Wednesday, November 21, 2012

Wise Women Know and Fulfill their Duties as Mothers

"What I am about to say I am exceedingly anxious that it should sink into the mind of every parent in Zion, and that is, that while the Lord has provided all these wonderful educational institutions, while science has contributed so much for our comfort and our blessing, while the Church has prepared places to which we may send our children to be taught the gospel of Christ, that does not relieve you or me of the responsibility and the obligation that is laid upon us by our Heavenly Father to teach our own children. … It is not sufficient that my children are taught faith, repentance and baptism, and the laying on of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost in the auxiliary organizations. My Father in heaven has commanded that I should do that myself.

Nobody else can perform the part that God has assigned to us as parents. We have assumed an obligation when we have been the means of bringing children into the world. We can’t place that responsibility upon any organization. It is ours. … First and foremost the obligation is upon you and upon me to not only advise and counsel but to train, by setting an example, by spending sufficient time with our loved ones, these boys and girls, that they may not be led into … forbidden paths.

Call your families about you, and if you have failed in the past to give them an understanding of the purposes of life and a knowledge of the Gospel of our Lord, do it now, for I say to you as a servant of the Lord, they need it now and they will need it from now on." (Teachings of Presidents of the Church: George Albert Smith, page 236).


The above quote brought several questions into my mind. Two of the most important are:
How well am I doing at fulfilling my duties as a mother?
What improvements does my Heavenly Father desire me to make?

I know only prayer, pondering, and listening to the Spirit will give true answers to those questions. I must choose not to pay attention to thoughts which contribute to feelings of inadequacy and less confidence in my ability to be a good mother. . .I need pure truth which can help me see how I really am doing and increase my confidence that I really can fulfill the divine calling as a mother.

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Tuesday, November 13, 2012

Truly Tender: "Is it Bocking Time Now?"

 
 
 Rocking time is one of Lady Slipper's favorite parts of her Kindermusik class.  She often asks "Is it bocking (rocking) time now?" at each transition between activities.  There is a certain song that is used for rocking time and each time she hears it, even if it plays in the background when we have our Kindermusik cd on at home, she runs to me and says "Bocking time!!!" and wants to cuddle with me no matter what I am doing.  Sometimes rocking time starts in the middle of the kitchen or in front of the computer while I am working on a project.  I love it!
 
Today we turned on the rocking time song and she ran to her room and rocked her
big sister's Molly doll.  
 
Our Kindermusik class is later today and I know that it is time to switch to a new rocking time song this week (I teach Kindermusik classes too, besides participating as a mom, so I know what songs they will use in class today) and I wonder how she will feel about having a new rocking time song.  She may not attach to it the same way she did with the last one, but I am glad for the truly tender moments I have had as she rushes to me asking for the "bocking song."  Even if she never does that again, I have those moments engraved into my heart to be opened up again at a later date.
 
Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy
 
 

Friday, November 9, 2012

Family Friendly:"The Family is the Foundation for Love and for Maintaining Spirituality."

At least on Fridays, I try to study a talk form the most recent General Conference of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Today I wanted to share two quotes from the talk "Can You Feel So Now" by Elder Quentin L. Cook. (click on the links for the full talk or to learn more about Elder Cook).  These quotes stood out to me as I often face a future that I am unsure of and I constantly work to keep my fears at bay and continue to believe that no matter what happens my family will be safe in the arms of my Heavenly Father--as long as we obey His counsel:

"The need for civility in society has never been more important. The foundation of kindness and civility begins in our homes. It is not surprising that our public discourse has declined in equal measure with the breakdown of the family. The family is the foundation for love and for maintaining spirituality. The family promotes an atmosphere where religious observance can flourish. There is indeed “beauty all around when there’s love at home” (emphasis added).

"Parents, the days are long past when regular, active participation in Church meetings and programs, though essential, can fulfill your sacred responsibility to teach your children to live moral, righteous lives and walk uprightly before the Lord. With President Monson’s announcement this morning, it is essential that this be faithfully accomplished in homes which are places of refuge where kindness, forgiveness, truth, and righteousness prevail. Parents must have the courage to filter or monitor Internet access, television, movies, and music. Parents must have the courage to say no, defend truth, and bear powerful testimony. Your children need to know that you have faith in the Savior, love your Heavenly Father, and sustain the leaders of the Church. Spiritual maturity must flourish in our homes."  (note: the announcement he refers to is an exciting change to the missionary policy of the church which will allow missionaries to serve at a younger age.  See the link above for more information).

I am also striving to show my faith in another way today as I just found out this morning that I am suffering yet another miscarriage--my seventh.  I am so thankful for my knowledge that families are such an important part of God's plan and that he has a specific plan for my family.  Although most of the time I can only catch quick glimpses of the specifics of that plan, and those are usually not enough to really understand why some things are happening the way they are, I want to keep pressing forward with the knowledge that God does see the whole plan and if I follow His counsel one step at a time, I can help my family to be that foundation of love and spirituality.

I hope all of you will find peace in each challenge you face today in your own families.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Thursday, November 8, 2012

Thankful Thinking: The Right to Vote

I am thankful for the blessing of living in a country where I am allowed to vote for the leaders and policies I believe in.

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

Friday, November 2, 2012

Family Friendly: Scripture Study Timeline Characters

The girls and I had lots of fun creating characters to put on our timeline :)
See Stripling Scriptures to see what we did.

Be Inspired,
Janell Joy

Thursday, November 1, 2012

Thankful Thinking: Thursday Study Time

I am excited to have completed my first study of "Daughter's in My Kingdom: The History and Work of Relief Society," I will now use my Thursday study time to learn more about Come, Follow Me, a new curriculum for Youth.  I know it will help me to become a better mother.

Be Inspired,
Janelle Joy

For more information about what I am learning from this wonderful new resource see Mom's MTC

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