SOOOO Blessed!!!!!

I LOVE my life!!! I might complain [often] about certain circumstances that are currently occuring in my life, but the more I think about it [which I do a LOT] the more I realize just how BLESSED I really am!!!

I've got an AMAZZZZING family!!! I've got GRRRREAT friends (new AND old)!!! I've got a place to lay my head at night (thanx Mom & Dad)!!! I've got health (well...sort of)!!! I've got a job that helps me to pay my bills & allows me to keep my "toys"!!! I'm a member of the TRUE church on Earth, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints!!!

It's this last point that I'd like to touch on today!!

The leaders of the Church are TRULY inspired men!! It's because of this inspiration & their LOVE that I'm able to attend an Institute class for "Mid-Singles" (ages 27-40) from the Salt Lake/Davis/Weber County areas.

The class started up around the same time that I moved home (mid-February) & that couldn't have happened at a better time!!! The class meets Weds nights from 7-8ish-pm in Centerville. If you're interested in knowing some of the "going-ons" of this group you can find out at: ldsmidsingles.org or on Facebook under "27-40 Mid-Singles LDS Religion Class" (shameless plug)

Anywho...I'm hoping to have another excuse to be more consistent in my blogging by posting a blog or two about the lessons that we have so I can hopefully share some of what I learn!!

If you're reading this blog you MUST be a part of one of the first two catergories of "blessings" that I mentioned at the beginning of this blog & for that I THANK YOU!!! You have TRULY been a blessing in my life & have made it possible for me to be where & WHO I am today!!!

LYB!!!!!

"In The Arms of His LOVE."

This week the Kjar's gave an AMAZZZING lesson based on Elder Neil L Andersen's talk, "Repent...That I May Heal You" from the Oct 2009 General Conference!!! What GRRREAT testimonies the Kjar's have!!

Sis Kjar started things off by sharing how this Mid-Singles class came about & also shared her testimony of the importance of the class. This left the majority of the class for Bro Kjar.

I LOVE talking about the conference talks with others because it gives me the chance to see things from another perspective & to possibly hear/see something that I might have missed!! As happened with this talk!!

Bro Kjar pointed out how we often think of repentance as a difficult or strenuous task...something that brings pain or anguish. But Bro Kjar pointed out that Elder Andersen said "The invitation to repent is rarely a voice of chastisement but rather a LOVing appeal to turn around and to 're-turn' toward God." Before Elder Andersen said these words he spoke a great deal about "arms". He shared an experience he had w/Pres Monson after he had received his call to the Quorum of the Twelve. At the conclusion of the interview Pres Monson opened his arms to embrace him. Elder Andersen said of this "As he wrapped his long arms around me and pulled me close, I felt like a little boy being held in the protective arms of a loving father."

This got me thinking of how much I LOVE being in other's arms as well!! There's just something about a hug!!! The joy...the security...the comfort that is felt in an embrace with someone you LOVE & care for!!! Oh how I LOVE hugs!!!!!!

I pray that we can all feel what Elder Andersen said the scriptures say of God's arms. They "speak of His arms being open [Mormon 6:17], extended [Alma 19:36], stretched out [2 Kings 17:36; Psalm 136:12], and encircling [2 Kings 1:15]. They are described as mighty [D&C 123:6] and holy [3 Nephi 20:35], arms of mercy [Alma 5:33], arms of safety [Alma 34:16], arms of LOVE [D&C 6:20], 'lengthened out all the day long.' [2 Nephi 28:32]"

LYB!!!!!

What Motivates YOU?!?!

I apologize if this doesn't make much sense, but...here you go anyhow!!

Last night I attended a fireside that featured Justin Osmond. He is the son of Merrill (Mary) of the Osmond fame. Justin has suffered from hearing loss his entire life & last night he gave an inspiring message of motivation & determination.

During his presentation he shared 5 Principles of Motivation:

1. Understand & come to a knowledge of who YOU are...a Child of God!!!

2. Understand & come to a knowledge of Heavenly Father's LOVE for YOU!!
At this point he shared a visual rendition of a poem that I LOVE!! He pulled out his violin & recited the following poem:

Touch of the Master's Hand

"Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer
thought it scarcely worth his while
to waste much time on the old violin,
but held it up with a smile;
"What am I bidden, good folks," he cried,
"Who'll start the bidding for me?"
"A dollar, a dollar"; then two!"
"Only two? Two dollars, and who'll make it three?
Three dollars, once; three dollars twice;
going for three.." But no,
from the room, far back,a gray-haired man
came forward and picked up the bow;
Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,
and tightening the loose strings,
he played a melody pure and sweet
as caroling angel sings.

The music ceased, and the auctioneer,
with a voice that was quiet and low,
said; "What am I bid for the old violin?"
And he held it up with the bow.
A thousand dollars, and who'll make it two?
Two thousand! And who'll make it three?
Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,
and going and gone," said he.
The people cheered, but some of them cried,
"We do not quite understand
what changed its worth." Swift came the reply:
"The touch of a master's hand."

And many a man with life out of tune,
and battered and scarred with sin,
Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,
much like the old violin,
A "mess of pottage," a glass of wine;
a game - and he travels on.
"He is going" once, and "going twice,
He's going and almost gone."
But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd
never can quite understand
the worth of a soul and the change that's wrought
by the touch of the Master's hand."

~~Myra 'Brooks' Welch
3. Live the Gospel!!

4. Service!!
Justin shared a statement from Pres Hinkley where he once said "the most miserable people I know are those who are obsessed with themselves; the happiest people I know are those who lose themselves in the service of others."

5. Recognize that your BIGGEST weakness can become your GRRRREATEST strength!!! (Ether 12:27)
At this point Justin shared an experience he had with one of his friends that had some pretty tough challenges of his own in life. At one point during one of their conversations Justin's friend said "I'm not gonna let that get in the way of me enjoying...". How inspiring!! We shouldn't let the little things get in the way of enjoying what's around us!!

The last thing that Justin challenged us to do was...drink, swear, steal & lie.
Drink from the "Waters of Life"
Swear to live the Gospel
Steal away time every day to serve someone else
Lie down at night to the Lord (Alma 37:36-37)

So...what motivates YOU?!?!

LYB!!!!!

Moab...Where Adventure Begins!!!

The first weekend in May most of my family (missed you Jared, Mic, Taylor & Rachel!!! :'( :'( ) took a little getaway to Moab because Father had to work down there. While Father was at work we spent the daylight hours soaking in the sights!! It was a MUCH needed vaca!!!!!!!


Balancing Rock


Delicate Arch / Wolfe Ranch

Such an AMAZZZZZING view!!!!A HIGHLY recommended hike for ALL!!!
Come on...I made it!!!!





Fiery Furnace


Skyline Arch


Middle Finger


Garden of Eden


North Window


Double Arch


Parade of Elephants


Cove of Caves


Pothole Arch


Dead Horse Pointe









Landscape Arch


Sand Dune Arch


Grandpa's Finger


Rafting the Colorado River


Old Man Sleeping


World's Largest Alligator

LYB!!!!!