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Hi, I'm Mandy
I'm a wife and the mother of two gorgeous girls. I am a triathlete, a blogger, and a decent cook. Oh, and I'm a Mormon.
About Me
I can't tell you about me without telling you about my family. They make up so much of who I am today. I am married to a sweet man named Klayton. He owns and operates his own business, loves singing and playing with his enormous Lego collection, and is a loving father. I have two beautiful little girls: Avery, four and Carter, one. They are the most amazing people I have ever known. I hope someday I can be as fun-loving, sweet, thoughtful and Christlike as they are. As for me, I am all over the place! I help out with the business, stay home with the girls, write in my blogs, read as much as I can, and attend school where I am earning a bachelors degree in English. In my spare time (ha!) I train and compete in triathlons.
Why I am a Mormon
I was born and raised in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. As a child I learned things that now leave me breathless as an adult. I am a child of God. I lived with Him before I came to this earth and I can return to live with Him again through obedience to His commandments. The Atonement of Jesus Christ did not really become real to me until I experienced a taste of the adversity that was planned for me in this life. My first pregnancy ended in miscarriage. My second resulted in my precious girl, Avery, who was born three months premature and spent months in the hospital fighting for her life. It was during that time as I was living in the Ronald McDonald House, spending twelve hour days by her "incubator", as we lovingly called it, that I really began to understand. Since that time the adversity has kept it coming, but each time I get the opportunity to learn a little more about the Atonement, and to draw a little closer to my Savior and Redeemer. Jesus Christ suffered for my sins and pain. He is the only being who knows me, the pain I have dealt with, the disappointment, frustration, loneliness, heartache, self-depreciating thoughts: All of it. He knows how to comfort me, and He is the only one that can save me from my sins and the despair that threatens when plans go awry. Being a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints has meant knowing all of these things and more, and has shaped my life and my experiences around the light and truth of the gospel.
Personal Stories
Think about your everyday activities. What are things you act upon each day where you cannot see the end results? How does faith move you to action?
In the past year I have had the pleasure to become involved in The 12 Step Recovery Program through LDS Family Services because of the addictions of someone I am very close to. Though attending my first support group meeting was daunting to say the least, I have come to believe with all of my heart that this program can lead anyone, whether you have a recognized addiction or not, to a closer relationship with the Savior, and to others who are striving to do the same. The first steps in the program are to recognize that you are not in control, decide to have hope, and then to begin to rely on and trust in God.
Each day I try to make the decision to trust in the Lord. I know that He has a plan for me. Learning to let go of the illusion of control has helped me to trust Him and grow in faith and testimony immeasurably this year. I call it the illusion of control because it is true: When we came to this earth we were given agency- the freedom to choose what we will. But I cannot choose for anyone else, I only have control over my choices. And realizing that has led me to the knowledge that if I give that agency to the Lord and say, "Thy will be done", then I can finally be at peace and know that I am doing all that I can. Letting go of control is scary, but my faith that He is there to guide me is more comforting than anything else I have ever felt. My faith that He is over all helps me to get through each day. One day at a time.
How I live my faith
I am privileged to work with the eight year old boys in my ward through the Boy Scouts of America program. We meet together every week to work on everything from Popsicle-stick bridges to bike safety and maintenance to memorizing the Cub Scout Pledge. All the while I know that what we are really working on is boys who will grow up to be future leaders and contributors to society. Boys who have integrity, honor and good work-ethics. My service in the Cub Scouting program has given me a new perspective on raising my own two daughters and a love of the young men in my community who work so hard to accomplish their scouting goals. I also get the chance every once in a while to help plan parties and meetings in my ward. I especially relish being called upon to create a menu and cook for ward events. My grandmother, Noma Clark, helped to write a cookbook that I ate out of throughout my childhood and have cooked out of all of my married life titled, When Mormons Meet, They Eat! I absolutely believe in that principle and try to contribute to it whenever I can.
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Christ's Church
The central purpose of the Church and as Christians is to help all people come unto Christ.
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Articles of Faith
Thirteen statements outlining some of our basic teachings and ordinances.
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