Happy Mother's Day

Your beauty doesn't lie in what you wear or how you look. It lies within. This video of Stephanie Nielson reaffirms that fact. She's truly a beautiful woman.

I love what she says about motherhood. Motherhood really is a synonym for beauty.

Of the Book of Mormon

This is an excellent video to watch over and over again. Today, there's a Facebook/YouTube challenge going on to see if we can get it at the top of the YouTube lists, so make sure you watch it again and again today! :)

Of Service

I'm about seven and a half months pregnant right now, and unfortunately, the extra hormones tend to make me kind of depressed sometimes. It comes in waves, so I'm thankful for the ups! However, my last "down" was a couple of weeks ago. It was just a hard week; it seemed like everything went wrong all at once. But of course, the Lord works through angels on earth! (Who gave that talk a few Conferences ago? Elder Holland? ... Found it!)

The very next Sunday after my hard week, our sacrament meeting topic was President Monson's talk from last October, What Have I Done For Someone Today? One of the speakers gave an excellent talk that was just what I needed to hear.

She related a story of one of her dear friends, whose entire family suffered from clinical depression. She knew all of her friend's siblings were on some kind of medication for it, but she also knew her friend wasn't taking anything. One day she asked her how she could handle the depression without taking anything. Her friend said, "I try to serve someone outside of my family every single day, as early in the day as I possibly can. I don't need medication when I do this." What a testimony of service! Because of her service to others, her body was physically able to produce what it needed to, to keep the depression under control.

I know service has that capability! I'm so much happier when I'm serving others. (As a side note, I have noticed that it's the days that I'm physically unable to serve others that my spirits fall. However, even sending a friendly email is something almost anyone can do while not feeling well!) I know that as we serve, we're not only helping those we serve, but we're blessing our own lives, as well.

Of the Book of Mormon

This video is much more powerful than any words I could write. But my testimony is the same. I know The Book of Mormon is true!

He Lives

We were out of town for Easter, so I didn't post anything. But this message is true all year long!

Resources

I have to mention a brand new website/blog! It's called Latter-day Homeschooling, and they have some wonderful resources. It's not just a bunch of homeschooling articles - there's TONS of stuff for ALL Latter-day Saints.

One quick one I wanted to mention was their recent post with links for free resources on Nauvoo, Easter, and General Conference. The General Conference link is especially amazing! You'll find a little bit of everything for a wide range of ages. I was going to make my own General Conference packets for my kids, but now I don't think I will. There were several that I had never seen before that look perfect.

Perspective

General Conference Ideas

Before each General Conference, I usually provide a list of resources - mostly, activities for children. We'll be going out of town next week, so this time it's a little early, but here are a few of the pages I plan on using.

I found these on sugardoodle.net:
- Conference Coloring Activity

- LDS Coloring Pages - this is a list of the coloring pages from several years' worth of the Friend - if you would like to create your own coloring packet for your children. (I'm definitely going to do this!)

And most of the links I've provided in the past would also work this time around. Click HERE for my April 2009 list (which is missing Elder Andersen - but the non-Apostle activities would still work), and HERE for a link to some great resources from October 2009.

Consistency is Key

“Each family prayer, each episode of family scripture study, and each family home evening is a brushstroke on the canvas of our souls. No one event may appear to be very impressive or memorable. But just as the yellow and gold and brown strokes of paint complement each other and produce an impressive masterpiece, so our consistency in doing seemingly small things can lead to significant spiritual results. ‘Wherefore, be not weary in well-doing, for ye are laying the foundation of a great work. And out of small things proceedeth that which is great’ (D&C 64:33).”

David A. Bednar, “More Diligent and Concerned at Home,” Ensign, Nov. 2009, 19-20

Scripture Power - Too Cute!