The Light Will Come...Again...

The tragedy in Newtown Connecticut...The airwaves have been flooded with details, and our hearts flooded with sorrow. What happened is beyond tragic. Such a thing is incomprehensible. Many are trying to make sense of it. But that will never happen. Something this horrific and senseless, simply cannot have sense made of it.

The world we live in is ever darkening. Things like this shooting rampage are evidence of that. It causes people to wonder and question God. But at times like these we must not doubt Him, but rather turn to Him as we need Him now more than ever.

He is a loving Father. And we can turn to Him for comfort. In His loving embrace, we can find peace and refuge. He may not be able to give us the answers and reasons these things happen, but He can give us the reassurance that He is aware of what is going on, and will somehow, some way, make it okay. He can't return those lives taken. But He can fill those empty hearts and arms of the loved ones left behind, with the reassurance their loved ones are with Him and that one day they will be reunited, never to be separated again.

That first Christmas, the world was pretty dark. Jesus entered in to a lost and dim world. But His entrance brought light. And the day will soon come when the Light himself, will return to this lost and dim world. And with that return, there will be peace. And joy. And relief from heartache. He will come and make everything right and well.

Until then, look to Him. Hold on to each other in love and brotherhood. Hold on to Him and His promises.  He is on his way.

Just hold on, the Light will come...Again...

He Became Man And Dwelt Among Us...

We came across this story and really liked it. It gave us much to think about.

It is a humbling thought, when we stop to consider that Jesus Christ, became a mortal, to show us the way. He came to Earth, and suffered things beyond comprehension, as He made the Atonement complete. He did all that He did so that when it was our turn to come to mortality, that He could come to us. Help us. Lead us. And that when He utters the words, "I understand." He could mean them. Wholly and completely. Because He has been where we are. He has done what we are doing. And in Gethsemane, He felt the very things we would feel, the very way we would feel them. And when we feel lost, He is there to lead and light the way. Because He knows the way. For He is the way.

Believe Him. Trust Him. Follow Him...

He Became Man And Dwelt Among Us

Once upon a time, there was a man who looked upon Christmas as a lot of humbug. He wasn't a scrooge. He was a kind and decent person, generous to his family, upright in all his dealings with other men. But he didn't believe all that stuff about incarnation which churches proclaim at Christmas. And he was too honest to declare that he did.

"I am truly sorry to distress you," he told his wife, who was a faithful churchgoer. "But I simply cannot understand this claim that God became man. It doesn't make any sense to me." On Christmas Eve, his wife and children went to church for the midnight service. He declined to accompany them. "I'd feel like a hypocrite," he explained. "I'd much rather stay at home. But I'll wait up for you."

Shortly after his family drove away in the car, snow began to fall. He went to the window and watched the flurries getting heavier and heavier. "If we must have Christmas," he thought, "It's nice to have a white one." He went back to his chair by the fireside and began to read his newspaper. A few minutes later, he was startled by a thudding sound. It was quickly followed by another, then another. He thought that someone must be throwing snowballs at his living room window. 

When he went to the front door to investigate, he found a flock of birds huddled miserably in the snow. They had been caught in the storm, and in a desperate search for shelter had tired to fly through his window.

"I can't let these poor creatures lie there and freeze," he thought. "But how can I help them?" Then he remembered the barn where the children's pony was stabled. It would provide a warm shelter. He put on his coat and galoshes and trampled through the deepening snow to the barn. He opened the doors wide and turned on a light. But the birds didn't come in. "Food will bring them in," he thought. So he hurried back to the house for bread crumbs, which he sprinkled on the snow to make a trail into the barn.

To his dismay, the birds ignored the bread crumbs and continued to flop around helplessly in the snow. He tried shooing them in the barn by walking around and waving his arms. They scattered in every direction--except into the warm, lighted bar. "They find me a strange and terrifying creature," he said to himself. "And I can't think of any way to let them know they can trust me. If only I could be a bird myself for a few minutes, perhaps I could lead them to safety..."

Just at that moment, the church bells began to ring. He stood silently for awhile, listening to the bells pealing the glad tidings of Christmas. Then he sank to his knees in the snow. "Now I do understand," he whispered. "Now I see why you had to do it."

All Dogs Go To Heaven

We read the most tender story the other day. It was about a 4 year old little girl named Meredith. Meredith's dog, named Abbey, died. Meredith was distraught after Abbey's death. Her mom suggested that she write a letter to Heaven, asking that they take good care of Abbey. Here is her letter...

Dear God,
Will you please take special care of our dog, Abbey? She died yesterday and is in Heaven. We miss her very much. We are happy that you let us have her as our dog even though she got sick. I hope that you will play with her. She likes to play with balls, and swim before she got sick. I am sending some pictures of her so that when you see her in Heaven you will know she is our special dog. I really do miss her.

Love,
Meredith Claire

P.S. Mommy wrote the words after Mer told them to her.

Meredith put a bunch of stamps on the envelope (as she told her mom that it would take a lot of stamps to get it to Heaven...). Her mom took her to the post office and allowed her to mail it. A few days later she received a gold package in the mail. Inside was a copy of Mr. Rogers' book "When A Pet Dies," and a letter. The letter read:

Dear Mer,

I know that you will be happy to know that Abbey arrived safely and soundly in Heaven! Having the pictures you sent to me was such a big help.I recognized Abbey right away. 

You know, Meredith, Abbey isn't sick anymore. Her spirit is here with me--just like it stays in your heart--young and running and playing. Abbey loved being your dog, you know...

Thank you for the beautiful letter. Thank your mother for sending it. What a wonderful mother you have! I picked her especially for you.

I send my blessings every day and remember that I love you very much. By the way, I am in Heaven, and wherever there is love.

Love, 
God, and the special angel who wrote this after God told her the words.

May God bless the kind person who took the time to be an instrument in His hands, to ease the worry and heartache of this young child...And may He bless us to be in tune enough, to be this kind of gift for another in need...

Jeremy's Angels

Jeremy and Simone Martinsen are two of the most amazing people you will ever have the chance to meet. We were blessed to meet them one year at Education Week in Idaho. They captured our hearts. They were married 9 years ago, and we had the honor of being asked to sing at their wedding...

It was an all out Cinderella and Prince Charming wedding!...

 Jeremy and his adorable wife, Simone are an inspiration to many...but they've started something so inspirational that when we heard about it we wanted to spread the word!...

Jeremy has proven that the best way to overcome personal challenges is to forget yourself and do something for someone else. Just over a month ago, Jeremy and a small group of volunteers founded "Jeremy's Angels." Together, they're changing the world, one orphan, one family, one child, at a time. In only one month they've sent hats and baby shoes to a disabled children's orphanage in Russia. "Trick or Treated" for coins and gathered nearly $800 to help feed orphans in Ecuador. And they've also sent a suitcase full of provisions to bless the lives of families in Laos.

Opportunities just keep falling into their laps. Right now they're gearing up to help make Christmas special for struggling families. They are gathering donations to provide Christmas gifts for a family in Angola who recently lost their mother.

Jeremy and Simone are so incredible, and we feel so blessed to know them! We want to help support them in their amazing cause...From now until Christmas, for every cd you purchase, Heartbound will donate $5.00 in your name to "Jeremy's Angels."

Last week we sang in Star Valley and had the chance to catch up with Jeremy and Simone...

If you are interested in learning more, or making a donation of your own to them, you can find them on Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/groups/430511933674007/?ref=ts&fref=ts

"I do things you cannot, you do things I cannot; Together we can do great things"

-Mother Teresa

Hold On To The Promises...

Covenants. They are binding. And when made with our Father in Heaven, they are a kept promise. If we do what we say we will, He will always keep His end of the deal. Life is full of change and uncertainty. But our Heavenly Father's promises, as well as His love, is an eternal certainty. He will always love us. And He will always keep His promises. Never has He let us down or lead us astray. Nor will He ever.

Life can be difficult and challenging. Rarely does it turn out just as we plan. God often has other ideas. Better ones. Though from our vantage point, it can be sometimes hard to see it that way.

Often others disappoint us, or they let us down. Friends, spouses, co-workers... But He never will. He can't. It would be against His nature. If He says it shall be, it shall be. The only contingency is us keeping our part of the deal.

And so as we go through mortality. And things don't go as we planned. Or as we hoped. We must hold on with hope. And faith. To our covenants. To the promises we have made with our Father in Heaven. He will come through. He will make everything okay. Though it may not feel like it at the time. Or maybe not even in this lifetime. But He will make it right. He will bless us with all He has promised, if we can just remain faithful and keep the promises we've made to Him.

So wherever we may find ourselves, let us hold on. Hold on to Him. Hold on to His promises. Hold on to our covenants. And if we do, all will be well. Maybe not at this moment. But it will come. And it shall surely be worth it all...

Just keep holding on...

So Much To Be Thankful For...

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Do not spoil what you have by desiring what you have not; but remember that what you now have was once among the things only hoped for." 

-Epicurus

~ ~ ~ ~ ~

 Today is Thanksgiving, and we are overwhelmed with all that we have to be thankful for. The lists are endless. Our Father in Heaven is so good. His blessings are abundant. And His love and care are never ending.

Thanksgiving is a wonderful holiday to sit down and contemplate, really contemplate, all our many blessings. Gratitude is an imperative thing. As Marion G Romney reminded us, "Gratitude is not merely a courtesy, but a commandment."

We need to be thankful. We need to be grateful. We need to thank our Heavenly Father on a regular and daily basis for that with which we are blessed. Sure, there are certain seasons and times in life when our blessings are much easier to see and count. But no matter our circumstances, there is always something to be grateful for. Something to thank Him for. And especially during the times we feel more lack than abundance, when we take the time to thank Him for what we do have, we will find more peace, contentment, and more things that we are thankful for. The blessings will be easier to see, when we look for them with a grateful heart.

Contentment and true happiness will come when we are at peace with what we have, and realizing that it is enough for now. There will always be things that we don't have...Whether they be material possessions, or personal attributes. Let us be happy with what God has given us for the moment. For whatever it is, it is a gift. Improvement is always possible. Let us seek it, but not at the cost of not being happy in the moment we find ourselves in or at the cost of our self acceptance.

Our Heavenly Father loves us. We know this. It is evident in everything around us. The beauty of the earth and it's creations. In the love of the family and friends that surround us. It is everywhere...

He knows us. He knows every detail of our circumstances and situations. He knows our needs. And He will send that which we stand in need of. And often times, even more. God is good. He is our Father. And He loves us beyond comprehension. Knowledge of these things alone, is something to be daily and eternally thankful for...

"And he who receiveth all things with thankfulness shall be made glorious; and the things of this earth shall be added unto him, even an hundred fold, yea, more."

D&C 78: 19 

Election Day!

Happy Election Day, everyone! May we all get out there and use the opportunity we have be given, of letting our voices be heard. We are so blessed to live in this land, and enjoy it's freedoms!

May God bless us, this great land we live in, and the one who will be chosen to lead it...

Sunday Thought...

 Art Berg said: "If the veil could be pushed back, if the windows of Heaven could be opened to our view, we, too, would see concourses of angels, friends, and family all rushing forward to lend us aid in our times of most desperate need. In the midst of them all stands a kind, wise loving Father and a merciful and compassionate Savior, who struggle and weep with us. As we understand this, we, too, in our hour of affliction can with confidence say, "Let this cup pass from me, but not my will, but thine be done." And then the learning begins."

This life is a difficult test in which we learn and grow and become more like our Father in Heaven. Many times we will question why it must be so painful or so difficult. Sometimes we will understand the purpose, other times we will not. This in and of itself is a challenge and a test of our faith. But we must trust and know that all things with which we are afflicted really will work together for our good, if we allow it. We must offer our broken hearts to Him as well as our personal will, so that the 'learning may begin.'

Not 'til the loom is silent

And the shuttles cease to fly

Will God unfold the pattern,

And explain the reason why.

The dark threads were as needful

In the skilful weaver's hand,

As the threads of Gold and Silver

In the pattern that He planned.

(Author Unknown)

November Special!...

For the month of November, we would like to offer you a little special...

Buy any cd, and receive a free copy of our Messages cd!...

There You Are, Peter!

While watching the movie "Hook" the other day, a few thoughts came to mind...

The the biggest thought, was of our tendency to forget who we really are. The movie basically centers around Peter Pan, and that as he grew older, he forgot who he really was.

So often this happens to us too. We allow others to determine what we think of ourselves. We compare ourselves to others. We take our weaknesses, and hold them up in comparison to others strengths. We forget who we really are. Our potential. Our Divine nature. Our greatness. At times we forget who and Who's we really are.

"God does not look on the outward appearance. I believe that He doesn't care one bit if we live in a castle or a cottage, if we are handsome or homely, if we are famous or forgotten. Though we are incomplete, God loves us completely. Though we are imperfect, He loves us perfectly. Though we may feel lost and without compass, God's love encompasses us completely." -President Dieter F Uchtdorf

We are wonderful. We are beautiful. We are inherently good, strong, and powerful. We are His...

His love will find and remind us of who we really are. He will send others to help in this process as well. Loving family and friends often help us and lift us, when we doubt ourselves. They encourage and love us. They see the good in us and remind us of who we really are.

In 'Hook' it was a friend of Peter's named 'Pockets' that believed in him, and helped him remember who he really was. (Click the link below to see what we are talking about...)

There You Are, Peter! Scene from Hook Movie (1991) | MOVIECLIPS

We all need a 'Pockets' in our lives. And it would be a wonderful thing if we could be a bit more like 'Pockets' in encouraging, loving, and believing those around us. Remind them who they really are, of their greatness and potential. It will greatly bless our lives if we try with all we are to see each other, and ourselves, as He see us...

"...for the Lord seeth not as man seeth; for man looketh on the outward appearance, but the Lord looketh on the heart." 

1 Samuel 16:7

An Attitude of Gratitude...

Blessings...

We've all received them. Big. Small. The obvious, and the unnoticed. But constantly, daily, we are being blessed by our Father in Heaven. He is giving us those things which we stand in need of. Sure there are times that we feel far from blessed...those times of difficulty and struggle. The times when things aren't turning out just like we think they should. In those moments, we must remember that God loves us deeply and completely, and because of this He will always do what is best for us, giving us what we need, rather than what we want. Those two things, may be very different. Nevertheless, let us remember that He is blessing us. During those times that we may not feel so blessed, let us remember the words of Marion G Romney, he said "Gratitude is not a courtesy, but a commandment." When we are thankful...When our hearts are filled with gratitude...When we see the haves, rather than the have nots...That is when we are happiest. It is when we are able to feel peace. Gratitude is a vehicle that brings us closer to Him.

Then there are the times that the blessings flow so abundantly and obviously, and we are overwhelmed and humbled by what we are receiving, wondering what we ever did to deserve such goodness and grace.

Have you ever sat back and done as the hymn suggests..."Count your many blessings, name them one by one?" It is a very humbling experience. And might we say, impossible? Impossible in the fact that we could not ever count or quantify all the blessings He has given us. There are too many. They are incalculable. He blesses us daily with things big and small, the seen and the unseen. It will not be until we are Home, that we will be able to see just how much He blessed our lives...

On Friday, this was the view of the Brigham City Temple...

Seeing this magnificent sight brought to mind the words of President Hinckley, "Be grateful. Be thankful to the Almighty for His wonderful blessings upon you. You have all that this great age has to offer, and beyond that the marvelous blessings of the restored Gospel of Jesus Christ. How lucky can you be. Walk with appreciation and respect for the blessings of life and happiness which you enjoy."

Let us count our blessings. We have so much to be thankful for. Our Father in Heaven lives and loves us, and blesses us each day of our lives. May we do our best to always maintain 'an attitude of gratitude'...

~ ~ ~

"...render all the thanks and praise which your whole soul has power to possess, to that God who has created you...

"...serve him who has created you from the beginning, and is preserving you from day to day, by lending you breath, that ye may live and move and do according to your own will, and even supporting you from one moment to another...

"...all that he requires of you is to keep his commandments; and he has promised you that if ye would keep his commandments ye should prosper... 

"...he doth require that ye should do as he hath commanded you; for which if ye do, he doth immediately bless you; and therefore he hath paid you. And ye are still indebted to him, and are, and will be, forever and ever; therefore, of what have ye to boast?"

(Mosiah 2:20-24)

~ ~ ~

He Heals...

Recently we heard of a powerful fast and testimony that occurred in a local Singles Ward. It began as many do, brothers and sisters getting up and sharing their faith and love for the Lord and His Church. And then, a young man got up to bear his testimony...it was not like any of the others that had come before. He shared his story of living a life of gang membership, drugs, and violence. He said he had gone to prison at the age of 17, for shooting and killing a friend of his. He spent 15 years behind bars. He has only been free for three months. But that wasn't the freedom he spoke of. He spoke of the freedom that comes through Jesus. The saving and healing power, and freedom from death and sin, that comes through the Atonement.

Following this incredibly powerful testimony, not one, but two more young men got up and shared their stories, that were quite similar.

These three men shared more than the fact that they had messed up...big time...and had to pay a price. More than the fact that they were all on a difficult road to recovery...

They each shared personal experience and knowledge of the Savior and His ability to help and heal. They bore powerful testimonies of the reality of the Savior and His Atonement. They bore witness of His ability to reach us, no matter how low we have fallen or how dark of a place we are in...

Boyd K. Packer offered these powerful words: "Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and cannot fix is the very purpose of the Atonement of Christ...
"There is no habit, no addiction, no rebellion, no transgression, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the Atonement of Christ."

Read these words. Really read them. Believe them. For they are true. They are meant for you. And for me. We all need forgiveness. We all need the Atonement. We all need Jesus.

Jesus will never leave us. Never abandon us. No matter how far we estrange ourselves from Him, one thing is certain...He will never be more than an arm's length away, because that is as far as we can push Him. The very minute we turn to Him, He will be there. Ready to help, and bless, and heal.

If you have lost your way for a moment, all is not lost. You are not a lost cause. There is hope. There is help. And it comes in the form of the loving Savior and His Atonement. They way back may not be easy. But you will not travel it alone. He will be with you every step of the way, no matter how long or hard the journey. He loves you. He wants to help. Turn to Him. He will make you whole. He will make you new.

Trust Him. He is who He says He is, and He can do all for you He says He can do. He is your older brother, your Savior. And His love and power know no end...

Here is a music video to a song called "Cry Out To Jesus" by the band Third Day...

"One of the most viscous and destructive lies concocted by the father of all lies (the devil) is that there is no return from mistakes and sin. He would have us believe that there are no U-Turns allowed. This is wrong. We can turn around, change our minds, change our hearts, and come unto Christ." 

-Mary Ellen Edmunds

We Thank Thee, O God, For A Prophet...

We are SO blessed to have the opportunity to listen to General Conference! It is such a gift. A reminder that God lives, and loves us enough to keep a Prophet...a mouthpiece for Him...on the earth, to lead us back to Him.

The counsel we receive twice a year from the Lord's servants is a priceless gift. For they speak the things He wants and needs us to know, or to remember.

Recently a man was giving a talk in his Sacrament Meeting, and spoke of his friend Tom, from Fiji. One day he was talking to Tom and asked him why he would ever move from Fiji, as it is practically paradise! Tom's response was simple, immediate, and quite moving...He said, "I wanted to be close to the Prophet." Powerful stuff there!

Do we fully appreciate the fact that we have a living Prophet in our midst? One who continually speaks to us. Do we listen? Do we seize every opportunity to listen to his voice? Do we follow the counsel he gives?

Our thoughts turn to those early pioneers...Would we have done as they did? Would we have left behind our homes and all we held dear to follow his counsel, and him, to an unknown place? And even more humbling is to think of those Saints who came from other countries to follow! They wanted to be near him. And in faith they followed him. Knowing, that he truly was a prophet of God.

Let us be as faith filled...To be near to the prophet. Maybe not physically. But spiritually. Let us follow his counsel, for we know with surety where it will lead...Back to the loving arms of our Father and Savior.

Here is a song by The Nashville Tribute Band, that exemplifies the faith of those early pioneers...

"We thank thee, O God, for a prophet to guide us in these latter days..."

Education Week is here again!...

Can you believe it is Education Week time again already?! Where has the year gone? Are you ready for us, because Provo here we come!!!

Here is what our schedule looks like:

9:50-10:45 am

Tuesday: Joy and Laughter
Wednesday: A Hopeful Heart
Thursday: Healing The Soul
Friday: Hold On

11:10-12:05 pm

Wednesday: You Are Better Than You Think!
Thursday: Mission Possible. . . You Have A Mission And Purpose
Friday: "Arise And Shine Forth" (D&C 115:5)

(All of our classes will be taught in the Madsen room of the Harris Fine Arts Center)

Keep Running...

With the Olympics having been on for the last two weeks, many of us have watched and seen many incredible stories and gained inspiration from some of the athletes we have watched. Maybe the most common face of inspiration of the 2012 Summer Games was that of Oscar Pistorious. The track and field runner who just happened to be a double amputee. It was incredible to watch him run against all of those able bodied athletes. Did he medal? No. Did he set a world record? No, didn't do that either. But what he did do was heroic in its own rights...in our mind anyway...he beat the odds...he did what so many said he could not do, and that was compete in the 'regular' Olympic games, instead of the Paralymic games he normally competes in. He silenced his critics. He refused to give in to all the voices telling him he couldn't do it. He made it. He raced. And though he didn't win, he finished every race he ran. And finished well. He kindly and graciously shook the hand of each competitor and congratulated the winners. Oscar Pistorious may not have returned home to South Africa with a gold medal around his neck, but he is a true champion...

Below is a video clip that came from the 1992 Olympics. It shows the race of a man named Derek Redmond. Shortly into his race he tore his hamstring. In agony, he was determined to finish his race. His father was in the stands and was watching all of this. He couldn't take seeing his son in pain like this any longer...he pushed his way through security, rushed to his son's aid and helped him finish his race.

We know that our Father in Heaven notices us. He sees our needs. He knows of our hearts and our brokenness at times. We need not fear. He will come to us. He will send help to us, so that we too may finish our race...

"God does nothing by chance, but always by design as a loving Father...Surely such a loving Father in heaven...will not forget the needs of each of his children."

~President Spencer W Kimball~

Come, Come, Ye Saints...

There simply are not words to adequately express the feelings of love and gratitude that fill our hearts for those souls who crossed the plains. Those great souls who had the great faith to leave all they had behind, with an unwavering trust that God would see them through this unknown journey. They did not know when they set out just how difficult or long it would be. But they trusted that it was for His Church, His cause, and for that, it was worth it.

From the depths of our souls we thank them for the sacrifices they made, so that we might enjoy the Gospel the way we do today...

Come, Come, Ye Saints...

The Woman At The Well

In the Book of John, we find the story of the woman at the well. This story holds so much more than a Samaritan woman having a run in with Jesus at a well. In this story we find the love Jesus has for the single soul. The lost soul. The infinite worth He see in us, when we see ourselves as worthless.

The quick version of the story is that this Samaritan woman had gone to the well in the middle of the day to get water. Speculation says she went later on in the day to avoid the crowds and the other women. As maybe she didn't want to have to deal with their comments and their judgements? We don't know, but maybe. At the well she meets a man. A Jewish man. And he speaks to her and asks her for a drink. This boggled her mind, that this man, a Jewish man nonetheless, would speak to her. He tells her He has a way that she will never thirst again. She's all in at the thoughts of this, as she is thinking she will never have to come back to the well! After a little clarification, Jesus tells her to go get her husband. She tells Him she doesn't have one. He says, 'Yeah, I know you don't, but go get the man you are living with and bring him and your friends back. I've got some things I want to tell you.' She is so taken back by what He knows about her. She does as she is told. Returns, and is taught. And goes on to teach others.

Jesus didn't care where this woman had been. He cared where she was at, at that moment. She was at the well. And He took the time to let her know that she was worth His time. That she mattered. Surely all the things that had been said about her by the other women, had affected her. She had begun to believe them to some extent, whether they were true or not. She had tried to avoid them by going later to the well, but one way or another, it had gotten to her. She believed what was said about her. She was an outcast. And now she finds herself embraced in the concern of none other than the Savior.

Ardeth Kapp said, "...she stands as a symbol for all women and all men of all time, helping us to see that the Lord loves each of us no matter who or where we are. With all our weaknesses and imperfections, with our wrong choices and mistakes, as saints, sinners, and all in between, he will come to us with buckets of living water and bless us beyond measure."

Happy Birthday Debbie

Happy Birthday Debbie!

We hope you have a most wonderful day...

Love,
Lori and Me'Chel

Thankful For His House...

Yesterday we had the chance to go to the Temple with two of our friends. They wanted to get a quick picture afterwards. Here is what Take 1 looked like:

Hey brother...Yes, we know we're standing in holy places, but could ya aspire a little higher and maybe catch our faces?...

 Take 2:

There we go! A shot with not just our feet, but our entire bodies in it...Success!
With our friends Becky and Shannon.

We are so thankful for the opportunity we have to spend time at the Temple. It is a true refuge from the storms of life. During a difficult time of our lives or even on just a hard day, we can enter into the walls of that sacred House of God and be gently wrapped in His love and reassured by the covenants we have made with Him.

We love what Sister Patricia Holland said, "On those days when I feel off center, out of focus, or off balance, when I feel that I don't have enough time, insight, or strength to solve my problems, I know that comfort is as close as the temple."

The Temple is truly the House of the Lord. His spirit dwells there. He longs for you to come and seek and learn and spend time with Him. Consider these reassuring words of Elder David B Haight:
"Come to the temples worthily and regularly. Not only do you bless those that are deceased, but you may freely partake of the promised personal revelation that may bless you life with power, knowledge, light, beauty, and truth from on high, which will guide you and your posterity to eternal life...You will come to know your Lord there. As your relationship with Him grows and deepens, you will grow increasingly confident in His love, in His compassion for your difficulties, in His power to bear you up and bring you back to His presence."

The Temple is such a gift from our Father in Heaven. A source of power and love and hope. And a reminder that He loves us, and wants us to be with Him...FOREVER...

~ ~ ~

"And we ask thee, Holy Father, that thy servants may go forth from this house armed with thy power, and that thy name may be upon them, and that thy glory be round about them, and thine angels have charge over them;" -D&C 109:22 

  ~ ~ ~

Warmth of the Son

Here it is June and we find ourselves ready to begin all things Summer. For many school is out, and the warm weather is certainly telling us that cool of Spring is gone and the warmth of Summer is here to stay! And that warmth, is something that many of us have waited for all Winter, no? During those cold, snow filled months, we longed for the warmth of the sun...

There are times in our lives that are difficult and certainly feel cold and wintery as we feel alone and long for the warmth not the sun, but rather the source of all light, the Son of God.

Don Staheli said, "What is there about a hug, about being held close to the bosom of one whose affection we crave, that means so much to us? Why is it that to be enfolded in the arms of a concerned other proffers so much comfort and sustaining warmth?

"...the loving arms of the Savior are open wide to receive us--that when no one else seems to be around, when others do not appear to understand or even pay attention to our need for a hug, He is there."

He continued, "He may send His embrace through inspiring music, a beautiful sunset, or a fragrant flower. He can manifest Himself in such ways and many, many more."

It is our prayer that we may be aware. Aware of those tender embraces He sends to us, in the form of things like music and sunsets and flowers. Also, that we may be aware of one another. Let us pray for one another. Let us look out for one another. Let us be extensions of the hands of Jesus and embrace one another. So that in the wintery months of each others lives, we may bring a little warmth to one another through kind words, a little act of service, or a simple embrace. For all of those little things are what make a big difference...

Buried Treasure...

Lori's son and his friends pulled a prank last weekend at Venice Beach, and it quickly went viral and hit all the news stations! So if you see Heartbound burying a treasure chest full of CDs...you'll know why!

But we did choose...

"There are few of us, if any, who don't walk the refiner's fire of adversity and despair, sometimes known to to others but for many quietly hidden and privately endured. Most of the heartache, pain, and suffering we would not choose today. But we did choose. We chose when we could see the complete plan. We chose when we had a clear vision of the Savior's rescue of us. And if our faith and understanding were as clear today as it was when we first made that choice, I believe we would choose [the same choices] again."  ~Richard C Edgley

Happy Birthday Lori!

Happy Birthday Lori! Wishing you a wonderful day...

 

Love,

Debbie and Me'Chel

Congratulations Jordan and Alisha!

Last night Debbie's son Jordan got engaged...

Congratulations Jordan and Alisha!

Happy Mother's Day!

"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation--not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching them and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

"You may think you don't have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us (see D&C 46:11-12). The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before--colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter.

"What you create doesn't have to be perfect...Don't let the voices of critics paralyze you--whether that voice comes from the outside or the inside.

"If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it."

-Dieter F Uchtdorf (Ensign, November 2008)-

Mayday!

Yes today is the first day of May, known as May Day. But this post is more about the phrase 'Mayday'...not so much to do with Spring festivities, but rather those times in our lives where we plead with our Father in Heaven for help. Those times we are in distress and desperately need His comfort, love, and guidance. Let us turn to the words of Elder Jeffrey R Holland:

"I ask everyone within the sound of my voice to take heart, be filled with faith, and remember the Lord has said He "would fight [our] battles, [our] children's battles, and [the battles of our] children's children." And what do we do to merit such a defense? We are to "search diligently, pray always, and be believing[. Then] all things shall work together for [our] good, if [we] walk uprightly and remember the covenant wherewith [we] have covenanted. The latter days are not a time to fear and tremble. They are a time to be believing and remember our covenants.


I have spoken here of heavenly help, of angels dispatched to bless us in time of need. But when we speak of those who are instruments in the hand of God, we are reminded that not all angels are from the other side of the veil. Some of them we walk with and talk with--here, now, every day. Some of them reside in our own neighborhoods. Some of them gave birth to us, and in my case one of them consented to marry me. Indeed heaven never seems closer than when we see the love of God manifested in the kindness and devotion of people so good and so pure that angelic is the only word that comes to mind."

Our Father in Heaven loves us more than we can begin to comprehend. And He will not leave us comfortless. He has promised us that time and time again. He will come to us. He will comfort us. He will send His spirit. He will send angels. He will use those around us. One thing is for sure, He will send comfort and aid. Hold on, help is on the way...

Sunday Thought...

"Restoring what you cannot restore, healing the wound you cannot heal, fixing that which you broke and cannot fix is the very purpose of the Atonement of Christ..

"There is no habit, no addiction, no apostasy, no crime exempted from the promise of complete forgiveness. That is the promise of the Atonement of Christ." 

-Boyd K Packer (Ensign Nov 1995)

He Lives!

When Orson F Whitney was a missionary he had a powerful dream that he was a witness to the Savior's agony in the Garden of Gethsemane. It was so powerful, it ultimately changed his life. The following is actually a quote from Elder Holland:

"As Elder Whitney felt regarding this majestic gift and the giver of it, may we so feel: "I was so moved at the [gift] that I wept...out of pure sympathy...My whole heart went out to Him. I loved Hm with all my soul and longed to be with Him as I longed for nothing else." Having already offered the Atonement in our behalf, Christ has done His part to make that longing a reality. The rest will depend entirely upon ourselves." (Jeffrey R Holland "Broken Things to Mend")

May we love Him. May we believe Him. And every day may we follow Him...

On this Easter Sunday we testify that He lives and offer our deepest gratitude for the gift of the Atonement...

Special Needs Mutual

Here are the wonderful new friends we made while doing a program for the Special Needs Mutual...

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We're Still Here...

Are you surprised...We are actually posting and updating on here! We thought we would share a few pictures we have taken...

With our friend Vicki at her son's wedding...

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At the Temple...

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Happy Birthday Me'Chel!

Happy Happy Birthday Me'Chel!

Love,

Lori and Deb

Love is the way of the disciple...

"Love should be our walk and our talk.

"Love is the measure of our faith, the inspiration for our obedience, and the true attitude of our discipleship.

"Love is the way of the disciple."

-President Dieter F Uchtdorf (Ensign November 2009)