Tender Mercies

My favorite mode of learning is from other people's examples. On Monday I was reading my little sister's weekly letter from the mission field, and I really liked this part: "My new companion is Sister Kira Barker--and I couldn't be happier! She is always happy and I asked her how she stays so happy all the time, and she says she is just super grateful." Super Grateful. The wheels in my mind began to turn, and I felt like I wanted to put this to the test. Although I have been taught countless times to show gratitude, it is so easy to slip into the "wo is me" attitude. I really have LOVED these past four days because I have been SO much happier and more my true self.  Here are some examples of ways I have changed my thought patterns: "I can't believe Marshall is gone again and this time I do not know when we will see each other again," to "I am so grateful Marshall has a great job that he is good at, and that we are so good at havi...

Earlier this summer I stopped by the farmer's market to pick up a couple of things on my shopping list. While I was there, I ran into an acquaintance and FRG leader of my husband's company. I said hi and we exchanged "how are you," but that was it. You see, I was in a hurry. I didn't think I had the time to talk and grow a friendship. I was subconsciously going through my list of things I needed to accomplish that afternoon and nothing was going to stop me from my goal. Wow. I am really embarrassed to share this story, but it helps to make a point.   I used to be the queen of to-do lists, so much so that if I completed a task that was not on my list, I would write it down just so I could check it off.  But I've now realized that when I had these lists, I would get so caught up in getting everything done, that I would often miss small moments in my day that are really precious. Things like a conversation with a friend you run into at the farmer's m...

Happy 2014 everyone!!  Thanksgiving Day 2013 I love New Years because it is a time of reflection and hope. It is a perfect time to start over and begin anew! 2013 was a roller coaster ride for me.  I had some of my happiest moments in 2013 and also some of the most challenging.  I'm not about to detail the trials of 2013 because we all have them and there is no use in pointing them out.  But I will remember everything I learned and experienced this year. It truly has been so great and FULL of blessings!! Winter Solstice 2013. I love all of the ice sculptures around Fairbanks. You know that saying, "When it rains, it pours?" well I really feel like that right now in my life, but this gives me no reason to give up hope. In fact, I stumbled upon this speech this morning which was perfect  for the new year.  Below are some of my favorite quotes from it, along with the YouTube link for your viewing pleasure ( Source for quotes ). Oh and some cute ...

"People are like stain glass windows. They glow and sparkle when it's sunny and bright, but when the sun goes down their true beauty is revealed only if there is a light from within."  A few weeks ago I was at church with the nursery kids, and one girl had to use the bathroom. So I took her to the Ladies' room and after she was done, she looked at herself in the big, full-length mirror that is right by the bathroom door.  She stood there for a minute, tilted her head to the side, and said, "I am so prettyful." She didn't say it in a boastful or snobb-ish sort of way. It was all honesty, like she had listened to and believed her parents when they told her she was pretty. She is a gorgeous little 3 year old, there is no question about that.  I was so taken by her comment because so often, as girls get older that confidence wanes.  There is so much negative media influence on a women that makes one believe she is too thin, too fat, too short, has ...

I have been falling in love with the little 2 and 3-year-olds that I teach at church more and more every week!  Every Sunday I look forward to the smiles and hugs I get from these innocent little children.  As I was sitting in the chapel during Sacrament meeting, I glanced over the aisle and caught 3-year-old Tommy looking and smiling at me, totally melting my heart.  As an Easter treat, I made pink popcorn balls for the kiddos.  One of their favorite songs to sing during class is "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree," so I knew this would be a hit.  When it was snack time, I asked the kids if they could do a "big favor for me," and I asked if they could sing the song.  "But it's snack time, not singing time," Tommy said.  "Oh but I have a surprise for you, so you need to sing it first, okay?"  And as we started to sing the song and make the hand motions, one of the girls who was crying started to laugh and sing along! Songs are amazing l...

Whoever thought that teaching the three-year-olds in nursery would give me reason to fall in love all over again?  I sure didn't think so, until my sweet husband helped me this past Sunday since the other lady who does nursery with me was sick.  There are six to eight two and three-year-olds in my class.  They are all great kids, but you can expect what would happen when you put them all together for two hours during their nap time (2-4pm).  Those kids loved Marshall.  It was so cute to see them all sitting in their chairs that were lined up, pretending to be riding on a train.  "chuga-chuga-chuga-chuga-CHOO-CHOO!" was their cry.  They must have played this for 10 to 15 minutes.  And each time they would "stop" at a certain destination.  My favorite was when they stopped at the fair and ran up out of their chairs to get pretend cotton candy from him.  Another game they played was animals.  At one point they were getting really...

Wasn't Conference so wonderful this past weekend?  I sure enjoyed watching all the sessions with my husband and friends.  Although I take notes and pay attention to the speakers, after it is all said and done, it is hard to remember specific points that stood out to me...because so much was said. So I tried something this year.  I took a 3X5 index card and wrote a point or two from each talk.  Now I can keep that card with me in my scriptures and always have it to joggle my memory at a moment's notice.  A 3X5 card has all of the highlights from the most recent conference. I highlighted each name so that I can differentiate easily between the  First Presidency, The Twelve, The Seventy, and Auxiliary leaders. 

Labor Day weekend 2012.  It was the weekend I didn't know we really needed, that is, until we were headed back home. ---In order to spare you too much reading, I will try to keep the details from our trip to a minimum.---  Where's the rest of the temple, you ask? This is it! Yep, the Stake Center is bigger :)  We left Fairbanks for Anchorage on Thursday, August 30th, and drove my Aunt and Uncle's home just outside of Palmer (about a 5 hour drive).  After a great night's sleep, Marshall and I drove to Anchorage Friday morning to go to the temple.  It was a rainy and cloudy day, but the experience I had inside the temple was really special.  When I was growing up, I thought a 1 hour drive to the Oakland Temple was a long trip.  Then I moved to Missouri, where the closest temple was a 3 hour drive.  And now it is 6.  It is a sacrifice, but I am happy to make the weekend trip every 2 or 3 months whe...