Thankful Thinking: Great Friends for my Girls

Earlier this month, this is the surprise we found on our front door as Morning Glory's friends welcomed her into the Beehive class.  It was accompanied by lots of crepe paper strung around the bushes and trees in the front yard.  I still can't bring myself to remove the bees and hearts from the front door.  I am so thankful for good friends for my girls.

What are you thankful for today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: Conversation Hearts

I got a great idea from a friend at work:  during the month of February, ask fun questions on heart-shaped papers and learn more about your family members who answer them.  I used the idea for lunchtime notes for Morning Glory.  I wasn't sure if she really cared about my little conversation heart notes until she started to make sure I didn't forget to send one with her  to school each day.  On one half of the front of each heart, I told her something I was thankful she had done that morning or the day before.  Then on the other half of the front of the heart, I would ask a fun question to learn more about her like "What is something you would like to learn about?"  and she answered the question on the back side of the heart.

It has been a wonderful way to extend Valentine's Day for the whole month.

I love being a mom!

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

My Own Moroni Man: Pours Out His Heart

I wish I had taken a video of how my handsome hubby dramatized our family scripture reading tonight.  I noticed we weren't having much interest in listening from Lady Slipper and suggested we act the story out.  So he got down on his knees and very loudly used his hands to pour his heart out from his chest onto the floor.  Not how I had ever pictured the Enos story before, but the girls laughed and laughed and I don't think they will ever forget that story.

Thanks my Moroni Man!

What did a Moroni Man do for you today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Mommy MTC Moments: February 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:
Jesus Christ Is the Son of Heavenly Father
Heavenly Father and Jesus Love Me
The Holy Ghost Helps Me



Morning Glory Study:
Adam and Eve and Their Family Offered Sacrifices
 Adam and Eve Lived the Gospel of Jesus Christ
Enoch and a Zion People
February: The Plan of Salvation


Song: I Will Follow God's Plan (#164)
(also  "I am a Child of God" and I Lived in Heaven)
 
Article of Faith: Two
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: “O how great the plan of our God!” (2 Nephi 9:13).
Scripture Stories: Old Testament  Daniel in the Lion's Den

February Mini-Mission: Rejoice in Small Victories

I didn't get it posted earlier this month, but I have been focusing on the little victories each day to help me hold onto hope.  I really needed that goal this month as I had my 11th miscarriage on Feb 4th, and on Feb 14th I learned that I have polyps in my uterus which need to be removed as well as the autoimmune antibodies attacking my babies, and a hormone imbalance making it hard to have enough progesterone to sustain a pregnancy (I knew about the last two).  I was scared about the surgery I had on Feb 20th to remove the polyps but it went really well. 


I continue to think of each little daily victory as well as past larger victories that remind me that I have much reason to hope for a bright future.


"Rejoice in life’s small victories. Hope emerges and is sustained when we regularly discover reasons for it. Capitalize on the small victories that unfold daily, such as completing assignments, submitting job applications, reading your scriptures, or exercising for a few minutes each day. These accomplishments provide proof that effort is rewarded, lead to enhanced self-confidence, contribute to effective goal-setting, and instill belief that success can be achieved. Try to notice and celebrate at least two of these victories each day." ("The Healing Balm of Hope," by Vaughn E. Worthen, Ensign September 2013)




What helps you hold onto hope each day?


Be Inspired,


Janelle Joy

"Abish" Poem

Abish

By Donnell Hunter

---

This must be the day …

The Lord has reasons, my father said,

why we see signs

no other Lamanite knows;

if we hold fast believing

someday he’ll show us why.

He clung to his hope

faithful to death:

Abish, the sign must not have been for me

but you.

Remember what I saw.

Be true.

Some day someone will need

to show the way.

Be there believing

and when that day comes,

you’ll know.

  From Alma 19:16

(see Abish, Ensign Aug 1977 )

Simply Undone: Dishes

Dishes, dishes and more dishes. . .are they ever really finished?  Instead of dishes today, I had a tea party outside.  How much more fun is that.  Dishes might be a good thing to do, getting my exercise might be a better choice, I think that today the tea party was the BEST choice.

---

"We have to forego some good things in order to choose others that are better or best because they develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and strengthen our families."  (Elder Dallin H. Oaks "Good, Better, Best" Ensign Nov. 2007)

What good thing did you leave undone so you could do the BEST thing today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: Morning Glory Monkey Bread

I woke up to have a fun surprise.  MG wanted to cook breakfast today.  She looked through one of her favorite cookbooks (Our Best Bites) and made monkey bread. mmmmmmmm.  Her dad even said it was better than donuts and he absolutely loves donuts.  

Thanks for the morning surprise MG!

What truly Tender moments have you had today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle JOy

My Own Moroni Man: Played Ball Outside With His Girls

He had been feeling pretty sick the last couple of days and I know it wasn't what he wanted to do, but when Morning Glory and Lady Slipper begged him to go outside and play ball with them, he did it. 
Thanks for doing that with them my Handsome Hubby!

What did a Moroni Man in your life do for you today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Simply a Supermom: Sherrie Johnson shares Abish's story

"How happy Abish must have been as she watched Lamoni teach the people that she had gathered. And she must have been even happier when many who heard the king believed his words, repented, and joined the Church of Jesus Christ!"

(See the full article here:  "Scriptural Giants: Abish, Lamanite Woman of God" by Sherrie Johnson 
Friend, Feb. 1988)

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Thankful Thinking: Sock Valentine

Since we don't wear any shoes while teaching kindermusik classes, I love to wear fun socks.  This morning, Morning Glory gave me a special valentine: "Want to wear my socks today mom?"  They were fun ones she got from her aunt (my sister) that say "heart breaker" on them.  I felt very loved and really enjoyed that sock valentine all day as I wore them to work.

Thanks, Morning Glory! I love being your mom!

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: Lemon, Marshmallow and Ice Cream Tea

Lady Slipper has really loved playing with big sister's tea sets lately (Thanks for sharing MG!) 
I often look down to see a little hand reaching up for me to have another drink of some special healthy tea.  This time  she brought me a cup of "lemon, marshmallow and ice cream tea."  MMMMMM

I love being a Mom!

What Tender Moments did you have today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Simply Supermoms: "Bringing Abish to Life," Miranda Feldtman, Jade Swartzberg, Shari Whyte and other Silverdale Washington Youth

 

One small Book of Mormon story has made a big difference in the lives of the youth of Silverdale, Washington.

Miranda Feltdman is not a member of the Church; she had never heard of the Book of Mormon before she was invited to audition for the musical. A stake leader knew her and felt prompted to call her. It took courage for Miranda to try out for the play, but she did, and landed a lead role—the part of Abish.

“I was really worried initially—it was my first time playing a lead role in a musical. But everyone was really supportive and had faith in me, and eventually I learned to have that sort of faith in myself,” recalls Miranda.

That faith helped her understand the role she was playing, although at first she was worried she wouldn’t be able to. “I realized that Abish really was almost exactly like me and every other young man or woman out there at some point in their life. She has to learn fairly quickly to stick to her convictions no matter what, even if the entire world—or the court in this case—seems set against her.”

Abish’s story taught the youth that with God, anything is possible. They learned this as they juggled hectic high school schedules and play rehearsals to make the production happen.

(See the full article:  "Bringing Abish to Life,"  Jade Swartzberg and Shari Whyte   June 2007 New Era)

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Truly Tender: "Let's Chow down on Chowder!"

I had been feeling sick and doing even less cooking than usual (Hubby does it usually lately--I am lucky I know)  and we got out some cans of Progresso soups to choose from.  Morning Glory had a fun time with it even though she had had some the day before too.  She said it was alright as long as she could have the clam chowder and not the potato chowder.  Then she cracked herself up: "Let's chow down on chowder!!"

Thanks for cheering me up MG!  I love being your Mom

What tender moments did you have today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

My Own Moroni Man: Building a Fish Tank Canopy with his Girls

He doesn't have any boys to help, but we did our best.  MG and I helped hold things in place during all the sawing and building and provided some muscles to help lift it into place. LS loved helping stain the wood.  I know it took a lot more time to do this project when doing with the whole family.  Thanks for your patience and creating a family memory my Handsome Hubby!!

What did your Moroni Man do today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Simply Undone: My Bedroom

 I got going early in the morning and really hoped to clean up the big pile of stuff left over in my room from displaced Christmas items, returns we needed to make, etc.  I was feeling energetic and actually excited to get the job done and have my room back.  After only a few minutes into my cleaning project, a little voice said "dance with me, mommy."  She was dressed up like Cinderella and had some of her favorite music turned on.  I am ashamed to admit that I kept cleaning for a minute or two. . .I really was limited on time before I needed to leave for work.  But the feeling that little Lady Slipper is much more important than a clean room couldn't escape my heart.  I stopped and danced with my Cinderella.

When I came home after work, the pile was still staring at me and I started in on it again.  Then I heard a little voice behind me:  "Come see my bike Mommy."
 This time I am happy to say I listened to the voice more quickly and went  out to see the bike and ended up playing outside with both my girls for quite a while. I can be taught.

It is two weeks later and that pile is still staring at me in my bedroom every day.  But now it reminds me of two special mommy memories I can never replace in my heart.

What did you leave undone today?

Be Inspired,

Janelle Joy

Simply a Supermom: Abish

I love the story of Abish in the Book of Mormon (Alma 19:16-17). Abish has several supermom characteristics:

•  She must have trusted her father and supported him when he shared his "remarkable vision," respecting his leadership in receiving guidance from God regarding the leadership of his family. 
• As time passed she must have sought her own knowledge and confirmation of the truths revealed to her father because by the time of this story, her own personal testimony is apparent in her zeal to share the Gospel by running " from house to house making it known unto the people."  
• She must have had the Spirit's influence to know what should be done and great faith and courage and willingness to obey.
•  I am sure she was also a patient woman as she waited and hoped for years openly living the principles she learned from God even as she was surrounded by wickedness. She shared the Gospel only through her example until the time was right to share this miraculous experience she witnessed in the kings house.
• She also exemplifies great faith and diligence by not giving up or running away when she saw that many of the people interpreted the situation very differently from how she did.     
•  
What can we learn from Abish today? 

 Be Inspired,

           Janelle Joy                                                   

P.S. See what other supermoms have to share about what they have learned from the story of Abish

   "In the Book of Mormon, Abish was converted by her father’s sharing with her his remarkable vision. For many... ...testimony and the miracles she had witnessed in the king’s court. The power of Abish's conversion and testimony was instrumental in changing an entire society. ( "Love Her Mother"     Elaine S. Dalton, October 2011 General Conference)

Having hidden her testimony for many years, Abish finally had her moment, and she did not hesitate. The result changed hundreds of lives.We may never know the impact our testimony might have on other people. In fact, we may wonder sometimes if our testimony can make a difference. We might even say to ourselves, “Will it really matter if I say something? I am just one person—one voice.”  ("Abish: A Common Servant, a True Testimony" 
 By Heather B. Moore)