so LOVING...

When I told Carson that his Uncle Bill was staying the night at our house tonight, he jumped up and down and exclaimed:

"Mom! I love Uncle Bill!

And I love Lincoln!

Not the best pic of our buddy Lincoln (he's the blurry one

running next to Wyatt). Guess I need to get the camera out

more often when they boys are playing!

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And I love President Eyring!

And I love Jesus!

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Hey! I love lots of people!"

"and a little child shall lead them..."

"WHEN I READ MY SCRIPTURES, I CAN FEEL JESUS HUGGING ME."

- Wyatt, age 5

i might not have much to offer, but it is enough.

This week at Youth Conference, each morning we started our day with scripture study and a discussion about what we had read in the second chapter of 2nd Nephi. (One might recognize that chapter from their seminary days, as a well-known scripture mastery can be found in verse 25: "Adam fell that men might be: and men are, that they might have joy.") Much of this chapter addresses the fall, opposition in all things. But it also speaks a good deal of our redemption, which is through the Holy Messiah, Jesus Christ. After we read, one of the young men leaders made a comment that struck me. He referred to the idea that salvation is free unto all. And while it is in a sense, we do pay a price: our effort and our faith. Despite what we are asked to pay, the blessing of the Lord's plan is that we can all afford it.

Verse 7: "Behold, he offereth himself a sacrifice for sin, to answer the ends of the law, unto all those who have a broken heart and a contrite spirit..."

The mercy and unconditional love of the Atoning sacrifice of Christ is available to all who are willing to offer in return a heart filled with genuine remorse and a sincere commitment to improve. The Lord has not asked anything of us that we cannot afford to give. I found that comforting to know...I might not have much to offer, but if I do it willingly, "believing in Him", I shall be saved. I can do that, and that's an empowering knowledge to have. It reminds me of the story of the Widow's Mite (Mark 12:41-44). How grateful I am this Sabbath morning to my Savior, that He would accept my meager offering and in return grant me eternal life and happiness.

turn off my playlist. and get yourself a tissue. or two.

The emotion visible on Joseph's face as he holds the newborn Savior of the world is what did me in. Thanks, Mom, for sending me this.

Father's Day Gifts

This morning I've been thinking about FATHERS. About my own father and Brett's father. How is it possible that TWO people like us, who have been blessed with the incredible fathers like ours, can find each other and marry? Doesn't that upset some kind of balance in the universe? Our children have no idea how fortunate they are to have been born into a family with TWO grandfathers as amazing as theirs.

So that's been on my mind. But more specifically, I've been thinking about another Father. As I watched Brett kneel to say his prayers last night, I was completely overwhelmed with love and gratitude to my Heavenly Father for the blessings in my life, especially for the precious tool of prayer. Sending us to earth without any memory of our preexistence, left to find the truth on our own, He chose one thing, one gift to give us that would keep us connected to Him. So in the end, we wouldn't be left on our own, but rather, could ask Him directly to influence our decisions through the Holy Ghost. I am just in awe, and so thankful, that He would give us that two-way communication.

And then of course, there was the ultimate Gift. The gift of His Son. And like prayer, He is a gift that is there to be ours. But just as we have to make the choice to come to our Heavenly Father in prayer, we have to make the choice. The choice to "Come To Jesus".

Silence my music player and play this. The four minutes will be well-spent, trust me.

P.S. I first saw this music video on someone else's blog. So yes, I am a total copy cat. But it touched my heart and this morning as I felt His tender mercies, this video came to mind and I wanted to share it. I'd give credit to the initial blogger, but sadly, I can't remember who it was! (Sorry!) To my "Mystery Blogger", I say THANKS FOR SHARING. Your post was good for my soul.