What Lack I Yet?

For the past 8 weeks I have been taking a New Testament class at BYU-Idaho. I signed up for this course because I needed another religion course to complete my credentials for religion and wanted to take it while taking a Science Foundations course I’m required to take a well. Every other week I’m required to share what I’ve learned in some form, so occasionally I share here to fulfill that assignment. I’m hoping there is much to be gained by doing so, if not just for journaling purposes.

The readings in my course have been very meaningful each week, I love the four gospels, but I wanted to share something that struck me more powerfully this last week. I’m so thankful for the opportunity to to take this class. I love studying about the Savior and His ministry. There is so much in each chapter that is full of insight, that it’s truly hard to choose what to give the most attention to. This week, I decided to focus on the rich man found in chapter 19. If you aren’t familiar, he starts by asking Jesus what he can do to gain eternal life. After the Savior recites the 10 commandments, he poses a new  question:

 (Matthew 19:20-22)

            The young man saith unto him, All these things have I kept from my youth up: what lack I yet?

             Jesus said unto him, If thou wilt be perfect, go and sell that thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come and follow me.

             But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful: for he had great possessions.

As I’ve pondered on this passage, I’ve thought about how we individually receive what the Savior said. Do we feel sorry for the rich man? Do we relate to the rich man? Are we the rich man? Are we so focused on something that we can’t let it go and perhaps see letting go as something we can’t do? Where is our heart?

The Savior then talks to the disciples about how difficult it is for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven:   

           

            And again I say unto you, It is easier for a camel to go through the eye of a needle, than for a rich man to enter into the kingdom of God. (Matthew 19:24)

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The disciples are taken back by this because they have given up everything to follow the Savior. Then follows a response from the Savior that is full of promise to everyone that forsakes all that might hold them back from receiving eternal life:

(Matthew 19:28-30)

             And Jesus said unto them, Verily I say unto you, That ye which have followed me, in the regeneration when the Son of man shall sit in the throne of his glory, ye also shall sit upon twelve thrones, judging the twelve tribes of Israel.

            And every one that hath forsaken houses, or brethren, or sisters, or father, or mother, or wife, or children, or lands, for my name’s sake, shall receive an hundredfold, and shall inherit everlasting life.

             But many that are first shall be last; and the last shall be first.

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While reading this story again, I reflected and re-read a talk that I remember hearing in general Conference years ago called, “What Lack I Yet” ( You can watch or read it here)by Elder Lawrence of the seventy.  

The reason this talk has stayed with me, is that  Elder Lawrence poses the same question to everyone listening, asking them to go to Heavenly Father in prayer and ask what we individually lack. I have watched as my friends have gone and followed this counsel and received inspiration, I have done it too. But don't we need to be doing this regularly? I have experience in knowing that as we ask for guidance, we will receive it from a loving Father in Heaven.

Thank you for sharing with me today.

What are your thoughts? 

She Loves Color

One of the things I love about Alyssa is her love for anything having to do with drawing and art. 

She is always coloring, practicing her words, writing a letter, or teaching Amy to her letters. 

 One day I walked in to find she had fallen asleep coloring and I had to get a picture.

How appropriate! 

Alyssa is AMAZING!!

Our little Fashionista!

It's so fun to see what Alyssa dresses up in because she has such a fun time with fashion. 

From the sunglasses on the top of her head, 

to the striped tights with silver shoes on her feet.

It's so much fun experiencing a girl!

Tying Shoes

I have to admit that I feel like there are a few marked events in life that determine your sucess as a parent. One of them being teaching your children how to tie their own shoes. My goal of having them learn how to do this by the time they are five came to be when Bryon's kindergarten teacher listed this as one of the homework assignments before they finished the year.

I'd like to have a great excuse for not having taught Alyssa how to do this before the time she was five. But I don't. I guess things have just gotten away from me. I will confess though, that if I had, I would not have experienced the amazing blessing of seeing my children teaching each other. I think this is a great accomplishment than if I had taught them myself.

Just after Justin taught Alyssa, she turned around and taught Amy. Is there any greater joy than watching your children teach, learn, and work together? One of those simple joys of life!

Wake-up Call

I've found at different times in my life that it is necessary to experience trials so that we can gain strength. These trials don't always come at the most convenient times. They don't come at the most expected times. But they come at the most necessary times. I, as everyone, have experienced a great many of these experiences, some of them big, some small. But the one thing I've come to really understand is the blessings that can be found through them. They are the meat for which our spirits are strengthened because they cause us to rely on our Savior. They help us to see that not only can we not endure them by ourselves, but we were never meant to. I'm finding a great deal of comfort in knowing this. I know that it isn't an empty faith and a wish that somebody will be there to pick us up and carry us through the roughest of our journey, but that they really are. I know this because it is a feeling of peace and a strength when all of my own have run out. When there is truly nothing left within myself and I know that I am completely in the hands of a loving Father that is just wanting to teach me what I need to learn with open arms all the while.

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July 25th I was scheduled to have a colonoscopy due to bleeding in my bowels. There was a very large tumor found, which upon testing proved to be cancerous. At the time there was no more to tell other than that I had cancer. A very difficult thing to say, to digest, to accept. During the days of waiting for further testing so that we could know the extent, there were many things that were realized between my incredibly supportive and loving spouse and myself. For me it was a wake-up call. A realization that maybe the way I spend my time and what I focus on isn't always what it should be. That there is so much more that could be done and so many more important things to do, such as serving others. I looked around me and discovered the blessings that the Lord has been placing in my life all through the years. I discovered some things I already recognized, yet didn't realize to what depth I knew them. Things like how much I love my children. How important their welfare is to me and how badly I want to be a part of every moment of their successes and be there to hold them up when they fall. I discovered who I wanted to share my news with, such as those that mean the most to me besides my husband and my children, those wonderful best friends of mine that are my siblings, my mother, my father. All of these were the main concern of my thoughts bringing me much sorrow to think I might possibly not be able to enjoy them again as I have throughout the years. I began to realize how important it would be to adequately express my love to them and gratitude that they are such an influential part of me and the reasons I value the things I do.

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I realized how well I have chosen my friends and who I choose to surround myself with every day. People who love the Savior and exemplify Him through their daily actions. I know this has been because of the influence of the Holy Ghost, the best friend of all.

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In the past I have recognized that even though trials may be difficult, they are necessary in forming our character and helping us to become who the Lord knows we can be. I'm grateful for the wake-up call. It has shown me how much I love and value life on a whole.

Mother's Day

As always, my family spoiled me for Mother's day, starting with breakfast in bed from my husband just before he ran out the door for his first meeting. Followed by sweet Happy Mother's Day wishes from each of my children throughout the day. I think the thing I love about Mother's Day, is all the sweet homemade cards and gifts (I love each and every one of them so much!) as well as those that had so much thought behind them (like the dove chocolates my husband knows I LOVE).

*All my sweet gifts. And look...

I got new running shoes and socks!! YAY!!! (I was so tempted to wear them for the 5K the day before-more on that later.)*

*Love this pic. of Elder (Bryon) Alger. Isn't that amazing?!*

The biggest highlight of all, I have to say, was talking to Bryon on the phone clear in Japan. When a missionary is serving, there are only two times of the whole year they can call home. Christmas, and Mother's day. This makes those calls that much more precious. Just the sound of his voice was amazing! He was my first ever Mother's Day gift. I was in labor with him the whole day before having him at 3:55a.m. the next day. He has been a blessing and great example to each of his siblings that have followed. They miss him so much that it was really neat to hear each of them talk to him.

I'm so thankful for the wonderful blessings of a great family. It is amazing to be a Mother to such amazing children and wife to such a great and supportive husband. What a great gift our loving Father in Heaven has given to me!

Standing for Truth

Yesterday someone on my facebook expressed her excitement and joy in the 1 year anniversary of her family leaving the church, and then proceeded to list her beliefs, which implied that she no longer believed in  an after life, and doubted there is in fact a God. Her words contradicted each other as she had expressed her thoughts about the extensive study and search for truth she has been doing for the past year and how she is happier than she has ever been. I understand that not everyone agrees with each other concerning religion and politics, subjects we were strictly taught to avoid in cosmetology school because of the deep and profound feelings people have regarding both subjects and the contention that can arise regarding them. But I know that when we know something to be true, we need to stand up and testify of it. This is not always easy, and more often then not, it is opposed with vengeance.

I was so impressed and filled with love and gratitude for Tyler when he expressed, very beautifully, his knowledge of truth and the atonement of the Savior to this mutual friend of ours. It was not accepted by all, and most likely many passed judgement and found it critical and inappropriate, but it gave me great peace in knowing that he was willing to take that chance. I am grateful to know that our son will stand up for what he knows to be right. No matter how popular and difficult it may be.

Girl Time

There was a time when the Father and Sons outing would come along that I would bide my time alone. I never really thought it would be different, but fantasized having a couple girls to enjoy the night with. I just couldn't see the future. I wouldn't have been able to wait had I known that these two darlings would be a part of my life, making my girls' night alone so much more special.

We started out the night with a trip to the store and picked up this fun and princess girly tea set.

Then we went to the dollar store and picked up the girls' favorite treats:

And had a fun night including a tea party, nail painting and Barbie movie watching {not pictured, we were having to much fun to remember to take pix ;)}. 

It was the BEST "girl time" I've EVER HAD.

I look forward to more in the future!

In the Lord's Hands

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It's been a busy, but funfilled Christmas break. One night Jeremy decided to sit in our reading chair in our bedroom and read.

 Before we new it, he was fast asleep.

He was so adorable and cozy sleeping, that Steve didn't even notice him there!

Jeremy is such a wonderful help to us, generally occupying himself with tasks to help our around and outside the house. Thanks to him all the leaves from our trees this fall were out by the curb by the time the street sweepers came. I haven't had to worry whether anyone has taken care of them. He will just come home from school, or wake up in the morning while on break, and announce that he's going outside to blow leaves.  

I'm so thankful for such a sweet blessing in my life. My busy boy with such a profound amount of energy and an amazing insight on how to channel it. What a great example he is to all of us of service and hard work. He's truly amazing.

Peaceful Slumber

Babies keep life interesting. You never know what habits they are going to take on, keep, lose, change, or develop. What schedules they are going to form, adapt to, or when they will mix them up completely.

When Amy started to drink from a bottle, the only way we could get her to settle was to commit the cardinal sin of laying her down all a-slirp. She would drink that milk down and quickly give way to blissful slumber. She would then wake up for a 2a.m. feeding and repeat the process. This lasted all the way until well after her 1st birthday. She was our first baby to wake in the night consistantly, even after 4months of age. So, we gave in too tired to do otherwise. After all, sleep is too precious right? So when we gave her that bottle, it was happy magic. That sweet baby would grab that midnight snack, be done with it in seconds, and let sleep again take over until well around 8a.m. Anything to keep our precious babe happy...

Those feedings have been long since forgotten and Amy has decided, contrary to Dr.'s beliefs since the beginning of time, that her nightly bottle is no longer a necessity. She pushes it away and prefers Mr. "D"  (pictured above) for naps, and Mr. Ted (her teddy bear) for bedtime.

She grabs him

 hugs him to her with a smile...and falls peacefully into dreamland. We much prefer this new habit,

                                                                  for she seems to be in such peaceful slumber.

Day 5: What I love to hate

I joined up with Willette Photography to take a FREE 28 day online course {to learn more, click here} on photography. I'm hoping I will learn how to improve the quality of my photos and understand my camera lighting better. {as most of you well know, I am awful at lighting!} Join me and sign up here. It's a "sign up as you roll" kind of thing, so don't be shy to jump on the bandwagon! We are only on day #5 and the topic is "what you love to hate". My model today is Alyssa. Another issue I'm having is "grain", so bare with me as I learn!

I love that Alyssa took the initiative to be potty trained...

                                        I hate that she only uses the toilet when she wants to!

AaaaaahhhhH!!!