As the Christmas season unfolds this year. Our family has much to be grateful for. We have been blessed beyond measure.
Early on in our marriage Simon and I decided to sacrifice much of what we were doing to follow Christ and his teachings. This was much more difficult than we thought. Why is it so easy to choose the wrong path and seems much more difficult to lead a path of righteousness? It took us many years and many mistakes to come to where we are today. Today I will only tell you of the right paths we took rather than all the forks in the road along the way.
First, we chose to teach our children of God the Eternal Father and in his Son, Jesus Christ and in the Holy Ghost. This started out small, as in prayers to our Heavenly Father. We sang songs of Jesus. We went to church and taught our children of the importance of Baptism and the Gift of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost has been a comforter to me in times of great need and sorrow. I know without a shadow of a doubt that it has whispered to my children and tried to lead them down the correct path. I also know that the Holy Ghost has left us in time of contention or wrong doings and I have asked in fervent prayer for this gift to return to my home or be present in my children's hearts when they needed it the most. I believe that this gift has protected my children when things could have been so much worse. I don't doubt its power to protect us.
Second, Simon and I chose to be Sealed for Time and All Eternity in the house of the Lord. So many people don't realize what this means. We made promises/covenants with the Lord to honor each other in every aspect of our lives. This covenant means so much more when promised to God the Lord of all creation. By doing this the Lord as promised/covenanted with us to bless and protect us and our posterity. I didn't really understand this until I had a child in great need of a multitude of blessings. Only then, have I come to realize the power of the promise! Because of my choices my children will forever be protected and blessed. I have witnessed small and grand miracles in the face of adversity when it comes to my children. You'll never understand this promise fully until such grave tragedy befalls your family and you witness the un-denying power of the Lord God reaching out his hand to lift you up. God's tender mercies have touched our lives and made us mighty in times of trial.
Lastly, we Love One Another. We love as Jesus loves us. Unconditionally, has been the hardest of all lessons for us. We love each other in spite of our faults, our mistakes and our misgivings, because this is what Jesus has taught. We truly love our friends, family, and neighbors. We try to be kind to strangers. We take pride in the world around us and the creatures that provide diversity to the earth. Most importantly, we love Jesus Christ and all that he sacrificed for us. Because of Christ my redeemer, I will be surround by the people I love through all Eternity. I believe that when you love Jesus Christ and live his commandments you become a true follower of Christ.
This year hosts of Angels have fought a war for my family. I truly believe that the war isn't over- it didn't just begin either- but has been going on for decades. This was just one of many battles that have been fought on my behalf. My attitude changed this year when I finally decided that we matter, I matter. We are all significant in the eyes of the Lord. Legions of people before us want us to return to God. It is our job to make and keep sacred covenants while on earth. I have learned that I need to uphold my end of the bargain and be a leader in my own battles. So many blessings were there for the taking, but I needed to ask of God. It has taken me over 20 prideful years to finally get it! It is soooo much easier to follow the commandments and follow the path of righteousness. I receive more blessings than I can count. I have an abundance in my life and my heart is full! I love the Lord God with all my soul. My heart is full this Christmas season. It is a magnitude of gratitude! My family is Blessed.
Saturday, December 21, 2013
Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Pet Lovers
Are you a pet lover?
As long as I can remember I have had a pet. My favorite cat was a stray Siamese kitten that we named Simo. The neighbor girl brought it home and her parents wouldn't let her keep it. I gladly brought it to my house and the begging began. To my surprise I was allowed to keep him. It was the cuddliest blue-eyed cat ever! A while later I brought another stray home. My mom let me keep it temporarily, on condition my dad ok'ed it permanently. The next morning after sleeping with it I awoke to find little bites all over my body. I was told it was fleas. Unfortunately, that cat didn't find a home with us.
My little brother had a thing for all living creatures, mostly reptiles. I grew up holding, feeding and caring for multiple snakes, lizards, newts, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, tarantulas, hamsters, and on occasion a baby bird of some kind. Most of these creatures gave me the creeps. But I was the big sister and tried hard to keep it cool. One summer my brother collected black widow spiders in glass mason jars. I'll never forget how the neighbor boy, Ricky Delray screamed bloody murder when my brother dropped the glass jar and it shattered by our front door. My Mom saved the day! That day the spider found a quick death by foot stomping.
We had many a disastrous events with our pets. One day we came home to a smoldering slow burning mattress in my brother's room. The reptile light had inadvertently fell onto the mattress. Luck we came home before the house was burned down! My hamster turned out to be a mother to 3 cute little babies. I adored them so much, I think we can safely safe I loved them to death! They didn't last but a few days. Then the mother hamster ate them! I was scarred for life and never ever had another hamster again!
While my brother was busy selling reptiles to all the neighbor boys, I started my first business venture selling worms. This became lucrative for a young kid. I was able to buy all the candy I wanted and kept my fishing clientele happy. My dad and I invented this really cool contraption out of hangers. I still don't really understand the whole thing, but I do remember staking the grass with my cut hangers and wiring what I think was a extension cord, plugging it in and attaching it to my hangars. The worms would get electrocuted and come out of the ground like magic! I hand the biggest juiciest night crawlers in the neighborhood! I loved those worms!
When I graduated high school I bought my first dog. It was a cute little sheltie mix named Cajun. That dog loved me and I loved him. He drove around with me in my Suzuki Samuari with a bandana around his neck- long before it became cool to carry around your little blitzed out puppy. Sadly, he was run over after I got married.
Then came the Dalmatian puppy named Dempsey. That dog was so high strung! After that dog there was a long dry spell. We had babies and built a new house and I think we had a fish that ended up down the toilet.
The next dog was Mana the chocolate lab. Best dog ever!!! Except for his fetish for eating rocks! One the second pricey surgery the doc came out with a rock and a racquet ball. The dog would eat anything! The third time it happened- sadly, Mana- "the best dog ever" ended up not being the best dog ever and ended up going to heaven. All the kids cried and I shed a few tears too.
Right before I had my last baby we adopted a 5 year old Great Dane. Her name was Little Bit, being she was the smallest from the litter. Weighing in at 150 she was not very little. She was a show dog and had won many awards before we got her. Her temperament was mild and loving. Her favorite thing was to sit on your lap or take naps with the baby boys. She lived with us for seven years. For a big dog she lived a long and very loved life. Simon took her to the vet on her last day. He called me on the way and said he couldn't do it because Little Bit was looking at him in the mirror. It devasted us all. Everyone of us cried big crocodile tears that day! After this painful event we didn't get another pet for a very long time.
On Jaden's birthday she begged for a dog. It had been five years since Little Bit. Simon and I weren't ready for a dog so we bought her a kitten. We thought Jaden would be tickled to death. When we surprised her with the kitten she was upset that she didn't get a dog. Birthday ruined-and cat banned from Jaden- it has forever slept with Simi her brother. Poor Buddah Bella!
Three years ago we finally replaced our Little Bit with another Great Dane. Harlo is a beautiful dog and Jaden was finally happy! In fact the whole family has been fully and completely in love with her. She loves to eat my banana bread off the counter and running at the ditch. She is so thrilled when you come home and super happy when she is invited her to jump up on the bed and sleep on Simon's pillow! hahah Don't tell Simon- he HATES that!!
Pets have a special place in my heart and I hope that I have taught my kids to love and respect animals too. They have taught me the pains of loss, the frustration of disappointment, the financial woes of responsibility, care giving and unconditional love. Great learning lessons in life!
As long as I can remember I have had a pet. My favorite cat was a stray Siamese kitten that we named Simo. The neighbor girl brought it home and her parents wouldn't let her keep it. I gladly brought it to my house and the begging began. To my surprise I was allowed to keep him. It was the cuddliest blue-eyed cat ever! A while later I brought another stray home. My mom let me keep it temporarily, on condition my dad ok'ed it permanently. The next morning after sleeping with it I awoke to find little bites all over my body. I was told it was fleas. Unfortunately, that cat didn't find a home with us.
My little brother had a thing for all living creatures, mostly reptiles. I grew up holding, feeding and caring for multiple snakes, lizards, newts, tadpoles, frogs, salamanders, tarantulas, hamsters, and on occasion a baby bird of some kind. Most of these creatures gave me the creeps. But I was the big sister and tried hard to keep it cool. One summer my brother collected black widow spiders in glass mason jars. I'll never forget how the neighbor boy, Ricky Delray screamed bloody murder when my brother dropped the glass jar and it shattered by our front door. My Mom saved the day! That day the spider found a quick death by foot stomping.
We had many a disastrous events with our pets. One day we came home to a smoldering slow burning mattress in my brother's room. The reptile light had inadvertently fell onto the mattress. Luck we came home before the house was burned down! My hamster turned out to be a mother to 3 cute little babies. I adored them so much, I think we can safely safe I loved them to death! They didn't last but a few days. Then the mother hamster ate them! I was scarred for life and never ever had another hamster again!
While my brother was busy selling reptiles to all the neighbor boys, I started my first business venture selling worms. This became lucrative for a young kid. I was able to buy all the candy I wanted and kept my fishing clientele happy. My dad and I invented this really cool contraption out of hangers. I still don't really understand the whole thing, but I do remember staking the grass with my cut hangers and wiring what I think was a extension cord, plugging it in and attaching it to my hangars. The worms would get electrocuted and come out of the ground like magic! I hand the biggest juiciest night crawlers in the neighborhood! I loved those worms!
When I graduated high school I bought my first dog. It was a cute little sheltie mix named Cajun. That dog loved me and I loved him. He drove around with me in my Suzuki Samuari with a bandana around his neck- long before it became cool to carry around your little blitzed out puppy. Sadly, he was run over after I got married.
Then came the Dalmatian puppy named Dempsey. That dog was so high strung! After that dog there was a long dry spell. We had babies and built a new house and I think we had a fish that ended up down the toilet.
The next dog was Mana the chocolate lab. Best dog ever!!! Except for his fetish for eating rocks! One the second pricey surgery the doc came out with a rock and a racquet ball. The dog would eat anything! The third time it happened- sadly, Mana- "the best dog ever" ended up not being the best dog ever and ended up going to heaven. All the kids cried and I shed a few tears too.Right before I had my last baby we adopted a 5 year old Great Dane. Her name was Little Bit, being she was the smallest from the litter. Weighing in at 150 she was not very little. She was a show dog and had won many awards before we got her. Her temperament was mild and loving. Her favorite thing was to sit on your lap or take naps with the baby boys. She lived with us for seven years. For a big dog she lived a long and very loved life. Simon took her to the vet on her last day. He called me on the way and said he couldn't do it because Little Bit was looking at him in the mirror. It devasted us all. Everyone of us cried big crocodile tears that day! After this painful event we didn't get another pet for a very long time.
On Jaden's birthday she begged for a dog. It had been five years since Little Bit. Simon and I weren't ready for a dog so we bought her a kitten. We thought Jaden would be tickled to death. When we surprised her with the kitten she was upset that she didn't get a dog. Birthday ruined-and cat banned from Jaden- it has forever slept with Simi her brother. Poor Buddah Bella!Three years ago we finally replaced our Little Bit with another Great Dane. Harlo is a beautiful dog and Jaden was finally happy! In fact the whole family has been fully and completely in love with her. She loves to eat my banana bread off the counter and running at the ditch. She is so thrilled when you come home and super happy when she is invited her to jump up on the bed and sleep on Simon's pillow! hahah Don't tell Simon- he HATES that!!
Pets have a special place in my heart and I hope that I have taught my kids to love and respect animals too. They have taught me the pains of loss, the frustration of disappointment, the financial woes of responsibility, care giving and unconditional love. Great learning lessons in life!
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)