Born for Glory

Here is a powerful quote from Sister Dew that I wanted to share:

"You were born to lead, and in the words of Isaiah, you were born for glory." (Isaiah 62:2-3)

"Now the glorious but sobering truth is that, in spite of your aeons of premortal preparation, the days ahead will at times, "wrench your very heart strings," as the Prophet Joseph told the Twelve. If you've hoped to passively, comfortable live out your lives, let me burst that little bubble once and for all. Now, please, do not misunderstand me: This is a magnificent time to be live! It is a time, said President Spencer W. Kimball, when our influence 'can be tenfold what it might be in more tranquil times." The strongest runner wants to run the last leg of the relay.

But the last days are not for the faint of heart or the spiritually out of shape. There will be days when you feel defeated, exhausted, and plain old beat-up by life's whiplash. People you love will disappoint you- and you will disappoint them. You'll probably struggle with some kind of moral appetite. Some days it will feel as though the veil between heaven and earth is made of reinforced concrete. And you may even face a crisis of faith. In fact, you can count on trials that test your testimony and your faith.

Aren't you glad I came bearing such optimistic news? Actually, I am nothing if not optimistic about you, for everything about your lives is an indicator of our father's remarkable respect for you. He recommended you for now, when the stakes are so high. Now is the day when His kingdom is being established once and for all, never again to be taken from the earth. This is the last leg of the relay. This is when He needs His strongest runners."

I've been thinking of each of you, my sisters. Our "races" are all a little different with our own challenges, but I think if we remember that our lives are a proving time and that it's not supposed to be easy that can give us a better perspective.

Sister Dew goes on to say, "The simple fact is that our Father did not recommend Eve or moses or Nephi or countless other magnificent exemplars for this dispensation-He recommended you and me. Do you think God would have left the last days to chance by sending men and women He couldn't count on? A common theme of patriarchal blessings given to men and women your age is that you were sent now because our Father's most trustworthy children would be needed in the final, decisive battle for righteousness. That is who you are, and it is who you have always been."

Love you,
amber

Feeling Confidant Being Who I am!

"We have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives.
We have to decide what is important and then move along at a
pace that is comfortable for us.
We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove anything, but to be what we are.
With all of those decisions we have three responsibilities.
Have joy in your husband.
Have joy in your children.
Have joy in your home."
Marjorie Hinckley

I love this quote. I found it just recently as I realized that it is okay being me. I don't have to do things a certain way to impress someone else or feel accepted by them. I just have to figure out what is the most important to the Lord and our family and then do it.

"We would do well to slow down a little,
focus on the significant,
lift up our eyes and truly
see the things that matter most.

Strength comes not from frantic
activity, but from being settled on a
firm foundation of truth & light.

It comes from paying attention to
the divine things that matter most.

Diligently doing the things that matter
most will lead us to the Saviour of the
world." Elder Uchdorft

Elder Uchdroft gives us some steps where we can begin...
Slow down
Focus on the significant
Be settled on a firm foundation of truth & light
Pay attention to the divine
Diligently do the things that matter most!

Isn't that beautiful?

As we determine what the most important things are for ourselves & our families, we can move ahead in confidence, knowing that we can be free from proving to anyone else why we do what we do. It's okay if our lives all look a little bit different. It's better that way so we can learn & grow from each other. And so we can begin right this minute to slow down and live the moment we're in more fully & with greater JOY!

Take a deep breath to unwind & laugh more. I love you my sweet sisters. I miss you this week after spending two weeks together daily...

amber

"By the time it came to the edge of the Forest, the stream had grown up, so that it was almost a river, and, being grown-up, it did not run & jump & sparkle along as it used to do when it was younger, but moved more slowly. For it knew now where it was going, and it said to itself, "There is no hurry. We shall get there someday." But all the little streams higher up in the Forest went this way & that, quickly, eagerly, having so much to find out before it was too late." by A.A. Milne in The House At Pooh Corner

This just perfectly described how I've been feeling lately...like those little streams that are scurrying about unsure of themselves & where they are going. And so I am inspired by the grown-up stream who, "knew where it was going" and then slowed down & enjoyed getting there!!

I'm always trying to create this day that will run smoothly and weeks in which we'll get "it all done." But the other night, I realized that I don't remember a whole day in sequence of events. So am I trying in vain to create something that is of no value? We don't remember days, it is moments that we remember.

And so, in all of my planning & working & eagerness to "make it down out of the Forest" am I creating these moments that we can all cherish & remember?

Sister Beck asked these questions at BYU Women's Conference:

"Am I aligned with the Lord's vision of me & what He needs me to become & the roles & responsibilities He gave me in the heavens that are not negotiable?

Am I aligned with that or am I trying to escape my duties?

In putting all of these thoughts together, I've thought of a few things. It is important to me to plan my days & weeks. I think of my roles & responsibilities & my testimony, my husband & my children, my own dreams & education & growth & the care & upkeep of our home as I make these plans. But my goal has changed from creating the 'perfect day' to slowing down & doing less everyday so that we can create memories instead of speeding onto the next item to be checked off of a busy day's agenda.

Sister Beck also taught us "Mothers who know do less." I've had to decide what that means for me. It's a challenge in a busy world to slow down & believe the grown-up stream who says, "There is no hurry. We shall get there someday."

I guess we just have to know where we're trying to go.

amber

My Sweet Sisters

I just wanted to let you

all know that I love you.

I love that we can spend an afternoon together...

Lately it's been:

shopping,

chatting,

eating,

hanging around with all our boys, boys, boys & Brynn and Paige,

listening,

laughing,

breaking up fights,

hanging around holding down couches,

supporting lacrosse,

eating with Grandma,

going to Cub car races,

talking,

laughing,

planning great things,

saving the world from evil,

and chatting some more.

I love that we can

text each other funny things.

I love that we miss each other

after only a few days of

not seeing each other.

I love that after we've been

together I feel my life is good.

That doesn't mean we don't have

hard times,

or confusing times,

or sorrow.

I love that we can share it all.

I love that we can find support in each other.

Today, I went for a walk up at the ranch. I was all by myself and it was so peaceful. I had been thinking about how happy I am right now. I know hard times and things will come, but right now I feel pure happiness. The gospel is the only way to have complete joy. How lucky we are to be so close to a net work of people to love and to be loved by. And what a BEAUTIFUL place we have to live! I had also been thinking about my young women's lesson I had just heard. Sister Knapp talked about us being "born to be Queens". When we can see ourselves and others as God sees us it makes it so easy to truly LOVE.

Some Days

Some days are just crappy aren't they?

There are moments of every day that are difficult,

but other days it just seems the whole day is hard!

Woke up this morning feeling:

weary,

with cranky children,

a more cranky mom,

too much laundry,

too many tasks; all of which seemed important,

so many messes,

clutter piled high,

little hands all around needing help,

and no well out of which to help anyone.

Some days are just like that, but we press on...

We spent a lovely time in the warm, afternoon sun riding

bikes and scooters and soaking up the rays.

Supper was made and enjoyed by all.

A FHE lesson taught by Paige about the Prophet Joseph's first vision

and a reminder that we need to ask heaven for help.

Caleb asleep early,

dishwasher cleaning that pile of dirty dishes,

laundry nearly folded and hung up...

Paige just declared her room looks wonderful!

Things are looking up.

Some days are just hard.

Our days are full of "essential routine tasks" as Sister Beck calls them.

Looking back on the day, it seems silly

that these trivial things

would seem so hard.

Others' struggle with so much worse!!

And so, I'll close this difficult day with

remembering that

my blessings are bountiful...

&

reminding myself of

what Mr. Slinger says in Lilly's Purple Plastic Purse,

"Today was a difficult day.

Tomorrow will be better"

&

by taking a needed bubble bath.

Amber

Fighting Discouragement-

I had an experience that requires sharing because, I believe, others probably struggle with the same thing at times. Six years I have been married and six years I have fought feelings of not being worthy. I worried that I had past struggles and sins that I needed to repent of and as such was not worthy of the Holy Ghost.

I would read my scriptures, pray, and have sweet times with my little family and along would come dark feelings that made me think that I did not deserve these joys in life because of my choices I had made in the past.

Finally in the past few months I decided that it was time for me to face up to these feelings and figure out what I needed to do about them.

Last Fast Sunday I was praying and fasting (as much as you can fast when nursing a baby) about the situation. Sundays are crazy in my world. Josh is up on the stand, we sit with a couple of friends and it's wild. I am emotionally and physically tired after Sacrament Meeting. Anyway, I am sitting there amidst the madness and it comes to me to talk to Josh about these feelings that I have been having. I felt peace about this answer but at the same time I hated it because along with these feelings came embarrassment. I had not spoken to anyone about it. I felt stupid but I also knew that the thought to talk to Josh did not come from me. So later that afternoon there was a semi-quiet moment and I told Josh about it. He told me that we should do our best to clear up past sins of course but that we need to look forward and let the past stay in the past. Ultimately I learned that feelings of doubt, inadequacy, fears about worthiness, and discouragement don't come from our Father in Heaven.

In taking a leap of faith and talking to Josh, fasting and praying, I was blessed to be freed from the chains of discouragement. The relief that I feel is amazing. I am light and free.

We all have different paths to that the Lord asks us to journey and Satan's joy is thwarting our path. Remember that the Lord speaks encouragement to our hearts. He will not "leave you comfortless". (John 14:18)

-Autumn

Rely on Him

I was sitting at a Stake Relief Society meeting last night. We were asked this question by the speaker; "What are the barriers to your coming unto the Savior?"We discussed with the ladies around us and came up with 'not enough time and busyness' being our barriers to being close to the Savior. I continued to think. I thought about what we are busy doing. We are busy being wives and mothers, working, and going to school. So, we are doing God's work. This is what He wants us to be doing and yet we are too busy doing it to feel close to Him. I continued thinking and writing about it last night. I talked to Chris about it.

It seems crazy to think we are too busy doing God's work to include Him in the work that He wants us to be doing!!

So, now ladies I think the real questions we need to be asking are: How do we include Him in our busy days as we go to work, go to school, or care for our little children? How do we make this truly His work and His glory?

I've been reading a book about self esteem. I believe it is called, "The myth of self-esteem." In it, the author talks of how it really isn't about our abilities or inabilities at all. It is really about the Savior and inviting Him and all that He is into our lives, so we can be who He needs us to be. We really can't be who He needs us to be without Him.

This story comes from a talk from Elder Holland that I love entitled "Because she is a Mother."

"One young mother wrote to me recently that her anxiety tended to come on three fronts. One was that whenever she heard talks on LDS motherhood, she worried because she felt she didn’t measure up or somehow wasn’t going to be equal to the task. Second, she felt like the world expected her to teach her children reading, writing, interior design, Latin, calculus, and the Internet—all before the baby said something terribly ordinary, like “goo goo.” Third, she often felt people were sometimes patronizing, almost always without meaning to be, because the advice she got or even the compliments she received seemed to reflect nothing of the mental investment, the spiritual and emotional exertion, the long-night, long-day, stretched-to-the-limit demands that sometimes are required in trying to be and wanting to be the mother God hopes she will be.

But one thing, she said, keeps her going: “Through the thick and the thin of this, and through the occasional tears of it all, I know deep down inside I am doing God’s work. I know that in my motherhood I am in an eternal partnership with Him. I am deeply moved that God finds His ultimate purpose and meaning in being a parent, even if some of His children make Him weep.

“It is this realization,” she says, “that I try to recall on those inevitably difficult days when all of this can be a bit overwhelming. Maybe it is precisely our inability and anxiousness that urge us to reach out to Him and enhance His ability to reach back to us. Maybe He secretly hopes we will be anxious,” she said, “and will plead for His help. Then, I believe, He can teach these children directly, through us, but with no resistance offered. I like that idea,” she concludes. “It gives me hope. If I can be right before my Father in Heaven, perhaps His guidance to our children can be unimpeded. Maybe then it can be His work and His glory in a very literal sense.”

You can’t possibly do this alone, but you do have help. The Master of Heaven and Earth is there to bless you—

Rely on Him. Rely on Him heavily. Rely on Him forever.

And “press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope.” You are doing God’s work. You are doing it wonderfully well. He is blessing you and He will bless you, even—no, especially—when your days and your nights may be the most challenging. Like the woman who anonymously, meekly, perhaps even with hesitation and some embarrassment, fought her way through the crowd just to touch the hem of the Master’s garment, so Christ will say to the women who worry and wonder and sometimes weep over their responsibility as mothers, “Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made thee whole.” And it will make your children whole as well. Elder Holland

So, ladies!

How in the busyness of all that we are doing do we keep our focus on the Savior?

How do we get rid of the barriers that separate us from His love and His guidance?

amber (and how do I get rid of this blasted underline!!!)

The Little Red Coat

There once was a little red coat. It was the perfect size for a little person just over two feet high, and about the same age in years. The first little boy who wore the coat, loved to laugh and go to the library. The second little person was a girl, for red is a girl color too you see. She was so beautiful with her big blue eyes. The third little person to wear the coat was once again a little boy, so handsome. He loved to play in the shower, where he did not need to wear his little red coat. The last little boy still wears the coat, mostly to play outside in the dirt.

All through the years the mother of these small people had faithfully washed the coat. Without a second thought she would throw it in the washing machine with the other dirty clothes. Then one day as she quickly took the little red coat off the last little boy, she saw that it was covered in melted ice cream and would, once again, need to be washed. This time, however, she looked at the worn cuffs with the elastic showing through, and sadly realized that this little boy would be the last to wear the little red coat.

How many times had this little coat played at the park, gone for a treat, or went for a walk? The mother then thought to herself, I am so tired of doing laundry, I must have washed this little red coat 500 times. With a sigh she put that little red coat in the washer once again. Feeling sorry for herself, she thought of all the loads of laundry she had washed, dried, folded, and put away over the years. Despite her efforts, the piles of laundry always returning.

Then one day, the mother went to the school where the first little boy, and the little girl now went to school. She spoke with their teachers, and came home with a pile of notes and graded assignments. She quickly placed the papers on the counter with a thought that she would look at them later, maybe once the kids were all in bed.

Days passed, and the pile of papers sat waiting. The mother not yet knowing, that the pile sat holding a treasure that would warm her tired heart. One day, however, she shuffled through the papers and found the treasure! The first little boy, who had worn the red coat, had written a paper that said this:

"My Mom helps me in many ways. She cooks me dinner every night and makes sure everybody likes the food she makes. My mom also almost always comes to my school and sporting events and always makes me feel good. When I am sick my mom makes me special food that is easy for me to eat.

"My mom is one of the funniest people I know. One time at the gas station she was accidentally mooned by a man with his pants low but she has always had a great sense of humor about that and other things.

"My Mom is a realy supportive person. She always laughs at my jokes, and help me when something funny to other people, hurts my feelings.

"My Mom loves me so much and I know that because she always makes sure I have clean clothes to wear. And when I go somewhere with my friends She makes sure I am safe and happy."

A smile came to the mother's mouth and her eyes glistened with tears. When she walked through the kitchen to the laundry room, there was a lightness in her step that had not been there before. With a happy heart, she moved the clean clothes into the dryer, yet again.

-Alma

Seminary

Today I was in my seminary class and we watched a movie on a man named, Brother Tanner. I had seen it previously but I noticed something new this time. Brother Tanner was alive during Joseph Smith's time. He was a very wealthy man and he helped save the church financially over and over. It is estimated that he donated over 50,000 dollars to the church. He eventually gave up literally everything he had. On their way to Missouri he and his 9 children were begging for bread.

The amazing part about this whole story is his dear wife. She never complained or asked why. She simply followed her husband in whatever he felt he should do. At one point in the movie, right after they've been baptized, she comes down stairs in the middle of the night to find her husband sitting in his office. She asks him whats wrong and he says he had a dream and they are needed in Kirkland. She replies "When should we go?" How POWERFUL! She didn't even need to think twice about it or ask why. She just had faith in the Lord and faith in her husband. As women we shouldn't ever doubt priesthood leaders. It is great that we can learn of so many women who are great examples.
-Layna

I need to share this experience that happened today with you, my sisters and friends. I have nursed a lot of babies for a lot of years, but something happened today that I have never experienced before. I was nursing baby Everett and reading on the couch. He'd been nursing for about ten minutes, when he stopped, stood up on my lap, and put both his little arms around my neck and gave me a hug. Then he laid back down and continued to nurse. Even as I write it, it seems surreal. No baby of mine has ever done that before! It was so sweet of him.

Not all of my days are filled with sweet moments like this. I'm taken to the edge of my patience many times each day as I spend my time with these children of ours. But I also experience amazing feelings of joy and excitement as I see them making choices and understanding things we are learning together. These feelings I do not believe I would experience in the same way in any other setting or role on earth.

I've been thinking of a few experiences that preface what happened today. Years ago, I was a nanny for two little people, named Robbie (4) and Kylee (2). I was seventeen and the Lord continued to teach me of mothering. Their mom's name was Karen and she and her husband worked together. I remember her saying one time that it was not 'quantity' time, but 'quality' time that mattered. I know that it was hard for her to leave her children and this is probably part of what she told herself to find a little peace with her decision to work outside the home. I spent a lot of my days with these little toddlers. They would say and do funny, sad or silly things that I got to see and be a part of in place of their mom. I learned that it was in 'quantity' time that the things of 'quality' happen. A mother cannot always plan each moment that her child will need a guiding hand, an extra kind word, or when a teaching moment 'should' be. The needs of a child just arise during a normal course of the day. The Lord was teaching me and helping me to experience what mothering was all about. What if I chose to be somewhere else and a nanny was teaching or not teaching my child?

A few years later I was a nanny again. This time for a little baby named Jack. My sweet Jack. How he blessed my life! I remember one time in particular. It was his christening day and we were all gathered at his family's house. His parents, grandparents and a lot of family friends were there. He was being passed around and adored on his big day. But who did that little baby want out of all that family there? Me! I remember thinking how tragic that was! Who was I to this sweet baby? I wasn't his mom. I was just this girl who came everyday and loved, nurtured, adored and enjoyed him and he knew it! He felt all those same feelings for me too. Oh, how essential our roles as mothers!

"Mothers, this kind of heavenly, motherly teaching takes time-lots of time. It cannot be done effectively part-time. It must be done all the time in order to save and exalt our children. This is your divine calling." President Benson

My third experience is with my own mom and what she chose. I remember her being home when I came home from school. I would call out for her and she would answer from some corner of the house that she was there. (She was probably folding laundry.) I didn't necessarily need her right that minute for anything, I just wanted to know that she was there. A small handful of times, she would not be home and there would be a key in the mailbox so we could let ourselves in. I don't remember worrying where she was. I knew that she would be home soon because we were a priority to her. We were important to her. I think one of the ways I learned that was by her just being home for us when we were home, so that we could feel of her love for us.

The Lord taught me about my own possible future role and placed in my heart desires to spend my time with my children. That brings us to today when my sweet baby gave me a little glimpse into his tiny heart. It helped me to know that I am doing God's work because as Charles Dickens said best,

"I love these little people, and it is not a slight thing, when they, who are so fresh from God, love us."

May we each rejoice in our God-given roles as mothers or future mothers. love you all, amber

How do people make it through life without a sister? ~Sara Corpening

I thought it appropriate to begin our blog with some of our sister pictures. There is nothing like a sister!

We had so much fun that day didn't we...perhaps next time we should work on being just a little more serious...or not! I am so thankful for each one of you, what a blessing. --Autumn

The unveiling of our blog

Well Ladies!! Here it is! Our blog. I hope we'll fill it full of our joys & our sorrows, our laughter & our tears, our hopes & our fears. I have designed a few things, but since it is "our blog" feel free to change and add whatever you like... I love you all. I hope to strengthen & uplift & edify each other as we share our days' adventures with each other. But above all let us testify of our Savior to one another so that we "may be known as women who know." love you all, amber

"The Lord loves beginners & He helps us get better." Julie Beck