prosper

I have had several conversations with people recently about money, providing for our family, trusting husbands to do their best and what that might look like.  I am grateful to have married a hard working man who is willing to think outside the box, find ways to make things work, learn new things, try and sometimes fail but get back up and try again.

I know among religious people there can be some misguided ideas that being righteous includes being poor. That being humble and meek means learning to be content with poverty.  The idea that money is the root of all evil is wrong.  It is the 'love of money that is the root of evil'.  We can't love money. We can love God and our fellow beings. We can serve them. We can better ourselves and our situations to be more useful in building His kingdom

Its not about pride or prestige.  It is not trying to be better than others.  Seeking to improve our situation, create beauty, enjoy and share abundance is a blessing that comes from righteous living.  I am not saying that the wealthy are good and the poor are bad. I am saying that we each are given weaknesses and challenges. Some are monetary and that can mean being rich or being poor.  But in order for God to make weak things become strong, our focus needs to be on Him.

It is all part of the agency that God has given us to make the most of our lives.

It is God's will that we be free men and women enabled to rise to our full potential both temporally and spiritually, that we be free from the humiliating limitations of poverty and the bondage of sin, that we enjoy self respect and independence, that we be prepared in all things to join Him in His celestial kingdom.     Elder Christofferson 10/14

I do believe we should praise God and give thanks in all things and in all situations but that doesn't mean we just stop trying to improve us and our situation.

Economic deprivation is a curse that keeps on cursing, year after year and generation after generation. It damages bodies, maims spirits, harms families, and destroys dreams. If we could do more to alleviate poverty, as Jesus repeatedly commands us to do, maybe some of the less fortunate in the world could hum a few notes of “There Is Sunshine in My Soul Today,” perhaps for the first time in their lives. Elder Holland 4/17

Poverty is a curse not a reward because you are so humble.  It very often is not of your own choosing by any means but it is up to each person to do what they can to change the script, to better their lives. As they do so they then can truly assist others out of that difficult situation.

I want to love others where they are, as Jesus does.  I want to help and be guided by God in what that looks like for me. I want to be able to alleviate the suffering and the difficulty and help change the curse for generations.  There are plenty of people doing their best, I honor them.  There are miracle stories of people taking chances, finding a new way and succeeding. I am talking to those who are complacent. Those who willingly let the government and family provide for their needs year after year. Those that lose hope and simply just wait to expire.

Each person has value and worth.  You are here to contribute, to enjoy the blessings of this great world, created by God for you.  Trust that you can do all things through Christ which strengthens you. You will not be left alone.  There is no mistake, failing, misstep that Christ cannot help you through and every time he is willing to give you a hand up to a better place.

I am under no illusion that this can be achieved by our own efforts alone without His very substantial and constant help. “We know that it is by grace that we are saved, after all we can do.”24 And we do not need to achieve some minimum level of capacity or goodness before God will help—divine aid can be ours every hour of every day, no matter where we are in the path of obedience. But I know that beyond desiring His help, we must exert ourselves, repent, and choose God for Him to be able to act in our lives consistent with justice and moral agency. My plea is simply to take responsibility and go to work so that there is something for God to help us with. Elder Christopherson

birthday fun

We love the 4th of July.  It is the best of times, outdoor fun, family, old friends and new, park fun, BBQs and backyard fun.  Here is a taste of the fun we had.  We normally participate more in the games but this year we had the kids performing and got to watch them. We did do the egg toss.  Not sure why it is so fun but it is a favorite.  The water games and water fight were a big hit too!

 Ella and her momma at the children's fashion show.  She was the cutest.

 Simeon and Debbie performing a whole bunch of fun summer songs with their singing groups

 Happy Birthday!

 Parade Fun.