"Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world" (Helaman 5:47).

This scripture has been rambling around in my head a lot lately. "Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid" (John 14:27). If you add in the foot notes it reads as follows: "God's peace I leave with you, my contentment I give unto you". As I have pondered this scripture many things have come to mind. I would like to share just a few thoughts.

The way the world often gives peace or contentment is to search for more "stuff". Every time I try this, it only gives me temporary or fleeting "peace", but not the calm, stillness or inner peace that I know that Christ is offering me. Christ's ways are not our ways. He has a higher view and a higher way of doing things (see Isaiah 55:8-9). He says, "Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God" (D&C 101:16; see also Psalms 46:10). What a powerful and tender reminder that He is God. He knows all that we suffer, all that we need, all our pains and afflictions, all our temptations (see Alma 7:11-12) . And yet, He says: "Be still and know that I am God". Trust in Him and His ways. It's not easy, but I know it is possible no matter what our situation in life.

Grateful for the "silver lining" in all things.
 It's evidence in the sky of God's love for us.

When I have sought peace in more "stuff" it has only brought the burden of caring for more, well, stuff. I find it interesting that Paul says to Timothy, "But godliness with contentment is great gain. For we brought nothing into this world, and it is certain we can carry nothing out. And having food and raiment let us be therewith content" (1 Timothy 6:6-8). We definitely don't get to carry anything out with us and thus, having "more" isn't the answer to peace. Gratitude for the blessings I have received and continue to receive brings me great peace and joy. We have been taught by prophets to "...live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which he doth bestow upon you" (Alma 34:38) and "Thou shalt thank the Lord thy God in all things" (D&C 59:7; see also The Divine Gift of Gratitude). Expressing gratitude in the midst of challenges and trying times isn't easy, but it sure is peace making and joy giving.

So grateful for the beautiful sunsets, even the pollution
that makes them even more colorful.
Definitely evidence that I am truly blessed
 because it reminds me that I have been blessed
 with a car for transportation.

President Joseph F. Smith proclaimed: "The grateful man sees so much in the world to be thankful for, and with him the good outweighs the evil. Love overpowers jealousy, and light drives darkness out of his life. Pride destroys our gratitude and sets up selfishness in its place. How much happier we are in the presence of a grateful and loving soul, and how careful we should be to cultivate, through the medium of a prayerful life, a thankful attitude toward God and man!"(Gospel Doctrine, 5th ed.[1939], 263; see also Live in Thanksgiving Daily).

I needed this reminder that Christ does leave me with His peace. Gratitude is only one simple way to open up our hearts and feel it. I testify with the words of God that He offers us His peace as we exercise faith in Him. "Peace, peace be unto you, because of your faith in my Well Beloved, who was from the foundation of the world" (Helaman 5:47).

Grateful for an awesome husband that consistently captures our family events with photos. He's way better at remembering to take pictures than I am. So glad he does it!

Definitely grateful for these two boys. They crack me up! I am so glad they keep me laughing because I need it. (This is a photo of them before heading off to trek at 5am)

Definitely grateful for these two! It is so nice when Lara is home. Slade and Lara are good friends. Lara gave Slade this "football" for his birthday. (Can't believe he just turned 11!) Love it when my children are friends!

And...I am SO grateful to be able to ride and live close to more than one temple (learn more about temples here). Both of these things make me a better wife and mother, the ultimate blessing and for which I am truly grateful to be to these amazing people in my life!

"Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live" (3 Nephi 15:9)

I am of the opinion that everything in life happens for a reason. Sometimes we may not like the reason, but we get to choose how we view it. This is my view of what happened and one of the many things I learned from riding in the ULCER, a century or 100 mile bike ride, with my dad. I must say thanks to my dad because I got to learn these things at his expense. I am truly grateful for his love, his example and his endurance. Here is the short version of my perspective of what took place.

On the ULCER, after riding about 80 miles, my dad's legs totally locked up with cramps. He told me he was mentally telling his legs to move, but they were frozen in pain, or perhaps more like agony. There were several people who stopped to help him as he lay on the ground after falling over because his legs cramped up so badly. There was my brother, who had been about 10 feet behind him, a doctor (he was an O.B. nevertheless, he greatly helped my dad), an EMT, and a woman (Monica) and her husband whom my dad had met and talked with on the ride. Much to my dad's chagrin, he had to SAG, or drop out of the ride. He was deeply disappointed.

At the "finish line", when my dad returned he was offered a finishers medal. I was told that at first he refused the medal, he believed he didn't deserve it because he hadn't ridden to the finish line. I found this ironic because he had done his best that day, he had completed 80 or so miles! But for my dad, it was all or nothing.

In this experience I saw this as similar to life. We are all blessed when we "endure to the end" (see Alma 32:13-15; 2 Nephi 31:20; James 5:11). But sometimes I think I have to do it all or there is no reward. This just isn't true! Just as my dad had an angel volunteer who drove him and his bike to the end, we all have angels help us get to the end. Even Christ had help as He endured all that was required of Him (see Luke 22:43).  "For we know that it is by grace that we are saved after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23). As much as my dad wanted to complete the 100 miles on his own, his body said, you are "finished". `And it is by the Savior, "after all we can do" (2 Nephi 25:23) we are helped to the end.

Christ said: "Behold, I am the law, and the light. Look unto me, and endure to the end, and ye shall live; for unto him that endureth to the end will I give eternal life" (3 Nephi 15:9). When we look to Christ and endure to "the end", (in my life I find there are many "ends"), "we live"! We aren't just here to live a comfy life of no challenge or danger, but we live in Light, thus learning more; more compassion, how to be more kind, more faithful, or even how to care for our bodies, minds and spirits more. We are here to experience "opposition in all things" (2 Nephi 2:11). Christ will lead us through opposition and thus to the end and eventually gives us the "medal", eternal life!

My dad and his "angel", Mike, that brought him to the finish line.

Monica and her husband, angels who stopped and helped my dad. Thank you!!!

My brother (David), me, Kevin, and my Dad. We all "endured to the end" and we live!

Me and my brother-in-law, Kevin, after we had finished. Kevin blew us all away cause he went so fast. Awesome!

Ironically enough, after my dad had been picked up by the "SAG", they came upon David and I when David got a flat. It was wonderful gift for me to see my dad after hearing of his suffering. So grateful for their help and encouragement.

It is so awesome to come in after enduring to the end and see all these wonderful family members cheering us and welcoming us back. (There is another blog right there). I am an incredibly blessed woman.

My parents who are both incredible examples of enduring in all things! I sure love these two amazing people!!!

I am so thankful for the time, support, friendship, and love of my family and my Savior in all that I do, this includes the good as well as difficult times. Over the years I have truly been blessed by many angels in my life, some I am sure don't even know they have done so. Thank you. Keep enduring and live! Hugs!

"... how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings..." (3 Nephi 10:6)

This past week my parents paid for their family members that lives close by them to all go to Lagoon, an amusement park. It has kind of become a family tradition. It is a lot of fun to spend time with family, cousins, in-laws, children; these have become my friends. I enjoy the time we spend together. In a way, it is a gathering of our family. We create memories and binding relationships. Our son, Slade, could hardly wait to get there to be with his cousins. My mother has a great way of gathering her family around her. She has taught me, through her actions, the truth of this statement from the family proclamation: "Successful marriages and families are established and maintained on principles of faith, prayer, repentance, forgiveness, respect, love, compassion, work, and wholesome recreational activities" (The Family: A Proclamation to the World). Being together as a family at Lagoon, for me, has become a "wholesome recreational activity". What great memories we have created through the years.

Interestingly, this particular visit to Lagoon there was a mother peahen (a female peacock) walking around with her baby peachicks. She had three peachicks. The peahen was very attentive and protective of her little ones. That evening, as we were headed back to the pavilion to gather our children to leave, there upon the roof of a small cabin was the mother peahen with her three peachicks all tucked under her! It was an incredible sight to see how she had gathered them for the night. I haven't figured out how she got them on top of the roof, but they were all there. It made me think of this scripture when the Savior says: "O ye house of Israel whom I have spared, how oft will I gather you as a hen gathereth her chickens under her wings, if ye will repent and return unto me with full purpose of heart" (3 Nephi 10:6).

Slade, Lara, Ethan, and Stockton. How I love my children and want to gather them oft! 

(from left to right) Stockton, Slade, Lara, Ethan, Grandpa Bonney, Grandma Bonney, me, and Jeff. So grateful for a matriarch that gathers us often and in love!

My beautiful daughter, Lara, and me. It was so good to see her!

Me with the love of my life, Jeffrey.

Grandma and Grandpa Bonney waiting for the train. So grateful they gather us and help us create great memories.

This is the mother peahen with two of her peachicks. The chicks look like rocks. They are more at the front, look closely and you will see them.

This is the mother with her chicks on a roof of a small cabin. You can see all three chicks: one has it's head tucked in and you just see its tail feathers, and you can see the heads of the other two.

Christ does and is gathering us. As we listen and follow the promptings of His Spirit and our prophet, we will be led and protected in our daily lives. It doesn't mean we won't have challenges, or difficult days. But for me, I know I will have peace, joy, and be filled with the calmness I need a midst the storms of life. Christ is calling us, gathering us to Him physically and spiritually. What a blessing to follow Him and receive His protection and guidance, just as this peahen protected her little ones, and as my mother has continued to gather us and lead her family by example.

"[God] is a God of miracles" (Mormon 9:19).

For a while there I wasn't sure if I would ever be able to ride a bike again. Well, I can't ride my bike. But there has been a miracle...a different form of transportation and I love it! I now ride a trike! (Mine is a Catrike Expedition). I can move again, ride again, train again (although somewhat slower), and I'm outside! It is such a blessing to be able to ride! When things happen, or changes come about there is always a reason. One thing I know for sure is that God is a "God of miracles" (Mormon 9:19).

Me on my new wheels, Catrike Expedition, headed out for a ride.

Changes happen for a reason...just like graduation. My daughter, Lara, graduated this past June and is already at BYU (Brigham Young University). I am coming to understand a little more about what Christ was trying to teach when he said, "For my thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts" (Isaiah 55:8-9). 

Lara, always making me smile. She is such a happy person! 

Lara, on her graduation day. 

Lara with Jeff and me on her graduation day. I love the fact that Lara and her dad have a great relationship. They are quite the pair. Love these people!!!

Lara was ready to move forward and get going with her college education. What I was surprised with is the emotion I felt as my daughter was moving out and going away to college. It is part of the natural process, but I was surprised at how difficult it was for me with this big change in our household and family. When changes take place it is as though our Father in Heaven is saying it's time to move forward, learn something new, or practice something some more. I may not understand why things have to happen or why changes take place, be they physical, emotional, spiritual, or intellectual; but I do know that God "loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things" ( 1 Nephi 11:17). God's whole purpose is to "bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man" (Moses 1:39). 

Change within and around us helps us prepare to be with our Father in Heaven again. Even though there may be changes in my life, it is a great comfort to know that "God is not a partial God, neither a changeable being; but he is unchangeable from all eternity to all eternity" (Moroni 8:18). Life is good, even with all its changes, challenges, losses, joys, increases....all of it. I know that we are loved beyond our comprehension. God truly is a God of miracles. (So happy to be riding again!!!)

Me on my trike, Kevin (my brother-in-law), Fred (my dad), David (my brother), and Garrett (my nieces husband). We are headed out for a 50 mile ride around Bear Lake, Utah. It was a beautiful ride and the temperature was perfect!

In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33)

A few things I have learned from my mother:

"Keep the faith". This is a saying that she says to us often. I love this short and to the point truth. Keeping the faith is about having a bigger perspective when things are not always easy, or perhaps they might not even be good. Recently my mother has had a round of health issues that are quite life altering and will hopefully be “but a small moment” (D&C 121:7). During this time I have had the blessing of serving and spending lots of time with her. She has an incredibly positive attitude about all that she is enduring. As I have watched my mother go through this it has become apparent that “keep the faith” is more than just a nice phrase for her. She lives the teachings of Paul written to Timothy: "... I have kept the faith" (2 Timothy 4:7). I continue to learn to “keep the faith” even when things aren’t ideal from the good example of my mother.

"Be thou an example of the believers". Paul said: "Let no man despise thy youth; but be thou an example of the believers, in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity" (1 Timothy 4:12). My mom truly lives this admonition. She and my dad just celebrated 52 years of marriage. Throughout their marriage I cannot recall my mom ever being negative about my father. She supported him when he wanted to start his umpteenth business, sometimes she would be the only one bringing in money teaching piano. She has never complained that he hasn't attended enough church or isn't spiritual enough. She truly lives this idea of being an example of the believers. She loves my dad, with all his faults, flaws, shortcomings, and his strengths. She has taught me to not complain when my husband works late, but rather rejoice in the fact that he is working and providing for our family. I rejoice in the fact that she loves my dad and lives what she believes "in word, in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in faith, in purity".

"Be of Good Cheer". My mom has this on her answering machine. I have come to love this saying. Christ says it to His disciples just before he goes to the garden of Gethsemane, and Golgotha; before the Atonement. He says: "These things I have spoken unto you, that in me ye might have peace. In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world" (John 16:33). There is much to "be of good cheer" even when we are in the midst of challenges. Throughout my life my mother has been of good cheer, even when things have been desperately difficult for her. She has taught me that Christ has overcome the world, and in Him, all will be made well.

Me with my mother who teaches me by her example, she practices what she preaches.