Another Testament

I have fallen in love this this photographer's work and his vision. He has captured the feeling and spirit of this incredible event so well.

The Christian world as a whole believe that the only record we have of Jesus Christ and his mission is the Bible. They do not know that there is another testament of him found in the Book of Mormon. After his resurrection and ascension into heaven to his father he fulfilled the scripture John 10:16 - "And other sheep I have, which are not of this fold; them also must I bring, and they shall hear my voice; and there shall be one fold and one shepherd." He then visited his other fold of sheep on the America Continent. That record of his visit, his teachings and his continued role as Savior is found within the Book of Mormon in 3rd Nephi, chpt 8 - 30.

It happened. It is true. I have read the account numerous times. The spirit has testified of it many times. This account has changed my life. The Book of Mormon has changed my life. It can bring you closer to God than any other book. I know that without any doubt. I recently had the opportunity to share my testimony of the Book of Mormon with a Christian friend of mine. Sometimes in the busyness of the day and the many things to do, you forget what incredible blessings you have. The Book of Mormon is that for me. As I had a chance to tell her about it and encourage her to read it for herself to find out if it was true, I once again felt that incredible love for this book and the power of the spirit declaring to me that it is true. It made me want to share it with everyone. It made me wish everyone would read it and ask for themselves. It made me sad for those that because of pride, apathy or hardened hearts will brush it off and say no thanks. Not realizing what they are rejecting and completely missing. Missing the fullness of the gospel, missing more of the Savior's mission, missing answers to life's questions, missing the chance to have their lives completely changed and to be completely and utterly happy.

Many people don't even know what the Book of Mormon is. What is it? I think the preface to the book declares and explains it better than anything.

The Book of Mormon is a volume of holy scripture comparable to the Bible. It is a record of God’s dealings with the ancient inhabitants of the Americas and contains, as does the Bible, the fulness of the everlasting gospel.

The book was written by many ancient prophets by the spirit of prophecy and revelation. Their words, written on gold plates, were quoted and abridged by a prophet-historian named Mormon. The record gives an account of two great civilizations. One came from Jerusalem in 600 B.C., and afterward separated into two nations, known as the Nephites and the Lamanites. The other came much earlier when the Lord confounded the tongues at the Tower of Babel. This group is known as the Jaredites. After thousands of years, all were destroyed except the Lamanites, and they are among the ancestors of the American Indians.

The crowning event recorded in the Book of Mormon is the personal ministry of the Lord Jesus Christ among the Nephites soon after his resurrection. It puts forth the doctrines of the gospel, outlines the plan of salvation, and tells men what they must do to gain peace in this life and eternal salvation in the life to come.

After Mormon completed his writings, he delivered the account to his son Moroni, who added a few words of his own and hid up the plates in the hill Cumorah. On September 21, 1823, the same Moroni, then a glorified, resurrected being, appeared to the Prophet Joseph Smith and instructed him relative to the ancient record and its destined translation into the English language.

In due course the plates were delivered to Joseph Smith, who translated them by the gift and power of God. The record is now published in many languages as a new and additional witness that Jesus Christ is the Son of the living God and that all who will come unto him and obey the laws and ordinances of his gospel may be saved.

Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

In addition to Joseph Smith, the Lord provided for eleven others to see the gold plates for themselves and to be special witnesses of the truth and divinity of the Book of Mormon. Their written testimonies are included herewith as “The Testimony of Three Witnesses” and “The Testimony of Eight Witnesses.”

We invite all men everywhere to read the Book of Mormon, to ponder in their hearts the message it contains, and then to ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ if the book is true. Those who pursue this course and ask in faith will gain a testimony of its truth and divinity by the power of the Holy Ghost. (See Moroni 10: 3-5.)

Those who gain this divine witness from the Holy Spirit will also come to know by the same power that Jesus Christ is the Savior of the world, that Joseph Smith is his revelator and prophet in these last days, and that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the Lord’s kingdom once again established on the earth, preparatory to the second coming of the Messiah.

I don't know who it is that reads my blog. I do not know why you read my blog. But whoever you are I want you to know that I KNOW the Book of Mormon is true. I know the accounts, the stories, the doctrines and messages found inside are true and from the Living God. I know it has the power to bring peace, healing, comfort, knowledge, joy, happiness, and a testimony that God lives and his Son Jesus Christ is the Savior of the World. I know that he did visit the people portrayed in this video after his resurrection and set up the way for us to find true happiness and joy.

Have you read the Book of Mormon? Would you like to? What do you have to loose by reading it? Everything. What do you have to gain by reading it? Everything.

You can read it online here: http://scriptures.lds.org/en/bm/contents

You can have a hard copy delivered to you from missionaries or by mail here. (Scroll to the bottom and there will be a link to request a copy.)

You can email me and I'll send you your own copy: satippetts@gmail.com

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A Little Absent

Blogging has taken a backseat recently as I’ve been trying to catch up on a big project with a LOOMING deadline.  Between working on that I’ve been trying to dejunk and simplify my house, start on holiday plans and work on Christmas projects.  I am normally the one who saves all the Christmas shopping and craft making to the week or two before Christmas and stress myself out. Not this year. I’m determined to get it done ahead of time so I can relax and spend time just enjoying the wonderful season.

Last weekend we had a chance to skip out of town for a few days and visit Beau’s brother and my sister and their families in Idaho.  It was so fun to see them and have a chance to just talk.  Thanks for letting us hang out and crash your weekend guys!

I have a whole list of posts in my head and just need some time to sit down and write them all up. Hence the huge need I feel lately to get my life and home in order.

 

I’m hoping it won’t be long until you see me back on here with regular posts, and in the mean time I hope you are out enjoying this wonderful season yourself. :)

Supplies Used in Layout:  Brush Set: Winter Woodland, Brush Set: Doilies, Watercolor Nature Collection, ScrapSimple Embellishment Templates: Tied Tags, Dynamic Brush Set: Basic Stitching 4901, Dynamic Brush Set: Fibers 4901, Eggciting Collection Mini, Fall Watercolors Solid Papers, Newborn Collection, ScrapSimple Tools – Styles: Fibers 4901.

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Trying Times

Today was a rough day being a mom. One of those days where you end the day wondering if you are going to severely mess your children up or realizing that you have sooo much work to do on being a parent.  By the end of the day I came to a few realizations after whining and tantrums, sibling fights, raised voices from all, tears, and frustration on every ones end.  I am realizing more and more how my kids are exact replica’s of myself. Their problems are really my problems.  Their bad habits were learned from my bad habits.  My inconsistency about things is only hurting them. If I can’t follow through, or expect exact obedience about things, how are they every going to learn how to be obedient to God.  If I don’t expect it, or follow through, or be consistent… they will grow up being lax about it as well. The other day in church I heard a quote from one of my favorite General Conference talks. 

 

“Faith is a gift of God bestowed as a reward for personal righteousness. It is always given when righteousness is present, and the greater the measure of obedience to God’s laws the greater will be the endowment of faith” (Mormon Doctrine, 2nd ed. [1966], 264). If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient. When we teach our children by example or precept to be casual or situational in obeying God’s commandments, we prevent them from receiving this vital spiritual gift. Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things.” Elder Kevin Pearson

That doesn’t mean that I demand them to do everything and rule the roost. No they need to learn to govern themselves. But when it is a time when I feel like it’s something important, I need to learn to pick which battles really do matter and which ones are worth fighting.  Because no matter what it will cause a fight, and if I choose to fight, it better be something of significant importance. And if it is, I need to make sure that I am consistent and follow through.  That can be so hard after hours and hours of your kids wearing down your patience and your will. But if I give in they learn that they can be lax, that they don’t really have to be obedient fully, they don’t have to give their all.  That’s not how I want my kids to grow up. I want them growing up being obedient and knowing why they they need to be. I want them to be able to do hard things, really hard things. I want them to develop self discipline and mastery over self. 

So if that’s what I want from my kids, is that what I am?  That was the other great lesson I learned today… hypocrisy.  At one point today during a fight the spirit reminded me of this quote from this last General Conference. 

 

“Being consistent in our homes is important for another reason. Many of the Savior’s harshest rebukes were directed to hypocrites. Jesus warned His disciples concerning the scribes and Pharisees: “Do not ye after their works: for they say, and do not” (Matthew 23:3). This strong admonition is sobering given the counsel to “express love—and show it,” to “bear testimony—and live it,” and to “be consistent.”

The hypocrisy in our lives is most readily discerned and causes the greatest destruction within our own homes. And children often are the most alert and sensitive when it comes to recognizing hypocrisy.” – Elder David Bednar

If I can’t have self discipline over myself, how will I teach it to them. If I don’t do hard things, how can expect them to. If I can’t be completely obedient how will they learn. Example is everything… but oh is it so hard!  When I realized a couple of times today that I was asking something of Mirian that was something I wasn’t doing, I realized what a hypocrite I am.  Funny how Satan sees you acting like a hypocrite and uses it as the starting point to contention, pride, and fighting among members of a family. How he uses contention to pull us apart. 

 

It’s like that with Mirian.  She can see right through you. She knows. And when I start demanding, she starts fighting, which leads to butting of heads and wills, high strung emotions, words and tears… which usually ends in both of us crying and hugging each other, feeling terrible.

So this mother… has soo much to work on.  I hate days like this, and yet days like this are the days that really let you see the problem, whether you like it or not.  I need to make sure I’m practicing what I preach.This is my top favorite layout I’ve ever done. It made me smile too when at convention another designer told me that her favorite layout of mine was the one of my little girl throwing a tantrum….:) So in honor of a great day today… I thought this was a perfect fit!  Plus for all of you that think my life is perfect, that all my kids smile sweetly and are the angels I portray them to be; can know that this face right here, is a regular at our house.  And when I see it I think... ”Don’t worry. I know exactly how you feel.”

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Designer’s Life

A couple of times a year we have the opportunity to write an article for the ScrapGirls newsletter. Today was my turn. I know this is a theme I’ve already talked about on here, but I thought I’d share the article with you anyway.

 

 

It's Time to Take Care of Me

 

During a class recently, someone said to make sure to get enough water and sleep. She encouraged us to take care of ourselves physically, so that we can be the best that we can be.

I agreed with her and didn't think much more about it - until later. She had given us some questions in class to ponder and, as I sat down to really think about them, I realized I couldn't even think. I realized how tired I was, how much my back and head hurt, and just how terrible I was feeling physically. I had been getting to bed late at night and still trying to get up really early in the morning. Many of those nights I had been woken up by children, too. I had been eating terrible in contrast to a few weeks ago when I was only eating good, wholesome food and my body could feel it.

Suddenly, the comments about making sure I was drinking water and getting enough sleep became significant. I realized how little importance I gave to making sure that my physical body is being taken care of more than anything else. I need to be giving all my time and energy to making sure that I'm eating well, getting to bed early, drinking lots of water, exercising and giving my body a break.

I realized that by not doing so, I was only able to do things half-heartedly rather than giving my best and my absolute all. I couldn't be creative because my mind couldn't even think, let alone come up with creative ideas and solutions. My temperament was short with my children, which could lead to lots of other problems. My spiritual side was suffering because I would fall asleep during prayers or scripture study, or only give a half-hearted attempt. Mentally, I was not there fully. Physically, I was running on low gas. I did not have the energy to do all I needed to do, but also to just play and have fun. I was also feeling side effects like headaches, back pains and the consequences of poor eating habits. My emotional side was running really strong. It seemed to get stronger when I was tired and run down - every problem, decision or response was bigger than it needed to be.

Everything was lacking and only done in a half-hearted way because I had neglected to take care of my body. This physical body has a much bigger role and importance in our life than we give it. We try to push it beyond what it can do. We abuse it and don't give it the care it needs. We don't give it rest and somehow expect that by doing all this we should be performing at our absolute best.

No more, I decided. Taking care of this physical body MUST become first in my priorities - the very first. I cannot give my best and my all to my family until I do. I cannot love God with all my heart and develop a strong spiritual life if I don't. I can't be creative and really develop my talents and come up with new ideas if I don't. Plus, I won't live a long life if I don't. I cannot be the best me until this physical body is taken care of.

My priorities have changed. I am trying to go to bed early, so I can rise early. I have been exercising every day to build and strengthen my body, but also to hopefully maintain a healthier weight. I am trying to be more conscious about what food I am putting into my mouth and how much I eat. I am trying to make sure I drink lots and lots of water.

The result? I am already starting to feel better. I am seeing a difference. I am more patient with my children. I'm not an emotional time bomb. I'm not as stressed. I have felt my spiritual side improve. I feel like I'm being a better me, a better mother, wife, disciple, friend and artist.

Do I succeed at this every day? No. Some days, I still stay up really late with my husband and feel the consequences the next day. Some days, I still eat junk food and feel it in my system. Some days, I add too much to my plate and stress myself out.

The difference though? I'm finally aware of it. I'm finally aware of what my body is telling me. It's about time - time to take care of me, so I can take care of them.

My favorite product I have designed: Holy Night Collection

 

 

For many reasons, this will probably always be my favorite collection. When I created it, I wanted to create a collection about the real and true meaning of Christmas. I wanted it to have the feel of the sacred and incredible event that it was. While designing, it was one of the few kits that I've ever done that flowed easily from beginning to end and it turned out better than I ever hoped. It is the only kit where I got to truly share a huge part of myself, my faith and my love for the Lord, together in a finished collection. It's also the only collection I didn't care whether or not I sold any. I created it for Him, in recognition of what happened that Holy Night in Bethlehem and what is truly the most important thing in this world - the gift of His son.
 

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Happy Halloween

I hope you had a wonderful Halloween. For once I was able to actually make the costumes and get them done in time! I don’t know how many years it’s been since that happened.  Here’s my little bat, Mulan, ladybug and unicorn.  Isaac saw these teeth at the store and wanted them.  They are a little big, but has has not let go of them since. They are his “mountain lion teeth.”  He goes around wearing them growling and pouncing on people.  He had such a great time trick or treating. We had to tell him numerous time to only take “one.”  At one point we were walking down the side walk and you could see this little bat outline, dancing as he walked singing “Candy, candy, candy.”

  I turned around and found this little girl had climbed up on the chair by herself and had found the stash for the trick or treaters.  She new exactly what she wanted. We had a great night of trick or treating, and went to Savannah’s school Halloween parade.  Friday night we decided this family needed to have some fun together so we decided to go bowling. This is the first time Isaac finally was old enough to play. He could not get enough of it.  It involved balls, knocking things down and he had the time of his life.

I’m hoping for an amazing week - getting lots of things done, getting back in a schedule, and doing a few fun things around here. Saying good bye to October. It was such a good month minus the being sick part.  I’m looking forward to the upcoming Holidays, more of fall, snow, and fun all around.

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Hanging in there

Well we are going on day 12 of being sick. I’m basically over the worse part, but still have that lingering stuffiness.  Pretty nasty stuff. Most of my kids still have it, and I can easily say I can’t wait for this to go away.  I can’t wait for things to get a little bit more back to normal. Until then we’re hanging in there.  The next couple of days are going to be spent sewing up some Halloween costumes and getting things ready for this weekend.  Sometime we still need to make it to the pumpkin patch to pick up a few these babies.  We love this time of year and we love Halloween. We always have big plans and then something always comes up… sickness?  Which leaves us frantically trying to get costumes together, and no pumpkin carving sessions. Hopefully that doesn’t happen again this season. I’m hoping all you are doing well and healthy. 

http://www.flickr.com/photos/calliope/ / CC BY 2.0

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Uniquely You

Here is my layout for my Fab 5 Collection. I think this is one of my favorites so far.

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