Let them PLAY!

I loved my childhood because of how much I played. My summers were spent exploring outside, playing pickleball, riding bikes, sleeping on the trampoline, making movies, playing in the sprinkler, building forts, eating popsicles, making up games, and catching grasshoppers. Yes, I still had chores/responsibilities each day, but the majority of my time was spent playing. My mom and dad joined the fun on occasion, and other times they let us kids run free. I remember playing pickleball with my dad and jumping on the trampoline with my mom. The fact that they took the time to play with me meant so, so much. It made me feel special, important, and loved. That quality time together is a gift that can’t be diminished. Now that I am a parent, I want to offer the same gift to my children.

Teaching Young Children about Pornography

A few days ago, I saw an image I did not want to see. I was researching a brain medical condition, clicked on a link, and suddenly a pornographic image filled my phone screen. Without hesitation, I closed the window and didn’t focus my mind on what I saw. Because of past experience and decisions I’d already made, it was easy to react and reject it quickly.

But then the thoughts crossed my mind, do my children know how to handle a situation like that? Do they know and understand how dangerous pornography is? I had taught them in the past, but I felt the Spirit prompt me to share my experience with my kids, and take the time to talk to and teach them again about pornography.

Some may argue that parents shouldn’t discuss such things with their young children. Or some may feel too embarrassed or uncomfortable to talk openly about it. Others might want to teach their children, but they have no idea where to start or what to say. Regardless of these opinions, I am a firm believer that parents are obligated to teach their children about pornography BEFORE their innocent minds ever encounter it. Even with strict rules, internet filters, and monitored homes—unexpected pornography exposure happens. I want my kids to be equipped and ready so that they know how to respond to it. I want them to learn about pornography from ME first—before they learn from their friends, online, social media, etc. The world will try to teach them, but our children need us, their parents, to provide them with TRUTH before the lies. They need to know how to fight before the deadly battle begins. They need to know how to swim before they are thrown into a raging, merciless ocean.

Sister Linda S. Reeves powerfully taught,

To the mom with noise in her head

When I first became a mom, one of the weirdest transitions for me was how often I was alone in my thoughts. I saw how quickly my thoughts could become idle, down, depressed, and anxious. I recognized that everything I saw, heard, or participated in either increased or decreased the noise level within my soul. Even if I was alone in a quiet room, I could be filled with the inner noise of anxiety, turmoil, confusion, and distraction. To this day, I have to continually fight against this inner noise—especially within my motherhood. I know many moms have to do this. There are so many loud, compelling voices competing for our attention in our minds, and it is vital that we make room for the still, small voice to bring peace and stillness. The invitation to, “Be still, and know that I am God” (Psalms 46:10), reminds us of our need to still our souls, our hearts, and our minds. It requires more effort than just physically being still.

James E. Faust powerfully taught,

Concern for the Wounded and Bleeding

It was a beautiful spring day in Idaho, and my fitness instructor announced that we would be going on a 2-mile run around the campus. Without hesitation, I mentally committed to finish first. I was excited to push myself and see how fast I could finish. Just before we were about to leave on our run, my teacher pulled me aside. She quietly asked, “Would you mind staying in the back to make sure no one gets left behind? There are a few girls in the class that will need encouragement to finish.” I quickly smiled and obliged, but at the same time, I was a little bothered to set my “oh so important” goal aside.

The run started, and I hung around the back with the girls who chose to walk. I had no idea that this experience would result in a powerful lesson that would stay with me forever.

I met wonderful people who were used to being “left behind.” Multiple times they thanked me for walking with them. I don’t remember much of what we talked about, but I do remember how I felt. Great love and compassion filled my heart for them. I was touched to hear about their lives and struggles. I only wished this experience was something I had chosen—rather than something I was asked to do.

Here I am over 10 years later, and I’ve thought back to that experience more times than I can count. Alma 60:22 perfectly describes what I learned from “staying behind” with those who were in need.

The stirring scripture reads,

I had a "bad mom" day

Not long ago I was having a “bad mom” day. I was on my phone too much, I raised my voice unnecessarily, I felt lazy, and I was impatient with my kids. I recognized my need to change, and I felt the Spirit prompting me to fix my problems. But almost simultaneously I felt defeated, and I felt the desire to just “give in” to my bad day. I could always change tomorrow, right? The thought crossed my mind that I had already chosen to ruin most of the day, so it was pointless to try to fix it at that point. Thankfully, I ended the battle in my head by listening to the Spirit, rather than Satan. I immediately prayed to God, repented for my choices, and asked for help to do better. I put my phone away, I chose to be “up and doing,” and I gave more attention to my kids. We did chores together, went outside in the backyard and played tag, and had a great bedtime routine filled with books, songs, and kisses. What started out as a “bad mom” day turned into a wonderful mom day. My kids went to bed with smiles on their faces, and I felt like a different person compared to just a few hours prior.

I have had this experience so many times as a mom. I fall short often, and I find myself hearing a voice of inadequacy and defeat. But, I have discovered by ignoring that dark voice, and instead listening to a voice that is encouraging, uplifting, and enabling—I can continually repent, change, and find happiness. Because of the Savior, all is never lost. Because of the Savior, I can rise above my mistakes. Because of the Savior, I can continually improve as a mom.

Satan doesn’t want mothers to remember the Savior. He knows the immeasurable impact for good we can have, so he wants to thwart our work. He strives to make us feel stuck in a cycle of worthlessness, despair, and discouragement. He wants us to feel like failures. 

Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf taught,

Learning from my past--Post #2

As I've mentioned in a previous post, I'm starting something new with my blog this year! I feel prompted to occasionally post personal journal entries I've written in the past. The journal entry I'm going to share today is a reminder to me that life can be really hard sometimes. It inspires me to remember trials I've faced in the past, and to see how the Lord has blessed me to rise above, persevere, and stay strong. I hope sharing something so personal to me will somehow be of value to another. (On a side note, I had to shorten this journal entry on Instagram--but this blog post contains the full entry). 

Learning from my past--Post #1

I’m starting something new this year with my blog! For over 20 years I’ve kept/maintained different types of journals. Two journals that have greatly impacted the person I am today are my “scripture study” journal and my “tender mercy” journal. In my scripture study journal, I record impressions I receive while studying my scriptures (pretty obvious haha), and for my tender mercy journal, I record how I’ve seen the Lord bless me that day and the things I’m grateful for.

Anyway, I’ve been prompted to share some of those entries. Obviously some are too personal to share, but there are some that I feel compelled to share (even though it feels really vulnerable to do it🙈). 

Occasionally I’ll make a “learning from my past” post, where I’ll simply share something I wrote in my journal at some point in time—it might have been 15 years ago, 5 years, or 2 weeks…just whatever I feel to share. I know it will bless to me to do this, and I hope it will benefit others too.😘 

So, here's my first "learning from my past" entry!

After my brother died, I was given a message

I fell asleep sobbing the night of my little brother’s passing. I’ve never felt such a sick, hollow, helpless feeling. In the middle of the night I woke up, and immediately felt overcome with all-consuming pain again. But unexpectedly, something happened that would profoundly affect my life, and would later bring about literal miracles in the lives of others. The words of a primary song entered into my mind. It was a perfectly clear phrase, and I immediately knew it had great significance. In the moment, I didn’t recall the tune from the song or the name of the song, but the words were clear and exact,

“What does the Father ask of us? What do the scriptures say? Have faith. Have hope. Live like His Son. Help others on their way.”

The next morning, those words played in my mind over and over. I looked up the lyrics online, and discovered the song was entitled, “He Sent His Son.” I was stirred by the message of the entire song. I felt sincere gratitude that my Heavenly Father sent it to my mind and heart. I called my mom and shared my experience with her. My family decided to have the congregation sing that song at my brother’s funeral. 

Just a few weeks ago, someone contacted our family to share with us how hearing that song at the funeral changed her life. It continues to powerfully impact her to this very day, 6 years later.

Since my brother died, I’ve had several other personal experiences with this song. Each time, I’m reminded that my Heavenly Father is aware of me and my brother is aware of me. Each time, I feel inspired to apply the message, and I instantly feel buoyed and lifted by my Savior.

As I enter 2019, excited to recommit to goals and make positive changes, I want to focus on applying a simple message—a message my brother was a true, living example of during his short life.

Have faith.

Have hope.

Live like His Son.

Help others on their way.

What does He ask? 

Live like His Son.

"Come, Follow Me"--keeping it simple for a young family

As a family, we set a goal to implement the new "Come, Follow Me" program introduced by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. To put it simply, it is a program to encourage more “at home” gospel learning. Each family gets to choose how to use the program to best meet the needs of their family.

Our family decided that in addition to reading 5 verses from the Book of Mormon with our kids (our current goal), we would add one verse from the New Testament each night and take time to discuss it together. The kids wanted to call this concept “verse talk.”😊 It takes just a few minutes, and it is helping our children actually learn and apply the truths found in the scriptures. The verse we choose to read each night from the New Testament coincides with the weekly reading schedule found in the "Come, Follow Me" manual.

So, on New Year’s Eve, we read our usual Book of Mormon study, and then read Philippians 4:8 together,