Day 31: My Always

Can I just sincerely thank you for following along with me throughout this journey of Hand-Lettered Prints? I have so enjoyed creating these each day and offering them in my shop. I truly believe that words can change the world. And they can change our homes too. As we display inspiring words throughout our homes, and read them whenever we pass I believe it invites the Spirit to be more present in our homes and in our hearts.

As a thank you for participating in this journey with me, I am doing a giveaway for a free 8x10 of any print in my shop (excluding custom orders). To view my prints in my shop, click here. To enter, follow me on Instagram @writinginthestillness and leave a comment there with the print you would choose if you won.

May your day be filled with joy, my friends.

XOXO,
Jamie

Day 30: Tune My Heart

If you have a chance today, listen to Come Thou Fount of Every Blessing. It's one of my favorite songs. Patrick and I were privileged to sing in the choir during my graduation commencement ceremonies. We sang this song. The lyrics are so powerful and perfect that nothing I could write would add any value. So I will simply quote the lyrics below:

Come, thou fount of every blessing, tune my heart to sing thy grace.

Streams of mercy, never ceasing, call for songs of loudest praise.

Teach me some melodious sonnet sung by flaming tongues above;

Praise the mount, I’m fixed upon it, mount of thy redeeming love.

Here I raise my Ebenezer, hither by thy help I come,

And I hope by thy good pleasure safely to arrive at home.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Jesus sought me when a stranger wandering from the fold of God.

He, to rescue me from danger, interposed His precious blood.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

O to grace, how great a debtor, daily I’m constrained to be!

Let thy goodness like a fetter bind my wandering heart to thee.

Prone to wander, Lord, I feel it, prone to leave the God I love.

Here’s my heart, O take and seal it, seal it for thy courts above.

Seal it for thy courts above.

May our hearts ever be tuned to sing His everlasting grace.

Day 29: Life Moments

We visited my Gram and Pop this past weekend and so I brought along my hand-lettering supplies to create prints. As I was drawing, Pop brought out his notebooks where he has recorded hundreds of quotes, poems, and thoughts. He read me a few and I fell in love with this one instantly (along with others that I will be hand-lettering in the future).

Thank you for teaching me this, sweet Pop. And thank you for sharing thousands of moments with me and my family. We will treasure them always.

Day 28: Flowers on my Table

This is so true of me. No diamond could outshine the beauty of real, live, fragrant flowers on my table. It's why I want lots of flower gardens--and especially a cutting garden--so I can harvest the blooms to bring indoors. I love to grace my table with flowers.

It's the little things in life that bring the most joy.

Day 27: I'll Love You Forever

Do you know this book? It was one of my very favorites growing up. I'll never forget the sound of my mother's voice as she read it to us.

And now I read it to my own children and feel so blessed. These children we have been given are truly the greatest treasures.

Traditions bind the generations together.

Do you have a sweet and simple memory you are making a tradition with your own children?

Day 26: The Reward

So often we want to get to a desired destination to reach happiness. But, truth be told, we will never reach that "perfect" destination. There will always be something just over the next horizon for us to pursue. The trick is to enjoy the now and find happiness in the present. And this little quote helps me visualize just exactly how to do that.

Life is a journey, my friends. And how blessed we are to be on this journey. Stay present.

Let the journey itself be your reward.

{Find this print in my shop by clicking here.}

Day 25: Give Thanks

It's about this time of year, when autumn is in full swing and we realize Thanksgiving is just around the bend that our thoughts start turning toward gratitude.

An attitude of gratitude--we've all been schooled in this positive way to frame our thoughts. We know all the answers backwards and forwards, inside and out. But has this practice of giving thanks really, truly penetrated our hearts?

The practice of gratitude is often on my mind. Maybe it's because I'm still not very good at it even after all these years of practice. Do you need some fresh perspectives on how to practice an attitude of gratitude?

In this post I wrote last year called "The Thanks Giving Project," I suggested a way we can train our minds to tread the positive path.

Another post I wrote called "The Stained Glass Window" suggests 5 ways we can practice daily gratitude and experience the warm glow through life's stained glass window.

This year, I want to challenge myself {and all of you} to try another practice--in everything giving thanks. In order to step to a higher level in our eternal progression, it would serve us well to eliminate complaining and whining and pessimism.

Give Thanks in Everything. Even when your children are misbehaving. Even when you have a bad hair day. Even when you're late for church or a meeting or work. Even when you're sick. Even when rainstorms ruin your party. Even when life is unfair. Even when you lose your job, or your car, or your home, or money, or even a family member. Even when everything seems to be going wrong--give thanks.

You see, sometimes, the very things that seem so terrible will ultimately work for our highest good. Because it is in these desperate times that we become molded and refined and smoothed into exactly who God wants us to be. There is not one single experience we pass through that will not be for our ultimate good, of this we can be sure. Heavenly Father loves us. He is there for us. And He wants us to return to Him.

In everything give thanks.

It's a steep challenge, to be sure. But the result will turn us into something so magnificent, so humble, so Christlike.

Will you come with me on this path towards Thanksliving? Let's take the next step and see where it leads.

Day 24: Do What You Love

What do you love to do? Have you ever made a list? If not, stop what you're doing and go make one this moment. If you have children at home, let them make a list too.

Now hang up your list where you will see it often.

Life is too short to spend too much time doing unbearable things.

It's Saturday...so it's time to do something you love. Pick just one thing on your list (or two or three) and do it today. No ifs, ands, or buts.

See what a difference it makes in your day.

Now, repeat. Every day. As often as you can. If you do this, you will look back on your days at the end of your life and see the beautiful life you created.

xoxoxo,

Jamie

{To view this print in my shop click here.}

Day 23: Never Grow Up

Fridays=family time and so on this Friday, I can't help but think of my sweet family and all that they mean to me. I have three children ages 8, almost 7, and almost 4. Truly, they are a bundle of delight. I don't know how I got so lucky to receive these three special gifts from my Father in Heaven. Their personalities amaze me and their valiance leaves me in awe.

But I have a problem. You see, no matter how hard I try, they keep growing up.

The change is almost imperceptible in the days, but when you look back at a picture or video from even just a year ago, the change is drastic. I hardly notice it happening, but it happens in the blink of an eye.

My mother used to give me "stay-little pills" and I just recently heard from my Grandfather that he used to give my mother "stay-little pills." Apparently, they don't work, because I keep trying them on my own children to no avail.

In my mind, I know they need to grow up and experience all the beauty that life has to offer. I want them to have all the joy I have. But still my heart cries out, "Please, just never grow up!"

With each passing day, they bring me more and more joy. Their personalities are emerging and blossoming in such delightful ways. Every year brings me blessings unimaginable. So naturally, I love to see them grow up and learn new things and become this wonderfully unique and capable little human being. But at the very same time, I want to cradle their faces in my hands and freeze time just exactly as it is now. {Don't even get me started on the heart-wrenching feelings that emerge when I look at their little toddler pictures...}

Oh this growing up business is not for the faint of heart. It's ever so bittersweet as a mother.

Maybe tomorrow, sweet children, you can grow older...but not today.

Stay little...just for today...



{To view this print in my shop click here.}

Day 22: Moments

Do you have a collection? I collected many things growing up--stamps, teddy bears, dalmatians, bookmarks, and tea pots to name a few. I was a collector.

I still am. But my main collection now is that of memories. I love the moments that make up my cherished memories. I collect moments through photos, journaling, writing, and video recording. And my favorite moments to collect are family memories.

I kept a family blog from 2008-2015 and now I have a special print instagram account for family memories. These I print into books so I can always treasure the words and photos from our family's memories.

My other favorite thing to do is record my children on video. I record the big moments and the small moments and those in-between. Then in the fall time I pull out all the recordings and make one short movie for every month that recaps our memories through video and music. On New Year's I give them to my family and we curl up together to watch them.

Material things get old, break, become outdated. But moments? They are priceless. They're worth more than all the money in the world.

Truly, memories, and the moments from which they are made, will live on forever.

How do you collect moments? Please comment below...

{And to view this print in my shop click here.}

Day 21: Come What May

{To view this print in my etsy shop, click here}

Elder Wirthlin gave a monumental talk in October 2008. It's one of those talks that you never forget. The main message of his talk exhorted us to endure adversity well. The short video below shares the advice of Elder Wirthlin's mother to "Come What May and Love It."



My favorite quote from his discourse:

"The simple secret is this: put your trust in the Lord, do your best, then leave the rest to Him."  ~Elder Wirthlin

Day 20: Speak Love

One of the most beautiful hymns from the Children's Songbook is "Love is Spoken Here." The lyrics are so timeless and empowering. They have become a motto for me--a vision of what I want our home to look and feel like:

I see my other kneeling with our family each day.
I hear the words she whispers as she bows her head to pray.
Her plea to the Father quiets all my fears,
And I am thankful love is spoken here.

Mine is a home where every hour is blessed by the strength of priesthood power,
With father and mother leading the way
Teaching me how to trust and obey;
And the things they teach our crystal clear,
For love is spoken here.

I can often feel the Savior near
When love is spoken here.

(words and music by Janice Kapp Perry)


We all make mistakes and there are times when the words in our homes are not very loving or kind. But I believe with all my heart that one person can make a difference. One mother, one father, or one child can change the very atmosphere of the home by committing to this practice of speaking love. How would your home feel if you were the one who made that difference? How would your love ripple outwards, lifting the attitude and actions of all present in your home?

Might you commit to try for just one day to only speak love?

Our homes can become the heavens on earth as we embrace this practice with all our hearts.


{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 19: Look

All the Israelites had to do was look to the brazen serpent to be healed and live. But because of the simplicity of the way, so many would not look, but chose to perish instead. Why wouldn't they look? we wonder to ourselves. It was so simple, so easy.

But how often do we do the same? The scriptures filled with the healing word of God wait for us on dusty shelves. But do we pick them up? Our church meetings, and especially the sacrament offer forgiveness, refreshment and nourishment to our parched souls. But do we go? And if we do, do we bring a softened, open heart? The great God of the universe, our very Eternal Father in Heaven waits patiently for us to commune with Him in prayer for all the things we need, but do we come?

Abundant life is freely offered to us at any and every moment of the day. All we must do is look.

Look to God and live.

Will you?

Day 18: His Child

This simple phrase is the basis and foundation of my life. It transcends all things of this earth and grants me overwhelming peace. 

To think that we are the children of the great Creator of the Universe is incredibly humbling and awe-inspiring. 

I believe we can let this simple, divine truth settle so deeply into our hearts that it actually softens our hearts and makes us more like Him. If we could grasp onto this thought and let it guide our daily actions, think of the love and grace we could extend to those in our circle of influence. Think of the difference we could make. 

You are a child of God.

I am a child of God.

Let this truth change you and mold you into the Divine royalty you have always been destined to become... 

Day 17: Fly

Life is full of possibility. Endless opportunities await us. When our hearts call us to action, all that is required is a simple "yes." But more often than not, great opportunities are accompanied with a certain degree of risk. We argue with ourselves. Should we stay where we are, comfortable in our little space of familiarity...or should we reach for the stars?

Of course you might fail. But what if you fly?

Is it worth the risk? No one wants to fail. But what you must remember is that no one ever truly fails. Every failure is a blessing in disguise. The lessons we learn will only add to the gleam in our character. Besides, this failure may lead to an entirely different dream altogether.

So trust your heart.

Say yes.

Either way you'll fly.

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 16: A Beautiful Ride

Life really is a beautiful ride, isn't it? If you're anything like me, you wake up every morning with overwhelming stress, mountains of laundry and a to-do list as long as the Amazon, but when you really stop and think about it, aren't we just so blessed to be alive? You are gifted 24 hours every single day--what will you do with those few precious hours? We can use them to rush around as busy crazies, or we can s l o w  d o w n and savor each precious moment for exactly what it is--a gift. Ride along today at a slower than usual pace. See if you can truly relish the beautiful ride. Happy Friday my sweet, sweet friends. Thank you for sharing this space with me. I hope your weekend turns into the most lovely, meaningful gift for you!

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 15: Remember

Throughout the scriptures we are encouraged to "remember." I would encourage you to do a study on this beautiful word and find it sprinkled throughout the beautiful scripture accounts. 

It is good for the soul to remember. Remember your blessings. Remember your hardships and how the Lord never left your side, and ultimately delivered you. Remember His power and miracles. Remember His love. Remember Him. 

It's a beautiful thing, this remembering. It takes a tired, worn-out day and makes it feel brand new. 

How has remembering blessed your life?

Day 14: Be Still

Stillness is so good for our souls. It is in the stillness that we can feel the comfort, the peace, and the love of our Heavenly Father. All we have to do is quiet our minds and hearts.

Today I encourage you to pause whatever you are doing right in this very minute--and choose to be still. Take a few, long deep breaths, and in this sweet moment of stillness, feel the presence of the Spirit. Remember the mercy, grace, and love of the Lord towards you, and choose to trust Him with your life, your heart and your dreams. He cares about you so much.

It is in the stillness that we can most readily find Him--waiting for us to come unto Him.

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 13: Beautiful Destination

What is your destination? If you have a great vision of where you want to be in life, then hold fast to that dream even if your road today feels rough. Keep your dreams ever before your eyes and savor the little moments along the way. It will all be worth it in the end. 

Sometimes dreams are easily chosen, but other times they're more elusive. If life finds you traversing a difficult road without a specific "dream," take heart. Keep walking the path. Stay close the Lord and He will guide you just where you need to be. You see, sometimes dreams come true that we never even knew would be possible. Your next destination may be a beautiful surprise.

My dreams right now are many: to raise a happy, righteous family, make wonderful memories, write and publish a book, live in a little farmhouse in the middle of nowhere, return to Portugal, go on missions with my husband, and maybe even change the world through words...What are your goals and dreams?

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 12: His Will

"And I do this for a wise purpose; for thus it whispereth me, according to the workings of the Spirit of the Lord which is in me. And now, I do not know all things; but the Lord knoweth all things which are to come; wherefore, he worketh in me to do according to his will." -Words of Mormon 1:7

This scripture inspires me. Mormon was just about to deliver up the plates to his son Moroni when he found this small record--the plates of Nephi. He could have easily dismissed it and set it aside. He had just finished abridging the entire Book of Mormon--surely this one small record out of the hundreds was insignificant, right? But Mormon was in tune with the Spirit, so he heard the whisper to include this record with his abridgment. He wrote the verse above following his decision. What faith Mormon had to listen to such a small and seemingly insignificant prompting. This decision would prove invaluable considering the loss of the 116 pages that would happen centuries later.

In short, the Lord knows what needs to happen. He orchestrates his plan perfectly. All we need to do is trust Him and listen. If we do, He will work His great and glorious will through us.

Day 11: Happiness

The secret to finding happiness is really not about "looking" for it. It's about creating it.

We can best create joy in our lives by living righteously and doing the things that light our hearts with  happiness. I've wasted a lot of time looking for happiness by trying to be perfect instead of simply trying to be the very best me.

Life is so precious. I encourage you to do at least three things today that fill your soul with joy. In this way, you will be creating your very own happiness.

Day 10: My Heart

This quote was requested from a sweet mother who won my giveaway a few weeks back and I just love it so much. There is never a shortage of love in your heart. With each new child (or grandchild or niece or nephew) added to a family, your heart just increases its capacity to love. It's amazing really. And I think it's part of our divinity as mothers...

We just returned home from a lovely weekend with family, canning homemade applesauce, relaxing, and birthday partying. My hands are so full with my children at this stage in their lives but my heart is fuller still--with love and gratitude and warmth and memories. My children are my greatest treasures on earth and I am who I am because of the person they've helped me become.

{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 9: You are Loved

I fell in love with the song "You are Loved" by Josh Groan back in 2007. I remember sitting in the Hinckley building on the campus of BYU-Idaho rocking my newborn son in his car seat. I would have my ear phones in listening to this song as I studied for my Elementary Education classes. My husband and I were both in school and we would switch off watching our son day in, day out.

This song always made me tear up and I listened to it nearly every day because life was hard. The weight of the world was heavy on my heart. There was hurt that I hid but I wanted to shine. And this song symbolized everything I felt. It reminded me to never give up and intentionally seek to feel the powerful love of my Heavenly Father, my Savior Jesus Christ, and my little family. We lived so far away from family during those university years and we had nothing. Nothing, that is, except for each other...and the Lord.  During those years I grew so close to my Father in Heaven and my husband. We relied on the Lord and each other for everything because that's all we had. Though we had but little, we loved each other deeply and profoundly and that carried us through.

If you get a minute, listen to this song today and think of all the people who love you. Never give up no matter how tough life gets. Sometimes it's good to be reminded of just how dearly you. are. loved.

Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
When your heart's heavy
I...I will lift it for you

Don't give up
Because you want to be heard
If silence keeps you
I...I will break it for you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

Don't give up
It's just the hurt that you hide
When you're lost inside
I...I will be there to find you

Don't give up
Because you want to burn bright
If darkness blinds you
I...I will shine to guide you

Everybody wants to be understood
Well I can hear you
Everybody wants to be loved
Don't give up
Because you are loved

You are loved
Don't give up
It's just the weight of the world
Don't give up
Every one needs to be heard
You are loved


{To view this print in my shop, click here}

Day 8: I Love to See the Temple

{Find this print in my etsy shop here}

From the back windows of my home, if you search the horizon, you can see the temple way off far in the distance. At night you can see the glow of the spires. Truly, I love to see the temple. These beacons of light are a piece of heaven on earth and I delight every time I am honored to step inside temple doors. In the temple I always feel perfectly at home.

Lately I have felt stirrings in my heart to retreat to the temple more often. It has been our goal, as a couple since we were married, to attend once a month. For the most part, we have kept our goal, and it has proved such a blessing, but there was a special time in our married life when we were blessed to attend the temple weekly and it made such a difference.

I miss those days when we lived just down the street from the Rexburg temple. We would each pick a day during the week to rise at 5:00 in the morning to attend the temple at 6:00. Since we had little babies, we would switch off and go separately. Then once a month, we would get a babysitter and go together. There was a special feeling in our little cottage apartment during those two years we lived there and I believe it was because of the choice we made to increase our temple attendance.

Now I live 20 minutes from the temple, and while it seems so far, I remember in Portugal when we lived a country and 9 hours away from the temple. I am so blessed where I live, and in fact, so spoiled to live so close. I still have young children, and while this seems a valid excuse, the price to pay to attend the temple is so small in comparison to the blessings we receive.

To end, I would just like to quote from our beloved past apostle Elder Richard G. Scott:

"Because I love you, I am going to speak to you heart to heart, without mincing words. I have seen that many times individuals have made great sacrifices to go to a distant temple. But when a temple is built close by, within a short time, many do not visit it regularly. I have a suggestion: When a temple is conveniently nearby, small things may interrupt your plans to go to the temple. Set specific goals, considering your circumstances, of when you can and will participate in temple ordinances. Then do not allow anything to interfere with that plan. This pattern will guarantee that those who live in the shadow of a temple will be as blessed as are those who plan far ahead and make a long trip to the temple.

"Fourteen years ago I decided to attend the temple and complete an ordinance at least once a week. When I am traveling I make up the missed visits in order to achieve that objective. I have kept that resolve, and it has changed my life profoundly. I strive to participate in all the different ordinances available in the temple.

"I encourage you to establish your own goal of how frequently you will avail yourself of the ordinances offered in our operating temples. What is there that is more important than attending and participating in the ordinances of the temple? What activity could have a greater impact and provide more joy and profound happiness for a couple than worshipping together in the temple?

-Elder Richard G. Scott 

Today I will be establishing a new goal of how frequently I will retreat to the temple to gain the peace, direction, and blessings that await. I can't afford not to.

May we never lose sight of the temple, and all of the glorious blessings that await us there.

Day 7: Eu te amo

Ten years ago I came home from Portugal--where I had lived for 2 years with my family on a mission for our Church, the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.

I learned more, felt more, and grew more in those two short years than I could ever have imagined. Who I am now was shaped there and I look back on those memories, the people, the missionaries, the ocean, the lighthouse, and the country with "saudades" too poignant to express.

So when my sweet friend requested me to hand-letter this sign for her, I was thrilled. "Eu te amo" is the beautiful phrase that means "I love you."

"Eu te amo" was a phrase I grew to love as a child because my Father had served a mission there when he was 19 and told us he loved us in Portuguese all the time. Now I say it to my own children and perhaps they will say it to theirs.

Do you have a beloved language in which you could say "I love you"? Even if you've never lived in or visited a different country, you could still pick a language that you love. I encourage you to learn how to say "I love you" in your chosen language and then say it often. Make it your special family code of love.

Now, as usual, you can purchase this print in my Etsy shop today for $7 (tomorrow the price will go up to $8). But there is a bonus for you today! Convo me on etsy, or send me an email (writinginthestillness@gmail.com) with "I love you" in your beloved language, and I will make you a custom print for only $7 {available today only}. My custom prints are regularly $12--so this is a great discount.

I love you all!!

xoxo,
Jamie

Day 6: Believe

I'm not quite sure why, but this is one of my very favorite quotes. Maybe it's because there's a certain air of magic about it, or maybe it's just because it's pretty true.

Can you imagine how many optimists there would be in the world if everyone adopted this paradigm?

I want you to try and experiment for me today.

I want you to believe at every moment that something wonderful is going to happen to you.

When you're in line at the grocery store, anticipate the wonderful.
When you're helping a child who's having a meltdown, believe that wonderful waits on the brink.
When you're doing a million mundane chores, get excited for what is just around corner.
When you're tired and exhausted and trying to cook dinner while helping with homework and maintaining a phone call conversation, let your heart spark with wonder for soon-to-be magic.

Whatever your moments bring you today on this simple Tuesday, choose to believe that something miraculous is coming your way.

I'll take up the challenge too. Come back and comment tomorrow how it went, will you?

Let's flood the world with optimism today friends!!!

Day 5: Ponderize

Inspired by Elder Devin G. Durrant's talk from yesterday's General Conference, I hand lettered my ponderize scripture verse of the week. It's slightly messy as I didn't sketch it out or perfect it, but it is wonderful to me. Hanging on my fridge, I read it every time I pass and feel the power of the scriptures uplifting me.

I love how these verses of scriptures can be safe places of refuge for our minds to rest. I often struggle with discouraging, negative thoughts, and this ponderize challenge truly came as an answer to my prayers. By meditating upon the scriptures, we provide a higher place to redirect our thoughts when they get out of hand. And as we add scripture upon scripture to our repertoire, we will gain valuable, reliable friends who will cheer, edify, and uplift us whenever we think upon them {see this beautiful talk by Elder Richard G. Scott}

Will you join me in the #ponderize challenge? Elder Durrant says he and his wife have made the goal to ponderize for 20 years--and they only have 17 year left.

It's a beautiful, simple, yet lofty challenge that will bless our lives in more ways than we can imagine.

What scripture verse are you ponderizing this week?

Scriptures are like packets of light that illuminate our minds and give place to guidance and inspiration from on high. They can become the key to open the channel to communion with our Father in Heaven and His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ.

~Elder Richard G. Scott 

Day 4: Light.

Today our dear prophet, President Monson spoke to us about shining our lights brightly by being examples of true believers. 

The world is growing ever increasingly dark, but we can illuminate our homes, our communities and the world around us as we glow just a little bit brighter each day.

I still have so far to go before I will be shining as brightly as I desire. But if I spend some time in quiet communion with my Heavenly Father, I know He will instruct me on how to shine better for Him.

Do you feel the stirrings in your heart to shine? To make a difference? To change your family and the world? It all starts within. In the sacred chambers of the heart.

May we embrace our call to shine our light.

And as we do, we will flood the earth with the light of Christ.

 {This print will be available to purchase in my shop tomorrow.}

Day 3: Discipleship

General Conference washed over me like a wave of peace today. Heavenly Father is so good to us. He always provides waters of stillness and refreshment to quench our souls. I feel wholly filled with living water and empowered onward in my life's journey.

Heaven feels so very near.

This quote, (along with dozens of others) touched me deeply. {Click here to view this print in my Etsy shop}

Discipleship doesn't need to be complicated. All it requires is our heart and a willing mind. Come unto Christ and He will show us all things that we should do. He will lead us to places of green pasture and comfort us when the storms billow. Life doesn't require complicated solutions. All it requires is Christ.

He is the answer to our every need.

He is the spiritual bread and water that will eternally satisfy.

He is the one true Friend who will always be there for us.

He lives, and as His disciple, I renew my commitment to daily come unto Him and let His mercy and grace heal my soul.

For if we knock, He will open His door, welcome us into His home, and give us words of eternal life.

Day 2: Have Joy

Last week President Dieter F. Uchtdorf spoke in the Women's Meeting. I think his talk was just for me...and probably just for you too because Conference talks are always like that. Somehow they reach the inmost parts of my heart and deliver to me the exact answers I need while at the same time, they reach the inmost parts of your heart and give you the answers you are seeking. Somehow the Spirit can teach us universally and individually at exactly the same time. I call it the miracle of Conference.

This quote struck me when President Uchtdorf spoke and I haven't stopped thinking about it since. How comforting it is for us to know that we are designed for joy, not for sadness. We all sincerely desire joy, and I believe President Ucthdorf's talk is an outline for how we can find this abundant joy that Heavenly Father desires for us. My heart needed his words, and I'm looking forward to diving into this talk for further instructions on the happy life. You can find this print in my Etsy shop by clicking {here}. It's on sale today for $7.

I hope you have such a marvelous General Conference weekend. For more information on Conference you can visit this site to learn more.

Happy Friday friends!

Day 1: Hello October!

Can I just tell you how excited I am for October? This month is going to be wonderful. Especially because I am participating in the write31days challenge again. This year, for each day in October, I will be posting a hand-lettered print I have created with an inspirational quote. If you'd like to purchase a hand-lettered print, click here to go to my Etsy shop. (Note: on the day I post a quote, it will be listed for a discounted price for that day only)! If you are a regular subscriber to my blog, you will receive an email with a discount code to use at my Etsy shop. If you haven't already subscribed to my blog, please do and I will send you a code!

Now for today. October is here. I think I can smell a twinge of autumn in the air and I just love the images that come to my mind when I think of "October." Round orange pumpkins, apple cider, crackling leaves, autumn candles, vibrant colors, warm jackets, Halloween costumes, and home baked desserts. Here's to a wonderful October, my friends. There is so much of life to be enjoyed. Let's make the most of it!

Truly, as Anne of Green Gables said, "I'm so glad to live in a world where there are Octobers." And this little hand-lettered print would make such a beautiful addition to any Autumn decor you are setting out this year. Click here to purchase.

31 Days of Hand-Lettered Prints

It's October and time for 31 days of blogging again. Last year I did "31 Days to Peace." This year I am doing 31 days of words...

Words are powerful. They have the capacity to change the world for good or for bad. My mission is to flood the world with beautiful, uplifting, and powerful messages...because if I can encourage and empower you with my simple words, then you will go out and change the world with your unique, God-given gifts.

I believe in the power of words. Join me as we embark on this journey of words together.

Each day in October I will post a picture below that will link to a short post with my hand-lettered print of the day. From there you can read about the quote, comment, or click on a link to my Etsy shop where you can purchase the print for a discounted price.

Also, as a sweet little bonus for you, if you subscribe to my blog (see my right sidebar) I will send you a discount code to use on any of the prints in my shop.   

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Day 31