Preparations...

 My day started early as I woke an hour before my alarm was to go off...

I have had so many things on my mind...

But right now, this morning, I am working on the details of preparations for my trip to Mexico with Clint this week! I took a picture of my itinerary so that I would always have it with me, and I also realized in looking it over that we have a 5 hour layover in Denver! I am hopeful that we will get to see Kierra and Riley maybe for a minute if their schedule permits. But, that would just be another tender mercy of this trip.Again, another way that God is showing me that He is in the details of our lives, and cares about even the smallest things. :)

 Also in preparation for our trip, I've been thinking about little Kambriella and WHO is going to do her hair??

A Mother has to think about EVERYTHING when she is going to leave...and I mean EVERYTHING!!

I talked to a neighbor of ours who has a daughter that is going to have Kambriella come over every morning that I am gone at 8:00 a.m. to get help with getting her hair combed. :) It may not seem like a big deal to some people, but to ME, my children's mother, I want them to be well taken care of while I'm gone! I still want them to have the same amount of confidence in themselves and in their day, and if that means getting help with hair, then that's what I will arrange! :)

I have been working on laundry and my calling, setting up arrangements for people to take care of the details that I will not be here for...someone to visit Bernice, and someone to go to my meetings. Planning meals that will be available and easy for my father in law who will be staying at my house...arranging rides to and from practices, rehearsals, and games, and leaving documentation that consists of passwords, and codes, emergency contact information, and a calendar of events so that everyone can get where they need to be and when...

All of this silly busy-ness is a reminder to me of what matters most...

At times in my life things are pretty much the same...day to day routines are in place, and living the gospel is at the core of everything we do. When times like this arise, and things are a little DIFFERENT, I am reminded yet again that the gospel is still at the core of EVERYTHING I am doing!

Leaving my children is not something that I plan on doing permanently of course, but leaving them long enough to show them that my marriage relationship with their father is my priority is a good life lesson in itself. Leaving them long enough to "fill my bucket" and long enough for them to have some fun as well, and hopefully miss me just a little ~ enough to appreciate what we do for each other, is also a good thing. :)

Then, when I get back and routines are back in place, and my bucket is full to overflowing ;) ;)...we can pick up where we left off. Serving each other and the Lord in ALL we do.

With this in mind, I have been contemplating and being prayerful about how Clint and I can MAXIMIZE our time away together by not only soaking up the sun and playing in the sand, but also by growing our relationship in every aspect...including spiritually.

As I have prayed and sought answers, I continue to feel that finding special "places" to enjoy studying the scriptures together will add to the experience we will have together in Mexico.

Obviously we won't be doing that on our zip line tour or at the spa, but where there are moments of peace for us, I am going to try to solidify those promptings that I have received and share thoughts and testimony together that will make us ONE, complete AND whole. 

I have ALWAYS felt that my marriage is my top priority, because when that relationship is strong and secure, it is so much easier to move forward together and strengthen the other little spirits that reside in our home.

I have been studying a few different conference talks, along with the Family Proclamation, and I am so inspired and motivated to be a force for good that my Heavenly Father needs me to be...Here are a couple of things that have stood out to me...

Mothers Who Know Are Leaders

Mothers who know are leaders. In equal partnership with their husbands, they lead a great and eternal organization. These mothers plan for the future of their organization. They plan for missions, temple marriages, and education. They plan for prayer, scripture study, and family home evening. Mothers who know build children into future leaders and are the primary examples of what leaders look like. They do not abandon their plan by succumbing to social pressure and worldly models of parenting. These wise mothers who know are selective about their own activities and involvement to conserve their limited strength in order to maximize their influence where it matters most.                

                                                               Mothers Who Know Do Less

Mothers who know do less. They permit less of what will not bear good fruit eternally. They allow less media in their homes, less distraction, less activity that draws their children away from their home. Mothers who know are willing to live on less and consume less of the world’s goods in order to spend more time with their children—more time eating together, more time working together, more time reading together, more time talking, laughing, singing, and exemplifying. These mothers choose carefully and do not try to choose it all. Their goal is to prepare a rising generation of children who will take the gospel of Jesus Christ into the entire world. Their goal is to prepare future fathers and mothers who will be builders of the Lord’s kingdom for the next 50 years. That is influence; that is power.

From our study of Eve, we may learn five fundamental lessons of everlasting importance:

1. She labored beside her companion (see Moses 5:1).
2. She and Adam bore the responsibilities of parenthood (see Moses 5:2).
3. She and her partner worshipped the Lord in prayer (see Moses 5:4).
4. She and Adam heeded divine commandments of obedience and sacrifice (see Moses 5:5, 6).
5. She and her husband taught the gospel to their children (see Moses 5:12).                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                                      THE FAMILY is ordained of God. Marriage between man and woman is essential to His eternal plan. Children are entitled to birth within the bonds of matrimony, and to be reared by a father and a mother who honor marital vows with complete fidelity. Happiness in family life is most likely to be achieved when founded upon the teachings of the Lord Jesus Christ. Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities. By divine design, fathers are to preside over their families in love and righteousness and are responsible to provide the necessities of life and protection for their families. Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities, fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners.

As I live each day and devote my thoughts and will to be aligned with the Lord, whether I am at home with my children, or in Mexico with my husband, at church in the middle of a discussion, or in a neighbor's home seeking the spirit to tell me just what to say...I am PREPARING my family and I for eternal life! I LOVE the Lord and the gospel of Jesus Christ! I LOVE how my life is happy and whole and complete when it is CENTERED on Him...and no matter the weather, sunshine or rain, His umbrella of love is always there covering me and my family.