"Behold thy mother!" (John 19:27)

Day 17 (Dec 17th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus Cared for His Mother and So Can You"

Just a couple of thoughts about my mother and being a mother.

I am so grateful for this insight, that Christ cared for His mother, Mary. We all have mothers. I love the description given of mother in The Guide to the Scriptures: "A sacred title referring to a woman who bears or adopts children. Mothers assist in God's plan by providing mortal bodies for God's spirit children". Being a mother is a sacred responsibility to nurture, care for, teach and guide my children. It is a ton of work! It is a true labor of love that cannot be expressed in words. In all that goes with being a mother I believe we do the best we can with the knowledge we have at the time we are doing all of it.

As Christ hung on the cross, He selflessly saw and cared for His mother. "When Jesus therefore saw his mother, and the disciple standing by, whom he loved, he saith unto his mother, Woman, behold thy son! Then saith he to the disciple, Behold thy mother! And from that hour that disciple took her unto his own home." (John 19:26-27).  Christ made sure His mother was cared for, even after He would no longer be on earth. What kind of care can we offer to our mothers for their selfless sacrifice of time, talents, energy, and love? "Behold" is an interesting word for Christ to use. It is an invitation to truly see and observe His mother. What women do as mothers often goes unnoticed and most certainly without applause or acclaim.

I ponder all that my mother has done for me. There aren't words enough to describe all she has done. Indeed, she is my angel mother. There is not a better word to describe her. She did the best she could in the circumstances she was in with the knowledge she had. And she continues to teach me by her example of faith, her sense of humor, her positive attitude in very difficult and trying circumstances and enduring all things. I too must say, "Behold my mother."

Me with my angel sister- Linda, my niece- Maggie, and my angel mother.

Two of my sons with their grandparents, (my parents- Fred and Naomi).

I love that my mom will do selfies with me. We make family history together. She is one amazing woman.

"Jesus wept." (John 11:35)

Day 16 (Dec. 16th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus showed compassion and so can you"

The Guide to the Scriptures under compassion it reads: "In the scriptures, compassion means literally "to suffer with." It also means to show sympathy, pity, and mercy for another." One of the first scriptures that came to mind that exemplifies this is John 11:35, "Jesus wept." I see Christ suffering with Mary as He weeps with her over the death of her brother Lazarus. As  He weeps with them He is expressing compassion and tenderness.

I am grateful for this display of tenderness and love. I know that there are times when I do not take time to have compassion, "to suffer with" others as they need such kindness and support. For me, compassion is shown when someone takes time to visit me when I am sick, or listen to me when I am sad or alone. Compassion takes the form of encouragement when I am not sure I can endure another day of pain or sorrow for the hurt or illness of a loved one.

Compassion is not what our society would term "heroic". But for me, those who show compassion are ones who can also experience the greatest of joys. "For it must needs be, that there is an opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). Jesus had compassion first, He wept with His friends. And then He said, "Lazarus, come forth" (John 11:43). Jesus shared in their joy as He raises Lazarus from the dead. Without compassion, we cannot experience the joy that follows healing, or the joy that will come when we and our loved ones are resurrected and made whole.

For free Bible Videos that are amazing- go here

Day 15 (Dec 15th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
Jesus worshipped through song and so can you.

I love this idea of worshipping through music and song. I love singing hymns, I enjoy being part of the ward choir when I can. I love playing my flute and truly worshipping God when I play.

I have to share one of my favorite scriptures about praising God with music: "If thou art merry, praise the Lord with singing, with music, with dancing, and with a prayer of praise and thanksgiving. If thou art sorrowful, call on the Lord thy God with supplication, that you souls may be joyful" (D&C 136:28-29).

Isn't this awesome? If I am happy then I should sing, and I sometimes just burst out singing or dancing. And when I am sad, it definitely helps to pray, ask for help. God just knows how to help us be happy. It's the best! So, go ahead and sing praises unto Him. Worship even a Jesus did through song.

(Here are a couple of great sources of music that have really made a difference for me)

Music by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir

Come, Thou Fount of Every Blessing

Grace by music artist David Tolk

Be Still and Know from "A Lullaby Journey Through Scripture"

"And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked..(Mosiah 4:14)

Day 14 (Dec 14) #LIGHTtheWORLD
Jesus taught us to clothe the naked and you can help

Always loved this scripture about clothing the naked. I felt it really pertained to motherhood and all the laundry I did and frequently continue to do.

"And ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress the laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another, and serve the devil, who is the master of all sin, or who is the evil spirit which hath been spoken of by our fathers, he being an enemy to all righteousness." (Mosiah 4:14)

Some days, and maybe it is really some weeks that I am better at getting the laundry done. I keep trying to have my children learn to do their own laundry so they can eventually clothe themselves.  I believe that helping my children learn how to do their own laundry is part of clothing them. And this applies to clothing them physically and spiritually. It takes commitment and time. Sometimes I call it climbing a mountain, simply because I literally have mountains of clothes to wash, fold, and put away. You can read a whole post about climbing a mountain of laundry (here).

One more thought, doing laundry and repentance, they pile up if you don't keep doing the washing. And another thing, they both feel so good when I keep working on them and don't get such a large mountain to climb.

Previous laundry all done and folded (taken by me and folded by me)

"Behold your little ones." (3 Nephi 17:23)

Day 11 (Dec. 11th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus Ministered to Children and So Can You"

Jesus ministered to children. Ministered means to "tend to the needs of". I love this idea of tending to the needs of my children. Even though my children aren't little any more, and they don't seem to "need" me as much, I try and nurture their testimonies of the truths of the gospel and of a God who loves them more than I do.

Whenever I think of nurturing or ministering to children, I think of the time when Christ visited the people in the Americas after His resurrection (see 3 Nephi 11-28). One of the first things He did was to take "their little children, one by one, and blessed them, and prayed unto the Father for them. And when He had done this He wept... And He spake unto the multitude, and said unto them: Behold your little ones" (3 Nephi 17:21-23). Two things really jump out at me with this particular event. First, He wept. I believe He wept for joy. He loves little children so much! When I think about how much I love my children, the best way to describe the deep mother love is to say, "It  brings me to tears." And it is tears of pure joy.

The next thing that jumps out at me is when Christ says, "Behold your little ones." Behold means to see, or observe. To think about Christ telling me to observe my little children, it is to really learn from them. Take notice of what they are saying and how much love they freely express. Also, to observe how much they want to learn and be taught truth. Even now, though my children aren't small, they still have a desire to learn and to please me. I can show my love for the Savior as I "Behold [my] little ones"- no matter what their age. I can tend to their needs, even minister to them.

I just love these amazing, hilarious, good, positive souls. I have been blessed to minister to them as they have grown up. This picture was taken in 2013...Time just goes way too fast. But I have wonderful memories. I'm truly a blessed woman!

I love these children! And I especially loved it when they all got along....enjoy your kids while they are young. Time flies way too fast!!!

This was taken in June of 2014. This was the last time all four of my children were together. It's the day our daughter left on her mission for England Birmingham. I so love all of them SO much!!! 

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6)

Day 10 (Dec. 10th) #LIGHTtheWORLD "Jesus helped others walk and so can you."

"He that saith he abideth in Him ought himself also so to walk, even as He walked" (1 John 2:6).
As I read this scripture, I thought of how I am sometimes crippled by not walking as Christ walked by being short of temper, being impatient or rude, or not forgiving quickly (just to name a few of the ways I cripple myself and others). It is really hard to always, every single minute, to walk the same as Jesus did.

But we can rejoice in the "good news" of the gospel (see Gospels), we don't always have to be lost or crippled. We can follow Jesus Christ by repenting and then keep trying. We walk as He did by partaking of the sacrament and renewing our covenants with Him. As we do this, we take His name upon us and we keep trying to "walk, even as He walked" (see 1 John 2:6). I love this quote by Pres. Dieter F. Uchtdorf, "Let us not give up. Let us be true to our covenants. let us never lose sight of our Advocate and Redeemer as we walk toward Him, one imperfect step after another" (Four Titles).

We don't need to stay crippled. "For we walk by faith, not by sight" (2 Corinthians 5:7). It is because of Jesus Christ that we can have a "peaceable walk with the children of men" (Moroni 7:4 (3-4)). We can keep trying, keep walking. He walks with us all along the way. This I testify.

"I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18)

Day 9 (Dec. 9th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus Visited the Lonely and So Can You"

Just a couple of thoughts about visiting the lonely-

As I thought about the word lonely I looked to see what some of the synonyms would be: abandoned; alone; apart; by oneself; comfortless. It was the last word that caught my attention- comfortless.

Christ promised that we would not be left comfortless. He said, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:18) or in other words, "I will not leave you [alone]". Or perhaps even, "I will not leave you lonely". The little footnote says for the Greek Translation for the word comfort is "orphans" (see footnote a). To be an orphan is to truly be alone. Hence, He will not leave us orphaned.

As any good parent would choose for their child, He wants to comfort us. I like to comfort my children with a hug, by drawing them closer to me. But sometimes they push me away. Is that what we might do sometimes when we are alone? We push Him away because we want to have Him comfort us differently?  He promises: "I will come to you" (John 14:18).

As I have pondered this today, there are so many ways that He comforts and comes to me. A beautiful sunrise. Warmer temperatures when I have such a hard time getting warm. The ability to make dinner for our family. Time to visit my mother as she recovers from a fall. Being able to hug my mom. A hug from my children. A phone call from my husband in the middle of the day. Time to visit with friends. I encourage you to ponder the ways that He comforts you. Will you receive Him and let Him in? Indeed, He will not leave us comfortless. We are not alone.

"Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do." (Luke 23:34)

Day 8 (Dec. 8th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Jesus prayed for others and so can you"

Two thoughts on praying for others:

Christ said, "Love your enemies, bless them that curse you, do good to them that hate you; and pray for them which despitefully use you, and persecute you" (Matt. 5:44; see also 3 Nephi 12:44). Praying for those who "despitefully" use me, this means I will pray for those who hate me or want to harm me. Perhaps when I am offended, or easily hurt, this might be a good place for me to begin practicing this very thing.

Christ, of course, set the perfect example while on the cross. "Then said Jesus, Father, forgive them; for they know not what they do. And they parted his raiment, and cast lots" (Luke 23:34). Jesus Christ prayed for the soldiers who put Him on the cross, crucified Him, and then gambled about who would get His garments. When Christ prays for them, He asks that they be forgiven, because they don't know what they are doing. Perhaps this is the same when others offend me or hurt me. They don't really know that I am hurt or offended. As I have tried to see the person and their heart, I usually find that they have no desire to harm or hurt me. I have found it so much easier to forgive others when I step back and look at the intent of the person's heart. I must say, God always helps me forgive them when I ask that they be forgiven.

The Crucifixion of Christ, artist unknown
In this particular painting you can see the soldiers wagering for the garments of Christ

The Crucifixion, by Harry Anderson
In this particular painting you see a Soldier in the front, seeming to ponder, or perhaps tired from the work of  crucifying others.

"...come ye, buy, and eat..." (Isaiah 55:1)

Day 7 (Dec. 7th) #LIGHTtheWORLD "Jesus Fed the Hungry and So Can You"

Just a couple of thoughts about feeding the hungry-(or in this instance, eating when I'm hungry).

Sometimes, when I get hungry I get "hangry" (that's angry when hungry). I am old enough now that I should be able to be aware of the "tantrum" I am throwing when I need to eat. The simple solution to this problem: Eat!

I have to ask myself this same question but apply it to eating spiritually. "Ho, every one that thristeth, come ye to the waters, and he that hath no money; come ye, buy, and eat; yea, come, buy wine and milk without money and without price" (Isaiah 55:1). Buy and eat. It is like a drive-thru, I will have food that quickly, when I open my scriptures and eat. My family sure likes it when I am fed.

"...let your soul delight in fatness." (2 Nephi 9:51)

Day 6 (Dec. 6th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
Jesus Read the Scriptures and So Can You

Some quick thoughts about reading the scriptures.

I have to share with you that a little over 16 years ago I began a serious study of the scriptures. I set aside time every day to truly "feast upon the words of Christ" (2 Nephi 32:3). As I did so, I found that I hungered and "thirsted" after the words of Christ. I "let my soul delight in fatness" and I did "feast upon that which perisheth not, neither can be corrupted" (2 Nephi 9:51).

I used to say, "I wish I had no trials." Now, after all these years of "delighting in fatness", I want to say, I am grateful for the "trials and troubles" (see Alma 38:5) I have been given. For in them, I have been taught of Christ as I have applied the words that I have read and studied all these years. Some trials, I wouldn't want to go through again, but as I went through them I have learned for myself that "the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do" (2 Nephi 32:3). God has "delivered [me] out of [my] trials, and [my] troubles, and [my] afflictions" (Alma 38:5).

If you haven't done so already, I invite you to "feast upon the words of Christ...and delight in fatness" (see 2 Nephi 32:3; 2 Nephi 9:51). You will find you can have the most amazing experience, even "a love affair with the word of the Lord and that of his prophets" (President Gordon B. Hinckley). Read, study, ponder and pray. It will change your life. This I testify.

These are my scriptures. I love studying from them every day.
You can receive your free copy of the scriptures here. 

Christ "healed them that had need of healing" (Luke 9:11)

Day 5 (Dec. 5th) #LIGHTtheWORLD
"Christ Healed the Sick, So Can You". Quick thoughts about healing the sick.

"And they departed, and went through the towns, preaching the gospel, and healing every where. ...And the people, when they knew it, followed [Jesus]: and he received them, and spake unto them of the kingdom of God, and healed them that had need of healing" (Luke 9:6, 11). We all need healing. As we come unto Christ, He will heal us. I know that as we are kind, loving, forgiving, and caring, we can help heal others too.

I love that my focus must be Christ and then I will receive riches to help others. "And after ye have obtained a hope in Christ ye shall obtain riches, if ye seek them; and ye will seek them for the intent to do good- to clothe the naked, and to feed the hungry, and to liberate the captive, and administer relief to the sick and the afflicted" (Jacob 2:19). There are so many people starving for the truth, for comfort in their afflictions, for relief from the many different kinds of pain. When we focus on Christ first, He will show us how and who we can help heal.

I am so grateful for the knowledge that "weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning" (Psalms 30:5). The promise of being healed is as sure as the sun will rise. This I testify.

The morning always comes. We can help heal others as we care and serve them in joy and gladness.

Day 5 (Dec. 5th) #LIGHTtheWORLD

"We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience..." (Articles of Faith 1:11)

Day 4, (Dec. 4th) #LIGHTtheWORLD

Just a few thoughts about worshipping my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ.

I start with the question: What does it mean to worship God? "Love, reverence, service, and devotion for God (D&C 20:19). Worship includes prayer, fasting, church service, participating in gospel ordinances, and other practices that show devotion and love for God." (Worship). We can also worship God when we sing. (see Sing)

And from this, I must ask myself, how do I show my love and devotion to God? As I have pondered this question I have realized that over the years my love for God has deepened. I want to do all that He asks of me. I continually try to be obedient even by following the command: "Do all things without murmurings and disputings." (Philippians 2:14) I am perpetually practicing this.

I do love singing and music. The Psalmist says: "Make a joyful noise unto the Lord, all ye lands. Serve the Lord with gladness: come before His presence with singing" (Psalms 100:1-2). And in modern revelation we are taught: "For my soul delighteth in the song of the heart; yea, the song of the righteous is a prayer unto me, and it shall be answered with a blessing upon their heads." (D&C 25:12) When we sing praises to God, we are worshiping Him. This makes me truly happy!

One last thought about worshipping God. This is part of our doctrine in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: "We claim the privilege of worshiping Almighty God according to the dictates of our own conscience, and allow all men the same privilege, let them worship how, where, or what they may" (Articles of Faith 1:11). For me, this is vital! Being able to worship God how I would like is a privilege I want and therefore I also allow others to worship as they see fit. I am so grateful I can worship God and I invite you to worship Him by attending a church service. You are always welcome to attend one of our congregations throughout the world by searching here.

The Christus at the North Visitors Center in Salt Lake City
Link to view other images of Christ

"Look to God and live" (Alma 37:47)

Day 3 (Dec. 3rd)

Some thoughts for day 3 for #LIGHTtheWORLD

As I have pondered what to share today about seeing. I thought of many words that suggest some sort of seeing in the scriptures: see, sight , awake, insight, behold, look, perceive, observe, discern, watch, view, and even blind. Theses words describe seeing in various forms. Every single one of these words could be a scripture study in and of itself. I might also ponder what they imply spiritually.

I love that Christ gives us sight to see, that we may see "things as they really are" (Jacob 4:13). But all too often I wonder if I am "blinded by anger...by indifference, revenge, hate, prejudice, ignorance, or by missing precious opportunities to grow" (Pres. Monson). I have plenty of things I need to work on. It's about seeing that I might be healed (see Isaiah 6:10; Alma 33:21; Acts 28:27)

Which takes me to the wonderful sight that comes as we repent, turning to God. I love this phrase: "Look to God and live" (Alma 37:47). If we truly look- we shall "see", and we shall have a whole new view.

"Look to God and live"

"Honour thy father and thy mother" (Deuteronomy 5:16)

Day 2 (Dec. 2nd)

Just a couple of thoughts for day 2 of #LIGHTtheWORLD.

Christ taught us to "Honour thy father and thy mother, as the Lord thy God hath commanded thee; that thy days may be prolonged, and that it may go well with thee, in the land which the Lord thy God giveth thee". (Deuteronomy 5:16) This is one of the Ten Commandments. It is also a commandment with a promise. I love that we are promised to have our days prolonged.

I have to ask, what does it mean to  honor my parents? The Guide to the Scriptures says this about honor: "As usually used in the scriptures, to show respect and reverence to someone or something". The scripture does not say, obey your parents. The Guide to the scriptures says this about obey: "In a spiritual sense, obedience is doing God's will". When I honor my parents I show respect for them and in so doing, I am obeying the will of God.

I am so grateful for the love, patience, goodness and kindness my parents have taught me and shown me. I continue to learn from them about repentance, forgiveness, service, and dedication. On Sundays I have been doing "Sunday Selfies" with my mom. It has been so fun to "make family history" with her as we have done this. Every once in awhile my dad will participate too. I like to do a "happy face" and a "goofy face". In these particular photos I couldn't stop laughing because my parents were hilarious!

Making family history. I love these two people SO much!!!

"Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14)

Day 1 (Dec. 1st)

Today is the kick-off for Light the World challenge. This challenge invites everyone in the world to honor Christ by "following His example of sharing light and love". What a wonderful idea and way to focus on the true meaning of Christmas. Each day there are suggestions or ideas that can inspire you to help #LIGHTtheWORLD.

Today's challenge was a day of service. I love what Christ has taught us about serving others:

"Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me." (Matthew 25:40)

 "And behold, I tell you these things that ye may learn wisdom; that ye may learn that when ye are in the service of your fellow beings ye are only in the service of your God." (Mosiah 2:17)

As we participate and take this challenge to heart we will be letting our "light so shine before men, that they may see [our] good works, and glorify [our] Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16). This is a way for us to fill our hearts with the joy of the season; that there may be "on earth peace, good will toward men" (Luke 2:14).

Have fun as you #LIGHTtheWORLD. And remember: "Ye are the light of the world" (Matthew 5:14). You are SO loved!!!

(Here is another Link to the challenge)