Win: My goal was 10,000 steps today. I reached 10,045 so far. Win: I drank 60 oz. of water today so far (vast improvement so I'm counting it as a win.) Win: Logged all of my food today. Win: Day 4 streak of learning Español (Plus! I learned how to make that squiggly mark above my "n" on my cell.) Win: I spent about 30 minutes taking some time to nourish myself spiritually, emotionally and mentally. Win: Gained new awareness. Win: Did my best at work today. Win: Spent time with my daughter. Win: My son did the dishes. (Okay, he shares this win with me but in my house - it's definitely a win!) Win: Did all of my laundry. Clean clothes! Now for my "learning curves" which are still technically "wins" as long as I apply what I learned: - over-ate That's a lot of wins now that I'm looking at it. I think the difference between last week and this week is prayer and accountability. And... When I hold myself accountable, I tend to make better choices most of the time. When I make better choices, I feel better and am more productive, happier and confident. Last week I prayed for help to find hope. I wasn't in a good space. Here's the baby steps I took in order, based upon the answers to my prayers: Asked for help (prayer) Scriptures Journaling Uplifting music Inspirational book Gratitude awareness Meditation Self-help apps New skill (Spanish) Better habits There were lots of tears, hugs and "I love yous" sprinkled in-between each of those steps and they were equally beneficial. It wasn't a steady, straight line either. At times, I felt like I was in a deep pit and couldn't get out. Sometimes I gave in to feelings of depression, grief and anxiety. Some days I was a hot mess and I took my mess to God each time. Each time I found mercy, grace, forgiveness, hope, faith, comfort (not always right away but eventually) and a mega dose of perfect, pure love. Grief, depression, anxiety...they can be difficult to handle. Ask for help. All of those steps can be traced back to conversations with God. I know he loves me and I know he loves you. ❤ #WithGodAllThingsArePossible #AnsweredPrayers #HearHim

John Quincy Adams, “Old Man Eloquent" —the 6th president of the United States of America —the only major figure in American history to know both the Founding Fathers and Abraham Lincoln —nicknamed “The Hell-Hound of Slavery" for relentlessly speaking out against slavery —nominated & unanimously confirmed to the Supreme Court, yet declined the position —negotiated the Treaty of Ghent, which favorably ended the War of 1812 —introduced a constitutional amendment to ban slavery in all new states entering the Union. —passed away 173 years ago (tomorrow) at 81yrs old. On Feb 21, 1848 he suffered a stroke at his desk in the House chamber after having just given an impassioned speech against the Democrat plan to expand slavery into the Western territories acquired after the Mexican-American War. He died 2 days later without regaining consciousness. Do you know what was most important to this man with such strong conviction, knowledge & influence? The *BIBLE* Just read what he wrote & said about it— "I have made it a practice for several years to read the Bible through in the course of every year. I usually devote to this reading the first hour after I rise every morning ... I have this morning commenced it anew ... this time with Ostervald's French translation." “So great is my veneration for the Bible ... It is of all books in the world, that which contributes most to make men good, wise, and happy ... My custom is, to read four to five chapters every morning immediately after rising from my bed ... It is in the Bible, you must learn them ... 'Thou shalt love the Lord thy God, with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind, and with all thy strength, and thy neighbor as thy self.' On these two commandments, Jesus Christ expressly says, 'hang all the law and the prophets.'" “No book in the world deserves to be so unceasingly studied, and so profoundly meditated upon as the Bible." "I speak as a man of the world to men of the world; and I say to you, Search the Scriptures! The Bible is the book of all others ... not to be read once or twice or thrice through, and then laid aside, but to be read in small portions of one or two chapters every day." Are we spending quality time devoting our hearts & minds to reading God’s word? How much better would our homes, our neighborhoods, or state & our country be if we all spent a few minutes (let alone the first hour of our day) in the scriptures? #makeamericagreatagain #maga #America #constitutionalrepublic #liberty #religiousliberty #godsnotdead #scripturepower #godsword #HearHim #foundingfathers #truth #president

Back in the early 1800's, there was a young boy who noticed a lot of religious fervor surrounding him. He noticed a divide, even within his own family. Everyone thought that their church was true. This young boy prayed and asked which church was true. He did not go along with all of his (well-intentioned) friends and family. He paused, he considered all that he was told from others, he prayed, he pondered and he sought for truth. He turned his attention to the Lord. He "heard Him." Ultimately, he came into truth and it wasn't something that happened overnight. No, truth came line upon line and precept upon precept. Here a little and there a little. He could not enact the power of God within his time frame but only in God's time frame. I think that this is a good example to live by. Right now, there is a lot of fervor from both sides. It's important to not only surround ourselves with like-minded people but poeple who are respectful, yet think differently. It prevents tunnel-vision and it allows us to gain a broader perspective. There must needs be opposition in ALL things in order to truly learn and grow. A friend of mine shared this story about his son. He asked my friend (his mom) what is the difference between what we're seeing right now and what happened during the Boston Tea Party? These riots happened largely in part because people wanted to be heard and didn't feel like they were. What would happen if we gave ourselves permission to simply listen without our own agenda? What did the Savior do and what would He do now? Does listening mean we have to agree? Does it mean we have to become confrontational? What emotion is driving each of us? Is it love, pride, fear, anxiety? There is truth, peace and joy in the Lord. #HearHim

Elder Holland's talk was the basis for our Relief Society lesson today. #waitingontheLord #HearHim https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2020/10/57holland?lang=eng

Learn to #HearHim. Talk with Him daily and often.

"One day as I walked with my son hand in hand, He said, there are things that I don't understand, How high is the sky? what makes it so blue? And tell me, dad, what does God look like to you? I said, He looks like a rainbow, just after the rain, He's as golden as wheat dancing over the plain. He looks like the star when the night's crystal clear, He looks like a baby when mother is near. His face is the moonlight reflected on snow, His hair like garden where all flowers grow, He's heavenly eyes are as true as the sea, My son, that's what God really looks like. His heart like a mountain so vast and so strong, That's why all his children have room to belong. His smile is the morning we waken to see, But you, my son, you are what God really looks like to me." Lyrics- Frank Sinatra Art- Danny Hahlbohm #hearhim #ohlordmygod #fatherinheaven #peacebestill #idobelieve #godisnotdead #iamachildofgod #familiesareforever #HearHim

On Friday, I was approached by a friend about my beliefs about vaccines. She asked how I can justify thinking there is so much evil involved in them when leaders and organizations in my church are in support of them. I prayed for the best way to explain to her without causing contention or feeling the need to defend myself, and I pondered on it all day long. I started replying to her email 3 different times with quotes, scriptures, personal stories, etc., but it never would come together properly. When Adam came home and said “why would you need to justify anything?” I had that “ah-ha” clarity I needed and suddenly it was easy. The Lord didn’t want me to prove anything. This is something that has to be led by inspiration and personal revelation. All I needed to tell her was how personal it was and that the Lord works out the rest how He sees fit. I don’t have all the answers, but I do know what He has told me to be true for me and my family. I think my friend and I were both surprised at my response, and based on her reply, it seemed to be exactly what she needed to hear. #LetGodPrevail #HearHim #Revelationforourday #CounselwiththeLord

https://fb.watch/v/eeWzH8EHM/ This is my town... hit by 2 hurricanes in 42 days. Everywhere you look there is destruction. Neighborhoods have changed. No electric for weeks, water for days, spotty phone service if any at all, debris lined every street. Here it is 2 1/2 months later and there is still debris on most streets. Employees find it difficult to return because of lack of livable housing. Employers are dealing with insurance companies, lack of available materials and laborers to repair damaged buildings. My son has struggled to get his business repaired and open again. Our church has not been open due to extensive damages. My daughter's home was hit by two large trees and has had to gut the entire house, they are currently living with us. And yet, through all that our town as been through I have seen tender mercies. I've seen volunteers gutting homes, cutting trees, boxing up peoples possessions that can be saved, other churches and organizations handing out cooked meals- all done free of charge for the opportunity to help someone who needs it. This has been a difficult year for many. If you look around you can always find someone who has more struggles that you do. Things are getting better here. We are so grateful for any progress made. We are grateful for those who traveled here and gave assistance. We are finding peace in Christ and in those who serve him. #tendermercies #peaceinchrist #hearhim