Jessica's First Job

Jessica got a job working as a server at China Chefs. It will give her an opportunity to practice her Chinese and earn a bit of money. I hope she enjoys the experience. I think she really will. I'm grateful Heavenly Father is looking or for my children's future.

Haystack

I use this blog as my personal journal.  I post it on the web, but I don't expect anyone to find it.  It is like a needle in a haystack.  Anyone who stumbles upon it probably finds it rather dull.  I don't have time to make it charming.  Sorry, I don't write it for an audience other than maybe me when I'm 90 to remember a few things.  Also I hope it gives my children and future grandchildren a little sample of how the Lord has blessed my life so deeply.

But if you did stumble on to this blog....WELCOME!  I hope you find as much happiness in your days as I do!  Heavenly Father truly loves each one of us!  Adores each one of us!!  We are in His watchful care.  Miracles happen everyday!  There are no coincidences!  Everyone is here on earth because we chose to come, receive a body, and follow our Savior.  If we follow Jesus Christ we will be filled with joy and peace regardless of our circumstances.  And the Lord will open the windows of heaven and provide the change and miracles we need.  So if you accidentally found this "note in a bottle" as it were, I would wish you the very best!  I may not know you.  You maybe on the other side of the world or next door.  But your kind Heavenly Father knows your every thought, your every trial, your very heart.  He loves you more than you can comprehend.  Again I wish you the most amazing and beautiful day of your life.

Your Friend,

Jennie

Gorgeous Fall Day

Gorgeous, golden leaves are everywhere!  Heavenly Father's artwork is breathtaking!  Just feeling the sunshine and autumn air is amazing!  We went for a little walk and scattered basil and chive seeds.  This afternoon I will make a green, raw soup with parsley, chard, onions, kale, and garlic from the garden.  I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for leading me to eating healthy.  It makes a huge difference in my health and energy!  Well, I'm headed back out to do school with the kids in the sunshine.  We are just soaking in every moment.

October General Conference

I came to Conference with these questions.  I have already received some answers and will continue to seek answers as I study the words of the Lord.  I'm so blessed that Heavenly Father answers prayers and gives us His word through His servants to guide and direct us.

1. What does the Lord expect of me in regards to service outside the home during this phase of my life?  (i.e. missionary work, temple, family history, neighbors, extended family, etc.)  Now is the time.  Missionary work is the most important.  I can share the gospel with one person by Christmas.  I can testify of Christ in my everyday interactions (i.e. neighbors, store, cubscouts, etc.)  Share General Conference.
2. Should I try writing and compiling the footzoning kit to earn income and educate others right now?  Use even this opportunity to testify of Christ.  Put first things first and work on it when you can.
3. How can I encourage my family to become more spiritual (i.e. Sabbath day observance, personal scriptures and prayers, uplifting music, not wasting time on internet, etc.) without nagging? Conduct personal interviews, talk about Sunday lessons, 
4. How can we continue to change the culture of our family to one that expresses encouragement, patience, appreciation, and love?

General Conference Notes Spring 2013

Promptings, Goals, and Notes
President Monson

• attend temple weekly
• save for missions
• listen to Conference

President Packer

• age should bring great spiritual gains
• make morning scripture time happen and make it a spiritual feast as well as the Sabbath day and family home evening
• be diligent in family history and temple work
• keep covenants and commandments
• get finances and food storage in order
• teach family about the Atonement and the gift of the Holy Ghost
• stay in condition to respond to the promptings of the Holy Ghost (keep body healthy and strong, take quiet time to truly communicate with the Lord, follow promptings immediately, don't wait until you are perfect to follow promptings.  Pray and do the best you can at that time.)
• offer your testimony, time is short we don't have time for fluff

Bishop Davies

• truly renew covenants each week
• prepare for Sunday well in advance - first things first
• get up early to truly pray and study

Sayings We Like

Jaremy and I found some sayings we like.

You are my HAPPY!

Life is not about waiting for the storms to end,
but learning to dance in the rain.

Come what may
& love it!

Keep calm and carry on!

I'm a possibilitarian!!

Cutest Things

Tank is an adorable 4-year-old.  He is so committed to the Lord; the Lord is as real to Him as I am.
I wish I had time to write down all the cute things all my kids say and do.  I hope on the other side we get to rewind and remember.  But in the meantime here are a couple of the things Tank has said.
The other day he said, "I can't wait to get a puppy when I'm a dad.  But I won't get a weiner dog, because they don't have brains."
In Primary he had to finish the sentence, "I can show my love for the Savior by...."  He said, "by walking up to a red-headed girl and giving her a hug, if I can find one.  If I can't I'll just hug any girl."  His teachers about had a laughing fit.
I just adore my kids!  They are the best!!!

Kids in Gear

The kids have worked hard all week. They have already earned all their stars on their charts today. It is such a blessing to have them be self-motivated, especially when I'm not feeling very good (morning sickness). Heavenly Father is always looking out for us and preparing the way before us.

Hiking in Midway

On a hike this weekend I asked Ella if she could have anything she wanted in the work what would out be.  She said, "People!" Isn't that special that out of everything in the world she already knows what is most important! I'm so grateful to Heavenly Father for sending sweet children who know and do so much!

Top Five Priorities

No matter how healthy I am, pregnancy does take a lot of energy.  Hormone levels can fluctuate and make some days a struggle.  This is the exception, not the rule.  But for the days I am having a hard time staying vertical I fall back to my five main priorities.

1. Pray, study the scriptures, and write at least one of my blessings from God in my journal.
2. Get ready for the day.  You know brush my hair and teeth and get dressed.
3. Do some kind of workout, even if it is just a couple mini-workouts.
4. Feed my family, clean the kitchen, dining room, and living room, and do a batch of laundry.
5. Read to my kids.

On really hard days even just doing these things can seem daunting.  Thank goodness my kids and husband jump right in and help.  And I thank Heavenly Father the really difficult days rare.

Great Support

My family is so awesome!  As with any pregnancy there are those days that I can't seem to get vertical for long.  But my sweet kids just pick up the slack!  They read to and play with the little ones.  They fix meals and do dishes and laundry!  Today I've been feeling really weird (hot then cold, hot then cold again).  Maybe I have a touch of something.  But the kids are keeping things going.  Heavenly Father has blessed our family with some of the most thoughtful, hard-working, caring young people in the world!

Jaremy's Testimony

Today in Sacrament Meeting Jaremy bore his testimony. He basically shared if the Lord be with us who can be against us. He bore testimony of the Lord's love and concern for us.  I really appreciated him testifying of Christ! I'm blessed with a righteous husband who is also lots of fun! He is my best friend!

Hundreds of Pumpkins

It's a gorgeous fall day!  We cleared shelves down in the basement yesterday.  In fact we cleaned the whole basement.  Today we will haul hundreds of pumpkins and squash down to be stored on the shelves we cleared.  It's so fun to work together and see big projects get accomplished.  The Lord has blessed us so much with a fabulous harvest.  Just think of all the yummy pumpkin chocolate chip bread!  We make a very healthy version.  Think of all dinners of butternut squash steaming from the plates!

House Tidied

What the kids won't do for a cookie! Everything it's tidy for the moment! 
I'm still a bit tired from jogging 6.5 miles the morning with Benjamin. He it's so sweet to run with his slow Mom.  It's so fun to have a chance to run individually with my kids. It's a great time to talk and bond. We had a beautiful run around the lake at Day Break and then back home.  I cherish these opportunities to be with my kids before they launch.  That will happen way too soon! Heavenly Father has blessed me with great health to enjoy these moments.

Conference Weekend

I love Conference weekend.  It's been so inspirational and has answered several questions and worries I have been praying about.  What a blessing!!!  Heavenly Father sends His Spirit to guide us and prompt us personally.

I look forward to reading and taking down notes and promptings that I don't get to do all the time while I meet my family's needs during the weekend.  I'm glad I can go over the talks again and again in quiet moments.

The Priesthood holders of our family have just returned.  We have a tradition of having pie and ice cream after they return.

Free Country

I'm so grateful to live in the freest nation in the world.  Unfortunately, those freedoms are in real danger. Our morals as nation are slipping, families are falling apart, and tyranny threatens.  We pray for or beloved country. There are many good people who are aware of what it's going on and are willing to stand for the right. However, compared to those who are asleep (addicted to the meaningless) we are few. There are plenty,who I believe,  would usher in a communist government and all the death and destruction which accompanies such tyranny.  The Progressives call evil good and good evil. They claim they are compassionate, but they are just power hungry communists. They seem to have secret societies and secret deals.  God doesn't work in secret only evil does.  It is the last days, but I still am surprised by the evil "normal" people embrace.  I wonder how long until total meltdown, death, and destruction. I hope out never happens, but it seems to loom closer everyday. May we live worthy of the Lord's blessings and protection. He will save the righteous.

Cubscouts

This evening Hyrum and I went to Wolf den meeting.  It's fun to see the boys' excitement over learning and playing together.  We have great boys in our group.  I'm grateful Heavenly Father has given me this calling.  Sometimes I don't know how I'm going to fit it into my week, but it all works out.  Heavenly Father has blessed me with my amazing children that jump up to babysit, fix dinner, gather supplies, help each other with homework, etc.  I'm so blessed!!!  I owe so much to my dear family.