Hi! :D ~ Hey...I'm actually posting on one of my blogs this week!! :D

Hi! :D ~ Hey...I'm actually posting on one of my blogs this week!! :D

If you don't believe me, (or if you do, but just want to read  the posts ;o) ~ then come on over to the Moore Memoir! I figured after neglecting to blog for most of the year I should really create a few memories right away! :o

moorememoir.blogspot.com

...I'd sure love to have visitors! ;D  

...praying to find more time to blog in the coming year

Corine :)

PS. I just found this WONDERFUL playlist, and just have to share it with you!

I hope you enjoy it as much as I do!!! :)

The Family: A Proclamation to the World - God's Plan for Our Lives - PART THREE! :)

In church today the Primary children (now ages 3-11 or 12) gave us a musical program based upon the First Presidency message given 25 years ago, titled "The Family A Proclamation to the World." (See a copy of the Proclamation here) I was so touched! The children were so genuine and beautiful. The testimonies given were inspiring, real, and true. I really felt The Holy Spirit during that program, testifying to me that the Proclamation WAS inspired by God, and shows clearly much of God's plan for each of us in our lives.

When the Proclamation to the Family came out my husband and I had been married for about 5 years, I was greatly stressed and confused (up to that point), not knowing what God expected from each of us individually concerning our family. I had a habit of taking on too much, and shortly before the Proclamation came out I remember hearing for the first time the lines from a song "Which part is mine? Which part is yours?" and sobbing... I felt I didn't know which part was mine, my husbands, or the Lords...

As I heard this proclamation for the first time these questions were answered and a new vision of what our family could look like gradually emerged with each careful study of the Proclamation... replacing confusion and overwhelming stress with clarity and direction.

This Proclamation has been one of the greatest blessings and sources of direction for our family. If balancing family life is a struggle in any way, I strongly encourage you to read and study it!

Now - back to the Primary Program and other thoughts... :)

I think the thing that hit me the most came to my heart and mind as the children sang... I looked out  - in awe over how beautiful they were - in voices and in appearance. And the beautiful thought came to mind that these children were created in the image of God, and their parents - and I marveled that it was SO EASY to look at each child individually, and to instantly know by looking at them who their parents were... 

Then I wondered if our actions might perhaps affect how we appear spiritually, in such a way as to cause others to look at us and they INSTANTLY  KNOW, just by our countenances, that we are children of our Father in Heaven and true followers of His Son, Jesus Christ... (I realize that may sound silly :o),  but it made me want to REALLY STRIVE to be more like Him... :)

The program was a spiritual feast, and later this week I hope to get a hold of a typed print of the local Primary Program I witnessed today so I can share it with you! 

But for now, I would like to copy and paste some of the writings and thoughts I reviewed this morning before church as I contemplated my life and how I should be spending my time... This is part of my effort to make it a top priority to remember and put first in my life God's Plan for Me.  

(By the way... One of the things I LOVE  about my membership in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints IS the DESIRE - ACTIVE CHURCH WORSHIP INSTILLS IN ME - TO CONSTANTLY REEXAMINE MY LIFE TO FIND WAYS TO IMPROVE MYSELF AND BECOME MORE LIKE MY SAVIOR.  :))... I have a lot of notes; you may want to look to the bold first to decide what is worth your time to read... 

*See my Patriarchal Blessing to remember God's plan for me personally...

*Help my Father in Heaven with His Mission - To bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man...

Blessings of Christ's gospel and church: It helps us to 

• Come unto Christ - LOVE CHRIST - Learn of Christ's life and gospel teachings and strive to LIVE as He commands and to LOVE OTHERS as He loves us - SERVE - Make and Keep Sacred COVENANTS with the Lord - Prepare as much as possible to be able to be self sufficient... 
• Proclaim the Gospel - Teach the gospel to others / be a missionary / be an example for good / be a light to the world
• Redeem the Dead - Find my ancestors (genealogy), and go to the temple to serve them------------------

An old blog post of mine...  (click link below for entire article)

God's Plans for Our Lives

“God expects you to have enough faith and determination and enough trust in Him to keep moving, keep living, keep rejoicing. In fact, He expects you not simply to face the future (that sounds pretty grim and stoic); He expects you to embrace and shape the future—to love it and rejoice in it and delight in your opportunities… God is anxiously waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.” Jeffrey R. Holland

"Along with free-agency, we have the ability/power to do many good things without having to be told to do these good things. We have the power to dream, think, plan, create, and make good things happen. (See Doctrine and Covenants 58:28)

-------------

LDS.org (click link below for entire article)

Can We Find Happiness? -The Plan of Salvation...

"True happiness comes from following Christ’s example and developing Christlike attributes such as obedience, goodness, honesty, gratitude, humility, love, charity, and forgiveness. It comes from serving others and helping them to follow Jesus Christ. It comes from controlling the appetites of our human bodies and following the promptings of the Spirit. It comes from working hard and having a healthy lifestyle, friends, family, and personal achievements.

-----------------

Another old blog post of mine... (see the link below for the entire writing)

Gods Plans For Our Lives - Must Read Part Two!!!

"First, His plans are all very small and simple, so simple one would never expect life to be so sweet as a result of such simple acts. My plans for myself are often overwhelming and big, but God knows that "by small and simple means are great things brought to pass."

"Second, I noticed that His plans for me have one goal - to make me happy... This is why his plan for us is often called The Plan of Happiness,  also known as The Plan of Salvation.

-----------------------

Experts from lds.org again! :D - 

BY ELDER STANLEY G. ELLIS Of the Seventy (see the link bellow for the entire talk)

The Book of Mormon and God's Plan for Us

"For example, God has a plan for prayer—He asks us to “pray always” (see 3 Nephi 18:15–20). 2 Nephi 32:8), but God’s plan is that we pray always.

God has a plan for scripture reading—we need to study the scriptures every day. As Nephi said, “Feast upon the words of Christ” (2 Nephi 32:3)."

"God has a plan for family home evening—through His prophets, He encourages us to hold family home evening each week (see 3 Nephi 18:21; Mosiah 1:4; 4:14–15)."

"The Lord has a plan for worshiping Him—we are spiritually strengthened as we attend our meetings every Sunday. The effort to attend weekly is part of the sacrifice the Lord expects of us (see Mosiah 13:16–19; 18:25; D&C 59:9)."

"One of the main reasons we attend church each week is to partake of the sacrament. The Savior instituted the sacrament in both the Old and New Worlds (see Luke 22:19–20; 3 Nephi 18:1–11), and He explained the role the sacrament plays in our remembering Him so that we can have His Spirit to be with us (see 3 Nephi 18:7, 11). As we partake of the sacrament each week, we renew our covenants. It is part of His plan."

"God has a plan for service—each of us needs to serve in the Church and do our best to magnify our callings. The Church of Jesus Christ is not a church of spectators; it is a church of workers. We may not enjoy certain callings, we may feel incapable, or we may think we have done our part and deserve a rest. But God’s plan is that we serve Him by serving others (see Mosiah 2:17). As we serve Him, we come to know Him (see Mosiah 5:13)."

"The Lord has a plan for tithing—each of us is expected to pay a full tithing. We live in difficult times, and some of us are having a hard time financially. We may think that paying tithing would be easier if we were better off, but God’s plan is that each of us be a full-tithe payer regardless of our circumstances (see 3 Nephi 24:10). By paying our tithing, we give the Lord an opportunity to bless us materially and strengthen us spiritually."

"God has a plan for fast offerings—each month we have an opportunity to fast and donate a fast offering to help the poor (see Mosiah 4:26). This wonderful plan blesses the needy as well as those who fast and make an offering. It is so much better than all of the world’s plans.

"God has a plan for missions—every able young man should serve a mission. Some young men do not want to work that hard or would rather get married, go to college, get a job, or do nothing. But God’s plan is that every young man who is physically and mentally capable prepare himself to serve a mission. Many young women choose to serve also."

"God has a plan for marriage—after a mission, the next step is temple marriage. Some young people don’t feel ready for the responsibility of marriage, or they think they cannot get married because they don’t have a house or a car or a job or a degree. Remember that Nephi was living in a tent and was no longer enjoying his family’s former wealth when the Lord sent him and his brothers back to Jerusalem so that they could take the daughters of Ishmael to wife (see 
1 Nephi 2:4; 7:1–5; 16:7)."

"Some young people prefer to just “hang out” and stay single. There are other plans, but God’s plan is that marriage follow missionary service."

"A Plan for Families

"God has a plan for families—“The family is ordained of God” and is “central to the Creator’s plan for the eternal destiny of His children.”²Children are a blessing from the Lord. They are a lot of work, but they are worth it. The Book of Mormon—an account of families, from Lehi’s to Mormon’s—is replete with examples and teachings for parents and children."

"The Lord has a plan for the temple—He expects us to worship in the temple regularly. President Howard W. Hunter (1907–1995) urged us to make the temple the symbol of our membership in the Church.³ He and other latter-day prophets have counseled us to have a current temple recommend even if we cannot attend the temple. Sometimes we feel unworthy or don’t have the means to go to the temple, or we rationalize that we will go tomorrow, next week, or next month. There are many plans, but the Lord’s plan is that we have a current temple recommend and use it often. When the resurrected Savior visited the Nephites, He came to the temple (see 3 Nephi 11:1–10). We too can feel close to Him in the temple."

"Results of Our Choice

"What are the results of our choosing the Lord’s plan? Happiness—here and hereafter. He promises that we can rise above the poverty around us, enjoy greater health, repent and be forgiven, find joy in serving, qualify for the companionship of the Holy Ghost, learn and grow, and enjoy eternal life with an eternal family—a true “multiplicity of blessings” (D&C 97:25, 28)."

"What do we receive if we choose Satan’s plan? His lies may give us joy for a season (see 3 Nephi 27:11), but in the end “he seeketh that all men might be miserable like unto himself” (2 Nephi 2:27). If we choose his plan or one of the world’s plans, we have no promise."

"I testify that the Lord’s plan is better than any other. He knows us, loves us, and desires to bless and help us. He knows best! God has more than a plan—He has the plan. I pray that we will choose it."

BY ELDER STANLEY G. ELLIS Of the Seventy (see the link bellow for the entire talk)

The Book of Mormon and God's Plan for Us

OK - This is A LOT, I know... There is so much to share and I LOVE the gospel of Jesus Christ, SO MUCH! :D Another day... I will share more another day.

Ta ta for now! 

Corine :D

PS. Personal Application of the Proclamation and goals... 

1.) Focus on the advice in the Family Proclamation to have more wholesome family recreation 
2.) Focus on REMEMBERING opportunities for my youth - get my kids to as many spiritually nurturing activities as possible! (Youth Firesides, Especially For Youth etc. - Don't let these activities go by without my children present any more!!!!)

DO YOU HAVE A GOAL IN MIND THAT CAN HELP YOUR FAMILY TO COME CLOSER TO CHRIST? :)

Dear Family and Friends, Life is Good... :)

Dear family and friends,

I hope you are all well and happy and life is treating you good GREAT! :)

...I recently got on FB for the first time in ... (?) in a while (I AM really trying to fit more of it into my life)... And in my message box, I saw the following note from a young friend:

"Corine you have such a wonderful family and life. Sometimes we don't fully realize how blessed we are and how wonderful our lives are ( I know you do though ) Building a beautiful life with a person you really love and seeing it unfold is so priceless and something so many people can only dream of. Going through terrible and great things together hand in hand and knowing that everything will be OK because you’re with the man that you love. I hope that someday I could be blessed like that as well."

...So true!

For those of you who were aware of recent challenges and are wondering how things are going, thank you for your thoughts and prayers. Heavenly Father hears and answers them all in his own way and time; we are in good hands and you need not worry… :) My family and I have been VERY blessed. :D I have been SO FILLED WITH GRATITUDE AND WONDER at what the Lord has been doing for our family! He is so good to us! I just keep counting my many blessings - and some of those blessings are the growth and joy that have come from the challenges... :) I'm so thankful that he has the strength and wisdom to let us go through challenges!

I do still feel a bit thinned out (a blessing that is allowing me to develop skills in prioritizing etc.), thus I sometimes feel the need for MORE TIME. But everyone is healthy, and we are getting lots of work done!!! :D There is time enough... I just keep reminding myself of that. "Be smart about how you spend your time," I tell myself, "and put the most important things first!" (I really have much room for improvement; thus the blessing to develop it! ;0 Thank you Dear Father in Heaven! :D)

In addition to work we have made a little time to play in the past few months. :) I feel like it is impossible to catch you up to date with everything that has gone on, and maybe that would bore you anyhow.So for now, I think I'll just let you know I love you... :) and share photos of some of the fun the Moore family has had this summer...

At a Sailboat Race...

My handsome sailor... :D

Miles, crossing over the finish line - FIRST ~ Yeah Miles! :)

*We hiked near the Palouse Falls. Beautiful! ...so much fun building memories with family! :D I wish all four of our kids could have come with Miles and me!!!!

I bought Miles the shirt he is wearing in this photo for his birthday last year.
It has a cheery little stick figure sailing and says "Life is good." When I saw it I couldn't resist! 

Amazing "selfie," taken just before the train got away! Way to capture it Mindy! :D

 Oh yeah... Miles and I are Sea Scout Leaders now. Miles is also President of the Coeur d'Alene Sailing Association; and I am the Secretary and Treasurer. I still work at the Family Research Center as well. It is nice to be able to do a little to serve the community. :D

...taken @ one of our camp-outs. We have more members now! :D

This collage was made from a few photos taken from a camping trip at Lionhead in Priest Lake (and I just spent a few Hours doing this!!!). The trip was AMAZING!!! We got to slide down Slick Rock, using trash bags as sleds. It was SO MUCH FUN! :D I'm sure this will be the beginning of a solid new tradition in our family... :)

Looking at these photos gets me anxious to have some more family fun in the sun, and SO THANKFUL that this fall is so warm and beautiful!

I will conclude with a brief note to catch you up to speed a bit on the happenings of the Moore home, ;)...We are down one young adult (Devry moved out this summer), and up one (Damien has been here for over half a year, but since I haven't been good about writing this year you still may not know that); and we are about to lose another (Mindy) to a mission. YEAH! :D We still don't know where Mindy will be going, but she has wanted to do this for a long time and is getting some medical and dental needs taken care of as quickly as possible so she can go. I'll let you know where as soon as everything is concrete and she knows where she is going...

TTFN!

Corine :D

Balancing Time

Dear Friends,

I MISS YOU! I miss socializing in general. Many years ago it was a natural part of life for me to talk to friends and family on the phone, write letters, visit friends and family etc... my life was surrounded by friends and loved ones. For some time now, it seems that each progressing year has left me busier and less connected with friends and family. I have sometimes felt like I lived in a little bubble of WORK which kept me from people.

I am SO THANKFUL for the work. All of it. But I feel I am missing out on something BIGGER. PEOPLE... I NEED PEOPLE in my life - more time with the people in my home, and more time with friends and family outside the walls of my home! I need connections. I need relationships. I need friends...

I read a quote this morning that I copied sometime ago from a book titled "The Emotion Code..."

Life is about having joy. It's about increasing our ability to give and receive love and it's about serving others, feeling grateful for all we have, and learning to create the life we want."

Joy.
Giving and receiving LOVE.
Serving.
Feeling grateful.
Creating.

It's all about people...

I must find a way to make time to socialize and consistently serve others again!

I also read a journal entry that I wrote a couple years ago. It was wonderful and inspiring! :) And it came from the Lord, through me! :o

I wondered, only briefly, why I haven't been thinking and writing like that lately... why my journal writing is so brief, and my blog nearly empty; and then I quickly realized why. One consequence of being so busy working, is that with my over busy schedule, I haven't been making time to pray a lot, and to sit and ponder... THAT is when the Lord speaks to my heart and I learn and grow the most. THAT is when I have something worth sharing.

*I am AGAIN analyzing my life and how I spend my time. I'm PRAYING that the Lord will bless me to apply the principles mentioned in my previous blog post about prioritizing and BALANCE work, with people, and with personal time to meditate and grow. I also need to consistently exercise again. And I'm REALLY hoping and praying to reconnect with family and friends! It has been SO LONG. And the road back seems so far away. But I know that all things are possible through Jesus Christ, and I believe He wants these blessings for us all... including me.

PS. I just had an inspiration. :D "By small things are great things brought to pass." The Lord is reminding me that the steps to make BIG goals happen, are small and simple steps. This goal is not as far away as it seems. :) THANK YOU HEAVENLY FATHER! :D

Corine :D

The Law of the Harvest - Prioritize...

I have several times mentioned in RS the concept and blessings that come from prioritizing life so that the things that matter most (the “rocks” – like scripture study, family prayer, FHE - and now I might add – keeping the Sabbath Day Holy) are the things we schedule into our lives and see to it that they happen, BEFORE the things which matter least (despite the lure of fun or other appeal from some things which matter less). I bore my testimony that when we make it a priority to first do the things which matter most; we find that there is still time enough for so many enjoyable things in life – (this is very important, since the opposite is not true; if given priority, less important things often keep us too busy for the things which matter most.)

I gained this testimony during a time in which I DID prioritize the activities in my life and how I spent my time. Unfortunately, one by one, some of the most important things began to lose place in my life, and I again find myself needing to prioritize my activities so I can live a productive and rewarding life..

The Law of the Harvest – we reap what we sow, and how much we reap depends upon how much we sow, and how early or late we sow (…in relationships, testimony, conversion, business, development of talents, in everything). No matter how late we start something… we need not ever be discouraged or give up. We will always be better off moving forward than standing still or falling backwards. And the Lord can do amazing things for those who work hard and don’t give up on their goals. J

With all goals, we must be PATIENT. We must act CONSISTENTLY. We must ENDURE to the end. If we want something LATER, we need to work for it NOW.

To plant a garden only takes a very little time; it can be done in one afternoon (the ground work can be done in a week); and to water and care for a garden takes only a few minutes each day or so. Yet the results at harvest time are huge. So much can flow from such small and consistent effort!

Life is also like this…

Big talents are created one small practice at a time. It is the accumulation of many small efforts that create a big accomplishment or change.

Relationships are formed by many small interactions – hugs; smiles; encouraging words; small acts of service; visits; letters; and phone calls; even a simple “poke” on Facebook to let someone know you are thinking of them…

Lush green lawns become that way from simply putting out the sprinkler consistently, along with a putting down seeds annually or so, and perhaps some weed killer 2-3 times each year… If one does nothing to a lawn the results could be quite horrific!

…so it is with leaving alone: children, talents, relationships, our bodies and spirits… No good comes of neglect; but a little nurturing goes a long way!

So... I’m reexamining my life today. Praying for insight and inspiration to see the big picture of what my Father in Heaven intends for me and my life. And setting goals to once again get back on track and consistent with the things that matter most…

Have a wonderful day!
Corine :D

When LIFE is Tough...

Dear friends,

Hi. :) ...

We've had some tough times this summer. In addition to hospital visits, challenges continue...
I could list more struggles, but I don't want to. :)

It's been a tough time this summer. But life is still so good!

OK. Maybe I WILL talk briefly about one or two more struggles...

*I have this teenage son who is always butting heads with me! (Note: I don't butt heads with him, he buts heads with me! HA! ;)) In my eyes, this son is sometimes so disrespectful and selfish. AND THEN... THE LORD HELPS ME TO SEE HIM, THROUGH HIS EYES, and I am again amazed and filled with wonder at how beautiful and wonderful he is (Note: he is beautiful and wonderful in my eyes as well; but in God's eyes, weaknesses and mistakes NEVER overshadow His view of the good in a person! We should all learn to be like that!)

Not only that, I am blessed to see MYSELF in a different light, and to realize that HE IS GOING THROUGH THE SAME THING I AM GOING THROUGH, and that I appear to him just as he appears to me... He is struggling to see me AS I TRULY AM, just as I often struggle to see him AS HE TRULY IS...

*And then there was the phone call with a family member, in which this person wanted me to know that she was "worried" about one of my children... I think they sometimes tell me they are worried about this child, simply because they know how GREAT I think KNOW this kid is, so they think I must not be aware of the imperfections that exist! :o - Not so! This child is INCREDIBLE, imperfections and all!!! And I am 100% CONFIDENT that this young life is going to turn out absolutely AMAZING! :D - Each and every one of these kids is going to turn out GREAT!

WE ARE ALL IN THIS TOGETHER!!!

 
None of us are perfect little angels...

or wretched little devils...

None of us are incredibly wise,

or completely and hopelessly foolish...

We are all HUMAN. Filled with good, bad, wisdom, foolishness, and everything in between!

And we are all just doing the best that we can with what we have!

And no matter how many challenges and curve balls life throws at you... there will be just as many roses to smell and treasures to treasure!

LIFE is Good. :)

***Always remember that when things look grim...

No matter what your struggles, no matter how steep the climb, keep climbing with a smile, and look around for the blessings in life; cause you know what, the steeper the climb, the greater the view!

Your challenges may be comparable to climbing a mountain with loose rocks, slippery slopes, and steep inclines, but keep running the race of life, because in terrain like that - THE VIEW IS always going to be GREAT at the end of a faithful climb! :)





HUGS to all my friends,
Corine :D
 

Like a Broken Vessel

I COPPIED THE FOLLOWING FROM MILES' FACEBOOK PG ON 5/27/14... :)

 

"I woke up this morning and was prompted to write this... I hope these words helps someone that is suffering or helps someone you know that is suffering.

The greatest spiritual leader of the modern era once asked while suffering persecution and terribly cruel acts... 'O God, where art thou? And where is the pavilion that covereth thy hiding place?'

The reassuring response came:

...

'My son, peace be unto thy soul; thine adversity and thine afflictions shall be but a small moment;
'And then, if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high; thou shalt triumph over all thy foes.'

The Lord has promised better days with these words 'Adam fell that men might be; and men are, that they might have joy.'

"Trials mold us to become like Christ. Christ suffered for our sins, felt our pains, and struggles. The question should be asked when we do not want struggles... do we think we better than him? And God would answer... 'The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he?' Christ himself suffered and was tried... it is by passing through sorrow that we learn good from the evil, sorrow versus joy, gain wisdom and compassion for others that suffer, etc., are refined from a piece of coal to a diamond.

"So let us have faith that there are always better day ahead as Christ has promised us 'if thou endure it well, God shall exalt thee on high.'"

Miles

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/like-a-broken-vessel?lang=eng#watch=video

 

 

 

Inspiration Concerning Treatment of Bi-Polar and other Mental Disorders

Hi all! :)

I have been working A LOT (between work and home). My back is ACHING this morning... I fear I must go to a chiropractor - quick - it hurts just to walk. Between my back and neck aching this morning, my burden (which has seemed so light), suddenly feels somewhat heavy.

I have felt like crying today. But when I start to cry I just remember how much Heavenly Father is helping us and I quote to myself, "I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." Philippians 10:14 - Then I pray and thank Him for helping me.

In a moment here I will add to this post another journal entry I have not yet posted... (Even though I typed them when I wrote them, it is hard to make time to get these up on the computer and post them). I sometimes worry about others knowing when we struggle... for fear of what others might think. I know I shouldn't, but I don't want anyone to judge my family; we are all doing the best we can with what we know and have... I really feel though, that the Lord will continue to give us answers and make things work out for us; He always does! With that in mind I pray that the answers we find will also bless others who are searching for the same answers; and so I write...

"May 24... Last night I picked up a book, “The Ultra Mind Solution.” This is the book which, while I earnestly prayed for help for another mental challenge in the family a couple years ago – the Holy Spirit led my mother to the video of it, and she felt prompted to tell me about it, and the spirit testified to me that this book held the answers I was seeking… At the time the book seemed quite deep and somewhat complex; it wasn't something I could get through quickly, and I have yet to finish reading and follow through... What a frustration! Thankfully, this time around it seems easy to understand! Perhaps I learned just enough between then and now for the information to gel and "stick" in this brain of mine. I have a feeling I am going to learn it very well. :)

"Yesterday, I opened the book up and it fell right open to treating low Dopamine and low Serotonin levels, naturally. This is, essentially, what the Dr.’s are doing to help with Bipolar (Manic Depressant) Disorder. I knew the lord had guided me there and was giving me answers I was seeking to know what to suggest naturally (along with the medication), to help my loved one to FIX the problem.

"The book also has a quiz to take, to see what aspects of the self treatment program one needs to recover, and whether or not they may need to seek professional medical treatment in addition to the self directed program. I have not researched his medication yet, but know that most medications cover symptoms but do not fix problems. However, some truly are good... 

J I am so thankful for Heavenly Father and the loving guidance he gives to his children through his Holy Spirit! I am so thankful for the Holy Ghost! I pray that I will study this book WELL, and bless and help my family, as well as many others in the future."

Corine :D  

Mental Health Challenges

I know I haven't been to THIS BLOG in a LONG time, and didn't intend to return, but the things I have to share at this time in my life just seem like they should be shared here; for this is where I used to share my struggles, and the joys that I found regardless of AND THROUGH THEM; and our family is currently going through some struggles, which I FEEL the Lord wants me to share... so for those who still come here, as well as for those who the Lord will lead here, here I am. 

A lot has gone on in our family. Where to start??

Miles and I have had very low income. We have received no welfare for a long time (but did off and on years ago); finances have gone up and down, but for the past few years income has continually gone down. Each year we have needed more miracles to get by financially. I know there has been a lot of judgment made about us and our finances. I know people judge him for not doing more (thought he tries!). I know they judge me for not doing more than just help my husband with our business (though I am already maxed out!). But I also know that there are reasons for why we do what we do which I could not explain to others (and still have no desire to explain; others can judge us, but they can't put us on trial). I understand it now. I now understand why Miles does what he does. I now understand why the Lord has guided me to do what I have done. :) I am filled with peace. It maters not what others think, only that we do our best and obey the Lord. I will not explain the "why's" but I will share a little recent history with you that will be somewhat enlightening...

A couple weeks ago my mother was informed that if she did not go to the ER., she would be dead in a couple weeks. She was terrified to go and refused to go until I could come be with her. I had no money to travel, but family members and a friend rallied together to help with expenses (which included auto repair). My daughter and I went together. We were in the hospital with my mom much of the time and ran back and forth between mom’s house in Logan and the hospital in Ogden… It was exhausting, but mom needed us, and it was a blessing to serve…

During this time my husband went into a deep depression. I worried from the things he said by phone, but did not realize how deeply depressed he was. Miles struggled with suicidal thoughts and was in a dark hole he didn’t know how to climb out of.

We have two Dr.’s in our church ward family who heard of Miles’ struggles and went to our home to visit him. We had never previously text-ed, phoned, or “hung out,” before, yet here they were…

While I was out of town (and still planning to be out of town for another week or more) one of them and another friend took Miles to the hospital; With tears of regret that I could not be in two places at once, I changed plans and left my mom at the hospital to prepare the car for the long drive home.

(BTW. Mindy stayed behind to help her grandmother her first few days home from the hospital - another bit of inspiration from the Lord, for Mindy also felt inspired to go to help her grandmother, even though I was going!… I think it helped me as much as mom; it made it more bearable for me to leave!)

I planned on waking naturally so I could be well rested and prepared well for the long drive… content with arriving home by bedtime. But at 3 AM I could not sleep. Eventually I got out of bed and drove. When I got to the hospital (hours earlier than I would have if I had not woke at 3), I learned of “visiting hours” and that they had just started. I thanked the Lord for the sleepless night that woke me early… J

Home again - The next morning I got into a new routine… After a week of traveling hundreds of miles and caring for my mother, exhausted; this became my new schedule: I woke around 4 AM to clean house etc.; then worked at the sailboat shop (family business) all day; ran home for a quick bite to eat; then drove to visit my husband during visiting hours in the evenings… returning home just on time to read scriptures and go to sleep in preparation to do it all over again the next day. Not a moment to spare, and with only about 6 hours of sleep each night; and I have been blessed to do so much and still feel so rested! This cannot be coincidental. I was carried and rejuvenated by the Lord! J

After blood tests, Miles was diagnosed Bipolar (Manic Depressant) and put on medication.

This explained some things regarding our income (no, I won't elaborate - except to say that my husband has always been very overly trusting and kind to his customers; and that HAS affected our income, among other overly optimistic decisions made. :))…It is a miracle we have made it this long, and it seems impossible to keep the business going. But I believe the Lord never runs out of miracles for those who love and serve Him and do everything they can…Maybe this diagnosis and medication is the beginning of another miracle... to help us with future decisions so we will not have to keep relying upon miracles...

Mom and Miles were both discharged from hospitals on the same day. Neither is out of the woods, but both are alive! :)

I am thankful for this!

In the coming days, I plan to publish a few of my journal entries that I have written during this time. After that, I will most likely continue to publish here as I write and keep you up to date as often as I feel inclined to. I don't know what the future holds for us, or how our story will evolve, but I do know the Lord loves us and that He is good at turning lemons into lemonade! ;0

I pray that others who are going through similar struggles will find strength and comfort in our story. and in the confidence we have that the Lord is mindful of us and loves us all, no matter our struggles...

Corine :D

New Blog - Finally! Maybe I Am Ready to Blog Again! :D

Hello... :) I know, it's been a while! Whew! I planned to start a new blog at the first of this year, and we are already a quarter into the year but oh well... better late than never! :D

Here's the link to my new blog...

www.MooreJoyful.Blogspot.com  - NOTE: The word More, is spelled with TWO O's (for the two o's in our family name: Moore).

The title is Moore Joy in the Journey. I figured I might write if I'm not trying to separate family life from joyful moments... makes sense, don't you think (especially since SO MANY joyful moments involve FAMILY? :O)

Anyhow, change is good. I hope to become a faithful blogger again. :)

Hugs,
Corine :D

Saying Goodbye to 2013

Goodbye...

Hello Readers! :D ~ This past year has been another good one! Heavenly Father has been so good to me and my family! :) I thank Heavenly Father for the many great memories, new friends (esp. my son's new girlfriend... the entire family loves that girl!) I didn’t have any big or astonishing goals for 2013 to accomplish and brag about… :o lol, but I realized upon a moment’s reflection that I learned a few things, and honestly – I have changed and learned a lot! Here’s how…

Item number 1: From the time of my youth, I carried with me a strange sort of “dislike” for cats. I WASHED my hands each time I felt FORCED to touch one of them. I saw them as filthy, annoying, stinky, and unloving … I was wrong! (What an awesome discovery; sometimes it is GREAT to be wrong! :D)

A few months ago our family adopted two of the most amazing and beautiful kittens God ever created; they are just as wonderful as adults...  a beautiful, soft, grey, female cat named Misty; and a super handsome, big, fat, fluffy, black and white, shiny male cat named Oreo (I also like to call him “Mr. Kitty”). They are so gentle and so loving! They are also very clean and their coats are soft and lovely – not at all stinky or dirty – so much that I actually let them in my bed! That is something I was absolutely sure I would never do! I am a changed woman! And I feel so FREE!!! :D (Seriously, this is a happy miracle! :)

Item number 2: I guess me and the cats traded places, because after realizing how great they are, I struggled through a new list of vices or weaknesses that I suddenly saw in myself. Ugh! What a tough things it is – to see the ugly in yourself that you never knew was there!!! How humbling – in a truly horrific way! :O But alas, it is a good thing. Now that I am aware of some of my annoying habits etc., I am in a position to change them. It was really painful – at first, but not now that I have replaced criticism and negative thinking with forgiveness, and positive thinking. I'm thankful I can improve myself. I’m also quite thankful for my amazing husband for putting up with me and loving me so much despite it all! :D I’m the luckiest woman in the world! :D

Item number 3: Would you like to hear a few of the things I’ve learned? I thought so! :D Ahem…

            *As you may already know, people can behave just awfully one moment, and perfectly wonderful the next – we are ALL a work in progress and God is helping us all! So I really try to forgive and forget, and just keep moving forward. This is as true with myself as it is with others…

            *I used to think I was so polite! Ha! It was a painful discovery… I’m just not as “naturally” polite as I once thought I was! :o I need to make a conscious effort to be polite. Thank God for the Atonement of Jesus Christ and the ability to repent and change. Thank God! Thank God! (Seriously, I am soooo thankful to Him! :)

            *Along the same lines as the last, I hope to be a peacemaker like I was when I was a young girl. I was SO KIND and SO POLITE… so GENTLE and completely selflessly loving! HA! I wonder if I ever really was as wonderful as I remember being! ;) I do know this…  I WAS gentle and kind. But I was also timid. I was AFRAID of contention. I was a peacemaker, but I didn’t know how to stand up for myself if I was being bullied. I sometimes lacked courage! And often, I was polite – to others – at the expense of myself. - Now that I am a grown woman and have had many years to learn to let go of fears and courageously speak up – the pendulum has swung… I learned to be polite to myself, – but sometimes at the expense of others. – Strength is only as effective as its companion, gentleness…

Now I'm learning and praying for greater balance… to be both strong, and gentle; both kind and courageous… Courage and Compassion are balancing companions. I pray to be able to stand up for myself as well as others, with strength and courage working together as a team with gentle kindness! This is my goal… PS. I think there are angels helping me. J Ah yes… Angels… J That brings me to another lesson learned!

* “There are angels among us.” (I always loved that show, and that line! :D) I used to think I should let my husband and children know what they do wrong so they can change (this is such a humiliating confession!). I learned this is best left to the angels! Now, I aim to keep my mouth shut unless the lord tells me to speak – and then I will do it with amazing compassion and kindness, so as to not offend or hurt; and I will show an increase of love afterwards. Unless I am called to judge, I am simply called to love. And when called to judge, it must be done with love and kindness…

            *There will be times when the lord (or the devil) prompts another to make me aware of something I need to change (as I have experienced the past few months – thus the learning!) When this happens, I need to resist the urge to become offended. I need to be teachable. I need to patiently endure the painful words and respond with calm understanding. I need to be thankful. I need to not allow myself to feel hurt, but simply be thankful to learn and grow. I need to remember that Heavenly Father loves me exactly the way I am, while still so happy to see me learn grow. I need to remember that I am of great value, despite my shortcomings, and that I can still like myself and feel good about myself. I don’t have to be perfect to be of value! In God’s eyes, I am his perfect creation. I am perfectly worthy of His love. And I am worthy of His cleansing and healing balms…

            *When someone is mourning – don’t give a pep talk about being positive – mourn with them! “Mourn with those who mourn, and comfort those who stand in need of comfort.” People need to feel UNDERSTOOD and VALIDATED before they are ready to listen to advice! And sometimes, they don’t need or want your advice, just your understanding! I learned that sometimes validation is help enough for them to be able to move on and figure out the solutions to their own problems…

            *A GIFT is only a gift RECEIVED, if it is first desired… Heavenly Father has so many gifts He is waiting to give to us! But He often waits until we need them, enough to desire them, AND ASK for them; that way He can be sure we will receive and treasure a gift and not toss it aside due to not realizing its value…

           

This writing is already quite long, so though I’m certain I could think of much more to say I will wind down and come to a close.

Suffice it to say this has been a great year of learning and growth… I liked this year… J

I am so thankful for the love I feel from my Savior as he leads me on and calms me when I need him most. I love the story of Christ walking on the waters during a storm; when his disciples became afraid He calmed the storm for them. He told them, “Be not afraid, for I am with you.” I like to think of that when the storms of life threaten to take my peace away. He is always with me, and he can calm any storm – even the storms of regret, fear and worry that sometimes threaten to rage in my own heart and mind. There is no storm he will not calm for me. No storm that he will not preserve and keep me safe through. He is with me. He is here to give me messages of hope and peace. I choose to believe HIM; that gives me hope and peace. I bear you this testimony, in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen…

PS. I do have one accomplishment this year worth celebrating here quickly. I did lots of Genealogy and Miles and I did a ton of temple work for many of our ancestors this year. We now have a good solid habit going of doing work for our family each and every month. This is a very satisfying accomplishment, and I feel so blessed to be able to do it! :D -Yeah for us! ;)

I hope this year leaves you with some celebrating as well…

Love, and Happy New Year! J

Corine :D