The Power of Remembering

Did you know there is power in Remembering?  I found myself in the living room of my mother-in-law one day while my husband was at work. We talked about a few different things then we started to talk about my husband. He had been having a lot of work challenges and was trying to figure out life a bit. There had been a lot of stress in our home because of the work problems, financial stress and the everyday little things that go on and on and on. So talking about his work that day wasn't helping my stress level, but then somehow we got on the topic of how Sam, my husband, and I met. Talking about those memories made me feel like I was literally transported back in time to a peaceful place filled with so much love and no stress! It was like my present stressful situation did not exist. It caught me off guard and made me really ponder on what just had happened.

I thought about the scriptures. How often are we told to remember in them? And those who remembered their fathers before them seemed to triumph over their trials better. So I searched the word remember in the Gospel Library and it was pretty amazing to see all the references to the word remember. I don't know about you...but remembering sounds pretty important and I promise it is powerful!

So what do you need to remeber to help you today? For me there is power in remembering my marriage day and dating my husband prior to that. He is the love of my life and best friend! There's power in remembering my mission and the testimony and love for the gospel that grew from that experience. There is power in remembering the service and sacrifice of so many men and women who have fought, and continue to fight, for our freedom. There is power in remembering September 11th; the unity, the loss, the peace, the love, and so much more that can't be put in words. There is power in remembering our fore fathers and their bright hopes of freedom for their children and their children's children, children. There is power in Remembering Jesus Christ; His mission, His love, His miracles, His atonement, His resurrection.  It is true, there is great power in remembering. Especially in remembering who we are....Sons and Daughters of a loving Heavenly Father!

What Do I Have to Offer?

My mind has been running around a lot lately, and again I find myself thinking about my blog!  I find this feeling happens a lot when I am trying to find myself.  Since my last post I have been truly blessed!  I found a doctor that discovered what my almost 2 year aliment was, just before surgery I found the man of my dreams I was searching for after 14 years of looking and now I have been blessed with the greatest desire of my heart....I have 3 beautiful children!  Two call me bonus Mom or Sarah, and a cute little boy will one day call me Mom or Mommy. A lot has changed in a year and I am greatly blessed indeed!

 

 
My life has been changed for the better....but there has been a lot of searching even after having my dreams come true.  With all the blessings of becoming a mom and caring for a little one I felt like I, Sarah, was disappearing.  Sure I love being a mom, that will never change but I was not doing anything for myself.  As a past CNA and caregiver, the number one rule is to care for yourself so you don't burn out and here I was breaking that very important rule.  I found myself always taking a back seat and I was so confused on how to balance being a mom and Sarah at the same time....I'm sure I am not the only mom out there that struggles with this.  Anyway, after 3 months from giving birth I found I couldn't survive with what I had been doing....I needed some therapy, friend therapy.  I have an excellent support system with my loving Heavenly Father, my husband and family, but I have a great friend that I usually run to when I cannot seem to figure my life out and I'm to the breaking point.  So I found myself running to this friend with personal struggles and not seeing a way to fix it.  There have been a lot of stresses in my life and I was WAY off balance; I could not see straight. I verbally threw up at this friend and we talked A LOT, which is exactly what I needed!  Finally at one point she posed a question that I have been thinking about quite a lot. In looking at the possibilities of how to balance my life, the simple question of, "What do you have to offer?" has left my mind in a whirlwind of possibilities.  I often do not see myself as someone wonderful or important or that has much to offer.  But when faced with that question and honestly looking at it, I have found that I do have A LOT to offer.  I offer love, respect, a listening ear, laughter, music (piano, singing, violin), care, tenderness, healthcare knowledge (CNA, healthcare administration), special education knowledge, a love for the gospel of Jesus Christ, a testimony, child care knowledge, ability to learn quickly and on my own, creativity, loyalty, seeing inside an individual, teaching, learning, growing, friendship, creating, dreaming, and on and on.  There is something beautiful in looking inside and seeing that you, me, I have a lot to offer.  I have a lot to offer myself, my family, the world.  There is only one Sarah, and therefore I need to share what I personally have to offer. This thought process has made me seriously think about starting my own business (did I say that out loud?). It's true!  I am working on all the details and doing my best to fight off all the negative thoughts that come with that, but regardless if a business really takes off or not, I have a lot to offer!  So watch for more posts about what I have to offer this world!  And while I am doing that, I have one question to ask you.....what do YOU have to OFFER?       

The Master Healer

A particular passage of scripture has been on my mind as of late.  I find it interesting how a passage of scripture can change at times.  The scriptures themselves don't change in words, but at times scriptures, when looked at in a different light or angle, can change and open up whole new insights and meaning for the reader.  I had this happen recently.....hence the passage of scripture that has been on my mind.  This story is one that everyone (hopefully) can recall, or has at least heard of it, but at the same time I think this passage is often overlooked.  Maybe it's because it's short, or because it's "just" another miracle that the Savior performed. For whatever reason it may be, I have found new meaning in these verses.

Luke 8: 43-48.  "And a woman having an issue of blood twelve years, which had spent all her living upon physicians, neither could be healed of any, came behind Him, and touched the boarder of His garment: and immediately her issue of blood stanched.  And Jesus said, Who touched me?  When all denied, Peter and they that were with him said, Master, the multitude throng thee and press thee, and sayest thou, Who touched me?  And Jesus said, Somebody hath touched me: for I perceived that virtue is gone out of me.  And when the woman saw that she was not hid, she came trembling and falling down before him, she declared unto him before all the people for what cause she had touched him, and how she was healed immediately.  And he said unto her, Daughter, be of good comfort: thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace." 

 

Isn't it amazing!  Such a small passage really holds so much!  When I read this the other day I couldn't help but feel sorry for this poor woman who has suffered for 12 years this her illness and suffering.  But then my mind was opened and I turned these scripture into something personal.  What "issues of blood" have I struggled with for 5, 10, 12 years or more?  When you think of it that way, it makes you ponder deeper.  What "issues of blood" do you carry?  Certainly this passage makes me think of those who have illnesses, whether they be physical, mental or emotional, but I also think of those who have "issues of blood" that are not so physical.  I think of those who are single or alone and long to be married or have a family.  I think of those who are married but can't bare children.  I think of those who have wayward children who want nothing to do with their family.  I think of those who live in poverty or who go hungry.  The list can go on and sometimes these "issues of blood" last longer than 12 years; they last a life time.  Whatever your "issues of blood" may be, or how long it lasts, there is comfort in this passage. 

This woman who suffered for 12 years had tried everything.  The earthly physicians could not heal her, but the Master physician could.  And it is the same with ALL of us.  This scripture brings peace and hope in that we, one day, can and will be healed.  This healing may come immediately or it may not be until we are at His feet in the eternities, but for all that come unto Him, reach out and "touch His garment," will be healed or have their burdens made light.  I know that to be true for I have felt His strength and grace in my life.  He is the Master physician.  He is Jesus the Christ, the Son of God.  He can move mountains and comfort the weary and sick.  Our part, like the woman in the crowd, is to reach out to Him and He will reach out to us.  It can be hard to understand why we have the "issues of blood" that we carry, but I find comfort in a wise Heavenly Father who knows us so perfectly and knows what is best for each and everyone of us.  The "issues of blood" are there to help us grow; to grow closer to Him. 

I am grateful for my many "issues of blood" that have helped me reach out to the Savior when I have done all that I could and when no earthly physicians could heal me.  He has made my burdens light and has healed me on more than one occasion.  I am so very grateful to my savior, the Master healer, who loves us and is ever reaching out to us to comfort, heal, cheer and bless! 
  

Everyday is a Gift

Everyday is a gift.....I have this vinyl saying on the back of my bedroom door so I can see it every night before I go to bed and every morning when I get up.  It has been a good reminder for me to appreciate the beauty and blessings of each day....even when things go wrong or they are hard.  This very saying has been on my mind a lot lately and I feel the need to share why.  I don't know if this "journaling" is just for me or for someone else, but the feeling is the same....to blog. 

On May 31st, 2013, I found myself in the ER in a lot of pain and symptoms that just did not seem to make sense.  I mean, who would think a lump by your collar bone would make you feel sick to your stomach and cause you to feel like you can't breath? It didn't make sense to me and it sure didn't make sense to the doctor in the ER.  After being there for hours on end and having normal blood results and imaging (other than the obvious lump they thought to be a hematoma) I was sent home to rest and get better.  Two weeks go by when I finally feel like myself again, and then the exact same lump and symptoms arise!  This second round of symptoms would be the start of endless tests and multiple doctors  I have had just about every blood test you can think of and every appropriate test done.  Unfortunately, after the many tests (that have come back normal) I have had over these two years, no one can tell me what is going on, why my body has these symptoms, or what I have.  Sometimes the not knowing can be just as scaring as knowing. 

As anyone would be in this situation, I found myself frustrated with doctors and everything medical.  We are in the great age of technology!  Can't you just scan me and tell me what's wrong?!  My own personal Baymax would come in handy about now.  It just doesn't work that way and we do call doctors practicing physicians after all. But the frustration mounted and I found myself giving up when a doctor "psych-carded " me.  The tests were normal....what else were they to think or believe?  But I am the one who lives with a body that has a mind of it's own!  I live with flares and ups and downs.  I live with days and weeks were I can't eat because I am so sick....yet they think it's in my head.  To this day I have to fight for myself to not believe them.  I have REAL symptoms.  I have REAL health issues, that even though they do not make sense....they are REAL.  I thought the not knowing was bad.....it's even worse when they do not believe you and basically wash their hands of you.

I have had some help along the way that has pointed me in the right direction.  I drastically changed my diet after visiting a wellness clinic and I do my best to get out an exercise on a regular basis, but I still have days and weeks and periods of time that I just do not feel well or find it hard to function.  This blog is short in comparison to the last two years of health challenges that I have had and as much as I have fought to help my body physically, I have really had to really fight to see that everyday truly is a gift.  I have had many moments of tears, frustrations and anger over these two years....that seem a lot longer lol!  I can't tell you the exact moment that my thoughts of despair and questions of why changed.  For me it came by changing things little by little.  I put up my sign to remind me that today was a gift. I started counting my blessings more in my prayers at night. I stopped asking why all the time.  Little things changed so I could see the tender mercies that Heavenly Father was blessing me with along the way.  I let people help me more instead of thinking that it made me look weak.  I saw the blessing in not being able to eat for a week because that made my food supply last that much longer.  lol! 

I guess what I am feeling is that no one truly knows what tomorrow will bring.....I might be cured....or I might find myself in the ER again....but for today, right in this very moment.....I am alive!  My today and everyday is a gift! And for that I am grateful for!  

Love,
     Sarah     

        

Reflecting Windows!

"Service opens windows in your life instead of just mirrors that always reflect yourself." -Russell C. Taylor

Our Personal Progress focus for the month of October is Good Works.  So going along with that theme for my Personal Progress activity we went to the assisted living center, where I work, and decorated for Halloween!  It was a lot of fun and the YW really enjoyed themselves!  After we were done decorating we hung cute treats on their doors and the next day the residents and workers were just so excited about the decorations!  they really appreciated the decorations and it has brought the spooky spirit of Halloween to life!  It will really help bring the fun as we will have trick-or-treaters come around to all the residents! 

What I love most about service is the good feeling that always comes when you touch someones life!  I'm so grateful to my young women who gave of themselves that night to reflect windows instead of mirrors!  It made a difference in the lives of those they served and their happy examples of service has made a difference in mine!  

When We're Helping We're Happy

It's been a little while since I have written on my blog but I have been waiting for a family project to be done.  This has been in the works for over a month now and we are done with great success!  My brother Scott was the project manager on this and he wanted to get our family together and have a day of service for mom and dad.  That is exactly what we did this past weekend!  It was a mad house with a total of 28 people are my parents so we had a lot of helpers, babysitters, food and fun.  We wanted to update the house in several ways but the real reason for the makeover was for my two brothers, Steve and Jon. 

 They are both in wheelchairs and my parents house does not have a ramp up to the door.  We have made due over the years with portable ramps or good ole elbow grease.  So one thing in the make over was a ramp on the house for them and eventually when my parents need it.  We updated some bathrooms, splashed some paint on some walls and doors and everything looks amazing!  We had a great time working side by side in accomplishing something big and great for my parents!  We also ached side by side from all that was accomplished.  I'm not sure when we will all recover, but it was worth it.  Ok, now it's time for the pics!  I have before and after pics of what we did.....so enjoy!  :)

 Ok up first is the before pictures of the half bathroom. 

             Here is the after half bathroom reveal!

     Here is the living room wall before

 And after with a lovely coat of green paint!  Awesome!

 Main bathroom before makeover.  It really needed some help. lol!  With the roses everywhere!

   This is my awesome sis in the shower....notice her clothes lol!
   And this is the MUCH improved main bathroom!  LOVE IT!!!!!

 We re stained the cabinets and it is so beautiful and the floor was changed too!  Thank you Krisite and Teresa!

This is the painted pantry door we did. 

It was just white, but not anymore!  Looks Fab!

 This is the front porch.  See the stairs we had to pull wheelchairs up to.  An adventure to be sure.

 Here is the NEW front porch with stairs and RAMP!!!  YAY!  My brother Adam drew up the plans and it turned out great with MANY hands helping and working hard! 

I hope you have enjoyed the new improvements at my parents house!  We are grateful for them and are enjoying them!  I can't wait for Steve and Jon to come try out the ramp.  We are already thinking about the next improvements!  lol!  Luckily there will be no more ramps. :)

"P" Party!

So I got this awesome idea from Sugardoodle.net and put it to use as my first Personal Progress activity!  We had a blast!  Ok so the P Party is a Pizza Pajama Personal Progress Party!  Prizes were given to those that had the most "P" on like pink, polka dots, purple, pj's, etc.  There were points for punctuality and bringing their personal progress books.  It was a little wierd at first to be wearing Pj's to a activity, but it was fun to see the girls in their pj's!  Each YW made their own homemade pizza and counted up their points for the winner of the prizes.  The top three got a polka dot pad, with Reses Pieces and a pen....but of course we are all winners so everyone got a Tootie Pop.  While pizza was being made I had the opportunity to meet with each YW and talk to them about their Personal Progress.  It was such a great experience for me to get to know these beautiful, bright Young Women!  We all had a great time and I got to share my thoughts and testimony with these young women.  To sum up my thoughts about the Personal Progress program, I have found a scripture that really hits home.

2 Corinthians 3:18 "But we all, with open face beholding as in a glass the glory of the Lord, are changed into the same image from glory to glory, even as by the Spirit of the Lord."

The Personal Progress program is all about coming closer to Christ and being like Him!  It doesn't come all at once, but little by little, line upon line, by progression and I know that the experiences these young women will take the opportunity to do WILL bring them closer to the Savior! 

Overall, our "P" Party was a great night and I cannot wait until the next activity!!

Our Yummy Pizzas!