Any LDS women with BC?

She is gone now but Amber...her handle was something like Mrsxsunnydays was LDS and wrote a BEAUTIFUL blog, she was an excellent writer by any standard...I really encourage anyone to read it

http://amberchase.weebly.com/

It's crazy because my actual life could not be any more different than hers.....but she touched me so deeply ...she was one of those BCO'ers who are always with us in spirit

Janet!  I just found  this thread--you beat me to it  So sorry it's taken me so long to post.  We have lost another  LDS sister to BC this week--KentuckyMom.  She's a sweetie and  I'll always remember her friendly PMs and updates on her condition.  

I stand with you in appreciating all women of faith, however they choose  to worship, and reading their stories of staying faithful and prayerful through their trials with BC.  It strengthens me, too, and I'm glad to be numbered with such women.

Cookiegal--thanks so much for your sweet tribute post above to Amber.  I was heartsick to find out  she passed before my dx brought me to BCO.  I'm in touch with her sister, now and then. You are so right--her gift of the written word reflected her spirit--something that will  always live on--and her depth of love for God and family is unmatched.

Happy Sabbath day to all, and thanks for starting this thread, M0m2three (Janet)

Thank You for all the love and caring here

God bless You all.

Cookie--thanks so much for sharing your experiences with members of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  I'm really glad  you got to go on a tour of the DC temple, too, before it was dedicated. You were very young then, but I hope you felt a sense of peace while you were there.  If you went with your parents, do you remember their experience?

You certainly have been exposed to many situations with LDS people in the past, and now with a few on BCO.  I'm biased, of course, but I think that's a really good  thing, and it works both  ways.  I'm sure the folks at the SLC olympics really do miss you, even now! And I'm glad to have met you here, too, so we're  all better off from associating with Cookie  

You seem genuinely warm and caring in nature, and I believe you understand the importance of treasuring life, relationships and how we live on after mortality.  When we read of sisters on this forum passing away, the sadness is real and I take it personally, even though I've only read some of their words.  But then a sense of peace settles in and I see that there is a brightness of hope for life after our time on earth.  When I serve in the temple, I'm reminded of how close we are to those we love who've passed on, and how much they still walk with us and petition the Lord in our behalf.  I know our Heavenly Father  and His Son, Jesus Christ, want us to keep our relationships with family and friends throughout eternity because, coupled with our relationships with them, that is what brings the greatest joy.

Cookie--if you were to bump up your timeline of being  LDS to THIS life, you'd have a head start on many, many blessings  In the meantime, I truly appreciate you participating in this thread and look forward to any questions/comments  you may have.  And I just cant resist saying what  my grandma always said to us grandchildren, "You're so sweet I could just eat you up!"    

@joanne If I were choosing my religion based on how nice the people were it would be LDS for sure. 

Joanne:

Well, I came back to these boards to support you and to also share my thoughts and suport.  We share many of the same feelings and convictions.  I know my faith and certainty of the love of Heavenly Father has sustained me through the 7 years since diagnosis.  I was blessed all through the experience.

Have a good day. 

Sunday, the Lord's day, is perfect for posting in this forum. 

I came home from church today feeling uplifted and hopeful for another chance to do better in the week ahead. Here's what happened that made me glad I went...

First, it was our monthly testimony meeting where there are no assigned speakers during this first hour.  We sing hymns, partake of the sacrament (bread and water blessed and served by our young men who hold the priesthood), then anyone may come forward to the pulpit to share a brief testimony of Jesus Christ, a gospel principle or faith-promoting experience, etc.  All who shared today, young and old, were humble and grateful in their testimonies.  One child testified of the power of prayer in her life.  She had an experience last week that let her know her Heavenly Father knew her and listened to her prayers.  A young father testified, as he held his little boy in his arms, that he and his wife have had their burdens lifted through the service of family and church members while his youngest son had been hospitalized for 6 weeks. He mentioned that the commitment we make when we are baptized is to "bear one another's burdens," and to "mourn with those who mourn and give comfort to those who stand in need of comfort." He felt blessed to be on the receiving end, having so many people acting in behalf of the Lord in their service.  A woman bore testimony of the joy of having her sister come to church with her after so many years of being away.  She wept, sharing her knowlege that coming to church each week brings great blessings in her life and helps others, too, in ways we'll never know. This made me think back to times when my children were young and restless and tired and not behaving while at church, and I would wonder why I was even there.  Then I remembered one of the prayers offered one particular Sunday that was an answer to one of my personal prayers.  It was just what I needed to hear that day, and from someone who knew nothing of my woes.  Had I chosen not to attend church that day, I would have missed that special blessing.

Second, I was able to hear a wonderful lesson during the 3rd hour of church in our Young Women (ages 12-18) meeting where I serve over the 12-13 yr-old girls.  It was about being beautiful on the inside, which will make you beautiful on the outside. The girls participated in the lesson and shared who the "beautiful women" in their lives were, and why.  It was wonderful to hear them mention mothers, grandmothers, cousins, friends whom they looked to as examples of inner beauty.  A recording of the song, "Beautiful" by Cherie Call was played.  Here is the link if you'd to hear it.  I also printed some of the words:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uw_YA1bb71g

"Look at all the signs, look at all the shows,

All the glamorous people who claim to know what perfection is

And what makes beauty stay,

But when all the styles go out and the labels fade away...

(Chorus)

It's what you give that makes you beautiful,

It's how you live that makes your dreams come true

Keep yhour faith in this world and let the light of the Lord shine through,

That's what makes you beautiful."

 I have a poster in my house that has a bouquet of lovely red roses and one white daisy in the middle.  The caption reads: "Be Your OWN Kind of Beautiful"

Raro!

Welcome to our thread! I'm so glad you shared your story with us about your son.  It was WAY funny (his initial reaction, ie, "sex talk?" ), but then what an incredibly wise understanding he expressed about the Lord allowing us to go through bad things, holding His hand.  I LOVE that description!  Please give him a big hug from me--he made my night.  You must be proud to know you're raising a son that "gets it" in many ways, beyond his years.  Since we LDS believe we had a pre-earth life as spirits, I wonder if children like your son may be much "older" than we, the parents, are.  I hope you're keeping a record of the marvelous things he says and does.

Yep--I'm collecting signatures on a "celestial petition," asking for lots more years for you to hang around.  You've done well, working in special ed., serving in church and still raising children of your own (and chickens! , PLUS, you've kept a fabulous sense of humor through all your trials. Thanks for taking these trials and turning them into character refining opportunities.  You're a super example of a faithful woman!

You're a sweetie, foots--thank you!

Thought I'd see what's up.  Today is my 7th anniversaray of my diagnosis and beginning of survivor status.  makes me think about all the support I found here in those months of 2005-2006.  Hope all of you are doing well and walking your own road in the peace of the lo9ve of God.

Congratulations, Mary, on your 7 year cancerversary!  Sure do love hearing about living life YEARS beyond BC.  And I STILL owe you an email! (Thanks for your patience  

Welcome firstcall, and congrats on your son's mission to Brazil!  That's where my husband served many, many years ago. Portuguese is such a beautiful language.  You'll be blessed through your son's service, as you already know.  My family felt those blessings of having missionaries in the field--I miss them!  

I'm glad to hear that you've survived the BC challenges with  spiritual experiences.  We have that in common, and I think you know what I  mean when I say that I've never, ever been closer to  the Lord and communicated with  Him more fervently than the way I have since BC.  I wouldn't trade that life experience for anything.

I have family in Puyallup, Kennewick and  Burbank Heights, Washington.  What a beautiful state it is! 

What a sweetie your husband is, Cookie! Mostly because he's thoughtful of his sweet wife  Thanks for the fun and complimentary post--it made my day~

 Anyone stay up late last night and watch the NBC Rock Center report (Brian Williams and Harry Smith) on "The  Mormons" ???  My husband and I thought it was done well, overall.  There was just one thing that didn't  surprise me but bothered me:  why is it that questions about very sacred issues were asked of NONpracticing members of the LDS church?  If I wanted to have a very sacred practice in a church explained to me, I would  ask someone who is a committed and active member--someone who's internalized the meaning of the sacred practice/tenet of that faith to help me understand it.  Anyway, it was nice to  see Harry Smith enjoying  his visit to Welfare Square and the HUGE central Bishop's Storehouse facility.  It was quite a sight, watching him driven around in that massive building with all the goods that go to the needy, worldwide.  To me, that building is  a "sacred place."  True religion is caring for the widows and  fatherless, and those goods are like manna to those in need who receive them.  It was also a comfort to see that the truck drivers of those goods from the storehouse have a devotional and prayer before leaving for their destination.  I believe we are the  Lord's servants in this life, caring for His children--our brothers and  sisters--and need His guidance and protection while we serve.

Any comments/questions regarding this news special are welcome!

Hi, Raro!  Love your son's pet name because  of his chocolate chip hair--too cute!  And thanks for the thumbs up on a movie, "Keeping the Faith."  It's been a while since I watched a decent movie, so I'll have to look that one up.  

I'm so glad you were helped in the past by the wonderful Bishop's Storehouse, Raro.  I, also, can relate to having some of those life-sustaining Bishop's Storehouse products in my home during hard times.  And when my husband served as a bishop, he was able to help many in our area, both members and members of other faiths, with food, clothing and hotel stays when needed.  It's up to each Bishop to  make that decision--who and what to give.  Only once in 4 years was he not told the truth and helped someone who took advantage of the LDS church welfare program.  It made him very sad because the funds to help people are ALL from donations  from members of the church.  They are considered sacred funds to be used wisely.  We can only hope that those who may take advantage will someday be thankful and change their ways, become a true Christian and follow Christ's example.  It's a much happier and overall healthier way to live

I got to attend our women's Relief Society meeting today instead of being with the Young Women (our bishop taught them sans leaders). It was nice to be with them again and  feel their friendship.  It made me think of the bookmark I use in my scriptures with this message:

We are beloved daughters of God,

and our lives have meaning, pupose,and direction.

We are united in our devotion to Jesus Christ, our  Savior

and Exemplar.  We are women of faith, virtue, vision,

and  charity who:

Increase our testimonies of Jesus Christ

through prayer and scripture study.

Seek spiritual strength by following the promptings of the Holy Ghost. 

Dedicate ourselves to strengthening marriages, families and homes.

Find nobility in motherhood and joy in womanhood.

Delight in service and good works.

Love life and learning.

Stand for truth and righteousness.

Sustain the priesthood as the authority of God on earth.

Rejoice in the blessings of the temple,

understand our divine destiny,

and strive for exaltation. 

Hi, Raro!  

The Young Women's theme is different than the Relief Society "creed" (I call it) that I posted above, but some parts are similar.  Here's the Young Women theme:

"We are daughters of our Heavenly Father who loves us and  we love Him.

We will stand as witnesses of God at all times and  in all places

as we strive to live the Young Women values, which are:

Faith, Divine Nature, Knowledge, Choice and Accountability, Good Works, Integrity and Virtue.

We realize as we come to accept and act upon these values,

we will be prepared to strengthen home and  family,

make and keep sacred covenants,

receive the ordinances of the temple,

and enjoy the blessings of exaltation."

The Young Women recite theirs each Sunday together, but the Relief Society just have theirs for reference.  I've given away a few bookmarks with the RS creed to women taking the missionary lessons.  I think it helps people understand just how important women are in the church and what a magnificent role they play.

Sorry you have to start work tomorrow--dang it!  But I'm betting that  you'll have extra strength to get  through the days ahead.  Hope your boss's heart is softened a bit so you have less stress and more compassion from him.  Here's to work hours flying by so fast you can't believe it's the end of the day, and to receiving lots of hugs and smiles from your children when you're home together   Let me know when you're ready for more pommegranate jelly!