a Wise Woman

I wanted to share with you some words of wisdom from the wife of our former prophet,

Gordon B. Hinckley. 

I loved these quotes and hope you do too.

No matter what your religion is, these profound words are applicable to all.

"If you don't think every day is a good day, try missing one."

"Be a Mother who is committed to loving her children into standing on higher ground than the environment surrounding them.

Mother's are endowed with a love that is unlike any other love on the face of the earth."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley





"Be kind. Everyone you meet is fighting a hard battle."


— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"The family is eternal. Love must be nurtured. It must be spoken. We must put away our pride, our haughtiness, our shyness, our misunderstandings, and with humility say, "I love you. Is there something I can do to help you?" You can never be completely happy under any other circumstances."

-Marjorie Pay Hinckley
 
 
 



"We women have a lot to learn about simplifying our lives. We have to decide what is important and then move along at a pace that is comfortable for us. We have to develop the maturity to stop trying to prove something. We have to learn to be content with what we are."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

 "Think about your particular assignment at this time in your life. It may be to get an education, it may be to rear children, it may be to be a grandparent, it may be to care for an relieve the suffering of someone you love, it may be to do a job in the most excellent way possible, it may be to support someone who has a difficult assignment of their own. Our assignments are varied and they change from time to time. Don't take them lightly. Give them your full heart and energy. Do them with enthusiasm. Do whatever you have to do this week with your whole heart and soul. To do less than this will leave you with an empty feeling."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley
 
 
 
 
"The trick is to enjoy life. Don't wish away your days, waiting for better ones ahead"


— Marjorie Pay Hinckley

"We are all in this together. We need each other. Oh, how we need each other. Those of us who are old need you who are young, and hopefully, you who are young need some of us who are old...We need deep and satisfying and loyal friendships with each other. These friendships are a necessary source of sustenance. We need to renew our faith every day. We need to lock arms and help build the kingdom so that it will roll forth and fill the whole earth."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley
 
 
 
 
 
"I know it is hard for you young mothers to believe that almost before you can turn around the children will be gone and you will be alone with your husband. You had better be sure you are developing the kind of love and friendship that will be delightful and enduring. Let the children learn from your attitude that he is important. Encourage him. Be kind. It is a rough world, and he, like everyone else, is fighting to survive. Be cheerful. Don't be a whiner."


— Marjorie Pay Hinckley





"As we got closer to marriage, I felt completely confident that Gordon loved me. But I also knew somehow that I would never come first with him. I knew I was going to be second in his life and that the Lord was going to be first. And that was okay. It seemed to me that if you understood the gospel and the purpose of our being here, you would want a husband who put the Lord first."


-Marjorie Hinckley
 
 
 
 
"The grand and the simple. They are equally wonderful."


— Marjorie Pay Hinckley
 
 



"The thing about growing old is that when you wake up with a new pain, you can just about count on it becoming a permanent part of your life!"

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley


 
 



"There are some years in our lives that we would not want to live again. But even these years will pass away, and the lessons learned will be a future blessing."

— Marjorie Pay Hinckley




"With intellectual curiosity the world will always be full of magic and wonder."
-Marjorie Pay Hinckley



"I don't want to drive up to the pearly gates in a shiny sports car, wearing beautifully, tailored clothes, my hair expertly coiffed, and with long, perfectly manicured fingernails.


I want to drive up in a station wagon that has mud on the wheels from taking kids to scout camp.


I want to be there with a smudge of peanut butter on my shirt from making sandwiches for a sick neighbors children.


I want to be there with a little dirt under my fingernails from helping to weed someones garden.


I want to be there with children's sticky kisses on my cheeks and the tears of a friend on my shoulder.


I want the Lord to know I was really here and that I really lived."
— Marjorie Pay Hinckley



Take care, my blog friends.
Have a wonderful day! :)

goal setting.

In our church, we have a program that is designed for the young women. It is called Personal Progress. As one of the leaders of our young women,  I have the opportunity to do this program right along with the girls.

There are 10 values that we focus on. Each value has specific goals that we work on individually. As we accomplish these goals, a parent or a leader signs off that it is completed.

At the end of each value, there is a place where you can think of and write down a more personal goal, that should take at least 10 hours to complete.

The values that we work on and try to incorporate into our lives are;

Faith

Divine Nature

Individual Worth

Knowledge

Choice & Accountability

Good Works

Integrity

and Virtue

I have been working on my 10 hour value project in Choice & Accountability.

At the beginning of this year, I decided that I wanted to do something that would help me decrease frivolous spending and  increase our savings account. I thought of several things that I could do to accomplish this goal.

 I thought of a few things to do but recently decided to dig a little deeper.

I wanted to do something that really stretched me.

So, I recently amended my big goal and added more to it.

As most of you know, I have a fabric hoarding problem. It hasn't gotten to the point where it's unable to contain or anything, but I buy fabric, sometimes for no specific reason. So, I decided that as part of my 10 hour project, I would set the goal to not purchase any more fabric for the rest of the year. If I wanted to make something I would need to use what I had here already.

I would like to share two projects that I have finished up with out buying anything new.

A few months ago (and before I set this specific goal), I found some jelly rolls at Walmart that were on clearance for $9 a piece. There were two different styles so I picked up one of each.

I made these two projects using one of them.

This is a little baby quilt. I sewed 5 strips together and then cut them into 10" squares. I had some jumbo ric- rac that I got in a grab bag and thought I would put it around the edge of the quilt. It was about 5" too short so I decided to sew a piece down each green strip of fabric. It worked out perfectly. Then I alternated the direction of the blocks as I sewed them together. I had some pink fabric already that I used as the border and then bound it with some left over strips of fabric from the jelly roll.

This is the back of the quilt. I bought this piece of fabric as a remnant about a year ago and forgotten about it.....(Oh, the dangers of fabric hoarding! :) )

This is the second quilt top I made with the jelly roll. I used the same idea as before put put it together differently. It is a larger quilt than the previous one. I used some green fabric that I had for part of the border and again, used some leftover strips for the binding.  Somewhere I lost the picture of the back, but it was also a remnant. It's bright pink with green polka dots.

I machine quilted them both. As you can see on the above picture, the fabric got a little pulled in one area and the lines look crooked. Any ideas on how to avoid that?

Anyway, I have many more projects in mind to do the next 7 or so months. I know I will be working longer than 10 hours on all of them, but that's okay. I am excited to see what I can do with what I have.  Working on this goal has opened my eyes to many other things I can do to try and save some money here and there.  I love the saying,

 "Use it up, wear it out, make it do, or do without."

 I think of it every time I feel tempted to revert back to my needless spending!

I am not really a goal setter like I need to be and I am so grateful for this program that teaches me how to be better at it!

Happy Easter Morning

Jesus has risen,

Jesus, our friend.

Joy fills our hearts;

He lives again.

Praises we sing to him, This Easter time.

Jesus has risen,

Savior, divine.

Jesus has risen,

Savior divine!

I woke up this morning with these words going through my mind. The words are from a song that I learned in junior Sunday School many, many years ago.

The words touched my heart as I sang this little song in my mind.

I am so very grateful for a Savior who was willing to die for me so that I have the opportunity to live again.

I am thankful that he took upon himself all the sins of the world that I could have the opportunity to repent and be forgiven.

Happy day!

I've been thinking.

As many who read my blog on a regular basis, know I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I have never intended this blog to become a forum where I go on and on about my personal religious beliefs, and I don't plan on it becoming that in the future.  If ever I am  asked  a question about my religion, I will answer it. But, put very simply, I believe that a persons religious and spiritual experiences are personal....to be shared only when inspired to so.

Even with that thinking, there have been a few things that have been kicking around in my head lately. I can't seem to come to a firm resolution so I thought, perhaps, if I put these ponderings "out there", maybe, with your words of wisdom I would be able to make sense of them a little better.

In brief summary, our religion is based on the teachings of Jesus Christ.

We believe He stands at the head of our church.

As members of our church, we strive to develop Christ-like attributes by the decisions we make.

 We look to Christs example and try to exemplify Him in our daily lives.  

It is this reason that has got me thinking.....

How are we able to have or develop Christ-like attributes?

Do they come automatically with our conversion?

Am I personally making decisions that reflect my belief system?

Are the choices I am making in line with our teachings?

I firmly believe that our thoughts and actions reflect our true feelings about Christ.

Just for fun,  I would like to pose some rhetorical questions.....

 You see a homeless man holding a sign on the side of the road.  It reads, "Hungry and broke". 

Do you,

a- Immediatly decide he is in this predicament by the choices he has made and ignore him.

b- assume that he will use any money you give him to buy drugs and/or alcohol.

c-give him the few dollars you have in your wallet and tell him to have a nice day.

There is a new family in your congregation that come smelling of cigarettes. They look unkempt and are noisey during the meeting.

Do you,

a- look scathingly at them hoping they get the hint to be quiet.

b- immediatly assume they must not be members due to their smell.

c- go to them and introduce yourself and welcome them to the meeting.

A person in your congregation recieves an opporunity to serve within the church. This opportunity comes with much responsiblity.

Do you,

a- immediatly think you could do a better job than they can.

b- tell others about your feelings concerning this persons personal unworthyness.

c-support and edify this person to the best of your ability.

There is a family in your congregation whose Daddy doesn't always come with them.

Do you,

a- assume the Daddy is inactive.

b- automatically think that the Daddy has no belief system or testimony.

c- accept that we all live in different and unique circumstances that we don't always understand.

A person comes back to church after a long stint of inactivity.

Do you,

a-think to yourself that they will certainly have a lot of repenting to do now.

b-act so surprised to see them and make a joking comment about how the roof of the church just might fall in because they came.

c-tell the person you are so happy to see them and that you have missed them.

You feel that you are receiving your fair share of trials and then some.

Do you,

a- constantly bemoan your existence.

b-think that your trials are far worse than anyone elses and that no else suffers like you do.

c- lose yourself in service so that your trials seem trivial compared to others.

Did your answers surprise you?
(another rhetorical question)

I do not want to appear that I am getting on a soap box here.

These are questions I have asked myself these last few months.

It is my hope that we ask ourselves "what would Jesus do?" before making a choice that could potentially hurt another.

Have I hurt another with my words and actions?

Yes.

 I know I have. And I feel truly sorry for that.

Have others hurt me or another family member with their words and actions?

Yes.

After all, people say things without thinking sometimes.

However, from these times,
 I have learned

 more about myself,

realized my capacity to forgive,

and  gained a knowledge of the healing power of the Atonement. 

Please. Feel free to share your personal thoughts on this subject.

And so it goes....

There has been a feeling of melancholy around our house lately. All of the Christmas has been taken down.....

....and put away.

There is always such a void for me when it's all gone every year. Hence the melancholy. As I have been puttering around this last week, I have had many opportunities to not only reflect on the last year, but also the past decade. There have been many, many changes in my life. There have been lessons learned, joys and disappointments, heartaches and happiness and so very much to be grateful for.

With that thought, I am looking forward to 2010. I believe that it will have much in store for all of us.

Be safe tonight as you bring in the New Year. (I will be a youth dance for our church--YAY me!!)

The Hardest Thing I've Ever Done.

Mark left for his mission on the 16th of December. We had to wake up very early because his flight was scheduled to leave at 7AM. Mark was set apart as a missionary for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. This name tag will be on his lapel or shirt for the next two years.

Printing off Marks boarding pass....

Checking his luggage.....

After visiting for about a half an hour, it was time for Mark to go to his gate. We couldn't go to the gate with him. This was the spot we would say our good bye's.

It was the hardest thing I have ever done to say good bye to him.

There were many tears.

We told Mark we would be in this same spot waiting for him in two years.

A last goofy wave....

And off he goes.....

We watched him until we couldn't see him anymore.....

We are so glad Makenzie's best friend Malia was here to share this with us. She is a great support for Makenzie. We love her.

Thanks Justin for taking all the pictures. We love you, too!

The last thing.....

This is the last and final thing we have been waiting for. It is Marks visa so he can enter into the country of Africa. He received a FedEx package on Wednesday with his visa, passport, name tags, and all his other travel information in it. They even included a pass along card--you know, just in case a missionary opportunity presents itself on his 20-something hour flight to the other side of the world. :)

Mark leaves in 5 days.

I have really been doing good.... emotionally, that is. There were some quiet times that I let a few tears fall, but I have resolved myself to the fact that he is leaving and will be gone for 2 years.

Right before Ragan got out of the car this morning at Seminary, she changed her Ipod over to some church music. She said, "There Mom. Now you can listen to your favorite songs." As I started for home, the song, "I know that My Redeemer Lives" started to play. I started thinking about Mark and the opportunities he will soon have to testify to others the HE knows that his Redeemer lives. The spirit touched my heart and I, once again, knew of the truthfulness of Christ's Gospel. I had the sweet peace of knowing that Mark's desire to serve a mission is a righteous desire and the Lord is happy with him.

I found this poem on a website for missionary parents. Grab a tissue--it's a tear jerker.

This Year for Christmas I skipped the sales after Thanksgiving. The thrill just wasn't there.

No pictures taken with Santa Clause, my decorating has no flair.

His presents are shoes, shirts, and ties; two suits and socks...no fun.

I’ve bought him all white clothes because...This year I'm giving Christ my son.

I’ve spent more time in the temple, Felt strength come from His words.

I’ve reread November's Ensign, and my testimony stirred.

Our family prays are more fervent, My tears are quick to run.

The Lord seems closer because, this year I'm giving Christ my son.

I wonder how those Lamanite mothers, gave their sons to war?

Or how the pioneers chose Zion, their sacrifice was so much more.

My loss will be his presence, I’ll miss his smile a ton.

For two years we will pray for him. I’m giving Christ my son.

I stare at his face when he's not looking. I memorize his eyes, their shine.

He’s always hungered for the part of him that makes his soul divine.

The stories and lessons he has always heard. His choice and mine are one.

I’ll put my faith in God's hand. This year I'm giving Him my son.

Past gifts have lost their glitter. I think I finally understand.

Christ’s birth should be celebrated by giving Him a hand.

It’s because I know Christ lives and reigns that all his packing's done.

My gift has taken years to make, this year... I'm giving Christ my son.

I Love to see the Temple......

Saturday afternoon we had the opportunity to go to the Mesa LDS Temple with Mark. It was a day scheduled for our church group. We thought that it would be a good idea for Mark to go on that day. Since we don't have any family living close enough to go with us, we thought that our ward family would be a good second choice. We had our sweet friends, James and Cori Gubler and Joanne Hendrix there with us on Mark's special and important day. Thank you for sharing it with us! You truly hold a special place in our hearts! Of course the kids cameras came out as soon as we were on the road. It's about a 2 hour drive and I suppose they need to occupy themselves somehow! And the silliness begins! While we were in the temple, Makenzie and Ragan headed over to Bahama Bucks. Apparently they have THE BEST shaved ice. Makenzie had wedding cake flavor and Ragan had strawberry cheesecake. We didn't have time for Mark to get one....sorry buddy, maybe next time. :) After Bahama Bucks, they spent time in the visitors center. This is after we were done..... The temple grounds are always so beautiful. They are impeccably kept. I don't think it matters what faith you believe in when you see these temples. They are just simply beautiful.

It was a wonderful and memorable day.

What do you do?

This post is dedicated to those who are or have been affected by this down turn in the economy. I don't know about you but I am very troubled. Our government has gotten us into a world of hurt. As a matter of fact, our church leaders have been counseling us for years to avoid unnecessary debt, save some money for a rainy day and work on obtaining a 2 year supply of food. I can see the need for that advice now. I am certainly not a "dooms-dayer", but lets just keep it real..... it's a rainy day. Food costs are rising. People are losing their jobs. People are losing their homes. It is sad. So sad. We bought our home just a little over one year ago. It has already DEprecciated $50 thousand dollars. If we had to sell tomorrow, we simply couldn't. At least we have a reasonable payment and a decent loan. We are, however, facing some hefty monthly charges in the near future because of Craig's dental work and Mark's mission. Money will be tight---and when I say tight, I mean puckered up good, tight and squeaky! :) At a time in our world when things seem to crumbling around us, I want to become empowered. I refuse to sit back and let things fall where they may. I want to brain storm with you about what sort of things YOU are doing to no longer be a victim of this wretched economic situation. Here are some things I have been thinking about; 1. working more consciously of my food storage. I have a good amount, but since moving to AZ, I have been a little lax. 2. be more aware of our usage of water and electricity. I am one to crank up the a/c and take big hot bubble baths....I will be a little more conscientious. 3. I will be more aware of my grocery budget. I use coupons and shop the sales but I know I can still do better. 4. I will try to condense my driving by being more organized while running errands. (thank goodness the price of gas is at long last going down...) 5. make snacks for the kids instead of buying them. I used to be much better at this and got kind of lazy about it. 6. use my stash....all of it.... before buying more. 7. be okay with the fact that everyone is getting a homemade Christmas gift from us this year. I always worry that the recipients will think it's lame to get a home made gift....but, I think my check book and I are over it. 8. Seriously consider cancelling our cable....no one really watches it until night time anyway. 9. Adopt the old pioneer adage; "use it up, wear it out, make it do or do without." 10. repair (if possible) instead of buying another. Our cars recently had some problems....after much pondering, we decided to repair them instead of buying new ones. Also, our washing machine was acting like it might go. I had a moment of excitement thinking I was going to go get one of those new-fangled front loading ones. However, we decided to fix the old one. I am so glad now. Tell me your plans for cutting back. Let's work together on taking control of our lives in this out of control world we live in! **I still think this is a wonderful world full of opportunity and blessings. I try to see the Lord's hand in everything. And, not to get all religious, but I can't help but think that the Lord might be sending us a little reminder about not forgetting him. People want Him out of the schools, out of the government, and off of our money. I hope we can all take a minute to remember where our blessings come from...and then be thankful.

My 100th Post

Gosh! It's been a long while since I have posted! Things here at the Carter house have been crazy busy. There were days when I resorted to crawling under the covers, assuming the fetal position, and sleeping. Long and hard. Thankfully, it has done wonders for me.

Well, everyone.....this is my 100th post! WOO HOO!

And, it's gonna be a long one, so buckle up and enjoy the ride!

Ragan told me everyday for about 2 months that the band Mayday Parade was coming to Tucson. I tried to mask my "who really gives a darn" feelings because she really wanted to go. Now, I know full well the kind of "folks" that attend concerts such as these, and I was, to put it mildly, very reluctant to let her go. Finally, Makenzie and Justin said they would go with her. They all had a wonderful time despite the mosh pit....

Here is Ragan with one of the band members. She was so excited. She had her belt autographed and got some body's guitar pick....I believe it was the base player's.... She shook hands with all of them and got pictures.

Who might this half naked boy be with my daughters???? What's with all the tattoos?? I guess no one ever told him his body is a temple......:)

She prattled on about the concert for days. She says she wants to marry one of the band members....I forget which one.

I say, OVER MY DEAD BODY!!!

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We are in to our arm pits preparing for Mark's mission. We are learning more and more about Uganda. We also found out that the son of his mission president is on our ward (church)! That sure did my heart good.

This is a picture of the Ugandan flag.

I have been asked on several occasions how I feel about Mark serving in Africa. If I am being honest, I have to say my first reaction was shock. Then, when it all began to sink in, I had to stuff the emotions that wanted to demand a "do over". When thinking of Africa, it conjured up images of mud huts, malaria, and orphanages. But, after researching it, I have found that it is a very civilized country. We have also received a lot of support from family and friends and that has helped A LOT! :)

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When I wasn't sleeping my days away, I was finishing up a few projects for Halloween. This is a little wall hanging that I made. It is my own pattern and I used up quite a few scraps making it.

This is a picture of the finished table runner I showed last week.... I would have put it on my table but it is covered with....well, everything....{{sigh}}

Next time I make one of these I will use more contrasting colors. But, I did take a solemn vow to use up my stash before buying anymore fabric. Another {{sigh}}

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I thought I would include a few pictures of my sewing buddies.

This is Rusty (cat) and Macy (dog).....

They are lovely little friends. They keep me company all day long. Macy follows me everywhere and lays at my feet whenever I stop. Rusty lays near, too. Just waiting for a completed project to curl up onto.

Macy believes she is a lap dog and very often crawls up onto Craig's lap while he's watching TV. **Craig is very happy to oblige! Can you see his other TV buddy laying beside Craig?? That's Rudy.

She is such a pretty girl!

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We have quite an assortment of critters her in Arizona. Mark found this moth on the door last night. He brought it in the house to snap a picture. (Ohhhh...if his sisters only knew....) He thought I might like it to show the preschool children, but I took pity on the poor thing and had Mark set it free after it's photo shoot.

It sure was a big'un!! But beautiful in it's own right! ************************************************************************************* Craig and Jill had a very memorable time in China. Their goal for her performance was for her to make the finals. She threw her season best to advance to the finals so they achieved their goal!! They both knew that it would take a miracle for her to medal so they weren't expecting that. This picture was taken right after the competition. She finished 12th in the world. GO JILL!!! Here is a shot of the Olympic Track Stadium as it is filling up with people. And for your viewing pleasure, here is a shot of Craig with "a couple of locals"! :)

The grounds were immaculately kept. Not a blade of grass out of place!

Well, that's it for now! I do have a little give away in the works so watch for that! I am also furiously working on opening my Etsy Shop. Thank you for being patient!!!