Wouldn't it be loverly?

Lots of choc'lates for me to eat,

Lots of bubbles and lots of 'eat.
Warm face, warm 'ands, warm feet,
Aow, wouldn't it be loverly?

Ok, so I modified the song to fit my new bathtub, or at least what I think about my new tub. These lyrics came to mind as I tried it out tonight (now I bet you'll be singing it too...hehe).
It's finally done and everything is working! I'm glad I took my time deciding. It's so worth it!

Here is a before picture

Sadly I couldn't find a before before picture when the walls were green and the tub was totally mauve **shudder**. This picture gives you the idea of the attempts I made to make it look better (yes, that's peeling paint).

Now, here is the after picture!

I love it! On these cold nights we're having
I can sit and enjoy the heat of a bubble bath.
Maybe I'll be a little less stressed out now too.

I testify of Jesus Christ

Painting by: Greg Olsen

I know I wrote about the power of music just a few days ago but I love music! Tonight I went to choir practice in preparation for our Stake Conference coming up in December. One of the songs we're singing I heard for the first time a few weeks ago when the choir started practicing. It's titled I Testify of Jesus Christ. The lyrics are so powerful and the music is beautiful! You can go here and click the 'audio preview' for a taste of what it's like. Here are the lyrics to this amazing song:

I testify of Jesus Christ, my Lord, my King omnipotent.
Who framed the worlds
and scattered stars throughout the firmament.
Who from the dust of earth formed man and
gave us breath that we might move.
And gave us laws to serve our God and live with Him in love.

I testify of Jesus Christ, my God, my unseen comforter.
For I have sought Him oft through prayer
and found Him waiting there.
I have not touched His wounded hands
nor yet beheld His holy face.
But I have felt His love for me and heard His gentle voice.

I testify of Jesus Christ, Beloved Savior, Precious friend.
Who suffered death and hell's abyss to ransom me from sin.
Who came when demons sought my soul
and banished them with sword of light.
And when despair would steal my hope,
His presence stilled the night.

When with all flesh my eyes shall see
my blessed Savior face to face.
My witness then shall not exceed the truth I know this day.
For God has written Jesus' name
with pen of flame upon my soul.
And how can I but testify of Jesus Christ my Lord?

Text by John Pearson
Music by Janice Kapp Perry

Silver Sound of Music

When griping grief the heart doth wound,

and the doleful dumps the mind oppresses,

then music with her silver sound,

with speedy help doth lend redress.

~

William Shakespeare

~

I found this quote in a magazine this week and loved it! It comes from Romeo and Juliet. I've read the play but didn't remember this line. I've always loved music. I believe the power of good music can really help bring peace and much needed relief.

I know it has helped me in many ways!

Fall Fun

This week I had fun playing in the leaves
with my niece and nephew.

It brought back a lot of memories. At the house we lived in until I was 11 there was a big maple tree in the front yard. I spent many hours in that tree. There was also a large walnut tree. So when the leaves would drop in the fall we would have huge piles in the front yard. We used to make "leaf houses" and play in them for hours. We also used to give each other rides in the wheelbarrow so it was fun to see the kids doing that too.

My niece wanted me to bury her in the leaves.
Don't you love that smile!
When the time came to clean up the leaves we had to put them in bags. The best part (as the kids discovered this week) was sitting on the bag to squish the leaves in. So fun!

I found this picture of me with my sisters in our old front yard.

I was almost 3 in this picture (I'm on the left).
I also used to climb up the light pole you see in the background
on the left but that's a story for another day.

The Oak Tree

Tonight Elder M. Russell Ballard spoke for the CES fireside. One thing that stood out to me was when he said that if we look around at the world there is so much turmoil but that we still have so many reasons to optimistic and happy! The truths found in the gospel of Jesus Christ help give us a strong foundation that nothing can break if we hold strong and endure to the end. I know I'm not saying it like he did but it really affected me as he spoke about getting back to the basics of the gospel. I liked the poem he used to illustrate his point and I wanted to share it here:

The Oak Tree
by Johnny Ray Ryder Jr

A mighty wind blew night and day
It stole the oak tree's leaves away
Then snapped its boughs and pulled its bark
Until the oak was tired and stark

But still the oak tree held its ground
While other trees fell all around
The weary wind gave up and spoke.
How can you still be standing Oak?

The oak tree said, I know that you
Can break each branch of mine in two
Carry every leaf away
Shake my limbs, and make me sway

But I have roots stretched in the earth
Growing stronger since my birth
You'll never touch them, for you see
They are the deepest part of me

Until today, I wasn't sure
Of just how much I could endure
But now I've found, with thanks to you
I'm stronger than I ever knew