Faith, Hope, Charity

So this isn't a baby update. That is in a week and a day. But there have been many things on my mind and I wanted to write them out. It's kinda long. Basically, It is a part of my witness (testimony) of truth! Read at your own risk.



I have a boss, K, who came out and did annual inspections with me on Thursday. (Quick update: I am an apartment manager for a 51-unit complex). After a long day (like from 9 to 3 straight) my boss left. I told her we (Ron and I) were going on a date to Lake Oswego. She wished me luck. I didn't tell her that I was going to the Temple with my husband because I didn't feel like explaining what it was all about. While we were doing inspections we came across a good handful of religious people (the decor in their homes were a dead give away). I asked her if she was religious. She answered no. During the endowment session all I could think about was my boss. She is a single 32 year old woman who lives alone and works super hard. I thought about what would happen if she joined the church. I thought about how being a single adult in our church is really hard. Anything outside of the "normal" is hard. With all that being said, the answer I kept getting was "Hope". The Savior brings Hope to all of God's children. As long as we are making and keeping covenants, we have hope, and we are not lost. We are known to the Great Shepherd.

Which brings me to my next thought: I want to make it home. And the only way I can do that is by following truth and eternal laws. Today I went to the library and before going in, I was stopped by a couple of people asking if I supported Same-Sex Marriage in the state of Oregon. I had to stop and think about what they were asking because I was rushing. But this is how I responded: "I believe in equal rights, but I also believe in the institution of Marriage." I love that in a simple, non-offensive, but straightforward way, I was able to share my beliefs with others not of my faith. Too often I find it hard to "open my mouth" and share the knowledge that I have gained through personal experience. I know that Marriage is ordained of God and that anything that goes against eternal law (in this case the Law of Chastity) is not what I want.

Which brings me to my last thought: the annual general Relief Society meeting that occurs every last Saturday of September. Tonight they especially focused on making and keeping covenants and how our love for Jesus Christ is indicative of our love for him and Heavenly Father. It has become clearer to me how much God really loves His children and how he has made it possible to return to live with Him. In the endowment session with Ron, I felt the love of Heavenly Father and how important it is to him that all of his children who choose to live with him, come back to him.

Like so many other times, words fail me this evening. I have been greatly edified by the Spirit and its personal teachings to me of what this life is truly about, of how I want to get back to Heavenly Father and how to go about help others who want to return to him, return to him.

These are some of the things I KNOW:
-I am a daughter of God.
-I can return to live with him someday.
-There has been a plan given so I can become like him.
-He loves me more than any words can express. And he loves all of his children that way.
-I love him and I show him this love by making and keeping promises with him to live the way he has commanded me to live.
-The promises I have made are real and binding. They bring me peace and hope and courage to endure to the end.
-I want to live my life in a way that people can tell I love God and that that is what will bring them most happiness in this life.
-I want to shout it from the rooftops that I know God lives and loves us and has given us a way to be truly happy and return to live with him FOREVER.

These are just SOME of the things I know. I believe all things, I hope all things, I have endured many things, and hope to be able to endure all things. If there is anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, I seek after these things.

-Hannah Richins Beck

The Best Description of Depression I Have Ever Come Across

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

This is a repost of a blog that describes depression in a way I have never been able to explain before. It is from a blog called Hyperbole and a Half. It is full of funny every day life type things, but the writer has depression and explains how it works. For those of you who have depression you should read this post because it will astound you at how accurate it is, and for those of you who don't have depression; you NEED to read this post because if you don't you will never understand how it feels to be depressed. Honestly, you probably won't understand anyway, but at least you will begin to understand. Anyway, you read it. It's really long, but it is WELL worth the time.

http://hyperboleandahalf.blogspot.com/2013/05/depression-part-two.html

Shane: 3 Months!

So Shane is now 3 months old as of yesterday. However, he is so "healthy" he looks like anywhere from a 4 to 6 month old.

He has found his hands and loves to gnaw on them. He has rolled over about 20 times total. He goes 2.5 hours between feedings and sleeps 8 to 9 hours straight at night. He is super strong and can hold up his head incredibly well. He sits in his "bumbo" all by himself and is usually on the counter while Mommy makes dinner. He has kicked himself off the couch twice already. He has almost outgrown his baby tub and is now too big for his swing. I don't know how much he weighs because that is at his 4 month checkup, but he was 14.5 lbs and 24.5 inches long at his 3month, 1week checkup. He has about outgrown his size 2 diapers but we are finishing up the package that we got on sale. Highly considering doing cloth diapering after this bag is done. We haven't decided yet, but it is very attractive. We just got called into Primary as team teachers, so he goes to Grandma Mecham during 2nd and 3rd hour. She said he was giggling up a storm today. I am grateful for people who love babies and are trustworthy enough to take care of my little man while I serve other places.

Oh, and my favorite part so far: He talks!


As always: Pictures and videos below.