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Inspired...again

I haven't written for awhile.  In fact, I've come very close to deleting this silly blog.  Then, tonight, as I was eating dinner alone while the children play outside in the pool in pitch blackness...yes...I enjoyed reading an article that made me think that this isn't such a bad thing after all.  You see, I doubt myself, even a daughter of God.  Yes, I doubt myself and that anyone would gain anything worthwhile in these words expressed.  For today, I will not delete this blog.  See why here.

People are powerful.  Influencial.  Special.  I'm very grateful for living examples such as Stephanie Nielson.  Thank you, Stephanie. 

Ellise

When Life Sucks, Pick Flowers

It seems to help me.  :) 

And the smell of flowers in your home is A-MAZE-ZA-ZING!

A dear friend shared this with me.  It's worth sharing again:  http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=xyX-I-um5Kk

Another song that lifts me every time is "He is Standing at the Door".  It's worth a listen.  http://www.lauricarrigan.com/listen-a-mothers-heart.html

Enjoy your flowers and music!  Some things we just can't live without...

Smooches,
Ellise

The Gospel of Jesus Christ

I'm so glad to have the gospel of Jesus Christ in my life.  I'm so glad to have answers to my questions.  I'm grateful for good people in my life:  family & friends.  You are all so very important to me. 

My heart is full.  I am happy in this moment.  I hang on to it, for it is precious and rare.  But, through the gray clouds, more and more, I am seeing the blue sky of happiness.  I love it!

A conference talk reminded me of something important.  A testimony is the best anchor in times of trial:  (To Hold Sacred -- by Paul B. Pieper -- of the Seventy)

The Book of Mormon provides other examples of the struggle to give priority to the sacred. It speaks of believers whose faith led them to the tree of life to partake of its sacred fruit, the love of God. Then the mocking of those in the great and spacious building caused the believers to shift their focus from the sacred to the secular. (See 1 Nephi 8:11, 24–28.) Later the Nephites chose pride and denied the spirit of prophecy and revelation, “making a mock of that which was sacred” (Helaman 4:12). Even some eyewitnesses of the signs and miracles associated with the Lord’s birth chose to reject sacred manifestations from heaven in favor of secular explanations (see 3 Nephi 2:1–3).

Today the struggle continues. Secular voices are growing in volume and intensity. They increasingly urge believers to abandon beliefs the world considers irrational and unreasonable. Because “we see through a glass, darkly” (1 Corinthians 13:12) and “do not know the meaning of all things” (1 Nephi 11:17), at times we may feel vulnerable and in need of greater spiritual assurances. The Lord told Oliver Cowdery:  “If you desire a further witness, cast your mind upon the night that you cried unto me in your heart, that you might know concerning the truth of these things.  “Did I not speak peace to your mind concerning the matter? What greater witness can you have than from God?” (D&C 6:22–23).

The Lord reminded Oliver and us to rely on sacred personal witnesses already received when our faith is challenged. Like Moses’s, Alma’s and Joseph’s before, these divine encounters serve as spiritual anchors to keep us safe and on course in times of trial.

Besides my personal study, here's more of what I've been reading.  They each have uplifted me:

...and entertained...

    

Today is beautiful!  Here's what it looks like outside my front window.  I love the sunshine and growing things.  I love my flowers, the greening grass, and the small leaf shoots on the trees.  I love spring!

Love you all,

Ellise

Gratitude

Something I have often struggled with is Gratitude. 

It seems I always want more. 

I want better health.  I want to be able to move and exercise, run and play with my kids.  I want to look pretty again.  I want to visit my family more.  I want to buy more stuff we need.  I want, I want, I want!  Gosh!  I can be pretty ungrateful.  Yes, these things would be wonderful.  Yes, they would bring a smile to my face, satisfaction to my life, etc., etc.  But what about what I do have?

I am able to move.  There are those who cannot.  I can go for a walk from time to time.  There are those who cannot.  Maybe I still can't run, but I can play with my kids at different things.  Even though I may not feel pretty anymore, my husband loves me still.  That makes me smile.  Plus, I do have a husband to love me and to love back.  Many don't.  I'm very grateful.  I have children to love.  Many don't. 

You see...it's easy to forget what we already do have.  Let's be grateful instead.  Then, on those really horrible days that we all must pass through--inevitably--we might remember these good things that we can hold on to when we feel like giving up. 

Don't give up! 

Make a list instead.  A list of things you are grateful for today. 

Start writing! :)

Love,
Ellise

P.S.  Look how my Daffodils have bloomed just since picking them yesterday! :O

P.S.S.  One of my favorite talks this General Conference is on Gratitude.  Watch it here:  http://www.lds.org/general-conference/2012/04/thanks-be-to-god?lang=eng&media=video

First Daffodils of Spring

Springtime Fare~~
Just thought I'd share one of the things that makes me most happy in this world.  Flowers!  And...my Daffodils are just popping out!  SO excited!  I LOVE Daffodils!  (Can you tell?)  After my walk this morning, I couldn't stand it any longer.  I had to go back outside and cut the first shoots.  I don't usually, but I need springtime inside my house--near me.  I also cut some fresh little branches (I'm so mean!) to make the arrangement more complete since most of the flowers have yet to open.  :) 

I'm so happy!

So there you have it.  A special moment in my day.  I think appreciating nature always makes our Heavenly Father happy.  After all, He's gone to so much effort making this world a beautiful place for us to enjoy.  Some of us even helped.  I think I helped with flowers.  :)

Enjoy your day!
Ellise~

Great examples of Grace--Carnegie Hall or Quitting?? Those are not our only options.

This is still a favorite.  I have sooooo needed this talk.  I read and listen to it over and over and feel so much more understanding of our Heavenly Father's love and our Savior's love for each of us.  They really do want us to come home to them.  I'm so glad. 

So often in my life, I have felt short of everything I needed to do to get 'there'.  I was so wrong.  They want us there.  They're helping us daily, hourly.  We just don't always see that.  I'm grateful for this enlightenment. 

Please, if you haven't watched this, do so.  It is worth the time.

http://byutv.org/watch/49475abb-10d4-4f45-a757-7000b9945468#ooid=BtNDVvMjoehGYf88xRZ6wIVP82mCeC3p

Smooches,
Ellise