It's been over a month since my last post. I have so many things I want to post, but sometimes I just don't know how to put the thoughts into words. Actually, I do, but I don't have the time to do it. With school, the holidays, and four kids, I've been extremely busy. Aside from the excuses, I need to write now!
Yesterday at church we had our Christmas program. Every year this and the primary program are my very favorite weeks to go to church. I love music. Usually, I am in the choir, and I participate in the program. This year I was not. I got to sit and listen and join in on the congregational hymns. It was one of the best programs I've ever been to. The ward choir did an amazing job and they sang beautiful music. The testimonies that were spoken and sung were so strong that it was all I could do to keep from crying. It was a great reminder to me how the Spirit of the Lord speaks to me through music. I felt as if I was learning of the atonement and the sacrifice of Christ for the first time, even if it was Christmas music. It doesn't matter if the choir didn't sound like the Mormon Tabernacle Choir. They sung with the spirit and it sounded as if there were angels singing with them.
I am so grateful for music in my life. I grew up with music being important, and now I feel empty without it. I recently joined the institute choir, and it has brought so much joy to my life. I also have been playing the piano more. With four kids, it's often difficult to find time to do anything but take care of them and clean, but I feel so much more complete when I incorporate music into my life.
I hope this finds you well, and that all of you remember the life and sacrifice of the Savior. He died for me. He died for you. MERRY CHRISTMAS!
Tuesday, December 24, 2013
Monday, November 11, 2013
God Gives Us What We Need
This was not my intended post, but sometimes I just have to go with the flow. Someday I hope I can post what I originally intended.
Sometimes I wish my life was more like it was when I lived in Korea. At this time, I also happened to be at my lowest. Weird, I know, but let me explain.
I had the most amazing best friend. I could talk to her about anything - and I mean anything. She helped me with dishes, laundry, and cleaning. She helped with my boys, and let me cook for her, even though she was an excellent cook herself. We were practically inseparable.
I also had an amazing Branch in the Church. It was so tiny, that I didn't feel lost. I actually felt needed and important. My Relief Society President was like a second mother. I learned how to knit from her, and enjoyed spending every Wednesday (I think it was Wednesday) afternoon chatting and knitting with her and my best friend.
The list could go on of all the amazing things I had in my life at this time.
As I said, this was when I was at my lowest. Strange, considering all of the wonderful people I had supporting me and the amazing experience I had of living in another country. I was unhappy. That's an understatement. I was extremely depressed. At times, suicidal. I was ashamed of it. I actually still struggle with feeling shame about it.
I don't have many friends, and very few close friends. I only have a couple of friends that live close by, but I don't feel as close to them as I'd like. I hardly do anything with any of them. Perhaps it's that we have kids and lives, and in Korea, there really wasn't much to do. My friend didn't have kids or a job, so it was easier for her to have free time to just come hang out with me.
Whatever the reason, I feel lonely here like I never really did there. I missed my family and I missed the good ol' USA, but it was different.
However, I don't need the things and the people now like I did then. Without all of those people and situations, I wouldn't have survived that year in Korea. My children, my husband, my friends -they were all pulling/pushing me along, because I couldn't do it myself.
So, whenever I miss that intimacy with a friend, or that time that I had in Korea and the freedoms to do whatever I wanted whenever I felt like doing it, I try to acknowledge that it's because I needed it then. I don't need it now. And I'm extremely grateful for that. I am doing so much better than I was four years ago, so I don't need all the extra help.
Heavenly Father knows our needs. He lets us struggle to learn and grow, but he also sends help. He sent me an angel in the form of a best friend, and I am so grateful to Him for that.
Sometimes I wish my life was more like it was when I lived in Korea. At this time, I also happened to be at my lowest. Weird, I know, but let me explain.
I had the most amazing best friend. I could talk to her about anything - and I mean anything. She helped me with dishes, laundry, and cleaning. She helped with my boys, and let me cook for her, even though she was an excellent cook herself. We were practically inseparable.
I also had an amazing Branch in the Church. It was so tiny, that I didn't feel lost. I actually felt needed and important. My Relief Society President was like a second mother. I learned how to knit from her, and enjoyed spending every Wednesday (I think it was Wednesday) afternoon chatting and knitting with her and my best friend.
The list could go on of all the amazing things I had in my life at this time.
As I said, this was when I was at my lowest. Strange, considering all of the wonderful people I had supporting me and the amazing experience I had of living in another country. I was unhappy. That's an understatement. I was extremely depressed. At times, suicidal. I was ashamed of it. I actually still struggle with feeling shame about it.
I don't have many friends, and very few close friends. I only have a couple of friends that live close by, but I don't feel as close to them as I'd like. I hardly do anything with any of them. Perhaps it's that we have kids and lives, and in Korea, there really wasn't much to do. My friend didn't have kids or a job, so it was easier for her to have free time to just come hang out with me.
Whatever the reason, I feel lonely here like I never really did there. I missed my family and I missed the good ol' USA, but it was different.
However, I don't need the things and the people now like I did then. Without all of those people and situations, I wouldn't have survived that year in Korea. My children, my husband, my friends -they were all pulling/pushing me along, because I couldn't do it myself.
So, whenever I miss that intimacy with a friend, or that time that I had in Korea and the freedoms to do whatever I wanted whenever I felt like doing it, I try to acknowledge that it's because I needed it then. I don't need it now. And I'm extremely grateful for that. I am doing so much better than I was four years ago, so I don't need all the extra help.
Heavenly Father knows our needs. He lets us struggle to learn and grow, but he also sends help. He sent me an angel in the form of a best friend, and I am so grateful to Him for that.
Wednesday, October 23, 2013
Love At Home
This is going to be a short post. This is something I've been thinking about for quite awhile, but I just don't have a lot to say about it.
Have you ever noticed that you treat other people better than you treat your family members? Do you get your feelings hurt by your family members much more easily than by someone else?
I have noticed it in my family. When someone bumps into me at the store, I brush it off and tell them not to worry about it. When my kids run into me, I get mad at them and tell them they need to pay attention to what they're doing. If I found out that someone said something about me behind my back, it might bother me, but I would get over it fairly quickly. If the same thing happened but it was a family member, I would be devastated. Maybe it's because there is greater love and sense if devotion between family members. But, regardless of the reasons, I have felt that I need to treat my family better. They are the best people in the world, and I love them more than anything. So, why don't I treat them that way?
My challenge for this week is to treat my family members better; to let them know by my actions that they really are the loves of my life.
Sunday, September 29, 2013
Small Acts of Service
There have been a lot of times that I have thought, or been prompted to do something for someone. Usually it's something simple, like offer to bring dinner over, or help someone clean up their house, or maybe just take a plate of cookies over to someone.
Well, usually I don't do it. I want to, but I feel dumb about it. Or I have the intention, but just don't follow through because I'm busy or I forget.
Today, I decided to take some cookies to a member of my ward who had mentioned to me that she was wanting cookies, but that she didn't really like baking. I don't know her well, so I was hesitant. But, I did it anyway.
Her cute little girls were so excited, and kept asking if they could have a cookie now. It made my day. I was glad to see her for a few seconds.
Later, I got a message saying thanks and that it made her day.
Who knew that something so small could cause so much joy... For me and for her.
I am going to strive to follow those promptings to do little things, so that when it's really important, I can receive the promptings to do bigger things, and I will have the courage and faith to follow them.
Wednesday, September 18, 2013
Being an Example
I had another post almost ready to post, when I got a phone call from my hubby this morning telling me about an experience he had with our 8-year-old son last night.
They were on their way home from scouts last night and they had the radio on a country station and the song "Boys 'Round Here" by Blake Shelton was playing. P says to Dad, "Dad, why do you listen to this, when it talks about stuff that you don't do?" (If you are unfamiliar with the song, it talks about drinking beer and spitting tobacco, etc.) Hubby asked him what he was talking about to see what things he had heard in the song. P told him about the drinking beer and spitting. Much to my surprise he actually DOES listen. :) Daddy told him that he really just likes the music and the beat. Which, in all honesty, is true, but also an excuse.
How often do I make excuses about the music I listen to, or the movies or TV I watch, saying to myself that "it's not like I'm going to DO any of those things." Aren't we taught that we should avoid these types of entertainment? In the For the Strength of Youth book it says "Choose wisely when using media because whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Select only media that uplifts you." Also, from the 13th Article of Faith "if there's anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Somehow I doubt that a song about going to the bar and drinking beer, and chewing up tobacco and spitting falls into that category. But, how many other things that aren't virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy do I do??
Too many.
I'm so grateful for the example of my son. He reminds me of the great responsibility I have to teach my children and for me to be examples to them. Although I'm grateful that he was an example to my husband and to me, it should be the other way around!
I have just started an Institute of Religion class on the Book of Mormon and have already started to see a change in myself and my family because I am studying the Book of Mormon, and I am striving more fully to keep the commandments. In fact, the past week or so, I was already thinking about how my choice of media might not be what it should be. On the weekend, hubby asked me to change the song that we were listening to, and another time I asked him to turn the TV off. It's a start. And that's all Heavenly Father expects me to do. Start. And keep trying. And repent when I slip up. So, thanks to little P, I'm striving even harder to do that.
Because I should be their example!
They were on their way home from scouts last night and they had the radio on a country station and the song "Boys 'Round Here" by Blake Shelton was playing. P says to Dad, "Dad, why do you listen to this, when it talks about stuff that you don't do?" (If you are unfamiliar with the song, it talks about drinking beer and spitting tobacco, etc.) Hubby asked him what he was talking about to see what things he had heard in the song. P told him about the drinking beer and spitting. Much to my surprise he actually DOES listen. :) Daddy told him that he really just likes the music and the beat. Which, in all honesty, is true, but also an excuse.
How often do I make excuses about the music I listen to, or the movies or TV I watch, saying to myself that "it's not like I'm going to DO any of those things." Aren't we taught that we should avoid these types of entertainment? In the For the Strength of Youth book it says "Choose wisely when using media because whatever you read, listen to, or look at has an effect on you. Select only media that uplifts you." Also, from the 13th Article of Faith "if there's anything virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy, we seek after these things." Somehow I doubt that a song about going to the bar and drinking beer, and chewing up tobacco and spitting falls into that category. But, how many other things that aren't virtuous, lovely, or of good report, or praiseworthy do I do??
Too many.
I'm so grateful for the example of my son. He reminds me of the great responsibility I have to teach my children and for me to be examples to them. Although I'm grateful that he was an example to my husband and to me, it should be the other way around!
I have just started an Institute of Religion class on the Book of Mormon and have already started to see a change in myself and my family because I am studying the Book of Mormon, and I am striving more fully to keep the commandments. In fact, the past week or so, I was already thinking about how my choice of media might not be what it should be. On the weekend, hubby asked me to change the song that we were listening to, and another time I asked him to turn the TV off. It's a start. And that's all Heavenly Father expects me to do. Start. And keep trying. And repent when I slip up. So, thanks to little P, I'm striving even harder to do that.
Because I should be their example!
Sunday, September 15, 2013
Inspired
Hi!
I have been thinking for a long time that I should blog about this or blog about that, but never do it. A month or so ago, a friend told me I should write a book. I told her that was too ambitious, but maybe I would do a blog. I have thought about it ever since. Every time I would think about something inspiring or there was a special occasion, or I had an "Aha!" moment, all I could think about is "I really need to write this all down." Tonight I was just doing dishes and it was kind of like someone was yelling at me "YOU NEED TO START A BLOG!" So, here I am. I don't know exactly what I'm going to write about, but I feel like if even one person reads this and gets inspired or touched by something I write, then it will be worth it.
So, next time I think of something that I really want to blog about, it will be here.
The reason for the title "Just a Simple Mormon Mom" is because I feel very ordinary and inadequate. Yet, I've felt impressed to share my insecurities about motherhood, along with my triumphs. I've also been prompted to share faith-promoting experiences in my life. In the past, I've been shy about sharing my testimony of the Gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I hate making others uncomfortable, and religion can be a touchy subject, so I generally avoid it. But, no more! (At least, in this setting :P)
Now you know the basic reasons behind why I'm writing this blog. Here are some basics about me:
My name is Karen. I grew up in Syracuse, Utah. I lived in the same house until I got married to Jared Griffiths in 2004. I was 18. Yep, only 18. :) Since then, we have had 4 children, ages 8, 6, almost 3, and almost 1 (both birthdays are in October). My husband joined the US Army at the end of 2007, when our second child was 8 months old. We've moved 9 times since we got married, several of the moves I did without my husband there to help! Thankfully, I have an awesome family (parents, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters, and their spouses and children, and my in-laws) who looks after me and helps me out all the time. Really, we've only lived 3 places: Utah, Colorado, and Korea. We've lived in two different apartments in Ogden, Utah, two different houses in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and lived in my parents basement/with them 3 different times (two of them were just me and the kids while Daddy was deployed). In April of 2009 we moved to Korea to be with Jared, who was there on assignment. He had been there 11 months, and we all stayed 13 months more.
Let's see....what else??? Oh, I love to play the piano and sing. I am in the Institute Choir here in the Springs, and have just recently started playing my piano more and remembering how much I loved it as a teenager.
My two oldest just started soccer for the season, and I just started going back to college through the BYU-Idaho Pathway program. My husband is also taking classes through the University of Phoenix. I also just started babysitting for a friend, so we are pretty busy.
The experiences we've had as a family, and I've had personally since being an Army wife were the main inspiration for this blog. I don't claim to have more experience, or more difficult trials, or a harder life than anyone else, but the trials and experiences I have had have strengthened me and my family immensely. I hope by writing them down, I can remember the things that I've learned, and hopefully help others along the way.
So, that's all for now!
I have been thinking for a long time that I should blog about this or blog about that, but never do it. A month or so ago, a friend told me I should write a book. I told her that was too ambitious, but maybe I would do a blog. I have thought about it ever since. Every time I would think about something inspiring or there was a special occasion, or I had an "Aha!" moment, all I could think about is "I really need to write this all down." Tonight I was just doing dishes and it was kind of like someone was yelling at me "YOU NEED TO START A BLOG!" So, here I am. I don't know exactly what I'm going to write about, but I feel like if even one person reads this and gets inspired or touched by something I write, then it will be worth it.
So, next time I think of something that I really want to blog about, it will be here.
The reason for the title "Just a Simple Mormon Mom" is because I feel very ordinary and inadequate. Yet, I've felt impressed to share my insecurities about motherhood, along with my triumphs. I've also been prompted to share faith-promoting experiences in my life. In the past, I've been shy about sharing my testimony of the Gospel of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. I hate making others uncomfortable, and religion can be a touchy subject, so I generally avoid it. But, no more! (At least, in this setting :P)
Now you know the basic reasons behind why I'm writing this blog. Here are some basics about me:
My name is Karen. I grew up in Syracuse, Utah. I lived in the same house until I got married to Jared Griffiths in 2004. I was 18. Yep, only 18. :) Since then, we have had 4 children, ages 8, 6, almost 3, and almost 1 (both birthdays are in October). My husband joined the US Army at the end of 2007, when our second child was 8 months old. We've moved 9 times since we got married, several of the moves I did without my husband there to help! Thankfully, I have an awesome family (parents, 4 brothers, and 2 sisters, and their spouses and children, and my in-laws) who looks after me and helps me out all the time. Really, we've only lived 3 places: Utah, Colorado, and Korea. We've lived in two different apartments in Ogden, Utah, two different houses in Colorado Springs, Colorado, and lived in my parents basement/with them 3 different times (two of them were just me and the kids while Daddy was deployed). In April of 2009 we moved to Korea to be with Jared, who was there on assignment. He had been there 11 months, and we all stayed 13 months more.
Let's see....what else??? Oh, I love to play the piano and sing. I am in the Institute Choir here in the Springs, and have just recently started playing my piano more and remembering how much I loved it as a teenager.
My two oldest just started soccer for the season, and I just started going back to college through the BYU-Idaho Pathway program. My husband is also taking classes through the University of Phoenix. I also just started babysitting for a friend, so we are pretty busy.
The experiences we've had as a family, and I've had personally since being an Army wife were the main inspiration for this blog. I don't claim to have more experience, or more difficult trials, or a harder life than anyone else, but the trials and experiences I have had have strengthened me and my family immensely. I hope by writing them down, I can remember the things that I've learned, and hopefully help others along the way.
So, that's all for now!
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