A baptism so joyous & lovely.

Yesterday was one of the happiest Sundays of my life, and I have to say that I am proud to be a part of the Cherry Hill 2nd ward. It was one of the most beautiful Sundays I have ever experienced.  Don't get me wrong, I love all my Sundays, but this day was extra special because I attended a very special friend's baptism.

She is someone who waited almost four years to be baptized, and made her decision solely on her own. After being taught and visited by numerous sets of missionaries my dear friend whom I met almost four years ago became a member of the church, and her light has been shining ever since she made her decision.

My loving husband had the honor in baptizing both her and her sweet daughter. He's been home from his mission for 20 years, and besides baptizing our daughters this was his first time baptizing someone in the church, and he was so humbled by her request in performing the baptisms.

This day reminded me of my own baptism.

My better half also gave a talk on the 'holy ghost', and listening to his talk brought back more memories of when he spoke at my baptism. Yes...I met my husband while serving his mission, and he spoke on the holy ghost at my baptism as well! That's another story, and I'll have to write more about that on another day.

Listening to his talk was so inspiring that it made those hairs on my arms stand up again except this time my heart was beating a million miles a minute. I can't believe I still get that feeling after 19 years. Everything he talked about on the holy ghost is true, and listening to his talk reminded me that I am never alone in having that spiritual companion to guide, and lead me into choosing the right path, and in doing great things.

Having these two wonderful sister missionaries continuing to teach those to come unto Christ also reminded me of my own conversion 19 years ago.

I will always remember the day when two sister missionaries knocked on my door in helping me find the light to a much happier place. That light led to me to Jesus Christ. It only took me six months to convert, and almost four years for my friend. I know that all the time she was being taught she was studying, praying, pondering, and observing in knowing if this is was what she really believed in, and all that comes with serving the Lord.

Consistency is key, and I am so grateful that I continued to be the kind of example to her of being the kind of friend in which she needed, and in which Heavenly Father would want me to be. I never gave up on her, and I will never give up on those in which I have learned to love and fellowship. Sharing the love of Christ and His gospel makes my life worth living, and this day was full circle for me.

I will always remember the day when Elder Miller came up to me, and asked if I could fellowship this woman who is visiting, and I immediately said 'yes'. I continued to sit right next her every time she came, and even in the times she stopped visiting I continued to visit with her in her home, mail her cards, and invite her to our church activities. Our friendship evolved, and I never stopped communicating with her.

I was there when she began to visit the church for the first time to investigate it, and I was there when she made the decision to officially become a part of it. And I will always be here for her as a friend, and as a sister in the gospel in loving her, and watching her grow spiritually.

I will never forget who she is because in a way...she has also been an example to me. An example of continued righteousness in which we sometimes forget the reason of why we are here, and why we get baptized in the first place. Seeing new brothers and sisters being brave in joining an unfamiliar church that helps changer their lives for the better are reminders to me that we can remain pure, and strive hard to always have that renewed strength, and desire to always be better.

Me and my lovely Crisbel

And I always want to be better.

This was the icing on the cake that ended my spiritual weekend, and I will always have this day etched in my heart forever.

I am just plain happy!

                            "The spirit itself beareth witness with our spirit, 
                                       that we are the children of God." 
                                                              -Romans 8:16

A very memorable saturday.

Sandra Turley, me and my daughter Sierra

I had the most amazing weekend ever with a triple dose of spiritual feed. I think I'm going to get some much needed shut eye for the rest of the week! I can't believe I have the energy to even blog at this hour (it's after midnight!) You'd think that with the time change, and losing one hour's sleep one wouldn't have driven to D.C. after waking up at 8am on a Saturday morning to attend a conference at church in which we received some spiritual enlightenment.

Well...my daughter and I did, and it was the best weekend ever.

After listening to some edifying classes taught by some wonderful sisters, the morning ended perfectly with songs sung by our special guest Sandra Turley. She is the most amazing person you'll ever meet. She is sweet, funny, cute, and has a fabulous Broadway voice. She played Cosette for Les Miserables in NYC for three years.

Besides her talent she brought with her the spirit of Christ, her love & her testimony of the Savior. Before she sang a song she would describe her feeling that came with it, and by singing and listening to the words behind each song she sang taught her something in which has benefited her life today. Sierra and I loved every minute of that morning, and our spirits were once again rejuvenated.

Leaving the church building gave me a spiritual boost and the energy to continue on with our day in driving to Washington D.C. to see award winning pianist Paul Cardall in concert.

Having three daughters play the piano was all the motivation I needed for the drive. Then again.. I really didn't have a choice when all my girls are constantly playing the piano. They were so excited to see, and hear him play.

I have to say that this was the most uplifting, and inspirational concert that I have ever experienced inside the visitors center. He was born with congenital heart failure, and lived long enough to find a donor. He plays the way he feels, and all of his songs have a meaning behind it. For those of you who don't know his story you can read a little bit about it here.

He is so down to earth, and we really enjoyed visiting with him and his wife, among some mutual friends who drove up from North Carolina to see him as well. We were the last ones to leave the visitor's center at 9:30. It was so nice to have seen him, and his lovely wife. His parents are serving a church mission at the visitors center as well, and it was very nice to have met them!

Our Saturday ended with a late dinner at Subway. Although the drive back home seemed longer... losing that extra hour of sleep, spending the morning with my eldest daughter, and spending the rest of the day with my girls to see Paul Cardall was all worth it. Especially when you see this beautiful building.

It is a reminder to me of how much my family means to me, and every time I come...I love my family even more. 

It'll be a girl's night out we'll always remember.

Spring is in the air.

Sometimes I wish we didn't have to change our clocks forward, and lose that extra hour of sleep, but if we didn't then we wouldn't have that extra daylight in the evening. Believe me we need it especially when you live in an area where it's gloomy, and snows a lot. It's inevitable though, and to tell you the truth I am ready for the change in season.

Luckily we've had a real mild winter this year, and it has felt like spring here in Jersey since the beginning of the year, and we are definitely ready for it. I love, love Spring.

My family and I were discussing our plans for spring break as well as the summer months during a family counsel, and it looks like it's going to be a busy one for Sierra. We might cut back on family outings, but are fortunate to be at least 45 minutes from the shore. We LOVE the shore, and definitely plan on going as much as possible! We also love going to the zoo in Philly, and hopefully we will have some family from out west visit us. We love going to New England as well, and we hope to make it up there this summer.

Spring is lovely, and I do love all that comes with it. I feel so fortunate to live in an area where we are close to so many states. I love spending time with my family, and in the end don't mind the time change. It's a change, and you know me...I love change. Especially when it comes to the weather!

And for today Sierra, & I are going to see live and in person...

Sandra Turley. She is our guest speaker at our Relief Society Conference today. We look forward to her encouraging words of motivation, and spirituality. She truly is a gifted soul, and we are honored to have her come to our area in the church to visit. You can read her biography here.

And then we are going to drive to D.C. to see award winning pianist Paul Cardall perform for free at the Visitor's center. His music is beautiful, and so uplifting. All my girls are super excited, and we have loved him since I found out about his wonderful music in 1999. To hear a little of his music click here.

This will be our girls first night out together without the boys!

Dad & Noah...y'all are on your own! xo

Enough teething already!

For the past two weeks I've noticed Noah sucking onto his shirts until they are literally wet. Sometimes I think he's been spilling his cup of water onto the hardwood floor, but then I notice him pulling his shirt up to his mouth and constantly sucking on it.

Poor Noah has been sucking on his wooby for days now. I am positive that his two year molars are coming in, and when they begin to cut...it's brutal. I can tell his comfort level is at a 1. There is nothing for me to do except to hold him in hopes that his comfort level will climb back to at least an 8, and it usually does.

Nursing him also helps his teething throughout the night. He will wake up and start crying. I do get up and get him because I know it is teeth. I'm slowly weaning him, but have begun nursing him even more. He turned two last November, and since I nursed all of my girls until they were two and a half...I think it'll be okay to continue to nurse him until he no longer is no longer interested. So right now I am grateful that my body is still able to nurse him!

Last Sunday after church it was really bad. He cried all the way home, and as soon as I took him out of the car seat he was better. On Monday he began to cry, but luckily he had his wooby to comfort him, and he eventually conked out in his carseat.

There are days where he will suck on his shirt, cry for 15 minutes straight, stop, play, and be happy. I also believe that if he's distracted he doesn't think of the pain. His wooby is a lifesaver though, and I hope that those molars will hurry up, and do their job so that he can stop having different personalities.

Tomorrow will be his first time being watched over by a dear friend of mine's son for a few hours during the day. I know that he will be safe, and enjoy his first 'official' babysitter. I think Noah will be having too much fun with his sitter that he won't be thinking of his teeth. All he'll want to do his snack, play, watch Chicken Run, and maybe go for a stroll to the nearby park.

I'll tell you one thing though...he's one little boy who has a strong pain threshold, and I am sure he will be fine tomorrow for four to five hours without his sisters, me and daddy.

Curve those fingers!

"Music is what feeling sounds like."

Chelsea began playing the piano again last month, and it seems as if she caught on quickly than I expected. Well, lately she has been rushing with trying to learn to play the piano too fast (and believe me...she's going to begin to use that metronome more than her sisters did!) She has a penchant for memorizing songs as well, and feels that she doesn't need any music in front of her. She tries so hard to memorize the flashcards, and for the first two lessons she was mostly guessing them. I feel as if she knows the notes, but begins to act silly and then my testing of patience begins!

One pet peeve of mine (even though I don't play) is how one should curve their fingers, and Chelsea is having a hard time doing that. I have to constantly remind her to "curve your fingers, curve your fingers". I know that it takes time, and that eventually she'll get it.

I am not musically inclined in any way, and I'm just grateful she has two older sisters she can fall back on in case she needs extra supervision or has any questions. I need to get used to the fact that she is a completely different child when it comes to playing the piano. I explained to her teacher that her sisters... while learning to play were very good listeners, and didn't rush into playing. I swear they were both born obedient. Although Chelsea is a great kid and an excellent example to her classmates in school (according to a very recent parent/teacher conference), she is not that obedient at home when it comes to practicing.

Don't get me wrong...she loves the piano. Absolutely, positively loves it, but I think she is trying so hard that she wants to play like her sisters, and quickly rush into it so she can start cello lessons. Sierra and Alex were a quick study, and I know that Chelsea is eagerly, anxiously wanting to get to that point. I admire her for her ambition and in the goal she has set to play harder pieces, but she is learning that you cannot become perfect overnight!!! It will take years of lessons to play like her sisters.

I feel bad because sometimes I just want to pull her out of piano, and put her back in a dance class. It would be nice to have her sisters teacher her, and not waste my money. I don't want to put that responsibility on them because they are both at a crucial part in their academics. Especially Sierra. We've decided that we will all take the time to help her, and I in return am going to try to do my best to help her in any way. I will sit in and listen...I mean really listen while she plays, and thoroughly go over the assignment that was written in her composition book for next week's lesson. Even though I don't read music or play the piano, I will put 30 minutes aside for her, sit with her with patience, and help her the best way I know how.

She had a lesson yesterday and her teacher said she showed a lot of improvement on memorizing the flashcards, but still needs work in not rushing in playing the pieces of music. She's getting better at it, and before we know she'll be playing Bach pieces with beautifully curved fingers...I hope!

A youth temple trip.

This past Saturday was Lexie's first temple trip with the youth from her ward. Although she went with her dad, and sister a few days after she turned 12, she said how doing temple work with people she knew felt more comfortable for her than being in a group with people she just met. She has a great attitude though, and will go no matter whether it's with her ward or random people.

He is the way...thoughts on a testimony

Every first Sunday of each month at our church, for the first hour, we as a congregation have the chance to get up from our pews and step up to the pulpit to share with everyone our thoughts, feelings, and any experiences we have endured as to how the restored gospel of Jesus Christ has helped us in our life. It's called a testimony meeting.

Everyone's testimony is expressed differently, and each individual comes up to share something that some of us may need to hear. I know that I have benefited a lot from attending a testimony meeting as well as bearing my own testimony in hopes that others will heed my words...without being 'preachy'.

I love testimony meeting, and I think that my two oldest daughters have begun to understand and appreciate what a testimony is all about.

My eldest daughter Sierra will be 17 in a couple of months, and has been bearing her testimony every month since the new year began. I noticed that some kids begin to bear it at the tender age of three with the help of their parents, but I have made it a rule that if any of my kids want to go up to share their testimony that they must do it on their own motive without any help. So far all of them have done that (except Noah of course...he's barely two.) I know that Sierra's testimony is her own, and that none of it comes from me or her father. I'm sure that our example has encouraged them to stand up and bear it, but I also want them to learn on their own in knowing if what they are saying is true, and from their heart. I am happy to say that my two oldest daughters truly know what a testimony is. They continue to build their testimony by attending their meetings, reading scriptures on their own, participating in church activities, and attending the temple often.

Sierra's testimony every month is so unique.

This past Sunday was really touching because she talked about friendship. She expressed her love for all the youth in our ward, and is so grateful to know them. She mentioned that some of them have helped her in many ways throughout her 'years of high school' in New Jersey. I have to say that she is such a wonderful person, and has a good heart. She finds the good in everyone no matter their flaws. She is an example to me when it comes to finding the good in everyone. The way she expresses her love to Heavenly Father really makes me feel that she knows He is always there for her in times of hardships, and that He will never abandon her.

Alexandra just turned 12, and is getting the courage to stand and bear her testimony to others. It's always short and sweet, but oh... so meaningful. I can tell that she is growing spiritually through all that she learns both at home, church, and school. Both of our older daughters show me the example of unconditional love, and acceptance for everyone. Their example has really taught me to love, forgive, and accept everyone even more...no matter their flaws. I love them so much more for that.

I am a convert to the church and sharing my testimony is a crucial part of my life. I am so grateful that we have the opportunity to bear our testimony once a month at church. I pray that those who never get the chance to stand up to bear their testimony to please find the courage to do so. I find that when I do so it makes me a much stronger and more confident person. I feel that I can share the gospel with anyone and my feelings for Christ whether it's in person or on the internet. I encourage all the youth as well as the adults to find it in your heart to pray for confidence in bearing your testimony often. It will give you such a boost, and a strong sense of self both spiritually, and emotionally. It'll also give you more faith in knowing that the spirit will always be there to guide you in knowing what to say.

I share my testimony every chance I get. Especially in a public setting. If an opportunity comes up...I am fearless. I will voice the love I have for the Lord, and share this wonderful book that has truly changed my life. My days feel fulfilled when I wake up and start with scripture study. Even if it's just a couple of verses...I try to find the time to read it.

I also love bearing my testimony at church. I find that the more I bear it...the easier it becomes for me to share it. I personally cannot stand silence, and when there is a huge gap of it after one has gone up to bear their testimony that is God's way of telling me to get up and share! Oh...and then I feel that burning inside my chest feeling like my heart is going to explode! I know that's the spirit kicking me out of my seat telling me to get up. I see that as an opportunity to share my love, thoughts, and feelings for our Savior, his atonement, his sacrifice, the gospel, service, friendship, scriptures, trials, testimony, temple, humility, and yes...even my love for you in our ward.

There are so many things we can say in a testimony to express our love to the Savior. Heavenly Father is always listening to us, and I know that He will be pleased when we do so. Oh...and did I mention the blessings? Oh yes! I see the blessings that come from it when I bear testimony to others, and I never want those taken away.

Then again...
that's not why I bear my testimony.
I bear it because I know it's the truth,
and because I know...

He is the way back to eternal salvation...He is the way.

Amen.

Inspirational thought

sometimes i need to watch the words that come out of my mouth!

Oh give me patience when wee hands

Tug at me with their small demands.

And give me gentle and smiling eyes.

Keeps my lips from hasty replies.

And let not weariness, confusion or noise

Obscure my vision of life's fleeting joys

So when, in years to come my house is still-

No bitter memories its rooms may fill.
-unknown


(saw this on Clover Lane blog, & just had to share it!)

1720

Sierra & Lexie on a snowy day in Salt Lake City-2004

1720 was the place where we used to live in Salt Lake City where we all learned the true meaning of 'growing as a family in the gospel'. I only had these two girls at the time, and they always seemed to pick me up at my darkest moments, and make life living in Utah easier for me. It was the place where I learned to fall, and pick myself back up again. It was a place where I actually understood what it meant to be 'tested', and how to overcome it, but most of all learn from it. 

Blessings in disguise

Be the kind of woman 

that when your feet 

hit the floor each morning,

 the devil says,

 "Oh crap, she's up."

Sometimes "life" such as stress,  and anger tend to creep up on us causing those unhappy thoughts to come into our mind, and let me tell you...I don't even want to go there. I have so much love and service to give to everyone...especially my children. I am grateful for the choice I made in having this little guy close to the age of 40, and in return giving him the best gift which is to raise him all day by my lonesome.

Sometimes being a stay at home has its privileges. I just don't sit back, watch TV, and eat bon bons all day! Oh no...I definitely don't do that. I don't have the time. Then again I don't have a sweet tooth. I know...shocking huh?

I am making more of an effort to wake up feeling positive, doing some yoga, and fighting those thoughts the kind the adversary puts in your mind. Having a mild winter helps too!

This week has been filled with blessing after blessing. I have had two opportunities to share the gospel, and my love that I have for Christ with two women whom I just met. They live in my neighborhood, and it has rejuvenated my spiritual side!

I was talking with my husband last night about my day, and told him about the two lovely women I just met. I also mentioned how I can relate to them, and how much we have in common. When I meet someone for the first time...we automatically hit it off. Sometimes I wonder if our car broke down was a blessing in disguise. It has given me two chances to share, talk about, and invite two women to church. I have a voice, and I intend to put it to good use when it comes to talking about the Divine.

Being carless right now has opened a lot of doors for missionary work with my middle daughter as well. She has learned to be resourceful when it comes to planning a need for rides. She auditioned for honors band last week, and got in. Two of the rehearsals are being held on Saturdays this month, and she will be needing a ride. I told her to ask someone at her school who also got in, and she did. I was impressed in how quickly Alexandra found a ride. I spoke with the mother of that child last night for nearly two hours!! I was shooting my mouth off about where I was from, how we ended up on the east coast, and yes...talked with her about my faith in God. She also was telling me a little bit about herself as well. I was expressing my gratitude to her, and explained to her how having the gospel of Jesus Christ has been such a blessing in my life...especially when trials intervene. She couldn't be more happier to listen, and in helping us out.

Things happen for a reason, and I know that there are no coincidences. Heavenly Father puts certain people in our path for a purpose. He gives us challenges to grow and learn. He opens doors in which you would never know are being opened. All we have to do is listen, and to act on it. It's an amazing feeling when you recognize those reasons, and to allow those doors to open before you.

Fixing our car will be costly, but after looking at the big picture as to why this happened to us has really been an eye opener for me. I look at the past two weeks in how I have created two friendships which resulted in missionary work, and to me that is priceless.

Chelsea's best bud

This is my friend Michael and  him and his mom-mom wait with me, and my mom for the bus in the morning. School started six months ago, and he just now barely had the nerve to ask me out to eat chinese with his mom-mom, and daddy. His grandpa passed away a few weeks ago, and I was sad for him. He's always happy, but his mom-mom seems down sometimes. I'm glad my mom is her new friend too!

He was happy to have finally asked me out to eat, and wants me to have a playdate with him every Saturday. If it's okay with my mom I would like for us to play. We've known and seen him, his dad, and his grandparents this whole time at the bus stop since school started, but are now super tight friends. His dad is a firefighter, and he likes to pretend to save people from fires (I'm one of them). He lets me ride his scooter while he rides his bike, and we pick rocks. My mom just met his mom the other day, and is becoming really close friends with his mom-mom. He calls his grandma that! Mom-mom, ha!ha! that's different.

I love my mom, and I love having a new best friend who doesn't play rough like the boys in my class. They always get in trouble. I wish Michael was in the same class with me, but that's okay because I see him every morning at the bus stop, and we'll have our Saturdays to play around! I'm also happy that my mom, and his mom-mom are becoming close friends, and that we live so close to each other.

He is my new best friend!