Focus on the Present

And now, Israel, what doth the Lord they God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord they God with all thy heart and with all thy soul. 

– Deuteronomy 10:12

“I don’t worry too much about the future, and I don’t worry very much about the past.  The past is gone, and you can’t change, you can’t correct it.  The future, you can anticipate, but you can’t necessarily do very much about it.  It is the present you have to deal with.  Reach out for every good opportunity to do what you ought to do.” 

– Gordon B. Hinckley

Today is a new day; a new year.  Make the best of what you have!  You can start fresh today…to be a new you and to be your best self!  Remember all of those things you have desired to change, to do, to say, to be – this is your day! 

Keep moving forward in the cause for good and in helping to build the Kingdom of God on the earth!  The Lord needs a valiant army to help accomplish His plan.  Are you on His side?  If so, DO something about it, today!  I love you.  May the Spirit guide you to do right.  May you have angels round about you to uplift you in a world of darkness.  May the Lord bless you for your efforts.  Keep up the fight… every effort is worth it!

The Transforming Power of Faith and Character

“Faith is things which are hoped for and not seen; wherefore, dispute not because ye see not, for ye receive no witness until after the trial of your faith” (Ether 12:6). Thus, every time you try your faith—that is, act in worthiness on an impression—you will receive the confirming evidence of the Spirit. As you walk to the boundary of your understanding into the twilight of uncertainty, exercising faith, you will be led to find solutions you would not obtain otherwise. With even your strongest faith, God will not always reward you immediately according to your desires. Rather, God will respond with what in His eternal plan is best for you, when it will yield the greatest advantage. Be thankful that sometimes God lets you struggle for a long time before that answer comes. That causes your faith to increase and your character to grow.”

– Richard G. Scott

 

As I studied this Conference Talk today in the new November Conference edition of the Ensign, there were many words that impressed my heart to the very core.  Through personal experience with these very principles, I bear witness of the power of faith and prayer.  Never in my life have I had such a sweet and sacred experience as I had today, which I felt the love of my Heavenly Father for me and my family so strongly.  I know He is aware of us, as His children.  I know that He knows the righteous desires of our hearts-the yearnings that burn from deep within our soul.  If we are patient, and prove diligent in our obedience and faith, He can and will grant us those desires.  He answered my prayers and pleadings in the manner that I needed in the very moment that I was groveling to receive it.  I received specific instruction, guidance, and comfort through His valiant servants.

However, there have been times that I have prayed, for months at a time, in fact, for a righteous desire to be granted and apparently my timing was not in accordance with God’s will for me.  Yet, today, I received a tender mercy that I will cherish forever…as a witness to me that my faith can endure the challenges I face, no matter the length of time.  I was reminded that the Lord is aware of me and my sincerest needs.  I witnessed a small miracle within my own life, and I am humbly grateful, for the silent struggle in my heart… to understand His timing and withholding of the blessing which has been so earnestly sought after. May we all seek to increase our faith, thus allowing our character to grow.  

 

 “…It is nobility of character, that fabric of inner strength and conviction woven from countless righteous decisions, that gives life its direction. A consistent, righteous life produces an inner power and strength that can be permanently resistant to the eroding influence of sin and transgression. Your faith in Jesus Christ and obedience to His commandments will strengthen your character. Your character is a measure of what you are becoming. It is the evidence of how well you are using your time on earth in this period of mortal probation.” – Richard G. Scott

 

I am so grateful for a prophet who communes with our Savior, and for apostles who are in tune, as well.  For valiant servants who seek the will of the father and share His desires with us.  I felt as though this conference talk was written just for me and I am grateful for the guidance that was found within.

Extra Daily Nourishment

I can safely say that I believe I sit down to the computer to check my email every day-at least once a day.  Sometimes it is in the morning, sometimes it is in the afternoon, sometimes it is in the evening.  But, if I am home, I generally check it at least once every day.  I have recently strived to make a habit out of making more use of my time…thus, if I am going to check it (mostly to see if there are any good shopping deals that I don’t have the money to take advantage of anyway), perhaps I could greater use my time on the computer.  There are random quiet times through-out the day that I take advantage of to sit down and do something productive at my desk.

I have recently discovered the General Conference Talks on lds.org.  I can sit down, push a few buttons, and bam… I am watching one of our apostles, delivering their inspired message – again - to me.  And, I can listen, be reminded of the counsel that has been given and the action that needs to be taken, and receive inspiration for my family!  Just one a day…keeps Satan away!  Really, it is helpful and I am so grateful I discovered it…in it’s simplicity.  It has been a tremendous addition to my scripture study!  I am feeling fuller, longer, because finally I am getting more of what I need… Daily Nourishment!

Simple truths

Last Monday night for FHE we had a lesson on testimonies and how we develop them.  We talked about the Holy Ghost and how the Holy Ghost bears testimony to us of truth, and further, how we feel that - in our hearts and minds. 

So, yesterday, as I am bundling up Emma to go outside, I tell her that I need to put on her jacket, so that she can stay warm.  And she puts her hand up to her chest and replies, "I feel the Holy Ghost is hot right here, Mom." 

Unure of whether or not I understood her, I say, "What, Emma?  What's hot?"

She looks up at me and says, "It's hot.  The Holy Ghost makes me feel hot.  Right here. (hand still on her chest) And I bear my testimony it's true.  And hot."

"Oh, I see.  Yes, Emma.  The Holy Ghost makes us feel warm inside when we know something is true.  Thanks for sharing that with me."

That was that; off she went outside.  And for the rest of the day, if anyone talked about being/getting warm, she would tell them what she knows.  Such simple truths.

It’s Finally Fall

The weather has changed and has finally begun to grow cold – no more 70 degree days.  A part of me is ready, ready for the snow to come.  The other part of me has enjoyed the 70 degree weather (which I think is the perfect temperature!)  But, it is evident that mother nature has placed her hand on the Lord’s creations and they are recognizing the change in temperature, as well.  The view out my kitchen window is stupendous right now.  Though I really love to look out in June when everything is GREEN, I love to look out and see the bold colors of fall, and I must say, I’m falling for it!

 

Today we had a fun family day and enjoyed Fall!

Fall is – ……

Raking leaves

 

     

(I hope someday these girls will treasure their friendship and the joy they experienced together.)

 

Fall is -

Raking Pine Needles

   

Fall is -

Bright, bold colors and family gatherings

We asked Jason’s parents to snap a few pictures of us after church in front of the beautiful Aspen trees that have begun to change color in our backyard.

   

Fall is -

The holidays approaching; bundling up; hunting season; gathering wood; hot chocolate; changing colors; baked goodies; a warm fire; yummy smells; naked trees; peach cobbler; apple crisp; a delicious feast; and giving thanks!  I am so thankful for my family, my health, the gospel, my Savior, and the blessings I enjoy everyday.  I feel richly blessed!

(Just look at these beautiful faces)

 

Happy Halloween - Early!

Well, I really kind of out-did myself on the halloween costumes this year. It took me all of three days non-stop to make the majority of my family's costumes this year. We have voted together and everyone has agreed that they want to do "themes" as a family every year...since this year was soooooo much fun.

We dressed up for our ward trunk-or-treat night (games inside and treating outside....brrrr...in the cold mountain air!) Anyways, it was fun for the kids, fun to dress up, fun to see everyone else dressed up (except for Mike & Jaime...bah hum bug). Because we were indoors and someone else was using my camera for part of the time, the pictures aren't great (I haven't figured out flourescent lighting yet), but they work. Hopefully I can post more later!

I love that the first thing that Megan and Kimberly did when we walked in the door at the church is get their faces painted (hence - Dorothy and her lady bug face, and Glinda and her lady bug cheeks...gotta love it!) And Bryson's face was really GREY, however in this picture it is looking a little on the blue side (next time I will be helping Jason when he mixes the face paint together).

Here's the costume details...

Kimberly - Dorothy - pausing breifly for her picture to be taken in the middle of the cake walk. This costume was given to us, however, the red ruby slippers were ours. We also borrowed a "Toto" and a basket for him. Total Cost - $0.00

Megan - Glinda - Looking not so happy in this picture because I was giving her a hard time about needing to wait to get her face painted until after I had taken a picture of her in her costume. This costume is just about 90% creation.

The crown: the Costco-size Enfamil can stripped of it's label, cut out and decorated with glow-in-the-dark sparkly pink stars, tinsel, silver pom-poms, and wire flowers lined with silver stars.

The gown: a long sleeve pink leotard (from the Thrift store $2.00), more tinsel, sequin stars applied with Craft Adhesive, organza sleeves (left-over material from her baptism dress), pink binding on sleeves (just items I have had in my craft/sewing box), and beads that I spray-painted silver and hot glued on. The skirt (not-shown) was a dress that was given to us from a friend that was falling apart. I unpicked the bodice and put satin ribbon binding (more treasures from my craft box) around it with velcro to secure in back and hot glued silver stars all over it.

The wand: a pink glow-in-the dark star glued to a dowel (cheesy, since I forgot to spray paint them silver).

Total Cost of her costume - $2.00 for the leotard (the rest of it I had in my stash)

Emma - A Flower Munchkin - Every snap shot I took, she had candy stuffed in her cheeks! She's got some good-sized cheeks, but the pictures you see are filled with extra stuffing! Her costume was a throw-together and not my favorite, but it worked. The dress was a hand-me-down of a flower-girl dress at my brother, Greg's wedding. The Headdress: my personal favorite, a headband with silk flowers glued onto both sides. A small flower pot filled with a painted styrofoam ball with a green bendy strong, stuffed with a green pipe cleaner and a flower on top. Total cost: $0 (I had all of these items in my stash as well!)

Tyler - The Scarecrow - My personal favorite costume of all!!! Every picture I took of him, he was on cloud NINE (smiling or doing his "scarey scarecrow look") and was so excited to be "trick-or-treating", simply because that meant he would be getting lots of candy! (He is my treat monger!!!) This costume took the most time, but was so much fun.

The head piece: a black witches hat that I bought from the thrift store ($.50), glued some burlap a friend gave me with raffia behind it. The hat is glued onto a peice of material (I had some cream, lots of it actually, material stashed from previous intentions to make new curtains for the first camper we owned when we were first married...so it's about time I put it to good use). I sewed a basic hem around the edges and lined the burlap so it wouldn't itch him and then tied it with some rope I got from the craft store ($.50)

The shirt: one of Bryson's hand-me-downs, I lined the burlap with the cream material (similar to muslin) with raffia lined in between and made two cuffs, a patch on the tummy and a patch on the arm, and tied it off with rope again.

The pants: a pair of flannel pants a friend gave me which I made patches out of felt, glued raffia to the back and lighted stitched large stitches around the edge. He is wearing his own black church boots, lined with more raffia (this time sandwiched between two peices of khaki felt.

Total cost: $1.00

Eli - The Lion - One of the cutest little "sucker-sucking" lions you have ever seen! I'll be darned if I can get this kid to look at me when I take his picture. This costume is my sister-in-law's (it was Bailey's first Halloween Costume!) It is SOOOO cute - the mane is all colored ribbon, looped and hot glued. Total cost - $0

Jason - The "not-so-little" Lollipop kid - All I can say is...what a good sport! My husband rocks! He absolutely loved dressing up and being part of the team...for the greater good! What is quite surprising is that his costume was the most expensive of all of them!!!

The shirt: a blue sweatshirt from the thrift store $2.00, cut off in a zig-zag on the bottom and sleeves. Then I drew a line down the front with permanent marker (instead of cutting and sewing) and hot glued buttons down the front, then made4 white collars to hot glue on with felt wrapped around cotton batting for stiffness. He wore a regular t-shirt that matched his shorts underneath the short shirt.

The bottoms: I bought white long johns ($1.50) at the thrift store and a knitted, striped scarf that was double layered ($1.50) with pom-pom balls on the bottom. I cut the scarf in half, cut off the pom-pom balls, and put the scarf over the long johns and glued them at the ankle and thighs. Then I took an old pair of Jason's shorts and sheered them in a zig zag.

The shoes: I took the left-over blue peices cut from the sweatshirt, wrapped them around his crocs, and sewed them (weaving in and out of the holes, so not to ruin them) and glued the pom-pom ball on the top.

Lollipop - a white styrofoam wreath, with a window blind stick stuck through it (you could also use a dowel, but I didn't have one, but I did have a broken blind stick!) and covered on both sides with poster board, painted in a swirl, and tied off with a ribbon. $0

Total cost: $5.00

I didn't get a picture of Bryson yet... I couldn't find him all night and the ones I took, didn't take... but, he was the Tin Man. The silver pants and top were given to us. I bought him some slippers at the Thrift Store ($1.50) and a plastic funnel at Rite-Aid ($1.98) and spray painted them both silver. I cut out some cardboard for his shoulders and inside his tummy (I didn't have time to really make his costume good because he was gone those three days and I didn't have time to have him try them on). Oh, and face paint (50% off at Rite-Aid: $1.00) But we made it work. Total Cost: $4.50

And last, but not least... I was the wicked witch! I borrowed my witch costume and used the same package of face paint to paint my face green (which clearly did not have the same consistency as Bryson's paint (which turned out splotchy instead of smooth), but oh well...better luck next time, I guess. Total cost: $0.00

So... for costumes for 8 people...... I spent less that $15.00!!! How is that for frugal! Well, it helped that I have been given some craft items, and that a can of spray paint, a sewing machine, some extra fabric, and a HOT GLUE GUN can create a lot of things!!! Here's to not going broke for Halloween!!! More pictures to come.... especially the Lollipop shoes!!!

The U.S. Pannell

Having a large family requires structure and rules. For years I have tried to teach my children the value of "work before play" and the essence of teamwork. Although I felt I had achieved mild success, I knew in my heart that there was more out there – a better way…a way that would enable agency, accountability, work, and rewards. So, after lots of prayer, pondering, and reflection upon the gleaning from friends and a few good books, I developed a system of my own, that has gradually evolved and been adapted to our family's needs. It is a system that works for my family, which has brought sanity and peace of mind, responsibility and accountability, hard work and service, and structure and order to our home.

One of my favorite scriptures in the Doctrine and Covenants is: "Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God" – D&C 88:119

We know that our homes can be temples. The Bible Dictionary tells us under Temple …Only the home can compare with the temple in sacredness. It has been our goal to transform our home into a temple, by incorporating all of the elements listed in the scripture above. We have thus dubbed our home the "U.S. Pannell" (United in Service). Our home is our ship, loaded with precious cargo - six children and parents (an eternal family) who love each other, and are working together to sail back home (to our Heavenly Father). If we each do our part, the journey becomes easier to bear and more enjoyable along the way…and we always ensure that we keep our focus on the lighthouse (the Savior), who guides our path.

This is our family journal, a place where I record important events in our lives. Although I have allowed opportunities to record special events pass me by, and have committed myself to someday fill in the missing gaps, I felt impressed to include this post – as record of the structure of our lives and the things we do in our daily itinerary that have helped us to turn our home into our temple, so that one day my children might remember how we functioned and the "order" that made us a happy, eternal family.