Something Brewing

Something was definitely brewing over The White House tonight.

As I was making chili for dinner, my kitchen got really dark

 and the wind began wildly blowing the ribbons on our porch swings.

I left the garlic on the chopping board and ran 

outside with the Nies to enjoy the weather.

After dinner, we watched the debates

and it all made sense about what was brewing: 

the dark, confusing, chaotic debates!  

After we turned off the TV we all knelt down to have family prayer.

I thanked God that this weekend we have the opportunity to

hear from a prophet of God who shares the message of

Jesus Christ and His light and peace.

Christ is light, He is clear, true, calm, and soothing.

He is the opposite of the world.

As I crawled into bed I reflected on our newest family theme this year

and how thankful I am that we picked these wise words for our family:

I'm SO ready to HEAR HIM this weekend!!!

A Few Things

A few important things happened today:

My Barre3 studio FINALLY re-opened since COVID hit last March.

It was SOOOooooOOOoOoOoOOO nice being back in 

the studio with real people (only 8 members allowed)

 and loud heart-pumping music. I've missed it so much!  

And, Lottie learned to shift her motorcycle--well, almost.  

She's learning, and I'm so proud of her.

Soon she'll be keeping up with her big brothers.

Also, today while at the store, I bought a few more pumpkins for my front porch.

I can't pass up the giant boxes of large

 heirloom ornamental pumpkins...they're my favorite.

The uglier, the better. I love warts, strange colors, and odd shapes.

Driving around town, I can tell the leaves here are on the verge of change.  

The green seems tired, and soon bright color will start peeking out. 

I receive beautiful photos of the Utah fall from my family, and I admit,

 I am a little jealous. 

 But once fall hits here, it stays for months!  

I just need to be patient!

Dear Andrew, thank you for your Marco Polo up Rock Canyon.

I wish I was hiking with you!!

Home Church Week 28/Hello Halloween.

 This week in Home Church, we discussed a 

wonderful talk given by Elder David A. Bednar.  

The talk focuses on the sacred duties of husband and wife

 and their responsibilities to their children and family. 

 This talk has brought so much perspective and clarity to my life.

"As husbands and wives “lose” their lives in fulfilling the

 sacred duties of marriage and family, they find

 themselves—becoming true servants of God and disciples of Jesus Christ.

Last Saturday, the boys and Lottie left to ride motorcycles,  

Claire was at work, so it was just me and Jane alone.

 We decided to take full advantage of the cloudy quiet Saturday, so we

drove to the storage unit to collect all our Halloween decorations.

 We pilled several Tupperware in the car and went home to decorate.

I made pumpkin chocolate chip bread while listening to Alison Krauss.

 ( We reserve her voice ONLY at fall time).

Later in the evening, when everyone was home, Lottie proudly told

me that she only crashed twice and got a "sweet bruise."

She pulled up her pants to reveal a bruise that

 resembled the Yellowstone Hot Springs.

This week our family begins our social media fast as we prepare for

General Conference this weekend.

(I had to remind Lottie that that means Minecraft!).

We want to be ready to hear the voice of the Lord and

let go of worldly distractions that make it hard for us to fully

receive the personal inspiration and guidance we desperately need.

I love this time of year!!

To my girls:

"A woman not of our faith once wrote something to the effect

 that in her years of working with beautiful women she had 

seen several things they all had in common, and not one of 

them had anything to do with sizes and shapes. 

She said the loveliest women she had known had a glow of health, 

a warm personality, a love of learning, stability of character, and integrity. 

If we may add the sweet and gentle Spirit of the Lord carried by such a woman, 

then this describes the loveliness of women in any age or time, 

every element of which is emphasized in and attainable

 through the blessings of the gospel of Jesus Christ."

-Jeffrey R. Holland

I am Bound.

I've never asked God why I was in an 

airplane crash, or why the horrific aftermath caused so much pain in my life

 and the ones I love because I've always just trusted Him.

 But lately, in my prayers, I've found myself asking:

"why her?" or "why him?" and "why that good family?" 

I have seen some heartbreaking challenges recently

that friends and acquaintances are dealing with, and I have to admit that

 I can't understand God's will sometimes.

Today I had a conversation over the phone with a wonderful

A southern elderly woman who believes

in God but doesn't necessarily believe in going to church.

In fact, the only reason she got baptized was 

because she loved the missionaries who taught her. 

We talked about the country and the events of the world, and

 I told her how comforted I was knowing God was at the helm.

She agreed and had never heard anyone express it that way.

 She's heard politicians declare how they'll save certain programs like

the economy and the poverty rate. They'll save broken schools,

 repair the hated among people, and fix the dividing lines of racism.

They can sure try-- but they can't do it.

 I know who can!! And more importantly,

I know who will; our Savior, Jesus Christ!

There is a scripture in 2 Chronicles in the Old Testament:

 "With him is an arm of flesh; but with us is the Lord our God to help us, 

and to fight our battles."

We must be careful not to put our faith and trust in man,

and we must be humble enough to believe that

only the Savior of the world can make it right and only

He will have all the answers to our "why" questions.

And I'm so thankful for our country's courageous leaders 

and communities helping our country (and the world) remain

true to its heritage and remain a bright place for future generations.

Our family prays for them every night that they will lead with faith

and make good choices that will defend morals and values.

Today, as I ironed, Lottie sat on the dryer reading me her book

about three dachshunds and a bakery.

 I looked at her and her beautiful innocence and felt so grateful 

that she was safely gathered in my home and under my protection.

I suspect this might be how our Father in Heaven feels about us when we

keep His commandments and follow

His ordained prophet, President Nelson.

We have been promised to be safe and protected if we follow Him.

"I, the Lord, am bound when ye do what I say; 

but when ye do not what I say, ye have no promise."

Four Hours

 Well, congratulations to the Nielson family because now we have three

Nies who can DRIVE!  I went to the DMV with Jane and Ollie

this afternoon and FOUR HOURS later

 Jane finally AND successfully got her license, and Ollie got his permit!

Going to the DMV was emotionally exhausting and overwhelming,

but really has anyone on this planet ever had an

awesome experience at the DMV?  FOUR hours??

Oliver drove us home and my only critique to him was to slow down 

around corners because we weren't in a formula 1 race.

Anyway, being at the DMV that long took the wind out of my sails

so we went to dinner to celebrate the kids passing their tests,

and because cooking sounded like the worst.

I only saw Christian once during the day and that was when he

popped out of our bedroom/his office to

 fill up his water bottle during lunch.

He's been so busy with work and it's been such a blessing.

Welcome Autumn 2020.

Today I can officially turn my mattress heater on, 

drink tea and hot chocolate in a mug, flip on the fireplace,

 bring out the pumpkins, light candles, and wear boots and sweaters...

who am I kidding? I've already done all of that--but 

now I can legally do it without feeling guilty!

Because today is the first day of my favorite season: AUTUMN!! 

 Welcome! Words can't express how much

 I've been waiting for this day! COVID

 at the fall time will be better than COVID during the spring/summer. 

Maybe?

Today was a lovely 60 degrees...I hope mother nature won't

trick us and heat back up again. I can't handle any more heat.

Home Church Week 27/Church with friends

  This week we enjoyed our home church service with some friends.  

It's so nice to gather with people- it's been sooooo long! 

We've still been quarantine-ing here in North Carolina, but last week

our governor moved the state to a phase 2 

restriction plan, which means we can gather with a limited amount of people.

North Carolina has been one of the toughest states in terms of

the COVID quarantine and restrictions.

Church will continue next week with a small number of gatherers

and on a once a month per family in attendance basis.

  There will be masks, social distancing, and lots of hand sanitizer.

During our friend devotional, we discussed how we've felt Christ in our lives,

and how He has guided paths as we've navigated the pandemic with our families.

It was beautiful and very special.  After we had a lovely lunch 

together where we caught up each other's lives, 

discussed what books we're reading,

shows we're watching (not many), and COVID activities we're doing.

I am so thankful for wonderful, faithful friends who share the same love 

for Jesus Christ as our family does.

On Friday I broke down and got out a few more Halloween 

decorations (Mr. Bones!) from storge.

(Lottie talkked me into it!) 

And I watched the 24 Hours of Le Mans car race which 

 I LOVED!  I'm kind of a car girl, and really like fast cars.

The TV was on for most of the 24 hours the race was going, and

I watched a good portion of it.

My bet was on the Aston Martin, which took first in the GTE Pro race.

In another life, I think I drove a fast car.

Hats

There are so many reasons I love the Church, but today

 I felt overwhelmed with love as I participated along with

 Christian, Jane, Oliver, and several other members of

 our congregation to put together groceries for those in need. 

We woke up early and drove in the pouring rain 

to get to the building in time to unload the food truck.

I couldn't help but remember our past family theme from 2019:  "FOR HIM"

Everything we do in our lives is for Him, our Savior.  

We serve, grow, live, love, and minister in His name and for Him

because we love Him and want to be like Him, 

but more importantly we can't do it without Him.

(Jane and Ollie on a 7:00 am seminary zoom)

Since I knew I'd be gone for the morning,  I assigned Claire 

to get Lottie set up with her school zoom, and 

 Gigs started on his homeschool lesson before she had to leave for work.

When we got home later that morning I found them

on the couch with a bag of chips watching Finding Nemo.

When I asked them why they weren't doing school they said,

"Because you weren't here."

Then I felt like an ER doctor giving orders:

"Well, I'm home now, turn the TV off, Gigs get the vacuum out and

 suck up the crumbs, Lottie, get your computer open and 

signed into your google classroom,

Gigs grab your coursebook and turn to page 16, start reading the directions,

 Ollie pick up the pillows and put them back on the couch,

 Jane, light a candle then feed Angus,

 and then everyone for the love of Pete, sit down at the table."

And soon we were all sitting at the dining room table and I wasn't 

Dr. Nielson giving orders anymore, 

I was Mrs. (teacher) Nielson holding up Lottie's 

multiplication cards as she passed them off, 

and began dictating sentences for Gigs

to write down in his notebook.

Then I became Chef Nielson and offered frozen grapes and peanut 

butter sandwiches for lunch.

And just like many other women and mothers all over the world

I had a few other hats that I put on before the day ended, 

and was very happy to be finishing the day with my nightcap.

(Not the drink).

Spiritual Enlightenment: 

"Women wear many hats, but it is impossible and unnecessary, 

to wear them all at once. The Spirit helps us determine

 which work to focus on today."

Peril

Since it's an election year, I admit I've been really

 interested in watching the news.  

I turn on the TV while I am cooking dinner and 

all I can think about is how scary the world has become. 

So much division and hatred, so much pain and fear.

I am so thankful for a prophet of God!

In preparing for General Conference in a few weeks, 

I've been studying about prophets, now and in ancient times.

"Many people live in darkness, unsure of God’s will. 

They believe that the heavens are closed 

and that people must face the world’s perils alone. 

How fortunate are the Latter-day Saints! 

We know that God communicates to the Church through His prophet. 

A prophet is a man called by God to be His representative on earth. 

When a prophet speaks for God, it is as if God were speaking ( D&C 1:38).

 A prophet teaches truth and interprets the word of God. 

He calls the unrighteous to repentance. 

He receives revelations and directions from the Lord for our benefit. 

He may see into the future and foretell coming events

 so that the world may be warned."

Yesterday my girls sat on the couch cuddled up to Angus.

I looked at them with so much gratitude and love in my heart!

I am so thankful that my children had a path forward

even in the midst of the chaotic world we live in.

I believe that they still have a very bright future.  

I believe God wants all of His children to be happy and succeed!

He wants to Heal us and bless us. (3 Nephi 9:13)

He gave us a prophet....and General Conference in a few weeks!!!!!

A Chionophile

"Early Autumn Storm" by Romona Youngquist

 Today as I was making soup for dinner Mr. Nielson had the gall to tell

 me that he wasn't ready for fall, and even went as far to say that

he was sad to see summer go.

A pumpkin apple candle was flickering nearby the stove and I have

fall leaves stuffed in pretty jars around the house.

Lottie happened to be on the couch reading a few pre-Halloween books,

and I actually bought two real decorative pumpkins

 to display on the entryway table.

I feel like since COVID struck we've been in a perpetual 

summer since March when the Nies were taken out of school

and home every day, all day.

I am sooooo ready for a change, ready for autumn and all its glory.

It can't come soon enough.  

I love when the Nies come down the stairs in the morning and the

first thing they do (all of them at separate times), is ask our

Alexa what the temperature is currently, 

(if only to see if they should put on a sweater!),

 and what they chances are for rain.

I've raised a bunch of emo-weather children.  

We all delight in the cold brisk air, crappy weather, and cloudy skies.

Tonight around dinner, Oliver said, "did you guys hear?  

It's supposed to rain tomorrow!  It's supposed to be cloudy almost ALL DAY!" 

And then we all broke out in cheers and screams.

I also found this amazing tidbit of information: 

"A Chionophile (n) is a person who loves cold weather, snow."

That's ME!

Age

This photo of me from 2005 popped up on my feed this morning.

I think I look like Claire.

Sometimes it's weird seeing old photos of me because 

I look so different now- and not just because of the obvious reason, 

but because I'm older.

This is the last year in my thirties, you know.

Today while teaching about mammals to Gigs and Lottie

I found myself having to trombone my papers because 

my eyes felt heavy and dizzy, and then I thought about

my 7th-grade teacher, Mrs. Alder, doing the same thing.

Except she had gray hair and bifocals hanging from a

 silver chain around her neck, and I'm not there yet.

About a month ago I was asked to serve as the Relief Society president

in our congregation.  I feel overwhelmed, but honored to serve alongside

other women, but I don't feel old enough to serve in that role.

But I am.  And in reality, I am grateful I am getting older because

all the while I am having amazing experiences that mold and define me

into...me!  And I like me, and what I have learned and accomplished.

But most of all I really do enjoy watching

my Nies grow into amazing people!

Home Church Week 26/This is why I blog.

During our delightful home church (Lottie conducted the meeting),

we discussed how easy it can be to forget spiritual memories

 and the experiences we've had over time. 

Sometimes it happens.

 Our discussion was about how we can renew the faith in our testimonies

because maybe we've forgotten the goodness of the Lord 

and the kindness we've been shown by Him before.

I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life so many times!

In small daily simple ways, and in big powerful, obvious ways too!!

AND THIS IS WHY I BLOG.

My goal as I blog has always been for my children and posterity to see

and always remember God and His goodness and kindness as a loving

Father in heaven.

I know my entries are never masterpieces.

But I know I have seen the hand of the Lord in my life and my children's lives,

and I want them to always remember.

This blog is my way of preserving those memories and messages to us from

 God because he loves us, and we can't do it without him.

A talk given by Henry B. Eyring is precisely how I feel.

This part really spoke to me:

"When our children were very small, I wrote down a few 

things about what happened every day. Let me tell you how that got started. 

I came home late from a Church assignment. It was after dark. My father-in-law, 

who lived near us, surprised me as I walked toward the front door of my house. 

He was carrying a load of pipes over his shoulder, walking very fast and 

dressed in work clothes. I knew he had been building a system to

 pump water from a stream below us up to our property.

He smiled, spoke softly, and then rushed past me into the darkness

 to continue his work. I took a few steps toward the house, 

thinking of what he was doing for us, and just as I got to the door, 

I heard in my mind—not in my own voice—these words:

 "I'm not giving you these experiences for yourself. Write them down."

I went inside. I didn't go to bed. Although I was tired,

 I took out some paper and began to write. 

And as I did, I understood the message I had heard in my mind. 

I was supposed to record for my children to read, someday in the future, 

how I had seen the hand of God blessing our family. 

Grandpa didn't have to do what he was doing for us. 

He could have had someone else do it or not at all.

 But he was serving us, his family, 

in the way covenant disciples of Jesus Christ always do.

 I knew that was true. And so I wrote it down,

 so that my children could have the memory someday when they would need it.

I wrote down a few lines every day for years. 

I never missed a day no matter how tired I was or how early

 I would have to start the next day.

 Before I would write, I would ponder this question: 

"Have I seen the hand of God reaching out to touch

 us or our children or our family today?"

 As I kept at it, something began to happen.

 As I would cast my mind over the day, I would see evidence of 

what God had done for one of us that I had not recognized in 

the busy moments of the day. As that happened, and it happened often,

 I realized that trying to remember had allowed God to show me what He had done."

Dear Nies,

May you always know that it was through these silly and simple

entries that I always recognized and remembered the

 hand of the Lord in our lives.  

I hope you never forget, but if you do, this blog/journal

will help you remember.

 I love you!

Love, mom