Faith Building Friday

A little tidbit I recently read from the Ensign and felt the need to acknowledge it on my blog.

A song that Primary children sing teaches the nature of faith:

Faith is knowing the sun will rise, lighting each new day.
Faith is knowing the Lord will hear my prayers each time I pray.
Faith is like a little seed: If planted it will grow.
Faith is a swelling within my heart. When I do right, I know. 12


President Hinckley observed, “When I discuss faith, I do not mean it in an abstract sense. I mean it as a living, vital force with recognition of God as our Father and Jesus Christ as our Savior. When we accept this basic premise, there will come an acceptance of their teachings and an obedience which will bring peace and joy in this life and exaltation in the life to come.” 13


Faith, belief, and hope are often used interchangeably, and it may be difficult to distinguish between these words. There is a difference, however. Although we cannot have faith without belief and hope, we can believe without having faith. Elder James E. Talmage (1862–1933) of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles explained, “Belief, in one of its accepted senses, may consist in a merely intellectual assent, while faith implies such confidence and conviction as will impel to action.” 14 The Savior taught, “Not every one that saith unto me, Lord, Lord, shall enter into the kingdom of heaven; but he that doeth the will of my Father which is in heaven.” 15 The Apostle James said it another way: “Even so faith, if it hath not works, is dead, being alone.” 16 So-called faith without works is not faith at all!


I will continue to try to put my faith into action and do the will of my Father. I am grateful for His teachings and great love for me and I know that He is. I hope someday that I might face our Father in Heaven and feel His peace. For now, I find it burning in my heart in moments. Precious moments indeed.

Thursday Three

Three things I wish I did this summer but will resort to doing them next:



1. Trip around the world.
2. A massage every day.
3. Pack to the peak of Mt. McKinley.



Ur ah snort snort whoa what kind of dream was I having?



Here are the real three! :0)

1. Kayak Bridal Veil Falls for our wedding anniversary.
2. Hike once a week.
3. Follow the "fish walk" through downtown Anchorage.


And three things I wanted to do just for the kidlets:

1. The miniature steam train ride in Palmer.
2. Our local library summer reading program.
3. Gold panning and fossil hunting.

Sigh and the weather is crisp, school started, and I am about to hibernate for the winter. Next summer will surely be fun for our family! Ahhh but the weather is crisp, school started, and it is almost ice cream season. Fall is setting in and life is bliss.

Wordless Wednesday

We Had Mom's Beans last night..I thought I would check into getting some of these for the next round: Designer Gas Masks! Who knew?

In Honor Of B-Man Going Back To School....We Have The ABC Tag About Me

ABC Tag
A - Attached or Single? Attached yet pretty independent.
B - Best Friend My hubby (Okay and Britt and Annemarie)
C - Cake or Pie? Cake with chocolate. Lots of chocolate. Black Forest Cake is a real winner.
D - Day of choice? Saturday is a special day because it's the day before Suuuunnnnday.
E - Essential item? Water.
F - Favorite color? Orangy Red - like the colors you see in Arizona (Grand Canyon or Sedona).
G - Gummy bears or worms? Worms - you get more gummy.
H - Hometown? Anchorage, Alaska though I miss Flagstaff, AZ like I missed my brain today!
I - Favorite Indulgence? Spending any amount of time on myself.
J - January or July? JULY! That is when we get lots-o-sun up here and the days are still pretty much 24-hour sunlight!
K - Kids? 3 - Bman, Princess and Tman.
L - Life isn't complete without? A bawx of chocolate - oh wait I mean feeling the love of family and friends and the Lord!
M - Marriage Date? August 19, 2000
N - Number of Bros & Sis? One sister, two brother-in-laws.
O - Oranges or Apples? Apples (with caramel esp.)
P - Phobias and Fears? Torture, my children leaving this world before me.
Q - Quote "You must not lose faith in humanity. Humanity is an ocean; if a few drops of the ocean are dirty, the ocean does not become dirty." Mohandas Gandhi
R - Reason to smile? I have a wonderful family, both immediate and extended, wonderful friends, membership in a wonderful church that teaches good values that lead to happiness, and a great husband who provides for all our needs and more and is my best friend.
S - Season of choice? Fall-- I love the beautiful colors and smells, the cooler season, school starting, looking forward to the holidays, the air makes me want to get out and run around.
T - Tag? Anyone who reads this.
U - Unknown fact about me? I was also interested in another man when I was dating my husband. I contemplated lots and, well, my husband won out! He tells me I could be rich and traveling the world. True, but I still would pick Jess!
V - Vegetable? Sugar snap peas and green beans fresh from my Grandma's garden. I miss those days!
W - Worst habit? Staying up too late. I am a night owl.
X - X-Ray? My teeth. That's about it!
Y - Your favorite food? Sushi. I also like Thai food. And dark chocolate.
Z - Zodiac sign? Pisces. Blub, blub.

Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Chicken Noodle Soup (homemade noodles), rolls, grapes
Tuesday: Salmon with Roasted Garlic Topping, brown rice, peas, pears
Wednesday: Hearty Fiesta Bean Cassoulet, Spanish rice, steamed cauliflower
Thursday: Leftovers
Friday: Homemade Mac N' Cheese, sausages, veggie mix
Saturday: Steak, mashed potatoes, salad, baked apples
Sunday: Crockpot Sauerbraten, rice, banana muffins

Thursday Three

Three things I love about my sister:

Her quick wit.

Her beauty.

Her "artsiness" no I didn't say "fartsiness" but that would be funny!

Our 8th Anniversary...

Today is our 8 year anniversary. I love my husband. I love his ability to stay calm in complete chaos. I love his determination to stick to his guns. I love his insightfulness. I love that he is a family man. I love how handsome he is. I love his quick wit (well usually I do ...). I love his inner tiger. I love his intelligence. I love him for the good and the bad. I love him because he is Jesse. I would feel lost without him. I am grateful for his unconditional love and concern for me. He is wonderful.

Tackling it Tuesday

This week is leftovers for chores! :0)

I didn't get a chance to clean out under the oven as previously planned.
We didn't get to poor ol' Nemo's tank to clean out the "golden" water.
We didn't get to painting the tables.
Oh - and my sweet husband reallllly needs to clean out the cooler...really.
Today is recycling day for us so I will take the kids to the local recycling center and we will dump the bins. Instead of once a month recycling I think we will need to go once every two weeks.
We are tackling the rest of the garage this week as well.
Two of our family are going to school so things will get hectic around here next week.
Wish us luck!

Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Won Ton Soup, Stir Fry with water chestnuts, fruit mix salad
Tuesday: Oven-roasted Trout with Dill Stuffing, Rice Pilaf, steamed broccoli
Wednesday: Crockpot Bean Cassoulet, Olive Rolls, apple juice
Thursday: Mulligatawny Soup, Salad, leftover rolls
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Sausage and Stuffing, mashed potatoes, cranberry sauce, green beans
Sunday: Crockpot Pork with Cabbage, steamed rice, apple juice

Faith Building Friday

Put God in the center - and everything will come together.

Thursday Three

Three sites I am so excited to use next year (hopefully we will have a yard to work in by then)!

Gardening, Alaskan Style 2008

Alaska Master Gardener

Cold-Climate Gardening

Wordless Wednesday

Mama Mia! I Need Some Icecreama!

My mother, sister, friend Lisa, another friend Annemarie (who met up with us later) and I went to see Mama Mia! last Saturday. Whew it was a blast and we all laughed so hard our faces turned red... not just during the movie but the whole night. Sometimes you just need a girls night out! Oh, I did go to see the movie with another friend before. I wanted to see an action movie but she wanted to see Mama Mia!. I looked up the movie and found out it was a comedy so I said okay (she really had to twist my arm - not)! We went and it was hilarious. I am so glad I saw it because then I wanted to see it again. Lisa is moving up here soon since she and her husband Tennessee Tom bought a nice house recently. Fun times are sure to come again!

My sister Sarah, Mom, Me and Lisa

Andrea needs…

1. Some help finding.
2. Me close to her heart.
3. Preteens, Toddlers, and Newborns, Oh My!
4. 2 furnished rooms on August 21st.
5. Help fast.
6. Events.
7. No siblings.
8. Help ASAP.
9. To read her Emily Post.
10. A Marriage Profile.

Apparently I need a lot of help and pronto!
This is a GOOGLE game. You type in your name followed by needs and then you press the search button. See what comes up and post your top 10 needs. Have fun.

Tackling It Tuesday

Tackle: to pummel, to go head strong at, to push through (my own definitions if you couldn't tell).

This week ... I suppose I should ... no I need to ...

clean underneath the stove. This is a job I dread. Not because I don't like it looking clean or because it is that tough of a job. Well, normally it is not that tough of a job. When we moved into this rental, our landlord was "in the process of cleaning up and doing the last minute touch ups." No. He wasn't and no - he didn't. (Say that last line with two snaps in the air and a slide slide of the head). The kitchen drawers were stocked with someone elses trash and goods (old keys, sippy cups, Top Ramen, a broken plate, paperwork, an inappropriate sticker on the children's bathroom mirror...and the list goes on) when we moved in.

BUT the worst of it all is the area around the stove doesn't seem like it has been cleaned since the place was built. No wonder they have a bazillion gazillion ant traps pasted around the place. Ewwww. And I don't mind cleaning up after my own mess. Someone elses mess I do not know and therefore I do not know what might be under there. Hmmmm this bothers me. So, after living here for almost a year and the weather starting to get chilly (hence bugs try to move indoors from outdoors right about now) I proclaim it the week to clean under the stove. With rubber gloves, bleach, paper towels, nose plug, goggles, a jackhammer and old grungy clothes on. Wish me luck everyone!

Oh, and I will also tackle the compilation of computer cords, hard drives, extra CDs, phone cords, etc. with my man the Jessinator.

Oh, and I will also tackle the rest of the filing since I didn't get to it last week.

That brings on another story (bear with me here!) about fish. I love fish. I am grateful to acquire a big source of fish every year. I am not particularly fond of that fish smell. Ahem... so we are now learning how to brine and smoke the silvers we caught at the end of July. My father-in-law lent us an old cooler and told us to fill it half full with water, add salt, garlic salt, and brown sugar. Let it settle and dissolve overnight (the cooler in the bath tub), add fish in the morning. Let it sit all day and smoke it in the evening. So my sweet husband and I performed all the steps we were told. Except for one little thing. He did not put the cooler in the bath tub.

That morning, he placed all the fish in the cooler, and left it on the edge of the kitchen floor - which is right next to the dining room carpet. That morning, I woke up and took a shower. B-man came running downstairs and told me Princess dumped the fish food (we have a pet fish). Assuming fish flakes, I finished what I was doing and came upstairs to find the entire cooler of fish and brine spilt all over the dining room carpet from one end to the other. That was Friday, the 1st of this month. I intended to finish the filing last weekend. All the towels in the house soaking up fish brine water, two mops of the kitchen floor, three washings of the fish, making more brine and soaking the fish again, three (scratch that it was four) carpet steams and a bottle of orange floor freshener later... I was exhausted (thanks Mom for the help you are great at coming to the rescue).

The moral of the story: If you brine fish in the house... leave the cooler in the bath tub! And don't assume you are going to get a big project done in just two days!

Oh - my sweet little girl - she was just trying to show her brother how strong she was by lifting the cooler of fish and brine. Yep - she's pretty strong alright! Yes, I still love her. Deeply.

Menu Planning Monday

Monday: Chili, cornbread, zucchini slices, kool-aid (per special request :0))
Tuesday: Salmon Patties, cornbread, salad
Wednesday: Tacos, refried beans, rice, Bananas "Foster"
Thursday: Jesse's pork fried rice, oranges, milk
Friday: Grilled chicken, gravy, potato rolls, green beans
Saturday: Leftovers
Sunday: Crockpot Chicken Supreme, noodles, steamed veggies, chocolate milk

Sunday Sampler

Spreading the Love of God in ourselves:

We can do this through daily prayer, scripture study, and taking care of our miraculous bodies we were gifted.

Spreading the Love of God in our families:

We can do this when we spend time with our families, raise our children in firm yet loving ways, read scriptures together, pray together and seek for ways the family can be charitable to others.

Spreading the Love of God in our communities:

We can do this by inviting others to feel God's Love in our homes, being respectful and courteous even when outside our home, and praying for ways to help strangers when we are in the community.

Silly Saturday

I found this "commercial" hilarious, silly, with a taste of truthfullness!! (Nevermind the ad at the end for the drink...)

Faith Building Friday

We are put through the flames and refined at some point in time each and every one of us. Some of us more than others and all at different degrees. I am grateful for examples in finding positive and spiritually influential ways of getting through trials in life. I am grateful for this woman's ability - while she grieves - to continue projecting her talents and continue to praise God for all that she is given. That takes a lot of faith, strength and courage ...

Thursday Three

Three reasons I love autumn:


The trees. I love the deep color the trees leaves get when the crisp air hits. I love the crunch beneath my feet of fallen leaves. I love the earthy smell of leaf piles.

The air. The crisp fresh air brings back the excited feeling I used to get and the flush of adrenaline before cross-country running practice and races. I want to drop everything and run into the air. I love that little red tipped nose and flushed cheeks everyone gets this time of year (well at least here in Alaska - I can't say anything for your neck of the woods).

Note: No, I am not in this picture! :0)

School supplies. Even though I don't need to buy much for my children..the oldest goes to school but I don't have to buy any supplies for him. (Yahoo!) I still like seeing all the coloring crayons lined up in neat little rows and the smell of fresh paper, crayons, markers, pencils and erasers.

Wordless Wednesday

Soooo there are just a few words today (but not many).
Two thumbs up and a well shucks to the first person to guess the correct answer to this one (in comments):

What is this and where is it?

Tackling It Tuesday

A few tidbits I want to work on this week:

Paint sofa table black, top with chalkboard paint on 1/2 and checkerboard for checkers on other 1/2

Paint entry table

Scrub out fridge

Scrub out garbage cans/under the sink

Scrub car inside and out

Plan out Christmas presents

Plan out B-mans lunch schedule

Start making bows, sample shirt...more on this later!

Make a cover for the big pillow

Hook up the color printer

Menu Planning Monday

Here we go again! Here are the results for this weeks menu:

Monday: Pizza, apples and root beer floats!
Tuesday: Nancy's Asian Chicken Salad from Scribbit looks scrumptious, with pears, a cheese and cracker plate and my favorite drink - a nice cold tall glass of water.
Wednesday: Seared Salmon With Thai Vegetables, Orange Julius'
Thursday: Meatloaf, mashed potatoes, peas, apple juice
Friday: Leftovers
Saturday: Simple Salmon Chowder, homemade rolls, side salad
Sunday: Crockpot French Dip, steamed carrots and red potatoes, grape juice

Sunday Sampler

Every time I hear this hymn, I feel an overwhelming assurance of the Savior's love for me:

I Believe in Christ by Elder Bruce R. McConkie

1. I believe in Christ; he is my King!
With all my heart to him I’ll sing;
I’ll raise my voice in praise and joy,
In grand amens my tongue employ.
I believe in Christ; he is God’s Son.
On earth to dwell his soul did come.
He healed the sick; the dead he raised.
Good works were his; his name be praised.

2. I believe in Christ; oh blessed name!
As Mary’s Son he came to reign
’Mid mortal men, his earthly kin,
To save them from the woes of sin.
I believe in Christ, who marked the path,
Who did gain all his Father hath,
Who said to men: “Come, follow me,
That ye, my friends, with God may be.”

3. I believe in Christ—my Lord, my God!
My feet he plants on gospel sod.
I’ll worship him with all my might;
He is the source of truth and light.
I believe in Christ; he ransoms me.
From Satan’s grasp he sets me free,
And I shall live with joy and love
In his eternal courts above.

4. I believe in Christ; he stands supreme!
From him I’ll gain my fondest dream;
And while I strive through grief and pain,
His voice is heard: “Ye shall obtain.”
I believe in Christ; so come what may,
With him I’ll stand in that great day
When on this earth he comes again
To rule among the sons of men.

Silly Saturday

A Nod to My First and Only Love:

First Kiss

*************************************

Twitterpated. I don’t really remember my loves first kiss. I just remember I felt all woozy inside like I just turned upside down on a roller coaster.

Upside down. Now that kiss I remember. My boyfriend and I sat clumsily in the grass, giggling and laughing at nothing. Laughing just because we felt happy when we were together.

Jesse had this sparkle in his eye that stung right through my heart. As soon as I saw that sparkle I was sucked in to a world of unknown. Will this one last? Is he always going to be this wonderful? Am I always going to feel like I just got off the roller coaster whenever I am in his arms?

I caught that glance from his chocolate brown sparkly eyes. I was sitting in his lap on the grass and I had looked up and backward at him. We were at his parent’s house outside the back door. Usually a kiss at his parent’s house was a quick peck since he did not want them to see him kissing his girlfriend. This time was different though.

There was a pause and then, even in that awkward pose, he leaned over and kissed me gently. Afterward I exclaimed in glee, “backward kisses are the best!” He quickly hushed me in fear his parents would hear he actually kissed his girlfriend.

Girlfriend turned wife. Jesse and I are married 8 years on August 19, 2008. We’ve suffered through 10 moves, enjoyed 3 births, endured numerous jobs along with crazy class schedules and experienced many more kisses since that fabulous backward kiss. Every once in a while we encounter another heart aching, woozy feeling, ground shaking kiss. I am glad we don’t get those everyday. I do not think my heart can handle it but I do know I still feel the same way about my sweet, wonderful husband – twitterpated!

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I am entering this post to a contest at Scribbit!

Faith Building Friday

Painting © 1984 Gayla Prince Larson

Matthew 2525:1 "Then the kingdom of heaven shall be likened to ten virgins who took their lamps and went out to meet the bridegroom.

25:2 Now five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

25:3 Those who were foolish took their lamps and took no oil with them,

25:4 but the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

25:5 But while the bridegroom was delayed, they all slumbered and slept.

25:6 And at midnight a cry was heard: 'Behold, the bridegroom is coming; go out to meet him!'

25:7 Then all those virgins arose and trimmed their lamps.

25:8 And the foolish said to the wise, 'Give us some of your oil, for our lamps are going out.'

25:9 But the wise answered, saying, 'No, lest there should not be enough for us and you; but go rather to those who sell, and buy for yourselves.'

25:10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came, And those who were ready went in with him to the wedding; and the door was shut.

25:11 Afterward the other virgins came also, saying, 'Lord, Lord, open to us!'

25:12 But he answered and said, 'Assuredly, I say to you, I do not know you.'

25:13 Watch therefore, for you know neither the day nor the hour in which the Son of Man is coming.

My lamp is like a gas tank. If I read and study my scriptures, pray several times that day, and keep service in mind...my lamp fills. As soon as I concentrate too hard on other "worldly" things, my lamp empties quickly. At times I feel I've coasted with the blinking gas light on and sometimes I completely run out of gas. Those days are the days I am in deep depression, thinking only of myself. Other days I feel the tank has been full for days and how can that be? I believe if we are trying our hardest, we are blessed the hardest. We are blessed with eyes that can see where we stand and where we are going when we concentrate on the simple spiritual things in our life. I really enjoy those full tanks that seem to last for days. I feel I can get so much more done, I can feel a greater love for my friends, family, and even strangers. Here's to a lamp not half empty, not half full, but full to the brim!

A poem to finish with:

A parable the Savior told to His disciples long ago

Of wise and also foolish ways, of signs and saints in latter days.

The things He saw, we too can see, when next He comes to you and me.

Ten virgins bearing lamps alight awaited the bridegroom through the night.

Invited, honored guests they came, some wise — some foolish, not the same.

Those who have eyes will surely see, they’re much the same as you and me.

The first bears palms for homage true, an olive branch, a lily, too.

Her voice speaks peace; she’s humble, meek; she often turns the other cheek.

So pure in heart, oh could it be— that this first virgin could be me?

The second, gowned in burial white, seems searching for a heavenly sight.

The sacrament— her gift of love; the wheat and water decreed above.

Her repentant heart we all can see; perhaps this virgin could be me.

Third in Priesthood blue and gold concerns herself with young and old;

ordinances for the living an dead, two doves she brings the prince who weds—

the Holy Ghost and sealings’ key, this lovely virgin must be me.

Tall and fair with scrolls and lyre, the fourth seeks truth and knowledge power.

She sets her goals on talents bright, keeping eternity in sight.

She’ll reach her goals and grow to be the kind of virgin I would be.

But wait, more wise than many others, the fifth gives charity to her brothers.

Quietly, gently, her fruits are shared with all who need her loving care.

Even the foolishes’ needs she sees; oh, that this virgin might be me.

The sixth in proud and rich array lacks for naught along life’s way.

The treasures of the earth she brings; ‘tis more to earth than heav’n she clings.

In her I see a part of me; is this the virgin I will be?

The seventh is surely pleasure’s child, in dress and pose, not meek or mild.

It’s time for eat and drink and fun; there’s ample time ere the bridegroom comes.

Her foolishness she cannot see; do others see that part of me?

The eighth has much to overcome— addictions and excess have quite undone

That temple holy her soul once was, now all eroded for sins’ own cause.

If I’m not careful as can be, this foolish virgin will be me.

The virgin nine who loves the dark, in secret seeks to leave her mark.

Drawing others from the light, she sees all things with Satan’s sithe.

Her foolishness is sad to see; don’t let her be a part of me.

Should I become a virgin ten, with power over the acts of men,

A troubled conscience I might know, as through the busy world I go;

All ego and dishonesty is what the world expects of me.

Am I more foolish or more wise? Am I living in disguise?

Do I gather oil ever bright, to keep my gospel flame alight?

When the bridegroom comes, I pray He’ll see one wise virgin will be me.

Poem © 1985 Barbara G. Dykstra, Mesa, AZ