Whew! Yesterday (Sunday) was a whirlwind, but such a wonderful, uplifting day. First, I was the visiting speaker to another ward in my stake. The other speaker was a high council member and he spoke about the power of prayer and how to recognize answers as we receive them. He made a good point when he noted that many of us pray like we're putting coins into a vending machine. We wait for the answer to instantaneously fall into the tray, like it's a candy bar or something. But usually, prayers come after much study, reflection, and time has passed by. It was an excellent visual and a helpful reminder to me.
Then, I had the opportunity to "visit" my own ward for our ward conference. It was such a spiritual day!
One of our dear ward family members fell into a diabetic coma several months ago and was lifeflighted to Ogden Regional Hospital. There, her family members were told that she likely would not be able to pull through. Still, a week later, she was taken off her ventilator because she was able to breathe on her own. She continued to improve, but was still not expected to live long. After several weeks, she was moved to a nursing home, still in critical, but stable condition. The nurses there all reaffirmed to her family members that it was only a matter of days or weeks until she would be gone. About this time, she received a priesthood blessing from our stake president. He didn't feel prommpted one way or the other about whether or not she would be healed, but after the blessing he looked at her, saw how sick she appeared, and called the relief society president of our ward and told her to expect a funeral in the next few weeks. Miraculously, the next day she woke up. Not only that, but she began talking coherently to the nurses, asking for family members, recognizing visitors. By the end of the day, she was asking for food and able to walk to the bathroom herself. That was about two weeks ago. Yesterday, she walked into sacrament meeting with her husband, who has been inactive for years. As ward members saw her, they could not deny that a true miracle had taken place.
During sacrament meeting, our stake president (who is a member of our ward), told us of yet another miracle that happened during the week. His daughter and son-in-law and their five sweet children have been living with him for about a year because the son-in-law was battling stage four sarcoma. The cancer had already metasticized, and he too, had been dealt a death sentence. Countless doctors had told him that with all the tumors that riddled his insides, there was absolutely no way he would pull through. Still, to buy him as much time with his beautiful family, they commenced with chemotherapy, surgeries, and radiation. At each appointment, with each specialist, he was told the same thing: "Get things in order. Spend as much time with your family as you are able. You will not live long."
At one point, a radiologist looking at his x-rays, said that it looked like there was a "hail storm of tumors" inside his body. There were tens of thousands of them.
Two weeks ago, in one last-ditch attempt to remove some of the largest tumors, he had another major surgery. A day or two later, he and his wife met with their doctor to go over the results of the surgery. The doctor was visibly moved as he tried to explain the unexplainable: according to new tests and scans, the cancer cells were dying. This was medically impossible, but it was still happening. The doctor began crying as he told the couple that a miracle had happened. There was no other word.
So yesterday our stake president announced with tears in his eyes, that his son-in-law is cancer free.
I wish each of you could know this family. They are so sweet and special. They are remarkably strong in the gospel. I've never met a family quite like them. I can't think of anyone more deserving. There was not a dry eye in the congregation.
So my testimony to you is this: miracles still happen. All. The. Time ...
Monday, February 28, 2011
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Miracles Still Happen
Wednesday, February 16, 2011
WEIGH-IN RESULTS
It's now been a month since I went back to Weight Watchers and I'm pleased to announce that I hit my 15 pounds mark tonight at my weigh in. I also got my 5% award. I'm so pleased. I haven't had much time to post lately, but I wanted to make sure I thanked my blog readers for your love and support. As always, I also must thank my loving Heavenly Father. With Him, I know nothing is impossible. :)
Friday, February 4, 2011
FOOD FOR THE BODY
BLUEBERRY OAT MUFFINS
(from my own recipe box)
(Sorry, no pictures this time!)
Serves: 12
PointsPlus: 4 (per muffin)
1 1/4 c. all-purpose flour
1 c. oats
1/2 c. sugar
1 tsp. baking powder
1/2 tsp. baking soda
1/4 tsp. salt
2 egg whites
1/2 c. water
1/3 c. oil (I use canola)
1 c. fresh or frozen, unthawed blueberries or mixed berries
In a bowl, combine firt six ingedients. In another bowl, beat together egg whites, water and oil. Stir into dry ingredients until moistened. Fold in bleberries. Fill paper-lined muffin cups. Bake at 400* for 18-22 minutes or until a toothpick comes out clean. ***These freeze well.
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT-Inspired and NieNie
My life lately has been AWESOME! I feel renewed, motivated, and InSPiReD like I haven't in months. On the weight loss front, I have been working SO hard ... still doing the elliptical machine six days a week, Zumba twice a week, and sticking to plan with WeightWatchers new PointsPlus system (which is amazing!) I lost ten pounds on my own before heading to WW's and since joining three weeks ago, I've lost another 11.5. Yay! I feel amazing, strong, vibrant, confident, beautiful, and hopeful. I've decided to make the 16 Principles from Alma 57-58 that I mentioned in my last FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT post, my guidelines for this battle against weight. I know I just called it a battle, but truly, I am finding a lot of joy. Who knew I could Zumba for an hour straight or do two miles of elliptical machine training? Who knew I could lose 22 pounds in six weeks? Who knew? I know now that nothing is impossible with God. And I feel him with me. I also can feel angels "round about" me as I work. I pray that God will continue to magnify my efforts and maximize my results.
I am also LOVING being an at-home mommy again. It has been an adjustment though. I think I'd forgotten how much work it is. But such blessed work. I want to share something with you that helps me remember what is means to be a mommy ... my favorite blog. I hope you'll go visit this amazing woman's website and read all about her family and about her life. She has quite the story to tell. Her perspective on motherhood reminds me of its sweetness and meaning. Here is a little quote from one of her posts. I have this passage printed and up on my refrigerator ... just to remind me to have fun with my mommyhood:
"I made dinner. It was calming. I fed my children, fulled their tummies, bathed them, combed hair, rubbed lotion on sweet fingers and cheeks. And we happily cleaned up the kitchen and then I put them in their cozy little beds. I kissed freshly brushed mouths, played their lullabies, and quietly shut the door."
Idyllic? Maybe, but believe me ... there is nothing idyllic about the adversity that Stephanie Nielson has faced in order to gain this perspective. You can visit her blog at http://www.nieniedialogues.com/ Also be sure to check out the video the LDS church made about her experience. It's called "My New Life." You can find it in the side bar on her website or search for it on YouTube. Once you meet this amazing woman, you'll fall in love with her and her family. I know she'll change your life too.
Wednesday, January 26, 2011
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"Even when, from a purely human perspective, perfection can appear an impossible challenge to achieve, I testify that our Father and our Savior have made known to us that it is possible to achieve the impossible. Yes, it is possible to achieve eternal life. Yes, it is possible to be happy now and forever." (Jorge F. Zaballos, "Attempting the Impossible," Ensign, November 2009, 34)
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--16 Key Principles for Overcoming Obstacles (Courtesy of the 2000 Stripling Warriors)
This morning, I was tempted to read a magazine while I ate breakfast, but the spirit reminded me of my commitment to start each morning off with meaningful scripture study and prayer, so I noshed on some yummy oatmeal while reading in Alma 57 and 58. I read about the stripling warriors--what courage, determination, and faith they had! As I was reading, I started to really see modern-day connections to how we can all deal with adversity and overcome great obstacles. Here is a list of lessons from these two chapters. I highly suggest you grab your scriptures and read along with me. It's pretty powerful stuff. Yup, you heard me. Stop reading this and go get them. I'll wait ...
Are you back? OK. Here's my list:
16 Key Principles for Overcoming Obstacles
(Courtesy of the 2,000 Stripling Warriors)
1. Recognize your desire. (Alma 57:7)
2. Beware of the enemy. (Alma 57:9)
3. Be persistent. (Alma 57:11-12)
4. Unite with others. (Alma 57:13)
5. Fight with all your strength. (Alma 57:19)
6. Live righteously. (Alma 57:21)
7. Thank God for successes. (Alma 57:26)
8. Trust God to show the way and open doors. (Alma 57:27)
9. Be patient. (Alma 58:7)
10. Pray! (Alma 58:10)
11. Take courage. (Alma 58:12)
12. Go forth with all your might. (Alma 8:13)
13. Keep on moving. (Alma 58:26)
14. Be prepared. (Alma 58:29)
15. Recognize God's help. (Alma 58:39)
16. Always remember what God has done. (Alma 58:40)
I hope that I can take these steps and APPLY, APPLY, APPLY! I am so thankful for these valiant men! Like the stripling warriors, if faithful, we may be injured in our many battles in life, but with God on our side, we will not suffer spiritual death. We will win.
Wednesday, January 19, 2011
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"No matter the size of the issue, how we respond can reset the course of our life." (Elder Donald L. Hallstrom, "Turn to the Lord," Ensign, May 2010, 78-80)
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--It's Time to Change
Tonight I did two things: 1. I visited a ward New Beginnings night (I am in the Stake YW Presidency) and 2. I watched The Biggest Loser.
At the New Beginnings meeting (which was lovely), I noticed three things that upset me. First, my tailbone hurt immensely, second, my posterior end no longer fits comfortably in the standard Relief Society room chairs, and third, because of the pain of my tailbone and the pain of the metal bars of the chair, I had a very hard time paying attention to the meeting. (Mom, please forgive me for the personal and self-degrading nature of this post).
As I watched The Biggest Loser, I noticed a few things as well. I noticed that I cannot sit on the couch comfortably because my tummy feels squished. I cannot sit on the floor comfortably either because I have to lean to one side or the other to avoid putting pressure on my sore tailbone. As I lean to the side, my hips start aching after several minutes. While, watching the show, however, I did NOT have a hard time paying attention. I paid attention to the way the contestants stood and walked and sat. They, too, seemed uncomfortable. They were in physical pain as well. Though most of them outweigh me, I found myself in the same boat. And like them, I want to bail ship!
I love Biggest Loser, not necessarily for the diet and exercise programs exhibited, but for the chance I get to see someone's journey. I love watching the small breakthrough moments, the individual stories and the AHA! moments of each contestant. Today, my not being able to concentrate in the New Beginnings meeting was an AHA! moment. How on earth, can I dedicate myself to serving the Lord in this, and other callings, including motherhood, if I can't even concentrate? How can I give life my best effort if I am uncomfortable and not feeling well? I need to lose this weight. That's all there is to it. I need to start now. I need to be deliberate and to set forth with all the determination I possess. And I need the Lord to help me and guide me allong the way. As Sheri Dew said: "He knows the way because He is the way."
So (now here's the part I'm proud of), following the episode, I calmly went into my room, got my running shoes on, and went downstairs and immediately got to work. I did the elliptical machine for a mile and did some cool down walking. I felt much stronger than I expected I would, and felt that I could have even gone further but I do have a bad cough right now and didn't want to be up all night, so I quit.
Here's the plan: I'm going to keep doing this each night, excluding Sundays. It'll be a little experiment: Can I stick with it? Can I get better at it? Can I see results from it? In addition to exercising, I'm going to return to a specific prompting I received a few weeks ago, to stop eating after 8:30 pm each night. (This is the time I feel most tempted to binge). I'll probably set additional goals down the line, but for now, I'm going to focus on these small steps. In essence, I'll be experimenting, just like Alma taught us to do. I'm having thoughts that these are good things I can do to lose weight, and I'm planting those thoughts, turning them into actions. We'll see if they grow from seeds of thought into plants of results.
I'll keep you posted!
Thursday, January 13, 2011
FOOD FOR THE BODY
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"When obedience becomes our goal, it is no longer an irritation; instead of a stumbling block, it becomes a building block ... Obedience leads to true freedom. The more we obey revealed truth, the more we become liberated." (James E. Faust, "Obedience: The Path to Freedom," Liahona, May 1999, 45, 47)
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Like a Little Child
The scriptures admonish us to become like little children. I have been thinking about that this morning. I think of my own children. They are so full of love for others. They are forgiving. They live life with exuberance and zest. They love to learn. They help each other. They are submissive and (for the most part) obedient. They love to sit with me and hear my voice as I read to them. They love to spend time with each other and with Tyler and I. They love to create things with their own hands. They have so much energy. They live life with passion. They don't think of what they can't achieve, but wonder what they can do.
Am I like a little child? Do I love others as fully as my children do, or do I only see their differences and pick and choose who I will love? Do I readily and humbly forgive those who have offended me? Am I living my life with passion and excitement? My own children can hardly fall asleep at night because they just don't want to miss a single second of life. In the morning, they bounce out of bed, thrilled to face another day of adventure.
One thing about my children is that they love to learn. But they usually like to use a hands-on approach to learning. I think that's the preference for most children. Am I using a hands-on approach to learning gospel principles, helping others, serving my neighbors, and creating beauty all around me, in the same way my children experiment in and out of the classroom?
Kelsey fell down on the playground yesterday and had the wind knocked out of her. She told me about her friend, Ashley, who was there to pick her up and make sure she was ok. She was so grateful that her friend had been there to help her and comfort her. Am I there to help those around me when they fall? Do I offer them my own hand, and comfort them until they can get back on their feet?
Do I truly believe that I have a Father in Heaven and do I obey Him as a child would obey her own father? Do I spend time with Him each day? Do I have a relationship with Him as my children have a relationship with their parents. Do I love to spend time with my own brothers and sisters?
I hope I can learn more from my children. I realize that they can teach me so much about life. I am so grateful for them and for their sweetness and the examples they are to me.
Wednesday, January 12, 2011
DEAR CRACKLIN' OAT BRAN,
I just want to thank you for giving me something to get out of bed for each morning. I love your cinnamony-coconutty goodness. I love that you stay crunchy in my milk, something which many of your peers struggle with. I love you. I'll see you tomorrow!
Love,
Me
FOOD FOR THE BODY
Serves: 4
Points: 3
1 lb. flank steak
Japanese soy sauce to cover
Combine steak and soy sauce in a large zip lock bag and refrigerate for 1-4 hours, turning periodically. Heat the grill. Cook on one side for about 10 minutes and the other for about 5 minutes, depending on desired doneness. Cover with foil and let rest for five minutes. Slice on the diagnol and serve with steamed vegetables and a small baked potato. (Adds points)
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"Joseph's question focused not just on what he needed to know, but also on what needed to be done! His prayer was not simply, "What church is right?" His question was, "Which church should I join?" Joseph went to the grove to ask in faith, and he was determined to act." (Elder David A. Bednar, "Ask in Faith," Liahona, May 2008, 94-97)
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Hard Things
What a whirlwind my life has been these last few weeks! First, the holidays, which were wonderful, simple and full of joy and love. Then, on New Year's Day, I slipped on the ice on my front porch and re-broke my tailbone. OUCH!
On the next Monday, my boss called me and our office manager into his office and let us know his business is failing. He told us that he would probably go under in the next few months and let us know that if we wanted to try and ride it out with him, we could, but he wasn't sure if he'd have enough money to pay us next month. I went home that night and tried to sleep on it, but I couldn't sleep at all. So, I got up and knelt in the living room for quite a while, searching for direction. I felt as if I should go ahead and quit.
I have mixed feelings about my decision. I am a little nervous about our family making it financially without me working. But, I do feel strangely at peace about the decision. I will be able to stay at home with my kiddos for a while, which I have missed SO much. Each moment home has been a blessing, and though I miss my job and my customers, I am so much happier now. I've been cleaning and helping with homework and decorating and cooking and trying very hard to never take any of these opportunities for granted. I am so blessed to be at this point in life, where I really, truly feel the importance and blessing of each aspect of motherhood. If nothing else, being a working mama teaches you to treasure every moment you're given with your family.
I am also so grateful that I will be more available to help Tyler as he heads back to school this semester. I may have mentioned earlier that he struggles with school as one with dyslexia. I am so excited that we will be more able to study together and that he will not have to worry about taking care of the children while I'm gone, in addition to all his other responsibilities.
So, pretty much the only con, is the whole financial aspect. Tyler called his old boss from several years ago and asked if there is potential to come back to work there, even part-time. He made pretty good money there, so if he could get back, it would be a tremendous relief for our family. He was told that they are short-handed, but not quite ready to hire, but to call back every month or so and check back. They are thinking that possibly they could bring him back on in the Spring.
So as you can see, our life is pretty much nuts. But honestly, we'll take it. It's not cancer. It's not divorce. It's not a loss of faith. It's just financial trials. That, we can deal with. That, we can conquer. Together.
At times like these, I'm so comforted to know that I have a loving Heavenly Father who understands and honors the desires of my heart. As I live righteously and with full purpose, I believe that I can achieve joy.
I'm not sure if I've mentioned it before on my blog, but I desperately want to have at least one more baby. Right after Macey was born, while the nurse was in the room washing her up, I had a strong prompting that there was another baby in heaven for me. It was very, very strong. I am so grateful for that prompting, given the financial and physical trials I've had since then, because it's given me something to work towards.
I have three things that are stopping us from trying for another baby now:
1. We have no insurance. (We do now, so this is taken care of)
2. We do not make enough money.
3. I weigh too much to have a healthy pregnancy.
Though I really want to get pregnant NOW, I know that I would be unwise to do so without first overcoming these obstacles. Bloggers, can you please offer a prayer for me? I can't wait too long, because I have PCOS (Polycystic Ovarian Syndrome), which makes it harder to conceive and carry a baby the longer I wait. I've already had four miscarraiges and my risk for more increases with each pound I put on and each year of my life. I need the desire to do something more about my weight. And we need to make more money. I feel a little funny asking for your help, but I do have a testimony of the power of prayer.
Anyway, that's the latest installment in the Walton Family Saga. I love the gospel. I would be lost without its warmth and meaning. I love you all as well. God bless you each in your own endeavors. I'd love to "prayer swap." Please tell me what prayers you are in need of for your own lives. What are you struggling with? What is the desire of your heart?
Friday, December 17, 2010
Tuesday, December 7, 2010
FOOD FOR THE BODY
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"The holy scriptures are like letters from home, telling us how we can draw nearer to our Heavenly Father." --Ardeth Kapp
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Gratitude for the Scriptures
I have a testimony of the truthfulness of the Book of Mormon. I just had to start with that. I can't tell you how much I have learned from reading its sacred pages. I truly have a testimony of the fact that these words were intended not only for our day, but for ME. I am so grateful for the depth of each story, each character, and each passage. I love to turn each page, striving to find personal applications to my own life with the gift of personal revelation.
Last week, I had a HORRIBLE day at work. I'm talking, really, really bad and discouraging. That night as I sat on the floor next to my bed with this precious volume in hand, I prayed for a verse or two that would keep me going. And I turned "randomly" to Alma 38. The words therein were like water seeping into a dry, cracked desert dust.
Then this morning, I was thinking again about HOW on earth to receive direction during this time of great uncertainty and copious choices for our family. I felt prompted to read Alma 37, where I was taught the importance of prayer and scripture study. Verse 37 is a perennial favorite of mine:
"Counsel with the Lord in ALL thy doings, and when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that He may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let thy heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day."
I also love the discussion of faith and righteousness as well as study of the Lord's words serving as a personal, modern-day "Liahona" to each of us. I know from personal experience that without His daily guidance, I DO "tarry in the wilderness, or do not travel a direct course. I am afflicted with hunger and thirst" when I do not choose o study and live His words.
How grateful I am for the scriptures. What would I do without them? What scripture helped you today?
Thursday, December 2, 2010
FOOD FOR THE SPIRIT--Tough Love and Lessons
Wow! You know, life is really CRAZY sometimes! This month has been chaotic to say the least. Tyler started a new second job this week that we are super excited about. He will be teaching computer aided drafting at the local community high school for about 10 hours each week. It's not much, but the pay is much better than we anticipated, so we are so grateful. Plus, teaching CAD has been his dream job since he was in high school, so this is very fulfilling for him. In addition to that, he received a small raise this week from his full-time job. It's not as big as we would've liked, but most raises have been frozen for quite some time and we're not sure anyone else is even getting raises right now, so we'll take it! And to add the the hectic pace we are living, Tyler is now officially registered for Spring Semester at our local university. Whew! I'm not sure that we're both up to the challenges ahead of us, but we are feeling cautiously optimistic that our situation may be starting an upward trend. (I have another secret, but I won't be able to tell you about that for a long, long time. The excitement is killing me! And no, I'm not expecting.)
Anyway, Tyler and I have discussed these exciting changes this week and we've decided that it is really, really neat how the Lord knows our innermost desires, sometimes even better than we do. He knew that Tyler would love this new position and planted the idea in his mind. Tyler went in to talk to the school's principal, with no inkling that there would even be an interest in his propsed program. There was no help-wanted ad. Tyler simply had an idea (fruits of the spirit) which he acted on. A week and a half later, he is working as a teacher, something he dearly loves.
I take great comfort in the fact that the Lord knows each of us this intimately. Sometimes we feel alone and forgotten, but often in those very hours when we cannot even think of taking another step into the dark, a light shines forth, showing the way.
We were reading scriptures with the kids the other day and my eight-year-old daughter made a profound observation. We were reading about Nephi's family when they were sailing toward the promised land. She mentioned that it was the wind that carried them closer to the shores of peace and safety. In her own words: "Mommy, they never would've gotten there without the wind. It's like when we have hard times. Sometimes they can make us better people."
I'm grateful for the "tough love" of my Heavenly Father. So many times during my trials, I would've loved to have been snatched from my trials and set down in a more comfortable spot. But, as I look back at the past, I see that in the most difficult times, my testimony has grown, I have learned new skills, I have become more compassionate, my humility has increased and I have been made more ready to trust in the Lord. I would never trade these lessons for a comfortable, warm "house on the hill." I know the Lord knows my thoughts and desires. He loves me and will always guide me to the lessons I need most. With that in mind, I need never fear. Only believe.
Wednesday, December 1, 2010
DEAR FOOD NETWORK,
I want to thank you for hours and hours of inspiration and entertainment. I love to sit before you, on my comfy couch, with pen and notebook in hand, gaining culinary know-how. I love the feeling I get when I make one of your recipes and it turns out wonderfully delicious. Oh, how I love to take all the credit for these morsels. Please forgive me for never sharing my secret. . . you. Thank you for teaching me about panko and double-boilers, fondant and taragon, reductions and most of all, myself. You have brought to my attention a new passion and have taught me to dream big. Thanks to you, all roads lead to my DELICIOUS future!
Love,
Kristen
P.S. My family thanks you as well.
Saturday, November 13, 2010
FOOD FOR THOUGHT
"Sisters, we love you. We pray for you. Be strong and of good courage. You are truly royal spirit daughters of Almighty God. You are princesses, destined to become queens. Your own wondrous story has already begun. Your 'once upon a time' is now." (President Dieter F. Uchdorf, "Your Happily Ever After," Ensign, May 2010)
DEAR KITCHEN CHAIRS,
Thank you kindly for being there for me whenever I need to get something done without the children underfoot. It is so nice of you to line up in the living room and allow the kids to play "train" while I wash the dishes in peace. Oh, how they love to toot and wave out your imaginary windows, whilst I scrub away. You all are truly some of the best friends a mother could have.
Sincerely,
Kristen
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