Judge one another...

The point is, we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another—or ourselves—so harshly.

Patricia T. Holland

More of this wonderful talk can be found here and download here. 

There seems to be an increase in our competitiveness and a decrease in our generosity with one another.

Those who have the time and energy to can their fruit and vegetables develop a skill that will serve them well in time of need—and in our uncertain economy, that could be almost any time. But they shouldn’t look down their noses at those who buy their peaches or who don’t like zucchini in any of the thirty-five ways there are to disguise it, or who have simply made a conscious choice to use their time and energy in some other purposeful way.

And where am I in all of this? For three-fourths of my life I felt threatened to the core because I hated to sew. Now, I can sew; if it is absolutely necessary, I will sew—but I hate it. Can you imagine my burden over the last twenty-five or thirty years, “faking it” in Relief Society sessions and trying to smile when six little girls walk into church all pinafored and laced and ribboned and petticoated—in identical, hand-sewn dresses, all trooping ahead of their mother, who has a similar outfit? I don’t necessarily consider my attitude virtuous, lovely, of good report or praiseworthy, but I’m honest in my antipathy toward sewing.

I have grown up a little since those days in at least two ways: I now genuinely admire a mother who can do that for her children, and I have ceased feeling guilty that sewing is not particularly rewarding to me. The point is, we simply cannot call ourselves Christian and continue to judge one another—or ourselves—so harshly. 

No mason jar of bing cherries is worth a confrontation that robs 

us of our compassion and our sisterhood.

Courage

I LOVE this talk. So. very. much. 

We must have the courage to be imperfect 

while striving for perfection.

-Patricia T. Holland-

Download here & read the entire talk here and be sure to follow me along on instagram and facebook! Share some light today :) Who knows- maybe someone in your life needs it too!

Because sometimes we feel like we have to be perfect. Now. And all the time. And at church especially. Which is silly, because none of us- NONE of us are. And yet it can be hard to be real and messy and crazy. It's hard to put yourself out there. Will people like me if they see the real me? 

It takes to courage to be genuine and authentic. 

I loved when she said:

Every one of us has privileges and blessings, and every one of us has fears and trials. It seems bold to say, but common sense suggests that never before in the history of the world have women, including LDS women, been faced with greater complexity in their concerns.

.......

But one of the most unfortunate side effects we have faced in this matter of agency is that, because of the increasing diversity of life-styles for women of today, we seem even more uncertain and less secure with each other. We are not getting closer, but further away from that sense of community and sisterhood that has sustained us and given us strength for generations. There seems to be an increase in our competitiveness and a decrease in our generosity with one another.

........

Obviously the Lord has created us with different personalities, as well as differing degrees of energy, interest, health, talent, and opportunity. So long as we are committed to righteousness and living a life of faithful devotion, we should celebrate these divine differences, knowing they are a gift from God. We must not feel so frightened, so threatened and insecure; we must not need to find exact replicas of ourselves in order to feel validated as women of worth. 

There are many things over which we can be divided, but one thing is needful for our unity—the empathy and compassion of the living Son of God.

......

Surely there has not been another time in history when women have questioned their self-worth as harshly and critically as in the second half of the twentieth century. Many women are searching, almost frantically, as never before, for a sense of personal purpose and meaning; and many LDS women are searching, too, for eternal insight and meaning in their femaleness.

If I were Satan and wanted to destroy a society, I think I would stage a full-blown blitz on women. I would keep them so distraught and distracted that they would never find the calming strength and serenity for which their sex has always been known.

Satan has effectively done that, catching us in the crunch of trying to be superhuman instead of striving to reach our unique, God-given potential within such diversity. He tauntingly teases us that if we don’t have it all—fame, fortune, families, and fun, and have it all the time—we have been short-changed and are second-class citizens in the race of life

......

We often worry so much about pleasing and performing for others that we lose our uniqueness—that full and relaxed acceptance of one’s self as a person of worth and individuality.

Yes! I LOVED this talk. I'm going to try to really be me today. Have courage and be yourself too!

My top 5 easy peasy sister missionary gifts!

I have the cutest sister serving a mission right now in California. She comes home in a few months and has requested we stop sending her candy and treats (haha- we show love through sugar apparently!) I've been trying to think of some fun little gifts I could brighten her day with and found these fun and meaningful items on LDS Bookstore. 

1)These darling journals- this floral one is so happy.  I also love this classic stitched temple one.

2) This necklace is so sweet & charming. She would love it!

3) Is she in a missionary meal rut? Probably yes after serving over a year.  This cookbook featuring quick and easy meals would be so helpful. 

4) Inspirational sticky notes because they are inspirational sticky notes. Need I say more?!

5)Finally- a darling ring that can be personalized with her mission details. 

LDS Bookstore has so many more missionary gifts to choose from, including many for Elders. 

Check out all of their missionary gifts here & save 20% with the code SERVE16 :)

Philippians 4:8

I love this verse so much! It's my goal to pursue these 'things' more. 

Whatsoever things are true, 

whatsoever things are honest, 

whatsoever things are just, 

whatsoever things are pure, 

whatsoever things are lovely, 

whatsoever things are of good report; 

if there be any virtue, 

and if there be any praise, 

think on these things.

Philippians 4:8

Download Here and be sure to follow me along on FB & Instagram :)

Giveaway Time! {LDS Bookstore}

 With Mother's day right around the corner, I've been thinking about the many wonderful mommies I know. In particular, all the women in my life who help 'mother' my own kiddos. It's the simple things- a smile, a compliment on my daughter's crazy outfit of choice for the day, a friendly hello, a fun play date. In particular, it's the unconditional love and support given. This past week my girls' had their Spring Dance recital. They asked if their Aunt B. was coming. I knew she had her hands full with her three young kids + our nephew that she babysits. I wasn't sure if she could make it (understandably!). But she still showed up, 4 extra littles and all! It meant so much to my girls. So grateful for her love!

In honor of all the wonderful women who 'mother' out there (and you don't have to be a mom to mother!), I have a $30 gift card for LDS Bookstore. Have you checked out this site? They have the cutest mustard yellow temple bag I am swooning over!

To enter this giveaway 1) Like Desert Designs on FB or Instagram 2) Like the corresponding post. Easiest entry ever.

Giveaway ends Saturday, April 30th at 8:30 pm. Good luck!

‪#‎giveaway‬ ‪#‎mothersday‬ ‪#‎lds‬ ‪#‎mormon‬ ‪#‎deseretdesigns‬ ‪#‎contest‬ #affiliate

Canvas Prints- now in my etsy shop!

I'm so excited about my latest product in my etsy shop. This is the first physical/tangible item I'm selling! I've made some tweaks to these beauties to make them more uniform. The colors can be customized to match your decor. I made mine this fun cornflower blue to coordinate with my play/family room.  Check them out here!

We rejoice in Christ...

This scripture has practically been screaming at me to make a print. :) You see,  I've been praying about our family scripture and this one has been on my mind for months! I'm so happy to have it finished and hanging up on my fridge, right where everyone can see it! I LOVE this verse. 

And we talk of Christ, we rejoice in Christ, we preach of Christ, we prophesy of Christ, and we write according to our prophecies, that our children may know to what source they may look for a remission of their sins.

2 Nephi 25:26

Download this free 8.5x11 print here and be sure to follow along on instagram and fb :)

It is definitely frame worthy, however if you would like it in a different size, without my website on the bottom, I'm happy to sell you one via my etsy shoppe. Just send me a private message via etsy and I'd be happy to do that for you!