The Hands of a Woman

Is there any force in the world more powerful than the hands of a woman? Think on that question for a moment…the answer is no!

Women are beautiful, divine, and powerful creatures. We have within us the ultimate power to create and sustain life. We are entrusted with this sacred duty, it is ours to fulfill and magnify. What a task! Women are inherently nurturers. Some women may suppress this feminine quality, but it is there inside of them -- though it may be buried under layers of a hard-knock-life, and toughness. When the innate ability to nurture is nourished, it will blossom, and women can be such glorious beings of good, kindness, and light. (Even the thick-skinned ones, like me!) 

There is really no limit to what women are capable of -- both on Earth, and in Heaven. And there is no limit to the glory we can receive, if we remain true and faithful to covenants that we make.

I find myself honored to be a woman. I find myself empowered by the roles we have to fill as mothers, and as nurturers. No matter our position in life -- at home, or at work -- we can always act on our eternal role as nurturers. Men have their divine roles and duties they have been charged with, and we women have ours, which are of equal value and importance. But really, it is about working together in harmony -- as men and women -- fulfilling our distinct and unique tasks. It is in the combination of our sacred roles, united -- that is when we see the divine and the glorious come to fruition.

As a woman, fulfilling my divine role makes me feel powerful, not powerless. I am not perfect at fulfilling my duties, but I do love being a woman, and I love being a mother. I am convinced that Heavenly Father has a special love for His daughters. I have felt it throughout my lifetime. Women are just as entitled to a direct-line to Deity -- Heavenly help and guidance -- there is no doubt about that! Never, ever, doubt that!

I ask you: Is there anything more powerful than a Mother's prayer?

If there is, I have not seen it.

I just stand in awe at the power of women. (I stand in awe of the power of men, too . . . but that is another post entirely!)

As I look at this picture of the hands of my daughter, myself, my mother, and my grandmother, I find myself inspired by what these hands of women have done.

Just think of…

1. The tears they have wiped away
2. The hugs they have reached out for
3. The food they have prepared
4. The scriptures they have held
5. The babies they have cuddled
6. The musical notes they have played
7. The temple work they have performed
8. The family history they have recorded
9. The blogs they have written
10. The cookies they have baked
11. The diapers they have changed
12. The laundry they have folded
13. The homes they have decorated
14. The games they have played
15. The balls they have thrown
16. The hair they have curled
17. The mascara they have applied
18. The flowers they have grown
19. The children they have nurtured
20. The medicine they have given
21. The sickness they have healed
22. The talks they have written
23. The lessons they have prepared
24. The service they have rendered
25. The chauffeuring miles they have driven
26. The choirs they have conducted
27. The homes they have built
28. The homework they have helped with
29. The lawns they have mowed
30. The heavy loads they have carried
31. The journals they have kept
32. The beauty they have created
33. The zippers they have zipped
34. The shoes they have tied
35. The family members they have buried
36. The books they have held
37. The treats they have delivered
38. The neighbors they have helped
39. The hands they have held 
40. The decorations they have hung
41. The holidays they have celebrated
42. The clapping they have clapped
43. The thumbs-up they have given
44. The floors they have scrubbed
45. The dishes they have washed
46. The comfort they have given
47. The magic they have made
48. The kisses they have blown
49. The love they have given
50. The prayers they have offered...

I could go on, and on, forever…and ever. Just like these powerful hands will go on, and on, forever.

The power that is in the hands of a woman travels with them from Heaven -- no special procedures or bestowals necessary. The power is simply there.

The hands of a woman…wow!

Just wow.

Temple Square

I love Downtown Salt Lake City. There is so much history, and beauty, as you enter the heart of the city -- Temple Square. I love to be enveloped by the spirit of the Temple grounds. It is a special place for me. As one who loves family history, it is a unique place where you can almost reach out and touch the spirit of the past. For me, it is as if you can feel the presence of angels, as you walk around the holy place.

My ancestors helped build the Temple. As I reach out and touch the stone, I can feel their devotion and love for the Gospel of Jesus Christ. The stone walls are cold to the touch, but the spirit testifying of truth is like fire in my heart. There is no more holy place on earth than the Temple, The House of God.

While I was there, I tried to capture some of the beauty of the place. The flowers were blooming, and I could have spent the entire day there taking pictures…

Happy Spring!

The bush in my backyard is about to burst into flowers. By the end of Spring Break (this week), I am hoping to see the bush in full bloom!

If you don't hear from me for awhile, it is because I am having way too much fun enjoying the break from everything. I hope to have lots of fun to report in about a week. (With lots of pictures, too!)

Over and out for now!

Happy Spring! Have a great week!

If You Want to LOL -- Watch Studio C

I never use the acronym LOL. I don't use it, because I rarely do it. (For those of you living in a cave, LOL stands for "Laugh out Loud".)

Now, don't get me wrong, I LIMH (laugh in my head) all the time. But it is rare that I truly let it all loose, and go into fits of uncontrolled, guttural, jovial, hysterical, nose-snorting, laugh-out-loud laughter. When it comes down to it, I love to laugh, but it takes something special to bring full LOL gusto out of me. (Perhaps that is why I married Charles… he is something special that can make me laugh.) 

Recently, my kids introduced me to Studio C, produced by BYU. (I am oblivious to BYU stuff, I went to college in Alaska.) We discovered there is a whole YouTube channel with their clean and hilarious comedy clips. (It is so nice to watch comedy, without worrying about vulgarity.) We have been watching them as a family over the last week, and the more I watched them, the more I had to wipe away tears from laughing so hard. It is so refreshing to laugh. It is cleansing and healing. And it just feels good!

I highly recommend Studio C, as a form of silly entertainment. Of course, some skits are WAY better than others, but generally they are mostly funny. The more you watch them, the funnier they get, because you become familiar with the actors, and their comedic talents. It took me a few videos -- and letting down my "being serious" shield -- before I really started snorting out loud. (I was going to use the acronym for "snorting out loud" but it was already taken.)

Here are a few of my favorites. You can get an idea of what makes me laugh… (Mind you, I have not seen all of them!)

For a quick LOL experience (they are each just a few minutes long), watch the videos below …

*Click on the links for mobile devices... 

Weather Forecast... Click: HERE.



Labor Pains... Click: HERE.



Channel Surfing... Click HERE.



Naturally... Click HERE.



Photobombing 101... Click HERE.

Henry's Kidneys

Henry has an ultrasound in 2 weeks. After the ultrasound, the doctor should be able to determine what will need to be done. The last time he had a kidney ultrasound, the doctor was still very certain that he will need surgery to help correct the problem, but she wanted him to be a little older. She has always said that the older he is, and the more life he has behind him, the better off he will be to go through the surgery. 

Henry has been so healthy, and so normal. I would never know that there was something wrong with his insides. He is a happy, jolly, little cherub -- full of life and spirit. The only indication that there is even a problem is that he has to take medicine everyday. Otherwise, he is a super healthy, and sturdy little boy.

When I think of having to take him -- totally whole and healthy -- and put him under the knife for surgery, it makes me sad. He is getting old enough now that it will be more challenging than if he were a little baby. He can talk, and sing, and throw a ball, he will be very aware of everything, and he will be scared. If he does, in fact, need the surgery, it will be a difficult thing to go through, I am sure.

But I also know it is all going to be OK, and that he will be OK, and better off in the long run. The surgery should help him avoid complications in the future. I would so much rather go through the process for him, rather than make him have to endure the pain and fear. I would take his place if I could. My little precious baby, my Henry.

If you could, if you have an extra slot in your prayers…would you pray for Henry?

I know all will be well, but extra prayers can't hurt! Thanks!