God's Love

Hubble Ultra Deep Field

According to NASA- there is an estimated 10,000 galaxies in the above picture. And this is only a fraction of space pictured.

I'm taking a "Pearl of Great Price" Institute class this semester. In class we talked about God's creations and discussed the following scriptures:

"And worlds without number have I created; and I also created them for mine own purposes; and by the Son I created them, which is mine Only Begotten. ... But only an account of this earth, and the inhabitants thereof, give I unto you. For behold, there are many worlds that have passed away by the word of my power. And there are many that now stand, and innumerable are they unto man; but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them." --Moses 1: 33, 35

We then discussed how amazing (and it undoubtedly is incredible) it is that with the trillions+ of creations God has- that He not only knows and loves each of us individually, but that He takes time to individually care for us. We talked about how Christ, the creator of "worlds without number", took the Nephite children one by one and blessed them (found in 3 Nephi 17). He didn't just give a group prayer/blessing on everyone present and call it good. He devoted time, energy, and love to each child individually. And He does the exact same for each one of us. Patriarchal blessings are a very real evidence of that.

I know that for me, it can be easy to feel small, ignored, and insignificant in the craziness of this world. (I especially feel this way when gazing up at the stars.) It can be easy to get caught up in the thought that with all of God's creations- how does He have time to care about you and your problems? But we must remember the last part in the scripture above: "but all things are numbered unto me, for they are mine and I know them." Pretty incredible huh?!

He does know me individually. He does know what's going on in my life- my trials and triumphs. He does hear and answers my prayers. He does love me.

How eternally grateful I am for my testimony of these truths. I truly am one blessed Daughter of God.

Strength

I've been told a lot throughout my life that I've been an inspiration to others. I always thought that was strange. Don't get me wrong, that's flattering and I'm glad I've had a positive influence in others' lives. However, I'm just going about living my life to the best of my abilities. Isn't that what everyone's trying to do? Everyone has trials they've had to overcome in their lives... mine just happen to be visible to others. But that doesn't make my trials any grander, more difficult, or more inspirational than the trials  the person next to me has fought to overcome. 

I firmly believe that people are a lot stronger and capable than what they give themselves credit for. You'll be amazed at what you can endure and do when you have no other choice but to do it.

I remember an experience I had a few years ago. I had gone to my brother's work to speak. He worked at an resident facility for delinquent boys ages 12-18. I did my little spiel and then opened it up for questions. One of the boys there made the comment along the lines of... 'I don't know how you do it. If I like got one of my arms cut off I just couldn't do it.' I firmly responded... 'Yes you could. Because if you really got your arm cut off- you'd have no other choice but to do it! You'd either have to deal and figure out how to overcome that- or just give up.' 

I love the following sentiment. I know it's 100% true. And that truth has given me greater peace and strength as I've strived to overcome the challenges in my life. 

And finally, one last thought that I love:

One of the Reasons Why I Stay on Facebook...

... is because of all the awesome quotes I find on there!! Here's some recent ones:

Appropriate reminder just after finishing the Christmas season.

I desperately need this reminder as I continue to learn all there is to know at LDS Family Services. Even 4 months later it can still be overwhelming sometimes.

This is the continuation of the quote above:
"One day God will, in great victory, 'wipe away all tears from their eyes; and there shall be no more death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither shall there be any more pain; for the former things are passed away.' One day our calamities will be overpast." -Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

This was accompanied with this thought that I love:
"Self-realization is one of the most important aspects in this journey of life. It's hard to believe in God when you don't believe in yourself. By understanding who we really are, we better understand who God is and in turn, understand His plan for us." -LDS S.M.I.L.E

This picture was accompanied with the following quote:
"Everyone has experienced discouragement and difficulty. Indeed, there are times when the darkness may seem unbearable. It is in these times that the divine principles of the restored gospel we hope in can uphold us and carry us until, once again, we walk in the light." -President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

This may or may not actually be from C.S. Lewis (the Internet is in disagreement over that one). Either way I love it and believe this to be so true! I am without a doubt so much more than just my physical body. I am a child of God, with unbelievable worth in His eyes that has nothing to do with my physical appearance. And while I'm extremely grateful to have my body which allows me to have this mortal experience- I'm also grateful to know this physical body isn't mine forever. At least not in its current imperfect state. (Can't wait for the perfected version though!!! It's going to be more amazing then I could ever imagine, I just know it.)

And for some humor:

Holiday Hoopla

Matt & I (& Mom- who's taking the picture) decorating the Christmas Tree!

Christmas Tree all lit up!

Wow the last 3 weeks have been filled with all kinds of fun craziness!!! So much so I didn't stop to take any pictures, which means all picture credits from this post belong to either my mom or sisters.

Anyways- back to the excitement. It all started with my sister, Stacy, and her 4 girls coming into town. From there on we went non-stop from one fun activity to another... despite over half the family being sick at one time or another. We seriously were quite the group with all of us coughing and blowing our noses every 5 minutes. But we didn't let that stop us from having fun and enjoy being together as family!

Since pictures are more exciting than writing- let's just get straight to it shall we? We'll go by event okay? ;)

Playing in the Snow:

P.S. I was so SO happy that we had a white Christmas this year!! If it's not a white Christmas- any snow we receive after that I'm just bitter towards. Dead serious. 

Lot's of fun cousin/sibling bonding time:

Isn't this picture filled with so much awesomeness?!

From left to right: Kylie (2), Makai (21 mo), Kate (5), Aly (11), Lise (8), Jaden (10), Camren (8)

Swimming:
          (Thanks to Matt's friend, Shae, and her awesome pool with a bubble over it- they were able to take the kids swimming. Who says you can't go swimming in the middle of winter?! I unfortunately had to miss out on that fun due to my responsibilities at LDS Family Services.)

I don't know if Kate is cold or what...

Look at that form!!!

Playing Games:
       I think that's how we spent the majority of our time- playing one game or another. We played No Thanks, Word on the Street, Over/Under, Quelf, Wits & Wagers, Clue, Ripple, Mad Gab, Rack-O, Skip Bo and I'm sure some others I've forgotten.

Here's a picture of the girls playing "The Matt Game". They LOVED it!! Who needs expensive gadgets when you have some books, imagination, & people to entertain you?!

Christmas Morning:

Yes I know I'm very spoiled with that massive pile of presents in front of me.

Ice-Skating:
      (Try not to mind the blurry pictures. I also had to miss out on this fun- again due to being at LDS Family Services.)

Haha!!! Her facial expression is hilarious in this picture!

Sibling Dinner- California Pizza Kitchen:
            My siblings (and that includes my in-laws) are my best friends. There's honestly not a group of people I'd rather spend time with than my family. They all have helped shape me into a better person than I otherwise would've been without them in my life. I couldn't ask for better examples to look up to than these people. I love them all so much.
            

Spencer's 26th Birthday (Dec. 29th):

Haha! I love this picture!!

I have an amazing brother! He can always make me laugh, is one of the smartest people I know, and has such a strong testimony of the gospel.
Love you so much Spence!! 

New Year's Eve:

Nice face Laura.

I have no idea why she looks so traumatized in this picture. She was all smiles when we were outside banging on the pie pans to ring in the New Year.

Laura planned all these fun activities for the kids to do during the night so they wouldn't be bored on New Year's Eve. One of the activities was to decorate their "noise maker". Cute huh? They absolutely loved it!! Major aunt/mom points to Laura!! (I need to step it up in the aunt department apparently...)

Not Pictured:

• Family Parties (both the Webb Ebelskiver party & the Jackman Christmas party--> where all the girls got a "bra purse". I'm dead serious- and so was my Grandma in giving the gift.)
• Christmas Eve tradition of the formal dinner in the "nice" dining room by candlelight, followed by stating why we love each other by the fireplace. After that we do our "Gift to Christ". It's a great night filled with the Spirit. 
• Watching The Cosby Show (Spencer got all 8 seasons for Christmas) --> I'd forgotten how hilarious The Cosby Show truly is! And you gotta love how clean it is, which is hard to find today! 
• Watching movies (October Baby, My Girlfriend's Boyfriend, Knight & Day, Men in Black 3, Les Miserables, The Hobbit, and of course lots of Christmas movies!)
• Going to the Jordan River Temple as a family and doing sealings (the first time for me)
• My entire family going to church together (loved being in Relief Society with my mom & all of my sisters)
• Me finally meeting my best friend's baby girl, Lila, for the first time. Oh my heck she is absolutely ADORABLE!!!

All in all- it was 3 weeks where lots of great memories were made!! I'm so grateful that my entire family was able to spend so much time together over the holiday season. I couldn't have asked for anything better than that.