Happy holidays!

We have enjoyed a great holiday season with the celebration of our Savior's birth being the most important part

 The simplified version of the candy house continues

 and the Sunday picture that we will frame and add to the collection.

 Debbie decided that the manger would remain as part of the season decor.

 Christmas Eve Bethlehem dinner.

 Then we moved to the living room for sharing of talents, singing, opening one present of PJ's and playing Christmas songs on boom whackers.

 Christmas morning

 and one special surprise

 Shooting and sleding

 Brothers!

Our party of odd favorite foods.  The empanadas being a big hit with all.

 Rely on John to find some fun videos to share.  He also brought nerf guns one night had they all had a blast.

 For the nativity we sing the song out of the primary book and bring in the players as they are sung about.

 These little Porter boys got to see the garbage truck come by.  They just burn their garbage at their home.

finding improvement

My family was introduced to 3 Key Elements well over a year ago.  This is a company that starts as a body language expert  source but has become so much more.  Each time we listen to a CD or attend another class we are taught tools and ideas.  These tools and ideas make us think, make us stretch, make us wonder, make us make a new decision.  Should I do it?  Will it work?  Will I see results?

An example would be declarations, or vision board, or write and burn.  They sound simple and maybe even silly at first.  I just make a list of things I admire and wish I was, say them out loud and magically I become them? I just find cool pictures, put them on the wall and the "universe" is just going to bring them to my front door?  I just write lots of negative thoughts that are swimming in my head and then burn them and they will leave me alone?  Maybe!  They are simply tools I can choose to use.They are first steps in bringing change and improvement.  If I don't do them I can be pretty sure things will stay the way the are.  What if I do do them and life improves?  Is that a risk worth taking?  What if I say "I'm fit and healthy, active and fun, I feel great!" and sometimes I don't?  Is that so bad?  What if reminding myself of this every day makes me more aware of opportunities to become more fit and healthy, is that so bad?  What if it motivates me to say yes to the better choices more often?

The classes I have attend do cost money.  I am making an investment in myself and in my family. With investing, paying the price, comes commitment.  I paid for this so I'm going to use it.  I'm going to see if it works.  I have learned lots of new tools and ideas.  I don't get around to all of them all the time. I don't even remember them all or know how to fit them all in.  I do usually use at least one every day. I do have challenges that come up and my mind goes to some of the things I have learned and I find a way to feel I am moving forward, that I have an answer that might help or at least lead me to another answer. Does this leave out prayer? NO.  In fact, when I am in tune I recognize where faith, prayer, trusting God are all very intricately woven within the tools and become more visible when I am keeping my covenants and seeking.  Like parables that Christ taught that may not even seem related are, in fact, very related and the very answers straight from our loving Heavenly Father.

So like all things on earth there are ups and downs in life and the different things we are doing to make life better.  There are times when I see progress and times I wonder if I am wasting time and money.  Tools are not the result.  The tools we use help us to build something. For me, these tools are helping to build my character.  They are helping me clean up from the inside out.  They are helping me build relationships, learn forgiveness (for myself and others), set and accomplish goals, stretch beyond my comfort.  One of the very best things I have gained from just jumping in and using these new ideas is to share them.  Milt and I are so much closer because we are sharing this learning experience and growing together/independently using the same tools and terminology and we are able to see the progress and cheer each other on.  I see my children sharing powerful declarations, achieving or receiving things on there vision board.  I see us as a family becoming stronger and more supportive as we learn not to dump toxic words on each other but learn healthy ways to deal with frustration and negative thoughts.

I feel so grateful to have found tools.  They are not who I am.  They are not anything that takes the place of worship.  They are tools that enhance my ability to build and strengthen my life, my purpose as I seek to please my Savior.  I feel they have been a gift.  When I receive and use this gift properly, when I quit judging and start trusting and testing, I feel power in my life.  I feel positive choices being made by me. I feel like opportunities that have always been there are becoming more visible to me and I am able to take advantage of them.  I feel excited and want to help others.  I celebrate the growth and get excited when others are achieving also.

I also feel like when you get excited about something that is good there are those out there who feel it is their job to tear it down. They want to bring you back to the level they understand.  I want to be free to make choices, share information and I want others to be free to accept or not.  So here I am sharing a small bit of the journey my family is on.  I invite you like I invite someone to dinner.  You can accept and come, you can schedule a better time, or you can simply say no thanks.  Please don't get mad if I sometime mention the fun we are having and the good food we tried.  You are always invited and I would love to hear about the good things in your life too.

For here and now this is a way I have found to improve my life.  After all we are here to improve and though we may be heading in the same direction our vehicles might look different to fit our journey.

Food can increase health

Food, glorious food.  I am so grateful for plenty of good, delicious food.  I was recently asked to share in 3 minutes how we can increase our health through food.  I only just got started when my time was up but thoughts continue to roll through my mind and I want to share.

Food is such a big topic and the opinions, theories, and sources are endless.  Very early in my married life I met a woman who simply said that food should be eaten in its most natural state. From the beginning that spoke truth to me.  Pre-prepared, low fat, sugar free, lists of ingredients I did not recognize all became obvious signs of food that had been changed and manipulated in ways I could never do at home.

I started with whole grains.  I got a bosch, made my own bread, our own treats, home cooked meals. Soda pop was never a regular part of our menu or lifestyle. Water was our primary beverage with a little milk or juice occasionally.  I have been fortunate to be a stay at home mom and was able to make these choices for my family.  We have enjoyed good health, easy births.  We have seldom visited the doctors office which is a blessing for a large family that is self employed and seldom has insurance. We have found that most illness can be treated at home.

There are times when I have experimented with more extreme versions of eating when I went from vegetarian to vegan.  I was slimmer but my baby born during that time has had the most broken bones of any of my children. I believe that was a result of not enough protein in my diet.  I also became rather anti-social as it wasn't fun to go out to eat, attend get togethers or celebrate with others because it always involved food I was unwilling to eat.

As I moved towards balance I found peace.  For me, balance is seeking good, whole foods but not becoming snobby about it.  I eat what is shared, I enjoy the moment and the company.  I celebrate but then I seek out those foods again that make me feel good.  Listening to my body is key.  Energy levels, head-aches, soar throats all change depending on what I am eating.

My current goals are to find clean sources of milk and meat.  We milk a cow for our milk. We raise our own chickens for eggs, we have found some great healthier sources of meat for when we can afford it and then we always express gratitude for what we can get.  Meat is not something we eat a lot of daily.  I would like to incorporate more beans but our bodies have not adjusted well to that idea. (also leading to anti social-ness)  I have not worried too much about finding organic foods.  I understand that it is a good idea and when in restaurant I can taste a different flavor on those bagged lettuces. We also plant a garden every year.  I like to think we are getting better at growing food but I struggle to use all the produce or spend enough time in the garden.

My family appreciates homemade food and my adult daughters all enjoy cooking. I have passed on my desire to include food as part of the celebrations of holidays and seasons.  Though we are still adjusting, there are many healthy AND delicious choices that bless our bodies and our taste buds.  As I get older and my family is shrinking at home I am often tempted to make a smoothie for me and just feed them corn dogs.  The other extreme is when I make nice food for them but still eat too much of it in the name of dinner time.  We still continue to adjust, live in the world and find the best for each of us.  May you also seek to bless the gift of your body by taking time to listen to the messages your body is sending and give it only those things that truly build and strengthen our ability to serve. I know I will feel better when I release the extra ten pounds that are just slowing me down. I am 49 years old and I want these next 40 years to be productive, fun, active years spent building relationships and serving others. That takes a healthy mind and body!

And he is off!

My second son, fourth missionary has begun his full time service as a missionary for the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.  He will serve for 24 months.  I am so excited for him.

 He is ready to thrust in his sickle.

Doctrine and Covenants 11: 3 Behold, the field is white already to harvest; therefore, whoso desireth to reap let him thrust in his sickle with his might, and reap while the day lasts, that he may treasure up for his soul everlasting salvation in the kingdom of God.

 We received our first letter from Dane yesterday. He loves the training, loves the people, is so enthusiatic about the things he is learning and recognizes the great  help our stake Preach My Gospel class has been for him.  In our stake they have recently returned missionaries teach this class at 7:30 every Sunday morning.

Grateful:
680 The Lord trusts these amazing youth to represent him in sharing his gospel.
681 for the confidence of youth that willingly accept calls and jump in.
682 to live in these exciting days of hastening the work and bringing the good news to all the world
683 for the Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ that contains the fullness of the gospel.

Girls Camp

As the brand new Young Women President in our ward, girls camp became a very important event.  Here it is in pictures.  The girls were amazing, fun, good, kind, and capable.  My love for them is growing!

Grateful:
675 Girls camp
676 the young women of today are strong and valiant!
677 I felt the support and love of both the girls and the leaders of our ward and stake.
678 Divine Nature, Come Unto Christ, Here Am I Send Me.  The daily themes of girls camp.
679 Our stake leaders main goal of girls camp was to strengthen testimony. They gave us many great opportunities and I know our girls were strengthened and grateful.