Wednesday, July 23, 2025

Six Years

 Six years ago today Dad graduated from mortality.  Life is not the same without you, Dad.  I miss you so much!









Dad left quite a legacy.  He is loved by all.  I feel so blessed to be his daughter.  

I love you and miss you so much, Dad!  God be with you till we meet again.  

Today also marks the 32nd anniversary of my mission homecoming.

Sunday, July 13, 2025

Service

This quote was in the "Come Follow Me" lesson for this week.  I liked it enough to post to my blog.

“When our lives are filled with purpose and service, we avoid spiritual apathy; on the other hand, when our lives are deprived of divine purpose, meaningful service to others, and sacred opportunities for pondering and reflection, we gradually become suffocated by our own activity and self-interest, risking losing our savor. The antidote to this is to continue to be involved in service—being anxiously engaged in good works and the betterment of ourselves and the society we live in.”
Elder José A. Teixeira
Bonded to Jesus Christ: Becoming the Salt of the Earth,” general conference, Oct. 2024

This quote from Elder Teixeira is a good reminder that focusing on serving others rather than ourselves and our own interests, is how we stay close to our Savior and avoid spiritual apathy.  More and more the world is focused on selfishness and self-serving activities.  The more we focus on ourselves and what's in it for me, the farther we drift from our Savior and our divine purpose.  True happiness is found in trying to be like Jesus, in serving others and following His commandments.

That's my two cents.

Friday, July 11, 2025

Keep Trying

I was looking for a specific quote by President Holland, but can't seem to locate it right now.  But in my search I found some other good quotes by President Holland.  This is from a talk he gave in April 2016 called Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You.  Here are a few excerpts that I liked.

"Please remember tomorrow, and all the days after that, that the Lord blesses those who want to improve, who accept the need for commandments and try to keep them, who cherish Christlike virtues and strive to the best of their ability to acquire them. If you stumble in that pursuit, so does everyone; the Savior is there to help you keep going. If you fall, summon His strength. Call out like Alma, “O Jesus, … have mercy on me.” He will help you get back up. He will help you repent, repair, fix whatever you have to fix, and keep going. Soon enough you will have the success you seek.

“As you desire of me so it shall be done unto you,” the Lord has declared.

“… Put your trust in that Spirit which leadeth to do good—yea, to do justly, to walk humbly, to judge righteously. 

“… [Then] whatsoever you desire of me [in] righteousness, … you shall receive.”

"I love that doctrine! It says again and again that we are going to be blessed for our desire to do good, even as we actually strive to be so.

…"Now, with that majestic devotion ringing from heaven as the great constant in our lives, manifested most purely and perfectly in the life, death, and Atonement of the Lord Jesus Christ, we can escape the consequences of both sin and stupidity—our own or that of others—in whatever form they may come to us in the course of daily living. If we give our heart to God, if we love the Lord Jesus Christ, if we do the best we can to live the gospel, then tomorrow—and every other day—is ultimately going to be magnificent, even if we don’t always recognize it as such. Why? Because our Heavenly Father wants it to be! He wants to bless us. A rewarding, abundant, and eternal life is the very object of His merciful plan for His children! It is a plan predicated on the truth “that all things work together for good to them that love God.” So keep loving. Keep trying. Keep trusting. Keep believing. Keep growing. Heaven is cheering you on today, tomorrow, and forever." – Tomorrow the Lord Will Do Wonders among You, By Elder Jeffrey R. Holland, Of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles, April 2016 

If we desire to do good and keep trying to do so, the Lord will bless us.  Trying counts.  Even when we keep failing.  But we need to keep trying and trust in the Lord.  He will bless us for our efforts.  He wants to bless us.

Here are a few more quotes from President Jeffrey R Holland that I really like.  I got these off of someone's blog and they didn't include the reference and I'm too lazy to look it up right now.  Sorry about that.  But they are still great quotes from President Holland. 

“However late you think you are, however many chances you think you have missed, however many mistakes you feel you have made or talents you think you don’t have, or however far from home and family and God you feel you have traveled, I testify that you have not traveled beyond the reach of divine love. It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ’s Atonement.”
Jeffrey R. Holland
“Whether you are not yet of our faith or were with us once and have not remained, there is nothing in either case that you have done that cannot be undone. There is no problem which you cannot overcome. There is no dream that in the unfolding of time and eternity cannot yet be realized.”
Jeffrey R. Holland
“No one has failed who keeps trying and keeps praying.”
Jeffrey R. Holland
“God is eagerly waiting for the chance to answer your prayers and fulfill your dreams, just as He always has. But He can’t if you don’t pray, and He can’t if you don’t dream. In short, He can’t if you don’t believe.”
Jeffrey R. Holland
The Lord loves effort.  He wants us to pray.  He wants us to believe.  He wants us to try.  We will all fall short, but that's what His Atonement is for.  None of us are beyond redemption.  I love Elder Holland's quote, "It is not possible for you to sink lower than the infinite light of Christ's Atonement".  Never give up.  There is always hope.
Keep praying, keep desiring to believe until that desire becomes faith, then exercise that faith by trying to keep His commandments.  We have not failed if we keep trying.  We fail when we give up.
Trying counts.
That's my two cents.

Friday, July 4, 2025

Happy Independence Day

I love the fourth of July!  It's always nice to celebrate defeating the British.  :-)  This nation, the United States of America, is divinely designed, as God's promised land, to be free!  No monarchs, no kings, nobody ruling over us.  Independence!  Freedom!

I am indeed grateful for our founding fathers who signed and ratified the Declaration of Independence on this day, July 4, 1776 – 249 years ago – asserting our independence from Great Britain.  Our founding fathers recognized that our rights and freedoms come from God and not governments.  The Declaration of Independence and also our Constitution are divinely inspired documents.  God's hand was in the founding of this great nation and He has divinely preserved our freedoms throughout its 249 year existence.

I'm thankful for all the men who have fought and died to preserve our independence and freedoms over the last over 250 years.  Freedom isn't free.  It comes at a cost.  A big thank you to all those who have sacrificed so much to preserve our freedoms in this great nation.

Also, thank you to President Trump and all those in his administration who are working tirelessly to preserve our freedoms and undo the damage done by the previous administration and all those evil, conspiring men trying to destroy our great nation.  President Trump's life was preserved by God nearly a year ago for this purpose.  He has already done so much good to make America great again in the few months he's been in office.  This is why God preserved his life from evil assassins.

Yes, God's hand is still divinely guiding and protecting His promised land.

God bless America!

Happy Independence Day!

That's my two cents.

Thursday, June 26, 2025

God bless America!

Last Saturday I happened to click on Instagram three minutes after President Trump posted that we had bombed Iran's nuclear facilities and had obliterated them.  My heart swelled and I was so proud of President Trump for being a true leader and for having the guts to do what his predecessors wouldn't do – which is to take out Iran's nuclear capabilities.  Apparently Iran was only weeks or months away from completing a nuclear bomb.  This would have been detrimental to the world.  The United States is the only country that had the military capability to destroy Iran's nuclear facilities.  Everyone in the world should be thanking us, and especially President Trump for saving the world from obliteration. 

This morning I watched Secretary of Defense, Pete Hegseth, and General Caine give a press conference.  I loved it!  They explained the mission to take out Iran's underground nuclear facilities and the perfect execution by our military.  Again, it made me proud to be an American.  General Caine explained how two of our guys had spent 15 years watching one nuclear facility in Iran and gaining intelligence for 15 years to execute the mission, and how they had to keep it secret even from their families.  It was heartwarming. Again, it made me proud.  

I almost had to turn it off when they started taking questions because the fake news asks the stupidest questions.  I'm so sick of our media in this country who not only don't report the truth, but actively lie to try to destroy President Trump, his administration, our military, and our country in general.  Makes me sick.  But I persevered to the end of the questions and I was happy to see that Secretary Hegseth and General Caine put the media in their place.  It's nice to have leadership in this country that aren't pansies.

Of course the reason they had to do the press conference was because the media was spreading lies that the mission was unsuccessful, and dissing our military.  The truth is the mission was 100% successful in obliterating and destroying Iran's nuclear facilities.  And our military was top-notch in executing the mission.  People need to stop watching "the news" which in reality is propaganda from the Democratic Party.  If you want to know what's going on in our country, go directly to the source and watch the press conferences.  "The news" gets their information from the same press conferences and twists the truth into lies then feeds those lies to the American people to fit their evil agenda.

Also, in light of an anti-American Muslim con man communist winning the New York City Mayor Democratic primary, I would like to express my horror at the destruction of a once great American city and of the degradation of our society and of Americans in general.

We have so many foreigners, some here illegally, who are elected as politicians in Great American cities and states.  It's disgraceful.  Some of these people have only been here a few years and are infiltrating our political system and destroying our nation from within.  It's despicable and very sad.

How do these evil people get elected?  Evil people who want to destroy our great nation?  What is wrong with so many Americans?  I'm sick and tired of hearing Americans bad mouthing America.  It's bad enough when foreigners invade our country and wave their foreign flags while destroying American property and protesting being deported from the very country they have invaded and refuse to leave.  But to have actual born and bred Americans siding with evil, including illegal aliens, and evil regimes like Iran over their own country and over truth and right is disgusting, despicable, and unbelievable really.

Any American who sides with foreigners and badmouths America should be thrown in jail for treason.  And all the foreign invaders should be deported immediately.

I'm so thankful for President Trump and his administration for their leadership and patriotism.  I have always been proud to be an American but even more so now that we have strong leadership making America great again.

God bless America!

That's my two cents.

Saturday, June 21, 2025

Happy Birthday Lisa

I just wanted to wish my angel sister, Lisa, a happy birthday.  Happy 53rd birthday, Lisa!  

She truly is an earthly angel.  I know there are angels from the Spirit World, loved ones who have died and crossed over to the other side of the veil.  There are also angels on earth.  Mortal angels who sacrifice to help others.  Lisa is certainly a mortal angel.

I have known Lisa her entire life, since the day she was born.  She has always been there for me.  Especially since my accident.  I would be lost without her.  She has been my primary caregiver for six years.  And for the nearly 23 years since my accident, Lisa has always helped out whenever she was needed.  Which was a major sacrifice for her and her family.  For that I'm eternally grateful.  Yes, Lisa epitomizes being an angel.

Lisa is always more concerned for others than herself.  Lisa sacrifices much to help others, especially me.  Lisa is a true disciple of Jesus Christ.  I'm so thankful to have an angel for a sister.  I love you so much, Lisa.

Thank you for all that you do for me and for everyone.  Thank you for being a wonderful example of Christlike service.

Happy 53rd birthday, Lisa!

That's my two cents.






Sunday, June 15, 2025

Happy Father's Day

This is my sixth Father's Day without my father here on earth.  I miss him dearly.  But I take comfort in the fact that I will see him again.  I think people tend to dismiss fathers as not as important as mothers in the rearing of children because mothers are the primary nurturers but fathers are just as important as mothers in a child's life.  Fathers and mothers have different roles in raising children and each is vitally important.  I am so thankful for the goodly father I was blessed with.  I was blessed beyond measure with wonderful parents.  And for that I'm eternally grateful.




Happy Father's Day, Dad!  I love and miss you so much.  And thank you to all the fathers out there who take seriously the responsibility of fatherhood and unselfishly sacrifice for their children..  Happy Father's Day!

That's my two cents.

Thursday, May 29, 2025

Hugs

Sometimes we all just need a hug. 

When Abinadi was young he loved giving hugs.  I was thinking of this photo of Abinadi giving Dallas a hug so I decided to post it along with a couple other photos of Abinadi giving hugs and the joy they bring to the people he is hugging.


This is my favorite picture of Dallas.  The pure joy on his face makes me happy.  I imagine that the happiness in this scene is what we would see in the Spirit World now.  Dallas loves hugs.  I can't wait to give him one when I get there.  In the meantime, there are plenty of other loved ones there who can give him plenty of hugs, including Abinadi.

2013
Abinadi giving Dad a hug in 2013.  I love this photo also because of the joy on Dad's face.  I like to think that these scenes are what we would see in the Spirit World today.  The carefree happiness and pure joy that can be found on the other side.  Seeing these pictures of loved ones that have graduated from mortality makes me think of how happy they are now.  It also makes me long to see them again.  I miss them all so much.

March 26, 2013

Abinadi giving Juliet a hug.  Even Juliet has an expression of pure joy on her face while getting a hug from Abinadi.  And she doesn't even like dogs that much.  :-)

I just love the happiness that Abinadi's hugs gave people.  I'm glad a few of the reactions were captured on camera.

There's just something about hugs that brings comfort and joy.  I can't wait till I can give hugs again.  I'm going to give all of my loved ones hugs on the other side, when I get there, including Abinadi.

If you're having a hard day or just feeling a little blue, find a loved one and give them a hug and see how much better you feel.

That's my two cents.

Monday, May 19, 2025

Happy Birthday Mom

It's hard to believe that Mom would have been 80 years old today.  She died a week shy of her 77th birthday three years ago.  I miss her so much!  I am truly blessed that God chose her as my mother.

I'm so looking forward to the day when we are reunited again.  She was my angel on earth, and now she is my angel from the other side of the veil.



Happy Birthday Mom!

Love and miss you so much!

God be with you till we meet again.

Wednesday, May 14, 2025

Happy Birthday Dad

Today Dad would have been 79 years old.  Unfortunately, he graduated from mortality nearly 6 years ago when he was 73.  I miss him so much!  I think of him every day.  I can't wait until the day we are reunited again!



Happy Birthday Dad!

Love and miss you tons!

God be with you till we meet again.

Monday, May 12, 2025

Happy Graduation Day, Mom

Today marks three years since Mom graduated from mortality and crossed over to the Spirit World.  I miss her so much.  I cherish all the time I was able to spend with her here on earth.  Especially those sacred last few days of her life.  Mom truly is an angel.  She was an angel here on earth, and now in heaven.

I can't wait until the day I am reunited with her in the Spirit World.  I am so looking forward to that day!

Love you tons, Mom, and miss you so much!




Happy Graduation Day, Mom!

Sunday, May 11, 2025

Happy Mother's Day

Mom and Tammy 1971.  I'm posting this picture because Mom liked it.

Happy Mother's Day to the best mom ever.  Tomorrow marks three years since Mom graduated from mortality.  I miss her every day.  I am so blessed to have her as my mother.  Mother's Day certainly isn't the same without Mom here.  I cherish the time I was able to spend with her and all of my memories.

Happy Mother's Day also to the mothers out there who sacrifice so much in raising your children.  Motherhood is truly a sacred gift from God.

Mom kissing Tammy – December 9, 2003

Happy Mother's Day!

Tuesday, April 29, 2025

Keep All of God's Commandments

I just saw something posted to Church Newsroom Instagram story that irritated me.  Church Newsroom is the official news source of the Church.  The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  They posted some lady saying, "We love God and love our neighbor.  And the way we show that we love God is by loving our neighbor".  That statement is deceptive – as if loving our neighbor is the only way we show God we love Him.  That's only one way to show God we love Him.  The main way we show God that we love Him is by keeping His commandments – one of which is to love our neighbor.  But by no means is that the only way we show God we love Him. God has given us many, even countless Commandments He wants us to follow. 

Doctrine and Covenants 59:4-5

4 And they shall also be crowned with blessings from above, yea, and with commandments not a few, and with revelations in their time—they that are faithful and diligent before me.

5 Wherefore, I give unto them a commandment, saying thus: Thou shalt love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, with all thy might, mind, and strength; and in the name of Jesus Christ thou shalt serve him.

Here, in the Scriptures, the Lord is emphasizing that He has given us "commandments not a few".  Then the very next verse He emphasizes the first great commandment to love God– with all our heart, mind, mind, and strength.  The next verse does mention loving our neighbor.  But right after mentioning giving us "commandments not a few" the Lord emphasizes the first great commandment again, not the second.  This seems to be backwards today. 

There seems to be an increase, lately, in emphasizing the second great commandment – love your neighbor.  That's all people seem to be focusing on now, even in the Church.  Which, is an important commandment obviously.  It's the second great commandment.  But people seem to forget the first great commandment – love God.  And they focus solely on "love thy neighbor".

Jesus said, "If ye love me, keep my commandments." (John 14:15)  Commandments plural, not singular.  Very simple and direct.  

I just think people need to focus more on keeping all of the Commandments, not just one.  As if it's the only commandment that matters. Because He has given us a multitude of commandments – only one of which is to love our neighbor.  Yes, we should all love our fellow man, but if you focus on loving God first and keeping His commandments, loving our neighbor is a natural consequence.

That's my two cents.

Sunday, April 20, 2025

Happy Easter

 He is risen!


I am so thankful for Christ's resurrection!  Because of Christ's resurrection we will all be resurrected one day!  I'm so looking forward to that day when I will have a perfected resurrected body!  Words cannot express my gratitude for my Savior and for His love for me and for all of us.

I hope, on this Easter day, that we will all remember our Savior, His Atonement and Resurrection, and reverence Him.

Happy Easter everybody!

That's my two cents.

Wednesday, April 9, 2025

Trump's Tariffs

I love Trump's tariffs!  It makes me so happy to see President Trump putting America first.  I'm sick and tired of these pansy Americans griping about the tariffs.  They obviously don't understand simple logic.  President Trump is doing what our previous panseric presidents were too chicken to do.  The United States of America has been getting ripped off for decades – my whole life – in trade with the world.  Other countries have very steep tariffs on goods coming from the United States but cry like little babies when Trump levels the playing field.  They are entitled little brats.  Why should we keep subsidizing other countries?  All President Trump wants is fair trade.  Is that too much to ask?

Yes, it may cause a little pain at first.  But it will be well worth the temporary pain to bring jobs back to America and to become more self-sufficient.  All these Americans crying about the tariffs need to chill out and trust our wise leader, President Trump.  President Trump knows what he's doing.  He and his administration have done their homework and understand the consequences of the newly implemented tariffs and know that it will benefit us. 

President Trump is the only president with the guts to actually take on the world and stand up for America.  For that I am extremely grateful.  This is exactly what I voted for!

From what I've read over 70 countries have already come forward asking President Trump to negotiate.  And President Trump being the reasonable dealmaker that he is, is willing to negotiate with these countries.  But, China, being the stubborn communists that they are, is retaliating with higher tariffs on us.  Apparently they are too stupid to realize that we hold all the cards and they can only be on the losing end of that deal.  I'm happy to see that President Trump, after warning China not to add retaliatory tariffs on our goods, has now raised the tariffs on China to 125%!  Play stupid games win stupid prizes China.

The days of the United States of America being ripped off by all the other countries in the world are over!  President Trump wants fair trade.  We deserve fair trade.  And we will get fair trade!

I love President Trump and his tariffs.  I'm so happy we have a president who will fight for us.  God bless President Trump and God bless America.

That's my two cents.