Thornton Mom

I feel like I am trying to swim on just the surface of the water.  Below me is the cool water that I am afraid to put my feet into.  I want to say up here on the surface where the water is just a little bit warmer and familiar .  Ahead of me are obstacle and demands . . . I must keep myself afloat, I must help those around me float.  I am fearful that if I put my feet down and start to "feel" that I will loose control and sink.  But this does not allow me to support my children.  I can only help them so much when I am trying to keep myself on top of the water.  Physically I am there but emotionally I am not strong.  How I wish I had the faith that if I put my feet down I would touch the bottom and could then be the support and strength those around me need.  But I am fearful, fearful that the bottom will be too far away, that the cold will envelope me, that I will let go of any form of stability.  So I float, emotionally unavailable to ...

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...

Pilot Maddie and Co-Pilot Michael We went to the park the other day.  It was nice outside and we all needed some fresh air.  It was fun to see my darlings playing with each other, helping each other (Samantha helped Maddie climb to the top of the "spider web,") and chasing "helicopters" as they flew down from the sky.  It was nice to have fun with my children. Chasing Helicopters JD at the top of the web. Samantha helped Maddie to the top.  What a nice sister. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) , by Tad R. Callister Pg. 327--"There may be yet another reason for advocacy, particularly Christ's: it brings about a spiritual bonding between Christ and his children that cannot be achieved in any other way.  It is the thread that knits our hearts and souls together.  Who among us could watch him plead our case with fervent passion, listen to him rehears the grueling events of Gethsemane, hear his expressions of unbridle...

Elizabeth has been after her dad to give her a temple recommend interview.  (In order to enter one of our temples a person must be a baptized member of our church and must keep the commandments.  When our youth are 12 years old they are allowed to enter the temple and do vicarious baptisms for the dead.)  Her dad gave her an interview and she received her recommend.  She was ecstatic and danced all over the house showing everyone.  She was so excited that she made this collage and posted it on Instagram.  I am so happy that this was a goal of hers.  What a blessing she is to our family. The Infinite Atonement (Illustrated Edition) Tad R. Callistar Pg. 231--"The Atonement is both redemptive and exalting in its nature.  C.S. Lewis understood this principle: 'For God is not merely mending, not simply resorting a status quo.  Redeemed humanity is to be something more glorious than unfallen humanity would have been , more glorio...