Thankful Thinking: Morning Yoga and Article of Faith Jacks

I was up doing my new pilates video and then started my yoga video.  The girls came into the room and started doing it with me.  Then we started doing jumping jacks and singing all 13 articles of faith.  I was surprised at how much fun they had.  We have a new family goal not to watch any screen device for any more minutes than we do exercize, so they were happy to start out the day already having 45 minutes of screen time.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: "Mapunzel" (Rapunzel) Hair

I want Mapunzel hair mom! (LS says handing me some toilet paper)

"That isn't long enough, Mom, Let's make it longer!"

What Tender Moments did you have today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

My Own Moroni Man: Living Room Fortress

I have always loved the story of Moroni fortifying the cities of the people in miraculous ways  (Alma 49:2) and all the effort and care he put into protecting his people.  When I came home from work today and saw this special fortress built just for my girls by my loving husband, I felt just as protected and loved.

Thanks my Handsome Hubby!

What did your own Moroni Man do for you today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

January 2014 Mini Mission: Picture the Savior

On hard days I have often found myself stopping in front of my favorite picture of the Savior (above) and  trying to feel whatever words of comfort he would say to me if I really were standing in his presence right then.  This time I saw the picture at the church while trying to entertain my littler one during hubby's church ball game (it went into overtime) after my longest day at work and feeling I couldn't keep going much longer.  I pointed out the picture to my Lady Slipper and it gave me just enough strength to finish that night.

As I thought about that experience and many other times I have found strength from this picture, I realised that picturing it in my mind whenever I need to during the day can help me with my goal to Hold onto Hope this year.  I have tried it and it really helps.

What helps you Hold onto Hope?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Mommy MTC Moments: Playdough and Hand Shadows

Lady Slipper was sick for the first two weeks of her new sunbeam class (for 3 and 4-year-olds at church on on Sundays.  I really wanted to find a few moments to teach her about the lessons she had missed:
I am a Child of God and Heavenly Father Has a Body. It has been much harder for me to do since I started working last year. I listened to the lessons online while doing my workout one morning to get ideas and then I just watched for ways I could incorporate those principles into fun little teaching snippets during our normal day.

When she asked me to play with the play dough in her play kitchen, I suggested we use her gingerbread man shape to make "cookies" and helped her put them in her tiny pan.  We talked about how she is a daughter of Heavenly Father and he has two eyes, a head, feet and arms just like she does.  We made a Heavenly Father cookie and a Lady Slipper cookie.

Then one night when she asked me to cuddle with her in her bed, She wanted her dolphin lamp on and I noticed it  cast fun hand shadows on the wall by her bed.  We played with the shadows using our hands and talked about how Heavenly Father has hands too.

I am learning that I can still find short and simple mommy moments even as a working mom.

What is your favorite Mommy Moment today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Craig

Mommy MTC Moments: January 2014 Plan

I will emphasize these things with my girls whenever possible this month:

Prophet: Joseph Fielding Smith
-"Illustrated Story of President Joseph Fielding Smith"
by Annette C. Hullinger
-"The Lord Needed a Prophet" by Susan Arrington Madsen
Gospel Principles:
Lady Slipper Study:
I am a Child of God
 Heavenly Father Has a Body
 Heavenly Father's Plan for Us
I can Pray to Heavenly Father

Morning Glory Study:
Heavenly Father's Plan for Us
Jesus Christ was Chosen to be Our Savior
The Creation
The Fall of Adam and Eve
 
Song: He Sent His Son

(also  "I am a Child of God" and I Lived in Heaven)
 
Article of Faith: One 
Scripture Mastery: Alma 37:35: "O, remember, my son, and learn wisdom in thy youth; yea, learn in thy youth to keep the commandments of God"
Primary Scripture: John 3:16 "for God so loved the world, that he gave his only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in him should not perish, but have everlasting life."
Scripture Stories: Old Testament  1-4

Simply a Supermom: Mary-- Willing to Give Life and then Give it Away

This Christmas season had so much more meaning for me than any I have celebrated before. Each time I heard, read, sang, or watched anything about Mary and baby Jesus, I couldn't push away the ache inside for my own baby boy, Benjamin, miscarried suddenly on November 8, 2013 at 2:30 am, at only just over three months along. He was so tiny, yet so perfectly formed. I especially remember his exquisite little hands and feet with all ten tiny fingers and toes, his little open mouth, and miniature ears.

Almost immediately after returning home from the Dr. ,we began to spontaneously begin our Christmas decorating early as a means of cheering us up. Little did I comprehend how beginning this Christmas season with the birth of my own baby boy, even though so small and fragile and gone so quickly, would change my heart forever.

The heartache I felt each time I thought of Mary's sacrifice to bring little baby Jesus into the world for each of us and then to watch Him as He chose to give His life back to His Father in Heaven so that we all can return to our Heavenly home, was deepened more than I could have ever comprehended before losing my own son.  The joy of knowing that only through the loss and suffering of Mary's son, am I and all others saved.

I can't imagine the experience of cradling and raising the son of God, let alone the anguish of watching him willingly give his life.
Mary was chosen for her special mission because of her unique and special gifts, not the least of which were humility and complete trust in God.
What special mission is given to each of us as individual sons and daughters of God? Are we working to discover and fulfill our own destiny?  Some that only we can touch are waiting for us.

What a wonderful Christmas Season.

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy