December 26, 2008 at 4:09 pm (religion)
A little belated, but Christmas around here is a full day or two. We are blessed to have family close.
Christmas always gives me a chance to not only reflect on the Savior and his birth, but his mother. His momma is one of my ’strong women’. One of the women I look to during my times of struggles. One of the women I look to as an example and strength.
I am grateful for what we know about this chosen woman.
I love learning about her. I love the story of Jesus’ birth.
And while we were driving yesterday I felt a kinship to Christians everywhere who were celebrating his birth, telling their children of the story of his birth.
Leave a Comment
December 20, 2008 at 3:42 pm (religion)
Growing up I always wished I had been part of a Culture. I felt like we (my community in general) were cultruless. We lacked rich traditions. As an adult, I realize I couldn’t see the forrest for the trees. I grew up in a very rich culture full of tradition. Traditions around family and holidays. A culture of God fearing people focused on service. A cutlre that has traditons with new babies, baptisms, weddings, and death. I grew up just how I always wished I had. A culture full of tradition with an emphasis on family.
1 Comment
December 12, 2008 at 8:44 pm (scriptures)
Tags: scripture
Matthew 11: 28-30
28 ¶ Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
29 Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.
30 For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light.
Leave a Comment
November 2, 2008 at 3:59 pm (religion)
Tags: prayer, religion
For most of my life during my personal prayers I did what we are taught at church. 1. Thank thee for 2. Please bless. I stressed about whether or not I was getting all the thank thee fors and please blesses or whether I was forgetting important things.
I cam to a place in my life that I needed someone I could be completely honest with. I was dealing with a lot. And I needed someone to talk to who knew.
As I was saying my prayers one night I realized that Heavenly Father already knows! He knows exactly what I am going through. My thoughts, feelings, stresses, heartaches and joys. He knows. That was the night my prayers began to change. I had someone to talk to. I began to use the time on my knees to talk to Heavenly Father. Tell him how I was doing, what I was feeling. And I still stressed about making sure I was remembering all of my please blesses and thank thee fors.
A couple of years go by and I am on my knees again. Telling Heavenly Father about those inner most thoughts and feelings that I just don’t share with everyone. And still stressing about making sure I remember everything. And I realize maybe it isn’t about that. THe list as we can call it. Maybe it is about the communication with our Father in Heaven. And if we forget to say “Thank thee for XXXX on a given night, he still knows as long as we are showing that gratitude in our lives. And if we forget to say Please bless XXXX who is ill, he still knows because we think about them and serve them. And maybe it is about that communication and sharing our lives and inviting him into our lives.
Leave a Comment
October 1, 2008 at 5:11 am (scriptures)
Tags: autumn, seasons
It is no secret that I have mourned the end of summer and dread the beginning of winter. But I was out the other day and living in the moment.
I don’t dislike Autum. I acutally really like Autum. The only two things I really dislike about it is 1. It means the end of summer and 2. It ushers in winter. (I do dislike winter).
But I see the leaves changing. The excitement in the air as we anticipate the autumn festivities and holidays. The changing seasons. It is part of the circle. The circle of the year, the seasons, life. Maybe a rebirth? Maybe a growing older? I’m not sure. It is a good season.
I use to consider it my favorite season. So, it must rank up there somwhere. 
Summer is now my favorite season. I love it.
I am actually not very good at living for and in the moment. But often this scripture stands out for me.
Matthew 5:34
Take therefore no thought for the morrow: for the morrow shall take thought for the things of itself. Sufficient unto the day is the evil thereof.
Leave a Comment
September 28, 2008 at 2:30 pm (religion)
Tags: scripture
Almost 2 years ago I started daily scripture study again, after a long hiatus. At first it was just one thing on the ‘to do’ list. Brush my teeth, get kids to bed, read scriptures. Soon I found that I was learning from and enjoying my nightly scripture study. It is one of the parts of day I really look forward to.
So often I have been praying about something, or stressed about something and in my scripture reading that night I have found my answers. This happens so often.
Currently I am reading through “The Prophets of the Church” manuals as part of my scipture study. I am reading the Harld B. Lee manual. I lost it for about a week. During that week I contunied reading the scriptures but it was a lot more haphazard because I didn’t have somethine else planned. But every night I would open those scriptures and learn something else.
Over the past 2 years I have developed an appreciation and love for the scriptures. I am grateful we have them.
Leave a Comment
September 8, 2008 at 2:54 pm (Lily, religion)
Tags: Lily, pictures, religion
Lily is now a “Child of Record” in our church. We had her blessed yesterday by my Dad. She is officially and forever “Lily Cait” unless I can figure out how to name her “Lily Joy Cait” or something like that. Joy needs to be in this child’s name. She radiates joy everywhere she goes. The problem? Why she isn’t named Lily Joy? She was a fussy, frightened newborn and Joy didn’t fit that person at all. But at three months old she turned from a fussy, frightened newborn to a baby who radiates Joy.
So to our sweet Lily Cait. I am so happy she is here. She is such a blessing, such a gift.
Leave a Comment
August 24, 2008 at 2:24 pm (religion)
Tags: nilmdts, religions
Or more specifically, the five virgins who were unprepared.
Twice this week I have felt like those five virgins. Unprepared for a given situation.
Tuesday I went to Cherry Hill with my sister. I has having a slow, lazy morning. I had a sick little boy the night before and wasn’t sure what my plans were going to be. Katie really wanted to go to Cherry Hill. When Isaac woke up he was feeling better and wanted to go. But because I hadn’t spent the morning preparing, I felt hassled and unprepared. I left the house messier than I am use to and felt rushed and stressed getting out the door.
Friday I had a NILMDTS session. I had never used my speedlight. We don’t have a printer and I didn’t have forms printed. I don’t have business cards yet. I walked into the room not exactly sure how to use my speedlight. We needed to print forms at the hospital, and I am relying on the other photographer for contact info for the parents. Luckily I was able to go with another photographer.
These were both situations I knew were possibilities at any given time. I knew we planned on Cherry Hill. I just didn’t know how it would all work out with a sick little boy. I knew we would be going somewhere and yet, I still chose not to prepare.
I know I am on the NILMDTS call list. I just haven’t gotten around to printing forms, practicing with my speedlight, or ordering business cards.
It is not fun to feel so unprepared for things I should be prepared for. There is enough in life that you can’t plan and prepare for that I need to work on those things I can have under control a little bit.
Leave a Comment
August 3, 2008 at 2:37 pm (religion)
Tags: scripture
As part of my scripture study I am reading through the “Teachings of The Presidents of the Church” manuals. I recently finished the Brigham Young Manual. I think because it is older language and early in the church, I found this manual to be rather difficult to read. Brigham Young was certainly wordy. But I appreciated his optimism and throughout the book the emphasis on just making sure you are on the right path. Don’t worry, just as long as you are trying. As long as you are on the right path.
The night I read the parenting lesson was timely. We had had a very frustrating bedtime. I was impatient and tired. And he talked about how I had done everything wrong I think he must have been a very gentle Dad. And I think he was close to and had a genuine love for the people he led.
Leave a Comment
