Spiritual Direction

Thanks for sticking it out, we're almost out of the MTC

*** June, 12, 2004 JOURNAL: Such a Blessed Day
          I got three letters today.  I learned that mail takes forever to get to Hawaii, like a whole week.  I guess I really let myself get down about mail last week.  But at least I know they're getting my mail back at home.
          Aunty Stacy Halemano wrote!  I didn't really expect that, so it was definitely nice.
          Family wrote, of course.  But, I can't open it until tomorrow, 10:00 am Hawaii time.
          I'm going to miss my district.  So awesome.  A lot of good times.
          We said goodbye to Sister King and gave her some candy and a lei.  We gave Brother Robinson an engraved journal with our testimonies in it and a lei.

10 April 2013 - Learning to Listen to the Spirit About the Secular in Nature
On Monday mornings I like to hop over to the local Foodland and check out the manager's specials on meat.  I've found the Monday mornings to generally be successful for me.  However on this particular morning there was nothing.  As I was about to leave I felt to go searching in other sections of the store.  Normally, I have no trouble walking out of a store without buying anything.  Among other things I decided on some pre-made cookie dough that I had coupons for and were on sale.  Simply because I felt it was the right thing to do.  I have all the ingredients to make cookies at home, so I didn't need pre-made dough.  Yesterday morning Nake'u called saying we were asked to feed the missionaries that night.  Picking up the cookie dough was orchestrated inspiration, as it took me all day to clean up down stairs and taking care of babies.  Sometimes I forget that Heavenly Father can direct us in all things not just churchy things.

Happy + Happy = Happy

Trying to be more organized to get blogging done!

*** June 11, 2004 JOURNAL: A Startling Realization
          We were talking about judgement in class.  Elder Duthrie made a good point.  The reason Christ will be our judge is because he knows us.  he's been through everything with us.  He's been trough everything with me.  And even with the wrong choices I've made in live, he never turns his back on me when I need him.  He never fails me.  He never fails to forgive me.  Perhaps, Greg is right, and  I need to begin to forgive myself.  The little things that I let hinder myself that I've repented of, the Lord doesn't even recognize any more.

8 April 2013

And we're back!  Nothing like a General Conference weekend to help me re-inspire my life. I read or heard somewhere of someone studying one talk per week to study and ponder.  I'm going to try that this year.  This week I'll be studying Elder Richard G. Scott's talk.

We were blessed this last weekend to spend some time in Waikiki.  Some time "away" from home to focus on spending time with each other and with the babies.  The babies didn't want to leave the hotel room.  And of course it was nice not having to clean up everyday for a few days.  We had all kinds of great adventures.  But the best moments were spent together with the babies smiling and having fun.

Lloyd's birthday was yesterday.  On Saturday night we wanted to eat at a fun place that would sing Happy Birthday to him.  We went to the Old Spaghetti Factory for the first time.  The food was yummy and we had a great time.  Our waiter was admittedly scatter-brained, but he did a good job.  Lloyd was a bit shy about them singing happy birthday to him, but he fully enjoyed the cake.

I used to think that when things were going good that something bad was bound to happen.  And perhaps  that caused me to make bad things out of regular things that happen in life.  I am coming to know that just because things are going good and happy times are stringing themselves together doesn't mean that some bad time destroyer needs to breakup the fun.  In the book of 2 Nephi we learn that we are here to have joy.  God wants us to be happy.  Hard times do come, but even in those times we can still find happiness and joy in life, especially when our lives are centered on the gospel of Jesus Christ and our families.

The baby hates blogging time

***6/9/06 NOTES: Group Meeting on the Book of Mormon by Brother Dollar
          A. 2 Nephi 4:15 - upon these I write the things of my soul
          B. How did we get the Book of Mormon?
               1.  Translated by the prophet Joseph Smith.  It is convincing evidence that Joseph Smith is a true prophet of God.
               2.  If we remember how we got the Book of Mormon, we ill know how to use it.
                     Written by prophets --> abridged by Mormon --> hidden up by Moroni --> preserved by God --> translated by Joseph Smith
          C. What is the central message of the Book of Mormon?
               1.  It is another testament of Jesus Christ
               2.  Charity is the pure love of Christ.  Christ is pure love
               3.  He will not fail, his love will not fail, his church will not fail.
          D. Use the Book of Mormon to teach
               1.  Teach from it's fullness
               2.  1 Nephi 1:20 - the tender mercies of the Lord are upon all that believe
          E. How Can You Use the Book of Mormon?
               1.  1 Nephi 19:23 - liken all scriptures to ourselves
               2.  If your investigators never read the Book of Mormon, they'll never know it's true

***6/9/04 STUDY JOURNAL: Mosiah 29
          The Lord will answer our prayers if we are humble

***June 9, 2004 JOURNAL
           Kind of a somber morning for our district.  Kind of an off day, I think.  Like we were all in a down mood.
          We went to the referral center.  It wasn't as good an experience as before.  Probably because I wasn't that into it and neither was the rest of the district.
          I am a little excited that I get to play piano in the branch on Sunday.
          I don't know why I'm feeling down today.  Probably because I was telling Sister Hansen (who is assigned to the Hawaii Honolulu Mission) more about home.  Maybe I'm getting sick.
          GOOD: ran 1/2 mile, walked 1/2 mile with companion
          COMPANION: helped me make my bed
          GOALS: smile more, have a good day tomorrow, practice piano

14 March 2013 - The Baby Hates Blogging Time
Or Tactac just doesn't like being put down so I can type at the computer.  I think, he thinks I should be able to do both: carrying him and typing.  Come on Mommy!

When I was reading and typing my above journal entry I noticed how much enthusiasm for the day affects the day.  I wasn't in the mood to work that day and so what could have been great experiences at the referral center suffered because of my mood.  It's also true about chores.  The more I manage to be enthusiastic about the chores I dislike most: washing the dishes and folding clothes, the quicker they get done.  It's one of those, you've gotta fake it till you make it moments.

For a couple of weeks I had a story stuck in my head.  I was almost (but not entirely) sure it was told by President Henry B. Eyring and I thought it was at the last general conference.   It was about President Eyring's daughter who was pregnant and needed help and her visiting teaching companion shows up at her door.  But I could not remember anything else about the talk.  I read through a number of conference talks by President Eyring and couldn't find it. I watched through talks from last general conference thinking I may have confused speakers.  I could not find it.  In asking the Lord I felt I should Google it.  So I typed in the search bar: "President Eyring talk about daughter."  I didn't know how else to search it.  The first website listed had the right reference!  It was last conference.  It was President Eyring.  It was a talk given during the Relief Society general broadcast entitled, "The Caregiver."  My favorite quote from this talk is the tag line,"You will be strengthened and yet inspired to know the limits and extent of your ability to serve."  It really is a useful quote for me.  Sometimes I see other sisters in the ward with all their kids, or working and taking care of their family and I think to myself, I can barely handle three kids that barely listen to us as parents, that refuse to sit still in Sacrament meeting and everything else.  Reading this talk helped me feel better about what I am trying to do in the home and about our parenting skills.  It also reminded me of the talk by President Uchtdorf, "Forget me Not" which helped me stop comparing my weaknesses to the the strength of others.  The words of prophets bringing meaning and comfort to my life and the things I see as challenges.  It's easy for me to assume that I'm the only one that doesn't have it all together.  That I'm the only one that can't keep my house in order.  That I'm the only one that dislikes folding clothes that will end up on the floor and out of drawers within hours of all being neatly put away.  That I'm the only one that can't make it through the day without occasionally throwing my hands up in the air and wanting to give up on the day.  But, when I manage to push all of that clutter and noise out of my mind and focus on doing my best, not compared nor comparable to others, then I feel a greater sense of pride in my day and in my accomplishments.  And I know that as long as I am doing my best, the Lord will continue to strengthen me and my family.

Back to it then

For some reason I had two journal entries this day ...

***6/03/04 JOURNAL: ATTRIBUTES OF CHRIST - Patience
          I know I've been given lots of opportunities this week that have really tested my patience.  I don't feel like I'm doing very well though, because I still get really angry and although it's not an outward aggression it's still there.  And I know I can't feel the spirit until I am no longer angry.

***June 3, 2004 JOURNAL: THURSDAY
          I was pretty upset this morning.  A lot of stuff piled on and my companion was late getting ready so we missed breakfast.  But I realized I had to get over that in order to be able to learn and to teach.  We taught the 1st discussion to some volunteers this morning.  That was nice.  definitely got some feedback only possible through converts, because they've been there before.  We also went to the Evaluation center.  We met with a Bro. Wagstaff.  He was really helpful because we were working on two specific goals: 1) making bold, direct commitments and 2) creating more of a discussion environment by asking questions.  He taught us how to ask questions on different levels, starting from basic and moving through to more in-depth questions.
          Got to play volleyball.  That was definitely a good release of energy.

30 December 2012

Few things compare to taking a month long, unannounced hiatus then just as unexpectedly jumping  back into things.

December has been a good month for us.  I had not given up on this blog.  I just needed to get settled into some changes before portioning out time to blogging again.

Toward the end of November we found out that Lloyd received a scholarship (Mahalo Kealii Pauahi!) which would allow him to attend preschool from January 2013 - June 2013.  These scholarships are awarded twice a year, and I missed the first round deadline.  There were three available openings at the Seagull School I wanted him to attend located on the Kapolei Elementary School Campus.  We were the second family to put in a deposit in an attempt to hold a spot until January when his scholarship would be active.  Nakeu and I were both concerned that, that spot may not be available in January as the director of the school was unable to to tell me firmly if they would hold his spot, with a deposit, in the case of other families starting full-time in December.  After a short deliberation and feeling we could afford it for one month, Nakeu and I decided to start Lloyd at the beginning of December, part-time, to help him get adjusted and at a slightly cheaper rate.  Our mornings are so quiet without him!  I can't imagine what it will be like on Wednesday when he'll be gone the whole of the day! :(

I had some Christmas things I wanted to do.  I did, on a smaller than I thought, scale make Christmas binders for the babies with coloring pages for songs and stories.  I had too many pages planned and not enough binder space.  So the project got scaled back, but was still successfully completed!  I have always wanted to make chocolates to give out at Christmas time.  In November I found (thank you Pinterest) some easy chocolate recipes to test.  Again this project was scaled back, but it was successfully completed in that I was able to make and give out some chocolate boxes.  The inside of the house was far more decorated, although scaled back from my glorious visions, than in years past.  Nakeu dressed up as Santa.  We made cookies for Santa and had a great Christmas Eve dinner where we formally dressed up the babies because Nakeu and I were too tired from getting dinner and babies and house ready for Christmas Eve to consider dressing up for a formal dinner.

If you noticed the theme of this year was to scale things back.  But the beauty is that we still had a great Christmas!  Not everything needs to get done and not everything needs to be big in order to be special and enjoyable.  And everyone was/is still happy.

One last memory I want to keep.  Early in December, in a phone conversation, Nakeu suggested purchasing only one gift for each other this year.  Then during "Week of Fun" (yes, from Christmas to New Year's when we are both off from work, with the exception of Nakeu who has to work tomorrow) if we find things we want to buy or other things that we need, we could purchase it then.  I had to make sure that Nakeu meant he also would only buy me one gift and I would buy him only one gift.  We agreed, which meant I needed to figure out how he would, if he were to bend the rules.  So on Christmas day we both broke the rules slightly, but the idea was there where we each had one gift from each other to open.  It was a great idea!  The next day the babies were with grandparents so we walked around Ross and picked up a few things that we liked and called it good.  Scaling back.

This year is a lesson in less is definitely more!

Incredible

And we're back!  I've had this post ready for a while now, but haven't made the time to post it.  The honest truth.

***5/31/04 Notes of Note: Personal Study
          Source of truth
          -The scriptures define truth as the word of God
          -The truth makes you free
          -We can learn truth from God through the scriptures and the words of the prophets
          -Sin is an example of how man's understanding is not always basked on principles.  If man's understanding was always based on gospel principles, we would not make mistakes
           -All that is good is from God

***May 31, 2004 JOURNAL: Incredible
          The Lord answers prayers.  I know that he does.  He blessed me with an amazing day.
          Today was preparation day.  For me it was nice and slow paced.  Shined shoes.  Washed clothes.  Had some fun.  Got some exercise.  Read a lot about the atonement, repentance and plan of salvation.  God to write letters home.  I was so excited! It made me feel a lot better.  I hope the letters get there soon.  I want them all to know I'm okay.
          Class was the best though.  We got to go to the referral center (TRC) today.  So awesome!  I spoke with a lady from Colorado who wanted a Finding Faith in Christ DVD.  I got to bear testimony that I know Christ lives and that he died for us.
          Elder Duthrie helped us all out.  He spoke with a man from New York.  He was Catholic, like Elder Duthrie was.  He got to bear testimony of the truthfulness of this gospel and of the power of repentance.  Such a testimony building moment!

26 November 2012

As I type we are half way out the door to run some errands this morning.  I have learned the more I can get done in the morning, the more gets done during the day.  Here's the thing for me.  Once the kids settle down into movie time and nap time, my body also wants to be in movie/nap time mode and take a break.  Then, as the body relaxes, I feel less and less to do work around the house!  Takes a lot of will power to get myself up from a break and get back to work.  Truth in all of that.


Our Thanksgiving holiday was wonderful.  We had great food, and most of all enjoyed spending time together with our little family.  We love our babies and we love spending time with them.

First day in the MTC

We made it to the MTC!

***May 26, 2004 JOURNAL: First Day In
          I didn't cry.
          Talked to mom yesterday/last night.  Normal stuff.
          Talked to dad after waiting at the airport for four hours.  Yeah, they were late.
          The MTC is alright.  We haven't really done anything yet so we'll see how it goes tomorrow.
          GOOD: helped my companion, talked to people at dinner, tried to be on time, played piano, bore testimony
          COMPANION: Sister Wagstaff:  Six of nine in her family.  From Heber City, Utah.  Likes tennis.  Likes being near the lake in her town.  Has wanted to go on a mission for a few years.  Has been to the temple once.  Has a testimony of the gospel.  I'm grateful to have been blessed with such an easy going companion.  I know that as we spend more time together we will help each other to learn more of the gospel and come to love one another.
          GOALS FOR TOMORROW: get to activities on time, bear testimony, smile, talk to people in our district.

14 November 2012

Prior to arriving at the MTC I was picked up from the airport by my mom's sister, Aunty Elsalyn.  I had a few hours' wait at the SLC airport, which we will attribute to God and His Orchestration.  While waiting I was able to observe a small family gathering together, maybe 12 people.  They had balloons and welcome home signs.  I remember watching them wait with excited anticipation.  I remember seeing the sister missionary as she was reunited with her family after , what I imagine to have been a successful 18-months of service.  It suddenly felt like such a short amount of time.  I mean, here I entering the MTC and soon I would be home.  I wanted that same look of success and satisfaction that I saw on her.

The weather is starting to cool off bit in the early mornings, which makes for cuddle weather.  Today we'll be tackling the cleaning up the house more.  Having the babies sort out toys that we can sell or donate to make room for new stuff that they will be getting in the coming months.  Still so, so excited about Christmas. Scheduling  picture taking, ordering Christmas greetings and sending them out.  :)

Whats's more Important?

I am currently editing in html so I can sit next to Alessandra who is not feeling well at the moment.

***March 11, 2004 JOURNAL: Missions
          I don't want people to make a big fuss over me.  I'm scared.  I was brought to the realization Monday that more than anything this mission will be about personal growth.  I know it'll all turn out well, that it'll provide growth and experience that can't be gained anywhere else.  But I'm scared and I'm no exactly sure why.  It makes me feel emotional and makes me want to cry.  I don't want them to make a big fuss over it on Sunday at the branch.  I'm not gone yet and I'd rather the transition be smooth and not be a big shock next week, for my last week.  There is still work that needs to be done in the branch.
          Dad was telling me there's a lot of good I can do in the ward before I leave.  Help build up the singles program there.  I know it was selfish to think I'd get a break.  The work goes on.  It is always there - waiting for us to take the opportunity to be blessed

9 November 2012

I'm witting next to an awake sick child that is sucking on her thumb and pinching my arm. When Pwopwo is sick she finds it easiest to sleep right on someone rather than in her crib or in her own space.  So for the better of the last few hours I have been helping her go back to sleep, helping Lloyd stay asleep and tending to my, thankfully, well infant client.  About 10 minutes ago I finally gave her some medication.  Which means naptime is over.  But at least she feels better.  What does that mean?  It means the dishes are currently not washed, the house is somewhat in disarray, and the trash has not been taken out yet.  Here's the thing though: in a few short years the house will be wholely clean everyday and all the time because my babies will have grown up and moved out and will not need me to hold them to sleep while they are sick. While it is important for the dishes to be wahsed and he house to be tidied and the trash to be taken out those things will not make up for missing out on spending precious time with my babies while they are with me.  Not an all the time excuse, but enough reason for right now.

Uh, the time I wanted to give up on house chores

Some personal study notes.  I noticed I was not very good at dating this material.  It is all from January - February 2004

*** PERSONAL STUDY
HOPE - A state of longing for or anticipating something good
HOPE IN CHRIST - An assurance that a longing for or an anticipation of eternal life will be realized

PEACE - A cessation of conflict or turmoil, a tranquil state
PEACE IN CHRIST - That tranquility of mind and soul which comes with a brightness of hope in Christ

REST - An escape from activity or use of mental and physical energy
REST OF THE LORD - To gain a perfect knowledge of God's work in this life and to enter into the fullness of the glory of God, either in this life or the next

***2/4/04 PERSONAL STUDY: Alma 22-29
          -to receive eternal life we must repent of our sins, be baptized and have faith in the words of Christ
          -the Amalakites and the the Amulonites did not join the church because their hearts were hardened against the truth ... having once known the truth and had already chosen not to believe
          -Evidence of true conversion of the Lamanites: 1. did not want to go to war for fear of breaking the commandments of God.  2. Had a testimony of the mercy of God.  3. Held true to their word and died for their beliefs

*** PERSONAL STUDY: Ch. 32 Formula for Developing a Testimony
          -be humble --> learn wisdom
          -become humble -->repentance -->find mercy -->endure to the end  -->blessings
          -have faith -->be believing -->be baptized -->great blessings
          You must sincerely believe, then continuously cultivate that belief.  Scripture study builds faith: Bruce R. McConkie, "Those who study, ponder and pray about the scriptures, seeking to understand their deep and hidden meanings, receive from time to time great outpourings of light and knowledge from the Holy spirit. ... a sudden rush of ideas."

***PERSONAL STUDY: Alma 34-35
          If the atonement had not been made, all mankind would unavoidably perish.  All would be lost.

7 November 2012

I tried to post this blog earlier this morning, but I hadn't decided on what to write in for today's journal entry. Then I had an epiphinistic moment of rather self-depressic proportion.  I had my list of to-do's for the day ready to go.  I try to to-do list myself everyday, but it was especially important today because I am in charge of the mutual night tonight up at the church with the Young Women.  I was trying, as efficiently as possible with two young children and  my infant client, to make my way down my to-do list.  Wednesday is surfaces day and I meant to steam the downstairs floor.  We own a Shark Vac then Steam, which I have loved since we bought our first one two years ago.  But for the second time in two years it broke a month outside of it's manufacturer's warranty.  And I had just started steaming the floor.  I wasn't even 5% done.  Grrrr.  It's moments like those where I generally choose to throw the internal adult temper-tantrum  and put myself in time out.  I mean, why plan out my day for success when something as unpredictable as steam-vac breaking down was going to ruin my chances?  Uh.  After that all I wanted to do was shut down, watch tv with the babies and eat every chocolaty- sweet thing I could get my hands on.  I generally don't need to be depressed or sad to indulge in chocolaty- goodness, but it makes me momentarily feel better.  Instead, I allowed myself a short, mental break, took my big-girl pill (which may or may not have been a chocolate treat ...) and decided that I can't let one hiccup in my day shut down all production.  So, it wasn't meant for me to get the downstairs floors all steamed before dinner time.  So, the couches will stay stacked on the one side until later tonight when I replace our steamer.  So, what?  Let it go and move on.  Uh, uh, uh.  Tough lesson there.  Now, onto other productive things that I can scratch off my to-do list and still feel successful today.

Notes from Sunday Lessons and a Lesson on Discipline

*** 2/8/04 SUNDAY LESSON NOTES: Walking in the Path That Leads to Eternal Life
          John 7:17, "If any man will do his will, he shall know of the doctrine, whether it be of God, or whether I speak of myself."
          Lessons Learned: 1. Go and do what you're supposed to do, then you will know of it's truth.  2. It is our duty to keep the commandments of God.  3. If you are doing what's right you won't be led astray

***2/15/04 SUNDAY LESSON NOTES: Persistence
          My Def: The act of continually trying at something until you succeed at it or become so tired of it that you give up.
          Emerson: "That which we persist in doing becomes easier for us to do - not that the nature of the thing has changed, but that our power to do is increased."
          Persistence in our goals and desires, helps us to be the architect of our own lives.

***2/22/04 SUNDAY LESSON NOTES: Being Grateful
          When we give thanks for all things we see the eternal perspective
          Doctrine and Covenants 138:12 "And there were gathered together in one place an innumerable company of the spirits of the just, who had been faithful in the testimony of Jesus while they lived in mortality;"
          Doctrine and Covenants 138:30 "But behold, from among the righteous, he organized his forces and appointed messengers, clothed with power and authority, and commissioned them to go forth and carry the light of the gospel to them that were in darkness, even to all the spirits of men; and thus was the gospel preached to the dead."
          Doctrine and Covenants 59:7 "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things."

6 November 2012

Some months ago I was really having trouble keeping up with the two kiddies, my business and cleaning the house.  I had gotten into the habit of thinking that everyone else's house is always the "pink of perfection" and our home is the only cluttered home that would never make magazine pictures.  I had a cleaning schedule I was good at following pre-Alessandra.  But post-second-baby I lost the schedule and had fallen out of following it so I couldn't remember it

 Pinterest showed me a schedule someone else swore up and down by, and since it's easier to be told what to do than to make decisions about boring things, I've been following it ever since.  Here's the thing, though, the cleaning schedule:
     Monday - All Laundry, Tidy up around the house, sweep/vac main floors
     Tuesday - Bathrooms
     Wednesday - Surfaces, Windows and All Floors
     Thursday - Organization project
     Friday - Tidy and sweep/vac main floors
is easy to follow but useless if not followed.  Yesterday I attempted to get back into the discipline of washing, folding and putting away all laundry in one day.  I was great (much better than usual) at getting all the laundry washed and dried.  I folded most, but not all.  I did put away what I folded, so that was good.  It took an incredible amount of discipline to get multiple loads of clothes washed and dried.  I had set the timer on my phone each time so I wouldn't lose track of the time and still had to convince myself to put down what I was doing each time to take care of the laundry.

The lesson - life takes discipline.  Self-Mastery and discipline.

Happiness in Life

I wanted to share the following quote that mommy shared with us in a family home even lesson on the importance of Journals and Record Keeping

***2/2/04 JOURNAL QUOTE: Spencer W. Kimball
          "...Each of us is important to those who are near and dear to us - and as our posterity read of our life's experiences, they, too, will come to know and love us.  And in that glorious day when our families are together in the eternities, we will already be acquainted."

I'm stacking two days together here because they are related and short.  I'm trying to get through the things I want to record and remember from the beginning of the year before I jump into April and May where I get my call and leave respectively.

***February 12,02004 JOURNAL: Feeling Better
         I notice that my tone in writing and choice of worlds differs depending on my mood.  I'm really glad to be feeling better.  Overall I'm just a thinky person.  Because of that I tend to draw stupid, hypothetical conclusions - then fret over it.  But somehow, within the past few days, I managed to let go of that.  Yesterday was a good day.  I read the lesson for institute and found greater understanding that I ever have before.  But more so trying to find application to my life.  I also read the lesson for RS on Sunday.  I was a nice kind of sedate day.  Although I was still overly thinky, I wasn't freaking out all that terribly and even managed to talk about the gospel with some co-workers.
***February 13, 2004 JOURNAL
          I feel happy.  I n a really good mood, which is nice because it's been awhile since I've been in my happy space.  I'm not sure how long this will last - but I'm not letting go of it all too soon.  My happy space is my own space.  I like to tell people that it exists 12 feet above the ground away from the corruption of the world.  Few things can bring me down aside from the personal choice of condescension   One of those days that you just an't help but smile at everyone, and say hello.  One of those days when God just reaches out and touches your heart and you know you are loved.  These days are the best.
          Every now and again I remember that heavenly Father knows me personally.  He knows the best and most effective ways to communicate with me.  He knows what I can handle and what I can't.  And when I earnestly seek him out when I need help, he is always there to comfort me.  He speaks directly to my heart and brings peace to my mind.
          In the past week I've learned to be specific in my prayers.  That way the right things happen.  Elder Packer said, there are two kinds of faith.  The kind of faith that causes us to believe things and the kind of faith that allows us to "move" people.  

5 November 2012

While I was working on today's blog, I noticed the house was really quiet.  I wondered what those two little kids could be up to and what kind of cleaning it would require when I finished.  I went to check on them.  Wouldn't you know, they were both asleep in Lloyd's room.  Cute little happy moments.

I've learned some great lessons on happiness in life.  I used to keep my happy place away from everyone else in the world.  A place where I could find quite solitude.  But what I have learned is that my happy space is much happier, when I allow it to be all around me and include the people I love.  I've learned that happiness is as much a choice as it is a reaction.  I've learned that regardless of how messy the house feels, or how much I have to repeat myself in order for the kids to stop sitting in that window, I can choose to be happy instead of choosing to over think and get depressed over things that just don't matter in the long run.

Yesterday Nake'u and I were talking together about some of the testimonies we heard at our Fast and Testimony meeting.  I would like to pause and say, that having Nake'u is the biggest blessing I thougth I'd never have.  It's so refreshing and enjoyable to be able to take as easily about gospel topics as it is to tell him what I had for lunch.  He said something yesterday, though, that I wanted to remember.  He mentioned that when we receive revelation it is based on the knowledge we have and related specifically to the topic of which we are seeking guidance.