I Stand All Amazed

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Those words bring back special, precious memories. Carefully, slowly my 12 year old fingers find the keys to play the melody. Over and over I practice, trying hard not to make a mistake. Being called to be the branch pianist when I barely know how to read notes let alone play them, even one finger at a time, is nerve wracking to say the least. My parents find a piano teacher for me who immediately chooses this hymn for me to begin learning.

"Montse, you will not play from the simplified hymn book. If you apply yourself you can and will learn to play the hymns just as they are written."

And so began my journey.

My own personal journey of faith, of gaining my own testimony of Jesus Christ and His redeeming, atoning power in my life.

You see as I slowly, painfully even, plunked at the piano practicing that hymn over and over for weeks on end the words also played over and over in my mind.

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,
Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.
I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,
That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

[Chorus]
Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!
 
I marvel that he would descend from his throne divine
To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,
That he should extend his great love unto such as I,
Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.
 
I think of his hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!
Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?
No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,
Until at the glorified throne I kneel at his feet.

Those words have become ingrained in my heart. Because of them I started reading and studying about Jesus Christ and the atonement in the scriptures. I read of His life as He walked among men healing the sick, teaching a higher better way to live, providing living water to souls thirsty for hope and love and life.

I studied His last week, the instructions He gave to the apostles, the parables He gave to his disciples, the doctrines deemed important enough to be added to those already given.

My heart ached as I read of His suffering in Gethsemane and then rejoiced as I realized it was for me that I might be cleansed if I repent.

I sorrowed at His cruel death, crucifixion on the cross, yet marveled at His deep love - for His mother, Mary, for those thieves upon the cross, for the Roman soldiers "who know not what they do."

And then, O, then! The magnificent morning when Mary Magdalene finds the tomb empty. The angels proclaiming, "He is not here; for He is risen, as he said."

He is Risen! Those words give hope for millions. We too will rise in the glorious resurrection.

The scriptures are a guide in my life as I try to teach my children about Jesus Christ.

I want them to know no matter how difficult the journey may be or how dark the night may seem, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ blessings will come as we show our faith in Him. As the Apostle Paul stated “Now no chastening for the present seemeth to be joyous, but grievous: nevertheless afterward it yieldeth the peaceable fruit of righteousness unto them which are exercised thereby” (Hebrews 12:11).

So my husband and I teach our children by praying with them everyday, studying scriptures with them everyday, singing hymns everyday, living our religion everyday not just on Sundays.

"And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins." (2 Nephi 25:26)

My faith, my religion, is very important to me. It is the foundation upon which everything else rests. My belief in Jesus Christ keeps me going through the tough times, brings me joy in the good times, comforts me when I am down, and guides me every day.

Mine is not a passive faith. It is one of action. It is my life.

May you have a most joyous Easter with your family.

Did you like the lovely, powerful images I used in my post? They are Easter cards you can find at Mormon.org's facebook page.

Would you like to proclaim your own belief in Jesus Christ? You can at the special Easter page on Mormon.org. There is a special facebook plugin where you can join others in sharing your testimony of Jesus Christ.

While there watch a new video, He is Risen, about the Savior's Atonement. You can also watch 4 Christ-centered videos covering the topics of forgiveness, finding peace, service and overcoming challenges.

There is a Bible video app you can download to view the new Life of Jesus Christ Bible videos. You can also order a free copy of the King James version of the Bible as a special Easter gift to you.

Come, learn more about The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints beliefs in Jesus Christ.

© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

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1940 Census: Who are you looking for?

The images for the 1940 Census were released on Monday. And we couldn't be more excited! We have been busy indexing records for the first states available.

{Scroll over the images to see where our ancestors are listed and who they are}


But even better we have searched through the images and found my husband's grandparents and great-grandparents.


New information we didn't know {although I'm sure his parents knew but who remembers to tell little things like that?} about his ancestors include his great-grandfather, F.E., was a lawyer.


And his great-grandmother, Amelia Murdock Witt, was living with his grandparents at the time the census was taken.


We've also found my grandmother and great -grandparents. Their neighbors just above them on the census were still my grandmother's neighbors when I was little. And I remember them too!

Do you have relatives you want to find? Here's how to start your search.

Go to the official 1940 Census Archive Search page.
Enter what you know about where your ancestors lived at the time: state, county, city, even street name. {scroll over the images for information about each page to aid you in your search}


The results will come up for you to look through. Here are the results when we searched for Lincoln County, NV. We read the descriptions and realized the enumeration district we wanted was 9-4. We clicked on that.


The images we want are called "Census Schedules." Click on the census schedules for the enumeration district you are looking for.


The images of the census show up really big. This district is little so there were only 14 pages to look through.



Look! at the bottom of page 7 we found Mr. Ferrero Rocher's great-grandparents. Their children are listed on the next page.

If your ancestors came from a big town there can be hundreds of images to look through. That is why indexing them is so important! It will save time for those looking for information about their ancestors and loved ones. Once all the 1940 Census images are indexed instead of scanning through the images you will be able to do a search of their name and be taken right to the census schedule they are on.

Who are you looking for?


© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

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Lamb of God: a sacred musical work

"There are events of life so sublime that they cannot be imagined without the companionship of beautiful music." 

 {Douglas L. Callister, Your Refined Heavenly Home}

The Easter season is such an event.

After being introduced to Rob Gardner's music several years ago his Lamb of God: A Sacred Work for Choir, Orchestra and Soloists has been a part of our Easter season worship. It is beautiful and moving. It tells the story of the last days of the life of Jesus Christ through the experiences of those who knew Him - the Apostles, Mary and Martha, Mary Magdalene. The music exemplifies the hope we all feel in the wonderful Atonement and Resurrection. One of my favorite pieces is featured below. Hosanna, the words that greeted Christ as he entered Jerusalem. While listening to this for the first time my daughter, Fudge, stated "It makes me feel so happy I can't help but cry!" Amen to that. Beautiful music always brings me to tears.




Watch and listen to a playlist to hear other works included in the CD. It is definitely worth your time!

I love this music so much I am personally sponsoring this giveaway for two readers to each win their own copy of this beautiful 2 CD collection. 

Enter by following the instructions on the rafflecopter. Click on the "do it" button to see the instructions for each entry and then click I did it when you've completed them. Giveaway ends April 4 at 11:59 pm PST.

a Rafflecopter giveaway


© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

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What I learned from Julie B. Beck, Silvia Allred, and Barbara Thompson

"We must cherish one another, watch over one another, comfort one another, and gain instruction that we may all sit down in heaven together." These famous words spoken by Lucy Mack Smith about Relief Society sum up how I have felt about the service rendered by Julie B. Beck and her counselors, Silvia Allred, and Barbra Thompson. Through their words they have conveyed their love for the women of the world and taught me, personally, how to be a better woman, wife and mother.

They have utilized the power of technology so their words are made available more quickly to so many. The interviews they have given have been heartfelt and enlightening. It is not easy to lead over 6 million women of all walks of life from around the world!

Sister Beck has taught me to be a "mother who knows." Because I know who I am and who God is and have made covenants with Him, He will help me in guiding and teaching my children. I have learned that even though disappointments will come I need not be disappointed in myself, especially if I qualify for, receive, and know how to follow the Spirit. The true measure of success is knowing the Lord is pleased with my feeble efforts.

At a time where it is unpopular to speak of the traditional roles of women Sister Beck has been courageous in teaching The Doctrine of the Family - helping me to understand it more than I ever did before, thus enabling me to teach it more in depth to my own children.

From Sister Beck I have learned the importance of studying the history of Relief Society, that it truly is an organization restored to the earth and that it's roots beckon back to ancient women in Christ's time like Mary and Martha, and even Lydia. I am part of a whole host of women disciples, followers of Jesus Christ. That is powerful!

Another powerful lesson was listening to her in person at the 2011 BYU Women's Conference. The words she spoke that day were for me. She validated my own feelings of having and wanting a large family. At the 2010 Women's Conference she taught that as mothers we are like lionesses at the gate of the home. It is my responsibility to guard what comes into my home.

Any woman, no matter how good, can never be an effective president without wonderful counselors to help and sustain her. Under their leadership the wonderful book Daughters in My Kingdom was released to help us all learn and study the history of Relief Society.

Dear sweet Sister Allred, who reminds me so much of my Mexican grandmother, taught me to go to the temple and learn, to receive instruction for me personally, and my family. She taught this through example as well. One day while my husband and I visited the Salt Lake Temple she was there in our session, reverently living the words she had taught.

I have also learned that I can and must stand steadfast and immovable in the face of faith trying challenges. I can do that through utilizing the atonement in my life, staying close to my Heavenly Father, relying on Him to help me. Sister Allred taught me if I truly learn to love others and serve them I will develop charity, the pure love of Christ, and in so doing will manifest my discipleship to Christ.

Sister Barbara Thompson just makes me smile! Her cheerful disposition and sense of humor have endeared her to so many women.

She taught me to mind the gaps in my life. "Sometimes it is the difference between what we know and what we actually do or the gap between our goals and what we actually accomplish." My biggest gap? Motherhood. Oh yes.

Sister Thompson spoke recently at a regional meeting in my area. She taught us to "SEEK JESUS." Miracles occur within us when we seek Him in every aspect of our lives. We cannot be casual about our desire to follow Christ. "And now, I would commend you to seek this Jesus of whom the prophets and apostles have written, that the grace of God the Father, and also the Lord Jesus Christ, and the Holy Ghost, which beareth record of them, may be and abide in you forever. Amen." {Ether 12:41}

I'm not sure what made this Relief Society Presidency so dear to me. Maybe it was the easy access to their words.

Or maybe I finally grew up enough to pay attention. 

What have you learned from these wonderful women? Do you have any memories associated with them? Please share in the comments!

As proof of how much I love Sister Beck here's a list of all the posts where I have quoted her!
By Small and Simple Things
A Mother's Role
Personal Warning Rattles
A Summer Cottage in Babylon
Sharing the Family Proclamation
Keepers at Home
The Law of True Marriage
BYU Women's Conference 2011: Julie B. Beck
Julie B. Beck's Women's Conference Talk
Daughters in my Kingdom

© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

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Sugar Cube Temples

About 8 years ago when I served as Primary President of our ward we put on an activity about the early pioneers and Nauvoo. As part of the activity we talked about temples, how those who enter must be clean and worthy. The kids then built their own sugar cubes temples.

Realizing only my three oldest had ever done this activity we pulled out the sugar cubes during the Sunday morning session of conference. The younger ones had a great time building their temples.

We covered cardboard with foil, filled bowls with Elmer's {white} glue, gave them their own paintbrushes, and let them have at it.

They turned out great!

© 2007-2011 Chocolate on my Cranium, LLC all rights reserved

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The Passing of the Torch

A passing of the torch occurred in General Conference Saturday afternoon. The General Relief Society Presidency consisting of Sister Julie B. Beck {center}, Sister Silvia H. Allred {left}, and Sister Barbara Thompson {right} was released after five years of service.

They served unselfishly, traveling around the world, visiting women of all nationalities, teaching, guiding, encouraging and strengthening us all. I'll be posting about the things I have learned from each one of them soon.

I am excited to get to know the new General Relief Society Presidency {pictured below}.

The General Relief Society Presidency: Sister Linda K. Burton, center, Sister Carole M. Stephens, left, and Sister Linda S. Reeves, right

These are women called of God to lead us, guide us, and counsel us in the part we, as women, have in building up the kingdom of God. I look forward to hearing and learning from them! And will definitely be praying for them in their new responsibilities. It's not easy to represent about 6 million women from around the world!

To read short bios of these women visit this page and scroll towards the bottom of the article. Sister Reeves has 13 children!!

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Come Listen to a Prophet's Voice!

This weekend is one of my favorite family weekends of the year! Twice a year we have the opportunity to listen to General Conference, a gathering of all members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints throughout the world where we listen to modern day prophets, apostles, and other church leaders speak to us. Here's a handy infographic that tells about some of the logistics surrounding General Conference. It's quite a feat every year to get the messages translated into 94 languages!




This is a time where I feel rejuvenated and uplifted to hear so many wonderful messages that will help me and my family strive to be better and draw closer to Christ. Why don't you join us? You can view it live online here.




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