Choices...

For a Family Home Evening earlier this year we decided (OK, I decided) that we needed to come up with a family motto.  After some discussion, and a lot of joking, we had thought of one that was pretty great, but also pretty long.  We had talked about things that kind of symbolized our family, things that we wanted for our family and things that we could remember when times got tough.
Eventually Braxton, said, "Mom, why don't we just have 'Make Good Choices' be our family motto?  You have said it every morning before school forever.  Wouldn't that be a good one?"
So we decided to go with it --

 

We all agreed that this was something that, as a family, we could stand for.  The funny thing about choices is you never really run out of them.  Even if you have made a wrong choice, you always have the choice to make it right through the gospel of Jesus Christ.  When we thought about it, in the end, isn't choices what this life is all about?

I know as a mother, I always wish the best for my family -- but sometimes, in fact more times than not, you can learn the most through a rough time.  Whether because of your own choices, or outside factors, no matter the situation you can always choose to have hope, choose to have faith, and choose each day to do a little better.

I think that we all underestimate the power we all hold.  The eyes that are watching us, the example and support we can be to those around us.  The truth that through us, our choices and our service our Saviors work can be done.

President Henry B. Eyring said to the Young Women of the Church, "In your testimony and your choices, lies the hope of the Church and of the generations who will follow your example."(March 2011)

The gift of the gospel in my life is one that I treasure deeply, do I take it for granted too often - probably, but I am so happy to know that through all of life's paths, for all of us, we are never alone if we just ask.  The promise we have of a constant companion and comforter if we live worthily is such a calming force in a very chaotic world.  For this and so many other things today...I choose to be grateful!

"Peace I leave with you..."

While driving home one night I looked out my car window and saw the beautiful Mt Timpanogos Temple shining brightly in the distance.  It got me thinking about how the existence of Temples, the work done within there walls and even the requirements needing to be met to enter the Temple doors -- are such a helpmate in our lives.

We are so blessed and are so grateful for the blessings and opportunities the Temple provides.  As an Eternal Family we have a security that this world cannot provide.  We are able to see things with more hope, with more love, and with more belief.  Doing work in the Temples, and even just seeing them as a beacon of light on a dark night, we have the assurance that we are not alone and that there IS a Heavenly Father to guide us and bless us.

President Thomas S. Monson said, "The temple provides purpose for our lives. It brings peace to our souls—not the peace provided by men but the peace promised by the Son of God when He said, “Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you.” (Oct. 2010)

I am so grateful for the peace I feel as I attend the Temple, and as I ponder the work that is done there.  I hope there will be a day that I will be able to greet those sweet sisters, who I have been able to be in some way a part of their eternal journey, and thank them for the opportunity it is to do their ordinance work.