By Default...

Instead of posting a talk today I thought I'd tell you something I learned at Womens Conference a few weeks ago. I thought about it a lot today and, well, I hope you don't mind. :)

In one of my classes I went to the speaker was from Alabama, which is tornado country. She showed us some slides while she talked. One picture was of her nice tall house. She told of a day she was leaving to go into town and left her husband and kids at home. It looked like a storm was coming when she left. Well, she got into town and it was too dark, rainy and windy that she pulled off the road into a back parking lot of a business.

She turned on the radio only to hear that a tornado was headed her way. She buckled her seatbelt on braced herself for a ride.

The tornado went straight down the street she was just on.

She called her husband to tell him she was alright and that the tornado had passed. He told her that the news is predicting the tornado is headed straight for their house. While they were talking they lost service.

Their family had previously decided that if they were ever home when a tornado hit that they would go under their stairs until the tornado passed. She hoped that this is what they were doing.

A little while later she got a call from her sister saying that everyone was alright but that the tornado hit her house. This call was disconnected too.

She didn't get home until the next day. Her house was completely destroyed.

Honestly it was amazing to me when I saw the picture that everyone, let alone anyone in the house survived.

Her family had all gone under the stairs like they had decided to do when they planned for it and they were all protected.

By previously deciding what they would do if a tornado struck they had confidence in a very dangerous and frightening situation.

They lived in tornado country. They knew the threat and they were prepared.

WHAT are some possible dangers that could threaten you PHYSICALLY?

EARTHQUAKE, FLOOD, FIRE, etc?

What is your plan? Does your family know the plan?

HOW about SPIRITUALLY?

BAD THOUGHTS, PORNOGRAPHY, ANGER?

What is your plan? When this danger threatens you, what are you going to do? By default we will do something. We always do something no matter if it is our best choice or not. By default we always do something.

Take a minute and really answer these questions. What are the dangers that you think you will face in your lifetime or maybe today or this week? WHAT WILL YOU DO?

Somethings that are dangers to me are getting easily frustrated with my kids. Since I had my third baby I yell at my kids more because it is easier. I do not like it when I yell at my kids. I know the Spirit leaves when I yell. That sounds pretty dangerous to me. I need to have the Spirit always. The Spirit is a protection I can have if I do things that are conducive to the Spirit. I don't think yelling is conducive to the Spirit. :)

When I feel like yelling my default will be that I will sit on the floor. Unless my child is going to get hit by a car or unless their is a fire like President Monson says, I will sit on the floor and change my focus. I will just sit right down until I feel better. Then I will start again.

When I have a bad thought, my default will be to sing a hymn out loud or in my mind.

I think this tornado story is a great illustration for kids on the importance of having a plan. What are they going to do when someone calls them a name? If they feel angry? If they are approached by a stranger? If they are offered drugs?

There is power in having a plan. "IF YE ARE PREPARED, YE SHALL NOT FEAR".

thanks for letting me share. i hope this gets you thinking. i hope you do something about it.

i hope you made it to the end. :) i hope you have a great week!

Mondays "Fruit Basket" :)

Well folks, we are moving. We are getting ready to put our house up for sale next week. I would have never believed I could be excited about moving. I have loved my house, neighborhood, ward, everything about living here! But I am just thrilled! It is where we are supposed to go and we are really happy about it!

In an effort to simplify...I don't want to slack on my wifely efforts ya know. I will post a Fruit basket every Monday! That way we can all choose things that will work for the day we are having. Hopefully you will find this helpful as well. :)

THE FRUIT BASKET

* Pray for your spouse-even if you don't think they need it

* Dry erase marker on the mirror a nice note of praise or encouragement

* Smile a little more

* Be affectionate- cuddle while watching your favorite show

* Make their favorite treat or buy it :)

* Greet them at the door when they get home with a minty fresh kiss

I will still try and post a talk on Sunday. Have a great week!

Happy Mothers Day!

I absolutely loved THIS talk by Sheri Dew. I have never heard this talk. Just in case you don't have time to read the whole thing I took some highlights out. If you can, read her talk. She is one amazing women! Happy mothers day to all of you!!! Kids or no kids, married or single!

"We are all mothers in Israel, and our calling is to love and help lead the rising generation through the dangerous streets of mortality...Few of us will reach our potential without the nurturing of both the mother who bore us and the mothers who bear with us."

"Never has there been a greater need for righteous mothers—mothers who bless their children with a sense of safety, security, and confidence about the future, mothers who teach their children where to find peace and truth and that the power of Jesus Christ is always stronger than the power of the adversary. Every time we build the faith or reinforce the nobility of a young woman or man, every time we love or lead anyone even one small step along the path, we are true to our endowment and calling as mothers and in the process we build the kingdom of God.

We just can’t let the Lord down. And if the day comes when we are the only women on earth who find nobility and divinity in motherhood, so be it. For mother is the word that will define a righteous woman made perfect in the highest degree of the celestial kingdom, a woman who has qualified for eternal increase in posterity, wisdom, joy, and influence."

"I know, I absolutely know, that these doctrines about our divine role are true, and that when understood they bring peace and purpose to all women. My dear sisters, whom I love more than I know how to express, will you rise to the challenge of being mothers in these perilous times, though doing so may test the last ounce of your endurance and courage and faith? Will you stand steadfast and immovable as a mother in Israel and a woman of God? Our Father and His Only Begotten Son have given us a sacred stewardship and a holy crown in their kingdom. May we rejoice in it. And may we be worthy of Their trust. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen."

just a lick?

Today take a break from everything you have going and run and get an ice cream cone! You can take the kids if you have to. :)

I know it isn't as healthy as eating an apple but who can say no to a little ice cream now and then! Have fun!

what is it about food?

It seems almost every time I go to make a post I think of things that have to do with food? I do like food, I eat often and I love treats in really any form. But seriously?

Is food romantic? Is food fun? Is food funny? Can food change the mood?

You know what? I think it is and it can!

So maybe that is why I always think about food when I think about marriage! :)

The apple for the day is: make the bed pretty and nice and then leave a treat on their pillow. :)

Puzzled?

Well, I'll tell you I love to do puzzles. I think it would make a lovely date night.

Topic of conversation:

if you could take pictures or draw something for puzzles what would they be of?

It's in...

the little things.

What are they though? What are the little things for you and your spouse?

hugs, kisses, notes with lunch, a favorite treat and a conversation a text that says I love you?

The apple for the day is: do as many of these as possible! It is the little things that matter! Make it a point to show your spouse you love em'! Have a great day!

Ice Cold?

Well, it wasn't ice cold - but refrigerator cold. The effect would've been the same either way.

I was asked recently to get my wife a glass of water, so I got the cup, went to the tap- then paused a moment and decided to get the pitcher out of our fridge with water that was now nicely chilled. Why you might ask? She was taking a nice warm (actually hot) bath. I had to resist pouring it on her because, well, let's just say all our kids would've woken up if I did it because she would not have expected it. Every once in a while I like to enjoy a good laugh, but not always at the expense of somebody else.

Apple for the day: See if there is an opportunity to do something to your spouse that would cause a sudden burst of LAUGHTER - not screaming by the way. Maybe it is hiding behind a door on your way to bed, or a plastic bug from your kids' toys in the bed, or just a nice good hearted funny joke or video on youtube. Whatever it is - laugh today, it is great medicine and really fun.

Monday moment...

The Apple for the day is: Take a moment, just watch your spouse. Appreciate them. Think of all the things you love about them. Take just a moment.

Some Inspiration

I love reading talks on marriage. I searched and found this one by Elder Scott. I hope you enjoy it too! Have a great week!

slip it to em'!

The apple for the day is: Send your spouse a note in sacrament meeting tomorrow. If you know you will have your hands full then prepare the note in advance. Otherwise, write a note on the program or some other paper you have and slip it to them with a wink during the meeting. :)