrysalis and out as a butterfly, but really, for all of us, isn't the decision the most important point? The, I'm not going to be the same anymore. It's time to be different. It's time to be more than just a caterpillar. I want to fly!<br />
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I have to wonder if any of the process is painful - shedding skin, chrysalis, all the changes inside. It seemed changes were possibly already happening in the pulsing as each section of feet let go.<br />
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An interesting thing to note - when the caterpillar sheds that last layer of black, white, and yellow skin revealing the bright green chrysalis, before it hardens you can see various butterfly elements, especially wings and body, that just need to develop, take form, beautify, and emerge.<br />
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The butterfly was always inside.<br />
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Think about that again. The butterfly was always inside.<br />
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The caterpillar just needed to grow enough and make the decision it was time to change.<br />
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Before and after. Caterpillar to butterfly. Am I still crawling, on the ground in some aspect of my life? What change do I need to make so I can fly?<br />
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Alma 30:44 - "The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the earth, and all things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its motion, yea, and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."<br />
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Moses 6:63 - "And behold, all things have their likeness, and all things are created and made to bear record of me, both things which are temporal, and things which are spiritual; things which are in the heavens above, and things which are on the earth, and things which are in the earth, and things which are under the earth, both above and beneath: all things bear record of me."<br />
<br />
Since that day, I've watched two others through the same step. One from the top of a jar lid, the other on the side of a jar. Both were very similar processes. I think it's my new favorite part.<br />
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* When I was talking to Sam about all I'd seen, he matter-of-factly stated, "I'm sure it doesn't actually decide. It probably just does it." Well ... so? :)<br />
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<br />
Some other interesting links:<br />
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<a href="https://youtu.be/yIFB9reAkwU" target="_blank">My favorite video</a> about Monarchs.<br />
<br />
<a href="http://www.butterfly-fun-facts.com/raising-butterflies/chrysalises-cocoons-and-pupae/what-is-wrong-with-my-butterfly-chrysalis/" target="_blank">Chrysalis Damage</a> - This also leads to another page with loads of detail on chrysalis to butterfly issues.Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-18422756104756959982017-06-14T00:15:00.002-06:002019-12-30T11:26:26.509-07:00Topical Guide Study of Jesus ChristPresident Nelson challenged <a href="https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/article/worldwide-devotionals/2017/01/prophets-leadership-and-divine-law?lang=eng" target="_blank">first the young adults</a> then the <a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2017/04/drawing-the-power-of-jesus-christ-into-our-lives?lang=eng" target="_blank">church world-wide</a> to study the Savior by using the topical guide, and wrote about it in <a href="https://www.lds.org/blog/i-studied-more-than-2200-scriptures-about-the-savior-in-six-weeks-here-is-a-little-of-what-i-learned?lang=eng" target="_blank">this blog post</a> (with pictures of apostle study pages - bonus!).<br />
<br />
I decided to take that challenge, however long it takes me.<br />
<br />
One early experience - I opened up to study about Jesus as the Creator, read one verse and thought, "Okay, not much earth shattering there..." Before I could go on to the next verse, a family member came in to talk, and by the time they left I was ready to get to sleep. I sent a little prayer up, "Okay Heavenly Father, I only read one verse then this family member needed to talk for a while. What do I need to learn from that?" I immediately felt the powerful answer - not only did Jesus create the world, He created you, and He can help you create whatever you need to.<br />
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Wow.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEzSft3HPgIqQMtBfdI7gL50eSxo_pcg9QfgzZU48GX3Zu2JXjGRPf4lY7e04X95uiMVL_6Yy5HjRXWbp1D6-zr4G9f7dHgqNEPeCMyNMNvf-rLF_bsd4UuXWSP2q75zlphnyQ8FXeNI/s1600/Why-is-Jesus-Christ-Important-in-My-Life-main-1138511.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="830" data-original-width="1600" height="164" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhEEzSft3HPgIqQMtBfdI7gL50eSxo_pcg9QfgzZU48GX3Zu2JXjGRPf4lY7e04X95uiMVL_6Yy5HjRXWbp1D6-zr4G9f7dHgqNEPeCMyNMNvf-rLF_bsd4UuXWSP2q75zlphnyQ8FXeNI/s320/Why-is-Jesus-Christ-Important-in-My-Life-main-1138511.jpg" width="320" /></a></div>
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With so many scriptures (President Nelson says it's over 2,200 citings on those 18 topical guide pages), I'm still at the very very beginning, but I know this will be a meaningful study. I was already getting frustrated with the flipping back and forth between topical guide and scriptures, so I was going to photocopy those pages, then thought I could create a document with them all (it's an addiction), then thought maybe someone else already did it. After searching I found that some had, but I didn't love any of them so I adjusted theirs to make by own.<br />
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And so, for your own Topical Guide study of Jesus purposes . . . <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/3lkucjbnmmc9x3h/1%20Jesus%20Topical%20Guide%20Study.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">here you go</a>.<br />
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<br />
P.S. A couple months ago I read the book <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Robe-Lloyd-C-Douglas/dp/0395957753/ref=sr_1_6?ie=UTF8&qid=1497421189&sr=8-6&keywords=the+robe" target="_blank">The Robe</a> by Lloyd Douglas, which added so much to my love and understanding of the Savior as well. It turned my black and white reading of the New Testament to full and beautiful color. Highly, highly recommended. I loved it so much I had to read more of Douglas' work, so I got a copy of <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Big-Fisherman-Lloyd-C-Douglas/dp/0395076307/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1497421230&sr=8-1&keywords=the+big+fisherman+lloyd+douglas" target="_blank">The Big Fisherman</a> and loved that almost as much. Several more of his on my to-read list.<br />
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<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-44494644602999997792017-04-05T19:42:00.002-06:002019-12-30T11:26:48.408-07:002017 April General Conference FilesI started putting these together for myself, but my missionary's birthday made me get them done really fast. Sharing the wealth - enjoy these printable PDF files of the April 2017 general conference.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ui8xg5y2h0313sg/2017%20Apr%20General%20Women%27s%20Session.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">General Women's Meeting</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/t65j7olyrp7xweq/2017%20Apr%20Saturday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Morning Session</a><br />
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wk97xou0fdjij1/2017%20Apr%20Saturday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank"><br /></a>
<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wk97xou0fdjij1/2017%20Apr%20Saturday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Saturday Afternoon Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/h8l209vjbj9esgk/2017%20Apr%20Priesthood%20Session.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Priesthood Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/umffpw5c4v9cv2w/2017%20Apr%20Sunday%20Morning.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Morning Session</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/cgy2x8tkflne10h/2017%20Apr%20Sunday%20Afternoon.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Sunday Afternoon Session</a>Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-63778170991485539032016-07-22T23:22:00.003-06:002016-07-23T10:09:42.198-06:00Plates vs. WivesWhat if Lehi's boys approached Ishmael like they approached Laban?<br />
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"I'm not going in there."<br />
"Me either!"<br />
"Why did we have to come all this way back?"<br />
"Come on guys, Dad said need wives. Let's just cast lots and whoever loses goes in."<br />
"Fine. Let's just get this over with."<br />
"Aw man, it's me! I'm nasty from the journey, but I'm not showering for that old man. Wish me luck!"<br />
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*Angry father tosses out Laman.*<br />
<br />
"Geez Laman, what happened?"<br />
"I could tell he didn't like me the moment I stepped in there. Maybe he remembered the night I had a date with his daughter and yelled for her from my camel outside their gate. What does he think this is? The -700th century?"<br />
"No kidding. What do we do now? Go back and tell dad we failed?"<br />
"I've got an idea - let's go get all the gold and silver out of our house..."<br />
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Thank goodness they were thinking a little better retrieving the ladies than when they were getting the plates.<br />
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-50906809086536622042016-07-20T14:55:00.002-06:002016-07-20T14:55:51.107-06:00Commitments"God's role is a constant, not a variable. He always keeps His promises. The only variable is whether we have the faith that we will be blessed with miracles if we make commitments to God and then obediently do what we said we would do." --Clayton M. Christensen<br />
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Christensen made that statement regarding member missionary efforts in his inspiring book "The Power of Everyday Missionaries," but this is an eternal truth. If we choose to be obedient and act, we will received the help we need.<br />
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Case in point - last year I took a good chunk of the year to read the Book of Mormon. My initial goal was to finish before Adam left on his mission, but I really wanted to make it a deep study, summarizing what I read and adding my thoughts. That took a lot of extra time and effort, but I did it, and it's a treasure to me. <br />
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The first Sunday of the year I was sitting in Primary, and the Primary secretary handed me the Relief Society newsletter and a 90 day Book of Mormon reading chart that had apparently been passed out in Relief Society. My initial thoughts came fast and strong, "I can't do that! It just took me most of a year to just read it. There's no way." And I shoved the chart in my bag. A couple days later I had the gentle thought, "Just listen to it when you drive kids to and from seminary." "Okay, I can do that," I thought back. In <i>less than</i> 80 days I finished the Book of Mormon doing not much more than that, just adding in other times I was alone in the car, which really wasn't a lot. It was a wonderful reminder to me that with Heavenly Father's help, I can do things I didn't think I could.<br />
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From just the page before, "When we engage in a covenant with God that we will do something that one of our leaders has asked us to do, [and I would add, things we received personal revelation to do], and we are desperate to do what we have committed to do, God truly comes to trust us."<br />
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I love the word desperate in there. In the chapter he is teaching about setting a date to have someone take the missionary discussions. Not just invite, but to actually have it happen. He shares that though his dates are set a year or several months out, it's a casual commitment until the date gets closer and he starts to panic, and that's when he gets serious, desperate even, about making it happen.<br />
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Makes me think about my own commitments, and if I am casual or serious/desperate about them. Daily scripture study? Personal prayer? Temple attendance? Visiting teaching?Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-17566099697189478602016-05-02T23:48:00.000-06:002016-05-02T23:49:00.598-06:00Booklet Sequence Ordering for Double-Sided Printing<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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This is completely for my sake and sanity, one of the random things I find myself doing and stressed over that could have been easier, and I don't want to forget when it comes up again.<br />
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In the last few weeks I've made two programs for two different plays in our area put on by homeschoolers and directed by amazing mothers of some of these kids purely volunteering their time. The first one I had kids in the play and it was my way to help make it happen. The second one was a favor for a friend (and we get free tickets because of it - bonus!).<br />
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I know there is a way to print it and have it come out right, but the place the first one was done just printed it double-sided so things were out of order. It wasn't horrible, but I knew it was wrong.<br />
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I couldn't send off the second to be done the same way in good conscience, so I sat with the single-sided pages in the right spots on my lap, flipping back and forth. Of course when I had fiddled and messed enough, I finally figured out there is an easy pattern to it all, as seen in this graphic. Follow the black arrows down and the blue arrows back up, and voila, in the right order.<br />
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Like I said, for me next time. I have a feeling I will get to do this again.<br />
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Sorry this is so random...<br />
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<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-31274522600212938332016-04-27T10:42:00.001-06:002016-04-27T10:55:36.873-06:00Wolf Scout Leader Files<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0giENDZe0P92CZG0k3yr8absT1jgf93lIXqmLlkOlbKeODv1zg5j-cV6NLblOqXx1QaILZXhERg0K1FTzc_8ELsCC_4Xahe-_NZOUce1waB9OIAhZqN3UG6UsopML50SQOUI6nAysvQ8/s1600/color+records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="151" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi0giENDZe0P92CZG0k3yr8absT1jgf93lIXqmLlkOlbKeODv1zg5j-cV6NLblOqXx1QaILZXhERg0K1FTzc_8ELsCC_4Xahe-_NZOUce1waB9OIAhZqN3UG6UsopML50SQOUI6nAysvQ8/s200/color+records.jpg" width="200" /></a>Now that I'm a Wolf leader, I had to get myself all file organized for that too.<br />
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<b>Wolf Adventure Tracking</b> - The basics for this file were passed on to me by the former Wolf leaders, but I did some tightening so it fit on two pages, or one front and back. They used colors to differentiate boys, but I've got a color and a black and white version to share.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnZRiaxHogDnmv2U3E2QZ6rLOp6-ydixwSVFtHxSLul9PQo7Xh4vhYjMqAVT7VLQ7xbNWDe8HWtZFS1eoHOmWHRpud69cER0QNQ4Jv73DLpgvOLUdCXLyehIB3k1GJTrQrextglpsn7M/s1600/bw+records.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; display: inline !important; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiEnZRiaxHogDnmv2U3E2QZ6rLOp6-ydixwSVFtHxSLul9PQo7Xh4vhYjMqAVT7VLQ7xbNWDe8HWtZFS1eoHOmWHRpud69cER0QNQ4Jv73DLpgvOLUdCXLyehIB3k1GJTrQrextglpsn7M/s320/bw+records.jpg" width="204" /></a>You'll notice the numbers next to the Adventure name. The number on the left is the number of Adventure (1-6 required, then 1-13 electives), and the number on the right is the page number in the Wolf book.<br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4wj0xrfg06wyutz/Wolf%20Scout%20Record%20Color%20by%20Marni.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Wolf Adventure Tracking Color PDF</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/4u4aenk9rpfl1vo/Wolf%20Scout%20Record%20Color%20by%20Marni.xlsx?dl=0" target="_blank">Wolf Adventure Tracking Color Excel</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/ob2znuwvt0gghhr/Wolf%20Scout%20Record%20by%20Marni.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Wolf Adventure Tracking Black/White PDF</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/o0j1g4mvy3vbq6i/Wolf%20Scout%20Record%20by%20Marni.xlsx?dl=0" target="_blank">Wolf Adventure Tracking Black/White Excel</a><br />
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<a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/24jypnje4argiyx/Wolf%20Adventures%20at%20a%20glance%20by%20Marni.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank"><b>Wolf Adventures At-a-Glance</b></a> - I didn't want to flip through the book every time I needed to see the requirements for an adventure (for marking it off on records or planning). I know the font is small, but it fits on one page front and back. Maybe someday I'll made one with a bigger font...<br />
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<i>My one tip </i>for this so far (since I'm still pretty new) is about the Paws on the Path adventure. After working with the Boy Scouts and encouraging them in gathering their 10 Essentials, I thought it was cool for the Wolves to need to gather the 6 Essentials. On the first week I had our Den Chief (you're missing out if you don't have one!) bring those and teach the boys about them, then when we went on our hike I made sure the parents knew with plenty of time that the boys needed to bring them along.<br />
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One of these items is a whistle...<br />
<br />
I currently have 10 Wolf scouts. Ten 8 year old boys, with WHISTLES. As much as I encouraged them to not blow them so we could see the wildlife we were supposed to see, a noise making device is just too much for boys that age. I didn't want to confiscate, because they were seriously feeling super cool packing around their 6 Essentials (eating their snacks, drinking their water, hoping someone had an accident so they could use their first aid kit). A friend suggested maybe before beginning, or maybe another week pre-hike playing a hide-and-seek game at a park where a boy would hide then blow their whistle to be found. Then maybe they would be plenty whistled out and realize the purpose of the whistle (to be found if lost, not to give their awesome den leader a headache).<br />
<span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span>
<i><span style="font-size: large;">Maybe one more tip. Have a blast and love the boys! It's what all the best den leaders do.</span></i><br />
<i><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></i>
If you know an 11-year-old Scouts leader that needs some good tracking documents, I've got those as well, <a href="http://stillswinging.blogspot.com/2016/04/11-year-old-scouts-leader-files-and.html" target="_blank">right here</a>.Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-58796556095433418542016-04-26T20:04:00.003-06:002019-12-30T11:27:09.105-07:0011 Year Old Scouts Leader Files and a Knots TipI have this special OCD with scouting, that I need to have the right tracking documents at my finger tips or I just can't function. With all the work I've put into them, I've decided I need to share them further than word of mouth.<br />
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For your scouting pleasure, here are my EYO scout files:<br />
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**The pictures aren't updated, but the files are updated to the new requirements that went into effect January 1, 2016. If you see any mistakes in the files, let me know.<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1J60K5vKR8N3-4v49keqqImLurQbRsNP5" target="_blank">Rank Requirements Tracking Sheet</a> - I had something very similar to this with the old requirements passed on to me from another leader, so I HAD to have it with the new requirements. You're welcome!<br />
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<a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=12914VDQQSVprSXjFbOzdOn1LzFnAftu0" target="_blank">Activity Tracker PDF</a> - When I first became an EYO scout leader I did a lot of research on schedules. I found quite a variety, but none that were what I figured I could work with and still be flexible enough to work with boys coming in and going out throughout the year (the way we roll with <a href="http://www.ldsbsa.org/" target="_blank">scouting in the LDS Church</a>). I finally found one I mostly liked, then I took it, messed with it a lot (and changed it more as I used it), and made it my own. This is the latest version with the new 2016 requirements. The requirements are all grouped by subject, so you can plan to do a month of First Aid, then some hiking, some orienteering, and so on, passing off requirements at each rank at the same time. When I was making my calendar for the next few months, I would make sure this was updated, and plan in the things that were blank. If just one or two boys are missing something, if their birthday was getting close work it in quick with something else we were doing, or plan it in later when we could hit it again. Using this, we could do most of the requirements twice during the year, having the boys who already passed it off help teach, or give them a great review.<br />
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Here's an <a href="https://drive.google.com/open?id=1ByABD6WobIs5SSFXGUamTTxmL_T_BY9l" target="_blank">Excel version</a> in case you'd like to add in the boys' names, dates, etc.<br />
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Examples of my schedule/scout newsletter ---> <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/eieyo6lylxrkvht/2015%20Oct-Dec.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Oct-Dec</a> and <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/de635vv1ze4zbid/2016%20Jan-Mar.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">Jan-Mar</a> This was as much for me as it was for the boys. I needed to plan ahead so I wasn't wondering every week what we were going to do. The boys and parents liked knowing what was ahead, and I could put things on there (like bring a personal first aid kit), and they would magically show up with them. I like the half-sheet size - not too big for the fridge.<br />
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Now just a fun tip on teaching knots. I learned this from one of my great scouting heroes, Kathee from the Snake River Council (if you're from up there, you know who I'm talking about). She was a Scoutmaster for a community unit and would take her boys to scout camp, where those that didn't know her wondered why a girl was there. By the end of the week they would be asking her how she got her boys to know and do the things they did. For knots, she had a different color of paracord for each knot, and once they could pass off the knot (not just tying it once, but maybe learning it one meeting and passing it off the next), they would earn the rope for that knot. If every they couldn't show her or the patrol leader the knot, they would lose the rope. YIKES! I guarantee no boy wants to lose a rope he's earned. Plus, with a rope in hand, they can go home and practice, <i>and they do</i>. They get their first rope when they cross the bridge from cub scouting to boy scouting - I have them tie a square knot when they get to me, and when they do it, they get a carabiner (to hang their ropes on and clip to a belt buckle) and a red rope. Colors really don't matter. For the basic knots I cut them about 4 feet long. They have to do all 3 lashings to get the rope for that, but that rope is 7-8 feet long. Paracord is cheap - we have a store locally that sells it by the foot for 7 or 8 cents per foot, depending on the quality. Works out to be less than $3/boy for a set of ropes.<br />
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Here is a <a href="https://www.dropbox.com/s/78vgjcdeg0jttq7/TYING%20KNOTS%20just%20the%20games%20handout.pdf?dl=0" target="_blank">list of fun game ideas</a> to reinforce the knots they learn.<br />
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I hope the files are helpful! Feel free to share this page with other 11 year old scout leaders.<br />
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If you know Wolf scout leader that needs some good tracking documents, I've got those as well, <a href="http://stillswinging.blogspot.com/2016/04/wolf-scout-leader-files.html" target="_blank">right here</a>.<br />
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<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-59693746342806986362016-04-24T12:08:00.001-06:002016-05-02T23:49:36.309-06:00Eyes to See<div style="color: #141823; font-family: helvetica, arial, sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 19.32px; margin-bottom: 6px;">
The last two general conferences the question I've had in my mind is how our family could be more loving and united. It just seemed there was always so much contention here over one silly thing or another.</div>
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Two Sundays ago I was being set apart as the Wolf leader in our ward, and during the blessing the words "the love that permeates your home" jumped out at me. Has he been in our home?!? Then I thought of where that blessing was really coming from, and what He knows and sees. What was I missing?</div>
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During the next week I was sometimes shocked, amazed, and humbled at the things I saw happening in our home. The little kindnesses, the laughter (one night crazy wild what-did-I-feed-them-for-dinner-this-is-so-weird-they-are-being-so-fun-together laughter), singing while they sort laundry together, smiles, and happiness.</div>
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I don't know if the miracle came from the blessing, or from my eyes being opened, but it's been two weeks now and I'm still seeing it. I love my wonderful family! (Even when they are contentious, because that still happens too.)</div>
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-31599063314442685602016-01-31T22:49:00.000-07:002016-01-31T22:51:29.207-07:00Liahona Chocolate<div dir="ltr">
Prayers can be answered in funny ways. My primary lesson today was on 1 Nephi 16 - the liahona. I had been thinking about an object lesson (didn't love the one in the manual), but no ideas were coming. Grabbed some Dove birthday chocolate to read over the lesson again this morning, glanced at the message inside, and inspiration struck. The world's messages are everywhere, and may sound lovely and enticing, but not God's way to get things done and bring us the most happiness.<br />
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In class I passed out chocolate to everyone and we enjoyed the advice inside, some good, some bad, and talked about all the places we can see for counsel and advice the world's way. Then we talked about 1 Nephi 16 and likened that to us using Alma 37, then talked about the kinds of liahonas we can have faith in and really trust - scriptures, prophets, the Holy Ghost, patriarchal blessings, etc.<br />
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Thank you Dove!</div>
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-45096917083670251062016-01-16T16:29:00.000-07:002017-04-09T16:12:02.069-06:00GiftsIn a letter from Adam this week he asked, "Also, what do you want for your birthday? I already have one thing set (you'll love it). And maybe I'll send something for you to share with the whole family (spicy hot chocolate). But any wishes?"<br />
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The morning was busy enough (working for him actually - in the first letter he sent he asked me to e-mail him some talks he could add to a USB) that I hadn't even seen that to respond, so when I had to run pick up one of the kids I sent a quick message telling him I would send more talks if I got back soon enough. When he replied to that I finally saw the question when he said again, "I need birthday wish on Monday. So I can get it sent. So think hard about it this week."<br />
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My response (thought I don't think he saw it yet) - "Oh my son. Just you being you is gift enough."<br />
Logistics-wise, he's on a mission. He doesn't have a lot of money, and he doesn't have time to be wandering looking for anything, and really, what am I supposed to tell him? "There's this book I really would like..."<br />
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But really, every letter is a gift. Every picture he sends. Every experience he shares. Every testimony he bears. Every bit of him I get to see growing and becoming stronger and stronger in the gospel.<br />
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It's been a perfect reminder of what really can we give our Heavenly Father, but I've still been trying to think of what I could tell him.<br />
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Maybe...<br />
Say a prayer with me in mind and say "Thank you" a lot. ;)<br />
Write a letter telling me what you learned from me.<br />
Watch for an act of service you can do that day and tell me about it.<br />
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???<br />
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** Update - he sent me a couple sweet birthday videos, and an Elder Hall missionary tag!!!Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-28160648790465403842015-10-16T16:30:00.000-06:002015-10-16T16:30:00.289-06:00Exceptions(Since it's been almost a year since I last posted here, I found this post I started way back then and never shared.)<br />
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I want my kids home before dark. I don't care what the clock says, especially in the winter, I want them home and in my house so I know they arrived safely and I don't have to worry about them possibly walking home alone. If I have a little one away, I send one of the bigger kids to get them or go pick them up myself, before dark.<br />
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When my children have friends over, I make sure their friends are home before dark, even if it means one of us walking or driving their child home.<br />
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And yet, my kids don't always see it that way. They think that just because they are right across the street, it doesn't matter. That the short distance makes it okay. Here and there one will communicate with me beforehand, and I <i>might </i>okay an exception for a really good reason, but normally if one of them wanders in after dark, they will hear about it from their mom, and there may be other consequences.<br />
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I realized a similar phenomena in church recently. It happens all the time during lessons, but the ah-ha came Sunday during a lesson on being "In the World, But Not of the World." The lesson could be taken very broadly, but it specifically mentioned four subjects - keeping the Sabbath Day holy, obeying the Word of Wisdom, respecting the name of Deity, and dressing modestly and keeping the law of chastity. The night before teaching the lesson, I read the story of Eli Herring, and his choice of declining an NFL contract because he would have to play on Sunday. (Here's a <a href="https://www.lds.org/new-era/1997/10/to-keep-it-holy?lang=eng" target="_blank">New Era article</a> about him, and <a href="http://www.mormonmissionprep.com/preparing-for-a-mission/keeping-the-sabbath-day-holy/" target="_blank">another article</a> I really liked.) I was very impressed by how seriously and spiritually he sought direction, and shared the story during my lesson.<br />
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Immediately a hand was raised, and stories were shared about others that work on Sunday and the opportunities that have come, and others that have chosen to play ball on Sunday.<br />
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I didn't feel prompted to share it during the lesson, but during my lesson prep I had written at the top of my manual, "We need to stop looking for the exceptions, and seek to better follow the rule."<br />
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Why do we do that? Why can't we sit through a lesson on, for instance, keeping the Sabbath Day holy, and listen to the spirit about how we can personally make adjustments to better follow that? Why is there a need to defend?<br />
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I love what the <a href="http://www.mormonmissionprep.com/preparing-for-a-mission/keeping-the-sabbath-day-holy/" target="_blank">other article</a> author said in the comments section to someone giving exceptions:<br />
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<span style="line-height: 20px;"><span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">I want my sons to go on a mission and to keep the Sabbath day holy throughout their lives because I know that the Lord will bless them immeasurably for doing so. And to help make that happen,<i> I want to give my sons examples of people who keep those commandments even if they are under extreme pressure to do otherwise</i>. Going on a mission and keeping the Sabbath day holy is the rule. That’s not to say there aren’t inspired exceptions at times. <i>But I wouldn’t hold up the exceptions as examples to my sons. I hold up as examples those people who keep the standard regardless of temporal consequences</i>.</span></span></blockquote>
I don't know if we're afraid of setting a bar and shooting for it, or of offending others by showing we're shooting for it, or... or... what.Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-26556707721134671142015-10-16T16:21:00.000-06:002015-10-21T09:29:47.582-06:00Get Thee Hence!As of today, Adam has officially been on his mission for exactly a month! Every letter glows with his love of learning his role as a missionary, meeting new people, and growing in testimony.<br />
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Which is what brings on this blog post. The adversary discovered he could use my wonderful son against me.</div>
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It started small. I couldn't even say exactly what the beginning point was, so I'll just jump to the point of realization, which was last Monday, his most recent prep day. It went like this - I hate my phone making noise at me all day, so I leave off the notifications. One of the first things I've started doing Monday morning is turning on e-mail notifications so I'll see when his e-mail comes in. Anticipation for a few hours, then hooray, it's arrived! This week Jamie was even home, so we gathered everyone together and read his message. So so exciting to read! As we e-mailed short response letter back and forth for a bit, the thoughts started coming...</div>
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He didn't say anything about the letter you wrote him.</div>
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You aren't important to him.</div>
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You shouldn't spend so much time thinking of good things to write him, it doesn't matter.</div>
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Nobody cares what you have to say.</div>
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And on and painfully on.</div>
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Jamie headed off to work and the thoughts continued. I started to wonder, did he even get my letter? I had attached some pictures from the week. Maybe that's not allowed? Maybe he sat and read letters from everyone else and is wondering why I didn't write. I imagined him confused, wondering why so early on in his mission his mom already isn't writing. I sent Jamie a text about that, and he called (probably realizing something was up). About 5 seconds into the call I was in tears, so consumed with all the negative hurtful thoughts I was having.</div>
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Poor Jamie is not used to having a fragile, weepy wife! He did his best, and even sent Adam an e-mail (which I still need to delete) solely to say, please mention your mom it would do a lot of good. I'm chuckling now as I write this. He married a tough gal, and had no idea what to do with the person he was talking to at that moment. I'm very grateful he was trying!</div>
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That wasn't the first episode, but it was certainly the worst. Satan found a golden opening to derail me, using my motherly desire to be important to my children, and I was so consumed by it that my children at home got a cruddy mother.</div>
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Maybe the voices were getting louder and easier to see for what they are, but thankfully this time I recognized everything for what it was, and that night I went to bed drained from it all, praying for a miracle to help me close it all out.</div>
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G-YCCcZg4iKK3XkiyMfYl2LG45Nvg82_Pr6aopur_kJNN4pHOCIV5Q6a_Hwd4OubjGzGPg4sIceN8eBIVaH_0bUpedrbJW76nt1Aemn9q_k4elrSb6BqkmJmgiBy6MQXOnhhMroMKdo/s1600/20151013_161805.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj5G-YCCcZg4iKK3XkiyMfYl2LG45Nvg82_Pr6aopur_kJNN4pHOCIV5Q6a_Hwd4OubjGzGPg4sIceN8eBIVaH_0bUpedrbJW76nt1Aemn9q_k4elrSb6BqkmJmgiBy6MQXOnhhMroMKdo/s320/20151013_161805.jpg" width="240" /></a>The next morning I wrote this in my journal:</div>
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"Satan doesn't know who he's messing with.</div>
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I am a daughter of God! I have made covenants that bind me eternally to His work. I know He loves me, and that my Savior loves me. Without them I am nothing. With them, I can do anything. My life is in their hands, to further their great work on this earth.</div>
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I may still discover chinks in my armor for Satan's fiery darts, but these will be quickly discovered and strengthened. But still the armor is there, every day.</div>
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I am enlisted. Battle on."</div>
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The adversary is real and always watching for a weak point. It's one thing to love my children, and quite another to base who I am on them, what they do, and if they tell me thanks for what I do.</div>
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The seriousness and strength of it all seems so stupid and weak now. But I also recognize this battle might not be completely over. We shall see.</div>
Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-53842468641754817932014-11-11T23:32:00.000-07:002014-11-11T23:35:06.771-07:00Generosity Backfired, or Why Did They Learn What I Was Teaching?It's always been a goal to have our children be service-minded, good workers, and generous. We've followed what those smarter than us have said works to do that - be involved together on service projects, take them to deliver meals and treats (Melanie is excellent at making cinnamon rolls, as several ward members would testify), and just generally be on the watch for opportunities to do good and do it.<br />
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Well guess what. They learned it.<br />
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A few weeks ago Adam went to a dance and ended up giving 5 people rides home. Two lived within about 5 minutes of the dance, two were about 15 minutes away, and one was about 20 minutes away. Mom and Dad didn't feel quite so generous when we discovered the closest to the dance went home first, the closest to home went second, and the furthest away last, which put them more like 30 minutes away. In an awesome parenting gesture, I asked him why he didn't stop in to say hi on his way past. Yes me, the one that should be encouraging good, kind, generous behavior. Yes, he got home late, past Holy Ghost bedtime late. And he heard he needs to plan better if that's going to happen again.<br />
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But I realized later that I should be happy he's willing to be helpful, because really that's what was at the heart of it all.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dotzl28TQ1S6yNpmM92iSzm5J1BHEmjNZZsuN1aXYBA7XMbHe4fyrL4zi3Ge68i_T-PxevFV8TL93qs_yL2m6cOnAz7S_udWsijdcuTMKr96sZotE8UG6iGIJ6h6oERVrKpnGuKIKSY/s1600/generosity.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh0Dotzl28TQ1S6yNpmM92iSzm5J1BHEmjNZZsuN1aXYBA7XMbHe4fyrL4zi3Ge68i_T-PxevFV8TL93qs_yL2m6cOnAz7S_udWsijdcuTMKr96sZotE8UG6iGIJ6h6oERVrKpnGuKIKSY/s1600/generosity.jpg" /></a>Yet when another child showed similar lessons learned (that's three sentences in a row I've started with a conjunction), I was again similarly irritated. I got a text yesterday saying the Beehives were taking dinner in to a family for their activity, and reminding Melanie that she offered to bring soup. I was grateful for the notice since I hadn't heard, but the immediate thought that ran through was, Really? Nothing cheaper/easier? At least this time it all stayed in my head (until now), though I did mention that I'm glad her leader let me know so I didn't hear about it a half hour before it needed to be done. She did a great job today making it all by herself. Sheesh, if she can rock cinnamon rolls, of course she can throw some soup together!<br />
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Trying to repent a little, sending this out so that when someone else's child learns the great lessons you want them to, maybe you'll remember better than I have to take note, enjoy, encourage, and be grateful.<br />
<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-48916375881003317492014-09-21T17:33:00.003-06:002014-11-13T21:45:20.280-07:00Error...Went online to research some family history and got this . . .<br />
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Call me weird, but I thought it was cool.</div>
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Pretty fun to belong to a world-wide church. :)</div>
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<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-18473144858777223092014-08-16T10:31:00.002-06:002014-11-13T21:46:49.085-07:00You Can Be a Treasure TooI've been doing a lot of family history research lately and discovered two gems from Israel Hoyt, my husband's third great-grandfather. Most histories I've read tell a lot about where they lived and what they did, but I thought it was wonderful to discover two quotes from him. One, “As long as we have anything, we will divide with our friends” (Israel was the first President of the United Order), and two, "I have laid the foundation. I hope you will build on it" (his final words of counsel to his family).<br />
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My own great-grandfather, William Henry Wagstaff, received three patriarchal blessings. "I got my last Patriarchal Blessing – I have three of them – just before I was married. It was given to me by Hyrum G. Smith in Salt Lake. LaVon wanted hers so I went with her and got another one. I told you I was a mean little cuss and needed lots of guidance."<br />
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What a treasure! I read those and feel like I'm really getting to know who they were, more than the he-lived-here-and-worked-here-and-had-these children. I've read and seen many things in the past several months reminding me to make a record of my life.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLdjtxAjp6KRjoQvWXusOrStPLp9LEf8C_1_2YOS11TikDg8KcAMfUU_5k_7i96E26yiG4U1SHjfw4SVa0lrAxVtvW8HOFnLxsH7qT9oE-reu_oTZBIBQ_kwwyDf1LKdUh8UMz1gciJw/s1600/book+meaningful.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" height="320" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgiLdjtxAjp6KRjoQvWXusOrStPLp9LEf8C_1_2YOS11TikDg8KcAMfUU_5k_7i96E26yiG4U1SHjfw4SVa0lrAxVtvW8HOFnLxsH7qT9oE-reu_oTZBIBQ_kwwyDf1LKdUh8UMz1gciJw/s320/book+meaningful.jpg" width="214" /></a>It was a blessing to read Randal Wright's book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/Make-Every-Day-Meaningful-Remember/dp/1462114709" target="_blank">Make Every Day Meaningful</a>." His premise is that not only should we be recording experiences from our lives, but that we need to be looking for the lessons we learn from those - every day. He gives the example of modern technology and how many advances have been made in just the last several years, then asks, "Why then are individuals and families not making progress at the same rapid rate as technology? Why do so many retain the same weaknesses and make the same mistakes year after year?" Interesting questions. Yes, we are all human with our own opportunities to choose, and many of us have to make our own mistakes to learn. But what if we had family records to look back on, much like scientific records, to see the mistakes and lessons of our ancestors? I look around at other families all the time and wonder what makes them successful or how they went wrong, but most of the time I can only guess.<br />
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Each chapter in the book presents a reason for keeping your record, and uses a variety of wonderful life examples (both Wright's experiences and others from his family and friends). <br />
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He includes chapters on:<br />
Seeing the Hand of the Lord in Your Life<br />
The Necessity of Recording Family Stories<br />
Learning Meaningful Lessons from Others<br />
How to Use Your Grand Lessons<br />
A Protection from Serious Mistakes<br />
Overcoming Weaknesses that Limit You<br />
Learn to be Grateful Every Day<br />
Meaningful Lessons are Not Lost<br />
Writing Your Autobiography<br />
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I love the chapter "A House of Learning." He reminds us what an important place of learning the temple is, and how we should be seeking the lessons there, but my favorite part of that chapter was him talking about using the temple as a model for our homes. He mentions model homes built by home builders with all the best upgrades, and says, "The purpose of models is to show buyers the kind of home they can have if they are willing to pay the price... The temple can be a model home to help us build strong families." I've thought of my own parallels between our home and the temple before, but Wright really ran with that idea. That's a chapter I will definitely be looking back on.<br />
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Each chapter ends with challenges to practice the lessons taught in that chapter. I just read it through this time (with loads of underlining), but I plan on going back to review and work on some of the challenges.<br />
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One of those is the "Meaningful Lessons are Not Lost" chapter. For those that have heard of Wright's three word journal method of recording stories in three words that will remind you of the story so you can write it out later, this chapter reviews that and gives a list of about 600 memory cues. I have looked into buying his out-of-print book "<a href="http://www.amazon.com/WORD-JOURNAL-FINDING-YOUR-PURPOSE/dp/B0037NVF92/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=undefined&sr=1-1&keywords=%22three+word+journal%22" target="_blank">The Three Word Journal</a>," but I haven't found it for a reasonable price, so maybe this chapter makes up for that.<br />
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This book has helped me to evaluate my own journaling habits, and yes, I need to step things up. Wright lays out so many great reasons, both for our personal benefit ourselves and for that of others.<br />
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Now, it's just doing it.<br />
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By the way, just after reading this, I read through my first two journal which took me from about age 10 through part of junior high. I realized some journaling habits I did then that I still do that are really annoying (like just writing a scripture reference with no mention of what is there - mean!). But it was funny to read some of the entries to my 13 year old, and yes, my "don't do's and do do's" probably had a little bit more backing since she could see I had walked some of the same paths that she does.<br />
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I received a copy of this for my review.Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-48051738730011645162014-05-25T21:35:00.000-06:002014-05-27T14:00:29.884-06:00How to Prepare a Child for a Mission(I gave this talk on March 16, 2014 in our ward.)<br />
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After getting off the phone with the Bishop, I quickly felt inadequate for this talk. I haven't sent a missionary out, so I feel like a mom with her first baby in her arms looking around sacrament meeting, noting everything other people's kids are doing, and thinking, "My kids will never do that." Well guess what - they will. Since I haven't actually sent a missionary out, the things I have to say could be totally wrong, so anyone that actually has done it, don't laugh too hard at my lack of knowledge.<br />
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(I forgot about this part, but if I hadn't, this is where it would have been.)<br />
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When my brother heard I would be talking about this, he said I needed to share this advice:<br />
<span style="color: #222222; font-family: arial, sans-serif; font-size: 13px;">-- Every Elder should know how to catch, kill, prepare, and cook various forms of waterfowl (I wasn't actually going to say this one, maybe mentioning that they should be prepared to use their special gifts and talents in creative ways, and be willing to learn more).</span><br />
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-- Every Elder should be well-trained in how to perform sweet BMX-like tricks on a non-BMX bike</div>
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-- It is absolutely critical that every Elder possess the courage and adventurism necessary to eat whatever is placed in front of them -- and then ask for more.</div>
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<span style="font-family: Helvetica, Arial, 'Droid Sans', sans-serif; font-size: 14px; line-height: 1.428571em;">In our stake we had a Relief Society activity a month ago, and one of the classes likened preparing for a mission like getting ready for the Olympics. An Olympian doesn't start learning how to play the game when they are trying to get on the Olympics team. They practice for years to get to that point. With a mission, preparation doesn't begin 120 days out when mission papers are filed. It needs to start years ahead of that.</span></div>
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This is <b>my </b><b>personal mothering battle vision</b><i>.</i><br />
Alma 49:8-9 - But behold, to their <em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">uttermost astonishment</em>, they were prepared for them, in a manner which never had been known among the children of Lehi. Now they were prepared for the Lamanites, to battle after the manner of the instructions of Moroni. And it came to pass that the Lamanites, or the Amalickiahites, were <em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">exceedingly astonished</em> at their manner of preparation for war.</div>
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I want my children to be prepared for battle the best they can be, so p<span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">ersonal revelation is an inherent part of that. The things I feel are important in my family for our "astonishing" preparation might be different than the things that are important to [the missionary I was speaking with]'s family. With personal revelation, every family here would bring in different aspects to their preparation that will make their preparation new and astonishing. </span></div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">PATTERNS</strong></div>
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In the church we've been counseled that if we follow certain patterns, our families will be blessed. The patterns I'm talking about are family home evening, family prayer, and family scripture study. We've heard about that plenty of times before so I'm not going to go into that. But it does take a consistent effort, and I'll be the first to tell you it's not easy. It's not always spiritually filling, but we keep working and we keep trying.</div>
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We had a family home evening a few weeks ago that started out really well. Erin was in charge of the lesson, and she wanted to talk about Joseph of Egypt. After going through the story, I was pointing out how all these terrible things happened to Joseph, but that he had faith like it says in the scriptures, <span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">"Search diligently, pray always, and be believing, and all things shall work together for your good" (</span><span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">D&C 90:24). By that point, family home evening had turned to chaos, so I ended my thoughts with, "just like I have faith that even though family home evening usually turns into this, I have faith that good things will come out of this too!" (My poor children...)</span></div>
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Even though each individual effort has been less than stellar, I am seeing the fruits from the years we've been doing these. I'm impressed with the knowledge my kids have of the scriptures, and they are gaining their own personal testimonies.</div>
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<strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">HARD THINGS</strong><br />
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At the same stake Relief Society activity that I mentioned earlier, a video was shown with some mission advice from a couple in our stake that are serving as mission president/mission mom right now in Chili. One of the things they suggested is that before serving a mission, young men/young women should have an experience where they've had to do something really hard to the point that they wanted to quit, but that they kept going. When these missionaries are away from home for 1 1/2 to 2 years, they need experiences like that in their back pocket so they know they can continue through the new hard things they'll experience.</div>
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For our family, scouting has provided a lot of those activities, like camping out in the cold during a klondike, going on a backpacking trip, or a really long hike. During Adam's first year working at scout camp, he had been hired to work in the shooting sports area and loved it, but halfway through the summer they had some people quit and he was pulled from that area and was moved to teaching First Aid. He found out about the change on a Sunday evening, and we got a letter from him telling us about it the next Saturday (camp mail is slow). We knew how devastating it would be for him, and we discussed going up to visit. Before that was decided, Adam suddenly walked in the door. We asked about the position change, and told him how bad we felt for him. I think the question was asked, "Did you think about quitting?" because I remember him saying, "Yes, but I knew you guys would make me go back." Besides struggling through that first week without having our "you can do it!," he continued through the rest of the summer and finished well.</div>
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<b>ANGELS</b></div>
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To bring in another point on mission preparation, let's talk about Alma the Younger for a minute. This guy came from a great family, but has made his own choices and was going around with his friends "stealing away the hearts of the people, causing much dissention," and "seeking to destroy the church" (Mosiah 27:9-10). Suddenly an angel appeared and told them to knock it off, then got him back on the right path.</div>
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I haven't seen an angel, but I am deeply grateful for the people who have been angels in my life and in the lives of my children. Susan Tanner stated that<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;"> "Everywhere there are young [people] who are in the middle of their own stories, facing dangers and hardships. ...There will be 'angels round about you, to bear you up' (D&C 84:88)</span><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">. They will sustain us as we carry our earthly burdens. Often in our lives, those angels are the people around us, the people who love us, those who allow themselves to be instruments in the Lord’s hands."</span></div>
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I know that my children have been influenced by many angels in this ward. I've asked them here and there, who do you look up to in the ward? Who has been an example to you? I've told some of those people but there are many others, and I'm so grateful for the influence they've had.</div>
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<span style="color: black;">Several years ago a book was written called, "It Takes a Village." I haven't read it, but I remember many people bothered by it, even retorting that "it takes a mother." Honestly, I'm in the "it takes a village" camp. I know that I couldn't do it all on my own. I have wonderful parents, but I have also had plenty of angels in my own life that have helped to make me who I am today.</span><br />
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(Forgot to say this paragraph and the next, but it's important...) In the fall Adam went on a hike to Ben Lomond peak with my brother and brother-in-law. We talk off and on about where our boys will go on missions, and many times we've said that Adam will go to Africa for different reasons. When he got home that day, he was all over going to South America because of everything his uncles had been saying about their missions in Uruguay and Argentina. He insists it was the food talk, but regardless, the mission excitement was passed on.</div>
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One night after YM/YW a few months ago I was waiting and waiting for my kids to get home. Finally at 10:00pm, <u>an hour and a half</u> after their activities should have ended, I was uptight and decided to drive to the church to drag them home, but passed them on the way. I beat them home, and waited while they pulled in the driveway to give them some correction on just when it was appropriate to come home. When they climbed out of the car, Adam got a "and where have you been?" His response - "First we played basketball for a while, then we were talking about missions with the young men's leaders there." Of course my lecture was gone, and I sent up a silent prayer about great leaders. I did tell them 10:00 was too late to be coming home, though, but a lot kinder than I would have.<br />
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<strong style="line-height: 1.428571em;">GAIN A PERSONAL TESTIMONY</strong></div>
<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">Probably the most important step in mission preparation is gaining a personal testimony so they can share that with the people there. Unfortunately, that's not something I can cook up, serve on a platter, and consider it done. Really, there isn't a whole lot I can do about that beyond doing these other activities and hoping they are touched by the spirit.</span><span style="color: black;"></span><br />
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From Jeffrey R. Holland, "A 14-year-old boy recently said to me a little hesitantly, 'Brother Holland, I can’t say yet that I know the Church is true, but I believe it is.' I hugged that boy until his eyes bulged out. I told him with all the fervor of my soul that belief is a precious word, an even more precious act, and he need never apologize for 'only believing.' I told him that Christ Himself said, 'Be not afraid, only believe,' a phrase which, by the way, carried young Gordon B. Hinckley into the mission field... </span><span style="color: black;">What was once a tiny seed of belief for me has grown into the tree of life, so if your faith is a little tested in this or any season, I invite you to lean on mine."</span></div>
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Elder Holland is great and all--I love reading his talks myself--but he isn't someone that our children can watch and hear from all the time beyond his recorded talks.<br />
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<strong style="color: black;">Our children need to hear our testimonies!</strong><br />
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<span style="color: black;">We are people they can watch and learn from daily. To realize the importance of that, check out these three examples from the Book of Mormon.</span><br />
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Even though Enos had a grandfather, uncle, and father that were prophets, he still needed to gain his own testimony. While out hunting one day, he stopped to pray. "<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">Behold, I went to hunt beasts in the forests; and the words which </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I had often heard my father</em><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;"> speak concerning eternal life, and the joy of the saints, sunk deep into my heart" (Enos 1:3).</span></div>
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Alma the Younger, also the son of a prophet, made poor choices and needed a change of heart. When he was knocked from his astonishment at seeing an angel, everything he had been doing to destroy the church was running through his mind. "<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">And it came to pass that as I was thus racked with torment, while I was harrowed up by the memory of my many sins, behold, </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">I remembered also to have heard my father</em><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;"> prophesy unto the people concerning the coming of one Jesus Christ, a Son of God, to atone for the sins of the world" (</span><span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">Alma 36:17).</span></div>
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We know that the stripling warriors relied on the testimonies of their mothers. "T<span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">hey had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers, saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it" (</span><span style="line-height: 1.428571em;">Alma 56:47-48).</span><br />
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Maybe a huge reason for having family home evening, family prayer, and family scripture study is so we will have lots of opportunities to share our testimonies with our children. If they know we know, they can lean on our testimonies when they need to.</div>
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Hopefully in the end, even with all the mistakes I make, this end vision will come to pass.</div>
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">D&C 123:17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">cheerfully</em><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;"> do all things that lie in our power; and then may we </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">stand still</em><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">, with the utmost assurance, to </span><em style="border: 0px; line-height: 1.428571em; margin: 0px; padding: 0px;">see the salvation of God</em><span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">, and for his arm to be revealed."</span><br />
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<span style="color: black; line-height: 1.428571em;">All I can do is cheerfully do my part, follow the patterns the church has given us, seek and follow personal revelation for my family, and do what I can to help my children gain their own testimonies. But someday I hope when I look back I will see how deeply Heavenly Father has been involved in raising our children too, through their life experiences and through the people that have influenced their lives. And hopefully, through all that, they will be well-prepared to serve a mission.</span><br />
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-53490924268267814352014-05-25T20:46:00.001-06:002014-05-25T20:46:27.180-06:00 There's Just Something About Food<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
On Saturday, this guy got hankering for some good food. He found a really great recipe for <a href="http://www.livinglocurto.com/2013/07/bbq-ribs-blackberry-sauce/" target="_blank">blackberry rib sauce</a>, and was all over trying it out. With ribs already in the freezer from a good deal a while back, he was in business.</div>
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Shortly after the cooking was over and we were beginning blackberry rib bliss, this guy came home from being a pioneer for 3 days with some of our homeschool friends. We got to hear some of his stories in between bites.</div>
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When that was gone, it was proposed that maybe s'mores were in order. That was quickly seconded (and thirded and fourthed...)</div>
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(Hello chickens in the background!)</div>
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In the picture below you can see our favorite s'more method. Those Keebler striped cookies with the marshmallow are much easier and in my opinion better than the traditional graham cracker and chunk of chocolate. The chocolate is well-spread and melts nicely, and the cookie breaks without being getting really crumby.</div>
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This is my favorite picture of the evening. Looking at the picture above, I was sitting in the chair next to Jamie with Isaac on the grass between as, as you see him above. While I was getting pictures of everyone, I turned the camera to get him but couldn't see what I was getting very well. After taking this, I pulled my phone up to see if it took very well. Jamie quickly started telling Madeleine to get her s'more away from Isaac, but apparently his quick little fingers had already grabbed enough to get marshmallow. By the time I turned again (seriously, seconds), it was on his hands, shirt, and blanket. I ran in for wipes, and by the time I got back his pants were involved too. I love the pre-chaos captured here, with Madeleine's hand tempting him with the perfect s'more.</div>
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Today after church I asked Adam what he wants to eat this last week before he heads off to camp again. After dutch oven cooking on the pioneer trail, dutch oven potatoes topped the list. Knowing today was probably more low-key than the rest of the week, we dove into that and had most of the pre-cooking preparation done when Jamie got home from after church meetings. He quickly set us straight on the appropriate dutch oven potatoes recipe ingredients, and the men folk got to cooking.</div>
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Delciousness again.</div>
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This picture is actually after that meal was over and the dutch oven berry chocolate cobbler was about to be partaken of. Melanie has the serving spoon at the ready.</div>
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Multiple times both evenings the words "wholesome family recreation" came to mind. It's lovely sitting around a campfire or a dutch oven, filling our tummies with great food, laughing, and sharing that time together. An important piece of what helps "establish and maintain" successful families, but so simple.</div>
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A couple weeks later another lovely friend in the neighborhood brought me some, and mentioned it was another friend's recipe. WOW - even more delicious! I think I hoarded the leftovers for myself.<br />
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A couple weeks later, the friend who's recipe it happened to be called to say she was dropping something off. (I have great neighbors, don't I?) I was pleasantly surprised to discover it was another pan of Baked Ziti, especially since the second ultra delicious recipe had been her recipe! We popped it in the oven for dinner, and enjoy it yet again. (And yes, I again hoarded the leftovers, but by this time everyone but me was pretty over Baked Ziti.)<br />
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I am now addicted, and happy for any opportunity to make it. Recently I heard a new neighbor was having knee surgery, and their house was already under major renovation. I offered to bring dinner - ziti! (**<b>This recipe makes two 13x9 pans worth</b>, so plenty for your family and another for the freezer or to share.) Before I made it I remembered we had a potluck dinner coming up, so I added another half to the recipe and made a third pan so I could selfishly enjoy it there too.<br />
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I <i>really</i> like to white sauce, so I make a little more than it calls for.<br />
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<b><span style="font-size: 22.0pt;">BAKED ZITI<o:p></o:p></span></b></div>
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Cook 2 boxes of ziti or penne pasta, drain and set aside.<o:p></o:p></div>
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<b><u>RED SAUCE </u> </b></div>
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Cook 2 lbs. sausage in
large skillet, then add:<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 onion, chopped <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 28 oz. can tomato puree <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 16 oz. diced tomatoes <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 6 oz. can tomato paste <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp. marjoram <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp. oregano<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 Tbsp. parsley <o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp. basil<o:p></o:p></div>
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1 tsp. thyme <o:p></o:p></div>
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2 Tbsp. sugar <o:p></o:p></div>
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<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">6-7 garlic cloves, minced <o:p></o:p></span></div>
<span style="font-family: Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;">Salt and pepper to taste </span><br />
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<b><u>WHITE SAUCE</u></b><span style="font-family: "Calibri","sans-serif"; font-size: 11.0pt; mso-ansi-language: EN-US; mso-ascii-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-bidi-font-family: "Times New Roman"; mso-bidi-language: AR-SA; mso-bidi-theme-font: minor-bidi; mso-fareast-font-family: Calibri; mso-fareast-language: EN-US; mso-fareast-theme-font: minor-latin; mso-hansi-theme-font: minor-latin;"> </span><br />
Simmer in sauce pan until smooth and creamy:<br />
1 cube butter<br />
2 8 oz. packages of cream cheese<br />
2/3 c. parmesan cheese, shredded<br />
1 pint whipping cream<br />
2 tsp. minced garlic<br />
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In a large pan, layer ziti noodles, white sauce, red sauce.<br />
*Top with grated mozzarella.<br />
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Bake at 350 for 25-30 minutes.<br />
<br />Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-5400650783378451880.post-57065676771897965242014-03-04T22:14:00.002-07:002014-03-04T22:50:15.483-07:00Have You Been There?I would feel like a fraud if I said I wrote this poem.<br />
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<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIGUicS4frg65kM2SNSlFIpItJ2UjjYrZurqyDof2JoSL0kXe19jVONIBSTLlf3AZJlYi85Wx1-Vz3DtllzS8ttDUg-hI8T3_wUqXRBMaTJxR2pW8q6HsXk0C1inlB4DbhSZzIkBwJSY/s1600/beautiful-place.jpg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgHIGUicS4frg65kM2SNSlFIpItJ2UjjYrZurqyDof2JoSL0kXe19jVONIBSTLlf3AZJlYi85Wx1-Vz3DtllzS8ttDUg-hI8T3_wUqXRBMaTJxR2pW8q6HsXk0C1inlB4DbhSZzIkBwJSY/s1600/beautiful-place.jpg" height="200" width="128" /></a>Just over a week ago I woke up with some of these words in my head. It started with the repeated refrain, "Have you been there in that place?" and the general feeling of how we can lift others by the things we say. The more I thought about it more words came, and as I wrote them down, more.<br />
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While I slowly woke up a few days later, I realized they were running through my mind again, only this time with music. While I thought about it, more little snippets came.<br />
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This may not be the finished product, as I'm pretty sure there is one more bit that needs to get in there, but this is what I quickly polished this morning when I remembered that I had planned on sharing it in our homeschool group today because it fit so well with the topic. To prepare for class today we had read the talk "<a href="https://www.lds.org/general-conference/1991/04/before-i-build-a-wall?lang=eng" target="_blank">Before I Build a Wall</a>" by Loren C. Dunn (April 1991 general conference) and studied <a href="http://alfoxshead.blogspot.com/" target="_blank">Al Fox</a>, then took that study further in our own personal way.<br />
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<b>Have You Been There?</b></div>
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We have a gift</div>
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We have a choice</div>
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Our simple words</div>
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One little voice</div>
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How we use that</div>
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Shows our heart.</div>
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Have you been there</div>
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In that place?
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Those little words</div>
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Can bring a smile,</div>
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Can cause a tear</div>
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Or lift a trial.</div>
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Such simple words,</div>
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Moment in time,</div>
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Will heal a heart.</div>
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What is your choice? </div>
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All need our love,</div>
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Crave heaven's light.</div>
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Have you been there</div>
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In that place?
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Come, be my friend.</div>
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I like your smile!</div>
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Can we just talk</div>
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A little while?</div>
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I need your help.</div>
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Have all you need.</div>
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Here, hold my hand.</div>
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Such little seeds!</div>
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These words of love</div>
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Can overpower</div>
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The dark around us</div>
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Every hour.</div>
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Have you been there</div>
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In that place?</div>
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Words spoken true</div>
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Can bring a smile,</div>
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Can make one hurt,</div>
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Can lift a trial.</div>
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One simple phrase,</div>
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So little time.</div>
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What little "place"</div>
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Will you create?</div>
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Help them see</div>
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The Savior's face.</div>
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Have you been there</div>
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In that place?</div>
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Will you take them</div>
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To that place?<br />
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Marnihttp://www.blogger.com/profile/17444735204136349983noreply@blogger.com0