The Blessing Gown

It all started with a phone call last fall when Anthony and Jana asked me to "create" Zoe's blessing gown. What a privilege and honor it was for me to be asked. Jana chose the pattern, fabric and lace and I sewed. It had been years since I had made something but I was excited and hopeful and desired to emulate Elder Uchtdorf's words. I loved his words on creating.

The Work of Creation
The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul. No matter our talents, education, backgrounds, or abilities, we each have an inherent wish to create something that did not exist before.

Everyone can create.

Creation brings deep satisfaction and fulfillment. We develop ourselves and others when we take unorganized matter into our hands and mold it into something of beauty—

If you still feel incapable of creating, start small. Try to see how many smiles you can create, write a letter of appreciation, learn a new skill, identify a space and beautify it.

The more you trust and rely upon the Spirit, the greater your capacity to create. That is your opportunity in this life and your destiny in the life to come. Sisters, trust and rely on the Spirit. As you take the normal opportunities of your daily life and create something of beauty and helpfulness, you improve not only the world around you but also the world within you.

So I take you on a picture journey of "the blessing gown's" creation.

The blessing itself was beautiful. 16 honorable priesthood holders along with Anthony surrounded Zoe and blessed her with all that Heavenly Father longs for her. 17 men who "represented the love of others". 54 friends and family came because they love Zoe and her parents.

The true creation is Zoe and she is loved.

Good Stuff

Today is Valentine's Day and I decided to change up Sunday's breakfast to not necessary fancier but different and hopefully delicious. I tried two new recipes from the cooking blog "Favorite Family Repices", the first was "Banana Pancakes" and the second was "Best Ever Homemade Syrup". They both were delicious and we really enjoyed them. I would highly recommend you try them. I hope you will agree.

Aimee is the one who shared this blog with me and I am looking forward to discovering other recipes. In talking about good stuff, Aimee's blog is worth checking out too "Aimee's Adventures", especially the one dated February 12, 2010, it is really good stuff. REALLY GOOD STUFF!!!!

More good stuff is Grandma's Doll's blog entitled "Breath of Heaven", what sweet thoughts about our shared granddaughter. Such good stuff that she could have such a beautiful experience.

I hope you are enjoying your own good stuff too and feel free to share.

Smiles for everyone

Life is good, why shouldn't it be....
But it is good because of babies, especially Zoe...
It is good because of family, especially Craig, Anthony, Jana, Zoe, Aimee and Nate...
It is good because of extended family, way too many to name but we love you all...
It is good because of love; love demonstrated in many ways - support, friendship, romance....
Just smile - life IS good!!!!!