Sister Scribble

 

What makes you happy?

 

Your family?

A smile?

Your favorite dessert?

Creativity?

Your Lord and Savior?

 

Take a minute and write down 10 things that make you happy today!. 

A Book Fair!

I LOVE BOOKS!

There is something about the Fall Season and

books....

Is it like that for you?

I wonder if the feeling is 

slow down.....

take a break...

Pull up a comfy chair, a blanket, some comfy socks 

and a 

GREAT BOOK!

It just seems to go together.

She is a little dressy but she does look cute! 

I think she has the correct idea!

She even has a basket of treats-

One of my favorite things to do is to go to little quaint bookstores. And just look around. I love to feel the book, 

the paper, 

the energy that come off the pages.

kind of looks like a Harry Potter movie!

but that is what is feels like!!!

Don't get me wrong I love technology but there is something about touching the pages of a book. 

Actually feeling the paper in your fingers. 

the connection...

it is beyond powerful!

It is simple.

This is one of my favorite movies.

"You've Got Mail"

It is all about a cute adorable book store and a big chain book store...

and a little love story.

If you haven't seen it, 

it is wonderful.

I think you will enjoy it

I love books.

I love the knowledge that comes from reading.

I love from the knowledge you gain that you receive power. Not to be all powerful but to be powerful in your life! 

To overcome! To lift! To encourage others! There is something wonderful and magical that comes from books.

"seek ye out of the best books words of wisdom; seek learning, even by study and also by faith.” D&C 88:118. 

 I love to learn...

What an incredible gift to be intelligent creatures. 

Thank You Heavenly Father!

for creating us to be intelligent!

for creating us to learn and grow and progress.

Now I am giving you all a challenge!

READ!!!

find a book that interests you and read it!

cover to cover...

you won't be sad that you did.

instead you will glow!

you'll love it!

Go Read!

#2

SISSY HIGHLIGHTS!!!

YAY!! Its Friday again!!!

 Time to meet some SISTAS!!

First up....

Say HELLO to

BRENDA!

{TOO CUTE!}

What is your full name?

Brenda Masterson Ethington

What is your Instagram user name?

@Besugarma8

Where do you live?

Mesa, Arizona

What is your favorite treat?

Calli donuts

What is your favorite color?

Red and blue

Tell us one of your unique talents?

I love sports, I played softball, basketball and field hockey in college, now that I am older, I love to watch my grand kids play.

What is your favorite quote?

You light up my life.

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

My Mother who passed away 34 years ago with diabetes, who said it's not what happens to you but what you do about it that matters. I have five brothers and one sister who passed away with cancer 3 years ago, she is my guardian angel now.

Tell us a little about you!

I have 8 children, 2 boys, 6 girls, my youngest plays baseball for the Red Sox minor league. I have 19 grand kids, and I have been married to my sweet husband for 40 years. I have my own home business of essential oils, and I teach classes on how to be healthy in your home. I love my life!!  I'm excited about your blog, and what joy you bring to others, thank you for asking me to be apart of it.  Love, Brenda

*****

THANK YOU SWEET BRENDA!!

You are adorable and so blessed with such a darling huge family!!

And next....

drum roll please.......

MEET

KENZIE!!!

What is your full name?

Kenzie Ann Smith

What is your Instagram name?

@kwsmith12

Where you live?

South Jordan, UT in Daybreak

(the cutest little place on the planet)

What is your favorite treat?

Cinnamon rolls or cheesecake or cereal or graham crackers and milk! :)

What is your favorite color?

I LOVE gray...I know that's weird....but my whole house is a soft gray! It's so calming and I'm totally obsessed.

Tell us one of your unique talents!?

I love graphic design!!!! :) my favorite things to create are tshirts, invitations, cards, prints, wrapping paper, wallpaper, business cards. Pretty much anything that has to with paper!! :) I am also opening a shop!! Ah!!!! I have been wanting to forever and finally have the guts to do it!! :) 

What is your favorite quote?

"Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, 'Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous?' Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others."

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

My husband Brent. He is the most loving, giving and hard working person I know. He is absolutely incredible. I admire so much about him and he helps me be who I am meant to be. 

Love you guys!!! :) 

*****

THANKS KENZIE FOR SHARING WITH US!

You are beautiful inside and out! 

(and cutest baby ever!!)

Follow and get to know these yummy sisters!! UNTIL NEXT WEEK!!!

#hugstimesfive

Sister Scribble!!

It's a CHOICE!!

#choosehappy #thanksAbe

#hugstimesfive

R&R

Had the best time last weekend. Me and my husband went with friends

to Moab for a little Rest and Relaxation!!!

Moab is so beautiful.

It was my first time going there.

I was so excited.

We packed up the Razor and headed out for the lovely 5 hr. drive.

Chad has been before with my boys.

Riding the Razors all around the slickrock. 

There are many many MANY trails to go on. 

Here was the view from one of them. 

I think this one was called Moab Rim. 

Alot of the places we went were very safe, very relaxing,

but some not so safe. I was totally out of my comfort zone.

I might have walked a few places while Chad rode up them, and I was NOT ashamed.

I don't have anything to prove.

I'm glad I don't have a bladder problem like some I know, or I would have peed myself.

You can't see it so much in this picture, but I could see all the way down this little crevice. 

It was creepy.

This one was at Top of the World.

 This one was called Hell's Revenge.

The hill may not look steep but it sure felt like it was going up it.

This little gem was called Hell's gate.

There was no way in heck I was gonna up that. 

So here's my hubby going all alone. He did so good too. He didn't tip over. :)

As I was watching, some people from another group were asking me if he had good life insurance.....WHA?  How rude.

Then there's some who need assistance. See the yellow tow rope? All the guys 

there get such a rush helping out everyone.

I will admit it was pretty entertaining.

But guess what? 

I ended up going! (Thanks Brent!) I was as shocked as anyone else.

BUT...I wasn't as bad as I thought. 

Here we are eating at Pasta J's.

Oh it was so so good!

 We really did have a great time. I will go again. I just love spending 

couple time 

with my hubby. 

And I love spending time with great friends. 

And we do have some awesome friends!

Story of Faith MONDAY!!

"For some reason I feel that I'm to share this story with you today, and I pray something I say may help another sister in a time of need. A little over a year ago I was sitting on my bed in a crumpled heap of agony and tears, pouring my heart out to my Heavenly Father. I was struggling to understand and find healing and some peace of mind so that I could just function. You see, we had only recently learned that our youngest son had been a victim of sexual child abuse beginning at the young age of apx 7 and lasting 4-5 years. We never knew. You may be asking how in THIS world could we not have know? This was a question I asked myself, over and over and over and over and then over again.
        During this time, I was serving as the stake young women's president, we sent three children on missions, our oldest grandchildren were born, we had 3 more of our children marry, and at the very end of these years, my husband was called to be a bishop. Again. We never knew. I believe we never would have known, if the perpetrator had not finally told. (which is in and of itself a miracle) The detective told us that abused children rarely tell.  I won't go into details about the prior years other than to say they were extremely hard. But now we knew why. The perpetrator was a son of close friends. Someone we had loved and trusted completely. Why did The Lord allow this to happen to our son? To our family? And again I'm not going into details, but because of who the perpetrator told, it necessitated reporting to the proper authorities. DCFS (division of child and family services) was notified and so were the police. We all had interviews with detectives, DCFS , child advocacy, and we began therapy with and for our son. The County pressed charges and all that began. I knew forgiveness on my part was needed. But how do you go about forgiving someone who has altered your child's life at such a young and tender age and in such a way? And so there I was crying again in a heap, pleading with my Heavenly Father to take away all the pain in my heart. He did not. However, at that time, I was very distinctly reminded, that in our Pre-mortal life, I had fought valiantly for agency. Agency not just for me, but for the perpetrator as well. I knew and understood clearly the importance of agency, and choosing The Lords plan, and this trial I was struggling with was part of that agency I had fought so hard for.
       This answer to my prayer came so strongly there was no doubt that it was indeed a divine message for me. It wasn't the answer I wanted, but it was the one I needed to hear that day. Our lives have not suddenly become  "all better", but the answer to my prayer strengthen my faith in my Savior and His Loving Atonement, and in the plan of Salvation. And that Faith gives me courage to move forward, with hope in my heart. Healing is happening. We are learning and growing and the feelings and whisperings of the Spirit that I have experienced will be forever imprinted upon my heart and in my mind, and my personal testimony of The Resurrected Lord is unshakable.
         Although it's hard to endure the pain and sorrow when someone misuses it, I know beyond a doubt, that agency is a glorious gift, and the joy that comes when we or others use it to follow The Lord, is unmeasurable and knows no bounds!"

Lewaina Nelson

@cliffsideranch

THANK YOU Lewaina for sharing this with us!!

Such a great reminder about agency...

This brings a comment to my mind from this weekends LDS General Conference that struck me from Elder Boyd K Packer.

He reminded us that when bad things happen... and we feel like "someone has to pay for this wrong that was committed against us..... remember that someone has already paid for it..."

Let Him take it from you.... 

We love you!

#hugstimesfive

Sister Highlights!

HOWDY!!!

Again, its our favorite day of the week.

Meeting New sissies!!!!

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MEET darling RISA!

What is your full name? 

Risa Katrina Terburg Baker - I always liked my whole name, and had a super hard time after I got married, so I hyphenated for a while (because I didn't want to lose the Katrina), which made #HunkyMrB (That's my Mister.), not very happy, so I stopped. Now I am just, Risa Baker. My husband calls me, Mrs. B.

What is your Instagram user name?

restlessrisa_risabaker

www.restlessrisa.com is my website.

Where do you live?

Farmington, Utah (born and raised!) I live 5 minutes from my parents and two of my siblings, which I LOVE!

What is your favorite treat?

Anything sweet... really anything. I LOVE treats. I need an intervention. I like rice krispie treats (random), chocolate, cookies. I would take cookies over cake any day though. And I like candy. I am currently eating a peanut butter protein ball. Trying to be a little more healthy... Still sweet.

High heels or nikes?

Heels! I love them, and have about 20 pair in all sorts of colors. I have some high ones! I wished I liked my Nikes better...

Lipstick color or gloss?

Lipstick with gloss over the top. I always line my lips with old school wet n' wild 666 before any color of lipstick. I bought every 666 I could find a few years ago when I heard they were discontinuing it, and am now down to my last stick. WhatAmIGonnaDo?!? I love being a girly girl.

5 things in your purse RIGHT NOW!

1) Lots of different colors of lipstick

2) A wad of receipts

3) A red umbrella

4) Paint Swatches, all in warm grey. We are changing things up around the house!

5) 3 pair of crazy big sunglasses

What is your favorite color?

Fuchsia. I pull it into almost every room of my house. Not my son's rooms, but everywhere else.

Tell us one of your unique talents? (funny, nerdy, artistic, embarrassing, anything!)

I can usually figure out a way to duplicate anything I want, weather it's a clothing item, decor, furniture, art work etc. I have a hard time spending money on craft stuff for that very reason. I love working with wood, or any other material. I love to create. It is addictive!

My mom and I are fabulous Janis Joplin car singers. (I am attaching a video. Don't know if it will work.)

What is your favorite quote?

"She Believed She Could, So She Did."

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

I am truly inspired and awed by so many people, but if I had to choose one, it would be my daughter. She just started Jr. High, and is not a thing like I was at her age. I was interested in boys and friends, and not school work. She takes her studies very seriously. We never have to push her to do her homework or anything. She is not affected by girl drama, and tries to stay away from it. She has a sense of people, and chooses kind and good friends. She is kind to others. She does her chores without being asked, and is a dream of a daughter for a mom to have.

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We love this woman!!!!

Super Creative might I add as well, go follow HER!

Ps-------- hello hottie couple!  :)

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NEXT, meet sweet Dana!

What is your full name?

Dana Mac Ohlsen. I had to put the "Mac" in there because it's an important part of who I am. My maiden name is Macdonald and friends in high school used to call me Mac. Or  Mac Daddy or Dana Mac as in "…Dana Mac'll make ya JUMP, JUMP!" Yep. many of my close friends still call me that today and since it links me to my dad, who passed away when I was 17, it's super duper endearing to me!

What is your Instagram user name?

    Danaohphoto  Can't wait to make some new friends!  There are no strangers! ;)

Where do you live?

    2 years ago I moved from green green green Georgia to red red red deserty Southern Utah. Saint George aka St. Geezy. Although it is beautiful in it's own way, this Cali raised beach girl is still getting used to it. 

What is your favorite treat?

    Being sugar free makes this a sad question!  Ha!  My favorite treat right now is fresh berries and coconut milk or homemade coconut almond butter with granny smith apples. Yep. Bor-ring!  If you would have asked me a year ago I would have said Death by Chocolate cake, dark chocolate covered blueberries/acai berries (the kind you get at Costco), Cadbury mini eggs, peanut M&M's and Reese's Peanut Butter Cups, but not the regular kind, the holiday kind. You know like the egg shaped ones?  They are Waaaay delish. Now I'm drooling on my keyboard.  Thanks a lot.  ;)

High heels or nikes?

Nikes baby. But don't be fooled… that doesn't mean they ever hit the pavement as of late. ;) Although I think I've seen Nikes with wedges lately so a hybrid could work. Highkes?

Lipstick color or gloss?

Gloss!  Mac Lip Glass to be exact. 

5 things in your purse RIGHT NOW!

1. Coconut Shea Butter lip balm. 2. Playbills for The Sound of Music by The Saint George Musical Theater and The Little Mermaid at Tuacahn Amphitheater.  3. Clothespins-okay I have to explain.  My girlies and I like to leave little uplifting tidbits around town, so I'm always prepared.  I covered clothespins in washi tape and wrote a little uplifting message on the back. Then we clip them on people's purses when they are not looking, in the bathroom stalls, wherever!  It's super duper fun and makes me feel warm & fuzzy!  4.  A Yogurtland spoon  5.  A precious little silver princess compact I bought back when there was an auction for Stephanie Nielson of NieNie Dialogues.  It never leaves my purse.  It reminds me to focus on my heart and not my face or body.  It reminds me that through God, miracles happen.  

What is your favorite color?

Rainbow. 

Tell us one of your unique talents? (funny, nerdy, artistic, embarrassing, anything!). 

Hmmmm. If being nerdy is a unique talent in itself then I'll choose that one. I am a HUGE dork (just ask my youth group) and proud of it!  This big girl never grew up!  The kid in me is alive and well and not afraid to come out and play!!!  BUT… I also LOVE to write music.  It's been a hidden talent since I was a child.  But now I write on Instagram, my blog, music, wherever for my girls.  I want them to always remember what I stand for.  Last year I was inspired by an article I read about Janice Kapp Perry starting her music writing career at the age of 38. I was 38 when I read it so it completely stirred my soul!  I've always been a late bloomer and learned to be okay with how things have unraveled slowly for good reason in my life.  Good things have been happening since then. I wrote a song that my young women performed for a Night of Excellence program last Nov.  My first fully composed song!  It was an amazing feeling!  And I have several more in the hopper!  I've learned you're never too old to make your dreams come true!

What is your favorite quote?

This is seriously like asking to pick a favorite child as I have always been a lover of words and quotes!!!  Anything by Dieter F. Uchtdorf or Mark Twain. Anything by Abraham Lincoln or Brian Regan.  LOL   Anything by Mother Teresa especially, "Be the living expression of God's kindness".  Oh man, I love that one!  Can I please have one more???    Pretty please?  Years ago I was at my friend Liz's home and she had hand painted this entire quote on her coffee table.  It was brilliant!  We're talking way before the Pinterest or DIY blogger age!  It has been one of my faves ever since,

“Our deepest fear is not that we are inadequate. Our deepest fear is that we are powerful beyond measure. It is our light, not our darkness that most frightens us. We ask ourselves, Who am I to be brilliant, gorgeous, talented, fabulous? Actually, who are you not to be? You are a child of God. Your playing small does not serve the world. There is nothing enlightened about shrinking so that other people won't feel insecure around you. We are all meant to shine, as children do. We were born to make manifest the glory of God that is within us. It's not just in some of us; it's in everyone. And as we let our own light shine, we unconsciously give other people permission to do the same. As we are liberated from our own fear, our presence automatically liberates others.” -Marianne Williamson

Tell us one person that inspires you and why?

Another hard question. I have been blessed and am blessed to be surrounded by MANY inspiring people!  Jesus Christ, my mom, women disciples in the Bible, Mother Theresa, all of the good women I am surrounded by, Mercy River, my double lung and heart transplant and Cystic Fibrosis Survivor friend Sharlie Kaltenbach, Emma Smith, my great grandmothers,… the list is long.  But I think today I feel I am being inspired and even compelled by my maternal great grandfather and my paternal great-great-great grandfather!  I have finally delved into family history this year and have found out miraculous stories that I never knew about!  Oh how they have strengthened my faith!  Both of these men gave up their homelands of Scotland and Denmark, their families, their homes to join the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints and held fast to their faith through many trying times.  Both stories are pretty amazing, but I don't have time here.  Just know this, I feel more empowered than ever, because of their unwavering faith, to live a more rich life deeply rooted in the gospel of Jesus Christ.  I want to carry on the legacy that they so selflessly started over a hundred years ago.  It would be a shame to not follow in the footsteps of my beloved ancestors and stay true to the faith of my fathers.  I constantly feel them with me and cheering me on!!! 

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Well, since you said I could feel free to tell you anything, I feel like I can't let this wonderful opportunity go by without saying a few words that are on my heart.  You know me by now… I love to chat!  ;) A couple of years ago, the Bishop of our ward talked to us about creating more DAILY spiritual experiences in our lives. For some reason that clicked with me in a big way. It's not that I was doing anything wrong, in fact I was doing everything right by the looks of it. I would attend all of my me meetings, read my scriptures, have family prayer, fulfill my callings at church and in the community, attend general conference sessions, etc. I think the part that was missing was knowing that I could create spiritual moments at anytime or place.  I needed to be actively seeking out DAILY nourishment for my soul in a very personal way by my efforts.  I think I thought more about those spiritual moments happening while my backside was warming up a pew rather than that they could happen on a DAILY basis often, as I put my whole heart and soul into it.  Because of this, my daily focus made a big shift.  I've learned that true joy doesn't come from the "pursuit of happiness". The world seeks out this kind of happiness that is artificial and fleeting. True joy comes from the process of seeking out more holiness in our lives. The kind of holiness that changes our hearts to more Christlike love, kindness, and heartfelt service that is then kept as a treasure in our own hearts. Then, and only then, can joy be measured by the spirit we feel.  Life has given me lots of lemons, but I have learned to zest them, juice them and squeeze the heck out them to quench every last drop of learning and growth I can from the trials. They are only lemons if you look at them that way, but really they are blessings in disguise. I encourage us all to look at what kind of "happiness" we are pursuing in our own lives and learn that it is only through holiness that joy comes.  As the sacred hymn says, "More holiness give me, More strivings within, More patience in suffering, More sorrow for sin, More faith in my Savior, More sense of his care, More joy in his service… (the 3rd verse is my favorite)  More purpose in prayer. More purity give me, More strength to overcome, More freedom from earth-stains, More longing for home, More fit for the kingdom, More used would I be, More blessed and holy--More, Savior, like thee."

And Ladies… please take the time to get to know and strengthen our youth!  I find more often than not that they are the ones that end up strengthening me!  They have come to the earth at a special time and you can feel of their noble and righteous spirits!  As women, we know we need each other.  But we need each other at every age of our lives.  Put your arm around a young woman!  Mentor and love her!  Help show her the way!  The 1st General Women's Broadcast was the first bold statement of how true this is!  Sister Parkin said, "It's hearts knit together in unity and in love (Mosiah 18:21).  You're never the same when you know someone's heart…"  That has been my mantra or many years… Get to know women of every age not just by name, but by heart!!!  IT's worth every bit of your time!

I am so grateful for safe places like Your Sister Circle where women can come and connect without any judgment or guise. Since everyone has a story, we need places to share them!  The world needs your story too!

I LOVE LOVE LOVE that Your Sister Circle provides another environment to stand in holy places. We as women need as much of this as we can get as we tackle today's challenges and building the Kingdom of God. There is a tangible line being drawn in these last days and I know which side I'm on.  The Sisters help me stay firmly planted on that side!  Thank you from every corner of my heart for this opportunity and for being my friend!  Keep it coming!  Shine on!!! 

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Such sweet words!

Can we just say your email was SUPER entertaining......haha!!

LOVE YOU!!!

Such an amazing testimony.....:)

Go follow this amazing lady!