Let us make the Lord our hope and our strength

 

 

 

Whatever the remaining distance between us and Him, it is ours to travel! The beckoning stepping-stones are there. You have come thus far by faith in Him, though you have “miles to go before you sleep,” and your faith will take you even further. Please ponder this eloquent pleading to the Father. It is by the same Jesus who volunteered in the premortal world by saying meekly and simply, “Here am I, send me”. Here are the pleading words: “Listen to him who is the advocate with the Father, who is pleading your cause before him—Saying: Father, behold the sufferings and death of him who did no sin, in whom thou wast well pleased; behold the blood of thy Son which was shed, the blood of him whom thou gavest that thyself might be glorified; wherefore, Father, spare these my brethren that believe on my name,

that they may come unto me and have everlasting life”.

 

 

He is always thinking of us!

 

I so testify as one of His apostles and do so in the holy name of Jesus Christ, amen.

 

Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

We are followers of Jesus Christ. And we have been His followers and have loved Him

for a long, long time. Nothing is more important than working and sacrificing and

enduring for Him. Let us be the generation ….. that finally walks away from the

world. If we will Awake to who we are, Arise by making of our lives ministries, and

come unto Christ by steadily becoming more holy, we will have a degree of influence the

world and the kingdom of God have never felt before an influence that has no limit and

no end. We can do this. I know we can. I know that God is our Father, and that the only way to worship

 Him is by following His Son. I know the heavens are open, that angels minister, and that the Spirit speaks.

And I know that Jesus Christ can heal us, strengthen us, sanctify us, lift us, and redeem us. I

testify that the power to have righteous influence comes when the Atonement changes our hearts.

 

Sheri Dew

 

“…Often people have such a firm grasp on things of the world that which is telestial that no amount of urging and no degree of emergency can persuade them to let go in favor of that which is celestial. Satan gets them in his grip easily. If we insist on spending all our time and resources building up for ourselves a worldly kingdom, that is exactly what we will inherit.”

Spencer W. Kimball

As the Savior declared, “Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation

of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great”

 “You know… that a very large ship is benefited very much by a very small

helm in the time of a storm, by being kept workways with the wind and the waves.

“Therefore….let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then

may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed”.

I declare my apostolic witness that Jesus the Christ is the light and the life of the world. He

lives; I know and witness He lives…..

I invoke the blessing upon you that, according to your desire, your faithfulness, and your

diligence, you may have eyes to see and the capacity to press forward and persevere in the

powerful spiritual pattern of small and simple things bringing to pass great things in your

individual lives, in your families, and in your righteous pursuits. Of these things I testify and

these blessings I invoke upon you in the sacred name of the Lord Jesus Christ, amen.

 

David A. Bednar

 

“With a sense of the sacred, one grows in understanding and truth. The Holy Spirit becomes his frequent and then constant companion. More and more he will stand in holy places and be entrusted with holy things.”

D. Todd Christofferson

Let us do all that we can do to increase our faith in and reliance on our Savior so that we can say, “give us strength according to our faith”. And on the days when we feel our faith is lagging, let us be like the father with the child possessed by a spirit, who when Jesus said to him, “If thou canst believe, all things are possible to him that believeth. . . . cried out and said with tears, Lord, I believe; help thou mine unbelief”. Let us make the Lord our hope and our strength. Let us follow Him with exactness. Let us draw near to Him. Let us put our trust and our love in the true and living God because His strengthening grace is, and always has been, and always will be, sufficient in every season of our need.

Sandra Rogers

To increase our faith simply means to place more trust in God and His Son, Jesus Christ. Our faith will increase when we live up to our Heavenly Father’s expectation of us. Increasing our faith will purify our hearts and sanctify our souls and bring us closer to our Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ

Jesus Christ, who by far suffered the most, has the most compassion for all of
us who suffer so much less. Moreover, He who suffered the most has no self-pity!
He cared, even in the midst of enormous suffering. He reached outwardly, when a
lesser being would have turned inwardly.”

Neal A. Maxwell

Where there is great love, there are always miracles.

 

They shall be called Grandmothers

 

 

Grandmas hold our tiny hands for a little while but our hearts forever.

 

 

"Grandma hold me a little longer, rock me a little more. Tell me another story...(You've only told me four!) Let me sleep on your shoulder. I love your happy smile. I'll always love you Grandma So stay with me awhile".

 

 

 The only thing better than having you for my mother,

is knowing my children have you for a Grandma!

 

 

Grandma has ears that truly listen

arms that always hold

Love that's never ending

and a Heart that’s made of Gold

 

 

Blessed are those who

spoil and snuggle

hug and hope

pray and pamper

boast and brag

for they shall be called

Grandmothers

 

 

Forever present in our Hearts

 

 

In Loving Memory of those who are forever present in our Hearts.

 

 

What if your blessings come through raindrops? What if your Healing comes through tears? What if a thousand sleepless nights are what it takes to know you’re near?

What if trails of this life are your Mercies in disguise.

 

 

Perhaps they are not Stars in the sky but rather openings where our loved ones

shine down to let us know they are Happy.

 

 

 

Oh Savior stay this night with me.

 

"I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless; Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness. Where is death's sting? Where, grave, thy victory? I triumph still, if Thou abide with me.

 

 

Hold on, Fear not, for God shall be with you forever and ever.

 

"Do the best you can through these years, but whatever else you do, cherish that role that is so uniquely yours and for which heaven itself sends angels to watch over you and your little ones. Mothers, we acknowledge and esteem your faith in every footstep. Please know that it is worth it then, now, and forever."

 

Jeffrey R. Holland

 

 

"The tests of life are tailored for our own best interests, and all will face the burdens best suited to their own mortal experience. In the end we will realize that God is merciful as well as just and that all the rules are fair. We can be reassured that our challenges will be the ones we needed, and conquering them will bring blessings we could have received in no other way."

 

 Jeffrey R. Holland

 

 

You are safer with God in the middle of a storm than you are anywhere else without Him.

 

His Grace Is Sufficient

 

 

Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you.

 Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.

John 14:27

 

Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever

 

“In our own storms in life the Savior is our solace and our sanctuary.

If we seek peace, we must come unto Him.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

 

“When we are grounded in the gospel and when we are prepared, we can weather any storm.”

Stanley G. Ellis

 

 

“If as a people we will build and sustain one another, the Lord will bless
us with the strength to weather every storm and continue to move forward
through every adversity.”

Gordon B. Hinckley

 

 

“None of us will avoid the storms of life. The winds and the waves will periodically interfere with our chosen course. The laws of the gospel can bring us back on course and guide us to peaceful waters.”

 

Marvin J. Ashton

 

 

“There are depths in the sea which the storms that lash the surface into fury never reach. 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

 

 

Don’t give up on that [wayward] boy or girl; one day he may, like the Prodigal Son, return to the home from which he came, as a ship in a storm returns to a safe harbor.”

 

Harold B. Lee

 

 

“Be grateful. Every day is a new canvas a new opportunity. ‘My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight. I am suggesting that as we go through life, we ‘accentuate the positive.’ I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort’

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

 

“Every soul that walks the earth, you and I, all of us-whether rich or poor, whether good or bad, young or old-every one of us is going to be tested and tried by storms of adversity, winds that we must defend ourselves against. And the only ones who won’t fail will be those whose houses have been built upon the rock. And what’s the rock? It’s the rock of obedience to the principles and teachings of the gospel of Jesus Christ as the Master taught.”

Harold B. Lee

 

 

“I testify to you that our promised blessings are beyond measure. Though the storm clouds may gather, though the rains may pour down upon us, our knowledge of the gospel and our love of our Heavenly Father and of our Savior will comfort and sustain us and bring joy to our hearts as we walk uprightly and keep the commandments. There will be nothing in this world that can defeat us.”

Thomas S. Monson

 

 

“Oh, it is wonderful to know that our Heavenly Father loves us-even with all our flaws! His love is such that even should we give up on ourselves, He never will. We see ourselves in terms of yesterday and today. Our Heavenly Father sees us in terms of forever.”

Joseph B. Wirthlin

 

 

Samoas Truffles {Girl Scout Cookies}

 

Samoas Truffles {Girl Scout Cookies}

INGREDIENTS

• 15 ounces Samoas Girl Scout Cookies (alternatively, use Keebler Coconut Dreams  if you don't have access to Girl Scout Cookies)
• 1 - 8 ounce package of cream cheese, softened
• 1 - 20 ounce package chocolate flavored Almond Bark

DIRECTIONS

1.   Begin by crushing 15 ounces of Samoas Girl Scout Cookies. I used a food processor and processed them until I was left with very fine crumbs. Reserve a couple tablespoons of the crushed Smoas for garnish.

2.     Using your mixer, combine the cookie crumbs with 8 ounces of softened cream cheese.  Mix until well combined.

3.     Use a tablespoon of mixture for each truffle. Use your hands to create rounded truffles. You will be able to get about 35-40 truffles from the mixture. Place them on a baking sheet lined with wax paper.

4.   Pop the tray of truffles into the freezer for about 30 minutes, or the refrigerator for about an hour.

5.     Melt the almond bark and begin dipping each truffle. Drop one truffle at a time into the coating. Lift it out of the coating with a fork. Tap the fork on the rim of the bowl so that excess coating drips off. Immediately garnish with the reserved cookie crumbs.

 

He heard you, and He sent me

God’s Care

I was driving home from a meeting this evening about 5, stuck in traffic on Colorado Blvd., and the car started to choke and splutter and die - I barely managed to coast, cursing, into a gas station, glad only that I would not be blocking traffic and would have a somewhat warm spot to wait for the tow truck. It wouldn't even turn over. Before I could make the call, I saw a woman walking out of the Quickie Mart building, and it looked like she slipped on some ice and fell into a gas pump, so I got out to see if she was okay.

When I got there, it looked more like she had been overcome by sobs than that she had fallen; she was a young woman who looked really haggard with dark circles under her eyes. She dropped something as I helped her up, and I picked it up to give it to her. It was a nickel.

At that moment, everything came into focus for me: the crying woman, the ancient Suburban crammed full of stuff with 3 kids in the back, 1 in a car seat, and the gas pump reading $4.95.

I asked her if she was okay and if she needed help, and she just kept saying 'I don't want my kids to see me crying,' so we stood on the other side of the pump from her car. She said she was driving to California and that things were very hard for her right now. So I asked, 'And you were praying?'

That made her back away from me a little, but I assured her I was not a crazy person and said,

 'He heard you, and He sent me.'

I took out my card and swiped it through the card reader on the pump so she could fill up her car completely, and while it was fueling, walked to the next door McDonald's and bought 2 big bags of food, some gift certificates for more, and a big cup of coffee. She gave the food to the kids in the car, who attacked it like wolves, and we stood by the pump eating fries and talking a little.

She told me her name, and that she lived in Kansas City. Her boyfriend left 2 months ago and she had not been able to make ends meet. She knew she wouldn't have money to pay rent Jan. 1, and finally in desperation had finally called her parents, with whom she had not spoken in about 5 years. They lived in California and said she could come live with them and try to get on her feet there.

So she packed up everything she owned in the car. She told the kids they were going to California for Christmas, but not that they were going to live there.

I gave her my gloves, a little hug and said a quick prayer with her for safety on the road.
As I was walking over to my car, she said, 'So, are you like an angel or something?'

This definitely made me cry. I said, 'Sweetie, at this time of year angels are really busy, so sometimes

God uses regular people.'

It was so incredible to be a part of someone else's miracle. And of course, you guessed it, when I got in my car it started right away and got me home with no problem. I'll put it in the shop tomorrow to check, but I suspect the mechanic won't find anything wrong.

Sometimes the angels fly close enough to you that you can hear the flutter of their wings...

'Cast thy burden upon the Lord, and He shall sustain thee. He shall never suffer the righteous to be moved.'

Psalms 55:22

"It is a precious gift to have the gift of patience."

 

  

“It is a precious gift to have the gift of patience.”

 

“We must have patience in order to withstand pain and grief without complaint or discouragement, which detract from the Spirit. It’s necessary to have patience in the face of tribulation and persecution for the cause of truth, which sets an example because the manner in which we bear our cross will be an influence to others to help lighten their load.”

 

Angel Abrea

 

 

Be as patient with others as God has been with you.

 

 

God has perfect timing; never early, never late. It takes a little patience and it takes a lot of faith but it's worth the wait.

 

As He has said, “Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee”.So, may we always remember that He who has known and loved us longer and much greater than anyone else has had a plan for our eternal joy in mind even before our birth! Trust and lean on Him. … “You may not be able to see a path right now, but that doesn't mean it's not there.”

 

 

More patience, less reaction.

 

In my life I have learned that sometimes I do not receive an answer to a prayer because the Lord knows I am not ready. When He does answer, it is often "here a little and there a little" because that is all that I can hear or all I am willing to do.

 

Robert D. Hales

 

“Patience is learning to hide your impatience.”

 

Feelings are just visitors, let them come and go.

 

“Each day we decide the degree of our discipleship. Each day we answer the question, ‘Who’s on the Lord’s side? Who?'”

 

Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

“Knowledge is the handmaid of intelligence and priceless beyond words.”

 

Strength doesn’t come from what you can do. It comes from overcoming the things you once THOUGHT you couldn’t.

 

 

“During difficult experiences often filled with pain and suffering Character is Built, Hearts are Purified and Souls are Enlarged, as individuals gain experience and spiritual tutoring.”

 

David A. Bednar

 

“We will have genuine joy and happiness only as we learn patience.”

 

“You…are everything; you are why the heavens were created.”