My Simple Testimony

Last week I went to the Church History center on Temple Square in Salt Lake City.

They had an amazing section designed specifically for kids! I had no idea they would have something so fun for the little ones to do.

I went with my sister Camille and her son Jackson, and Emmy and her daughter Madisen and son D.J.

Right when we walked in the kids were SO excited to see each other that they started running around pointing to all of the displays and talking about them in their own little language! I had no idea they would find it so interesting! Right in front there was a miniature statue of Angel Moroni. Every kid that has seen a temple is interested what the gold statue looks like close up and this was their chance!

They started trying to climb up the statue like mountain goats.

We couldn't let this happen, so we had to move on.

I can't remember if this is why D.J. was sad or not..

How come every where I go I have a picture of the "do not touch" sign with my kids on top? Kids know, just like adults that this must mean it is the most fun!

But it was so cute to watch his cousins console him when he was down.

The second we walked into the kids area, I felt the spirit so strong.

I don't know if it was because of the Christmas season that my heart was extra full or that it jolted my spirit back to the basics of why the gospel rings so true me.

My testimony of my Heavenly Father is a simple one. There are some people that spend a lifetime analyzing differing beliefs in God, which I believe is a talent in itself... but I am simple.

My happiness comes from some basic principles that I know to be true.

I know I came from heaven where I lived with family and friends and a Heavenly Father that loves me

I know I am here on earth to learn hard lessons and to be happy

and

I know I am striving every day with the goal to be worthy to return to my Heavenly Fathers' presence someday with my family.

That is it in a nutshell. Over simplified YES. Of course my testimony goes deeper than that, but it all stems from those simple truths.

I was raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. I believe even though I was raised this way, every person has to be converted.

It wasn't until I left home, lived on my own for a while was married and started having kids that my conversion took place. I had always gone to church growing up because my mom and dad did. It wasn't until I moved away to college that I realized I didn't HAVE to go to church. Nobody was there expecting me.

I went inactive for several years and started to feel the void.

I didn't now what it was for a very long time.

I felt empty somehow, like I had lost something but I didn't know what.

I was still a happy person but incomplete somehow...in search of something.

I met and married my husband after almost three years. He was raised in the same church but had rebelled in his teenage years doing whatever a teenage boy does. He had started smoking when he was about 17 right after he found out he was going to have a baby to deal with the stress. Jon was missing something in his life also but neither of us started to figure that out until we had Kinley.

Having my first child changed my whole paradigm. I wanted her to be raised knowing that her Heavenly Father loved her and that he would be there throughout her life to comfort her when she felt all alone in this harsh world.

I started going back to church alone. Jon wasn't ready yet to make that commitment. It was hard sitting by myself with my baby feeling all alone in a sea of new faces. They were all nice but I wanted my best friend there, my husband. It took him about three years to decide to come with me. By that point I had been taking Sydney (my step daughter), Shauntyl (my niece that I raised for four years), Kinley and Whitney to church.

The sweet bishop, Bishop Bills invited Jon to be a Scout leader. Jon let him know that he smoked and he shouldn't come. He told him that he would be perfect for the job and as long as he stepped away when he needed to smoke he would be fine.

This changed Jon's life. It was the beginning of Jon feeling accepted for who he was.

I nagged Jon to quit smoking for years until I realized it wasn't doing ANYTHING!

I promised him I was done at one point and didn't say a word for about 2 years until he quit.

How did he quit?

He first made up his mind that he was ready, second prayed every night before he came up to bed for help, and third used patches and chewed the crap out of the nicorette gum :)

It was actually pretty funny.

I remember it was the night before our anniversary and he was cleaning out his car and throwing EVERYTHING into the wash. I kept my distance not quite knowing what to think until he was laying in the bath at about 11 p.m.

I couldn't contain my curiosity any longer and asked him why he was acting like a crazy man! He showed my his patch and informed me that he had quit smoking.

Just like that, no turning back.

That is my Jon.

Amazing.

I am in awe of his determination. When he makes his mind up to do something, there is no going back...end of story.

Anyway we started reading the scriptures together each night before bed.

There aren't words to describe how reading the scriptures effects your life. It is something intangible but very real. The blessings just come and the feeling in the home changes. It is just like paying tithing. Ten percent makes all the difference in my mind! It is like family happiness insurance. It doesn't mean things won't go wrong but it does mean it is easier to get through the trial and believe me we were going through trials!

We needed the extra help.

(Challenges and needing help are ongoing!)

Fast forward about 10 years into my life now. I have six beautiful daughters that I love beyond belief. I have extended family that have helped Jon and I through some really hard times. Most importantly I have a testimony that has been built through simple beliefs that had the power to change my life.

I believe there is SO MUCH we can't even come close to comprehending.

I know there is so much I don't understand. I believe there are amazing people in all religions. I love to learn about different religions and what makes people happy in their self discovery. If anything all I know is that I don't know everything. I am not a scriptorian or a scholar. If I was asked to prove doctorinly why I believe what I do I couldn't show you..quickly anyway. But I do know that whenever I try and follow what I am asked to do in the scriptures I am happier. Is it hard to follow and do everything I am asked as a member of the church, YES but it is worth it. The "rules" are hard but the pain it saves in the long run is a lot harder!

I have tried it that way also. I know.

I pray to always have the strength to follow the current prophet Thomas S. Monson.

I am working every day to be a good example to my children. I believe there is no better teacher than one that tries to live their own teachings and if they fall short, they admit mistake and keep going. I am not perfect. Far from, but I try to be a little better every day.

I am so grateful especially this time of year to have the simple truths I have.

They love that surrounds me when I try and listen to the spirit.

I haven't ever posted a blog entry remotely about my religious beliefs

but woke up knowing that I needed to.

I hope I haven't offended any of my family or friends.

I respect all for their various beliefs and love them regardless.

Ultimately the purpose of the this blog is for family history.

It will be made into a book for my children to be pass down. I don't write it to sponsor companies or just pass time. It is a journal of events and feelings.

I want them to know that I believe that Joseph Smith was a true prophet of God

and that we have a living prophet today. I want them to know that following their teachings will do nothing but bring them happiness. I am so grateful for the Holy Ghost and the constant companion and feeling of love it brings.

Do I understand the Holy Ghost...? No, but I don't care. :)

The Holy Ghost and prayer have helped me understand the hard questions I have faced in my life. We all have questions that we don't have complete answers to.

That is where faith comes in.

There is no religion on earth that has all of the answers.

Understanding what the Holy Ghost is trying to teach is a life time challenge

but with practice I am getting better.

I know that the Book of Mormon is the word of God and together with the Bible it teaches truths that help us get through this life. It is the only life manual we get!

Most importantly I believe in families. I know it is a vital piece of his plan.

We are here to help each other out on our journey.

No matter happens in our day to day life, family is the center.

Everything I do, I do for my family.

Once again, I am not perfect.

That is why the atonement is so important. I have the knowledge that I can mess up, repent and try my best the next day. I guess that is why this time of year is so special. It reminds us of Christ and what he did for us.

Below is the chorus to one of my favorite songs.

It is called "I am a Child of God".

They had these signs hanging in the children's area.

I am a child of God

And he has sent me here

Has given me an earthly home

With parents kind and dear (kind of dear if you are Whitney).

It is a simple song but a beautiful one sung by children all over the world.

When we first walked into the room with the chairs Halle couldn't sit still for two seconds so I could take a picture! She loved it.

My darling sister Camille

They had a little manger scene set up so the kids could dress in the wise men clothes and pretend they were in the manger with baby Jesus.

Emmy and baby Madisen

After we were finished Camille showed me a fabulous little restaurant called Tony Caputos. It was divine! On our way out I saw a little bakery next door

(one of my weeknesses) and had to stop for a treat!

Tis the Season!