[FROM 1998 TO 2015]
I think we can all agree that in many ways who we were yesterday is not who we are today. Our yesterdays do shape who we are today, but as we learn the lessons life teaches us we tend to change a bit along the way. My past is full of a lot of learning and growth, but my present is full of new adventures that have shifted my focus from that of a newly begun family, to an established family meeting a very different set of challenges and situations. Below you may follow the paths of my past, which include former health challenges, organization solutions, nurturing little ones, brief thoughts on education, and reflections on my spiritual journey.
H.O.M.E.S. [an explanation and introduction]
“The Lord sets a high standard for us in telling us to consider our bodies a temple. ... [He] has established some basic standards for the governance of our physical bodies” and mental health so that we may become more self-reliant and better prepared to progress personally, strengthen the family, and serve in the Church and community (see L. Tom Perry, “The Tradition of a Balanced, Righteous Life,” Liahona, Aug. 2011, 32).
The admonition to “establish … a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God” provides divine insight into the type of home the Lord would have us build. Doing such begins the construction of a “spiritual mansion” in which we all may reside regardless of our worldly circumstance—a home filled with treasure that “neither moth nor rust doth corrupt.” (see Elder Gary E. Stevenson, "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples," April 2009 General Conference).
When we have been honest with ourselves and humble before the Lord in decisions about work and in the myriad decisions involved in mothering, we can go forward with courage. “For God hath not given us the spirit of fear; but of power, and of love, and of a sound mind” (2 Tim. 1:7). (see Jeanne Inouye, "Be of Good Cheer," October 1993 General Conference).
Joseph taught the Saints that knowledge was a necessary part of our mortal journey, for “a man is saved no faster than he [gains] knowledge,” and that “whatever principle of intelligence we attain … in this life, it will rise with us in the resurrection.” During challenging times, it is even more important to learn. The Prophet Joseph taught, “Knowledge does away with darkness, [anxiety], and doubt; for these cannot exist where knowledge is.” (see Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Two Principles for Any Economy," October 2009 General Conference).
Each of us has a personal lens through which we view the world. Our lens gives its special tint to all we see. It can suppress some features and emphasize others. It can also reveal things otherwise invisible. Through the lens of spirituality, we can know “the things of God” by “the Spirit of God.” (1 Cor. 2:11.) As the Apostle Paul taught, such things are “foolishness” to the “natural man.” He cannot see them “because they are spiritually discerned.” (See 1 Cor. 2:14.) (see Dallin H. Oaks, "Spirituality," October 1985 General Conference).
N O W A D A Y S
H e a l t h
--Nutrition
--Activity
--Balance
--Research
O r g a n i z a t i o n
--Organize It
--Clean It
--Manage It
--Fix It
M o t h e r i n g
--In the Home
--In the School
--In the Community
--In the Church
E d u c a t i o n
--What I Read
--What I Watch
--What I Learn
--What I Do
S p i r i t u a l i t y
--I Will Listen
--I Will Learn
--I Will Labor
--I Will Love
