The Cure

I may look like a caster of disaster. You think im moving slow, but im like a master who keeps moving faster and faster.  So quick your eyes dont register that im like mercury cuz just a messenger with a message of the cure. A cure for the soul except theres no chicken soup in this bowl. Fills you up more than an all you can eat plus an extra roll. Ponder that while you stroll wondering how yer gonna pay that toll. Whats that cure cost? Should we take a poll? Fear not cuz for you the cure is free. What, you dont believe me? Go ahead and adk that guy on that tree. He hangs there to pay for you and me. His father sent him, dont you see? Jesus Christ of the divine trinity. i propose a toast. The father, and the son and the holy ghost. Its only with them that we can have the most. Think about that cuz thats the end of this post.

I know that I am nothing, but I will boast of my God

I often ponder on Alma 26. When I bear testimony or share something spiritually profound and I am thanked or told how spiritually strong I am, I give credit to God. Sometimes I am told to take a little credit. I really don't think I can. Even if the words are my own, the message is hardly mine. Everything I am, everything I know or feel... it is thanks to my Heavenly Father. If you wanna think I am great, I cant stop you. If I am great, it is only because my Father is even greater. I only try to do His will and work things that please Him. I need no praise now. I only hope my praise will come from Him in the end.

Every breath, every dollar, every talent and skill... none of it is mine. I wanted Beverly to be my wife long before we were born.... I asked Him for that privilege!

My earthly father is a good comparison, even. The values and morals I have, the encouragement I received. I was not spoiled but yet I wanted for nothing. If I have ever a need,  there he is helping out in any way he is able to. Not everyone may have had a life to see the way I see things, but if you ever had faith, look and try to see God's hand in your life. Know that He was and is always there and always will be. Teaching you hard lessons with discipline when you need it and doting on you like the prized offspring that you are when you deserve it. This is why my life is filled with gratitude. Should yours be any different?

Transform

We come into this world all shiny and new.
We get older and we polish ourselves and skills that we learn.

We think we are awesome all crisp and smooth like a new sheet of paper.


What we don't realize is how rigid and sharp we are...


We come to realize that we need to be softer and more relaxed like a towel.


But even a towel is a little rough and can easily absorb both good and bad.


However, if we rely on Jesus Christ and his atonement, he can try us and teach us. Over time we maintain the core of who we were while becoming more like him.


Hence the divine power is able to work us and mold us and make us even softer than we thought we could be. Fragile yet resilient. Unchanged yet transformed. Unique and timeless.


To all those who wish to see this work, I ask that you study God's holy word, pray on it for truth and ponder it's teachings.

For those who wish to test this example with a sheet of paper to see the example work, take a sheet of paper and crumple it up. wad it into a ball. now carefully uncrumple it. then crumple it and uncrumple it. make new creases. flip it over. gentle roll it. do this many many many many times and you will see it change just as we can change in the hands of the master.

Welcome to the new year.

One chapter has come to an end.
We just turned past a new bend.
What new help can we all lend?
To where our hearts can we send?

T'is a season of progress anew.
Fresh trials to work on through.
Great improvement for me and you.
Strengthen our faith, keep it true.

Now is the time to greatly prepare.
Do not doubt or fall into dispair.
Remember your God is always there.
Rely on us for we really do care.

Christ will bless for he gives love.
He was crowned both below and above.
A promise fufilled for a new cove'.
A gospel that fits all like a glove.

We welcome you with cheer.
Dispel all of your fear.
Together we are all here.
Welcome to the new year.

Blessings require BOTH faith & hard work!

“Get on your knees and pray, then get on your feet and work.” ~Gordon B. Hinckley

That means you can't just pray and lazily expect to be blessed. Heavenly Father expects us to do our part, which is all that we can do.

We have been trying to get our first loan for a little while now. Our first Auto-Loan even. I had a small debt to pay, We needed to wait a little longer so we could show some more proof or residence and employment history. Then we needed to figure out what we wanted. We had to compromise. She wants something small and I want something a little bigger. We did some research on a few local used vehicles and talked to a few local dealerships. Patience, Honesty and Diligence was required of both of us. The first car we got was a steal of a deal and everything we both wanted. It was just what I was praying for and God delivered when His time right for us. However, as our relationship, family and jobs evolve, situations change. I feel the same applies here. I did what I needed to be able to get a loan, we were honest with our needs, desires and circumstance and we found what just felt right for us. If this is not divined than I don't know what is.

Gratitude begets gratitude

My daughter has been not feeling well all day, I imagine. She did not sleep well nor did she nap well. She even threw up a few types during the evening. So here I am trying to figure out how to comfort her. I looked up where we hang out keys and thought about the container I keep my consecrated oil in. I then felt prompted to give her a blessing. Me and Bev prayed, then I anoited and blessed my daughter while she lay in bed. I felt grateful to be worthy to hold and use the priesthood that has been entrusted to me. Eva is 3 and may not always speak in English, but she understands what prayer is. She also understands Amen. After I was done, I saw tightly close her eyes and she started babbling, like she does. I got the impression that she was offering her own prayer. I think that was her very first prayer, like her very own prayer. I am also sure that whatever she was trying to say had something to do with being grateful. Like she was thanking Heavenly Father for us and for my abilty to bless her. I praise Him for offering this most sacred opportunity to watch over her and to teach her. God, you know I take this responsibility seriously and will do the very best I can. Thank you!

If you only knew...

Utah is very new to me. Yet it is so very familiar at the same time. You see, I was born and raised on the East Coast. In RI, driving more than 20 minutes is considered a road trip. That never made sense to me and I grew up there. You can drive from south to north in about 45 minutes. I brought my family here on a whim. No job or apartment set up for us, just a command from God and a trust He would provide. I got here and I found a job and a place to call home. My faith was well placed. Our good friends live in Riverton and we often visit them. Their company is well worth the hour drive. I know my Father in Heaven seeks to bless me, my family and all those who cover the Earth. If you listen and obey, every hardship can be endured and will be to your benifit.

LGBT, Apostasy, Kids and Baptism

LGBT Mormon Contraversy blog post on lemmony things.

This post makes every point I wanted to make and does it better than I could have.

Hidden talents

I have always known that I was able to use both my hands pretty well. I have and still classify myself and mostly right handed. However, I have recently come to find out that I am very much ambidextrous. Now while I can't write with a pen equally well with both hands, I can write equally well with both hands using different techniques. My right hand is better suited for pen and paper on a horizontal surface. My left hand is better suited for white boards and black boards on a vertical surface. My left can also easily write backwards from left to right and forwards from left to right, something my right hand struggles to do well even with a pen or pencil. This is something that I am sure I was always capable of doing but never fully realized as I had never tried. I always figured that since using my left to write was not easy with a pen that I just could not do it. Once I did figure it out, getting good was really easy. In fact, my penmanship matches that of my right hand with very little practice. Almost like I have been writing like that forever. Had God not shown me this capability, I am sure it would have remained dormant forever.
Moral of the story is that never doubt that you have divine gifts and never envy those who have gifts that you desire. God knows and understands your capacity more than you do, for He made you. Do your best to perfect what talents you do have. God will reveal His plan to you when you are ready for what He has next for you.

Feel Better Kick that Sick Tea

I've done a lot of personal study on homeopathy and I use this knowledge to help others out. So here is a tea that I make by the jug full and keep on hand to prevent and help overcome illness.

I order in bulk from:
https://www.mountainroseherbs.com/catalog/herbs/bulk

You can find out what all these are good for here:
http://www.sustainablebabysteps.com/antiviral-herbs.html

Usnea
Mullein Leaf
Red Clover Blossoms
Echinacea Root
Astragalus Root
Lavender
Honey
Cayenne
Garlic

Chop the Usnea up a bunch. Doesn't have to be a fine powder but enough to make it mixable. I don't really measure any. I'll add a handful each of Mullein and Red Clover a third of a handful each of Echinacea and Lavender and a pinch of garlic powder. I'll mix it up by hand in a bowl adding spoonfuls of Astragalus as I mix it, till it is coated well throught out. About 4 spoonfuls should be good. Then pour it all into two 4"x6" muslin tea bags. I'll start heating up a kettle and drop them both in while it gets hot. When it whistles, I'll remove from the heat and let it sit for 15 minutes, then I'll remove the top and press the bags with a wooden spoon or a ladel or something. Then I'll let it sit for 5-10 more minutes with the top off to let it steep some more and cool down. This concoction is brewed to be real strong but more water will be added later. Remove and squeeze the bags. Add honey that is preferebly local honey to taste. I use Cayenne in tincture form and about 6 drops is good for most. If you like it spicier add 8 or 10 drops. Now add as much cold water as there is tea made. It should be 50/50 (about 64 ounces together depending on your kettle). Chill in the fridge and drink as you like. The more you drink the better i'll work.

Prophetic Counsel, Schedule Your ‘Personal Council’

Here is a fantastic post on the MyBestLDS Blog

Have You Followed Prophetic Counsel, and Scheduled Your ‘Personal Council’ Yet?
"When it comes to spiritual truth, how can we know that we are on the right path? One way is by asking the right questions—the kind that help us ponder our progress and evaluate how things are working for us."

Beard Grooming like a man!

Featuring the straight razor and shave brush, once again. This time with a different technique with a different purpose. The purpose is to shape my beard. The brush and soap moves my facial hair and allows me to see how I am shaping it, while also making my razor glide to provide a comfortable shave. Cold water tightens my face and keeps the hair from going limp, making it easier to get a closer shave.

Beard oil softens and hydrates you beard and the skin it is attached to. The use of it will help you maintain your beard and help make it easier for you to do so with continued use. Not to mention that they sometimes smell nice, also.

A previous post on shaving.

 The ancient and dying art of straight razor shaving