Sunday, August 16, 2015

Introducing Dr. Rino and Eternal Perfectibility

The Rino's have spent the past month here in Utah. 
It has been a dream having my sister here 
and I'll probably cry my eyes out when they head back home on Tuesday. 
Why is New Hampshire so far away?

Anyway...one of the reasons for their trek out West?
Dr. Rino received his doctoral degree from BYU in
Education Inquiry, Measurement, and Evaluation (say what?)


I may have been a bit grumbly getting up at 5:30 am to shower and drive to Provo in order to make it to his 8:00 am graduation on time, but it was worth it to support and cheer on my family and the hard work and sacrifice (Whitney included) they've made to get to this point.


I also didn't expect the strong spiritual impression that hit me in the face as I sat through that graduation program and learned about the concept of 
eternal perfectibility.

Since I was a child, I've believed that Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to become like Him and enjoy all He has to offer as I follow Him and keep His commandments. Yet, as a 30 year old wife and stay-at-home mom of 3, currently lacking a bit in sleep, patience, and confidence in myself to accomplish the tasks before me, listening to an undergraduate speak about "changing the world" by giving a struggling 5th grade student a hug or a professor reminding students, parents, and everyone else in attendance that the education, training, and/or experiences we receive in this life aren't just for our own edification, but for us to go forth and serve God's children, brought things back into eternal perspective. That learning, growing, and improving is a lifetime pursuit and that as God's children and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, we have the capability to become as He is, even perfect. 


I don't know about you, but I mess up every day. I constantly battle with myself over the mistakes and weaknesses I deal with and usually end up on my knees asking the Lord to help me understand, encourage me to keep going, 
and teach me how to be a little better tomorrow.

But I have the capability to improve.
I have eternal perfectibility.
I will not be perfect in this life, but I am a daughter of God 
and I have the opportunity and ability to become like my Father.
And He desires nothing else.


One day, each of us will have our own graduation. 
My hope is that as I walk across that stage to embrace my Heavenly Father, 
I have given Him reason to say 
"Well done, thou good and faithful servant: thou hast been faithful over a few things, I will make thee ruler over many things: enter thou into the joy of thy lord."
*****
Congrats, Joey. You did it!

Tuesday, August 11, 2015

You are Blessed.

This past Sunday, Brandon gave Kate a blessing. 
It was sweet and beautiful, 
with wonderful promises of love, kindness, and a forever family. 
I will never forget the joy I felt as I watched the man I love 
hold our sweet baby girl in her little white dress. 


Afterwards, our loved ones gathered in our home to celebrate Kate and enjoy some brunch together. Before we blessed the food, I thanked everyone for supporting us and our little family. We have been on the receiving end of so much kindness and service- even before baby Kate arrived. I especially wanted the women of my family to know how grateful I am for them. If there is one thing I want Kate to understand as she grows up, it is the long legacy of faithful, strong, service-oriented women she comes from, both Shaws and Johnsons, who love their families and teach, by example, that

WE CAN DO HARD THINGS. 

Along with Brandon, they literally have been the Lord's hands in helping me get through the past 6 weeks. It makes me teary as I think about the many hours of feeding, rocking, changing, playing, cleaning, driving, watching, shopping, praying and encouraging they have selflessly gifted my children and I.

I love the women in my life...and even more, I know they love me. 







I am blessed.
We love you sweet baby Kate.