Guest Blogger

I'm a guest blogger today at Christine Bryant's blog, Day Dreamer.  Christine is the most creative blogger I know.  Check out her blog, and my post, here.

Contests Galore!

I'm still on vacation, and having a great time.  I'm just giving you a heads up about an awesome contest I'll be participating in that starts this Friday, March 5th.

It involves a prize valued at $895 as well as chances to win my new book, I'll Know You by Heart, and Rachelle Christensen's new release, Wrong Number.  There are 25 blogs participating, and they are all giving away fun prizes.  Be sure to come back Friday for more details.

You can still preorder an autographed copy of my book at 10% off.   Click here to order.

On Vacation

Time in the Sun

My book release is getting closer and closer.  I'm honestly not sure what to expect.  I've been busy with promotion, while still trying to keep up with my writing.  I've just about got my next book done, and I'm feeling pressured to get it turned into my publisher.  I struggle to keep up with my blog and all the other blogs I follow, as well as facebook, and trying to figure out twitter.

I didn't realize how much work it is being a published author.  I'm seriously the kind of writer who feels most comfortable hiding behind my laptop.  But I'm realizing I can't do that.  I recently heard a poem that explains how I  feel.

Independence

I would stay here
Close to roots
That fed me
Close to
Cool shelter--

Always close
I would be.

Except,
I'm afraid.

Have you seen
The pitiful
Small green
That grows
In shade?

From Beginnings and Beyond by Carol Lynn Pearson

 Shortly after discovering this poem, I received a note from one of my good friends on facebook:

My friend,

You are about to experience your place in the sun. Nobody deserves it more. Look at all the well wishes you are getting about your book. Wait till they read it. Your star will rise, and I will be here to enjoy the light and watch you shine. Congrats and enjoy. I knew you could do it, and you knew it too. 

I'm getting the message that it's time to come out of the shade.  It might feel safe, but staying safe limits personal growth.  I know an amazing chance at growth stands before me.  Pass the sunscreen.  I don't wanna get burned.      

A Christ Centered Relationship

I attended a meeting recently where one of the speakers, a marriage and family therapist from BYU, spoke on having a Christ centered marriage.  It was an amazing presentation.  A true/false checklist was handed out for each of us to assess how Christ centered our own marriages are.  It was divided into two sections:  doctrine and actions.

Doctrine:
1)  I believe eternal marriage between man and woman is ordained, or set up and sanctified by our Father in Heaven.
2)  I believe eternal marriage is possible for every son and daughter of God, and is a promised blessing to everyone that is faithful to God's commandments.
3)  I belive I can have an eternal marriage that brings joy to both spouses.
4)  I believe woman and man were divinely created to complete and complement each other.
5)  I belive that no earthly struggle, trial, disability, or injustice can prevent a person from receiving eternal marriage if he/she trusts in the Lord and keeps His commandments.
6)  I believe in the principle of being equal partners in marriages.

Actions:
7)  I speak positively about marriage and the opposite sex.
8)  Those closest to me would see me as a defender of eternal marriage between a man and woman.
9)  My spouse would say that next to my relationship with my Father in Heaven and His son Jesus Christ, our marriage is my highest priority.
10)  My spouse would describe me as an equal partner, including parenting and domestic responsibilities.
11)  My spouse and I have regular scripture study, regular couple prayer, and attend the temple together.

The speaker also presented an image similar to the one below:

If you picture the man and woman in this picture, each becoming closer to Christ and rising up the sides of the triangle, they automatically become closer to one another as well.  This visual image solidified something in my mind that I realized I already knew.

I know there are many out there who probably find these words about marriage difficult to read.  Believe me when I say, I understand.  I lived through a very difficult marriage for 19 years.  I'm a happily married newlywed now, but I know that trials are inevitable, and if we both strive to become closer to the Savior, we can make it through the difficult times and come out closer in the end.

Proud Mommy!

My two oldest children are gone to Preference tonight.  Here's a picture of them before they left. 

Aren't they cute?

There are many reasons why I'm proud of these two.  They are both great kids, make righteous choices, and set a good example for their friends.  Tonight, I'm particularly proud of my son. 

Preference is a girl's choice dance.  One of my son's best friends is a darling girl.  We tease him about having a girlfriend, but they are just really good friends.  We all assumed she would ask him to the dance, but before she could, he was asked by a girl who goes to his school that is mentally handicapped.  She is a very sweet girl, but every time she's asked a boy to a dance, she's been turned down.

Without even hesitating, my son agreed to go to Preference with her.  It may not have been his first choice, but I am so proud of him for considering another's feelings.  His best friend (the other girl) was a great sport about not being able to go to the dance since my son was already taken, and she apparently didn't want to take anyone else.  She even made their corsage and boutonniere, and brought him a special treat before he went.  Good friends make all the difference. 

It was cute when the girl picked him up.  She was so excited when he gave her the corsage.  I took lots of pictures, and I can't wait until he comes home so I can hear all about his date.   I don't know what I did to deserve such great children, but I thank my Heavenly Father for trusting them to my care.

A Personal Look at the Prophet

This week, I had the privilege of attending a meeting where Ann Dibb, the second counselor in the Young Women's general presideny, spoke.  She is also the daughter of President Thomas S. Monson. 

She talked about a variety of things including self confidence, problem solving, overcoming temptations, and embracing virtue.

She also presented the 100% challenge, and said that simply following it 100% of the time would make a distinct impact on our lives. The challenge includes three things:

1.  Pray morning and night.
2.  Read 5 minutes in the scriptures each day.
3.  Smile

I can do these.  I'm putting them on my to do list--I'll let you know how it goes.

Sister Dibb bore her testimony of the importance of having a prophet on the earth who is mindful of our needs today.  At the conclusion of her meeting she opened it up for questions about her father, the prophet.  It was fun to see him through her eyes.

Ann said she is a whiner and often feels sorry for herself and that her father is constantly trying to help her look on the bright side.  He often counsels her to let things go when there is no resolution.  Ann joked, "I do--after a few years."

She shared the fact that she often has the desire to go shopping on Sunday,but that she doesn't because she knows she would run into someone and get caught. President Monson reassured her that was not the real reason she doesn't go. It was refreshing to me to hear that this strong, amazing woman had a weakness like this. It made me respect her more.

I learned many fun tidbits about the prophet such as chocolate calls to him, and he whistles when he's happy. He has pigeons, loves musicals, fishing, springer spaniels, and going to the Utah Jazz games.

The question was asked if she could call her father anytime she wanted to talk to him. She said she's respectful of his time, knowing he has many important meetings to attend, but that she can call him when she needs him. She joked about the fact that she has to be conscious about leaving her ringer on so that he can call her. She said he leaves funny messages when she doesn't answer. "I just keep leavin' these messages . . ."

Her display included many candid pictures of her mother and father and said President Monson loves pictures of his wife. She said if you want to watch TV like the prophet, watch Perry Mason, Antiques Roadshow, Lawrence Welk, sports, and the news.

She closed by emphasizing that her father is not perfect, but she loves him anyway, and expressing gratitude for the example he sets of making others feel important and loved.

The evening with my daughters was one well spent. Sister Dibb's thoughts were very inspiring, and I left the meeting determined to be and do better, but also with the realization that I really am on the right path.