STORMS...and the storms of life

So, we've been through a bunch of severe storms...there have been tornado warnings night after night and so it got to the point where we started putting the kids to sleep in bathtub so we didn't have to pull them out of bed in the middle of the night when the sirens went off, as we stumbled down the stairs in the dark because of course the electricity was out, etc.

We lucked out and just had branches everywhere, many people had whole trees up rooted and destroyed roofs, car damage, etc.

Also, the month of April was a roller coaster of a month for me.  Doug was going to be deployed, then he wasn't, then he was, then he wasn't, then we learned we needed to move out of our house because the landlord was moving back (pcsing...so goes the Army) and we had entered a very competitive rental market since 20,000 soldiers are coming back from Afghanistan, so prices are higher for houses much smaller than the one we've been spoiled with at a crazy good price).  Also, I got put into Young Womens...this isn't a negative, just knowing myself and that I will want to give my whole heart  to this calling but how do I do this when I feel I'm barely managing being a decent mother of 3 VERY active boys, and not knowing if I'm going to have a husband here or in Afghanistan or what the heck is going on in the next year of my life!  I just need more faith!

My little men on Easter

It's been storming all day, but we did get a quick pic of the boys after church just before they stripped down for lunch, peanut butter bon bons dipped in chocolate, Easter egg hunting, and egg dying/decorating.  (I forgot to change a setting on my camera before I took these, so they're not the best...oh well)

 We had to hold the Easter egg hunt in the playroom because of the weather.  A few friends joined us.

And this is the turkey Doug shot on Friday and we ate it for our Easter feast as a family.  Colt and Jax even loved it.

In honor of Easter

Thinking about showing this to the Young Women this Sunday...yes, I've been released from my two previous callings...now onto my 4th calling in 9 months...1st Counselor in the Young Womens...I think the Lord is trying to keep me in my toes...it's really just bringing me to my knees.

I really enjoy this clip by Elder Holland.

(sorry had to remove it because it was always playing...no pause?)

"Have I done any good in the world today?"

Seriously my new motto.  After this past weekend's General Conference, I've a been re-energized in my callings as Ward Welfare Specialist and Compassionate Service Leader.  Feel more and more the importance of serving others, caring for the poor and needy, teaching self-reliance, and becoming more self-reliant myself.  I didn't know that this was the 75th Anniversary of the Church Welfare System until it was mentioned during conference.

I notice 7 repeating themes during conference:

1.  REVELATION- comes line upon line, precept on precept, more common than "Big Spiritual Experiences."; let us be those whom the Lord can rely on to receive the promptings of the Spirit; often times the answer comes when our feet (serving, ACTing, doing) than on our knees; by being the answer to someone else's prayer, ours will be answered
2. SELF-RELIANCE/WELFARE- very important to have these to be true disciples of Christ, esp. giving self-less service; exercise come economic discipline; when love becomes the guiding principle, it becomes True Religion- a manifestation of our Gospel Beliefs
3.  TRIALS- are for our growth, why we are here, don't resent them; endure them well and we'll become more like Christ and be who He needs us to be;  hard things happen before beautiful things can occur
4.  TEMPTATION- rid of worldliness and increase to qualify for the Holy Ghost; by establishing Celestial traditions, we will combat the unrighteous traditions of the world.
5.  MARRIAGE- single men, get married and stay married.  Marriage between man and woman is of God and having a family helps rid us of our selfish desires and become more like Christ.  Pure joy is found within the family.
6.  HIGH STANDARD- God expects us to follow, and it requires work, humility, and faith; are we willing to received correction "divine chastening",
7.  TITHING- those who pay their tithing tend to be more self-reliant because the Lord gives them knowledge on how to be provident on 90% of our income; our faith is strengthened, prevents divorce

I took a survey among my friends and family of a theme that stood out in conference.  And the majoring of responses showed a consistent theme of Self Reliance/Welfare/Give to poor and needy/Service.  Second, was in relation to the Family/Marriage/Temple.

How I love the gospel of Jesus Christ!  It inspires me to live a life of love and service to my husband, children, friend, family, and ALL of God's children.  Yay for a great conference!