Last Article of Faith - Article 13

Article 13 We believe in being honest, true, chaste, benevolent, virtuous, and in doing good to all men; indeed, we may say that we follow the admonition of Paul - We believe all things, we hope all things, we have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report or praiseworthy, we seek after these things.

If you've been reading my blog regularly, you know I have a very good friend, Tyler Klinger, who just "happens" to be an artist (amongst many, many other things). In my humble opinion he is very talented and has been given an amazing gift. He doesn't always see that though, so I am showing all of you what in my eyes is "lovely and of good report", by sharing some of what he's shared with me. Enjoy. I keep hearing that you love his pic's but even if your only comment is "WOW" lol - I'm sure he'd love to hear it, so post it =].

0_0 so sorry Hedgie

I just realized I left Heather off my list of May BIRTHDAYS! I can't believe that, I knew her bday was a couple of days after mine :/ Forgive me sweety and btw - HAPPY BIRTHDAY - TODAY!!! =D Love you and thank you for the Happy Bday to me - missed you at the Family Picnic but hope you guys had a great time together.

Pic: My Boo, My 'Isha, the adorable Emma, My Hedgie - what Beautiful Women =D

Articles 10,11, & 12

Article 10 We believe in the literal gathering of Israel and in the restoration of the Ten Tribes; that Zion (the New Jerusalem) will be built upon the American continent; that Christ will reign personally upon the earth; and, that the earth will be renewed and receive it's paradisiacal glory.

Wow, been a long time since I've read that one. It's something that as members of the church we just know, but put out there in one paragraph is really powerful and hopeful. Nice.

Article 11 We claim the priviledge of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same priveledge, let them worship how, where, or what they may.

Ahhh, lol a light bulb moment for my non-LDS friends and the reason I get so upset when others treat them unfairly or a prejudice because of their belief or unbelief. We are all children of God and deserve to be treated as such whether we believe that we are or not.

Article 12 We believe in being subject to kings, presidents, rulers, and magistrates, in obeying, honoring, and sustaining the law.

:] Another light bulb, as we've seen the repercussions of those that belong to the FLDS faith in not honoring and obeying the law of the land. Through God there is intelligence and wisdom, things are placed and withheld for reasons, not for us to question.

38 Years Ago - ugh almost over the Hill

Happy Birthday to ME I guess - LOL. I must say it's nice to have my birthday back on Memorial Day so that I have the day off of work. The boys are in the other room playing GameCube Bongo's, Dean and Olivia are looking through picture boxes and I'm where I always am, in front of the computer - but today it is for play :D. We all slept in and are generally just hanging out, YAY. We went to see the Indiana Jones for my birthday on Saturday in the digital theatre - :D - I still like them and it's even better that they got Harrison & Karen back and added Shya - that was a nice surprise. It was a GREAT movie, I give it 3 stars :]. So today is a family BBQ, looks like we might be soggy 0_o, and than back to doing nothing - Wahoo!

Articles 7,8,9

Article 7we believe in the gift of tongues, prophecy, revelation, visions, healing, interpretation of tongues, etc
:] Making my spanish calls for work I sure wish I had the gift of tongues but I have been granted other gifts and they are wonderful and special to me, when I live worthily to use them correctly.

Article 8We believe the Bible to be the word of God as far as it is translated correctly. We also believe the Book of Mormon to be the word of God.
Strangely enough, without having recieved Moroni's promise of the validity of the Book of Mormon, I know that it is true and the history of the people here in the America's. When talking with my mom a short while before her death, I found out even as a convert to the church, she never received the confirmation either - but also knew that it was living scripture.


Article 9We believe all that God has revealed, all that He does now reveal, and we believe that he will yet reveal many great and important things pertaining to the Kingdom of God.
How much I love General Conference twice a year, to be able to listen the Lord's appointed give us words of wisdom for this day and age, and also what a treasure the monthly Ensign coming into my home.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY SISTERS DEAR :D

TODAY is Susi's (Susiq on Pirates) birthday and the 10th was Reba's. I'm sorry Reba that I didn't get this posted back than, I'm sure you understand it wasn't a good week - but I hope it was for you!!!

I have posted the pic's of my beautiful sisters here - for which I'm sure they will shoot me, one is old but it is how I like to see my sisters. Happy, playful, and enjoying life. All my love to the two of you and also to the other May birthdays. My honey Dean, Amelia & Emily, Cherisa (my boo), Dallas, Terry, Elizabeth, Jaron and one of my closest friends Becky (another Rebecca!) :D. I wish all of you the bestest year ever!

Today

Lol - while trying to make this not a melodramatic entry, once I typed the heading in the song "Today while the sun shines, work with a will" lol - sorry, it's not shining today- but work I still shall. :D

Drove into SL this morning for what I consider to be a dumb annual meeting :D, chatted with my boss and than did something I think about each time I'm there but haven't done - I went to the cemetary. I have wanted to go so many times and it never seems that there is enough time. I envision what I would like to do when I get there, but it never is that way :]. Today it was raining, I felt it appropriate. My phone doesn't take the greatest pic's, sorry if it's blurry. I picked up the windblown flowers, straightened things up, and picked up my mom's windchime hummingbirds that have flown off. I left my flowers and left. Still can't do it. One day.

I really should get another wreath for the other side of the stone - it looks like Dad's not loved :(. I need to remember that from now on.

Articles 5 & 6

Article 5:We believe that a man must be called of God, by prophecy, and by the laying on of hands by those who are in authority, to preach the Gospel and administer in the ordinances thereof.

I hear friends not of my faith comment on the fact that I "teach" a class in our ward. To them that would make me a minister or priestess. I like the fact that when I accept a "calling" in my ward to teach a class, lead a group of boy scouts, lead the music - whatever, that it is usually an inspirational call and that I am entitled to the blessings thereof, given by those in authority in my ward. I always seem to get more out of my callings than anyone else - isn't it supposed to be that way with Service?

Article 6:We believe in the same organization that exsisted in the primitive church, namely, apostles, prophets, pastors, teachers, evangelists, etc.

It is a great comfort in my life to know that there is a living prophet on the earth today and that he leads and guides the church. That is a part of my testimony I have never doubted.

Continuing On....

Article 3We believe that through the Atonement of Christ all mankind may be saved, by obedience to the laws and ordinaces of the gospel.
I like that, being the type of person that I am, I like knowing that I have to work to get what I want but I don't have to perfect at it. For if I do what I can, Christ will do the rest and I will gain rest.

Article 4We believe that the first principles and ordinances of the gospel are: First, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ; Second Repentance; Third Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins;Fourth, Laying on of hands by for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
I like this one, it sums up nice :D

Footprints

What is that poem? Some people are in our lives for a day, some for a moment, other's for a lifetime ...... something along those lines. =] In 38 yrs I can very happily say that many people have touched my life, some for not so good but most for positive influences. I hope in some way that those lives I've touched on my bumbling way through this world has been more for good than ill and if it's both, I hope the good outweighs the bad.
I just wanted to let my friends and family know how much I love you and am grateful for you in my life. I treasure the footprints you are leaving or have left, will miss those who are now only footprints in memory, and hope to restart some footprints that have long been forgotten or show up just once in awhile =D.

Smiling

I seriously wondered when I got up this morning: tired, sinus headache, upset stomach - whether or not it would be a good day. However, after lunch my headache improved I walked to laps on my treadmill and picked up kids - walked another almost 2 laps at the school! Wahoo - almost a mile today and I will walk again later, my calves are giving me a horrid time. I figured being out of shape would be out of breath or walking slow but no, it's my calves darn it all! They almost feel like my legs have broken after 1 lap, yes I know what the "joggers burn" is and it's past that. Hmm I guess I need to hope it fades with time and maybe try using my inhaler before I go - don't know. Meh.

My 2 youngest are learning the Articles of Faith in Primary this year so at church yesterday I decided I will join them. It has been FOREVER and I can maybe get through some if you prompt me - that's really bad. So if you know them, relearn and say along with me, if you don't know them, I hope you enjoy. There are 13 but that's too long for 1 post so I'll split them up.

Article 1 We believe in God the Eternal Father, and in his Son, Jesus Christ, and in the Holy Ghost.
It must be our own actions that people do not think we are Christian, how very sad, I hope I am not partly to blame for that. It is refreshing to know that I have a Heavenly Father and a Savior, two seperate beings to help me and save me through this life. And I will forever be grateful for my gift of the Holy Ghost which I received at Baptism. He is also the comforter and he has blessed my life many, many times.

Article 2 We believe that man must be punished for his own sins and not for Adam's transgression.
I also appreciate that and consider it a blessing. I have enough to repent for that I do on my own, plus things my children might do that I'm accountable for.

Pfft a week away

Okay, another melancholy entry, I'm not sure why because that's not really how I'm feeling at the moment. Hmmm. It was a very nice Mother's day, I received a beautiful bouquet of flowers from my Hubby (lol he included the kids), a bag of peanut M&M's, a couple of school cards (:]), some lotion & body spray, and a body massage (yay!) from my massage therapist. She didn't hurt me near as much as I thought she would, simply because I haven't been to see her in MONTHS and with my swollen lymphnodes & lungs - let's just say she was nice. lol.

I suppose I'm trying to get myself to grieve, yet I really have nothing to grieve about as I know I will see my parents again, I'm just sad for myself during this month as I involuntarily remember, celebrate a non-living mother's day and my birthday (and my 2 sisters) without her. Yes, it's really without both of them; however, I realiazed the other day that wow, my dad has been gone 10 yrs this yr and I think I've finally finished my grieving and have moved on to sweet memories and a happy reunion. I'm not quite there yet with my Mom, I keep expecting her to walk in the door.

Bless my little family's heart and my extended family, they try so hard to make it a good month for me - one day again I hope. Yeah, I know, one day.

In Thought......

Dean thinks it's funny that the old wives tale of "someone thinking about you when your nose itches" is actually coming true for me. LOL with all my allergies to make my nose itch, weird enough I can tell when someone is thinking of me or needs me. I'll itch my nose and think "who needs me?" and funny enough I will get a text, IM or log onto my game and get pounded by messages - LOL. I just think it's funny and kinda nice to be thought of :] (that's on my favorite's list).
Anyway, was sitting here thinking, spoken with all my internet friends today once or twice and feeling pretty good, even though it's 11pm and I'm still working :P. One friend is having a really, really difficult time and I've been trying to help her the best I can. It is very, very difficult being in seperate countries and only using AIM and a cell phone. I actually got somewhat depressed by the fact that what I was trying to do wasn't working but than a few prayers later and a feeling of peace about her and I realized, maybe it is. You can't help someone who doesn't want to accept it, they have to be willing- just like in receiving a blessing. You can't be blessed from the Lord - as much as he WANTS to - if you aren't willing to accept his gifts/blessings.
Made me almost want to stop working on my book but today once I realized the aforementioned, I decided that my book was still a good idea. I believe it is a good thing, I believe it will help those that are wanting it to, and it will touch their heart and they can in turn change themselves - for that is not up to me.

Happy Mother's Day

Hmmm. Interesting how you truely forget things that you used to do and love. Since Reba posts her poems each week for all of us to love, it came to me that I used to write poetry. This mother's day would be perfect to post one so I looked for the poem I wrote about how I feel about being a mother, "Serenity", back when my 13 yr old was just a baby. I couldn't find it :( but found this one that might still work. To all mother's out there "Happy Mother's Day" may it be filled with wonderful moments to treasure.




A Cut From the Mold kz 6/93

Because of the many things you do,
'cause that's just he way you are
Because you always go out of your way,
whether near or very far.

Tis simple to judge a man's measure,
by his means or his worth in gold.
But the true man gives in how he lives,
he's cut from a different mold.

So here's to the friend (mom) that you are,
ever giving, yet asking no more.
Requiring less than the friend (kids) you bless,
as though measuring a treasured ore.

May the Lord bless you and yours,
for your efforts through toil and strife.
Remember your worth isn't measured on earth,
but once you pass through this life.

Poem by Me Picture copyrighted by Tyler Klinger

It's been 2 yrs

Well, I did much better than I thought I would this year, I guess because I was dealing with the memories a couple of days ago. It's been 2 yrs since my mom died and I stayed in the Emergency Room with her while they worked on her and pronounced her dead. Okay I thought I could do this.

I hoped waiting til the end of the day to post would help but obviously not.

Alright, the song "Bubbly" is on and I'm feeling a little more composed :]. I guess I just didn't want this day to pass as just another day in the world. Loved this pic of my mom & dad, it's one of a few where you have a big smile from both of them :]. You know, it really sucks being an orphan.