Marie's Sunday Message - March 26th, 2023

Early this week, I was interviewed by Joel Osteen for his podcast. What I enjoyed the most about my time with him is how he chooses to find happiness in all parts of life. His attitude is always, “Why not?” Why not feel good? Why not be optimistic? Why not believe the best is yet to come? I believe it is a God-like attribute to be positive and look for the best in life. Don’t you? I don't think Heavenly Father is walking around heaven morose and depressed, right? I believe God is pure love and happiness and probably enjoys a good joke now and then..(dad jokes?) 😂

I have come to know many of you who love the Lord and believe God is pleased when we share His love with as many people as possible. When love takes over in our lives, we naturally want to share the joy and peace we have found with as many as possible!❤️❤️

Recently I had the blessing of watching my son teach from the New Testament to a class of 14 and 15-year-olds. Being able to teach the words of the Savior is a special kind of joy for him. But then add being able to be with these adorable kids five days a week (most of them are in the pictures I posted❤️), and the rewards have been more than my son Matthew had anticipated. Right now, they’re learning about Christ's parables, so before I left for my show this weekend, he asked me to sit in with them for a day.  I had such a good time with Matt and those amazing kids! 

Matt is teaching the different parables found in Matthew, Mark, and Luke. Our Savior, the master teacher, used parables quite a bit.  One of my favorites is the parable of the sower. This story came to life as I watched my son plant seeds about the Savior and His goodness to his students. 

As you know, the seeds from the sower are the word of God. The different soils represent how we receive these teachings. The seeds that “fell by the wayside” Mark 4:4 is the word of God that falls on an unprepared heart. Then there is the seed that “fell on stony ground.” This would be people who are converted to the Savior but don’t continue to build their testimonies of Him (they don’t have deep enough roots) and fall away with opposition.

Then there are the seeds that “fell among thorns.” These seeds were choked and didn’t yield fruit. (This would be hardened or unprepared hearts because of the distractions of the world like status, pride, etc.) a far, far less important focus than the words of God. Then there’s the seed that “fell into good ground and brought forth fruit.” So how do we have “good ground” and make sure we keep our soil healthy and fertile? 

My son Matthew asked me to answer questions and tell stories (parables about my life if you will 😂) about how I felt living the gospel among all the different challenges in my entertainment world. They asked some pretty interesting questions!😂 I told them many different stories; some were when I felt God's direction and protection in my life. Others when he specifically lifted me from pain or hurt.

My son was so cute because he had heard some of these before, so he’d say tell them this one … or that one. I was overwhelmed by how this young generation is so intelligent and wise! I asked them, “Do you want to hear how to solve some of the greatest mysteries of how to have fertile ground?” And they got so excited saying yes, please!” I said, “pray every day! This mystery is so easy yet powerful!”  Then I said, “do you want to hear another mystery?”… and again they got excited to say “yes!”.  I said, “Read your scriptures every day!” The mystery is it's so basic and simple…but so essential for building healthy roots.

Then I explained how daily scripture study aids in feeling the Holy Ghost for clearer direction in our lives. I said, “Okay, you want another great mystery?” Now they were laughing and said,” yeah, how simple is this one!” I said, “the greatest is to go to church and take the Sacrament every week. And one more thing…. serve!”. These daily acts make such a profound difference in our lives to help us feel our Savior's power in our lives. We ended each group by saying the building of our testimonies in Jesus Christ is like building a muscle. It takes daily effort, like exercise. Being a disciple of Jesus Christ isn’t always easy; it takes dedication, but so worth it. We reminded them of the parable again to stay on fertile ground, especially in today's many distractions. I had a moment each time before they left to also tell them how much I love being a Christian! It is the most essential aspect of my life. Every good thing that’s come to me is because of my love for Jesus Christ…and I am so grateful!

Christ's parables make gospel principles come alive, especially when we liken them to our lives…our life’s stories. They make gospel principles so much easier to understand and remember. As we study them, we can often see the answers we personally need in a simple, straightforward way. 

The Savior wants His parables to teach and reach out to each of us. He wants us to feel His personal touch in each of our lives. I don’t know how He does that, but He surely does!!

It has been so gratifying to study them. Do you have a favorite parable? I would love to know which one and why…It would mean the world to me to hear your thoughts this sabbath day! 

I love you all. Happy Sunday, and have the best day ever!!

#Sundaymessaage

Marie's Sunday Message - March 19th, 2023

Last night's show at Agua Caliente Resort in Rancho Maroge, California was so incredibly fun! Thank you, everyone… what an amazing audience! And thank you, everyone, for all the thoughtful gifts and cards. You touch my heart!!!! I have to show you the funniest one, though. I walked into my dressing room, where Entertainment Director Monica Reeves put this blanket, keychain, and a bottle of French‘s mustard on my couch! 😂🤣😂🤣😂 I love it, and seriously Monica, it was the best laugh I had this week!!!!!!! Later after the show, as I was packing up the blanket, for some strange reason, my mustard blanket made me think of the parable of the mustard seed… thus my Sunday message came to mind. 🥰🤗

A friend of mine is going through a really challenging time. She’s struggling with the principle of Faith. She claims that because she’s very logical, faith doesn’t lead to any real action, common sense, or resolve. She said faith is like believing in a fairytale.

My heart breaks for her, and it’s hard to watch as she places all the pressure, heartbreak, and responsibility upon her shoulders. She is trying to fix everything by herself rather than utilize faith. But I have witnessed its power to lighten burdens and change the lives of so many people I know

Looking back on my own life, I know I could never have survived the many tests and trials if I had tried to go through them on my own. I have discovered that faith IS a power, a light in the darkness, an umbrella in the rain, and a railing to hold on to that get us through the mists of darkness. It’s REAL, and it works!!! We just have to access it by believing in God. As I watch her, she frantically spends all of her time trying to come up with solutions on her own. How exhausting and hopeless that can be. The Lord definitely wants us to put in the effort to ponder and think through our challenges; that’s how we “become wise,” as Mother Eve said. When we don’t have faith to trust in God’s guidance, we miss the miracles!

The Lord wants us to have Faith…. But we must remember Faith is a verb; it’s proactive, and to start, we must simply follow the teachings of the Savior. As we read them daily, they put gas in our car of faith, if you will, to hear God's promptings.

Interestingly my daughter and I were talking about faith a couple of nights ago. These were a few of her thoughts. I loved her 30+year old perspective.

•FAITH is like planting seeds. We must take the steps needed if something is going to grow.

•Faith is taking doctrine or the structure of religion and using belief to implement it. You can’t just say, “oh, I believe,” and that’s it. You have to be proactive, moving forward, and then applying it.

•Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ is a principle of action and power.

•Faith comes by hearing the words of God, and then we apply those teachings. We LIVE them; we DO them; that’s called FAITH in Jesus Christ.

I love her wisdom!🥰 We cannot live on borrowed light, as my mother would say to me. “Don’t live off my testimony Marie be pro” act” I've… use faith and find your own.”

In Matthew, we read about the Savior’s disciples, who were terrified when the storm came up in the sea. They did not understand why the Savior could sleep through such a terrible storm. They had to believe the Savior wouldn’t allow them to be hurt, but their faith was new…they were just learning the Savior’s teachings

Matthew 8:23-26

23 And when he was entered into a ship, his disciples followed him.

24 And, behold, there arose a great tempest in the sea, insomuch that the ship was covered with the waves: but he was asleep.

25 And his disciples came to him, and awoke him, saying, Lord, save us: we perish.

26 And he saith unto them, Why are ye fearful, O ye of little faith? Then he arose, and rebuked the winds and the sea; and there was a great calm.

The Savior rebuked the wind but not the disciples. I believe with everything in me; the Savior knew how hard it was to have faith. That’s why He was always teaching about faith and trust. Each time something miraculous occurred, the disciples grew in faith. Remember? Faith is proactive. You don’t just have faith; you take it out for a spin. And you try to be just a little bit better, always with God’s help, every day. Agents who act rather than objects that are acted upon.

Jesus, on several occasions, taught His followers to “fear not” to “be not anxious.” These are people who saw the Savior in action every day and still needed to be reminded. But the Savior said to them in one way or another. “Be of good cheer; it is I; be not afraid.” Over and over again.

Jesus wanted to be trusted as their Lord in every storm of life. He wants His followers to be able to maintain their confidence in Him and worship their God’s glory

The greatest danger we all face is not being able to see Jesus during our storms. In that peak moment of fear when the night is the blackest, and the storm is the angriest, remember, Jesus will always draw near to us in order to reveal Himself as the Savior in our storms.

And all we have to do to start to act… apply some Faith.

Have the best Sunday

#Sundaymessage

Marie's Sunday Message - March 12th, 2023

I want to send a special thank you for all the prayers and sweet comments last week. (I had one nasty virus 🤮😳) But….especially to one in particular…my wonderful husband! He took me to the ocean this week to listen to the waves, feel the sun on my face, and simply… rest. Steve was adamant I finish healing from any leftover effects I might have from my illness and take a serious pause. The ocean has always been healing for me, and no one knows that better than my Stephen.🥰 It was pure joy to relax, read a few books, take naps, and eat wonderful nutritious meals! But always ending each day with a bit of ice cream🤭 You just gotta do it!😂 And I feel so much better!!

While we were there, I was able to concentrate on what matters most. My greatest joys come from family, wonderful friendships, and service to others. My eternal sweetheart knows it’s essential for me to quiet my thoughts amen ponder my blessings. When I do, I feel such gratitude! Developing this skill has helped me throughout my life, especially when things become very difficult. As I carefully chose my thoughts, I reminded myself that negativity does NOT come from our loving Father. I would never demean my children, so why would our Father in Heaven? He just wouldn’t! This begs the question. “Why do we allow negativity to fill and clutter our minds when we can choose to be positive?” In our dark moments of fear and doubt, God reminds us we can overcome the world through the power of His Son’s atonement. When we ask to be lifted, directed, and find the courage, it is the first step toward distilling doubt.

Then choosing to be positive in all situations is not only possible but will be the start of becoming who we are.

We really do have a choice. Simple but true! My sweet mother exemplified this behavior throughout her life. I never saw anything beat her down… Her choice was always to be positive! Sometimes, as a teenager, her constant “glass half full” attitude really bugged me because I thought constant positivity was just being naïve. I felt like it wasn’t real, but time has shown me, boy was I so wrong! To this day, I know one of the most important lessons she taught me was choosing to be happy. It is also one of the most important attributes of the Savior. I know emulating my angel mother and her choice to be happy has made a huge impact throughout my life. She’d say, “Marie, if you take the word FAITH down to its least common denominator, it equals having a POSITIVE ATTITUDE. (She loved math😂), And she was right!

During my reading this week, I ran across this quote. It inspired me and led to this Sunday’s message.

“Our thoughts are a sure indication of the quality of our heart, which largely determines our happiness in life.  The Lords said, ‘For where your treasure is, there will your heart be also’ (Matthew 6:21).  The treasure of our heart can make beauty out of ashes, sweet assurance out of heartache, and joy out of sorrow.  At times, it would be easy to give in to cynicism and bleak outlook.  In reality, however, though physical comfort might be taken from us or worldly possessions lost, no one can rob us of good cheer.  Our happiness is not stolen; it is given away, surrendered to situations that seem to demand that we yield our contentment and stop being happy.  How valuable the knowledge that regardless of the challenges of mortality, we are loved by a God whose confidence in us never ceases. Happiness and thanksgiving are hard to dislodge from the heart of a person who knows that he is truly a child of God.” (Lloyd Newell and Robert Millet)

This quote above is packed with thoughts to ponder.🥰 (Our happiness is not stolen; it is given away - I love that!!!) So today, I thought I’d keep my message short, so maybe you could find a quiet moment to ponder the things you’re thankful for. Remember, the Savior always lived a life of positive outreach. His kingdom is one of uplifting thoughts and joyful connections. May we all strive to see that positivity is a choice that leads us to eternal happiness and joy. I love you all very much!

#Sundaymessage

Marie's Sunday Message - March 5th, 2023

This week, I have received many texts and voice messages from people I love asking me how I’m doing. I had that mean flu but I’m doing much better now…thank you!😘 So when I received this video from some of the champion kids at Children's Miracle Network, it brought tears to my eyes. They are so precious. These children struggle with enormous challenges yet they spent their time making a video to lift me. Each one of them touches my heart with their courage. They are my heroes!!! My worst day is nothing in comparison to their best day. 💖 I know my greatest joy is serving these children in our hospitals. I try to lift them but, as always, I’m the one who leaves inspired and strengthened by their positivity, courage, and abundant faith.

I have come to understand that empathy and understanding come after our own personal trials. But it is still a choice and requires having great faith in God and His gospel promises…especially in the darkest of times. Father in Heaven is there. God just waits for us to ask Him for strength and help. I have leaned on these words many times in my life.

John 16:

22 And ye now therefore have sorrow: but I will see you again, and your heart shall rejoice, and your joy no man taketh from you.

23 Verily, verily, I say unto you, Whatsoever ye shall ask the Father in my name, He will give it you.

24 Hitherto have ye asked nothing in my name: ask, and ye shall receive, that your joy may be full.

Last week, I gave a speech in Florida about mental health. A woman asked me why we have trials and why she felt like God’s way was so hard. I told her about a talk I had just reread by Lawrence E. Corbridge. He said,

“The Lord’s way is not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel. “There is an opposition in all things,” everywhere, for everyone. Life is hard for all of us, but life is also simple. We have only two choices. We can either follow the Lord and be endowed with His power and have peace, light, strength, knowledge, confidence, love, and joy, or we can go some other way, any other way, whatever other way, and go it alone—without His support, without His power, without guidance, in darkness, turmoil, doubt, grief, and despair. And I ask, which way is easier?”

We all have to decide what following the Lord is for us. And that takes time. When you read “Follow the Lord,” do you think it means we have to do it perfectly? That we just hop on the path and take off running? Does that mean we won’t stumble and fall occasionally? Does it mean we will never get lost, be rained on, or worse…be in need of chocolate!?

Uh no….

But we do need to GET on the path. I think it’s worth saying again, “get on the path.” That just means starting the journey. And while you are on the journey, God has provided some amazing reading material. He put that reading material together for us and then protected it for thousands of years. The scriptures are the GPS for life. It’s the greatest historical document to understand where we came from, who we are, human nature, and life‘s choices and consequences. It’s where you can read about parents who have had problems with their children (in case you thought you were alone), marriages that are often a trial, stories of betrayal, disease, wars, and every other difficult situation you can imagine. And while you are reading the scriptures, note that no one is perfect, and no one gets it the first time. I love reading the stories and putting myself into them, and I wonder if I would’ve made some of the same choices.

One of my favorite stories in the Old Testament is Jonah and the whale. God sent Jonah to Ninevah to preach the gospel. It’s documented that it was a very evil and dangerous place. Jonah wanted none of it, so he stowed away on a boat that he knew was going in the opposite direction. (ever done that?😆) Here is the deal, can we really hide from God?

Uh no….

After Jonah finally decided to obey God (along with being able to tell a really great “fish story”🤓), he ended up having great success with the people of Ninevah. Like many of us, Jonah was afraid, but God showed him he had nothing to be afraid of. So, in the end, Jonah’s disobedience didn’t end with a great fish story but with a great faith story. The Lord will always do that….He knows if and when we are going to fall down, and He always has a solution. He knows we aren’t perfect; He knows we will make mistakes… He planned for those mistakes.

His name is Jesus Christ, and He came here to atone for our sins, our pains, our sorrows, and our heartaches. We can succeed on the path because of our Savior. Keeping our eye on Him, every day, all the time….

Remember, life is hard, but life is simple. And when we get on the path…never give up. You never give up. You just keep on going. Because when we make the effort daily, the Lord is right there. His way is our “insurance policy,” if you will, our backup plan that leads to our salvation. So please don’t get discouraged or forget Jesus Christ is the Way, God’s way, and it’s not hard. Life is hard, not the gospel!

Here are the next few weeks of the reading schedule I am following for those that have joined me:

• March 6-12: Matthew 9-10; Mark 5; Luke 9

• March 13-19: Matthew 11-12; Luke 11

• March 20-26: Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13

• March 27-April 2nd: Matthew 14; Mark 6; John 5-6

Marie's Sunday Message - February 26th, 2023

I found this video of John Schnieder and myself performing at an award show together. My goodness, we were kids…well, teenagers! 😂 It was at this particular event that the idea was sparked for us to create a charity where all the money, 100%,  would actually get to the kids. There were so many causes, but all of those causes needed to be treated! And that’s where the idea for the Children's Miracle Network started. It would bless the kids at children’s hospitals! We have raised over $8 billion since its inception in 1983, helping 10 to 11 million children every year across North America. That’s a lot of children, and I absolutely love ALL of them so very much!!! They’re my kids too🥰

I bring this up because John and I are dear friends and have been through so much together through the years. There’s a special bond that children that grew up as entertainers in this business have. It’s a different kind of life.😂 One thing I’ve always admired about John, besides his talent, is his enormous heart and the love he shows these beautiful children in our hospitals.

Well, a few days ago, John’s heart was completely shattered. He lost his sweet wife and the love of his life Alicia to cancer. As we spoke on the phone, my heart broke as I heard the pain and sorrow in his voice and cried with him as he expressed the immense grief he felt. He made a statement where he said, “Love is much too small a word. And pain is much too small a word.”

I love you, John and my deepest prayers are with you!!!

Grief is a painful word. Losing our loved ones is so incredibly difficult, especially for those left behind. And as our world changes forever, we find it almost impossible to wrap our heads around the permanence of loss which never goes away. But as Russell M. Nelson said, “the only way to take sorrow out of death is to take love out of life.”

On Friday, I did a show in Davenport, Iowa. Afterward, as I was leaving the venue, several women came up to me and said that, like me, they had suffered the loss of a child and some spoke of the loss of their spouses. As we all sat there hugging, we agreed only Christ could offer us eternal peace as He alone knows the depths of our pain and suffering and how to soothe our broken souls.

I hold on continually to His comforting words:

“Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.

“Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me; for I am meek and lowly in heart: and ye shall find rest unto your souls.

“For my yoke is easy, and my burden is light” [Matthew 11:28–30]

When I lost my son, Michael, 13 years ago today. At that devastating moment, I felt I could not breathe. My faith in God’s love for us was all I had to hold on to and carry me through the tremendous grief and pain. Even if you are prepared and expecting death, like with my parents, loss brings the sad and harsh reality of the separation from our loved ones. I know for me all of it would simply be unbearable without my faith in Jesus Christ and His atonement that we will rise again! I testify the only thing that can dispel the darkness of death is the light of these revealed truths!

“I am the resurrection, and the life,” spoke Jesus. “He that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live:

“And whosoever liveth and believeth in me shall never die.” (John 11:25–26.)

This reassurance is a confirmation to me of life beyond the grave, We really can find the comfort and peace, as promised, by the Savior when He lovingly told His disciples.

“Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. Let not your heart be troubled, neither let it be afraid.” (John 14:27.)

“In my Father’s house are many mansions: if it were not so, I would have told you. I go to prepare a place for you …

“That where I am, there ye may be also.” (John 14:2–3.)

We truly are carried by our faith in Him, and sometimes we probably don’t even realize this comfort the Lord is providing. But He is there…and always ready to catch us when we fall; all we have to do is sincerely ask. God lives, and He sent His beloved Son to suffer and die on the cross and then resurrected so that the bonds of death could be broken. The gospel of Jesus Christ is that penetrating light that removes the darkness of death and allows us to see the dawn of a more joyful morning. As we surrender into His arms, we will feel the love only the Savior can give.

“Blessed are they that mourn: for they shall be comforted.” (Matthew 5:4)

“Weeping may endure for a night, but joy cometh in the morning.” (Ps. 30:5.)

Thomas S Monson, who spoke at my son's funeral, testified that Christ rose from the dead, and because of this, there is a resurrection.

“Therefore the grave hath no victory, and the sting of death is swallowed up in Christ. He is the light and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.” 

Jesus Christ, Himself declared,

“I am the resurrection, and the life: he that believeth in me, though he were dead, yet shall he live.”

All these truths bring comfort to my broken heart. These assurances given to us by our Savior lift those of us laden with grief with his He will assist us to move out of the shadows and into the light. And It’s available to us ALL! The promises are clear…..

I know that through Christ's redeeming Atonement and glorious Resurrection, broken hearts can be healed, anguish can become peace, and distress can become hope. He can embrace us in His arms of mercy, comforting us and empowering the healing each and every one of us so desperately needs in those darkest moments.  And nothing that earth can provide will ever bring this kind of peace.  

#HappySunday

Here are the next few weeks of the reading schedule I am following for those that have joined me:

• February 27-March 5: Matthew 8; Mark 2-4; Luke 7

• March 6-12: Matthew 9-10; Mark 5; Luke 9

• March 13-19: Matthew 11-12; Luke 11

• March 20-26: Matthew 13; Luke 8; 13

Marie's Sunday Message - February 19th, 2023

This week my New Testament reading took me through Matthew 5 and Luke 6. The Savior teaches the Sermon on the Mount—the Beatitudes—as He expresses the steps towards a change of heart. That includes being humble, having compassion for others, and being meek. These steps also include a hunger and thirst for righteousness in our lives, becoming merciful towards people and situations even if they choose to hurt us. We are not to have agendas or be manipulative for self-gain, but if it happens, then we are to be the peacemaker; not contending or fighting, just turning the other cheek. We must stand up for God and His ways no matter what the world may teach or think, even if we are persecuted for doing it.

After reading the whole Sermon on the Mount, I found one of the most powerful principles presented, and it’s applicable to every other principle I listed. It’s important, no matter what, to choose a “positive attitude” toward all life can and will bring, even in the face of adversity. I was taught in my youth about the Beatitudes. I believe because of them; I have grown to love the study of human nature and the psychology behind our choices.

So (and here is the drum roll), I decided before I came out on the road to do my shows this weekend, I would write about the Beatitudes for this week's Sunday message. 🤗 And for the whole trip, I would choose to be positive, even in the face of adversity. 🤗🤗 Also, by choosing this behavior, I would see how well it all worked out.🤗🤗🤗

Well, holy moly, be careful about what you say you’re going to do…because I guess God thought, “Marie if you’re going to write about this, let me help you out by giving you some real inspiration to write about!!! OK, seriously… the most challenging trip ever!!!🤗🤗🤗🤗🤗

We started out in Las Vegas, first flying to Minneapolis, then we would catch a connecting flight and end up in Newark. A simple trip with one connecting flight. 👍😁 what could go wrong? Well, after landing in Minneapolis, we hurried like crazy to get to our connecting flight, only to find out (over the loudspeaker) our plane had been delayed. I thought, “that’s OK; we’ll still get into Newark with plenty of time to drive to Bethlehem and get a good night's sleep before the show the next day. You see, I hadn’t been to bed yet from the night before… (a story for another time😉), and I really needed a good night's sleep. What I didn’t know was the airline was starting the dance we all dread.

They pacified everyone by saying don’t worry about the delay; we will know more later - then, information soon.

A couple of hours go by…

Another announcement - The flight is not canceled, so you need to stay close to the gate and not worry! When Upon asking the gate agent about alternative flights, her recommendation was, “it’s not canceled; you will be fine.”

My road manager gave her a nod of thanks…we are patient travelers

More hours go by, and they make another announcement…

“The plane is here, but the crew flying it are delayed in Chicago, and…we will know more about their status in a couple of hours.”

Fewer patient travelers.

We grabbed something to eat (I posted a photo a couple of days ago of us)

Then the airline makes the fourth announcement of “a couple more hours.”

Uh oh…

At this point, I feel I am about to witness the “Insurrection in Minneapolis” Every passenger was very, very (maybe one more “very”?) stressed and verbally unhappy about their missed connections and difficult waiting conditions. (Now I know why folks can’t get nail clippers past security). They could not understand why they wouldn’t book us on a different flight, as the agent tried to explain, “we can’t get your bags off the plane unless it is posted “canceled,” not “delayed.”

The Insurrection meets the stand-off….

To make this worse (you are asking how can this be worse? Just wait), After sitting for 8 hours on hard chairs, with no real information and no healthy food to eat (they were very kind, offering free chips and gummy bears 🤮) we found out at 2 AM they finally had to cancel our flight. Why? When the pilot showed up, he said, “I’m too tired to fly anymore tonight!” Now understandably, I felt the pilot's pain! But I also felt the pain in my body from being stressed and not having any sleep for two days. The other passengers felt exactly the same way.

Well, obviously, through this whole fiasco, I had a lot of time on my hands. So I took the time to process the proper spirit behind the beatitudes while I sat there. What I found most interesting were the passengers who remained calm towards the gate attendants when they inquired on the status of the flight were reciprocated with kindness. But those who demonstrated frustration and anger towards the employees may have received a bit more shortness of patience in return. 🧐

Since I often travel incognito, the gate attendants didn’t know the people in our group were dancers and musicians for my show. They only knew us as they said “nice people.”’ We tried to be patient, and I guess the saying “you reap what you sow” is true!

I thought about the teachings of the beatitudes and how applying them to my airport situation really did make a difference. Choosing to be meek and patient doesn’t make us weak - it empowers us. It also applies to hungering and thirsting after righteousness…which worked out nicely for us since no restaurants were open…😂 I’m kidding! But striving to be kind when you’re exhausted and hungry IS an effort! As we call on the Savior's power to help us in situations like this, He blesses us with the ability to share His light as we try to emulate His love for others

Well, finally, at almost 2 in the morning, the airline said the flight was finally canceled and sent us to a hotel where they said we would get to sleep for about an hour and 40 minutes. Then they would put us on the next available flight, but unfortunately, it would not land in Newark but in LaGuardia. Hey, at least we would eventually get to our destination.

Sitting on that hotel bed for an hour and 40 minutes felt like days because I never went to sleep. I was so worried if I did fall asleep, I wouldn’t wake up😂 We finally got on the flight and landed around 11:30 in the morning. Big progress! But (drum roll again) our luggage took a different flight!!! Now not only did we not have our personal clothes, but we also didn’t have our equipment, costumes, or instruments for the show. I had been so excited to get to the hotel and take a relaxing shower. Now the rosy picture I had painted for myself completely vanished….

I had a choice to make…I could cry (never my style) or….

I started to laugh because I chose to write about the beatitudes before this insane trip even started!!! 😂😂😂 I felt like a war correspondent. I had to be in the action to know what I was writing about.

Everyone in my group was understandably exhausted. But they all remained so kind, and I love them all so much for that! I’m blessed to work with them!!! In the end, we were all safe and together, and we all knew somehow, we would find a way to pull it off.

And that’s exactly what we all did!

At the last-minute miracle happens, our luggage, equipment, and instruments showed up! I didn’t have to perform in sneakers! I believe it was because we had chosen to be positive, and we were blessed! We ended up having such a fun show in Bethlehem that night! Is it irony or fate that we were in Bethlehem writing about the Beatitudes? 🤣😂🤣

The Beatitudes really are about the importance of our choices … no matter what obstacles might come our way. They help us remember to stay positive and turn to HIM for guidance and strength. Especially when life gets too much to bare, they are a powerful reminder that we can find peace and strength even in the most difficult of situations. And by choosing to seek His light, we will find the help we need. When we embrace the teachings in the Bible, God knows they will help us become stronger, better, and more compassionate individuals.

May God bless us all as we choose to be positive. Happy Sunday, and by the way… it was so great to see all of you at my shows… and as always - you touch my heart deeply. #HappySunday

🥰💖👈

#SundayMessage

Marie's Sunday Message - February 12th, 2023

Two days ago, my sweet daughter and I were talking about raising children. In that conversation, I expressed my sorrow for those times I needed to work to support them. There were times that I couldn’t be at home to help with the dinner dishes and put them to bed. That makes our mom hearts hurt. But, when we least expect it, we have those special moments of healing between a mother and her child….this was definitely one of those days for me. My daughter is an amazing woman, mother, and now my friend. 💖

Well, yesterday, she sent me the most beautiful text of love after our conversation. She shared this video. It is from a young mother with a life-changing family story. I normally don’t post these kinds of videos, but it touched my heart on so many levels, and I hope it does the same for you. The story she shared of “Let her wear the dress” brought me to tears as my heart broke for this woman’s mother. Sharing the story was so brave and so raw—especially when the unspeakable occurred. The message is clear, “Let her wear the dress.” 

This week has been healing as I went through many memories of when my children were little. I have also felt the burden of regret just like this sweet mother in the story stated, and I know other moms do too. Now, as I get older, I realize even more the important role we can have in helping our children take a breath and reminding them they are doing the best they can!  

I worked when my children were younger as many women do. I felt tremendous guilt surrounding my child-raising when I felt I wasn’t there enough. I eventually realized how counterproductive this was for my kids and for me. So now that some of my children are parents, I thought maybe the sage advice my mom, Olive, gave to me could help heal some hearts out there. I have great faith God will help our children and help us when we keep our eye on the Savior. It is also my hope we find a way to let our children “Wear the dress!” 

So here we go. 

There was no manipulation allowed between my parents; they were unified in everything, a fabulous team! I also know that if they had given in to us as children, it would have probably destroyed us. We would not have developed a sense of self-worth and personal growth from learning what reality was and what was on the stage. My mom would say to me- “I’m not your friend; I’m your mother. I love you but get to your chores and quit feeling sorry for yourself.” 😉 My parents made me strong because they were consistent and always showed immense love. They didn’t get angry or yell; it wasn’t their way. We knew the rules, and the worst feeling we could ever have was if we felt we had disappointed them. I may not have liked cleaning toilets after a long day of rehearsals, but I gave it my best! 😁 My mom “kept it real” so to say, and that reality kept our feet firmly planted.🤗 They were my heroes, plain and simple, and the lessons they taught were invaluable.

One of the “adventures with Olive” was the day I found myself bereft on the couch, a newly single mother, crying. I was having a most deserved pity party. I thought, “Oh great! Now I’m a single mom trying to raise a child all by myself! I kept moping, “this is too hard! I can’t do it! This mountain is too big to climb.” Well, my mom sitting next to me on the couch stood up, looked at my puffy red face, and said, “Well, la tee da-poor you! Marie, pull yourself together; you have a child to raise,” then walked out of the room. And guess what? I did. She kind of ticked me off at first, though!😂

When I was younger, I wanted to wear eyelashes. 😂 My mother didn’t know how, so she took me to the head makeup artist at NBC (who, by the way, as a kid, was Tommy from the original Mickey Mouse Club)🤗 for a first-class tutorial. 🤣 Now, I eventually taught my mom how to wear lashes, but she knew when to pick her battles and when to“let me wear the dress” She also “loved me” out of wanting to act stupidly by encouraging me to watch the choices others were making. When I saw some of the consequences my friends had made and the long-term effects of those choices, it left a strong impression on me. As always, Olive was very wise.

Raising children is something we have to work at every day until we leave the earth. I’m sure you feel as I have that we often fail and sometimes miserably! But I have come to learn as my children have gotten older (not me, though😂), if we make our choices for our children’s welfare with love, they will eventually see we tried our best! Also, if we try to justify the reasons we did what we did, it only puts up bigger walls. However, if we sincerely apologize for the mistakes we made, I know they will forgive and love us back. 

My mom let me, “Wear the dress! And some were pretty bad mistakes- 🫣 as you can see in the two photos! What was I thinking!!!!🤦🏻‍♀️🤷🏻‍♀️ But my sweet parents helped me to choose and learn! 

In my home, there was always forgiveness. I learned though that if I did fail, I always had my parents loving arms to fall into. But they would not fix it for me. I was the one who had to get back up and keep moving forward. Thank you, mom and dad, for that one. I love you eternally. 

So, if letting our kids and grandkids mix Marvel characters with Disney characters while adding a tutu makes your teeth hurt, close your eyes and let them. Pick your battles wisely. If, while going to Target, you notice your children look homeless after proudly dressing themselves …..so what. Pick your battles wisely because saying no all the time just sucks up our energy and creates a distance that makes it harder when you really need to say no. 

When my son Michael passed away, I wanted to take back every single heated discussion we ever had about dirty socks, bed-making, etc. Of course, structure and schedules are important—they can save a mom—but as I had to learn, don’t break yourself against a schedule. Children are more important than rules or schedules. 

I read an excellent article the other day as I thought about my mom and dad. It was by Dr. Jaak Panksepp on how there are nine minutes each day that we can positively affect our children. He said the “larger the sphere of positive emotions” a child has with a loved one, the more likely they are to become a productive and happy member of society. Here are the 9 minutes...

•Three minutes of positive interaction with your child as soon as they wake up. 

•Three minutes of positive interaction when you see them after a nap or school. 

•Three minutes of positive interaction right before bed. 

I love this idea, and I believe it keeps us focused on loving them and it’s much more doable than the standard 10 positives to one negative. (Sounds good for marriage also😉) 

This world right now seems intent on trying to get us all down, incorporating the tools of fear to leave us hopeless. And as Olive would say, “That’s just about enough of that!”🤭 So today, let’s join forces in choosing to be positive and more intentional with our words, thoughts, and actions, and for heaven’s sake, let’s all “Wear the dress”🥰 

Love you all!!! 

#Sundaymessage