2017 = The Year I Discovered the Library

Obviously 2017 was also (and a thousand times more significantly) the year I had our 3rd child. A blessing. A treasure. Our whole world. Family will always be the most important and this baby is so beyond loved. But I feel like writing about the public library right now so...

Ok, so I bought a $10 for the year library card. I actually bought it for the movie aspect because Netflix didn't have the ones I wanted and searching through the Walmart $5 bin was a pain, both for me and my cart full of impatient carted kidlets. So ya, I bought the library card and then... boom.

An entire world was awakened.

Did you know they have like every single movie and new release like ever?! I loved movie rental stores, and I was so sad when they all dissipated. But guess what? The library replaces it ten fold! I mean seriously ten bucks for the year and I can request any movie I want! AND I get to keep them for a whole 7 days plus renew for another week as long as no one else is in line. AND there's no limit on how many I borrow! I do have to wait my place in line once I request a movie that a lot of people also requested, but honestly I think that adds to the excitement of anticipating. Plus it's a fun surprise when I get the e-mail that says it's waiting for me!

You know how they say you change as you get older? Well, I discovered something crazy I never knew about me - I love reading books. Seriously, I may be read 5 books in their entirety from ages 13 to 28. In school I skipped to the end a lot of times. I truly never truly read a full book for book reports and I still got 90's (self-five). I HATED reading books. It took so much time and I had to pay attention or I'd get lost and forget what was happening. I was slow at reading comprehension so that only added to the time consuming bordom I felt. It was all just a waste of time for me. But last year I decided to borrow a couple books from the library. They were ones I'd heard great things about, so what the hey, it was free to borrow and I could always skim and return. Well, the books turned out to be awesome and I loved reading them. I discovered I really love non-fiction books from celebs I adore or topics I love like minimalsim, simplicity, and money. I've read about 12 books in less than a year, which is a huge deal for this notta book reader. I LOVE READING BOOKS! Who knew? definitely not me. (Although I will say I've always loved reading childrens books, I mean they have sweet pictures, whats not to love?!)

Now because of mommy brain I don't retain a ton of information as I read. That may be why I really love and enjoy non-fiction type books, as I can just enjoy the page I'm on. I mean I can only read a page or 2 at a go anyways with kidlets around. I really like that it's also a non-distracting form of entertainment. If I'm reading something on a screen I know I can google that randomn thing that just popped into my head or get engulfed in the facebook newsfeed with a flick or a click. I love that books pull me away from my ipad.

Anyways I originally wanted this post to be much shorter and clearer. But it's late and I'm tired. In short. Get a library card because it's crazy cheap entertainment and you don't have to store dvd's and books any more! (yay for the minimalist home!)

They also have courses I've been meaning to try out. This year I shall try them.


Heaven's slice is finally blogging something after a long long time. Also, it's public libraries.

A Profound Lesson Learned in Preparing My Daughter's Primary Talk

My 4 year old gave her first talk in primary! Seeing as I've never been in a sharing time since I was 11 years old, I wasn't sure how to go about writing her talk.

The subject: Blessings of the priesthood are available to all.

I asked my sister and she said to make it short and use pictures as their little attention spans make it a bit difficult for them. Aren't older sister's wonderful?! I'm sure glad she gave me that tip, because it worked awesome!

My brain was a fair bit foggy to say the least with a newborn and all, so trying to come up with the words was difficult at first. Then something I heard once popped up in my head - "If you can't explain something in simple terms then you don't know it well enough." As I pondered how to explain the priesthood simply for my little daugher, the words tumbled out easily:

The blessings of the priesthood are available to all. Whether you are young like a baby or old as a grandma. Priesthood is God's power given to worthy men to bless others. Blessings can be given by Dads, home teachers, bishops, or even a family friend. Because of the pristhood we can all be baptized and have eternal families. 

She had it memorized about the third time we went over it!

Sometimes I overcomplicate things which only leads to further anxiety and stress for myself. However, whenever I am able to focus on the essential and bring it into simplicity, I always find peace and ease. The gospel doctrines at it's core are simple and basic, it is us that tend to overcomplicate things with if's why's and how's.

I love teaching my littles, it makes me focus on explaining things in simple terms. Which means I get to know them better myself too.



Heaven's slice is simplicity.

The Number 1 Thing I Wish I Did More of Before I Had Children

Of course, there are many things we forgo for a time once pregnant and having infant children to tend to. Things like traveling, eating at fancy restaurants, concerts, overnight hikes, going to a non-cartoon movie in theatres, etc. The list is seemingly quite long when you stop to dwell on things you’re ‘missing out on’ because you have littles in tow.

But when you focus on all that which you have gained in becoming a parent your list becomes far more significant. Your personal gains and outreach to the future holds more esteem than the other list could possibly come close to. As I ponder on all the benefits I have received through becoming a parent there is one huge one that stands out: I’ve gotten to know myself better than I ever have. My strengths and weaknesses have come to a forefront. I have recognized my talents and passions more so now than I ever did before. I’ve found me in motherhood. And I have a strong theory in how this came to be…

It’s been through sacrifice. Giving of myself all day every day to my kids. Caring for their every need and creating the space for them to find out who they uniquely are by instilling sacred family values. It’s been through in fact losing myself in caring for them that has in turn made me find myself. The true me. The wonderful me that I’ve actually become quite fond of.

So what I wish I did more of before I had my children was simply to have served more. To have given more of myself to the needs of others. To have been more informed of the projects and programs that help people at home and abroad and to have put myself in the work. To have made a difference in more people’s lives other than my own. To have put myself last more often. I wasn’t completely selfish before marriage and children, but I was definitely self-involved. I was a lot more consumed with finding out who I was, what I found fun, and what made me happy that I actually lost the ability to truly find that out. If I had just given more of myself I am certain I would have found me so much quicker.

If I could go back and speak to you, my younger childless husbandless self, I would urge you to make more sacrifices in caring for others. I would plead that you be more attentive to others’ needs. Spend more time not just developing talents, but sharing them with others. Let go of self-doubt and throw yourself into the work. Share whatever little means you have, be it time or monetary funds, to truly care for another. It will prove to bring you more to the person you were meant to be, and it will refine you in ways nothing else can.

In simpler terms, I would probably just tell her to strive to be more motherly. After all, isn’t service and sacrifice in loving another what being motherly is all about?

Heaven's slice is sacrificing your life for another's.

THIS Is Important

I LOVE decluttering. I LOVE simplicity. I LOVE Minimalism.

Bringing our home to be just that, OUR home, has brought such joy in my life. I want a house that keeps our own personal loves and things we actually use. A house that gives us calm, and eases us of outside burdens. Not a high maintenance house that demands attention all the time with cleaning and picking up, but one that we can actually find rest and refuge in.

It excites me as I sort through rooms and closets to find and be rid of unloved and unnecessarry stuff from our home. Through doing these decluttering exercises and fun target goals in getting rid of stuff I am not just discarding what's not important, but I'm revealing to myself and our family what IS important.

"This item. This is important. This should be kept. It should be viewed. It should be used."

My thoughts are rewired to a higher thinking standard in doing these little decluttering sessions. I can more easily think about more important things which ultimately spills over to me spending my time on more important things.

Now. I by no means have it perfectly figured out. I still waste time. Lots. But. I am WAY better than I used to be, and I think a big reason for this improvement has to do with training my brain to frequently make decisions on what things are important to me.

Why does life seem to distract me from what's most important to me? Why does it seem at times too busy and complicated? Well, I think in a large part, at least for me, it's because of all the unnecessary/unloved 'stuff' in our homes. The meaningless clutter that grows and grows... until we start and are continually proactive about being rid of it. It's important that our homes can reflect what matters most. What's actually important for our spiritual and physical well-being and growth.

There is such an awesome talk by Deiter F. Uchtdorft titled 'Of Things That Matter Most' and it sums up what truly is important and the reasons we should be slowing down in our 'busy' so that we can better focus on these things. I love how he closes it:

"Brothers and sisters, indeed we have great reason to rejoice. If life and its rushed pace and many stresses have made it difficult for you to feel like rejoicing, then perhaps now is a good time to refocus on what matters most.

Strength comes not from frantic activity but from being settled on a firm foundation of truth and light. It comes from placing our attention and efforts on the basics of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. It comes from paying attention to the divine things that matter most.

Let us simplify our lives a little. Let us make the changes necessary to refocus our lives on the sublime beauty of the simple, humble path of Christian discipleship—the path that leads always toward a life of meaning, gladness, and peace. For this I pray, as I leave you my blessing, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen." - Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Heaven's slice is deciding what's important and what is not.

I've Become My Own Pet Peeve

As I may have mentioned before, I've been a lover of blogs and stalked oh so many people's blogs throughout my adulthood.

I love finding new blogs of people I know, or kind of know through mutual friends' blog sidelinks. I used to keep up with them and scroll through their posts so often. In fact, it was so often that I started to feel entitled to a new 'weekly' blog post by these half strangers.

And when they all of a sudden just stopped publishing posts? I was irritated. I mean, how dare they be on such a regular schedule and then just fall off the map for those random strange people that were throwing them so many page views?

It was my pet peeve.

And I feel like I've become my own pet peeve with Heaven's Slice.

No, I don't owe anyone anything. But, Heaven's Slice used to be posted on regularly and now has kind of been put on my back burner.

Why?

Because I've been focusing on other writing ventures. So really, I'm justifying it, because I still am very much exploring and sharing my writing talent with others... It's just been through other platforms.

So I'm forgiving myself with Heaven's Slice for being MIA. And. You should forgive me too, randomn fellow blog stalker strangers who keep checking back to see if I have any new posts on here.

Don't give up on me. But do, if you wish, check out my freelance work HERE and my other blog venture HERE if you are missing me.

Much love.

Heaven's Slice is checking in with an old friend who judges not that you've been away.

Deciding on Best

Well I did it - I burnt myself out.

Not completely. But close. I've been so good at keeping an 'un-busy' life that I took it for granted and let my guard down. I'm not the kind of person that over schedules or signs up for unnecessary things. I kind of thought that sort of thing just came naturally to me, no maintenance needed.

I was wrong.

I let my guard down, and let too many things in. Granted, my pregnancy with baby #3 kind of squoze out the space energy I thought I had to take the time for other pursuits. There were also a lot of pesky time sucking nuisances such as slow freezing daily house wifi to deal with...

I've become pretty ambitious with quite a few things it seems like this year, not the least of which was a new site (blog). Which I LOVE mind you. BUT, it most certainly isn't my everything. Nor should it ever be. My mind kind of got consumed and due to some other things I embarked on as well, I got stressed.

But isn't everybody stressed and busy? What is this post even about? Am I supposed to feel sorry for you or something?

(Just thought I'd throw this in there in case you were thinking it)

In reply to your remark, no. My usual is unstressed and unbusy (you'd think I had better wording for that...). I take my mental health far more seriously than my physical health, and I keep anxiety, stress, and depression far at bay because of this pro activeness. Of course those sort of things can't always be helped, but it has worked for me for the most part.

The trick? Deciding on best.

I forgot my New Years Resolution word, and as I flipped through my journal for a blank page I stumbled upon it.

BEST

The year of best. Best use of my time and energies. I so needed this swift reminder. There are so many good things, then some are better, but only few are best. Only few are necessary. It caused me to re shift my priorities and work-through eliminating any guilt from letting others down. It's important to not let others down. I know. But sometimes you have to carefully decide who to let down.

For me, if it's a choice between letting my family down or another, I MUST choose the 'another.' Family is the best choice. These 4 are the best choice. And by #4 I don't mean me, I mean the baby in my belly. I couldn't be more excited to have a third baby in arms! Babies just put everything into perspective, because they are the best.

So anyways that's my little story, and why perhaps heaven's slice has slipped off the radar for a time. I was deciding on best. Not to say I didn' or don't have many many heaven's slice posts in my head, but my time is limited and I must choose more wisely where I spend it.

It's not to say I won't mess up, but I'm hoping to keep up with choosing best. My deciding factor when it comes to time consumption is this:

If I don't love or enjoy doing it and/or it doesn't benefit another for good, then it's a waste of my time. 


Also, in case you didn't know - My thoughts come a great deal from this most amazing and important talk that you must read, watch, or listen to. 

GOOD, BETTER, BEST - Dallin H. Oaks 



Heaven's slice is trying to embrace time instead of wasting it.

Feeling Awkward and Uncomfortable at Church and Church Activities

This has been something I've been pondering lately and I feel the tug to share of my own thoughts and experiences on it. I've read a few blog posts out there about those who feel uncomfortable at church. Like they don't fit into the "cookie cutter mormon woman" mold. Of course it's always an uplifting read because at the end they start to relay their own personal journey and testimony of the church and what keeps them there. I love it when people share their stories.

This is my post following this theme of feeling like a misfit at church and church functions.

Fact is, with many of these blog posts with their cookie-cutter description of the Mormon woman - happily married wife of multiple children - looks a lot like me. I don't really have any physical appearances that stand out from the "Mormon norm."

But,

I often feel and have felt like a misfit at church. I also share feelings of awkwardness, like I don't fit in. There have been times in my life that I've gone months sitting alone on a church bench every Sunday. There have been many church activities I've attended where I feel awkward, even uncomfortable socially. Like my personality and likes vary to a great degree to others around me. That I don't quite "fit in" with others at church.

So why do I go?

I go simply because I know that is where I belong. I feel so strongly that it is where I need to be and should be that it outweighs any sort of uncomfortable "mis-fit" feelings I encounter 10 fold. I know that the gospel of my church is true. This is precisely why I go. Always have. Always will.

And, I'm not naive enough to think I'm the only one who feels this way. If I appear to be part of of the "cookie-cutter" connotation yet feel like a misfit often, I am certain there are many others who may appear to me that they fit in, yet also have struggles of feeling like the odd ball at church too.

We are all so different. Our personalities. Our talents. Our passions. It's going to cause us to feel different a lot of the time. But just because we may feel different, uncomfortable or awkward at church by no way means that you don't belong. It's our differences that cause us all to need each other, to appreciate each other.

All of us struggle with different vices. All of us have our own specific struggles and short-comings. We all share this regardless of what our outward appearances look like.

Dare I say, we are all misfits at church. So feel free to join because the only thing that matters is that we are children of the most high. Everyone of us on this earth.



Heaven's slice is knowing why you belong at church.

Being Financially Responsible With Tithing Money

Once upon a time I was in a church calling as a 1st Councillor in Young Womens. We were trying to decide what to get each young woman as a special birthday gift. Each calling has a set budget, money wich comes from tithing. (10% of income members of the church voluntarily contribute to the church - read more here). As we were excitedly shuffling through these fancy and frilly ideas the Young Women President who had not yet contributed to the conversation very humbly and wisely started to speak about how we needed to consider the widows mite. That the money we were using someone may have financially forgone many wants perhaps needs in order to give that money to the church. Giving in faith that not only they would be blessed, but the church would benefit. There was a humbling hush that came over the rest of us. It rested greatly on my shoulders. This money was to contribute to the Young Womens program, a program which enables young women to gain their own testimony in order for them to access future temple blessings. To help them see themselves as who they truly are - as daughters of God. It's nice to have beautiful decorations and fun adventurous memories. But from a financial and spiritual standpoint, to what cost were they of worth? Did they fill the NEED? After that experience I've since had a strong grasp as to how and what I spend money on for church callings. Because I think about that person or family who saved and scrimped so that they could pay a proper tithing in building up the church. 

There is a most wonderful talk that explains it perfectly and incredible called The Widow's Mite by Gordon B. Hinckley in a talk he gave to BYU students (BYU being partially funded a great deal by tithing). 

He talks about a cheque he recieved from a widow for a large sum of money that she sacrificed greatly to give to the church and how the students needed to put that money to good use in this their education at BYU. 

You need to either read or listen to the whole thing, because it is absolutely wonderful! A must read for all church members, but especially those within callings that use tithing funds.

I remember a friend asked me about why members took turns cleaning the church. It was a casual conversation and I embarassingly gave out a sarcasticly funny remark about getting gold stars that get you into heaven. I can be a little imature sometimes, but I think I said after it's a good act of service or something. I wish I had relayed a portion of this quote though that was in the talk The Widow's Mite:

"The widow who brought to me her offering, which has become a portion of the funding of this university, would expect you to save, protect, and do all you can to preserve these remarkable facilities that have cost so much."

We need to clean and take care of our buildings and respect our church buildings as members precisely because of the tithing it took and sacrifices made for us to enjoy the building. It's a matter of gratitude and respect. 

Tithing is incredible and it has blessed our family so much in being able to give that 10%. It is a commandment with so many blessings (including financial) that come from the giver. But I would dare to say another part of paying tithing is to use that money responsibly and spiritually wise when we are alotted areas in which to spend money for the church's benefit. 



Heavenslice is using tithing money the way God intends it to be used. 

Craving Sundays

I have felt pretty busy over the last few weeks. Almost overwhelmed. As you may know, I took a dive into blogging as a career and added my very own site to the plunge a few months ago. I am LOVING it!

It was a dream in my head that I'm so excited to have play out and get to take a shot at making a small (may be large one day!) living off of. I've even endeveared into a free, but intense, 6 week blogger mentorship program. It's so great. It is.

But again...I'm feeling a little too busy at times.

Enter Sundays. The day I have started to truly crave. A day of rest. Of spiritual rejuvenation. A day where I can let go of worldly aspects of my day(work & errands) and put eternal perspective as my focus. A day where my rockstar husband tends even more to us. Have I mentioned how amazing my husband is?! This is partly because he doesn't do school work on Sundays, so he's pretty well all ours! I also take a break from social media on Sundays which I feel makes a huge differene and gives my brain a rest. I love going to church. I love sacrament meeting, listening to such meaningful and inspiring messages to help inspire me to become more christlike. Partaking of the sacrement and singing hymns too! I'm in nursery and love playing with toys and giving little lessons to the littlest and sweetest members of our ward. Little one's put everything into perspective for me.

Basically, Sundays have become my air for the week ahead. It helps turn my wandering heart back to God who in turn gives me such solace in doing so.




Heaven's slice is most definetly Sundays.

The Protection and Peace I Have Found in Reading My Scriptures Daily

Honestly, reading scriptures has always been the key to peace in my life. 

I can get frought with worry and anxiety pretty easily, but when I open my scriptures it just eases off of me. 

If I get a prompting to do something or go somewhere, I tend to overthink it and turn it into too daunting of a task. But I've tried to make efforts to read the scriptures in those times and it always makes the impressions more clear and simple. It brings peace and motivation to do that which I was impressed to do. 

Sometimes after recieving a soft answer to a prayer I start to waver and get confused on if it was really an answer or just something I made up. Reading the scriptures pushes the answer more clearly into my mind, once again, bringing peace with it.

Now as for the protection I have found with scripture reading. I don't mean physically. I mean mentally. My mental state makes a dark turn once my scripture reading stops. I found this the most scary and prominent in my teenage years. The summers where it was not "part of school/seminary" to be reading scriptures daily, I stopped. This is when the depression hit the hardest for me. Once I started reading them again in the Fall, I started seeing lights gradually opening up in my brain. Problems didn't seem as big, and my rational side started behaving correctly. 

There is a great power in scripture reading and study that is kind of indescribable unless you've felt it for yourself. Though I've tried to share a small piece of my experience with it, if you have not tried it in your life, you will not understand this. So, I'm putting out an invitation, as all of us mormons seem to do...

Read the Book Of Mormon. 

Read it daily, be it fast or slow. Just read it. ALL of it. Whether you understand the wording or not, just keep reading it. It's translated from an ancient language so it is a little confusing at times, even from those who have read and studied it all their life. 

Truly you have nothing to lose by reading it, but potentially, you may just have EVERYTHING to gain.

Here's the links for your FREE copy. CLICK

You can even just read it simply online here no downloading or sign up necessary.  Though you can download it too! CLICK

Heaven's Slice is reading scriptures daily and finding out your own truth in the validity of the Book Of Mormon by reading it yourself. All the way through.

Goals: A Final Stretch Review

You can read all about my new year's resolution project I've done this year where I treat every month as a new year by CLICKING HERE.

I thought I'd touch base and let you know how it has gone, so you too can perhaps feel inspired to fulfill your own monthly new year goal this January.

I started this year out, wanting each monthly goal to be a hefty one. A focused drive. A must-be-finished-within-30-days endeavour. And as I started to challenge myself in setting these big monthly goals, it became apparent that I needed to reflect on what I wanted to become after these special 12 months. What I desired of myself to be. The biggest desire. So I pondered upon my priorities. What matters the most in my life. What is at the top of my list. It didn't take long for me to be gently touched as to what that was.

More Christlike.

I simply want to be a better person this year. Better at forgiving. Better at practising patience. Better at serving my fellow man. Most especially my little family.

My faith (my religion) helps me be better. So with that in mind, I prayerfully chose a goal every month that would reflect that desire.

The results?

My eyes have been humbly opened to the long journey I have ahead of me to be what I truly desire to be. There is no finish line, because there is no end to it's progression. And may be, that's what I love the most about these goals - that I can continue them. That I can gain little by little the attributes needed to reach who I was always meant to be.

Instead of your typical physical body health/appearance goals that seem to be such a popular go-to new year goal, I challenge you to break free from the physical obsession and become more concerned with your spiritual nature. This is what I did this year, and it's benefits far suprasses any sort of physical focus I could have had.

The beauty of it is that when you become more fixated on your spiritual self, you're not the sole benefactor. You benefit those around you as well.

Happy almost new year every one! I hope it's been a great to look back on for you, but even more so I hope you can look on the future year with hope and excitement.



Heaven's slice is knowing to what cause you were born.

This December

I am following and participating the LIGHT THE WORLD CAMPAIGN this December.

Here is the link to do it too! (Click a day and join in serving!!)

There is an act of service attached to each day from December 1 - 25. I have read and done at least one thing it suggests to do each day so far and it has been so heart touching.

My life seems to have gotten quite busy lately. And now with the Christmas season upon us there is the added pressure to get all the gift buying done for everyone. A pressureful busy-nesss that I actually kind of resent more and more each year.

For me, it takes away from what the season truly means for me. That great gift of life after death brought forth through our saviour. The hope that that tiny babe born in Bethlehem brought to generations upon generations. The hope it has brought to me. To know I have my family forever through Christ my Saviour.

I LOVE the December season. I do. Everyone, myself included, seems to be more cheery and kind. There is more of an outpoor of service. Of kind words. Of visiting family. Of meals shared with an exchange of laughs and hugs. Of Christmas music filling the air and creating family memories and traditions. It truly is a most wonderful month.

But the STUFF part of this season is distracting for me. I don't need stuff.

No, actually, I don't want stuff. I literally have everything I could every want within the walls of my home.

I want this husband who loves me and whom I love. I want that loyalty and honesty that is between us. I want health for me and my family. I want my children to scream and laugh and run and play with a pure zest for life. I want them to know Mommy and Daddy love eachother and love them too. I want them to know who Jesus is and what prayer means. I want to be financially stable. I want to be allowed the opportunity to progress and thus not be racked with past guilts. I want to explore my talents, to hone in on my passions. I want kind, fun, loyal, and dependable relationships. I want to live in a land of freedoms. I want to live near exteneded family and a temple... Deep down, I don't think anyone really wants "stuff."

This 25 Ways to Follow Our Saviour' shows me what I can do that doesn't entail that distracting checkmark of things to buy to fill a gift bag for someone who doesn't have need for it. It shows me the real ways I want to give. To really make a difference. To take time to truly give of myself and not my debit card.

Everything I want I have. I know Thanksgiving is long past, but December is actually more of a season of Thanks for me. Because this is what rings in my ears all month long:

"Because I have been given much 

I too must give"

Heaven's slice is having this daily opportunity to give as He did.

She Got Married In The Temple???!

This is a sort of question/statement that sometimes slips out from people's surprised tongues on occasion.

This was a statement made from others about me once upon a time after my blissful wedding. And this, was may be, probably, a question/statement that's been said about many of you reading this. Regardless of your gender.

When I heard that this was said about me, was I angry? No, actually I wasn't at all. I saw it for what it was. A misunderstanding. A misunderstanding that hopefully someday would be explained to those whom are unfamiliar with Christ's atonement and temple ordinances. Truly, it was easy to shrug off the rumoured comments, because I had a strong grasp of what Christ's atonement meant for me in my life.

Getting sealed in the temple is a huge commitment. It is an eternally binding ordinance between your spouse and the Lord. A commitment of a forever. This commitment is comprised of many covenants - promises to deity. This is what we believe and strive for as members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. Because of the deep sacredness and proper authority channels of specific priesthood holders and temple sealers, there is a faith-filled journey of worthiness required in order prepare to make and keep these very serious covenants within the ordinance.

Regardless of who your are or what your past entails, entering the temple requires repentance. It requires you to be a better person. It requires you to build your faith. To use Christ's atonement in making amends and seeking forgiveness for those sins that have so easily besought you in the past. It requires that you strive to know your Saviour more deeply.

Here is a link that will take you further for more insight into our temples if you are curious:

Temples (click)


Also, here's a pretty awesome short video about temples too. It's even in drawing/cartoon form!

CLICK HERE FOR TEMPLE VIDEO

And here is one about temple clothing and garments, that I know lots of people are curious about:



In case the video doesn't work here's the link to click for it.

Feel free to snoop around lds.org for more information on this or any other "mormon" topics you  have desires to know about.



Heaven's slice is making and keeping temple covenants.

Where The Roses Are

I believe everyone has a talent. And these talents show themselves in a very beautiful and positive bloom.

Like a rose.

Sometimes however when we see another's rose we feel the need to put it down.

"That's not real"
"That's totally fake"
"Gag me"

We look at those online photos of their "perfect" family and status updates of how much they are "loving" life.

We get cynical. We get critical. And we start to complain that they aren't being real. That their rose is fake. Instead of being happy for the rose they are displaying and enjoying it's beauty, we desperately search for it's faults. The blooper photo. The vengeful ranting post. The scraps that were edited out.

Why do we do this to people? Especially to other women? Why do we condemn their rose for not being true and real instead of acknowledging the beauty that they have created?

Here is my answer.

We aren't paying enough attention to our own roses. We're not tending to them. We're not sharing them with the world. And we most certainly aren't around them near enough.

For some it's photography. For others it's paintings. Hairstyling. Nails. Humour. Sports. Cooking. Physique. Cleaning. Music... and for me, it's writing.

I really don't consider myself talented. But. I know that writing is my talent. Because that is where my positive outlooks burst through. My excited giddiness manifests. And my effortless energy surges. Also, my perfectionist/detailed side appears. A side which doesn't seem to appear anywhere else. I find great pleasure in trimming paragraphs and spell checking. I like getting to the meat and potatoes quickly and navigating emotion pulls through sentence structures. Grammar, thankfully, isn't actually so much part of the blogging world. It thrives more on how a conversation would stop or start itself. See my point? I could go on forever writing about how much I love writing. Because that is how excited I get about it! It's my rose.

And I've paid a whole lot more attention to my roses than I ever have since having children. I believe that's because when you lose yourself serving others you find yourself.

I've found as I've been developing and sharing my roses more to others, I feel so much joy upon seeing another's rose.

They are not competition. And they most certainly aren't fake.

They are beautiful.

And I am so grateful that they shared them with me. Even if it was only on social media, I am still grateful that there are people out there sharing their roses. The labour of love with detailed perfection of vision. Editting out flaws, and allowing us to see their talent bloom through.



Heaven's slice is being where your roses are and sharing them with not only yourself, but your family and the world.

Halloween Fun

Oh my how I love Halloween!

I'd love to say this pose was planned, but this is my daughter's new 'I forgot how to smile because you've taken too many photos of me' face. It worked out  pretty awesome for our theme though hey?!(Thanks for taking the photo MOM!!)

I had us pegged down to be Goldilocks and the 3 Bears since the beginning of the year (may be earlier). It was my little girl's favourite story to read for a long time and seemed pretty suiting given our family size.

And because my parents are awesome and don't get trick or treaters really anymore out where they live, they came in and handed out candy at our house while we went out with the kids! I must say my mom is pretty much the funnest halloween candy hand 'er outer there is. Someday I hope to be as fun as her!

And then after Goldilocks and Baby Bear went to bed, Momma Bear and Papa Bear watched a classic Halloween movie while looting the little's candy bags.




Buffy the Vampire Slayer

Yes. I know, it's chalk full of early 90's cheesiness and shall we say "ok" acting. But it used to be my favourite and I can still laugh and smile at a lot of the parts of the movie. I can't handle scary movies, so this movie gives me the "sense" of a scary movie without it being scary at all.







Anyways. Halloween was awesome this year!




Heaven's slice is this family of mine and mini chocolate bars.

My Week of Reading My Patriarchal Blessing

As a weeker I decided to read my patriarchal blessing every day. To find out what a Patriarchal Blessing is you can CLICK HERE.

Every day for 7 days I read it. And by the end of the 7th day it was pretty well memorized. I do have a gift of easy memorization, but none the less it was so wonderful to have that amazing blessing stored in my mind. I actually continued doing this for sometime after the weeker was done, because it was so profound to me. I seem to take these spectacular gifts in my life forgranted, and through reading my patriarchal blessing I was able to see more clearly how incredible it is to have this loving guide from my Heavenly Father to help me remember the purpose of my mortal journey.

This was probably my most profound and favourite weeker, and I challenge anyone that has theirs to do it as their weeker.


Heaven's slice is patriarchal blessings.

The 4 Year Difference

Photo credit: Meghan Holt Photography

Can you spot the changes in these photos?

Heaven's slice is looking forward to what the next 4 years will bring!

He Sees Your Try

Quite a few months ago I heard something that really touched and encouraged me to finally change my view.

I was in relief society, and as a discussion was commencing on a certain gospel topic there was a comment made from another sister (sister is what we call each woman in the church, as we believe all people are children of god, so we are all essentially brothers and sisters) She had stated that she tries to read her scriptures first thing in the morning before reading or perhaps even doing anything else. She went on to talk about how God has stated that he is a "Jealous God" and that '"Thou shalt have no other gods before me" and how by reading her scriptures first that it is like a sign she is giving to Him. This may not be exactly what she said, but that is what I took from it.

I'm sure I've heard this many times before, but this is the first time I actually listened. I always had this prideful kind of way about my morning hatred. I've purposefully not read my scriptures in the morning because I've felt like I'm not really alert enough to understand all what I'm reading. I'd get more out of it by doing it at night, or so I thought until now...

I took this into my life almost the day after I heard that comment. I began putting scripture reading as one of my first to-do's in the morning. Before any screen-related scrolls, I made sure that I had read my scriptures first. If I hadn't read them yet, I'd only watch gospel-related videos until I did. There was much effort and attention at first to place this habit into my life, but I now find I crave that symbolic gesture in the morning.

That sign I give to my Heavenly Father that I want to put him first in my life. 

I've found that since doing this, I've become more inspired this year than ever before. I feel a more frequent closeness to Heavenly Father and even more personal revelation given to me. I see lights at the end of tunnels, and dreams becoming more strongly known. I am also feeling more desirous to change faulted behaviours of mine. I feel that he has seen my try and he is blessing me for it.

Heaven's slice is putting God first.

Family Photos

I'll never get that photo of the 3am snuggle.

I'll never get the photo of the first time she told me I was her bestest friend in the whole wide world.

I'll never get the photo of the playful teasing banter of my husband and I have as we prep supper.

I'll never get the photo of those ordinary extraordinary moments in life that burst your heart. That create memories deep into your soul. Those moments where you are fully present and aware of the precious gift you have before you. For those moments are too special to photograph. They are sacred, and only for me.

...

But the photos I can get are worth every single penny! Amongst wind, short attention spans, and a friendly clingy kitten was a photographer talented enough to take on the challenge. It was so fun to get our precious family all dressed up and have an evening out playing at a kind neighbour's farmyard (I consider a neighbour anyone within a 10 mile radius, is that weird?. She created gorgeous poses and beatified our images in such a dreamy romantic way. I sure do love her style!

Huge thanks to Meghan Holt Photography!

Feast your eyes upon a few of our family photo treasures!

Heaven's slice is this precious family of mine.

Shooting Stars

Because of my love of this photo I decided to centre a post around it!

This photo is one of my absolute favourites. It not only has one of the loves of my life in it giving the face and outfit of ultimate coolness, but also Shooting Stars - my favourite flower. We were picking wildflowers right where I use to pick them growing up, and I couldn't help feeling nostalgic. 

Our lives are full of miracles, tender mercies, and beauty. If we have eyes to see them. 

A hands ability to artfully produce masterpieces. The sight of a perfect new bundle in your arms. A mountain's peak. An ocean shoreline. The diverse individual capabilities and talents of each and every human being.

There is wonder and there is good in the world. We have that handful of shooting stars. We all have that potential to dream. To soar. To reach. To change. To become.

But, there are also weeds that surround us. Under foot they tarry. They multiply. They challenge our focus. They entice us to look down instead of skyward.

If we're not careful about where our vision lies, these weeds will close our eyes to our dreams. Our handful of shooting stars.

We must look to the good. We must look up. We must find gratitude. We must find joy.

We must cling tight to our handful of shooting stars.

"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." 

- Elder Jeffrey R. Holland 'This, the Greatest of All Dispensations'

Heaven's slice is believing.