Christmas Tree/Sleep/Appetite

We went and got our Christmas Tree.  We always go to the same Christmas Tree lot every year.  They have a rope swing that keeps the kids occupied while Derek and I look for a tree.  This year we invited our friend Keith and his dog Sarah to join us.

I usually pride myself in not being picky and quickly choosing a tree.  This year however I had a much more difficult time.  I finally just let Derek and Elizabeth decide and we came home with a great tree.  (It was one of the first ones I picked out but others didn't like it.)

We came home and had hot chocolate and peanut butter cookies that Elizabeth had made.  It was a great Family Home Evening.

Maddie often has a hard time sleeping at night because of bad dreams.  Tonight she came in our room at 3:30.  Usually she just sleeps on our floor and everything is fine but tonight she didn't got back to sleep.  Finally at 4:30 I had her come in another room with me and I read scriptures while she watched the computer screen and laid on a recliner.  She finally fell asleep.  I went over and moved the books she had been looking at and proped her head up.  She woke up slightly, smiled as I tucked the blankets around her, and fell asleep with a smile of utter contentment and peace.  Those are the moments I enjoy being a mom.  To know that I can bring comfort and peace to my children.  That I can make it all better and then see their satisfaction and joy.  It was sweet.

Today I finished reading a talk given by Elder Russel M. Nelson of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. (click here to read/listen/watch)

We can change our behavior. Our very desires can change. How? There is only one way. True change—permanent change—can come only through the healing, cleansing, and enabling power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ.²⁶ He loves you—each of you!²⁷ He allows you to access His power as you keep His commandments, eagerly, earnestly, and exactly. It is that simple and certain. The gospel of Jesus Christ is a gospel of change!²⁸

A strong human spirit with control over appetites of the flesh is master over emotions and passions and not a slave to them. That kind of freedom is as vital to the spirit as oxygen is to the body! Freedom from self-slavery is true liberation!²⁹--I can master food and exercise. I do desire to master this. To be the ruler over food instead of food being the ruler over me. To love exercise instead of dreading it. This is something that I will pray for and I will pray if it is the right thing for me to focus on right now.

Regardless of what civil legislation may be enacted, the doctrine of the Lord regarding marriage and morality cannot be changed.³⁷ Remember: sin, even if legalized by man, is still sin in the eyes of God!
 

While we are to emulate our Savior’s kindness and compassion, while we are to value the rights and feelings of all of God’s children, we cannot change His doctrine. It is not ours to change. His doctrine is ours to study, understand, and uphold.