Heavenly Father cares

It's been a frustrating time around here, only recently. Stan is crazy busy, maybe this is the new norm( it's a cycle). That always throws things off a bit. We do fine when he's gone but after he comes back, it can be hard to adjust. Everyone seems to be feeling under appreciated in some way, and I usually get all the blame for what is wrong, a less than ideal responsibility of a mother. I thought I was doing better, in so many ways, and in Mother's Day was even told so. But Mother's Day is now past and we are back to reality. What my kids don't realize is I give and give for them but they don't see it as a gift, that's  just life, it's what moms are supposed to do. If I let myself get tangled up in not being appreciated, I would cry everyday. So, even though the family may not notice all that I'm changing and accomplishing through the power of the atonement, I know it and Heavenly Father knows it and because He cares that I keep trying, I will, for Him. 

Cereal

We don't eat much cereal around here anymore.( but we just got several calves that need to be bottle fed early in the morning so this will likely change for awhile.) I go out on a limb and buy corn bran, all bran, and when the kids are lucky I buy corn flakes or life, Cheerios too. I love that they eat corn flakes plain, no sugar. I also love that when I buy a sugary cereal, it's a treat, and they are almost as excited as when they get ice cream. (I make my own granola that I could eat everyday but some of the kids don't like it,)

3rd batch

The Redeeming and Strengthening powers of the Atonement

Elder and Sister Hafen

Severe mercy-the idea that the Lord, in mercy, helps us, but it requires all of our effort, often more than we think we have. 

(I need to read this story again, I may have mixed up some of the details)

She shared a story about Agnes, a pioneer girl, traveling to Utah with the Martin or Willie handcart company.  Agnes and her friends were getting weaker and weaker, from lack of food, exhaustion, and the cold.  They wanted to be invited to ride in the sick wagon, so they would no longer have to walk.  Her friends were weakening all around her.  She too was having a hard time.  The sick wagon appeared and the wagon master reached out for her hand.  She thought he would pull her up onto the seat next to him. Just as he grabbed her hands, he told the horses to go faster, causing Agnes to run along side the wagon, still holding the master's hand.  Just as she thought she was going to die, he pulled her up, wrapped her in a blanket and placed her in the back of the wagon.  She realized that the wagon master had saved her life.  Forcing her to run, when she thought she couldn't, increased the circulation throughout her freezing body, and kept her from freezing to death.  The rescuer and the one being rescued had to give their all.  Think of this in relation to us and the Savior.

Elder Hafen

The story of Christ is about giving the Atonement

The story of Adam and Eve (and all of us), is about receiving the Atonement

From 2 Nephi 2:25 with a couple of extra words:

"Adam fell that men might be (mortal) and men are (mortal) that they might have joy."

Atonement's purpose: facilitate our growth so we can live with God.

We are born whole or innocent, not bad/evil

We have to taste bitter in order to know the sweet

We can't be with Him until we are like Him

Sister Hafen-

These blessings are unconditional- the creation, life on Earth, the Atonement, the Resurrection

Elder Hafen-

Conditional blessings: forgiving, strengthening, perfecting

We have to participate in these processes

a change of heart can be quick or gradual

"The Lord sees fit to inflict..." (Mosiah 3:19)

Christ strengthens us because of His covenant relationship with us

The Atonement allows Christ to have a covenant relationship with His followers

Look up scriptures about Grace

Sister Hafen

Charity-the saintly capacity to love others as He does

It's a gift of grace and is given to true followers of Christ-it requires more of us.

Think of the spirit of the law-what are our intentions

Moroni 8:25-26

Adversity could be any of these things:

our own mistakes

adversities that are part of life

things that the Lord inflicts, for our growth

*If we are serious about discipleship, we will be asked to do things that are hardest for us

earned empathy

D&C 97:8

The Savior cannot force us to take His hand.

DAY 2

Super powerful songs to open this general session.  (Look them up "Come To Jesus" then there was one that was to the tune of "Come Thou Fount Of Every Blessing" but the words were different)

The Atonement heals , comforts, Consoles, and Enables Us to Show mercy and Grace unto ourselves

Sister Linda K. Burton (President of the General Relief Society)

She tells this story that was told by President Faust in 1999.  "His mother, wishing to encourage him, “bought tickets for a performance of the great Polish pianist, Paderewski. The night of the concert arrived and the mother and son found their seats near the front of the concert hall. While the mother visited with friends, the boy slipped quietly away.

“Suddenly, it was time for the performance to begin and a single spotlight cut through the darkness of the concert hall to illuminate the grand piano on stage. Only then did the audience notice the little boy on the bench, innocently picking out ‘Twinkle, Twinkle, Little Star.’

“His mother gasped, but before she could move, Paderewski appeared on stage and quickly moved to the keyboard. He whispered to the boy, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And then, leaning over, the master reached down with his left hand and began filling in the bass part. Soon his right arm reached around the other side, encircling the child, to add a running obbligato. Together, the old master and the young novice held the crowd mesmerized.

“In our lives, unpolished though we may be, it is the Master who surrounds us and whispers in our ear, time and time again, ‘Don’t quit. Keep playing.’ And as we do, He augments and supplements until a work of amazing beauty is created. He is right there with all of us, telling us over and over, ‘Keep playing.’” 7

The Lord is the ultimate personal trainer!!

Sister Oscarson(Young Women General President)

The Atonement must be individualized and personal in order to draw on its power.  This reminded me of something my Bishop said at a meeting this year.  We all need to have personal religious experiences.

1. Repent daily

2. Pray to prioritize

3. Pray and study the scriptures, trust the Lord to inspire

Everyone needs the power of the Atonement!

Scriptural experiences of Jesus appear more often in the Book of Mormon-no wonder the rest of the world has little understanding of the Atonement.  (This statement opened my eyes)  I wish my friends of other faiths weren't so afraid of the Book of Mormon!  It is a book full of truth, written by prophets.

Sister Wixom(Primary General President)

"talking" children in at bed-time (she told a story here but I couldn't write it down fast enough)

Come unto Him-becoming His "I give"  "I'm yours"

a paraphrased quote from Elder Hafen-if you are seeing more of your weaknesses, know that you are coming closer to the Savior.

Look forward to the opportunities to change and become better.

Look for small and simple ways to be more obedient

Choosing Thus the Kinder Plan(taken from the hymn Nay Speak No Ill)

1. Nay, speak no ill; a kindly word

Can never leave a sting behind;

And, oh, to breathe each tale we've heard

Is far beneath a noble mind.

Full oft a better seed is sown

By choosing thus the kinder plan,

For, if but little good is known,

Still let us speak the best we can.

2. Give me the heart that fain would hide,

Would fain another's faults efface.

How can it please the human pride

To prove humanity but base?

No, let us reach a higher mood,

A nobler estimate of man;

Be earnest in the search for good,

And speak of all the best we can.

3. Then speak no ill, but lenient be

To others' failings as your own.

If you're the first a fault to see,

Be not the first to make it known,

For life is but a passing day;

No lip may tell how brief its span.

Then, oh, the little time we stay,

Let's speak of all the best we can.

Spokane fun

I grew up in Spokane, Washington and enjoyed lots that the area has to offer in the way of outdoor fun. But I haven't passed that on to my kids. So I've decided to do more when I bring my family "home" to visit. 

We were lucky enough to be here for the Lilac Parade. I haven't been since my older brother was in marching band while I was still in junior high. 

Spokane Falls

We also visited Manito Park, a beautiful nature area with many different gardens. 

Budding entrepreneurs

Rainbow loom bracelets are so popular right now and my 3 oldest kids LOVE to spend hours making them. Brynn has earned over $20 selling them, so far, to her school mates. Joel is running low on elastics and announced to us two days ago that he better start selling some so he can earn money to buy more elastics. I love this! Makes me so happy that my kids are making some money, doing what they love. 

2nd Batch of notes

THE WORDS WE SPEAK

Jenet Erickson

Principles of a mother voice:

recognize the influence I have

build relationships

look for all the good and speak about it (with our kids and about them)

Teach choices and consequence

listen and discuss, turn them to the Lord for their answers

every interaction with the child can strengthen the relationship or weaken it

pray in the moment of crisis, sometimes with the children

Sister Hinckley encouraged "just save the relationship"

identify our own feelings to them ("I'm feeling frustrated, tired or mad")

If I feel judgemental and critical, it's not the time to discipline

pray with kids for repentance, help them to know how to do it, and apologize to those they have hurt or offended. 

Shame (withdrawing love and threatening them)  VS Guilt (expressing regret for their choice)

Trust your child to choose good

give them hope and courage to view the realities of their choices

We grown, learn, and practice together, that's what life is all about

We are totally dependent on the Savior for success

Seek to know how to love each child

If you resolve not to be angry and

criticize, ask the Lord to help.  He will help me to know how to do it!

Pause before you respond to a situation (the Lord can compensate for my tiredness, my irritability, my hormonal imbalances, and my grumpy days)

Jean Bingham

Read President Monson's talk from conference,               https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/04/love-the-essence-of-the-gospel?lang=eng

1. Does my tone communicate love?

would I treat adults or strangers the same as I speak to our children?

view children as visitors from another country-they come ready to listen and learn.  Mistakes are a part of learning.  Remember ages and stages with kids

keep a sense of humor

quiet and calm voice communicates love

try saying "I love everything about you"

Her father said to her "You are practically perfect in every important way"  ( I love that!!)

Praise them for what and who they are becoming

Think of those around us who are helping and encouraging us (balcony people)

3.  Do I listen with love?

4. Does my communication lift, strengthen, and encourage ones that I love?

5. Am I willing to make an effort to change to the mother I want to be and the mother the Savior knows I can be?

Real change comes from believing in the Atonement(grace), allowing yourself to change

and

increasing your personal sensitivity to the Holy Ghost

try reporting in your night time prayer, look for progress, pray to be able to see it.

THE MORAL FORCE THAT IS WITHIN YOU

Janie Penfield Rasmussen

Virginia H. Pearce

(This was toward the end of the first day and I was getting tired so I don't have as many notes but they said some great things.  I'm hoping some of the talks will be available againhttp://ce.byu.edu/cw/womensconference/ )

She talked about "A thin place" where the veil is cracked open and there is an influence from the other side.  She related her experience after her husband died 4 years ago and how sacred her home became to her, a thin place.

Nothing and No one can prevent us from having experiences with God.

We assimilate God's light.  We can carry His power!

She shared a story about someone else.  A mother was driving her children to school.  Her son was about to leave the car and said "well, it's time to leave the bubble and go out in the world".  His mother said "no, take it with you"  Be an influence for good everywhere you go!  Receive the light and carry it with you.  Help our kids to understand this. 

Sheri Dew

I had to share this link.  It has a bunch of quotes from Sheri Dew.
http://www.goodreads.com/author/quotes/62012.Sheri_L_Dew

First batch

After typing a lot of my Women's conference notes, I discovered that I have a lot.  So, I decided to post them in batches so you don't get discouraged by too many words!

Notes from BYU Women's Conference 2014

Yay for an awesome break from the routine of life, a major spiritual boost, and lots of sunshine!

The theme of the conference was a scripture found in Psalms 84:11

"For the Lord God is a Sun and Shield: the Lord will give grace and glory: no good thing will He withhold from them that walk uprightly."

I think were 100 sessions during the 2 days.  I went prepared and expecting to receive some answers to prayer.  And did I ever!  God is merciful, patient, loving, and kind. 

Many of the sessions were running concurrently and sometimes it was really hard to choose which class to attend. Here are the thoughts that stood out to me.  My hope is that some of what I share will help you too.

DAY 1

Sheri Dew-I've thought much about this wonderful lady who is single and 60.  What I admire most about her is her ability to do the Lord's will.  How different her life would be if she had married young and had a family but we probably wouldn't even know who she is.  She has blessed the lives of millions all over the world because of the life she has been called to lead.

She spoke in the opening session of the conference and spoke mainly of God's grace:

Learn to unlock the power of Jesus Christ

1.  What is grace? the power beyond anything earthly, she told a story about her Dad.  He was a wonderful man in so many ways but he had a vice, as we all do.  He struggled with anger.  His family was the brunt of much of it and she often had a hard time having a healthy and happy relationship with him.  As he was dying, she prayed to be able to forgive him for all the hurt and pain he had caused her.  In an instant she felt freed of all the pain she experienced from her Dad.  This is grace.

(my thoughts: Everyone has a flaw, often a big and noticeable one, we are human! But everyone also has wonderful virtues)

Substitute the word grace for power while reading your scriptures and notice what happens.

Grace is the power we get to do things we wouldn't normally be able to do.  (All my accomplishments in life are attributed to grace.  I'm so grateful for this power, without it, I would be nothing.)

Grace is always available to us! It is divine, enabling power

2. What difference can grace make in our lives?

Faith unlocks divine power

*With God's help, I can become my true self, increase my energy, my efficiency, my happiness

3.  How is grace available to us?

receiving angels- I know there are angels all around is.  My last neighbor helped me to realize this more readily.  She is very sensitive to the spirits of others. This part of it is for me to remember that others, probably ancestors of mine, are cheering for me and helping me to make good choices.

Because I have been to the Temple and have received my Endowment(a gift of priesthood power), I have access to that priesthood power.  It is not necessary to be a priesthood holder to still receive all the blessings the priesthood offers!

4.  What must I do to gain access to the Savior's power?

God's tutelage is the highest learning we can receive/experience(can't think of the right word)

Who am I becoming, with God's help, after all I can do...

a changed heart is what we all need, over and over again

Love the Lord more than ANYTHING else

change of heart (no desire to do wrong)

becoming a true disciple-Following Jesus means doing what He does, acting how He acts

Being a disciple is not easy but it's easier than NOT being one. 

ASK, in prayer, for more faith, more help

Then she asks WHAT ONE THING CAN I (EACH OF US) GIVE UP TO PUT THE SAVIOR FIRST IN MY LIFE, STARTING TODAY? (by the end of the day, I was sure that this one thing is what I need to give up.  I choose to give up my will to God, specifically in regards to my family size.  I have to put my complete faith and trust in Him, knowing and believing that His plan for me is the best plan. I want His plan to be my plan)

Then she finishes her talk with this:

We are preparing the world for the Savior to come again!

We must help others around us with their conversion

Angels are all around helping, desiring to help.

(As I sat in the Idaho Falls Temple the other day, in preparation for the conference, I felt the presence of my Grandma Mason.  She attended that temple faithfully and regularly through her life.  I couldn't help but be grateful for a wonderful woman to look up to, knowing that she is one of the angels who is helping me.  My parents were married in that same temple and I'm so grateful they chose to start their life together there and that after 56 years are still committed to the covenants they made! It has blessed all in our family and will bless all those who come after me.

HOLDING OURSELVES IN READINESS TO ACT ON THE LORD'S TIMING

Ginny Smith

Are you waiting for an answer to a specific prayer? How long have you been waiting?

There is a space between the offered prayer and the answer and this presenter called it "sacred space"

She encourages to "consecrate the wait"

Think about other waiting times, the sacrament, sessions at the Temple

If we choose to "consecrate the wait":

- we will be available to help God, to actively answer someone else's prayer

Life can be experiential, rather than chronological

Many people are waiting on us, as we wait on the Lord for our own answers to prayer

(I need to remember to pray specifically to receive guidance to help others)

BEWARE of Satan while we wait.  He wants to discourage us and cause us to lose hope.

BYU Women's Conference

To start the conference experience right, we went to the idaho falls temple! It was my first time there and it was awesome!

Flowers! We don't have this at home yet. It was so nice to have spring.