Conference

The last two days have been AMAZING! I mean the spiritual feast that was given and I got to partake of. Beautiful General conference. Wonderful speakers talking about my responsibility as a mother that I feel I have neglected in many aspects. I have been so worried about my business and trying to keep my house clean and getting organized that my children have not had their mother around a whole lot. :( Time to refocus and go to the temple for my family and others, play with my children and do activities with them, get to know my neighbors and gain valuable relationships, serve those around me. I am not alone and my Father in Heaven is aware of my struggles and my heart. Faith is the key.

We have wanted for a very long time to put Moroni in dance classes and Hannah in gymnastics. We have been afraid we could not afford it and we are still afraid, but they are good things and I want to take that time to spend with each child even if it is only for a little while. We still have tithing to pay and we will then we will sign our children up for the classes and hope, pray, and have faith that it will work out to our good.

https://www.facebook.com/photo.php?fbid=10100260020144578&set=a.941240404758.2200016.23709651&type=1&theater

I have been really upset with the government for shutting down and not caring about the people who they are hurting and then they expect the citizens to stand by their idiotic decisions. I will follow God's laws and I will fight for His law and continue to teach my children the true meaning of life, liberty, and the pursuit of Happiness. It requires work and faith for "faith without works is dead" God bless the USA! "Choose you this day whom ye will serve, but as for me and my house we will serve the Lord!!"

Watch conference feel of the Spirit and Know that all things are possible for with the Help of the Lord!

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/sessions/2013/10?cid=HPFR100413105&lang=eng

"Love the Lord thy God with all your might, mind, and strength!" "Seek ye first the Kingdom of God!"

"Daily Bread"

Our simple daily routines if we call them that of reading scriptures and saying prayers help transform us.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2649250157001

I must live moment to moment day by day. If I can just get my daily requirement and not keep asking for the end result good things will happen. Maybe He wants us to walk through it with Him. He is teaching us how to overcome with His help. It helps not to think too much ahead but to go day by day and we may not see the light at the end of the tunnel, but we have enough for today.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2649255347001

We are expected to look to him for daily nourishment. Taking one day at a time. He is content with our progress and will help us continue with it. "With His atonement we become different people than we would be without it." He is who we aspire to be.  Be patient of with time.

http://www.mormonchannel.org/video/mormon-messages?v=2649250159001

I am becoming the person I want to be. I still have a long way to go, but I am getting there. I need to continually apply the messages I get to my life and practices through the day. Prayer is a must. I need to do it on my own as well as with my children and husband. I would like to incorporate couples prayer in the mornings. I just don't feel like I have support, but I know I do. I just have to set the example.

10 things I am thankful for

1. My wonderful patient husband.
2. I am grateful for my husband's smile
3. I am grateful for my daughter Hannah's curiosity and genuine unconditional love.
4. I am grateful for Moroni's energy.
5. I am grateful for my friend Shannon who is a wonderful support
6. I am grateful for my friend Nicole who is also a like minded thinker and wonderful support
7. I am grateful for banks and the ability to get loans for needed help
8. I am grateful for HMO and TMO for reimbursing us for our moving expenses
9. I am grateful for Tonja Winters who gave us fresh food that we really needed.
10. I am grateful for the PSI work because I feel it has brought out the Daughter of God that I really am.

The Lord Never Shouted at me

I have made the commitment not to yell at my children in anger. I have learned that they will not trust me if I continued to give negative vibes. This article in the ensign shows me or confirms to me that I am in the right path. :)

http://www.lds.org/ensign/2013/09/the-lord-never-shouted-at-me?lang=eng

She talks about how one of her children goes astray with drinking smoking drugs and foul language and because she was so scared for him she would confront him and they would argue loudly. She even received a blessing where the Lord chastised her for yelling at her children saying something like I never yelled at you. He also encouraged the parents to let their son make his own choices unless it directly affected the family. He would have to take the consequences for those actions as well.

I know I continually catch myself when I am angry and have shift to keep under control. It takes practice and we do mess up sometimes. We just have to keep going and we will succeed!! My little boy like to try me and I have this thought from reading the article that I will let him be. He knows mostly right from wrong but we are all still learning so patience and understanding is key. Today is going to be a GREAT day!

Self-Reliance

Self-reliance is the ability, commitment, and effort to provide for the spiritual and temporal well-being of ourselves and of our families.¹

As we learn and apply the principles of self-reliance in our homes and communities, we have opportunities to care for the poor and needy and to help others become self-reliant so they can endure times of adversity.

We have the privilege and duty to use our agency to become self-reliant spiritually and temporally. Speaking of spiritual self-reliance and ourdependence on Heavenly Father, Elder Robert D. Hales of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles has taught: “We become converted and spiritually self-reliant as we prayerfully live our covenants—through worthily partaking of the sacrament, being worthy of a temple recommend, and sacrificing to serve others.”²

Elder Hales counseled us to become self-reliant temporally, “which includes getting a postsecondary education or vocational training, learning to work, and living within our means. By avoiding debt and saving money now, we are prepared for full-time Church service in the years to come. The purpose of both temporal and spiritual self-reliance is to get ourselves on higher ground so that we can lift others in need.”³

I do not need to feel guilt. I can do this 90 day push or burst then settle into it. Then do it again. It is a good thing and will make our family self-reliant. It will help us as we get to our goals and help others reach theirs. Then when we are old we can go on missions and serve the Lord in every thing and not have to worry whether we will make it or if our children with be alright. What a peaceful beautiful thing!

Chapter 25

Jesus gives the parables of the ten virgins, the talents, and the sheep and the goats.

 1 ^aThen shall the kingdom of heaven be likened unto ten ^bvirgins, which took their ^clamps, and went forth to meet the bridegroom.

 2 And five of them were wise, and five were foolish.

 3 They that were foolish took their lamps, and took no oil with them:

 4 But the wise took oil in their vessels with their lamps.

 5 While the bridegroom tarried, they all ^aslumbered and ^bslept.

 6 And at midnight there was a cry made, Behold, the ^abridegroomcometh; go ye out to meet him.

 7 Then all those virgins arose, and trimmed their ^alamps.

 8 And the foolish said unto the wise, Give us of your oil; for our lamps ^aare gone out.

 9 But the wise answered, saying, Not so; lest there be not enough for us and you: but go ye rather to them that sell, and buy for yourselves.

 10 And while they went to buy, the bridegroom came; and they that were ^aready went in with him to the marriage: and the door was ^bshut.

 11 Afterward came also the other virgins, saying, Lord, Lord, open to us.

 12 But he answered and said, ^aVerily I say unto you, I ^bknow you not.

 13 ^aWatch therefore, for ye know neither the day nor the hour wherein the Son of man cometh.

This scripture reminds me that I must first take care of my own needs before anyone else's because if I do not then I will not have my own oil to light for the King when He comes.

1 Timothy  5:8

8 But if any ^aprovide not for his own, and specially for those of his own house, he hath denied the faith, and is worse than an infidel.

Again I need to take care of my own house before I take care of anyone else's problems because it is unwise to have gotten us in this situation and not have sufficient funds to cover our needs.

Alma 34:27-28

 27 Yea, and when you do not cry unto the Lord, let your ^ahearts be ^bfull, drawn out in prayer unto him continually for your^cwelfare, and also for the welfare of ^dthose who are around you.

 28 And now behold, my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye^aturn away the ^bneedy, and the ^cnaked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and ^dimpart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need—I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your ^eprayer is ^fvain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as ^ghypocrites who do deny the faith.

I need to share of my substance of what I have or I am no better than those I despise for their greediness.

D&C 44:6

 6 Behold, I say unto you, that ye must ^avisit the poor and the needy and administer to their relief, that they may be kept until all things may be done according to my law which ye have received. Amen.

I need to ask for visiting teaching assignment.

D&C 58:26-29

 26 For behold, it is not meet that I should command in all things; for he that is ^acompelled in all things, the same is a ^bslothful and not a wise servant; wherefore he receiveth no reward.

 27 Verily I say, men should be ^aanxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness;

 28 For the power is in them, wherein they are ^aagents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their ^breward.

 29 But he that ^adoeth not anything until he is commanded, and receiveth a commandment with ^bdoubtful heart, and keepeth it with slothfulness, the same is ^cdamned.

The Lord doesn't want command us in everything because we have the gift of agency and need to learn to us our own brains. If it is a good work then go for it! If we are being righteous then continue to move on your righteous desires. He is not happy when we do not move and then He commands us to do something and we doubt that commandment. Not wise at all. I am doing good with moving forward with Isagenix because it is a good work and I am learning a skill that will make our family self-reliant and it will help others to be self-reliant as well.

D&C 88:118

118 And as all have not ^afaith, seek ye diligently and ^bteach one another words of ^cwisdom; yea, seek ye out of the best ^dbookswords of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.

Magnify our church callings and ask for a visiting teaching assignment. Find out where we can do service for our community and neighbors.

After the Latter-day Saints had gathered in the Salt Lake Valley, which was an isolated desert, President Brigham Young wanted them to flourish and establish permanent homes. This meant the Saints needed to learn skills that would allow them to become self-sufficient. In this effort, President Young had great trust in the capacities, talents, faithfulness, and willingness of the women, and he encouraged them in specific temporal duties. While the specific duties of Relief Society sisters are often different today, the principles remain constant:

1. 1. 
   Learn to love work and avoid idleness.
2. 2. 
   Acquire a spirit of self-sacrifice.
3. 3. 
   Accept personal responsibility for spiritual strength, health, education, employment, finances, food, and other life-sustaining necessities.
4. 4. 
   Pray for faith and courage to meet challenges.
5. 5. 
   Strengthen others who need assistance.⁴
6. I am learning to love work and we are learning to sacrifice. I have the responsibility to help my husband with our financial in come though we are very taken care of with the military. I will finish my education in finance. I will pray to have faith and courage to meet the challenges that in front of us and let go of the mistakes and pain of the past but use it to my advantage in the present and future. I will give of my blessings to others and help assist them in their journey.

"A Defense and a Refuge" President Packer Oct 2006 conference Sunday afternoon session.

"A few points that I love are "arise and shine forth, that thy light may be a standard for the nations;"

"If we are doing the best we can, we should not become discouraged."

"There would be no end to the kinds of challenges that the early Saints would face. New challenges would be different than, but certainly not less than, that through which they had made their way."
We will always have opposition it is how we endure and work through it that blesses and strengthens us.

"Some live with an unspoken fear of what awaits us and the Church in the world."
I know I have always had a fear that nagged at me, but if we are doing what we are suppose to be doing then we will be alright.

"We can live where we wish, doing the best we can to make a living, whether modest or generous. We are free to do as we wish with our lives, assured of the approval and even the intervention of the Almighty, confident of constant spiritual guidance."
If we do our very best to follow Heavenly Father's commandments we can be sure He will help us get where we are work to go and it will be in alignment with what he wants for us.

"We are not to be afraid, even in a world where the hostilities will never end."
Fear is going to come, but it is not ok to have fear paralyze you so you do not move forward! That is the evil one targeting you. The Lord gives happiness and peace not fear. We must identify the fear then move into action. The fear is never going to go away we have to accept that then shift to move forward.

"Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works and glorify your Father which is in heaven" (Matthew 5:16; 3 Nephi 12:16).
We are given a power and light to lift others and in so doing we lift ourselves. "No greater joy there is than a man lay down his life for his friend."

"do 'not [be] ashamed of the gospel of [Jesus] Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth" (Romans 1:16)

I have found that I do not have to do anything. I have the right to choose what I do. I have the right to want to do things and not feel guilty if I do not complete them or do not do them. I do have commandments and I can choose to either like to follow them or complain about them. I choose to follow them so that I can have the Spirit of my Father in Heaven with me at all times. I am a beautiful daughter of God and have the gift of agency and I am free to choose who will have an influence in my life and how I will live me life. I JERI STEELE CHOOSE TO DO THIS EVENT!!! It will probably be harder than what I think but constant movement and decisions are all that matter!!! When I make mistakes I know my Lord and Savior has suffered for my sins and I can be forgiven of them and forgive myself as well. I can be kind and gentle with myself and others. I am entitled to His love and the Love of my Father in Heaven. I can feel Them close as I choose the right paths for my family and I to follow. I AM EXCITED!! I love myself and I love my brothers and sisters. I am able to connect with them and I am worth so much more than the precious things of this world. Thank Thee wonderful Father for this abundant life and the gifts event he gifts that come in the form of challenges we are truly blessed. In the name of Jesus Christ Amen.

Blessings of the day

There was mostly a spirit of kindness in our home. We were able to go for a walk. I got to spend sometime playing the keyboard and writing on our story. I got to read some uplifting encouragements from my sisters to another sister. We all had naps!! We have good food. I was able to put away food. I recentered. I received a blessing of healing and I am healed. :) Alan and I are privileged to study Spanish and Nutrition. Alan came home to us and was happy. :) We were able to invited the missionaries (elders) for dinner on Wednesday night.We had a good nights sleep. I feel peace, love, and calmness. I am also pretty sure I am pregnant. :) Oh the blessings of these wonderful days.

I have be blessed to go and participate in healing creative personal growth seminars. I am grateful for the support and love they have for people to gain their life and love back. I can feel the connection to my brothers and sisters in this world now. I know they are wonderful and we came for loving merciful parents who only want the best for us. From the direction of these wonderful parents and  loving brother Christ we have a gospel that  teaches us good from evil and how to recognize the good and be thankful for our blessings even when they come as challenges. From both these organizations we have great support and strength. If we ever feel a lacking we can always turn to the Lord or our Father in Heaven for support and guidance. "Blessed be the name of the Most High God"

Thank Thee Father for these wonderful blessings and days filled with wonder and excitement. I love Thee. In the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

http://www.lds.org/liahona/2013/08/recognize-remember-and-give-thanks?lang=eng