A Prayer of Faith

I attended Northern Arizona University (NAU). NAU is mentioned in the endlessly popular game of Trivial Pursuit as being the only university in North America that is bordered by three graveyards. When I first arrived I noticed the graveyards and wondered to myself what, exactly, went on at that university that would require so many graveyards to be nearby. I never did find out. One day, however, one of these quiet, clean, grassy graveyards became quite literally hallowed and sacred ground in my heart. Read the rest of this entry »

I am convinced that my guardian angel has an ‘in’ with Elder Holland (and his wife). I can’t tell you how many times he (or she) has said something that has penetrated my soul, addressed my most tender troubles, and caused my heart to burn with the Spirit. Read the rest of this entry »

A little over a year ago, just before the April conference 2005, I really wasn’t feeling well. I had just found out I was expecting another baby, I was trying to take care of Kendra, and I just felt rotten! To make it worse the first few talks that conference made me feel so guilty and so down that I didn’t know if I was going to come away feeling like a loved daughter of God, or just a complete failure. It was a very, very painful time indeed.

Then came Elder Bednar and his wonderful talk “The Tender Mercies of the Lord”. I felt inspired, loved, and that all was right with me. I had the privilege at the time to be the R.S Teaching of Our Times instructor and I knew that this talk would be one of the lessons I would be presenting.

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April General Conference marks the passing of the old year and the beginning of a new one. There are reports of missionaries, baptisms, wards, stakes, children of record, prominent members who have passed away since last April, read by the secretary to the First Presidency. There is business at hand, calling and releasing leaders, votes of thanks, votes of sustaining, generally conducted by a member of the First Presidency. Somewhere in there, usually right in between, comes my fix–I’m an audit groupie. Read the rest of this entry »

Taken from The Joyful Surprise of Motherhood by Jean Knight Pace, Ensign, January 2006

This article poses myths that are common among couples and singles about having children. After the disclaimer of not everyone will have children in this life, she begins admitting herself that she was “shocked to discover that motherhood was the most satisfying and fulfilling thing” she had ever done. Coming from the perspective of one who was “subject to school goals, career dreams, plans, and other people’s demands and expectations” for what life should be, she list several common beliefs or myths about having children that, in her opinion, are not akin to reality. Read the rest of this entry »

As a youth I was advised by an older member of the ward to only carry a checkbook, or credit card because, if you don’t have cash on you, then you won’t have to lie when you say you don’t have any change to spare. At the time I thought this was good advice, and got into the habit of simply not having change with me.

While I was attending school at NAU in Flagstaff AZ, I was approached by an old terribly thin Native American woman. All I could understand through her poor English was that she was hungry. I could see it in her eyes, and hear it in her voice. She was not lying. I turned her away, because I had no cash in my wallet.

Later that night I felt horrible guilt. The weather was not good, and that woman’s coat was thin. Though I had no cash in my wallet, I did have a debit card. I could have taken her into the bagel shop nearby and bought her a bagel. I had the time, and the means. I realized that it was my attitude, my purposeful un-preparedness, that made me unable to see the ways I could help this woman. By emptying my wallet of change, I had emptied my heart of charity. Read the rest of this entry »

Every Thursday, starting this week we will post an article inspired by a General Conference Address.

After moving into our house several years ago, I decided I wanted to put a few favorite quotes on the kitchen wall. We included a quote by President Benson (one of my all-time personal favorites – a topic for another day), my husband’s favorite scripture (Helaman 3:35) and two General Conference quotes. The thought was to replace the General Conference quotes each six months, after each Conference. But we never did. The two quotes are just too classic, too ever-pertinent to our lives. And so they stayed. Read the rest of this entry »