Wednesday
Thankful for...
A good home cooked meal.  I have been crafting and our dining room table has been occupied!  Only 4 can fit around our kitchen table.  That is where the kids have eaten the last few nights.  Tonight I cooked us a good dinner and the kids and I ate at the dining room table.  Dinners together are good.

Study time...
Mosiah 26:3 - '... because of their unbelief they could not understand...'  Faith is the first principle of the gospel of Jesus Christ.  If you don't believe Him how can you understand Him?
Sherri Dew said, 'Faith is a principle of action. It is our willingness to believe in the Savior that unleashes His power in our lives.'

I appreciate the situation of Alma not knowing how to handle certain church protocol.  Where did he go?  First he went to king Mosiah and tried to get him to deal with it.  But, Mosiah didn't want to, these were church matters, rightfully so.  He received his answers straight from the Lord.  He 'poured out his whole soul' before the Lord told him what to do and how to handle it.  I have total confidence things are handled in the same way today.

ch 27 - King Mosiah finally sends out a decree that basically tells everyone to be nice to each other.  Let people believe what they want w/o persecution.  We have been hearing the same words over the last several years from the Prophet, we are no better than any man.  Be kind to those around us.  We don't want to be persecuted for what we believe and certainly should do the same unto others.

Photo...
Took the kids to playgroup today, shocker!!!  They had a great time at the mall play yard.  We even did lunch and a carousel ride.  We had fun me and my boys.

Tuesday
Thankful for...
A clean kitchen.  It takes time for me to clean everything up after dinner, but I sure appreciate going to bed with a clean kitchen.

Study time...
We figuratively speak about being in bondage and rescued by the Lord, or I guess I should say we speak about spiritually being in bondage, then being rescued by our Savior.  Mosiah 22 and 24 talk about being in the the bondage. 
Limhi's people were in bondage, these were people that lived under King Noah's rule, hadn't heard, or chose not to follow Alma.  After Noah is burned in the wilderness his son takes over.  Limhi, to save the lives of his people agrees to give the L half of everything they possess/make. 
After the little misunderstanding I previously spoke about, things were somewhat peaceful, then the L just get bored and I'm sure figure they aren't utilizing their situation right!?  They start treating Limhi's people more like slaves. 
Apparently just giving half of their all wasn't enough to humble these people.  Now they are really being oppressed and have essentially given up, given into the bondage.
21:14 - And they did ^ahumble themselves even in the depths of humility; and they did cry mightily to God; yea, even all the day long did they cry unto their God that he would ^bdeliver them out of their afflictions.

15 And now the Lord was ^aslow to hear their cry because of their iniquities; nevertheless the Lord did hear their ^bcries, and began to soften the hearts of the Lamanites that they began to ease their burdens; yet the Lord did not see fit to deliver them out of bondage.

What does the Lord do next?  Maybe a test to see how much they really mean what they cry to him.  Ammon stumbles upon them.  When they find out who he is they are accepting.  Their hearts are tender and he shares the gospel with them.  They accept!  They want to be baptized, but no one has the authority.  They passed the test!

What happens next?  The Lord delivers them from bondage.  The Lord delivered them physically after they had changed spiritually. We see this time and again. 

They were delivered in spirit as they chose to partake of the atonement.  He took it a step farther and physically freed them from the Lamanites. 

What things am I enslaved to?  What things keep me in bondage?  The Lord doesn't just heal and free us spiritually, it crosses over into the physical realm quite literally.  Our physicality changes after our spirit changes.

Photo...
E loves his puzzles.  We had puzzle time just the two of us while O was at preschool.

Sunday...
Thankful for...
Dinner plans!  We went to the Damsteadts for dinner.  I like being fed good food... without having to make it!

Study time...
Mosiah 20 - This all is a big misunderstanding.  The Lamanites love their kids too, and when they go missing, assume it was the Nephites that were at fault, which it wasn't.  Just goes to show what a lack of trust can do.  Neither had done anything to upset the other people, but each knew the 'assumptions' of the other people, based on prior behaviors, stories etc.  Instead of asking first, the Lamanites made an assumption and went to war!  Of course the Nephites saw this coming and, why would they need a reason to fight us?  Lamanites just like to fight, so the N got an early start when they saw the L coming.
Turns out neither were at fault. 
Trust certainly is a big proponent of behavior right?  We act or react based on how we feel about other people, weather or not we trust them.  Am I trustworthy?  Does my behavior indicate that?  If any situation were to arise with my name attached to it, what would the other people involved assume, based on me and my prior actions, behaviors, stories?  Something to think about.

Photo...
I came down from a little nap to find Q and O playing the computer.  She is pretty right?  I'm glad she actually chose to do school computer time instead of art computer time.

Saturday
Thankful for...
A quiet house!  We took the kids to the C's tonight, M is over picking them up right now.  It's so nice to have a quiet house!  I wish it could last a bit longer!

Study time...
Mosiah 18:26 - Love this verse.  A few days ago I quoted Bednar, who turned us to the Bible Dictionary for the definition of grace.  Read it again... The priests didn't get support or payment from the people.  They received grace for their work.  Read that quote again.
I've been asked how someone can 'know' that God lives, that Jesus is the Christ.  This verse tells us how to come to a knowledge of these things.  Grace.  It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means.  Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity.
The knowledge comes as you accomplish things you knew you didn't have the capacity to accomplish on your own, whatever that may be. 

Photo...
G made this lego house today.  I'm proud!

Friday
Thankful for...
My little Q, today is her birthday.  She is my girl.  Heaven bless her!  She helps me, challenges me, teaches me, has things in common with me.  I love her so much and I'm so thankful to have her.

Study time...
Mosiah 11 - the people are clearly upset that someone would come in and tell them that they are living unruly, sinful lives.  Ch 12 Abinidi tells them they will be destroyed by God, but their record will be preserved.  Their hearts would seem to be, what we call hardened, against the spirit of God and God himself.  Abinidi proceeds to clarify the law of Moses that they were supposed to be teaching their people, but weren't (this is how one man could 'cause his people to commit sin...').  He teaches them that the law of Moses is preparation for the Savior and His sacrifice. 
Abinidi surely taught with power and conviction to make these men tremble and feel something. (13:7)  12:30 - Abinidi knows the spirit has touched them, they know that he speaks the truth.
Can a heart like that be turned?  I believe all things are possible with God, but the choice will always be ours.  It is possible to feel something.  King Noah was almost ready to release Abinidi, but ultimately chose his way of life over God.  The Spirit can prick our hearts, but the actions of changing our life are up to us. 

Why was this one man called of God to go give this big sermon, then be put to death?  I think it's significant to see Abinidi prophecy, then watch the prophecy be fulfilled.  His teachings weren't all in vain, Alma heard, Alma felt, Alma changed, then Alma went on his own mission to teach the gospel to many.  And his fruits go on and keep many records, they reestablish the church.  The fruits of Abinidi's words did continue on.  In his very short appearance, he gave great wisdom and clarification regarding the law of Moses that the people would continue to live by. 


Photo...

Thursday
Thankful for...
Good neighbors.  M is in VA doing interviews and it has been snowing all day.  My neighbor called to tell me her husband was out doing my drive and not to be startled if I heard him.  How great are they?  Love the people on this street!

Study time...
Mosiah 9:17 and 10:10 - I have this little quote book that gives a quote as well as guiding your reading for this 100 day challenge.  The quote attached to this reading is interesting to me.  It is by Elder Bednar.  I went to look up the thought online and found more to it, which enlightened me a bit more.
“Nevertheless, the Lord God showeth us our weakness that we may know that it is by his grace, and his great condescensions unto the children of men, that we have power to do these things” (Jacob 4:6-7).
Brothers and sisters, please pay particular attention to the word grace as it is used in the verse I just read. In the Bible Dictionary we learn that the word grace frequently is used in the scriptures to connote a strengthening or enabling power:
“The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and love of Jesus Christ.
“… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (p. 697).
Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real.

The Nephites, who were somewhat lost as far as 'spiritual blindness' goes, found strength in the Lord as they went to battle w/ the Lamanites.  It says they remembered the deliverance of their fathers.
I asked myself why this quote was paired with this scripture. 

They must have had some softening of heart right?  Why would they cry to the Lord?  As you recognize you need Him and He answers back, do you then feel obliged to repent?  I don't imagine the Lord just handed them help.  He has warned time and again He'd let the Lamanites destroy the Nephites if they were being unrighteous.  That would suggest a genuine change of heart, some repentance, some usage of the atonement.

That is where this quote comes into play.  As the Nephites turned to the atonement is it possible that they literally gained strength of the Lord?  Physically?  Does the atonement give us physical strength and power?  It benefits us emotionally and spiritually, of course it benefits us physically!  We have all sorts of 'limited mortal capacities'.  We recognize that it transforms our lives 'to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means'.  We change habits, seek for better, heal wounds, cleanse imperfections all through the atonement.  Those can be very physical.  Why wouldn't it also give us literal physical strength?   
It wasn't by some magical power that the Nephites overcame, it was through the atonement. 


Photo...
O came in, 'Mom E is sleeping and I covered him up.'
Awe I thought, 'Thanks O you are a good brother.'
I go in and literally...

I can't see E!

Poor kid, his cheeks were all pink, he was hot, and I'm sure fighting for air!!!

All In One

Wednesday
Thankful for...
A chilling run outside.  It was windy and cold, but I still appreciated getting out.

Study time...
Mosiah 6:7 - Love the learned behavior Of Mosiah from his wonderful father king Benjamin.  He didn't want to burden his people, he wanted to be like his father and work with his people.  Work ethic, on the parents heads to teach that to our children.
8:20 - Like that is says the Lord doth suffer with his people.  Also '... how blind and impenetrable are the understandings of the children of men for they will not seek wisdom...'  Footnote on blind is spiritual blindess.  Because they won't seek wisdom.  Where do you suppose that wisdom is to come from, what does he want us continually looking/seeking for or from?  And why won't they seek that wisdom?  They don't want it to rule over them.  Hmmm.  Could you replace the word 'wisdom' with 'God'?  Lack of understanding is a result of not seeking God, it is spiritual blindness.  There is so much wisdom he would hope to show us, if we would just be willing and able to recieve it.

Photo...
Went to a skating rink w/ Melissa today.  Need to write about that!  It was fun.

Tuesday
Thankful for...
A good cleansing!  Molly came over to watch Gray's and made a 'smoothie' for me!  Didn't love it, but tried it anyway!  I'd rather eat a salad... with no dressing.  Love watching GA w/ my buddy!

Study time...
Mosiah 4:11,12 - '... that ye should remember, and always retain in remembrance...'  remember what?  Remember the greatness of God and our own nothingness.  Why?  Humility.  If we are humble we will rely and '... call on the name of the Lord daily...'  As we do that we '... stand steadfastly in faith...'.  What are we promised if we do this?  v.12 says we not only receive remission of sin, but we also '...grow in knowledge of his glory...' and '... knowledge of that which is just and true.'  Remember, and always retain in remembrance.  Don't let that slip out of your mind. 

Photo...
Laundry day, ug!

Monday
Thankful for...
Big blessings!  Thought I'd lost E at one point on this trip!  It made my heart race.  So thankful to have found him!

Study time...

Photo...
Started on these balloon wreaths on the trip.  They go pretty fast!  Pretty expensive to make actually, but I'll love hanging them during our birthday weeks.

Sunday...
Thankful for...
family time. Although I don't love the Sunday choice, it's ok. The kids were so happy when we told them we were going to the water park!

Study time...
none today... I did get a few verses in before we left. Not a good 'study', but at least I was in there, and that is better than nothing!

Photo...
the joy of hearing the news!

Saturday
Thankful for...
Take out and fast food! After a long photo shoot I didn't want to go home and cook. McD's for the kids and Chipotle for M and I. Nice!

Study time...
Read some in the BofM. Also started reading 'Our Living Gospel' by Wendell O. Rich.  Love these first thoughts on happiness.

"Life, the raw materials of this earth, and the timeless unchangeable authority of laws which govern nature and human nature, are gifts of God, the rest we must learn and earn for ourselves, including happiness."    -Alexander Magoun

"Every honest, righteous man or woman knows that happiness is an achievement wrought out of the fabric of life and living.  In this truth lies all the dignity of righteousness.  Every son and daughter of God must learn this one fundamental precept of His divine grace; that God will give them all that they are willing and able to receive."  He then quotes Phillip Brooks, 'Rememeber, God is teaching you always as much truth as you can learn.  If you are in sorrow at your ignorance, still you must not despair.  Be capable for more knowledge and it shall be given you.  What hinders you from knowing God perfectly is not God's unwillingness but your imperfectness.  Grow better and purer, and diviner wisdom shall come to you, not given as wages, as reward, but simply admitted into a nature grown more capable of receiving it.

Photo...
O in the snow. Finally!

Friday
Thankful for...
Days I don't have to go anywhere... or 'need' to, but don't!

Study time... 
Thoughts of Omni... Five writers in that little record.  None of which really have anything to say.  Omni himself says he's a wicked man.  There is no new revelation in the time period covered in this little book (around 231 years, about the same amount of time covered in the prior books).  There is no one righteous enough to receive.  Apostasy?  It amazes me that thought the prophets saw and warned of this very thing no one in it noticed it while it was happening and all but a few (which Mosiah led away from the wicked Nephites) turned away from the Lord and forgot, no longer knew, were lost.

Photo...
E sleeping, still not 100%. Love how he tucks his little hands under his face.