More than the Tattoooed Mormon Al Fox Carraway

 I saw this on Instagram Sunday morning and I text it to my family and some friends. I really wanted to go and hope I could find a few others who would like to go with me. Annette Harkness and Jackie Williamson text back and wanted to come!!

 Al was sweet enough to sign my book. If you haven't read it. It's a must. Her book is so inspiring and faith building.  

 I probable hugged her at least 4 times. I love her testimony and power that she shares with the world.

Your God is an unchangeable God. But that doesn’t mean just His commandments are unchanging, but also His love. No matter what you’re doing, or where you are-on the path or off the path—His love for personally & individually you, unchanging. Never weakening. Never wavering. Always there. Always strong. And always can be felt even in the most confusing & darkest of times, if we just turn to Him. 
If we think Heavenly Father will do anything to stop us from overcoming, we’re wrong. If we think He will do anything to stop us from being happy right now, today, even in our trials, we are wrong. Because of the unchanging, never weakening love.💙

"I remember having to make a decision. It's a decision I had to make and continue to make; it's a decision you have to make every single day: choose to get mad, choose to get bothered or offended, or choose to not. Choose to keep going, choose to trust, choose to have faith-or not. What it comes down to and what it will always come down to is this: choose God or don't. So I had to re-decide who I wanted to follow." Al Carraway well said! I Barb choose God!

Jackie Williamson and Al

Had the great opportunity to hear and meet Al Carraway who wrote More Than The Tattooed Mormon tonight. What an example of faith and love and true happiness as she accepted the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Read her book. It gives you hope and happiness and teaches you not to judge. Thank you @22alfox

Annette Harkness and Al

I love my friends for going with me!  It was a very uplifting evening. If you ever get the chance to go see her speak DO IT! 

God is Good and I choose God!

Clayton gives his first talk in Primary.

Before we come to earth we lived in Heaven with our Heavenly Family. We knew we would have to leave our Heavenly home and not live with Heavenly Father.

While we were away from Him, all of us would make mistakes. Our Heavenly Father knew and love each one of us. He knew we would need help, so He planned a way to help us

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We needed a Savoir to pay for our mistakes and teach us how to return to Heavenly Father. Heavenly Father said, "Whom shall I send?" Jesus Christ said, "Here I am, send me"

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Jesus Christ came to earth and died and was resurrected. he is our Savior. Because of Him we can live again with our families forever. 

In the name of Jesus Christ amen. 

How cute is the Evans family. Clayton did an amazing job and didn't even seem nervous. He is such a good boy. I sure love my Clayton boy.

Another Birthday Post

Flowers from Justin W Breece (A business friend of Scott's)

They are beautiful! 

Birthday cards are a tradition that Scott has brought into our family. It truly is one of my highlights. Scott spends a long time in the Hallmark store for every occasion. He picks out the perfect card and it must be a Hallmark Card. 

This years birthday card: "Love is the most beautiful gift two people can give" (Open card) Since we've been together, you've given me something so priceless that it's hard to describe..... and that's your unconditional love. With you, there are no barriers, no holding back, no halfway measures. With you, there is honesty, tenderness, and total, unquestioning trust. With you, I can open up and be a much better person than I ever thought possible. So today I want to thank you for such a beautiful gift.... to thank you for giving me such an incredible love.  Happy Birthday.

His personal not..... Dear Barb, this card perfectly, and beautifully, expresses the feelings of my heart for you. You truly are a "beautiful gift" from God-to me, your children, grandchildren and everyone you come in contact with. All my Love Forever, Scott, Your Eternal Companion.

My children also gave me cards that brought me to tears of  joy.

Carlie's and my Celebration and yummy cake. 

My kids gave me these Sunglasses from Brighton. I really wanted them. I love them but I don't know what Ian thinks. 

This birthday was one that I really enjoyed. I woke up and decided to look for the love of God in my life. I went to the temple and my sweet friend Kellie Thayer was working and she was in the initiatory with me in. It was a very special experience. (Kellie and I have been friends since Collage years. A few years ago we served in a YSA RS Presidency together and we work out together at Karve. She is one of my dearest friends) Also at the temple working was a friend of Scott's Elaine. She is a Hutchinson from California the family that introduced Scott to the Gospel. Just another reminder of God's love. This family changed my life. If Scott had not excepted the gospel he would not be my husband and I would not of been blessed with the wonderful children that I have. I came out of the temple and the SUN was SHINING! Yes knows me and God loves me. Then I went and worked out with my Karve family at Karve. I am grateful for a healthy body and to have found a workout the pushes me to my limit and I have never felt better. Physically, emotionally and spiritually. Then I took lunch to Carlie at her work. (It's her birthday too)  God knows me and loves me and has blessed me with such an amazing daughter I get to share my birthday with. The SUN is still SHINNING! Then Scott and I went to Park City to walk around holding hands and to have dinner. We went to a few shops and we really enjoyed the Art Galleries. We ended up eating at Chimayo Restaurant. We loved it! The SUN is still SHINNING! We came home and enjoyed the evening together watching American Idol. It was the perfect day. I know God knows me and loves me and my family. God is Good! 

Carlie at work. She is kind, beautiful, talented and everyone loves her!

God is aware of each one of us and he provides a way for us to come unto him. Here is Scott's testimony of The Book of Mormon. Read it and come to know God and his love for you. 

Birthday Celebrations for Carlie and Barb 4/6/16

Birthday Wishes

Happy Birthday, 

Barb!

So happy you had such a WONDERFUL evening at Chimayo! We will go anytime!

The photo of you two (at Chimayo) is one 

of my favorite things about you! 

You are tender and kind; you are passionate about all 

of your family relationships and you work at them.

You are sooooooo good, just plain good! 

You put things first that are of eternal worth, 

I love that! 

You do hard things sooo very well!

You serve endlessly, 

I can't count the number of times you mentioned you were taking your dad to the doctor. 

Day after day, week after week...

with sweetness in your voice and love in your heart.

You are fun, colorful, and adventurous! 

That makes it so fun to go places with you!

You are a doer!!

I'm grateful you were sent to me as a friend, 

because you bless my life whenever we cross paths.

I think your description of Carlie

is how I would describe you... 

                        I love everything about you! 

Grateful you are part of my life sweet friend,

Love lots, Diana Jesperson

Never underestimate the importance of having a person in your life that can make you smile. 😃 I know I posted this picture before of my sweet Carlie but it is one of my favorites. Happy birthday to my Carlie. I prayed and fasted for this sweet girl to come into our family for Y.E.A.R.S! (It felt like forever) What a gift from God she has been. Carlie is such a joy! EVERYONE loves Carlie! She is courageous, adventurous, hard-working, compassionate, caring, giving, honest and a good friend to all. I love everything about her 💖

Happy birthday to my wonderful friend Barb @barbjelder6 who is such an example of someone filled with love, faith, hope, and charity. She makes everyone feel loved and welcomed and personally gets to know them, even if they are just the guy that works in produce!! She has a gift with people and is a great example as a wife, mother and friend. She has truly made my life better. Hope she is spoiled, as she deserves, on this beautiful day💗 From Jackie Williamson

Thanks, Facebook, for sharing this gem of a photo with me today. These are some of my favorite people, and TWO of them are celebrating a birthday today!! Happy Birthday Mom and Carlie, hope today is amazing just like you 😘 From Jessie Evans

A very Happy birthday to our beautiful Barb!! Karve Lindon loves you. 

💜💜

This is another one of my happy places! Thank you Brooke Kempton Hatch for the great workout on my birthday! I love my Karve family. I am so blessed because of you. I love Karve.

Happy Birthday to the most amazing person I am so lucky and blessed beyond words that you married me. I wish you many more happy birthdays.

Here are some birthday wishes from last year to Carlie and I

Jessie- Okay everyone! Tell me one thing you like about Mom and Carlie!
Todd-Barb: always smiling/happy
Carlie: good attitude about life

Rylie-I like Carlie because she funny and fun and can make any time a good time.
I like mom because she is kind and caring towards every one.

Jessie-I love that Mom and I have such a close relationship and we like to call each other when we're driving. I love spending time with Carlie and laughing with her, and I love how my kid's faces light up when they see Aunt Carlie.

Me-I like/love Carlie's beautiful smile followed with her contagious laugh that makes her eyes smile. She is kind, she is smart, she is important! I love everything about her! Many gifts and talents that she so kind heartily shares with the world! I adore her!💃💃💃

Carlie-Thanks fam!❤️ I love barb because even tho she got stuck with a crazy, can't sit still, looking for the next adventure daughter like me she still always says the sweetest things about me and makes me feel special in my own way! And like I'm the best hairstylist and can conquer the world👌

Stacy-Barb- I love that you are a friend to anyone. And you make others feel important

Carlie-I love that you always like to have fun, and that you are so nice to my little family

Stacy-Happy happy birthday to the best mother in law ever! You are one of the happiest, prettiest, most selfless people I know. You are constantly thinking of everyone else around you. Everyone just loves you. I hope you have a great day. We are so lucky to have you in our lives. I didn't send you a card or gift because I will see you next week and I'm bringing it with. I would love to take you to lunch, maybe we could go to wild zucchini if you want!

Love you both!

Geoff- Momma- I love your positive attitude and constant thought of others. As they say "She'd give the shirt off her back for anyone" that's how it goes right? 😉 you truly are a great friend and example to everyone around you. Everyone loves barb. I love you
Happy birthday! I hope you have a wonderful day you are such a great mother I'm so grateful for you. Love you!

Ps Stacy is bringing a gift for you when she comes to utah this week

Car Car- You're purple hair is sexy as hell. Jk, it makes you look homeless but I think it's a trendy thing now so I love it. As they say "I do what I want" for reals I love you and when you set your mind on something you do it

Katelyn Williams-Dear barbin, thank you for your mother/friend type role in my life! I wouldn't triad ya for a thing! Happy birthday

Rachel-Happy birthday my dear friend! I hope you are having a great day and getting spoiled by everyone!! Thanks for always being there for me, being such a great example, and knowing how to lift me up!🎂🎂😘😘😘

Diana Jesperson-Happy, happy birthday to an absolutely amazing woman and friend! You now share a BD with Sarah, our newest grand baby! Born this morning bright and early!!! (to Ryan & Becky). Have a WONDERFUL day sweet Barb!

Sangvane-Happy Birthday to the sweetest women out there!! I love you.

I am so happy that you love those shorts!! I love them on you,everything looks great on you!  Have a great birthday!!

Taylor-Mama Barb happy birthday!!!! I love you forever....I hope you have the best day!!! 😘😘😘

Tammy-Happy birthday again my very dear friend. Have a perfect day!  I love you.

Chelsea-Happy birthday mama barb!! Love you 😘

Jill-It's your birthday today, happy happy happy birthday to the sweetest, kindest most amazing person I know truly you inspire me always, and always make me want to be a better person. I'm so so extremely blessed to have you in my life!!!! Love you so much you will never know how much you have done for me and my family. Are you around tmr I have a little something for you?

Lindy-Happy Birthday my dear friend. I lovest😘
5/21/15 Was just thinking about you this morning and how awesome you are😘. Xo have a great day!

Judy- I think you are quite awesome! You have many talents    and gifts one of them is you are a "people person" You love people and look for the best in them and then you let them know that and they leave your presence feeling uplifted. I love you and thanks for your good and Christ Like example!

Scott-you are what the meaning of Easter is all about-Love and forgiveness-The atonement. You are a wonderful example of that to me and your children. All of my love forever Scott

4/6/2016
Jessica Washburn-My dear friend Barb, thinking of you this special day and wishing you a very happy birthday! The world is a better place because of you! Xoxo!

Janae Jacobs-Beautiful beautiful barb!!!!! Happy happy birthday! I hope today is perfect for you and that you guys party all day long! Love you so so so very much!!!!

Easter Dinner with the people I love!!

 How to Love Book a gift for each of my children. Easter cards for everyone! Scott is the best card giver and writes a love note to each one of us. 

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I love Easter and I am grateful for my testimony of my Lord and Savior Jesus Christ and my relationship with him.  

I truly stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully he proffers me.

I tremble to know that for me he was crucified,

That for me, a sinner, he suffered, he bled and died.

Jessie, Jason, Norah, Clayton, Ian, Owen, Carlie and her friend Alyssa Morrison, Rylie and Todd came for dinner. This was Owen's first Sunday dinner of many to come.

From the Book How to Love-Letting go of Notions
The notion and ideas we have about happiness can entrap us. We forget they are just notions and ideas. Our idea of happiness may just be the very thing that's preventing us from being happy. When we are caught up in a belief that happiness should take a particular form, we fail we to see the opportunities for joy that are right in front of us.

Life is good and FYI I was born on a Easter Sunday.

This is one of my favorite pictures of Christ.

 I cannot tell you all the witnesses I have received and I hope to never stop receiving witnesses that He lives and that He loves us. I want to stand before Him and know that I bore testimony of Him and that I didn't turn my back on Him. How I love our Savior Jesus Christ and how grateful I am that He Is Risen.

Todd and Rylie's wedding day

 Oquirrh Mountain Temple

 Family and Friends come together to share on Rylie and Todd's day!

 Family and we are truly blessed to be family!

Special people came to share on this day. Grandpa Merrill and Jill Dastrup to name a few.