How deeply do you feel?

Okay, so this is just something that I've been thinking about a lot lately.  I am interested in getting some feed back from some of you abou it.  Since we can only feel what we individually feel then how can we really know?  What I am talking about is if some people feel things more deeply than others. It seems that in my lifetime I have been surrounded at times by people who feel things very deeply and then by others who do not feel things so intensely.  So, what is it?  Do people actually feel things more intensely  than others or are some people just more expressive or emotional?  What do you think?  I know when I compare myself to my husband I definately feel like when I feel things they are more intense than when he does.  However, I am a woman and he is a man and that in and of itself explains a lot.  But when it comes to people in general...do some people actually feel things deeper than others? And why?  And what are we supposed to do about that?  Are we to learn to control those intense emotions or feelings or are we supposed to let them cause us to take action in our lives.  I know this may be just a weird thing to think about but, every once in a while I do think about this kind of thing.  Maybe it just depends on the situation.  Maybe some people feel more deeply about certain things.  But then there seem to be the kind of people who just feel deeply about everything.  Is it our experience that causes this to be so or are we just born this way? Maybe I am answering my own question.  Maybe there is just not one straight answer for this deep feeling thing.  I just wonder why it is I guess.  I guess it is a good thing that Mike doesnt feel as deeply about things as I do because he is often the voice of reason or the calm in the storm for me.  I think that is a good thing...right?
On the other hand, I wonder sometimes if I went with some of my intense feelings, would I have accomplished more in my personal life?  I have always kind of been a person who plays it safe, so maybe Mike helps me keep that "safe" place that deep down I want to stay in.  Okay, now I am getting too carried away with this subject.

Inspiration....Just follow it!

     So, this morning I woke up with an important thought and I went with it.  And then I realized that this was "inspiration".  As I thought on that I realized that I get it all the time.  And in fact, I think that the older I get the more clear or maybe the better able I am to recognize it when it comes.  In fact, I think that anytime we have good positive thoughts that require us to take action it is INSPIRATION.  Have you ever thought about that?  Well, maybe you have and I'm the only one who hasn't but, over the last year I have had so many thoughts such as this that I just had to share.  My friend did a post on what she will not do in 2011 and so this is a post on what I will do in 2011.  And that is. "I will make it a point to follow the inspiration I recieve".
It makes me wonder how many times the spirit has tried to tell me something and I just let it go in one ear and out the other.  I mean I have definately had times when I have had clear messages, but  It has taken me so many years to finally feel confident in recognizing that inspiration and so now I need to embrace it and follow it whenever I get it.  Plus, I always feel better when I do.  I honestly think that we as women get this kind of inspiration all the time.  I believe it is what we as women do best.  So, let's not let it go to waste!

Tale of the Three Trees

So, many years ago when Mike and I were just newly married and starting our family, my sister in law gave me 3 trees similar to these and along with it was the Tale of the Three Trees.(Go here to read a version of the story.)  I loved those 3 trees and have put them out every year in a group as one of our favorite christmas decorations.  Then when the kids were getting a little bigger and could sit and listen to stories, I started to read this story on Christmas eve.

We get the 3 trees out and sit on the floor with the story and we turn out all the lights and light candles all throughout the house.  Why?  Just because it makes it more fun and the kids love it. 

Anyway, this is just one of our Christmas traditons.  So, this year I could not find my Trees!  I think they must still be in California.  So, I went shopping for some more.  And I found these.  So, I decided that I would give a few of these trees to some others who are very special and just starting out their families this year.  And this is how I will package them.

Each tree is individually wrapped in tissue paper and then placed in this sack.  Along with a rolled up copy of the story of the Three Trees. I love gifts that help us remember the Savior!  I was excited to get these trees and I am so excited to give them!

Each act of kindness

I always love listening to the Christmas devotional given by the First Presidency each year.  This year we didnt get a chance to watch it on Sunday so today I finally watched it for the first time thru the internet.  Every talk given by our first presidency was amazing! But one thing that President Eyring said really hit me this year.  He said "each act of kindness to anyone becomes a kindness to Him, because he loves all of his chilren..."

The thing that came to my mind is the love I have for my own children!  And whenever anyone does anything kind for my children it is like they are doing it to me.  I have felt this much in my life as I have watched others (friends as well as family) bless the lives of my children. This is especially true when it comes to our extended families, grandparents, cousins, aunts and uncles.  Because we have not always lived near family, my children have not been able to spend a lot of time developing relationships with some of them.  Therefore, when any of them does or says something kind to my children it is as if they are showing me their love.  And I get it!  I get how much it must make our Father in Heaven so happy when we do for eachother...simply because we love him whose children they are.   I am especially grateful to our extended family who have helped us out with Michael's mission for several months this past year. 

They have been there for him when we could not. 

I can only imagine how our Heavenly Father feels when we help out our fellow brothers and sisters in his behalf. 

 This truly is what Christmas is all about!

The Cookie Exchange

Had a great time at my sister's Cookie Exchange on Saturday!

Before we exchanged our cookies, Regina talked a bit about

Christmas Traditions and how important traditions are. 

 She then gave each of the girls the Christmas Traditions journals

that I made last week for her. 

 Then we exchanged our cookies and other goodies! 

Here are all the different assortment of cookies I came home with.

I was able to make up 12 of these yummy plates!

And then Regina and I each recieved one of these!

This has got to be one of the most beautiful Christmas decorations I have ever recieved!

This came from our friend Cricket who manages

Anastasia's Attic at Gardner Villiage.

It's mistletoe!  Thank you Cricket!  I absolutely love it!

It's hanging here in my entryway.

It will be fun to tease people about standing under the mistletoe this month!

It was a really fun day and I am excited to continue the Chirstmas Cookie exchange in future years!

Hope she doesnt mind

Well, now that we are living in Utah I am getting into the swing of all of the traditions that have been going on without me in years past here.  So, my sister Regina is having her annual Christmas Cookie exchange party at her home in West Jordan tomorrow morning.  So, today it is my job to make 12 dozen cookies to bring!  Can you belive that?  Well, after the first batch I just got bored so I invited my 3 year old nephew Reese, over to make the rest.  He got the hang of it right away, I think... sure hope she doesnt mind:)

Defined By Christ

I am not much of a reader as I have stated before.  However, when I find books such as this I cant get enough.  This book was given to me, as a thank you gift, by my good friend Christin and another sister for speaking in her ward in Ogden last month.  It is a fantastic book!  At least I think so.  This book is written for those who struggle with feeling their divine worth!  It is filled with examples, experiences and doctrine about who we are as children or our Heavenly Father, that helps the reader to really truly get their worth!

I personally have struggled with this issue much in my lifetime..I have come to understand that sometimes this is the only way the adversary can get to us and boy does he use the lie that we are not smart enough, capable enough, good enough or worthy enough to deserve all the blessings that our father in heaven has for us in this life.  And that what we have to give is just not good enough.  I have felt that so much in my lifetieme off and on and I assume that others too have felt the same way. 

Here are just a few quotes from the book:

"What certain others think of us may matter in some ways, but the opinions of others, no matter who they are, should not define us. Christ is the audience for whom we perform." 

"We are not told to understand.  We are told to remember.  That can only mean one thing: at some point we knew our worth in the sight of God."


"Everyone on this earth stuggles--even those who seem to have all the advantages.  It's part of God's plan.  It's how we come to the realization that we have to rely on Him instead of on our own strength.  And it brings us to a realization of His mericful plan.  Regardless of any disadvantage we face, our Heavenly Father can fill any void and can make up for all that we lack.  He knows us better than we know ourselves, and His perfect plan can catch us when we fall and redeem us when we sell ourselves short."  I love this one because I have come to know for myself that he can fill all the void in our lives...we just have to learn to give our life to Him.

"We cannot trust others to determine our worth.  We can't even trust ourselves to determine our worth.  We have to train ourselves to listen, believe, and act on the only voice that matters--Christ's voice."


" He says, "Come follow me." If we do that, we will end up where He is.  Think about it!..."


Anyway, it is a really, really good book and it's short.  But it's one that you will want to savor because it makes you feel and know how loved and how special you truly are.  I highly suggest it!