Personal Progress Faith: A Little Bit Goes a Long Way

Dear Family & Friends,

My current calling is to serve as the Young Women Miamaid Advisor. As I serve and learn about the gospel with the young women of my ward, I have made it a goal to complete Personal Progress again. I am so grateful to participate in this program. It has helped my scripture study habits and the way I teach my own children.

As part of my Faith ten hour project I am in need of your help. I would like to collect as many stories, testimonies and thoughts about faith to make a book. I’d like this collection to be an informal family history book. This could be done as a family (FHE or Sunday activity) or something you do on your own. You can write a long story or a simple thought!

If you need help getting started, here are a few ideas:

·        Read “The Living Christ” and as you do, consider the Savior’s influence in your life and how your faith in Him has increased.
·        How have you demonstrated faith?
·        Describe the blessings you’ve received because of your faith.
·        Write your testimony concerning a gospel principle and how it has helped your faith grow. (paying a full tithe, the plan of salvation, temple attendance, repentance, prayer, fasting, etc…)
·        Children (or adults!) can illustrate a picture of what faith is to them

Thank you so much for helping me record these amazing experiences. I hope by writing our stories they will uplift and encourage those that read them.

I would love to have all stories by February 1, 2015 (Sunday). Please send them to my email or via Facebook message. If you have any questions please call/text/email/facebook.

With love,

Meghan

Just STOP!

As a mother, wife, sister, daughter, miamaid adviser, responsible member of society, etc. I am easily caught up in my continuously expanding checklist. Easily forgetting all the wonderful miracles and blessings surrounding me. A few nights ago I was reminded how precious my baby girl is.

I was at a young women mutual activity when another leader asked to hold Lucy. As I watched her play and talk to Lu, I overheard her ask Lucy to tell her about heaven. After all, it was only three short months ago that Lucy was living there. Aside from attending the temple, Lucy is the closest I can get to heaven on a daily basis. A perfect and precious piece of heaven. It won't be too long before she forgets all about her former home. I need to take time everyday to stop. Stop and silently watch my little angel. She knows it all but just can't tell me about it. I guess I'll have to settle for her adorable coos and mischievous grins.

I am grateful for simple reminders from great examples in my life. I feel incredibly blessed. Sometimes it is difficult to see the blessings through all the trials so stopping is essential. Stop and reflect on what you are doing and what you can do better. I need to regularly put down the phone, get off Instagram, forget about the newly added episodes of Gilmore Girls on Netflix and just STOP! Even though Lucy can't talk yet, stopping to "listen" to her is my favorite time of day. For a few short minutes before Dean wakes up, I get to be with one of heaven's most recent tenants.

I Am Woman, Hear Me Roar!

I AM STRONG (STRONG)

I AM INVINCIBLE (INVINCIBLE)

I AM WOMAN!!!

I know, I know... Super cheesy to quote a song (especially because I only know this song because of watching Sex & the City 2) Judge me :) I own it...

Last week I was privileged to attend a day of BYU Women's Conference. Somehow I had won tickets by entering a contest on someone else's blog. I never win ANYTHING! I was flabbergasted that I actually won something and not just something, tickets to a day of spiritual power.

If I had to describe my day at the conference, it would definitely be EMPOWERED.

I know it's super cheesy to say but, after leaving the conference I felt like a new woman. Stronger, wiser and empowered. Reflecting on the words I wrote while sitting in the closing session I don't think I can sum it up any better...

"As I sit listening to the words of my leaders, I am overwhelmed with gratitude. I am in a large stadium ( the Marriott Center). It is filled with over 15,000 women. Women who are just like me but completely different. We are all searching for something. Searching for ways to perfect ourselves. We all have a desire to learn and become better. A better daughter, wife, mother, visiting teacher, student, etc..."

I was humbled to be among thousands of faithful women.

I often feel like I am in a race with others. Who has a better lawn, where I buy my clothes, if my house is always clean, blah, blah, blah... I think I learned a very important lesson. I am NOT in a race with others. My opponent is the adversary. He wants me to think I am in a race with others. I should be happy for others beautiful green lawns, nice shoes and clean house. We can all learn & grow from each other. Sitting in a giant "room" with my fellow sisters, I truly wanted to be happy for each of their successes.

I am grateful that I was able to go for one short day (thanks to my husband who stayed home with Dean!)

I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! 

I know who I am. I know God's plan. I'll follow him in faith. 

Mom, Kenzie, Me

Last two pics are for those who haven't been on BYU campus lately. I was surprised to see a missing road :) Looks really nice though!

Hoppy Easter!

April 21, 2014

This weekend was full of fun festivities & family. Calin and I debated over and over again how we wanted to do this whole Easter thing... It's hard combining traditions from 2 childhoods :) We agreed that we'd do all the fun Easter-y things like egg hunts, baskets and instead of decorating boiled eggs we frosted sugar cookies. I'm the only one in our house that likes boiled eggs...

We decided together to keep the more active and messy traditions the day before Easter... egg hunts and decorating cookies should be on Saturday. That way we could keep Sunday more simple. Have our baskets of candy and a new church outfit. I didn't want to pull too much attention away from the Savior and the real purpose of Easter. As our kids get older, we'll be able to teach them about our Savior and his sacrifice for them. This year we were just happy Dean lasted the whole 3 hours at church :)

 

Dean helped make the sugar cookies

 

 Pre-mess

 Before his cookie was completely destroyed. 

This is what happens when you take a child's frosting away...

 The aftermath

 Thank goodness for Bruce! 

 Some of our beauties

 We figured Dean wouldn't be very interested in an egg hunt because he is still a little young so instead we put a bunch of little toys and candy inside balloons, blew them up and put them in my giant basket. It was an over-sized Easter basket!

 He noticed right away that these were no ordinary balloons- they had prizes inside!

Dean loved watching Calin pop the balloons

Outside playing with chalk

 Easter Morning!

 Discovering his loot

Jelly Beans before church may not have been a wise decision but... it was Easter :)

 Grandma Kitty & Grumpa gave Dean a bubble gun. I think I may love it more than he does. Now i don't have to get my fingers all sticky and soapy when we play with bubbles!

Family Picture Time!

Here is a fun comparison of last year and this year. Boy, things have sure changed! 

Because of Him, I am know with all my heart that I can return to my Heavenly Father. I am definitely not perfect but it is by the Atonement and His saving grace that I can make it back with my family. I am so grateful to be sealed to my family and I can't imagine life without any of these crazy people. 

I am grateful to be reminded and think about Jesus Christ and all He has done for me during this Easter season.

Flower Pot Cake

March 9, 2013

This Saturday our ward is having our annual dessert auction. Anyone (but mostly the youth) can bring a dessert, craft or service to auction off. The money is split and given to the young men & young women groups for summer camp. Our ward goes crazy at the auction. We'll have cakes sold for 100s of dollars.

McKenzie & I put our brains & talent together and made flower pot cakes. Pretty, eh?

Here's what we did:

Make your cake mix

Line mini cups (found at any fast food ketchup station) on baking sheet

Use pastry bag or ziplock baggie with tip to fill cups with cake mix

We found that the best looking cakes were the cups we filled barely half way with mix

Trace bottom of pot on paper and use for stencil. Use styrafaom on bottom of pot to stick the skewers into. Cover styrafoam with l=plastic wrap then foil and jam in bottom of pan.

Using the same circle stencil, trace cake.

Our layers: Styrafoam, Cake, Chocolate Pudding, Cake, Chocolate Pudding, Graham Crackers

Dyed skewers with food coloring & used gum drops to hold mini cakes on stick

Place "flowers" in the pot

Don't forget to frost your flowers.

My recipe: (makes 2.5 cups)

1/2 cup shortening

1/2 cup butter

4 cups powdered sugar

3 tablespoons milk

1 teaspoon vanilla

Mix shortening & butter until fluffy then add the rest. We added 2 drops of yellow food coloring but, you can add whatever color you desire!

PS. While making all this yummy goodness, I only ate ONE mini cake :) My motivation? Knowing I had to weigh in the next day...

Journal Jar - Favorite Scriptures

November 11, 2012

JOURNAL JAR TIME!!!

List your favorite scriptures. What makes them your favorite?

Alma 34:38-41

Each verse has intense advise that I always need to remind myself but, my favorite of those verses is 41.

“but that ye have patience and bear with those afflictions, with a firm hope that ye shall one day rest from all your afflictions.”

This verse is even more special to me now that I am pregnant. Believe me, I am uber grateful that Heavenly Father has entrusted Calin & I with one of his children. However, being pregnant is hard… Who ever said being pregnant is beautiful and full of rainbows & puppy dogs was full of crap. Reading Alma 34:41 whenever I feel like I’m going to lose my mind (which is quite often) is a wonderful blessing. I am reminded that I will “rest from all your afflictions”. This promise is the light at the end of my very long pregnancy tunnel.

Doctrine and Covenants 6:33

“Fear not to do good…”

I was thinking about this verse while watching abc’s show, What Would You Do? If you haven’t seen it, the premise is basically strangers are put to the test in public places with awkward situations (put on by actors). The situations range from boyfriend abusing girlfriend, dad yelling at child for some dumb reason, or racial/sexist situations. As an audience we watch hoping that the unknowing strangers will step in & stick up for the “victim”.

I can only hope that if I were ever in that situation, this scripture would pop into my head…”Fear not to do good”. Would I stick up for someone in need of help? Would I stop a verbally abusive parent? My answer is yes. (I’m an optimist) I will not fear to do good.

I just thought this cartoon was hilarious because I'm pretty sure Calin has said those exact words. He is crossing his fingers for an early delivery...

Journal Jar- "When you grow up"

November 7, 2012

Tonight for relief society's enrichment night, we talked about the importance of keeping a journal. I used to be really good at writing in my journal but, since being married, I am ashamed at the lack of entries in my journal...

We read a talk given by Henry B Eyring that inspired me to want to be better at keeping a daily record.

 "As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often, I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done."

Our enrichment craft was to make journal jars & while folding my questions I decided that I was so diligent in keeping up my blog, I would just add Journal Jar entries too! Obviously these posts are more for me & my posterity to have but, I think that sharing life experiences are not only for yourself but for the benefit of others - enjoy!

JOURNAL JAR TIME!!!

As a child, what did you want to be when you grew up?

Up until the age of 16, I wanted to be a doctor. As a small child I would listen to my teddy bear's heartbeat. When I could read and write, I remember turning the family room into a doctor's office. I had color-coded manila folders with patient information, my x-ray room (aka closet with a small lamp), waiting room for any willing person & a medical kit complete with stethoscope & blood pressure cuff. 

When I got into high school I enrolled in the CNA program. This is where I learned I DO NOT want to be a doctor :) Stitching up teddy bears was much less nauseating than blood & other forms of goo that comes from the human body.  

My childhood dream of being a doctor was just that--a dream. Perfect in my innocent child eyes but, growing up I was smacked with the reality that I could not handle the job of a doctor.