It breathes life into our very souls

". . . faith is like spiritual oxygen.  As we allow faith to freely flow within us, it awakens and enlivens our spiritual senses.  It breathes life into our very souls."

 David S. Baxter

"With faith come trials of faith, 

bringing increased faith."

 Neil L. Andersen

"The Savior responds to our acts of faith."  Neil L. Anderson

"The promise to those who submit to God is that His arm, His power, will be revealed in their lives."  

Todd D Christofferson

"The formula of faith is to hold on, work on, see it through, and let the distress of earlier hours real or imagined fall away in the abundance of the final reward.   Jeffrey R. Holland

"You can achieve what you believe you can. Trust and believe and have faith."  

Thomas S. Monson

"Instead of fearing the future, exercise the faith that will allow you to lay claim to the promises of the Lord."  

Michael T. Ringwood

"Day after day, on your path toward your eternal destiny, increase your faith. Proclaim your faith! Let your faith show!"  Russell M. Nelson

....the Lord always answers the humble prayer of faith."

"The gift of faith is a priceless spiritual endowment."

 Neil L. Andersen

And in the fourth watch of the night Jesus went unto them, walking on the sea . . . Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid . . . O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

fear not doubt not for I am with thee

Soothing salve....faith

"Personal faith is a reality you need in your life. It is a source of strength and comfort and resolution under the happiest and most trying moments of your life."

   Elaine L. Jack

God added another day in your life because someone needs you.

"Perhaps it is true that we are weak. Perhaps we are not wise or mighty. But when God works through us, no one and 

nothing can stand against us." 

 Dieter F. Uchtdorf's

"We will all have disappointments and discouragements that is part of life. But if we will have faith, our setbacks will be but a moment and success will come out of our seeming failures."

 Ezra Taft Benson

"Pressing on in noble endeavors, even while surrounded by a cloud of depression, will eventually bring you out on top into the sunshine."  

 Ezra Taft Benson

"When we promise to follow the Savior to walk in His footsteps and be His disciples, we are promising to go where that divine path leads us. And the path of salvation has always led one way or

 another through Gethsemane."

 Jeffrey R. Holland

"From the Atonement of the Savior flows the soothing salve that can heal our spiritual wounds and remove guilt. However, this salve can only be applied through the principles of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, repentance, and consistent obedience. The results of sincere repentance are peace of conscience, comfort, and spiritual healing and renewal."  

 David A. Bednar

"I have a sure witness that God the Father watches over you in love. He loves each of you. … Because He loves you, He will provide the help that you need to move yourself and others upward along the way 

back to His presence." 

 Henry B. Eyring

"Grand as it is, planet Earth is part of something even grander that great plan of God. Simply summarized, the earth was created 

that families might be." 

 Russell M. Nelson

"Start now. Live a purposeful life. Put the power of the compounding of daily disciplines in place in the important areas of your life. I promise that in a year from now, you will either be glad you started today, 

or you will wish you had." 

 Randall L. Ridd 

Voice of perfect mildness. . . listen for the daily miracles

"The influence of the Holy Ghost is described in the scriptures as 'a still small voice' … and a 'voice of perfect mildness' … Thus, the Spirit of the Lord usually communicates with us in ways that are quiet, delicate, and subtle."  

 David A. Bednar

Blessings from heaven surround us, but we must open our hearts to see them. Daily life can be so demanding, though, that we may not always notice how heaven is pouring out blessings and guiding our efforts. Hurrying from one commitment to the next, accomplishing one task after another, we seem to be much more aware of our daily difficulties than the abundant blessings we receive. 

Anciently, the Israelites who fled Egypt were much the same way. Nearly every morning during their 40 years in the wilderness, they awoke to find manna lying like dew on the ground. And yet, while the Lord saved them from starvation by literally raining down bread from heaven—not to mention delivering them from slavery—the children of Israel complained to Moses that they missed the fish, fruits, and vegetables they had enjoyed in Egypt. 

Because the manna came so easily, so regularly, and for so long, they stopped being amazed by it and even grew tired of it. They did not consistently acknowledge, let alone thank the 

Lord for their daily bread. 

Are there some "daily little miracles" in our lives that we fail to notice? Do we take for granted the blessings that shower gently but generously upon us....just because they are available every day? What a different tone our lives take when we turn heavenward with thankfulness for the favors that come our way. Not only do we recognize more of our blessings, but we also stand ready to receive more divine help. Let us open our eyes and our hearts to the blessings that surround us and 

rejoice anew in each miracle of daily bread. 

Lloyd D. Newell

Look for them....you will begin to feel the love of the Giver of the gift

Have you ever received a gift that you could tell was made just for you? Not something that was mass produced and purchased from a department store, but something a loved one caringly crafted with you in mind. Maybe the craftsmanship wasn't perfect, but you were more than willing to overlook any imperfections because you could sense the love of the giver in the gift. 

It has been suggested that "if we thought of life as a gift, we might not demand nearly as much from it...... No one's life is perfect, but everyone's life is a gift. One woman who was experiencing many of life's challenges and sorrows decided that she would set her alarm five minutes early and spend those extra minutes lying in bed thinking of all the good things in her life. She has followed this ritual for many years now, and though she gets a little less sleep every night, the spirit of gratitude starts her day off right. Not only does it help her recognize her d, but it also helps her enjoy them more fully. 

Perhaps we ought to be a little more deliberate about seeing the simple goodness that surrounds us. Some days it's not easy to count our blessings, but those are the days when it's most important to try. Think of the air you breathe, the beauty of the earth, the loving people you know, and the good things that fill your days. Look for them, and be grateful for them. Rejoice in the gift of life, and you will begin to feel the love of the Giver of the gift.

So much better than the alternative

His infinite light

Good, better and best

You make life happy

With the faith of a little child

Before they slip away - Happy Father's Day

At times, every father wonders, "Where did the time go?" Children who just yesterday were so small, so dependent on us, so eager to spend time with us, suddenly become so grown up, so independent, and so anxious to find their own place in the world. The years speed on, and they seem to go faster each day.

So where did the time go? Simply put, we lived it. Perhaps by remembering this we will be more inclined to make the most of the time we still have and live it well. We can cherish the meaningful moments, large and small, that helped to shape our children—and us. We can hold on to the happy memories and even remember the mistakes—but only long enough to learn from them—and then move on. Starting today, we can build strong relationships with our children, moment by moment.

A grown son reflected on the good times he had with his father while growing up. Interestingly, the moments he remembered most clearly were neither expensive nor exotic. They were seemingly small exchanges between father and son: conversations, shared experiences, campouts, projects they completed together. By far his most meaningful memories were a series of simple moments when his father demonstrated love.

In many ways, it seems easier for fathers to move up the professional ladder than to be engaged in the life of the home. And yet the loving presence of an attentive father makes such a big difference. He is more than just a guest in his home; he strives to take advantage of every opportunity, every precious moment, to build bridges to his children—and grandchildren. It's often not easy, and takes great patience and wisdom, but there can be no greater or more meaningful work than the work we do within the walls of our home.

Being a successful father is not so much about doing a few extraordinary things as it is about diligently doing many simple things. It's making the most of fatherhood moments, day by day, year after year, before they slip away.

 Lloyd D. Newell

Appledoodle Cookies

Yield: 2 dozen

Ingredients

¾ cup butter (one and a half sticks), softened

¾ cup brown sugar

¼ cup sugar

1 teaspoon vanilla

1 egg

2 cups flour

1 small (3.5 ounces)l box instant cheesecake or vanilla pudding mix, not prepared 

1 teaspoon baking soda

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

1/4 teaspoon salt

pinch nutmeg

1 cup apples, peeled and diced small

(optional) 1 cup white chocolate chips 

Cinnamon Sugar:

1/3 cup sugar

1 teaspoon ground cinnamon

Instructions

In a large bowl, cream together butter and sugars. Mix in vanilla and egg until smooth.

In a medium bowl whisk together flour, pudding mix, baking soda, cinnamon, salt, and nutmeg. Add dry mixture to wet ingredients and mix until combined well. Stir in apples and white chocolate chips (if using). Chill in the fridge for one hour. *I tried it with chilling and not chilling and didn't notice a big difference.

For the Cinnamon Sugar: In a small bowl, combine the sugar and cinnamon.

Preheat oven to 350 degrees and line baking sheets with parchment paper. Take around 2 Tablespoons of dough and roll into a ball and then roll generously in the cinnamon sugar. Place on prepared baking sheet.

Bake for 10-12 minutes. Allow cookies to cool completely on the baking sheet - they will continue to bake as they cool. Store in airtight container at room temperature.

Just do it!

Know you can!

Just smile and

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.

Buttermilk Ranch Potato Gratin

INGREDIENTS

• 1/4 cup finely chopped, fresh chives
• 1 head savoy cabbage cored, cleaned, finely shredded
• 1 packet (1 ounce) Hidden Valley® Original Ranch Salad® Dressing & Seasoning Mix
• 1 tablespoon unsalted butter
• 2 cups grated Parmesan cheese
• 2 pounds baking potatoes washed unpeeled, thinly sliced
• 2½ cups buttermilk
• 8 slices bacon cut into ½-inch pieces
• fresh chives for garnish
• freshly ground black pepper

DIRECTIONS

1. Preheat oven to 375°F.
2. Place small skillet over medium-low heat and fry bacon until crisp. Remove from pan with slotted spoon and drain on paper towels. Set aside.
3. Add cabbage to bacon fat in pan; toss to coat. Slowly let cabbage wilt; add bacon back to pan. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
4. Remove from heat and add chives, reserving small portion for garnish.
5. Generously butter bottom and sides of ovenproof casserole dish.
6. In large bowl, combine potatoes, buttermilk, 1 cup of Parmesan and dressing mix. Season with salt and freshly ground black pepper.
7. Using hands, place layer of potatoes in casserole dish. Sprinkle with Parmesan and repeat with two more layers. Spoon cabbage mixture on top and spread evenly over potatoes. Top with two more layers of potatoes and Parmesan. Sprinkle with remaining Parmesan. Cover dish with aluminum foil; bake for 1 hour. Remove foil and bake for additional 30 minutes, until golden brown. Rest for 10 minutes before serving.
8. Garnish with fresh chives.

Voila'

It's the buzz

Always

The stone of COURAGE

John Trebonius was a humble schoolteacher in Germany many years ago. He was known for the unusually respectful attitude he showed toward the young people in his classroom. Even when they seemed a little unruly, he would treat them well. "Who knows?" he would say. "There may be among my pupils a great poet, a great preacher, a great philosopher!" Although it was the Germanic custom of the day for professors to keep their hats on when entering the schoolroom, John Trebonius always removed his, explaining, "I do not know but that there sits among [these students] one who will change the destiny of mankind. I take off my hat in deference to what they may become."

Sitting in that classroom, under the influence of that wise and gentle man, was a young Martin Luther, whose courage and convictions did indeed change the world.

People like John Trebonius who treat people according to their potential—who they can become rather than who they currently seem to be—can have a powerful influence on others. Their positive expectations inspire us to reach a little higher, do a little more, and become all that we can be.

Truly, we are surrounded by greatness—or, at least, potential greatness. Given time, people can, and often do, surprise us. The neighborhood boy who made mischief may turn into a great teacher, inventor, or civic leader . The little girl next door may become a noted scientist, artist, or journalist. And both have the potential to become exceptional adults, parents, and neighbors. Life is a long walk on a long road, and we never know what the future may bring for those within our influence. But we do know that human potential is limitless.

So remember the story of John Trebonius from long ago, and take off your hat in respect for what the future may bring.

 Lloyd D. Newell 

"May we muster courage at the crossroads, courage for the conflicts, courage to say no, courage to say yes, for courage counts." 

Thomas S. Monson

"Courage is that quality of the mind which meets danger or opposition with calmness and firmness, which enables a man to face difficulties that lie in his pathway to righteous achievement. . . . Courage implies facing difficulties and overcoming them" 

David O. McKay

"…The stone of COURAGE will melt the Goliath of fear. The stone of EFFORT will bring down the Goliath of indecision and procrastination. And the Goliaths of pride, of envy, of lack of self-respect will not stand before the power of the stones of HUMILITY, PRAYER, and DUTY."  

 Thomas S. Monson

Spinach Gratin

Makes 8 servings

• 3 POUNDS FROZEN CHOPPED SPINACH, DEFROSTED (5 (10-OUNCE) PACKAGES)
• 4 TABLESPOONS (1/2 STICK) UNSALTED BUTTER
• 1 CHOPPED YELLOW ONION
• 1/4 CUP FLOUR
• 1/4 TEASPOON GRATED NUTMEG
• 1 CUP HEAVY CREAM
• 2 CUPS MILK
• 1 CUP FRESHLY GRATED PARMESAN CHEESE
• 1 TABLESPOON KOSHER SALT
• 1/2 TEASPOON FRESHLY GROUND BLACK PEPPER
• 1/2 CUP GRATED GRUYERE CHEESE

1. Transfer your thawed spinach to a large baking dish or bowl. Set aside.
2. Preheat the oven to 425 degrees F.
3. Melt the butter in a heavy-bottomed saute pan over medium heat.
4. Add the onions, and saute until translucent, about 15 minutes.
5. Add the flour and nutmeg and cook, stirring, for 2 more minutes.
6. Add the cream and milk, and cook until thickened.
7. Squeeze as much liquid as possible from the spinach, and add the spinach to the sauce. Add 1/2 cup of the Parmesan cheese and mix well. Season, to taste, with salt and pepper.
8. Transfer the spinach to a baking dish, and sprinkle the remaining 1/2 cup Parmesan and the Gruyere on top. Bake for 20 minutes until hot and bubbly. Serve hot.

It is amazing how far we can go

I know I need Him daily!

Just as He always has

"Is prayer your steering wheel or your spare tire?"  Corrie ten Boom

"Satan tries to limit your praying because 

he knows your praying will limit him."

"God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can't if you don't pray, and He can't if you don't dream. In short, He can't if you don't believe"

 Jeffrey R. Holland 

One thought at a time

Grilled chocolate bananas

INGREDIENTS

1 banana, peeled

2 tablespoons miniature marshmallows

2 tablespoons semi-sweet chocolate chips

2 tablespoons Cinnamon Toast Crunch™ cereal, slightly crushed

DIRECTIONS

1.    Preheat grill to medium high heat.

2.    Slice banana lengthwise and slightly open. Place on a rectangle of aluminum foil.

3.    Insert marshmallows and chocolate chips into the sliced banana.

4.    Wrap banana up in foil and cook on the grill for 5-6 minutes.

5.    Unwrap banana and top with cereal. After melt has slightly cooled eat with a spoon.

And you are valued above the stars

It's all we really have

Even when it gets harder

Especially when you feel fragile

Salted Caramel Coconut Banana Cake

INGREDIENTS:

2 ripe bananas

2 eggs

1/2 cup oil

3 Tbsp. coconut milk

1 1/ 2 cups light brown sugar

1 1/3 cups self-rising flour

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. coconut extract

8 oz. Mascarpone cheese

2/3 cup powdered sugar

1 tsp. lemon juice

1 tsp. vanilla

1 tsp. coconut

1/2 cup butter

1 1/2 cups brown sugar

1 tsp. vanilla

1 1/2 cup coconut

2 tsp. salt

1 banana, sliced

DIRECTIONS:

Preheat oven to 350 degrees. Grease an 8-inch round cake pan, then line the bottom with parchment paper.

Roughly mash the (2) bananas in a large bowl, then beat in the eggs. Stir in the oil and coconut milk. Break up any lumps in the brown sugar, then stir it into the banana mixture until well combine. Fold in the flour and the extracts.

Add the mixture to the prepared pan. Bake for 1 hour until done. Let cool in the pan for 10 minutes; turn out onto a wire rack to cool completely.

To make the frosting, beat together the mascarpone cheese with powdered sugar, adding in lemon juice and extracts until smooth and creamy. Spread over the cooled cake.

Puree the coconut in a food processor or chop with a knife to make it very fine.

To make the salted caramel topping, melt the butter in a sauce pan and cook on medium heat until it melts. Add the brown sugar, stirring constantly. Add the coconut and salt; continue to stir and add the extracts. Allow to thicken and cool, spreading on top of the other frosting, leaving 1/2 inch around the outside.

Garnish the top of the cake with sliced banana; serve.

Men are that they might have joy

Chilled Cucumber Soup

2 large seedless (European) cucumbers, peeled; 1/2 cup diced small, the rest coarsely chopped

1 1/2 cups vanilla flavored plain or Greek low or non fat yogurt

3 tablespoons fresh lemon juice

1 garlic clove, peeled

1/3 cup loosely packed fresh dill weed

1/4 cup loosely packed fresh flat-leaf parsley leaves

2 tablespoons loosely packed tarragon leaves (about 10 leaves)

1/4 cup extra virgin olive oil, plus more for drizzling

1/4 teaspoon kosher salt (or to taste)

1/2 red onion, finely diced

HOW TO MAKE IT

In a blender, combine the chopped cucumber with the yogurt, lemon juice, garlic, dill, parsley, tarragon and 1/4 cup of extra virgin olive oil. Blend on high speed for 2 minutes, until smooth. Season with salt, cover and refrigerate for 2-8 hours to allow flavors to meld and develop. (You can serve and eat right away, but the flavor of the soup won't be nearly as refined and delicious.)

Taste the soup for proper seasoning again just before serving. Pour the soup into bowls. Garnish with the finely diced cucumber, red onion and a drizzle of olive oil, and serve.

All things denote there is a God

A traveler, walking along a forest path, comes across an intricately woven tapestry lying on the ground.  After much effort, the traveler determines how the pattern was woven.  Is it possible for that traveler to focus entirely on the tapestry without ever once wondering about the one who created it?

We are that traveler.  God gives evidence of His existence through the beauty we see around us every day.

Some have suggested that mankind invented the concept of God to help explain the world.  If that were true, then as scientific knowledge increases, we might expect the world to outgrow its need for belief in God.

That has not happened.  For example, the concept of DNA unravels many mysteries about life.  But instead of making a belief in God unnecessary, it only deepens our appreciation for His handiwork.  As Francis Bacon  remarked:  "A little philosophy inclineth a man's mind to atheism; but depth in philosophy bringeth men's mind back to religion."

We read in the Old Testament that the children of Israel wandered in the wilderness for forty years.  Those born during that time might not have realized that food, in the form of manna, does not usually fall from the sky at night.  Even though it was a common occurrence for them, 

it was also a miracle.

There are miracles around us, as common as manna to the children of Israel, that testify of the reality of God.  We see these miracles in flowers, in rain, in the night sky, and in the eyes of a baby.

As an ancient prophet observed:  "All things denote there is a God, . . . the earth, . . . all things that are upon the face of it, . . . and its motion, . . . and also all the planets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator."