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I have a dream!

Life is so full, but today I thought I would ponder my future. What is it that I would most like 'become'on my journey? What am I creating to help my family prosper? Although the answers of these questions and many like them are far reaching, I believe that like most things in life if I search the scriptures and pray and ponder that the answers will become clearer to me.

So, to begin...In looking at prosperity I am not alone in my pondering of such things. Across contless generations have these things been written...1 Nephi 2:20, Jarom 1:9, Mosiah 1:7, Alma 37:13;49;30;50;20 

"If ye keep commandments, ye shall prosper"

It can't be much clearer than that! I guess, then in the living of Lehi's dream(1 Nephi Chapter 8) to walk unwavering the strait and narrow path we become more ready to receive the 'fruits'of HIS blessing.
I like everyone that I know often over look these blessings each day. It is only when I STOP and pray with a grateful heart for these blessings that  I even mentally acknowledge these otherwise insurmountable feats. I am reminded of revelation given by Elder David A. Bednar ...

"The tender mercies of the Lord are real. They do not occur randomly or by coincidence."

 Now, that I have established that I have come to discover that I must strive to live the commandments to the best of my ability - nothing like setting a MEGA sized goal straight up on my journey to prosperity :) The one thing that stands out for me about Jesus was that he 'created' so much in his own likeness. He created a beautiful world with stars,trees, plants and wildlife -for me, the world created was purposeful and not without perfection like himself. I believe that in order for me and my family to prosper I need to also 'create'. Unlike Lehi in his very specific dream, I have a dream that I can create things to remind people about the 'Light of God' and in the Importance of staying Clean (Spiritually speaking ). I am about to embark on the journey of creating and marketing my own "candles and soaps'' to prosper as promised in scripture.
Have I ever made soap or candles? NO! Have I all the equipment to do it? NO! Do I know about marketing and sales trends of home industries? NO! ........I think that just like when Jesus created the world - it took TIME, when Nephi and Noah built there ships having never crafted one before I believe it was there FAITH that enabled their craft to develop, when Joseph Smith and the early saints endured such hardships not only was there faith developed but their resolve to stand for TRUTH. I too hope to grow in my KNOWLEDGE that "  he is like a ^crefiner’s ^dfire, and like fuller’s soap; " I want to be able to look back to today and remember a point in time where i set my worthy goal out, pondering it , praying for his guidance in it all that I may in the process be 'refined' and come to know HIM as I come to learn of soap and candles.

First Mobile/Cell Phone Post

Today I am weary from asthma and a rather exhausting week!
I am grateful that on this beautiful Sabbath day I have my family around me and good friends looking out for us.
As I type today I am mindful of the busy fortnight ahead of us. Master One has been selected to be part of a leadership camp for school. As this will be his first ever school camp he is very excited and so are we for him. Just this week he managed to achieve his level 6 for his bronze medallion . A true outdoors lad who loves to tackle projects I would never dare! For his art assignment this week he has created a sculpture to reflect "a day in his life" - he has hand made an enormous sculpture of a hand with clay ! This is my same cherub who broke that hand in 5 places a year ago- yep a day I bet he will never forget !!! :)

My Master two however, has been mega busy creating a website about his nan and life in the 40's . He has needed to overcome lots of challenges independently to achieve this task - because I for one have never built web stuff like it!


Mr lovely gave our miniature horse a bath last night, I think it was the funniest thing I have ever seen. I think hubby ended up more covered in bubbles and water :) True Love!
Well this entering a blog from my phone has not been really hard at all! Yay for me - still living, still loving and best of all - still learning!

March to my own Drum!

March............to my own beat and drum:
This month has not only reminded me how fast this year is disappearing but how life is also! In the space of a week we have had the emotional turmoil of the most seasoned traveller of life. It has been a time where tears flowed, tempers were spicey, trials seemed to outweigh our strength and resilience at times. However, I feel that despite my less than perfect week;
I felt the strength of a MIRACLE , the might of a SAVIOUR , the peace of a TEMPLE and the love of FAMILY and FRIENDS.
I think that change is never easy but it is a gradually learned part of life that we become more equipped to manage. My blog has taken a backseat for the past few months, I truelly got to the point of - who cares anyhow? But while having my self doubt party I came to realise that the point of a blog for me is 'FOR ME' ...to pop back and see not only my personal growth but also the growth in page traffic has reminded that sharing my page is a goal that I have. As daunting as that is...I hope that I gain some more followers and comments (hint hint :)
Learning to be comfortable in my own skin is not always a reality...but I think it's ok to realise that God's not finished with me yet and that everyday is a new day - to begin again....my pace, my way, and my journey.

Out with the Old and In with Contentment

Having spent much of the past month and a half relocating , I have found myself confronted with so much excess that has accumulated since baby Thomas passed away. I now realize that my hoarding/collecting has inhibited my growth and ability to move on in a healthy way. However, maybe it was that i was not ready to 'part' with another thing - so perhaps it was the healthiest way to do things : FOR ME!!!


I guess that untimely cultural expectations of 'get over it', ' move on' all come into how well we mum's of small infants who have died cope. Most of that type of banter we have little to no control of at the time , well meaning people just unfortunately open their mouths instead of their ears and hearts. I guess I have learned so much from the experiences of life, it has not all been easy , but at the same time it has not all been bad either. I have begun to not hold onto reminders of our sweet little boy and the things we had hoped for him, his bath tub, his bike seat, his bath ring and the endless list...instead i am trying to cling to the belief that one day in the heavens I will be re-united with my 'too fragile to hug' little one's and will greet them with open arms.


So with Thanksgiving on the horizon in just 4 weeks time, I am planning to begin a 'new' family tradition of celebrating and giving thanks for family and friends with a special dinner. Part of my preparation is to get rid of that which has been accumulated over time and make room for new things and people in my life.

Courage...Oh Where Art Thou!!!!!!

Today I begin to blog again after a break for a couple of weeks. I feel again the need to ponder and puddle around in my 'space' to find my feet.
I have come to discover that my wavering courage is a major inhibiter to my success in many areas. So I am going to begin my very own challenge today...to share  things that I discover that will help me to be more courageous!

What helps  you when you lack courage?What do you do to fight the pull of confidence lacking self doubt!

So far this week life has thrown me some rather enormous curve balls, however as usual ,mixed in with all lifes adventures and trials are 1000's of blessings each and everyday.
This week I achieved a major mortality feat that required a reliance on faith and in the Saviour like few  times before...I think i prefer to fight for my life knocked out than concious ! That is another story .... but enough to say it had me in the grip of fear there for a bit!
My main learning point for this is...

Don't lose sight of the Saviour, HE has me in full view!

I  kind of love this piccie....I took  it when I visited the halls of the Relief Society building in SLC, I was so focussed on admiring the history of this amazing women who was an extraordinary women in her pioneer life...I didn't see "me" in this picture at the time....look hard you might find me!
I guess we all have a role as extraordinary women in the Church to be like the pioneers even now,even me. Their stories of courage are timeless! Although set in an era past, their example is a strength to me as are the scriptures.
I hope I can one day be viewed through my own eyes as courageous like I view the lady sitting in this picture!

Mediterranean Lasagne (Low GI)

YUM!!!!!!!!!!!!! this is a big hit with the family whilst helping me to maintain my healthy diet. Win!Win!
It has been sourced from The New Glucose revolution Life Plan.by Prof Jennie Brand-Miller, Kaye Foster- Powell.Receipes bu Lisa Lintner

1 tablespoon olive oil
500g premium beef mince
2 brown onions (approx.300g) chopped
4 cloves garlic, chopped
1 x 800 g tin whole peeled tomatoes
1/2 cup (50g)of tomato paste
1 cup (250 ml) water
1/2 bunch of fresh oregano, chopped
2 eggplants (approx. 500g) cut into 1/2 cm slices
1 tablespoon olive oil
1 x 250 g packet frozen chopped leaf spinach, thawed
1 teaspoon nutmeg
5 sheets large instant lasagne pasta
100g low fat cheddar cheese,grated
salt and freshly ground black pepper

1. Preheat the oven to 100degrees C.
2. Heat the oil in a large heavy-based saucepan over moderate heat. Add the onions and garlic and cook, stirring occassionally, for 3 minutes.
3.Add the mince and cook till the meat turns brown, then add the tomatoes, tomatoe paste and water.Season with salt and pepper and add the chopped oregano. Cook for 30 minutes, stirring occasionally.
4.Brush the eggplant slices with oil and grill till browned on each side.
5.Using a rectangular casserole dish, approx.23 cm x 34 cm, layer the ingredients.Start with half the meat sauce, then 2 1/2 sheets of lasagne, half the eggplant slices, all the spinach sprinkled with nutmeg, salt and pepper, 2 1/2 sheets of lasagne  pasta, eggplant slices, meat sauce and grated cheese.
6. Bake for 40-45 minutes. Serve with a crisp green salad (serves 6-8)

Low GI
kJ/cal 1189/284
Protein 23g
Fat 11 g
Carbohydrate 24g
Fibre 6g

Baked Tortillas with Hummus (Low GI)

Another favorite recipe...sourced from Quick Cooking for Diabetes great tasting food in 30 minutes or less by Louis Blair & Norma McGough

4 small flour tortillas
1 tablespoon olive oil

HUMMUS
400g (13 oz) can chickpeas, drained and rinsed
1 garlic clove
4 tablespoons Greek Yogurt
2 tablespoons lemon juice
1 tablespoon chopped coriander leaves
salt and pepper
paprika, to serve
coriander sprig to garnish


1. Cut each tortilla into 8 triangles, place on a baking sheet and brush with a little oil. Place in a pre heated oven at 200degrees C (400 degrees F),Gas Mark 6 and bake for 10-12 minutes until golden and crisp. Leave to cool.

2. Meanwhile, put all the ingredients for the hummus, except the paprika and coriander, in a food processor or blender and blend until almost smooth. Season to taste with salt and  pepper, stir in the coriandr and sprinkle with paprika. Garnish with a coriander sprig and serve with the tortilla chips.

Low GI
Kcals 306
Protein 12 g
Carbohydrate 46 g
Fat 9g

Prawn and Noodle Soup (low GI)

Well on this fine journey to a slimmer and healthier me I have become more interested in food- good food. I thought I would share one of my favourite recipes. (I sourced it from a book titled 'Quick Cooking for Diabetes great tasting food in 30 minutes or less' by Louise Blair &Norma McGough)

Prawn and Noodle Soup
900 ml (1 1/2 pints) vegetable or chicken stock
2 kaffir lime leaves
1 lemon grass stalk, lightly bruised
150g (5oz) dried egg noodles
50g (2oz) frozen peas
50g (2 oz) frozen sweetcorn
100g (3 1/2oz) lage cooked and peeled prawns
4 spring onions, sliced
2 teaspoons soy sauce

1. Put the stock into a saucepan with the lime leaves and lemon grass, bring to the boil and simmer for 10 minutes.

2. Add the noodles to the stock and cook according to packet instructions. After 2 minutes, add the peas,sweetcorn,prawns,spring onions and soy sauce. Serve in individual bowls.

Kcals -187
Protein-10 g
Carbohydrate-30g
Fat- 3g

A Bad Day!!!But Grateful!

Well yesterday was like a day from hell! Here we were straight from Conference on Sunday having all manner of petty things ‘fire’ the boys up. What  the heck! To share an eraser caused an incident with a ruler, which in turn became a punching match between two growing boys…..AAARRGGH! And it continued  all day long, “it’s his turn not mine”, “I didn’t do it” and so on …!

I continued to remain calm (at times – just) and thought I’d plan a special FHE to remind them where our attention ought be with Easter on the horizon. I had found a very cool activity on a blog where one makes and Easter tree! Perfect out came the silver paint…until it ran out and only half the tree was painted!………….So never fear off I went to print the accompanying sheets for decorating the sheets- and FAIL the printer would not print!!!!!!! With dogs then barking to be fed, kids disappointed and needing to shower, dinner needing to be cooked my Mr Lovely Husband rang to let me know he will be a few hours late getting home! Just Fabulous!

So, an ala’carte dinner of baked beans on toast became the cuisine fit for a Queen last night……….But then…..

My lovely diet sabotaging husband came home with the most heavenly tasting, visually pleasing ginger fluff sponge sandwich filled with fresh cream and topped with caramel icing. It was sitting on a doily in a little clear box  all by itself…Intentionally purchased for me! What’s a girl to do but oblige. Hmm. extra swimming today- big time!

But, once they were all in bed and I reflected upon not only my day … I became aware that I have much to be grateful for…including a very special treat after 3 fairly low gi weeks :), a husband that got home safely from work and spicey kids that keep life day by day a mystery of how it is going to  turn out!I am grateful to a friend who text me an invite to a morning tea today with other RS women. I am grateful to our leaders who give me ‘hope’ day to day,especially when I head their words.

                         

Who is Thomas S. Monson?

http://www.thomassmonson.org/

This is a great link to a wealth of information…enjoy!

Thoughts from Conference

A link in case you missed some of it…..
http://lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng
Tonight my head is swimming with thoughts. A feeling of inspired renewal is my heartfelt lift towards my purpose in life.
Francis said when asked of his favourite bits from Conference :

*President Thomas S. Monson said, to be uplifted,be inspired as we learn during general Conference.

* “When Elder Ulchdorf said,

 “Families can be stronger , like rope, if we work together”

*Also, when Ulchdorf quoted Saint Francis of Assisi as having said,

“Preach the Gospel at all times and if necessary use words” In other words – be a good example!

Paddy’s favourite bit was:

*Thomas S Monson spoke of the importance of temples and always striving to have a current recommend and to know it is a sacred place.

  *Sister Jean A Stevens said,

“Children pay tithing and  grow in obedience”. 

Me…my thoughts:

* my most favourite was from Richard Maynes, who said,:

“Create a Christ

Centred Home!”

*L.Tom Perry (Quorum of the 12) said,

“Make the Saviour the Centre of our Lives”…

“Be though an example…..of the believers”

*Quentin L Cook said, :

“Latter Day Saint Women are Incredible”

*Elder Ulchdorf in addition to Francis’ quote about Saint Francis which hit a chord with me, said :

“Move forward in Faith &

don’t wait too long on the road to Damascus”

“Hearken to the promptings of the Spirit &

then be Eager to follow them…hear his whisperings & respond”

“Turn down the noise”

* Paul V. Johnson of the 70 said,

“The only way to see the view…

is to take the trek”

* H.David Burton quoted David O’Mackay as having said,

“We should be interested in the temporal help people need.”

* President Thomas Monson closed the conference saying.

“May we be examples of Honesty & Integrity wherever we go & whatever we do”.

There were many more..but while we ponder these few…I will share more in the weeks to come.

These quotes are more than words to me…..for they are my ‘desire’ for me and my beautiful family and in doing so I pray we too will ‘become’.

RANDOM ACTS OF KINDNESS DAY!!!

i wrote this for my group page in Relief Society Sisters Page- but thought I'd cut and paste it into my blog here too today :) cos I guess it can apply to not just the sisters but to any of us ...male or female :)....

Random act of Kindness Day!!!! (i just declared it :)




I am not sure that we are meant to get through this life smooth sailing and all by ourselves 'just managing'...I think that we are 'meant to' be there for each other AND NOT WAIT TO BE ASKED!!!Sisters I ask you, who do you know that would LOVE to be surprised by you arriving on their door step tonight with a cooked dinner for them after a busy week, who do you know that may not be on your visiting teaching list that you could ring and just say hello to because they mean so much to you, maybe you know a couple with children who might have forgotten what it is like to have a date night-who can't baby sit. And biscuits sisters....who can you make a plate of biscuits for??I have never seen a busy mum decline such gifts of love. In an effort to teach my boys about service one day we took afternoon tea over to a ladies house....they had a bag full of cleaning gear...while washing their hands in the bathroom they locked the door and scrubbed what was already a very clean bath. Leaving nothing behind but a single chocolate rose to surprise this lady. This lady has terrible back pain (often) and although my boys couldn't change her back pain - her spirit was lifted by their little effort of a random act of kindness. Neadless to mention they had fun with rubber gloves for weeks in our own showers at home cleaning :) I think that it is through small acts of kindness (at random) that we lift each other and invite the "Spirit" not only into our life but also into the lives of those around us. So get your gloves on for cooking or cleaning etc and have fun. You might be surprised at the reaction. ps get out the ward phone bk....and pick someone who you would never ever ordinarily go or mix with!!! Love ya..hey and post how it went (no names :)And don't forget you can plan even more fun things for you Random acts of Kindness Day :) next week and the week after....be like Christ – Just do it!


"When you are in the service of each other...you are in the service of the Lord "..... what a great way to prepare for Easter.

Nearly Easter...and can hardly wait!

2011 hit us with a BANG! After a sweet Christmas and New Year Holiday in the Americas. To come home to floods and cyclones was a little disturbing to say the least. But for us the MODEM we so heavily relied on (and only bought last year) became and obsolute model....and our major telecommunications network failed us dismally to restore our network....after 3 continual months of modem problems with this network and 5million hours of my time used on the phone to rectify it ...we changed networks. Within 3 minutes of the 'southern phone' modem arriving the children were once again hooked up to the internet and their classes and friends :) best bit - we  no longer pay line rental yay! So goodbye major network and hello to a government initiative opposition in the market place.
The boys have puddled along with their school work. I am enjoying the grade six program more than the year five because it seems to 'change' things up a bit more.
Swimming at the start of the year saw little mate achieve a certificate towards his bronze medalion whilst his older brother (the artist) achieved a certificate level at the end of the year (2010).
So with Easter on the horizon I am indeed glad to have made the switch to home school through distance education. I belieeve the boys are becoming more intrinsictly motivated as opposed to extinsictly motivated learners in life. Have a Happy Easter and remember - the day was never meant to be about celebrating the 'chocolate rabbits'... HE paid a price for all of us...if we can just learn the importance of that - then we will begin to understand the 'purpose in life'!!!!!!!!

I am....

I am...
... a choice daughter of God with infinite worth, goodness &potential.That is who I see. (G.P)


• ...Blessed (Vicki- Ann Lammi)

• ...BEAUTIFUL (Dallis Dromgold)

• ...A beautiful daughter of God,with many of his virtues.(David B.Baker)

• ...going to come for a swim anytime! (Jennene Lammi)

• ...fantabulous!!! (Wendy Merrill)

• ...sending messages on the phone(Jennene Lammi)

• ...Righteous, blessed,charitable, and lovely:D (Candice Houston)

• ...LOVED! (Margaret Morrison)

• ...a very good friend to both the young & the elderly. (Jennene Lammi)

• ...A true Christian. (Jennene Lammi)

• ...probably on Facebook (Jennene Lammi)

• ...maybe reading the ensign (Jennene Lammi)

• ...Ah but most probably looking through Rosie’s Quilts.(Jennene Lammi)

• ...And Yes, very beautiful (Jennene Lammi)

Diet drama!

Well again the balance in life became too much! First I became so time poor that I had no time to blog...but i kept my eating on track However, with rain that prvented me swimming and walking and fluid too bad to do inerval training...couch potato i became again. However, I have still maintained my weight loss and even lost one more kg...total of 5kg in two weeks gone. 45kg more to go!
water has been a big downfall area over the weekend :( so i back to countin glasses to make me have 'em. stress levels have been worstened  with less exercise.