Thornton Mom

Monday was hard.  4 of our youth were in a car driving from early morning seminary to school.  As they took a left turn they were struck by an oncoming car.  Three survived but one died at the scene.  The young man who died in is our ward or congregation and his sister was driving the car.  This has been hard for all of us.  The young man who died is Braden Rock, he was 15 years old and amazing at the rubix cube.  I think I will forever see him holding the cube in one hand and playing the drums with the other, while solving the cube.  I had the pleasure of working with him a couple of years ago on a Young Men/Young Women project where we created Mormon Messages .  It was a delight to get to know him and since that event he always held a special place in my heart. I know he is in a good place now and know that the Lord must have a work for him to do.  How grateful I am that he was doing what he was supposed to be doing when this ...

This morning on the way to drop the kids off to school we listened to the song Angels Among Us by Alabama.  We talked about how angles can be from heaven or they can be people around us.  Samantha said, "Angles have helped me."  She reminded me of a story: When Michael was born Derek and I arrived home from the hospital on Saturday.  Everyone was so excited and were ready to get out and move around.  We were encouraging them to ride bikes and be outside.  Samantha asked if she could ride her bike and take a watch up to her friend's home.  It would have been further than we had ever let her ride alone before but we thought that would be fine.  A little while later Samantha came into the house with her helmet still on crying and holding up her arm.  It was obvious that she had broken it.  She told us that she had fallen on her bike about half way to the friends house.  Then these two girls came up to her and helped her up and walke...

My husband and father-in-law NEVER think anything is too hot.  Well this one finally challenged their taste buds. Drawing on the Powers of Heaven , by Grant Von Harrison pg. 16--"If you are not realizing your desires, you are not desiring in faith with all your heart; consequently, the Lord cannot assist you in realizing your righteous desires.  Remember, you will receive according to your desires." For several months I have desired to get back in shape.  But I did not want to work for it.  I just wanted it to happen.  Now I feel that the Lord has helped change my heart.  I do desire "with all your heart" to get my body to where it should be.  Before I did not ask the Lord because I knew that my heart was not in it.  But now with His help I do have faith that I can overcome this weakness and make it a strength, I do desire it with all my heart. Last night I felt I had a breakthrough.  We have some ripe yummy avocados.  I have b...

My sweet John Derek fell asleep on the couch.  He slept for 3 hours in the middle of the day, even with all of us running around him.  I think he had a great weekend. Book of Mormon, 2 Nephi 32:9 "9  But behold, I say unto you that ye must pray always, and not faint; that ye must not perform any thing unto the Lord save in the first place ye shall pray unto the Father in the name of Christ, that he will consecrate thy performance unto thee, that thy performance may be for the welfare of thy soul." I do feel that this is an important step. In my quest for weight loss I prayed several times for help. Each time I felt the need to not worry that the time was not right. I would have patience for a while and then ask again. Finally the Lord helped me realize that the time was right. He wants what is best for me and He is here to help at the...

On the way to school I challenged my kids to be an angel to someone.  I prayed that I would also be an angel. Friday afternoon I wanted to do something fun with my kids.  Things were just not coming together.  I had to run an errand and then pick up Elizabeth.  I felt prompted to put a box of baby clothes in my car and headed off.  When I arrived at my friend's home I asked her if she wanted the box of clothes.  She responded that she did, her friend had just moved in with them and needed clothes for her son.  I felt that I had been an angel. Right after that my sister called to tell me that it was "National Talk Like A Pirate Day."  She told me Krispy Kreme was giving a box of doughnuts to everyone who came dressed as a pirate.  This was perfect.  I felt that she had been my angel, my answer to my prayer. We all dressed up and waited in line and got our doughnuts. I then offered a ride to the woman we had met who was standing...

Today as I made my way to the gym I listened to the song, Angels Among Us , sung by Alabama.  I thought about how there have been so many angels in my life.  People who have shown up at the right time and the right place.  As I pondered this I though, "How can I be an angel to someone?"  I decided to pray about that.  It is a blessing to be in the service of our Father in Heaven.  I hope that I can be the angel He wants me to be. Pearl of Great Price, Joseph Smith—History 1:29 "I betook myself to prayer and supplication to Almighty God for forgiveness of all my sins and follies, and also for a manifestation to me, that I might know of my state and standing before him; for I had full confidence in obtaining a divine manifestation, as I previously had one." As I was working out this morning I was reading Joseph Smith--History. I was amazed to read that Joseph wanted to know his standing with the Lord so he praye...

On of my favorite things about my wonderful husband is his love for our children.  When he is home for bedtime he always has such patience with our kids.  He is the first of offer a story and makes sure that prayers are said and teeth are brushed.  Such a joy and blessing to have such a devoted father and husband. Last night as we were drifting off to sleep he apologized for all the time he has to spend away from us.  I commented that I was grateful that when he was away he is either doing church responsibilities or work and not 'hanging out with the guys.'  He responded, "I hope you know that where I want to be is with you."  Again, I am so blessed. John Derek is behind the book with arms, he didn't want his picture taken. :-) Drawing on the Powers of Heaven , by Grant Von Harrison pg. 9-- " . . . there are many blessings the Lord would like to extend to individual members of the Church if they would merely exercise the faith that would allow...