Mormon Messages!

The "Mormon Messages" are short videos, that share something, talk about something, and teach something to those who watch them.  They are funny sometimes, poinant, sweet, and even make a person think.  For me, and my little girls, they bring peace into our home.  Not all the time, but it seems that when I let these messages stream on the tv, we are a lot more relaxed, and calm than at other times.  I usually "play all" so that I do not need to stop what I am otherwise doing to begin a new video.  I turn up the volume loud enough so that we can be in the kitchen or dining room and still hear the message, but not too loud to not be able to discuss what the girls just heard. 
I have gather much knowledge and understanding from these short messages, and have even had a "Wow!" moment during one of them, well more than one actually.  But, my favorite is "Dare to Stand Alone" which talks about President Monson's time in boot camp. His statement about Daring to be a Mormon, and having a purpose and sharing it was an eye-opener for me! 

Focus on the Positive!

I have spent the last few months in the bit of a funk.  Each evening, while myhusband waters the yeard, waters the garden, pulls weeds, and plays with the kids, I am sadly left out.  I hear them screeching and giggling, yelling, and laughing, all while I remain inside.  Not that I do not want to be a part of what is happening, but I cannot.
My intention earlier in the year was to do all of those things.  I wanted to be the one pulling weeds, and watering and harvesting the garden, but alas, I am not.  We had hoped that this pain pump that now lives within my body would be working at "full capacity" and I would be able to take on some of the outside work/ burden that my dear hubby now finds himself saddled with.  Instead, I find that I am having to do another round of intense physical therapy, and more frequent doctor visits, with an x-ray, and impending MRI.  All because of nerve damage that has presented itself since I went to visit family back in May.
The purpose, or so I had hoped for this pain pump was for me, in my mind to be able and participate, even just a little in my family's lives.  I still hope for this, and will continue to do so, but frustration is settling in.
So, until then I spend my days doing whatever and however much I can, be it a little or more than that.  I read, mostly scriptures, as I hope to read the Book of Mormon before the end of the year, a few other books as well, mostly repeats of favorite authors, and I cross stitch, I am working on Christmas gifts again this year.  The only thing with that is that, with my hands going numb, that is getting harder and harder to do. 

Apricot Jam...

I tried something new today, and it was sure yummy! A very sweet, dear friend and neighbor brought over a large bag of apricots from her tree yesterday, and I had just enough to make a batch of apricot jam.  As I have never done it before, I found a recipe on the internet, I was worried because it did not call for pectin, to which my concerns were unfounded as there was enough natural pectin that I did not need it.  We are not a raw apricot family, but we are now a apricot jam one!  Yum!

8 cups of diced apricots (peeled) - this is the messy, messy part, and my hands are stained an orange tint now, so I might suggest rubber gloves.
1/4 cup lemon juice
6 cups sugar

I combined all of the ingredients, in a large stock pot, because at one point at the beginning of the process the ingredients double in size, then bring everything to a boil on medium-high heat, stirring occasionally.  Once it begins the rolling boil at the same temperature, I stirred frequently to keep the jam from sticking and burning to the bottom of the pot for 30 minutes.  This seems like a long time, but it will be worth it, I promise!

The recipe, said that it would take 10 half-pint, sterilized jars, but I ended up filling 12.  Probably because my cup measurements were generous.  Don' forget to seal in a water bath canner anything you do not plan to consume right away to eat later, or in our case, give as gifts!

Dare...

I am 40 years old this year, there I said it.  I am a convert to my faith and I never did experience traditional occurrences within my church, primary classes, and singing time, baptism at eight, the young womens organization, girls camp and EFY (Especially for Youth), so when I found out that I could actually take part on my own in the Young Women's Personal Progress Program, I decided to do so.  I am currently working on the first attribute, faith. 

The first task is to establish a habit of prayer, which I think is good for anyone in any faith or church that they attend, I am doing better now, at the end of the first week.  The first two days or so, I had to find express time to sit and quietly pray, away from the hustle and noise that is my life.  Not that I did not pray before, it is just that I am making a conscience decision to take time away from my routine to thank my Heavenly Father for the blessings that I experience in my life, and I want to focus explicitly on that.  I am also working on bits and pieces of the other tasks as well as the project I have chosen which has to do with aspects of planting and harvesting a garden, and how that is related to Faith. 

My point though being, is that I was watching a "Mormon Message" today, and it was about Thomas S. Monson, the President of the Church, and he was speaking to the youth in an address.  He was talking about his military service, and he said something that was so profound to me, and it felt as though he was speaking directly to me.  You see, I am the only member, aside from a step-sister, to whom I am not that close to, and I married a man who does not believe as I do, so there are times when I feel alone, and rely heavily on prayer, and I also am a bit timid to share my beliefs with others also.  His quote is as follows: 

"Dare to be a Mormon,

Dare to Stand Alone,

Dare to Have a Purpose Firm,

Dare to Make it Known."