Through the Eyes of LOVE

 Another birthday gift from my friend Bobbi...she says this girl looks like me. :)

I just love the heart glasses!!! Another great reminder to see and do everything with LOVE!

I think I may have learned more about LOVE in this calling as relief society president than I ever have with any other calling I have ever had. Tonight I am attending a leadership training meeting and I cannot wait to be spiritually fed and uplifted among other women who "get" where I am right now.

Moroni 7:13 says:

"But behold, that which is of God inviteth and enticeth to do good continually; wherefore, every thing that inviteth and inticeth to do good, and to love God, and to serve him, is inspired of God."

I have been pondering this scripture and know that it is a scripture that has governed my life. When I am unsure of what to do to help someone in need...I just think to myself, "Is this good? Will this help this person to feel loved?" Almost ALWAYS my answer is yes. And so I move forward. Possibly unsure if there is more that needs to be done, or what the next step may be, but ALWAYS knowing that if it is good, it IS of God.

I'm grateful for the clarity that this scripture brings, and to also know that "by small and simple things are great things brought to pass..."

These scriptures to me go hand in hand because often times the "thing" that I need to do that is "good" is most often such a simple gesture of love. But sometimes, it is the little things that make the biggest impact on others...maybe even something as simple as a pair of heart glasses or a hug. :)

These were given out of love. :)

 Annnd...it's this little lady's 100th birthday in just 2 days!!!

My heart is full of love for her and I'm so blessed that I've gotten to spend the last 10 years getting to know her and being friends. She is a great example of seeing things with LOVE!

We Are Sisters

As I continue to receive birthday wishes from "sister" friends, I am reminded over and over how much we need each other.

Yesterday I received this "Sister" card from Sheri with deep and meaningful words that perfectly describe the love, friendship, and bond between us that has been built purely out of real, raw, hard life experiences that we ventured together with the Savior by our side.

Those kind of friendships are worthy to be made the title of "sister."

Oh how I love and admire ALL of my sisters!

From my own earthly sisters to my 3 beautiful daughters, to the other sweet women in my life whom I get to rub shoulders with everyday, to the complete strangers that I see in the store that have no idea what I am thinking about them being my "sister" as I smile, say Hello, and walk by...

I am grateful for the knowledge that I have of WHO I am and WHO the beautiful women placed here on this earth with me are. We are daughters of God, and WE are SISTERS.

Happy Birthday To Me!

This past weekend on the 22nd of September I had my birthday!

I turned 42! ;)

I felt an abundance of love from family and friends, which to me, is the BEST part about having a birthday!

(That, and getting to eat as much cake as you want! ;)

My sweet little girls (mostly Kambriella with a little help from her brothers too) decided to make me a cake!

I thought it was so so sweet of them!

The "M" is for Mom, and was made from mini chips ahoy cookies...the ones that Kambriella had earned from her piano teacher from her practice points. ;)

Her thoughtfulness and attention to detail made me smile and realize just how carefully these children of mine are watching and learning...

They have such good hearts and WANT to do good and serve and show love to others...

They don't necessarily have the part down yet about cleaning up the mess when you are done, but we are working on that part. ;)  

I always love seeing the fall colors on or around my birthday too, so we decided to drive up Emigration Canyon to Ruth's Diner for my birthday dinner. The leaves were quite sad looking this year, I believe because of all the dry weather, especially with all of the fires. But I still admired what I did see and recognized God's hand all around me.

We met Tiffany and her family there and had some yummy food, enjoyed visiting together, and I even got my very own Minky Couture Blanket!

Soooo soft and cozy!!! :)

Like I said, I felt LOVED, and that's all I ever want on my birthday is LOVE. :)

Clint enjoyed his spicy chicken wings SO much that he had half of them on his face!

(But just to give him credit, I think it was a bit harder to NOT make a mess since he was eating them one handed. ;)

Then, after dozens of texts, phone calls, and birthday wishes, I received one last special birthday gift!

I had thought during the day how I had gotten to see or talk to each of my children except for Carew, and I knew that wasn't possible, and I was OK with that. But I do remember feeling close to him and that he was probably thinking about me too. :)

Well, by divine design, and yet another tender mercy, a complete stranger sent me this picture with a text that said, 

"Look who we found in Sassari Italy! Wonderful missionaries!"

I am certain that this stranger did not know it was my birthday, but I am also certain that Heavenly Father did, and that He knew just how much this little "gift" would mean to me!

I felt my heart swell up with gratitude and joy, and I guess you could say that this last gift was "the icing on the cake" to my wonderful birthday! Thank you Heavenly Father for your continuous love and for the many many ways you express it to me! :)

Bring a Friend To Class ;)

 Kambriella takes dance and tumbling classes from Wasatch Arts, and yesterday was "bring a friend to class" day!!! Guess which friend Kambriella wanted to take???

Yep. :) Her baby sister Kesslyn! ;)

 Kambriella planned this all on her own, got Kesslyn dressed in her little tumbling outfit, combed her hair, and begged me to let her come with her to her class. :)

They were BOTH soooo excited, which made me so super excited for them too! :)

They had a ball. :)

 Also, I got to go to the Gill home to welcome Sister Lindsey Ann Gill home from her mission for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints from the New York North Mission! 

She is as beautiful as ever and excited to find her fit back here at home in Utah.

Welcome Home Sister Gill!!!

Happy Weekend! :)

Birthday Cards - Every Month

This morning I sat down and wrote birthday cards to all the sisters in my ward with September birthdays! This is something that I knew that I wanted to do myself as I would personally be able to connect with and reach out to every single sister in our ward. A card, an uplifting note, and a beautiful bookmark for each of them to feel loved. :)

It has been a blessing in my life as I have taken time to ponder on these sweet sisters as INDIVIDUALS. I have thought of them, their families, their lives, their circumstances, their challenges...and I have even felt more abundantly of the amount of love that Heavenly Father has for each of us individually too.

I hope and pray that the few words that I was able to fit into their birthday card will be words that will lift them, encourage them, and strengthen them, and even bring a laugh or a smile to their face. :)

Thank you President Monson for your example to me in this service.

When I read a talk given by him about the worth of souls, after I had been praying about what to do for the birthday gifts for the sisters this year, I KNEW that this was my answer.

 President Monson was a young, busy bishop and still took the time to write an individual letter to every service man from his ward EVERY month until the war was over.

He changed lives. Including mine!

I'm grateful for good examples in my life, and for loving prophets of God who serve and teach with so much love that we really do feel Heavenly Fathers love through them.

I pray that these sweet sisters will feel of Heavenly Father's deep love for each of them too. :)

A Blue Cast

 On September 11th we were all out putting up flags when Clint had an accident, fell off the truck, caught his fall with his hand, and broke his wrist/thumb area. After wearing a soft cast for 8 days he finally got his BLUE cast put on today and will have to leave it on for 8 weeks! 

It's his first cast ever, he will NEVER ride on the side of the truck again, and Kesslyn LOVED his blue cast even though at first she wanted him to pick pink. ;)

Love you so much baby!

Gavin is 13! Happy Birthday My Sweet Boy!

 On Saturday, September 15th Gavin turned 13 years old!!!

Holy cow I have another teenager!!! :)

 This sweet boy asked for his favorite "Out of this world" cake, and I actually got to use the

 "HAPPY BIRTHDAY" candles this year because there are 13 letters, which makes 13 candles! ;)

Happy 13th Birthday Gavin!

 Gavin spread his celebration out over 2 days...with a swim party and lots of junk food, having his cousin stay the night, going to Airborne and Cup Bop ON his birthday...

 ...and even getting a win in his first basketball game of the season! He scored 9 points and had a great game too! His coach and team sang Happy Birthday to him and he had a great day! 

We also went shopping for new church clothes and shoes that night, and so he felt spoiled from beginning to end! :(Clint took the boys to do some of the activities, so I don't have pictures of everything.)

 But Sunday was also a fun day when we got to see Kate visiting our ward for Pierce's mission farewell!

She also brought a birthday gift for Gavin and made him feel extra special and loved. :)

 Pierce is heading off to Peru and we will miss seeing him for 2 years!

Dallin will almost be ready to head out on his own mission by the time Pierce gets back!

 Pierce is one of Carew's best friends and has filled the role of "big brother" well while Carew has been gone!

 See what I mean??

 They act just like brothers! ;)

 On Monday, Gavin also gave his AWESOME speech for SBO!

 I was so very proud of him and he literally made the crowd erupt in cheers!

 He is kind, humble, and an AWESOME leader!

AND he's cute too! ;)

 Kesslyn was so happy to see him and very proud of him too!

 And although Gavin, his friend Mia, and their friend Luke did not make it, I still thought they were the BEST! Gavin you are a wonderful leader regardless of any title you may hold. Continue to be that light for others to follow and always remember...I LOVE YOU!!!