Those who have suffered

Certain forms of suffering, endured well, can actually be ennobling. Annie Swetchine said, "Those who have suffered much are like those who know many languages; they have learned to understand and be understood by all" 

 Neil A. Maxwell

Thank you

Willing to be perfected

We all have an unsuspected reserve of strength inside 

that emerges when life puts us to the test.  

 Isabel Allende

When life gives you something that makes you feel afraid 

that's when life gives you a chance to be brave. 

 Lupytha Harmin

If you don't build your dreams, someone will hire you to build theirs. 

~

"Hope is putting faith to work when doubting would be easier."  

Thomas S. Monson

From time to time, our lives may seem to be touched by darkness... nevertheless, I bear witness that our living hope is Jesus Christ. I testify that with Christ, darkness cannot succeed.  

Dieter F. Uchtdorf

"Heaven is not a prize for the perfect, 

but the future home of all who are willing to be perfected."  

 Brad Wilcox

Never Forget 9/11 2001

Giada's Chocolate Chip Cookies

Ingredients

3 cups bread flour

1 teaspoon baking powder

1/2 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon kosher salt

1 cup unsalted butter, chilled and cubed

1 cup light brown sugar

1 cup granulated sugar

2 eggs, chilled

2 teaspoons pure vanilla extract

1 cup bittersweet chocolate chips

1/2 cup semisweet chocolate chips

Directions

In a large bowl, whisk together the flour, baking powder, baking soda and salt. Set aside.

In the bowl of a stand mixer fitted with the paddle attachment, beat the cold butter on medium speed, about 1 minute. Add the brown sugar and granulated sugar and mix until incorporated. Add the eggs and vanilla. Mix on medium-low speed until the mixture looks separated. Turn off the machine and add the dry ingredients. Mix on low speed just until the dough comes together. Turn off the machine and fold in the chocolate chips by hand using a rubber spatula.

Drop the dough onto a parchment-lined sheet tray in 1-cup mounds. Place the tray in the freezer and freeze for 1 hour.

Preheat the oven to 375 degrees F.

Bake straight from the freezer until still slightly under baked in the middle but golden brown around the edges and beginning to brown on top, 20 minutes.

Cool the cookies on the tray for 5 minutes before cooling completely on a wire rack.

Recipe courtesy of Giada De Laurentiis

Wherever you are

& Live

Happy Spirits

Chin up

Using your voice

Emeril's Late Night Pasta Recipe courtesy Emeril Lagasse

1 pound spaghetti

4 slices bacon, cut into 1-inch strips

2 tablespoons olive oil

2 tablespoons thinly sliced garlic

1 to 2 tablespoons chopped shallots

1/2 teaspoon crushed red pepper

1/2 teaspoon salt

1 large egg

1/4 to 1/2 cup grated Parmigiano-Reggiano, as desired

Bring a large heavy pot of salted water to a boil. Add the spaghetti and cook, stirring to separate the strands, until the pasta is al dente, 7 to 8 minutes for dry pasta. Drain in a colander, reserving 1/4 cup of the pasta cooking water. Return the pasta to the pot.

Meanwhile, in a large skillet, heat the oil over medium heat. Add the bacon and cook until crisp. Add the garlic, shallots, pepper, and salt and cook, stirring, until fragrant and the garlic is soft but not brown, about 1 1/2 minutes.

Remove the pan from the heat and add the egg and reserved pasta cooking water, stirring quickly until the mixture thickens, but the egg does not scramble.

Divide the spaghetti among plates or large shallow bowls, sprinkle cheese to taste over the top of each serving, and serve immediately.

Raspberry-Rhubarb Slab Pie

Ingredients

3-1/4 cups all-purpose flour

1 teaspoon salt

1 cup butter

3/4 cup plus 1 to 2 tablespoons 2% milk

1 egg yolk

2 cups sugar

1/3 cup cornstarch

5 cups fresh or frozen unsweetened raspberries, thawed and drained

3 cups sliced fresh or frozen rhubarb, thawed and drained

VANILLA ICING:

1-1/4 cups confectioners' sugar

1/2 teaspoon vanilla extract

5 to 6 teaspoons 2% milk

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine flour and salt; cut in butter until crumbly. Whisk 3/4 cup milk and egg yolk; gradually add to flour mixture, tossing with a fork until dough forms a ball. Add additional milk, 1 tablespoon at a time, if necessary.

2. Divide dough in two portions so that one is slightly larger than the other; wrap each in plastic wrap. Refrigerate 1 hour or until easy to handle.

3. Preheat oven to 375°. Roll out larger portion of dough between two large sheets of lightly floured waxed paper into an 18x13-in. rectangle. Transfer to an ungreased 15x10x1-in. baking pan. Press onto the bottom and up sides of pan; trim pastry to edges of pan.

4. In a large bowl, combine sugar and cornstarch. Add raspberries and rhubarb; toss to coat. Spoon into pastry.

5. Roll out remaining dough; place over filling. Fold bottom pastry over edge of top pastry; seal with a fork. Prick top with a fork.

6. Bake 45-55 minutes or until golden brown. Cool completely on a wire rack.

7. For icing, combine confectioners' sugar, vanilla and enough milk to achieve a drizzling consistency; drizzle over pie. Cut pie into squares. Yield: 2 dozen.

Forward is forward

I can

Accomplish the sacred despite being scared

We need to have a mental pantry of I can's

Sorry we are all out of I can not's here
we only have I CAN'S

Pineapple Sheet Cake

CAKE:

• 2 cups all-purpose flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 eggs
• 1 cup chopped nuts
• 2 teaspoons baking soda
• 1/2 teaspoon salt
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1 can (20 ounces) crushed pineapple, undrained

CREAM CHEESE ICING:

• 1 package (8 ounces) cream cheese, softened
• 1/2 cup butter, softened
• 3-3/4 cups confectioners' sugar
• 1 teaspoon vanilla extract
• 1/2 cup chopped nuts

Directions

1. In a large bowl, combine cake ingredients; beat until smooth. Pour into a greased 15-in. x 10-in. x 1-in. baking pan. Bake at 350° for 35 minutes. Cool.

2. For icing, in a small bowl, combine the cream cheese, butter, confectioners' sugar and vanilla until smooth. Spread over cake and sprinkle with nuts. Yield: about 24 servings.

Not thunder

Red, orange, yellow

When every leaf is a flower

God can make it eternally worthwhile...The spirit can soar in the midst of suffering and disappointment

 How to be Happy with Life's Setbacks

Life Mormon Culture

Sep 18, 2014

It's football season, and we are engrossed in watching college football, guessing which stars will go pro, and following the careers of our college stars as they shine in the NFL or Canadian Leagues.

Once in a while, a BYU alum will have a long-lasting, record-breaking pro career, but often their careers are cut very short by injury, a failure to adjust to the pro-game style, or inability to stand out from their teammates. I've often wondered what happens then — a forced career change while an athlete is still in his twenties, often with a wife and kids.

Yet, these kinds of upsets happen to all of us in some way or another. Those of us who try to live by following the Spirit may encounter other sorts of twists and turns, as our own willfulness competes with God's will for us.

Even if our faith never fails us, so at least our faith-path is straight, spiritual jostling occurs along the way, creating forks in the road. Twists and turns in our journey through mortality frustrate and bewilder us.  Yet, everyone has them. There must, then, be a purpose to them.

What Does Your Map through Mortality Look Like?

Recently, I happened upon a brilliant post on the blog of Middle-aged Mormon Man, and he kindly agreed to let me borrow a few of his ideas and graphics. The first graphic is the way we see our lives progressing:  

I'm very satisfied with this graphic. This is exactly the way I saw my life unfolding when I was in college. My education would guarantee a prosperous life.  Somewhere along that beautifully straight line a perfect mate would pop up, and then amazing children.  The house, the friends, the cars, the church callings, etc.

MMM's second graphic, astonishingly, is a perfect representation of how my life has unfolded (how did he know?):  

If my trials had been drawn onto this graphic, they would include health challenges, career challenges, financial setbacks, glitches in extended family relationships, deaths of loved ones, and living in places where we didn't speak the language.

My spiritual path has not been a straight line, but an undulating one — up and down; thankfully, never in circles. So, if this crazy drawing typifies the life path of practically everyone, then… why? Is there some eternal value here?

Joseph Smith in Liberty Jail

The Lord told Joseph Smith that bad experiences can help us. How?

We all have our favorite verses of scripture, but I also have a least favorite, and it is Section 122 of the Doctrine and Covenants.

Paraphrasing (I mean really paraphrasing), as the Lord is speaking to a suffering and complaining Joseph Smith confined in Liberty Jail, He says something like, "If they should pull your arms and legs off, rip your screaming kids away from you, shoot you in the head, and drag your dead body through the streets, it's all OK."

Somehow, the experience makes it OK.  I really hate this scripture, and am trying to come to grips with the OK-ness of the explanation:

…know thou, my son, that all these things shall give thee experience, and shall be for thy good (verse 7).

Then the Lord (and this is very much like Him) humbled Joseph and made him sorry for uttering a single word of complaint:

The Son of Man hath descended below them all. Art thou greater than he? (verse 8).

Finding Purpose in Wandering

Giving "life" may require something more than a hospital can provide

Here I heave a sigh and realize I have to figure out how our trials can be consecrated for our good, and how twists and turns (and cliffs, really — I know I've fallen off a few) can have temporal and eternal value.

Rachel Naomi Remen, a prestigious medical doctor and professor at San Francisco Medical School, was seeking a way to make the practice of medicine more caring and compassionate.  With a few other doctors, she founded a clinic to counsel cancer patients along their difficult journey, part of which was caused by the detours mandated by their illness.

Dr. Remen was raised by intellectual Jewish parents with no interest in things spiritual, but her grandfather was a rabbi from Old Europe, and he had learned how to "give life," to others, increasing their understanding and their joy.

At his feet, Dr. Remen learned many wonderful lessons.  She continued to glean beautiful truths from all the world's religions and to use them to help others.  I personally learned so much from this chapter in her book, My Grandfather's Blessings:

The Path: When I was remodeling my home, I was torn between two ways of creating access to my front door.  One way involved building a flight of steps from the street that opened onto a path leading directly to my door.

From the moment you set foot on the first step, you could see the front door and know exactly where you were going. The other way was quite different.  You come through a gate and climb a short flight of steps to a small landing.  Just beyond this landing is a tree of great beauty.  As you climb, all you can see is this tree.

When you reach the landing, you discover it joins a small deck bordered by a rose garden and passing through this find another flight of steps, quite steep, leading off to the right.  The top step is well above your eye level, and climbing, you see nothing until you reach a deck at the top, where looking to your right you discover a breathtaking sixty-mile view of San Francisco Bay.

Crossing this deck brings you to three gradual steps leading off to the left.  Climbing these you unexpectedly find the little meadow which is my backyard, and rising from it, the exquisite profile of Mount Tamalpais, the highest mountain in our county.

Only then can you see my front door, which is now only a few steps away.  You have been moving toward it steadily, without knowing, all along. 

When we go directly where we want, may we be missing something on the journey?

 In struggling to make this decision I consulted two architects, both of whom told me that one of the basic principles of the architecture of front entrances is that people need to see where they are going from the start.

They agreed that the uncertainty of the second approach would create unease in any guest coming to the house for the first time.  Despite the uniformity of this expert advice, I ultimately chose the second way

Thinking about it now, it seems to me that knowing where we are going encourages us to stop seeing and hearing and allows us to fall asleep.

In fact, when I find myself on such a direct path, a part of me rushes ahead to the front door the moment I see it.  As I hurry to overtake this part, I usually do not really see anything that I pass.

Not knowing where you are going creates more than uncertainty; it fosters a sense of aliveness, an appreciation of the particulars around you.  It wakes you up much in the same way that illness does. 

I choose the second way. In fact, perhaps we only think we know where we are going as all the while we are really going somewhere quite different.  I have done many things to achieve a valued goal only to discover in time that the real goal my choices have led me toward is something else entirely.

Something I could not even have known existed when I first set foot upon the path.  The purpose underlying life often wears the mask of whatever has our attention at the time.  The very reason that we were born, our greatest blessing, or our way to serve may come into our lives looking like a new car, a chance to travel, or a cup of the finest [hot chocolate].

The truth is that we are always moving toward mystery and so we are far closer to what is real when we do not see our destination clearly (Rachel Naomi Remen, My Grandfather's Blessings, pp. 288, 289, emphases mine).

The Need for Mystery

One writer suggests we are more alive when we don't know what's ahead

Dr. Remen's message is so profound, that I still haven't fully comprehended it after numerous readings.  Somehow, dis-ease and uncertainty are of great and eternal value for us.  And as she says, this is one of the values of illness.

When I reflect on the violent and tragic events of today and back through history, I see uncertainty at every turn. And yet, God can make it eternally worthwhile, and eternity is what we are really all about.

We are spiritual beings having an earthly experience. She also gives a profound reason for God's perceived distance from us, and His refusal to fully define Himself for us. The mystery that surrounds Him draws us to Him. As Dr. Remen says, "We are closer to what is real when we do not see our destination clearly."

We Can Grow Spiritually During the Worst of Times

Adversity gives us choices. Like Job, we should choose God

Dr. Remen's decision to leave traditional medical practice and establish a holistic clinic was because she desired to nurture the souls of the suffering as she worked on healing the bodies of the sick.

She sees many sad endings, but even most of those are imbued with spiritual successes.  The spirit can soar in the midst of suffering and disappointment.

This is the message wrapped in the poetry of the book of Job, and through many other touching verses of scripture. The key is found also in the Book of Job, and that is always to turn toward God in our uncertainty.

People of faith can attest that any trial is made more difficult by spiritual confusion, and yet if we seek help from the Lord, He can give us more than assurance.  He can give us peace.

I have known for years that when we seek God in adversity, He gives us a gift (or many gifts) to help us cope.  Then, when the trial is over, we get to keep the gifts. How priceless these gifts are when we approach the next detour in our lives.

Scenario-Building vs Living by the Spirit

I learned long ago that living by the Spirit brought opportunities I never would have expected.  Detours that would lead to great and unexpected things.

The difficulty is in surrendering and taking the mysterious path. I told Heavenly Father I would go where He wants me to go, but then I'd go ahead and construct a Plan A, as pictured above.

I think we all vary in our tendency to build scenarios, but I was great at it, and I constructed them of steel.  When the Spirit beckoned in other directions, I had to painfully disassemble whatever scenario I had built.  It was so hard. Now I build scenarios out of sticks and am ever-listening to the still small voice to lead me.

If We Turn to God, We Will Travel in the Right Direction

Like the Jaredite trip across the ocean, following God's path will get us where we're going even if it's not a straight line.

Take a look at the Plan B map again.

Notice that it arrives at the destination you were hoping for, but you arrived with more experience and knowledge, overcoming trials on the way.

And through your experience, you gained spiritual insights that helped you to serve and teach others who are following their own winding paths. Rachel Remen is not a Mormon, but her epilogue to her book refers to the Book of Ether to help her readers visualize this truth. She doesn't remember the story perfectly, but the lesson she derives is beautiful.

What impressed her was the faith of the Jaredites in leaving their homes to set out "across great uncharted waters to reach the land of promise." All they had, really, was the promise, and the instructions on how to build their boats, plus the light within them.

This light came from the sixteen stones touched by the finger of the Lord. Dr. Remen found remarkable the image of the Jaredites "sailing through heavy seas in search of freedom, steering only by the light that the touch of God kindles in their souls."

I'm OK Now, but What about the People I Love?

As we follow God we should remember, "The wind always blows in the direction of the promised land."

My daughter called me today and told me how often she hears bad news from friends near and far. These are trying times even when we enjoy prosperity unknown ever in history.

This is the windup period to the Second Coming of Christ, and a spiritual war is raging.  Some of my daughter's friends are losing their faith; others are losing their marriages. Certainly, we are sailing through heavy seas.

Now, more than ever, we need to trust God. We need to trust that He knows what He is doing. We need to come to an understanding of how much He loves us. We need to realize that it is a Mother Bear Love — He will fight for us and never gives up.

Said Joseph Smith, "Our Heavenly Father is more liberal in His views, and boundless in His mercies and blessings, than we are ready to believe or receive."

I had a friend who was agonizing over an associate who had joined a fringe cult and lost her faith in Christ.  She prayed fervently for her friend and finally heard God's voice through the Holy Ghost: "I'm working with her."

God knows, and indeed designed, that our path through mortality would have twists and turns, some of our own making, some imposed upon us.  He did it for our good. But He is guiding us, propelling us, in a certain direction, always. Said Remen in her book,

In the course of any life time there are times when one has to sail into the unknown without map or compass. These can be times of despair and terror; they can also be times of discovery.

Having accompanied many people as they deal with the unknown, I find that the most moving part of the Mormon exodus story is a single line. Despite the challenges and great difficulties of this sea journey, "the wind always blows in the direction of the promised land." I have seen many people spread their sails and catch this wind. There is a grace in life that can be trusted. In our struggle toward freedom we are neither abandoned nor alone.

Gale

Gale Boyd is the copy editor for More Good Foundation. 

She is a Jewish convert to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints and has lived all over the world.

Chocolate Zucchini Cupcakes

 Ingredients

1-1/4 cups butter, softened

1-1/2 cups sugar

2 eggs

1 teaspoon vanilla extract

2-1/2 cups all-purpose flour

3/4 cup baking cocoa

1 teaspoon baking powder

1 teaspoon baking soda

1/2 teaspoon salt

1/2 cup plain yogurt

1 cup grated zucchini

1 cup grated carrots

1 can (16 ounces) chocolate frosting

Directions

1. In a large bowl, cream butter and sugar until light and fluffy. Add eggs, one at a time, beating well after each addition. Stir in vanilla. Combine the flour, baking cocoa, baking powder, baking soda and salt; add to the creamed mixture alternately with yogurt, beating well after each addition. Fold in zucchini and carrots.

2. Fill paper-lined muffin cups two-thirds full. Bake at 350° for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick inserted near the center comes out clean. Cool for 10 minutes before removing from pans to wire racks to cool completely. Frost cupcakes. Yield: 21 cupcakes.

You're never to old to play in the leaves

 

Love that chocolate : )

We all know

Dear Diamond,

We all know who really

is a girl's best friend.

Yours Sincerely,

Chocolate Cake

"Let's face it"

"a good creamy chocolate cake does a lot for a lot of people. "

Audrey Hepburn

Red Velvet Gooey Butter Cookies

INGREDIENTS

• 2¼ cups flour
• 2 cups sugar
• 2 Tablespoons unsweetened cocoa powder
• 2 teaspoons baking powder
• 1/4 teaspoon salt
• 8 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 4 Tablespoons butter, softened
• 1 egg
• 1 Tablespoon red liquid food coloring
• 1/2 cup powdered sugar

INSTRUCTIONS

1. In a medium bowl, combine flour, sugar, cocoa, baking powder and salt and set aside.
2. In a large bowl, cream the butter and cream cheese together until smooth. Beat in the egg and the food coloring.
3. Add the dry ingredients to the cream cheese/butter mixture and mix until dough forms.
4. Cover bowl with saran wrap and let chill for about 2 hours.
5. When ready to bake, preheat the oven to 350 degrees F.
6. Place powdered sugar in a small bowl.
7. Roll dough into 1-inch balls and then roll each ball in powdered sugar. Place on a greased cookie sheet or one lined with parchment paper.
8. Bake at 350 degrees F for 10-12 minutes and let cookies cool completely on cooling wrack.
9. Store cookies in air-tight container for up to 3 days.

Dance in the rain

Gives us hope

"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

God does!

Become the most positive and enthusiastic person you know

Happy Birthday Miles

This is my birthday wish for you Miles! May God continue to bless you greatly. . . comfort you on difficult days,  beauty for your eyes to see, rainbows to follow the clouds, smiles when sadness intrudes, faith so you can believe, confidence for when you doubt and most of all know you are loved so very much.
Miss you,
Susan

Chicken Alfredo Pizza

INGREDIENTS

To Make Alfredo Sauce

• 2 tablespoons butter
• 3 cloves minced garlic
• 4 ounces cream cheese, softened
• 1 cup skim milk
• 1 cup fresh grated parmesan cheese
• Salt & pepper
• Pinch of nutmeg

For Pizza Assembly

• 1lb pizza dough
• 1 large (or 2 small) boneless, skinless chicken breast, cooked and shredded (about 1 ½ cups)
• ¾ cup shredded mozzarella cheese
• ¼ cup parmesan cheese
• Chopped fresh basil, if desired 

INSTRUCTIONS

1. Set a pizza stone on the bottom rack of the oven and preheat the oven to 450°.
2. Melt butter in a medium saucepan over medium heat. Add garlic and cook 30 seconds, stirring constantly. Add cream cheese; cook 1 minute until mixture is smooth, stirring constantly with a whisk. Gradually add milk and cook 3 minutes or until thick and bubbly, stirring constantly. Add Parmesan cheese, stirring until cheese melts and sauce reaches desired consistency, about 2 minutes. Add in a pinch of freshly grated nutmeg and season with salt and pepper to taste.
3. Stretch the pizza dough to a 12-inch round and transfer to a cornmeal-dusted pizza peel or parchment paper.
4. Spread alfredo sauce over the pizza dough, leaving a half inch border around the edge. Top with chicken, mozzarella cheese and Parmesan. Slide the pizza onto the preheated stone and bake for 12-15 minutes, until the bottom is crisp and the cheese is bubbling.
5. Let pizza cool for 5 minutes, sprinkle with chopped basil. Slice and serve.

To the happiest, most grateful and service oriented man on earth!!! :D

It's here! :D

What!?! Summer flies when you're having fun!