Marie's Sunday Message - December 26th, 2021

Happy Christmas Eve! It’s always so interesting to me what happens when you sincerely pray and then really listen. I felt very strongly this year to wrap up my Christmas tour a bit earlier than usual. I was so grateful I did because my children and some dear friends really needed my help. I could not have assisted them if I had been out on the road like I usually am.  I love these tender mercies of listening to the Spirit. 

Having a bit more unhurried time at home to prepare and assemble gifts has also been nice. I especially enjoyed doing some of this with my son, Matthew, as you can see in the photo my husband took of us while we were assembling one of them. One toy that needed to be put together was a wooden pirate ship and its home base for my grandkids. I was left alone with this one! Can I just say… why do they make these tasks freakishly complicated!? It was soooooo frustrating!!! Although I thought I had followed the directions perfectly, I had to take it apart four different times!🤦🏻‍♀️😂 After the last time of disassembling because I realized I had put one of the walls in upside down🤦🏻‍♀️ the thought came to me how God has given us instructions, too.  These directions help us live our lives in the best ways possible if we follow them. Things like the commandments, how Jesus lived His life, His example, and the parables, etc. They were given to help us know the safest way to return home. And even when we think we are following them correctly, we make mistakes! So, we need to take things apart, reassess, and strive to reevaluate the directions to fix things metaphorically. It’s not fun, but by not giving up, we learn it is worth it in the end. 

Christ's atonement is the help needed when we error, and His mercy intervenes to help us get back on track. This remarkable gift, which He gave freely, helps us fix, reassess, and gives us hope never to give up! He is always there for us because He knows the end product of our efforts, and it’s eternal and glorious. 

I know this may be a silly analogy, but it helped me see another way to look at how the atonement works and why it is so amazing! 

Understanding the depth of the atonement has helped me throughout my life to get back on track, fix errors, and heal from sorrows, hurts, and even bad choices.  Especially the bad choices others have made towards me and those I love. I have learned, too, the absolute importance of forgiveness not just towards others but myself included. 

Every decade, don’t you find, we reevaluate our lives. Those things we thought were so important in our 20s just don’t mean as much in our 50s, etc. I'm finding that aging is actually a beautiful gift we've been given. I believe it was designed to keep us humble, grateful, and reevaluating our choices. 🙌🥰 It helps us see those flaws in our armor to keep working on ourselves to be our best. We are continually humbled to evaluate throughout our lives what truly matters, and I’m grateful for this. 

Christmas is wonderful in every aspect. Seeing all of you on tour at the shows brought joy to my heart as I saw you laugh and smile and even teared up as you felt God's love through music. I'm also grateful to you all for this opportunity because serving this way gives me the Christmas Spirit. 

With Christmas being tomorrow, I’m grateful to be home with my husband, precious children, and grandchildren, as I know you are. Family is everything to me, and you are my extended family. I won’t be writing a Sunday message until after the new year, so I wish you all the best Holiday Season ever! Let’s find His love and joy and strive to see Christ at Christmas, especially as we look into each other’s eyes and share His light and love. Remember, I love you all. Have the best day ever, and Merry Christmas!!! 🌟🙏

Marie’s Sunday Message 

December 26, 2021

I hope you all had a blessed Christmas. As I pondered what to write today, I thought to show you what I got myself for Christmas. When I was out on tour, I took some time on our last day off to go to Bronner's Christmas Wonderland in Frankenmuth, Michigan. That’s where I saw this. People ask me, if I’m a Christian, why I don’t wear a cross? It's not that I don’t love them; I do. The real reason is that I don’t like to think of our Savior that way, suffering and bleeding.  I prefer to think of Him as overcoming all…as the risen Christ who made it so we will, too! Celebrating Him alive heals my heart, gives me hope, and heals me when I am broken and sorrowful. When we have faith to believe, that faith moves us to know so we can always be full of peace even in our trials and distress. We gain the knowledge of His grace, understanding that He will embrace us in His arms with mercy, comforting us and empowering healing through His infinite atonement. That’s why I wanted this figurine set in my home this Christmas.

So today, my Sunday message is simple: my testimony, my faith in God, and His son, Jesus Christ, who gives me strength through all things.

I know He was the Great Jehovah of the Old Testament, the Messiah of the New. Under the direction of His Father, He was the creator of the earth. “All things were made by Him, and without Him was not anything made that was made” (John 1:3). Though sinless, He was baptized to fulfill all righteousness. He “went about doing good” (Acts 10:38). His gospel was a message of peace and goodwill. He entreated all to follow His example. He walked the roads of Palestine, healing the sick, causing the blind to see, and raising the dead. He taught the truths of eternity, the reality of our premortal existence, the purpose of our life on earth, and the potential for the sons and daughters of God in the life to come. He instituted the sacrament as a reminder of His great atoning sacrifice. He gave His life to atone for the sins of all mankind. His was a great vicarious gift on behalf of all who would ever live upon the earth.

I know that His life, which is central to all human history, neither began in Bethlehem nor concluded on Calvary. He was the Firstborn of the Father, the Only Begotten Son in the flesh, the Redeemer of the world. He rose from the grave to “become the first fruits of them that slept” (1 Corinthians 15:20). As Risen Lord, He visited among those He had loved in life. He also ministered among His “other sheep” (John 10:16) in ancient America, ushering in the long-promised “dispensation of the fulness of times” (Ephesians 1:10). This is what I believe.

He said, “I am the first and the last,” I know He lives, and He will someday return to earth. “And the glory of the Lord shall be revealed, and all flesh shall see it together” (Isaiah 40:5). He will rule as King of Kings and reign as Lord of Lords, and every knee shall bend, and every tongue shall speak in worship before Him.

This Sunday, I share my testimony that Jesus is the Living Christ, the immortal Son of God. He is the great King Immanuel, who stands today on His Father’s right hand. He is the world’s light, life, and hope. His path leads to happiness in this life and eternally. May we thank God this season for the matchless gift of His divine Son.

I love you all!!!! #HappySunday

Marie's Sunday Message - December 19, 2021

Yesterday was the last day of the tour, and what a wonderful tour it has been! Not only was it a really, really fun show,🤗 but for the last show, Jeremy, our road manager, was joined by his family, and I had his kids be Santa’s elves throwing candy in the audience along with Santa! 😉😂 Weren’t they adorable!?!

I’ll tell you what: I especially loved seeing some of you tearing up during certain songs throughout the tour. There’s nothing better than feeling the power of God's love through the words! Music is amazing, isn’t it?! It can express things to our souls that sometimes words alone can’t. 

Although I must say, as I reread the powerful words of the four Gospels this year, I did it not trying to extract rules but to try and see who our Savior Jesus Christ is and what He loves. My mother told me to do this before she left this life. She would say, “Marie, strive to understand Christ's personality.”  I think I finally put in the proper effort because I was overcome with a greater understanding of His infinite love for us. 

Jesus said He had come “to heal the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovery of sight to the blind.” This wasn’t just a to-do list or a good PR strategy; it is who He IS… it’s the fullness of His love He gives freely…for US! 

Even when I have randomly opened the Gospels, you can find Him loving and caring for people who suffer on almost every page. Whether spiritually or physically, He touches the lives of people considered polluted, unclean, hated, and hungry, offering them hope! His grace really is unfathomable! 

As Carlos A. Godoy expressed recently: Try writing down every time He praises or heals or eats with an outsider, and you will run low on ink before you even leave Luke. President Russell M. Nelson taught, “The more you learn about the Savior, the easier it will be to trust in His mercy, His infinite love.” And the more you will trust and love your Heavenly Father.  

That reminded me of  #SundayMessage I wrote on December 19, 2021, after being on tour and having a very moving soundcheck conversation, so I’m reposting that message today.

As we prepare for Christmas, I pray we will try to keep the “Christ” in Christmas and keep Him in the forefront of all we do and say to those around us. I hope, too, you know how much I love all of you and feel eternally blessed to be a part of your lives. Have a wonderful Sunday!!!😘❌⭕️

Marie’s Sunday Message 

December 19, 2021

At our sound check yesterday, I was asking people if they had any questions, and I felt impressed to speak to a certain woman who said, “I bought a ticket because I lost my husband, and I’ve been so sad and lonely. I hope your show will help me feel God’s love and the Christmas spirit.” Since then, I haven’t been able to stop thinking about her and what she said. I am always pondering what to write on Sundays, and she kept coming to my mind, as well as this scripture, “How precious are your thoughts about me, O Lord? They outnumber the grains of sand.” Psalm 139:17-18.

Then, a friend sent me this picture…. Coincidence? I think not!  (See how my Sunday messages happen?)

These simple grains of sand have been magnified over 250 times their real size. Did you ever think sand could be so beautiful or that each grain would be so unique? Before I saw this picture, I thought sand was sand-ish.  It never occurred to me that something I thought to be so ordinary could be so beautiful. What intrigued me the most was how each one was so different. That’s much work on Heavenly Father’s part, right? I mean… sand? Yet each one is uniquely created, like us! And just like sand, we have the potential to turn into a pearl (or just an irritant!) Heavenly Father could have created one grain of sand and mass-produced them all. Who would have known? Billions of identical pieces of sand would have been so much easier. But he didn’t, not with sand and not with people. Each one of us came to earth with different talents, gifts, and, yes, challenges. We are here to bless each other differently as we learn and serve each other. A friend once told me, “If we could all make pizza, who would fix the cars?” Each one of us matters in a unique and beautiful way! Only things man creates seem identical; man may turn out thousands of things that are identical, but not Heavenly Father! From snowflakes to sand to people, each one a treasure of creation.

Pondering upon sand drew me to the universe. Have you heard about the new telescope? They jokingly call it the Hubble 2.0, but it’s really named the James Webb telescope. (James Webb ran Nasa during the early years.) We learned so much about the universe from Hubble that we could see 100 billion solar systems if this new telescope worked. We have only seen 5% of the universe… 5%! Now we can see 95% more! We can see planets, stars, black holes, comets, and meteors…

How huge is the universe? We may never know. But when I look at the picture of the grain of sand and then think about the vastness of the universe… I am literally in awe of it ALL!

Laying here in my bunk, I thought about the sweet woman who felt sad and lonely, as I’m sure so many are right now. If I were to say anything worthwhile today, it would be to remember how precious we are to our Lord, as the scripture above in Psalms says. He knows us! He truly does. He is there with His arms open as we experience all earth life's pains, trials, and successes. When I thought about the woman at Soundcheck who needed some joy, the feeling came again that Father had brought us all together to serve each other. Then my focus turned to a baby… a baby who grew up to save us all. I might be in awe of sand and the vastness of space, but nothing compares with my amazement of that little baby sleeping in a manger. His mother next to him wondered what life was going to bring to her and how she would ever live up to the task of raising the Savior of the world. We are promised in scripture that we will never be given more than we can handle. We CAN live up to all that life will bring, but we cannot make it without our Savior by our side! Everything God has created is for us, His children. Everything is to bring us joy and learning. Our goal is to see Him in ALL things.

“O love the Lord, all ye his saints: for the Lord preserveth the faithful, and plentifully rewardeth the proud doer. Be of good courage, and he shall strengthen your heart, all ye that hope in the Lord.” Psalms 31: 23-24

If our Lord can do all of these things, and He does, then He will be here for us and all our concerns.

Marie's Sunday Message - July 28, 2019

I have absolutely loved being on tour and seeing so many of you! I’ve enjoyed our get-together during sound checks and being able to answer some of your questions. You are all very special to me!  Today my band, Daniel Emmet, a fantastic symphony orchestra, and I are performing in Tulsa, OK, to another incredible sold-out audience. I feel so blessed beyond words and am so grateful to all of you for the love that you have shown me throughout my career. Thank you for the six decades I have been performing… I know it’s because of you, and I am grateful you have been with me on this incredible journey.

The other day in Arlington, TX, we were talking about some of life’s challenges at the soundcheck. It seems like everybody’s going through something right now! I told everyone there I had just received this text from a friend right before soundcheck and felt it was appropriate for the questions being asked... I love it when these things happen… No accidents🥰

“When the storm is over, you will wonder how you ever got through it and survived. But know this: when you come out of the storm, you will not be the same person you were when you walked into it. That is what the storm was all about.”

After reading that, I told everyone I’ve been so blessed to do many things in this life… I’ve had many achievements. But the truth is, when it comes to the final seas of my life, the things that will really matter won't be the gold records or awards, etc. It will be that my children and grandchildren will hopefully want to be around me. These things don’t happen unless we put the time and effort into being with them, and that’s what I want to focus on more and more. I love my children, and I love my grandchildren, and I want to be a part of THEIR lives! This reminded me of a saying I absolutely love! 

“You ask, ‘What is my real purpose in life?’

What if I told you that you fulfilled it when you took an extra hour to talk to that kid about his life? Or when you paid for that older man's dinner in the restaurant? Or when you saved that dog in traffic? Or when you tied your father's shoes for him?

Your problem is that you equate your purpose with goal-based achievement. The Universe isn't interested in your achievements... just your heart. When you choose to act out of kindness, compassion, and love, you are already aligned with your true purpose. 

No need to look any further.”

I love this! God doesn’t care what we do in this life. What He does care about is that we are kind to each other when we do it. This reminded me of my #SundayMessage from July 28, 2019. It was after performing at a special interfaith concert where we brought people together, celebrated our love for our savior, Jesus Christ, and encouraged all to show kindness to those around us. I am reposting that message today with the hope that we will all make it our goal this holiday season to look for ways to show kindness to others. After all, isn’t that what God would want us to do?😉 Have a beautiful Sunday, and always remember how much I love you!

Marie’s Sunday Message 

July 28, 2019

I just finished the most wonderful weekend performing with some amazing friends. I didn’t get to bed until 3 am, and I’m up early getting ready to go to several different denominational churches to worship and celebrate last night’s #Redeemer concert. It was a special interfaith celebration, and it was amazing. We spent the evening putting our religious differences aside, understanding that we ALL have one thing in common… we believe in the same Jesus Christ!!!

I heard a quote this week that touched my heart, especially with the concert coming up: “Comparison is the thief of all joy.” 

As we came together, all religions, under one stadium roof to celebrate ALL our Christian joy, we did it united through music! In doing this free concert for over 20,000 people, we only asked our audience to bring cans of food to donate to their local churches to feed the poor. As the scripture in Luke says, “He has filled the Hungry with good things.” So last night, we fed our audience through music, and they fed others with their food donations. 🤗 Through this effort and by putting aside our religious comparisons or differences, the community received thousands of pounds of food. Now that’s pure love and joy!!! #LightTheWorld

The Savior says in John 13:34, “A new commandment I give unto you…as I have loved you, that ye also love one another.”  So, this Sabbath day, see if someone you know might need a little pick me up. Pray and ask for direction, then follow your feelings. You’ll know when you are prompted by the Spirit and who and how to bless them.😉 Whether it’s by writing a note, sending a sweet gift, or simply sharing a smile or laugh, a simple “act of service” could change their day and yours too! Happy Sunday, and remember how much I love you!

#SundayMessage

Marie's Sunday Message- December 5, 2021

My Christmas tour began yesterday with two shows at the beautiful Eccles Theater in Salt Lake City. Performing in Utah is always like coming home for me, and what better way to share the Christmas spirit than with family and good friends? Besides, I think half of the audience in both shows were relatives.😂 Look how beautiful it was when everybody raised their cell phones and sang with me… it happened for both shows as we all shared the Christmas spirit.  As my tour continues in Texas, Oklahoma, and Florida, I look forward to sharing the joy of Christmas with many of you. I love seeing the familiar faces I’ve known throughout the years and meeting those coming to a show for the first time. You are all friends and, yes…family to me, and I love each one of you! 

Christmas is always a very special time for me. Before coming out on my Christmas tour this past week, I was getting my house all decorated for the holidays, so everything was perfect when I got home. I have collected and loved Nativity scenes throughout the years, and I am especially enjoying the beautiful hand-carved ones from olive wood that I got while in Israel this past summer. I got them from a dear man named Jimmy, who runs a shop called Jimmy’s Bazaar. 

Here’s a link to the video I posted when I met Jimmy in his store in Jerusalem.

Displaying special ornaments is also a Christmas tradition in my home. Years ago, I became friends with artist Christopher Radko and collected many of his designer ornaments.  Christopher sold that company and now has a new company called HeARTfully Yours. This year, I began collecting Christopher’s new HeARTfully designs, and I love them! They are made exclusively in Europe and are absolutely beautiful!!! I love having them on my tree.

 Then, Thursday morning, when I woke up to get ready to head to Salt Lake, my Christmas cactus that once belonged to my mom was in full bloom💖 I’ve written in the past about my mother‘s love of the Christmas cactus, but what’s unique is that I swear it talks to me. It blooms at unique and special times throughout the year, not just Christmas!  And most often, when I just need to hear from my mom. 🤭 It’s almost like she was saying, “Have a great tour, sweetheart, and remember I love you.”

It was fantastic being back on tour. It is always a wonderful experience. It reminded me of my #SundayMessage from December 5, 2021, so I am reposting that today.

Have a beautiful Sunday, and remember, you are loved!!!

Marie’s Sunday Message

December 5, 2021 

It’s simply amazing to be back on tour! I love to see people laughing and enjoying themselves again at the shows, and their enthusiasm fills my heart with so much joy. “Music Is Medicine,” to coin the phrase from my last album… 😉 it really is! When I see everyone out again with their families and friends, the experience multiplies my Christmas spirit.❤️ It’s astonishingly busy being out on the road again, and each person I work with has to handle a million details. It’s why I cannot measure my love for my staff, band, and crew. I’m impressed with how professional and prepared they all are, and I appreciate their personal respect for each other because there’s no drama or ego out here… just love for what we all do together. I’m so honored to be able to work with these amazing people and recognize each of them as my road family! Also, it has been amazing that I see miracles happen every day!

During these holidays, I have been setting aside a few minutes each day to concentrate on the Savior’s birth and the important lessons He has for me. I have been praying to feel His spirit more and to know how to bless others. I know His influence is everywhere because people who don’t even believe in the Savior are being touched by the giving hearts and concerns that are being openly and lovingly shown this time of year. Just as the Wise Men followed the star to find the Savior, we will find opportunities to be in His arms when we look with our hearts.

The other night, I felt impressed to have this one particular man come up on stage. He became a fun part of my show for a few minutes. (If you have seen the show, you know what I mean.)  😉 Afterwards, Darla brought him, his wife, and a few family members backstage to say hi. They told us it was the first time they had been out since their 17-year-old son was killed in a tragic accident four weeks earlier. We shared hugs and tears as a family member said it was the first time they had seen him and his sweet wife laugh since that tragic night. There are no coincidences in life; from all the people I could have chosen, I know I was prompted to choose him. That evening offered hope, a respite to breathe, during their very difficult time. The Savior knows us and our pain. When we look for the “star,” we will find it because Christ is always there with His arms open, waiting for us to come to Him. These blessings come in many forms to bless His children here on earth.  As we pray for opportunities to help serve, the promptings WILL come to us so we can act as instruments on His behalf.

Speaking of giving, the other day, Drew Barrymore spoke about the “Giving machine”  for the #LighttheWorld campaign by The Church Of Jesus Christ Of Latter-Day Saints on her show.

Her description of how we can help locally and globally was perfect. I wrote about The Giving Machine last year. They allow us to donate a polio vaccine, personal supplies, education, and even a goat or a chicken that can feed a family with its eggs. Being a part of these miracles is so satisfying and even helps you feel a part of someone’s life. And what a great adventure for an outing with children! I love that she spoke so highly of the “Giving Machine” and its blessing. It’s now a tradition in our family, one I hope continues through the lives of my children and grandchildren.

There are so many ways to serve during the holidays, and I hope this year, more than ever, to continue to commit myself to serving all year long and keep the spirit of Christmas throughout the year. I know an attitude of gratitude and service can help bring more joy and help us enjoy the holidays even more.🥰🎄

I love you all so much!

#Happyholidays

#Sundaymessage

Marie's Sunday Message - December 1, 2019

This Thanksgiving week, as I reflected on all the many ways God has blessed my life throughout 2023, I realized how much I’m looking forward to December and the celebration of God’s greatest blessing to all of us, His Son Jesus Christ. As I prepare to head out on my Christmas tour with my special guest, Daniel Emmet, at the end of the week, I thought it was timely to share this #SundayMessage from December 1, 2019, written when I was rehearsing with Daniel for my first Orchestral Christmas show, and here we are this year back together. So much has happened for both of us, and I’m thrilled to be performing with him again! But what excites me most is sharing the true joy of Christmas with all of you this year, and I hope to see many of you on tour! May God bless your lives with love, joy, and the true meaning of Christmas! And remember, I love you all!!! 

Marie’s Sunday Message

December 1, 2019

Yesterday, I was in rehearsal for my upcoming Symphonic Christmas shows. As a little girl, I dreamed of working with these amazing symphony orchestras with full, elaborate charts, and I am so excited to actually to be doing it!! I have been blessed throughout my life to be a part of many wonderful Christmas shows. From my first introduction with Andy Williams, then to Bob Hope and the USO, to Perry Como, Disney, the Osmond Family, Donny and Marie, and of course, my own Christmas shows as a country artist, to name a few. But it became more important than ever for me to bring people the Christmas spirit after my son Michael passed. I needed something to help heal my heart, and serving others ALWAYS works for me. That is what Christmas is: a time to reach out to others who are in need and follow the Savior’s example. Because as you serve, you will always find someone in greater need than yourself; that’s why service is so healing. This ONE time of year, the whole world celebrates the Savior, and because of His example, more forgiveness is offered, more gratitude is given, and more service is rendered because we are consciously (or unconsciously) thinking about the Christ Child. That is how powerful His influence is.

I want to keep the Savior first in my family’s minds, so I shared a new video with them called “The Christ Child.” Something about the look in Mary’s eyes at the beginning speaks to my heart and the wise man’s face at the end… It’s powerful!!! It was a perfect way for us to start the holidays as we remember the Savior's birth in a touching and beautiful way.

You can watch the video at http://bit.ly/2NKjbxW and sign up for daily #LightTheWorld text prompts, another amazing way to honor and celebrate the Savior this season. Today was the first text prompt, and it said, “Next time you get a text, tell the sender why you value them.” It’s just a simple little idea that might make someone's day. 😊 Also, on that website, you can download a service calendar that offers suggestions to those around you. All of our situations are different, but service is the one thing that guarantees to bring joy to each of us!

I would also like to offer a personal challenge for this holiday season. My family and I will read the book of Luke in December, and I would love for you to join us. There are 24 chapters; if we read one daily, we can finish on Christmas Eve. Through the book of Luke, we can experience the Savior’s entire life, which can be a powerful way to keep the Savior in the forefront of our lives each day. Also, today would’ve been my parent's 75th anniversary. I always started December 1st reading Luke with my Mom. She would say, “Doing this will help us better understand His life’s mission and love for all of us.“ This tradition started with my parents and continues to be life-changing each December for me. I am following the #LightTheWorld prompt for today by telling you how important you are in my life. May the Lord’s fondest blessings be yours as we celebrate Christ’s mighty example each day and His infinite atonement in our lives. I love you all!

Marie's Sunday Message - August 7, 2022

It’s my Brianna’s birthday today!🎉🥳 This photo was taken of us when she won her Emmy for doing makeup! I’m so proud of her!!! Happy Birthday, my sweet daughter.🎂I love you with all my mama bear heart.😘 I thought I would repost my message from 2022, and now she has a little boy besides her two sweet girls. Have I told you that being a grandma is the very best!!!! 😂👍❤️ Happy Sunday, and know that you are loved!!!!! 

Marie’s Sunday Message

August 7, 2022

I was reminded of how important prayer has been in my life when I ran across this picture of my sweet daughter Brianna praying when she was a little girl. She now has two precious little girls of her own. Prayer is one of our greatest tools when facing trials, which fits in with what I have been studying this week - the story of Job, someone who faced incredible trials. The things Job endured are sometimes hard to read, but we can skip to the end and find out everything is restored to him even threefold! But while Job was going through it all, he didn’t know if anything would work out. Even with all the chaos in his life, Job had the knowledge that his Redeemer lives, loves, and heals.

Job 19:25-26  “For I know that my redeemer liveth, and that he shall stand at the latter day upon the earth. And though after my skin worms destroy this body, yet in my flesh shall I see God.”

Worms aside,😂 that sweet sentence of God having a purpose and a plan gives us all hope we can draw on when we go through the difficult challenges in our life.

As part of my study, I wanted to understand what was happening in the world during their time. In Job’s world, the popular belief was that there were many gods, and people felt that if they suffered, then they had done something wrong. They would question how they had transgressed God’s boundaries or laws, either knowingly or unknowingly. The truly confusing part for people was that they had to wonder...which ritual they should perform and to which god to give penance in order to be back in favor. That's why Job was unique; we never hear that from him. We never heard him say, “Why am I suffering if I haven’t done anything wrong?” Even amongst the terrible storms, pain, and chaos of his life, he praises the one true God, continually knowing the trials he went through would only refine his learning and bring him closer to his God because “with God, all things are possible.”

Trials can create chaos in our lives or refine us “even as silver” (Psalms 66:10). It’s our personal choice to become “bitter or better.” Hard times can become teaching moments if we let them and can help us gain a greater understanding on the road to being the person God wants us to become. The choice is ours in how we wish to utilize the Savior’s Atonement. God has a plan and will bless his children who come to him in prayer to understand that plan! When we trust in Him, He takes care of us!  And not necessarily when we desire it but always waiting in faith and hope that His will be done. 

When we incorporate Hope into our lives - Hope for better times, answers, peace, etc. - and stop thinking about living just for this life, there's no limit to our eternal perspective. God always has a plan, and just like He did with this world, He took matter unorganized (me!!) and organized it. And I don’t know about you, but I’ve needed a lot of organizing throughout my life!😂 God has given us that plan for this life to organize ourselves and return to Him bettered by this life’s experiences. 

This quote was always the focus in our home growing up and continues in mine. “Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing; and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God.”

There will always be storms, but with Jesus Christ as our compass, we will have the peace He promised to guide us through. He will show us how to organize our life into something amazing. When something doesn’t make sense, my mantra is, “God is working, and we are in the process of becoming more organized." Even in this fallen world, creation continues as we become refined, even as silver, to become more like Him.

I have not enjoyed the difficult trials, but I know I have learned many things. I know, too, that without the help of my Savior, I probably would have given up! As I have used the aid of the Atonement, I feel I have become more empathetic and compassionate towards others. Instead of saying, "Why is this happening to me, God?" I’ve tried to wait patiently upon His timing for my learning. I have come to a greater understanding that with the Lord’s help, I can learn, feel, and lean on the process of these mortal experiences. I know, too, that with His love and support, we can become better and even more whole.  If we trust God’s plan for us and keep the faith, we will gain more understanding of His mighty plan to help us out of the chaos because He does not want us to fail.

C.S Lewis said, “God whispers to us in our pleasures, speaks in our consciousness, but shouts in our pains. It is His megaphone to rouse a deaf world.”

I feel He is shouting at us now more than ever…don’t you? I pray with hope and faith that we all will commit to listening more intently. May God's blessings be upon us all. Have a blessed and beautiful Sunday!!!

Marie's Sunday Message - August 20, 2017

This week, I thought I would repost this #SundayMessage from August 20, 2017. I found it appropriate since Steve and I are watching our son Stephen’s four children while he and his incredible wife are on a little getaway trip together; that’s why this post is late.😂

Family is everything to me… and I believe the most essential key to its success begins with two loving people who put God first in their lives and show their children it’s the true way to eternal happiness.  Our Stephen and Claire are definitely one of those great couples! 

My post from 2017 talks about my parents and why we, as their children, loved them so much as they showed us the way!🥰 Have a wonderful day, and always remember you are loved!!! 💖

It is said that the L️️❤️VE of a Mother cannot be measured. It is a brilliant gem that is to be treasured.

My Mom was a light due to her strong faith, devotion, and love for God. She was immensely grateful for her Savior, Jesus Christ, and wanted to follow Him and His example throughout her life. The spirit of service poured out in everything she did, especially towards us, her family.

Being the only girl, I was close to my mother, but our unique bond deepened when I played her in a TV movie called Side by Side. I came to understand her personality as a young girl and learned about the woman she grew up to become. The deep love she had for my father, George, was so sweetly expressed to me by her, and to have this opportunity to understand how my parents fell in love and what was the glue to their successful marriage was life-changing. They were and continue to be a light and example for me to follow in what an eternal relationship looks like. 

I was so blessed to have a good Mother. She’d say, “Remember, we love our men into being great; you don’t shame them into it.” One of the great lessons she taught me was the power we have as women and the importance of properly using it. She’d say, “We need to show gratitude to the good men in our lives because as we love them into being great, it makes our lives even better, too! 😉🤭 There is no wisdom in shaming or belittling anyone.” And it must’ve been true because I don’t know anyone who didn’t adore her! She also said being kind doesn’t mean you tolerate any form of belittlement or abuse. This behavior was unacceptable to her, and she always stepped away. That was great advice then and now, especially since I’ve been surrounded mostly by men my whole life!!! 😂

When I was around ten years old, I told my mom that I loved my Daddy, but sometimes it was hard for me to talk to him like I could talk to her. She wisely said, “Go sit next to him and tell him you love him... then watch him melt! 😂 He loves you so much; you’re his princess, and he would do anything for you!” It was a powerful lesson in loving communication, and after that, my Dad and I never stopped talking. We became best friends, and he showed me his example of how a good man should treat me. 🥰 

How many disagreements would end if couples said, “I’m sorry, I love you, and we will work this out lovingly”? 🤔

As women of faith, let's pray to our Father in Heaven that He will help us know how to comfort and build up the great men in our lives to fulfill their potential. To give them all they need, they feel loved, so they, in turn, love us and seek God's love in our lives together. And, like my Dad would tell my brothers, “When good men love God and are humble enough to take their problems to Heavenly Father for answers, He will always give them the wisdom they need to guide their family.” Our Father in Heaven wants every parent to succeed and will always be there to help because family is the cornerstone of all success. 

Don’t forget, of all the titles, respect, and worldly honor we can obtain in this life… we take nothing with us when we die. What we do take is the relationships we make and the knowledge and learning God blesses us with.  This is why we’re here on this earth: to learn and love, to build up others and serve them, taking on the characteristics of our Savior Jesus Christ so we can return to our loving God, our Father in Heaven.

He has asked us to address him as Father. That distinction shows how very much God wants a close relationship with us because He IS literally our Father.  I consider it one of my greatest blessings to know I have a Father in Heaven who loves me. I also have my earthly Dad to thank for teaching me that I am a daughter of God! 

A sweet fan created this video to honor my Dad, but you can’t praise my father without including my mother. They were side-by-side, like the movie said.  My parents were equal in all things they did. In a world where women want empowerment, let us never forget the importance and necessity of good men in our and our children’s lives! 🥰👍💕

#HappySunday