Tuesday, May 22, 2012

I am grateful for my new beautiful anthem.

I am officially crazy!  I just agreed to be the PTA president for the upcoming year.  Why me?   Basically because I was asked by the principal to do it, but before I accepted I told her that I would have to ask my husband and kids for their approval and support.  After talking to them, and a quick call to the current PTA president to pick her brain, I came to the conclusion ... why not me! 

And that is why "Take Time to be Holy" is going to be my new anthem.






  1. Take time to be holy, speak oft with thy Lord;
    Abide in Him always, and feed on His Word.
    Make friends of God’s children, help those who are weak,
    Forgetting in nothing His blessing to seek.
  2. Take time to be holy, the world rushes on;
    Spend much time in secret, with Jesus alone.
    By looking to Jesus, like Him thou shalt be;
    Thy friends in thy conduct His likeness shall see.
  3. Take time to be holy, let Him be thy Guide;
    And run not before Him, whatever betide.
    In joy or in sorrow, still follow the Lord,
    And, looking to Jesus, still trust in His Word.
  4. Take time to be holy, be calm in thy soul,
    Each thought and each motive beneath His control.
    Thus led by His Spirit to fountains of love,
    Thou soon shalt be fitted for service above. 

Thursday, May 10, 2012

I am grateful for my eight year old's questions.

My sweet eight year old is having trouble going to sleep at night.  To help remedy this, I have been chatting with him until he falls asleep.  Our chats consist of him asking thoughtful, hard questions, and I do my best to answer them.  For example, a few nights ago, we discussed the origin of Heavenly Father, the location of heaven, and the concept of eternal time and space.  Whew!  I can't wait to hear what questions surface tonight. 

Saturday, May 5, 2012

I am grateful for parables.



I love this line:
"Downing another quart of pickle juice any time anyone around you 
has a happy moment."

Wednesday, May 2, 2012

I am grateful for the question, "Why?"

Episcopal Priest Describes Her Visit to a Mormon Temple


Photo caption: Exterior of the Kansas City Missouri Temple


Writing in the Huffington Post about her visit to the Kansas City Missouri Temple open house of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Danielle Tumminio, an Episcopal priest and theologian, captures the “why” of belief and religious practice, an element frequently missing in religious news coverage. Tumminio visited the Kansas City Temple open house to answer the questions “What does a Mormon temple look like, and what happens inside it?” and “Would I feel God's presence in this space, even though it's not a space that's sacred for me?”
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints has 136 operating temples around the world and more under construction. Church members often travel long distances to worship in them (temples differ from the nearly 18,000 Mormon chapels throughout the world used for regular Sunday services). Each temple has a public open house prior to its dedication.
Tumminio described what she experienced during her visit to the Kansas City Temple open house:
Like Dante, who saw God face to face but had no words to describe the encounter, I have few words to describe what I felt in that moment. But I can say this: While it did not convert me, nor did it make me want to be a Mormon, the silence and peace I felt reminded me of the many other times I've felt close to God, whether in an Episcopal cathedral, in a clear, warm ocean or in my ratty old car. And because of that, I came to understand why temples exist and why they are so important to Mormons across the world.
While many journalists sincerely strive to report accurately on religion, capturing the essence of the religious experience transcends accuracy and is lost in most news articles. Latter-day Saints (and all people of faith) appreciate it when journalists get the facts straight about their faith. But to go beyond the facts and actually capture the “why” of belief and faith is refreshing.
Read the full article in the Huffington Post here: http://www.huffingtonpost.com/mobileweb/danielle-tumminio/inside-a-mormon-temple-a-female-episcopal-priest-visits_b_1430206.html

Tuesday, May 1, 2012

I am grateful for this quote.

"Administer in the spirit of love and patience to your husbands and to your children; guard the little ones; do not permit them to imbibe the spirit of intolerance or hatred to any nation or to any people; keep firearms out of their hands; do not allow them to play at war nor to find amusement in imitating death in battle; inculcate the spirit of loyalty to country and flag, but help them to feel that they are soldiers of the Cross and that if they must needs take up arms in the defense of liberty, of country and homes they shall do so without rancor or bitterness.... Teach the peaceable things of the kingdom [and] look after the needy more diligently than ever."
Emmeline B. Wells (Daughters in My Kingdom, pg 64)