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)

December Special...

From now until December 25th, with every cd purchased through our website, you will receive a free copy of our 'This Is Christmas' cd!

Click here to place an order...

Seeking...

Image courtesy of pamsclipart.com

Here it is December...where in the world did this year go?! Time seems to fly by more and more quickly with each year that passes!

Here we find ourselves at the beginning of  the Christmas season. It truly is one of the most wonderful times of the year, as it does seem to have a positive change upon people. Folks seem to be kinder toward one another. There seems to be more brotherly kindness. There seems to be a shift in focus from one's self to those in need. There is something magical that seems to be almost tangible, floating through the air.

As talk of the holidays and Christmas are all about, one thought that has been upon our minds is that of 'seeking'...

As a vital part of the Christmas story, we know that wise men set out following a star in search of the Christ child. They went seeking for the one who had been promised to be sent to guide and save them. It says they diligently went searching for Him. The didn't just go out on a casual stroll and hope to happen upon Him. No, they went out with purpose and determination. The sought after Him. And when they found Him, they offered all they had to Him...the gold, frankincense, and myrrh, and they worshiped and praised Him.

Today do we not have the same need? Do we not need to still diligently seek Him with that same purpose and determination? We need to find Him. We need to offer all we have to Him...our life, our heart, and our will. For when we give those things to Him, the worship and praise will come naturally as we see that what He gives us in return for what we offered is so much greater and better than that which we gave. Our life will have purpose and meaning, and our will and heart shall be pure and His...

And after we have found Him, we will not be able to help but want to bring others to Him as well. As it says in Luke 22:32 "...and when thou are converted, strengthen thy brethren." When we know Him, when we have felt of His love, and know of His power to change lives, we will want nothing more than to share that with every soul we come in contact with.

There are so many in this world that are lost. That are searching. That are seeking. That are in need. That are hopeless. That are desperate. There are so many that just need Him...they need Jesus and the mighty change that He can bring about in their heart and in their life.

As we seek to find those who need help and hope and Jesus, let us not limit that seeking just to the Christmas season. The need for Him and His love is never ending, so let our search for those who need it be the same...

Bitter and Sweet

"...for if they never should have bitter 
they could not know the sweet---"  

-D&C 29:39

This scripture is a vital aspect of gratitude. 

It is not always easy. 

Nor is it always pleasant.

But it is vital, so that we may appreciate,

truly appreciate the goodness and tender mercies of the Lord.