Love Day

Today is Love Day. It is also the end of CHD Week. Knowing this, I think of my heart. Today, I am especially grateful for the stable beating it performs. Happy Love Day, my friends. Go out and share love today. 

My hand placed upon my chest

and I feel my beating heart

This magnificent creation

beats significant inspiration

No longer of what I was

but what I am yet to be

and I am on on my way

to reaching the Divine Me

God did not give me

a second chance

just for me to throw it out the door

He has proffered me miracles

He has sent Heaven's Light

He has heard my every prayer

He has breathed life into my soul

once again

So I shall love

each day

I shall rejoice

in Him

I shall know

that I am His

and through Him

by Him

for Him

because of Him

I breathe

I live

I love

and I am made

Whole again

Mama Dragon

Love Day 2016

Detoxifying My Life

Confession: I am a 38 year old female who has suffered multiple miscarriages, given birth to four children, had a heart nearly quit, had surgery to repair it, weigh too much, am addicted to sugar, and am facing an uncertain future if I do not make some changes to my health. 

I do not need to decide what I am living for- that is easy. I am living to do God's work on earth before I return home to heaven, to raise and nurture children that are making the world a better place. If I do not take care of the body I have, how will I be able to take care of my family, continue to make my house a home, serve a neighbor, enjoy the beauty in this life? If I fail to take care of myself, then I will end up in an early grave, leaving my children motherless, my husband without a companion. 

Can one ignore the care of their body and still care for the well-being of their spirit? I do not believe so. Spiritual, physical, and emotional health all go hand in hand. When we let one area go, the others quickly follow. The bodies we were given are the only ones we have, so handle them with care. 

These past four months have been some of the most stressful and difficult in my life. Very few know the depths of darkness that I have encountered. When the first crisis happened, my emotional state became very fragile. I grieved deeply, then suddenly stopped, not allowing myself to feel as I truly needed to. After that, little by little, my emotional state declined. Along with that, I did not cherish myself enough to take care of my body. I have eaten lousy, gained weight, been sluggish... all as I have battled to deal with life's struggles and get myself to a better place. Then, after many hugely stressful challenges in a very short amount of time, and just when I thought I was doing alright, everything caught up to me and my spiritual state of mind went into a state of unrest and I began struggling there as well. I did not want to return to church, I did not want to study my scriptures, I did not want to be around people who would uplift me. I have been a hot mess in nearly every aspect of my life these past several weeks, and I admit it. A major physical set back two weeks ago has been a massive wake-up call for me and I have been humbled to repent. I have not taken care of my spirit, body, or mind, and by not caring for myself, I have shown God I do not value the gift He has given me: Life!

I need to change and right now is the time. I am immersing myself into daily scripture study, I am letting go of people in my life who do not lift me up but who consistently bring me down. I am releasing negative energy and only welcoming light and truth into my life. In addition to these choices, today I began a sugar detox. All of these things combined will allow me to detox my life from that which is negative and fill it with good. I look forward to sharing the journey with you. 

I love myself enough to make the improvements I need. For I am queen of my castle and will reign the way God intended me to- with beauty and grace.

Reigning Supreme,
Mama Dragon

Prayers of Love

Yesterday, even before I wrote about my beloved uncle, I had received an outpouring of love from many friends who know of our relationship and heard of his illness. After I posted, I had a breakdown, because I almost could not handle the amount of love that came from all levels of relationships. I know that he feels your prayers and we are all grateful for them. 

Many times in my life I have had people ask "what can I do?" for someone that is in need. Since we are all made in our Father's image, does it seem so foreign that we should want to reach out to others, to lighten their loads, bring them comfort when they are struggling? Reaching out to another should not be a completely new concept. It is instilled with in us when we are created. There have been very few times in my life that I have ever met a truly selfish person. Almost everyone I know wants to lift others. I will share with you the one act of service that I have personal knowledge of saving lives: Prayers.

Prayers are the link between us and heaven. It is how we commune with the angels, and with God. Time and time again I have seen prayers literally pull someone from darkness back into light. I have seen countenances change from anguished to peaceful as they feel the prayers of others carry them through difficulties. When we are praying for someone else, we are serving them, and through service, we are showing them love.

There are many points on the spectrum of peace. It is up to us as individuals to allow ourselves to feel it, regardless of the circumstances. Will you be one who accepts the prayers on your behalf without expecting more, allowing yourself to be a recipient of the peace and blessings that come through those prayers? Or, will you be one who expects more- more time, more energy, more money, more anything from others- because their prayers are not enough to satisfy your hurting soul? 

Sometimes, many times, all we have to offer are prayers. Do not feel bad or guilty over this! Prayers are beautiful, needed, and bring light to this world! Each of us have our own lives to live and often times our own plates are so full we just have nothing else to give. Even Christ came to this point in His life, when He suffered in the Garden of Gethsemane, and finally when He died upon the cross. He had no more to offer the children of the world, but His prayers. Yet, is was because of those prayers and we are redeemed, saved by Him!

Photo courtesy of: lds.org

When we serve another, we are showing them love. At this time, as my family prepares to bid a mortal farewell to our beloved uncle and head of our family, your prayers- your love- are appreciated. Thank you for that. Thank you for your love. May the blessings of heaven fall upon each of you as you reach out to another in need.

Faithfully praying for you-
Mama Dragon

To My Friend- Whose Heart Belongs to God

Dearest K,

     At first I thought it was a fluke, feeling the promptings of writing such a personal letter on my blog. I thought to myself: Why in the world would the Lord have me do that?!  Then I realized that this letter is not just from me to you, but perhaps it is to anyone who is moving on in their lives. Maybe it is from another friend or family member who also battled these feelings as you gained strength and found light again after S's death. You have used yours and S's story as a way to help others. This public, yet personal, letter seems to cry out to do the same. Use me, it pleads. Allow me to touch another soul. So, I do. Now I find myself sitting down to write and the words flow like a brook, winding its way through the forest, just as these thoughts find their way from my heart to yours. 

I remember when I first met you. M and S were great friends from their growing up years and we all ended up in the same church congregation together. There you were, sitting in the class that would encourage us to be friends. You had your short hair, spiky in the back, while sporting your stylish glasses. Who is this new sister? She is adorable. She is probably way to cool for me. We could never be friends. I reached over the chairs (or did I sit next to you?), extended my hand and said, "Hi! I'm Jen! Are you new or visiting?" With the best smile you could offer (in what I later found out was a very nervous moment for you), you responded with your name and you were new. I asked if we could be friends. You laughed and said yes and the rest is history. It makes me laugh to know that it was years later we found out how terrified we both were. 

Over the years, our paths have taken our families separate ways, both moving to various states for work or school. Then Facebook came into our lives and we reconnected, until you left that for a time. When I tracked you down later, I was elated that we would both be back in AZ at the same time to visit. Yet, there was no time during that busy holiday season to connect. "Next time we're both in town, we'll all get together," you reassured me. Little did we know, there would not be another next time.

Shortly after, you were diagnosed with a terrible dis-ease that nearly took your life. All I could do was pray for you. I had no money to offer for treatments. I could not come hold your hand in another state. I could not tend your children. All I could do was pray.  During that same time that you were battling cancer, I was battling my own illness with my heart. I knew that somehow, even though we rarely talked, we understood each other's struggles. I had my surgery and when you got a clean bill of health, I praised God for saving my dear, darling friend. 

Two months after I experienced a miracle and the doctors were able to correct my heart issue, the devastating news came: Your darling S, my husband's best friend, passed away suddenly... from a heart attack. Oh, the ironies! Oh the cruelty! You survived and he was taken. My heart that had been failing for years was mended and his heart (that you did not know was struggling) suddenly stopped working. There was a guilt there that brought my rejoicing to a halt and for months M and I grieved over the loss of our dear, wonderful friend. 

When I least expected it, tears would fall and the "next time we're both in town..." would come to mind. I followed your life (hooray for social media stalking) and sent you my love. I have prayed for angels to buoy up you and those darling boys who missed their coach and hero- their dad. 

Then, one day, God took your broken heart and found a way to mend it. He helped you find grace in the darkest of nights through your three heroes- your boys. He brought light into your life by an amazing, supportive community, work associates, and parents (both yours and S's) who continued to carry you when you could not stand anymore. He brought you joy through a new little friend named Gus. Most of all, God allowed the Atonement of Jesus Christ to ease the sadness and despair and turn it into a place of beauty and healing. One day, God lead you to a place that most mortals do not have the opportunity to be... He lead you to another chance at love. 

My dear friend, the first time you shared a date with E on social media, my heart leapt and I knew it was he who would complete you once again. I know that when S left this world, he took a huge part of you with him. God, in all His goodness, took that hole in your heart, and found another man not to be "second best" or for you to "settle for" but to fill that hole with happiness, light, laughter (which is such a huge part of you) and most of all hope! God heard your tender pleas and knew that your boys needed a father, one who would love them as much as S, and one that would adore you and cherish you as you deserve. You so deserve to be cherished! 

The day of your wedding, I asked angels to carry my thoughts and love to you. I wanted to see you happy, but at the same time, my heart was broken. I so wanted to accept E in your life but did not want to let go of S. He was a strength and guiding force to so many. How could we move on? How could you move on? I called my sister and cried. I was torn on how to best support you. She shared great insight with me, that during your time of illness, surely you and S talked about what would happen if you were the one to leave this life behind. She shared that she knew S was supportive of your choice, that maybe he had a hand in leading you and E to each other. 

I prayed more, and came to acceptance through this thought: Your heart belongs to God. That is how you live your life- to follow Him. In doing so, He will place in your life the exact people you need at the exact moment you need them. At this time, you and your boys needed E, and he needed you so God allowed your hearts to be united in holiness and love. 

To E, I say: thank you for loving my friend so completely. I look forward to one day meeting the man who stole her heart. To my beautiful friend, My K, who has carried me through the years, let me say this: I love you. I support you. I am cheering you and E on. M and I will always miss our friend, but we know he is where he needs to be, watching over you and your sons. What a blessing to have a guardian angel that has loved you so perfectly! What a miracle to find love again in this life! Go forward with a perfect brightness of hope, my incredible friend. For when your heart truly belongs to God, there is so much joy to behold. 

Love you forever, 

Jen (aka Mama Dragon)

Love from Leo (Or is it Danny?)

[Note: This piece is written with the intent of being slightly sarcastic and humorous.]

As we all know, Sunday is Mother's Day (in America) and I happen to be a mother, so the timing is

The return address is from Leo

great! I usually expect my kids to do a little something, because I know they love me and they know I work hard to take care of them. What I do not usually except, though, is to receive Mother's Day cards in the mail.... from total strangers. 

The card says
"Uncle Danny"

At first, I was flattered. How sweet for someone to think of me! Then, I became slightly creeped out that someone, a total stranger, from another state no less, had my name and address. Maybe it was from a company I do business with. Nope. Maybe it was a long lost cousin. Nada. This card, which is written partly in text language (which I detest for the most part) came from some stranger. Thanks you Leo, or Danny, whomever you are, for thinking of me this Mother's Day. If you don't mind, though, I would rather reserve the holiday for those in my life I actually know- aka, my kids. 

Puzzled-
Mama Dragon

Gateway to Happiness

What makes you happy? How do you find happiness in an ever increasing dark world? The Savior walked and talked with the lowliest of souls. He paid them heed, and they were blessed. I believe service, especially like unto the Savior, is the gateway to happiness.

In the book of Matthew, we read:

35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in: 

36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me. 

37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink? 

38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee? 

39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee? 

40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

It is an honor to know individuals who have started organizations, or head up service events, that change lives. They come from different backgrounds, and have varying spiritual beliefs. Over the next few weeks, I will highlight their works. These are people who take these scriptures to heart, becoming one with Christ and doing as He would do. They are heroes in my book, changing lives day by day. I look forward to sharing their stories with you.

You do not have to run an organization to to charity work. It is in the small, day-to-day acts that we also find joy. These friends have a visible happiness that comes from serving others. For when we do that, we will experience true charity, which is the pure love of Christ. How can we be anything other than happy when it is in His footsteps we follow.

Living Happiness-
Mama Dragon

Do All Things in Love

The first time my children and I decided to argue at their great-grandmother's house, she asked us to leave. I was absolutely shocked, and a little irritated in my grouchy state-of-being. When I asked her why she would have us leave, she said we were welcome to stay in her home as long as we did not argue in any way. It was her home, not ours, therefore it was her rules. She told us how years before, when Grandpa was still alive, they had decided that contention would not be allowed in their home, and the rule still applied, even years after he returned to his heavenly home. "You are welcome to stay here, but if you are going to have contention among you, take it outside." We learned very quickly how serious she was when she walked to the door and opened it. Grandma may only be about five feet tall, but she has more spunk than anyone I know. After that, we avoided arguing anytime we were at her house.

It got me thinking, what about my own home? What do I allow there? What do you do about your own homes? How do you deal with sassy mouths, arguing lips, contentious attitudes? Here are some ideas that have taken me years to learn, develop, and are still far from being perfected but getting there.

- Set the guidelines with your partner. Make sure that disciplinary actions are agreed upon and when one of the parents forget (and they will), the other is willing to kindly remind them of what was decided in the first place.

- Make the guidelines clear to the children. "This is what is expected of you" is not a ridiculous statement. When there are clear cut expectations, children know their boundaries and yours, and they thrive! In my experience, when my husband and I have followed through with rules and discipline actions, there is less rebellion and more peace.

- Wait to throw out punishments. What? Why? This is so very important! When we are in the heat of the moment, we say- and do- things that we absolutely will regret later. When tensions are running high, take a step back, send a child to their room or a corner, or you go to a room or corner, to cool off! Then, when things have calmed down a bit, sit down and (ready for this??) talk to your child! Use statements such as "When you do this ____, I feel _____." Encourage them to do the same. Communication is the saving grace to all relationships (along with forgiveness and trust). It is amazing how naturally trust and forgiveness come along when there is communication put into place first. The punishments cannot always be decided beforehand, but sometimes can be. However, decisions need to be made in advance on certain methods of discipline, such as: will we spank a child, washing mouths out with soap, time-out corners, etc.

- Be consistent. This can be a tough one at times. When the kids are screaming they want a cookie and you have already told them "no" at least five times, don't you just want to give it to them to have them stop fussing? I have given into the temper tantrums more times then I care to admit. However, I learned that the more I give in, the more I am breaking those boundaries we worked so hard to establish, and the more disrespect I am welcoming into the home. Consistency is another key to the success of a functioning home. If you have a rule that there are no snacks within an hour of dinner, stick to that rule. If there is a rule that says no tv until all homework and chores are done, then follow through with that. There is absolutely nothing wrong with being consistent in how you run your household. When you are feeling a bit tired, lazy, or busy, remind yourself that spending that extra ounce of energy to stand firm in your decisions benefits everyone in the long run. You've got this! Say no and maybe once in a while, when they are least expecting it, say yes, not because they are crying about it, but because it is a nice surprise when they are being so good.

- Whatsoever ye do, do all things in love. My kids have been through some very difficult challenges, some no one knows about except their dad and I. When they are grown (which is happening way too fast with our eldest graduating next month!) and they look back on their lives, I want them to recognize that although there were tough roads to go down, although there were challenges we never desired them to go through, above all, we did all things out of love. There have been more than dozens of occasions where people question our decisions in moving, or educating, or job changes. We have been questioned more often out of anger and irritation than care and understanding, which is too bad. What they have very rarely asked us to share is our why. Had they only asked, we would have shared. When all is said and done, the reasons we do what we do, is out of love- love for each other, love for our children, but most important, love for our Father in Heaven and Savior, Jesus Christ.

We strive diligently to live our very best lives, to walk and talk as the Savior would. We are far from perfect, oh yes we are, but we never give up. We fight the good fight and will fight to the finish. We only have one life to live, one chance to make our mark on this world. By taking the contention outside, and leaving it outside our homes, it is a great starting point for the greatness that awaits! When we get rid of the negative energy, we have room to fill up that space with love and light! How much more beautiful life will be when we choose to do all things in LOVE!

Loving Life-

Mama Dragon