Week One: PATIENCE

I have decided to share some of my thoughts with my friends and family. I often ponder about how I can be a stronger person and find that if I don’t keep a journal of those thoughts it’s easy to forget. I will start sharing some of my thoughts on my blog so I can remember the goals that I am striving for.

I know most people will be able to relate to this post as most of us deal with trials on a daily basis; whether it’s our kids, our family, our personal self-esteem, our money, or our testimonies. The past couple of months I have really tried to focus on the positive and all the blessings that I am so gratefully blessed with. I often find myself in very humbling situations and this brings me back to the realization that I am truly blessed in so many aspects. I often wonder if the greatest trial is PATIENCE. It seems that when I am stressed I can look back hours later and realize that if I would have been patient and let things play out the stress would have been minimal. The phrase, “Patience is a Virtue,” never meant that much to me until I realized that it truly is a virtuous quality that we can posses. I love reading talks from previous General Conferences, they are so inspiring. Elder Oaks said: We can grow in faith only if we are willing to wait patiently for God’s purposes and patterns to unfold in our lives, on His timetable. I love this because it reminds me that I am not on my own in this life and things aren’t always going to happen on “my time” but rather on “His time.” So then the question is, since impatience is so natural, how can I develop the virtue of patience?

This is the council that Elder Oaks give us. How can I change my behavior as that of the natural man to that of our patient, perfect example, Jesus Christ? First, we must understand that to do so is necessary, if we desire to fully enjoy the blessings of the restored gospel. Such an understanding might motivate us to:

• 1. Read each of the scriptures in the Topical Guide listed under the topic “patience” and then ponder Christ’s patient examples.
• 2. Evaluate ourselves to determine where we stand on the patience continuum. How much more patience do we need to become more Christ like?
• 3. Become sensitive to the examples of patience and of impatience that occur around us every day. We should strive to emulate those individuals we consider to be patient.
• 4. Recommit each day to become more patient, and be certain to keep our selected family member involved in our patience project.

Sometimes it’s hard to take that first step in trying to overcome a trial. I often have to remind myself that trials are “normal” and I am not the only one that is suffering because things aren’t happening on “my timetable.” I trust that everything is about timing and with purpose. Thanks for the great friendships and examples that all of you are to me!

FAMILY PICTURES

We haven't had a family picture taken where everybody is in it. So we decided that it was time to update our family history and take the plunge! I think they turned out GREAT!


This one is more like an engagement shot! I was totally goofing off during our pictures because it seemed so weird to have just Phil and I in the picture!

THANK HEAVEN FOR LITTLE GIRLS

Girls, Girls, and more Girls! This last weekend I hosted a baby shower for my sweet sister-in-law Kara. For those of you who know this side of me know that much planning and thought went into making this day special for the mommy to be! At the end of August I started planning..yes that's right about 2 1/2 months prior to the big event! Some call it OBSESSED, some may call it CRAZY, but I call it SANITY. It allowed me to forget about my struggles in having a baby and I was able to focus on Kara and this happy time in her life. And besides that, planning special events like a "baby shower" deserves a lot of planning and thought. The shower was a big success; we had about 30 people attend. Hosting a baby shower for a little girl is oh so much FUN.... from dresses, bows, and EVERYTHING PINK it just melts your heart.


MY FIRST ATTEMPT AT CREATING MY OWN INVITATIONS!


MY CUTE IN-LAWS! THANKS FOR ALL YOUR HELP IN PUTTING ON A GREAT SHOWER!


MY ATTEMPT AT MAKING A DIAPER CAKE.... SUCCESS, UM NOT EXACTLY!


THE FOOD WAS FABULOUS, THIS PICTURE DOESN'T DO IT JUSTICE


WHAT'S A BABY SHOWER WITHOUT A PARTY FAVOR?! WE STAYED UP LATE THE NIGHT BEFORE MAKING HOMEMADE GOURMET CARMEL APPLES.THEY WERE DELICIOUS!


THE PINK BOOTIES WERE A BIG HIT!

WE LOVE YOU KARA AND CAN'T WAIT TO MEET LITTLE OLIVIA!!!!!!!!

Our Weekend Get-Away

This weekend we had a great time visiting Phil’s brother and our Sister-in-law in LaVerkin (it’s close to St. George for those that don’t know!). We were so excited to see them and their new place. We have missed having them around and it was so great to catch up on old times! We took our Niece, Kiley, with us so she could enjoy a little vacation away from her brothers! Besides the fact that she is the sweetest little girl, Phil and I just can’t get enough of her. We love her so much.


On Friday my Father-in-law and mother-in-law came down from Las Vegas to visit for the afternoon. We took a short drive to a restaurant near Zions Park, it was beautiful! Kiley and my nephew Wil really enjoyed the animals!


On Saturday we took a drive through Kolab Canyon. It was breathtaking, and to think that this is right in their backyard was amazing. It was a very cool day outside but that didn’t stop us from stopping for a quick picture.




Of course there was much shopping involved while the boys were at Priesthood Session. Kara, Kiley, and I went into St. George and shopped til we dropped. After a few hours Kiley said, “I think I am done shopping now, I don’t think my legs can walk in anymore stores today!” Luckily for her, we were done at that point too! We are looking forward to another trip down to Rob and Kara’s very soon!