Jesus Christ is My Relief

 

Jesus Christ has been my relief this past year. 2023 didn't start out the greatest. Mike lost his job in November and after a fabulous trip back east for Thanksgiving and a good Christmas (people were super generous)! January and February hit hard. Weeks would go by and nothing would pan out with job offers or even availability. We were going to be okay financially if we could just make it to mid March which was FOUR months after the initial layoff. When March first hit I was still hopeful that our “unemployment” chapter would soon be over. But like the past few months had proven there was just nothing on the horizon. To say that I was getting frustrated would be an understatement. I felt like I had faith enough for a miracle but no miracle seemed close. We even had a missionary out- and still the blessing of employment was just out of reach. I don't mean to be all dramatic and that life was super depressing all of the time. It was just heavy and hard. Of course we laughed and had fun times too. But there was always an undercurrent of…” how are we going to make this work?” People were so kind and generous. We often would hear things like, “its all going to work out”, “this is preparing your family for something” You guys have so much faith” and while all of those thoughts were nice it just never made my heart feel better for longer than a few moments. The hard would crash back down. The times I felt true relief was when I was studying about Jesus Christ in The New Testament. I could see myself in the stories! I felt empty, like the Women at the well and knew I needed His living water to sustain my hope and faith in what the future would look like. I also felt forgotten, like the disciples in the ship pleading, “Carest thou not the we perish?” The events suddenly became very real to me. I felt the strength of my Savior pulling me through and felt moments of the rest He promises. My time studying the Saviors life truly became a lifeline of hope and perspective. While I wish I could button up this story and write that Mike eventually landed a well paying job and we’re done with this chapter of our life –I can’t! We’re figuratively walking out on the water with a new type of employment. Its scary and unknown. But, I know that as long as I keep my eyes on the Savior, he’ll be there keeping me safe and pulling me up when the waves get too big and heavy again.

The Inspiration behind our What The Corn Challenge.

Back in the glory days of High School I tried out for the cross-country team. I made it about a week and decided to stop after running at the same speed as others who had been running for months and thinking I was literally going to fall over and die. I made up my mind right then and there that I could not run long distances. Fast forward a few years and I am married and explaining the whole long distance thing to my wife. She was very nice and suggested that if I run at a slower pace I should be able to run farther. Fast forward a few more years with a couple of half marathons and quite a few 5k's under my belt I was ready for a marathon. After 3 years of putting in to the St. George lottery both Tiffany and I made it in. We were at the top of our physical game. I could bust out a 6 miler like it was a jog around the block. Fast forward a few more years and I am 50 pounds heavier than my marathon weight and it is physically challenging to make it a block when jogging. What happened? After many half-hearted efforts the past couple of years we are taking a leap and posting our journey back to physical health so we can share and be held accountable by those we know and love. In order to make it happen I am going back to Tiffany's suggestion of taking it at my pace and working up to something greater. Feel free to come along and start a journey back to health by taking it at your pace and building up to something greater!

Cinnamon Rolls

Mckenna and Raigynn don't usually pair up, but for a few days these 2 were buds. I love watching their relationship blossom and become stronger. This night they begged me to make something! I was in no mood to oversee anything so I did what any responsible mother would do - told them whatever they did had to be unsupervised. I wasn't sure what they would come up with. After I while I came into the kitchen and realized they were making a family favorite, cinnamon rolls. They did an awesome job and were so proud of their accomplishment. Of course with a big family--the cinnamon rolls were gone pretty quick!

I have fond memories making cinnamon rolls with my Grandma Robbins. She was a pro and they always tasted just right. Thinking back on our times together in the kitchen I realize how much patience she showed towards me and how passionate she was in pleasing her family. I can still remember walking into her kitchen with the smell of bread baking or the sweetness of cinnamon rolls rising. Grandma would place her finished pans off rolls in the back on her washer and dryer, which I always thought a little odd. Now I realize it was because her kitchen was so small. I don't remember her ever complaining about it.  I swear she must have made 4-5 batches. They were always  covered in white tea towels waiting to be devoured. So many fond memories of times spent in her kitchen. Rolling, squeaking, layering the dough with pure yumminess, and of course sliding the roll in oil to its rightful place.

I love that a simple cinnamon roll recipe can bring back such good memories. Not only am I reminded of the good woman that my Grandma was, but I am able to give a glimpse of her to my kids. I know Grandma would be super proud of them and I am too.

Lighthouse Leadership Academy: Newtons Laws of Motion

Luckily for us Michael took the morning off of work to come and teach our Love of Learning Class. The kids loved learning from Him and I am pretty sure Mike had a great time too.  Here we are learning about law #1: Inertia. Moving objects do not spontaneously speed up, slow down, or change direction.

Outside working on Law #2: Force=Mass x Acceleration. We had a lot of giggles and wanting to "do it just one more time" It was freezing outside but the kiddos didn't seem to mind at all.

Law #3: For Every Action there is a Reaction. Boys always seem to take it up a notch and the fun they had hitting the balls as high as they could was great. Learning can and should be fun and engaging--while letting some energy out! 

Holland and Kennedy, who are in Core phase learned the nursery rhyme, "The Old Lady who Lived in a Shoe." Hearing Holland recite it was priceless. As seen in the picture Kennedy also had a great time playing dress-up!

We feel so blessed to be apart of a common-wealth school here in Tennessee that follows the educational model that we feel so strongly about!

Brynlee and Mia

During the school year 2013-2014  McKenna, Brynlee and Jerick participated in a theatre class put on by the Scera Theatre in Orem. It was for homeschoolers in the area and we all loved going every Monday morning.

During our time there Brynlee started to make a few comments about the friends she was making. She never made a big deal about it just told me that she "helped" her friend Mia get to the right place during rehearsals etc. After class one day,Brynlee told me that her friend Mias' Mom gave her a hug and wanted to get her a matchy outfit with her daughter for the performance. I thought it sounded a little odd, but assumed she wanted them to look nice on stage as they were in a singing group together.

The next week Brynlee came running into the waiting room holding a gift bag with her new outfit. She was so excited and hurriedly told me that Mia's Mom wanted to meet me. I of course said "yes". The next thing I noticed was a Mom walking hand in hand with a little girl whom also had down syndrome.  Brynlee started jumping up and down "there she is Mom, there she is! There's Mia!"

I was speechless. Not once did Brylee mention that her friend was different. Not one time. As her Mom got closer to me I was in shock. Mia and Brynlee embraced and her Mom hugged and thanked me for raising such an amazing daughter whom had been so kind and loving to her daughter. I felt an enormous amount of love and admiration. Brynlee was truly seeing her friend Mia, with Christ like eyes. She loved her regardless of their differences.

 Mother of the year. The only picture I took that night!

{Mia is on the left and Brylee is on the right}

 

 So many lessons learned that afternoon. Definitely a proud Mommy moment but also another reminder of the very real admonition to become like a little child.

Brynlees Birthday Interview

Brynlee at 4 years old
What is-
Favorite color-pink
Favorite food-pizza and mac and cheeseFavorite animal- elephants, "because I they are nice", horses "because you can ride them. It is fun"
Favorite movie- The Little Mermaid
Favorite thing to do- snuggle,put make-up on, ride horses, paint nails
Favorite song- twinkle little star, I Love to See the Temple, Away in a Manger
Makes you happy- " when Mommy snuggles me"
Makes you sad- " when people hit me"
What do you want to be when you grow up? "Tinkerbell fly fairy"
Why-
Does heavenly Father love you- "because I am special"

Now at 10 Years old!
Favorite Color- Turquoise
Favorite food- Carmel brownies and lasagna
Favorite animal-Horses "because you can ride them and they are friendly and like to be petted".
Favorite movie- Monster High and The American Girl Series
Favorite thing to do- Rollerblade, play outside, board games
Favorite book? The American Girl Series.
Favorite Song- This Girl is on Fire and A Childs Prayer
Makes you happy - Shopping with Mommy and playing
Makes you sad- When people are rude to me, being away from family
What do you want to be when you grow up? "A Mom and when a I'm teenager a baker"

Why-
Does Heavenly Father love me? "Because he made my body and created this world for me"

How Firm a Foundation Family Theme 2014

This past year our family theme was “A Firm Foundation”. We were able to memorize the scripture in Heleman chapter 5 verse 12 and memorize most of the verses in How Firm a Foundation…. There are actually 7!

In this scripture Heleman is teaching His sons and because of the coming forth of the Book of Mormon is now teaching us!
“And now, my Sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation: that when the Devil shall send for his mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirl winds, yea, when all his hail shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf and misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

 Ye MUST BUILD- Must: non-negotiable, the only way

Build: in my limited experience the term “build” doesn’t typically mean fast, easy, and do whatever you think will work. Generally BUILD refers to doing something that takes time, requires patience, and often includes instructions.

How can we build? We start building our foundation of the Savior Jesus Christ by coming to know Him and the purposes He accomplished while on this earth. We learn of his teachings and try to emulate his example and act as he would. I love the primary song 

I KNOW THAT MY SAVIOR  LOVES ME:

 1. A long time ago in a beautiful place, Children were gathered ’round Jesus.

He blessed and taught as they felt of His love. Each saw the tears on His face.

The love that He felt for His little ones I know He feels for me.

I did not touch Him or sit on His knee, Yet, Jesus in real to me

I know He lives!  I will follow faithfully. My heart I give to Him.

I know that my Savior loves me.

The layers of our foundation are built as we learn and gain a testimony of  who Jesus IS and what Jesus did for us while on the earth. After that layer of foundation we can continue to add layers to it by reading our scriptures, sincerely praying, making necessary covenants, attending the temple, serving others…I could go on but you get the idea. Anything righteous that we willingly choose to do can and will build our foundations.

So lets FOCUS on the WHY? Why do we need to have a strong foundation?

WHEN the Devil shall send- WHEN- going to happen also non negotiable

His mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirl winds, yea, when all his hail shall beat upon you-  mighty winds, shafts in the whirl wind, (Shaft- a long pole forming the body of various weapons, as lances, halberds, or arrows.)  All- not just a small amount but ALL his hail shall BEAT UPON you. 

Hard things happen to each of us. We are natural men. But my favorite line comes next. It (meaning all the hard stuff of life) shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, BECAUSE of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.”

We are promised in this scripture that as long as we are continually building our foundations we CANNOT fall.

So far in my life this has not meant that I will experience sunny skies constantly. The adversary doesn’t look at our strong foundation and think “well they look pretty solid, I’m going to go ahead and skip them. He still sends his mighty winds, his hail, and his shafts in the whirlwind.

We are going to possibly get a little wind burned, we might feel the bruises of his hail, we might feel a bit off balance out there in the wind. But we are PROMISED that if we have a FIRM FOUNDATION that we will remain standing.

Now here is the catch about building your foundation. It’s never complete. It’s a constant process. There have been times in my life that my focus has been on building layer by layer and the sun is shining. There have been times in my life where I am am still building layer by layer but my pace has slowed and I’m feeling more hail beating on my back. And there have also been times in my life where I am simply curled on a ball holding fast to my foundation has the mighty winds whirl around me.

Our lives are ever changing. It’s important to constantly build our foundation so that we are able to withstand “All his hail and mighty winds, yea his shafts in the whirlwinds” so that you cannot fall. And not only will you not fall you will be strengthened and made more into the person that Heavenly Father needs you to be.

Here is the great news. We are not alone while building our personal foundations! It can truly be a labor of love. We have our wonderful ward family that can support and encourage us to keep building. We have our families and the special family settings that are ideal in helping us. We are placed in special auxiliaries that meet needs in a particular time in life. Primary-Young Womens- Priesthood- Relief Society. These are all put in place to strengthen and up lift each of us. But most importantly we have our loving Heavenly Father and for those of us who are baptized the companionship of the Holy Ghost to Strengthen us in times of need.

The 3^rd verse in Hymn number 85 How Firm a Foundation reads

“Fear not, I am with thee: oh be not dismayed, For I am thy God and will still give thee aid. I’ll strengthen thee, help thee, and cause thee to stand, Up held by my righteous omnipotent hand.