Happening of Late

Morgan was able to attend the temple for the first time and receive her endowment. What an amazing day!

So grateful for the blessing found in the House of The Lord.

Bountiful experienced it's first major snow storm of the season. Man what a doozey!

Perfect play'n snow though. Miles woke up and saw the snow and yelled, 

"Mom, IT's CHRISTMAS!"

Liam {Blessing Day}

We blessed Liam on Sunday, September 2, 2012

It was such an amazing day filled with family, food, and fun.

Gabe gave Liam a beautiful blessing emphasizing family, service, education and temple blessing.

I have such a wonderful family and our day wouldn't have been complete without them.

After everyone left we stripped Liam out of his blessing outfit and let him show us his head-holding skills.

Where I was

Our generation will always remember where we were on that fateful morning of

September 11, 2001.

I was a senior in high school. Waking up that morning it seemed like any other. After getting ready for school I came bounding down the stairs. From the stairs I could see my parents room and my mom sitting on the edge of her bed, staring at the television, crying.

Not sure what was going on or even able to imagine the horror that would unfold, I walked into her room to see what was wrong. By the time I realized what was happening the second plane had already hit the second tower. My mom and I sat there together watching, speechless, terrified. I don't even remember if we said anything to each other. I just remember sitting on her bed crying as the reality of that day sunk in.

Finally, I pulled myself away from the screen and headed to school. Once at school we were kept up to date on the latest developments as each class/teacher either had their televisions, radios, or computers tuned in to what was going on. Then we heard the Pentagon had been hit and the World Trade Center buildings fall one after the other. The rest of the day was a blur.

Following graduation, I visited New York City with two good friends for our senior trip. We visited the wreckage of the World Trade Center. Words cannot describe the feeling of seeing the rubble and buildings several blocks in either direction draped in large white sheets.

Today marks ten years, and the feelings of that horrible day come rushing back. Yet I am proud of the heroism of so many citizens on that day, so proud to be an American, and so grateful for the knowledge of a loving Heavenly Father and His eternal plan for us.

Thomas S Monson, President of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints recently wrote an article for the Washington Post (found here). It emphasizes that yes, we do need our Heavenly Father to make it through tragedy and loss as seen on Sept 11th, but we should not forget Him when the aches of such tragedies fade. May today also serve as a reminder that 10 years later, "{We} need thee every hour".

Update

Thank you, thank you to all those who commented and offered
up help and suggestions. I have the bestest friends in the whole wide world.

We have not yet decided on an official location, but we have located
the perfect child-care situation. We have some friends that
live in SLC that have graciously offered to watch Miles for us.
(thank you Christina - you're my hero)

The only thing left to say is that our Savior lives, loves, and knows each
and everyone of us on a personal level. Prayers are answered.
I am so thankful for this gospel, for a loving Heavenly Father, and for
friends that let the Lord's blessings work through them.

I don't know about you, but when things are hard I like to do two things...

1. turn up the radio, sing at the top of my lungs and dance around my house like an idiot.

"Hey, don't write yourself off yet

It's only in your head you feel left out or looked down on.
Just try your best, try everything you can.
And don't you worry what they tell themselves when you're away.

It just takes some time, little girl you're in the middle of the ride.
Everything (everything) will be just fine, everything (everything) will be alright (alright).

Hey, you know they're all the same.
You know you're doing better on your own, so don't buy in.
Live right now.
Yeah, just be yourself.
It doesn't matter if it's good enough for someone else."
-The Middle by Jimmy Eat World

2. read my scriptures and look for comfort.

Alma 31:31
"Oh Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt though comfort my soul in Christ. Oh Lord, wilt though grant unto me that I may have strength, that I may suffer with patience these afflictions which shall come upon me..."

Mosiah 23:21
"Nevertheless the Lord seeth fit to chasten his people; yea he trieth their patience and their faith."

Preach My Gospel; pg 117
"Hope is an abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to you. It is manifest in confidence, optimism, enthusiasm, and patient perseverance. When you have hope, you work through trials and difficulties with the confidence and assurance that all things will work together for your good."

Preach My Gospel; pg 120
"Patience is the capacity to endure delay, trouble, opposition or suffering without becoming angry, frustrated or anxious. Patience is related to hope and faith - you must wait for the Lord's promised blessing to be fulfilled."

So, if your week (or your year) has been anything like mine I suggest you give these two things a shot.

In the Spirit of Thanksgiving

"A grateful heart, then, comes through expressing gratitude to our Heavenly Father for His blessings…"

I've experienced some challenging trials the last few months and have begged the Lord to help me feel peace and contentment. As I have prayed and studied the same impression and theme kept jumping out at me; look at all that you have and give thanks to the Lord thy God.
These short videos spoke to my heart and helped me recognize the tender mercies from our Savior in my own life.

Click HERE for more uplifting resources on gratitude

Happy Thanksgiving

Why We Celebrate

May we always remember the true meaning of Christmas.

"To catch the real meaning of the spirit of Christmas, we need only drop the last syllable and it becomes the Spirit of Christ."
-President Thomas S. Monson

Gospel Perspectives

Most of you that follow my blog are well aware that I haven't taken to motherhood as easily as I had hoped. Maybe I had to grand an expectation, maybe I was plagued with a touch on postpartum depression, maybe I let exhaustion get the better of me, maybe it was all of the above.

However, the last couple of weeks I have not been able to shake this feeling of complete emptiness. This is where the title of this post comes into play. You see, since Miles was born I have found it difficult to continue church attendance and scripture study. As I struggled to adjust to motherhood I found myself feeling lost and alone...abandoned if you will. That being the case my prayers became few and far between. I attribute this to the emptiness I referred to. I am ashamed of this behavior and embarrassed that it took me so long to realize the err of my ways.

Since my last post I began to resume my personal prayers as well as having family prayer with Gabe and Miles. My prayers have been focused on rebuilding my testimony. I have prayed fervently that I may have a personal revelation that my Father in Heaven is there and is aware of me. Not more than two days later I got a call from my mom; she asked me if I'd received my Ensign this month. I hadn't checked the mail yet, but she encouraged me to do so. Inside there was an article entitled "Managing Postpartum Depression". Amazingly enough this article describes in perfect detail everything I have been feeling of the last few months, it also gave me the reassurance I was seeking.
"Recognizing that we can learn from our trials can strengthen our faith, even as we are in the midst of adversity."
"To anyone who may be struggling to see that light and find hope, I say; Hold on. Keep trying. God loves you."

I'm still not where I would like to be, but at least now I can see the light and once again feel hopeful that I may be the mother Miles deserves. I felt it necessary to document this event so in future time of darkness I may look back and remember that my Father in Heaven did answer my prayer.

I would also like to thank everyone that left me comments of advice and encouragement. I consider myself truly blessed to have such loving friends and family.

Called To Serve, Part 2

Most of my day yesterday was spent helping Andrew (my little bro) pack for his mission. He seemed a little "overwhelmed" by the fact that he was leaving in less than 24 hours so I tried to help keep him focused. We had a good time chatting and trying to figure out what should be packed where.
He was set apart as a missionary last night and today he left for the MTC around 9:00 am. What a bitter-sweet time; so exciting, yet almost terrifying at the same time...man 19 year old boys aren't as old as I once thought they were.
I am so proud of the progress he has made in preparing for his mission over the last 2 months. He will be an awesome missionary!

HAWAII HERE HE COMES!!

Faith or Fear?

I don't know about the rest of you, but I feel like my life is a little uncertain, especially with all that is going on in the world right now. I find myself "fearing" the future and what it might bring. I "fear" the unstable economy and the upcoming election and worry about how they will affect my family. I "fear" the unkown of being a new mother. Most of all I "fear" my life will not become all I have dreamed it would. Most people who know me would say that I "fear" and "worry" too much. This may be true, however, the "fear" still remains.

The point of this post is not to list all the things that scare me or worry me, but to provide hope and perhaps insight. A good friend I used to work with gave me a talk/lesson she came across and it has helped me see that all my "fear" is due to a lack of faith. The talk is entitled "Some Lessons on Faith and Fear" by Gregory Clark. I wish I could post the whole thing, it is that amazing. Since I can't here a few points that really stuck with me.

"When we are living in faith, we don't fear change. But when we are living in fear, change is almost impossible."

"Fear weakens our faith. When faith is strong, I am happy, confident and even energetic as I approach each day. I am able to remain calm as dificulties arise and keep the importance of things in perspective."

"symptoms/feeling of fear; anxious, worried, discouraged, doubtful, hopeless. We don't feel capable of solving our problems, meeting challenges or overcoming sorrows."

"Fear is a symptom of weakend faith."

Needless to say one of the causes of all my worry may simply be due to a lack of faith. I have read this talk several time and keep it by my bed to remind me that in times of worry or "fear" (such as now) that I need to humble myself before the Lord and lean on my faith in Him. "He will not forsake us, if we will put our trust in him, if we will pray to Him, if we will live worthy of his blessings, He will hear our prayers."

"In faith we are free of fear!"

Called To Serve

My youngest brother, Andrew, received his mission call today! He has been called to serve in the Hawaii Honolulu mission. I can't believe that my family is all grown up. All 4 girls are married, and now Andrew is going on his mission...crazy!! He will leave Oct. 15th. My parents had reactions I didn't expect; my mom screamed (okay that was expected), but my dad was the one that cried. It was a good day at the Jensen house.