Saturday Quotes-it's not how much we give

Friday favorites-games with friends and family

We love playing games together.  See this older post for our favorites:

favorite group games

Thanksgiving

Today, as I ponder all the many things I am grateful for, I think having my children and grandchild with me this year is bringing me great joy.  The older my children get, I know that having them all together will be more of a rare occurrence.  So today, I will treasure this time with them.  One reason I love Thanksgiving is that I love good food and the focus on something other than material possessions.  I love that Thanksgiving comes right before Christmas to remind us that things like family, our freedom, friends, health, love, knowledge and our testimonies of Jesus Christ are what bring us the most happiness.  

Wacky Wednesday-turkey cartoon

Tuesday miTunes-How Great Thou Art

We sang this song last week in church and I recalled then that this was I think the first song I remember brining me to tears.  When I was a teenager-probably 16 or so, a man sang it in Sacrament meeting with such feeling, like from the very depths of his soul.  He was a good singer, but not a professional or anything.  Not many years after, he passed away.  His name was Frank Browning.  I'll remember him singing it with such passion whenever I hear it.  I don't always think of this as a Thanksgiving song, but the lyrics are very appropriate actually.

Monday Messages-The Coat

I love this little video with no words.  It is profound.  Even as we contemplate our blessings and are grateful for what we have, it is more wonderful to give to others.  There is greater joy to be had by giving something to someone who is in greater need than we are.

Saturday Quotes-Give Thanks to the Lord

Friday Favorites-Thanksgiving food

I'm not sure why Thanksgiving has the best holiday food ever.  I love a July 4th picnic, a New Year's Party and Christmas is all around just wonderful.  But just talking now about the food at Thanksgiving is making my mouth water.  Homemade mashed potatoes and gravy, hot rolls, juicy turkey, and tasty stuffing.  YUMMY!

Thursday Tips & Tricks-How serious is my sore throat?

I like to see a visual.  It helps me remember better.

Wacky Wednesday-Never Argue With Children (Jonah)

Tuesday miTunes-Once in Royal David's City by Amy Gileadi

This is a Christmas song not as common, but I really like it.  And this rendition is beautiful.

Monday Messages-baby bird hatching

If you help the baby bird hatch from the egg, it will not have the strength to survive.  Even though you really feel like a little help wouldn't harm it, you must refrain from taking away it's trial in order to help it reach it's full potential.  Can you imagine how much restraint it must take our Heavenly Father when we cry out in agony for Him to remove our trials.  But He is so wise and can see the bigger picture and knows we will be stronger for having endured them.  He must be so pleased when we go a step further and overcome them.
Here's a poem about hatching that I really like:

Coming Out

Some hatchings hurt…

And the new learning

softness

is so very tender.

It’s frightening to be

nothing more

than palest puff

that peeps.

And so remember

and remember

clarion call

to shelter:

“I will gather…

as a hen

gathereth

her chickens

 under her wings…”

 A place to grow

in strength.

(Dianne Dibb Forbis, New Era, Dec. 1977, p.7.)

SEE D&C 29:1-2

Sunday Blessings-Job

In studying about Job this week, I realize that sometimes bad things happen to those who are righteous.  It may be a natural consequence of living in an imperfect world, it may be from someone else's choices or it might just be a trial designed to help us grow in faith and be able to be a strength to others as they see us stay faithful and cheerful through them.
I liked that one of the quotes was from President Kimball who was asked why those who build the kingdom of God the least seem to prosper the most?  He answered, "...the books are not balanced daily, but at harvest time."  All will come out fair and just in the end.
Plus, there is a line in "How Firm a Foundation" that says "...and sanctify to thee thy deepest distress."  To me, this means that in the end we will realize that our trials made us stronger spiritually, brought us closer to the Savior because we relied on the atonement, and are part of who we have become.  Almost like battle scars that the warrior proudly bears.
Anyway, I appreciate Job because of his great patience and how he never seemed to lose faith in God, but held out faithful until the end.

Thursday Tips & Tricks-treating grease stains

I use the stain stick first then spray any stain remover.  Sometimes letting it sit for a day or more helps.  I've even done it after washing and drying a shirt I didn't know had a grease stain.

Wacky Wednesday-Thanksgiving Jokes

Tuesday miTunes-A Little Bit of Love

I like the lyrics of this song and it's catchy.  Even though it's a Christmas song, I could listen to it on my regular playlist. Part of the lyrics say 'a little bit of love goes a long, long way'  and it also says, 'a little bit of love changes everything.'  So true.

Monday Messages-Anchored in Jesus Christ

I have felt my anchors being tested.  I agree that if we are anchored sufficiently in the Savior, we will not drift and no matter what the storms of life threaten, we will hold steady.  I am grateful for this knowledge and can testify that being anchored in the gospel of Jesus Christ makes life so much easier.

Sunday Blessings-Story of Esther

Today my lesson is on Esther.  It's like a fairytale.  She was an orphan raised by her uncle and when the king needed a new queen, all the maidens were gathered and prepared to be presented to the king and she was chosen above all others to be the queen.  Then she exposed the wicked advisor named Haman and saved her people by approaching the king without being summoned at the risk of her own life.  Like many heroines, she had great courage and put others first.  She also held strong to her beliefs and loved her family.  I know my little 9 year old class will love this story.

Saturday Quotes-Gratitude is a catalyst

Thursday Tips & Tricks-Use Rustoleum and a template for rainy day message

Wacky Wednesday-funny Bob Ross reference

Tuesday miTunes-Ordinary Human by One Republic

This is a song from the movie "The Giver," which is one of my favorite books of all time.  I think I like the book so much because it is all about the power for good of one person.  My favorite part of the lyrics says, "I'm just an ordinary human, but I don't feel so typical today."

Monday Messages-How being a Christian is like being a pumpkin

Sunday Blessings-Ahhh...November

November is such a happy month.  Perhaps the focus on being grateful helps us enjoy the days of November.  Perhaps it is the cooler weather perfect for sweaters and scarves but not yet the frigid chill of winter.  Perhaps it is the joy of anticipating Thanksgiving, a time for family and food but without the stress or distraction of gifts.  I love that November reminds me to live more simply and find joy in the things I already have (especially the blessings that aren't "things.")  I am grateful for November.

Saturday Quotes-November Poem