Obedience

I had an experience a couple of weeks ago while shopping with my 6 kids--which is an experience in and of itself, a special kind of torture. But, I really needed to go to the store as we were out of several necessary items.

While shopping, I had my 2-year-old asleep in the top of the cart, and was herding the remainder of my children throughout the store. My 4-year-old boy kept trying to ride under the cart, which I told him was unsafe and to get out from under there. I had told him at least twice, including the warning that he could get hurt.

Fast forward to the end of the trip....my cart wheel had gotten stuck on something, so I was backing up when I hear my son screaming. As I looked for him, I realized that he had been UNDER the cart without my knowledge. The result was the loss of his entire nail, a trip to urgent care and lots of other shoppers and store employees around to see the entire unfolding of this disaster due to the insanely loud and large amounts of screaming going on. (I should get a shirt, or at least a mug, that says: "Mom of the Year" for sure!)

I might add that the next day, I heard that the majority of the employee meeting was about this incident. :/

I hope he learned a good lesson about obedience that day. More importantly, I hope that he (and my other kids will learn the importance of obeying God's laws as well.

“He that keepeth [God’s] commandments receiveth truth and light, until he is glorified in truth and knoweth all things.” (D&C 9:28)

Just as obedience for a little child to their parents is a large safety net, so obeying our Heavenly Father brings us great blessings as we learn to do His will. We aren't given commandments to restrict us, but rather to protect us and bring us happiness, peace, salvation and exaltation! President Thomas S. Monson recently stated:

"There are rules and laws to help ensure our physical safety. Likewise, the Lord has provided guidelines and commandments to help ensure our spiritual safety so that we might successfully navigate this often-treacherous mortal existence and return eventually to our Heavenly Father." ("Obedience Brings Blessings", April 2013 General Conference)

As our Creator, He does know what is best for us, what we need to learn, and the effect sin and disobedience can have on us. We don't need to be perfect, but we need to strive toward it so we will be ready when the time comes and we be comfortable and want to dwell in His presence.

Our Savior is the greatest example of obedience. He was tempted, tried, and went through unimaginable experiences, yet he remained true and faithful to the Father always. I am so grateful that he was willing to be obedient to fulfill his calling on this earth so that all mankind may be saved.

The things we are asked to do are simple and easy, yet we still are not fully obedient. Pray, read scriptures, keep the Sabbath day holy, be honest, love one another, and to do good are not hard things to do. We don't have to do it all at once, but start somewhere, start today. Increase your obedience, increase your faith, and blessings will be granted.

Just as parents want to praise and reward our children for doing what they are asked, so does our Father in Heaven want to pour out His blessings upon us if we will only be obedient!

© Wendy 2013 

There Was a Young Woman... (parody)

There was a young woman who lived in a house,

She had so many children and only one spouse.

She cooked and she cleaned and worked all day long,

To show her love for her happy little throng.

© Wendy 2013

Life and School

It's the first day of school for my children. Today was met with nerves, excitement, stress and relief. And, even though this summer has been difficult with 6 personalities going a million miles a minute, I was a little sad to see them leave (a little, let's not go over the top...mostly, I feel exuberant and free!).

Of course I have worries: Will they behave? Will they choose good friends? Will they set a good example? Will they ultimately make good choices?

But, I still send them off on their own. I know it's good for them to have time away from home where they can practice the values and teachings we have tried to instill in their minds and hearts. They need to stand strong on their own two feet and learn how to get along in the world, without hovering parents. They will make mistakes, but that is part of learning.

I think this is a bit of what our Father in Heaven feels for each of us.

He sent us here to earth, knowing the trials we would face, hoping we would remember all that He taught us. The stakes are high. The world teaches the ways of the world, distorting the things of God, but we must try to remain faithful. I'm sure He has similar worries as us parents do as we send our children out into the world on their own: Will we behave? Will we choose good friends? Will we follow His example? Will we choose Him over the things of the world?

I am sure that He sheds many tears of sorrow and also joy as He watches our trials and triumphs. We make mistakes, daily. We repent and trust in Him and His Atonement. He loves us. He wants us to come Home. He rejoices when we seek His help. He generously blesses us and gives us opportunities to learn and grow.

I am not sure I am making my point very clear. I guess, life is basically like a school for us. We leave Home, venture off on our own, and we are able to learn, be tested, and expand out knowledge and become who we are meant to become. We must use faith and prove ourselves worthy to return to Him.

"For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors." Alma 34:32

God wants us to become like Him, which is why we must learn and practice His ways:

"My people must be tried in all things, that they may be prepared to receive the glory that I have for them, even the glory of Zion; and he that will not bear chastisement is not worthy of my kingdom." Doctrine and Covenants 136:31

We often hear the question, "Why does God allow bad things to happen to good people?" How else would we learn? I love this wisdom from 2 Nephi 2:11: "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things. If not so...righteousness could not be brought to pass, neither wickedness, neither holiness nor misery, neither good nor bad. Wherefore, all things must needs be a compound in one; wherefore, if it should be one body it must needs remain as dead, having no life neither death, nor corruption nor incorruption, happiness nor misery, neither sense nor insensibility."

Back to the matter of school.... though I worry about my children, I know that this is a time for them to expand and grow on their own. Mistakes will be made and good choices will also occur. It is for their own good. They must know of hardships to experience joy.

We must also experience the difficulties of life, to feel the peace and joy that God gives to us. It's part of the University of Life.

© Wendy 2013

 

All About Dr. Pepper

Some of you may know that I have a bit of a thing for Dr. Pepper--my drug of choice. Here's my good reasons why... just for fun. :)

1. Once, about 10 years ago, I had a REALLY BAD sore throat. I kept having the thought/feeling that I should drink Dr. Pepper. That was the LAST thing I wanted to do--my throat hurt so bad and I was positive that would hurt to drink. After about the 6th time I had that thought, I finally drank some. What happened? My sore throat was gone!! I was shocked and now keep it around for medicinal purposes. 
2. Sometimes I struggle with health issues from my lungs being weak or other ailments. Often, the caffeine or the carbonation helps to alleviate some of the symptoms. Sounds crazy, but it's true.
3. On sluggish days where I can barely keep my eyes open, a little swig helps wake me right up!
4. I have days where I am frustrated, down, or just struggling with life (shocker, right?). Sometimes, Dr. Pepper is just the pick-me-up I need.
5. Tolerating crazy antics of my children is made easier just from indulging a bit on my dark gold. Every mom needs a little supply of a special treat somewhere for such moments. :)
6. I call it my "Happy Juice" for so many reasons.
7. It tastes so good. For real. I don't like Coke or Pepsi at all, but Dr. Pepper is yummy. I recently had it with a bit of vanilla in it, and, WOW... sooo tasty!

No, I'm not addicted to the stuff. I often go weeks without it, but I'm starting to think it ought to be a staple in my house for emergencies. :)

Nothing really serious today, just Dr. Pepper love.

© Wendy 2013

Missionary Work is Simple!

I really love missionary work. Though I never served a full-time mission, I have always been a missionary at heart. I love to share the gospel because of the happiness it brings to my life. I have witnessed people gain that happiness and it is miraculous and wonderful to see.

Some people are scared to share the gospel at times for a variety of reasons. Being a missionary doesn't mean you have to have in depth discussions about really hard topics. You can simply just be happy, and people will recognize the light in your eyes and be drawn to it. You can share briefly what it is that makes you happy and then go from there. And as Elder Russell M. Nelson declared, "Ask the missionaries! They can help you!" The biggest thing we can do as followers of Christ, is to truly ACT as a disciple of Christ and do what He would do on earth if He were here. Continually strive to be like Jesus. That is the key. All the rest will fall into place.

For fun and for cuteness sake, here is a little video where some young children simply answer questions about being a missionary:

For a little more inspiration, visit these blogs:

A Mouse in My Kitchen

Sugar Bee Crafts

Babes in Hairland

© Wendy 2013