That I Might Have JOY!!!

    Hi Everyone!! 
     Since my last post, I have started an AMAZING new journey in my education. The Pathway program which is offered through BYU-Idaho and the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is a year long educational program which, after I complete, I will be more prepared to further my higher education. My long term goal is to earn an online Bachelor's Degree in Marriage and Family Studies through BYU-Idaho. I have many passions in relation to this degree; only Heavenly Father knows where all of those will lead me.
     In our reading of the Book of Mormon this week, we get to learn about a scripture in 2 Nephi 2:25: "Adam fell that me might be; and men are, that they might have joy." First off, "men" means, in this instance, men, women and children. In studying about this scripture, I have come to a stronger belief of it's truth and that had Adam not partaken of the "forbidden fruit", none of us would be on the earth. And though I cannot describe it as eloquently as some of the talks I have recently read, essentially, Christ's Atonement could not have happened either, nor would the entire Plan of Salvation which God has made possible for each of us. And since Christ was to come into the world to set a perfect example for us, and since we were all to be here on Earth, and since we need the Atonement (Christ's giving of His life for us, suffering for our sins, understanding our pains, being our ADVOCATE), it was essential for Adam to fall from the presence of God. He did not sin, he transgressed: an often overlooked difference in wording and definitely in meaning.
     I have been wanting to include in my blog the following quote by Russell M. Nelson (and now is a wonderful time to do it): "What will you and I be able to endure as we focus on the joy that is 'set before' us? What repenting will become a strength? What chastening will become a blessing? What disappointments, even tragedies, will turn to our good? And what challenging service to the Lord will we be able to give?"
     That is so POWERFUL!!! I, like most in this world, do not look forward to or welcome disappointments or tragedies. However, as we view enduring, repenting, chastening, service and yes, even tragedy through the lens of our eternal lives and the growth that our merciful God desires for us, we see His plan. We feel His love, we take upon us His strength, we feel blessed, we serve with joy, we know good, and we DO HAVE JOY!!!

May each of you truly be blessed with joy on this day, 
even in great physical or emotional pain,
even in the depths of disappointment or tragedy,

Love,
Katie

Light the World

     First, I want to share a quote I read in a really great Christmas book that I read last night. The book is titled Gideon's Gift by Karen Kingsbury. The quote "CHRISTMAS MIRACLES HAPPEN TO THOSE WHO BELIEVE." I needed that last night. I needed it today. I got a letter in the mail today informing me that I am unqualified for an employment opportunity I had applied for. I was already sad because of some other things. I was also sad because it looked like I was not going to be able to take an educational course I recently registered for due to lack of enrollment, and I truly felt that broadening my education would make it possible for us to be where we need to be to help others. THEN TODAY, I RECEIVED AN EMAIL INFORMING ME THAT THE CLASS WILL BE HELD AFTER ALL!!! THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER FOR GIVING ME WHAT I NEED.
     I also want to record my favorite scripture. It is a new favorite after many years of my favorite being Doctrine and Covenants 121:45-46. My new favorite is in the Book of Mormon.   1 Nephi 17:3
"AND NOW WE SEE THAT THE COMMANDMENTS OF GOD MUST BE FULFILLED.
 AND IF IT SO BE THAT THE CHILDREN OF MEN KEEP THE COMMANDMENTS OF  GOD HE DOTH NOURISH THEM, AND STRENGTHEN THEM, AND PROVIDE MEANS               WHEREBY THEY CAN ACCOMPLISH THE THING WHICH HE HAS COMMANDED                     THEM."
     In just now typing that, I realized how very profound it is, particularly considering today's experience.

     I also wanted to post the link to ODE TO JOY, one of my very favorite songs in flashmob form. Beware, it is AMAZING: grab tissues.     https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kbJcQYVtZMo   (be sure to watch for the little girl who climbs the light post).

Merry Christmas
Love,
Katie
ps. I  have no idea how to undo the silly spaces in this post: they do not show in the draft.

       

The purple on purple idea didn't work so well. The last post says:
Some days you need to see something GREAT.
Yesterday was one of those days.
This is what I saw.

Sure needed this yesterday

There are just some days when you need to see something GREAT.
 Yesterday was one of those days. 
Here is what I saw.

Thanks Mom!!

God is so personal!!

Wow: it just took me 20 minutes to sign in: I guess that's the joy of not blogging very often!

I wanted to take  a few moments to testify of the truth that God knows each of us personally and if we are watching, He will send us reminders of His love in very personal ways. I have two quotes illustrating this truth. 
   First, "Our souls should be so deeply rooted in Christ that we will be able to endure any challenge, triumph over any affliction, withstand any attack on our faith, and become like oak trees - firm, immovable, and steadfast. That kind of rootedness transcends time and outlasts every enemy, even the most subtle, invisible and insidious ones." (Elder Clayton Aug 2016 Ensign magazine) What a blessing to know that this is ABSOLUTELY true. As I battle depression, anger and negative self talk, I continue to TAKE ONE MORE STEP everyday. I continue to endure and triumph and withstand. God's goodness to me and my faith in Him truly "outlasts every enemy." That even means the enemy of our souls, he who would destroy us. Some days are much harder to withstand: a blogging day is not one of those days. YEA!! Some days, we do not know how we will take that one more step, but we must. The very next step may bring the light we are seeking: and if not that step, then one more and one more. We will not drown if we keep our head above water! If we can't do it beautifully right now, that is OK. But just do it.
     Second, "If prayer had no other function than to help us concentrate on the deepest concerns of our life - even to reveal ourselves to ourselves - it would be worth doing." (Truman Madsen in the book titled Prayer p 73.) I would like to emphasize: "EVEN TO REVEAL OURSELVES TO OURSELVES". He is so selfless!!! He gives us prayer for US: it's not for Him. Though He does adore us and loves hearing us speak to Him through prayer, He receives no blessing from our prayers. WE DO!!!
     May we take another step today IN PRAYER.
Love,
Katie

Somehow I lost access to this blog for quite awhile and started another one but now can't remember what I titled it: silly: surely a sign of old age!!!

I was reading back through a few old blogs of mine and remembered how much I enjoyed writing about dogs and children and the gospel of Jesus Christ. I just had an experience on Friday which helped strengthen my testimony of the power of the Holy Ghost. I was able to defend the gospel peacefully, and with intent: particularly the Book of Mormon. I even got to share a General Conference talk. I know that the testimony shared by Sister Oscarson will forever be in the hearts of those I shared it with.

I miss getting my feelings out in this very constructive way and knowing it can be read by somebody searching for something more meaningful in their lives: something they always knew was missing. But to find it: what a treasure indeed: at an appointed moment for such a time as this.
Katie

Rosie

Rosie, the tiniest dog I have ever had

On Thanksgiving day, a new little dog entered our lives. She came with the name Molly, but that was not working out for me, so we renamed her Rosie. She needed a new home because she had recently lost her person to old age. I told her family that we would have her on a trial basis for a week and then would let them know if she was going to work out for our family. I can usually decide about a big dog in a couple of hours, but a small dog, I was not so sure. Well, after she worked through some poopy issues, I knew that I could not let this sweet little dog go anywhere else. She is about the same age as Shawnie, approximately 9 years old: a silly little mix of a chihuahua and some sort of terrier. Some people say she looks like a tootsie roll: she does.
Rosie, like Shawnie, has a healing power of her own, though I would have never expected such a big heart in a little dog: she is smaller even than the chihuahua boston terrier mix we had when we were first married. Rosie loves to cuddle: when I lay on the floor in the sunshine, she will stand on my back within a few moments and shortly thereafter will lay down on my back. She loves our little boy and since she has recently re-remembered how to play, she often asks him to play with her: it is sooo adorable. She sleeps in her crate at night, lets us know when somebody is at the door and tries to play with the cat from time to time.
It is true that God places pets (angels) in our lives when we need them, even if we do not know that we need them and even if we are not sure at first that we will love them: at first, she looked pretty ugly to me, but now she is what Ann Voskamp calls "ugly beautiful!" (Oh yeah, to anyone reading, I totally recommend the book One Thousand Gifts  by Ann Voskamp: a new favorite!!!). If you are seeking a dog, I encourage you to not pass up ones that seem not to be what you would normally choose: look carefully into the eyes each dog that you consider, and you will know. Yea for the small dog with a heart full of love!!!

Best of love to all of you this week, Katie