By His Grace I Can.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 12, 2010 Feelings vs. Emotion. Did you know there was a difference? I was recently reading in "Living a Covenant Marriage: Practical Advice from Thirteen Experts Who've Walked in Your Shoes." (Edited by Douglas E. Brinley and Daniel K. Judd).  One of the chapter discusses the difference between feelings and emotions. It gave me a lot to think about. I haven't ever been the best at handling stressful and frustrating situations. In such situations I sometimes feel like I've checked out emotionally...like I don't know how to handle it so I put it on autopilot and react the same way every time...grumpy, frustrated, snappy and impatient. I know some of you know what I'm talking about :0) In any case, after having read this I'm excited to get in better touch with how I'm truly feeling and then to learn how to react in a more positive way. If any of you can relate to this, here are a few quotes from the chapter... FEELINGS ...

MONDAY, JULY 8, 2013 The Weight of Every Day. As I've mentioned things have been overwhelming lately and I often find myself losing my temper and frustrated with myself and the kids.  Bry has been trying to help out whenever he can to lighten my load...which currently feels like an emotional load more than anything.  It's not just the responsibility of taking care of three small children, those darn hormones are at play too!! ;0)  In any case, yesterday morning I woke up to Bry standing next to our bed with breakfast for me.  I sat up, put on my glasses and looked at the time... 8:48!  I'd been up with the kids around 6:30--just long enough for Brie to go to the bathroom and to usher them both back into their room to play til 7:05--then I'd gone back to bed.  In the meantime Bry had played with the kids and fed them breakfast so that I could sleep.  That dear man!  As I ate I could hear sweet Elijah contently sucking on his thumb.  What...

SUNDAY, JUNE 27, 2010 Humble pie. I feel like--even though there are areas of my life that still need a lot of work and attention--that the Lord is with me and that He is helping to change my heart. The last little while I feel as if I've been in a "workshop" on humility. What a powerful and important lesson to learn. I honestly think that most of my life I have believed that being right trumped all and that admitting my weakness or fault or error would be way too humiliating and was not worth it! BUT it's SO wrong. It is a carefully-crafted lie of the adversary to keep us in his control and to keep us from progression and peace. In any case, I have had a few "labs" the last few weeks where I've been faced with the choice to be humble or to be rigid and right. Even though I was SO afraid of the pain and humiliation of admitting that I was wrong...Each time I chose humility things were resolved so quickly, my heart was light and the pain was taken ...

This is one of my all time favorite addresses on Grace and I can't help but share it! His Grace Is Sufficient Brad Wilcox July 12, 2011 I am grateful to be here with my wife, Debi, and my two youngest children—who are currently attending BYU—and several other family members who have come to be with us. It is an honor to be invited to speak to you today. Several years ago I received an invitation to speak at Women’s Conference. When I told my wife, she asked, “What have they asked you to speak on?” I was so excited that I got my words mixed up and said, “They want me to speak about changing strengths into weaknesses.” She thought for a minute and said, “Well, they’ve got the right man for the job!” She’s correct about that. I could give a whale of a talk on that subject, but I think today I had better go back to the original topic and speak about changing weaknesses into strengths and about how the grace of Jesus Christ is sufficient (see  Ether 12:27 ,...

SUNDAY, NOVEMBER 8, 2009 Measuring up. So at Brie's 9 month checkup our PA was going through the list of developmental milestones and asked if she had started clapping and waving. It caught me off guard because Brie has always been "on track" with her previous checkups, but I really couldn't recall ever seeing her doing either. He didn't seem worried and just moved on to the next questions. But what do you think we've been working on ever since? :0) This week she has started to clap and to wave...I'll admit I was a bit relieved to see that she had reached those milestones, but more than that it's SO cute! Isn't it funny how such little things can seem so victorious and exciting? I have to admit that it's so hard for me not to compare Brie with other kids...look he's taller...Brie's so much smaller...he's walking...she's only crawling, etc. The last time we went in for a checkup I was asking how Brie COMPARED. Our PA ass...

SUNDAY, MARCH 7, 2010 Seeing the World through her Eyes. The other day I was sitting at the computer when Brie took my hand and put a ball in it. This is her latest way of letting me know that she wants me for something. How patient she can be with her often preoccupied mom. I turned the chair around to play with her and she walked over to the door (that leads into the office) and tapped on it with hand. She was letting me know that she wanted to go out of our apartment so I opened the door and followed her as she walked through the office around the corner and up the stairs. When we got to the entry she walked over to my Parents' front door and reached for the doorknob. I opened it and she backed herself off of the step, lifted herself up to standing and walked over to the edge of the porch. And there she stood and took it all in...she was mesmerized by the chirping birds and the cars passing by. She must have been thinking, "Mom I've been here on Earth for over a ...

This year as I reflect on the Savior, what comes to mind the most is His compassion. In the Book of Alma (7:11–12) it says that, “he shall go forth, suffering pains and afflictions and temptations of every kind; and this that the word might be fulfilled which saith he will take upon him the pains and the sicknesses of his people . “And he will take upon him death, that he may loose the bands of death which bind his people ; and he will take upon him their infirmities, that his bowels may be filled with mercy , according to the flesh, that he may know according to the flesh how to succor his people according to their infirmities .”  He chose to go through ALL things so that He would know what we are experiencing and would know how to help.  He wants us to know that we are NEVER alone in our suffering, even if our choices are what brought the pain and suffering upon ourselves. He is there suffering with us, full of compassion, concern and love. My husband and...

Click here for Video. **I just need to clarify, I am NO Psychologist!! (My degree is actually in French Teaching)  I am just sharing things that I have learned that have to do with psychology in hopes that the principles will enlighten others.** I was intrigued when my therapist told me that I had grown up with attachment issues and explained the 3 main proponents that contribute to a healthy attachment.  I think it was especially enlightening to me because I have four young children and hope that I can help to create a healthy attachment with each of them. The video  goes in to more depth about the A.R.E. of attachment, but I'll at least break it down visually for you here: A-Accessibility R-Responsivness E-Engagement Also, in the movie I mention using Venn Diagrams as a way to connect with my kids.  When I first started meeting with my therapist I felt SO much guilt each day.  If I was doing the laundry I felt guilty for not being wi...

MONDAY, OCTOBER 19, 2009 Truths & Lies It's always relieving to me when I read an article in the Ensign on a topic that applies to me and realize that I'm not the only one that is dealing with such things. I just was skimming through the October 2009 Ensign and came across such an article, "Truth & Lies"...the author, Jennifer Nuckols, identifies lies that satan uses to bind us down and burden us. Lies that make us feel inadequate, insecure, anxious and depressed. BUT then also include the TRUTHS that can bring us feelings of hope and peace and love. If you want to read the article for yourself online click here . In any case, here are a few quotes that I wanted to share: "the Spirit speaketh the truth and lieth not. Wherefore, it speaketh of things as they really are, and of things as they really will be (Jacob 4:13, Book of Mormon)." "LIE: Because of my weaknesses and failings, God is continually disappointed in, frustrated with,...

SUNDAY, JUNE 9, 2013 Kitchen Floors and Repentance. Lately as I've been sweeping, I've been thinking about how my kitchen floor and repentance are similar.   If I don't give my floor a good scrub each week, it gets dirtier and dirtier until we're sticking to it...and there are more dirty spots then clean floor.   Definitely know this from personal and recent experience ;0)   BUT, the weeks I do mop and get it sparkly clean, I am much more apt to spot clean when minor accidents and spills happen.   Not only can we enjoy a cleaner floor throughout the week, but it doesn't take so much Saturday scrubbing to get it back up to speed.   It got me thinking that it's similar with us and repentance.   It gave more meaning to being prepared to attending church and partaking of the sacrament each week, and the importance of "spot cleaning" throughout the week when we make mistakes. Many Saturday mornings we work together with the kids to get our a...

Click here to watch The Gift of Grace. The Gift of Grace by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf On Easter Sunday we celebrate the most long-awaited and glorious event in the history of the world. It is the day that changed everything. On that day, my life changed. Your life changed. The destiny of all God’s children changed. On that blessed day, the Savior of mankind, who had taken upon Himself the chains of sin and death that held us captive, burst those chains and set us free. Because of the sacrifice of our beloved Redeemer, death has no sting, the grave has no victory,1 Satan has no lasting power, and we are “begotten … again unto a lively hope by the resurrection of Jesus Christ.”2 Truly, the Apostle Paul was correct when he said we can “comfort one another with these words.”3 God’s Grace We often speak of the Savior’s Atonement—and rightly so! In Jacob’s words, “Why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him?”4 But...

WEDNESDAY, APRIL 8, 2009 Journeys. Wow, the weather has been beautiful lately! Monday I decided it was time for Brie to have her first experience with Spring by way of a little "nature walk" around the yard. And thanks to Tyler and Tiffany we had the perfect outfit for the occasion :0) The summer before Bryan and I got married, my dad put a great little bench swing in the backyard. Brie and I of course had to take a little break before wandering on around the yard. She looked so cute just hanging out. (I wonder what she thinks of all these new experiences!) Speaking of journeys, I wanted to mention how grateful I was for General Conference. I had been thinking about several of my needs and concerns beforehand and felt that the Lord addressed them all. My "theme" (the area in my life that I want to focus on) as of late is self-mastery. Now, when I say self-mastery I don't mean perfection. Oh no :0) I just mean that I really have the des...

(When I have the time, Monday will be my day to share thoughts on Motherhood .  I think I'll start by going back to the beginning of being a first time mom and work forward.) SATURDAY, APRIL 4, 2009 As I have loved you. Brie was having a hard time the other day. She was really fussy and I just couldn't seem to help her out. I finally decided it was time for a chage of scenery and a "field trip" up to visit grandpa and grandma. As I walked into my parents' room the song, "Love One Another" started playing. As I have loved you, love one another. This new commandment: love one another. By this shall men know ye are my disciples, if ye have love one for another. As I listened to the words and held Brie I started to tear up, thinking of the love that the Savior has shown me, and the fact that His love is endless, even on my "fussy" days. I was grateful for the gentle reminder to continue loving my little daughter, esp...

Click to See Video . What started as a very frustrating experience became a sweet lesson for me & my kids about the love, tenderness, care and cleansing power of Jesus Christ.  He doesn't belittle or abandon us when we stray from the path, He removes the remnants of our sins and makes us clean.  And He invites us to come and come again, every time that we need to be made new. (Watch above linked video to hear the story) We are here on Earth to learn to become like God.  That is no simple task.  God KNOWS that we will stride & strive yet struggle, stray and sin. It's all part of our mortal experience and thus He lovingly made provisions for cleansing.  He sent us a Savior who truly can & WANTS to make us clean, no matter how far we've wandered, no matter how long it's been. One of my favorite songs about the Savior beckoning to us to come back is Come As You Are by Nathan Pacheco. (Click to Enlarge Lyrics)

Click here for Video. After hearing that CHILDREN and teen suicide rates have greatly increased in the social media era--in large part because of the often unrealistic, perfect-seeming and unobtainable standards that are portrayed & shared--I made this video in an effort for me to personally be more authentic on social media for the people in my sphere of influence.  Recording in my PJs with a day old hairdo and makeup and giving a mini tour of my MESSY house contributed to those efforts ;0) As I mention in the video , I LOVE beautiful things.  I love designing cute invitations, throwing themed and coordinated events and decorating my house for each holiday and season.  It's easy for me to only post the beautiful, "perfect"-looking parts of my life.  But I desire to make positive waves with authenticity, to liberate myself from unobtainable standards and feel comfortable & confident in my skin AND to allow allow others to do the same. If you t...

Click here for video. After using the Momentum Tracker for several months and seeing SUCH big changes in my daily living, overall happiness and excitement for life, I started sharing it with friends and family. The more I shared, the more I learned (I love how the Holy Ghost can teach us truths as we talk & teach!). This video is to share the insights that I had and also gleaned from family and friends. (If you are interested in getting a copy of the Momentum Tracker that my therapist designed, for personal non-commercial use, please let me know!)