boys room

i've had a lot of friends and family ask me to post pictures of my boys room re-do, and since it's been almost a year since we did it i figured it was time! let me start by saying i cannot take any credit for this room. my good friend denise was the mastermind. the best part of it was that she came in and got the whole thing done while we were out of town! it was a dream come true. i'll let the pictures do the talking, but if you want to know more detail denise wrote about the room makeover from her perspective here.









almost everything that was new was purchased at ikea except the chairs. those were bought at world market. i know a lot of people don't like ikea because it doesn't hold up, but when you think about the fact that in 5 years you may want change it...i'll take the price of ikea any day! also, the paint color is called 'foil' by dunn edwards. i LOVE it! it is mostly gray with a touch of blue. perfect. i'm glad to finally get this documented. now maybe i'll have to post the rest of the home changes we have made!

happy new year - 2012

it seems that another year has come and gone. 2011 was a great year for our family...not so much for the blog. but - i have resolved to always document my word for the year...at least! i've been choosing a word of the year since 2006 and every year i feel more like the word chooses me. if you care to know how it found me this year i will explain.

i was asked to give a talk in church a couple of months ago and it was such an amazing experience. it is not something i ever look forward to, but in this case it was just what i needed. the subject was discipleship. my preparation and study for the talk let me directly to my word for the year. perhaps the best way to explain would be to just put bits of my talk down here:

First of all I ask the question what is discipleship? I feel that in understanding it’s meaning we can more fully commit to incorporating it into our daily lives.

Discipleship is the subject Elder James E Faust spoke about in his October 2006 Conference address. He talked about the Latin root of discipleship, which means pupil. He said and I quote, “This emphasizes practice, or exercise. Self-Discipline & self-control are consistent and permanent characteristics of the followers of Jesus.” I love that idea of practice. It didn’t say that discipleship is being perfect, but practicing being perfect. He goes on to say, “discipleship is primarily obedience to the savior.”

We learn from an early age in the church to try to be like Jesus. The well-known primary song says this:

I’m trying to be like Jesus, I’m following in His ways.

I’m trying to love as He did in all that I do and say.

I find this to be the best and most poignant definition of discipleship. Like the word practice, the song says ‘trying’. Continually being like Jesus can often be overwhelming. In order for someone like me to have the desire, and motivation to keep practicing…keep trying, I have to ask not just what is discipleship, buy why discipleship?

I have always been the kind of person that has to understand why. If I can understand why, then it’s easy for me to accept, remember, understand and follow a principle. This pattern of thought led me to a recent devotional given at BYU by Brad Wilcox. This particular message has resonated with me and I have thought about it continually ever since. He relays the story of speaking to a young woman who was having a hard time understanding her part in the atonement. She was confused about what was “enough.” He talks about how when complying with the gospel standards we are not “paying back” the demands of justice. Instead, we are showing appreciation for what Christ did.

He uses the analogy of a mother paying for piano lessons. Once she pays, the mother can now by virtue of paying that debt be justified in asking the child to practice. This doesn’t pay the teacher for the lessons, nor does it pay back the mother for the lessons. It shows appreciation for what she has done. It shows that the child is willing to take advantage of the gift given. Just like the mother invested in the child, Christ invested in us through the atonement. He paid for us with His blood. Our discipleship is how we can take advantage of His gift. Discipleship is our form of practice. Just like the mothers joy is not found in getting repaid, but in seeing her gift used and seeing her child improve – Christ’s joy is also in seeing His gift used and seeing the children of men improve. And so, He continues to call for us to practice. This answers the why.

My next question then is How?

We have been blessed in this gospel to have ancient patterns of all kinds to look to in our quest to be disciples of Jesus Christ. As women it may be harder to identify because there is not a particular ordinance such as the priesthood, but there are many examples of women in the Bible and other scripture that we can look to as inspiration and confirmation of Gods mindfulness of us.

We learn through studying the scriptures that women journeyed with Jesus and His Twelve Apostles. They gave of their substance to assist in His ministry. In the New Testament evidence suggests that women were vital participants in the Savior’s ministry. They were always there and continually using their divine nature and talents to serve the Lord and build His kingdom.

Our family recently watched a National Geographic documentary on Mount Everest and those who climb it. These climbers study, train, and prepare and practice for the climb and the glory (whether personal or otherwise) it will provide. But the thing that stood out to me the most is that none of them could do it without the Sherpa people who serve as guides and porters along the way. Their care, and expertise is crucial to the success of the expedition. It has actually been proven that they are genetically adapted to high elevations and that these adaptations are vital elements. We could say that it is in their nature. Although they don’t regularly get the attention and validation of the notable foreigners and climbers that they are assisting, this role gives them purpose. They are using their talents and gifts to be a help and support to those who need it.

In Sunday school we have been studying in Corinthians. In chapter 12 we learn about gifts. Verses 4-6 we read:

4 Now there are diversities of ^agifts, but the same Spirit.

5 And there are differences of administrations, but the same Lord.

6 And there are diversities of operations, but it is the same God which worketh all in all.

It goes on in verses 11 and 12 to say:

11 But all these worketh that one and the selfsame Spirit, dividing to every man severally as he will.

12 For as the body is one, and hath many members, and all the members of that one body, being many, are one body: so also is Christ.

We all have a vital role to play in the plan of our Father in Heaven. We each can use our individual gifts to help build the kingdom and be Disciples of Christ.

As women in the church, our lives are very busy. The pattern of discipleship we learn of can help us in establishing priorities and practices that will help us reach the goals set for us. These are to increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seek out and help those in need.

Sister Belle S. Spafford a former Relief Society general president counciled, “The average woman today, I believe would do well to appraise her interests, evaluate the activities in which she is engaged, and then take steps to simplify her life, putting things of first importance first, placing emphasis where the rewards will be greatest and most enduring, and ridding herself of the less rewarding activities.”

We see this in the Saviors admonishment of Mary and Martha to invest more fully in ‘that good part’ that would never be taken from them. Sisters, are we fully invested in that good part, or at least practicing? Or are we cluttering our homes, time, and minds with things that will not bring everlasting joy and peace? One valuable tool we have is the experience and wisdom of older women. Whatever age we are we can look to those who have gone before us and use their knowledge. We have so many incredible examples right here in our midst of women who are diligently practicing their discipleship of Christ.

Paul counseled Titus to encourage older women to serve and teach young women about their eternal roles as wives and mothers. It says in Titus Chapter 2 verse 4:

4 That they may teach the young ^awomen to be sober, to ^blove their husbands, to love their children,

5 To be discreet, ^achaste, ^bkeepers at ^chome, good, obedient to their own husbands, that the word of God be not blasphemed.

This council is not to be subservient. It is and honor. We as women have the privilege to work on the front lines in the work of building the kingdom.

Just as the Sherpa’s in Nepal, and the women ministering anciently, Christ never looked for the glory. Service was His mission. No organization exemplifies this better than Relief Society.

Women & the Relief Society are there to work in conjunction with others. The prophet Joseph Smith declared, “The church was never perfectly organized until the women were thus organized.”

Relief Society is not just something put into place to keep women busy. President Joseph F. Smith said, “This organization is divinely made, divinely authorized, divinely instituted, divinely ordained of God to minister for the salvation of the souls of women and men.” I find it a privilege to be a part of such an organization!

Relief Society is easy to make fun of - all the sweet spirits gathered with their tablecloths, centerpieces, and visual aids. But don’t take these women lightly. There is a power and a spirit that cannot be denied. I dare say that more good has come from within the scope of Relief Society than from any other modern organization on earth.

Sister Julie B. Beck – the general Relief Society president has taught, “Through Relief Society we practice being Disciples of Christ. We learn what He would have us learn, we do what He would have us do, and we become what He would have us become.”

We can all partake of that good part during general conference when we sit ‘at the feet’ of our leaders.

I have a deep testimony of the individual and personal love that our Savior has for each one of us. It is something that I hold onto and rely on through the ups and downs of life. I have a testimony of the gospel. I know Christ lives and that he atoned for our sins so that we could have the opportunity to live with Him again. I am so grateful for the divine organization of the gospel that includes the priesthood and Relief Society, as they help me on my path to discipleship.
so this year i have chosen the word practice. it's something i can do...something i must do. just as we are eager as children to continue to try new things and do something over and over, i must not get discouraged by my circumstances, limitations, trials, or the actions of others. i must just wake up everyday and practice.