The Blessings Keep on Coming

This morning on the way into work I got a text from Jared. It read "The blessing has arrived!" I was so baffled by what he meant. I had a few thoughts but I couldn't figure it out. I called him and he laughed at me and seemed proud for being so cryptic. He asked if I knew that the school from coaching still owed me money. I said no. He responded that he hadn't either but money had been deposited into our account today.

We've had multiple conversations around listing out blessings we've received over the past several months. We can't even begin to list all of the blessings. Money has poured in from unexpected places. 50 dollars here...20 there...a couple hundred here. It's just been amazing.

Maybe I should explain further on one of these experiences. We had to borrow some money to pay for Jared's school this summer. He asked for a certain amount thinking it would cover it. We got the money and then he signed up for his class and found that we were short $50. That very week I got a check from my mom for no reason other than the spirit told her to give me a check for $5o dollars. It's been experience after experience like this for awhile now and I just can't express my gratitude enough. (I guess I know what I am bearing my testimony about on Sunday!)

Things have been tight even with me having a job now but yet we keep making it through. I have a strong testimony of tithing. You cannot afford to not pay it. The blessings both spiritually and temporally outweigh the monetary value you turn over to the Lord. I have a strong testimony of family scripture study and prayer. Jared and I have done it off and on over the years and yet looking back we started again while we were going through this trial. I promise you if you put forth the effort to find time as a family you will be blessed to find it and the spiritual lift you need each day will be there.

"Count your many blessings...Name them one by one..." I can't even count all my blessings. There are so many. I am so grateful for the gospel in my life and for my testimony. I am grateful for my husband and my son Benjamin. I just feel and know I am so blessed.

Gospel Topic Tuesday:Loving Our Neighbor

I'm currently reading in Alma right now in my personal scripture study. I came across verse 11 from chapter 14. I found it powerful and comforting as I thought about a recent conversation at church with our youth. We were discussing with the youth about being bullied and how to deal with life when bad things happen. Specifically we were trying to get them to understand that they should speak up for themselves and each other that they deserve to be treated better. As I was reading this verse and thinking about this conversation and pondering things in my own life I just was greatly comforted. We may not always know and understand why things have to happen in our life but the Lord is mindful and watching over. He is aware when we've been slighted in any way and unless the person changes their ways they will be dealt with accordingly at that day of judgement but it is not up to us to punish them or judge them.

Our responsibility here on earth is to learn and to grow and follow the Lord's example. He also was treated unfairly and had horrible things done to him yet He did not fight fire with fire. He was meek and humble and tried to teach principles of love, forgiveness and charity. We are told that we are to love our neighbors as we should love ourselves. Do you love your neighbors? Do you love those who tease you? Annoy you? Refuse to talk to you? It's hard isn't it? I struggle with loving those who are mean to me but I am reminded of the primary song "I am a Child of God" and that we are all God's children and need to love each other. We are all of value. We all have trials that we will have to endure but our Savior is there. He is willing to help us. Though He might not take the trial away He can make it bearable.

President Dieter F. Utchdorf stated "Wherever you live on this earth and whatever your life’s situation may be, I testify to you that the gospel of Jesus Christ has the divine power to lift you to great heights from what appears at times to be an unbearable burden or weakness. The Lord knows your circumstances and your challenges. He said to Paul and to all of us, “My grace is sufficient for thee.” (Have We Not Reason to Rejoice? Dieter F. Uchtdorf October 2007) I know that through the gospel of Jesus Christ we can find peace, comfort and love. He is there for each of us and mindful of us. I know this to be true.

{I started this on Tuesday and then finished it today.}

{Do you have any gospel topics you wish to hear about?}

4th of July Card

I've finally done a card to enter into the Monday Challenge over at My Craft Spot. The challenge is seeing stars. I was still so inspired from this weekend that I had to do it.

I couldn't decide between the two cards so here's both. I made a 3rd but it wasn't as cute in my opinion.

Which one do you like best?

An Inspired Weekend

Another glorious weekend is coming to a close. What is your favorite kind of weekend? Mine? Mine are the ones where I have no commitments outside of my home. No plans except hanging out with my family and relaxing (well at least my idea of relaxing...if you ask Jared I don't know how to relax). Aren't those just always the best weekends? Don't get me wrong having plans and going out to do things can be fun too but being home with no demands just always feels so much better.

(I know Christmas in June but I can't help it when inspiration hits! Plus I'm ahead of the curve!)

Saturday I never showered. I just didn't bother. I know I stunk but I was doing chores and weeding so what was the point of getting clean to only get dirty again?! We went for a walk at a nearby park which was wonderful. The clouds had mostly burned off by the afternoon so it was just a glorious summer day. Did I just use the word summer? Could it almost be here? I know you are out there!

Sunday I of course showered and got ready for church. Church was good. I had a little friend named Emily join me for most of sacrament which was just fun. She is a talker and a kindred spirit. Emily is just full of life and energy and had so much fun reading books and saying "He is so cute!"...referring to Benjamin.

I've done a lot of crafting this weekend...in particular card making. I think I got close to like 30 cards done. I was just inspired. Which my inspired stamp is my favorite right now! I can't get enough of it. It was just so inspiring! I've got 2-3 cards in mind for some friends already just because they fit their personalities.

Well off to bed I must go 4:30am comes awfully early!

Gospel Topic Tuesday: Attitude During Trials

"How you deal with life's trials is part of the development of your faith." (Face the Future with Faith, Russell M. Nelson, April 2011) It's all a matter of perspective and attitude. Life can throw lots of hard trials our way but how we deal with them can strengthen or weaken our faith.

I've recently gone through some trials where my faith was tested and I hope that I have come out stronger. During one of the trials I had a moment where I could have become self absorbed and had a pity party for myself but I decided to trust in God and in his plan. I know that He knows me and is aware of my trials and is there to help me through it. I had to experience the sorrow for a purpose, which purpose I know not right now but I am trying to be more like my Savior and be patient in my trials.

Sometimes our patience is truly put to the test. While Jared and I were both jobless for 5 months we prayed every day for guidance and direction on what we needed to do to get a job that would bless our family. Money kept getting tighter and I started to wonder what we would do. I was starting to question that we had made the right decision to send Jared to school. Just when I thought we were only going to get more desperate I got a call out of the blue about my old job. The timing of the job was too perfect on so many ways and it met all of our needs financially and medically. We have to be patient and trust in God. His ways are not our ways and He is all knowing and all seeing.

I am so grateful to know that God is there and is aware of us and has a plan for us. We just need to trust in Him and keep strengthening our faith. As we keep a positive attitude during our trials and lean on our Savior for strength we will be able to endure any trial we have to endure.

Happy Crafting

Before going back to work I pushed myself to get some crafts done. I love to craft yet I have a hard time finishing crafts that I do with others.

Scraps and Cutouts

I've been collecting a few pictures of cards. Some are a little older than others.

These are a bunch of cards I made. I was using scraps up from past projects. See there's a reason I save scraps.

I made this one for my sister Megan's birthday. I remembered her birthday in time and then I saw this idea for a card so I was late on purpose. Ha! I made 4 more like it to have on hand when I do forget someone's birthday because I usually do.

This one I made for my friend Sara. I had it ready for her birthday and then kept forgetting to write it in it and give it to her. And then when I did write in it I still forgot to give it to her. I felt so lame. It was like 6 weeks late but when I gave it to her she said she would take a birthday card anyday of the year.

Pizza Day!

The best day of the week! I love our homemade pizza. If I was willing to I would make it every day.

I think this is an awesome picture. Thank you to Jared for taking it. I love being a mom!

Benjamin also does love pizza day. He stuffs like 5 bites in at a time. Crazy kid!

Spaghetti = Messy

Benjamin loves spaghetti!

Benjamin has really started taking off with self feeding. He tries to use his fork but mostly just holds onto it. Spaghetti is one of his favorites to eat. But he sure does get messy.

A Little Outside Action

We are trying every day to make the most of the time we have together as a family. And Benjamin absolutely loves to play outside. So it's becoming pretty normal to find us outside before or after dinner. On this particular which was the 31st of May we were outside after dinner enjoying the sunshine that was still out. I had a meeting at 6:30 or 7pm with the Bishop but luckily he was coming over so we just played until he got there. Benjamin loves to push his stroller around. His tongue is usually hanging out while doing it. He has also started going backwards which is funny to watch him do it.

Baby's Blue Jeans

Benjamin's blue jean diapers that is...

I couldn't resist taking a picture of him in the blue jean diapers. We got a box at Costco that had them plus swimming diapers for cheap. Couldn't pass up the deal...almost did...but then I ran back.

Benjamin has taken to playing with my paint supplies especially the one inch foam brushes.

I am Not a Geek!

I'm pretty sure I'm not a geek. But then there's moments like this.

Benjamin was just happily eating while Mommy and Daddy were being computer geeks!

We don't normally have 3 laptops going at once. I was a lucky girl this week and got to haul 2 laptops around for a few days. I had to get a new one because my original one that I hadn't even had for 2 weeks was going to go belly up potentially. So I had to transfer files and get the computer re-imaged and all that fun stuff. Needless to say we found it pretty funny that we had 3 laptops on our kitchen counter one night.