A Quiet Heart

The Quiet Heart

By: Patricia T. Holland

The title and author of this book caught my interest while at the book store a while back.  I've really enjoyed reading it and found strength from it.  Here are a few quotes that I love:

"I am blessing him.  Be patient with my plan" (pg. 5)

"The kind of contemplation, reflection, and yearning for I am speaking of can't be accomplished very handily in competition with cellular phones, computers, or a blaring TV.  God can enter our realm only at our invitation. He stands at the door and knocks always, but someone has to hear that knock and let him enter." (pg 9)

"Please trust lovingly in the goodness of God.  He will honor the covenants you have made with him!  Glorious and glimmering promises await you if you will but trust in him.  You are God's child!  He loves you - and he will never stop loving you." (pg. 118)

Climbing Back

Inspiring. 

I've posted about her before. 

Today and December 13 she is featured in AZ Republic.

Read it here.

Thanksgiving Week

Day Six

I am thankful for nature!  Today some of my family and I went hiking at South Mountain.  I love hiking and being outdoors.  

   

But Alma said unto him: Thou hast had signs enough; will ye tempt your God? Will ye say, Show unto me a sign, when ye have the testimony of ^aall these thy brethren, and also all the holy prophets? The scriptures are laid before thee, yea, and all things denote there is a God; yea, even the ^bearth, and ^call things that are upon the face of it, yea, and its ^dmotion, yea, and also all the ^eplanets which move in their regular form do witness that there is a Supreme Creator.

Alma 30:44

Thanksgiving Week

Day Five

At the top of my list is my family.  They are awesome!  I love spending time with them!

Happy Thanksgiving!

Temple Visit

This school year we had the Wednesday before Thanksgiving off so I went to the temple!

 It was wonderful!

Thanksgiving Week

Day Four

Today I am grateful for my many friends.  I've always been blessed with good friends.  Whether it was a tea party with Hawaiian punch, high school dance, going to see a movie, laughing together, ward activities, college classes and Jamba Juice, etc.  My favorite musical, Wicked, has a song that expresses what I feel for my friends.

I've heard it said

That people come into our lives for a reason

Bringing something we must learn

And we are led

To those who help us most to grow

If we let them

And we help them in return

Well, I don't know if I believe that's true

But I know I'm who I am today

Because I knew you...

It well may be

That we will never meet again

In this lifetime

So let me say before we part

So much of me

Is made of what I learned from you

You'll be with me

Like a handprint on my heart

And now whatever way our stories end

I know you have re-written mine

By being my friend...

Because I knew you...I have been changed for good...

Even though many of my friends have gone off in different paths of their life and I don't see them often enough I am grateful for their friendship and it has made me who I am today.  

Thank you!  

Please enjoy the pictures and remember that they are just a sampling of pictures.

Thanksgiving Week

Day Three

I am really grateful for my job!  I love what I do!  I have my dream job.  I have a necklace that says, "Love what you do and do what you love."  I can't believe I am in my third year of teaching.  Pretty crazy if you ask me (I still feel like a kid myself).  Here are some pictures of my with my students (current and former).

Thanksgiving Week

Day Two

I am thankful for my journals.
I've been writing since middle school and so far I have written in ten.  It's so interesting to see how much I've grown in all aspects of my life plus my handwriting.  This year I've done really well with writing in it pretty much everyday.  Check out the Henry B. Eyring's message below,"to find ways to recognize and remember God's kindness. You will be blessed as you remember what the Lord has done." 

Thanksgiving Week

Day One  Each day I am going to post something about gratitude.  Today check out the church's website about gratitude.

One thing I am grateful for is my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  
In my scriptures I have this quote by Robert L. Backman, 

"Everything I hold dear and precious in my heart, I can trace back to my membership in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints." 

Want to learn more visit here.

Sweet Moments

It was because she was attentive to the Spirit and had yielded her heart to God. If we are in tune with the Spirit, if we are seeking the Lord and His guidance, if our direction is to return to our Father in Heaven, the sweet moments will come. And we will treasure them, for we have become instruments in the hands of God.  See how much we learn and grow when we share with one another our witness that the Lord lives and loves us. As I’ve said before, if I could have one thing happen for each of you, it would be that you feel the love of the Lord in your life daily.

~Bonnie D. Parkin 
"Welcome" Del Parson (pictured above)

Happy Halloween

Pumpkin Carving Activity (with some of my students)

Every year I make Golbin Mix and have my students help.

Goblin Mix

Cherrios cereal

Chex cereal

pretzels

Cheetos

M&Ms

Candy Corn

Mix all in a bowl and enjoy! Use any variety you like!

Walking Into A Hug

The title of this book actually caught my eye.  It's a book (workbook) geared towards mothers and gives one tip a week to make your home more embracing.  I enjoyed the shortness of each chapter and the advice on each topic. Some of the suggestions I am using in my classroom.

 My favorite suggestion:  SMILE!

Description taken from Deseret Bookstore: 

In Walking into a Hug: 52 Weeks to a Home that's More Embracing, Janene includes one area a week for your family to improve in. Whether it be smiling more often, inviting the Spirit into your home through worthy music, or remembering to laugh, you can create a peaceful, happier home through focusing on these topics.  With the understanding of why these things are important, how to accomplish your goals, and journal pages to record your thoughts from the week, you can create a home where each member of your family feels as if he or she is walking into a hug every day.

Fall Break

Monday 11.12  Today I played with Ray, George, Anabelle, Stella, Claire, and Lucy.  FHE was about General Conference.  My "favorite" talk was President Monson's about service.

Tuesday 11.13  Today I went to the dentist.

Wednesday 11.14  Mom and I had lunch at Tia Rosa's and went shoe shopping at DSW.  I also bought this awesome sign.

Thursday 11.15  I went to the temple and thought everyone was on vacation. It was packed the entire time I was there!  Mom and I went to Momentum Salon and had a pedicure and massage.  Very relaxing!

Friday 11.16  Walked the dog, went to the gym, cleaned my room, etc.

Photo from 10.15.2009

You are AWESOME!

Mesa AZ Temple

Let's go to the CIRCUS!!

Dad, Mom, Xan, Ray, Anabelle, Stella, Claire, baby Lucy, and I went to the Shrine Circus. We all had a great time! Here are some pictures:

Grandparent's Day

"early to bed ... early to rise"

I have had this goal FOREVER. I saw this article and found it very informative. Plus it’s geared towards teachers (thanks NEA). The article gives 5 helpful tips. Here are a few snippets I enjoyed:

1. Wake up at the same time everyday even on the weekends
2. Establish a soothing bedtime routine
3. Get organized (that’s another post and goal altogether)
4. Watch what – and when -- you eat (another post and goal too but here is a great website)
5. Get moving
   Dear Pure Fitness- I am sorry I’ve been neglecting you for the past couple of weeks. My job keeps me really busy but I do think of you often. I’ll see you soon! Hugs ~Beth

Here’s the link for the full article: Reset your Internal Clock. Enjoy!

Happy Birthday Ray!

I can't believe you're 10! I love you!

Happy Birthday Stella!

I love spending time with my family. Today was one of those precious days. We celebrated Stella's 5th birthday by hanging out in the pool and eating hot dogs and hamburgers. I pulled out my digital SLR to practice on my photography skills. Here are some of my favorites. Enjoy!

I love this picture! They are truly that happy when they see each other!

Happy 5th Birthday Stella!