A realization and a comfort

(I do not write these things to sound prideful, but to simply thank my father in Heaven for a gift he has given me today)

So this morning I listened to a message by Al Fox Carraway called "Confessions of a Mormon convert". She is an amazing lady and an incredible speaker! She said something in that message that struck a cord inside of me and made me think. She said that we all have ups and downs in our lives, days that we feel like we are at our weakest and we wonder where our God is. But we also have days where we feel stronger than ever! She said that there have been days in her life where she has yelled at God and been angry at him for her struggles and her pain. I think that may be true for a lot of His children. I pondered on the times in my life where I have felt so weak and downtrodden, so exhausted from the struggles and pains and frustrations in my life. I also thought of the times where I have felt so high I could fly! So spiritually strong and lifted that I thought I could do anything! And amidst my pondering I looked to find a time where I was angry at my Father in Heaven, a time where I wondered why he had left me and why he had let me suffer such hard trials and afflictions...I couldn't find any. I have been so blessed in my life, with so many gifts from my Heavenly father and Jesus Christ! The strongest and most precious gift they have given me is the special privilege to "Know", to know that they are Always there, and to never "Doubt". I have always known that my God and my Savior were with me, I have never doubted that they were there with me during every trial, every consequence of my actions, and every triumph and spiritual moment of my life. When I have been so lost and so sad, I have never wondered where my Father and my brother were. I have always known that this world is a disturbing place and that Satan is everywhere and I am his target. I signed up for this battle and this test when I was in Heaven,  I knew that it was going to be a dark and difficult journey. BUT, I was also promised that I would have people to help me, and that my savior would be my guide and that my Heavenly Father would always be aware of my circumstances and my progess and my obstacles and my pain and my faults and my happiness and that all of those things would be for my good and for my learning and progression so that one day I would be able to return to them and live in their presence Forever! And today as I was listening to Al's wonderful message I was given another special gift, the holy ghost put it on my heart, the knowledge that I had always had knowledge, that I had never doubted my savior and my Father in heaven. Of all the mistakes I've made and the things I've messed up and done wrong in my life, at least I know that I've never lost my Faith, and I've never doubted that They were with me through it all. And that, is a gift that I will forever be grateful for and one that I know is a privilege to have been given! Amen.

A Light Upon a Hill cannot be Hidden

Today Grace and I were just hanging out at home playing on the floor when I heard a loud knock at my door. I peeped through the hole and saw two ladies standing there, I had no idea who they were but I was not going to answer it, I was still in my PJ's with crazy hair! So I went back and whispered "Shhhhhh" to Grace, she just smiled at me of course. Then I thought, maybe I should just answer anyways, I mean who cares if I look a fright, I'll probably never see them again. So I answered, I suspected they were Jehovah's Witnesses but I wasn't sure, I have never had any of them knock on my door before. It ended up that they were, I said hello and apologized for my appearance, they laughed and said they didn't mind. They asked if they could read me a scripture from the Bible and gave me a pamphlet and started into their message. I listened politely and was glad I had opened the door because in that moment, I thought of our sweet Hermana down in Paraguay and our dear Elder in Las Vegas and all of the missionaries out there serving. I pray every day that people will open their doors for them and listen to their message.
 When they were finished they asked if they could come back and visit us again sometime, I told them Thank you and that I hoped they wouldn't be offended but that we are members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. The lady that was older and had been giving most of the message looked into my eyes and said "Oh I could have told you that, I could tell just by looking at you." I smiled and she said that they just wanted me to know that the Bible is true and that I could find answers there. I told her that I know that the Bible is true and that I believed some of the things that they had told me about being created in our Heavenly Fathers image and that he wants us to multiply and have peace here on earth and that he did not create wickedness. I thanked them again and they went on their way.
 I came inside, sat down and thought to myself, "Wow" look at me, I am a mess! I didn't look like I was on my way to church and she didn't come into my home and see all of my pictures of Christ and the Temple. But somehow she knew, somehow she knew that I was a member of the Church. I truly believe it is his image in our countenance, it is the light of Christ shining in our eyes, a complete knowledge of the truth. I only wish I could have told them everything, given them an even greater light than they know.
 I am so grateful for the restored gospel in my life, for my complete knowledge of the truth and of eternity! I am so proud of Paige and Trent and all of my cousins and all those who have gone before them to spread the word of God and Jesus Christ's name here on earth! What a blessing and a privilage I have to have been born into the restored gospel of  Jesus Christ and to have all the blessings of the temple and eternal families! I feel that there are no words to express my love and my gratitude to my Father in Heaven!
Hurrah for Israel! And blessed be the name of the most high God! Forever and ever, Amen.

Grace's pretty cupcake

Last week we went to Lucy's (Our friends little girl) one year old Birthday party! Well, while Lucy was eating the spoils of her first birthday, little Grace was eating Pears, Haha. So when it was time for everyone to have a cupcake I was excited to give Grace a taste of mine! Mitch handed me a pretty purple cupcake and I held it up to Grace and said "Ooo! Isn't it so pretty?!" She didn't think twice, she reached her head forward and had that thing in her mouth before we could blink! Our friend Celinda just happened to grab her phone and capture the moment PERFECTLY! :) Here it is... Our sweet Grace tasting her first cupcake!

Our new Blog!

Hi Everyone, I have decided that it is time for a family Blog !
 I cant believe it has been nearly 3 years since I last blogged. So much has happened, so much has changed. We have officially been in our home for a year last month ! And what a wonderful year it has been ! We have been through so many different experiences since moving into our home, things that at first seemed like a test, but turned out to be a gift and a blessing in disguise. Then our sweet Grace Noelle was born on Valentines day, contracted RSV 5 weeks later and landed us a fancy vacation to the hospital for a week (NOT FUN !). Mitch entered and graduated the Police Academy and went through his field training and is now on his own. He passed every test with flying colors and is definitely top notch at what he does ! We absolutely LOVE our ward, we have met so many wonderful people and have made so many wonderful friends! I even made it through playing the piano in the primary program and didn't make anyone's ears bleed. Grace has simply flourished in every aspect and she is so beautiful ! I couldn't ask for a better life, my trials and frustrations are a spec of dust in comparison to so many others ! I feel so blessed and so fortunate to have received all that we have been given, blessings and trials included. And I know that it has all come from Our Father in Heaven. And Someday I really am going to get around to taking pictures of our home so that everyone can see how cute it is ! It is small, but I love our home so much, there is something about the spirit of this home that I know a part of me  will always miss when we move someday, and that is why I named our blog "Love, grows best in little houses". These are the lyrics to a song by Doug Stone that my mom used to always play when we were young and even now. I love that song so much that I put those words on the wall in our living room for everyone to see, for there were never words more true !