more brought from homeschoolblogger.com/huffins

Jan. 25, 2009

~~Reading & Learning~~
Posted in mom

I am reading some new stuff these days. I have found out that the LDS Church ha an addictions program! They have a book to go along with it! So I am reading it along with some other suggested reading. I figure the more I can learn about addictions the more prepared I am to deal with Larry. Hopefully I can put all I learn to use to help with our relationship, and to help with the kids relationship with him. He is doing his part, working hard at recovery, being honest and open with me. I want him to make it back to the Temple one day, for him to have his Priesthood reinstated, I feel I need to do all I can to support him in that. If he does his part and I do mine the Lord will do his and thats the most important. I still pray constantly over what to do. Still my answers are to stay. I have found a new counceling center for the kids! I think this place will do a lot for them. The therapist knows I have not divorced and do not intend on it and she is willing to help us all work through everything that comes up. They are a Christian based center. They have worked with other families with similar situations and had them be ok in the end. I feel like this is where the Lord has guided me. I visit Larry as often as I can, about every other weekend. He is doing good, or as good as can be considering. He has kept himself involved in therapy and classes to help him this whole time. I see a big change in him when I see him, when we visit. He wishes more people would give him a chance to show what he is doing, that he is trying. Its frustrating at times, these guys cant do it with no support from friends and family, yet most of the time they get no support. I have really learned a lot in the past few years. Things I dont want to know. But not only about abuse, but addictions, and the way people react. I have learned more about people judging others than I care to. The harshest have been thoe of my own faith, sad as that it. I have had more people turn their backs on me due to Larrys actions, due to my following my promptings than I thought possible. I still don't know what the future holds, or where the Lord will lead me, I take life one day at a time. I make no promises to stay married, to divorce, or ever live in the same house as Larry, I also make no promises I wont. Ideally we will work through all this, and with the help of therapists,prayer and Heavenly Father we can all find peace and healing and remain an intact family, eventually sealed together forever-again. Anyway back to my original topic here. I am reading LDS Addiction Recovery Program and Hold Onto Hope. I am also reading some articles here. I am posting these in hopes that maybe someone with an addiction, or someone who loves one with an addiction may read and find help, or at least find it in their hearts to forgive. I am not asking anyone to forgive Larry, you have to decide to do that on your own. But I know many that have relationships with others with addictions. Maybe you can find peace finally. There are support groups that are through the church. You can find them here. I hope you will read, pray and ponder. I hope you will find peace and forgiveness for those in your lifes that have addictions that have hurt you. Addictions come in many forms, they hurt many people. No matter what the addiction is, be it sex,food,shopping,drugs,alcohol whatever it hurts you and those around you. I know some reading this have hurts and anger from years ago. Maybe from reading you can let it go and find happiness. This is my prayer for those reading this. And Many people can do some of the things that lead to addictions and not have it be a problem. We are all different. My love and prayers to you all Jae ~"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else." M. Russell Ballard~
• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!
Comments
Jan. 29, 2009 - Hi there!
Posted by natalie shaw (76.23.50.31)
We are happy to hear from you guys! I am sorry that you are facing one of many of lives difficulties. We have had some big changes too--more details later.
love you all!
the shaws
_________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
Dec. 9, 2008

Almost Christmas!!
So are you all looking forward to Christmas? We are. We have the decorations up, the tree p and decorated! We have yet to make any candy or anything like that but we will get to it. We may have to go lighter on the candy than we thought but we can do cookies! It snowed, lightly this morning. Just enough to make me want to stay wrapped warm and not move! My baby E turned 3 on the 5th! She is adorable. Loo made her cake, and me and baby E decorated it. I went into the kitchen to make dinner and when I walked into the dinning room she had ran her fingers through the frosting and licked them. She was a happy girl. We actually had to have her b day a day late, she had the flue on her birthday.
Its also been a slightly, well ok very emotional month so far. This time of year is bringing back lots of memories, some good many bad. I have been trying to remember the good, but even those make me cry, the kids emotions are pretty high also. We are trying to make new traditions this year, have not come up with anything yet. We could use some ideas. So if anyone has any ideas let us know please!!
We will make some cookies, and maybe take them to a few people.Not sure on that, or who they will go to. But it will be fun.
I doubt I will get another update on here before Christmas So I am wishing you all a Merry Christmas now! I hope you find it beautiful time of year. Remembering past years fondly and spending it with loved ones.
FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY NOW! PRESIDENT MONSON SUNDAY OCT 5TH,2008 GENERAL CONFERANCEThis is now my motto to live by. I have spent 2 years struggeling, I felt like he was talking directly to me!
**************************************************************************************************************************************************************************
Jan. 29, 2009

Another day another week, hey almost another month but not quit yet!
Posted in mom

Yup its Thursday! nanna thought it was Friday all day. Had us a little confused earlier! We met the new therapist again this week. The more we see her the more I am liking her! The kids like her and thats good. Nanna met with hers today again. She see's a different therapist than the rest. I have taken her advice and been looking more into a support group for me. That has led to LOTS of reading. Mom had a doc with the heart doc this week. She has to go back in again next Monday. They are checking the stents they put in, looking for another block and we found out she has an aneurysm the artery leading to her right arm. So they are going in with plans of intervention. But the doc has never seen an aneurysm in this particular spot. So he is researching to decide what to do. Its pretty nerve wracking. She has not been feeling to goo, fact is pretty bad. They not have her on a long acting nitro. She takes it every 7 hours. This Sunday is Fast Sunday, I am adding mom to my fast. Anyone who is willing please do with me.Or at least offer a prayer. Everyone else is ok.Larry received his discharge papers from SOTP!! It looks good. He will be able to have visits with the kids soon. He is excited, so are they. Boo is at a basketball game tonight. All of Febs games are home games! So I will get to go watch them!! He is enjoying the classes he is taking. Nanna is working with her tutor in math. Hopefully that will help her math, I think it will. She got the highest score yet on math due to the help. I thought that was nice. We have not been swimming or to work out for over a week. We have been passing this ick around and been sick. I cant seem to get rid of it. Its driving me crazy. I want to go work out and swim. I was starting to feel the benefits! Probably feel it better if I could remember to take my thyroid med. I got my new glasses this week! Wow I can see! I did not realize how bad my eyes were. They have a tint that is always there. Since my pupils wont restrict the sun hurts so I get tinted even in the house. They are driving Nanna nuts. She says I look like a stoner from that 70's show! I think I do without them, pupils all big all the time. She says I remind her of hyde, she has been watching way to much TV! I cut baby E's hair. It was long and beautiful. But it would get knotted so bad, she cried everytime we brush her hair. I was tired of it. I added new pic to the pics on here, The end of the slide show has the pics of her hair and the puppy. Who is about to be duct taped to the road!!! ok ok I wont but I will dream of it! Not much happening. With us being sickos we have just been home, doing school, therapy, and thats it. WOuld love to hear from some of you that read. Love ya all Jae and kids "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."M. Russell Ballard~
• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!
Comments
Jan. 29, 2009 - Untitled Comment
Posted by aunt Linda (216.180.184.180)
Glad to hear that things are doing ok. Hope they fix what is wrong with Dee. She is a very special part of my life that noone knows about! And Jay you and kids also. For a Jorgenson Dee is really something else, but I love her dearly!! Glad to hear the kids all doing good and getting the help they need. Tell Larry CONGRAULATIONS!!!! I am PROUD of him!
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^
Oct. 3, 2008

Basket Ball Season Again!! and a whole lot more!!!
Posted in mom

Hi all! We are into our school year and enjoying it. So far we have been just doing the basics, no big projects yet. We will eventually but not yet. Kids are taking a relaxed approach daily. They Kick back and do their book work or computer work.We are again taking part in the Home School group! Basket ball is starting again! This year Boo and Bubba will be playing! I am excited and I hope so bad that I et to go to more games than last year. They have to get pledges/donations for the total cost of $110 each. So if any of you reading are willing to donate they need it. They will be having a shoot out where you can do a certain amout per shot made or just a flat donation. The shoot out is the 28th of October. They will be going around to local business's to try for pledges but I dont know if they will get enough that way. Since there are 2 this year its even more for me to cover if they are short, I do not have it.
Its been rewarding in a big way already! Sir N is reading! He kept saying he could not read but he was reading, he did not know it. I got him to read his first book by telling him to just tell me what each page said, we did that one page at a time. At the end we did loads of high fives and I told him how proud I was he had read a book! Then he realized he could read and read 10 short books that day! The whole family made a big deal about it. I love to see them learn new things, and I really love to see them realize they can do a new skill. There is not much thats is more rewarding!
Bubba has already done a full year of History and geography! And did excellent in it. He wanted to do more. I told hi not until he does the same with all the rest of his subjects. If I let him keep going in history/geography like that nothing else will get done! I am so very proud of him for doing it and doing it well. It was not done sloppy, or rushed. It was done very well and because he was enjoying it so much. Chubby is doing great. He is learning and is very challenging to teach! His imagination is so totaly off the wall. He does not stay with you long. So we work on a subject, loose him for a while. Then get him back, the process is repeated untill he is either done for the day or we give up for the day! He loves learning abc's and colors and cutting things out. He will sit and be read to, I think thats his favorite. He really likes the white board and the ABC magnets also. Baby E loves to play with them also. Some of the time she sits with him while doing his schooling. Hopefully she will pick up on a lot of it and be ahead of where she should be when she starts school.
Loo is doing good. She has some pretty cool stuff to do this year, and some cool books she will be using. Her reading amazes me! She is also doing very good in math. She is coming out of her shyness some!! In primary for the yearly program she is singing a song with 1 other girl!! She wanted to do it. I am proud of her for wanting to do it. There have been several Sundays that I have not been able to attend Church due to Health reasons and she has called and gotten a ride for herself. I am proud of her for her devotion to attending, her willingness to go alone, and take the responsibility for going at such a young age! If I am not out of bed on Sunday when she wakes up she will come in wake me up, if Iam not able to go she will ask if she can go without me, she then goes and calls for a ride. She will be up and ready in time.
Boo is doing good. We have had a very hard time finding school stuff that does not bore him. He learns so fast and is so advanced in so many ways that most of his grade level bores him. He is doing a variety of different things, books, computer stuff, all kinds of stuff. Lots of reading. The way he is going I dont know how I will keep up with him till 12th grade.I think he may graduate early. He is doing good in Church. Still loving Scouts and very involved in it. He takes the Priesthood very serious. This is also his first year of Early morning seminary. Wow is that a hard one. We have had a hard time with gas money to get him there. We talked and he is willing to ride his bike to go. I was thinking that would be ok, its about 4 miles, but he would be riding to in the dark. That scares me. But I cant afford the gas every day either. I have spent lots of time praying about how to make it work. So far the only thing I have come up with is either the bike, or taking him and just having faith that the Lord will somehow provide a way for it to work.
Nanna is doing good. She is doing much better than she was. She is stabalizing some. Hopefully that will continue. She is doing very good in her schooling. Studies very hard. This is her last year of high school! I can't believe my baby is graduating this year. It does not seem like that long ago I had her and she was a tiney little thing weighing 4 pounds 2 oz, It is amazing how fast it goes by. She is working her first job also. She has a lot to keep her busy. She still helps around the house a lot most days, and with kids.
Baby E is adorable and a tease. She is growing fast. She has the most beautiful long hair. She is talking more and more daily. She likes to sit at the piano and play music, I think she will be a natural. Loo sits with her at it sometimes and they practice with the lesson book. She loves to play it while we all sing- if its her idea.
This week for FHE Boo planned it! We had so much fun and laughed so hard. We did the Huffin Family Olympics, then duck duck goose. My children play duck duck goose so different, it was very funny. The younger kids just didnt grasp running around everyone. They ran though, back and forth, to other rooms. It was great!
My mom is ok. She took a fall that took us to the ER. There we found she has a mass on part of her spine. So she has been having lots of tests to find out what it is. We are praying hard. We would appreciate all the prayers possible. She is pretty scared about it, even if she wont always admit it. Other than that she is doing ok.
I am ok. I went in to the pain clinic this week. The doc went over all my history, He was not to happy that noone had done any new tests or x-rays in over 10 years. So he did x-rays right there. It shows I have degenerative bone disease. I have the spine of a 50 year old woman. I have to go in for an MRI to see how bad exactly, check for nerve damage and anything else. He is thinking my Rheumatic fever has flaired up also. So thats my update. I am amazingly not as stressed as I think I should be. I think that is due too the 2 books I have been reading. 21 days closer to Christ and Encircled in the arms of his love. They both are perfect reading material for this time of my life. Its like each day that I ready fits what I feel. This months Ensign was written for me to. I know t was. It let me know That my Heavenly Father and Jesus both do know me, they know my needs and I just have to have faith.
Wow this is long! I did not realize I had so much to say. Remember we love all our friends and family reading this. We pray for all of you that are in need. We would love to hear from you, email, a message here or a phone call. If you cant call, no LD or whatever call collect, or let me know you want to talk through an email. I have free ong distance and can call all I want.
~~luv Jae~~






The Temple Is about Families "When you come to the temple you will love your family with a deeper love than you have ever felt before. The temple is about families. . . . It extends to parents, brothers and sisters, aunts, uncles, cousins, forebears, and especially our grandchildren! This is the Spirit of Elijah, which is the spirit of family history work; and when inspired by the Holy Ghost, it prompts the turning of the hearts of the fathers to the children and the hearts of the children to the fathers. Because of the priesthood, husbands and wives are sealed together, children are sealed to their parents for eternity so the family is eternal and will not be separated at death."Richard H. Winkel, "The Temple Is about Families," Ensign, Nov. 2006
• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!
Comments
Oct. 4, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by Hereathome (75.163.220.79)
Hey Jae, it sounds like you have so many wonderful things going on. The children's schooling is going very well. You have some good kids. ;-) check back at my blog next week, I will post the recipe. thank you for asking! ;-)
Stephanie
• Permanent Link • Edit • Delete
Oct. 15, 2008 - Untitled Comment
Posted by CandyFoote (70.198.94.36)
ByHisGraceInColorado is letting me
give away one of her new books!
Stop over at my blog and check it out.
Candy
!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Oct. 6, 2008

Car show
Posted in mom

FIND JOY IN THE JOURNEY NOW
PRESIDENT MONSON
SUNDAY OCT 5TH,2008 GENERAL CONFERENCE
This is now my motto to live by.
I have spent 2 years struggling, I felt like he was talking directly to me!


This Saturday was a car show! So mom and I took the kids and walked down to it! I had bought 2 new leashes for the youngest kids,to replace the ones I lost in our move and they loved having the room to walk and not be holding hands or in the stroller the whole time! We took LOTS of pictures and had fun. We had a few stressful moments with the kids but over all it was a nice day. The weather was great for walking. It just felt good to get out! Mom walked almost the whole time! She is getting so she can walk farther and farther! We spent the rest of the weekend watching conference! I was so happy, am still so happy to hear a Temple will be built in the greater Kansas area! that takes in a large area but still it will be closer to me! I cant wait to find out exactly where, and for it to get done! Follow this link for pictures of us. We had LOADS of fun
http://www.rockyou.com/show_my_gallery.php?source=ppsl&instanceid=125581920
#####################################################################################
Jan. 24, 2009

January 24th!
ya ya I know, no catchy title today! I am boring, oh well get over it! I am putting new pics on here and as you can see I have changed the blog look some! We are all doing ok. Had a surprise from the water company Friday! an almost $700.00 bill! YES you read that right! Looks like there is a leak somewhere. So they will be here Monday to inspect, find the leak and shut me off! YIPPEEEEEE! 7 kids, grandma and me with no water! I am so excited. I guess we will pretend were camping! I guess this is where we find out how NOT prepared I am for an emergency! We will be filling everything we can with water before hand. I hope, no actually we are praying it wont take long to get this resolved so we have water again. Kids are doing good. Nanna is good. She is counting the days till she turns 18! She is still working on her GED. And plans on attending a local college when done, she's gonna learn how to do the hair! She is already good with no training, she will be amazing after! She cuts my hair! Either I am insane or she is good! AND YOUR NOT ALLOWED TO VOICE AN OPINION! Boo is now enrolled in Kaplan College online High. He is doing good. He just started that. He still plays basket ball and we swim in the AM at the Y. He had a birthday this month, turned 15! Now he thinks he should get his driving permit. I however am not sure I can handle the stress of that! They do not issue xanex with permits! Bubba turned 12! He received the Aaronic Priesthood! He is very proud and can now pass Sacrament! He is doing good in school! He decided to join Boy Scouts again! He went on his first winter camp out! INSANE! Way to cold for me out there but he had fun. So did Boo. He gets to go on his 1st Temple trip next week end! He is so excited. Loo is good. She has a friend with horses! So she got to go horse riding finally! She loved it. She is sleeping over there tonight. It is so hard to believe she is old enough to have a sleep over. She is doing good in school, Science seems to be her favorite these days. She likes to swim at the Y in the mornings. Sir N is good. He is reading super good! He turns 8 this year! So we have a baptism to look forward to in May/June area! Well unless he has his way, then he is waiting for Boo to be able to do it. I am trying to talk him out of that, but I wont force the issue. He is doing great with school. He goes to Primary now with no problems! He does not even need to wear his ear plugs!!! He said his 1st prayer since L's arrest! That was quit the prayer! He says he wont do it again till dad is out and home. So we are working on that one. Chubby is super. Adorable as always. He is not doing any official schooling yet. Maybe next year. He is still having some tummy problems but over all is ok. He loves Primary! He colors, and draws LOTS. And talk about an imagination! No one can beat that kid in story telling! Sometimes he even has me wondering about his stories! He is adorable and so very loving! My baby E! Not so much a baby anymore. But still MY baby! She is cute, a terror! She likes to pretend to read these days. She will sit with Boo and read. Its cute. SHe is now old enough for Sun beams, but I have to convince her she likes it. Thats not working. She will go with me. She did let Nanna take her last week though. So maybe soon she will co operate! She likes it, just not alone. Lets see I think I have covered us all. Grandma is good. Improving since her heart procedures! We hope she keeps getting better. I have been going to the Y to work out and taking kids swimming in the mornings. Trying to get in shape again. I hope it will help get my fibro under control. Grandma goes with, between that and her cardio rehab she should be fit in no time! I am still not able to work. Not sure where that will lead (other than tight on the money) But we go 1 day at a time. We feed the Sisters as often as possible! We love that! We have some awesome Missionaries! We would all love to hear from family and friends more.
• Post A Comment! • Send to a Friend!
Comments
Jan. 24, 2009 - Your updated post
Posted by Anonymous (69.131.12.97)
This is Karie from LDFR. Sounds like life is trying to get you, but you keep pushing back. I hope the water situation gets taken care of and the landlord will do his job. Hugs and prayers.
Karie
()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()()
Feb. 27, 2009

Marriage ~ Faith ~ Testimonies!
Ok I have to share this. A friend who is struggeling in her marriage came across this. I know this lady from a support group I am part of. We at the group all have similar issues in our marriages, and are LDS. We can connect on a spiritual and earthly level while going through the struggles our spouses have brought into our lives. When I read I was deeply touched. It really made me think. And I wanted to share. You dont have to be struggeling in your marriage to have this help, or apply. I have learned so much from the support of these ladies. They are there, understanding my feelings at all times. I have included her thoughts as she read. I copied exactly what she typed. I did not want to take away from it by changing it. As she was reading it occured to her to interchange marriage or relationship with seed or tree. Read Alma 32 28 Now, we will compare the word unto a seed. Now, if ye give place, that a seed may be planted in your heart, behold, if it be a true seed, or a good seed, if ye do not cast it out by your unbelief, that ye will resist the Spirit of the Lord, behold, it will begin to swell within your breasts; and when you feel these swelling motions, ye will begin to say within yourselves—It must needs be that this is a good seed, or that the word is good, for it beginneth to enlarge my soul; yea, it beginneth to enlighten my understanding, yea, it beginneth to be delicious to me. 29 Now behold, would not this increase your faith? I say unto you, Yea; nevertheless it hath not grown up to a perfect knowledge. (or nevertheless it's still not a perfect marriage) 30 But behold, as the seed swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, then you must needs say that the seed is good; for behold it swelleth, and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow. And now, behold, will not this strengthen your faith? Yea, it will strengthen your faith: for ye will say I know that this is a good seed; for behold it sprouteth and beginneth to grow. 31 And now, behold, are ye sure that this is a good seed? I say unto you, Yea; for every seed bringeth forth unto its own alikeness. 32 Therefore, if a seed groweth it is good, but if it groweth not, behold it is not good, therefore it is cast away. 33 And now, behold, because ye have tried the experiment, and planted the seed, and it swelleth and sprouteth, and beginneth to grow, ye must needs know that the seed is good. 34 And now, behold, is your knowledge perfect? Yea, your knowledge is perfect in that thing, and your faith is dormant; and this because you know, for ye know that the word hath swelled your souls, and ye also know that it hath sprouted up, that your understanding doth begin to be enlightened, and your mind doth begin to expand. 35 O then, is not this real? I say unto you, Yea, because it is light; and whatsoever is light, is good, because it is discernible, therefore ye must know that it is good; and now behold, after ye have tasted this light is your knowledge perfect? 36 Behold I say unto you, Nay; neither must ye lay aside your faith (marriage), for ye have only exercised your faith to plant the seed that ye might try the experiment to know if the seed was good. 37 And behold, as the tree beginneth to grow, ye will say: Let us nourish it with great care, that it may get root, that it may grow up, and bring forth fruit unto us. And now behold, if ye nourish it with much care it will get root, and grow up, and bring forth fruit. This is the part that got to me: 38 But if ye neglect the tree, and take no thought for its nourishment, behold it will not get any root; and when the heat of the sun cometh and scorcheth it, because it hath no root it withers away, and ye pluck it up and cast it out. 39 Now, this is not because the seed was not good,(this is not because DH is no good) neither is it because the fruit thereof would not be desirable (neither is it becasue your marriage is not desirable or wont work); but it is because your ground is barren,(we planted in the wrong place...we started off wrong and have been going about it all wrong) and ye will not nourish the tree ( we don't pray together or read scriptures together or do anything but fight together...both of our faults), therefore ye cannot have the fruit thereof. 40 And thus, if ye will not nourish the word, looking forward with an eye of faith to the fruit thereof, ye can never pluck of the fruit of the tree of life. 41 But if ye will nourish the word, yea, nourish the tree as it beginneth to grow, by your faith with great diligence, and with patience, looking forward to the fruit thereof, it shall take root; and behold it shall be a tree springing up unto everlasting life. 42 And because of your adiligence and your faith and your patience with the word in nourishing it, that it may take root in you, behold, by and by ye shall pluck the fruit thereof, which is most precious, which is sweet above all that is sweet, and which is white above all that is white, yea, and pure above all that is pure; and ye shall feast upon this fruit even until ye are filled, that ye hunger not, neither shall ye thirst. 43 Then, my brethren, ye shall reap the rewards of your faith, and your diligence, and patience, and long-suffering, waiting for the tree to bring forth fruit unto you. I have included her thoughts as she typed them. I really liked the message you get by inserting marriage or relationship. This could apply to so many things in life. Our marriages especially. If we truly feel this way, act and treat our marriages as we do our testimonies can you imagine how they would grow! If the world treated their marriage that well, as such a precious thing marriages would not fail. People would work harder to save them, to protect them, to nurture them from the start. So often we take for granted, and we do not place it in as important a place as it should be. Celestial marriage is our number one goal as LDS people, yet so often we do not make a concious effort to save, improve, nurture our relationship, our marriage, our love. We should! I am printing this and hanging it on my wall as a reminder. I am also sending a copy to L. I know my marriage is not in a good place right now. But I pray for it daily, I pray for God's will daily, his guidance. I think making the decision to nurture my marriage is the best way to possibly save it. No matter what happens on earth I know I want the Celestial marriage, Eternal marriage. There is no way to have that with out nurturing and growing the relationship. I hope that you can read, ponder, pray and apply to your lives, you relationships, and marriage. And for those of you that have already done so- Keep on doing! "There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family. Many are able to be 'full-time moms,' at least during the most formative years of their children's lives, and many others would like to be. Some may have to work part- or full-time; some may work at home; some may divide their lives into periods of home and family and work. What matters is that a mother loves her children deeply and, in keeping with the devotion she has for God and her husband, prioritizes them above all else."M. Russell Ballard~