Summoning Angels...

I believe that "Angels" can be our associates, as we live our covenants and exercise faith in Jesus Christ, and even when we don't. I believe sometimes these angels are family members that have passed on. I have felt these angels strengthen me through the years, cheer me on, rejoice with me when deliverance through trials comes to fruition, and sorrow with me as trials linger for months, even years. I wish I knew which "angels" were helping me. Sometimes I wish I could see them. For now, I just feel them near, and even "hear" them speak to my mind. The scripture in 2 Nephi 32:3 testifies of this concept "Angels speak by the power of the Holy Ghost..."

The reason I bring this topic up is because my former mother in law sent me an angel bell. I love it! A few days ago when the boys were fighting and I was about to lose it, I picked up the angel bell and walked through our house ringing it. It's as if I was summoning the angels to come and help us, help me. They found it comical, but I found it symbolic. We can ask (summon) for help from "angels". Sometimes angels come in the form of friends, and sometimes they are unseen.

When we lived in Oklahoma many moons ago, I had an angel friend. Our family was going through a tremendous trial, one that you wouldn't wish on your worst enemy. It was excruciatingly painful to my heart, mind, and soul. I didn't think my heart would make it through what was happening. My faith was hanging by a thread. The Lord put an angel friend in my path who rescued me every day from my despair. She will never know how she saved me from my grief. She was one of the Lord's angels sent to be there for me. I have had many experiences like this! More recently was my sister who came to live with me when my marriage was falling apart. She was my angel then! I thank the Lord for his angels to assist us on this mortal journey.

I hope you recognize the heavenly help the Lord sends to you on a daily basis. He loves us so much! He wants to help us on our journey home to HIM! He doesn't want to lose us...so he sends Angels!

                                                                    The Angel Bell

Confessions of a single parent!

I know, I know it's been a while. I also know it's been a while since I have confessed how hard it is being a single parent! Disregard my last post about being able to wait a few more years to remarry. I need back up... NOW! Or at least someone who will protect me from the "grenades" thrown at me daily from my teenagers. I feel like our home has been a battlefield lately and all of us are losing the battle, and leaning to the dark side. Last night when I was "throwing a fit" during my prayer to Heavenly Father, I felt so hopeless and so weary...so, so WEARY!!!!! HE must have given me extra armor through the night because when I woke up this morning I felt soooooooooooo much better. I have been very thankful in my heart all day because I feel HIS strengthening power, once again.

 I have 5 boys and 3 of them are teenagers...need I say more about how difficult this is. I have been AMAZED at the level of difficulty. No wonder people say...Grandchildren are God's gift for not killing your own children. I get it! Now rest assured...my children are not bad. They are good sons of God; however, testosterone has suddenly taken my 3 teenagers hostage and they are trying to learn how to understand all of that...puberty, hormones, boundaries, independence, etc. I could go on and on, but I don't want this post to be all doom and gloom.

I, as the parent, am learning how weak I really am without the Lord's help. I do things wrong daily, but I am doing the best I know HOW...with the circumstances I have been given. I certainly would have shrunk from this responsibility several years ago without HIS sustaining power. I just don't like when I am "left to myself", but maybe I need those times, to acknowledge more fully how much of the load HE really is carrying.

So there you have it, a confession long overdue from this single parent!

Seasons...

Tonight I had my first drive of the year up Provo Canyon. I like to go on Sunday nights in the Spring. It's nice to get away and ponder as I'm driving up the beautiful canyon. I can actually think because no one is in the car with me. I often envision what it would be like to have a significant other driving with me. It would be so nice to just talk, hold hands, and be together. For now though, I go alone which is rejuvenating to my soul. I usually contemplate how blessed I am. Tonight I also thought about how much growth and learning has taken place these past 8 years as a single parent. I wouldn't trade any of this learning for anything. I see things so differently now. I have so much more compassion for myself, my children, and others. I feel the Lord so near, almost daily. He is helping me carry this "load". It is a beautiful thing. Of course, I hope that the time is drawing nigh for this single parenthood season to end. However, if it's a few more years...I am OK with that because that just means more learning, more growth, and more of an abundance of the Holy Ghost and the Savior's Love in my life.

I also thought about the seasons changing and how wonderful it is to have seasons end...especially hard seasons of life. Praise be to God for the seasons as stated in Ecclesiastes. "A time to get, and a time to lose; a time to embrace, and a time to refrain from embracing (I'm still in this season :-]), a time to weep, and a time to laugh;...". He sees the wisdom in all the seasons. He give and He takes, but "He hath made every thing beautiful in His time". I have a beautiful, wonderful life(not a perfect or ideal one and that's ok), and so do YOU! If you look hard enough and are patient you will see the beauty in it!

Doin' something right!

Often times we, as parents, think we can never do anything right with our kids. This is especially true as they hit the teenage years. Well, I got a nice surprise from my 15 year old. I woke up Monday morning and found this taped to the outside of my door.

Must be doing something right! :-) Our children really do care about us even if they don't always show it! We, as parents, are doing the best we can and it is ENOUGH!!!! The End!

Life!

So, lately I've been contemplating my life's mission. What is it really? Do I want my mission to be the vision I see, or others see for myself, or God's vision of myself? Since God's thoughts and ways are higher than my own (as stated in the Bible) , then I would rather know what God wants me to accomplish.      

  Living life day to day can cloud our vision of our mission here on earth. We need an anchor to keep us from drifting too far away from what we are truly to become in this life.  I was reminded that I have an anchor and a guide for what I should accomplish during this life. It's an inspired guide, a reminder of who I really am, and can become, in the eyes of God. This is a patriarchal blessing.
For further explanations of what a patriarchal blessing is, you can find out by going to lds.org or clicking on the link to the right side of my blog page.

There are so many things in this world tugging at us for attention, tossing us to and fro, that we forget our life's mission. So as I pulled out my patriarchal blessing today to get some answers, I was reminded of my life's mission. These truths are what I should be holding onto and working towards. If I follow the counsel within, I will be living a full, dedicated, successful life...in the eyes of God.
After this life, He is the one we will face and be accountable to. Follow His path, His course, in order to be prepared to meet him face to face and feel good being in His presence.

I noticed a pattern in my blessing. Some of us have heard that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has a 3- fold mission to accomplish. The mission is to Perfect the Saints, Proclaim the Gospel, and Redeem the Dead. The next time you read through your patriarchal blessing find what your 3-fold mission is. Try to see the pattern of what is being told to you. I saw a 3-fold mission in mine as I read today. My very own 3-fold mission! What is yours? We all have one. Use your guide, your anchor you've been privileged to obtain (patriarchal blessing). It will lead you along the right path in obtaining your life's mission here on earth.

Celebrating Monkey!

This little guy turned 9 this month! He has amazing determination, a sparkle in his eye, and is quite comical. He doesn't see his condition (Spina Bifida) as limiting and firmly believes he's just like everyone else. He's quite the lady charmer as well; he has many admirers! Happy Birthday Monkey! Thank you for all the things I've learned over these past 9 years being your mother, nurse, and caretaker.

Silly Eyes

One of his many crushes

Doing dishes

Yoga on the treadmill

He got this dress up for his birthday

Rocking the Block for Owen.
You should of seen his face light up
as he "ran" to the finish line; he was so happy
to finally get out of his wheelchair. 

Archery at Day Camp

Up in  a tree with cousins

Water play rocks

That big ocean doesn't scare me

Pics from my sister's wedding! June 22, 2013

Nicole's sibling and their spouses (3 of us are single)

The bride with Matthew

Aunt Nicole and Josh

The Navarro posterity!

Sisters by chance, friends by choice!

The Smith children!
They were very happy that their dad married Nicole.

Katrina with her Mighty Warriors!

The Big 4 - O!

I recently entered my fourth decade of living. My birthday was magical. It was wonderful. I started out the morning by driving to the Manti temple to see my friend Ka"trina" get sealed to her sweetheart. The drive was so peaceful and beautiful. The little city of Manti has a special feeling to it. The temple has an even more special feeling...I can't explain it. I truly felt like I was on sacred ground being in the Historic Manti temple. We got to walk up the spiral staircase to the sealing room . That was a sacred experience and one I can't share. Being in the sealing room was amazing and the words from the sealer awe-inspiring. It was neat to see the love in my friend's eyes for her husband. I felt honored to be there. I headed home after the temple and spent several hours with my boys. I opened their gifts and they sang Happy Birthday to me. We had Costco Key Lime Pie. Then in the evening I was to meet my sister Anna-Maria at PF Changs in Orem for dinner. Upon my arrival I was pleasantly surprised to see a booth with 3 extra people. I hadn't expected them, and it was so nice. I love surprises! We missed you - Heather, Bobbie, and Becky... maybe next year. We enjoyed delicious food and each other's company. After PF Changs , I was off to see The Sound of Music at the Scera Outdoor Theatre. What an amazing production! I got lots of gifts, cards, texts, and money for my birthday. I felt so special and so loved...ALL DAY!! I like to tell people 40 is the new 30 because I still feel young. Thank you everyone for making my day special! Love you! P.S. I almost forgot to mention that the Thompson's (our home teachers) brought over a bouquet of flowers and a chocolate cake... another surprise!

PF Changs

PF Changs

Manti Temple

Key Lime Pie (the circle of cream is supposed to represent the zero in 40)

Me with the 3 youngest

The bedspread is a birthday gift from my 14 year old. What a sweetie!

Flowers from the Thompsons

California!

Last week the boys, my dad, and I went to California to attend a funeral.
It was a very short trip, but we managed to squeeze in the beach one day.
We went to Zuma beach in Malibu. Driving down the 405 and 101 brought
back a lot of memories. Passing signs that read White Oak Ave., Sylmar, and
San Fernando took me back to my youth. I loved the palm trees, listening to the waves crashing on the shore, and driving through Malibu Canyon. My two youngest who had never been to the beach in their life had a blast. They were in HEAVEN at the beach.

I had a lot of time to reflect on my life- the entire trip - from the drive to California, to the visit at the beach, to the funeral. There's something about funeral services that always make me want to live my life better. I realized how much I have changed through the years, but also how I am still the same in some ways. For example, I still spend a lot of time fixing my hair. I have always fussed over my hair ever since I was a little girl and that will never change. What's different about me - I don't want the same things in a man - that I used to want. I don't give away my kisses freely, and I certainly am not a flirt like I was when I was a teenager. I treasure men who are respectful, kind, and have a pure heart. Although being attractive is a plus, it's not everything. I remember being at Wal-Mart and there was an extremely attractive single man behind me. I turned around to look at him and could feel my face turning red. My temperature started rising. I smiled at him and melted when he smiled back. Then I thought in my head, yeah he's gorgeous, but who is he inside. Of course, I didn't talk to him to find out, but I sure wondered. The "old" me would have flirted. The "new" me is more cautious and reflective. Bad thing - good thing? I don't know. By the way, if he was married I would have felt like a fool flirting with him because you know a lot of married men don't wear their wedding rings. That is one of my biggest pet peeves - married men not wearing their wedding rings. It gives the wrong impression and to me it's disloyalty. So married men out there...wear your wedding rings so us single gals don't look twice. Notice I said twice because we do look once...to see if there's a wedding ring. :-) Ok I am off my soapbox.

 As we drove into St. George, on the way back, the most beautiful rainbow filled the sky. I internalized what that rainbow meant to me, it's almost as if God was saying to me, "Remember the promises I made to you... have hope... carry on". To me the rainbow represents promises. The Lord promised to never flood the earth again and the rainbow is the symbol of that promise. The Lord has promised each of us things too, and he never forgets or changes his mind. The promises will be fulfilled in HIS time. I believe the longer the wait, the sweeter the reward will be. I remember a time when the Lord answered my prayers about my future husband by putting a song into my head. I was in the temple at the time and thought it odd that this "wordly" song would come as revelation. The words  that came to my mind were "And now you're love is my reward". There were more words, but  I won't share them. To me that meant that my future husband's love for me would be my reward. Finally- a reward-  for all the injustices, all the bitterness, and heartache. The reward of experiencing that kind of love will be SWEET.

The last thing to share is the class I am taking right now. It's called "How to Avoid Falling for a Jerk or Jerkette". I am learning a lot about relationships and what it takes to have a successful one. I laughed a lot during class, but also got some great information to apply to the relationships in my life. I am looking forward to next week's class. While I'm on the subject of classes - summer school is winding down. I am actually relieved. It's been tough, but I am going to make it.

Happy Summer!

This is the life!

Poser

Fun with the sand

Sand crab

The Mother

The eldest

Burying myself

Those waves don't scare us!

Bliss!

The Big Day is Coming...

I am getting very excited for my sister's wedding this coming Saturday! She has waited a very long time and it's finally here. I am so happy that she is marrying a good man who is her best friend. I get to be her escort in the temple, since my mom is deceased. I get to help her in the Bride's room. I get to be apart of her special day in a special way. What an honor!

I am so eternally grateful for temples. The Temple is the House of the Lord where we can receive ordinances that bind us for eternity and where we can perform saving ordinances for our kindred dead. I am grateful that because of Jesus Christ's atonement I am worthy to be in such a sacred haven.

 Over the years, I have received much personal revelation and added strength for my life, as a single mother to five special boys because of weekly temple attendance. I have also been blessed to have received personal revelation about my "near-future" life that involves a righteous husband with a good heart, an eternal friend, and a wonderful posterity because of our union. I hope in those things to come and know that my Faith is only being tested in his Timing of it all. I want it now... He says wait a while longer. He knows best and I trust in that everyday. My knowledge of the glimspes He's granted me keeps me going. The Lord is so good to me and all of us.

If you want the mundane in your life to turn into extra-ordinary - go to the temple. If you want added spiritual strength - go to the temple. If you want peace that passes all understanding - go to the temple. If you want to be a better wife, husband, father, mother - go to the temple. If you want to feel an incredible source of LOVE and approval - go to the temple. We are all welcome. Get your life in order so you can bask in the blessings offered only there. Nothing else on this earth will offer you what can be offered in the Lord's Holy House. Until next time...

Enjoy some random pictures of recent events in our lives:

Cub Scout Day Camp
BB Gun shooting

Cub Scout Day Camp
Archery

The newest deacon of our family with the twins.

Naomi and Annabelle with their Aunt Katrina
I love these girls!

This deer likes to visit our backyard!

Summer Vacation is Here!

Summer means ... unstructured play time, unscheduled days, slow down, time for conversations, late nights playing outside, ice cream, slushies, flip flops, long runs in the early morning, long walks in the evening, mowing the lawn, water balloon fights, drinking out of the hose, washing the car, sunburns, peeling skin, cub scout day camp, zions camp, bbq's, hanging with friends, hanging with cousins, camping, hiking, the canyon, the library, temple baptisms with my youth, temple mornings, homework, exams (yes, I am going to summer school), tubing on Utah lake, bike rides (I need to buy a bike for my birthday), OH and turning 40 this summer, a 15 year old, a 14 year old, Rexburg Idaho to visit Auntie La ...etc. etc.

 Enjoy your summer!

5/2013

Heather Wright (Thirkettle) and I at Nicole's Bridal Shower
We have known each other since we were 5 years old.

The Navarro Girls with Heather!
Good Times!

Salt Lake Temple Square in Salt Lake City, Utah - The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Today we had a home school field trip to Temple Square. The nice thing about home school is that you can mix education and religion any time; you can't do that at public school. :-) It was the most beautiful day ever and it was so refreshing being on the temple grounds. We had a little history lesson as we toured the Beehive House. The sister missionaries that took us on the tour were incredible and it reminded me of when I was a missionary. It was a sweet experience and the Spirit was strong! After the Beehive House we walked the grounds and went to a few visitor's center. All in all it was a blessed day and I had an increased gratitude for being a member of Jesus Christ's Church restored to the earth through the Prophet Joseph Smith. It made me smile to see all the "tourists" that were not from this country experiencing Temple Square and most likely feeling the Holy Ghost testify to the truthfulness of what the missionaries shared with them. Seeing all the "tourists" also made me think of the scripture  found in 2 Nephi Chapter 12 verse 2 which says : "...the Lord's house shall be established in the top of the mountains, and shall be exalted above the hills, and all nations shall flow unto it". I certainly saw people from all nations flowing into the gates of Temple Square today. You should experience it for yourself some day.  Enjoy the pictures!

Salt Lake City Temple
The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints

Me in front of my favorite statue
There's a story behind why it's my fave

The boys

I just thought this looked cool

The Christus

I loved the scripture on the wall.
I am standing in front of my most favorite picture

This represents Books of Mormon written in all different languages,
so people from all over the world can read this holy book of scripture  in their own language.
You can request a free copy of the Book of Mormon by going to Mormon.org
Click on Beliefs and then click on Book of Mormon. As you scroll down that page
click on the request for a free Book of Mormon.

Japanese Book of Mormon

Russian Book of Mormon

Armenian Book of Mormon

Italian Book of Mormon

He is holding the Russian Book of Mormon
He is doing his country report on Russia.
Future missionary!