I was thinking the other day about how much Matthew actually does for me. He is the most amazing guy I have ever met, and I have know some really amazing guys in my life. The Lord put him in my path at a time that I was needing someone with his many talents and traits and I will be forever grateful for that.
Every little girl makes a list at some point in their youth about all the wonderful things she looks for in a husband. Well, maybe not every little girl, but I certainly did. As a matter of fact, I even updated it after I met Matthew. When you're young you put things like, caring, kind, brave, strong, cute, etc . . . but after I met Matthew I knew there were other things that I needed on that list, and he fit the bill perfectly. A good listener, someone who will understand me, someone who will always be there for me and our family. I wanted someone who wanted to serve the Lord with all his heart, because I knew if he did that then he would love and serve his family with all his heart. I wanted someone who would respect me and treat me with dignity at all times. I wanted someone who would stick up for me, no matter what or who it was. I wanted someone worthy of holding the priesthood so our family would always have the blessings of the priesthood in our home. I wanted someone who would be willing to go to hell and back to be with me, and that is exactly what happened. We went through things most couples don't even think about. But, I think it was needed, and because we were so committed to each other and to what it is we wanted, that even through the trials and the missions and time spent apart and other such things we made it. We made it and were married and he is mine forever. I don't really know what it is he sees in me. He tells me often enough, but I sometimes don't believe him. I sometimes think that our relationship is a little lopsided, and that he does SO much more for me than I do for him. He doesn't think that, and I am grateful, but I am always looking for ways to be more for him. More supportive, more helpful, more anything that I think will help his life. I only hope that through the last 8 years of marriage that I have done enough to make him feel just as loved as he makes me feel. I love him more than life, more than my own soul. I would definitely and without question go to the depths of hell to get him out if need be. He is amazing as a father to our children. He is so kind and loving and patient, not just with them, but with me on days that I've just had it. He puts up with all my little quirks and my quick temper. He seriously is my opposite and yet my compliment in every way. I love you so much Matthew. Thank you so much for the wonderful 8 years of marriage, and the 6 years before. Thank you for sticking with me even when it was hard and I made it impossible for you. Thank you for everything you do and everything you've sacrificed to make a family with me. I hope to be able to make it up to you someday. :)
Wednesday, June 29, 2016
The Book of Mormon: It's coming to pass
Over the last several months I have been reading my Book of Mormon in Spanish out loud. I thought it was about time to read the Book of Mormon again cover to cover, and there was another family member who is doing that in their family, so I thought I'd join them. It's definitely been an experience for me, and doing it in Spanish I think has helped me to understand some things a little better than I do sometimes in English.
I love the way that the Book of Mormon is easy to understand. The storyline and the principles being taught are easy to read and understand for me, at least compared to the Old Testament. That book is just hard, and I hope to actually finish it one day. But the things that I have learned from the Book of Mormon are priceless to me. I know a lot of people have a hard time with it, but I absolutely love it, of my own volition, and love the things that are taught there. I have seen over and over how the people were humble, and doing so well, and then they would become proud and they had everything taken from them, time and time again. I was reading about all the wars they had, and how there were maybe 2 or 3 years in between battles and wars before another one came up again, because of the hard-heartedness of the people. And while I'm reading this and seeing the pride cycle over and over again, I can't help but think of the state of the world and our nation.
The world is in so much turmoil right now. You can definitely see signs of the second coming. And the thing I see the most is people saying how they are the only right one, that it has to be one way or no way, downgrading people and being judgmental, and that we can only like or love someone if we agree with EVERYTHING they say, and I can't help but think that even though I live in the promised land, the pride cycle is in the time that we are about to be struck down. Does it really matter if someone made a mistake as a parent? Shouldn't we help them instead of tear them down? Is it going to matter who becomes the President of the United States, the lesser of 2 evils, will I vote 3rd party? Make the best decision we can and then let's concentrate on the thing that will matter more. I feel more and more in my soul that I'm not prepared to meet God, and He is coming sooner than we probably think. Am I going to burn as stubble, or be twinkled? Am I teaching my children correctly? Am I doing the things that will bring me happiness in the life to come?
I understand why Nephi and Mormon and all those prophets cried into their pillows at night, knowing that their people would be destroyed because of their hard-heartedness. I see so many people in my life, friends, family, loved ones, co-workers that have fallen away. I know it's all prophesied but it doesn't seem to make it any easier to see. There are so many people who think they know better than God. There are so many people who can't deal with certain things that Father has put forth lately that they just can't stay with the church. I understand, and I love you all.
I also see how things on earth are so wicked, and it was prophesied that we would be at the most wicked that we have ever been. I also see the good, I see that there are people who are out there that are the best, and I can see the goodness becoming greater as well. I was at McDonalds the other day and someone paid for my meal. I hear stories like this all the time. Pay it Forward! I love it! I think that if the Lord is coming soon I want to focus on that. I want to focus on being a driving force for good and to make sure I am in line with God. I have so many faults, and I can't possibly count the times that I fail as a Daughter of God in a day, but my new favorite quote is "At least you get points for trying". I love the talk Elder Holland gave in the last General Conference. It gives me hope that even in my imperfect state that the Lord is going to be merciful with me if I try. And try I will.
This is the promised land, and I was saved to come forth in this time for a reason. I still don't fully know that reason, but I know that if I keep trying the Lord will help me and help my family. And one day I imagine that we will be together, in heaven, in the most beautiful and celestial place that I have ever seen in my life.
I love the way that the Book of Mormon is easy to understand. The storyline and the principles being taught are easy to read and understand for me, at least compared to the Old Testament. That book is just hard, and I hope to actually finish it one day. But the things that I have learned from the Book of Mormon are priceless to me. I know a lot of people have a hard time with it, but I absolutely love it, of my own volition, and love the things that are taught there. I have seen over and over how the people were humble, and doing so well, and then they would become proud and they had everything taken from them, time and time again. I was reading about all the wars they had, and how there were maybe 2 or 3 years in between battles and wars before another one came up again, because of the hard-heartedness of the people. And while I'm reading this and seeing the pride cycle over and over again, I can't help but think of the state of the world and our nation.
The world is in so much turmoil right now. You can definitely see signs of the second coming. And the thing I see the most is people saying how they are the only right one, that it has to be one way or no way, downgrading people and being judgmental, and that we can only like or love someone if we agree with EVERYTHING they say, and I can't help but think that even though I live in the promised land, the pride cycle is in the time that we are about to be struck down. Does it really matter if someone made a mistake as a parent? Shouldn't we help them instead of tear them down? Is it going to matter who becomes the President of the United States, the lesser of 2 evils, will I vote 3rd party? Make the best decision we can and then let's concentrate on the thing that will matter more. I feel more and more in my soul that I'm not prepared to meet God, and He is coming sooner than we probably think. Am I going to burn as stubble, or be twinkled? Am I teaching my children correctly? Am I doing the things that will bring me happiness in the life to come?
I understand why Nephi and Mormon and all those prophets cried into their pillows at night, knowing that their people would be destroyed because of their hard-heartedness. I see so many people in my life, friends, family, loved ones, co-workers that have fallen away. I know it's all prophesied but it doesn't seem to make it any easier to see. There are so many people who think they know better than God. There are so many people who can't deal with certain things that Father has put forth lately that they just can't stay with the church. I understand, and I love you all.
I also see how things on earth are so wicked, and it was prophesied that we would be at the most wicked that we have ever been. I also see the good, I see that there are people who are out there that are the best, and I can see the goodness becoming greater as well. I was at McDonalds the other day and someone paid for my meal. I hear stories like this all the time. Pay it Forward! I love it! I think that if the Lord is coming soon I want to focus on that. I want to focus on being a driving force for good and to make sure I am in line with God. I have so many faults, and I can't possibly count the times that I fail as a Daughter of God in a day, but my new favorite quote is "At least you get points for trying". I love the talk Elder Holland gave in the last General Conference. It gives me hope that even in my imperfect state that the Lord is going to be merciful with me if I try. And try I will.
This is the promised land, and I was saved to come forth in this time for a reason. I still don't fully know that reason, but I know that if I keep trying the Lord will help me and help my family. And one day I imagine that we will be together, in heaven, in the most beautiful and celestial place that I have ever seen in my life.
Tuesday, June 14, 2016
April Happening 2016
This month was a slower one for us. It was nice to just relax and do a few fun things with the kids. The next few months will be busy for us, but this month was nice to just not worry about too much. So, here is the little bit we did this month.
Ammon is 9 months old! He hit a lot of milestones this month. He is eating solid foods now, and is sleeping a little better through the night. He is liking sleeping in his crib, but he won't take naps during the day. It's like pulling teeth to get him to do it. He decided that in a 2 week span he would learn to crawl, and grow in 2 teeth, and start learning how to walk around the furniture. He even responds to us when we talk, and sometimes it's with words. He definitely likes to scream until he gets fed, because he LOVES to eat. He begs off of everyone in the house until your food is all gone. It's so cute, and yet the screaming starts to get old really fast. But he's cute, so we'll keep him.
Michael is getting so big! He is growing out of his clothes really fast these days, and we are struggling to keep caught up with him. He loves to run around and play and he likes to play with Ammon sometimes. As long as Michael is around, Ammon will laugh and giggle and play. Once Michael is gone, then he gets all sad and weepy. Michael went and spent a few days at Grandma Gwen's house, and had a lot of fun walking the dogs, and playing with Rue and Seri, his cousins, and got to see Grandma and Grandpa Great.
We also went to see some friends from high school this month. We went up to West Jordan, where Jamie and her family live, and Travis was there with his family and Brady was there as well. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures! So, I guess we'll have to plan something for another time so I can get some! We had a lot of fun there, and I feel like I really needed that time. It was nice to connect with something from the past, and see all the great growth that has happened in our families in the last few years.
We also spent some time with Janina and her boys. Michael and Andrew were having so much fun playing at the park. There were so many funny family pictures, and a lot of love going on in this house. We just love our boys so much and are so grateful that we were given the gift of having them in our family.
Ammon is 9 months old! He hit a lot of milestones this month. He is eating solid foods now, and is sleeping a little better through the night. He is liking sleeping in his crib, but he won't take naps during the day. It's like pulling teeth to get him to do it. He decided that in a 2 week span he would learn to crawl, and grow in 2 teeth, and start learning how to walk around the furniture. He even responds to us when we talk, and sometimes it's with words. He definitely likes to scream until he gets fed, because he LOVES to eat. He begs off of everyone in the house until your food is all gone. It's so cute, and yet the screaming starts to get old really fast. But he's cute, so we'll keep him.
Michael is getting so big! He is growing out of his clothes really fast these days, and we are struggling to keep caught up with him. He loves to run around and play and he likes to play with Ammon sometimes. As long as Michael is around, Ammon will laugh and giggle and play. Once Michael is gone, then he gets all sad and weepy. Michael went and spent a few days at Grandma Gwen's house, and had a lot of fun walking the dogs, and playing with Rue and Seri, his cousins, and got to see Grandma and Grandpa Great.
We also went to see some friends from high school this month. We went up to West Jordan, where Jamie and her family live, and Travis was there with his family and Brady was there as well. I can't believe I didn't get any pictures! So, I guess we'll have to plan something for another time so I can get some! We had a lot of fun there, and I feel like I really needed that time. It was nice to connect with something from the past, and see all the great growth that has happened in our families in the last few years.
We also spent some time with Janina and her boys. Michael and Andrew were having so much fun playing at the park. There were so many funny family pictures, and a lot of love going on in this house. We just love our boys so much and are so grateful that we were given the gift of having them in our family.
Matthew and I also have the goal of going to the temple at least once a month. So, here we took a shot before going to do sealings. It was a wonderful experience. We went in with a family who had brought a lot of names to be done, and it was a really special night for us. They were very kind, they came right up to us to ask us our names and to thank us for being there, even though we had never seen them before in our lives. The sealer had great things to say, and we were definitely well educated and full of the spirit that night. There was a story the sealer told us. He worked for the church for many years in Europe, and finding properties and seeing to the details for building temples. He told us a story of a mother, the Relief Society President in a ward that he was visiting while doing business for the church in Stockholm for the temple. She told of a story of her 2 sons. Once at the time was 5, and the other 7 years old. They had sat down for family home evening one night, to discuss the importance of the temple and why it was something so important to them now. The 5 year old was sick, and so they explained to him during this FHE that the next day he would be going to the hospital, but he wouldn't be coming home. The illness was too far spread and there was nothing the Drs could do except to keep him comfortable. After having this lesson and hearing this, the 5 year old went to his room and got his bear, the one he always went to sleep with. He gave it to his 7 year old brother and said, "I want you to have this, for keeps." The 7 year old dropped the bear on the floor and hugged his brother, weeping as he did so. As the mother looked at them, she saw these 2 boys, and she saw them as full grown men. She was given a glimpse into what these boys would be like in the future. Then the 5 year old turned to his mother and asked if she believed everything she just told him, about the temple and forever families. She said she very much did, and he then asked her to promise him something, that she wouldn't cry after he was gone. She promised him and they spent the rest of their time together just loving each other and thinking of all the good times. After the little boy passed away, the mother kept her promise, she didn't cry. But, there came a day when, she just couldn't do it anymore. She broke down and cried and cried. She heard something and so she looked up, and it was her 5 year old son, as a spirit, but he wasn't 5 anymore. He was a full grown man, in his 20's. And he said to her, "Mom, you promised." She apologized to him and told him she would do better next time.
This story really touched me, and the whole experience at the temple that night really was amazing, and I will never forget it. It forever changed me.
So, that was the fun month of April for the Hemby family. We hope everyone is doing well and enjoying the spring.
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