Sunday, September 25, 2016

Intentionally Partake

Plan ahead to arrive
Early to prepare
To partake anew
Reverently, with care

I'm working on my masters in early childhood and there is a lot of talk about intentional teaching by lesson planning.  I am always on time to hear announcements and sing the opening, but most often I haven't said my morning prayers.  Sigh.  I think that is where it all starts. 

To This End

He gave His life is service
And He did so out of love
To this end was His purpose
Selflessly for God above

https://www.lds.org/media-library/video/2012-06-1360-to-this-end-was-i-born?lang=eng

Friday, September 23, 2016

Thursday, September 22, 2016

As Part of a Whole

To the core, each soul
Is a part of a whole
Of our Heavenly Father
Each a son or a daughter



We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father

"As daughters of God we are each unique and different in our circumstances and experiences. And yet our part matters—because we matter."

—Elaine S. Dalton, "We Are Daughters of Our Heavenly Father", Liahona, May 2013

We Are as One

We as one, are called to the work

We've souls to save. Let no one shirk

Till the harvest comes unto an end

And our Savior returns again

We Are One
"The Lord made it clear at the very start of this last dispensation that we were to take the gospel to all the world. What He said to the few priesthood holders in 1831 He says to the many now. Whatever our age, capacity, Church calling, or location, we are as one called to the work to help Him in His harvest of souls until He comes again."

Henry B. Eyring, "We Are One"




Tuesday, September 20, 2016

Light

Light seemed to shine
From inside the lid
Treasure to find
The scriptures, it hid

I love my scriptures. I live to read them by flashlight with my old achy feet in the pool, before I go to bed. Tonight I wrapped myself in a blanket to go out. I loved it. I wonder if I can endure through winter?

Sunday, September 18, 2016

Step 8: Forgiveness - Larry’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery





When you hold a deep grudge
You are poisoning yourself
My anger so fueled by drugs
Only forgiveness was my help

Step 12: Service - Erik’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery





Within seconds, I was on the floor
It was an overdose!
I didn't want to live anymore
I landed flat on my nose
Shattered and in need of repair
I went to 12 step in spite of my face
Line upon line I came unto care
And my life started to fall into place
Because of what I now know
I return to recover every week
And in new ways, I still grow
To become strong, where I was weak

Step 11: Personal Revelation - Lindsay’s Story about Heroin Addiction Re...





I was resigned to the fact
That I was a junky
I couldn't put on an act
So, I pushed by kids from me
I lived inside my car
And did anything and everything I could
To drift high away far
Then the police..yes, this was good
For heroine is a demon
That you cannot sedate
The detox was mean then
But I had been saved from fate
Thoughts of my childhood
And songs came flooding back
Prayer, I'd not thought that I could!
In hope, I started to
bask
Revelation came about
I wanted to do the Lord's will
Now I seek power to carry this out
As I share with Him how I feel



Prayer is now my lifeline

This is why I exist

I pray all of the time

This is how I persist

Step 10: Daily Accountability - Adrienne’s Story about Cocaine Addiction...





I daily take inventory
Of the way, I feel inside
I am a success story
When my true self, I don't hide

Step 9: Restitution and Reconciliation - John’s Story on Drug Addiction ...





I had led a double life

Now exposed, could I explain?
I lost my job and my wife
I "used" more to numb the pain
I did anything to get high
A prostitute worked with me
I kissed my future goodbye
Inside I was empty
Out of control, it was a relief
When I was placed in jail
I sought those whom I'd caused grief
To make amends where I'd failed
Oh, the damage I had done!
Trust was just not there
For years I was shunned
I petitioned Father's care
A new life was given to me
And my prayers were answered one day
When for the first time I could see
My grandchildren at play

Step 7: Humility - Holly’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery





I threw my life away
And hid so none could see
I tried to end it one day
But suicide failed me
After detox, I sought
A safe place in which to cleanse
All my character flaws
That founded my addictive sins
I prayed to Heavenly Father
And I felt wrapped in His arms
From this, I was able to gather
Grace to stay safe from harm
I knew I'd shortcomings
And I would struggle each day
But, I knew that everything
Too, was going to be o.k.

Step 5: Confession - Jessica’s Story about Food Addiction Recovery





Secrets pain the soul
You can't stuff them inside
The Lord loves you so
Trust in Him and confide

Step 4: Truth - Austin’s Story about Addiction Recovery





Ashamed, I chose to drink
Always, I was on the run
And I just didn't think
That it would hurt anyone
I tried to quit on my own
Then I sought the Bishop's hand
I found I wasn't alone
Now my life's something grand

Step 3: Trust in God - Sharon’s Story about Crystal Meth Addiction Recovery





I'd rather be dead than fat
I thought some meth would help
But the trouble was that
I was lost in living hell
I tried to overdose
So sick of the "chase"
There was so much to lose
I tried church, just in case
I learned to trust in God
And surrender my will
I found happiness again
From my past, I did heal

Step 2: Hope - Preston’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery





Fallen and at the end of my rope
I prayed to know if there was hope
I was wrapped in love and lifted in peace
God would help my addictions to cease!

Step 1: Honesty - David’s Story about Sex Addiction Recovery




I ran my life into the ground
Because I couldn't stop
The only way out, I found
Was to let walls of lies drop



Step 1

He Knows


An illustration of a girl with long brown hair kneeling by her bed to pray with her hands clasped and her head bowed.
He knows my desires
And all that I need
All that He requires
Is that I let Him lead

Recognizing God's higher power can give you strength;

Step 6: Change of Heart - Aram’s Story about Drug Addiction Recovery





It was that last straw
Somehow I had missed
I knelt and asked God
"Will you take this?"

Saturday, September 17, 2016

Colors, colors - ¡Colores, colores! - Spanish Songs for Kids



Creatively, give a name

To each role that do

Make it a colorful game

And sing of them too

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=DsRKoZGaoEM&index=4&list=PLJuf9HnxGVrwqds69uP2KmxYkAfwg0n8t

SPANISH Colors for KiDs - De Todos Colores



Wholly, immerse yourself

Reflect and absorb light

Joy is universal

Be colorful and bright


Go For It!


With a forward thrust
Journey anew
Be true to the trust
Vested in you

Go For It! "As we journey through mortality, let us remember from whence we came; let us be true to the trust vested in us. Let us remember who we are and what God expects us to become."


—Thomas S. Monson, "Go For It!"

Monday, September 12, 2016

A Bridge to Heaven

Prayer is not a crutch
To get you through "that" day
Nor is it a crush
Till you find another way
What prayer is is a bridge
That warms your heart just so
It reaches heaven's edge
And lights your mind and soul

Wading in Search of Light

Keep on wading
In truth and light
Pray, unfailing
To know what is right


Eternal Progression

All your grievances and sins, put them away
Let your heart glow in love's expression
A testimony is not just for today
But for your eternal progression

“We are not perfect. The people around us are not perfect. People do things that annoy, disappoint, and anger. In this mortal life it will always be that way.
“Nevertheless, we must let go of our grievances. Part of the purpose of mortality is to learn how to let go of such things. That is the Lord’s way.
“Remember, heaven is filled with those who have this in common: They are forgiven. And they forgive.
“Lay your burden at the Savior’s feet. Let go of judgement. Allow Christ’s Atonement to change and heal your heart. Love one another. Forgive one another. The merciful will obtain mercy.”  
 https://www.lds.org/church/news/2012-general-conference/sunday-morning?lang=eng
President Uchtdorf April 2012

Pure Intelligence

Pure intelligence
Those sudden strokes of ideas
Come through diligence
When we're humble, there, light is

Sunday, September 11, 2016

What If You've Hit a Learning Plateau?





Through eyes to see and ears to hear,

curiosity is won.

The Holy Ghost brings wisdom near,

once wonderous searching has begun.

Is There a Limit to Our Potential?





We've each the capacity

to be a noble and great one.

What's required? Humility

That we heed the voice of the Son.

Abraham 3:22 Now the Lord had shown unto me, Abraham, the intelligences that were organized before the world was; and among all these there were many of the noble and great ones;
Deuteronomy 28:1 And it shall come to pass, if thou shalt hearken diligently unto the voice of the Lord thy God, to observe and to do all his commandments which I command thee this day, that the Lord thy God will set thee on high above all nations of the earth:

Understand the Doctrine of Marriage





In the broader context, marriage can be seen
Through the sure lens of God's plan
When sealed to the Savior, we join His team
For the salvation of man

Know What's Happening in the World





Be an agent who acts
And read up on the facts
Discern what is going on
Be part of the good not wrong





Thursday, September 1, 2016

My Shelfari Bookshelf

Shelfari: Book reviews on your book blog

Blog Archive

power to change

power to change
comes from words from the heart

Popular Posts

The Captain of the Soul- Invictus/ The Soul's Captain by Elder Orson F. Whitney

Invictus by William E. Henley
Out of the night that covers me,
Black as the Pit from pole to pole,
I thank whatever gods may be
For my unconquerable soul.
In the fell clutch of circumstance,
I have not winced nor cried aloud.
Under the bludgeonings of chance
My head is bloody, but unbowed.
Beyond this place of wrath and tears
Looms but the Horror of the shade,
And yet the menace of the years
Finds, and shall find, me unafraid.
It matters not how strait the gate,
How charged with punishments the scroll,
I am the master of my fate:
I am the captain of my soul.

The Soul's Captain [The Answer]
by Elder Orson F. Whitney
of the Quorum of the Twelve
Art thou in truth? Then what of him
Who bought thee with his blood?
Who plunged into devouring seas
And snatched thee from the flood?
Who bore for all our fallen race
What none but him could bear.
The God who died that man might live,
And endless glory share?
Of what avail thy vaunted strength,
Apart from his vast might?
Pray that his Light may pierce the gloom,
That thou mayest see aright.
Men are as bubbles on the wave,
As leaves upon the tree.
Thou, captain of thy soul, forsooth
Who gave that place to thee?
Free will is thine — free agency
To wield for right or wrong;
But thou must answer unto him
To whom all souls belong.
Bend to the dust that head "unbowed,"
Small part of Life's great whole!
And see in him, and him alone,
The Captain of thy soul

He's Been There Before

He's Been There Before by Elder Troy Whittle
The alarm bell rings at 6:30, I stumble to my feet
I grab my companions bedding and pull off his sheets
A groan fills the room, is it already time to arise?
It seems like just a second ago I was able to shut my eyes

The morning activities follow- study, prayer and such
When it's time to leave the apartment, you feel you haven't accomplished much
"We have a super day planned," My comp. says with a grin
I lowly utter a faithless breath, "Yeah, if anyone lets us in."

With the word of God and my faithful Schwinn, we ride off in the street prepared to
Face another day of humidity and heat
It's 9:30 in the evening, the day is almost through
My champion and I are riding home not accomplishing what we thought to do

We ride up to the mailbox, hoping to receive a lot
Only to look inside and hear my echo reverberate "air Box"
We go up to our apartment, the day is now complete
The only thing to show for our work is a case of blistery feet

It's past 10:30 p.m. My companion is fast asleep,
Silence engulfs me all about and I begin to weep
In the midst of sadness, I kneel down to pray
I need to talk to father, but I'm not sure what to say

"Oh, Father" I begin, "What happened to us today?
I thought we'd teach somebody, but everyone was away
My hands, my aching hands- worn, hurt and beat;
If our area was any smaller, we'd have knocked every street"

"Why on missions are the days so much alike?
The only difference about today was the flat tire on my bike
Will you send some cooler weather? The heat is killing me
I sweat so bad, it gets in my eyes, it's very hard to see"

"Why do I have to wear a helmet, isn't your protection enough?
People always laugh at me, and call me stupid stuff
Please send us investigators so I may give them what they lack
I want to give them Books of Mormon, the weight of them hurts my back"

"And what about my family: They don't have much to say
I'm sick of not hearing from home day after day after day
Oh Father, Why am I here am I just wasting time?
Sometimes I just want to go home, I'm sorry but that's on my mind"

"My companion, Heavenly Father, what are you giving me?
"The way he rides his bicycle, I don't think he can see
Now you have it, I can't go on, I don't know what to do
That, my Father in Heaven, is the prayer I have for you"

My prayer now finished, I stand up, then jump right into bed
I need my rest for tomorrow, we have another long day ahead
Sleep start to overtake me, I seem to drift away
Then it seems a vision takes me to another time in another day

I'm standing alone on the hill. The view is very nice
A man walks to wards me and says, "My name is Jesus Christ"
Tears of joy well up inside, I fall down to His feet
"Arise," He states, "Follow me to the shade. You and I need to speak"

My attention's towards my Savior, total and complete
He says, "Your mission is similar of what happened to me
I understand how you feel, I know what you're going through
In fact, it would be fair to say I've felt the same as you"

"I even know how you felt when no one listened to you
At times I felt not quite sure what else I could do
I know you don't like to ride a bicycle, for you a car would be sweet
Just remember the donkey I rode wasn't equipped with 21 speeds"

"I understand you don't like sweating, in fact it's something you hate
I remember when I sweat blood from ev’ry pore, oh the agony was great!
I see you don't like your companion- you'd rather have someone else-
I once had a companion named Judas who sold my life for wealth"

"It's hard to wear a helmet and have people make fun of you
I remember when they put thorns on my head and called me King of the Jews
So you feel burdened down by the weight of your pack
I recall how heavy the cross was when they slammed it on my back"


"Your hands hurt from tracting and knocking on doors all day
I guess when they pounded nails into mine, I ached in a similar way
It's hard not to hear from home when your family's not there to see
I lost communication on the cross and cried, "Father, why hast Thou forsaken me?"

"We have a lot in common, but there's a difference between us you see
I endured to the end and finished my mission, so follow and do like me"
He embraced me with His arms and His light filled me with His love
With tears in my eyes I watched as He went back to the Father above

I stood with awe and wonder when a beep rang in my head
I listened and heard the alarm, then realized I was in my bed
My companion let out a groan, "6:30 already, no way!"
I sat up and said, "Come on, I'll even carry your scriptures today!"

No matter what we go through, when we feel we can't take more
Just stop and think about Jesus Christ, He's been there before
By Elder Troy Whittle
Texas Houston Mission

The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints

These poems are my own thoughts and impressions as I study the gospel of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter- Day Saints

I encourage you to read from the Book of Mormon and the standard works, and listen to modern day prophets, also, that your mind and heart might be touched.

Kelly Miller

153 Countries Visited! June 2015


Global Statistics
Visits from 153 countries registered.
No.CountryDate of Last VisitPercent & Number of Visits ↓
1
United States
June 15, 2015
82.86%25,281
2
United Kingdom
June 14, 2015
2.61%795
3
Canada
June 13, 2015
2.42%737
4
Australia
June 13, 2015
1.81%551
5
Philippines
June 14, 2015
1.35%412
6
New Zealand
June 14, 2015
0.99%303
7
India
June 14, 2015
0.79%241
8
Brazil
June 14, 2015
0.58%176
9
Germany
May 15, 2015
0.49%151
10
Mexico
June 3, 2015
0.40%121
11
South Africa
June 8, 2015
0.34%105
12
Russian Federation
Apr 20, 2015
0.26%80
13
France
June 3, 2015
0.21%64
14
Malaysia
June 5, 2015
0.14%44
15
Czech Republic
Apr 17, 2015
0.14%42
16
Pakistan
Mar 21, 2015
0.13%41
17
Spain
Apr 28, 2015
0.13%41
18
Italy
June 8, 2015
0.13%39
19
Netherlands
May 28, 2015
0.12%38
20
Europe
June 11, 2015
0.11%35
21
Indonesia
May 18, 2015
0.11%35
22
Cote D'Ivoire
May 17, 2015
0.11%35
23
Japan
Apr 17, 2015
0.11%33
24
Singapore
May 28, 2015
0.11%33
25
United Arab Emirates
Apr 25, 2015
0.10%32
26
Argentina
Apr 27, 2015
0.10%31
27
Korea, Republic of
Feb 1, 2015
0.10%31
28
-
May 10, 2015
0.10%31
29
Thailand
Apr 5, 2015
0.10%30
30
Ireland
May 19, 2015
0.10%29
31
Jamaica
June 1, 2015
0.09%28
32
Turkey
June 14, 2015
0.09%28
33
Trinidad and Tobago
May 18, 2015
0.09%26
34
Sweden
May 8, 2015
0.09%26
35
Guatemala
May 5, 2015
0.08%24
36
Denmark
May 10, 2015
0.08%23
37
Saudi Arabia
May 1, 2015
0.07%20
38
Nigeria
Apr 4, 2015
0.07%20
39
Hong Kong
Apr 18, 2015
0.07%20
40
Colombia
May 29, 2015
0.07%20
41
Chile
Mar 23, 2015
0.06%19
42
Finland
Mar 25, 2015
0.06%19
43
Taiwan
Mar 28, 2015
0.06%18
44
Romania
May 17, 2015
0.06%18
45
Fiji
Feb 27, 2015
0.06%17
46
Ghana
May 8, 2015
0.06%17
47
Belgium
May 30, 2015
0.05%16
48
Switzerland
Apr 12, 2015
0.05%16
49
Poland
Apr 6, 2015
0.05%15
50
American Samoa
Apr 10, 2015
0.05%14
51
Ecuador
Feb 23, 2015
0.05%14
52
Serbia
Mar 10, 2015
0.05%14
53
Austria
Apr 8, 2015
0.04%13
54
Senegal
Nov 24, 2014
0.04%13
55
Norway
June 1, 2015
0.04%13
56
Uruguay
Aug 18, 2014
0.04%12
57
Peru
Apr 13, 2015
0.04%12
58
Portugal
Apr 6, 2015
0.04%12
59
Kenya
Oct 29, 2014
0.04%12
60
Tonga
Dec 9, 2014
0.04%11
61
Dominican Republic
Mar 12, 2015
0.04%11
62
Hungary
Feb 16, 2015
0.03%10
63
Guyana
Apr 28, 2015
0.03%10
64
Bangladesh
Jan 19, 2015
0.03%9
65
Algeria
Feb 5, 2015
0.03%9
66
Kuwait
Mar 30, 2015
0.03%9
67
Egypt
Apr 4, 2015
0.03%9
68
Belize
May 8, 2015
0.03%9
69
Costa Rica
Feb 4, 2015
0.03%8
70
Bahamas
Jan 9, 2015
0.03%8
71
Israel
Feb 27, 2015
0.03%8
72
Ukraine
Jan 24, 2015
0.03%8
73
Asia/Pacific Region
June 9, 2015
0.03%8
74
Honduras
Feb 6, 2015
0.02%7
75
Cyprus
Mar 21, 2015
0.02%7
76
Guam
Apr 10, 2015
0.02%7
77
Greece
June 2, 2015
0.02%7
78
China
Dec 16, 2014
0.02%7
79
Panama
Apr 7, 2015
0.02%6
80
Morocco
Mar 3, 2015
0.02%6
81
Sri Lanka
Sept 28, 2014
0.02%6
82
Iraq
Feb 25, 2015
0.02%6
83
Togo
June 6, 2015
0.02%6
84
Botswana
May 7, 2015
0.02%6
85
El Salvador
Apr 23, 2015
0.02%5
86
Vietnam
Oct 30, 2014
0.02%5
87
Cook Islands
June 3, 2015
0.02%5
88
Bulgaria
Oct 27, 2014
0.02%5
89
Lithuania
June 23, 2014
0.02%5
90
Slovakia
Jan 19, 2015
0.02%5
91
Bosnia and Herzegovina
Mar 23, 2015
0.02%5
92
French Polynesia
Nov 23, 2014
0.02%5
93
Bahrain
Nov 11, 2014
0.02%5
94
Slovenia
Jan 16, 2015
0.02%5
95
Grenada
Mar 10, 2015
0.02%5
96
Qatar
Jan 15, 2015
0.02%5
97
Saint Lucia
May 8, 2015
0.02%5
98
Puerto Rico
Feb 27, 2015
0.01%4
99
Tunisia
Jan 23, 2015
0.01%4
100
Malta
Mar 22, 2015
0.01%4
101
Croatia
Jan 20, 2015
0.01%4
102
New Caledonia
Jan 13, 2015
0.01%4
103
Barbados
Apr 29, 2014
0.01%4
104
Azerbaijan
Jan 14, 2015
0.01%4
105
Moldova, Republic of
Nov 29, 2014
0.01%3
106
Lebanon
Feb 11, 2014
0.01%3
107
Zimbabwe
July 23, 2014
0.01%3
108
Benin
Feb 19, 2015
0.01%3
109
Antigua and Barbuda
Aug 1, 2014
0.01%3
110
Isle of Man
Dec 20, 2014
0.01%3
111
Bhutan
June 8, 2015
0.01%3
112
Venezuela
May 14, 2014
0.01%3
113
Georgia
Mar 3, 2015
0.01%2
114
Namibia
Oct 22, 2014
0.01%2
115
Armenia
Jan 12, 2015
0.01%2
116
Virgin Islands, U.S.
June 20, 2014
0.01%2
117
Jordan
May 19, 2015
0.01%2
118
Mozambique
June 23, 2014
0.01%2
119
Uganda
Aug 4, 2014
0.01%2
120
Marshall Islands
Jan 28, 2015
0.01%2
121
Mauritius
Feb 20, 2015
0.01%2
122
Oman
May 12, 2014
0.01%2
123
Curacao
Apr 29, 2015
0.01%2
124
Sierra Leone
Apr 26, 2015
0.01%2
125
Samoa
Nov 1, 2013
0.01%2
126
Saint Kitts and Nevis
June 30, 2013
0.01%2
127
Macau
July 18, 2014
0.01%2
128
Albania
Aug 17, 2014
0.01%2
129
Dominica
Mar 12, 2013
0.01%2
130
Ethiopia
Jan 8, 2015
0.01%2
131
Estonia
Mar 20, 2015
0.01%2
132
Cape Verde
May 27, 2013
0.00%1
133
Cayman Islands
July 27, 2014
0.00%1
134
Cambodia
Sept 16, 2013
0.00%1
135
Myanmar
July 18, 2014
0.00%1
136
Lesotho
Jan 12, 2013
0.00%1
137
Mongolia
Mar 14, 2015
0.00%1
138
Zambia
Apr 22, 2013
0.00%1
139
Montenegro
Nov 19, 2014
0.00%1
140
Kazakhstan
Jan 9, 2015
0.00%1
141
Nicaragua
May 29, 2014
0.00%1
142
Paraguay
Mar 10, 2013
0.00%1
143
Haiti
Feb 1, 2015
0.00%1
144
Timor-Leste
Feb 21, 2013
0.00%1
145
Iceland
June 20, 2014
0.00%1
146
Aruba
Jan 9, 2014
0.00%1
147
Liberia
Jan 3, 2014
0.00%1
148
Northern Mariana Islands
Oct 9, 2014
0.00%1
149
Gibraltar
Jan 27, 2014
0.00%1
150
Swaziland
June 16, 2014
0.00%1
151
Jersey
Mar 30, 2013
0.00%1
152
Niue
Nov 30, 2014
0.00%1
153
Latvia

Followers