Powerful words

Finding moments to let words sink into my heart.  Particularly these.

Jeffrey R Holland.

Lynn G. Robbins.

D Todd Christofferson.

Watch with me HERE

Listen; He'll speak

I'm finding moments this weekend to hear a living prophet of God speak to me.  I invite you to listen too.

Time for an update

As we scrambled around trying to move, packing kept getting interrupted by scouts, sports and end of school stuff.  In one glorious week, here's what went down.

Jedi advanced from cubs to scouts 

 Jedi sang in concerts and programs

Princess did a recitation on the Civil War during her "museum"

Potter was showered with multiple end of year Drama dept. accolades

Jedi had more baseball.  Since that week, Jedi has now finished another championship season with the Yankees.  17-1 and first place!  He got better and better and ended the season with a stellar game where he went 3-3 at the plate and had a nice play in the outfield.  

Potter auditioned for Show Choir and made it (not as fruitless as it would seem - more on that in another post).  Here he was kidnapped at 5:30am. 

 Bugs had his spring band concert

Half an hour later he became a Star Rank in Boy Scouts

The Bishop presented Potter with the On My Honor award for Duty to God and Scouting

AND we saved the best for last:

He passed :)

New Mission

My parents are called to serve!

My dad was put into the presidency of the new mission in the SL Valley - the Salt Lake City West Mission.  He will be 1st counselor to President Swain from Taylorsville.  2nd Counselor is Brother Campbell from WVC.

Left to Right is:

Elder L. Whitney Clayton (presidency of the seventy), Dad, Swain, Campbell, Elder Crittendon (area seventy)

My parents joined the church when Dad was already a husband and father.  He's always felt like the mission experience was missing from his church service.  We're very excited for them and this new opportunity.  Missionaries, but they get to live at home!

The difference between men and women

Here we have the lesson schedule from church.  Same information, two versions.

One was distributed by the Relief Society, the women's organization.  The other one by the High Priests group, a quorum of priesthood brethren. 

One has a border

One uses color

One is on cardstock

One is on printer paper

One shows page numbers

One has a fancy edge

One is randomly cut

I'll let you decide which was done by which group ;)

YM Advancement

My dear Potter advanced from the deacons quorum at church into the teachers quorum.  He was ordained by his dad, who was super sick and left church early after the ordination.  But I wanted a photo with the special guy on his special day. 

He also earned his Duty to God certificate for completing the deacon requirements.

I love him so much.  It's amazing to watch him transform from boy to young man.

Preteen in the house

Here is my Bugs, celebrating 12 years!


First was his actual birthday, shared by the pilgrims. How cool is it to have everyone celebrating with turkey and pumpkin pie on your special day! :)

 We had a nice meal at Grandma's house followed by a few gifts from family.

Friday was a day for shopping and partying!  We did a little Christmas shopping and had the other side of the family over.  Among other great gifts, my mom got him a suit to wear for his ordination on Sunday.

 He has this funny habit when opening gifts.  He won't look at it until the whole thing has been unwrapped.  He's so funny.

Happy Birthday!

On Saturday, prior to passing the sacrament for the first time, Potter (his deacon quorum president) talked with him and trained him on what his duties are.  He answered lots of his questions and was more patient than I expected him to be.  It was so cute.

My three resident priesthood holders before heading to church.

He was super duper excited to go to the temple for the first time, which we scheduled just two days after his ordination.

Temple Square is so special at Christmastime.  I'm very proud of Bugs for asking us to take him and for being worthy to go.  His eyes were filled with wonder at the beauty and spirit of the temple. 

We had some good food before heading home.  It was a great week.  He can't wait to go back to the temple this Saturday morning with the youth!

No birds, no bells?

My sister posted a link last week to a blog that has this quotation as its header:

"Every life has peaks and shadows

and times when it seems that

the birds don't sing

and bells don't ring.

Yet in spite of discouragement and adversity,

those who are happiest seem to have a way of

learning from difficult times, becoming

stronger, wiser, and happier as a result."

Joseph B. Wirthlin

My last month or two has been one of the most emotionally trying times I can remember.  My siblings (i.e. my best friends) have been one by one moving away from me.  My strength and stamina have been weak.  I have ignored friends and phone calls.  I have battled sadness, doubts and fear.  Obviously I abandoned blogging for a while.  I have had no energy for things I usually love to do and only the bare minimun was getting done in my home. The smallest bumps in the road have sent me into helplessness. 

I had no logical reason for all the darkenss I have been feeling (I know I have a million blessings), but it was nevertheless real and ominous.  I decided to be proactive and made a conscious effort to increase my scripture study and deepen my prayers and go the extra mile in my calling at church.  I knew I would be blessed for trying to be faithful so I tried harder and harder.  It was taking longer than I hoped for something to pull me out of my misery.  I was left feeling confused.

I was pleading with my Heavenly Father for a break in the clouds.  This last week He began to send me tender mercies just when I thought I couldn't bear any more.

*He sent me a tiny bit extra in my grocery budget to pick up a few needs we had

*He sent me a beautiful daughter that sees my tears and asks, "you okay mommy"?


*He sent me a speaking assignment in church that will allow me to talk on my biggest blessing ever, my marriage


*He sent my children teachers who care about them, and who have eased some of my worries


*He sent me the chance to teach a visiting teaching message with the reminder of how to qualify for the spirit in my life


*He sent me a Bishop who issued a Book of Mormon challenge to read it cover to cover before Christmas

*He sent my son hope and a more positive attitude during this difficult football season

*He sent Strider help with getting a car problem taken care of that thankfully appears to be a part under warranty


*He sent me a night of inspired messages and gentle reproof: General RS Meeting


He sent me several other things that are too small to list here, but are answers to my dilemma. 


I don't know why I was given these trials at this time.  Does the Lord know the path more clearly than I?  For sure.  All I can do is trust that He will be there to lean on as I stretch and grow and try to become the person He would have me be.  To become happy and at peace.


I don't share these thoughts for sympathy. I'm merely writing of my path to finding more joy in my life.  But the birds ARE beginning to quietly chirp again. I can hear them if I am listening carefully for them.


I want to leave you with the words to a song.

Tender Mercies of the Lord

by Janice Kapp Perry

1. Tender mercies of the Lord

Come in quiet ways,

Not by mere coincidence,

But by heaven’s grace.

As we choose to follow Him

With full heart and soul,

We become His chosen ones

And tender mercies flow.

2. Tender mercies of the Lord

Come in times of need.

Gifts of faith and confidence

Fill us as we plead.

Words of guidance, hope, and peace

Help us feel God’s love.

By our faith, His mercies come

Like manna from above.

3. Tender mercies of the Lord

Come as we repent.

Sweet forgiveness, peace of mind

Follow, heaven-sent.

Faithfulness, obedience

Help us to discern.

Blessings sweet and personal

For which our spirits yearn.

4. Tender mercies of the Lord

Comfort us and guide.

In His time and in His way,

We receive His light.

As we yield our will to His,

Blessings freely flow.

We partake of love divine

Thru mercies He bestows.

Returned with honor

.

Waiting for Uncle Matt to get off the plane

Strider was the first to spot him.

Trying to get Rosebud to not hate him

Then fast forward four days, when Potter is finally back from scout camp and gets to greet him as well.

He surprised me with his emotions.  It was a tender moment.

Matt, we're so glad to have you back!