Give a book to Gail

I finished my Book of Mormon today.  I couldn't stop myself from reading the thirty extra pages knowing that I would be able to once again kneel down in prayer and then have the Spirit testify of the truths I had read all month.

This time reading the book, I wanted to learn more about the Atonement.  I wasn't really sure if I would learn much about it, but C, my missionary challenged us as a family to learn more about it.  As I noticed myself reading each day, it was very apparent that not only did the prophets testify of Jesus Christ's birth and coming to the earth, but how he was coming to redeem us from our sins, how he is our Savior, the plan of redemption and His sole purpose for even coming to the earth was to give me the opportunity to return to him someday.

All these years, I've been grateful for His perfect example, loved the miracles He performed, the things He taught, and knowing that He is there for me.

But it was this time, that I humbly realized His divine role and what He was willing to do for me.

When just having two pages left to read today, I started crying at the thought of finishing my favorite book.  I didn't want to be done.  I know I have the book and can read it anytime I want, but there is something special about reading it this way and wanting to learn something specific.

After completing the book, I closed my bedroom doors, kneeled down by the side of my bed, and began my humble and sincere prayer. I poured my heart out.  It was a prayer unlike any other prayer I've said before.  I was so full of gratitude, humbled to have received such a gift, determined to do better, and wanting to teach my children all that I had learned more than anything else in the world.  Then I did what Moroni promised.

I continued kneeling there waiting and wondering how the Spirit would testify this time.  Would it be different than before?  This time...."Give a book to Gail".  I cried and cried knowing that the Spirit had manifested it truths once again.  After knowing and loving my neighbor for almost eleven years, I'll be taking over my favorite book, the Book of Mormon.  Perhaps I needed to know more about the Atonement, my Savior and my Redeemer to wipe away any fear of sharing what I love.

What were your thoughts of reading the Book of Mormon this month?  Maybe you need a copy.  I'd be happy to get one for you because I love that book.

Time to feast

I just finished reading my seventeen pages of the Book of Mormon for the day.  I've been anticipating my "March Madness" ever since last years got over.  I love it that much!  Don't know or don't remember what my "March Madness" is?  It's where I read the Book of Mormon cover to cover in the month of March.  I know it seems impossible.  Hey, I'm totally real here.  I'm  not the best 'read it everyday' person in the world.  But I love how it comes to life when I read it in a short period of time.  I love how I read really wanting to get more out of it.  I love how when I'm finished reading it, I find a quiet place to kneel and pray to know for myself once again if it is true like Moroni promised.  And then the Spirit testifies to me that, "Yes, T, you know it to be true".  That's why I love it so much.  This year I'm wanting to learn more about the Atonement as I read the pages of my favorite book.  I can't wait to share my thoughts with my missionary. 

In the scriptures we are told to "Feast upon the words of Christ".  That's what I love about the Book of Mormon.  It is ANOTHER testament of Jesus Christ.  I learn so much about him from the time he was prophecied of even coming to his resurrection and the time he visited the Americas.  Have I said how much I love this book?

I texted lots of friends and family today inviting them to join me for my "March Madness".  I was excited to see all the responses saying, "I'm in.".  Get's me so excited for other people to have this same neat experience.
Will you also join me? 
Do you need a Book of Mormon? 
I can promise you that if you commit to doing it, you willl love it.  You will find the time to read your seventeen pages a day.  It's about an hour a day.  That's with red pencil in hand and underlining.  :)

Off I go.  It's time to feast.

You know it to be true

I was so excited for today. The end of my "March Madness". The day I would complete my Book of Mormon in 31 days. Not only would I be able to say that I read it again, quickly, but I was looking forward to Moroni's promise in the very last chapter of the entire book. It reads... 4 "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true; and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost. 5 And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things." Although I've read The Book of Mormon several times, and I know with a surety that it is true, I kneel down and pour out my heart to a loving Heavenly Father for the words that I have read. For His son, Jesus Christ. For the prophets and their obedience and diligence of keeping records. For my faith and the desire to have more of it. I realize that I am showing gratitude more than I am asking for things. I am humbled. Once I finish, I continue to kneel there silently clinging to Moroni's promise knowing that the Holy Ghost will manifest the truth to me. Today? "You know it to be true." Yes, I do. I'm grateful, thankful, and humbled to have such a gift. I love my Book of Mormon, another testament of Jesus Christ.

Goodbye February, Hello March

Ever wonder what a large family is like? What a large family is like in February?

I'll tell you.

It's:

7 sick children
5 visits to the pediatrician
Make shift Sick Ward in my bedroom
Sitting outside at wee hours in the morning with croupy kids
Various temperatures running from 101-104
Puking in the car
1 test for the flu
1 test for strep
2 Tama flu prescriptions
1 Dexamethazone prescription
2 Albuterol prescriptions
5 Amoxacillan prescriptions
2 Omnicef prescriptions
2 large bottles of motrin
2 bottles of tylenol
cough drops
sore throat lozenges
diffusers running
2 jars of Mentholatum
Bottle of On Guard essential oil
Bottle of Breathe essential oil
Bottle of Frankinsense essential oil
2 boxes of thermometer plastic heads

And we're going back to the Dr. today. It's awesome.

As for March....and a large family? Spring sports for all five boys.

6 lacrosse practices a week
5-6 volleyball practices a week
3 soccer practices a week

Until 2 weeks when our schedule adds:

2 lacrosse games a week
2 volleyball games a week
2 soccer games a week

Even though February was, well, um, not even frustrating really. Just kind of like, "Are you serious?" as each new sick symptom appeared. I got through it somehow. And even though it seemed as though I lived at the drive up window at CVS, I found myself smiling almost every time I was there. I mean seriously. I was there almost on a daily basis and was asked every time, "Have you been here before?" I just giggled to myself in the suburban.

As for March, bring it on. I love the blossoms on the trees, the new growth peeking out of the ground, and the daily picnics we've had despite all the sickies. Yes, we'll be doing a lot of chasing and running around to all the practices and games, but the boys are happy. March means basketball to D and The Book of Mormon to me. It's almost like "Christmas" around here.

Thinking about St. Patrick's Day already. Plotting my fun and traditions for that morning. Do you do anything fun I need to know about?

I love that book

Ever since I was a little girl my mom taught me to love two things; flowers and temples. Fortunately, there are always thousands of gorgeous flowers around each LDS temple. I love to see how they're arranged in the different flower gardens. I love the smells as you walk by. One can only dream of having a yard as beautiful as the temple grounds.

While I visited there today, I couldn't help but notice more than just the flowers. There he was. The beautiful Angel Moroni on top of my temple. The man that buried the golden plates of which I am almost done reading.



I'm learning and growing with each day that I read from my beloved BOOK of MORMON.

I love that book.

Too excited to sleep

I've been looking forward to today for months. In fact, last night I was too excited and had a hard time getting to sleep.

I've been longing and waiting for today. You'd think it was Christmas and I was a little girl wanting to peek at my presents. That's how I've been feeling. I've been antsy and wanting today to arrive.

Finally! Now, I can have my "March Madness"! D will have his, and I will have mine. his consists of pages of brackets, lots of games, and time off of work. Mine, well mine is...

Reading the Book of Mormon in the month of March. There's something about the Book of Mormon when you read it quickly. I had a wonderful experience just over a year ago when I read it in just 15 days. It was a life changing experience. I thought, I need to do this more often. So, I am. This time though, I have 16 more days to read it, so I'll be reading it with a red pencil in hand and a journal next to me.

Here's my reading schedule if you'd like to join me. It's about 17 pages a day.

March 1--page 17
2--35
3--53
4--68
5--85
6--103
7--119
8--136
9--154
10--171
11--189
12--206
13--223
14--241
15--258
16--275
17--293
18--310
19--327
20--345
21--362
22--379
23--396
24--414
25--431
26--448
27--465
28--483
29--501
30--517
31--531 Finished!

It's going to be a great month!