I am thankful for...
a visit from my sis
bright red nail polish
free samples at Costco
a husband who likes to play with kids
roller coasters
and BIRTHDAYS!
Happy Birthday to Karen Stead, Kaye Richey and Sue Kelly!
-Kelly
15 years ago
Thursday, April 30, 2009
Sunday, April 26, 2009
The Truth of God Shall Go Forth
Sister Kerrie Graff gave a beautiful lesson from M. Russell Ballard's talk in the Ensign.
In short, the talk is about how the gospel will spread to every nation. Right now there are places that will not accept the preaching of the gospel. These nations must be prepared. South America had to be prepared before missionaries preached there. Now Brazil alone has over 1,000,000 members! That goes to show that no matter what happens, God's work cannot be frustrated. Only the work of man can be frustrated.
That keeps my hope alive.
I also appreciate what was said about how our challenges of today are not more severe as those of the pioneers, they are not less severe...they are just different. We are not asked to cross the plains and build a new Zion. However, we are asked to cross the street and serve our neighbor.
We are not asked to die a martyr's death, but we are asked to live a disciple's life. I believe that we can cross the street, and we can lead a righteous life. I am so glad that we have each other as sisters to lean on for support.
Please leave a comment if you have more to add (I couldn't find my Ensign, so this post doesn't have all the information I wanted to put in).
In short, the talk is about how the gospel will spread to every nation. Right now there are places that will not accept the preaching of the gospel. These nations must be prepared. South America had to be prepared before missionaries preached there. Now Brazil alone has over 1,000,000 members! That goes to show that no matter what happens, God's work cannot be frustrated. Only the work of man can be frustrated.
That keeps my hope alive.
I also appreciate what was said about how our challenges of today are not more severe as those of the pioneers, they are not less severe...they are just different. We are not asked to cross the plains and build a new Zion. However, we are asked to cross the street and serve our neighbor.
We are not asked to die a martyr's death, but we are asked to live a disciple's life. I believe that we can cross the street, and we can lead a righteous life. I am so glad that we have each other as sisters to lean on for support.
Please leave a comment if you have more to add (I couldn't find my Ensign, so this post doesn't have all the information I wanted to put in).
Friday, April 24, 2009
Thankful Thursday... almost
Where did this week go? All morning I have been thinking that today is Thursday, thus preparing for my Thankful Thursday list. I now know that today is Friday, so my apologies to Darlene Matheson for posting her birthday a day late. And I'm going to go ahead with the Thankful Thursday anyway... because I love it.
I am thankful for...
my church calling
slipper socks
an overcast day
a child who likes to wash his hands
a win for the Jazz (yesss!)
-Kelly Richards
What are you thankful for?
I am thankful for...
my church calling
slipper socks
an overcast day
a child who likes to wash his hands
a win for the Jazz (yesss!)
-Kelly Richards
What are you thankful for?
Wednesday, April 22, 2009
Monday, April 20, 2009
Sunday, April 19, 2009
"...man's extremity is God's opportunity..."-- Jeffery R. Holland
Sister Derfler gave a wonderful lesson in Relief Society today (Chap. 32, Responding to Persecution with Faith and Courage).
The Prophet Joseph Smith endured much persecution, especially while he was in Liberty Jail. During this time that he was in jail, the Saints were being forced to leave their homes in Missouri. We are forever grateful for these Saints who gave up so much and were tested beyond measure.
As Latter-Day Saints, are we persecuted? Are we persecuted like the Saints were in 1838-39?
Sis Derfler posed the question, "How is persecution similar today as it was in Joseph Smith's time?" We hear those hateful words, we see the mocking. The world still proclaimes good is evil and evil is good. But Satan is more cunning and subtle today. We are not physically thrown in jail or removed from our homes, but we are chased by things that look attractive. So instead of pushing us, he is trying to lead us gently down the path of unrighteousness.
3 Lessons From Liberty Jail
1. Everyone faces trying times
2. Even the worthy will suffer
3. Remain calm, patient, charitable, and forgiving
This was such a good lesson. If you haven't read the chapter, please do it now! It will give you courage and strength. The last lines in the chapter read, Therefore, rejoice in our afflictions, by which you are perfected and through which the captain of our salvation was perfected also. Let your hearts and the hearts of all the Saints be comforted with you, and let them rejoice exceedingly, for great is our reward in heaven...
The Prophet Joseph Smith endured much persecution, especially while he was in Liberty Jail. During this time that he was in jail, the Saints were being forced to leave their homes in Missouri. We are forever grateful for these Saints who gave up so much and were tested beyond measure.
As Latter-Day Saints, are we persecuted? Are we persecuted like the Saints were in 1838-39?
Sis Derfler posed the question, "How is persecution similar today as it was in Joseph Smith's time?" We hear those hateful words, we see the mocking. The world still proclaimes good is evil and evil is good. But Satan is more cunning and subtle today. We are not physically thrown in jail or removed from our homes, but we are chased by things that look attractive. So instead of pushing us, he is trying to lead us gently down the path of unrighteousness.
3 Lessons From Liberty Jail
1. Everyone faces trying times
2. Even the worthy will suffer
3. Remain calm, patient, charitable, and forgiving
This was such a good lesson. If you haven't read the chapter, please do it now! It will give you courage and strength. The last lines in the chapter read, Therefore, rejoice in our afflictions, by which you are perfected and through which the captain of our salvation was perfected also. Let your hearts and the hearts of all the Saints be comforted with you, and let them rejoice exceedingly, for great is our reward in heaven...
A Big Thank You
Dan and Darlene Matheson asked me to give a big thanks to all who helped them move. They were overwhelmed by the number of people who showed up to help. They are sad to leave the ward, and send their love to all.
Wednesday, April 15, 2009
Monday, April 13, 2009
Easter Sunday Lesson
Our lesson today was presented by Lori Bentley. We are excited to have her as one of our relief society instructors. Her lesson was about Joseph Smith's time in Liberty jail. Although she touched on some of the history to create the setting of the lesson, she focused a great deal on what Joseph Smith learned from the trials he experienced and even more on what we can learn from the trials that arise in our lives. She shared the promise that the Lord gave Joseph Smith, "Fear not what man can do, for God shall be with you forever and ever." We have the same promise that the Holy Ghost will be with us through times of trial. We can also feel peace from our Heavenly Father as we go through the trials that come our way. When the sisters were asked, "Why do we go through trials?" some of the answers were "to refine us," "to humble us," "to help us remember Him," "to help us understand the atonement," and "to help us feel compassion towards others."
The trials Joseph Smith endured are unimaginable. Mercy Fielding Thompson tries to give some description of her visit to the prisoners on p. 360 in the manual. Much of Joseph's concern, however, were for the saints and his family rather than for his own welfare. He felt peace. Joseph says, "For although I was 'troubled on every side, yet [I was] not distressed; perplexed, but not in despair; persecuted, but not forsaken; cast down, but not destroyed."
Thanks Lori for a great lesson.
-Sis Walker
-Sis Walker
Visiting Teaching
My cousin told me about a wonderful Visiting Teaching website. If you would like to check it out, the button is down by the Give and Take. Hopefully it will encourage us to do our Visiting Teaching, and have fun while doing it!
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I wasn't here for the lesson, so if anyone has a thought or comment from Easter Sunday, please leave a comment!
P.S. If you have a personal website or a blog, we would love to add you to our list of "Sisters & Friends." Because right now, the list is pretty puny (just me). It would be a great way to get to know more people and stay in touch! I'll keep the reminders coming!
-Sis. Kelly Richards
Hope everyone had a wonderful Easter weekend! I wasn't here for the lesson, so if anyone has a thought or comment from Easter Sunday, please leave a comment!
P.S. If you have a personal website or a blog, we would love to add you to our list of "Sisters & Friends." Because right now, the list is pretty puny (just me). It would be a great way to get to know more people and stay in touch! I'll keep the reminders coming!
-Sis. Kelly Richards
Thursday, April 9, 2009
Thankful Thursday
There are a lot of little things that get left out of my prayers at night. Of course I am always thankful for the gospel, my family, my health, home, etc., etc. But I am thankful for so much more...
I am thankful for:
trees that blossom
the smell of cut grass
weeds that come out easily
Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs
good neighbors
75% off sales
Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs (yes, twice!)
This is an incomplete list, but the purpose of Thankful Thursday is to add to it every week.
What are you thankful for today?
I am thankful for:
trees that blossom
the smell of cut grass
weeds that come out easily
Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs
good neighbors
75% off sales
Reese's Peanut Butter Eggs (yes, twice!)
This is an incomplete list, but the purpose of Thankful Thursday is to add to it every week.
What are you thankful for today?
Wednesday, April 8, 2009
Re-Conversion
I came across this beautiful testimony on one of my favorite websites. It is my goal this year to feel and recognize the spirit every day, and this story brought a tear to my eye. Just thought I'd share it with you.
My Re-Conversion Story
Carolina Girl's Story
I grew up in the church for the most part. My parents were baptized when I was 2, we were sealed when I was 4. I always dreamed of the day that I would be sealed to my return missionary for all time and eternity and we would start our wonderful family and have a happy little Mormon life. But fairy-tales don't always go from beginning to end so smoothly.
When I was 12, much to the surprise of everyone in our ward, myself included, my parents divorced. I remember questioning where I stood in the eternities now, if my family was broken did that mean that if I died I wouldn't be part of a "forever family?" It troubled me so much but what troubled me more was to see my father, the wonderful priesthood leader of our home, turn away from the gospel. I lived with him as did my sisters, and he forbid us to go back to our ward. I was heartbroken, but I knew the church was true. I asked him one day "How do you go from believing that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God one day and the next day we aren't allowed to even talk about the gospel?!" He simply said, "I just don't believe it anymore."
Fast forward 5 years to the day I left my fathers home, because of his influence I didn't have a desire for the gospel, I knew it was true deep down, but I put on a front, it was easier to live by the world's standards. I lived with my grandparents and attend church with them at their Baptist church regularly and enjoyed it. But I knew there was more, I sat there looking at all those people thinking, how can they not have this burning desire to fill the void?
I was engaged just before my 19th birthday to a wonderful man. We were married in December of 2005. We attended several different churches, looking for a place to belong, a place that felt right, none of them met our spiritual needs. 11 months after we were married we found out I was pregnant, then we discovered it was twins. I was so scared, the doctors said there was a problem, it appeared I had only one placenta, the initial ultrasound also looked like there was only one sac, meaning I might not make it past 20 weeks. It was heart broken and I cried out to God. I prayed as I drove home "Heavenly Father I will do whatever it takes, I will raise these children the way You want me to, just please let them be healthy." Those were my exact words and I meant them, but I didn't know what it meant, but I meant them.
The NEXT DAY I was at home with my husband when the doorbell rang. I opened it and there stood to young men in white shirts and ties and asked if I was Sister Christa Berrier (my maiden name). I said "I'm Christa Rushing I used to be Christa Berrier." Now I know that the story is amazing as it is, but it gets better. The missionaries here are given a certain number of miles that they are allowed to drive their car because our ward boundaries are so large here (I live 25 minutes away from our building). These two elders Elder Fletcher and Elder Gillette had been praying for someone to teach the gospel to and the spirit told them to come to me, they had EXACTLY the number of miles left to get to my house and back to their apartment, I lived 20 miles outside of town.
My husband initially was leery as most people in the south are, but he was baptized in just a few short weeks, and we are working towards being sealed to our beautiful twin daughters, who were born 8 weeks early (not due to complications) Cordelia Beau weighing 2lbs 8oz and Caroline Bleu 2lbs 1oz. They were the healthiest babies in the NICU, they amazed everyone when they never needed oxygen, and came home in a short 41 days, before my actual due date. It turns out I had two sacs; fused together, and two placentas; fused together, rare but so are fraternal twin girls without fertility treatments. We have had our scares with doctors, but we have never doubted the promise that I made and was given in return. I will raise them in His way, because He kept His word.
I hope that it helps someone to see the truth, every person deserves the chance to have these opportunities, to know this joy, to have a real lasting relationship with our Father in Heaven, to know His love and to be together forever.
My Re-Conversion Story
Carolina Girl's Story
I grew up in the church for the most part. My parents were baptized when I was 2, we were sealed when I was 4. I always dreamed of the day that I would be sealed to my return missionary for all time and eternity and we would start our wonderful family and have a happy little Mormon life. But fairy-tales don't always go from beginning to end so smoothly.
When I was 12, much to the surprise of everyone in our ward, myself included, my parents divorced. I remember questioning where I stood in the eternities now, if my family was broken did that mean that if I died I wouldn't be part of a "forever family?" It troubled me so much but what troubled me more was to see my father, the wonderful priesthood leader of our home, turn away from the gospel. I lived with him as did my sisters, and he forbid us to go back to our ward. I was heartbroken, but I knew the church was true. I asked him one day "How do you go from believing that Joseph Smith was a prophet of God one day and the next day we aren't allowed to even talk about the gospel?!" He simply said, "I just don't believe it anymore."
Fast forward 5 years to the day I left my fathers home, because of his influence I didn't have a desire for the gospel, I knew it was true deep down, but I put on a front, it was easier to live by the world's standards. I lived with my grandparents and attend church with them at their Baptist church regularly and enjoyed it. But I knew there was more, I sat there looking at all those people thinking, how can they not have this burning desire to fill the void?
I was engaged just before my 19th birthday to a wonderful man. We were married in December of 2005. We attended several different churches, looking for a place to belong, a place that felt right, none of them met our spiritual needs. 11 months after we were married we found out I was pregnant, then we discovered it was twins. I was so scared, the doctors said there was a problem, it appeared I had only one placenta, the initial ultrasound also looked like there was only one sac, meaning I might not make it past 20 weeks. It was heart broken and I cried out to God. I prayed as I drove home "Heavenly Father I will do whatever it takes, I will raise these children the way You want me to, just please let them be healthy." Those were my exact words and I meant them, but I didn't know what it meant, but I meant them.
The NEXT DAY I was at home with my husband when the doorbell rang. I opened it and there stood to young men in white shirts and ties and asked if I was Sister Christa Berrier (my maiden name). I said "I'm Christa Rushing I used to be Christa Berrier." Now I know that the story is amazing as it is, but it gets better. The missionaries here are given a certain number of miles that they are allowed to drive their car because our ward boundaries are so large here (I live 25 minutes away from our building). These two elders Elder Fletcher and Elder Gillette had been praying for someone to teach the gospel to and the spirit told them to come to me, they had EXACTLY the number of miles left to get to my house and back to their apartment, I lived 20 miles outside of town.
My husband initially was leery as most people in the south are, but he was baptized in just a few short weeks, and we are working towards being sealed to our beautiful twin daughters, who were born 8 weeks early (not due to complications) Cordelia Beau weighing 2lbs 8oz and Caroline Bleu 2lbs 1oz. They were the healthiest babies in the NICU, they amazed everyone when they never needed oxygen, and came home in a short 41 days, before my actual due date. It turns out I had two sacs; fused together, and two placentas; fused together, rare but so are fraternal twin girls without fertility treatments. We have had our scares with doctors, but we have never doubted the promise that I made and was given in return. I will raise them in His way, because He kept His word.
I hope that it helps someone to see the truth, every person deserves the chance to have these opportunities, to know this joy, to have a real lasting relationship with our Father in Heaven, to know His love and to be together forever.
Sunday, April 5, 2009
General Conference
I thought it would be nice to hear everyone's thoughts on this beautiful Palm Sunday. Please leave a comment telling us your favorite part of General Conference.
Thursday, April 2, 2009
Our Sympathy...
We would like to wish our deepest and sincerest condolences to the Purdy family at this time. Thursday morning, quite unexpectedly, Brother Purdy's mother passed away. The passing of a loved one is never easy. So during this time of great sadness, we respectfully offer our thoughts and prayers to the whole Purdy family. Our hearts are with you.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, 2:00 pm in St. George. There will be a viewing at Metcalf Mortuary on Monday 6-8:00 pm. Please check back for further updates.
Funeral services will be held on Tuesday, 2:00 pm in St. George. There will be a viewing at Metcalf Mortuary on Monday 6-8:00 pm. Please check back for further updates.
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