Scripture of the Week

In October, I wrote that one of my favorite talks from General Conference was titled, "My Heart Pondereth Them Continually."  In that talk, Elder Durrant challenged us to choose one scripture each week to ponder over and over and possibly memorize.  This was a challenge I really felt excited about accepting.  Although I haven't done it perfectly since then, I have really loved having that weekly scripture to ponder and I want to start posting my weekly choice of scripture here on my blog in addition to writing it on a post-it note that I stick on my bathroom mirror. :)

Scripture for this week:

2 Nephi 31:20
Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men.  Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life.

This is a scripture I've already memorized and recited many times, but today, I thought about it in a new way.  I was thinking about my health goals today...you know...the same ones I find myself setting and fizzling out on over and over again--lose weight, exercise, eat more fruits and vegetables, limit desserts, etc.  As I was thinking about this and feeling discouraged about my many failed attempts in this area, the words "Press forward" came to my mind and I thought about this scripture in relation to achieving my health goals.  The words "having a perfect brightness of hope" really stood out to me because I know hope and belief are such an important aspect in reaching any goal, yet it is something I struggle to have because of my past failed attempts.  The words "endure to the end" also stood out to me because I have persisted in this goal for many months at a time, but then I fizzle out and abandon my goal and fail to "endure to the end." I've decided to adopt "Press forward" as my mantra/motto for the year.  As I was thinking about this scripture, I thought of phrases from another scripture that I also want to include in my daily ponderings:

D&C 128:22
"Shall we not go on in so great a cause?  Go forward and not backward. Courage...and on, on to victory!

Is the pursuit of physical health so great a cause?  Yes.  It affects all areas of my life when this is lacking--my confidence, my energy levels, my desire to be social, my ability to care properly for my family.  So, yes, this is a great cause and something worth investing my time and energy into achieving.  Forward and not backward.  On, on to victory!

A New Year Begins

Goodbye to 2015 and welcome 2016!  We are off to a happy start!

This is what we have been doing the past couple of weeks.

On New Year's Eve, Kayla and I had a fun "girls day out" with our friends.  We were having so much fun talking, eating, and getting our nails done, that I failed to take any photos!  I did snap one picture of Kayla driving for her first time on the freeway.  What a cutie!

I took a turn chaperoning the youth dance that night so I got to see Kayla and Hunter having fun on the dance floor with their friends.  On the last dance of the night, I thought to take a picture of them.  Hunter and Janine let me snap a photo but Kayla's partner refused.  Boo!  Ha, ha, it's okay.  It was fun to be there.  We came home and stayed up talking until after 2 a.m. and it was one of those times when I thought, "I love having teenagers!"

The next morning, New Year's Day, we hosted our annual brunch and game party.  We've been doing this for 15 years with Jason's family, and occasionally we invite friends too.  We always have yummy food, then we play a variety of games.  We usually play Family Fued, Taboo, and some other game.  This year, Jason made us do the marshmallow/spaghetti noodle challenge that is popular at work meetings.  Each team has 18 minutes to see who can build the highest free-standing structure out of spaghetti noodles, tape, and string with a marshmallow balancing on top.  In typical fashion for this game, the kids beat the adults.

I treated myself to a play-cation over the holiday break and did a lot of stamping instead of house-cleaning, organizing, and other responsible stuff.  It was great fun!

Tanner participated in his first Pinewood Derby.  He worked hard to build his car with Grandpa.  He came in 2nd on most of the heats, which was exciting, but he just missed placing in the top 5 (he came in 6th).  We all had fun watching and cheering him on!  Unfortunately, he lost his scout shirt before the event, so he wasn't in uniform.

Jason is on a 6-week break from school and I was recently released from my calling as Stake Primary president.  This has given us more time together as a family these past few weeks and we are enjoying it immensely.  It will be hard when Jason starts up again, but he's hoping to finish by August so we are almost there.  Let the 8-month countdown begin!