Help Me to Freely Forgive

Yesterday was Fast Sunday. I have been fasting and praying for help with many things but one thing in particular has been hardest for me to do.… to let go of hurt feelings and forgive my neighbor. I have a neighbor who I have offended, I’m not exactly sure if it was something I did or my kids did or something I didn’t do??? I don’t know...and she won’t tell me... I wish she would but she refuses to communicate with me.

Just over a year ago we were great friends. Once, I stayed up till midnight helping her make a birthday cake for her daughter. I helped watch her kids all the time and I even let her borrow my car on several occasions. Now she hates me. Many times I have tried to talk with her and figure out what went wrong but to no avail. She avoids me and ignores me when I say “hello”. And when my children go outside to play she rushes hers into the house saying nothing. A few months ago she had the flu so I brought her over some soup … and still no response. It must be about a year that she has refused to even look at me. It hurts. It really hurts. So I’ve been fasting and praying for the ability to forgive her for months now. I need a mighty change of heart. Matt. 18: 23-35 D&C 64: 9-10 has been on my mind all week.

Yesterday we arrived to church early so we had a little quiet time before the meeting began. My 7 yr. old daughter climbed on my lap and asked me if I would read her a story from The Friend (a children's magazine in my church.) As I read to the end of the story my eyes filled with tears. My sweet little daughter had a stack of magazines and hundreds of stories to choose from but this was the one she wanted me to read....perhaps the Spirit guided her. All I know is that it's what I needed and it was a message for me! I’m so thankful for little children and their example of forgiveness to me… it’s no surprise that Jesus said little children are the greatest in the Kingdom of Heaven.

Help Me Dear Father
(Children’s Songbook #99)

Help me, dear Father, to freely forgive

All who may seem unkind to me.
Help me each day, Father, I pray;
Help me live nearer, nearer to thee.

Help me, dear Father, to truly repent,
Making things right, and changing my ways.
Help me each day, Father, I pray;
Help me live nearer, nearer to thee.

Parable of the Sower and Alma 32

One of my favorite songs is from the Chronicles of Narnia soundtrack , "The Call" by, Regina Spektor. Everytime I hear this song I can't help but think of Mathew 13:1-23 and Alma 32:28-43. This song keeps playing in my head today, I know the words but this is the first time I've put them down. Great song... even greater message!

It started out as a feeling
Which then grew into a hope

Which then turned into a quiet thought

Which then turned into a quiet word

And then that word grew louder and louder

'Til it was a battle cry

I'll come back

When you call me

No need to say goodbye

Just because everything's changing

Doesn't mean it's never

Been this way before

All you can do is try to know

Who your friends are

As you head off to the war

Pick a star on the dark horizon

And follow the light

You'll come back

When it's over

No need to say good bye

You'll come back

When it's over

No need to say good bye

Now we're back to the beginning

It's just a feeling and no one knows yet

But just because they can't feel it too

Doesn't mean that you have to forget

Let your memories grow stronger and stronger

'Til they're before your eyes

You'll come back

When they call you

No need to say good bye

You'll come back

When they call you

No need to say good bye

- The Call by, Regina Spektor

Anger and Ignorance

When I read the news and various comments from viewers I am saddened by so much anger. I don't care who is wrong or right in the conversation...... it makes me so sick to my stomach to see people lashing out at one another, accusing, scorning, mocking, name calling, swearing etc. Can't we all just get along!!! I see it among the Liberals, the Conservatives, religious, non-religious and among every race and color. There is no excuse to treat anyone (no matter who it is) there is no excuse to be so uncivilized whether online or in person!! And before we look around and point the finger we must first examine ourselves. There are times when I've reacted in anger or in sharp hurtful words and I'm not proud of it. I believe in forgiveness. I believe we can let go of perceived offences. I believe in redemption.

I just heard about the shooting in Fort Hood. This incident makes me very sad because the shooter was a so called "Muslim". Of course immediately following this news there are those who blame the religion of Islam for the shootings. But, Islam is not to blame for these violent acts. Ignorance and anger are to blame. These extremists are taught from a Koran that has been distorted, twisted and changed from it's original text thus in many cases excusing their violence in the name of God. They become fed a steady diet of lies that lead them far from the original teachings of Islam.

Terrorism isn't related to Muslims any more than it is to Christians. There are incidents where Christians have become ignorant to the doctrine of Christ and twisted His teachings to justify violence. Anyone is susceptible to causing terror.

On a smaller scale how often do we get in arguments with neighbors, family or friends when we don't have all the facts, when we jump to conclusions, when we gossip or twist words?

What does it do to us when we dwell on these injustices?

What does it do to us when we see only bad and close our eyes to any of the good around us?

This is where it starts.........If unchecked it leads to violence, misery and sorrow... destroying everything in it's path.

Last general conference our modern day Prophet, President Thomas S. Monson warned against anger.

He quoted the words of the hymn written by Elder Charles W. Penrose, who served in the Quorum of the Twelve and in the First Presidency during the early years of the 20th century:

School thy feelings, O my brother;

Train thy warm, impulsive soul.

Do not its emotions smother,

But let wisdom’s voice control.

School thy feelings; there is power

In the cool, collected mind.

Passion shatters reason’s tower,

Makes the clearest vision blind.

On another occasion he quoted this poem by, Bolton Hall:

'I looked at my brother through the microscope of criticism,

and I said, 'How coarse my brother is.'

Then I looked at my brother through the telescope of scorn,

and I said, 'How small my brother is.'

Then I looked into the mirror of truth and I said,

'How like me my brother is.

I pray for all of us, myself included, that we will

seek to understand more,

to get the facts,

to refrain from anger and cease idle words & gossip,

to find the good in our brothers and sisters

no matter what our political view, religious view, cultural background or however different we might me.

No one accomplishes anything by tearing down another human soul.

Let us build each other.

We are all brothers and sisters.

We are all children of the same God.

Let's be civil.

Let's be kind.

I pray for peace.

Oh how I pray for peace.

Feeling Grace

I've tried to put into words how Grace makes me feel.... it's not easy because

it's so much more than this. Either way, here it goes:

FEELING GRACE

"Warm rays of sunlight stream down upon me and dance across my face.

Darkness is dispelled as the morning breaks.

I breathe in the crisp refreshing air that follows a summer rain.

I smile.

I breathe deep again.

I feel blessed, I feel free.

I am home.

A new day has arrived,

I am rested and renewed.

Hope is alive,

It pulses through my veins.

There is nothing I fear,

I am safe here.

And it's only the beginning..."

by, alicia rawlins

No matter where I've been or what I've done, after I have experienced a mighty change of heart and after I have given all I can and tried my best, no matter how imperfect or flawed my best may be......Grace is the enabling power that allows me to lay hold on the things of heaven. Through sincere prayer, sincere repentance, I feel strengthened, sweet forgiveness.....I am made whole, washed clean, I feel hope and enabled to keep going because of the amazing miracle of Grace through Christ and the atonement....and I want to share it!

Strength and Hope in the Midst of Trial

We sang this song in Church today and I cried all through it... the words are what I needed at this time. I have been struggling with an illness that the Dr.'s are still trying to figure out. I have anxiety over the "unknown" sometimes and it's baggage that I really don't need to carry. A wise person once said, "I don't know what the future holds, but I know Who holds the future." I just need to remember "peace be still" and know that it's all in God's hands.

I am so thankful for the power of prayer, for God's tender mercies, for the power of His word, the power of music and the comforting influence of the Spirit of the Lord.

"Master, the tempest is raging!The billows are tossing high!The sky is o'ershadow with blackness,No shelter or help is nigh;Carest Thou not that we perish?How canst Thou lie asleep,When each moment so madly is threateningA grave in the angry deep?

The winds and the waves shall obey Thy will,Peace, be still!Whether the wrath of the storm tossed sea,Or demons or men, or whatever it beNo waters can swallow the ship where liesThe Master of ocean, and earth, and skies;They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,Peace, be still! Peace, be still!They all shall sweetly obey Thy will,Peace, peace, be still!

Master, with anguish of spiritI bow in my grief today;The depths of my sad heart are troubledOh, waken and save, I pray!Torrents of sin and of anguishSweep o’er my sinking soul;And I perish! I perish! dear MasterOh, hasten, and take control.

Master, the terror is over,The elements sweetly rest;Earth’s sun in the calm lake is mirrored,And heaven’s within my breast;Linger, O blessèd Redeemer!Leave me alone no more;And with joy I shall make the blest harbor,And rest on the blissful shore."

- Words by Mary A. Baker

Happy Father's Day

This is a really great video about a wonderful dad. My husband and I watched this together. We were both in tears.

I love stories like these!

To watch this awesome Father's Day Video, click on this link...

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KhqRMP9meMc

Happy Father's day to my wonderful dad, to my sweet father-in-law and to my very wonderful husband.

I am so blessed to have such great men and fathers in my life!!

Of course I can't forget gratitude for the Father of us all, MY HEAVENLY FATHER.
I love this song by Cherie call about our Father in Heaven, entitled "Names". I think it's perfect for Father's Day. It's the first song on my playlist if you want to listen.

Names
(Cherie Call)

He's been known throughout time by so many names
Creator of worlds and the ruler of all
And I do not disagree with the ones I have heard
Like The First and The Last, and Wonderful
Eternal and Endless, Provider and King,
And His Majesty
But when I think of the hundreds of prayers that I've prayed
There are so many more that I'd add to these, like

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

When I'm helping a friend He has sharpened my mind
When I've asked that my lips could say all the right things
He can part the Red Sea and still keep me from shaking
When I've prayed that my hands could hit all the right strings
He has always been there to handle the big things
But He can still find a way
To help me with tricky equations and dark twisty highways
And children with fevers
I know I can pray to the

Mathematician, Concert Musician, Master Physician
and Listening Friend
Who knows all about cars, and my fragile heart
So the best name would still have to be
Heavenly Father

And isn't it just what a father would do
Helping His children with all that He knew
And then using His wisdom to step back sometimes
On some of the answers we're just meant to find for ourselves

So we can be mathematicians, concert musicians,
Mothers, physicians, and listening friends
And we can learn about cars, and we can heal broken hearts
With the love that we've learned first hand
From a Heavenly Father

Copyright 2002 Cherie Call, all rights reserved
Designed by RealisticWeb.com


MY DADDY

MY FATHER IN-LAW

MY CUTE HUSBAND

A Living Prayer

I love this song by Alison Krauss! It gives me chills.

I found this song on an amazing blog by this increadible musician who has such inspiring faith in the midst increadible trials.

http://mytricuspidatresia.blogspot.com/2009/06/my-brother-and-irony-of-life.html


"In this world I walk alone
With no place to call my home
But there's one who holds my hand
The rugged road through barren lands
The way is dark, the road is steep
But He's become my eyes to see
The strength to climb, my griefs to bear
The Savior lives inside me there
In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee
In these trials of life I find
Another voice inside my mind
He comforts me and bids me live
Inside the love the Father gives
In Your love I find release
A haven from my unbelief
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee
Take my life and let me be
A living prayer, my God to Thee"

"A Living Prayer" by, Alison Krauss

Formula for Success

This is a quote I heard years ago & it's one of my many favorites.
Lately, it's been running through my mind again and again, like a broken record.
So I thought maybe I should share it:

"First, fill your mind with truth;

second, fill your life with service;

and third, fill your heart with love."

- President Thomas S. Monson

I also like this poem by Louisa May Alcott, author of Little Women:

"I do not ask for any crown

But that which all may win;

Nor try to conquer any world

Except the one within."

Let me "be a friend to man"

I heard this poem today. And I really love it. This is my wish.

“The House by the Side of the Road”

Let me live in a house by the side of the road,
Where the race of men go by—
The men who are good and the men who are bad,
As good and as bad as I.

I would not sit in the scorner's seat,
Or hurl the cynic's ban;—
Let me live in a house by the side of the road
And be a friend to man.

-Sam Walter Foss,

Net or Web?

interNET or the world-wide-WEB.... So which is it?? We decide.

NET

A tool to gather in that which is good,

That which uplifts my soul and inspires me to be a better mom, wife and friend.

A net to gather light and truth,

To gather souls and encourage them to live and to love,

A net to gather music into my home that brings peace and hope.

A net to gather words that guide me right,

A net to educate and gain knowledge and incites,

To inspire creativity.

A net to gather souls to Christ.

A net to gather faith.

OR

WEB

A tool used against me to trap and entangle

In lies, falsehoods, greed, envy, lust, and all other kinds of wickedness.

As it lures with it's false sense of security of "friends" and "followers."

It lures with flashy "entertainment," and worthless trends,

Sapping one of a deeper thinking and of precious time.

It plays upon fears, encourages greed, parades to lust

Proudly flaunting filth like a banner,

Boasting and shouting and in our face, irreverent and degrading to the spirit of man.

This web first entices, grabs hold and then wraps in a paralyzing bind

Draining out life,

Then abandons to complete and total destruction.

So which will it be a Net or a Web?

I will choose the first!

Net or Web? by, Alicia Rawlins

"Faith to walk the lonely road"...

I have been loving every minute of General Conference today, it is never long enough. I have been fed with the Spirit of the Lord and mmmm it is sooo good!

I loved every single talk and I loved the hymn "Consider the Lillies of the Field"... it has always been one of my very favorites!

The closing hymn "My Redeemer Lives" gave my heart much comfort. I love this entire hymn but the last line is what inspired me most, "give me... the faith to walk the lonely road." This struck me deep.

My husband and I have received numberless confirmations through fasting, study and prayer that he needs to finish his education right now. I have absolutely no doubt that we have been Divinely guided to where we are in our circumstances at this time.... but sometimes I feel like this journey with my husband in school is a VERY LONELY road..... he is gone so much!!... but with the light of my Savior to guide me, the sting of my loneliness is taken away through Christ and I can bear my burdens cheerfully, knowing this is the Lord's will right now. I am often tired and fatigued with all I am trying to carry but I am grateful for the REST in my Savior.

" I know that my Redeemer lives,
Triumphant Savior, Son of God,
Victorious over pain and death,
My King, my Leader, and my Lord.

He lives, my one sure rock of faith,
The one bright hope of men on earth,
The beacon to a better way,
The light beyond the veil of death.

Oh, give me thy sweet Spirit still,
The peace that comes alone from thee,
The faith to walk the lonely road
That leads to thine eternity."

By, Gordon B. Hinckley

One of my favorites

Today I have been thinking of one of my favorite Hymns. I guess it's been running through my mind alot lately.

I have had a few days where depression has tried to drag me down but I am thankful it has only dragged me to my knees in supplication to my Father. As I pray to God and seek His Spirit to comfort me and help me see more clearly myself and others, I feel Him answer and guide me so tenderly. I am am so thankful for the tender mercies of the Lord and the quiet whisperings of the Spirit. I know God lives. I know Jesus Christ is His Son and that the Atonement is real and saves me. I am so incredibly thankful for prayer! I am so incredibly thankful for my Savior!!

I stand all amazed at the love Jesus offers me,

Confused at the grace that so fully He profers me.

I tremble to know that for me He was crucified,

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

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me

Enough to die for me!

Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I marvel that He would descend from His throne divine

To rescue a soul so rebellious and proud as mine,

That He should extend His great love unto such as I,

Sufficient to own, to redeem, and to justify.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

I think of His hands pierced and bleeding to pay the debt!

Such mercy, such love and devotion can I forget?

No, no, I will praise and adore at the mercy seat,

Until at the glorified throne I kneel at His feet.

Oh, it is wonderful that he should care for me
Enough to die for me!
Oh, it is wonderful, wonderful to me!

By- Charles H. Gabriel, 1856- 1932

Wrote this poem for a friend today...

I wrote this poem for a friend today who has been having a tough time. I was praying for her this morning and wrote this poem. Maybe it can be a poem to lift anyone else out there who is feeling low. God bless you all.
Alicia

Don't lose hope

Don't despair

God is watching

God is fair

Don't lose hope

Don't despair

Keep on going

Say a prayer

Stand in sunshine

Feel the Light

Rise above

The dark of night

Lift your head up

Hold it high

Rejoice in goodness

Don't you cry

God is watching

God does care

He is always

Always there!

By, Alicia Rawlins

Brokenhearted

I stumbled across a couple of blogs the other day. http://ekrausch.blogspot.com/ and http://cynthialovespictures.blogspot.com/ These sweet mother's have lost their little babies. I ache for them because even though they haven't been able to keep their little ones, you can see they have a mother's heart and how painful this must be. I will keep them in my prayers.

I want to thank these two women for opening my eyes to the miracles I have... today I will try speak a little softer when the house is a disaster, today I will play with them more before I ask them to put their toys away, today I will laugh more when they are being "too silly", today I will stop what I'm doing and listen to them tell their stories, today I will hold my children a little tighter and love them a little more.

Thank you Emalee and Cynthia! Thank you for teaching me today.

Here is a song for you! May the Lord bind up and heal your broken heart.

"Only the Brokenhearted"- By, Cherie Call

Who can hear your sorrow?

Who can listen right?

Who can tell you stars shine

Through the darkest and the longest lonely night?

Only the brokenhearted can

Who can feel the fire?

Who can taste the rain?

Who can laugh till tears fall?

Who can know your pain and take your hand?

Only the broken hearted can

How are you gonna take a stand?

How are you gonna hear the band?

How are you gonna love the sunlight

If those precious summer days never had to end?

You have to learn like only the brokenhearted can

Broken hearts are deeper

They've been open wide

And the tears become containers

To hold more love inside

And truly feel what only the brokenhearted can

If you need a shoulder, bow your head and pray

And He'll wrap you like a blanket

With love to face the day

Because He knows like only the brokenhearted can

How are you gonna comprehend

Love that has no end?

Why'd you ever have to leave Eden

If you were never truly meant to understand?

You had to live like only the brokenhearted can

Who can love you deepest?

Who can hold you tight?

Who can tell you stars shine

Through the darkest lonely night?

You know I can

Like only the brokenhearted can

Lyrics by Cherie Call, from her album "He Gives Flowers to Everyone."

Painting by Adam Abram

"It Passes All My Understanding"

I have a really great friend named Miriam. We met six years ago this month. She lived across the street from me. We belong to different religions but we are sisters. We helped each other out when we were sick, cooking meals for each other, we'd watch each others kids, we'd talk almost every day and we were there for each other. I cherish our friendship. We were neighbors for about a year and a half and then she moved. And since then I have moved from our old neighborhood as well. I love her dearly and will be forever thankful for her friendship.

I'm so glad we still keep in touch.

A couple of years ago she introduced me to a favorite CD of hers called, "He Gives Flowers to Everyone" by Cherie Call.

I put the CD in this morning and I just love the feeling it brings into my home. Thank you Miriam for being my friend and sharing those things that give me encouragement and hope in my Savior.

These are the lyrics to one of the songs that I love on this CD:

"It Passes All My Understanding"- by Cherie Call

I was sitting on a southbound plane
I was buried in a magazine
When the man in the next seat over
Wanted to talk to me
He talked about the universe
He talked about Saturn's rings
He said "I might be an atheist
except for just one thing:

It passes all my understanding
How it all worked out just right
The distance that we live from the sun
The stars that shine at night
We may prove that it was just an accident
But how did it begin?
It passes all my understanding"

I told him, "you are a scholar
You know things that I don't know
But I believe a God in heaven
Made everything below
And I know we are His children
I've known it since I was two
But when it comes to being struck with awe
I'm just like you

"It passes all my understanding
All the beauty we have here
From the majesty of the canyons
To a tiny baby's ear
And even when I can't believe it
He still believes in me
It passes all my understanding"

We watched the sun set through the clouds
In a tiny little airplane window
With people sleeping all around
And I thought of how we just expect this world to be
And when the flight attendant passed me by
I threw away my magazine

It passes all my understanding
How the Lord knows both our names
And that He made this world for everyone
That was sitting on that plane
And in spite of all of man's distractions
He offers us His peace
That passes all my understanding.

Eyes of Truth

I listened to a talk by President Monson the other night and he quoted the second poem I have posted here. I loved it!! Wow it is so amazingly true! This first poem is just another one I found that I think goes perfectly well with the second. It is so humbling for me to read such truths. I plead and pray for the Lord to help me see my brother through the eyes of truth, to focus on the good and to have the beam removed out of my eyes so I can see clearly.

God Bless You!

Alicia

R.L. Stevenson who once said:
"There is so much good in the worst of us,
And so much bad in the best of us,
That it ill-behoves any one of us,
To find any fault with the rest of us,"

Bolton Hall once remarked:

"I looked at my Brother
with the Microscope of Criticism,
And I said: "How coarse my Brother is!"
I looked at him through the
Telescope of Scorn
And I said: "How small my Brother is!"
Then I looked in the Mirror of Truth
And I said: "How like me my Brother is"

Memorial Day

This is a poem I wrote about 7 yrs. ago for a friend of mine who lost her husband prematurely. His death was unexpected and came quite suddenly.... but the life he lived impacted so many for good. He shined so bright and cared so much about everyone around him. I know that the main thing that carried my friend through this difficult time was her testimony of Jesus Christ and His power over the grave.... knowing that through our Savior... she will see her sweetheart again... and that death is not the end. I share this poem with all of you this Memorial Day who have lost loved ones and promise that you will see them again.

God Bless You.

Alicia In Loving Memory

The gentle waves of water

Calmly touch the cold hard stone

As the ripples reach out softly,

Humbly, making itself known

While rays of sun in the spring

Cheerfully warm the frozen earth,

Giving life to the barren ground.

It sings with grateful mirth.

Serenity and peace is felt

From the cool refreshing breeze

As it quietly whispers words of hope

Through the branches of the trees;

So is each life that enters in

And touches ours for good

Lifting the hands that hang down,

Willingly doing what they should,

Never seeking to be recognized

With applauding shouts of praise,

Wanting only approval from our God

At the end of all their days.

We heave a sigh of sorrow

When they exit this mortal stage,

Yet rejoice they've written in our book,

Then we slowly turn the page.

by - Alicia Rawlins

Death is not the end. Because He lives...

We too, shall live again.

You are loved!!

Art work:Under His Wing, by Jay Bryant Ward

There are some wonderful articles published in this month's Ensign magazine. This is a poster included in the middle of the magazine that I thought was absolutely beautiful. Children have increadible faith... I see it in the eyes of my own children. My children are my greatest teachers on what it means to be humble, teachable, forgiving, and believing.

The following poem is one of my very most favorites. As I ponder the words, "Jesus loves me."... my mind recalls this poem.

“The Touch of the Master’s Hand,” -by: Myra Brooks Welch
“ ’Twas battered and scarred, and the auctioneer

Thought it scarcely worth his while

To waste much time on the old violin,

But held it up with a smile:

‘What am I bidden, good folks,’ he cried,

‘Who’ll start the bidding for me?’

‘A dollar, a dollar’; then, ‘Two!’ ‘Only two?

Two dollars, and who’ll make it three?

Three dollars, once; three dollars, twice;

Going for three—’ But no,

From the room, far back, a gray-haired man

Came forward and picked up the bow;

Then, wiping the dust from the old violin,

And tightening the loose strings,

He played a melody pure and sweet

As sweet as a caroling angel sings.

“The music ceased, and the auctioneer,

With a voice that was quiet and low,

Said, ‘What am I bid for the old violin?’

And he held it up with the bow.

‘A thousand dollars, and who’ll make it two?

Two thousand! And who’ll make it three?

Three thousand, once, three thousand, twice,

And going, and gone!’ said he.

The people cheered, but some of them cried,

‘We do not quite understand

What changed its worth.’ Swift came the reply:

‘The touch of a master’s hand.’

“And many a man with life out of tune,

And battered and scarred with sin,

Is auctioned cheap to the thoughtless crowd,

Much like the old violin.

A ‘mess of pottage,’ a glass of wine;

A game—and he travels on.

He’s ‘going’ once, and ‘going’ twice,

He’s ‘going’ and almost ‘gone.’

But the Master comes, and the foolish crowd

Never can quite understand

The worth of a soul and the change that’s wrought

By the touch of the Master’s hand.”

He Lives! Easter Slideshow

**Before viewing slideshow be sure to pause the music on the player located in the top left corner of this blog to be sure there is no conflict with the sound. Enjoy!

I wanted to put together a slide show that told the message of the true meaning of Easter. With alot of work and help from my friend Steve Chipman, it's finally done.

Except for the sketch of Mary and Joseph with the Christ child, only the pencil sketches and photographs on this slide-show are mine. Most of the other paintings I downloaded from lds.org there are a few I found on google. The music to this slide-show is called, "His Hands"-by Kenneth Cope, sung by Jenny Frogley. Please respect copyrights. None of this may be sold, copied or is meant for personal profit. My soul intention of creating this slide-show is to simply share my love and testimony of my Savior, Jesus Christ and is not meant to advertise myself or to sell art. Even my website is not for personal gain but is set up to share what I consider the best news in the world!

If you feel inspired, uplifted or touched by this please share it.... this is meant to be passed along.

May also be viewed at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5TgRGzV2iWs

Thank you, and God bless you!
Alicia

Featured Artists in the slideshow: Harry Anderson, Robert T. Barrett, Carl Heinrich Bloch, Ford Madox Brown, Grant Romney Clawson, Ted Henniger, Heinrich Hofmann, Greg K. Olsen, Del Parson, Clark Kelley Price, Walter Rane, Alicia Rawlins, Ken Riley, John Scott, Liz Lemon Swindle

New Baby

I'm excited to say that this year we will have a new addition to our family. There is nothing like holding a newborn baby in my arms. My other children are so excited too. They can't wait. I feel very ready for my fourth. I pray for a healthy pregnancy and safe delivery.
Here are a couple of poems about newborn's. God bless you!
Have a wonderful day!
Alicia

They are idols of hearts and of households!
They are angels of God in disguise;
The sunlight still sleeps in their tresses,
His glory still gleams in their eyes;
These truants from home and from Heaven,
They have made me more gentle and mild;
And I know now how Jesus could liken
The kingdom of God to a child.
By- Charles M. Dickinson

Your tiny hand, Holds mine so sure-
Your precious hand, So clean and pure.
With all your trust, You cling to me-
No worries or cares, Of what might be.
A light in the dark, A shining star,
An angel from heaven, Is what you are.
This joy I feel, I can't express;
you've brought my life Such happiness.
I have more Than riches told;
Your tiny hand, In mine I hold.
By- Alicia Rawlins http://aliciarawlins.com/