confession

I am not a scripture reader.

I love the scriptures. I use them every Sunday when we teach our primary class and I feel good as the words leave my mouth and I know what I am saying is true and adding to the spirit of the lesson. I believe that they are priceless and a precious gift from a loving Heavenly Father. I know they will bless my life. I know they have blessed my life. I know they contain timeless wisdom and answers to the most burning questions.

I don't make time for them.

I was running down the beach a couple of mornings ago when it dawned on me:

I deny myself happiness and blessings EVERY DAY when I don't read my scriptures.

I also don't allow the Lord to speak to me. I deny myself the chance to be knowledgable and strong so I can lead and teach my children, in a world of chaos and voices that can be louder than my own, when I don't take the time to put on the armor of God by partaking in even a few minutes of scripture reading.

I won't further embarrass myself by admitting how many years(ssssss!!!!) it has been since I have done regular scripture study (if ever really).

Suffice to say, it's past time and I'm starting.

If you are like me and want to start somewhere and include your kids we have been reading a story or two a night with the boys from here: and don't worry, if we forget, Ambrose definitely reminds us and LOVES his scripture stories. I point to each picture box as I read so he can follow along and ask him questions or point out things I know he'll like when his 3-year-old attention span waivers and we both get a lot out of it.

Plus, I don't mean to get all blasphemous, but aren't Zeniff's sandals totally 2010 fashionable?


Ok, sorry these pictures are probably too small to tell, but I'd wear them.

Anyway, this is good for me since I am not a scripture scholar (Yet. Yet I tell you!) and so I am re-learning the facts, and names, and chronology right along with him. My parents read to me out of the same book as a child, but we all need reminders don't we?

I start 1 Nephi tomorrow.

Line upon line.

I love this gospel.

we can do this

(photo courtesy of thomas robertson)

"Wherefore, ye must press forward with a steadfastness in Christ, having a perfect brightness of hope, and a love of God and of all men. Wherefore, if ye shall press forward, feasting upon the word of Christ, and endure to the end, behold, thus saith the Father: Ye shall have eternal life." 2 Nephi 31:20

i had to share

I have been feeling so good lately.

In our home.
Kids healthy at last.
Work is so fun.
Home all day with the kids living it up- beaching a lot too!
Good friends and family to call my own.
Thomas starting exciting new ventures in his career that he SO DESERVES.

It feels like the light at the end of the tunnel is radiating brilliantly all around us!

I think it is really important to stand still. Take a deep breath. And recognize how good we have it every once in a while.

It is so easy for me to complain or worry. But luckily I tend to hope no matter what and I know that is because I have faith in my Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ.

I know that they know me personally and they care about me. I know it. I feel my eyes brimming with tears and a whispered confirmation as I type that.

I love this Christian song (JJ Heller Your Hands) I stumbled upon a while back when I was really struggling. It was a perfect expression of my testimony at the time. So beautiful.

Anyway, tonight I was preparing my lesson for the zany 11 year olds Thomas and I teach and these quotes made my soul smile and my heart beat with joy. I just had to share!

by Virginia H. Pearce:

“• Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ live, and they are in charge of this world.

“• They know me.

“• They love me.

“• They have a plan for my future.

“• I will obey the commandments, work hard, and trust in their plan. Sooner or later, everything will be okay” (“Faith Is the Answer,” Ensign, May 1994, p. 92).


from President Gordon B. Hinckley:

“Every one of you was endowed by your Father in Heaven with a tremendous capacity to do good in the world. Train your minds and your hands that you may be equipped to serve well in the society of which you are a part. Cultivate the art of being kind, of being thoughtful, of being helpful. Refine within you the quality of mercy which comes as a part of the divine attributes you have inherited” (“The Light within You,” Ensign, May 1995, p. 99).

(photo credit the one and only natalie norton!)

Sooner or later everything has become more than OK for us and I know we have a long way to go, but I am enjoying where we are and what we have to look forward to and feeling grateful for what we have done. The support of family is wonderful too. We love our parents and siblings! We love our extended families and good friends! We love the Lord. Life is progressing. Hope all is well with you and if it is not- hold on with a perfect brightness of hope!

The Lord knows you. He loves you so much too. Great things ahead if we all do our part! How exciting.

have you ever read this book?

There are a lot of questions surrounding the Mormon or LDS faith.

I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. I love it. I love the peace and happiness I feel when I attend the temple, regular church meetings and activities, in my personal and family prayers and also when I read the Book of Mormon.

The sister missionaries in our area came for lunch on Saturday and we always have a great time with them. When they left they gave me a brand new copy of the Book of Mormon and told me I could give it to anyone I want.

Who do I love enough to trust with something so personal to me? Something that changes my life daily and brings me such joy?

It's a nerve racking thing to give such a gift.

Here's the thing: I would LOVE to give YOU a copy.

Are you curious what this whole Mormon thing is all about? You really should learn for yourself and learn from the source.

If you would like a copy I have one for you- no strings attached and totally free. It would just make me really happy to send you one.

Email me: stephaniexrobertson(at)gmail(dot)com and I will mail it to you PRONTO!

This book has changed my life and even if it doesn't change yours in the same way, at least you can know what this whole Mormon thing is all about. :)

Eating my bloggy words

I take it back.

This morning my kids are totally annoying.

Hahahahaha!

Such is life. I'm gonna sign off and go kiss their whiney faces!

you're never alone

despite the enjoyment i feel being with my happy little family and the love i feel for them and living in hawaii, i've allowed myself to get really homesick for my friends and family on the mainland lately. last night we had the sister missionaries over for dinner, which is something we love to do. the sisters are so happy, and kind, and fun, and sincere and every time they come over we feel so much peace and joy and i always feel the spirit so strongly. it is similar to feelings i feel in the temple and we have missed being in the temple since it is under construction.

last night i was thinking that the sisters must feel so homesick too- so far away from their homelands and familiar friends and family, but they exude this happiness that is contagious and uplifting. i think i know why and this video i was watching this morning talks about why.

hope it finds you well today- happy sunday.