Epiphany, Humanitarian Aid, Ever Changing weather, and Confession

Epiphany:

For those of my daughters that skim, I would really like you to read this part. (anyone else is welcome to read also) Yesterday I was pondering on my fast for today. It was early in the day I was getting ready to study my scriptures. I usually don't think about my fast that early in the day, but it was on my mind. I gathered my scriptures and realized I had already read the Sunday School lesson scrips, so I thought what shall I read. Goodie, the Book of Mormon. One of the frustrations of scriptures is that we are supposed to read the SS lesson, and some prophets say we should be always reading the Book of Mormon, plus we are supposed to read the Priesthood/RS lesson. I have found great value in reading all of the above before Sunday, so I read the BoM on the days I don't read the Sunday lessons requirements. I opened up to the last place I was reading hoping it would shed some light on my fast. It did that and more so. Mosiah 23 and 24 are about Alma and his people, their escape from the wicked Nephites, to their capture from the wicked Lamenites, and to their eventual freedom. I realized in my reading something I knew, but not as deeply and clearly as I learned yesterday. Heavenly Father has a tailor made plan for us. He knows us so very well, and knows what will teach us what we need to know. For some odd reason we learn best through trials. Because of our different personalities, which I firmly believe we came down here with, He has to give us different trials and challenges. Some of us hide ours pretty well, and should. Some trials are obvious to all around us. No matter what kind they are, I have learned through having 6 children and thankfully being close to them and from my own life, that we all have trials and challenges. It may look like others have a trouble free carefree life made in the shade, but I will guarantee you that is not the case. So back to my scrip study. Alma's people were very righteous, they did nothing bad that caused them the need to be humbled and go to the Lord, they were already that kind of a people. Yet the Lord allowed them to be captured and become prisoners of the Lamanites, and be tormented by the wicked Nephites that had joined the Lamenites. They cried unto the Lord and he eventually lifted the weight of their burdens, but he did not take them away. He took away the pain, and gave them the energy to do what they needed to do, but did NOT take them away. The people bore their afflictions with cheerful attitudes and were grateful the Lord had given them strength to bear their burdens. Soo to make a long story short, we are not going to get out of trials no matter how righteous we are, the challenge is to learn what Heavenly Father wants us to learn, and to learn to bear them cheerfully. Not an easy task, but none the less the more painless route to take. Today I was reading Elder Holland's talk on the "Tongue of Angels" and he said he never knew a situation that was so bad that whining made it easier. I loved that! I'm a good whiner,and mummerer. I realized that true happiness comes from realizing Heavenly Father loves us, the Lord atoned for our sins and therefore can strengthen us if we will ask and let him. If we will humble ourselves and do all we can with cheerful hearts having faith that Heavenly Father is very aware of our trials we will be able to bear them and learn great things from them. And we will also be able to become grateful for them, for they will make us more like the Saviour who bore all things. Heavy I know but a lesson if you could learn now would save you a lot of pain and wasted time in your life. I know that grief is real and necessary to go through. I just know if we will trust the Lord and ask him to teach us and heal us it won't take as long and we will be so much happier. I have suffered so much longer than is necessary in this life and caused others to suffer with me because I was stubborn and didn't trust the Lord. I hope you will read Mosiah 23 and 24 and think about you trials, and then read Elder Hollands talk in the May 07 Ensign. By the way that is not my confession this has been my Epiphany. The confession is yet to come!

Humanitarian Aid:
Today in RS, they had some blocks they needed sewn together for quilts. I looked over at them and thought about my talents and my ability to sew very quickly, and thought I would be a very ungrateful servant if I didn't take one of the quilts. So here is the one I put together this afternoon while watching the Sisterhood of the Traveling Pants. (now you know I don't just watch religious shows on the sabbath, still not the confession, I bet you're starting to wonder what it isss?)
It is just top, I don't know who will put it together, its pretty huh?

Ever Changing Weather on the Coast:
When we first decided to move to the coast, Bob and Judy Line happened to visit our ward one Sunday. I asked them why I should move to the beach. I asked them both separately, and the first thing out of both of their mouths was, "the weather". They said the loved the ever changing weather. That their was more sun and a nice moderate temperature, never too cold or too hot. I have found that to be true!! I love the weather here. It is ever changing from hour to hour, day to day. One of the hardest things about living here is not wanting to constantly take pics of the ocean. It is so beautiful no matter what the weather. I have a whole folder full of pics of the ocean out my back door. Here are just a few, hope you enjoy them.
Yesterday

These two were this morning


Today at 5:00

Some random days







These amazing sunset pics are much more common than you would think, but nonetheless never taken for granted. I almost always take time to stare! Last but not least the many colors one.


Well, it is time for the Confession:
I wrote a pretty arrogant hypocritical assessment of the Vampire books. While some of the things I said I do still feel, I have to admit, I miss the vampires and werewolves, and have had a hard time not thinking about them. I have thought a lot about Bella and agree with Danielle she is pretty realistic of her age. Also I think the reason she irritated me at times is because I like her react before I think (hence this confession) I consider this a weakness of mine and therefore am probably not very patient with others with the same weakness. Even though it can be a strength, it far to often comes around to bite me in the rear! I also love a good romance and I have to admit, it is a pretty powerful romance. It was a bit repetitive, I felt she leaned on the romance to keep it going too much, but it was nonetheless pretty powerful. All in all, I enjoyed them and am looking forward to the next book. Now wasn't' that big of me? HAA HAAA!