Monday, April 30, 2012

My Very Own Moroni Man

My husband may not see himself  in the stories of Moroni, Pahoran, Alma, Alma the Younger, Nephi, Abinadi, Helaman . . . or any of the many wonderful examples of what I call Moroni Men from the scriptures, but I see him that way.    For just over twelve years, I have been blessed to be married to my very own Moroni Man.  I have had that privilege of being by his side and participating with him as layer, after layer after unending layer,  of potential unfold within each of us.  Twelve years isn't close to enough time.  I only want to settle for eternity.

Although in our hearts we truly love each other deeply, both of us have had moments of doubt and discouragement when we feel that we have let the other down and fear begins to cloud into our minds,  beckoning us to question our own courage and strength to endure together in love to the end. I have learned that kind of fear always leads to some kind of battle being lost. 

In the past, after losing one of those battles, even seemingly small ones, I would begin to despair and feel even more fear than I felt before.  I knew I wanted to do right always.  And I knew I never do as well as I wish I had done. I finally learned that doubting myself was actually doubting my God.   Could I trust in God's promise that my family can be forever even though I am not perfect? Did I really have faith?  But there was a lot of experiences required before learning that doubting myself was as dangerous as listening to the voice of fear. 

Early in our marriage as I cried in disappointment after saying or doing something I felt unworthy of the role of wonderful wife I had placed on myself, he continued to come and rescue me.  Often he told me "You are wonderful.  I love you.  Don't you know you can start over tomorrow?"   Then he would treat me as if I really was the wonderful wife I wished that I was. 

my resolve to become as patient and loving ans forgiving as he was continued to grow as I spent more time with him, but my lack of confidence in myself and in the hope of ever having the ability to be the way I wanted to be eventually led to a deep depression.  It was several years before finding out there was a chemical reason for my easy tendency toward depression.  Yet the battles continue to rage even after the diagnosis. 

My own Moroni man is here to rescue me always. He rescued me from my darkest battles.  He always told me her was there for me and that I was better than I thought I was, that he loved me and was very glad he was married to me.

I am thankful to have grown in my confidence in god, in myself ad in my husband.  I love being married to him and having the privilege of being his support and comfort.  I am glad that I can say to him " You are my Captain Moroni.  If you ever feel that you have lost a battle, remember that you have never lost the war as long as you trust in God to fight for you . . . and for me."

We both have committed to continue to fight for our family and for our God.

Happy Anniversary my very own Moroni Man!! (even though it is a little late)

Your loving wife,

Janelle

Important note:  see Alma 48:17 if youdon't know what I mean as a Moroni Man.






Saturday, April 28, 2012

April Mini-mission: Embrace Eternal Family Roles





 Women of God by Neal A Maxwell
 "You're Happily Ever After"  by  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
"LDS Women are Incredible"  by Elder Quentin L. Cook
"Learning in the Priesthood" by President Henry B. Eyring
Addresses by Julie B. Beck


Be Inspired,





Photo courtesy of Reb Sumner Photos. Do not copy. To create beautiful gift items for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day or for yourself (including calenders, magnets, wall clings, prints, cutouts, aprons and other gifts)using Rebecca's artistry, or to purchase rights to use her incredible photos to accentuate your blog or website, please visit her website. Prices start as low as $2. Please support this special supermom friend. For a special 15% discount for my readers only, enter the code Supermom at checkout during the time period of March 1-April 30 2012.

Thursday, April 26, 2012

Thankful Thinking: Rain

Rain

Taste, of refreshment
Sight, of wonder
Sound, of rejoicing
Touch, of healing
Smell, of cleansing
Love of Father

Be Inspired,

Wednesday, April 25, 2012

Wise Women: Julie B. Beck

I was very sad to hear the Sister Julie B. Beck was released from her position as President of the General Relief Society of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.   I spent a lot of time yesterday listening to many of her addresses and messages available online.  Although I look forward to the messages I know will come from our new General  Relief Society Presidency and support them with all my heart,  I will never forget Julie B. Beck as a Wonderful example of a wise woman for me to emulate.

Be Inspired,

Tuesday, April 24, 2012

Truly Tender: Monkey-packing with my two-yr-old

I love the smile on my toddler's face when I get out the "monkey-pack."   What am I talking about? 
See my Fitness Blog to find out.

Be Inspired,

Monday, April 23, 2012

My Brothers as Moroni Men

Although I didn't realize it at the time, my Dad was the first example of a Moroni Man in my life. While growing up I also didn't fully appreciate the boys around me: my brothers, my friends, sometimes my pests.  Now I truly believe even my five little brothers were "Moroni Men in the Making:"

Yes, even the one I trusted enough to tell about my newest 11 yr old crush, only to regret telling him when he couldn't resist teasing me  about using that new found knowledge as a tool of total embarrassment. 

Yes, even the one that always thought finding your ticklish spot was a brotherly duty. 

Yes, even the one who continues to get taller than the rest of us and who has the curly hair many girls would love to have. 

Yes, even the one who loved to come to the piano seat when I was practicing and turn the pages to whatever song he wanted me to play. (which I secretly loved so much)

Yes, even the littlest one (who also isn't so little any more) I wasn't around to get to know as well, but who always wants to talk to me on the phone whenever he has a chance.  (which makes me so happy)


I see all of them as Moroni Men because I have seen so many Christlike characteristics within each one of them.  I also see in my mind only glimpses of the wonder of how much potential is inside each of them.

Note: If you don't know what  I mean by a Moroni Man see Alma 48:17

Be Inspired,

Saturday, April 21, 2012

Family Friendly: Run in the Water

What memory did you create today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Simply Beautiful: Amazing Creatures

Wow!  A rare view of both a shark and a ray from beneath.


Can you see the little grasshoppers?


Be Inspired,

Photos courtesy of Reb Sumner Photos. Do not copy. To create beautiful gift items for Easter, Mother's Day, Father's Day or for yourself (including calenders, magnets, wall clings, prints, cutouts, aprons and other gifts)using Rebecca's artistry, or to purchase rights to use her incredible photos to accentuate your blog or website, please visit her website. Prices start as low as $2. Please support this special supermom friend. For a special 15% discount for my readers only, enter the code Supermom at checkout during the time period of March 1-April 30 2012.

Friday, April 20, 2012

Family Friendly: Why Posting Plans?

I realize that because one of my top goals in my life is to always keep my family first, many things I would love to do take second or third or . . . never make it past the planning stages. As I continued to have to put off my planned blogging time this week, I wondered if I should just stop the planning. What about the quote I came across once: "failing to plan is planning to fail?"  

So I asked myself, "why do you keep posting plans if you can't keep up with them?"  The answer my wise self tells my worried self:  "you feel happier when you have something planned to reflect or write about.  You look forward to that refreshment and expression time.  Even when that time doesn't happen, the plans are in your brain ready to energize you and encourage you to think and to learn. That simple act of posting the plans, in itself, revitalizes you and helps you remember who you are."

 I want to continue to keep my little personal blackboard of thoughts and ideas--pinning the scraps I have time to pin on, sometimes pausing enough to reflect on what an entry on that board means to me. Now I will just think of my posting plans as Powerful Pondering--and if any of my pondering gets to the posting stage . . .then that is a bonus.

Be Inspired,

Tuesday, April 3, 2012

Truly Tender: Rubber Band Bracelets

My little one noticed my rubber band I had put on my wrist when I took out my ponytail .  She found another rubber band on the ground and brought it to me.  I didn't realize what she was wanting for a minute but soon saw her looking at the one on my wrist.  She got so happy when I  helped her put the one she found onto my wrist with the other one.  We spent a couple of special minutes trading the "bracelets" between her wrists and mine. I love being a mom! 

Be Inspired,

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