What I Wish I Would’ve Told Myself as A Young Mother by Shelby Brown

I read the byline for this blog- celebrating everyday life. So I thought I would share something I have recently been trying to do every day that has brought happiness to my life: scripture study.

Now I will rewind 7 years to when I became a mother. Having my first child was wonderful, eventful, inspiring, and tiring! My years of well-established habits of daily scripture study began to dwindle. Within 18 months, a second child was born and now my scripture study was not only dwindling but practically non-existent. A third baby came along, and I was surely convinced that there was little room in my life for sitting, let alone solitary reading. But then it came- a moment that squashed my many rationalizations. A friend of mine with young children like me (and even one more than I) shared her testimony to our congregation. She talked about the power of reading the scriptures every day. I was amazed and humbled by her simple words. I felt like they were meant just for me.

I was so impressed and in awe of her practice that I asked her to share more details about her studies. She said she read the scriptures every night before going to bed even if for a few minutes. I decided to try it myself.

I am not a night reader, so I first tried waking up early- that did not last long with my fourth baby on the way. I tried to read during my third son’s naptime, but that quickly didn't pan out. I forgot about reading for a while, and then I remembered again after my baby got on a napping schedule.

I prayed about finding a specific time to have my scripture study and decided I would bite the bullet and turn on cartoons for my boys while the baby was napping in order to get in my scripture study. Well, it is working, and I love it!  I won’t enumerate all the benefits I have found from daily, good, and, at times, very average scripture study, but I will share a few.

1  Faith in Jesus Christ: I find the future always looking brighter and my choices to choose good more clear.

2  Personal Peace: I feel more temperate and peaceful with my children.

3  More Consistent Family Scripture Study: I would like to give a bit more detail to this blessing. I wish I could have told myself as a young mother- “Shelby, whatever you have to give up or adjust, scripture study is worth it! The mother you want to be will more easily come as you study your scriptures daily.” As I have taken a more determined approach to reading my scriptures daily, I have felt a desire to more seriously share scriptures with my children and testify of specific truths to them. This has genuinely brought me greater happiness and more confidence in the Lord. My children have not magically transformed into angels through our brief morning study, but the moments we have together during scripture time has brought us closer to each other and to our Heavenly Father. I feel that I am doing my part as a mother that will help call upon blessings from God when my children need them. If I were to only receive this one blessing from personal scripture study, I believe it would be worth the efforts.

I am so grateful for inspired friends, for being able to learn and change, and for the power of “small and simple things” in everyday life.

Master Chef by Mary S. Greer

One of my favorite childhood memories is of baking sugar cookies with my mother. Oh, the anticipation--watching the oven door of the old gas stove as delightful smells filled the whole house, waiting anxiously for my mother to pronounce them “done”.

My brothers and I would sink our teeth into those hot, sweet disks and chase them down with a nice, cold glass of milk. Back in those days, Dawn Heap delivered our milk fresh from the dairy in quart bottles with a cardboard lid. As it sat, the milk separated—cream on top, skim milk on the bottom, and, somewhere in the middle, that elixir we called top milk. Exquisite!

One Saturday morning I woke up wanting those sugar cookies. I was just learning to read, and so I knew I could follow the recipe on the back of the baking soda box myself. And wouldn’t the family be surprised to wake up to fresh-baked cookies!

I measured the sugar and shortening very carefully, just like Mom. Then the directions read, “Cream the shortening and sugar together.” Cream. Hmmm. No, we were out of cream. But I was sure that the top milk would work just as well. How much?  At least a cup, I would imagine.

Stir though I might, my cookies just didn’t look like my mother’s, even when I added extra flour. The bowl soon filled with a big, soupy slop. About that time, mom got up and came in. Sobbing in humiliation, I tried to explain what happened. Mom looked at the mess, flour and sugar spread everywhere and mystery goop in the bowl. She smiled and said, “That looks pretty good for a first try, but why don’t we feed this to the pigs? They especially like sweets, you know. Then we’ll try this again.”

My ego was rescued, the pigs got an extra something with their breakfast, and mom and I made a whole new batch of cookies, carefully creaming together the sugar and shortening.

I’ve thought of that experience often, how easy it would have been for my mom to snap. How convenient it would have been to put off the cookie baking (if we did it at all) until after breakfast, and we had cleaned up the mess and the house and all of the other chores we did on Saturday. Instead, Mom took that time, right then, to be with me. I’ve never forgotten the warmth I felt as we worked together, two women in the kitchen. It is still one of my fondest memories of childhood.

Seeing the Joy by Missy Waite

For some time now I've felt like I've just been living a good life and things were going smoothly. I've just been content with my life. I mean I've had little ups and downs and have worked through them. I've always been grateful for what I have. I have a good life. But, my perspective has shifted recently. I have started seeing the joy in my life and that has made all the difference.

As a member of the LDS faith I love the scriptures including the Bible and The Book of Mormon. I believe that both books have been given to us by God who loves us all. I love and respect the teachings of both books and I think they compliment each other perfectly. Last summer I began a study of the Book of Mormon in which I sought references to joy. I bought one of those little blue books that are quite generic and turned it into something really special for me. In the inside cover I wrote "The Book of Joy" by: Missy Waite and began my search. Every time joy was  mentioned I marked it. All references to joy - joy, rejoicing, happiness, delight, cheer, etc. I marked everything in yellow because to me that's the most joyful color. Even the sticky notes I used to record thoughts along the way were yellow. The back of the book is filled with blank pages in which I recorded quotes I found about joy and joyful things. I began each study session with a prayer that I would find the joy in the book. Eventually my prayers turned to finding joy in my life. I was teaching myself to find joy every where. And the Lord answered my prayers!

As I worked my way through the book and found reference after reference on joy and rejoicing I began to notice that the only instances when joy was mentioned was when someone was referencing something having to do with Jesus Christ and His gospel. The prophets recorded their joy in Christ and His redeeming power. Whenever someone was happy it was because they were testifying of the goodness of Christ and His blessings. Not once did anyone rejoice when recording sad tales of rebellion and wickedness. Always the references for joy were connected to Christ and His gospel - a gospel of joy! 

At one point I had been reading for two weeks or so and found very few references to joy. I began to think, 'wow, this part doesn't have much joy in it' - I began to miss finding the joy. In my prayer that morning I mentioned this to the Lord and began to wonder why I was even doing this study. I got up off my knees and found myself reading the most joyful chapter in all of the Book of Mormon! On the very day I was thinking there wasn't much joy. It hit me! It was the most awesome experience I've had studying the scriptures. In Alma chapter 26  Ammon is rejoicing in the success he and his companions have found in their missionary work. He rejoices that they stuck with their efforts to teach repentance and forgiveness. Thousands of people had come to know the mercy and love of Christ. He rejoices that he himself was able to repent and turn to God and that he was forgiven! He was able to share what he had with others and the Lord had mercy on every single one of them that accepted His gospel and repented. My favorite verse is verse 16: "Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel." Isn't that awesome?! Such joy! 

My prayers have been answered. I have found the joy. Actually, I have not just found the joy because it's always been there. I have actually started SEEING the joy in my life. Through this study my prayers changed at some point. I began my study with requests to find joy in my life and ended my study with requests to see the joy in my life. It's there, it always has been, I just need to SEE it! My life is full of joy and I rejoice in my Savior for giving it to me. His gospel is the most joyful thing ever! How amazing is it that no matter what we do or don't do we are still loved by the Lord? He never gives up on us. Never. He's only waiting for us to come to Him and when we do, boy, we better be ready to receive all the joy that comes with it! He is amazing. Life is amazing! See the joy!

Accepting the Lord's Helping Hands by Julie Nielsen

I think there are so many times in life that I’ve felt like I could do it all. I’ve got my husband and my kids, and we can get done what needs to be done. To an extent this is true, but lately I’ve realized even more, that not just in being raised or raising my kids, but in all aspects, it takes a village. For us, that is the town of St. Johns. I have a hard time asking for help or even admitting that I need help. I realize that that’s not necessarily a good thing. As I’ve reflected on that the last few months, I’ve wondered how I could overcome that and at least be willing to accept the help that is offered without dying a million deaths. Recently, as I was reading my scriptures, I instantly knew that the Lord was answering my question. I read in Mosiah 29:20, which says, “…and thus does the Lord work with his power in all cases among the children of men, extending the arm of mercy towards them that put their trust in him.” The words, TRUST HIM, came blaring out at me. He was speaking to me through scripture. I thought to myself I do trust you, I always have. But upon further consideration, I realized maybe I don’t fully trust Him. Maybe this is what I am lacking, so to speak. So I began to ponder this. How can I trust Him more fully?  Different thoughts have come over the last couple of weeks that I have pondered this, but one of them that stands out is that the Lord sometimes sends the help we need through someone else, and me not allowing them to help, then doesn’t allow the Lord to help me. 

            I can’t remember who shared this story, and I’m sure I won’t get it all right, but it conveys the meaning. There was a man on a boat and it began to sink, so he prayed with all his might for help. Suddenly a boat appeared and offered help, but the man answered, no the Lord will help me, it will be okay. As water began to fill the boat, the Coast Guard came along to save the man. Again, he replied, no the Lord is going to help me, all will be well.  As the boat was almost capsized, along came a helicopter with a ladder, and they called down, “Just climb up the ladder.” Yet again, he refused the help because the Lord was going to help him. 

            We want to laugh at that story and say, “Come on! That was the Lord answering your prayer! How did you not figure that out?!” Yet, how many times in our lives do we say to someone who offers help, “No, I’m okay,” or even, “I’ve got this, but thank you.” It happens for so many reasons. We may think that the help we need will come in a different manner. We think things such as, “If I take their help, then I’m weak. If I let them in, they’ll see the mess that didn’t get cleaned up because of lack of time and energy. If I let them help me, it may be a burden to them. They have their own things to do, so I’m relieving them of that feeling that they need to help.” So many excuses come of why we can’t allow someone to help. I’m guilty of it for sure.  

Although it is hard for me at times to admit that I could use a helping hand, I am grateful to live in this community where people are willing to help. I’ve been reflecting on the times when I’ve felt that my prayers were answered through another person. How grateful I am for people, who, whether they’re aware of it or not, have listened to the spirit and been there right when I needed them. I’m sure there are other places where people are willing to serve, but I dare say not as much as here in our community. In my short life, we’ve experienced many ups and downs. It’s been amazing to see how people rally around you. Whether it be the death of a loved one, the coming of a new baby, or the putting on of a reception, the people of St. Johns are continually asking how they can help, or they are just showing up to help. My family and I have been the recipients of so much help, love, and concern over the years. For that I am forever grateful. I remember sitting at a funeral and my sister-in-law telling me how great St. Johns is, and that she wouldn’t expect such an outpouring of love where she lives. 

Whether we like it or not, the Lord sends help and answers to our prayers through other people. Are we willing to let them help? Are we willing to trust the Lord, who has sent one of his servants to serve us? By trusting them to help us, we are trusting Him. My ready answer is, “No, I’m okay, but thank you!” Yet, is that what it should be? No matter the act of service - someone helping you carry something to your car, bringing dinner, cleaning up a mess, simply asking how you are - this is probably an answer to your needs. Trust the Lord. I dare say we are willing and happy to help, but sometimes, we need to be willing to trust that maybe the Lord has sent someone to help us today, and that’s okay.

A Briefcase of Distractions by Orlando Mora

            One of my biggest struggles in life has to be distractions. Even when I was a small child I had trouble focusing on the important things like school. Fifty years later I still struggle with the ability to give my undivided attention. For example, during the winter months of 2012 and most of 2013, I visited prisoners in our local jail; it was one of my callings as a member of the Mormon Church. I was already nervous, but after several visits, and meeting some of the prisoners, I became extremely nervous. Many of the prisoners had shaved and tattooed heads, tattoos on their faces, foreheads, and even on their eyelids; needless to say, I felt somewhat intimidated. Since I have associated with and have known people like this from my past, I found it very difficult to incorporate the love and light of our Savior with such a scary looking bunch. I remember thinking, “How in the world are we going to get the spirit of the Lord into these guys?”

When I was a little kid I used to watch a cartoon called “Felix the Cat.” Felix always carried a little bag around with him, similar to a doctor’s bag, and he called it his bag of tricks. Whenever he got into a fix, he would reach into his bag of tricks, which saved him every time and never failed him. Felix gave me a brilliant idea! I took my old leather briefcase, and I filled it with all sorts of religious stuff, most of which I found at our local library. I made copies and filled my briefcase. It is important to note that the material in my briefcase came from books I checked out at the library, including, but not limited to, material written by popular and famous television pastors.

My plan (not God’s plan) was that the prisoners could relate better to this “best seller list stuff” than the New and Old Testaments. (I thought these books might be too old-fashioned for these prisoners). I was ready to enter the jail with my bag of tricks, and I felt confident that I could now make a positive contribution. I also thought that by being in some form of control…briefcase full of stuff, I could conquer my fear. But that’s not what the Lord had intended for me. Interestingly enough, for the following weeks nothing happened. I had very little interaction with the prisoners, and while my missionary companions were involved, I sat there holding and staring into my bag of stuff. Now realizing that my stuff was useless, I would go to the Lord in prayer and ask Him why my brilliant idea was not working. The answer did not come right away, but it did come. It was very simple, and it was the most valuable lesson I have ever learned as a member of the true Church of God.

I remember sometime later we met with several women prisoners. We were teaching them about Moses and why he had to climb the mountain to receive instruction from the Lord (the Ten Commandments). I personally believe that the Lord’s message for Moses was so important that he had to make sure Moses was completely focused (hence the reason for climbing the mountain away from all distractions). One of the women testified that she loves church, and she loves coming to church, but that her boyfriend keeps her from coming to church because he feels church members are all hypocrites. She knows her boyfriend is wrong, yet she chooses to follow and obey her boyfriend. She also said she is afraid of the boyfriend leaving her if she doesn’t obey his wishes. We went on to teach her how distractions temporarily separate us from God, and we testified to her that her boyfriend was keeping her from worshiping God, that he was a distraction in her life, causing a temporary separation between her and her Father in Heaven.

It was at this very moment that I realized my briefcase had become a distraction, For those few weeks that I relied (solely) on my briefcase, the Lord would leave me alone (no promptings, no impressions), so I could learn this valuable lesson.

            There are many beautiful things I learned because of this calling. First, the Lord loves prisoners...tattooed and shaved heads, scary looking and scar-faced. He loves all of his children, and just because their sins are different from my sins or your sins doesn’t disqualify them from God’s love.

Second, the bag of tricks did not work, simply because it was exactly that…a bag of tricks or a bag of temporary stuff. In addition, I did not involve the Lord in my plan. In Philippians 4:13 it says, “I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.” Third, there is no child of God that the Lord’s Spirit cannot penetrate. Fourth, through the power of prayer and a great desire to bring hope and the light of Christ to others, the Lord made His presence known to all who were in the room with us. Everyone we met with and read scriptures with, knew the Lord’s Spirit was present, knew that the book of Mormon comes with God’s power, and knew that we missionaries represented Heavenly Father and no one else. We also learned that we have no control over what the prisoners choose to do with this knowledge…our job was only to deliver the message that God loves them.

            Obedience is a beautiful and powerful principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ. Our church is committed to the miraculous. By and through obedience I have experienced numerous miracles in my personal life and the lives of my wife and children. Even though obedience is a simple principle of the gospel, it is not always easy to master. The devil has a new and improved campaign to distract us, especially our youth from the basic principles of the gospel. Remember--Grace did not save Noah…Obedience did.