About Me: Chocolate Molly aka Audra

Hello Mollie Friends! I’m Audra, aka Milk-Chocolate Molly. I am very excited to be a part of this wonderful group of Ladies.

I am blessed to have a rich heritage in the gospel with many ancestors who were among the first members of the church. I live in a wonderful rural LDS community- and attend the ward I grew up in which even meets in the church house that my great grandfather helped to build.

In college I had big plans for my life, majoring in International Studies with a plan to go to law school….. Looking back on those days I have to laugh and wonder what I was thinking- My plans were interrupted when I met my prince charming in the spring of 2000- He swept me off my feet and we were married a few months later in the “Temple by the River” and after several years of prayers, tears and lots of waiting “Buddy Bear” joined our family in 2007 and is now a rambunctious little toddler.

I love all things crafty- with my all time favorite being digital scrapbooking. I also love to garden although I often feel like I’m raising better weeds than vegetables. In what is left of my not so spare time I also like to camp, 4-wheel, read, take pictures, blog and take naps.

I feel very lucky to have the opportunity to be a SAHM it is full of challenges and hard work and the payout is sort of like one of those TV commercials:

Changing yet another dirty diaper $0

Watching Mickey Mouse Clubhouse…. AGAIN $0

No more than 4 hours straight of sleep $0

Cleaning strained carrots off of the ceiling fan $0

Your little one’s face covered in chocolate saying “Luv You Mom” = Priceless

To me it’s those little milk-chocolate moments that make it all worth it and no matter our circumstance I believe that we can all find those “sweet” moments in our lives- that’s why I picked the name Milk-Chocolate Molly….. and also because let’s face it…. who doesn’t love chocolate?

Audra, her prince charming and their toddler son live in a rural LDS community. You can find more of her ramblings at her blog Latter Day Lady or check out her digitial scrapbook designs at Audra's Little Scraps.

Introducing Mojo Molly!

Ready or not.... here I come!! MOJO MOLLY!

Yep... that's me! My name is Jenn and I'm the person that you either love or hate. I don't beat around the bush and I'm very opionated. But you will always get the real me!

I joined the church in April 1998... my senior year. A year later I moved to Oregon and then out to Provo to attend UVSC. I moved back to Oregon in September of 2000. My husband Neil and I met in October 2000 in our local singles ward. I was 7 months pregnant at the time and had the biggest crush on him... but what do you do in that situation? Walk up and say, "Hey baby want to rub my belly?" So I smiled and said hi in passing but that was it.

Our oldest daughter was born January 2001. Neil asked me out in February, we were married in the Medford, Oregon Temple in May 2001 and he adopted Chloe a year later. She was sealed to us 2 weeks before our son Mason was born in May 2002. After many of life's ups and downs Abigail was born 3 years later in January of 2005. And these are our little bugs!

My life is insane! My first job is obvisouly being a wife and mother... I consider myself a good one though there are days that I wish I could throw someone out the window. ;)

I do wear many hats and while I enjoy every moment wearing each one... I have to NAP!! My husband would tell you that if I could sleep all day I would... and he's right! OI!!

But as a woman I have to get off my tukas and join the world of the living... so here are a few random facts about me!

• I love the arts but can't afford to attend all that I want to... so I volunteer and get free tickets!
• I am a cancer survivor and every year I love celebrating survivorship and hope at our local American Cancer Society Relay for Life
• I am totally and completely addicted to Dr. Pepper! And until the Prophet says, "Thou shalt not drink Dr. Pepper" I will continue to be an addict... I know... word of wisdom... my addiction haunts me daily and I love every moment of it!
• My favorite calling in church was Primary President. I've held callings ranging from that to Relief Society "B" greeter in College
• I love to read... I feel incomplete unless I'm in the middle of a book. Is that weird?
• My husband is the most amazing man I know... he has to be to stay married to me for 8 years now!
• All 3 of my children have had medical issues and I could be a nurse going through it all.
• I love life and try to soak up every adventure, memory, up, down and all that is in between!

And lastly... Mojo! Why "mojo" you say? Mojo is not Austin Powers sexual prowess... it is defined as a magical power or spell. I think my life is filled with the magic of blessings! And I hope to add a little Mojo to your life!

Have a happy, healthy, sane, beautiful day... or at least... don't throw anyone out the window!

Jenn is the mother to 3 crazy kids, a wife to a wonderful man and has been a member of the church for 10 years. She lives her Gluten Free life in Oregon and enjoys every INSANE moment that Heavenly Father gives her. Her life rantings can be read at Adventures in Mommyland.

I AM A PRIMARY TEAHER!

Seriously! Did you read that? I've received another calling to be a CTR 7-8 Primary Teacher!! How cool is that?! I'm so stoked. Okay, deep breaths... in.. out... okay I'm back.

So we have General Conference this  weekend. I'm really stoked. I love general conference. Last GC we stayed home, put the conference on the computer LDS.org or BYU-TV. It's my understanding alot of families with small children do this. Either watch it on TV or the computer. I've already started downloading the April "Friend" magazine for the kids and planning out craft activities. Dinner is planned and my BFF and I are making sugar cookies in Easter shapes with the children. I even bought Easter colored sprinkles and sprinkles in Easter shapes (ie bunnies, ducks and eggs). I dug out the Easter cookie cutters the other day to wash and set aside. I have egg shapes, flowers, crosses etc. The kids are so excited they are asking everymorning. "How many more days until General Conference?"

Our ward has a new missionary. And though he's only been out about a week, he's not shy at all!! And he's a "fellow geek" so my husband has taken to him... maybe he'll be able to get through to my Gorgeous Hunk of Geek. (~_^) This weekend was the Sunday I signed up for to have the missionaries over for dinner. (Though I don't know about you all but regardless of when or why the come over I feel the need to feed them. Maybe its cause they are away from their moms and my maternal instinct is kicking in, maybe cause they are doing the lord's work, whatever the reason I can't help but feed them and send things home with them, lol) Any who, Sunday I had planned for some time because one of our missionaries has been with our ward almost 8 months, and its almost time for him to return home. I thought it would be nice to make his favorites from his family. I'm going to be honest. It was all mostly experimental. I don't know how to fry chicken or make baked mac and cheese with cornflakes topping . But I winged it. Then I made collard greens and fried green beans. You never seen a happier missionary! The new guy though is not a mac and cheese/ collard greens fan, lol, so next time I'm making something they will both enjoy.

Okay so Today I will leave you with a recipe.

To-Die-For Brownies

You'll love these. My BFF is testing this recipe in a mini muffin pan. Bite size brownies in snack bags for the kids. If she succeeds I will post the cook time and pics and how long they last on the shelf vs in the freezer.
Blessings and Love,

Amanda is a happy stay at home mother of two beautiful girls. She is a recent convert to the Church and enjoys sharing the gospel, teaching and applying her newfound faith to her life. Read more from Amanda at, My Big Fat Geek Recipes.

Meeting Mrs Sanchez.

I have always have a knack of listing to the spirit and it's promptings but not always acting upon those promptings. This is something I have been working on for years . Fallowing those little promptings we get no matter how silly they may seem to be.

About 7 years ago I was yard selling with a friend an activity we did most every Saturday. On one of mine and Lisa's adventures we were having no luck finding any treasures. We were getting ready to head home when I felt very prompted to go to this one street we had not yet gone on. Lisa said alright and joked that maybe I was prompted because we were going to hit the jack pot. When we arrived on the street we new right away that we weren't going to find any thing good. My friend and I started looking to see if there was any thing good. There was this sweet older lady that engaged me in a conversation. After a while she smiled and said well I better take these 2 mugs and go home now. I smiled and waved goodbye . I then started talking to my friend when I heard a voice say where did the old lady go when I heard it I looked towards the direction she was heading to.

I noticed she was not there which was weird because it had only been a second or two from the time I waved goodbye. I looked at my friend and said something is wrong. She just looked at me as I ran to in the direction where the lady just was. I then saw her getting up from the ground. I thought, "Oh it's nothing I am being silly." I asked her if she was OK. She then showed me her arm and said, "I broke these mugs and made a mess of myself." I was shocked when I saw her arm She had a huge gaping cut starting at her wrist ending at her elbow.

I said, "Oh you have a cut, lets go up by my cars and patch that up." She kept insisting she was fine that she would just go home and take care of it. I finally convinced her to come with me. When we were with the rest of the crowed I kinda whispered to the man running the yard sell that he needed to call 911 . The old lady said no and tried to get loose from me. I was holding pressure on the wound and I said, "No you really need to get it looked at." Let the Medics patch her up and then she could be on her way.

She said, "Hmm maybe that might be a good idea. I am getting kinda light headed." 10 minutes later the ambulance had arrived. They had to pry my hands off her arm because my fingers stated to lock up from holding pressure on the wound so long. When they took the rag off her wound everyone gasped they could not believe how bad it was. The medics told her she needed to be taken to the hospital. She kept refusing and she said, "What about my car?" I offered to drive it to the hospital. She finally said that she would go. I said whats your name so I can leave the keys with the nurses. She said I am MRS. Sanchez. I said goodbye by as the shut the ambulance door. I went to the hospital and dropped off her keys. My friend and I went home a little frazzled but grateful that every thing had turned out alright.

Weeks went by and Lisa and I were out yard selling again we had been talking about Mrs Sanchez when I looked up and there she was. I asked her how she was. She looked at me and said, "My Angel my Angel I have been looking for you."  She was very emotional and said, "Do realise you saved my life that day when you made this stubborn old lady get medical care?" I really thought she was joking until she told me what the doctors had said shortly after she arrived to the hospital. She was told that she had severed the vein in her wrist that is a main artery. Had she gotten in her car and drove away she would have made it about 1/2 a mile before she would have bleed out and died. Mrs. Sanchez ended up having 36 internal stitches and 72 stitches on the outside. I was shocked to say the least. Her next words really amazed me, "Jennifer I know that God led you to be there with me when I fell because had you not been there I would have died. You are his angel doing his work on earth." Lisa and I had total goose bumps when she told us, we new her words were true we new our heavenly Father prompted us to continue yard selling that day .

Mrs Sanchez became like a mother to me until the day she died. She taught me many things, and often showed up with homemade goodies and good motherly advice on days that life was a struggle for me. My mind often wonders back to the day that I met Mrs Sanchez and I often wonder how thing might have been different had I not answered the call of the Lord. One thing I know for sure, I would have never met Mrs Sanchez. In my eyes that would have been a tragedy. I miss her and love her and can hardly wait for the day she is there to welcome me home.

Jennifer -

Wife to one Momma to 8 Friend to all. If you want to read more about my every day superordanary crazy exiting life hop on over to my presonal blogn Diamonds, fur and laundry.

Jesus Christ V Easter Bunny

Back in December you might remember my post of a similar heading, Jesus v Santa. Both here and on my blog it got quite a bit of attention including being featured of many other blogs as a reflection of how to combine the two.

Now we are at the same demise, not that I view it that way at all but each year I find that my religious beliefs are questioned as to what we celebrate, how we celebrate and how we can ‘condone’ imaginary people into our children’s minds.

Well there is only one answer in my opinion. Are they asking BECAUSE I’m a religious person or are they asking because they are not and want to subconsciously gain permission for their children to believe in the "paganist" belief in the fertile bunny rabbit myth?

I dunno about the Pagan’s beliefs, I’ve never really studied them but as bunnies are cute and harmless {and who didn’t cry at Watership Down???} doing a very similar thing to Santa only on a smaller scale I have NO issue at all with my 4 year old son thinking it was the bunny rabbit that got him his basket of goodies on Easter morning!

Why?

Because imagination is the most powerful tool a child has, it gives them confidence, encourages them to think and explore. In the real world there is Jesus Christ who looks out for them, loves them, guides them and over all influences their lives. I admit though that there will not be a heap of items that are 90% sugar 10% chocolate and other dentistry money making items! I do set a budget for these gifts because I dont want to deflect from the real meaning of Easter in any way at all. Our baskets usually include 3 books each, a favourite chocolate, and 5 inexpensive novelty items. Add that {including basket} and they each get ten treats! ;)

This year my son will be old enough to understand more about the resurrection of Christ. I believe he is mature and curious enough to want to know about the death of Christ and then his rebirth so I have that covered too. Charley already believes that Jesus is magic, he already knows that Jesus is his best friend and already has the Lord as the centre of his life so what is there to worry about?


On our bookshelf are a range of mythical books that include the Easter Bunny, Santa Claus, Tooth Fairy {and yes I do write letters from the tooth fairy and sign it from a super duper fairy with a super duper name!!}.

We also have books about Little Red Riding Hood, Chicken Licken, Stuart Little, Bear and the Big Blue House, Old Bear, Old Mother Hubbard and a lot more. Our dvd shelf holds titles such as Mary Poppins, Bed knobs and broomsticks, Alice in Wonderland, Bambi, Lion King and other well known titles. I do not shy away from any imaginary being that is good, happy, prosperous and fun for any of my kids. I can’t even say that I take it serious when my older kids ask me to admit that Santa and the Bunny are just not real! I mean, come on! In this world we have to believe right? ;)

Seriously, I have never denied there mythical existence but I’ve never admitted their unreal presence either, nor do I intend to change that because one day I’m going to become a grandma and I want my children to be able to say to their children ‘well son, your grandma never told me they weren’t real’ cos I know the time will come when grandma will become old and doddery and the grandchild will want to ask their Mum or Dad for verification of the true mythical beings. One day will also come when I am not around anymore and what am I leaving behind if not imagination, fun and lots of fantastic memories?

From a very young age my kids have had the smallest thing celebrated, just because I want them to realise that fun is so easy, effortless and worthwhile so long as it's in it's correct context. When my oldest has his first night without nappies {oops diapers for my American friends!!} he was around 3ish so his younger brother and I decided to draw him a poster with happy faces, hearts and kisses and pin it to the back of a dining chair that we dressed as a kings seat where we served bacon, eggs, sausage etc for a special breakfast. A few years and many more celebrations later, I remember having a party with my nieces and nephews because my now 18 year old saved his first goal whist playing against a very strong football {soccer} team!

Charley had a celebratory mini cake when he got his first gold star at pre-school after he was formerly congratulated in front of all parents and children for being such a positive and happy helper and influence in the entire nursery! These personality traits are not induced by any mythical characters but by the every day learning, understanding and acceptance of the Lord in his life. As young as he is he knows that Jesus is his friend, his brother and his carer. He knows that to show our love to Jesus and Heavenly Father we need to behave in a certain way and for the most part he abides by the expectations that he understands.

The Lord will NEVER be out done by Santa, The Tooth Fairy or the Easter Bunny, never in a bazillion years and as long as the teachings of the Lord, his resurrection and the true meaning of Him in our lives, hearts and minds is taught to our children with more conviction than the mythical beings then we are not harming anyone. The day will come when our children stop believing in these beings, no matter how much we don’t admit it, they will be grateful that we haven’t admitted it even, or at least that’s what my 12 year old says just now. Some things are purely for the imagination, for fun and for the bringing together of the family and friends. Other things are for time and all eternity whilst here on Gods earth.

My children are 20, 18, 12 and 4, all of them have NO inhibitions, doubts or insecurities with or about me. There is nothing I can do that will encourage them to think they are not my lifeline, my reason for being much less just how much I love and respect them. Why? I like to think most of it is because not only have I tried to bring the Lord to the centre of all our lives but I’ve also been the best joker and happy-ness maker I can be no matter how rough things have got for us. These are the memories my kids tell me about, what I see in their journals or online bio’s. These are the things that I hear them say to their friends when asked if I am old enough to be their Mum. Imagination is a God given talent that everyone of us has, truly, but like anything it has to be kept in moderation.

So to me, the Easter Bunny ROCKS!! ;)

So, what are your thoughts on this and why???

Debs] More of Debs waffle over on Life as Me.

Mothers, Do You Know Who You Are?

This is my favorite artwork. It tells so much. A woman holding a baby looking outside the window where life is uncertain. But inside she knows her roll in motherhood.. Go see the large photo here.

THE RELIEF SOCIETY OFTHE CHURCH OF JESUS CHRIST OF LATTER-DAY SAINTS

We
are beloved spirit daughters of God,

and our lives have meaning, purpose, and direction.

As a worldwide sisterhood, we are united in our devotionto Jesus Christ,

our Savior and Exemplar.We are women of faith, virtue, vision, and charity who:

Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ through prayer and scripture study.

Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost.

Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families, and homes.

Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.

Delight in service and good works.

Love life and learning.

Stand for truth and righteousness.

Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.

Rejoice in the blessings of the temple, understand our

our divine destiny, and strive for exaltation.

I heard a group of mothers talking the other day, I was quite shocked to here the converstation they were having. One lady asked the group if she was the only one who felt unappreciative, useless, and worth nothing.

I about died, I was not close enough to go over there and shove my mouth to their conversation, but I felt bad for this group..

Do they not who they are?

Sometimes my role as a mother is overwhelming. Sometimes I feel like I need a break, but never have I felt useless.

Woman, our role on this earth is to nurture and care for our young ones.

I feel that the most important thing on this earth is to teach your children, so that they can be strong, faithful, and loving.

 

Our role is to strengthen our family inside the home.

Our role is to uplift.

Our role is to visit those in need, or just need a friend.

Our role is to Stand for Truth and Righteousness.

Remember who you are and why you are here.

You are worth it.. You are amazing.

Oku ou ofa lahi atu..

Devri is the happy wife of a wonderful native Tongan man. They have seven beautiful children. Read more from Devri at, The Nualu Tribe.

Book of Mormon Mondays - Forgiveness

I came across one of the best stories of forgiveness in the Book of Mormon this weekend. It's one that I hadn't really taken much notice of because the person being forgiven is a character we usually consider practically perfect, Captain Moroni. I mean afterall, in Alma 48:17 it reads, "Yea, verily, verily I say unto you, if all men had ceen, and were, and ever would be, like unto Moroni, behold, the very powers of hell would have been shaken forever; yea, the devil would never have power over the hearts of the children of men."

Moroni is amazing. If I was in his shoes, I definitely wouldn't have stepped up to the plate as he did. But Moroni isn't perfect. Nobody is but Christ. And in Alma 59-60, he makes a mistake. In these chapters, Moroni becomes angry with Pahoran, the chief judge of the Nephies, because his armies hadn't received enough supplies and man power to fight the war. Moroni writes Pahoran a letter chastising him for not sending him the things that he needs and speaks very strongly to Pahoran. There's too many things to quote, you'll have to read chapter 60 to see what I mean.

As it turns out, Pahoran was having just as many problems, if not more, as Moroni was having. Pahoran was dealing with rebels who were so against him and the war, that they joined with the Lamanites and were planning on taking over the Nephite lands.

Now if I were Pahoran, I would be pretty angry for getting such an angry letter with no provocation (at least any that I knew of). Moroni hadn't asked why he wasn't getting the supplies he needed, he just accused Pahoran of various things.

But amazingly, Pahoran didn't respond with anger; he doesn't fire back with a why are you treating me this way response. First he is understanding of Moroni's feelings and says in Alma 61:1, "...I do not joy in your great afflictions, yea, it greaves my soul."

He then goes on in verses 2-8 to explain why things were the way they were in a non-defensive way. And then he ends his letter to Moroni by asking him to come to his aid to defend their land from the Lamanite-rebel army.

As I was reading these two letters, I was really impressed with Pahoran's kindness and forgiveness. If I had received a letter like that, I would be so angry and probably would have written an angry letter solving nothing. Pahoran is an example to me of how we can respond to things that have the potential to offend us.

Rachel C. is a blogaholic who is always busy with something, but always has a little time for fun! Check out her personal blog at, Idaho Cheneys.

What Does a Homemaker Look Like?

I received this comment on my blog.

“Hi Angie. You seem to be a very talented charming lady. Your site is very nice. I think your dark eye makeup sends a little bit of a mixed message. I'm not saying that you aren't pretty--you are so pretty! Nice blog! Cute post.”

At first I laughed, but then I was like, HEY! What exactly does that mean? Are people really so judgmental as to care about what kind of make-up someone wears? How much does the way you dress affect how people think about you, even in blogland?

I think we all have stereotypes in our head of what someone is supposed to look like. I’m not trying to insult anyone here, so PLEASE don’t take offense. When I see someone that has longer hair, no makeup and wears dresses or simple clothes, I think “born-again” or “homeschooler”. Stay-at-home-moms usually are in “mom clothes” jeans, t-shirts, tennis shoes, etc. Now what do you think when you see someone that wears dark make-up, a lot of black clothing and high-heels everyday?

I LOVE, LOVE, LOVE vintage and girly and pink, but you rarely see that in the way that I dress. I do wear a lot of vintage jewelry, but clothes-wise I wear what is flattering on me. I have big brown eyes, which look washed out without black eyeliner. I’m self-conscious about my tummy and hips, so I like to wear black a lot. I have a larger chest, which means quite often my tops are tight through the chest area. I rarely wear jeans. I’m always in heels; I own two pair of shoes with skulls on them (I call them my pirate shoes…lol) and I own two pair of camo shoes that I wear a lot, even with my dress pants and white shirt at work. I have a style that is very much my own.

Just because you are a mom and a wife and a homemaker doesn’t mean you can’t look hot… LOL I know I am not a Barbie doll, but I do get up every day and put on makeup. I dress nicely almost all the time. I take care of my hair and baby my skin. I like to have my nails painted and yes they are painted black right now. I am not “high maintenance”. I spoil myself on a few things, like buying quality hair products and make-up, but over all I’m an extremely frugal person. All my clothes were extremely low clearances, so I don’t feel bad about having a lot of them. It doesn’t cost a lot to look nice. And it doesn’t take any longer to put on a pair of dress pants than it does to put on a pair of jeans.

What is wrong with not wanting to conform to what a “homemaker” is supposed to look like in these modern times. When I think homemaker I often think frazzled and stressed out and yes, I am those things, but I don’t want to look it! I know women that are still in their pajamas when their husband gets home from work or that don’t feel like they have time for makeup or even to shower most days because they have little kids. Take the time. You will feel much better about yourself as a women and your husband will appreciate it! You are more than just a mom and a homemaker. You are a smokin’ hot chick, so show it!

I look at the vintage homemakers and I think how sad that we lost that way of life. I cook wearing my vintage aprons and high-heels and jewelry… LOL I fix my makeup before I see my husband. I dress up when we go out, even just to the movies. The sadder and more depressed I am, the nicer I dress. If you look nice on the outside it helps a lot on the inside.

I don’t think it’s vanity and I don’t think it’s narcissism. It’s taking care of yourself and feeling good about yourself and showing your husband that he is still worth getting dressed up for and showing yourself that you are more than just “mom”. I’d like to end with a quote by Brigham Young. I love this quote!

For awesome recipes, crafts, decorating ideas and more visit Angie at The American Homemaker.

For more Homemaker Monday, head over to 11th Heaven's Homemaking Haven.

I'm Running on Half-Empty...

I want to pre-apologize for this post. It's not as well planned out as my previous posts, but I thought I needed to write it.

I started a Genealogy series on Modern Molly Mormon and like most goals, they get put on the back burner as life starts to go warp

 speed. 

Running at warp speed is leaving me half-empty. For those of you who were sharing with me the excitement of learning more about accomplishing our Family Histories and learning how to do it, tricks to the trade and so forth, I haven't forgotten. 

We all go through rough spots and mine is no way rougher than anyone elses and doesn't warrant any complaining because I have a tremendous amount of blessings.

I believe that one of our greatest blessings in being members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is our eternal perspective and how that knowledge gives us the reassurance we need when times get tough. 

If you are also on warp speed and feeling like you running on fumes, join with me and let's complete the checklist to getting back on track and giving it all we got:

Self Evaluation~

1. Am I reading my scriptures at least 30 minutes a day? If not, star

t reading at least one minute a day and move forward. 

2. Am I saying my morning and evening prayers-- with all my heart? Cry unto thy Lord... that's what we learn in the scriptures. Cry doesn't mean just wetting your eyes... plea--- plea to the Lord for what troubles your souls, your families, friends and thank Heavenly Father for ALL that you have.

3. Am I seeking to serve others? I am not talking about a 10-hour service project a week. Just find ways to serve and your worries will melt from invading your every thought and you'll just fill better! 

What are you doing to help yourself have a full tank?!?! Share with us!!

gas gage photo: workathometruth.com

Jill is a convert to the church, wife, mother, former photojournalist and a small business owner. Jill loves to blog and is excited about meeting folks on MMM. Family Home Evening.

Like a Sun with Perfect Light

Recently on an early Sunday morning flight, I decided to listen to a little Mormon Tabernacle Choir to get into the Sunday spirit. The flight departed at 5:50 am, and the I watched out the window for a good part of the flight. The sunlight was peaking over the horizon and looked spectacular.

I was listening to Mo-Tab's "Love is Spoken Here" album, and was lulled into a drowse. The familiar strains of Hymn 113, "Our Savior's Love" began, and the my eyelids felt ablaze. I looked out the window as the words "Our Savior's love shines like a sun with perfect light:" sounded, and the sun rose above the horizon. It was the most beautiful sunrises I've seen in a long time. I immediately was embraced by a feeling of peace and love. I knew that it was a direct manifestation of my Jesus Christ's love for me. I've been struggling with a variety of trials that has been affecting my happiness greatly. In that moment I felt that all was alright with the universe. His love shines like a sun with perfect light.

Our Savior's love shines like a sun with perfect light
As from above, it breaks through clouds of strife
Lighting our way, it leads us back into his sight
Where we may stay to share eternal life

The Spirit's voice of goodness whispers to our hearts
A better choice than evil's anguished cries
Loud may the sound of hope ring till all doubt departs
And we are bound to him by loving ties

Our Father, God of all creation hear us pray
In rev'rence awed by thy Son's sacrifice
Praises we sing, we love thy law we will obey
Our Heav'nly King, in thee our hearts rejoice

Nicole is the wife of a pilot, mother of one, compulsive traveling, bargain shopping, blogging addict who works in healthcare philanthropy. Read her stories at The Culture-Loving Pilot Wife.

quotable quotes: love (one more time)

Maybe I'm just in a love mood this month . . . 

or perhaps I equate individual worth with love . . . 

in any case, without further ado here is today's quote:

Love makes your soul crawl out from its hiding place. ~Zora Neale Hurston 

[image "Bay of Islands New Zealand The Hole in the Rock" courtesy normandie 2005]

A happily married woman and happily active member of the church Liss strives to live by these words of Helen Keller, "I long to accomplish a great and noble task, but it is my chief duty to accomplish small tasks as if they were great and noble." Read how she has applied this philosophy to wifedom over at her blog The Fascinating Woman.

Tower of Strength Giveaway WINNERS!

A big thanks to Annette Lyon who donated 4 copies of her new book Towers of Strength to lucky Modern Molly readers!

There were over 50 entries!

And the lucky 4 are . . . .

 

Evelyn!

 

  

hoLLy!

 

 

Laurie!

 

 

Amanda D!

 

Congrats to all of you! Please email untypicallyjia@gmail.com with your shipping information so we can get those books out to you all!

Scrunchie Memory

When I was in 7th grade, everyone who was anyone was wearing scrunchies in their hair. You can't tell, but I had a great scrunchie in my hair in this picture. Yeah. I was cool. But this picture was taken in the 8th grade. In 7th grade, I wasn't so cool.

All my friends had these glamorous scrunchies in their hair. Pink ones;Green ones; Tiger striped and Polkadotted. I was very envious. I didn't have any. I felt like the only kid not wearing those beloved scrunchies. I had tons of hair that would look "so beyond cool" if it was adorned with the perfect scrunchie to go with the perfect oversized sweater and the perfect tapered pants. My life was ruined. I didn't have a scrunchie to save my life.

However, I was a creative little girl, even back when I was 12 years old. I spent some time at school scrutinizing the makings of a scrunchie. I looked at everyone's hair. It couldn't be too hard to fashion one of those treasures, I thought. At home, we had this laundry basket that was filled with unmatched socks. A whole big basket of them. That could completely be another post for another day, but suffice it to say, I had a whole basket of potential scrunchies right in front of me.

I took a sturdy sock and very sneakily, cut about 3/4 of an inch off the top of the crew cut. I threw the sock away, knowing nobody would miss it, and I was left with a beloved scrunchie. Life couldn't get better. Now I could walk down the halls at school with my head held high; my head that was adorned with my super-scrunchie! I energetically made about twelve of these scrunchies, discarding the useless sock remains. I was all set.

The next day at school during typing class, my scrunchie-induced happiness came to a screeching halt. My friend was saying something about her new "fabulous scrunchie" and I whipped my braid around and said "Oh, I have one too!" She took one look at me and said "What is that in your hair? A sock?"

I was mortified.

"What? No. That's so lame!" I faltered. I turned right around, pulled my sock-tied braid over my shoulder, and pretended to continue typing while trying to fight the tears that were ballooning around my eyes.

I'm pretty sure it took a very long time to live down the "sock scrunchie", but I survived. In fact, I learned how to make a proper scrunchie with material sewed into a long tube, elastic running through it, and the two ends sewed together to form a circle. They weren't the most popular-looking scrunchies, but at least they weren't mistaken for a sock anymore. It was hard walking the halls of school for a while, but I had been prepped to face these kind of situations my whole life. I knew that I was a special, because I was a daughter of God. I knew, that no matter how often I got teased for being different than everyone else, that I was important. I had worth, and I felt comfort in knowing that these moments of difficulty were only temporary.

In the picture at the beginning of the post, I was a recovered sock-scrunchie-wearing survivor. I was wearing a homemade scrunchie, and I had reason to smile.

A bit obsessive about her personal blog Just Because I am Me, Shaina always has a humorous story to tell, a picture to show, or a great meal to make. Add a growing family into the mix, and things are sure to be entertaining.

14 Years Young

As a church we are lucky to be studying The Teaching of the Prophet Joseph Smith and the Doctrine and Covenants simultaneously. I have enjoyed leaning more about our first Prophet during the restoration of the church, and anxiously look forward to Relief Society lessons and Gospel Doctrine topics that discuss him or his teachings.

Some time ago as we were discussing the first vision, my teaching partner in Gospel Doctrine took up the opportunity to provide us a visual interpretation of how the prophet Joseph Smith may have looked and acted like at the wee age of 14. She located a deacon in the ward who was approximately the same age as Joseph was at the time he knelt in prayer concerning which church was true.It was impressive and thought provoking to visualize and personalize Joseph Smith's interests, characteristics, abilities and physical demeanor when he was called of God at such a young trying age in life. I will never forget that experience, and have reflected on it often.

I encourage you to get to know a young deacon in your ward or branch. Ask him his interests. Find out about his testimony, his struggles, what life is like for him-all the while keeping the Prophet Joseph in the back of your mind. No doubt this experience will increase your testimony of the first vision, the prophet Joseph Smith, the restoration of the church and the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon as it has mine.

Pictures found here

Jen is the wife of one, and a mother of three, who keep her a very busy little bee. When the hive is happy, she is happy. Find her daily musings at www.memoirsofmommy.blogspot.com.