Challenges That Have Changed My Life, That Can Change Yours Too!
Sep 9
I Love to See the Temple
This is one of my favorite children’s hymns, and has been since I was a child in Primary at The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I can barely sing it without becoming emotional, and I certainly can’t hear a choir of children sing it without tears falling like a waterfall down my cheeks. To…
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Aug 10
When you feel like you just don’t belong
I don’t belong here. Have you ever felt that way? I have. It feels terrible. You just want to crawl into a hole to hide from embarrassment, shame, or ostracism. And then after you crawl into the hole, you want to dig your way out so you are far, far away…
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Jul 22
Jul 12
God gives you who you need
As many of you know, I have three sons, ages 11, 5 and 3. Ever since getting pregnant with my fourth child, my friends and family have cheerily and optimistically expressed that they hope I have a girl this time. Usually in conversations like this, I admit that I would love to have a daughter,…
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Jul 7
What Do We Do?
May I state the obvious? I am not black. Quite the opposite. I am white, but may I state something that isn’t quite so obvious? That isn’t stopping me from being in tears after reading about Alton Sterling and Philando Castile – two black men with loving families, who were brutally killed by police officers this week. …
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Jun 30
The Cries that Go Unheard
Sometimes you just feel that you have to write about something. I feel that way tonight. I am writing about something I am completely passionate about. Why have I not written about it before, you ask? I didn’t feel compelled to. Now I do. Many people who are passionate feel the need to spout out…
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Jun 15
A Tribute to My First Born
Casey, you are 11 years old now, and as I have observed your actions lately with admiration, I wish to honor you with a tribute. Are you always the perfect son? No, but I am not always the perfect mother, and nobody’s perfect. You and I both know where we need to improve, but that…
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Jun 7
The Al-Bjalys in Disney World
Remember how we won a trip to Disney World? Well, February 29-March 6, 2016 was the week we got to visit the Happiest Place on Earth. Here is how it all went down: Monday – Traveling to Orlando! The magic started early – right after we checked our bags, in fact. As we turned around to ride…
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May 26
Are they RIGHT about me?
Compliments are meant to lift us up and make us feel good inside. But does criticism also have a place in our lives? Whether we realize it or not, people are constantly saying negative things about us, either to us or behind our backs. My son had a bad experience last week at recess when…
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May 17
1, 2, 3, 4!!!
Last June, I started to have this great desire to do something. I told my husband, but he wasn’t quite on board with it. I was a bit surprised, but patiently waited. Two months later, he decided that my idea was a worthy one. So, we set to work to accomplish this desire. Except, it…
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