10 Reasons I Love My Church

You probably already know that I'm a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Not only do I know that the church is true, but I also love being a member of it. For those of you who believe the same as I do, I hope you love these things too. For everyone else, I hope you can understand why I love them. Enjoy!

 1) We are led by a living prophet who holds the priesthood and receives revelation. How cool is that!? I love not having to guess at what the scriptures mean and try to figure it all out on my own. There is far too much confusion in this world for that. I trust that the Lord's prophet on the earth today tells the truth and leads the Lord's church the way that Christ would if He were here. 

2) We have a wonderful support system. I know if I ever need anything I can call on the other wonderful members of the church. Moving to a new place was scary, but I instantly had new friends and a support system when I got here. Where else can you find that? So cool! 

3) We emphasize the importance of families. In today's world, independence and seeking personal pleasure are valued higher than the family, but I know that this attitude is incorrect. As a result, I have been able to taste the great joy that comes from having a family! Family life isn't "easy," but we all know that it's always the hard things that are the most worth it in life. 

4) We have high moral standards. A lot of people would call this restrictive, but I know that these standards protect me. There is no lasting happiness in sinning a little, or dipping our toes in the adversaries temptations. I know that "Heaven will not be heaven for those who have not chosen to be heavenly." -Brad Wilcox

5) We have temples. Going to the temple helps me remember my relationship with Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ. I know that I lived with them before this life and I will live with them again. I know that they love me, even though I am not perfect. 

6) We believe in being changed by grace through repentance. I know that there are more than the two options of giving up or perfection. We will never be perfect in this life, but Christ is with us and helps us to become like Him if we just trust in Him. I have hope that I can become the person that I want to be with Christ's help. My mistakes and weaknesses do not define me. "Grace is not the absence of God’s high expectations. Grace is the presence of God’s power" -Brad Wilcox

7) Women are valued. Some may argue with this point, but I know from the Young Women's Program and from Relief Society that Heavenly Father loves His daughters. It is because He loves them that He guides them to the life that will bring them the most happiness. Personally, for me that has meant a loving marriage to a really good man. There are few of them these days, so I know that I am truly blessed to have been able to find Nate. My heart aches for the women of the world who are mistreated by today's men. Women deserve more, and they can find it in the LDS church and way of life. 

8) We are asked to serve in difficult ways. Who knew this would be one of my favorite things? No one likes doing hard things at first because it is uncomfortable to stretch ourselves. However, I realize as I serve in the church doing things that are a challenge for me, the Lord helps me to grow into those roles. I become a better person through each calling and each opportunity to serve. 

9) We believe there is a purpose to this life. This one gives me motivation when life gets really hard. We are here to get a body and to prove to God that we love Him and want to serve Him. After this life, we will be rewarded with more than just worshiping God on a cloud forever (I think I would get a little bored of that). We will be with our families and have the ability to create. Cool! Who knows if there was a big bang or evolution really happened. All I know for sure is that, however we and the earth were created, it wasn't an accident, and nothing that has happened since was an accident either. 

10) We believe that the Father, the Son, and the Holy Ghost are three separate beings. Why do I like this one? Because John 3:16 means so much more when we understand that God literally gave His Son for us! He watched Christ suffer and die because He loves us so much that He wanted us to be saved. A parent can understand how great of a sacrifice that was, and how much God really does love us. I love knowing the Heavenly Father is literally my father and that He loves me and wants what is best for me. 

-Kamie

Random Thoughts from Momhood

One of the best and worst parts of momhood is that I have LOADS of time to think. Lately, I've begun to think in short blurbs of passion (I think this may be a family trait). So, I decided to record some of my most important, frustrating, and meaningful thoughts here just for you! Hopefully you'll laugh, or if not, at least learn something. That's why we're here, right?

• I think Emma is trying to teach me a lesson about vanity. Every time, without fail, I put her into a new outfit for the first time she insists on pooping all over it! I know it can't be a mere coincidence ;) It must be her telling me that trying to dress her all cute to impress people is shallow. Babies are like that. They come to earth knowing everything that we've forgotten and teach us profound lessons, that is, if we are willing to pay attention. 

Emma and I at the airport

• Being a stay-at-home mom in the modern world, I've faced a lot of ridicule from those who think motherhood is not important or less important than a career. Also, I've had my own feelings of resentment as I've spent all day doing seemingly unappreciated things for my family and felt that I could be doing something more with all the knowledge I've worked hard to obtain (come on other moms, I know you've felt the same way once of twice). So, as I've been reading in the new testament, Matthew 23:11 really stood out to me. Christ says, "But he that is greatest among you shall be your servant." Wow! If there is a title besides "mom" that best fits what I do, it might be "servant," and now I'm realizing that contrary to popular opinion, that is actually a good thing. Heavenly Father clearly loves and cherishes woman and their great role of motherhood, and this must be why. Because, like the Savior, they give their lives for the purpose of making someone else's life possible and pleasant. Can you get any lovelier than that? I think not. Not that there aren't many awesome ways to contribute in this world, I just think that motherhood may perhaps be the greatest among them. 

• My friend Brianna gets home from her mission in a couple of weeks, and it clearly has been the best 18 months of her life. From her letters, I gather that she is having the time of her life. I think about this and then compare it with my own experience. The Lord led her to go on a mission, and He led me to get married and have a family. I think I can honestly say that I am happier now than I have been at any other time in my life. I know that the path I took was the one that would bring me the most happiness, and I believe the same holds true for Brianna. This leads me to be in total awe of my Heavenly Father.  He knows us all individually and can help us down the path that will bring us each personally the most joy. This is another testimony to me that God lives and the He loves us. 
• I finally understand with perfect clarity why all plastic grocery sacks say on them, "Keep away from children." Why? Because if Emma even gets a whiff of something plastic she will stop at nothing next to crawling in order to get her hands, and mouth, and drool all over it. Oh, and bags aren't the only hazard Emma is in love with. She is also drawn to cords. Computer cord, phone charger, even my breast pump cord. If she sees it, she has to have it. So funny, potentially makes for hours of entertainment, and yet, so dangerous. Babies!

• You know your husband is a future dentist when: The bathroom counter and drawers are full of tooth brushes, tooth paste, and just about every other dental tool you can image. Or, when his idea of complimenting you is to say, "Look at those incisors!" after which he begins examining your teeth. Also, when forgetting to floss your teeth or letting Emma suck on your apple core (apparently I shouldn't give her my dental bacteria) are sins of the most grievous kind. Dentists!

Nate teaching Emma to drive.

 Okay, now for the updates on our family.

Nate started his second quarter of Dental School about a month ago. So far, this one is going better than the last. He is also working Saturdays washing windows for his window washing business. Yes, some people want their windows done in the winter. Weird. But we are grateful for the business. He is busy but enjoying himself. He loves coming home in the evening and playing with Emma. His only complaint is that he wishes he had more time to do missionary work. 

Emma started sitting up by herself about a month ago. Now she can scoot across the floor in every direction but forwards. She is making attempts at crawling, like getting on her hands and knees and trying to move forward, but she usually falls. We expect she will be crawling in the next few weeks. I think she is catching on to some language, making the noises but not knowing what they mean. For example, I swear I have heard her make sounds that sound like "Emma," "Mom," "Hi," and even "Help." It may be my imagination, but it's still fun to listen to. We have started sleep training with her, and she is doing really well falling asleep by herself at nap time after only a few minutes if crying. Nights are still rough but getting better. Lastly, she has has a few tastes of some real food, including sucking on apples and carrots (nothing solid though) and some rice cereal. Here are pictures and a video of our little cutie. 

This is Emma attempting to crawl. She scooted backwards and ended up in a corner. If you're bored, skip to minute 3. 

As for me, I am doing well. I'm starting to recognize myself when I look in the mirror again, and most of my old clothes fit. I've been working out more often, so I feel much healthier. The days fly by now and before I know it Nate is on his way home and it's time for dinner. I've been trying out some new recipes, like salmon sandwiches with homemade tartar sauce (who knew it was so easy!?) and Cafe Rio pork tacos. Yum! I've also been reading, painting, and trying my hand at poetry. Here is something I wrote for a widow in our ward whose brother is dying. 

Poem for Jerry

Heaven is not far, I feel, I hear

Angels' words as soft as thought

Rays of heaven's love shine down

And make the distance this as not

A baby sleeps, a garden grows

A gentle breeze brings truth sweet

All around me my God is found

The heart that sees has joy complete

Here and there a hurt finds root

Life is wonder, yet frail, need faith

This moment in flesh gone by, gone

Hope carries all to a brighter day

His life, given then and now still

My gift, what I make of breath

And moment, do I say, "I will!"

Great faith moves me to be more

Oh God, hear my humble prayer

With thee I desire to be always

Now in spirit, next in flesh

I'll feel thy love abound, never end

Our love to all of you! We miss our family and friends but are enjoying our grand adventure here in the foggy city (at least that's what they should call it this time of year). 

Love,

Kamie