Thornton Mom

Yesterday in the October 2017 General Conference of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, President Nelson asked 3 questions: 1. What would your life be like without the Book of  Mormon? 2. What would you not know? 3. What would you not have? I would like to answer those questions for myself. 1. What would my life be like without the Book of Mormon? Without the Book of Mormon my life would be much more confused, much more empty, I would have much more doubt and question more.  I would only be able to rely on the Bible and would have a lot more doubt because of stories and situations that I do not understand.  That seem unclear and questionable.  I would not feel the amazing love I feel from my Savior.  I know I would know He loves me but I wouldn't realize how completely. 2. What would I not know without it? My favorite part of the Book of Mormon is when Jesus Christ comes to the Americas .  I love His compassion for the people. ...

For my parent's 40th Wedding Anniversary they invited us all to a beach house in San Diego.  They have been planning this trip for about a year.  I had also decided to have all my kids change their schools to traditional schedule which allowed us the opportunity to go to Utah in August for Aspen Grove.  In March my parents were asked to go to the Church Office Building and meet with the Middle East Africa North Area (MEAN Desk.)  There they were asked to serve another mission in the Middle East.  I love that my parents always put the Lord first and said that they were willing to go.  They explained the plans that had been made this summer and it was agreed that they could finish their plans and leave the beginning of September.  I was so grateful that the Lord had made so many plans for us to be able to spend so much time with them before they leave. On the plane to San Diego.  Samantha and Maddie were buddies throughout the trip. We were...

Yesterday we had youth activities at church.  The day began with Elizabeth refusing to go because she didn't like what the young women were doing.  I did entertain the idea of letting her stay home but it just didn't sit right with me. John Derek also had a pack meeting, which meant that the whole family was invited.  Samantha did not have activities and was more than willing to stay home and babysit.  That was so tempting.  To be able to go without having to wrestle with the little ones. But then I was reminded that going to activities is just what we do.  That we need to spend more time together as a family.  Even though it would not be perfect it was the right thing to do. I prayed and then took a firm stand.  I kept having doubts about Elizabeth getting in the car and Michael crying to stay home.  John Derek even started to complain that he did not want anyone to go because they embarrassed him.  Again I prayed for strength and...

Elizabeth spent the weekend with her cousins.  Such beautiful and silly girls!!  Beautiful girls at church. Handsome  men in matching grey suits. “My Days” of Temples and Technology Elder Anderson "You are not the first to wonder about the time and place of your life. A prophet living in the Americas asked the same questions. His name was Nephi—not the Nephi in the beginning of the Book of Mormon but Nephi the son of Helaman the second and the great-grandson of the prophet Alma the Younger. In the world in which Nephi lived, money, power, and popularity were more important than what was right. Many of the people openly disregarded the commandments. They lied, took what was not theirs, and ignored the law of chastity. Those who kept the commandments were ridiculed and mistreated (see Helaman 7:4–5, 21; 8:2, 5, 7–8 ). “When Nephi saw [these things], his heart was swollen with sorrow … and he [exclaimed] in the agony of his soul: “Oh, that I co...

John Derek dressing up for Wacky Wednesday at school. Celebrating Maddie's Birthday with Mom and Dad. We went to Red Robin and they sang her Happy Birthday! Michael begins swim lessons. Celebrating Maddie's Birthday at lunch with her friends. I told the kids that while Derek and I were at the temple I wanted them to create a scene from a story out of Legos.  This is John Derek's creation of a scene from Diary of a Wimpy Kid. I love it when Michael falls asleep in the middle of the day.  He is so cute! John Derek's school put on a talent show.  He really wanted to participate.  He decided he wanted to sing the song "Gethsemane."  So he practiced and sang the song during tryouts.  He was put in the show and sang for the whole school.  I was proud of him.  He is our little missionary and is not ashamed of his love for Christ.  To see the video go to: https://goo.gl/photos/Uq4fG6FtdBAEyAqW7 ...

Sometimes on Sunday we invite families over for dessert.  This particular Sunday Michael and Samantha decided to welcome the families to our homes with chalk art. Michael was very proud of his rainbow and thought it looked just like big sisters. Samantha made a beautiful rainbow that Michael wanted to emulate. The Atonement by Elder Russell M. Nelson "But  mortal  life,  glorious  as  it  is,  was  never  the  ultimate  objective  of  God’s  plan.  Life  and  death  here  on  planet  Earth  were  merely  means  to  an  end—not  the  end  for  which  we  were  sent." Sometimes it is hard to remember--that there is more--that this truly in not the end all. "That  brings  us  to  the  Atonement.  Paul  said,  “As  in  Adam  all  die, ...