Sunday Best!

I really just felt like blogging tonight...no particular reason; just bored I guess. Today is Sunday and the kids looked so cute to me this morning I had them pose for a picture.  Of course...they jumped right up and posed...I have them well trained.  I really do LOVE my kids whether all dolled up or not.  I also love Sundays.  I always have loved them.  Part of it is the "Sunday Best" part...I like to get dressed up and have somewhere to go and socialize if you will.  With kids, it can sometimes be a struggle (with naps and whatnot), but we love to go to church as a family.  I love the Sunday dinner, the Spirit that I feel on Sundays.... all of it!  I really will always think of the Sabbath as the best day of the week.  (It FOR SURE beats MONDAY!) 
 

You can stop reading now if you would like...It is gonna get a little personal.  I feel like journal-ing if you will my thought/testimony about our church.  It kind of relates to these pictures.  I have been thinking a lot lately about perfection and how so many times I see my friends struggling to try and LOOK perfect... I look at my little family and how we dress them up and we go to church and we LOOK perfect...when we are far from it.  First things first.  I am NOT perfect and although we are striving to be better everyday...I am not expecting perfection.  Maybe I should be, maybe I am wrong about that...but I don't.  Now, I belong to The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Most of my friends are also of this faith..but many are not.  I love all my friends equally regardless of what they believe and I hope they know that.  I think they know that.  Know that friends....I love you...regardless. 

I love learning and talking with people of different faiths and love to hear their testimonies as well.  I always have, and I always will.

Recently I saw a poster while driving down the freeway that stated "Are you sick of being perfect?" or something to that affect ...and I noticed that the website had MORMON in the url.  I was very interested to find out that a new faith/church if you will has been started up and it is directly speaking to the LDS members and what we believe.  I went to the website to learn a little more and was disheartened to realize that once again...there is the misconception that we are NOT Christian or that we don't really believe in our Savior.  I understand how those who know nothing of Mormonism might think that...but to think that LDS people...still don't really know what we believe or feel a connection to Jesus ...made me sad. 

There was a video on the website teaching what they believe at this new church.  I was astounded...because SO much of what the speaker said is what we (MORMONS) believe.  The man in the video kept referring to how we think we HAVE to be perfect, but that Christ atoned for the imperfect. I kept thinking...duh...that is what I believe. I keep wondering how those of my faith somehow are not hearing or understanding that we believe in Jesus Christ and that he atoned for us...that we don't have to be perfect...that he loves all of us and atoned for ALL of us. This glad message...is being missed somehow.  I know it isn't being missed by everyone.  I know that many of my friends "get it."... but sadly..some don't.  I don't have the literary skills or the time or for thought to write all that is on my mind. I am probably offending people as I write this...I may just be confusing them...I don't know.   I just wanted to bear my testimony of Christ. 

I know that he is my Savior and He loves me (regardless of my actions.)  I know that feelings of "not enough", or depression or even guilt..don't come from Him. So many times it comes back to this thought of being perfect...which we are not.  I know we are taught to strive to be perfect and to continue to learn and grow in this life to be more Christlike...but being down on ourselves and hiding who we are, and trying to "look perfect" doesn't make sense to me.  I know I am guilty of it sometimes...but I really want to be real and to show those who know me...that it is ok to love ourselves even when we are not what we wish we were.

 I think.... that feelings of HOPE, LOVE and PEACE are the feelings I feel when I rely on my Savior to atone and help me through my trials and my life.  These are the words that I would use to describe what I know about our Church.  It teaches of Christ.  It teaches of HOPE, LOVE....Charity, forgiveness, compassion, unity...etc.

 I want my children to know their Savior.  I want them to pray to their Heavenly Father and know he listens and answers their prayers.  I know he does that for me. I have prayed since I can remember.  I have truly been "born of goodly parents" and I thank them for that.  They taught to trust in MY SAVIOR and to pray... I truly feel that Jesus Christ knows me and loves me and has walked with me throughout my life.   Something as simple as comforting me when I was 12 years old and lonely for a friend...my Savior did that...in fact, he still does this.
When I feel fat or ugly because I am breaking out all over my chin... it is Jesus Christ who sets the example of what really matters...and teaches me that this physical thing means nothing to HIM and I am worthy regardless. 
It is Jesus who I have relied on in my darkest times... and who has taught me how to live so I can have the brightest and most joyous times...  I love my Savior.  And for at least my children I want to say...I learned about him through our Church.  Through the Book of Mormon and the Bible...through going to Church regularly and reading and studying the Scriptures.  Through many a family home evening and discussion.... Through listening to the Prophet and the apostles.  Through prayer....so much of what I know...is through direct prayer.  It isn't what I was TAUGHT per say...but what I KNOW.  When you learn something through prayer...it is yours and NO ONE and nothing can take that from you....

 I want you (Aubrey, Weston...and Spencer) to search and to pray and to be heartfelt as you discover your testimonies...but tonight I pray that you will learn all that this Church has to offer you.  I pray that you will know you are CHRISTIANS (even if someone says you are not...) and your Dad and I not only believe, but we are trying to LIVE as Christians...everyday.  I love you kids...and I just don't want you to be confused in this world.  You don't have to be perfect to be loved my me or your Father.  Likewise you don't have to be PERFECT to be loved by your Heavenly Father or Jesus Christ... They love you and love you more perfectly than you can even imagine.  If you study and learn about them...study how Jesus lived and how he relates to our Father...you will never get lost in this crazy world.  You can have peace, joy, love and most of all direction on how to live.  I am still learning and growing and understanding...but of this I am sure....God loves us and wants us to be happy.  He love YOU and wants you to be HAPPY!!!!  Thanks for coming to Church today...thanks for being cute in your Sunday giggs...thanks for being in our ETERNAL FAMILY.  I pray that you will know how much I love you...  MOM

Now for anyone who actually read this...sorry if I offended.  Sorry if I taught false doctrine.  But I will not apologize for loving my Savior and testifying that he LIVES and that he is there for us all.