Choosing the Good Part - This is really good!

This is not my post but a post from a friends blog.
I found it totally inspiring and right on with my feelings.
This is used with permission from Robyn and you can find her original post HERE.

Like many of you, I am often overwhelmed by feelings of inadequacy, self-doubt and frustration with the difference between how I would like to be and how I would like my life to be (perfect!) and how things really are. The apparent perfection I easily see in others too often leaves me feeling like an outsider in a world of perfect mothers, wives, housekeepers, cooks, crafters, scholars, and serving sisters.

It is so easy for me to let these feelings completely overtake me. It usually doesn't matter how much my angel husband tells me he loves me, that I am doing a good job, or that I am beautiful, I still question if I am actually good enough.

I feel safe sharing this because I know many of you feel the same way after reading many blog posts on this topic, and that is especially troubling to me because I know that it is an awful feeling. I also know that the adversary is very good at making us feel like we are less than we are.

A bit out of the visiting teaching message this month got me to thinking a lot about Mary and Martha. During one visit to the home of Mary and Martha, Mary sat at the feet of the Savior and listened as he taught, while Martha busied herself in the kitchen preparing a meal or doing some other tasks for the Savior. He spoke to her and said “Martha, Martha, thou art careful and troubled about many things.” The footnote here tells us that careful should be understood to mean "worried."

Jesus continued, “And Mary hath chosen that good part, which shall not be taken away from her.” I realize that I need to make sure I am choosing the "good part" that the Savior mentions (in Luke 10:42).

The story of Mary and Martha, observes Elder Dallin H. Oaks, “reminds every Martha, male and female, that we should not be so occupied with what is routine and temporal that we fail to cherish the opportunities that are unique and spiritual.” (Ensign, Nov. 1985, p. 61.)

The part that is most important to me here is when He says that it shall "not be taken away from her." I personally understand that to mean on a certain level that the things that truly matter, the gospel essential that bring us the most joy, are the things that will not be taken from us. The clothes we wear, the furniture we have, the crafts we made, how clean our house was, how perfect every dinner was, will not be ours to keep as we pass on to the next life. However worthy these things may be, if we are as Elder Oaks says "so occupied with what is routine and temporal" that we accidentally neglect what is more important, we will be like Martha and be cumbered and worried with many things, missing out on that "good part," of sitting, figuratively, at the Lord's feet trying our best to have faith and do the simple steps that bring us real happiness and joy.

I relate that to being so overwhelmed with some intensely high standard I have set for myself to reach that I forget to just do what is most important, and I know I definitely open myself up to those feelings of doubt and inadequacy. And once those feelings start, we can be completely carried away and forget that we are so very valuable, especially to the Lord.

I have so far to go before I master this simple concept, but I want to get there. Someday. I am a human and even worse I am a woman, so I know I will constantly need to revisit this idea and probably be forever after working on it, but I am trying.

inspiring - i'm putting this here so i don't lose it.

fasting for asher.

Tomorrow is fast Sunday.
The Bishop heard of all of Asher upcoming doctor's appointments and all the new findings
and wanted to hold a ward fast for the little guy tomorrow.
We would be grateful to anyone who would like to join in.

doing more research **this is not doctrine** just found more info. I think a worth while read.

I posted earlier about Mormon meaning "more good" (I got the info out of the Book of Mormon study Manual, pg. 130) well, here's more info on that. I don't actually know what is the true truth so if anyone really knows and can give references it would be nice but I am putting this to rest after this post. Just knowing that the book is true is good enough for me and I do know it. A quote by Gordon B. Hinckley is in red that says that the "more good" translation is incorrect. If you are wondering about this please read this entire post.

Meaning of the word

The May 15, 1843 issue of the official Mormon periodical Times and Seasons contains an article, purportedly written by Joseph Smith, Jr., deriving the etymology of the name "Mormon" from English "more" + Egyptian mon, "good", and extolling the meaning as follows:

It has been stated that this word [mormon] was derived from the Greek word mormo. This is not the case. There was no Greek or Latin upon the plates from which I, through the grace of God, translated the Book of Mormon. Let the language of that book speak for itself. On the 523d page, of the fourth edition, it reads: And now behold we have written this record according to our knowledge in the characters which are called among us the Reformed Egyptian ... none other people knoweth our language; therefore [God] hath prepared means for the interpretation thereof." ... [The] Bible in its widest sense, means good; for the Savior says according to the gospel of John, "I am the good shepherd;" and it will not be beyond the common use of terms, to say that good is among the most important in use, and though known by various names in different languages, still its meaning is the same, and is ever in opposition to bad. We say from the Saxon, good; the Dane, god; the Goth, goda; the German, gut; the Dutch, goed; the Latin, bonus; the Greek, kalos; the Hebrew, tob; and the Egyptian, mon. Hence, with the addition of more, or the contraction, mor, we have the word MOR-MON; which means, literally, more good.^[13]

Whether Smith was the actual author of this passage is uncertain. Official LDS Church historian B. H. Roberts removed the quote from his History of the Church compilation, saying he found evidence that W. W. Phelps wrote that paragraph and that it was "based on inaccurate premises and was offensively pedantic."^[14] LDS Church apostle Gordon B. Hinckley noted that the "more good" translation is incorrect but added that "Mormon means 'more good'" is a positive motto for members of the LDS Church.^[9]

Meaning in the Book of Mormon

According to the Book of Mormon, a man named Mormon compiled nearly 1000 years of writings as well as chronicled events during his lifetime. Most of the text of the Book of Mormon consists of this compilation and his own writings, which may account for its title.^[15] However, the name "Mormon" is also used in the Book of Mormon as a place name (e.g. Waters of Mormon), which Ancient America Foundation scholar David Lamb uses to offer an alternate explanation for the title:

[The prophet] Mormon was not named after his father; he was named after the land of Mormon. He had been taught about his heritage by his parents and understood the sacred significance associated with the name Mormon. No doubt his father also bore the name Mormon for the same reason. In 3 Nephi 5:12 he gives us a clear indication that the name Mormon is symbolically synonymous with the restoration of the covenant which took place in the land of Mormon by Alma and his people.
A study of the Introduction of the Book of Mormon tells us its main purpose is to restore a knowledge of the covenants to the house of Israel. This adds weight to the understanding that the name Mormon was always associated with the place of the restoration of the covenant to the Nephites. In fact, the name Mormon became synonymous with the concept of restoring the covenants.
In light of this understanding, the Book of Mormon is not named for a man. It is named for the place where the covenant was restored. Symbolically, the Book of Mormon bears the name "Book of the Restoration of the Covenant."^[16]

this information was taken from Wikipeida. Click on the numbers for the references. 

some truth you may not know.

"...there is no valid reason why Latter-Day Saints should speak of themselves as 'Mormons' or of the church as the 'Mormon Church'. Missionaries should not be engaged in 'selling Mormonism' but in the mission of persuading people to believe in Christ, the Son of God, and of becoming members of his Church - The Church of Jesus Christ. The term Latter-day Saints is added to the name merely to distinguish us from the former-day saints...
"While there can be no disgrace nor condemnation in being called 'Mormons', and the Church, the 'Mormon Church', the fact remains, and this we should all emphasize, that we belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, The name the Lord has given by which we are to be known and called" (Joseph Fielding Smith, Answers to Gospel Questions, 4:174-75)

You might be wondering now why the Book of Mormon is called the Book of Mormon. Well, from what I have found - "The word Mormon, means literally, more good." (in History of the Church, 5:399-400)

So the Book of "more good". It's more good because it complements the Bible which is good. They complement each other.

If you have never watched a video from my blog and never plan to, I don't care AS LONG AS YOU WATCH THIS ONE! This is part of the talk I mention in an earlier post.

This is the truth. I know it and love it!

If you would like a free King James version of the Bible, a Book of Mormon, information on Christ, or information of families and being happy go HERE , type in free media under search, click on "free media" and "request a copy". or just leave me a comment. :) (Even if your just a tiny bit curious.)

WANTED: comments

Just wondering what kind of things your family does to stay consistent with family scripture reading. Also, what special things have you done or do you do if you have/had small children.

"When Satan truly wants to disrupt the work of the Lord, he attacks God's plan for His children. He works to drive a wedge of disharmony between a father and mother. He entices children to be disobedient to their parents. He makes family home evening and family prayer inconvenient. He suggests family scripture study is impractical. That's all it takes, because Satan knows that the surest and most effective way to disrupt the Lord's work is to diminish the effectiveness of the family and the sanctity of the home. "
 
-Elder M. Russell Ballard

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul: The Lord is on thy side;
With patience bear thy cross of grief or pain.
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In ev'ry change he faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul: Thy best, thy Heav'nly Friend
Thru thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know.
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.

Be still, my soul: The hour is hast'ning on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored,
Be still, my soul: When change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.

Be Still, My Soul, pg 124 LDS Hymnal

In case you were wondering.

Well, I have no pictures because I didn't bring the cord to my camera to Utah, sorry! My boys have been sick. Fever, runny noses, coughs and extra snugly (I don't mind that part). I should feel lucky that Asher made it 11 months without a fever. We took them to the Doctor yesterday. Dr. Marsden. He was Noah's pediatrician when we lived here and I absolutely LOVE him. I mean LOVE him! He's very thorough and detailed, very nice, funny, and always remembers us. While we were there finding out that Noah had an ear infection and Asher had a viral infection in his throat (which resulted in less eating, more crying, and well... you get the picture), I told him I wanted his opinion about Asher. I told him everything. The nerve injury, the throwing up, the poor weight gain, the gaging...everything. Then he told us what he would do. Lets just say I asked if he would write it all down. My first thought was WHY didn't the doctors we have been seeing do all these things. Then questions. There was a test he thought might be good for Asher called a sweat test. I told Dr. Marsden that he does sweat a lot. He said it doesn't really have much to do with sweating. He said it was to test for cystic fibrosis. Cystic fibrosis? I knew exactly what this was because of my physical therapy training. I have never treated anyone with this illness but knew a person with it. My heart started beating quickly, I think timed actually stood still, and I felt sick. My feelings must have spread quickly to my face because the next words out of Dr. Marsden's mouth were, "I don't want to scare you. The chances are very slim but we want to rule everything out." Our insurance is not good in Utah so we decided to wait until we get home to get the test done. Upon leaving the office my mind and heart went to prayer. I reflected on this past year with all it's doctors appointments, worrying, wondering and tears. Then came the good part...the eternal perspective, remembering my faith, remembering all the blessings. I was comforted and knew that whatever happened I could handle it. Whatever happened would be what Heavenly Father wanted for us. I have to say that the old me might have curled up in bed and cried for a while. Not yesterday, I admit that I shed a few tears but I feel like the faith that I have gained has prepared me (in a way) for whatever lies ahead. I'm not saying it will be easy, just easier.

I need thee every hour, Most gracious Lord.
No tender voice like thine can peace afford.
I need thee , oh, I need thee; Every hour I need thee!
Oh, bless me now my Savior; I come to thee!

-I Need Thee Every Hour (pg.98 LDS Hymnal)

Some of Life

I can't believe how fast December is flying.
it's going to be Christmas before I know it.
It snowed yesterday.
when I looked out the window I couldn't help but think it looked like a Christmas card
The week before last Asher was sick with a cold
almost every time he coughed he would gag and throw up
I felt like he was throwing up every feeding
i would say a prayer each time hoping that he would keep it down
last Wednesday's appointment at Shriner's showed the effects.  he lost weight. stink and a few tears!
on top of that, last week he wouldn't eat.
He would cry at the very sight of a bottle.
i found myself trying to force feed him which only worked some of the time.
this is very hard on a mother.
I finally called the doctor on Friday.
She said to take the polycose out of his bottle (used to increase calories) and try a cup
I did
things have slowly gotten better
Sunday he started eating better
yesterday he ate more then he has ever eaten in his life (volume)
he's eating solids with more ease and less gagging
He hasn't thrown up in about a week (which is the best it's been since his birth, i think)
Things are really looking up.
I learned something at last Relief Society session of conference.
we were encouraged to pray to be equal to the task and not always to ask for our burdens to be lightened
that's what i got out of it anyway
I admit at times I really want to ask for my burdens to be lightened, really, really
and maybe sometimes I do
but there is something to be said of asking to be strengthen that you might be able to endure
I love when Noah says mom or mommy. His speech delay still makes this new and precious for me.
This morning he said "I luf you" without me saying it first.
my heart was happy.
He and Asher played a little today
both were laughing and again my heart was happy.

Be thou humble in thy weakness, and the Lord thy God shall lead thee,
Shall lead thee by the hand and give thee answer to thy prayers.
Be thou humble in thy pleading, and the Lord thy God shall bless thee,
Shall bless thee with a sweet and calm assurance that he cares.
- Be Thou Humble - pg. 130  of the LDS Hymnal

A good day (my 100th post)

We drove 3 1/2 hours yesterday to get the Palmyra temple (click here to learn more about LDS temples and how families can be together forever). Our friends the Nazelrods got sealed together as a forever family. Heath and I had been debating who would go in the temple and who would stay out with the kids. Last week I thought I would just stay home with the kids because it would be too hard to figure out a way for someone to watch them. Heath said we should all go. You have to make reservations at this temple because it is small and well attended. I made a reservation to go to the sealing hoping (but not knowing) that I would be able to go. I had not made a reservation to do an endowment session.On Thursday I said a prayer that I might be able to go in the temple. I didn't know who would watch the kids and it is so hard for me to leave Asher because I worry so.  An answer came with a question asking If I believed that it was possible, that He (Heavenly Father) could make it possible. I knew he could. The next day a lady from our ward called to tell me she was sorry that she missed the emergency preparedness class I had taught the night before. She also told me that she would not be able to attend the temple on Saturday (I wasn't sure why she told me that part but whatever). Friday night Chris Nazelrod called and asked if he could borrow Heath's pants and asked that we be at the temple by noon. We left at 8:15 am and did arrive at noon. Heath planned on staying outside with the kids so that I could go in for the sealing. He was sick this week and said that it might be better if I went in. We were there at noon and the sealing wasn't until 3. The endowment session started at 1:30. I then realized that we were there in time for the session and that the lady from my ward that called me on Friday wasn't going to be there. I went into the temple and asked if I might be able to take her spot in the endowment session. They said I could. I came out to tell Heath, kissed him goodbye with tears in my eyes realizing all the things that had worked together for me to get to go into the temple. I sat in the small waiting area with my bag and the bishop came and sat by me. We talked and a temple worker approached and asked the bisphop if I was a friend. He explained who I was and told him that Heath was outside with the kids. I am a cry baby. I get this from my mom. I couldn't hold the tears back. I felt blessed and grateful. Blessed that Heavenly Father answered my prayer once again and grateful that my husband let ME go in the temple. The man saw my tears and explained he knew how I was feeling. He asked if he could watch my kids. He only lived a few minutes away and would love to watch the kids. His wife walked by and agreed. I told them that Heath hadn't even dressed for the temple and explained Asher's condition. He asked if when we came again he could watch the kids. I told him that would be very nice. I, of coarse, continued to cry. I made my way though the session and into the sealing room. The man that sealed the Nazelrods was the same sweet man that offered to watch my kids. After the sealing and on my way out of the room the man stopped me again and told me to not forget his offer. I told him I wouldn't. I couldn't get to the dressing room fast enough. I was ready to see my little family outside of the temple. I told Heath of the man and his offer and the man walked out of the temple right after I was done talking about him. His home was just right up the hill. Heath said only the temple president would live in that house. It was the temple president I told him. It said President on his tag. I had not put two and two together until that moment. Again I began to cry. I don't know exactly what the duties of a temple president are but I know he must be busy but he offered to take care of my children so that I could be in the holy house of the Lord with MY husband. What a sweet experience and a good day.

In the car on the way. Noah ignoring me :)

 

 

 

I love this picture because of Asher's cute face. Makes me laugh. Made it to the temple. It was cold. 

 

After

 

The Nazelrods

 

...Pause to help and lift another, Finding strength beyond my own. Savior may I learn to love thee - Lord, I would follow thee...In the quiet heart is hidden Sorrow that the eye can't see. Who am I to judge another? Lord, I would follow thee.  -Lord, I Would Follow Thee (pg. 220 LDS Hymnal)

By small and simple means...

great things are brought to pass. Asher will be 8 months old soon. As I have mentioned earlier he is having a little trouble gaining weight. At his appointment last week he weighed 13 pounds 14 ounces. We just go week to week trying new things. Then he was sick and throwing up a lot with coughing and his sensitive gag reflex. I love that little boy so much and it hurt me thinking that he might be losing weight while he was sick. I do worry too much sometimes. I know this. My faith has grown a ton in the last little while but sometimes it's not sufficient for the trial. I guess that's when the growth occurs. The doctor gave me some stuff to put in Asher's bottles to increase the calories. Fortunately, he was already on this when he got sick and actually gained a few ounces. Another prayer answered. I cannot doubt that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me, who knows me, and who knows my needs and wants. I'm also grateful for my husband whose faith I need to lean on sometimes. Baby Asher is seriously a happy baby. He is almost always smiling and is really developing a little personality. Also, his arm is improving. It is getting stronger and developing more muscle tone. The orthopedic doctor seems to think he has a great chance of getting all the motion in it.

THE WINDOWS OF HEAVEN.

They have been opened lately. We are so blessed. This is our story...Heath has 2 years left of grad school and we are in need of more student loans. We did some adding, subtracting, multiplying, and dividing and figured out the amount we would need to survive. We applied for the loan knowing that we would need a cosigner but not REALLY knowing who exactly was going to be the cosigner or who would be able to cosign. We knew that if we kept praying and having faith that in one way or another our prayers would be answered. They were answered in an unexpected way. Here's the part you've been waiting for... Last week we went over to pick blueberries at some friends house in our ward and had dinner. On the way home Heath told me that Gary (the husband) had offered to let us live in a house that they owned across the street for FREE. Yes, you read that right FREE. I couldn't believe it. It had to be too good to be true I thought. Well, it is true. Donna (the wife) told me that she kept getting the impression that we needed to live in that house and finally told her husband. The next day we called to see if we could pick blueberries. The amount we will save from not paying rent for the 2 years will be a significant chunk of what we would have needed to borrow. (The rest will be begged, borrowed, or stolen) NOOOOOO, we'll just be living on a prayer and money made from pottery sales:) To place your order please contact...No, I'm kidding again. I've been funny all day. Although my husband will probably never run with me or take me dancing, I am a happy girl. I have changed a lot and I think Heavenly Father is slowly turning me into the lady I'd like to be. Asher likes it when I sing, I will get to have chickens at this new house, a garden, and nice neighbors. I think I will learn a lot. Stay tuned for the adventures of the Papa's in the country. I think I will invest in cardboard boxes and packing tape. This is Asher catching up on some light reading.

A blessing...truly

,


Asher just started doing this funny tongue thing and I got it on video. Also, in this video you can see that he doesn't use that right arm very much. I just wanted to say too that Heavenly Father answers the prayers of pleading mothers and not only does He answer the prayer but then he blesses her with the ability to look around and see others and their struggles. Then it's realized that the cross she had to bear was not so heavy after all.

Puttin' on the ounces!

Things are finally calming down around here a little bit. Asher is starting to eat 5 to 5 1/2 ounces per feeding and he pooped today on his own for the first time in about 2 weeks (no suppository required). He is throwing up way less and when he does throw up it's not as terrible. He weighed in last week at 12 pounds 10 ounces (a 2 ounce gain from the week before). Puttin' on the ounces! My little baby is 6 months now. I can't believe it. Also, I had some pain in my eyes last week (an inflammation of the muscles behind my eyes) which is resolved now after seeing the eye doctor and getting some drops. Trials are WAY better in hind site. It's hard for me to keep up with Noah's new words. He has really just taken off.
So, we bought a soft serve ice cream machine at a yard sale for $5. Below are some pictures of our first time using. it. We also went to a tractor show that Noah loved. They had some big steam tractors and Noah couldn't wait to get to those. He was "choo choo" ing all the way. Well, I have a crying baby in the other room so better end this. Just want to say that my husband is a good man. I had a doctors appt this morning and when I came home he had the boys dressed and the dishes done. Also, I have a new friend. I'll tell you all about it later. Also, I'm back into my emergency preparedness and am excited about canning vegetable from the garden and other things too. a end! (that's how Noah says "the end")

Makes you wanna get a soft serve ice cream maker , eh?

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