Lady Cady

Faith * Family * Life

Hid Away

Do you enjoy reading? There are so many wonderful books out there that can take us so many new places or teach us so many wonderful lessons without ever having to leave home. Isn’t it wonderful! You can never be bored with a good book around. ❤

Today I spent the day,
In a book, hid away.
I never left my comfy chair
But I met a hero and a bear.
A brave little princess who set me free
Then rain fell down on me.
I climbed the tallest mountain.
Drank from Youth’s Lost Fountain.
Rode in the fastest car
Then in a rocket bound for Mars.
Lived in a house by a Redwood tree.
Spent seven months lost at sea.
Traveled back to days of old
Then searched for silver and dug for gold.
Discovered a spy who’d lost his eye.
Sat on the shore and waved goodbye.
I solved the riddle and found the key –
And all this with a cat on me.
Because I simply spent the day,
In a book, hid away.

Pondering {A Poem by Madalyn!}

My daughter recently started studying the life and poems of Emily Dickinson in her Literature Family School lessons. As port of their discussion for literature a few weeks ago in Power Hour they were each asked to write a poem on pondering. It was something Emily Dickinson did and its important in our lives as well. Madalyn shared her poem with her class and then her poetry/literature/writing obsessed mom (who also loves everything she writes) afterwards, and since she knew what my next question was before I even asked it…, here it is for you too. 😍

Pondering
By Madalyn Cady (March 2022 – age 10)

Pondering –
Is a simple thing.
We do it every day.
We do it during scriptures
And we do it when we pray.

Pondering –
Is a simple thing.
The prophets do it too.
They also know how good it is
For you and me to do.

Toddler Life

My youngest little boy started walking a few months ago, just before his first birthday. He is doing really well, and definitely our fastest walker! But there is still so much he is still learning and navigating and getting used to. (Like walking with shoes on outside for example…) He’s so serious about it all. It’s adorable. It’s so fun watching him figure things out. Sometimes he seems so smart I’m amazed, but I remind myself he’s a full-grown spirit squished and navigating a little tiny body. ❤

Stumble, stumble, tumble, tumble,
Stand up and try again –
Without that pesky shoe on
I might make it further then I’ve been.

Fumble, fumble, crumble, crumble,
There goes my lunch again –
If there was a prize for mess maker,
I’d be the cutest one to win.

Mumble, mumble, grumble, grumble,
I’m tired out once again –
So let me get my nap in
And I’ll be ready to begin.

Jumble, jumble, bumble, bumble,
I made a mess of things again –
If you can’t believe the things I do
Just think if I had a twin!

Stumble, stumble, humble, humble,
Stand up and try again –
I may be just a little toddler
But I’m a giant deep within.

Book Recommendation – The Spirit of Revelation

Several months ago, I bought this little book not long after it came out, excited to read what Elder Bednar has to teach us about personal revelation. In the busyness of family birthdays and the holidays and a round of a flu bug that hit our family, I set it aside and forgot to come back to it. Then last weekend one of my kids knocked over a stack of books – and there it was. (It was kind of like in the movies when someone discovers gold in a mine.) As soon as I picked it up, I felt inspired to read it even though I am reading several other books. Then I went off to church and a sister in our ward who spoke last Sunday heavily referenced it in her talk. I definitely knew I needed to read it after that, so I’ve been eating it up and reading it everywhere I go this past week. It’s been the perfect book to help prepare for General Conference next month (already!)!

The book is divided into two sections. The first section is titled Principles and is ten principles Elder Bednar has observed and discovered in his own personal study of personal revelation. They aren’t in any particular order of importance or anything. He explains each principle in each chapter in Section one and gives supporting examples as he goes along. The second section is titled Episodes. This section is a compilation of personal stories shared by him, his wife, or one of his sons in which they experienced personal revelation (some made me cry!). Each one I felt honored they were willing to share with everyone willing to read the book. After each story, there is a page with three questions related to personal revelation and space for writing under each question. It’s a wonderful way to help you recognize personal revelation better.

Reading this book, I was struck by how much it is written and organized in such a loving way! I feel so blessed to have such a great resource from one of the Lord’s apostles. (Aren’t we lucky he not only studied this topic as much as he has but he then took the time to write a book explaining and teaching it better to us as well??) I ate up the first section. Some I already was familiar with. Some were aha moments for me. In the second section I find myself reading each personal story over and over so I can really ponder the questions and really recognize the lessons and hear what the Spirit is trying to teach me personally. And yes, I am writing it in as I go along. It really does help!

You can find the book at Deseret Book. If you wait a few weeks, they usually have a sale over Conference weekend. Or you can get it now and use it to help prepare for General Conference. It seems to me the Lord wants us to really know and understand personal revelation. It is something we hear about repeatedly (The Repetition Principle). Obviously, it’s important so we need to sit up and listen!! This little book is well worth the $20. The lessons learned within are priceless.

Conversations

I’ve been thinking lately about my relationship with our Heavenly Parents. I know this is something we don’t often talk about so I’m going into dangerous waters here…, but (my opinion) I believe we really do have loving Heavenly Parents – a Father and a Mother – who love us perfectly and when we think of them reverently, as well, parents and not some abstract thing, it can do wonders for us and how we see ourselves and treat those around us. I know how much I love my earthly parents. I can only imagine how much love I have for our Heavenly Parents! That thought never ceases to motivate me to be better. To follow the Savior and my Church Leaders, that I may someday happily return Home too.

Loving Father, and Mother too –
How I miss and long for you!
To feel the warmth in your embrace.
To see the love upon your face.
To feel my peace restored again
And fill the place that fear has been.
Oh, how I long for soon the day
When I may come back Home and stay
And never need to leave your side
Because it’s too where I reside.

Precious Daughter, we miss you too
But we’re so proud of all you do.
The kindness that you always share,
The burdens that you gladly bare.
How precious you are within our sight.
How glad we are you keep up the fight.
We know Home is where you long to be
But there’s more to learn before you’re free.
So, here’s a gift to help you out.
Take it and replace your doubt.

Loving Father, and Mother too,
Thank you two for all you do.
Thank you for giving the things I need
And protecting me from pride and greed.
How glad I am you help me out –
With the Spirit, lead me about.
Help me grow each day like you.
Help me see good in what I do.
Where others think I’m failing fast,
You lead me to the things that last.
Loving Father, and Mother too
I have so much love for each of you.

Precious Daughter, we love you too.
How much we miss and long for you!
To feel the warmth in your embrace.
To see the love upon your face.
To know that you are safe again
In the place you once have been.
Oh, how we long for soon the day
When you may come back home to stay!
And never need to leave our side
Because it’s too where you reside.
So, until your time on Earth is done
Do everything to follow our Son.
Know down deep within your heart
With us is where you got your start
And oh, how glad will be the day
When you once again come Home to stay.

When Darkness Threatens

I’m going to be real and honest here. Anxiety sneaks up on me more often than I’d like, and I have to fight hard to tame it back down again at times. I normally don’t pay much attention to any media to help with this but with much of the world events recently it’s been hard to avoid it! That plus a story my daughter read to me as part of her Language Arts lessons plus several helicopters flying over our house… it all caught up with me! Thankfully Heavenly Father sent me a tender mercy and my wonderful husband wasn’t busy when I needed to talk. My sweet husband let me share my fears and taught me things I didn’t understand that helped me start back to where I prefer to be – calm and peaceful. Once I was feeling better, I worked out this little poem. Darkness is always all around us in so many, many forms, but we all have the choice to turn towards it or turn away from it. What will you choose?

When darkness threatened you today
Where did you try to hide away?
Did you stay where darkness lives
Or stretch out to where goodness gives?
Did you feed on junk and more
Or choose to walk right out that door?
Did you give in and criticize
Or did you recognize those lies?
Did you play the victim card
Or go and rake your neighbor’s yard?
Did your eyes see only Bad
Or did you let your heart feel Glad?
Did your strut around all smug
Or give a friend in need a hug?
Did you wear your pride all day
Or did you think to stop and pray?
Did you stay tucked in your bed
Or follow what the prophet said?
There will always be darkness at your door
But will you let it in to explore?
Or will you choose to seek the Light –
Cast out that fear, no matter the night.
Feel peace no matter how Hard the day.
Tuck your fears far, far away.
Lean on Christ to get you through
And show you what you need to do.
Trust that Christ indeed has won.
Trust that Christ is indeed God’s Son.
How glad you’ll be if from this day
From the Dark you turn away.