Sometimes Life Is Just TOO Darn Busy!
that's all.....

Day 8

Take His Name

"Behold, I will lead thee by my hand, and I will take thee, to put upon thee my name." Abraham 1:18

Read Helaman 5:6-7
Read Mosiah 5:8-9
Read Doctrine and Covenants 20:77

-Look up Jesus Christ in the topical guide. Reflect on the different names of Christ. How does each name relate to you personally?
-Today make it a priority to bear burdens, give comfort, and stand as a witness.

My tree!

I love my tree-everything on it is sentimental to me--it's my perfect tree, only difference this year is that it is a real tree--Joe and I have never had a real tree--won't be going back to a fake tree again. Love the look, love the smell.

It is by complete silliness on my part that it is real--we had a fake tree--I sold it--why--I thought that our house was going to sell lightening quick--silly me--I should have realized by now that my timing and thinking have nothing to do with Heavenly Fathers knowledge and timing. Someday I hope to master this, learn to do all I can and turn it over to my Creator to show me His way. 

Here it is--isn't it perfect?......for me :]

Day 7

In Remembrance

Read Nephi 18:6-12
Read Doctrine and Covenants 59:9-10

"The ordinance of the sacrament makes the sacrament meeting the most sacred and important meeting in the Church." Elder Dallin H. Oaks

Elder Oaks encourages members to be seated "well before the meeting begins". This may take some extra effort on our part. What things can we do on Saturday to prevent chaos and contention on Sunday morning? Do we have all necessary clothing ready and laid out? Have we packed up all the materials for lessons, meetings, and other responsibilities? Do we have items ready to help young children be reverent? Is there gas in the car? Food in the fridge?

Challenge

-Make a to do list of everything that needs to b e done prior to Sunday.
-Check everything off your list today.
-Read the Sunday School scripture assignments, and the Relief Society Lesson.

Guess you will never guess what I will be doing now--couldn't have come on a better day--it's Saturday a special day the day we get ready for Sunday.

Day 6

Keep A Record

Read 2 Nephi 4:15-16
Read 2 Nephi 25:21, 23, 26

"Keep an account of the dealings of God with you daily. I have written all the blessings i have recieved, and I would not take gold for them."  President Wilford Woodruff

Challenge
-take time to write your testimony of Christ. Include your belief in Him, your gratitude for Him, or an experience that has strengthened your relationship with Him.
-obtain and keep a journal of your process of Coming Closer to Christ, recording the treasures and discoveries that come to you as you follow this path.

I have an on-going journal titled Amanda's Lessons that I write all these things in. I will probably never put it on here--it contains all my thoughts and feelings I receive when I study my scriptures, pray, watch conference, attend meetings, etc.... I love it! I hope that someday my children will read it and love it too! Does that sound vain-I just hope that they will take the time to read it really.

Week Three Menu

Breakfasts:
French Toast
 McD's (Keddington family tradition on Thanksgiving)
Toast, Eggs, Strawberries, Yogurt
German Pancakes
Dino Biscuits, homemade Apple Butter
With cut up in season Fruit.

Lunches:
Kids for school-- Fruit, sandwich, crackers, water or koolaid, yogurt, string cheese if we have some, dessert
Mom and Dad-- Leftovers from last nights dinner, salad, sandwich, or just some fruit.

Dinners:
Stir Fry
Leftover Thanksgiving (2 days)
Teriyaki Chicken over Rice, Beans, Clemintines
Hamburgers, Relish Tray, Potatoes
Creamy Chicken Lasagna
School Fundraiser at Stevie B's


*I do not claim to be an expert or perfect--I can only try not to use processed foods

Day 5

Follow In His Steps

"One of the greatest blessings of life and eternity is to be counted as one of the devoted disciples of the Lord Jesus Christ."--President James E Faust

Read 1 Peter 2:21
Read I'm Trying to be Like Jesus, Childrens Songbook 78-79

-How can you follow in Christ's steps today?
-Identify a quality of the Savior you would like to exemplify.
-When making a decisions ask, "What would Jesus do now?"

What is discipleship? It is obedience to the Savior. It includes keeping all the commandments, and forsaking ANYTHING that is not good for us.

This is the hard part "forsaking" those things that are not good for us! How do we determine what is not good? We can usually always recognize those things which are good--but sometimes the not good is hard to recognize. At least for me anyway.

Day 4

Who Is This Jesus?

"Blessed are your eyes, for they see: and your ears, for they hear."--Matthew 13:16
Read John 4:5-15, 25-26

For the Samaritan woman, this powerful teaching moment came at an unexpected time. What began as an ordinary task became life changing. Some of our greatest learning moments may come as we go about our daily work. We must learn to watch for "pearls" in our everyday lives.

-Prepare to receive a simple learning moment.
-Ask in prayer that your eyes and ears may be open.
-Try to discover, in every hour, some heavenly blessing that will bring you closer to Christ.