Rag Quilts

Lately i have had a lot of time on my hands, so I have made a few baby blankets! :)  I love sewing, so it has been a lot of fun.  This is the patchwork rag quilt that I made, and I think it turned out so cute!

Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ

As many of you know, I was having a hard time lately.... until I read this talk.  After I read this talk I have had complete peace, and I am so grateful I found it.  I know life can have its challenges, but if we keep our faith is Jesus Christ everything will be okay.  Heavenly Father works in mysterious ways, and I think he knew that I needed this talk..

FAITH IN THE LORD JESUS CHRIST BY: DALLIN H. OAKS

The first principle of the gospel is not “faith.” The first principle of the gospel is “Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ”. I wish to speak to you young women about that supremely important truth.

Faith does not exist by itself. Faith requires an object. It must be faith in something or someone.

In that respect, faith is like love. Love cannot exist without an object.

A personal experience illustrates that point. Sister Oaks and I are the parents of six, including four daughters. Our youngest daughter is still in her teens. As parents, we have learned a lot about teenage girls. I remember when one of our teenage daughters announced that she was in love with eight boys. She produced a list of their names. I made silent note of the fact that she had never even dated some of these boys, and one of them she had never even met. Within a few weeks she dropped several names off her list and added others. When I asked her how she could fall in love and out of love with so many boys so quickly, she wisely admitted, “I guess I’m not in love with those boys. I’m just in love with love.” Your parents and grandparents will remember the words of an old song, “Falling in love with love is falling for make believe”   Love is meaningless unless it is directed toward something or someone. We love our parents. We love our brothers and sisters. We love the Lord.  Faith is the same. If we think we have faith, we should ask, faith in whom or faith in what? For some, faith is nothing more than faith in themselves. That is only self-confidence or self-centeredness. Others have faith in faith, which is something like relying on the power of positive thinking or betting on the proposition that we can get what we want by manipulating the powers within us.

The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Without this faith, the prophet Mormon said, we “are not fit to be numbered among the people of his church” (Moro. 7:39).

The scriptures teach us that faith comes by hearing the word of God (see Rom. 10:17). That word, which comes to us by scripture, by prophetic teaching, and by personal revelation, teaches us that we are children of God, the Eternal Father. It teaches us about the identity and mission of Jesus Christ, his Only Begotten Son, our Savior and Redeemer. Founded on our knowledge of those things, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a conviction and trust that God knows us and loves us and will hear our prayers and answer them with what is best for us.  In fact, God will do more than what is best for us. He will do what is best for us and for all of our Heavenly Father’s children. The conviction that the Lord knows more than we do and that he will answer our prayers in the way that is best for us and for all of his other children is a vital ingredient of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. 

This important reality is beautifully described in an experience recorded in Elder John H. Groberg’s recent book, In the Eye of the Storm. He describes a lesson he learned as a young missionary traveling on a sailboat in the Tongan islands.  “We would always pray for protection, success, and good seas and wind to take us to our destination. Once I asked the Lord to bless us with a good tail wind so we could get to Foa quickly. As we got under way, one of the older men said, ‘Elder Groberg, you need to modify your prayers a little.’

“ ‘How’s that?’ I replied.  ‘You asked the Lord for a tail wind to take us rapidly to Foa. If you pray for a tail wind to Foa, what about the people who are trying to come from Foa to Pangai? They are good people, and you are praying against them. Just pray for a good wind, not a tail wind.  ’“That taught me something important. Sometimes we pray for things that will benefit us but may hurt others. We may pray for a particular type of weather, or to preserve someone’s life, when that answer to our prayer may hurt someone else. That’s why we must always pray in faith, because we can’t have true, God-given faith in something that is not according to His will. If it’s according to His will, all parties will benefit. I learned to pray for a good wind and the ability to get there safely, not necessarily a tail wind” (Salt Lake City: Bookcraft, 1993, p. 175).

Faith must include trust. I am glad that each member of the presidency stressed that fact in her talk. When we have faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, we must have trust in him. We must trust him enough that we are content to accept his will, knowing that he knows what is best for us.  The kind of faith that includes trust in the Lord stands in contrast to many imitations. Some people trust no one but themselves. Some put their highest trust in a friend or another family member, perhaps because they feel that person is more righteous or more wise than they. But that is not the Lord’s way. He told us to put our faith and our trust in the Lord Jesus Christ.

The Savior gave us the model for that kind of faith and trust. Remember how he prayed to the Father in the agony of Gethsemane? This was the culminating event of his life, the climactic fulfillment of his mission as our Savior. The gospel of Luke, as corrected in the inspired translation of the Prophet Joseph Smith, describes how he knelt down and prayed: “Father, if thou be willing, remove this cup from me; nevertheless, not my will, but thine be done” (JST, Luke 22:42).  Here we see the Savior’s absolute faith and trust in the Father. “Nevertheless,” he said, “not my will, but thine be done.” The Father’s answer was to deny the plea of his Only Begotten Son. The Atonement had to be worked out by that lamb without blemish. But though the Son’s request was denied, his prayer was answered. The scripture records: “And there appeared an angel unto him from heaven, strengthening him” (JST, Luke 22:43).  Strengthened from heaven to do the will of the Father, the Savior fulfilled his mission. “And being in an agony, he prayed more earnestly; and he sweat as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (JST, Luke 22:44).

When we try to develop faith in the Lord Jesus Christ rather than merely cultivating faith as an abstract principle of power, we understand the meaning of the Savior’s words: “If ye will have faith in me ye shall have power to do whatsoever thing is expedient in me” (Moro. 7:33).  Similarly, the Savior taught the Nephites that they must always pray to the Father in his name, adding: “And whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, which is right, believing that ye shall receive, behold it shall be given unto you” (3 Ne. 18:20).

Here the Savior reminds us that faith, no matter how strong it is, cannot produce a result contrary to the will of him whose power it is. The exercise of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is always subject to the order of heaven, to the goodness and will and wisdom and timing of the Lord. That is why we cannot have true faith in the Lord without also having complete trust in the Lord’s will and in the Lord’s timing. When we have that kind of faith and trust in the Lord, we have true security in our lives. President Spencer W. Kimball said, “Security is not born of inexhaustible wealth but of unquenchable faith” 

I read of a young woman who exercised that kind of faith and trust. For many months her mother had been seriously ill. Finally, the faithful father called the children to her bedside and told them to say good-bye to their mother because she was dying. The twelve-year-old daughter protested:  “Papa, I do not want my mamma to die. I have been with her in the hospital … for six months; time and time again … you have administered to her, and she has been relieved of her pain and quietly gone to sleep. I want you to lay hands upon my mamma and heal her.”  The father, who was Elder Heber J. Grant, told the children that he felt in his heart that their mother’s time had arrived. The children left, and he knelt by his wife’s bedside. Later he recalled his prayer: “I told the Lord I acknowledged his hand in life [and] in death. … But I told the Lord that I lacked the strength to have my wife die and to have it affect the faith of my little children.” He pleaded with the Lord to give his daughter “a knowledge that it was his mind and his will that her mamma should die.”  Within an hour the mother died. When Elder Grant called the children back into her room and told them, his little six-year-old boy began to weep bitterly. The twelve-year-old sister took him in her arms and said: “Do not weep, Heber; since we went out of this room, the voice of the Lord from heaven has said to me, In the death of your mamma the will of the Lord shall be done”  When we have the kind of faith and trust exhibited by that young woman, we have the strength to sustain us in every important event in our lives. President Spencer W. Kimball said that we need what he called “reservoirs of faith” to stand firm and strong against all the temptations and adversities of life (Spencer W. Kimball, Faith Precedes the Miracle, Salt Lake City: Deseret Book Co., 1972, pp. 110–11).

My beloved young sisters, each of you needs to build a reservoir of faith so you can draw upon it when someone you love or respect betrays you, when some scientific discovery seems to cast doubt on a gospel principle, or when someone makes light of sacred things, such as the name of God or the sacred ceremonies of the temple. You need to draw on your reservoir of faith when you are weak or when someone else calls on you to strengthen them. You also need to draw on your reservoir of faith when some requirement of Church membership or service interferes with your personal preferences.

You need the strength that comes from faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ if you are to fulfill your duty “to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places” (Mosiah 18:9). In times of trial you need the comfort offered in the holy scriptures, which assure you that when you have the shield of faith you will “be able to quench all the fiery darts of the wicked” (D&C 27:17).  Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ prepares you for whatever life brings. This kind of faith prepares you to deal with life’s opportunities—to take advantage of those that are received and to persist through the disappointments of those that are lost.

Most importantly, faith in the Lord Jesus Christ opens the door of salvation and exaltation: “For no [one] can be saved, according to the words of Christ, save they shall have faith in his name” (Moro. 7:38).  I testify that these things are true. I invoke the blessings of Almighty God upon you, my faithful young sisters, as you seek to develop and exercise your faith and trust in the Lord Jesus Christ and as you seek to serve him and keep his commandments, in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.

3 years

3 years ago today I entered the Temple & knelt across the alter

3 years ago today I married my best friend 

3 years ago today I gained a companion

3 years ago today all my dreams came true....

I can't believe 3 years have come and gone.  I love Bruce more today than I ever thought possible.  He is the best husband in the world, and I thank Heavenly Father for bringing him into my life everyday.  It has been the BEST three years of my life!!

Happy Anniversary babe, I love you so much!!!

Faith...

The definition of faith...
1.confidence or trust in a person or thing.
2.belief that is not based on truth.
3.belief in God or the doctrines and teachings of religion.

Faith is amazing...

I have always loved the lyrics to Miley Cyrus' song "The Climb"  I was listening to it today and I just started crying.  This is exactly how I feel.  Trying to get pregnant really drains you emotionally.  There are times I feel like I can't do it anymore, but the only thing that keeps me pushing on is my faith. I know Heavenly Father is doing this to make me a better person, so I will look back on this experience and have gratitude in my heart.  It really is all about the climb, the struggles you have in life and how you take those struggles to become the person you are.  Lately I have been giving up, and feeling almost lost... But I know I just need to keep the faith and everything will be okay.  Faith is what will get me through this, and faith is what has always gotten me through all my struggles.  I am so grateful for the gospel.  It gives me strength I didn't even know I had....

I can almost see it
that dream I'm dreaming
but there's a voice inside my head saying
"You'll never reach it"
Every step I'm taking
Every move I make feels
Lost with no direction
My faith is shaking
But I gotta keep trying
Gotta keep my head held high
There's always gonna be another mountain
I'm always gonna wanna make it move
Always gonna be an uphill battle
Sometimes I'm gonna have to lose
Ain't about how fast I get there
Ain't about what's waiting on the other side
It's the climb
The struggles I'm facing 
The chances I'm taking
Sometimes might knock me down
But no, I'm not breaking
I may not know it
But these are the moments
I'm gonna remember most, yeah
Just gotta keep going
And I, I gotta be strong
Just keep pushing on..........

Sunday Drive

Bruce and I decided to go for a little drive on Sunday.   We found out that there is a national park like 20 minutes from us so we decided to go.  It was honestly the most beautiful place ever.  The view took my breath away!   

Hayden Lake

Bruce and I woke up bright and early and went fishing at Hayden Lake.  It is like 5 minutes from our apartment, and Bruce has been wanting to fish forever so we decided to go.  It was freezing cold, and I was all bundled up while he fished... but it was fun and relaxing!  It was a nice change to our day to day routine.  The lake is GORGEOUS, and it was so peaceful.  We didn't catch anything, sadly... but it was still fun to watch my hunny do what he loves!  

Since we have been out here Bruce has been doing pretty good with sales.  He has been training a bunch of guys, and helping them knock and I am so proud of him.  The company put us up in some really nice 3 bedroom Condo...  Two of Bruce's guys are living with us.  At first I was kinda freaking out because I did not want to re-live what happened in Boston, but it has not been too bad.  They are clean guys, and the condo is big enough so it's no big deal!  We sure have had a lot of exciting experiences and funny stories since we have been here!  We will be back in AZ in April, and then off again for the summer!

It's funny because I look back on the 4 summers we have been doing this, and the first year I wanted nothing to do with it... I cried, and begged Bruce not to take me away... But now I seriously enjoy being away with my husband.  We have made so many fun memories, and have been able to experience things a lot of people haven't been able to experience!  I am so grateful for my life, and for my amazing husband!

Valentine's Day

Bruce and I had an awesome Valentine's Day!  We got all dressed up and went out to dinner, after dinner we went out to a nearby lake and walked out on the dock, then we did a little shopping... It was so layed back, but so much fun.  Bruce bought me a purse, and then took me to get lots of fabric to keep me busy :)  I seriously feel so blessed to have him in my life, and to be able to call him my Valentine.  

...........

Lately I have been in some kind of funk.  I have not wanted to blog, or do anything close to blogging.  I have done a few things for journal purposes, but it has been the bare minimal.  I have my good days and my bad days.  Since my miscarriage life has been hard.  I try to smile and go about my day happily, but deep down I just ache for a baby so bad.  People tell me oh don't stress about it, it will happen... and I know that, but you don't know what it feels like to want a baby that you can't have, unless you have been in the situation.  I ache to share those wonderful experiences with my husband, to hear our baby's first heart beat, find out what we are having, and then to see my husbands face when he first see's our beautiful baby.  I can't wait for that bond that we will gain as we enter parenthood.  I know all these things will come, I have been promised that I will be a mother, but sometimes the waiting game can be hard.  I am so grateful for the fact that I was pregnant... It gives me so much hope!  I can't not wait for the day that I will be a mother.  Although it can be hard, I am so grateful for this small trial in my life, because I know that I will not take a second for granted once I am finally a mother... I also know that I will enjoy it that much more, and I will truely witness the miracle of being able to have kids.  I know this is all in Heavenly Fathers hands, and that is what gives me comfort. 

Our drive to Coeur d' Alene!

This morning we left Montana.  Alot of problems came up with the state of Montana, and our company decided it would be better to just find a new place to sell.  We are now in Coeur d' Alene, Idaho... and I am pretty sure this is the prettiest place on our trip by far.  When we got here, it was too cloudy to take pictures, but here are some pictures of our trip.  Surprisingly there is no snow here {I'm  not complaining} and its gorgeous!  We are about 30 minutes away from Spokane, Washington so we are excited to see this part of the country!  Instead of going to Billings, Montana in a couple weeks, we are now going to probably stay here.  I am so excited!!!

Montana

Well we are in Montana now!  Right now we are in Missoula, and we will be in Billings in the beginning of February.  It is gorgeous here!  This picture does not do it justice.  On Bruce's side of the road there were tons of pine trees, and this is what my side of the road looked like.  I seriously do not know why we don't live here! 

It's snowing!

We woke up this morning and it was snowing! Our car was covered with about 2 inches of snow... Haha I have a feeling this is going to take some time to get use to!

Our drive

Well we made it to Rexburg! It was such a fun drive... It was my very first time being to Salt Lake so we made a small pit stop so I could see Temple Square. It was too cold and dark to get out, but it was sure beautiful! I loved driving down the freeway in Utah because every town had a Temple and you could see it from the road, it was so cool! I can't wait to go back to Utah so I can actually see everything and maybe even do a session!
We made it to Idaho on Monday and we were able to drive around Idaho Falls, as well as Rexburg so we could figure out where everything is! There is snow everywhere and its freezing cold, but it's a fun experience! I had to take a couple pictures of the Rexburg Temple! I think its so pretty.

And our adventure begins...

Well tomorrow morning {bright and early} Bruce and I are hitting the road again... Bruce will be selling Insulation and we decided instead of just going for the summer we should go early! I am actually pretty excited, we will be in Rexburg, Idaho for 3 weeks until our office opens up in Billings, Montana. We are still deciding if we are going to stay in Montana the whole time, or if we are going to go somewhere else during the summer... It is all up in the air :) I guess only time will tell. As Bruce and I were packing today we were talking about all the fun places we have been able to live since his job takes us to all different places... Boston, Massachusetts - Corpus Christi, Texas - Dallas, Texas - Las Vegas, Nevada - Daphne, Alabama - McCallen, Texas - Rexburg, Idaho and Billings, Montana. Crazy huh??? haha

Although we miss our family so much while we are gone, we really enjoy getting away and being all on our own! Because we have the chance to get away our relationship gets stronger and stronger and we have so much fun while we are gone! We miss our families every single day, and we try to visit often... But we feel like this is a once in a lifetime chance to travel, because we won't be able to do it as easily once we have kids!

We will keep everyone updated on our new adventure :)

2010

For New Years we went up to my parents cabin! The past few years Bruce and I have gone up there and it has been so nice and relaxing so we talked my brother and parents into going up there with us this year! There was snow everywhere and it was freezing cold! We relaxed, played in the snow, shopped, and played LOTS of games! It was a much needed weekend get away and we had so much fun.

Christmas 2009!

This Christmas was amazing! We are so lucky to have family so close, so we can spend the Holidays with them. Every year on Christmas Eve Bruce and I exchange gifts. It is a tradition we started when we first got married, because usually Christmas Day is pretty crazy for us.

We started out the morning bright and early at 6am with Bruce's family, and we all met at IHOP. We ate breakfast with everyone and went over to their house to open presents. I feel so lucky to have such awesome in-laws! I love them to death, and I love spending time with them. They got us some really fun stuff, Bruce got some clothes, and gift cards and I got an AMAZING purse, a cool antique scale, an electric wheat grinder and alot of other fun things. We went back over there later that night and played a fun white elephant game.
My family has a little thing we like to call "The Riggs Schedule" Christmas has never been a relaxing day for my family because we are always going to someones house. After opening gifts with my in laws, we went over to my parents house and we had a wonderful surprise! My little brother Colton surprised us and called us that morning so we all got to talk to him for a minute and we were able to have him on the line as we opened the package he sent us for Christmas (the pictures below) He sent Dakota and Gunnar a Peru jacket, and then wrote us all our own letters! What an amazing Christmas surprise! After that we opened gifts and Bruce and I got a chest freezer which we needed really bad! After opening gifts we went over to my Grandma Sue and Poppy Rays for a Christmas Brunch, then later that afternoon we went over to Grandma Elaine and Poppy Garths for a Christmas Dinner. We had to end it short because Colton called again at 6pm and we all got to ask him as many questions as we wanted! It was the highlight of my Christmas because I miss him soooo much!

We had such a good day, and we are so grateful to our parents for making that possible! They do so much for us, and we love them all so much! I hope everyone had a good Christmas...