My Testimony: What I Believe and What I Know

I wrote my testimony down in my journal a couple of years ago but I wanted to do it again. I want to write it again without looking at the past one first to see how it has changed. I’m so grateful for this knowledge that I have and feel so privileged to have a testimony of the true gospel. I also feel so blessed with everything that I have, but especially for great parents that raised me right and taught me how to find my own testimony, how to feel the Spirit and to love the teachings of Jesus Christ. Lately I have been realizing how abundantly I truly have been blessed throughout my whole life. I do not wish to take any of that for granted. I grew up in a good family with health, love, and so much support. I always had all that I needed. I still am continually blessed now. I have Preston, my sweet husband, who is more of a blessing than I could have ever thought possible. We fit together so well and I’m so blessed to always have him, for time on earth and for all eternity after death! I have two kids that are such a joy to me, and have completed me. And with all of these great blessings in my life I truly feel of my Heavenly Father’s love for me.

With that said I will share my testimony of things that I know. These things I have come to know by my individual experiences, and through the Spirit that I can feel.

As the scriptures teach, I know that I have a loving Father in Heaven. I know that He has a body. I know that He has a son Jesus Christ who is separate only in being but just as loving. I know He is my friend and my Savior. I know that He lived here on this earth, and died for each person, and for me. His atonement is so real and so personal to me that I almost can’t express it. I know that His atonement makes it possible for me to return to Him and my Heavenly Father’s presents. I don’t know how it works but I know that it does. I know that His atonement fills the gap of ALL of my short comings, in all areas of my life. When I have sinned, but also for my everyday things that I can’t do on my own… THAT is His atonement present in my life. Christ’s atonement is everything to me. I know that when I make mistakes that through His atonement I am made clean, and I am forgiven. I also know that there is a third member of the Godhead, which is the Spirit. I feel of his comfort and peace in my life. The Spirit does not lie and speaks peace. I know that by listening to the Spirit of God we will always be safe.

I know that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints is true. As I have grown older I have found an even deeper hold on that statement. The Church is true! The principles taught are good and I have tested them and I know that as I add to the good I am doing my roots in the Church will only get stronger and deeper. I know that it is the same church that Christ established on the earth in his day and restored it in our day through the Prophet Joseph Smith.

Which leads me to Joseph Smith, I know he was called of God and that he was a true Prophet. I know that he received an answer to his prayer and truly did see Heavenly Father and Jesus. I feel that he is one of the greatest men that ever came to earth. I know that he did what was asked of him by God. I know that he translated the Book of Mormon, and am so grateful for it’s pages. I feel so much for the Prophet Joseph, my heart is so full of all that he did for this church and for me. I’m so grateful for the chance that I had to go to Nauvoo, a Latter-day Saint historic city that the members of old founded, I feel of his spirit there. What a great man he was.

I know that there is a Prophet on the earth today who is also called of God. The prophet on the earth today is President Thomas S. Monson. I know that he is directed from God and is a good man. He gets direction from Heavenly Father for us, for the whole Church. I know that listening, and doing what the prophet directs will protect us and help us to be better people. I have felt that in my life even when I have done the small things that have been asked. I also know that there are other apostles called and I love and support them. I can feel of their greatness when they speak in conference and I know they speak the truth. It is wonderful to know that God has a prophet on the earth today to lead and guide his church just as he did with prophets of old like Noah, Moses, Peter and others.

I know that Heavenly Father created this earth and has provided a plan for us. I know that I lived with Him before I came to earth and that I will, if faithful, return to Him again. I know that my family is forever. I know that by being sealed to my sweet husband bound us together here on earth and also through the eternities. I know that families are of God, I feel that very strong in my own home. I know families are part of the plan of God for us. I know that I was sent here to be a mother. I know of the responsibility and divinity of being a righteous woman here on the earth. I stand as a witness of my Heavenly Father. I feel of my role and know that my Heavenly Father knows ME individually and personally and loves me. I love him and hope to show that love through my actions throughout my life!

I have a testimony of service, oh how I wish I could be engulfed in it every hour. I am grateful that as a mother I have that opportunity to serve my family. I know that service blesses my life and I love the spirit that I feel.

I know that prayer is our avenue to heaven. I know that Heavenly Father hears our prayer and answers them. I know that through prayer we are able to talk directly to God. I know through prayer we come to know our Father in Heaven better and we are helped through our trials. I know that prayer lifts us up, strengthens us, and changes our hearts.

I know the scriptures are true. That the Bible testifies of Christ, and so does the Book of Mormon. I feel of the spirit of those great men that went before, who’s lives are on the pages of the scriptures. I feel of the truthfulness of their words and am grateful for a record of their lives, which were dedicated to Christ. For the examples and testimonies that were left for me to learn and to grow. I know that reading the scriptures each day blesses my life. I know that by reading them I become better each day and am blessed.

It is wonderful that God has asked us to build temples on the earth today just as he did in Bible times. Temples are a holy place that allow us to worship God. I have a testimony of the temple and how it blesses my life. I know that it is a sacred place. It renews my soul and makes it possible to return to my Heavenly Father. I am so blessed to live near one of Gods Holy Temples. I feel of its power and peace just being on its grounds, and feel connected to the heavens within its walls.

I know that we have come to this earth to experience life, to experience trials. I know that through my trials I have become a better person and for each trial and experience I have learned exactly what I have needed to learn and grow in specific areas in my life. I have grown closer to my Heavenly Father and know that going through my trials was exactly what I needed to be stronger. I would never live through them again but I would never take them back, because of the closeness I feel to my Savior and my dependence on Him.

I know of these things and the reason why I KNOW them are through prayer, asking and receiving a confirmation through the Spirit of these things.

all pictures found on Google image.

More Things I Love...

It's kind of become a tradition to go down to the pumpkin patch with the Stapley's, so we went down and had fun looking around. Baden is such a cute little boo!

Loved looking at the chicks!

Baden liked driving on the tractor.

So I've been wanting to deck my house out with Halloween decor but a little short on the denaro. So this is what I came up with, I love it. I used white lunch bags, black construction paper, string, glue and tape. Kya helped, I had cut out different eyes and mouths and she picked the type and where it would go on the face. So fun! Now we have ghosts in our house!

Made Baden some leg warmers, so festive. And so cute!

Oh my silly girl!

Last night the kids were taking a bath, Baden was trying to stand up as usual. I was trying to keep him from standing by putting my hand on his chest. Kya thought I was pushing him so she looked at me scowling and said, "Mommy don't push him that's not nice, you say sorry right now!" I'm glad I have Kya to keep me on track!

I Love October

October is one of my favorites. I love BOOing people. So we've been making goodies to take BOOing! We made my favorite cookies on the first day of October to start our BOOing! Kya helped and we both enjoyed making them!

Naps around here are still in the in between stage. Baden NEEDS two naps but doesn't want to take one. But if I set him down in front of Blue's Clues he's out. This is a normal site at our house! And as I type this very minute he has just now fallen asleep on the floor!

I've been being a little crafty too! I found this on Little Miss Crafty Pants, but I Mod Podged mine I think it looks so cute! I'll give more details later.

Oh so many more crafts I want to do lately, anyhoo, that's what I've been up to.

Lunch w/ Grandma and Other Fun

We have been trying to keep busy and my calendaring seems to be doing the trick. We took Grandma out to lunch on Tuesday. We went to a place right by her work called Grandma's Kitchen, it was VERY YUMMY. Baden and Kya both drank there own little cut of half and half soon after sitting down. Baden thought that was great, who needs the coffee when you can have the cream! We had fun with Grandma and love to brighten her day during the week!

My sandwich was bigger than my head! I LOVED it!

The next night we went out for a treat at Bahama Bucks, and Baden couldn't get enough, again it had cream.

On Thursday we went to watch Daddy play frisbee. The kids had a ton of fun being outside and watching daddy.

What We Do Round Here!

So if you have been wondering what we have been doing for the last few week I'll give a little update. I have been trying to get myself more organized with having a calendar and scheduling things to do, on top of just house work. For example this last week we had a library day and a craft day. Another day we went to the park and built forts.

(Craft Day: Kya painted the bottom half of the box ALL by herself and I added the top. Everytime she would get done with a side she would stop and say, "Ok, that's perfect!")

Another day we went to play with our friends with water balloons. Other days we play in the backyard, paint nails, or make bracelets. She wanted an orange one this time, good thing its around October!

Kya and I are also growing an herb garden and we help the flowers grow everyday. We are still having the same problem that we did in our last house, we still have sharks and dinosaurs, but this house also has witches, polar bears, dragons, lions, and ghosts! We are constantly having to run and hide and "Be quiet mom!" We have a "net" that we catch all of the above things and trap them and put them in dungeons. So we are doing great and we are keeping busy.

On top of all the things I do with just the kids we have been able to hang out with daddy too. He even took us all out for ice cream, and custard, mmm!

On top of all of the other we had a girls get together with a ton of my friend last we and then we did girls game night this week, got to love coming home at 2:30 am. Love spending time with those girls and had tons of fun!

Mommy's Little Helper

Baden is getting around very quickly now-a-days. That comes with him wanting to be everywhere I am all of the time... doing what I'm doing! So lately he has been my little "helper." Good thing he is cute!

I hadn't done my coupons for a LONG time so I had to catch up on them, about 6 weeks worth. I was glad I didn't need the rest of the paper and I could grab the coupons fast!

The dishwasher is his favorite thing I can't open it without him bolting over to "help," which it not helpful at all. Sharp knifes and quick little Baden hands, why can't he go for the spoons!

So the other day Kya and I were eating carrots and ranch dip or as Kya calls it 'dip dip.' Baden was across the table and Kya was very nice in sharing her carrots with Baden, passing them over the table to him. I got up to do something on the computer and Baden was around the table digging in!

He likes white dip dip too!

When I came back in I started LAUGHING so hard, and of course grab the camera!

Baby Shower

For those of you who don't know, this is Meghan, one of my best friends since high school. She now is in Arkansas but she came back here to have a baby shower a few weeks ago! Anyways, I am so excited for her and I was glad I got to help out with her shower.

I did the cupcake for her shower and they turned out super cute, if I say so myself. They just were a bit time consuming... ok I'm lying they took forever! I'm glad I love Meghan, and I definitely showed her that by making these Booty Cupcakes!

Pretty cute huh? They are pretty 'Martha', so I'm glad they turned out in the end!

I had fun with you Meghan while you were here and can't wait for your little girl to be apart of your family!

Water Fun

If there was no water to play in we'd all melt away in the Valley. It seems like that's the only thing we have been going out to do. We went to Grandma & Grandpa's house to swim for a while. Kids just look so cute in swim suits!

Then on Saturday we got to do a huge slip-n-slide. It was super fun, for me anyways! Preston was at the ASU game and so it was just me and the kids. I took Kya down it but she SCREAMED the whole way down, "I don't want to, I don't want to!" I know I'm mean! She was mad at me for making her go down.

Kya acted like this was her bike but it wasn't, thanks for sharing!

She still had fun running down the hill. So it all worked out!