Watercress Spaetzle with Grape Tomatoes

Serves 6

Tiny spaetzle dumplings get a gorgeous emerald color from watercress, which is blended into the soft dough.

• 4 large eggs
• 2 Tbs. low-fat sour cream
• 1 ½ tsp. salt
• ½ tsp. freshly ground black pepper
• ½ tsp. ground nutmeg
• 2 cups coarsely chopped watercress tops, plus ¼ cup chopped leaves, divided
• 1 cup low-sodium vegetable broth, divided
• 6 Tbs. chopped fresh basil, divided
• 1 ⅔ cups all-purpose flour
• 2 Tbs. butter
• ½ cup finely chopped shallots
• 3 cups grape tomatoes, halved lengthwise

1. Blend eggs, sour cream, salt, pepper, and nutmeg in blender until combined. Add 2 cups watercress tops, 1/2 cup broth, and 4 Tbs. basil. Blend until watercress is puréed (tiny bits may remain). Pour mixture into large bowl. Add flour, and whisk until smooth, thick batter forms. Cover, and let rest 15 to 20 minutes.

2. Bring large pot of salted water to a boil. Coat baking sheet with cooking spray.

3. Working in several batches, smear or press 1/4 cup batter into boiling water through large mesh strainer using flexible rubber spatula, rapping strainer on sides of pot occasionally. Boil dumplings
11/2 to 2 minutes, or until tender. Scoop out dumpling with strainer or sieve. Drain, and transfer to baking sheet to dry.

4. Melt butter in large skillet over medium heat. Add shallots, and sauté 1 minute. Add tomatoes, and sauté 3 minutes, or until beginning to soften. Add spaetzle and remaining 1/2 cup broth. Toss 2 to 3 minutes, or until mixture is heated through and broth is absorbed. Season with salt and pepper, if desired, and sprinkle with remaining 1/4 cup watercressleaves and 2 Tbs. basil.

Like a sunflower

Little one

1. "Chiquitita" (a Spanish term of endearment for a woman meaning "little one")
2. Chiquitita

   Song by ABBA
3. Chiquitita, tell me what's wrong
   You're enchained by your own sorrow
   In your eyes there is no hope for tomorrow
   How I hate to see you like this
   There is no way you can deny it
   I can see that you're oh so sad, so quiet

   Chiquitita, tell me the truth
   I'm a shoulder you can cry on
   Your best friend, I'm the one you must rely on
   You were always sure of yourself
   Now I see you've broken a feather
   I hope we can patch it up together

   Chiquitita, you and I know
   How the heartaches come and they go and the scars they're leaving
   You'll be dancing once again and the pain will end
   You will have no time for grieving
4. Chiquitita, you and I cry
   But the sun is still in the sky and shining above you
   Let me hear you sing once more like you did before
   Sing a new song, Chiquitita
   Try.......
5. "They who reach down into the depths of life where, in the stillness, the voice of God is heard, have the stabilizing power which carries them poised and serene through the hurricane of difficulties." Spencer W. Kimball
7. 

He cares about all of it

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."  Henry B. Eyring

 "We should never be discouraged in those daily tasks which God has ordained to the common lot of man. Each day's labor should be undertaken in a joyous spirit and with the thought and conviction that our happiness and eternal welfare depend upon doing well that which we ought to do, that which God has made it our duty to do."
Joseph F. Smith

I believe . . . there is no such thing as instant greatness. This is because the achievement of true greatness is a long-term process; it may involve occasional setbacks. The end result may not always be clearly visible, but it seems that it always requires regular, consistent, small, and sometimes ordinary and mundane steps over a long period of time.

True greatness is never a result of a chance occurrence or a one-time effort or achievement. . . . It requires a multitude of correct decisions for the everyday choices between good and evil  "Over the years these little choices will be bundled together and show clearly what we value" . Those choices will also show clearly what we are.

Howard W. Hunter

To say that the truest greatness is "to do well those things which God ordained to be the common lot of all mankind" means that to achieve this foundational greatness we must look to God as we conduct the daily routine and toil of life. Our lives should reflect our understanding that we are responsible to Him for what we do and what we become. We search for His will and commit to it in every aspect of our lives. We live our lives to God. Jesus said that "every idle word that men shall speak, they shall give account thereof in the day of judgment." We are told that in this day of judgment, if we have rejected God or neglected His counsel, "our words will condemn us, yea, all our works will condemn us; . . . and our thoughts will also condemn us." There is a happy corollary to being judged in these things. It is that the very details of our lives are of interest to God, that He cares about all of it words, works, even thoughts. His interest and love are infinite in this way, and He will respond to our hopes and pleadings and help us in everything, including matters that seem unimportant or insignificant to others or even to ourselves. Rest assured that you can rely on Him as you strive to establish the foundation of greatness in your life.    D. Todd Christofferson

Chicken Club Quesadillas

Chicken Club Quesadillas

Ingredients:
8 flour tortillas
8 slices deli-sliced chicken breast (or turkey works too!)
8 slices deli-sliced ham
8 slices cheddar cheese
8 strips of bacon, cooked
favorite sandwich toppings (mayonnaise, tomato, lettuce, pickles, banana peppers, etc) 

Directions:
Spread mayonnaise on each of the tortillas (if using mayo). Layer the chicken, ham, cheese, bacon, and other toppings on half of each tortilla, fold the tortilla over and press down when you are finished putting toppings on it. Heat a skillet over medium heat. Lightly brush melted butter (or olive oil) on both sides of the tortilla. Cook two filled tortillas at a time (3-4 minutes each; until they are golden brown), turning over once.

Makes 4 servings.

It came from Him

"Sometimes, the Lord sends His blessings in such a highly unusual, dramatic, or precisely timed manner that it's as if the Lord 'signs' the blessing personally 

so we know with a certainty that it came from Him."  

Gerald Lund

"The Lord's hand in in our lives; if we will but feel for it, in the darkness, 

we can grasp it and be lifted thereby."  

James E. Talmage

"When life becomes difficult when our resources seem stretched to the breaking point we can find within us resources of extraordinary fortitude and faith. The goods of heroism are within us all. May we allow courage and honor to define our response to whatever tribulations we face. 

May we become heroes." 

Lloyd D. Newell

"Within us, deep down in our heart…, resides a sense of robust hope and sweet expectation that can lift us out of life's fog to see clearly who we really are. We lift the fog every time we count our blessings, every time we are kind toward others, every time we seriously ponder life's true purposes." 

  Lloyd D. Newell

"Peace is not just the absence of adversity; peace of heart comes when we face up to the battles of life all around us. Even when circumstances seem overwhelming, we can confront our problems and face our fears with faith… depending on the Lord for strength."
 Lloyd D. Newell 

"God is at the helm. . . . Things may be spiraling out of man's control,

 but they are not beyond God's control." 

Gerald N. Lund

That there are roses among the thorns

"The Heavens will NOT Be filled with those who never made mistakes."
Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

Whether or not you choose to keep your covenant to always remember Him, 

He always remembers you. 

"The Savior's Atonement will overcome and compensate for all of the unfairness of mortal life." 

Quentin L. Cook

"It was said of Jesus that He 'increased in wisdom and stature, and in favor with God and man;' that He 'went about doing good; for God was with him.' Do we have the determination to do likewise? If we are to [enjoy the abundant life He spoke of], we must listen for the sound of sandaled feet and reach out for the Carpenter's hand. For with every step we take in His path, we abandon a doubt and gain a truth. My prayer is that daily, we may follow in His footsteps." 

Thomas S. Monson

"We can seek for the eternal ... The dial on the wheel of sorrow eventually points to each of us. At one time or another, everyone must experience sorrow. No one is exempt" Because Jesus Christ suffered greatly, he understands our suffering and our grief. "Sometimes, the very moments that seem to overcome us with suffering are those that will ultimately suffer us to overcome." The Lord compensates the faithful for every loss. That which is taken away from those who love the Lord will be added unto them in his own way. "Not even death can take from us the eternal blessings promised by a loving Heavenly Father."   

Joseph B. Wirthlin

"Believe in Yourself and then Live so as to Reach your Possibilities." Thomas S. Monson

Rather than complaining that life is hard or that our blessings don't seem abundant enough 

or that there are always thorns among the roses, shouldn't we be grateful that life, however difficult, is precious, that in addition we have the promise of eternal life, that the blessings 

we have are wonderful and those we will have are more wonderful yet, 

and that there are roses among the thorns?"  

Jeffrey R. Holland

Life is full of little miracles

"Think how better life could be if this were our attitude to learn from hardships and mistakes rather than being defined or paralyzed by them. Remember, we are here to learn and grow 

and that takes time so be patient with yourself. Once we 

come to see challenges as building blocks for a better life rather than stumbling blocks that keep us down, 

we truly begin to understand the purpose of life." 

Lloyd D. Newell

Life is full of little miracles, but perhaps the greatest miracle of all is to see people change, grow, and improve, day by day and little by little. Imagine how different life would be if we saw people not for who they are right now, but for who they could become. This may be the most important way we can change in our ability

to believe in and nurture change in others.  

Lloyd D. Newell's 

Sticky Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls with Lion House

Sticky Cream Cheese Cinnamon Rolls with Lion House  

Dough:

• 2 tablespoons dry active yeast (the recipe calls for 2 but I use 4 tablespoons)
• 2 cups warm water
• 1/3 cup sugar
• 1/3 cup butter, melted
• 2 tsp salt
• 2/3 cup nonfat dry milk
• 1 egg
• 6 cups flour

Filling:

• 1 c. packed brown sugar
• 2 1/2 tablespoons ground cinnamon
• 1/3 c. butter softened

Cream cheese frosting:

• 1/3 c. butter softened
• 1/2 package cream cheese, softened
• 2-3 c. powdered sugar
• 1 tsp. vanilla
• 5-8 tablespoons of milk, as needed

Dissolve yeast in water. Add all ingredients except 3-4 cups of flour in a stand mixer, and mix with dough hook until smooth. Gradually add the remaining flour. Turn out onto floured surface and knead gently until dough is soft and incorporated.  Place dough in a greased bowl, cover with a towel or plastic wrap, and let rise until doubled, about an hour. (When you add more yeast the dough rises faster—I find my first rise only takes 30-45 minutes for my dough to double. You should try it!)
After dough has risen, punch down and knead into ball. Roll out onto floured surface. Roll into a large rectangular shape. *In the past I'd seen recipes indicating roll the dough as thin as possible to get as many layers of cinnamon roll as possible, however I've found that by leaving the dough a little thicker it rises much better and stays much fluffier throughout the 2nd rise and baking process. The cinnamon rolls don't have as many layers but they are much much better!
Once the dough is rolled out, use your hands to spread 1/3 c. softened butter over dough. Then mix packed brown sugar with cinnamon. Sprinkle cinnamon and sugar mixture evenly over dough. Roll dough into vertical log (notice how loosely I rolled it).
Cut dough at approximately every 1 inch to make 12-18 rolls depending on how big each roll is (I made a pan of 10 and saved the extra dough for some cinnamon bread). Here's what my rolls looked like just after cutting and placing in a 9x13 pan (sprayed with cooking spray):

Cover and let rise for 15 minutes on top of stove. Meanwhile set stove to 200 degrees F to keep the area around the rolls warm. After they've risen, place them in the 200 degree oven for 5 minutes, then turn the temperature up to 350 degrees F and bake for 15-18 more minutes (don't open the oven door when you raise the temp).
While the rolls are baking, prepare your frosting. In a stand mixer whip butter and cream cheese as hard as the beater will go. Cream cheese is finicky and you have to beat it hard to get the lumps out and make sure it's fully incorporated into the butter and whipped. Then turn down the speed and add the powdered sugar slowly, alternating with a bit of milk. Add vanilla. Continue adding powdered sugar and milk until you get a smooth consistency, slightly thinner than traditional butter cream. You want the frosting to melt easily on the rolls so it will almost be a mixture of icing and frosting—not too thin but not too thick.
Pull them out and frost immediately! I like to frost each one individually rather than slathering frosting on the whole pan at once.

No goodbye will last forever

True love is timeless and endless.

"God's light is real, it is available to all. It has the power to 

soften the sting of the deepest wound." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"The Holy Ghost is… known as the Comforter. During times of trouble or despair or simply when we need to know that God is near, the Holy Ghost can lift our spirits, give us hope, and teach us 'the peaceable things of the kingdom,' helping us feel 'the peace of God, 

which passeth all understanding.'"

Craig C. Christensen

"As we suffer the sorrows and joys of mortality, let us keep our eyes focused on the prize. Be of good cheer, for we know the outcome, we know the truth; we know the Savior and His infinite Atonement made in our behalf. We know the Father's plan of happiness."  

 Mary G. Cook

"May the peace and comfort of our Father in heaven bring its healing influence to all who are called upon to mourn and to bear affliction.  And may we be strengthened with the understanding that being blessed does not mean that we shall always be spared all the disappointments and difficulties of life.

We of this Church have been told of the Lord that before we came to this earth we had a life running back to the remotest stretches of eternity; that as spirits we lived out an existence before we came here, in which we prepared ourselves for life on the earth; that then, having kept our first estate, we came to this earth to obtain knowledge, wisdom, and experience, to learn the lessons, suffer the pains, endure the temptations, and gain the victories of mortality; that when our mortal bodies give up life, our spirits return to take up again the spirit life which we left to come to earth life, and we thereafter go on, building upon the achievements of our first spirit-life, our first estate, and of our mortal life, or second estate, progressing through the endless eternities that follow, until we reach the goal the Lord set: 

"Be ye perfect, even as your Father which is in heaven is perfect." 

Heber J. Grant

The Son of God perfectly knows and understands for He felt and 

bore the burdens before we ever did.

"Our Savior has taken upon Himself … our pains and our suffering and afflictions so that He can know what we feel and how to comfort us."
Linda S. Reeves

No good bye will last forever.

Time together is priceless. It goes all too quickly but is endless through eternity.

Angels attend you

The night had been filled with pain. Excruciating pain.The weight of it settled right into His heart.  Darkness fell bringing with it betrayal and torture.  He was surrounded by those who mocked and questioned Him.  Their intent was to destroy Him, whatever the cost. After spending all night with the enemy He must have wondered if there was anyone on His side.

Morning came with the possibility of reprieve.  "I…have found no fault in this man…nothing worthy of death is done unto him…Pilate therefore, willing to release Jesus, spake again to them.  But they cried, saying, Crucify him, crucify him…and he said…Why, what evil hath he done?" (Luke 23:13-25) What evil? The healings, the miracles, the words of understanding. Did it mean nothing to them? Bruised and bleeding He began to walk.

It was then that a tender mercy came. "And as they led him away, they laid hold upon one Simon, a Cyrenian, coming out of the country, and on him they laid the cross, that he might bear it after Jesus."  (Luke 23:26)

He couldn't take away what lie ahead. But for a small moment he could help bear the burden. Shoulder it. In that moment the Savior did not suffer alone.

Sometimes I like to think about Simon when I take the Sacrament.  Part of the covenant includes a promise that we are "willing to bear one another's burdens, that they may be light; Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort."  (Mosiah 18:8-9)

Simon knew what it meant to be willing. To bear another's burden.

There are those around us who shoulder heavy burdens.  Many nights find them lying awake, the weight of the burden settled right into their hearts.  Sometimes they feel as if the trial will destroy them. We can't take the trial away. But could we help shoulder the burden?

In the midst of greatest pain, sometimes comfort comes from simply knowing that you don't walk the road alone.

Emily Freeman

"At times some may think that no one cares-but someone always cares! Your Heavenly Father will not leave you to struggle alone but stands ever ready to help."

Thomas S. Monson

"There are those among you who ..have already suffered a full measure of grief and sorrow. My heart is filled with compassion and love for you. How dear you are to the Church. How beloved you are of your Heavenly Father. Though it may seem that you are alone, angels attend you. Though you may feel that no one can understand the depth of your despair, our Savior, Jesus Christ, understands. He suffered more than we can possibly imagine, and He did it for us; He did it for you. You are not alone." 

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Neapolitan Cupcakes

Chocolate Cake:
1 box devil's food cake mix
3 eggs
½ C. oil
1 C. milk
⅓ C. sour cream
2 tsp. vanilla extract

Vanilla Cake:
1 box white cake mix
3 eggs
⅓ C. oil
1 C. milk
1/3 C. sour cream
1 T. vanilla extract

Strawberry Buttercream:
2 C. butter, softened
¼ C. strawberry puree
2 tsp. vanilla extract
6–8 C. powdered sugar
Fresh strawberries for garnish

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line pans with cupcake liners.
2. Sift each cake mix into a separate bowl; set aside.
3. For Chocolate Cake: In a large bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Add sifted devil's food cake mix; stir until smooth.
4. For Vanilla Cake: In a separate large bowl, combine eggs, oil, milk, sour cream, and vanilla extract. Add sifted white cake mix; stir until smooth.
5. Place a small scoop of chocolate batter in the side of each cupcake liner. Place a small scoop of vanilla batter next to the chocolate in each cupcake liner.
6. Bake for 16–20 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
7. For Strawberry Buttercream: Beat butter for 2 minutes, scrape down the bowl, and beat again. Add strawberry puree and vanilla extract. Gradually add powdered sugar until the buttercream reaches the desired consistency.
8. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes and top with a fresh strawberry.

Makes 48 cupcakes.

Fighting through darkness and despair

Get thee hence, Satan; deceive me not.

God's grace is sufficient! 

Be led out of bondage by power, and with a stretched-out arm.

Therefore, let not your hearts faint
Mine angel shall go up before you
and also my presence,
and in time ye shall possess the goodly land

What goodly land? Your goodly land. Your promised land. Your New Jerusalem. Your own little acre flowing with milk and honey. Your future. Your dreams. Your destiny. I believe that in our own individual ways, God takes us to the grove or the mountain or the temple and there shows us the wonder of what his plan is for us. We may not see it as fully as Moses or Nephi or the brother of Jared did, but we see as much as we need to see in order to know the Lord's will for us and to know that he loves us beyond mortal comprehension. I also believe that the adversary and his pinched, calculating little minions try to oppose such experiences and then try to darken them after the fact.

Fighting through darkness and despair and pleading for the light.

Cast not away therefore your confidence, which hath great recompence of reward. For ye have need of patience, that, after ye have done the will of God, ye might receive the promise. 

Hebrews 10:35–36

I acknowledge the reality of opposition and adversity, but I bear witness of the God of Glory, of the redeeming Son of God, of light and hope and a bright future. I promise you that God lives and loves you, each one of you, and that he has set bounds and limits to the opposing powers of darkness. I testify that Jesus is the Christ, the victor over death and hell and the fallen one who schemes there.

"Fear ye not." And when the second and the third and the fourth blows come, "Fear ye not the Lord shall fight for you." "Cast not away therefore your confidence." I say this in the sacred and holy name of our Protector and Redeemer, 

even the Lord Jesus Christ. Amen.

Jeffrey R. Holland

You are pleasing to God

Accept trials, setbacks, and "surprises" as part of your mortal experience. Remember that you are here to be proved and tested, "to see if you will do all things whatsoever the Lord your God shall command you" and may I just add, "under all circumstances." Millions ....have been or are being thus tested, so why would you be exempt? Some trials come through your own disobedience or negligence. Other trials come because of the negligence of others or simply because this is a fallen world. When these trials come, the adversary's minions begin broadcasting that you did something wrong, that this is a punishment, a sign that Heavenly Father does not love you. Ignore that! Instead, try to force a smile, gaze heavenward, and say, "I understand, Lord. I know what this is. A time to prove myself, isn't it?" Then partner with Him to endure well to the end. Spiritual confidence increases when you accept that "often trials and tribulations are allowed to come into your life because of what you are doing right"  

Glenn L. Pace

.....acknowledge and face your weaknesses, but don't be immobilized by them, because some of them will be your companions until you depart this earth life. No matter what your current status, the very moment you voluntarily choose honest, joyful, daily repentance by striving to simply do and be your very best, the Savior's Atonement envelops and follows you, as it were, 

wherever you go. Living in this manner, you can truly "always retain a remission of your sins" every hour of every day, every second of every minute, 

and thus be fully clean and acceptable before God all the time.

Yours is the privilege, if you want it, to come to know for yourself, today or soon, that you are pleasing God in spite of your shortcomings."  
Jörg Klebingat

Fresh Tomato Tart with Basil-Garlic Crust

• 1 recipe Basil-Garlic Tart Dough (recipe follows)
• 8 ounces sliced fresh mozzarella
• 2 large, ripe tomatoes (about 1 pound), cored and cut crosswise into thin slices
• Salt and freshly ground pepper
• 1 tablespoon extra-virgin olive oil
• 1 Tablespoon fresh minced basil
• 3 Tablespoons freshly grated Parmesan cheese

Preheat oven to 375. Prepare the dough, and press it into a tart pan with removeable bottom.

Line the bottom of the tart pan with the sliced mozzarella. Arrange the tomatoes on top of the cheese. Top with salt, pepper, and parmesan. Drizzle with olive oil, and sprinkle with basil.

Bake 30-35 minutes, or until dough is golden brown and cheese is bubbly and browned in spots. Allow to rest at least 5 minutes before slicing. (The tart may be covered and kept at room temperature for up to 6 hours).

Basil-Garlic Crust

• 1/3 cup fresh basil leaves
• 1 medium garlic clove
• 1 1/4 cups unbleached all-purpose flour
• 1/2 teaspoon kosher salt
• 8 tablespoons (1 stick) unsalted butter, chilled and cut into 8 to 10 pieces
• 4-5 tablespoons ice water

Place the basil and garlic in the work bowl of a food processor. Process, scraping down the sides of the bowl as needed, until finely chopped. Add flour and salt; pulse to combine.

Add butter. Pulse about 10 times, or until the mixture resembles pea-sized crumbs.

Add water, 1 tablespoon at a time, pulsing several times after each addition. After 4 tablespoons water have been added, process the dough for several seconds to see if the mixture forms a ball. If not, add remaining water. Process until dough forms into a ball. Remove dough from processor.

Flatten the dough into a 5-inch disk. Wrap it in plastic, and refrigerate for at least 1 hour. (The dough can be placed in a zipper-lock plastic bag and refrigerated for several days or frozen for 1 month. If frozen, defrost the dough in the refrigerator.)

Roll out the dough on a lightly floured surface into a 12-inch circle. Lay the dough over the tart pan, and press it into the pan. Trim the dough, and proceed with the recipe as directed.

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Pink Lemonade Cupcakes

Lemon Cupcakes:
1 box white or lemon cake mix
4 egg whites
⅓ C. oil
¾ C. milk
⅓ C. plain yogurt
¼ C. lemon juice
2 T. lemon zest

Strawberry Buttercream:
1 C. butter, softened
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4–5 C. powdered sugar
2–4 T. strawberry puree
Straws for decoration

Directions:
1. Preheat oven to 350 and line pans with cupcake liners.
2. Sift cake mix into a small bowl; set aside.
3. In a large bowl, combine egg whites, oil, milk, yogurt, lemon juice, and lemon zest until smooth.
4. Add cake mix; stir to combine well.
5. Fill cupcake liners ¾ full and bake for 17–22 minutes or until a knife inserted near the center comes out clean.
6. For Strawberry Buttercream: Beat butter for 2 minutes. Add vanilla extract. Slowly add powdered sugar until buttercream is a consistency slightly thicker than desired. Slowly stir in strawberry puree (fresh strawberries that have been processed in a blender to soup-like consistency). Add only as much puree as needed to make buttercream the right consistency. If the buttercream becomes too thin, add more powdered sugar.
7. Pipe buttercream onto cooled cupcakes and decorate with straws.

Makes 24 cupcakes.

Faith is always pointed toward the future

Look ahead and remember that faith is always pointed toward the future.

The start of a new year is the traditional time to take stock of our lives and see where we are going, measured against the backdrop of where we have been. I don't want to talk about New Year's resolutions, but I do want to talk about the past and the future, with an eye toward any time of transition and change in our lives—and those moments come virtually every day. Faith builds on the past but never longs to stay there. Faith trusts that God has great things in store for each of us and that Christ truly is the "high priest of good things to come" Hebrews 9:11

Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever.

Forgive and do that which is sometimes harder than to forgive: forget. 

And when it comes to mind again, forget it again.

I know that even though it may take time, with Heavenly Father's help, 

we can let the past remain in the past.

Jeffrey R. Holland

"…To be happy and to avoid misery, 

we must have a grateful heart."  

 Henry B. Eyring

This is the beginning of a new year, and each of us might well say to himself, 

'Today is the first day of the rest of my life. Let me begin now to prepare for eternal life, 

that I may know a fullness of joy and happiness now and forever.' After all, 

this is really what each of us wants, and it is most important that we take time to find out 

how to get it and begin now to work at it day by day." 

N. Eldon Tanner

New moon

Know it

Learn to fly! :D

When we think we walk alone...

"Our journey on the path is personal and well lit with the Savior's love."

"It's in the doing ..." 

'Try a little harder to be a little better.'

"There is room for improvement ..." 

So much in life depends on attitude.

Thomas S. Monson

"We can become the masters of our own destinies by practicing self-discipline, and by setting worthy goals."

‎"At the advent of a new year, I challenge Latter-day Saints everywhere to undertake a personal, diligent, significant quest for what I call the abundant life a life filled with an abundance of success, goodness, and blessings. " 

Thomas S. Monson 

Keep your eyes on your dreams, however distant and far away. Live to see the miracles of repentance and forgiveness, of trust and divine love that will transform your life today, tomorrow, and forever. That is a New Year's resolution I ask you to keep. 

Jeffrey R. Holland

"May we remember these ABCs as we begin our journey into the new year, cultivating a positive attitude, a belief that we can achieve our goals and resolutions, and the courage to face whatever challenges may come our way. Then the abundant life will be ours." 

Thomas S. Monson

"Our journey on the path is personal and well lit with the Savior's love." 

More Savior, Like Thee

Now we have packed away the tinsel and the ornaments of the season. But I hope the warm memories of fellowship, expressions of love, cheerful greetings, giving of gifts, gathering of families together, and reflecting upon the birth of our Savior and the significance of this event will linger long in our hearts. It seems that during this time we are more charitable and have better feelings toward each other than at any other time during the year.

Now comes the beginning of a new year, and, though we make New Year's resolutions to improve ourselves, often the good feelings of the Christmas season are forgotten and disregarded. But the image of the Savior, what he taught, what he sacrificed and did for us planted firmly in our minds can help us remember all that we must do......

What a wonderful way for us to begin a new year open our ears that we may hear, then resolve to follow.

"Come unto Christ, and be perfected in him," by establishing Christlike attributes in our lives. We can be more thoughtful, kind, and considerate of our fellowmen. "Come unto Christ . . . and deny yourselves of all ungodliness."

I know our Savior lives. I pray that each of us will let our hearts believe him, be more receptive to his voice, be more willing to respond, and faithfully come unto him. I say this in the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.

Barbara W. Winder

More holiness give me, 

More strivings within, 

More patience in suff'ring, 

More sorrow for sin, 

More faith in my Savior, 

More sense of his care, 

More joy in his service, 

More purpose in prayer.

. . .

More purity give me, 

More strength to o'ercome, 

More freedom from earth-stains, 

More longing for home. 

More fit for the kingdom, 

More used would I be, 

More blessed and holy— 

More Savior, like thee.

"The Lord is pleased with every effort, even the tiny, daily ones in which we strive to be more like Him.  Though we may see that we have far to go on the road to perfection, we must not give up hope"
Ezra Taft Benson

"Compared to the perfection of God, we mortals are scarcely more than awkward, faltering toddlers. But our loving Heavenly Father wants us to become more like Him, and that should be our eternal goal too. God understands that we get there not in an instant but by taking one step at a time."  

 Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Celebrating a new day! :D

Auld Lang Syne

Mannheim Steamroller 

Auld Lang Syne - YouTube

Happy New Year!!!!!!

We have just enjoyed another season of rejoicing and commemorating the birth of the Savior and, for most of us, the opportunity of renewing family ties.  Almost all agree that December is a happy month, when we sing of "Peace on earth and good will toward men,'"but too many people leave this festive season and move into January with feelings of depression or discouragement.  To some, January is foreboding: the beginning of the winter doldrums. . . .

I think January ought to be a happy month of the year.  Of all people on the face of the earth, Latter-day Saints, with the perspective given them by the gospel, ought to be happy and optimistic. . . . January always brings a renewed hope for personal and family progress in the coming year.  It is the time of the year when people tend to set goals and make commitments resolutions, if you will, New Year's resolutions.  
Howard W. Hunter

Happy New Year!!! :D

Knowing, doing, and being

I pray that the Lord will bless us throughout our lives as we strive to progress in all three areas of knowing, doing, and being. I pray that we will be diligent and do our very best, but I also pray that we will be patient as we improve line upon line, learning upon learning, repentance upon repentance, onward and upward, with the Lord trying us and proving us as we go.

At times we will learn first and be tried later; at other times the Lord will try us first and then teach us from the trials. But in spite of the sequence, I pray that we will move forward with faith in and love for the Lord—even while not knowing beforehand what lies ahead. Later in life we'll be able to look back on the what of our lives and understand the why. If we have been true and faithful, these backward glances will reveal to us a clear path of progress toward perfection guided by an all-wise, patient, and loving Heavenly Father. I testify that He lives, that His Son Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer, and that They know and love each one of us beyond our present capacity to comprehend. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen. 

 William Baker