One lucky winner who will receive their very own, brand new Silhouette Cameo!

This is over a $300 value!

The Silhouette CAMEO™ is an electronic cutting tool for personal use. Like a home printer, it plugs into your PC or Mac® with a simple USB cable. However, instead of printing it uses a small blade to cut paper, card stock, vinyl, fabric and more up to 12″ wide and 10 feet long. The machine also boasts a quiet motor and the ability to register and cut printed materials.

The Silhouette CAMEO™ ships with the following important items:

–Silhouette electronic cutting tool
–Silhouette Studio® software for Windows XP/Vista/7 and Mac® OS X 10.5.8 and higher
–51 exclusive cut-table designs
–Power cable, USB cable
–12″ cutting mat
–Cutting blade
–$10 gift card to the Silhouette Online Store
–Basic Instruction Guide

Already have a Silhouette? Then enter for a friend! What an amazing surprise this would be for post-Christmas!
This puppy does everything!

 Enter to win on Little Miss Momma's blog below:

http://www.littlemissmomma.com/2011/12/another-silhouette-cameo-giveaway-on-little-miss-momma.html#comment-52423

Goodbye 2011. Bring it on 2012.

Twenty eleven was truly a magical year to say the least. Got married to my eternal soul-mate, developed relationships with some amazing people, and have become closer to my Heavenly Father more than I could have ever imagined. Life is so beautiful.

I'm looking forward to all the new and exciting adventures twenty twelve will bring with it. I hope you all have a very happy and healthy New Year! Much love.

What are your plans??

Pinterest Idea-Wall Collage

So we just moved into our new place a little over a week ago. We just love it, especially the fireplace for making s'mores! Mmmmmm!!

Anyways...knowing me and my OCD-ness I have our entire place in order and decorated!

One of my obsessions right now besides blogging is Pinterest. You have to be careful though because you can really get sucked in and then 2 hours later....still pinning!!

 I have been seeing a lot of pins for wall collages. I just love the way they look with pictures, letters, scroll artwork, etc. When you look at the wall collage, your not just looking at one picture that is hung. Your eye is drawn to so much more! So...I decided to create my own wall art collage over our couch (see below)

First...here are some of my faves:

Can we get a drum roll.........

Here is mine:

What do you think? Yay or Nay?

One Year Ago

Tonight I came home to a burning fire, candlelight dinner, and sparkling cider. 

One year ago today we got married in the Mesa Arizona Temple. This was the best experience I have ever witnessed in my entire life. My soul was overflowed with joy, peace and happiness. I literally had a permanent smile on my face days after. 

I love the Temple 

I love my Heavenly Father

I love the Gospel of Jesus Christ

I love my eternal soul-mate

Thank you Joshua Bonham for your unconditional love, support and

humongous heart. I love you more and more as each day passes.

Christmas 2011

Hello Bloggers! I hope your Christmas was fabulous!

Our Christmas was filled with love, laughter, presents and food. Lots of food!

Look what Santa brought me! Time to learn something new!

I am ready for 2012!! Bring it on!!

Tuesday Link Up

I love fashion...plain and simple.
Shoes, clothes, jewelry, handbags, belts, scarves, and hair accessories. You name it!

I believe that the way you dress is a reflection of what you are on the inside. Your dress and grooming send messages about you to others and influences the way you and others act. That is why I choose to dress modestly and wear outfits that are not revealing or inappropriate. Some may think that dressing modestly means that you have to be covered up from head to toe and that you cannot be fashionable and look great at the same time.

So...I was thinking I would share with you how I dress and where I go shopping! I love finding deals. I cannot remember the last time I paid full price for anything. I shop sales, clearance racks, and thrift shops. I love the fact of walking into a store with $100 and walking out with a bag full of clothes instead of just a few items for the price.



Your turn.......

Link up below to share your outfit and fashion style!

I will be choosing my top three favorites and will feature them next week!

*Candies Collared Shirt: Kohls- (Clearance rack: $8.00)

*Merona Green Cardigan: Target- (Clearance rack: $4.50)

*Navy Blue Belt: Forever 21 ($7.50)

*Bandolino Heels: Macys (Clearance rack $19.99)

*Baby Blue Flower Skirt: Nordstroms Rack (This was a dress but I had my mother-in-law make it into a skirt) (Clearance rack $12.00)

*Dress-Ross (clearane rack $7.99)

*Top-Ross $5.99

*Necklace-Forever 21 $5.90

*Bracelet-Forever 21 $3.90

*Earrings-Forever 21 $5.90

*Purse-Christian Audigier-TJ Maxx $99.00 (splurge)

*Headband-Created by ME :)

Mustache-tic Mug

$6.00 plus shipping costs

 Mustaches are so trendy right now!

Nonetheless, this mug will definitely make you smile or anyone you give it to. They make great gifts!!

Each piece is unique, hand-painted individually and one-of-a-kind - Your own piece of urban art.

These items are hand-painted with special non-toxic china paint that has been heat-set for lasting durability, for best results please hand wash, but is dishwasher safe.

*Always avoid cleaning with strong chemicals and abrasives.

Each mug is made to order and will be mailed within 5-7 business days of receiving your cleared payment transaction.

Email me if you have any questions or would like to order!!

bostonksox@gmail.com

Merry Christmas!!

Santa Hat Brownies

Aren’t these Santa Hat Brownies just so cute?  I was looking for a fun and simple holiday treat that I could make and I came across this fun recipe on Pinterest. Can I just say how much I LOVE Pinterest!! They’re so good and easy to make, especially since I bought Trader Joe’s Ready to Bake brownie mix (just pour the ready-made brownie batter in an 8X8 pan and bake for 22-25 minutes).  I whipped up some vanilla-mascarpone buttercream to simulate the white trim on the hats.  Voila!  A festive dessert to get everyone into the spirit of the holidays.  It really is beginning to look a lot like Christmas around here!


*Makes 12-16 brownies

Ingredients
1 pan of your favorite brownies, cooled and cut into desired size and shape (I used a round cutter)
12-16 small strawberries, cleaned and hulled
vanilla-mascarpone buttercream (recipe below)

Mascarpone Buttercream
Ingredients:
1/2 cup (1 stick) unsalted butter, room temperature
8 ounces mascarpone cheese, room temperature
2-1/2 to 3 cups powdered sugar
2 teaspoons vanilla extract
pinch of salt

Method
Using a stand mixer with a paddle attachment, beat butter and mascarpone cheese until light and creamy, about 2 minutes.  Add vanilla extract and salt.  Add 2-1/2 cups of sugar, half a cup at a time and continue beating until smooth.  Add more sugar, if needed to reach desired consistency and sweetness.
To assemble, pipe a ring of vanilla buttercream on top of each brownie.  Cut off the base of a strawberry so it is flat and place it upside down on each brownie, pushing slightly to secure in place.  Top the tip of the strawberry with a dot of buttercream to finish the santa hat.

Stylish Outfit Ideas for Holiday Parties

During the holidays, one thing is for certain: there are a slew of parties going on this time of year. Whether you’re attending a family affair or a get-together with friends, this is a great time to try a new look and dress to the nines.

Still trying to figure out what you’ll be wearing to all of these holiday events???

 Here are five stylish holiday party outfit ideas to try out this year and an outfit example for each:

Outift Idea #1: Dress Up Your LBD

This wardrobe staple is always a great choice for any party. To make it holiday-appropriate, amp up the style factor with some gorgeous accessories. The LBD I chose is velvet and looks great when paired with some bright red pumps. This gorgeous cuff bracelet and these delicate earrings will give an elegant vibe to the outfit. Add a beaded clutch and you’ll have a look that would be perfect for a fancy holiday soiree.

Outfit Idea #2: Stand Out With Bold Accessories

Make a statement at your next holiday party by pairing a stylish outfit with some one-of-a-kind accessories. A luxe gray top looks chic when tucked into these feminine wide-legged tuxedo pants. Add some interesting accessories like this structural ring and unique clutch — they’re total conversation pieces! Finally, add a pretty pop of color with some sky-high violet stilettos.

Outfit Idea #3: Mixed Metallics

Want to achieve a glamorous holiday look? Try mixing different shades of gold and silver to create a beautiful, shimmering ensemble. This one-shouldered dress has a delicate print that reminds me of Christmas ornaments, while the ring reminds me of a bow on a present. Some sheer tights add interest while the metallic flats will keep you comfy all night long. Finish this look with unique stud earrings.

Outift Idea #4: Jewel Toned Dress

Red and green frocks seem so cliché this time of year, so mix it up by wearing a piece in an unexpected hue — like this sapphire-colored dress from ASOS. Opaque tights will keep you warm, while these heeled booties add a fab boost of style. Finish this outfit with a pretty pearl-adorned headband and matching pendant necklace for an edgy yet sweet look.

Outfit Idea #5: Play with Texture

For all you fearless fashionistas out there, this look is for you! I love mixing lots of different textures in one outfit — it creates a lot of visual interest and will give you some serious holiday style cred. For this outfit, try pairing  a tough-looking faux-leather skirt in a feminine shape with a sparkly top in a purple hue. Add a satiny soft blazer and some matching pumps to tie the look together. Finally, a pyramid studded knuckle ring gives off an industrial vibe and adds yet another contrasting texture.

What do you think?

Which outfit is your favorite? Will you be going to any holiday parties this year? What do you normally wear? Let me know your thoughts by leaving a comment!

My Beliefs

 

                                                                             

Yes. I admit it if you haven't already figured out. I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. Otherwise known as :"Mormons"

I have been a member since December 2009.

(Coming Soon...my conversion story)

Below are accurate facts about the Mormon church put out by FORD.
  

Ford Motor Company – Message About The LDS Church (Mormons)

Following is an interesting article written by Ford Motor Company for its employees. It was presented by the ‘Ford Interfaith’ group as a message about the LDS Church .
The Ford Interfaith group promotes unity by sharing information about all faiths and features these types of articles about various religions and faiths.

QUICK FACTS & INTERESTING TIDBITS about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints
Fleeing continued mob attacks 158 years ago, the first Mormon
pioneers desperately started their Westward trek from Illinois in the dead of winter. Of the 70,000 who began this 1300-mile journey, 6,000 were buried along the way, including many children. The following are quick facts and interesting tidbits about this now flourishing church.

OVERVIEW
* Named “The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints”; informal
nicknames are “LDS” or “Mormon” -named after the prophet-historian
* Believes it is the Lord’s restoration of original Christianity as
foretold to occur before Christ’s Second Coming.
* Core focus is that Christ and His teachings bring happiness in this
life and exaltation in the next.

HISTORY

* In 1820 14-yr-old Joseph Smith told of a vision of God and Christ
foretelling a church restoration.
* Organized in New York in 1830, the church moved to near Cleveland, then near Kansas City, then Illinois .
* Fleeing Illinois , Mormon pioneers founded Salt Lake City in Utah and over 600 other Western communities.

SALT LAKE CITY
* Temple Square in Salt Lake has over 5 million annual visitors, more
than the Grand Canyon .
* The Mormon Tabernacle Choir is the world’s most famous choir and has the world’s oldest radio program.
* The Salt Lake Temple is the most famous, but there are 128 other
temples built here and around the world while
others are under construction.
* Home of the world’s largest genealogy database; visit it online or
through 3,700 free branch libraries.

ACTIVE CONGREGATIONS
* Sunday services entail a three-hour block of three meetings; about
27,000 congregations exist worldwide.
* Highly vibrant programs exist for youth, children, singles, men, and women; very strong family focus.
* Everyone has a calling; some surveys show LDS have the highest U.S. attendance and service rates.
* Families receive personal fellowship visits at home from other members on a monthly basis.

FINANCES
* Members tithe 10 percent, plus donate generously to the needy the first Sunday of each month.
* Clergy and all other congregational positions are unpaid (however, much of the janitorial is paid).
* The church has no debt; all buildings are paid for in cash (average of two new congregations a day).
* The paid positions in Salt Lake are famously low-salaried; funds are frugally used and tightly audited.

HEALTH CODE
* With a health code from 1833, LDS avoid alcohol, tobacco, illegal
drugs, coffee, and tea (herbal tea is ok).
* This 1833 code also teaches grains (especially wheat), fresh fruits and vegetables, and sparing use of meat.
* A UCLA study showed that active LDS live longer than most Americans, men by 11 years, women by 8.
* Utah is 50th in smoking, alcohol consumption, drunk driving, heart disease, cancer, and sick days.

EDUCATION
* With four colleges, Utah ‘s BYU with 30,000 students is the largest
single-campus private college.
* BYU Independent Study with 130,000 students is North America (340 web courses, 530 via mail).
* Seminary, a daily class usually held around 6:00 A.M., serves 376,000 high school students.
* There are Institutes of Religion at 1,950 colleges worldwide that serve 367,000 college students.
* The church operates schools in parts of the Pacific Ocean and Mexico for 10,000 students.
* Utah is 50th in spending per pupil, but first in adults that graduated from high school and attended college.

WOMEN
* In 1842 the “Relief Society” was organized; it’s the largest women’s
organization in the world.
* Wyoming was first to allow women to vote; Utah was second, two months later, in 1870.
* Women preach from the pulpit and serve as organization presidents, teachers, committee chairs, etc.

SHARING CHRIST’S GOOD NEWS
* 61,000 missionaries serve in 165 countries; 93 percent are college-age; 22 percent are female.
* Unpaid and paying their own way, most work 65 hours a week for two years, often in a new language.

MEMBERSHIP DISTRIBUTION
* LDS are 70 percent of Utah, 30 percent of Idaho; after Catholics, LDS are the largest sect in 10 states.
* The church has 5.5 million members in the U.S., making it the fourth largest individual U.S. denomination.
* Some memberships: New Zealand 95k, Japan 115k, UK 175k, Philippines 500k, Brazil 900k, Mexico 925k.
* Worldwide 51 percent are female; about 55 percent are not Caucasian; about 70 percent are converts.

MEMBERSHIP GROWTH
* For the last 15 years, every day an average of 800+ people worldwide joined the LDS church.
* Half of the growth is in Latin America, but the rate of growth is
highest in Africa and the former Soviet bloc.
* Worldwide membership just passed 12 million, a tenfold increase in 50 years.
* In 1984 a non-LDS professor estimated 265 million members by 2080; so far growth has been faster.
* As this growth has been steady, it will be the next major world religion since Islam.”

CHARITY/SERVICE
* Members in need obtain welfare from the LDS Church (thus Utah
government welfare spending is very low).
* LDS donate time at 220 welfare storehouses or canneries and about 400 farms.
* There are 210 employment centers placing over 175,000 people annually, and 64 family service centers.
* The church operates 46 thrift stores, in part to provide employment for the disadvantaged.
* The 61,000 missionaries spend half a day each week doing

HUMANITARIAN ASSISTANCE
* Over 200 million pounds of food, clothing, and medicine were donated in the last 20 years in 147 countries.
* Almost all of this help is to non-LDS; LDS charities also work with and donate to many non-LDS charities.
* Very rapid disaster relief has been given in 144 major disasters since 1986.
* Almost 3,000 welfare “missionaries” work without pay in 55 countries (farm instructors, doctors, teachers, etc…).
* LDS charities fund a wide variety of projects like drilling water wells or funding small business startup loans.
* New in 2001, members in poor areas can get low-rate college loans;
10,000 loans have been made to date.

GRAB BAG
* Utah is first in: charitable giving, producing scientists, household computers, children with two parents, and birth rate.
* Noted LDS included five senators, and other famous dignitaries(click on link)
the Osmonds, Gladys Knight, Steve
Young, and the inventor of TV -Philo T. Farnsworth.
* LDS played a key role in the 2002 Winter Olympics; the chair was the former governor of Massachusetts .
* Hawaii ‘s #1 tourist site is the LDS Polynesian Cultural Center ( Tonga and the Samoas are one-third LDS).
* LDS have sponsored Boy Scout troops since 1913; 23 percent of all Scout troops are LDS.
* The BYU Women’s Cross Country were national champions or in second place each of the last seven years.

DETROIT AREA
* The Detroit metro area has 30 congregations; the Dearborn chapel is on Rotunda by Ford’s Building #5.
* Detroit has a temple, storehouse, cannery, employment and family
service office, and family history libraries.
* LDS include former Governor Romney, three former Lions quarterbacks,
and hundreds of Ford employees.
A member of Ford’s Interfaith Network,
the author of this note sends out monthly interfaith notes to thousands of Ford employees who have asked to receive them.

LEARN MORE?

Guest Post: Peggy Edwards- Esra's Trust

Esra was born with severe Spina Bifida; neurological, orthopedic, cardiac, respiratory and genetic impairments; along with cognitive, motor and speech delays. Esra does not currently walk or stand, and crawls with difficulty. While she uses her arms to propel her manual wheelchair small distances, without a mobility device Esra barely moves from where she is initially placed. When Esra was 21 months old, her parents starting searching for ways for Esra to move independently and to explore her world. As devout Latter-day Saints, they knew God would help them and provide a way. I am so blessed to have Peggy here today.

                                                                            Enjoy!!

                         

                                   

                              Hello, my name is Peggy and I am the mother of this beautiful little girl born in coastal Connecticut. My husband, Sam, is an active-duty Coast Guardsman and I manage our home with Esra and her younger sister, Estelle. As a four year old, Esra is friendly and happy and always ready to say "hi" and then give a hug.

    In May 2010, we relocated with the military to Arizona.  After six months of settling in, the last box was finally unpacked.  We are glad to know where everything is as life is in full-swing.  Sam usually has to take time-off from work to manage what I can't, which is everything above and beyond caring for myself and the children, as I, too, am challenged physically and otherwise.  Our family couldn't function without his steady paycheck, benefits and his help with medical appointments, respite schedules, legal issues with the Trust, Tricare wrangling, general bureaucracy and rebuilding our complex care team.  Plus, he is the one that helps Esra with her CPAP each night, does the evening med/cath/enema routing, loads and unloads the Snappie from the van and generally all heavy-lifting and bending.

    Esra and her sister are busy with their home preschool, plus taking violin lessons from me and enjoying the children's program at church each Sunday.  Life is kept quite simple since Esra is medically homebound because of her compromised immune system.  Incorporating a a whole food diet is essential to keeping Esra healthy.  

I emphasize a diet with only whole grains, fresh produce, natural sugars, no preservatives and no food dyes.  (However, there are days where Trader Joe's saves me!)  I am considering the GAPS diet (Gut And Psychology Syndrome) to address the bowel/brain connection.  On a good day, probiotics, fish oils and vitamins are added.  But that is when the budget and memory allow. We have eliminated cow's milk too, since Esra is hearing impaired thanks to chronic sinus issues.  She is responsive to sound, but we still use a creative combination of oral language, picture exchange, sign language and pointing at our house. 

    Esra was essentially non-verbal until four years old.  That is when her two year old sister jumped into full sentences.  The past six months we have heard more varied words and a growing repoitoire of two- and three-word sentences.  

Everyone in the family uses ASL vocabulary, but almost immediately after she starting using her Snappie, her spoken abilities have increased.  She is gaining greater oral motor strength daily.      

     

She and Estelle like to do the part from "Singing in the Rain" where the film's sound gets off track.  Estelle will say, "No, No, No" and Esra will giggle back "Yahs, Yahs." 

If it isn't movie musicals, then you can find us watching Little House on the Prairie, Signing Time! or Blues Clues. Six months ago, before the Snappie, her TV watching requests would have been in ASL.  But now all her requests are spoken! 

We are carefully watching how a long list of issues interact and affect her daily life. Keeping her out of a classroom setting has greatly helped in stabilizing her health. What isn't known is how a rare genetic disorder of the 6th Chromosome will ultimately affect her.  

    It is called the "Double E Deletion"  because it is named after her.  Her constellation of symptoms cluster around the mid-line of  the body, with the brain, face, airway, spine, bowel and bladder altered in someway by the missing DNA.  Our main focus is the neural tube defect or Myelomeningocele caused by the deletion and all that comes with it.  

For Esra, that includes:

Hydrocephalus
Heart Defect (Coarct of the Aorta)
Neurogenic Bowel and Bladder
Agenesis of Corpus Collosum
Chiari II Malformation
Apraxia
Obstructive Sleep Apnea
Sub Mucous Cleft Palate
Scoliosis and Lordosis
Developmental Delay
Speech Delay
Hearing Impaired
Non-Ambulatory
Fine Motor Hypotonia
Hip Dislocation
Exceptionally Friendly
Gorgeous complexion
Radiant smile
Infinitely Patient

Sunday Inspiration

On August 16th, 2008,  Stephanie Nielson and her husband were in a near-fatal plane crash. Stephanie was in a coma for three months. They both survived. She shares her story of a beautiful life centered on faith in Jesus Christ and the love of family.

"When we give thanks in all things, we see hardships and adversities in the context of the purpose of life... We are meant to learn and grow through opposition, through meeting our challenges, and through teaching others to do the same... the Lord will not only consecrate our afflictions for our gain, but He will use them to bless the lives of countless others."

-Dallin Oaks

'Tis the Season...

to be Jolly......Fa la la la la, la la la la!!

 20 minutes later, this is the result......

Since we are moving on Monday things are a little hectic, but I wanted to at least have some type of Christmasy thing up on the door to feel like it's the holiday season.

I would have to say I AM pretty jolly about a lot of things this season. I love my life and all the wonderful family and friends that are apart of it.

Yes. There there are always thing that we could complain about, but I have so much more to be thankful for.

Belated Birthday Gift

Yes!! I was super excited when I opened up my belated birthday gift and this is what I found.

Can I tell you how excited I am that this movie is now out on DVD!!

I am torn though because I have heard from so many people that you should read the book first and then watch the movie. I have also heard that the book is beyond what the movie has to offer.

Soooooooooo......

- Read the book first then watch the movie?

or

- Watch the movie first then read the book?

Suggestions????

A-Z of Me

                                                                    

A. Age: 27..two months ago

B. Bed size: California King (Josh is 6'5" and looks like a line-backer)

C. Chores that you hate: I would have to say laundry. There is just the two of us and you would think I was doing for a family of 6!!

D. Dogs: I love dogs, but not to have them when living in an apartment.


E. Essential start to your day: Morning scripture study and prayer. This is a must. Makes my day go so much better.


F. Favorite color: PINK


G. Gold or Silver:  Silver fan but I have bought a few gold pieces lately.


H. Height: 5'4" I know...I'm a shorty.


I. Instruments you play: I used to play the violin, but stopped playing after awhile. Going to start playing again. Item on my Christmas list.


J. Job title: Let's just change this to job title(s). Here we go... Secretarial Assistant for a Law Firm in Scottsdale, P/T Promotional Model, P/T Glamour Girl for Glamour on Wheels, and P/T crafter.



K. Kids: Love them and want them! 4 to be exact! This will be happening in the near near future ;)


L. Live: in Scottsdale, Arizona


M. Mother’s name: Mary. She is the best Mom ever. I cherish her to pieces.

N. Nicknames: My friends call me Kim-Kim, Pocahontas, Kimmy (which I hate)
Mr. has a few of his own selections of nicknames (Baby Love, Sugar Plum Gum Drop, Spanky, and Gorgeous)


O. Overnight hospital stays:  Never. Knock on wood.


P. Pet peeves: Clothes/ wet towels on the floor and dishes in the sink


Q. Quote from a movie: 

     "The flower that blooms in adversity is the most rare and beautiful of all."

      -Pat Morita as The Emperor in "Mulan"


R. Right or left handed: Righty

S. Siblings: I come from a small family. I only have one brother who is 24

                                                                    

T. Time you wake up: 6:00 am

U. Underwear: Is comfortable

V. Vegetable you hate: I love my veggies. They do your body good.

W. What makes you run late:  I'm the type of person who shows up 10-15 minutes early.

X. X-Rays you’ve had: A couple of years ago I was getting horrible migraines a couple of times a week. I went to the doctor and they took a Cat Scan to make sure I didn't have a something seriously wrong like a tumor.

Y. Yummy food that you make: Ooh, I'm such a foodie and I love cooking especially when using our crock-pot.

 

                                                        King Ranch Chicken Casserole

Z. Zoo animal: Penguins are fun! 

700 Yards Away

Yup, that's right! We're moving on December 12th.

Only 700 yards away that is....

This is what our 1 bedroom apartment has looked like for the past few weeks. It's kinda rough being surrounded by piles of boxes everywhere, but exciting at the same time.
In our new place we will be getting  a lot more space, new carpeting, new countertops, AND a fireplace! Whoot Whoot!!

We had a storage unit that we were renting which was costing us almost $100 a month for a tiny 5xNothing! Can you believe that!

We spoke with the office to see how much a two bedroom would cost and it's the exact cost for what we are paying for the storage unit. Duh!!

So...we are moving on up to a two bedroom! More space for the both of us and our many things that we have accumulated over time.

And....hopefully in the near future for a little Bonham :)

Walk Like an Egyptian

My wonderful Husband decided he would be sneaky and record me dancing with the girls at a Glamour on Wheels party.

Josh: "This is priceless. I'm recording her..she doesn't know yet"

 



Be Still My Soul

One of my favorite hymns is “Be Still My Soul”......

It's a beautiful hymn that has so much meaning and brings peace and joy to my heart whenever I am listening or singing it. It makes me realize that will all the hustle and bustle of this fast paced world, that we should take time for ourselves to slow down from life and “Be Still”. It's very important to take life day by day as it comes and take every situation step by step. 

 

I love President Uchtdorf's talk on “Of Things That Matter The Most”. It goes right along with the words in this hymn. Be still, slow down and steady lives course and think of things that really matter the most in this life. 

 

He explained that if life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most. He also gave an example of an airplane when it encounters turbulence. The common cause of turbulence is a sudden change in air movement causing the plane to pitch, yaw and roll. So what do they do when they encounter turbulence?? Slow down or increase speed? We might think that it would make sense to speed up to get through it faster. But that may be the wrong thing to do. By reducing speed and slowing down there is an optimum turbulence penetration speed that will minimize the negative effects of turbulence. This example can also apply to speed bumps on a road.

I am always on the go and feel like I have to-do lists in my head that are miles long. But, I know in my heart that none of those things really matter. It's not a life or death situation if I can't clean and organize our house, finish building our entertainment center, do laundry, go grocery shopping, etc.

As we turn to our Heavenly Father and seek His wisdom regarding the things that matter most, we learn over and over again the importance of four key relationships: with our God, with our families, with our fellowman, and with ourselves. As we evaluate our own lives with a willing mind, we will see where we have drifted from the more excellent way. The eyes of our understanding will be opened, and we will recognize what needs to be done to purify our heart and refocus our life.

I feel happy and at peace when I am able to Be Still and spend quiet time with myself and Heavenly Father and be able to talk to Him and tell him all my desires, hurts, frustrations, and worries.

I know that I will always have trials and situations that I might not understand, but I know that the Lord is faithful, merciful and wants the very best for me. I can take rest in Heavenly Father and know that everything will work out no matter what the situation is, and it may not be the way that I want it or in the time frame that I want it to happen.......but I know that if it's Heavenly Father's will and in His timing, then I wouldn't want it any other way :)

Be Still, My Soul

Be still, my soul; the Lord is on thy side;
Bear patiently the cross of grief or pain;
Leave to thy God to order and provide;
In every change He faithful will remain.
Be still, my soul; thy best, thy heavenly, Friend
Through thorny ways leads to a joyful end.

Be still, my soul; thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as He has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence, let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul; the waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while He dwelt below.

Be still, my soul, though dearest friends depart
And all is darkened in the vale of tears;
Then shalt thou better know His love, His heart,
Who comes to soothe thy sorrows and thy fears.
Be still, my soul; thy Jesus can repay
From His own fullness all He takes away.

Be still, my soul; the hour is hastening on
When we shall be forever with the Lord,
When disappointment, grief, and fear are gone,
Sorrow forgot, love's purest joys restored.
Be still, my soul; when change and tears are past,
All safe and blessed we shall meet at last.