Media Monday - The Force

OK... It's Monday, and I really want to start posting some of my favorite videos on Mondays -"Media Monday"... get it! ;) LOL I'm hopelessly corny dorky! :O Oh, but it is so much fun! :D

Time to get ready for FHE, so I'll just post the most recent media I've seen and enjoyed. It's not really one of my absolute favorites... but since I procrastinated, it will have to do. More to come! I'll post my absolute favorite next week... after I track it down again.

 :D Enjoy!

Love Letters

Hi. :D

Yesterday was my birthday. Without telling anyone it was my birthday, I dropped by to visit a few friends to "celebrate." They didn't know it; but I did! :D At one home I stayed only a minute because that friend was sick; at another for only a few minutes; and at another home, my friends and I visited for hours. It. was. a. blast. (man I love visiting them)!

But eventually, I knew I needed to get back to another home... the home of my very best friends in the world...

...the home of my family. :)

And I was delighted at what waited for me there. :D My husband and daughter went shopping for ingredients to make a very nice meal which included steak and a green salad. IT was DELICIOUS!

Everyone made love letters or cards for me. And they all went out together and purchased a charm bracelet for me; each one of them chose a charm for the bracelet to represent themselves. I LOVE IT! :D  Don't you just feel loved when people KNOW you, and pay attention to what makes you tick, and give you gifts that are meaningful to you?

We had movie night with popcorn, cake and sherbet (rather than ice cream, simply because my body does better with sherbet than it does with ice cream; THANKS FOR REMEMBERING FAMILY! :D But the best thing of all was just being together and getting those letters and cards! :D Oh... and my wonderful dad wired birthday money to Wal Mart for me!!!! THANK YOU DAD! YOU ROCK!! And my mom called and sang "happy birthday" to me. :) (You're never too old to enjoy that;  I can testify! ;)

I'm going to pile up the love letters to briefly and roughly show you them.... without showing you them. ;)

And though I love them ALL- the inside of one of them, I simply must show. This one was given to me by a young man (youth ;) of few words... who says what he means, and means what he says! When he talks, you listen!

I realize that you have to have an amazing son like I do to even be able to begin to understand how much I appreciate this. :O ~ I must celebrate anyhow! :D

When a totally amazing young man gives you a card like that (never mind that the words are written inside the mouth of something ~  LOL)...

... it tends to melt you like butter on a hot summers day! :)

It tends to reinforce the positive knowledge that LIFE IS REALLY GREAT!

It tends to make you realize how absolutely AMAZING your life is!

It may even tend to make you get a little teary eyed. :)

What a very Happy Birthday to me! :D

The Concept of Self Government

About a week ago, I posted a blog about My Parenting Philosophy in which I promised this follow up (along with another yet to come), so here it is!

In that first post, I wrote about wanting to raise responsible, self directed self governed people(actually, we are hopefully "directed" first by God, and then by Prophets and Apostles and other leaders appointed by Him). In a nutshell, I believe in freedom, not forcing. But I also believe in having order, not chaos...

Anarchy
Looking back through history it is clear that in a government where anarchy is the rule (if you can say that, since with anarchy there are no "rules"...) chaos is the product; just imagine children doing what ever they want and the dangers they would put themselves in without being governed -especially concerning things they can not understand... then you can imagine adults causing chaos in their own lives over even larger issues.

Tyranny
In a government where tyranny is the rule (or rather, there is no end to rules, regulations, or the horrible consequences to breaking those rules), the people have no peace, no growth, no progression, their property is taken from them, they are oppressed, they probably experience very little happiness... they are in essence dammed to progress by the lack of initiative produced by such over governing, and hate their tyrannical leader so much that throughout history it was not uncommon for many of these tyrannical leaders to be killed by their own trusted cooks poisoning them.

By the way, tyranny is exactly what God cast Satan out of heaven over...

3. "Wherefore, because that Satan rebelled against me, AND SOUGHT TO DESTROY THE AGENCY OF MAN, which I the Lord God, had given him, and also that I should give unto him mine own power; by the power of mine Only Begotten, I caused that he should be cast down;

4. And he became Satan, yea even the devil, the father of all lies, to deceive and to blind men, and to lead them captive at his will, even as many as would not hearken unto my voice."

Moses 4:3-4  (emphasis mine)

 

The People's Law
I have struggled with finding balance between the two, labored mentally over these things, and wondered why it is so hard for me. But this morning I read about the frustrations Thomas Jefferson went through as he read 6 different drafts to be considered as a constitution for the state of Virginia in 1776 (excellent preparation for the writing of the Declaration of Independence... much of which came from Jefferson's own draft of the Virginia constitution he was working on). In essence, these men were like disciplinarians for our entire country. These were amazing, intelligent men (John Adams, Richard Henry Lee, Meriwether Smith, George Mason, Carer Braxton, Patrick Henry, and others). I applied the Jefferson's discipline frustrations to my own as I read the words of Cleon Skousen;

"It was obvious that the best minds of the country were still struggling to find a proper formula for the efficient self government of a free and independent state." (emphasis is mine)

When I read this it hit me. That's what I've been struggling with, and what every other parent or caring leader of any group of people struggles with... finding a proper formula for self government... For me, this means not only personal self government, but also the responsibility of teaching my family in such as way as to encourage and promote self government of family members - the smallest, yet most important institution in the world. My husband and I are the leaders of a family - A family which hopes to have neither anarchy or tyranny; and my husband and I have the responsibility to make it happen!

As I think of the work and accomplishment of our founding fathers in creating a system of government which made it possible for the first successful free government in the history of the world... I am again renewed in my excitement about the parenting challenges that face me. These challenges make life an amazing and great adventure! :D

We as parents can act as tyrants to keep our children under control... The justice system of our government can also take measures to keep them under control... But because we love them, what we really want is for them to be able to be in control of themselves.

How do you let them have control over their lives, without creating an environment of anarchy?

In order to answer this, it is necessary to take a close look at the opposite extremes of government and what makes them so.

With tyranny, we have total law... Lots of rules, and all are forced to obey. There is order, but no freedom, growth, or happiness that comes from that freedom and growth. With tyranny, the government have TOTAL CONTROL.

With anarchy, we have freedom, but no laws, no order, and total chaos. And it must be difficult to enjoy your "freedom" if there are no laws to protect it, and others believe they have the "freedom" to steal or destroy your property... and even kill you if their anger justifies it, or if you are a minority without protection in numbers. With anarchy, there is no government to control the people, but also no incentive for self control... there is NO CONTROL.

So, back to the question... How do you let your kids have control over their lives, without giving them so much control that you end up with anarchy?

I could be wrong, but I think the answer lies in NOT being extreme in our leadership (no laws vs. tons of laws... no consequences, vs punishment for every wrong doing.) We need reasonable laws with reasonable consequences... and consequences need to be enforced; but obedience to the laws should not be forced.) Another key in avoiding anarchy comes with teaching, as the prophet Joseph Smith did with the people he lead...

"Teach them correct principles

and let them govern themselves."

Think only of "and let them govern themselves" and you have anarchy. But add the "Teach them correct principles" and you have a people who are capable of governing themselves with respect to others. If they do not choose to govern themselves, consequences to breaking laws will discipline them...

Jesus Christ set the perfect example of leading in this very way. He leads his followers with love, patience (this is an amazing example to me... He lets people grow and change at their own rate...), kindness, and by teaching the gospel. Examining his ministry while he was on earth, we can see that the only fear He may have encouraged would be fear of the natural consequences of evil doing (some call this the "fear of God"... which doesn't mean being afraid of God, but means being afraid of the consequences of disobeying Gods laws/guidelines for safety).

More about Tyranny - Ignorance and Fear

Another point worth making about tyranny, is that people are kept ignorant and afraid as a means of making it easier to control them. Looking through history, we can clearly see that Hitler and other tyrannical leaders all used ignorance and fear to control people.

As you know, there was also a time when the Bible was not made available to the general population. The people could not read the Bible for themselves; it was kept strictly away from them, so they would have to rely upon those in power to interpret the Bible - and tell the powerful leaders tell them what to do and how to live... thus keeping the people in a state of ignorance and dependency upon those in power; these people couldn't govern themselves without it leading to anarchy.

In contrast, the answer in creating a people who could govern themselves was very simple - Print the bible, and make it available to everyone; let the people study and learn God's word, and teach them to strive to develop a relationship with Christ and to be in tune with the Holy Ghost... to get their own interpretations of the Bible from God as He answers their prayers, and then they will be able to safely govern themselves. As people began to establish personal relationships with the lord, the world changed. Inspiration and light replaced darkness. The world advanced more in freedom and prosperity in 200 years, than it had in the previous 5000 years before... as as result of a group of God loving men, who with God as their leader and inspiration, established a government in accordance with the will of God - avoiding both tyranny and anarchy.

The Holy Bible opened the way for this... We now have the blessings of other scriptures in addition to the Bible, which greatly encourage developing a relationship with Jesus Christ; reading the Book of Mormon has invited the Holy Ghost into our home in great abundance.

Therefore, another definition I like for discipline is this...

 Discipline, is lovingly Teaching correct principles, so they may  have the tools they need to safely govern themselves.

In other words, teach them, and allow them to exercise Self Discipline/Self Control. When they don't exercise self discipline, don't force  them to obey or do right,  let the consequences of their actions teach them. And since some consequences are so huge, or so far in the future that some consequences must be fabricated to help youth learn SOON, before it is too late... (and since we don't want the chaos of anarchy) we as parents and leaders have the opportunity of prayerfully and lovingly provide and lovingly enforce, a few (not too many!) clear rules and clear consequences for breaking those rules - *as well as rewards for keeping them. This makes possible such wonderful blessings as boundaries, security, guidelines, and order. It stimulates relationships, learning, growth, and happiness.

I would love to tell you more, however, this post is already long enough, so I will continue this thought at a later date.

Until then...
Happy Balancing! ;)
Corine :D

A few thoughts added to the last section - April 2, 2011
* This sentence in purple was added on Jan 19, 2012 as I came to link up this post to my Love and Law.

Can I Just Scream?

One of the kids really got under my skin... and I totally lost it! I know. I have had friends tell me, "You? I don't believe it." Well... believe me, you can believe it!

I wish it were true... that my sweet, ignorant friends (sorry friends ;)) were right... that it just can't happen to me.

But it can. :(

And it does. :(   :(

And then I cry, because I feel like the worst mom EVER!  (Is there a little icon for a sobbing mom?)

Interestingly, I just found a button that may help me stay focused during times like these. It looks like this:

I think I'll put it on my blog to remind me to be good. :O

Thanks "I love the way she blogs!"

TTFN!
Corine

Peculiar?

I saw this video on a friend's blog; I LOVE IT! :D

Wouldn't you rather be peculiar in some other way? I mean, come on... you can be peculiar for doing your own thing and for being different... or you can be peculiar for doing what everyone else does! The choice is yours! ;D

Feedburner Troubles...

I think I accidentally deleted my feed... the last few posts aren't showing up in either google reader or on google home page (for those who get their notifications of new posts via these methods). I know those of you who subscribed to this blog with the follow button can still find me. Do any of you know what to do?

I made a new feed, so anyone who subscribes now will get notifications just fine, but that won't help people who subscribed to my blog prior to the creation of the new feed. I hope I didn't just lose most of my followers! :(

Among the Chaos...

Today is my baby brother David's birthday, so I decided to share something about him. I wanted to do the same on my brother Eli's birthday, but something major got in the way that day, and I've been procrastinating it ever since. :O  Darn!

I gathered all the photos that I could find which were taken while my brother was living with us about 3-4 years ago. Many photos that were taken the year he was with us were accidentally deleted from the computer (the sailing pic's I especially miss), but there were pics from Christmas and Thanksgiving, as well as David's birthday. I'm so thankful for these!

I titled this collage "Among the Chaos" because of the photo of chaos in the center, as well as the chaos of life! Among all the chaos, we built good memories, and family bonds. My kids developed a strong love for their uncle David which I know that will never die.

PS. I We love you, David! :D

My Parenting Philosophy

Parenting is absolutely the hardest thing I have ever done. I don't consider myself a natural disciplinarian; I have to really think things through, and work hard at parenting. I fall on my face a lot, and haven't learned to enforce consequences consistently. There are things I am struggling with right now as a parent. Writing helps me with this, so I decided to write out the principles that I believe I must use to help me with my current parenting struggles, then sit down apply the principles to help me with a discipline plan.

I anticipate one blog post of principles and theories, and another describing my current struggles, and application of these principles for a solution. Any insight and encouragement you can give is welcome and appreciated. :D It is my hope that we as parents and leaders of youth, can bounce ideas off of each other and help each other out!

I want my kids to have happy, successful lives. To do this, they need to be able to discipline themselves. Self discipline means that they direct govern themselves... to be responsible, polite, etc... to make good, wise choices. And you know the saying, "Practice makes perfect!" The more they do it, the better they will get at it! "Teach them correct principles and let the m govern themselves." Joseph Smith

I want my kids to have the knowledge and skills they need to make wise choices so they can continue to make wise choices while away from me. Giving a child permission to direct govern his own life and make wise choices implies that the child has ALREADY been TAUGHT what he needs to know to be able to make that choice. Thus, until a child understands the implications and consequences of an action, he is not yet ready to make decisions concerning it.

Letting kids take the helm of their own life ship means that they will make mistakes. Just analyze any opportunity for success, and you will see that there must also be the possibility of failure to have the possibility of success. This means that no success in life can be made without risking failure... without taking chances.

And we all know that ultimately, the helm will be handed over. If it isn't handed over until after they leave home, the risks are pretty big - they are in serious trouble if they still haven't learned how to steer their lives by then! But if you hand it over before they are ready, while they are tiny little kids who aren't yet capable of steering a safe course, they are also in serious trouble! Thus, there must be a gradual increase in freedom given as children develop the knowledge and skills to make safe choices.

How do I apply these principles to REAL LIFE? First, when kids are very young AND don't understand the importance or consequences of a choice,

(1) I make the choice by making sure they follow the rules (hold their hand across the street) and

(2) teach them both the rules and guidelines (that we cross only when the light is green, and it is safe), and in addition

(3) teach them why the rules and guidelines are there - (IE... how obeying the rules and guidelines keeps them safe and ultimately happy - not just now but in the long run based on consequences to follow...)

As kids learn and grow, I wait until I am absolutely sure that they know the rules guidelines and reasons for them, and then,

(4) after these first three steps are thoroughly accomplished... stop holding their hands. By this time, they are ready to be given the opportunity to make safe choices on their own. They know the importance of following rules, but don't rely solely upon rules; they have common sense as they consider guidelines, and are mindful of the dangers grey areas pose; they understand that they must weigh risks carefully; stay far from danger; and they know that there are consequences to their actions.

In other words, once they have learned and grown, and fully understand between right and wrong, and know the consequences of a choice, I let them make that choice (Note: freedom to make choices to every decision in their lives are not given overnight in the same day; they are given line upon line, when ready; parents are to keep their children safe and prepare them to keep themselves safe).

And last of all, once a child makes a decision and takes action, I

(5) stand back and let them either suffer or enjoy the consequences of their actions. If they make a choice that has good consequences, I let them bask in those consequences and really enjoy them. If they make a choice that brings negative consequences, I don't bail them out. IE. If they brake it, let them fix it. This does not mean we should be over concerned with justice and have no mercy. There are times when it is good to be a merciful support and help to carry part of the burden. But this must be very carefully and prayerfully done. It is very important that kids feel the effects of the choices that they make.

Once kids know what they are doing, I don't believe in forcing them to obey the rules (laws, commandments etc) to try to insure my children succeed at everything.

I believe we need to give kids the tools (knowledge, practice making choices, and ability to recognize the Holy Ghost) they need so they can succeed; and then let them succeed or fail by letting them make choices - now - while the stakes are low.

And if when they fail, let them suffer the consequences of their choices. Experiencing failure and or poor choices takes belief that there are consequences, and turns it into sure knowledge. Suffering the consequences of foolish decisions helps to encourage wisdom in the future; more importantly, succeeding at recognizing and experiencing the positive and joyous consequences of wise decisions made - may be the best motivator for making wise choices in the future.

This post is long enough. I now anticipate two more posts to follow. (:O) One about a couple of challenges parents face when they don't know how to balance giving freedom to make choices with disciplining. The other will be my own personal brainstorming for ways to apply these principles with my own current parenting issues of needing to help my teens get off of the luring path of technology obsession, (which I believe is one of Satan's greatest tools in these last days to distract us from doing the things we came here to earth to learn, do and become).

Until then...
Corine

UPDATE: May 27, 2012

I have also learned that it is even more important to see to it that youth experience the consequences to the GOOD choices that they make than it is to see to it that they experience the consequences to their negative choices. Often in our irritation or concern we point out mistakes in hopes that they will improve; but do we give enough attention to what they do right and help them to like themselves and see themselves as capable and good? We are all more inspired and motivated to do better by the knowledge that we can succeed than we are by failures.

NOTE: If you like this post, you may also enjoy reading the post The Concept of Self Government. 

Sometimes There Isn't Anymore

Happy Valentines Day Everyone!  :D

I have in my possession... an email pass along. I have been saving it for Valentines Day for a long time now (I scheduled this post to post on the 14th... way in advance... just because...) which I think is rather ironic... since the whole point of this pass along message is to tell people how you feel about them, NOW, while you can... to NOT wait; because you never know when it will be too late. LOL! :D Oh well...

Thanks to my  blogging friend, Jules, I changed the post date to today (two days early! ;D) You see, I visited her blog at Trying to Get Over the Rainbow (I'm way behind, bloggers... and may just get further behind - sorry if I read your blogs super late!!!), and noticed that she posted a valentine on Wednesday... to all of her blogger friends! Jules said we could pass it on to our bloggy friends, too, so I am passing it on to each of you, (including you Jules ;), and am inviting you to do the same if you would like to.

Isn't it beautiful? Don't you just feel loved? :D  I love Valentines Day, I really do, because I love people,  A LOT!   :D

OK. now it is time, for the Valentines post that I had already intended to pass along to you. It is a cheesy little pass along that I saved to let YOU... (my friends, family and bloging follower friends) know how much I love and appreciate you. 

I realize it is just a start... that there are much more meaningful and personal sentiments than a pass along; I know I must do more, but for what it is worth I'm sending this out! It is a warm token of affection to each of you, as well as a reminder to you to send out affection and love to the people you care about.

OK, now time for that pass along you've been waiting for...

Subject: sometimes there isn't anymore

One day a woman's husband died, and on that clear, cold morning, in the warmth of their bedroom, the wife was struck with the pain of learning that sometimes there isn't "anymore". No more hugs, no more special moments to celebrate together, no more phone calls just to chat, no more "just one minute." Sometimes, what we care about the most gets all used up and goes away, never to return before we can say good-bye, say "I love you." So while we have it, it's best we love it, care for it, fix it when it's broken and heal it when it's sick. This is true for marriage.....And old cars.... And children with bad report cards, and dogs with bad hips, and aging parents and grandparents. We keep them because they are worth it, because we are worth it. Some things we keep -- like a best friend who moved away or a sister-in-law after divorce. There are just some things that make us happy, no matter what.. Life is important, like people we know who are special.. And so, we keep them close!

I received this from someone who thought I was a 'keeper'! Then I sent it to the people I think of in the same way... Now it's your turn to share this with all those people who are "keepers" in your life, including the person who sent it, if you feel that way.

Suppose one morning you never wake up, do all your friends know you love them? I was thinking...I could die today, tomorrow or next week, and I wondered if I had any wounds needing to be healed, friendships that needed rekindling or three words needing to be said.

Let every one of your friends know you love them. Even if you think they don't love you back, you would be amazed at what those three little words and a smile can do.

And just in case I'm gone tomorrow. I LOVE YA!!!

Live today because tomorrow is not promised.

PS. Friends and family,
you know who you are...

I love YOU!

I really, sincerely do...

Thanks for being YOU! :D

The Holy Ghost and Revelation -

Since the time I posted this (Feb 10, 2011), someone asked me the question "How do I get the Holy Ghost in my life?" I have since, thought that I should add that answer to this post. And so, I am finally doing just that. All info at the end of this post (after the video and the closing signiture) has been added today - April 9, 2011. I pray that those who are seeking these answers will find them. Corine :D

Today I had activities which kept me out of the house most of the day. When I finally made my way back home and walked in the door I was surprised to see the time - 9:30 PM. Oh crud! The kids weren't in bed, and since neither their father or I were home after dinner (or during for that matter tonight - for the first time that I can recall this happening in a very long time), we hadn't read the scriptures together as a family.

I cringed inside to think about it. But the boys needed to get up at 5:30 in the morning to be able to shower and get to Seminary (teens studying the scriptures together) on time (6:30). So I gathered them into the living room to kneel together and pray, then sent them to bed. I cringed some more... I knew we should have read!

After a few minutes my 19 year old daughter came to me and asked, "Mom, will you read the scriptures with me?" I was stunned. Was this the lord's way of saying... "I thought you decided never again to miss scripture study with your family; that was a really good decision that you should stick with!" 

"Yeah... Of course I will." The words spilled out of my mouth as I considered the reasons why this 19 year old didn't just go read by herself. And then I knew...No matter how late it was, I just needed to do it! So I told my daughter of my plan, opened the boys bedroom door and sat on a chair in the hall. Mindy was excited and said she was going to open her door and lay in her bed while I read, too (their doors are right next to each other).

Is this a result of reading the scriptures to my kids?

To witness my daughter listening to the prompting of the Holy Ghost - to come to me, her mother - and ask me to read the scriptures with her?

And then to witness that (just turned) 19 year old daughter excited to lay in bed and hear me read the scriptures to her?... It probably sounds strange to many; but I think it is extremely cool! :D

By the way, ironically, tonight we read about The Holy Ghost and Revelation from the November 2010 Ensign. We are starting the Bible from the beginning again soon, but I wanted to take a little time to first focus on some modern scriptures about the Holy Ghost to encourage the kids to develop a strong relationship with Him, (not only their Savior Jesus Christ and Father in Heaven). I don't want them to take Him (Holy Ghost) for granted; who can afford to any more? I am determined to teach them to get to know Him.

I'm still not sure how much my boys feel and recognize His presence in their lives. I'm praying for help to teach them to recognize the spirit and to really develop a relationship with Him. If you don't mind, could you say a little prayer for these boys of mine to feel the spirit in their lives? I would really appreciate that! :)

PS. Reading to my kids even though it was late may seem crazy to you, but my children are old enough to handle staying up a little late now and then, and this is a critical transitional time for our family; we are transitioning from reading semi consistently... to reading CONSISTENTLY. My children need this; and the Lord knows it, so He is encouraging us to succeed in making this positive change. I think consistent study of the scriptures as a family is one of the best things I can do to help my family to feel the spirit and really have Him in their lives. I wish I had always read to them consistently!

You may be wondering WHY I'm posting this experience. I'll tell you why...

The moment of decision to continue reading... to keep being consistent in following the Lord...
 

...is a tiny moment worthy of BIG Celebration! :D

PPS You can read The Holy Ghost and Revelation  at his link if you want to. Or you can view a short video (below) of part of it if you like. :)

Enjoy! :D 

Good night. :)

Corine :D

April 9, 2011
~  Part of the purpose of baptism is often forgotten; and that part is TO RECEIVE THE HOLY GHOST. 

I found a fabulous talk given by President Boyd K. Packer titled, The Gift of the Holy Ghost: What Every Member Should Know. I would like to quote a small part of it here:

When Paul went to Ephesus he found 12 men who had been baptized, but they had not yet received the Holy Ghost. They said to Paul, “We have not so much as heard whether there be any Holy Ghost” (Acts 19:2).

What happened next is significant. Paul had them baptized again. Then he conferred upon them, by the laying on of hands, the gift of the Holy Ghost (see Acts 19:2–7).I consider the gift of the Holy Ghost as a constant companion to be my greatest source of strength, motivation, comfort and peace. I rely upon it daily.

Baptism is not complete without afterwards receiving the Holy Ghost - We need the Holy Ghost, and baptism is our way of showing that we are committed to following Christ, and are therefore ready to receive the Holy Ghost to be our guide and constant companion.

IF YOU WANT TO HEAR AND FEEL THE HOLY GHOST MORE IN YOUR LIFE - Here are a few suggestions.

*Learn to recognize the Holy Ghost. Realize that when the Holy Ghost speaks to a person, he speaks with a still small voice, in BOTH words, AND with a feeling in your heart.
*Have faith in God. Believe that He is watching over you, and has the power and the desire to help you to live a good and happy life. Believe that you can trust Him to give you only the BEST of advice; you can always trust Him; He will never ask you to do anything that will not lead to greater joy. Serve Him; the more you serve Him, the more your faith in Him will grow.
*Pray to hear and feel the Holy Ghost. And be sure that your desires for the Holy Ghost are for pure and good reasons, not for selfish reasons. Seek to
*Pray daily, upon waking, before retiring to bed, and throughout the day. Speak to Heavenly Father the way you would to the most loving and caring father immaginable - for that is what and who He is. Tell Him of your concerns, your challenges, etc. He will listen to you, and answer your concerns. Be specific with the Lord about what you need to know, be, do, etc. And He will answer your prayers - in large part, through the gift and power of the Holy Ghost.
*Listen to the Holy Ghost, and heed the promptings that He gives. The more you follow His guidance, the more you will continue to feel and hear him in your life; your capacity to recognize the spirit will grow as you heed his words.
*Really study the scriptures, and do it daily. The Holy Ghost will help you to understand His words, if you ask Him to. And He will bring them to your remembrance when you need them most.
*Repent of your sins, constantly, and be clean in both body and mind; the Holy Ghost will not dwell in an unclean place. Really, truly, strive to be obedient to the Lord... to be clean. The more you obey the commandments, the cleaner you and your life will be, and the greater capacity you will have to hear the whisperings of the Holy Ghost in your heart.

Here is a link to a great talk titled Gifts of the Spirit for Hard Times By Elder Henry B. Eyring. It is about what to do so you can have the Holy Ghost to be with you... to answer your prayers and help you during hard times. 

How to know if something you are thinking about (information you "receive")is right or true...

3Behold, I would exhort you that when ye shall read these things, if it be wisdom in God that ye should read them, that ye would remember how merciful the Lord hath been unto the children of men, from the creation of Adam even down until the time that ye shall receive these things, and ponder it in your hearts.

4And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.

5And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things.

Moroni 10:4-5

Recognizing how the spirit answers your questions (prayers) which you petition the lord for in prayer:

1. Study it out in your mind. Think things through and come to the best decision or conclusion that you can come to.
2. Ask God if what you have concluded is right.
3. If it is right, the Holy Ghost will cause you to have a "burning in your boosom" a really good feeling of peace - telling you that it is right.
4. If it is not right, you will not have any such feeling. If no good reasurring feeling of peace comes, then go back to the drawing board, and rethink things. Come up with another decision or conclusion, and take that one to the Lord. Keep doing this until the spirit comes to you and testifies to you that you are on the right path. Once you get this confirmation from the spirit - it is your job to remember it and follow through with it.

Above all else - Love the Lord with all your might, mind and strength. Serve Him. Pray to Him constantly. Read and study His words daily. Seek to obey all His commandments, live a clean life, and to do His will... And you will be filled with His spirit.

I hope and pray that you will receive answers to your prayers, and that those of you who are seeking to, will feel His spirit in your life.

Corine :D

Laugh your Way Through Marriage - Men's Brains vs. Women's Brains

Media Monday...
Laugh your Way Through Marriage!

I found this video on a great blog in which the author dedicates Mondays to Marriage posts... The blog is called Cranberry Fries, and I love it!

Oh, and by the way, if you AREN'T married... this video is still great! Heaven knows we can ALL use tips on how to understand the opposite  sex... and how that foreign but amazing and beautiful creature THINKS! (Or doesn't... if he happens to be a MAN! ;)  He he! Just kidding! :D

Enjoy! :D



PS. I can not count the number of times (OK... I guess, that it is some where between 5 and 500! ;) that I have asked my husband what he is thinking about (you know, when he gets that blank stare that makes you just wonder!); and he has responded...

"Nothing."

and then I respond...

"How can you be thinking of 'nothing?' That CAN'T BE POSSIBLE!"

And then he responds...

"No, really, I wasn't thinking about anything."

And then I responded back,

"Come on... not anything at all?" To which he answers,

"No, nothing."

And I never really believed him. I mean, I know it isn't like he was lying... but come on! NOTHING? And so I would reply,

"Seriously, who can ever, think of 'nothing?' It just isn't possible! In fact, even when you're thinking about 'nothing' your thinking about 'something!'"

... and so the conversation continues! :O And we both are in awe at each other. Only, I'm MUCH more in awe at him. He KNOWS there isn't a solitary moment in my life in which my brain is thinking about "nothing."  Well, actually, maybe he is more in awe at me. :D I mean really, who wouldn't be? ;D

I suppose we are done discussing this. And, I think I'll watch more of those videos! :D  LOL!

Circle Journal - Seasons (In a Cook Book!)

It has been a while since I have worked on a circle journal because I doubled up and got ahead when journals were sent to my daughter. While doing so many of them, I felt like I was posting my circle journal pages non-stop, so I didn't post them all.

I have decided to post another today... just for the heck of it! :)

This journal had the theme of Seasons, and was made from a cook book. Because of this, the pages had to be written over the top of pages already filled... thus you will notice that I painted, scribbled, colored etc. over the top of some of the cook book pages (then wrote over the paint), or glued paper over some of the cook book pages. It was really kind of cool to have to creatively (ha ha! over my not-so amazing creativity! :O) journal over covered pages.

Enjoy! :)
Corine :D

 

 

This page I simply signed and left as it was to go with the previous page..

This page overlapped two pages in the cookbook, so the scan blurred. Perhaps I will
come back to it and try to decipher what is written then add that to the caption/.. :O

After writing in the last page, I thought a larger photo of a warm fire should have accompanied
those words, so I made this page as well, thus.... the repetition! :O Oh well; it was fun. :D

  

I wish I could go back and change the words on this one...
it doesn't mention all the wonderful WARM days!