Saturday, February 28, 2009

My Gospel Study in February 2009

Among other things, my personal gospel study in February included the following:

Chapter 26: Elijah and the Restoration of the Sealing Keys
Chapter 27: Beware the Bitter Fruits of Apostasy

Lesson 6: “I Will Tell You in Your Mind and in Your Heart, by the Holy Ghost”
Lesson 7: “The First Principles and Ordinances of the Gospel”
Lesson 8: The Restoration of the Priesthood
Lesson 9: “The Only True and Living Church”

General Conference Addresses October 2008

Elder L. Tom Perry: Let Him Do It with Simplicity
"One of the challenges of this mortal experience is to not allow the stresses and strains of life to get the better of us—to endure the varied seasons of life while remaining positive, even optimistic. Perhaps when difficulties and challenges strike, we should have these hopeful words of Robert Browning etched in our minds: “The best is yet to be”"

"Newspapers are filled with reports of the current housing crisis. We have been encouraged at almost every general conference of the Church I can remember not to live beyond our means. Our income should determine the kind of housing we can afford, not the neighbor’s big home across the street."

"One of the better ways to simplify our lives is to follow the counsel we have so often received to live within our income, stay out of debt, and save for a rainy day. We should practice and increase our habits of thrift, industry, economy, and frugality. Members of a well-managed family do not pay interest; they earn it."

Elder Lawrence E. Corbridge: The Way
"Jesus Christ is the Way. He is Light and Life, Bread and Water, the Beginning and the End, the Resurrection and the Life, the Savior of the world, the Truth, and the Way.

There is only one way to happiness and fulfillment. He is the Way. Every other way, any other way, whatever other way, is foolishness."

Bishop Keith B. McMullin: God Loves and Helps All of His Children
"The Church welfare plan is God-inspired. Its tenets are fundamental to the salvation of man. It is an ensign for service, a witness to the world that the Church of Jesus Christ has been restored. It is heaven’s help in practical ways. President Thomas S. Monson has said: “Welfare principles … do not change. They will not change. They are revealed truths.”

Another essential way to receive God’s help is through prayer. We are commanded to pray to God, our Father, in the name of Jesus Christ. The admonition is, “Ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened.” Heavenly Father answers all sincere prayers."

Elder Russell M. Nelson: Celestial Marriage
"That proclamation on the family helps us realize that celestial marriage brings greater possibilities for happiness than does any other relationship. The earth was created and this Church was restored so that families could be formed, sealed, and exalted eternally."

"Harmony in marriage comes only when one esteems the welfare of his or her spouse among the highest of priorities. When that really happens, a celestial marriage becomes a reality, bringing great joy in this life and in the life to come."

Elder Quentin L. Cook: "Hope Ya Know, We Had a Hard Time"
"When our beloved prophet, President Thomas S. Monson, was asked on his birthday this past August what would be the ideal gift that members worldwide could give him, he said without a moment’s hesitation, “Find someone who is having a hard time, … and do something for them.”

Julie B. Beck: Fulfilling the Purpose of Relief Society
"The First Presidency has counseled, “However worthy and appropriate other demands or activities may be, they must not be permitted to displace the divinely-appointed duties that only parents and families can adequately perform.” Children being born now are growing up in an increasingly sinful world. Our homes are to be their refuge from the daily encounters they have with evil."

Barbara Thompson: Now Let Us Rejoice
"Sisters, now more than ever, we need women to step up and be strong. We need women who declare the truth with strength, faith, and boldness. We need women to set an example of righteousness. We need women to be “anxiously engaged in a good cause.” We need to live so that our lives bear witness that we love our Heavenly Father and the Savior Jesus Christ and that we will do what They have asked us to do. We need to rescue “all that is finest down deep inside of [us]” so that as daughters of God we can do our part to build the kingdom of God. We will have help to do this. As Joseph declared, “If you live up to your privileges, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates.”

President Dieter F. Uchtdorf: Happiness, Your Heritage
"If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next."

"When we reach out to bless the lives of others, our lives are blessed as well. Service and sacrifice open the windows of heaven, allowing choice blessings to descend upon us. Surely our beloved Heavenly Father smiles upon those who care for the least of His children."

Ensign, February 2009

The Friend, February 2009

Friday, February 27, 2009

Recently Read: The Battle of the Labyrinth

The Battle of the Labyrinth by Rick Riordan

This is Book Four in the Percy Jackson and the Olympians series. These books are full of adventure and excitement and are hard to put down. I can't wait to see how the adventure turns out--luckily the fifth book in the series, The Last Olympian, comes out in May!

Thursday, February 26, 2009

Scripture of the Week: 2 Nephi 25:26

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins."
2 Nephi 25:26

This scripture was chosen to go along with our Family Home Evening lesson, The Book of Mormon Teaches Me about Jesus Christ (Lesson 22 from Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual).

Monday, February 23, 2009

Recently Read: Fast Food Nation

Fast Food Nation by Eric Schlosser

This book is the pick of the month for our local book club (and I was happy to finally a secure a copy of the book choice from the library). This book provided an eye-opening look at a major factor in American society and culture: fast food. The book is well-researched and presented in and interesting and compelling text. The author discusses everything from the founding of fast food, the pervasiveness of advertising geared towards children, what goes into your hamburger and french fries, to a disturbing look at what happens at the meat-packing plant and the treatment of workers.

Read this book and you'll never look at a fast food hamburger the same way again. I won't be in the mood for a McDonald's hamburger anytime soon!

Thursday, February 19, 2009

Scripture of the Week: D&C 59:9-10

"And that thou mayest more fully keep thyself unspotted from the world, thou shalt go to the house of prayer and offer up thy sacraments upon my holy day;
For verily this is a day appointed unto you to rest from your labors, and to pay thy devotions unto the Most High;"
D&C 59: 9-10

This scripture was chosen to go along with our Family Home Evening lesson, Sunday is a Day to Remember Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ (Lesson 8 from Behold Your Little Ones: Nursery Manual).

Sunday, February 15, 2009

Recently Read: The Last Lecture

The Last Lecture by Randy Pausch

Thanks to my mother-in-law for this life motivating read. There are a lot of wonderful gems in this book that help you to rethink your life and the direction it's heading.

Just a few highlights:

"We cannot change the cards we are dealt, just how we play the hand."

"Complaining does not work as a strategy. We all have finite time and energy. Any time we spend whining is unlikely to help us achieve our goals. and it won't make us happier."

"Time must be explicitly managed, like money." (don't spend time on irrelevant details)

"You can always change your plan, but only if you have one."

"Ask yourself: Are you spending your time on the right things?"

"Proper apologies have three parts:
1) What I did was wrong.
2) I feel badly that I hurt you.
3) How do I make this better?"

This book is worth reading; I'm recommending it for my book club!

Thursday, February 12, 2009

Scripture of the Week: Ordained of God

"The family is ordained of God."
"The Family: A Proclamation to the World," paragraph 7.

Tuesday, February 10, 2009

Love Books for Parents and Children

These books are sure to warm the heart of any parent and child as they celebrate the special love between a parent and child. Keep a tissue handy--you might need it!

You Are My I Love You by Maryann K. Cusimano
"I am your parent; you are my child.
I am your quiet place; you are my wild.

I am your lullaby; you are my peekaboo.
I am your good-night kiss; you are my I love you."

Love You Forever by Robert Munsch
"I'll love you forever,
I'll like you for always,
as long as I'm living
my baby you'll be."
The Runaway Bunny by Margaret Wise Brown

“If you are a gardener and find me,”
said the little bunny, “I will be a bird
and fly away from you.”

“If you become a bird and fly away from me,”
said his mother, “I will be a tree that you come home to.”


Mama, Do You Love Me? by Barbara M. Joosse
"Mama, do you love me?
Yes, I do Dear One.
How much?"

Kisses by Nanda Roep & Marijke ten Cate
"Lisa asks, "Will you give me a kiss?"
"Of course," Daddy says. "Do you want..."

Guess How Much I Love You by Sam McBratney
"Then Little Nutbrown Hare had a good idea. He tumbled upside down and reached up the tree trunk with his feet.
"I love you all the way up to my toes!" he said.
"And I love you all the way up to your toes," said Big Nutbrown Hare, swinging him up over his head."

Monday, February 9, 2009

Recently Read: Jane Eyre

Jane Eyre by Charlotte Bronte

A wonderful novel that lives up to its classic status.

Thursday, February 5, 2009

Welcome to my reading list!

There are 3 things in my life that I am quite passionate about:

  1. My family
  2. Strengthening and supporting families (in general)
  3. Reading (novels, non-fiction, children’s books, gospel study…)
In recent months my passion for reading has taken the back burner behind other responsibilities and activities: busy mama, loving wife, Primary organizer, piano teacher, blogger extraordinaire...

But I have been missing books! There is more to read than blogs! I longingly dream of the days before I had children when I could wake up on Saturday morning, eat breakfast, then head back to bed for a few hours with a good book. That memory will likely stay a fantasy for some years to come, but in the meantime I'm becoming intentional about my reading habits so I can again join the conversations centered on "What are you reading now?".

For 2009 I have a new game plan when it comes to reading. This blog is my way of keeping track of my goals and sharing it with you.

Some regular features you’ll notice here:
  • Scripture of the Week-specific to my family
  • My Gospel Study-highlights of the month
  • Recently Read-whatever I finish (you can also check out my goodreads list on the sidebar)
  • Children’s Book lists –because I spend a lot of time researching and reading children’s literature
  • Quotables—the reminder of the value of a good book and a comfy chair is a good thing
Consider this a sub-page of the Nurture Mama blog, where now I have free reign to share all of my literary pursuits. So stop over to visit, see what I’m reading, share your great reads with me, and then go curl up in a comfy chair with a book of your own. That’s what I’ll be doing!

Scripture of the Week: John 13:34-35

"A new commandment I give unto you, That ye love one another; as I have loved you, that ye also love one another. By this shall all men know that ye are my disciples, if ye have love one to another."
John 13:34-35

Tuesday, February 3, 2009

Children's Books Worth Checking Out

Naked Mole Rat Gets Dressed by Mo Willems
Unfortunately, we didn't have any Groundhog themed books to read for February 2nd, but we enjoyed this brand new book by Mo Willems. His books are great fun and we love to read them!

A Girl and Her Gator by Sean Bryan
We love this one so much the Ant Bug got it for her birthday. Of course, living in Florida, we appreciate the gator reference.



Lynley Dodd is an author that we recently discovered. We are working our way through her books and are thoroughly enjoying the adventures of Hairy Maclary and Slinky Malinki and their associates.

Stellaluna by Janelle Cannon
A sweet story about friendship.