It's the Most Wonderful Time of the Year

God exists in all of us, because, we first belonged to Him. He is our Heavenly Father, the Father of our spirits. And because I have a Father, I must almost have a Heavenly Mother, in order for me to be created. My favorite time of year is here. One of our family traditions during this season, is each night we gather together as a family and read a short story of a faith promoting act that encourages us to become better. These aren't scripture stories but modern day events that have happened. They may have an act for us to do throughout the week. I wish we shared more of these on social media to help us see the goodness and miracles that still exist today. Not to be looked at as a bragging board but to show God's love and light that exist every day.  

It happens all year long, probably more throughout the Holidays as we have reminders pasted everywhere over social media, stores, schools, etc... In our church we have a chance to bear testimony of such things on the first Sunday of each month called, Fast and Testimony meeting. Fasting is where we don't eat or drink. It's actually a commandment and was started in Adam's time. We pray, repent, study more about the Savior and recognize his blessings in our lives and pray and give to those who need miracles, comfort, and strength in their lives. Obviously, we pray and tend to others needs whenever it is needed. This is just a more focused time with all church members coming together at once. 

I will be missing our's today, which makes me sad but I thought I could still share something on here. I miss going to church. I really do. There's a strength that comes when you go to get spiritually refreshed together once a week.  You learn and grow from others testimonies shared. We learn most when we share our own. 

A couple weeks ago our family had Tithing Settlement at the end of the year. What is that? A Tithe according to the bible denotes a tenth, given for the service of God. In the The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints it is defined as a tenth of your income. In Num. 18:21-28, tithe's were directed to be paid to the Levites who then paid the priests in biblical times. A commandment but choice that you can choose to follow in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. These funds get used for the Lord's purposes in our church. Building and maintaining temples, church houses, sustain missionary work, educate church members, whatever the Lord needs throughout the world. For me personally, 10% of my income paid to Heavenly Father, is a small thank you for all the blessings he has given me in my life. But honestly hasn't always been easy, especially during hard times. But I know as we show faith and do as we're commanded blessings come. Remember the story of the Widow's Mite (Mark 12 41:44). Here's a cute little kids version to remind us:

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2016-05-004-the-widows-mite?lang=eng
(You will have to copy & paste this link onto another page to view)

Sorry, a couple explanations before I can share my story. So a couple weeks a go our family had tithing settlement and I have a pretty hard time moving. I haven't been anywhere for weeks due to bone pain becoming more intense and nausea as well. I wouldn't have to go to church, the Bishop could come to my home but I remembered a testimony given years ago in church by an older member in our ward. I can't remember what was wrong with her but she was in a similar situation of not having traveled for some time due to pain. But she decided that she would give everything she had physically so Heavenly Father could see her desire in all ways to follow the commandments. Why this stuck out to me then I didn't know why, until that Sunday two weeks ago. For that same reason I decided to go to church just for tithing settlement that day. It hurt a lot, even in a wheel chair. But because of that faith promoting example shared years ago in a testimony meeting, it gave me the courage to try myself. So I'm re-sharing this faith promoting experience from my own experience.

Also, this is the perfect time of year for such things to occur. I'm especially thankful to celebrate Christ's birth and remember one of his reasons for coming here, to atone for my sins. He made it possible for me to repent, so I can be with family forever. Right now there's nothing more important to me. What a wonderful plan our Heavenly Father created. Families and friends to help us get through this earth life. Some experiences are hard and he knew we'd need help a long the way. I'm grateful for the knowledge I have of the gospel, Heavenly Father, Jesus Christ and that I can learn the truthfulness of those things from the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is my protector, my comforter, my friend. He never leaves me unless I send him away by choices I make and he helps me keep my family safe. 

I know all these things to be true because I've chosen to believe the promptings I've been given. "You Know Who You Are and Where You're Going" the spirit has told me. I can't deny words spoken to me from the Lord through the Holy Ghost. I believe Heavenly Father still talks to us today. I don't think he quit with the Bible. I believe he still directs us through a prophet and apostles today and that he runs his church the same way as when Jesus lived on the earth. He knows the earth. He created it. He knows the beginning to the end. We just need to decide who we want to follow. 

So many times we have been asked how is she doing? What can we do?

Honestly, nothing has changed since the last time I posted, it's just gotten worse. Except my hair has started to grow back evenly, so I'm letting it go. I would ask this, please just pray that I can endure until the end. We have received many acts of kindness. I'm sorry if I wasn't there to thank you in person. I sleep a lot! But know how grateful I am for every act done. As a mother it's hard to not be able to take care of your family but Shad is doing an amazing job with the house and helping the kids. 

I love you all and will hopefully see some of you throughout the the holiday season💋💕