The Sabbath Day

I think you know that Sunday, the Sabbath Day, is special and important.  We do things differently on that day.  Your dad and I have taught you to act differently on that day.  Sunday doesn't just offer a different set of rules, it offers a way for us to show how much we love our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ.  I have found that when I prepare myself for the Sabbath Day, it takes all week.  And if it takes all week to prepare for the Sabbath, then the Sabbath is making me a better person each day of the week.
I believe that if I want to get to a higher level of spirituality, I need to better observe the Sabbath Day.  Talk to God and ask Him how you can do that.  Make it a sign between you and Him that you want to show how much you love Him.  In return, you will be blessed with a greater ability to withstand temptation, receive strength in difficult times, and rejoice in the beauty of life.  What can you do today to make the Sabbath Day a delight?

Here are a two recent articles about the Sabbath Day from our Church leaders.

"Are You Ready for What the Sabbath Offers" by Neill F Marriot of the Young Women general presidency

"The Sabbath is a Delight" by Elder Russell M Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve

Journal

I haven't always been consitant at writing in my journal but it has been something I have done throughout my life. I wish I had more time to look back through some of my old journals because when I have read them again, I always learn something. And I have been able to bless others. 

One form of a journal is taking notes as you read scriptures. This can help you learn even more as you put into words the thoughts and feelings you get when you read. 

Journals can also help you remember promises you make to yourself and others. 

As I was growing up, my journal was a way of expressing my feelings. I would write how circumstances or people made me feel. And I would write a lot of poetry.

I challenge you to start a regular journal.

Write about impressions you receive from the Spirit and how you were blessed for following the promptings or received a negative consequence for not following.

Write about what your bedroom looks like. 

Write about your favorite people and why you like them and how you can become more like them. 

Write your testimony. 

Write about what you look like and what kind of clothes you wear. 

Even if you just write one sentence, you will discover that God will speak to you in different and more powerful ways. 

#ShareTheGift

This Christmas we decided as a family to do some different things; things that help us remember the meaning of Christmas - that it is about Christ and His love. Watch this video and pay attention to how you feel.  That is the feeling we want to keep for ourselves and give to others. The unique thing about love is the more you give it the more you have.  That is why we are "Giving Christ's Love" this Christmas.

Basic Table Setting

I'm am certainly not a pro at setting a beautiful table.  But I feel that it should be set correctly.  You help set the table everyday so I want to make sure you know where everything goes.  When you have a fancier dinner or place setting, you will need more silverware and more instructions.  But this is just for our basic dinner table.

The plat is in the middle.
The fork is  to the left of the plate.
The knife is to the right of the plate.
The spoon is to the right of the knife.
The glass/cup goes above the knife.

Sisters

One of my greatest wishes is for my daughters to be best friends.  I love my sisters and consider them my best friends.  I wrote this poem a long time before I realized that I would have 5 daughters.  I hope you love each other as much as you can.

Sister

A sister is the kind of friend you really cannot choose.

She joined your world without your say; you've bonded win or lose.

She shows you what it means to share, and gives the better part.

From toys to clothes to precious time and pieces of her heart.

A sister is the kind of friend that never goes away.

But pushes you to be your best and loves you more each day.

She's there to play that simple tune that sings inside your head

And harmonize the melody that otherwise is dead.

A sister is the kind of friend that Dad and Mom don't know

Because she understands their quirks; this helps your bond to grow.

She'll laugh with you at each days' end and often in between

And help you dream forgotten dreams and show you what they mean.

A sister is the kind of friend who is not perfect yet.

She wants to help you get there first, and won't let you forget.

She rides with you that train called life and helps you stay on track;

And some days when you seem to stray, shes there to love you back.

A sister is the kind of friend you never want to lose.

In friendship you will have a choice and her you'll not refuse.

And with God's help your bond will grow far greater than before.

This friend that you call sister is yours forever more.