Search Results for: blog keeping promises to ourselves

Keeping Promises to Ourselves

I like to operate on a reward system for myself. One of the ways I have discovered to keep myself motivated and encouraged is to promise myself rewards and “treats” at the end of a long week or after dealing with something particularly challenging (school conferences, filing taxes, paying bills, etc.) I think as single parents we have a tendency to keep our noses to the grindstone and we don’t necessary follow through on celebrations and rewards and make positive promises to ourselves that we actually keep. One of the things that we can learn as single parents is how … Continue reading →

The Blessings of Church Membership

When people look at our church or think about Mormons, many people only see the restrictions that we commit to when we join the church. This includes no alcohol, coffee, tea, and no smoking. Often times it is too easy to get caught up in the things that you don’t instead of focusing on the things that do. The church also offers many blessing as a result of being members of the church. First of all the things that we are not supposed to do, there is little that we are really missing. Studies and experience have shown that there … Continue reading →

Gospel Questions: Do Mormons Take Communion?

The taking of communion is a long-standing tradition in the Christian faith. It symbolizes taking upon oneself Christ’s sacrifice in our behalf and accepting the blessings and responsibilities that go along with it. The Catholic church is perhaps the most well-known for this practice, although it is done in other churches as well. Mormons have their own version of communion. We call it “taking the sacrament.” Fully one-third of our Sunday services are spent in what we call “sacrament meeting,” wherein the sacrament is passed to the congregation. It begins with bread and water being brought out and prepared for … Continue reading →

You Don’t Have to Stay Busy All the Time to Keep From Feeling Alone

While some of us single parents have a hard time getting the confidence and energy to go out and get involved in the world; to pursue interests and activities on our own—there are others of us who stay super busy; we have to keep every night and every moment full so we won’t have to feel alone. I cannot help but think that if you are staying so busy you never get to feel and be alone, you are missing out on one of the great personal growth opportunities of single parenthood. Learning how to feel comfortable in one’s own … Continue reading →

Self-Care Can be in the Details

I would love a long, pampering, luxurious vacation as much as the next guy or gal, but on for this frugal, single parent it is not really in my future as far as I can see. What I have learned over the years (although I often forget and have to remind myself) is that self-care and personal health can really be in the most ordinary daily details. A little bit of looking after oneself can go a long way. I am not just talking about hot baths and nice lotions here, but also learning how to say “no” and protect … Continue reading →

Balancing Heart and Mind

As a single parent, I can get a little too heavy on the check lists and life goals. I suppose it is because I feel like I have little room for error and maybe a bit of a chip on my shoulder. I think in the back of my brain I imagine I must have something to prove. Other single parents might be heavy on the emotions and less into the practical goals. Finding a balance is important for all of us—finding a way to rely on both our brains and our hearts to guide us on the single parent … Continue reading →

A True and Valiant Heart

Posted on by

This upcoming weekend is stake conference for our stake. Instead of my regular lesson-oriented scripture study, I’m hitting the topical guide for phrases that have peaked my interest. Every once in awhile, a phrase catches my heart and leads me to the scriptures. Today, I heard the phrase “a true and honest heart.” The Spirit pricked my heart, and I decided to find out what the Lord might mean when He referred to this. There are so many scriptures that refer to an honest heart, however, that I am focusing today only on the first part. The word ‘true’ has … Continue reading →