I just got home from several wonderful weeks in Europe! We left for our trip the day after our son Matthew married his beautiful bride, Kaitlynn. It was such a happy occasion. Everything went perfect and according to plans and the whole day well… it was just incredible!!! it was wonderful to see friends and family be so supportive. We are beyond happy for both of them. I asked Kaitlynn if I could post a couple photos from their wedding and she sent me these cute ones. 🥰 Everyone in my family absolutely adores her; she fits right in with our crazy family!🤣
We started and ended in Rotterdam!
We literally left after the party festivities and went straight to the airport to fly to Europe. Needless to say, by the time Steve and I arrived in Rotterdam, we were exhausted! So getting on a ship and having absolutely nowhere we HAD to be was a welcome relief. For the first few days, we relaxed, ate, slept…and then ate some more! 🤣
We went to Rotterdam, Copenhagen, Kiel, Poland, Amsterdam, Lithuania, Denmark, Latvia, and a few more cities. Every couple of years, we like to take a cruise with Steve’s siblings, and I have to say, cruising is such a wonderful way to travel. You unpack once, settle in, and that’s it! No packing and unpacking every few days, dragging suitcases around, and checking in and out of hotels. Been there, done that! 🤦🏻♀️😂
Instead, you wake up each morning in a new port with something wonderful to see and explore. Steve’s only brother, Robert, whom I absolutely love, was there, along with his sisters Christine and Linda and their spouses. They are simply the best! I love being with them and am so grateful for the love they continually show me. I only wish the rest of Steve’s sisters could have been there with us. Next trip!! ‼️👍😉
I can honestly say that, with all the things I’ve been blessed to do throughout my life, nothing brings me more joy than making the time to be with family.
I’ve included some photos of the beautiful places we visited on my webpage under “Sunday Message” —and, of course, I HAD to include a picture of one of my favorite discoveries. Yes…a yarn store!! 👌❤️🧶😂
And… to make sure I got back to the ship before it sailed!
Oh…and eating. I was VERY responsible about that. ‼️😂
Getting out and seeing this beautiful world, especially with Steve, has been a blessing I hoped and prayed for, but wasn’t always sure I would have.
God is good. 🥰
As I look back over my life, I can see so many things God has taught me. I can also see how He carried me through some very challenging times because I asked the Savior to be with me.
He never forces Himself into our lives. He waits for us to ask. And when we do, He is there—ready to lift us, strengthen us, and help us carry our personal crosses so we can continue moving forward with faith in His infinite love.
President Dallin H. Oaks once spoke about the first of the Ten Commandments: “Thou shalt have no other gods before me” (Exodus 20:3).
Jesus later taught that the greatest commandment is to “love the Lord thy God with all thy heart, and with all thy soul, and with all thy mind” (Matthew 22:37).
That has really made me think.
There are so many things in this world that can quietly become our “other gods”—or Idols we worship as Isaiah talks about. These can be our careers, homes, possessions, positions, clothing, status, cars, boats, recognition…things that aren’t necessarily bad in themselves. The question is simply: What comes first in our hearts?
The most important thing we can ever do is to love God and keep His commandments (see John 14:15).
And as we accept the Savior’s grace, we can learn, grow, repent, begin again, and keep moving forward knowing we never have to do any of it alone (see 2 Corinthians 12:9; Philippians 4)
If you follow me, you know I chose to read the Old Testament this year. Obviously you could probably tell because I’m putting down so many scripture references in this #SundayMessage 😂
Anyway, while we were on the cruise, I really enjoyed reading Psalms, Proverbs, and—YES—I even finished Isaiah!
Now THAT took some faith! 😂👍
Isaiah is a real template for the last days and quite interesting. One of the things I love most about the Old Testament is seeing, over and over again, how much God wants His children to return to Him (see Isaiah 55:7; Ezekiel 18:30–32; Joel 2:12–13).
Sometimes, as I read, I can almost hear Him saying:
“Come on, kids. You’ve made a mess of things, but PLEASE COME BACK!”
Isn’t that really the message?
No matter what we have done, where we have been, how badly we have stumbled, or how far away we may feel, our Father in Heaven continually invites us to come back to Him (see Luke 15:11–24; James 4:8).
That kind of divine love touches my heart so deeply. What unconditional love! ❤️
God describes Himself in scripture as a “jealous God” (see Exodus 34:14; Deuteronomy 6:15), He has also said “Thou shalt not make unto thee any graven image, or any likeness of any thing” in the heavens or the earth (Exodus 20:4). The commandment then adds, “Thou shalt not bow down thyself to them, nor serve them” (Exodus 20:5). Jehovah explains, “For I the Lord thy God am a jealous God, … shewing mercy unto … them that love me, and keep my commandments” (Exodus 20:5–6).
The meaning of “jealous” is revealing. Its Hebrew origin means “possessing sensitive and deep feelings” (Exodus 20:5, footnote b). He wants our whole heart because He gives His whole heart and loves us so completely. And doesn’t every good parent hope their children will recognize the love, sacrifice, and goodness they have poured into their lives?
One thing I have learned from reading Scripture is that when we choose to honor God and follow His Son, Jesus Christ, we can trust in Their love and Their promises (see Deuteronomy 7:9 and 2 Corinthians 1:20).
Growing up, I felt that kind of godly love from my parents. They continually taught me that the love they had for me was just a small glimpse—a template, really—for understanding how my Heavenly Father loves me... and you! He loves us all, and He wants to speak to us. ‼️
This weekend is once again the Worldwide Conference for The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Twice a year, in April and October, we have the opportunity to receive inspiration, direction, and counsel from living prophets and apostles.
Scripture teaches us that God is the same yesterday, today, and forever (see Hebrews 13:8; 1 Nephi 10:18-19). If God spoke to all His children anciently, why wouldn’t He speak to His children today?
I believe the heavens are not closed.
The Savior’s message is one of LOVE —and of all the times in human history, it certainly feels like we could use God’s counsel, peace, and direction. And boy, couldn’t our contentious world use a little more of THAT?! ❤️
President Dallin H. Oaks has also taught about the Savior’s command to avoid contention. He reminded us that Christ taught us to be peacemakers—to turn away anger, seek the things that make for peace, and “speak the truth in love” (see Matthew 5:9; Romans 14:19; Ephesians 4:15).
I love that phrase:
Speak the truth in love.
Imagine what our homes, relationships, communities, and world would look like if we all tried a little harder to do just that.
That is one reason General Conference brings so much peace to my heart, and I would love to kindly invite you ♥️☺️ to join me this Saturday and Sunday as I listen to messages of faith, love, direction, and hope.
Click here to watch General Conference with me!
And I think listening for OURSELVES is so important.
We live in a world filled with opinions about everything and everyone. But there is something very different about sincerely asking God for ourselves:
“What do You want ME to hear?”
“What do You want ME to learn?”
“What do You want ME to change?”
I truly believe that if you pray, ask God for counsel and direction, and then listen with a sincere, open heart, His Holy Spirit can guide you (see James 1:5; John 14:26; Moroni 10:4-5). You may hear something that feels as though it was spoken just for you. You may receive an impression, feel peace about something you’ve been struggling with, or even receive an answer to a prayer you’ve carried in your heart for a very long time.
God loves ALL of His children. His “good news” is still alive, still relevant, and still available to every person who sincerely seeks Him (see John 3:16; 2 Peter 3:9).
Sometimes all we need to do is ask…
and then be still long enough to listen and “Hear Him”! 🥰❤️