Thornton Mom

We are in Utah.  I will go over our trip here later but right now wanted to express my gratitude for the tender mercies of Heavenly Father.  We had a tall order to fill as far as the weather was concerned.  My children have been hopeing for a white christmas ever since we said that we would come to Utah.  The problem was that we did not want it to snow while we were driving.  We arrived in Salt Lake City at 4:15, on Christmas Eve, as planned and the snow started falling at about 12:00 midnight Christmas Eve.  When we woke up on Christmas morning everything was covered in a blanket of fresh snow.  We were so blessed.  The weather has been perfect and we have truly felt the love of family.  How grateful we are for this opportunity. Book of Mormon, Alma 6:6 "6  Nevertheless the children of God were commanded that they should gather themselves together of...

 My Aunt and Uncle came to visit the other night.  We hadn't seen them for a while.  It was so fun to visit with them.     My Uncle was so kind to my little John Derek who kept throwing balls at him, and tagging him.  I always loved his kindness and playfulness to me when I was a child and it was a delight to see the same kindness and playfulness shown to my children.  My Aunt was so patient and understanding with all the noise and chaos that accompanies a family.  It was so good to visit with her and hear about all the good work she is doing and her faith in the Lord.  She has always been such a strong woman full of goodness and kindness.  She has always been good to me, she even took me shopping one time as a child, just the two of us, I felt so special.  She still makes me feel that way.  What a joy to be part of such a wonderful family.   Book of Mormon, Jacob 4:10-11 ...

Maddie was the first in line.  She is looking at Santa's List and was delighted to find her name on the nice side!! Michael was a little apprehensive but did great and loved his candy cane. Samantha was delighted to tell Santa that she wants Beanie Boos' John Derek had so much energy but still was on the nice list. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callister Pg. 344-"I am overwhelmed even humbled and 'amazed at the love Jesus offers me.'" I too am amazed at the love Jesus offers me.  Sometimes I feel so undeserving and other times I feel so prized and important.  I am amazed and grateful for how blessed I truly am.  The Lord is always kind to me and always good to me.  As we have been trying to get ready for Christmas and the many things that need to be done, I have felt a constant peace and a constant assurance that "It will all work out."  I put my faith, trust, and gratitude in Him.

John Derek is a good brother.  Yesterday during the basketball game he played with Michael.  He even found a spot he though would make a good picture and had me come out and take it.  What a great young man. As I was reading today, in The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) by Tad R. Callister, the question was posed " Was the Savior the only possible sacrificial lamb? "  My immediate thought turned me to a scripture in 2 Nephi 31:21 : "There is none other way nor name given under heaven whereby man can be saved in the kingdom of God."  Brother Callister quoted a discussion someone had with scholars of the Bible who believe that there may have been another way, that Christ was just the easiest way.  How grateful I am for the Book of Mormon .  For the truth in it's pages.  How it clears up so many questions and helps us find the answers we are looking for.

 Today Derek and I attended Elizabeth's Choir concert.  She sang a beautiful duet and blew us all away.  Last night she sang in the school talent show and did a fantastic job despite the terrible sound system.  Tonight she has a basketball game and on top of ALL this she is a strait A student!  She is also involved in her YW and is persuing her first value completion.  At home she keeps things calm when I am having a difficult time, she helps her siblings, and she is amazing. I am amazed and humbled by all that she does.  It seems that whatever she puts her mind to she goes into it with her whole heart and soul.  She is always willing to try and not afraid of failure.  Her bravery and courage are a divine talent she has been blessed with.  I am in awe of what an amazing spirit she is.  Heavenly Father has something in mind for this beautiful Daughter of God. Today as we sat in the concert.  The teacher singled Eliz...

My son the pyromaniac!!  He LOVES all the candles we have around the house.  One evening it was just him and I at home so we went around lighting all the candles, (even the ones just for decoration.)  He loved it.  His second favorite part was jumping up and down trying to blow them out.  Got to love him!! The Divine Mission of Jesus Christ: Prince of Peace "“The Savior is the source of true peace,” said Elder Quentin L. Cook of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles. “Even with the trials of life, because of the Savior’s Atonement and His grace, righteous living will be rewarded with personal peace.” 1 Understanding that Jesus Christ is the Prince of Peace can help us find inner peace and increase our faith in Him." ...

A very proud Samantha!!  Samantha has been running with a group called Girl on the Run.  It is a great program.  They meet twice a week and work toward the goal of walk/running a 5K.  So this year at the "Raindeer Romp" our whole family supported her and ran with her.  She was the first person in our family to cross the finish line in 49 min.  We were very proud of her. GOTR Team Family together even in the rain!!   Doctrine and Covenants, D&C 123:17 "Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed." The other day I was having a very difficult time emotionally. I opened my grandfather's journal and began to read a talk given by my grandmother Arda Jean Ch...

Yesterday John Derek was so excited to go to church.  Several weeks ago he had written down his testimony and was eager to share it.  He had waited patinely for it to be Fast Sunday.  Finally it was here.  He pulled his little scrap of paper out of his scriptures and waited for the right time.  When I finally nodded that he could go up, he stood at the pulpit and bore his sweet testimony.  He is a good young man.  I look forward to seeing who he will become. "I bear my testimony that I know Jesus can help us and I know Jesus is alive and I know if you have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ you can follow the path in the name of Jesus Christ amen." Book of Mormon, 1 Nephi 11:32-33 "32  And it came to pass that the angel spake unto me again, saying: Look! And I looked and beheld the Lamb of God, that he was taken by the people; yea, the Son of the everlasting God wa...

Last night Derek and I went to the temple.  We both had a lot on our minds.  It is so sweet to go to the temple and to feel God's Love.  To feel His approval and to remind you that you are His child. Yesterday as I sat praying and pondering all that was on my mind I began to have thoughts come into my mind of what to do.  What the next steps were and how to handle the situation.  I truly felt tutored by the Lord.  What a sweet and loving experience it was.  I am so grateful for that opportunity.

I am so proud of Elizabeth.  At school they announced auditions to sing the national anthem before football games.  Elizabeth decided to try out and made it.  She stood in front of the whole football team and the gathered crowds and sang by herself, without music.  She did a fantastic job.  I am so proud of her courage and willingness to improve her talents and shine.  I am privileged to be her mom. John Derek sure loves Michael,  It is fun to see the wrestling, chasing, and laughing together.  Michael also loves the attention and has quickly learned how to "play" with his brother.  Maddison is always trying to get Michael to laugh, especially when I am going to take a picture.  She does a good job. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) , by Tad R. Callister pg. 298--"Some come to the banquet [Sacrament] table each week with pitchers, ready to catch and drink every drop of eternal life that is offered.  Others com...

 I am very proud of my sister.  I mentioned earlier this year that she was engaged, what I didn't mention is that about 2 months before the wedding she called it off.  What courage that took, what faith in the Lord and His plan.  Annelise's dream since I can remember is to get married.  Sometimes Heavenly Father has different dreams for us that we don't understand.  I think the Lord gave her this opportunity for her to prove to herself who she really loves, and she passed with flying colors.  She did the Lord's will.  Calling off a wedding is not an easy decision but I am so proud of her for standing up to the world, for standing up for what she believes in and what she knows is right.  She is a great example of strength and obedience. Way to go Annelise, you have made an eternal impression on me.  I love you!!   Old Testament, Isaiah 53:3   "[Christ] is despised and rejected o...

I spent the other night playing with Michael and Maddie.  They loved it and so did I. Samantha got to go to a cat themed birthday party.  It was purrrfect for her. Elizabeth and Michael love to play with my camera and always take fun pictures. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) , by Tad R. Callister pg. 334, 336-337--"Was a Sacrifice Required: Amulek also gave us an insight into the purpose of the atoning sacrifice when he said, "This being the intent [i.e., purpose] of this last sacrifice, to bring about the bowels of mercy" (Alma 34:15).  In other words, the magnitude of suffering was so intense, so deep, so overwhelming and unrelenting that perhaps all of the spirits of the universe, even the most hardened, may be cried out in universal accord, "It is enough." The collective spirits of God's handiwork may be been so touched, so moved by the awesome intensity of Christ's suffering that they would yield to his request to save...