Sunday Musing: Who You Really Are

Last night, Steve and I were able to attend the temple. With our hectic schedules we haven't been able to go as much as we would like (we have set a goal to do better!) The opportunities when we get to go together are treasured. During this most recent visit, I had the humbling opportunity to sit next to a young sister who had gone through the temple for the first time earlier this week, and the session we were attending together was her second time back. She leaned over to me and nervously told me this and then asked if I could help her. I was honored and was taught a great lesson by her example. I thought back to when I first entered the temple and remembered how I treasured it. I couldn't get enough of it! I remembered how excited I was about the Gospel and how eager I was to know everything. 

And I remembered it was in large part because of this feeling: 

"It is in the temple that we remember who we really are and see with clarity who we really can become." 

Throughout each temple experience, we are often reminded that man (and woman) was created in the image of God. "Each has a divine nature and destiny." We are reminded that we "accepted His plan by which [we] could obtain a physical body and gain earthly experience to progress toward perfection and ultimately realize [our] divine destiny as heirs of eternal life" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World.) It is by our Heavenly Father's divine plan of mercy and happiness that we can meet our divine potential and become our best selves. Knowing that He knows me gives me more energy in living the Gospel and adds greater life to my testimony. I am always trying to figure out where I fit into this plan and what He has for me to accomplish, and am so thankful for the sweet reminder that I am His and he has prepared me to gain all that He has in a uniquely individualized way.

Weekends Away

Soooo, we really needed a break and finally got to take a little one. It's nice to be able to come up for air once in a while and catch our breath.

We recently visited Dustin (Steve's brother,) Hailey, and Addison in St. George. The photos below are from our hike on Saturday after a night of very little sleep...I'm talking like 2 hours folks. Eva didn't travel well this time around. She sure loves her structure, and well, this through it off so she was a bit wackadoo.

It sure doesn't show in photos, though. She's a champ and loved the hike!

We sure love these guys and wish we got to see them more! Eva adores her cousin Addi.

Eva fell off a stool onto the kitchen tile Saturday evening and had a goose-egg the size of Pluto. No kidding, it was huge. Like Looney Toons kind of huge. Luckily she didn't show signs of a concussion, but we kept a close eye on her which led to another restless night. Waaaaait a second...aren't vacations supposed to be relaxing?

Sunday morning we enjoyed Sacrament Meeting with the fam. I actually heard more from the talks than I was expecting and really appreciated what was said. It gave me hope that things will come together in our lives, and I felt strongly that through it all we were going to be alright. Not just alright, but we are going to be great because our family is eternal. Being a parent to a toddler is sometimes hard. Being the wife of a working student is sometimes hard. And the idea of being the wife of a police officer is scary. But I am so grateful for my faith that leads me closer to Christ, who is my Light and my Guide.

"Thy word is a lamp unto my feet, and a light unto my path." - Proverbs 119:105

After church we took a stroll around the St. George LDS Temple. If you want to learn more about temples and why they are sacred to us, click here! It is truly a place of love and beauty.

On our way home, we made a stop in Scipio at their fortuitous little petting zoo because someone needed to get a massive amount of energy out. Mom and Dad also needed a little break after the 37th time of singing "Book of Mormon Stories." I am pleased to report that Eva mastered the hand motions to this song during this trip. "Popcorn Popping on the Apricot Tree" is also a huge hit, but she's had that down pat for a couple months.

Eva loves animals and naturally loved the idea of the petting zoo, but once we were in she was not a huge fan of the hungry goat. She kept shaking her finger at him and telling him, "No, Nooooo!" It was, in all honesty, incredibly cute. However, she might be scarred for life.

I'll wrap it up short and simple: These are moments and memories we treasure.

Rainy Days

We love rainy days around here (few and far between,) but it means we have to come up with various forms of indoor entertainment besides screen-time. Since Ev was about 8 months old, she has refused to wear headbands or bows (to my dismay, having made a plethora of these during nap time.) So when this little lady came up to me today with not one, not two, but three hair bows, who could resist? She loves playing dress up!

She is also picking things up like crazy now and is our sweet little copy cat. We're really having to watch everything we do now! She loves helping me do my makeup each morning by handing me my foundation, my eyeliner, my mascara (her favorite) etc. Today she thought she'd try it on her own - with a sharpie, guys. Luckily she picked silver (to bring out her eyes, I'm sure) and thought she'd try putting it on her eyelids. She also decided to put it all over the bottom of her feet too, which I assure you, she didn't pick up from me.

 Here is the finished product, plus a boogie.

This kid

Our life lately has been nuts, but we love it!

In June, Steve started his first block of Police Academy. I am so proud of him for being so driven to accomplish his goals. He feels very strongly that this is his life's work, and although it still makes me nervous, I fully support him. He changed his work schedule big time in order to attend the academy, which is held every weekday evening and all day on Saturdays. With me working part-time as well, sometimes we don't see very much of each other- I'm talking maybe an hour or two on a normal weekday. I'm so happy to say that this kid just completed the first block (12 weeks) of the academy and I couldn't be more proud of him (or relieved for a little "break" until the next block starts in January!) Starting next week he will continue regular classes again, working towards his Bachelors in Criminal Justice.

This is the nicest guy who will ever pull you over.

Life right now is full of a lot of important decisions for us including when and where to look for a job. We're having to decide whether to start applying now and where we should go, while considering how to finish his degree while he's working for a department. We know the things that are important to us are important to the Lord, and know He will help us accomplish our goals.

Even with his busy work and class schedules and all his other responsibilities, he always finds time for Ev and me. With testing the past couple of weeks, he has gone more than one day with very little sleep but still keeps us smiling. This little lady loves her daddy, and I couldn't ask for a more loving and hard working husband! He is our everything.

The hand of a friend

As much as we'd love to own our own home right now (uh, who doesn't,) I honestly love where we are. We have great friends surrounding us who have great kids surrounding Eva. Two of our neighbors had little girls within a few months of us having Evie so the three of them have grown up together and are the best of friends (despite toddler tantrums, stealing each others snacks, etc.) They have their own little language and are like three little hens chatting away.

I love the quote above because quite often my prayers are answered by friends, near and far. In big and little ways, you have blessed our lives. I am inspired by you, and touched by your Christlike kindness. I pray that Eva will also surround herself with those who lift her, and that she will be the kind of friend who continually lifts all those around her.

Abby, Kimberly, and Eva's impromptu swim party.

Just a pat on the back for being a great pal, girl!

On a final note:

Have you ever wondered how much liquid a diaper can hold? A lot more than you'd expect.

Sunday Musings: Being a Shepherd

As the Young Women president in our ward, I have the special opportunity to participate as a member in our ward council. This morning as we met to discuss the needs of our ward, our Bishop briefly touched on a parable taught by Christ which can be found in John 10:

11 I am the good shepherd: the good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep.
12 But he that is an hireling, and not the shepherd, whose own the sheep are not, seeth the wolf coming, and leaveth the sheep, and fleeth: and the wolf catcheth them, and scattereth the sheep.
13 The hireling fleeth, because he is an hireling, and careth not for the sheep.
14 I am the good shepherd, and know my sheep, and am known of mine.
15 As the Father knoweth me, even so know I the Father: and I lay down my life for the sheep.

We know Christ as the Good Shepherd. He is the literal Savior, leaving the ninety and nine in search for the one. He is our Guide and Protector. The underlying principles of his role are what makes it so beautiful: "The good shepherd giveth his life for the sheep." Love, selflessness, and devotion is why he came to this earth to save.

Compare this to a hireling, mentioned in the scripture. A hireling is "a person who works only for pay, especially in a menial or boring job, with little or no concern for the value of the work." When trouble arises, the hireling checks out.

Steve and I have been married for nearly 3 years now, dating for 4 years before that. By no means does this make us experts on marriage, but we've definitely learned a thing or two as we've enjoyed life together. Marriage absolutely requires you to be a Shepherd, not a hireling. Too many times marriages today are composed of "hirelings," who, at the first sign of struggle, weakness or conflict, flee. Sometimes a marriage may be composed of one shepherd and one hireling, and I do understand that, sadly, there are some circumstances where divorce is reasonable. As partners, however, remember you work together to own your marriage. It is yours, and if you both care for it deeply enough, it can be yours forever. Your spouse is yours, and you are your spouse's. Being a shepherd in your marriage includes love, selflessness, forgiveness, faith (in each other and in the Lord,) loyalty, communication, honesty, respect, humor, and patience among many other things. Giving your life to strengthening your spouse and your eternal marriage will ultimately help you realize who you are and who you can become.

Steve and I are strained and stretched by various things in our lives, but by these things we have only grown closer together. I know I am his, and he knows he is mine. We live by the proverb:

Did you think...

"Prayer is a supernal gift of our Father in Heaven to every soul. Think of it: the absolute Supreme Being, the most all-knowing, all-seeing, all-powerful personage, encourages you and me, as insignificant as we are, to converse with Him as our Father. Actually, because He knows how desperately we need His guidance, He commands, 'Thou shalt pray vocally as well as in thy heart: yea, before the world as well as in secret, in public as well as in private.'

"It matters not our circumstance, be we humble or arrogant, poor or rich, free or enslaved, learned or ignorant, loved or forsaken, we can address Him. We need no appointment. Our supplication can be brief or can occupy all the time needed. It can be an extended expression of love and gratitude or an urgent plea for help. He has created numberless cosmos and populated them with worlds, yet you and I can talk with Him personally, and He will ever answer." - Elder Richard G. Scott