What does it mean: "To Love"?

To Love someone means that you support that person through their trials, both temporal and physical. To Love someone means that you see that person as God does.  He Loves them, so you do too.  If He sees glory and goodness in that person, it is your job to find that goodness because of HIM. Love is not what is romanticized about in movies and literature- in some cases it is, but not in most.  To Love a person is to continually pray for that person, to be ever constant in caring for their well being.  Love is often times, most difficult. To Love a person is to have Charity for their spirit.  Charity is a word that is often misinterpreted.  To have Charity is to be consumed by the Pure Love of CHRIST. 

As Paul states in 1 Corinthians 13: 13 KJV " And now abideth faith, hope, charity, these three: but the greastest of these is charity."  The greatest of the three keys to living a profitable life, is to constantly be filled with the Pure Love of CHRIST.  It is by that Love that we are able to return again to our Father. It is by that Love that we are washed in the Blood. 

John 3:16 KJV "For God so loved the world, He sent His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." 

It is through this Love, that He Lives.

May the Lord bless you throughout your day.

Do you take time to THINK?

Our words affect one another.  Take the time to be kind in word and deed. 

You never know what could make a difference in a person's life.

For good or ill, we will impact others with our words. 

Be swifter to help lift someone up than to tear them down.

~Proverbs 15~

Who can you speak gentler to today?

Lemon-Berry Cupcakes

Lemon Cupcakes:

3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
2 tsp. baking powder
1 tsp. baking soda

1/2 tsp. salt
1 cup unsalted butter, softened
2 cups sugar
3 large eggs
1 cup buttermilk

1 Tbsp. lemon zest
2 Tbsp. lemon juice
1 tsp. vanilla extract

1. Preheat oven to 325° degrees.
2. Line cupcake pan with baking cups

3. In a large bowl cream 
butter and sugar, with an electric mixer, until pale and fluffy-about 4-5 minutes.

4. Add eggs, one at a time until mixture becomes creamy,

5. In a separate bowl whisk to combine flour, baking soda and salt.

6. Alternate adding dry ingredients and milk to butter mixture, in 3-4 batches. Mix each addition just until ingredients incorporate—do not over mix.

7. Add lemon zest and lemon juice. Mix batter for an additional minute. Batter should be light and fluffy.

8. Divide the batter among the cupcake liners and bake for 20-25 minutes, or until cake tester/toothpick inserted in center comes out clean.

Place pan on wire rack and cool completely before removing from pan.

Once cooled, frost cupcakes.

Buttercream Frosting:

1/2 cup shortening

1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

     

 1.Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla.

 2. Gradually add sugar,
1 cup at a time. Blend well.

Blackberry Buttercream Frosting:

1/2 cup unsalted butter, softened

1/2 cup shortening
1 tsp. vanilla extract
4 cups confectioner’s sugar
1/4 cup blackberry puree (or as much as needed to add minimal flavor)

1. Cream butter and shortening with electric mixer. Add vanilla.
2. Gradually add sugar, 1 cup at a time. Blend well.
3. Add Blackberry puree and beat until light and fluffy.
 (if frosting is dry, add 1 TB milk)

These cupcakes were served as dessert at a Church function. We brought about three dozen, and within the about 45min, there were six left.

Have a blessed day!

Easter and Other Thoughts

Today as we remembered our Savior, we thought about the glorious morning when the tomb was found empty.  "He has burst His three days prison" (LDS Hymns, 199).  He has asked us to "Come unto Him" everyday.  What a blessed day to remember His call.
May your weeks ahead be blessed and may you carry the Spirit of His Life with you throughout your daily activities.  Do not let the lies of the World distract you from remembering Him.

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Although this video is from the musical "Wicked", the song is a wonderful example of the impact that we have on everyone we meet.  Listen to the music, and take note of its message.  Because people know you, they will change, just as you will change because you know them.  Will you choose to change them "for the better"?  Isn't that the message of Easter?  That Christ performed the Atonement so that we could all be "changed for the better"- that we could "be changed for good"?  Let the Spirit fill your heart, and remember that your example can and will impact those around you.

The Lost Art of Letter Writing

When was the last time that you wrote someone a letter?
Maybe it was yesterday, maybe it was last month, maybe you've never done it.

You may ask, "Why would I write a letter? Isn't that what email is for?  Isn't that why I have a cell phone?".

So what is the difference between a letter and email or text?
There is a big difference.
An email is not tangible.  Although they are extremely useful and help to make life efficient, you cannot touch an email.  Unless it isn't printed out, it can be easily deleted.  A text is the same way.  Texts are wonderful when you need to get a hold of someone quickly. 
However,  there is something special about reading a hand written letter.
If you've ever recieved a letter in the mail, you know the feeling. 
You know that someone took time out of their busy day to sit down, and hand write their personal thoughts, just for you. The lost art of letter writing is something that must be revived. 
The sense of intimacy that comes only through hand written letters, is lost by the bells and whistles of the digital world.

What can be learned through a letter that can not be communicated bia technology, you ask?
Much.
     Each person has a unique style of handwriting.  Digital charcaters are all exactly alike.  When in the same font, there is no difference in the appearance of the characters regardless of who sent you the message.  A lot can be observed about a person by their handwriting.  For example, if the note was scribbled quickly, they tend to be more difficult to read, and are not as uniform as characters that were written when time is not pressing.  The style of handwriting (cursive, print, etc.) can describe a person's personality.  Girls tend to write differently than boys.  Their characters are typically easier to read when printed, and are generally more rounded.  Men tend to write hastily and their characters have a more "block-like" appearance. 
     Another thing to note is that there can never be stains on an email.  Whether they be tear stains, tea, juice or coffee stains, you will only find them on a letter that is either printed out or handwritten.  The condition of the paper used, as well as the type of paper used, tells much about the person's intent, and activity level during the time of the writing. 

     In short, emails and texts are wonderful developments that have impacted the efficacy of communication.  But we must revive the lost art of letter writing. A hand written letter is tangible. They can be read repeatedly without eye strain caused by staring at a screen.  Handwritten letters provide a great opportunity for deeper friendships.

Remember what it feels like to recieve a card or letter in the mail.  Make someone's day by letting them feel that excitement. If you don't have time to handwrite one, type it up and print it off. Let someone know that you care and write them a letter. 


Maybe we can change the world...one letter at a time.