Praise You in This Storm

Here is another song I really like: it is by Casting Crowns. The lyrics, music and vocals are so powerful: check out the video. I am purposely leaving out the first few lines because they do not reflect how I ever feel.
Today as I sat in the car at D's school waiting for him to come out (I picked him up early because he has an ear infection and needed to go to the Doctor), it was actually raining outside and this song came on. As I drove home from the Temple tonight, I heard it again. I got to thinking how applicable it is to any of our issues. In particular, I was thinking of myself, CH and MS. CH and MS were just telling me inside the school about two friends who are going through some strenuous trials. I know that this song helps to heal as we realize that He is always with us. He ALWAYS understands....even women! (I can say that!) He truly holds our tears in His hands. He raises us up. He gives us strength when our hearts are torn.

Praise You in This Storm

...Once again, I say "Amen", and it's still raining

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear Your whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as Your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I'll praise you in this storm

And I will lift my hands

For You are who You are

No matter where I am

Every tear I've cried

You hold in Your hand

You never left my side

And though my heart is torn

I will praise You in this storm

I remember when

I stumbled in the wind

You heard my cry

You raised me up again

My strength is almost gone

How can I carry on

If I can't find You

As the thunder rolls

I barely hear You whisper through the rain

"I'm with you"

And as your mercy falls

I raise my hands and praise the God who gives

And takes away

I lift my eyes unto the hills

Where does my help come from?

My help comes from the Lord

The Maker of Heaven and Earth

Back in the Saddle Again

Hi everyone!! HAPPY EARTH DAY!!!!!
Wow, it has been just over a week since I last wrote.
M said some hilarious stuff this morning that I had to share. He and I were visiting my Mom and Dad, and my Dad told him not to "pilfer" in his room. Dad asked M if he knew anybody named pilfer, and M said, "Yea, he works at my Daddy's Post Office." We all got a really good laugh out of that one, but the next one was even better. Dad asked M, "Is your refrigerator running?" (Remember that prank call?) With a totally straight face and only taking one second to formulate his answer, M responded "No, it doesn't have any legs!" Now we we were all rollling: that one is sure to stay in our memory banks for awhile as one of the top funnies!! Maybe I should start a comic strip: if only I were an artist. Oh well, I'm more content with the ability to write. Just imagine us laughing so hard it hurt!
Last night was D's Pinewood Derby: he had a really great time and proclaimed that his car was much better than the one he made last year, but that it was still the "ugliest car" in the race. We had some super Pinewood Derby officials who are convinced that we need a new track, considering the old one is from when they themselves raced in the Pinewood Derby almost 20 years ago!!! Anybody know how much those tracks cost?
Here are the amazing things I have read recently: "Our Father in Heaven has always known that we would grow and progress best in a telestial world rather than in a garden paradise...God allowed Satan to tempt Adam and Eve, all the while knowing that they would transgress and fall. Although they had to make this conscious choice for themselves, it was not against God's master plan or His wishes. Their fall wasn't down. Rather, as I have heard it expressed, they fell 'forward'...He (Christ) also took upon Himself our infirmities and sorrows. He provided a way for us to be consoled through every trial. He suffered alone so that we would never have to do the same. Through His Atonement all of us can be covered, helped, comforted, and ultimately embraced...Jesus covers us when we feel lost and discouraged. Christ referred to Himself as the 'light'. He doesn't always clear the path, but He does illuminate it. Along with being the light, He also lightens our loads. He doesn't always take burdens away from us, but He strengthens us for the task of carrying them and promises they will be for our good." Brad Wilcoox
"If we decline the Savior's invitation to let Him carry our sins, and then satisfy justice by ourselves, we will not yet have experienced the complete rehabilitation that can occur through a combination of divine assistance and genuine repentance. Working together, those forces have the power permanently to change our hearts and or lives, preparing us for celestial life." Bruce Hafen
Oh, KLOVE is finishing up their pledge drive today. They are a great radio station.
1-800-535-5683 (almost from memory). This is the station that introduced me to my song and to my song for Don.

Good to be back in the saddle again, K

Song For Don

I call this song Don's song. It is titled "Love Never Fails" by Brandon Heath.

Love is not proud

Love does not boast

Love after all

Matters the most

Love does not run

Love does not hide

Love does not keep

Locked inside

Love is the river that flows through

Love never fails you

Love will sustain

Love will provide

Love does not cease

At the end of time

Love will protect

Love always hopes

Love still believes

When you don't

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love never fails you

When my heart won't make a sound

When I can't turn back around

When the sky is falling down

Nothing is greater than this

Greater than this

Love is right here

Love is alive

Love is the way

The truth, the life

Love is the river that flows through

Love is the arms that are holding you

Love is the place you will fly to

Love never fails you.

Don is one of the most humble men that I know. He has become an amazing conversationalist and is willing to share the feelings of his heart with me. He holds me up when I am hurting and he provides very well for our family, helping us to realize our goals and dreams. When I have felt vulnerable and down, he has kept me going with his vision of what could be... pregnancy, adoption, home, callings, employment, personal goals. He is learning to let me fly and to understand the drives that I need to take sometimes. LOVE IS THE ARMS THAT ARE HOLDING YOU: there is nothing more to say about that line: he does. "When the sky is falling down" is a special tie to my song "What Faith Can Do." Love truly is right here and it is alive: it is the place I fly to that I know is safe and forgiving and good. It is what our Heavenly Father has given me: what I have been so blessed to live in this life and what I will be blessed with for ALL ETERNITY as we remain worthy and dedicatiated to the gospel of JESUS CHRIST.

Thank you Don for who you are, Katie

Back to school, chicken escape

I am adding a new idea to my blog which is to record awesome things I read so I can share them all with you.
Right now, M is sitting on my lap as I write, and a minute ago when our home page, http://www.lds.org/, came up, he saw the picture of Jesus and said, "Jesus"! When M first woke up, he was trying to get jackets off of a kitchen chair: which is his normal routine so that he can go get some candy, or thinks he can go get some candy. Because it is 6 in the morning, I told him he did not need a chair, but he surprised me when he said, "It is to help you make Daddy's lunch." That was so sweet!
Yesterday was D's first day back to school since Easter vacation, and things seemed to go pretty well. It has been raining for two days, so I felt bad for the teachers having to have rainy day recess the day after vacation. When D got home, the first thing he wanted to do was to check the chicken egg situation, so he went outside with the egg box that he designated as the collection box. A few minutes later, he came running in and said the chickens were out but that he had closed the gate and not let them out. I almost laughed, thinking to myself, "Hmmm...the chickens have been here for two days without an escape, and now they are suddenly out." I went outside and managed to herd two of the chickens back in, but the black one who I think will prove to be the ring leader, took off somewhere. I figured she would return later so D and I could get her in. When I came back in the house, I asked D what really happened with the chickens, and this time he told me that "maybe I forgot to close the gate." So we got to have a good discussion about always telling the truth: even when one thinks they will get in trouble. I praised him for coming to get me to let me know that the chickens had escaped. This story reminds me to thank JW for letting Don and I borrow Bringing Up Boys by James Dobson. And I just learned on the radio this morning that today is the release date of Bringing Up Girls.
So here are the amazing quotes from yesterday, which I really needed, since I was feeling broken. The song I kept thinking of yesterday was written by a Young Woman in our ward, TF, the name of the song is "Beautifully Broken". Anyway, from the Continuous Atonement "We have to let faith be an anchor for our souls (see Ether 12:4)...Just as Joseph Smith defined a true faith in God, I testify that a true faith in Christ is more than just knowing about Him or even believing He is divine. It is knowing that His Atonement is real, that its purpose is to transform us, and that it will be available as long as that perfecting process takes. We have a Savior who covers us, a Redeemer who changes us, and a Good Shepherd who is willing to go in search of us again and again - continuously." Then from a magazine article, " People show up out of nowhere and a whole life gets built up around them and through them, the pieces of time and adventures you share fitting in a kind of mosaic that evolves into some near-perfect shape that stays with you, outside of words, after they're gone." (Randall Osborne)

Have a day full of faith because what faith can do is amazing, K

Chickens!

We got three chickens on Saturday!!! The rest of them will hopefully come this week: their previous Mommy is having "fun" catching them. I am grateful for this new opportunity and almost excited as D that we got our first egg yesterday. I am thankful that we got to get the chickens while he was on Easter vacation because I wanted it to be really memorable for him: yesterday, he said, "Mom, can I go look and see if the chickens laid any eggs?" That is big for him, considering it was raining. When he found the egg, he came back in and said, "I want to do that everyday!" And of course his little brother was just a step behind him, learning all about how to collect eggs: that was really cute.
I am trying to write in the mornings now because in the evening, it takes time away from Don and I: it will be a little of a challenge overcoming the mental need to recap the currernt day instead of the previous day: I will just have to get better at logging the funny things so I can record them here. But here are some good funnies from over the past few days. D's very best friend, who I will call D2 got to spend the night on Thursday, and as we were driving in the car, he was telling D about a movie he had seen advertised and how the main guy in the movie seemed really angry and was yelling at other people. D2 said, "I'm surprised he didn't get sniped in the head!" Although boys sometimes talk about gross things and sick us out, you have to love the way they put things into words!!! Earlier that day, M and I were working in the yard and he was singing "Old MacDonald" with these words: "EIEIO...on that farm he had a BUG..." WOW that was funny: I wonder what noise he would give for a bug: I think I will ask him today.
D2 and his family moved into their new home this weekend: CONGRATULATIONS!!!!! Seeing others be so blessed brings such joy and reminds me of so many of my own blessings.
I have just started a book titled The Continuous Atonement by Brad Wilcox (thanks Mom K), and I am really excited to begin a new learning chapter in my life. I finished the Five Love Languages last week and started another new book titled His Needs, Her Needs by William Harley (thanks Michelle). I have learned that books come into my life just when I need them. Thank you CL for the book you gave me this weekend: Twelve Extraordinary Women by John MacArthur: I really look forward to reading it. Love you!!
General Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints was held last Saturday and Sunday, having it on Easter Sunday was extra special. Check out www.lds.org for conference talks. I am so grateful to be appreciated as a woman and as a mother: a daughter of God. I am grateful that my husband and sons are taught to esteem, love and respect me. Our Heavenly Father is truly gracious to us in giving us families to love and learn from in this earth life. Thank you to all of my family and to our extended family for a wonderful time together on Saturday evening.

Love you all, K

Family Fieldtrip

My Mom, sisters and I, along with our children, take a yearly fieldtrip to a nearby amazing nursery where we purchase our garden plants for the season: tomatoes, peppers, herbs and my Mom's annual succulent selection. I always tend to purchase an incredible annual or bulb: this time I got a magnificent white rannucula: ES, my alomost Birthday and everything else twin loves them too!!! This time for our fieldtrip, two out of our four spouses were able to attend, and Mom invited our friends, BS and PS, who made the day that much more enjoyable. It was a beautiful sunny day. We walked along eating popcorn, looking at everything beautiful. Then I went to look at the tree section and found some Giant Sequoias I had been looking for, and unfortunately because they were rather tall, so was the price tag. So then I asked an employee if she knew where anymore smaller ones were, and she said she had no idea. At that moment I turned around, slightly disappointed, and in my Mom's hand, half a row down, was an affordable GIANT SEQUOIA: so amazing, considering she did not know I had seen the big ones earlier and did not know that I had just asked the employee about more. She did know however that I have been looking for one of those trees for months: she knows my heart: THANK YOU MOM! And to JM: I love it that we have the same shoes. MG: I love it that I have your car now!
I am so excited to get our chickens this week (hopefully) and also start our garden soon!!!
So I have a question: is it less expensive to pay late fees on two new movies, or is it less expensive to drive 20 miles (with the price of gas) to take them back and not have them be late?
MOM K: Thank you for your daily comments to my blog: I love hearing from you!

Goodnight all, Love K

Easter goodies

I received a lot of positive comments from yesterday's post: my favorite song. I hope it blesses all of your lives.
Today was the first two sessions of Genereal Conference: having M going back and forth between the pews at church, talking to the missionaries, shouting and laughing loudly reminded me of when D was that age...doing everything but playing quietly with his entire backpack of toys that he brought with him. It is a huge Bob the Builder backpack which he carries on his back: he got it when Gram and Papa were here last and he loves it!! JF asked us if we were staying for the second session, and I said, "No, we are going home to take a NAP!" Wow, I was worn out!
But then on the way home, we bought some chicken strips, potato wedges and cinnamon bears, so that was good, plus we got to share them. I need to remember to read Julie B Beck's talk, and Mom L said that Elder Holland's talk is wonderful. I will look forward to reading it also.
Today after our naps, we dyed Easter eggs: one of the awesomest things to do: no matter how many eggs we have, I always want to do more. Endless combinations!! Tonight when Don came home from the Priesthood Session of General Conference, we gave D and M their Easter baskets. Then we sat at the dinner table to eat and they were so excited about their goodies. I was opening M's Peeps, which are this vile/foul/weird color of green: has anyone else seen that color: the chick ones, not the bunnies? Anyway, as I was unwrapping it, I said, "Here are your peeps" and M said, "They not peeps, they are FROGS!" We all burst out laughing SOO hard for a few great minutes. Ha FROGS! Then later as he was eating them, he said, "These are really REALLY good: THANK YOU!!" He is so grateful for small things.
As we sat on Don's and my bed while the boys opened their Easter goodies, I watched them both with such joy hoping and praying that I am teaching them all they need to know for living by faith and with a firm testimony: teaching them the things that really matter in life: helping them to feel love from Don and I and to ultimately experience the love of Jesus Christ and our Heavenly Father. Teaching them to serve others. As someone said this week, the time with our children is so precious and goes so quickly. As I looked at D, I could hardly believe how much he has grown in the past year: he is so amazing and always very in tune with my feelings. As I have learned about the 5 love languages, I have realized that through the course of a person's life, their love languages can change, especially as children. Lately, D has been coming to sit close to me or stand right by me during prayer or even sit on my lap. I am so grateful for his desire to be close because he has never been one to enjoy a back rub and even as a baby, he did not want to be held for too long. This is a new step, convincing me that the best days of childhood are not over yet (I have always been convinced that my favorite ages are 3-5). How I love him and all he teaches me. How I love his persistence: he truly will make a wonderful police officer someday, and even sooner, a wonderful MISSIONARY!

My heart is healing, thank you all for your prayers, Love, K

What do you think my favorite song is?

Today I feel like I have a broken heart: broken because sometimes I love the wrong things and not the right people. Broken not beacuse of something somebody else has done but by things I have left undone. I know this is an emotional risk putting this out there for all of you to read, but I know, especially after attending the Relief Society Birthday dinner last night, that we are here on earth to help one another and love even when somebody is acting in unlovable ways. And to those who love me most, I have been acting in unloving ways: not directly, but sometimes indirectly is just as hurtful.

To anybody else who has a broken heart today for whatever reason, I hope my song blesses you as much as it blesses me everyday. When I hear it, eventhough it has meant different things to me in the past 6-7 months, I know that my Heavenly Father has a plan for me in how to live my life. I know that my Savior Jesus Christ loves me perfectly and that eventhough I disappoint others, He knows my heart and knows how to succor me. This song is one specific example and how it always comes on the radio just when I need to hear it. Like on Sunday, the only time I usually turn on the radio is to hear the Mormon Tabernacle Choir and Music and the Spoken Word. But as I got into the car on Sunday afternoon, I felt impressed to turn the radio on, and "What Faith Can Do" was just beginning: it just makes my heart feel so joyful to hear those opening notes. Then later in the evening also in the car, I again had the impression to turn on the radio, and my song was on again: about a third of the way through. Because this song has meant so many things to me, and because it continues to take on new meaning and because I hear it on the radio so much, eventhough I also have the CD, I know that hearing it and allowing it to heal me is not a coincidence; it is a tender mercy from our loving Heavenly Father to me in my times of need, joy, heartache, questioning. May He bless you as you love it too:

"What Faith Can Do"

by Kutless

Everybody falls sometimes

You gotta find the strength to rise

From the ashes and make a new beginning

Anyone can feel the ache

You think it's more than you can take

But you're stronger, stronger than you know

And don't you give up now

The sun will soon be shining

You gotta face the clouds to find the silver lining.

I've seen dreams that move the mountains

Hope that doesn't ever end

Even when the sky is falling

I've seen miracles just happen

Silent prayers get answered

Broken hearts become brand new

That's what faith can do

It doesn't matter what you've heard

Impossible is not a word

It's just a reason for someone not to try

Everybody's scared to death

When they decide to take that step out on the water

But it'll be all right

Life is so much more than what you eyes are seeing

You will find your way if you keep believing

Overcome the odds

When you don't have a chance

When the world says you can't

It will tell you that it can.

THAT'S WHAT FAITH CAN DO Love today, Katie