An Albright Life

Updates and Steves Birthday!

2010-09-19T18:14:00.002-05:00

I have two blogs so I had posted things about Steves birthday and Agathas adventure outside.

You can go to
http://daybydaystacy.blogspot.com/

Faith Value Experience 2,

2010-09-14T14:17:00.000-05:00

Tuesday, 14 September 2010

I have been working on Faith Value Experience 2 and this is what it says:

Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman’s stripling warriors. Read Alma 56:45-48 and 57:21
45. And now I say unto you, my beloved brother Moroni, that never had I seen so great courage, nay, not amongst all the Nephites. 46. For as I had ever called them my sons (for they were all of them very young) even so they said unto me: Father, behold our God is with us, and he will not suffer that we should fall; then let us go forth; we would not slay our brethren if they would let us alone; therefore let us go, lest they should overpower the army of Antipus. 47. Now they never had fought, they did not fear death; and they did think more upon the liberty of their fathers than they did upon their lives; yea, they had been taught by their mothers, that if they did not doubt, God would deliver them. 48. And they rehearsed unto me the words of their mothers saying: We do not doubt our mothers knew it.
Alma 57:21 Yeah, and they did obey and observe to perform every word of command with exactness; yea, and even according to their faith it was done unto them; and I did remember the words which they said unto me that their mothers had taught them.
Review what “The Family: A Proclamations to the World” says about a mothers role.
“Husband and wife have a solemn responsibility to love and care for each other and for their children. “ Children are an heritage of the Lord” (Psalm 127:3). Parents have a sacred duty to rear their children in love and righteousness, to provide for their physical and spiritual needs, and to teach them to love and serve one anther, observe the commandments of God, and be law-abiding citizens wherever they live. Husbands and wives- mothers and fathers- will be held accountable before God for the discharge of these obligations”
“Mothers are primarily responsible for the nurture of their children. In these sacred responsibilities fathers and mothers are obligated to help one another as equal partners,. Disability, death, or other circumstances may necessitate individual adaptation.”
With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths. How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother? Record your thoughts and feelings in your journal.

With me not being a mother, only a step-mother, And without the hopes of becoming a mother anymore. I still work for the qualities that are in a righteous woman. When I think of the qualities that a mom needs to teach her children, I first feel she needs to have a strong testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. She needs to be secure in her actions of teaching her children, and to make sure what she is teaching is correct principles, and not the gospel according to herself. She also needs to have some knowledge of the scriptures, at least be able to and does read them (preferably daily). She needs to know and understand how the Holy Ghost works in her life, and be able and willing to act upon those whisperings of the spirit. I also feel that she needs to spend quality time with her children, Really be grateful for them. All to often I have known of mothers who have not wanted to be with their children. Other things have always taken precedence to their own children. As being a step mother of two wonderful children, I find it hard to believe that their own mother, spends her time away from her children, and not taking the role of being a mother seriously. Leaving that to her own mother. I feel that if she were really thinking of her own children, and she knew she was incapable or unwilling to take care of them she would let their father take over in that role. But instead she is selfish. Selfish in her own desires, and control. Not thinking of what is best for her children. I really wonder if she really even knows how great they are? Or even cares?

Personal Progress, Its a Young Woman Thing

2010-08-16T15:16:00.002-05:00

Today I finished the first goal in Faith as outline in the Personal Progress book. I had received my Young Womanhood Recognition award when I was 17 or 18. But I have a chance to earn it again as a leader. Here is the goal:

1. The first principle of the gospel is faith in the Lord Jesus Christ. Learn about faith from the scriptures and living prophets. Read Hebrews 11; Alma 32:17–43; Ether 12:6–22; and Joseph Smith—History 1:11–20. Read two general conference talks on faith. Exercise your own faith by establishing a habit of prayer in your life. Begin by regularly saying your morning and evening prayers. After three weeks of following this pattern, discuss with a parent or leader what you have learned about faith and how daily personal prayer has strengthened your faith. In your journal express your feelings about faith and prayer.

I have been in my life more faithful than other, At this time in my life I have been seeking more faith, I have felt like I have been pretty stagnate in everything concerning the gospel. Just going through the motions. The past three weeks, I have been working on praying more thoughtfully. After reading the scriptures outlined, I felt so small in my faith, that would I really be able to withstand the trials that they had gone through because of the faith they practiced? But as I prayed and conversed with the Lord, I know now that my trials have been to try my faith, and I’m still working on staying on the path of righteousness. Not that it has been an easy path. There have been so many hills and valleys. Sometimes feeling that I may just barely hang one. But I have, and pray that I will continue. I know with Heavenly Fathers help I will.

Imagine

2010-02-19T15:18:00.002-06:00

This morning while getting ready for my day, I had Pandora on the phone. I have a station of Musicals. I love it! If you haven't heard of Pandora, your really missing out on some good music, music set to your taste. Anyway, the song Imagine came on. I was listening to it and heard as I have never heard it before. Now to keep you up to speed, I remember when John Lennon released this album, yes it was an album. ;) But I remember how excited people were when he was doing music again. After a long absence since the Beatles had split. I was in Middle school and the music world was really excited for this. Then shortly after the return, he was murdered. Now I was young when all this happened. I believe 12 or 13. I remember the news showing all these people crying, much like they did when Elvis had died. ( I remember that too, although I really didn't know who Elvis was at that time.) Over the years I hear the song and it always brings back a flood of memories, of different times in my life. Well today I heard the song and it was being sung by cast members from the show "Glee" they started it out actually on the second verse. It goes like this.... Imagine there's no countries, It isn't hard to do, Nothing to kill or die for, And no religion too, Imagine all the people, living life in peace....."
When I heard this verse, I had an overwhelming feeling of what this song really was, I felt this is what Satan wanted, that this was his plan. I continually amazes me that Satan is able to make good things bad and bad things good.

White Deer

2009-12-11T10:08:00.005-06:00

My Dad sent this video to me, how beautiful Heavenly Fathers creatures are in this world. I would so love to be able to see all of the things that are in this world.... I am glad that we have the technology to be able to see them if only though a video. It amazes me that people in this world can not even recognize the power of creation. That they believe that we, control this planet. How on earth can we control this planets environment. I would like to see Al Gore to find a man that can truly make a blade of grass. Not grow one from seed, but actually make it. No man can, only Heavenly Father has that power. And doesn't it make since that if Heavenly Father can do that, that he can control what happens to our environment. Sure we can do our part to keep it beautiful, and by beautiful take responsibility for our own plot of land. Plant the flowers, and trees you want for shade and enjoyment. Keep it clean of clutter so that it is nice to look at. To me that is just being respectful of your things. Anyway, here is a nice video clip of some beautiful white deer in Wisconsin.

A Song That Makes Me Want to Smile!

2009-12-09T13:22:00.005-06:00

Ok I was on Facebook today and one of my friends of yesteryear posted this video, I just loved the song and the arrangement. Dang I just wish that I could play piano like that now! Instead its going to take more time of practice! But I am getting better! Need to really get some lessons though, its hard to remember all I that I did learn many many moons ago! Anyway enjoy!

Girls Weekend 2009

2009-10-28T18:54:00.009-05:00

This past weekend, Jennie and I went to Chicago for a girls weekend! We had a great time. We left on Friday morning and drove to Arcola, IL first and went in to a couple of cute shops, found some things that are on my Christmas/wish list now. Here is one.

They are called Hanging Arrows, and you can change it out for different moods, holidays, or seasons. I found them online also so I will be buying them online for a lot less!

We also went on into a different town and saw this house with so many Jack O' Lanterns they were going to try to have 300 done by Halloween, when we were walking out of different antique stores we saw them It was soo fun!

After this we went on to lunch, oh it was so good too! And on to Chicago we went! We arrived around 8 that evening and visited with her sister and brother-in-law. The next morning we went thrift shopping, I found a new quilt for Sierra's bed. I was really excited about that. We then went on in to Downtown Chicago. We rode the L-Train, I love public transportation. If I lived in a city that had adequate transportation I would never drive to anywhere I am sure! haha

We walked all over downtown area, I had forgotten just how beautiful Chicago was. The fall leaves were in full color and the weather was nice and crisp but not too cold! We had a late lunch or early dinner at the Corner Bakery, and then people watched. There was a wedding party that was across the street from the bakery and they looked so pretty. It always amazes me how people can really be so different in different parts of the country. They way they dress, the hairstyles, the way they talk, and how they treat people. I have always loved a big city. Although I live in a very small town, I do miss all the things to do in a metropolitan area. But the job is here and I do call it home, and I do love it here too!

We headed on back to Jennie's sister when it was starting to get dark. That night we were both exhausted we had to have walked at least 3 miles, at least that is what i figure. We slept good that night, that is for sure. On Sunday morning we went to Ikea I so wish they would put one in St. Louis, they have so many cool things in that store.

Overall I took $200 with me to spend for things and ended up coming home with just under $100, the last time I went to Chicago, I know I spent at least $500 but that was nearly 20 years ago and well I just didn't have the Internet to buy things online with. So I figured if I could get it online I would just get it that way.

Taco Pizza

2009-09-19T12:41:00.002-05:00

In a effort to change the way we spend our money. DH and I have decided that eating out for dinner would only be for special occasions. On Friday nights when we get my step children I am always trying to think of something good and easy to make for dinner. And I try not to be too repetitive in what I make. I just get bored too easily. I found this website with in the past year. She has the best recipe for homemade bread that I have ever found and I will never go back to my old recipes anymore. http://everydayfoodstorage.net/ She has great ideas on how to use your food storage. And everything I have made has been soo YUMMY!!!

Anyway I made a taco pizza last night. I made my standard pizza crust recipe which is:

Pizza Dough

1 Tablespoon of Yeast

1 cup warm water

1 teaspoon of sugar

1 teaspoon of salt

2 Tablespoon of Oil

2 1/2 cups of flour ( I use fresh ground wheat but all-purpose works too)

Dissolve yeast in warm water. Stir in remaining ingredient; beat vigorously 20 strokes ( or if you have a stand mixer use the dough hook and mix up) let rest 5 minutes.

I just used the raw dough and put my re fried beans on first then taco meat, black olives, canned mexican corn, and mexican cheese. I baked it till the crust was done (roughly 20 mins.). I had the other "taco" toppings on the table for those to pick and choose what they wanted. It was super good and really easy!

A Fun Make-Up Artist

2009-09-17T21:42:00.002-05:00

A few weeks ago I was looking around on YouTube, and well like most after a while you get to things you wonder how in the world did I even end up here. Well that particular day I came across a lady from the UK and she does make-up lessons. She is quite good, and I have been trying to be more bold with the colors I choose now for my eyes because of her. So check her out!

Fun Website

2009-09-04T10:13:00.007-05:00

This morning I decided I needed to clean out my bookmarks. I had soo many that had broken links and many that I just didn't need anymore. But I came across one site that I had forgotten about. So I thought I would share. Its a website that will take a bunch of words and make a word graphic. The more time the word is used the larger it is on the picture. For the one I did to show you. I just copied all my words from the front page of my blogg.

Kind of fun! Here's the link! http://www.wordle.net/

Family History Center

2009-09-01T19:29:00.003-05:00

Since today is Tuesday, its my day to be at the Family History Center. I was called to be the centers director in April, and let me just say I knew very little about it. Heavenly Father has a way of letting me learn a new skill, even a skill I thought I would not really want to learn, and figured that when I am old and grey I would start working on my family. But to my surprise I LOVE IT!!! We have had consistently people each week. I guess from the other workers in the center, its been rather sparse for patrons. I did some changes, moved some stuff around, and it was like the flood gates were opened. We had a man come in today, that had been a regular prior to my start. He had come in a couple of weeks ago. He came in today. He was shocked that I have only been at this since April. He said he was really pleased with my help. That made me feel good. I love to help people who are willing to have me help them and are grateful for the help.

The church has been making some big changes to the programs for Family History, www.new.familysearch.org is for members only, as of right now. I am sure once its up completely it will take over the regular www.familysearch.org They have asked for volunteers to do indexing of records. Its really a lot of fun. Sometimes the writing is a bit difficult to read. But after I have completed a page I feel so good inside, like I have helped thousands of people with out even going out of the house.

There is another site that anyone can go on to called www.labs.familysearch.org if your interested in starting your family history, I would recommend going to these web pages first. You may be surprised at how much has been submitted already. Here is a page for just the basics of research.

A Really Quick Trip and A Good Book

2009-08-17T18:25:00.004-05:00

Saturday was a eventful day. I awoke to a phone call from my Dad. My Uncle has terminal cancer and had some complications the past week, and was in the ICU. So a quick trip to the Quad Cities was made on Saturday. We left around 10:30am and arrived after 4:00pm visited with my Aunt and saw my Uncle, and saw two of my other Uncles. My Uncle had had surgery on Friday and his kidneys had gone in to failure. They had him pretty well hooked up to just about every possible thing he could be hooked up too. The good news is his kidneys are functioning again. One of my Uncles called my Dad last night and told him that.

When we left the hospital we went to the city we lived in for the first 14 years of my life. I was able to see my childhood home.

It has had quite a few changes, but over all it still looks like my home. We also drove by the middle school I attended it looked like it did when I went there for the most part. I would like to go back and spend a few days there and show the DH even more.

While we were driving up, I was able to finish a book I had been reading called "The Peacegiver: How Christ Offers to Heal Our Hearts and Homes" By James L. Ferrell It was a wonderful book on the Atonement of Christ. It gave me a perspective of the Atonement I had never thought of. The story is about a Husband and Wife who are going through some tough times in their marriage. But with the help of a Grandfather who was given the assignment to show him how the true love of Christ will help with the repentance process and also being able truely love like Christ does, and shown example from the scriptures of christ like love.

While in my recent past I have been going through some struggles, my lack of understanding how people can do some of the things they do, and feel good about bad behaviour has been weighing on me heavly. I have been working on trying to love those who have wronged me or my family. To have felt some anger and not like that feeling of anger and being counciled to work on finding love for all. I can't completely say I am there 100% right now but I do feel that I am getting closer, finding that forgiveness is helping.

Wise Words From Ronald Regan in 1961

2009-08-14T08:58:00.002-05:00

Its time for the country to wake up! We are in very scary times. When we have a President who is so far off from the thinking of our Founding Fathers. If he is able to continue with all the things he "feels" is good for us we may as well kiss every freedom goodbye! The next election for my state and country, I will only vote for someone who is not currently in office, and vote for a person who is in accordance to my beliefs. IF there isn't anyone that is running that is in my agreement, I will write in.
NOW IS TIME FOR A CHANGE!!!!
I pray that people wake up!
The pretty well explains itself. Ronald Regan, in my opinion was the last President that had the courage to stand up for what was right! More politicians should take a step back and really listen to what the people want. Not what they want for the people.

A New Kitten and Sunday

2009-08-09T14:58:00.005-05:00

We have a new addition to our home, a ten week old kitten! She is a white calico. So cute! So full of ENERGY!!!! Izzy is pretty upset we have a new one. But I would say in a few months she will really be glad she has her to play with. I keep catching her looking at the kitten. Oh we named the kitten Agatha Christie. I mostly call her Aggy. Aggy has been sleeping all day and is up most of the night. And her favorite toy at night is my quilt that I sleep with. It is a tie quilt so there are knots every few inches to attack! And attack she does! ha ha I fear she will tear it up with her claws. We put a bell on her collar, now we know where she is at all times, and the sound of jingle bells goes through my head all the time now.

I am so glad its Sunday today. I love Sunday's, it's just a wonderful day to relax. Off to church in the mornings and then have the afternoon to not be worrying about the things of the world. I love to get a nap in, but that doesn't happen as much anymore. Mostly because if I take a nap, I won't fall a sleep at night until late. It's funny how the body changes over time. It use to be that I could take a several hour nap on a Sunday, and then get up for a couple hours and be ready to go back to bed for the night and sleep all night. Not anymore. Although I use to be able to drink a cola and not have it effect me at all, now if I have one anytime after 12 noon I am up well into the wee hours of the morning!

I completely understand why Heavenly Father set aside a day to rest. A day to devote completely to him. It feels like a mini vacation from the day to day tasks. I don't have to worry about working on Sunday because I already made up my mind to not work. I don't have to worry about going to the store. Because I have already gotten everything I needed to do. I love the song from primary "Saturday" I haven't heard the kids sing that in such a long time in primary. It seems that most of the songs they sing now are the songs for the Children's Sacrament Meeting Program. So sometimes the old gems aren't sang as much.

Evian

2009-07-11T17:05:00.006-05:00

Ok I just saw a very cute viral... I may be late seeing it but its pretty cute!

Justice or Mercy?

2009-07-11T10:00:00.008-05:00

A couple of days ago I was looking through some blogs that I follow on a regular basis. On the one that Orrin Woodward has, he had a personality quiz link to it. So I took it. If you want to take it also here it is. Personality Quiz they are all yes or no answers. On the quiz is a question and the question is "You value justice higher than mercy?". I had to stop and think about the answer, my first thought was it just depends. But since it was only yes or no. I had to choose what do I mostly feel. In the past few weeks I have been wondering where the justice is in this world. And asking a lot of whys. Why does it seem people who are wicked seem to have things going for them. Why is it that the media can only seem to be one sided, instead of just giving all the facts. There are so many other whys that I won't share for sake of time. But my thought there has to be justice in so many things. Take for instance, if you have a credit card debt, and you don't pay it on time or at all. Eventually the credit card company is going to have justice on that debt. But in reverse, the recent financial situation in our country. The banks (the same ones that have people in credit card debt I may add) have gone and loaned people of high risk money to buy homes or business, have not received the moneys from those they loaned too have been asking for mercy (in the form of cash) from the government. But in return to not pass that mercy down to the customer.

There is a video from my church that puts this topic in perspective to me. Here it is.

So my question to you is justice or mercy? You decide...

Yesterday

2009-07-09T10:09:00.006-05:00

Woke up this morning sing "The Beatles". Now I really don't recall ever waking up to singing them. But the song was "Yesterday", I think I was in 6th grade when we sang that in chorus. In fact many songs we sang in Middle School were Beatles songs. Our Choir teacher must have really liked them. I am wondering if I will get it out of my head today?

Hope you enjoy the video. Oh one more thought. When I was a young girl every morning at 6:25am the radio station I listened to played a different Beatles song every weekday. I wonder if I dreamt that I was in middle school last night? ha ha

Taking A Time Out!

2009-07-08T14:15:00.002-05:00

Remember when as a child you would get into trouble and you would get a "time out" or were grounded? I remember my 5th grade year, I was struggling with school and school work. I wanted to play... like most kids but I guess I played around too much, and was just too busy talking to friends at school to care. Well my 3rd quarter of my 5th grade year was probably my most memorable year of grounding. When my Mom had gone in for a parent teacher conference the suggestion was to send home notes each week talking about my behaviour or my progress in school work. Well lets just say I was grounded alot that quarter, and the 4th quarter also. Missed out on a few slumber parties. Anyway. When you get older you really don't get that time out or grounding, unless you go to jail. ha ha Sometimes I feel it would just be easier if I could say your grounded for this many days. Your not allowed to go out with friends, watch TV, talk on the phone, and pretty much you come home and go to your room. Now maybe that will be harsh but now I completely understand the reasons for it. It gives the child to refocus on the ultimate objective, to be a better person. Do you ever wish that as adults you could ground another adult? Give them a chance to refocus on the task at hand, instead of only wanting their own selfish needs?
Maybe if adults who are married had a time out together. Turn of the TV, computer, video games, phone and all outside influences. There would be less divorce. Or there would be more murders.... ha ha Just having that time to refocus on just each other. No kids around to sway the feelings. Since my sweets and I have been married it seems we have only focused on just kids. His kids, and us having kids. We really haven't spent much time focusing on each other completely. Church callings have been in the way, sweets ex in laws have worked to try to break us down. ( I personally think they need to get a life!) One day and one day soon we will get that time out...

It Really Makes Me Wonder?

2009-07-05T20:11:00.003-05:00

Just a few things that are going through my brain tonight. Why is it, now that Micheal Jackson has died people are praising him for his talent. When if someone would have said his name a few weeks ago you would have received the reaction of "What a freak he is!" but now its "Oh he had such talent." So he danced and sang a few songs. I was around in the 80's, in fact I was a teenager in the 80's spent my high school years listening to his songs on the radio, watching the video's on MTV. I still wasn't much of a fan. And he hadn't even done that much weird stuff yet! But my goodness he was not all that great! He had some serious problems. He did not have any self worth of who he was.
Now this isn't a blog to trash Micheal Jackson. But more of a question as to why, we as individuals, would rather sweep the bad stuff under a rug than take it out to the trash where it belongs? Why do people try to act like nothing happened when something really did happen. I see that in all things in life, if its an event that we are not too pleased about. I guess what I am trying to say is.... Why can't we face up to truths. Maybe its like the line in the movie "A Few Good Men" "You want the truth? You can't handle the truth". Maybe that is what it all boils down too. People don't want to remember the truth. Or they are too busy hiding the truth.
I made a choice many many years ago to always be sure to say the truth, no matter how hard it would be. If it was something that I had done at work, that very well could have cost me my job, it was hard to tell the truth. But I found that since I kept to my word to always be honest, I have been blessed with people who respect the truth. In my recent history, I have been challenged to tell the truth when it comes to letting others know the feelings in my mind. I have felt I need to be the voice of truth in a world that doesn't always tell the truth. I feel I do it tactfully, but still it can be tough for someone to hear.
But what I do have an issue with is when people don't want to face the truth and would rather lie to you to save their face. I have come to expect the truth from people and when I don't get it, sometimes it really can infuriate me. My husband and I are in a situation with some people who continue to lie about every thing. They tend to live to expect one standard from people. But won't live up to that standard. I just don't get it.
I wonder how our Heavenly Father handles this? His children lie all the time. And I wonder if they (which I am sure there are those that do) lie to him. How does it make him feel. How did the Savior feel when those that persecuted him, and lied to him and about him, how did he handle it? I know he was able to forgive. But I seem to take forever to forgive someone. And boy once they wrong me again it will bring back all disappointment I had before. So maybe I never really did forgive them. As I am writing this I am feeling that I need to read the book "The Miracle of Forgiveness". Maybe with reading that I can learn to forgive those who wrong me and my family. And take the persecution with a smile :)

A Good Find!

2009-06-01T11:37:00.002-05:00

My Nephew Scott Got Married!

2009-06-01T11:26:00.003-05:00

My Nephew Scott got married this past Thursday! I really wish that I had been able to go. But with the storm that happened on the 8th, and my back causing me some issues. I was unable to go. But his uncle from his mom's side did the pictures at the wedding. He put together this video of the day. I found it very touching. The both looked so happy and beautiful. I am so proud of them and the choices they have made to get to this point in their lives. They are starting it out in the Lord's way. And even though it doesn't guarantee a perfect life here on this earth. It does help to know you did what was right.

Samantha and Scott Stinocher's Wedding Slide Show from patrick murphy-racey on Vimeo.

My Thoughts of the Past Week

2009-05-14T14:10:00.003-05:00

Well I have to say this has been one of the most stressful weeks, I have had in a very long time. On Friday, May 8, 2009 we had a weather phenomenon that they aren't even sure what to call it. The best they can say is its called an "Inland Hurricane". I know on the radar map it looked just like a small hurricane, with an eye and all. Our house had 2 trees fall on it. They did not go through but they have left a mark. Now we are just waiting for the insurance adjuster to come and give us the news of what they are going to do. The house is under a lot of stress. Things that don't lean are leaning now.

The pictures above are of the front and back of our house. Our poor garden, we had just planted it the night before all this happened. I hope we are able to get some veggies out of it but, I would say not.