The Candyland Perspective

I've been feeling a bit lousy about an Econ quiz I didn't do as well on today as I had hoped I would. Sigh. Then I received this wee bit of feedback from my Book of Mormon teacher. I wish every student would turn in work like yours! It is heartfelt and genuine to read. Keep it up! You do great work. Brady Nixon, Jun 21 at 8:21am Oh that feels so very nice! This is the work he was referencing. In the sermon at the temple, Jesus teaches us how to live a perfect, celestial life. Search through 3 Nephi 12 for three attributes the Savior discusses which you would like to improve in your life. Then discuss how each attribute would help you to be a better person. 1)       “And blessed are they who do hunger and thirst after righteousness, for they shall be filled with the Holy Ghost.” (3 Nephi 12:6) I’ve come to learn that I am somewhat of a seeker in life. I want to know things. I love learning. I’m okay with knowing the end of the book before I begi...

In one of my online classes I'm taking right now, REL 122, which covers the 2nd half of the Book of Mormon, an assignment asked the following question of me, in regards to  3 Nephi Chapter 11 . Why is it significant to you that the Savior invited the people to come forth one by one to feel the prints in his hands and feet? This is how I responded to the question. Honestly, I think it was a reward for their faith. Jesus had never even been born when many of these people and their faithful ancestors were living the gospel. Sometimes we are given little sweet nuggets to reward our faith, little proofs here and there, that embolden our testimonies, but do not create them. These are gifts not given to those who don’t exercise faith because they mean nothing to them. Also, I believe it was to help them to imprint into their own physical beings the reality of His crucifixion for their sakes. This may sound odd, but I’m running with it. When I was in the sixth grade, I went to...

The days leading up to Mother's Day pack an intense punch some years. As a momma with no babies of her own, it's almost always a struggle every second Sunday in May for me. From the pulpit on Mother's Day, we *always* hear there is nothing a woman can do in this life that is greater than becoming a mother. Sigh. Yes, I know. But what I also hear, using that logic, is "Candace, there is nothing you can do in this life that will matter as much as that woman, or that woman, or your mom, or your sister, or your best friend..." That dad-gum Satan will whisper whatever stings the most, won't he? I'm working on building up so that narrative won't have the same impact anymore. And honestly, it doesn't have the same impact that it used to. The sting has lessened dramatically, and that is a very good thing. In my work to overcome those feelings of "less than," I turn to my Savior. He is such a champion of women! I LOVE reminders from the scriptur...

This past General Conference was FABULOUS, wouldn't you agree? 2017 October General Conference I fell in love with Sharon Eubank when she spoke to all the women of the Church on September 23, 2017.  She was so direct.  She clearly knows who she is, who we are, and I love that. I just cracked open my Conference edition of the Ensign, and hers is the first talk.  I made a little graphic/handout of the highlights from her talk.  OOooh, I loved her talk!  Here it is.

It has been an eon since I posted anything.  Life gets away from me.  Well, maybe that's not exactly true.  Caring to post on my blog is what gets away from me, truthfully.  I've been rather busy, and mostly the good kind of busy, I might add.  In the past year and a half, I was released from serving in the stake Young Women's organization as secretary, called as the ward compassionate service leader for two months at Christmastime, and then called to serve as first counselor in our ward YW program.  I served as 1st counselor for four and a half months, and then around Christmastime 2016, I was called to be the ward YW president.  It has been an interesting year and a half. September 2016, I became a college student.  I took advantage of the Pathway program through the Church and Brigham Young University-Idaho.  I also became a Mary Kay consultant that summer.  MK, Pathway, Young Women, and LIFE all combined took their toll on me....

Yesterday (Easter Sunday) I substitute taught in Relief Society.  My lesson assignment was on Elder D. Todd Christofferson's talk Why the Church.   The talk is pretty straight forward, which I love.  I tried to prepare for this lesson for two weeks, but struggled most of that time to figure out the correct approach to take when teaching.  I had a hard time creating my outline, picking out wisdom nuggets to build on, discussion topics, etc.  I prayed often for help and inspiration.  Experience has taught me that the inspiration does eventually come, especially if I am prayerful and continue to study and try to figure it out.  I think the lesson went well.  There was a good amount of participation, we had a little fun in the lesson, and I know at least a few of us felt the spirit.  And I gave out Easter candy.  Candy is always good.  I created a little handout to go along with my lesson.  I enjoy creating little handouts. ...

I am not terribly original.  I do appreciate a good idea, no matter whose it is.  I like to take a good idea and Candify it, so to say.  I am giving out 9 or 10 mini pedi packs for my compassionate service calling this week, and this is the little printable tag I made to go with them.  Cute, yes? Feel free to download the image and use it too. Merry Christmas!