simple inspiration

a bacon sort of day

Hedbanz is her current favorite game, well at least one of them.

Sometimes things don't quite go as planned.

She always chooses bacon, because who doesn't love bacon.

the names of Christ (free download)

 I've always wanted to do an extensive study of the different names of Christ found in the scriptures, so as I was preparing the give the scripture journal presentation for the YW last December, I decided to add a little handout with the names of Christ.  This is not a comprehensive list so please don't be limited by what I have included in the handout. I have included over 100 names, but here is a list of over 200 names of Christ. The Bible Dictionary also offers an extensive list of Christ's names that are linked to the actual scriptures, which makes studying online so easy (I love that).  In creating this simple booklet, I wanted to give the girls and myself a starting point. I also printed off the some of the names in a fancy font on some label stickers to help get them started.  I have included those in the download as well if you want to use them. 

I printed my copy off and glued it into the front of a blank moleskin journal, I added a little washi tape just for fun.  I am keeping the pages in alphabetical order as much as possible.  It's meant to be printed like a book, front to back on a standard sheet of paper.  I stapled the little book together, but it's only two pages so it can be glued.  Along with the names, I included a simple study guide with some of these questions or suggestions.

1. Definition of His name. I included this because John studies Hebrew.  I have learned a great deal from the things he has taught me and from what the Hebrew meaning of the words are.  It's been very enriching.

2. List the scriptures.  I have provided a single reference for each name, but for most there are many.  It's very helpful to see how the different verses add to who Christ is and what He taught.

3. What does the scripture say? Now I don't plan on rewriting all the scriptures, I will write what I learn from the scripture.  It might not have anything to do with the actual content of the verse. Sometimes the Spirit prompts me like that.

4. How is His name applicable in the scripture?  Why is that particular name used? What does it tell me about Him?  How does it give me insights into the Savior and my relationship to Him?

5. How does this name impact my every day life?  I have been thinking a great deal about this as I've contemplated this project.  For me I use the name Christ when speaking, Jesus feels foreign to me. I'm not sure why, something I will ponder as I study.  There are other names that have become dear to me that I will share at a later date.

6. Add your favorite pictures of Christ. Include images of the representations of Christ's name: ie. cornerstone, shepard, bread.  I love this.  I have found some lovely work as I have started this that I never knew existed.  Beautiful representations of the Savior.   The church  offers many pictures of Christ and other gospel related images that you can download and use in your personal study and lessons.  It is a wonderful resource.

7. Include your favorite quotes. For the most part, the quotes I have read refer to Christ in His common names, but when doing a search for one of His names I came across this wonderful talk (I loved listening to a young President Monson) and loved this quote:

"We discover he is more than the babe in Bethlehem, more than the carpenter’s son, more than the greatest teacher ever to live. We come to know him as the Son of God. He never fashioned a statue, painted a picture, wrote a poem, or led an army. He never wore a crown or held a scepter or threw around his shoulder a purple robe. His forgiveness was unbounded, his patience inexhaustible, his courage without limit. Jesus changed men. He changed their habits, their opinions, their ambitions. He changed their tempers, their dispositions, their natures. He changed men's hearts."  (Thomas S. Monson, "The Paths Jesus Walked", General Conference, April 1974)

8. How does this name impact how I view myself and who I can become?  (I think this is one of the keys for me.  The Lord knows who I am, who I have always been.  He knows my potential and does everything He can to help me realize my divine nature.)

This is not a journal that I am in a huge rush to finish.  I have been thinking about one particular name for many months.  This is my journey to draw closer to the Savior so there is no time limit, only the desire for change.  I also want you to understand that I will never profess to be a scholar or provide deep insights if I share some of my entries.  This journal is not meant to be a reference manual or anything other than a place for me to learn and grow.

I went back and searched  the blog (I love the search feature) for things that I have already written about Christ that I might want to include in my journal.  I am so glad I write our stories.  I had forgotten about this precious gem: RECOGNIZING CHRIST, or this post: NEVER DENY CHRIST which brings so many thoughts.  

I will also include my testimony of Christ (or this one) in the opening pages. Perhaps I will write my testimony again in the final pages and see how my relationship with Christ has changed. It will become another tangible testimony not only for me, but for my children.  I want them to always understand that I know He lives.  My witness of Him is strong, even if it is small. He is the Light and the Way.  He is my all.

Download Akimball_Names_of_Christ (pdf file)

 If you would like more information about Jesus Christ you can go here.  

“That man is greatest and most blessed and joyful whose life most closely approaches the pattern of the Christ. This has nothing to do with earthly wealth, power, or prestige. The only true test of greatness, blessedness, joyfulness is how close a life can come to being like the Master, Jesus Christ. He is the right way, the full truth, and the abundant life.” (Ensign, Dec. 1988, p. 2.)

the work of a master

John's great grand father, Dad Harry, created these beautiful stained glass windows.  He was a stained glass artist that worked here in the valley.  His work can be seen all over in historic buildings.   I had the opportunity to sit in the Assembly Hall last month and I marveled at the workmanship as I looked around at the amazing details and craftsmanship.  The photos don't do his work justice. 

After watching the Whitney and Arnold work on their stained glass pieces a couple of years ago, we have all gained a greater appreciation for the art and the hours and precision required.    

Thank you to my lovely sister in law who scanned all the photos and gave us each a copy.  They are a treasure for our family.

One of my favorite pieces in the Salt Lake Temple, which I don't have a picture of, but if you want to see an amazing replica go to the South Visitors Center on Temple Square. It is amazing to be in such a sacred place and look around and know that your ancestors helped create this wonderful place.  A place were we were married and had children sealed to us, you feel a greater connection.

Each of our lives are filled with ancestors who have forged a path for us.  Perhaps the way is not always as lovely as this, but the lessons and sacrifices are equally as important.  

"You are familiar with their story. You are the fruit of all of their planning and of all of their labors. Whether you have pioneer ancestry or came into the Church only yesterday, you are a part of this whole grand picture of which those men and women dreamed.

Theirs was a tremendous undertaking. Ours is a great continuing responsibility.

They laid the foundation. Ours is the duty to build on it.

They marked the path and led the way. Ours is the obligation to enlarge and broaden and strengthen that path until it encompasses the whole earth."  (President Gordon B. Hinckley, "These Noble Pioneers", BYU speeches, February 1997)

I loved this quote my President Hinckley.  It helps me think about my responsibility to my descendants.   Someday I hope to create something beautiful and lasting.  Something my children and their children and their children can look upon and say, "She magnified the talents the Lord gave her."  Or as Erma Bombeck said it, "When I stand before God at the end of my life, I would hope that I would not have a single bit of talent left and could say, 'I used everything you gave me.' "

monday menagerie 16 (smart people)

The world is filled with brilliant people.  I used to feel bad because I wasn't one of them, but now I just rejoice because I can sit back and glean from their wisdom.  Our home is filled with wonderful things and thoughts from such smart people.    

Now I know my children will get upset when I say I'm not one of the smart people.  I know I'm intelligent and I have talents and gifts, however I don't have every gift and talent and I appreciate the complexities of other people's minds and talents.  

Some brilliant person thought to put their washi tape on a thread holder.  Found it on pinterest and   it's the perfect solution for all of us washi users to find what we need.   It looks pretty and  makes me so happy to see that array of colors.

John teases us about your use of pinterest, but I regularly implement the ideas I see.  Gus has a beautiful dress she is making from an pin she found.  Not to mention all the delicious dishes that we have tried.  Having the app makes cooking quite delightful when you can pull out your phone  and have the recipe available while shopping or cooking.

Lots of people smarter than me have taught about scripture journals and writing things down as prompted. This simple practice has enriched my study and helped me draw closer to a loving Heavenly Father.  I would have never thought of this on my own and I am so thankful for the things I have learned. 

I am grateful for a smart doctor and surgeon who last week scrapped, cleaned, cauterized, cut, and repaired my tendon all in hopes that I can keep it long term.  It is going to be a longer recovery road, but I'm on it and I'm so thankful for his knowledge and skill.

I am so thankful for a brilliant husband who knows just what to say to make my day brighter.  Who brings home a beautiful surprise just because.  He is an amazing man, I'm so thankful he is my friend.

This is not the best image technically, but I'm so thankful that I have been able to learn from other brilliant people who to capture the wonderful moments of my family.  I would have missed this toothless grin all stuffed with pillows ready to a sumo competition.  I love being able to capture the moments of our lives so that I can remember the silliness of the littles.

Smart people are awesome.  Everyone has something to share and bless the lives of others, whether it's always finding the beauty and joy in things or to writing a simple essay that uplifts.  We can enrich not only our own lives, but the lives of the people we associate with.   

 

 

happiness

(my father as a young boy)

“Mortality is a precious drop in the bucket of eternity. Why not make each minute pleasant and fulfilling? We must make our own happiness. As President Spencer W. Kimball once said, ‘Happiness does not depend upon what happens outside of you, but on what happens inside of you. It is measured by the spirit with which you meet the problems of life.’ ”(President James E. Faust, “A Vision of What We Can Be,” Ensign, Mar. 1996, 10)

celebration papers and silhouettes (free digital download)

Finally finishing this digital kit based on the posters I made for our Stake Relief Society Activity.  If you are interested in the posters you can find them here.  The YW posters are found here and the coordinating papers are located here.  

Download Akimball_celebration

Download Akimball_celebration_frames

Download Akimball_celebration_silhouettes

A quick layout I made using the frames and a paper from "3 things digital kit".

a little bit of quilting

I've had a little bit more time on my hands and have been able to work on these cottage blocks.  This one had a run in with Loaf wielding scissors and I had to make some alterations, but it's still wonderful and will make it into the quilt.

I love opening up a new packet and seeing the color combinations I chose.  I created these blocks at least 5+ years ago and I don't remember all the different fabric combinations so it's been a delight to open each new block and be surprised by the fabric combinations.

I'm excited to be working on a little something with the debut of Tim Holtz new line: Eclectic Elements.  His new line has some stunning backgrounds and I can't wait to use them again and again! It's been a really fun project to work on, more details later.

A huge thank you to my mother on this project.  She has been my sounding board, I can't tell you how many times I questioned a design choice.  She recused this darling little boader when it wouldn't go on properly and taught me why and how to fix it and then added it perfectly.  She is amazing.  

Thank you for everyone who has helped me and my family since I've been down.  I'm a terrible patient and I can't tell you how much I appreciate all your prayers in my behalf.

with Guelita

There is 89 years difference between Guelita and Loaf.  Loaf can work a smart phone with ease, Guelita can't figure out how to turn it on. 

Guelita is full of wisdom and support.  Her depth of understanding gives strength to all around her. Loaf is full of innocence and mischief.  She brings a smile to ones face and hope of a better future.

Guelita's hands are worn and calloused from years of hard work, cleaning, gardening, sewing, and rolling tortillas.  Loaf's hands are still smooth and don't know the lessons learned from a lifetime of experience. 

Guelita speaks Spanish. Loaf speaks English (often we have no idea what she is speaking).  Their common language is love.  Love that binds generations: a great-grandmother with her great-granddaughter.

I don't know if Loaf understands that it won't be too long before Guelita gets her hearts desire and joins her loving husband in death.  Perhaps she was just concerned because Guelita wouldn't let her keep her rings.

This little person of mine does understand how precious her relationship is with Guelita.  She brings her the cane when she sees Guelita has left if behind.  She grabs her hand for support and she treats her with gentleness and affection.  A bond 89 years in the making.  

the phone call

I set up the computer first thing in the morning.  Updated all the software, closed all unnecessary applications.  I didn't want anything to interfere with our 1 hour phone call.  I couldn't wait. I think I squealed when the computer rang asking if I would accept her call.  I called to everyone and the children came pouring in, everyone eager to have a chance to talk to Whitney.  

There was no rhythm or reason to how we talked.  I think there were some that would have liked a few private moments with her, but we couldn't leave the room.  We had to spend every second we could with her, seeing her smiling face, and hearing her voice.  The house has been a little empty without the high notes of her latest opera piece.  Her infectious laugh as been absent from our dinner table.

Some people, like Dash didn't want to talk.  He's a little mad at her and wants her to come home.  I think he told her at least 10 times that it was time and she should come home.  He sat on everyones lap as we changed seats to that she could see us.  Dash didn't want to be left out.  

Loaf would come bouncing in the room and cry out, "Hi Whitney!!"  She was so excited and she too kept telling her that it was time to come home.  She asked why she wasn't in her room with Arnold.  Fresh tears flowed down Whitney's face as she realized her baby sister still remembered her and loved her.  

The minutes were speeding by as we tried to fill her in with everything that was happening.  We didn't want anything to be left out and yet sometimes all that could happen was tears.  Looks that expressed volumes when words could not come out.  

We asked question after question.  Rock was disappointed she had not witnessed a mafia hit yet.  Tank meekly told her he missed her and Rock talked about school and what he was learning.  Dash stayed close by and interjected comments.

We laughed as she told us funny moments with forward Italian men for she is bellismia!  Or when she recounted tripping and falling, spraining her other ankle the day before flying out to Italy and a week after spraining the other ankle.  She was out running and went off a curb sprawling onto the ground.  A campus police officer watched the entire scene, asked if she was okay and quickly called into his radio, "I'm going to need backup."  

To her her describe the event had us all laughing.  She talked about the back up police officers arriving and handing her a solitary antiseptic wipe for her bleeding knees.  To which she quipped that she would certainly need about 45 more as her cuts were so extensive.  She laughed as she described walking back into the classroom where all the other missionaries could not believe she had been injured again.  

These are the things we miss most: the stories, the laughter, the melodies.  It has reinforced to each of us how important we are to our family unit.  We are trying to treasure one another more.  As we were saying good-bye once again the tears started to flow. It will be 7 months before we get to talk to her again like this.  Rock asked if I had recorded the conversation and if I had thought about it I would have.  He wanted to replay it and be able to hear her voice again and again.  Next time I will remember.  

We all commented at how beautiful she looks, how the Mediterranean enhances her natural curls and the light in her eyes seems brighter.  We all agreed that Italy suits her, but we are not going to tell her or she might not ever come back. Especially because she is eating the most delicious food and that alone might keep her in Italy. 

My baby girl is happy and thriving.  She is growing and filling her soul with strength she didn't know she had.  I haven't stopped smiling as I think about her and all that she is doing.  Tears come easily, but I suspect they will until she comes home. I am so grateful for her service and the blessings we are receiving as well.  

Be safe dear one and know that you are loved!

You can read Whitney's latest letter here.

mother's day: my warning

It's no secret that I've never been a fan of mother's day.   I think I write something almost every year. I never measure up. I'm constantly making mistakes, and so on......   Those negative thoughts could go on and on and on.  For many years that was I all could hear as I was mired in depression. On Saturday while talking with a group of mothers, we once again agreed how difficult mother's day can be, when quietly one of my sweet daughters said, "It has always made us feel bad that you feel this way."

It cut me to the very core of my soul to think that my selfishness I was hurting my children.  I couldn't see past my own pain to understand how it was affecting them.  I was their mother and they loved me.  They knew my weakness and they still loved me. In the past a comment like this would have sent me plunging back into depression, but thankfully the adversary is not winning that particular battle anymore.  Instead I became mad.  Not mad at my children and not mad at myself, mad that I spent so many years listening to the lies.  Mad that I was so deceived. 

Motherhood is messy.  Motherhood is not easy, it never will be.  You are wearing you heart on the outside of your body and some days it takes a beating, but you don't give up. Your love for your children keeps you putting one step in front of the other.

So yesterday I did all the dishes, because I'm a mother and I can.  I didn't cry when I didn't get special love notes from my children understanding that they don't express their love in this manner.  I tried to be extra patient when the fighting and complaining still happened, knowing that even though it's mother's day my children still have their own struggles and weaknesses.  I thanked a merciful Father in Heaven as I sat alone at church with all the children struggling to keep them quiet, because John was home sick. I held back the tears when one of my sons wanted to celebrate his "real mom" and had to settle with me.  He is only trying to understand and he does love me. I found beauty in the opportunity I have to be a mother despite the fact that our lives are not picture perfect.  

 This is my warning to you Satan, father of all lies, I'm taking back Mother's day.  You can try all you want, but I won't let you hurt me anymore.  You can whisper those negative thoughts, but I'm not going to listen any more.  I know I'm not perfect. I make mistakes everyday. I know I will not measure up to the woman next door or the cousin who was just named mother of the year (which she completely deserved, she is amazing).  I'm not supposed to. I am me.  I am my children's mother. I have within me the ability to raise and teach them to oppose you and to follow God.  Nothing else matters.  So be warned, I will not give up, ever! I am here to stay and I'm fighing back stronger and wiser.

I will rally the women that I can. We will celebrate one another's differences and strengths.  We will band together in a mighty force that will not listen to your lies anymore.  This is my war cry. Hear me roar!

 

"Some mothers seem to have the capacity and energy to make their children’s clothes, bake, give piano lessons, go to Relief Society, teach Sunday School, attend parent-teacher association meetings, and so on. Other mothers look upon such women as models and feel inadequate, depressed, and think they are failures when they make comparisons.

We should not allow ourselves to be trapped into such damaging inferiority feelings. This is another tool of Satan. Many seem to put too much pressure on themselves to be a “supermom” or “superwoman.”

"Sisters, do not allow yourselves to be made to feel inadequate or frustrated because you cannot do everything others seem to be accomplishing. Rather, each should assess her own situation, her own energy, and her own talents, and then choose the best way to mold her family into a team, a unit that works together and supports each other. Only you and your Father in Heaven know your needs, strengths, and desires. Around this knowledge your personal course must be charted and your choices made."   (Elder Marin J. Ashton, "Choosing the Good Part", General Conference  1984)

We got to talk to our missionary. Mother's day is the best!!!