**In this post I share the birth of one of our children. At the beginning of labor the placenta tore, causing a rough birthing process, yet our outcome was miraculously positive. While I show that God was with us and protected us during our labor and delivery, I do in no way believe that he … Read more The Atonement, a Birth Story, and the Help of Angels
We were stuck. The flower centerpieces were not what my mom wanted them to be. They were okay. But okay for a wedding dinner with your son’s new in-laws doesn’t really cut it. She was desperate to make silk flowers work. We couldn’t afford real flowers, not with the other expenses. But these silk ones … Read more What is a Divine Mission?
We want our kids to feel the Spirit. We want to feel the Spirit ourselves. The Spirit can breathe hope and energy and peace into our lives, our homes, our relationships. I want God to guide our family, but I feel like too often life can become about getting from one task to the next. … Read more Three Ways to Create a Spiritual Home Environment
What is a divine mission? Just as the Lord knew Jeremiah and ordained him to be a prophet in Israel (Jeremiah 1:5), I believe the Lord knew each person who has come to the earth and asked them to fulfill certain mortal missions. Wendy Watson Nelson says, “premortally you and I were each given wonderful … Read more Fulfilling Your Divine Mission through Education
My oldest is turning eight at the end of this year–an age of great significance in our religion. He can make the choice to get baptized once he’s eight. This has led me to a lot of pondering and experimenting on how to help him recognize the influence of the Holy Ghost and make the … Read more Teaching Kids to Feel the Spirit through Prayer
When I was eighteen, I met a handsome man who insisted he wanted to marry me. I hadn’t planned on finding someone to marry so young. I took to a lot of prayer and soul-searching. In the end, I told him yes, and we were married when I was nineteen. Recently a friend asked me … Read more Spiritual Growth in Marriage
Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them. . . . and, behold, the mountain was full of horses and chariots of fire round about Elisha. 2 Kings 6:16-17 God could be speaking to us here. Whenever we falter in the face of temptation or trial, they … Read more Four Simple Ways to Connect with Family History
It has been a rough week. I had a lot of doubts at the beginning of this week, whether my experience matters or is helpful to anyone. My husband was quick to counteract those thoughts. As was Darla’s post on Instagram, plus a few other posts I saw, but can’t find now. But those thoughts … Read more Positive Parenthood Inspiration
Have you ever had the experience of studying a topic in the scriptures and then having an experience that teaches you more about it (or makes you realize you need to learn more about it)? Which leads to further study. And then someone at church or in your family brings up a similar topic? Does … Read more How to Teach Your Children Values
I taught my daughter how to paint nails. My husband taught our son how to draw a car. Parents are the first teachers for their children on this Earth. But it seems that in the age of experts and professionals, parents are losing their confidence, their ability to trust God and their own instincts about … Read more Parents are the Best Teachers