This post is dedicated to the amazing people here on this earth that probably really don’t belong here but heavenly Father needs them to be here to show the rest of us that becoming like Christ really is possible.  We all have them in our lives and HONESTLY where would we be with out them? 

My dear friend Michelle Marsh is one of these people for me.  She has had some very difficult trials through out her life but has always no matter what remained true to her faith in Jesus Christ – true to His commandments – and true to herself.  She knows who she is and she can see other people the way that God sees them.  She is always the first to volunteer to help, to serve, to give.  She never forgets the things that are most important – family – faith – love.  She really is the best.

She was there for me in a really hard time in my life and showed me how to be a soldier – wounded – but a soldier nonetheless.  She taught me about faith, but she showed me charity.  She truly is an angel.  I honestly believe that the only reason the Lord has allowed her to be here this long is because so many people need her.  She is a blessing to everyone she comes into contact with.

Right now she is going through a terrific struggle, maybe the worst of her life.  I want so badly to take away the pain and make everything better but I know that is not my place.  There is only one person who can do this, our Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that most who read this blog don’t know Michelle or her situation but she could use some extra prayers right now.  Especially pray for her son Darius – whom I can’t describe or else I will cry – just know he is the sweetest young man you could ever know.  They are going through a tough test and Michelle recently wrote me and said, “Your prayers are what we need, the more people that are holding him in their prayers the more able we are to hold onto him I think.”  

I know the power of prayer and I know many of you do as well.  I also know that I have some mom’s that read this blog and I just ask that all you moms say a prayer of great faith for this amazing mother who is fighting with everything she has for her son.  You may not know them personally but remember that we are all brothers and sisters – we pray for people we don’t know everyday – “please bless the missionaries, our troops, the homeless this winter…”  If everyone who reads this blog could pray for Michelle and Darius by name – maybe just even once – I know that it would help.

We should always pray for the Lords will to be done – but strength, hope, faith, healing, and protection are all needed here too for everyone involved.  I invite everyone who reads this to say a prayer for this family that I love so much.  Sometimes even angels needs our prayers…

Thank you!

My handsome (dare I say SEXY) husband changed the oil in our car yesterday all by himself for the first time and the car is running great!!!!  He is so amazing!  He works so hard to learn the things he needs to know to be the best Dad and husband he can ever be.  He works so hard in school and works so hard to provide for us while trying to secure a future in his dream of film making.  He really is our superman!  I LOVE HIM SO MUCH!!!!  

Last night he was so amazing.  I came home and he had gotten everything done that I asked him to do yesterday (it was his day off).  He also had dinner READY (and it was SOOOO good)!  As soon as I walked through the door he turned off the radio he was listening to and asked how my day was and just listened to me vent.  Then we sat down for dinner and talked and watched one of our favorite shows together.  Then later on I found out there was a hockey game on against the Flyers that I KNEW he would want to be watching but he didn’t mention the game ONCE all night he just talked to me and listened.  Then we went up to be and we talked some more until I was too tired and wanted to go to sleep.  OH! And he shaved – I love it when he is clean shaven – SO SOFT!!!!  I HAD THE PERFECT HUSBAND LAST NIGHT!  It was the best.

He really is so amazing all the time (not just last night) and I just need everyone to know how great he is.  I love him so much.  He even sings primary songs (the ones he knows – and sometimes I help him with the words) to Freddy sometimes at night.  He just wants to be a great dad and I know he will be.  ISN’T MY HUSBAND AWESOME???

P.S.  Thanks DAD Edwards and DAD Coffield who are awesome examples to him.  WE LOVE YOU TWO SO MUCH!

Burgess and I are in a difficult spot right now as we are trying to get ready for this baby to come here in a few more months.  We are trying to get everything in order while looking for a better job for Burgess (one that would hopefully have benefits) and also make preparations for Burgess (and I hopefully) to be able to finish school.  We are in the process of making these important decisions and are trying very hard to be keeping the commandments and seeking guidance from Heavenly Father but we could use all the extra prayers anyone wants to offer for our little (but growing) family.  

We love you all and know the power of combined faith and thank you in advance for your prayers and love.  

p.s. We miss you Young PapPap

Only in a day has the term “Historic Election” become a cliche, but how else can we describe it?  My son will read about this election the way we only hear about Jackie Robinson, Martin Luther King and other groundbreakers of their time.  It is a true blessing that we live in a country that lets us have a say in our government, we wanted change we got to choose who ushered in that change.  I hope all that live within these borders never take that for granted.

I did not vote for President Obama, in fact I had a hard time voting for Senator McCain.  I feel both campaigns were almost entirely unethical.  Frankly I was disgusted with both candidates, and strongly feel that this is one thing that must change.  It has become an accepted part of politics to slander your opponent as brutally as possible so come election day the majority will have so much hate for your opponent that they could not possibly vote for him.  Brothers and sisters, ladies and gentlemen, THIS IS NO WAY TO RUN A CAMPAIGN!  Why must we breed hate for the other person? When did the mentality change from “I’ll give people a reason to vote for me,” to “I’ll make sure nobody will vote for him!”  It is a shame that an event so historic like this election had to come from something so ugly.  

Two billion dollars* was spent on these two campaigns.  Spent on TV ads that were filled with abhorrent messages about the opposing party, debates that felt more like temper-tantrums, and numerous papers on everyone’s doors that served as more wasteful tales of negativity.  How much good could have been done with that two billion dollars?  I know it takes money to run a campaign, to travel to all the states, organize rallies, and advertise, but $2,000,000,000?  If you do have that much to spend why not be grounded in a positive message?  Tell us why we should vote for you. Neither candidate is free from blame, both slung the same amount of dirt as the other.  It is a mockery of power, a complete waste of money, and above all immoral.

There once lived a very intelligent and spiritual man named James E Talmage.  He wrote a parable that I read about four years ago, it is entitled “The Parable of Two Lamps.” Here is a link for you all to read it, it is the third parable at this site: CLICK HERE  I will always remember this parable and feel that if this was a guide for all future candidates, no hatred would be bred, we would be open to learning from each other, and be much more accepting.

I am a proud citizen of this country, I know President Obama is my president. I lived the majority of my life overseas, and have a very international view of the world, travel has shaped who I am today. I hope that this election will help smooth tensions between us and other countries, we can learn a great deal from each other.

Right now I find it very important to speak my mind.  As this election draws near I have developed a new sense of fear, a fear I have never experienced before.  I have always had a great sense of pride in this country and have always felt safe living under the constitution that I believe was set up by men inspired by God Himself.  But now, as so many people are feeling so passionate about this election and speaking their minds so openly I have become scared for the future and I have turned to my Father in heaven for comfort and guidance.

My fear developed as I realized that people who have the same family values, religious beliefs, strong Christian faith, and love of God have forgotten to take Him and His judgements into account when viewing our country’s present situation and future.

This is a scary time for EVERYONE!  I don’t know one family that hasn’t been effected by the present economy and had to make sacrifices in one way or another to keep their family going.  I know there are many people who would be in a completely desperate situation if they lost their job and health insurance (myself included).  I know that many people worry about falling into another depression and losing everything.  I know that many people often worry about our national security.  These are all legitimate fears and concerns for every citizen and especially for moms and dads.  Remember though, to put your faith before your fear.

Let us not lose faith in the God who created us!  What does he teach us all throughout the scriptures over and over and over again?  ”If ye keep my commandments, ye shall prosper in the land.”  This solid simple statement was not meant for just those in biblical times, it was meant for all of Gods children and God has proved this time and time and time again.  We have example after example in the scriptures of those who observed God’s commandments being preserved and protected in troubling times.  Things were not always easy, sacrifices were necessary, but they were preserved and taken care of even in the worst of times.

I have heard many people in these “latter-days” bear witness to the same truth in their lives.  I have heard time and time again, “When I am doing what’s right, I’m always happier and I always feel so much closer to Heavenly Father.”  We are happy when we do what is right because we are closer to Heavenly Father and we are confident that He will watch over us and help us take care of our families no matter what happens.  The Mormon pioneers are a perfect example of this.  They made sacrifices to keep the commandments of God.  It was not easy, they suffered all manner of afflictions, but they were preserved, watched over and blessed.  If these destitute pioneers driven out to wander in the wilderness can come into a dry desert and turn it into a busy beautiful city of plenty, then we will surely make it through our tribulations as well.  The Lord will not forget His children in any situation at any time.  We need to remember this.  We need to remember Him and His miraculous power and marvelous love.

At this very scary time, I must bear my testimony to everyone I can that God is there.  He loves us.  He will watch over and protect us.  The commandments He has asked us to always remember and to hold sacred are for the sake of our eternal happiness.  He knows the right way, He can see in one eternal round.  He has the power to preserve, protect and care for all of His children.  He gave His most precious possession, His only begotten Son to preserve, protect and care for us.  He will NOT turn away from us now or ever, but we must ever turn toward Him.

Please remember when it comes time to cast your vote, or choose to stand with people who want to lead in a direction that you feel is important for this country’s future that God will take care of us.  He can take care of all of the things that we are worried about.  He can help us through times of economic depression and threats on national security.  He knows the answers to health care and education.  These are all things that He can help us resolve and His hand will always watch over those who keep His commandments.

Please remember that He knows the importance of the family.  The family is the single most important building block of this county, of every country and His kingdom.  He has been clear on this from the very beginning.  Please don’t forget this.  It is one thing to say we believe these things and we will live them, but it is another thing to then choose to stand with someone who does not support the family the way God has created it, because he or she claims to be able to give everyone healthcare.  It is one thing to say that we believe that abortion is wrong but then to vote for someone who doesn’t agree because he or she claims to be able to solve the nations economic state by cutting taxes and putting emphasis on alternative power solutions.  

You can say that you believe in God and His commandments and try to live them as best you can but when it comes down to it who will you stand by?  Will you choose to stand with those who still hold true to the commandments God has established since the earliest of times or will you choose to stand with those who don’t because your afraid of losing your house, your car, your savings, your security and you think just maybe those people will keep their promises and make everything better?

Who has always proven to keep His promises always and no matter what?  Who is truly the only one we can trust?  We must put our trust in the arm of God not in the arm of flesh.  Once again, I ask you to turn your mind to the scriptures and remember that God will take care of us if we stand by Him.  

Put your faith in God and choose to stand with Him before you choose to stand with any candidate of any kind.  Remember what is truly important and take courage in those who have gone before.  Be willing to make sacrifices to protect what is true and what is important.  We must stand together with God.  If we do this we will be fine.  He has promised it.  He will not break His promises.  This I know is true.