A new best friend!

 I had to sew a few accessories for my trip, felt like I needed to sew something before dropping off my machines for maintance while I am gone. Gee I have as hard of time giving up my machines as I did dropping off my kids at school...not really I didn't cry with the kids! Ha Ha! Just kidding, but I am attached to my machines.
 So I made a change purse, card holder and tissue holder! It was a new pattern and I liked how it came out! Then I made these pink luggage tags, because the last time I tried to find my luggage at the airport, I pulled off quite a few BLACK pieces of luggage ...only to find out ( after breaking my back ) that it wasn't mine! Not any more!

Between flights I found a place to get Sushi! Here is what my fortune cookie said! That's right, I am really taking a chance at doing this new business. LynnMade is becoming a reality and I am soooo excited, mostly because my family will be a big part of it! We are ready to take the chance!

On the flight I gave my seat to a family so that they could sit together, I remember well traveling with all four kids from Seattle to West Virginia ... many times others gave up their seats to let us sit together. Seriously, wouldn't anyone rather have their kids with their Mothers?

I made a New Friend ( I got a photo with her but wasn't sure she wanted me to share it ), she was too cute and we hit if off right away. By the way we were laughing and carrying on, you would have thought we were Sisters! Her sweet son sat with us and was kind enough to endure both flights with us, show me how to use my new iphone and even help me get my luggage off the carrousel ( at least we knew which ones mine were)! We said goodbye after swapping cards and numbers, can't wait to meet up with her again when we get home. Did I mention she too was a Cancer Survivor? We had a lot in common! What a treat to make a new Best Friend, it made the trip go so much faster!

 I walked in the door late last night and guess who was still up waiting for her Nana? Well, she was actually waiting for her Mommy to feed her again but I was thrilled to have some Snuggle time with this SuperGirl as soon as I got there! She has grown so much since we last Face Timed with her! 

Then there is this sweet Grandson of mine. Mr Kai! He was so fun to hang out with today, we played, went shopping, set the table for dinner and read some books. He said the bed time prayers. What a sweet heart. How grateful I am to see that his Mommy and Daddy are teaching him about his Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ at such a young age. It will bless his life forever. 

So he asked Aunt Amy and Aunt Lauren to be protected on their flights in tomorrow, asked for all of us to be safe and sleep well and then he told what he was grateful for...his Mommy, Daddy, Baby Oakley and his puppy Kevia.

 I love to hear kids say their prayers, they are straight from the heart! Then he went to bed with Super Man watching over him too! Can never have too many Super Heroes watching over you right? :)

I sure have missed these guys. I love being here. Love their new house and the celebrating the new chapter in their lives. I feel truly blessed. 

Good Night dear friends!

Heading out to Texas!

I have been sewing like crazy trying to get ready for my classes in Sept and everything for my grandkids before I leave tomorrow!
I am so excited to see Miss Oakley and Kai.
I can hardly wait! But if I can get all the things done before then...I will be so happy to get on the plane tomorrow and get some rest!
Wish me luck!!!

Christianity

How I picked up two tattooed hitchhikers and learned something about Christianity

Last Sunday I attended church in Charles Town, West Virginia. It was a spiritually satisfying service and the spirit of truth was palpable from beginning to end.

Among other topics, the leaders and speakers discussed the need to love, support and minister to one another.

After all, every one of us is a child of God.

After a few parking-lot goodbyes with old friends, I left to attend a committee meeting at another congregation about 45 minutes away in Virginia. Just a few miles down the road, I spotted a man and woman beating the blistering heat in the shade of an overpass. According to the sign — and the side of the highway they’d chosen — they were heading southwest.

Even at the speed limit, I could tell the man had tattoos, piercings and that the woman was noticeably pregnant. I rolled by them in surprisingly heavy Sunday traffic, but their faces seemed to travel with me.

Moments earlier I’d sat in church and heard passionate testimony about the need to better see and serve my spiritual siblings. Then, with those inspired words still bouncing around my head, I’d driven right by an opportunity to turn a sermon into service.

I glanced at the clock on my dash, took a peek in my rearview mirror and drove on. Two exits later, I finally listened.

I circled back and was actually relieved to see the couple still sitting in the same spot. I studied their appearance and thought, “I’m glad my kids aren’t in the car.”

“Where ya’ headed?” I asked the man in my very best I-am-a-pro-at-this voice.

“Tennessee.”

I laughed. “That’s a bit far, how about 30 miles farther than you are now?”

They loaded their backpacks and a few other personal items in my trunk and the introductions began. They were heading to Tennessee, California and, eventually, Hawaii. I told them to call me again for that leg of the trip.

I explained why I was in a suit to segue an introduction about my faith. They shared their faith, too, and although we had some doctrinal differences, we soon discovered that as Christians, we agreed on much more than we didn’t. I was impressed with their knowledge and appreciation of the Bible and they spoke of their deep respect for people of all religious backgrounds.

The woman, Sparrow, shared a favorite scripture and her friend, Zach, did the same. Later, she recalled a sweet spiritual experience that occurred in the same Tennessee town they will soon revisit on their journey west.

They educated me on their lifestyle of peaceful, sustainable living and their belief that God is troubled by the sliding standards of the world. I asked if they were worried by the perception of hitchhikers and people like me judging them at 70 miles an hour. Sparrow spoke for them both. “Being resentful or angry at them for judging us is no better than them judging us in the first place. We can’t worry about what they think. We can only focus on treating people with kindness.”

Suddenly I thought, “I wish my kids were in the car.”

We soon switched highways and the time came for me to head north and for them to go south. As we approached the exit, they asked me why I’d stopped and I explained my beliefs on how the Spirit works. I confessed there have been many times when I passed someone on the interstate or an onramp and hadn’t offered assistance. But on this particular Sabbath day, I’d felt peace and a spiritual invitation to help.

We said goodbye, took the obligatory selfie and I continued on to my commitments in the opposite direction.

Finally heading home several hours later, I passed that same exit on the interstate and wondered if they’d had success moving south. But there they were, still smiling in the thick Virginia heat, sweat pouring down.

I drove them another 20 miles south before leaving them yet again at my hometown exit. I prayed they would safely arrive at their next stop and that Sparrow, Zach and baby would find friends and joy in the journey.

Later that evening I shared the experience with my family. I explained that Dad isn’t promoting hitchhiking and we won’t pick up everyone we see with their thumbs out — safety and discernment are still the highest priority. I am, however, promoting that we both drive and live a little bit slower so that we might see people beyond their outside appearance.

I hope I’m wrong, but it’s unlikely I will see Zack and Sparrow again. It won’t matter, though — I won’t forget the peaceful spirit of Christian unity I felt with them at my side. And our time together reminded me I need to do a much better job of taking my Christianity with me when I walk out of church every week.

We were treated to a spiritual reminder that a friend is a friend, a believer is a believer and a Christian is a Christian — even if they look and live a little differently.

Christianity doesn’t — and shouldn’t — stop at the church doors. It should carry all the way from a highway in Virginia to a sandy beach in Hawaii — and all the places in between.

Read more of Jason's articles HERE:

This is my Happy place!

Good thing this is my Happy Place, I have been in this room sewing for the past 2 days straight! I am trying hard to get everything ready for Texas and for my other quilting classes. Then I have to get my machines in the shop while I am gone! I am tired already but...oh soooo excited!
Will try to post tomorrrow night! Here are a few things I have been working on!

A silky blanket for my Baby Oakley! Only 6 more days!

Tissue holder, I could make a 100 of these and still need more! There is always someone out there who is struggling or hurting. It's just something little to say " I care, I am praying for you and hang in there"

Another Casserole Carrier! I love these!

Working on scripture bags for some friends!

New bag! Love it!

The projects aren't over yet!. The way I have been non stop sewing, you would think it was December! :) It could be, I've got my Christmas Music cranked up and the fan on HIGH! :)

Good Night dear friends!

My treasures!

My grandchildren constantly make me smile with the things they love to do, their big imaginations and never ending energy! Yes, it is a wild and crazy ride with them...and I wouldn't trade it for the world!

Here is Captain Jenny getting ready for her Pirate Birthday Party this weekend! You go girl!

Here is sweet little Oakley who is keeping Mommy and Daddy up all night, but just look at that sweet face, who could be mad at her? Her Nana is coming to help out in must 8 more days!!!

They love water, they love Ice Cream!

They love each other ( most of the time )!

They love sports!

The love Nature! Kai checking out some cool looking animals!

They love to Dance!

They love being in a family! Being a big brother is the BEST!

So no matter what I am doing with these 5 kids, I know there is some type of Adventure waiting to happen...and I can hardly wait! They truly are my Treasures, that I have already found!!!

With Wisdom and Experience!

Yesterday I taught a lesson in church about the taking care of the Elderly, whether that be yourself, or your loved ones. It was a lesson that was close to my heart since I was very close to one of my Grandmother's and actually took care of her in our home when I was a teenager. Many countries respect and honor their Elders, but that is not always true where we live. We should though because they have gained so much wisdom and experience throughout their lives.
So here were some of the things that I taught that could be helpful I think to many of us and our families.

First what are some things that we help someone make the most of their Senior Years?

1. We could Collect and Write Family Histories.... Many times you alone have within you the history. In few ways will your heritage be better preserved than by your collecting and writing your histories.

2. Try to establish family reunions. Bringing your family together, can be a wonderful tradition that everyone looks forward to. If your family is close and happy, it can be like creating a bit of heaven on earth.

3. Plan for your financial future. Be cautious in your advancing years and about "get-rich" schemes or investing in uncertain ventures. Proceed cautiously so that the planning of a lifetime is not disrupted by one or series of poor financial decisions. Plan your financial future early, then follow the plan.

4. Render Christlike service. When you lose your life in service to others, you will find yourself. Peace and joy and blessings will follow those render service to others. It can make our lives sweet.

5. Stay physically fit, healthy and active as you can! Doing even something little can make a big difference in how you feel each day.

For those who have lost your spouses, sometimes there is for some of you a feeling of uselessness and aloneness which can be almost overwhelming. Try to remember how much you are needed and how much you have to still give!
If you sew, crochet or knit then you could start making blankets for each of your new grandchildren, or for someone getting married in your family or for your friends. Write letter on Birthdays or attend school and athletic events of grandchildren when you can. You could compile albums of pictures of each grandchild or family members on their birthdays. You could volunteer at your local hospitals or in other places in the community. Many have found fulfillment in serving and helping others like this.
The key to overcoming aloneness and feeling of uselessness for one who is physically able, is to step outsde yourself by helping others who are truly needy.

In times of illness and pain, we can remain strong in attitude and spirit. 
Those who are ill and suffering pain and the vicissitudes of this life, our hearts and prayers should go out to them. If it this happens to us, we need to strive and remain strong in attitude and spirit. We know it is not always easy. We pray that those who now do for you tasks that you no longer are able to do for yourself will do so in love, in gentleness, and with a caring spirit.
We hope you continue to generate good thought and feelings in your heart and mind and quickly dismiss those which are harmful and destructive to you. Pray daily even hourly if needed, for help, courage and hope!

I remember the honor of taking care of my Grandmother in our home. I feed her, bathed her and tried to help her keep her dignity in the process. It was an honor to take care of her, I loved her so much. Years later after I was married, my Grandmother was placed in a Nursing Home near my home. The kids and I would try to go by nearly every day to visit with her. I wanted to make sure the ladies that took care of her knew who she was and how important whe was to me and my family. I worried that they just saw her as another old lady to take care of.
This poem is something that I found later, but definitely would pass on to anyone that takes care of the Elderly! May we all give to our elderly parents, grandparents or even neighbors and friends ...the love, care and attention they deserve.
Read it, it is amazing!
Good Night dear friends!

.

See Me

What do you see, nurses, what do you see?
Are you thinking, when you look at me –
A crabby old woman, not very wise,
Uncertain of habit, with far-away eyes,
Who dribbles her food and makes no reply,
When you say in a loud voice — “I do wish you’d try.”

Who seems not to notice the things that you do,
And forever is losing a stocking or shoe,
Who unresisting or not, lets you do as you will,
With bathing and feeding, the long day to fill.
Is that what you’re thinking, is that what you see?
Then open your eyes, nurse, you’re looking at ME…
I’ll tell you who I am, as I sit here so still;
As I rise at your bidding, as I eat at your will.

I’m a small child of ten with a father and mother,
Brothers and sisters, who love one another,
A young girl of sixteen with wings on her feet.
Dreaming that soon now a lover she’ll meet;
A bride soon at twenty — my heart gives a leap,
Remembering the vows that I promised to keep;
At twenty-five now I have young of my own,
Who need me to build a secure, happy home;
A woman of thirty, my young now grow fast,
Bound to each other with ties that should last;
At forty, my young sons have grown and are gone,
But my man’s beside me to see I don’t mourn;
At fifty once more babies play ’round my knee,
Again we know children, my loved one and me.

Dark days are upon me, my husband is dead,
I look at the future, I shudder with dread,
For my young are all rearing young of their own,
And I think of the years and the love that I’ve known;
I’m an old woman now and nature is cruel –
‘Tis her jest to make old age look like a fool.

The body is crumbled, grace and vigor depart,
There is now a stone where once I had a heart,
But inside this old carcass a young girl still dwells,
And now and again my battered heart swells.

I remember the joys, I remember the pain,
And I’m loving and living life over again,
I think of the years, all too few — gone too fast,
And accept the stark fact that nothing can last –
So I open your eyes, nurses, open and see,
Not a crabby old woman, look closer, nurses — see ME!

This poem was found among the possessions of an elderly lady who died in the geriatric ward of a hospital. No information is available concerning her — who she was or when she died. Reprinted from the “Assessment and Alternatives Help Guide” prepared by the Colorado Foundation for Medical Care.
To read my whole lesson HERE:

Jenny turned 6 years old!

Yesterday our granddaughter Jenny turned 6 years old, I still can't believe it! She has been such a fun part of our family, she has had red hair from the start and still has it. She is just too cute, funny, crazy and we still think she is just a Little Lauren but with red hair! That explains what her personality is like :) She has always loved dogs, stuffed animals, dinosaurs, dragons and wants a Pirate Party for her birthday party ( that will be next week with her little friends )! She loves to color, and cut...that girl has been cutting things ever since she was little ( usually things she wasn't suppose to be cutting ).

Last night we went out to eat just as a family to celebrate her Birthday!

We gave her a Pirate book/game and I painted the wooden people to match so she could use them as her game pieces, she really liked it. Can I just say... that it took me forever to paint those? Years ago in my painting days... I could have cranked out a 3 or 4 pair in the 2 hours that it took me to paint these two. My hands are not near as steady as they used to be, but some how I was able to complete Peg leg Pete and Captain Fuzzlebeard before the party!

Made me appreciate the talent that I had years ago, and it made me grateful that those days are over, my back was killing me! I am getting so old! However it was all worth it, when I saw how much she liked it!

Amy has always been the type of kid and Mother, to make everyone ( including friends ) feel really special on their Birthday! That is just something she does, and it is a great blessing to many of us. She starts out celebrating with her kids as soon as they wake up! How fun! You can see that Jenny was in heaven for breakfast because she got to chocolate milk and sugared cereal and got to have her Dragons all hang out at breakfast with her! Funny girl! We sure love you Jenny!

Hey I gave my kids carrot juice, homemade fruit roll ups and Bran muffins...that means I am a good Mom too,..right? Don't ask my kids, they have all kinds of stories that will tell you about me! :)
Night dear friends!

Never too old to learn!

Today my dear friend and I got together to go to Apple computer store in Bellevue Square to take a class on how to use our Ipads and Iphones more than we do. We felt like school girls again, so we decided to do Selfies...just like kids heading back to school! Of course it took us a few tries to get a good shot where we looked like school girls...that was a bit harder than I thought :)  Turning back the clock on our age was one thing...but...

we did have fun and we did learn something! Yes...we are on our way big world...watch out!

Wish my teachers in school understood this quote!

After I came home today I was visited by an old friend, well we were only aquaintances a few years ago but it didn't take long to realize she was a Kindred Spirit and before long... we were old and dear friends. She has really had some tough things happen in her life, still she has such a sweet spirit about her. I felt honor to have spent the evening with her, we went out to dinner to catch up and oh...how glad I am that we are connected again!
I don't know why hard things happen to us but I know we should never give up our HOPE in a better life.
Anyway, I am grateful that I had the chance to be with her tonight!

"Most of the important things in the world have been accomplished
by people who have kept on trying when there seemed to be no hope
at all." ~ Dale Carnegie

Good Night dear friends!

What a day!

Today was quite the day! Amy and Angie had some appointments to go to so I had Miss Jenny and Miss Audrey. I think Audrey was here about an hour before she had to go into her first Time Out! Just look at that face...it tells you how she feels about Nana telling her she can't do something and can't hit and bite her sister!

Then after that we had fun coloring and then there was a big storm that hit and the girls ran outside in the rain.

Audrey of course was trying to drink the water that was coming off the deck above...yuk! 

Then before lunch we took time out for a short movie!

Then I had to tell her it was time for her to take a nap...same face as earlier...if you remember! :)

When Amy and Angie came home, we decided for them to stay for dinner. After dinner they decided to take a dip in the pool. Of course after that...Amy decided she mind as well wash their hair while they were in the pool. Audrey kept drinking the pool water...yuk again!

Sisters!!!

Then before they left, Amy hooked up the movie videos in the car..I decided to give them popcorn to go with their movie! That will make their Mom's life a bit easier driving all the way home! What a day!

5 Important Gifts

My daughter Amy asked me awhile ago if I would come and speak to the Sisters at her church on Friendship. I almost didn't know what to say? I am always asked to speak about Adversity,  this was going to be a stretch for me... not really but it was funny because I was for sure she was going to ask me to speak about Adversity.
I love having the opportunity to read, study and pray about a topic. I love what I learn in that process of preparing. I love to do Motivational Speaking, I truly do.
The ladies were wonderful, and it was a sweet experience and I feel grateful and blessed tonight to associate with those dear ladies. I am glad Amy asked me, because now...I just have more friends!
Some of the ladies asked if I would give my talk to them, so I told them that I usually put it in my blog post...so here it is!
Good night dear friends!

Talk for Sultan Ward RS August 8^th, 2015

 I am grateful to be here, and grateful to have the chance to study and learn more as I prepared for tonight. My sister in law got me this book for Mother’s Day. It has been one of greatest gifts to me, because I have read it and tried to apply the things I learned from it over and over again. I would like for just a few minutes to go over some of these Gifts that we have received from our Savior.

The first gift is from this story in the Book of John chapter 8, this is about  the gift of Mercy

Woman taken in adultery, the story is heart breaking , the scribes and Phariseees were trying to publicly disgrace her. They wanted her executed for her sin. I can only imagine how scared and ashamed she felt. I love the story, if you haven’t read it lately you should. To see the Gift of Mercy that Jesus Christ offers to her is amazing and it is the same gift that He offers to us.

This gift of Mercy is one that I had trouble with in a couple of ways.. because I was a child of incest, I always felt like I was never worthy of many of the blessings that my Primary and YW leaders told me about. The feelings I had of guilt, shame, filth….
But when I truly understood the Atonement made all the difference in my life, even though I didn’t have anything to repent of, I realized that no matter what happened in my life, the Atonement covers it.

                "He took upon himself our insecurities and personal
failings and pains and sicknesses. He took upon
himself our weaknesses of mind, will and character.
When we feel that no one understands, he may say,
'I do understand.' "
                                                              -Jamie Glenn

It is also important to apply this gift of Mercy to others too.

Brother Uchtdorf said “But when it comes to our own prejudices and grievances, we too often justify our anger as righteous and our judgment as reliable and only appropriate. Though we cannot look into another’s heart, we assume that we know a bad motive or even a bad person when we see one. We make exceptions when it comes to our own bitterness because we feel that, in our case, we have all the information we need to hold someone else in contempt.

The Apostle Paul, in his letter to the Romans, said that those who pass judgment on others are “inexcusable.” The moment we judge someone else, he explained, we condemn ourselves, for none is without sin.

I always  thought it would be a great idea if we could wear clothes that were made of that wipe off board material…then on it we could write what we have gone through that day or week.

For example the nasty check out lady at the store… my first thought is “ why are you working in Retail, where you have to be around people all the time?  But if when she turned to put my stuff in the bag…if I saw written on her Wipe Off Board Shirt , maybe something like this…
…This week my husband lost his job,
…we don’t have enough money to get my kids proper clothes, shoes and supplies for school,
 or… I just got a call back from the hospital saying there was something unclear on my mammogram and they needed me to come back in

Wow, wouldn’t I treat this check out lady a lot different? Wouldn’t I probably understand and even forgive her rudeness?  I do think we would we treat each other differently, and that we would be more willing to give this Gift of Mercy if we truly understood each others struggles. 

One of my favorite poems that reminds me of this exact thing is…

The Cookie Thief

A woman was waiting at the airport one night, 
With several long hours before her flight. 
She hunted for a book in the airport shop, 
Bought a bag of cookies and found a place to drop. 
She was engrossed in her book, but happened to see, 
That the man beside her, as bold as could be, 
Grabbed a cookie or two from the bag between, 
Which she tried to ignore to avoid a scene. 
She read, munched cookie, and watched the clock, 
as the gutsy “cookie thief” diminished her stock. 
She was getting more irritated as the minutes ticked by, 
Thinking, “If I wasn’t so nice, I’d blacken his eye!” 
With each cookie she took, he took one too. 
When only one was left, she wondered what he’d do. 
With a smile on his face and a nervous laugh, 
He took the last cookie and broke it in half. 
He offered her half, and he ate the other. 
She snatched it from him and thought, “Oh brother, 
this guy has some nerve, and he’s also so rude, 
why, he didn’t even show any gratitude!” 
She had never known when she had been so galled, 
And sighed with relief when her flight was called. 
She gathered her belongings and headed for the gate, 
refusing to look at the “thieving ingrate”. 
She boarded the plane and sank in her seat, 
then sought her book, which was almost complete. 
As she reached in her baggage, she gasped with surprise. 
There were her bags of cookies in front of her eyes! 
“If mine are here,” she moaned with despair, 
“Then the others were his and he tried to share!” 
Too late to apologize, she realized with grief, 
that she was the rude one, the ingrate, the thief!!!

The 2^nd gift is …. It is the Gift of Experience

                                In the book of John 11 we read the story of two sisters Mary and Martha and their sadness over their brother dying.

Jesus was close to their family and when he came to their home and saw Lazarus, He too wept

Then Jesus performed a miracle, He rose Lazarus from the dead.

In this story we learn that sometimes there are certain things that we have to

experience things to help us truly understand other things. Experience is an important part of life it is an amazing gift!

A poem that I have used many times when speaking is this one…why is it my one of my favorites? Because this could happen to any of us. Makes me always STOP and be more Observant of my life, my choices and my actions.

There are things that I have learned from being a Victim of Abuse and by having Cancer twice. I see life differently, I appreciate things that I might never had appreciated. Life is sweet because of my experiences.

Yes the Gift of Experience will teach us in ways nothing else could.

The 3^rd  ( Gift is the gift of Nurturing

In Luke 1 we read the story about Mary the Mother of Jesus Christ and Elizabeth, her cousin who was a very

Old woman before she was able to have a baby. In this story we see how they were there for each  other. Elizabeth nurtured her young cousin Mary and helped her become the Mother she needed to be to raise the Savior of the world

It is important on -How we treat others, we need to always be there will to serve and nurture our friends and family. I also learned from this story that even things that seemed impossible …are possible for the Lord, what a gift.

 I love the quote… “We don’t meet people by accident. They are meant to cross our path for a reason.”  So let’s all stop and think about the people you are in our lives and could we treat them more like the Savior would have us treat them? Could we nurture and help more than we do?

 The 4^th gift is the Gift of Wholeness

In the book of Luke chapter 8

                -Woman- issue of blood thought there was no hope, for 12 years she had suffered from a terrible disease and because

Of it, she was considered unclean and not allowed to go around others. For 12 years she did everything she could to be healed, she had

It is amazing to think that she spends 12 years in this limiting and isolating condition. And at the end of those years, her funds are depleted and her options are gone. She was left to suffer for days, nights and years in that condition, with no hope of being healed through the medical knowledge of that time. But we read on to find out that she was healed, completely healed and it was all because of her faith.

And in addition to clean health she now could have a life with her friends and family, a life where she would now be allowed to go into the Temple. She no longer would be looked down upon by society. What an amazing gift of Wholeness!

Learning how to accept this gift of wholeness has been tough for me in many ways since my cancer /mastectomy

…Having to wear a prosthetic

…Embracing who I am and what I look like now

…Not comparing myself…we live in a world that constantly telling us to that we have to look a certain way, be a certain size and on and on. Not comparing myself is something that I need to work on daily.

So you can understand why I like this quote…
 'Oh, my friend, it's not what they take away from you that counts. It's what you do with what you have left.'

Last by not least is the 5th Gift of Seeing

In the book of John 20 we read the story of Mary Magdalene, 3 days after her Savior was crucified on Sunday morning, Mary went to the sepulcher and realized that someone had taken Christ’s body, she was so upset and crying that when the Savior came to her, she didn’t even really see Him for who He was. Then Jesus spoke to her and told her who He was.

It is important to remember what Elder Richard G. Scott said, “sometimes we will not hear the delicate promptings of the Holy Ghost if we have such strong emotions such as anger, hate , passion, fear or pride, when these influences are present, we may miss that still small voice of the Holy Ghost”

The gift of seeing is really important to have in this journey we call life. We need to stay grounded in Christ so we can see things for what they are.

Just like the story of Queen Ester, when her uncle said to her about their threat from the king…

1^st think not of thyself
2^nd “Who knowth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this?

Sisters we need to know our purpose here on earth, we need to know why we are here, why we are going through the things we are doing through.

I believe that nothing happens by accident, each trial and experience is here for our own good to teach us something we need to know or understand.

Is this difficult to remember and use these gifts?

Yes, of course.

Forgiving ourselves and others is not easy. In fact, for most of us it requires a major change in our attitude and way of thinking—even a change of heart. But there is good news. This “mighty change”8 of heart is exactly what the gospel of Jesus Christ is designed to bring into our lives.

How is it done? Through the love of God.

When our hearts are filled with the love of God, something good and pure happens to us. We “keep his commandments: and his commandments are not grievous. For whatsoever is born of God overcometh the world.”9

The more we allow the love of God to govern our minds and emotions—the more we allow our love for our Heavenly Father to swell within our hearts—the easier it is to love others with the pure love of Christ.

My favorite scripture is on in Revelations where the Lord says that He will personally wipe away our tears from our eyes. Life is hard, remember it is our personal tutoring from the Lord….things that we could not use any other way. it is suppose to

We need to remember all these gifts that the Savior has given us so we will be ready and worthy to return to our Heavenly Father some day.  And because of this Gift of Seeing, we should be able to treat and help our Sisters as the Savior would.

I have this quote on my mirror and repeat it every day!

 Each day, each trial, each problem we have a choice, we can apply these gifts and be Happy, or we choose not to accept this gifts from the Savior and  be Sad, Mad or full of Anger… it is OUR CHOICE.

But we also need to remember our Choices directly affect our families, children and grandchildren… actually everyone around us, so maybe we all could strive to see how much better our lives can be, and to remember that we are truly never alone in any of our trials UNLESS we choose to be!