Musically Motivating: "Sing, Sing, Sing"

We turned on the Mormon Channel, which is always motivating.  This time, Scripture Stories: The Doctrine and Covenants, episode 11, Joseph and Emma, was streaming.  I love these scripture stories and primary songs in the background as we do our daily morning routine.  When the children in the program began to sing this round ,"sing a song", my oldest daughter and I instinctively began singing along and a wonderful, peaceful and happy feeling united us. I felt the special gift of music within me being released a little more.  I felt closer to my Heavenly Home and to those there waiting for me.

Be inspired,

"Good, Better, and Best" New Year's Goals

During our holiday vacation, Dad gave a great talk at church about how we should carefully pray and then evaluate our options when choosing our New Year's Goals. He used Elder Dallin H. Oaks talk from October 2007 "Good, Better and Best" when counselling that not all goals are of the same importance. Some are good, some are better and some are best. He encouraged us to prayerfully choose the best goals for each of us as individuals. He also wisely suggested that sometimes it is easy to know what the best goal is for a particular year; but other years it may take a few months before you know what your goal for that year really should be.

Later we had a similar discussion together for our Family Home Evening. I really appreciated that insight and have been thinking more deeply about my goals:)

Thanks Dad

My Daughter's Thanksgiving Decorations

I loved it when I saw how my daughter had used my favorite pilgrim decorations in a fun new way. She separated them by what they were holding in their arms and then put that item around it--like the girls were holding apples so she put a real apple by them, pumpkins by the boy holding a pumpkin and dried corn we picked up at the corn maze by the indian holding corn. I usually just lined them all up. It is so fun to walk into my living room and see her creation! I cheers me up and makes me smile:)

Create a Refined Home #3--Refined Music

What is refined music? I think that will be different for each person. I do NOT believe that means only classical or church music although those are definitely included. The results of my own home tour of our music is that each family member is different and there are a few things the others listen to that do not seem refined or uplifting to ME but I need to respect their idea of good music (as long as it is not a bad influence that we have agreed as a family we will not have, of course). So my gauge of how we are doing is to make sure that there is plenty of good music available in my home. We do really well at that! We are a really music loving family and there is great variety and a lot available here.

Goal: Remember to turn some good music on every day

Favorite online music links:
WCPE Classical Station
Pandora
LDS Music Website

Create a Refined Home #2--Prayer

I believe prayer is the first essential ingredient to refinement and peace. It is also a prerequisite for a truly serene environment and to become a refined individual. I know that prayer is so important because of my own personal experiences of praying, both aloud and in my heart.

Results of my Prayer Tour--Continue with my own personal , couple, family prayers and with prayers before meals. Simple Goal: Remember Family Prayers in the Morning.

Inspiring Quotes

Elder Bruce R. McConkie (1915–85) of the
Quorum of the
Twelve Apostles:
“Prayer changes our lives. Through it we
draw near to the
Lord, and he reaches
out his finger and touches us, so
we never again are
the same.
“Prayer is a great tower
of strength, a pillar of unending
righteousness, a mighty force that moves
mountains and saves souls”
(“Patterns
of Prayer,” Ensign, May 1984,
32).
Elder David A. Bednar of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles:
“Meaningful prayer requires both holy communication and consecrated work.
Blessings require some effort on our part before we can obtain them, and prayer,
as ‘a form of work, … is an appointed means for obtaining the highest of all
blessings’ (Bible Dictionary, ‘Prayer,’ 753). We press forward and persevere in
the consecrated work of prayer, after we say ‘amen,’ by acting upon the things
we have expressed to Heavenly Father” (“Ask in Faith,” Liahona and Ensign, May
2008, 95).

And in that day ye shall ask me nothing. Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall bask the Father in my name, he will give it you. Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full. John 16: 23-24

Creating a Refined, Peaceful, Home #1--Spiritual Tour

As I was sitting in the Temple last week, I felt so loved and so peaceful. The surroundings were beautiful and clean and quiet; the people were talking in quiet tones and were dressed simply but neatly; The music was quiet and soothing; There were people available to help and direct others; There were scriptures available to study; and there was time for pondering and praying.

I thought of my own home and how I have always had the goal, even when I was growing up, to have a home where people feel comfortable and want to be there. I asked myself the question I have asked so many times: Have I accomplished that goal? Is my home a place of comfort and peace where my family feels safe and wants to be there? It reminded me of a conference talk by Elder Gary E. Stevenson: "Sacred Homes, Sacred Temples" given last April at General Conference. He invited us to:
"take a virtual tour of their homes using their spiritual eyes . . . I testify to you that the application of these [Gospel] principles will help turn the doors of your home to the temple, or house of the Lord, and more fully allow you to make your sacred home a house of the Lord."

So I have decided to take that challenge and during the month of July I want to take a "Spiritual Tour" of my home and see if I can find simple ways to improve, or even happily notice simple ways I am already succeeding. Watch for future post about my findings! I would love comments about your own tours of your home environment.