House for sale

 

Beautiful home with over 3500 square feet on a 1/4 acre corner lot. There are 5 bedrooms and 4 bathrooms with a bonus room upstairs and a theater room in the basement. There is a ton of storage in the basement as well. Email if you have any questions at heatherhamm@me.com

 

 

                                    

 

 

 

 

 

Devotional from Tuesday, February 17, 2015

“You have been blessed with a set of skills, abilities and gifts that are unique to you and you alone. Furthermore, you have an obligation to find out what those are and then figure out how you can express them — in other words, how to imprint your uniqueness of self on the world

“Your challenge is to discover the set of gifts that are distinctly yours and find ways to give expression to them,” Hart said. “I strongly encourage you to remember that there are multiple and sometimes subtle ways to fulfill your potential as one of Heavenly Father’s children.”

 In order to be healthy and happy in this life and the next, we need to fully develop ourselves. This reflective process should be guided by the Spirit.

“The world would have us believe that ‘finding yourself’ is a self-centered journey without consequence. You do not want to rely on what the world tells you that you should do with your life — your potential is yours alone, and it is your sacred obligation to figure out what that is and to purse it,” 

Here are five suggestions to help in coming to “know thyself.”

1. Be engaged. 

Being engaged means giving one’s whole and best self to whatever one is doing.

2. Increase self-awareness. 

We need to know ourselves first and foremost.

“In short, you have to know who you are before you can figure out what you are going to do with yourself,” 

“My suggestion to you is to build absence into your lives. Set aside times to unplug, remove distraction and let your mind wander,”  “Build spaces of quiet into your lives, be patient, and I think you will be surprised by the results.”

3. Be awe-full. 

Not in the horrid sense, but in the amazing sense.

“So my third suggestion to you is to be awe-full. Or, put another way, be full of awe. Make a conscious effort to find awe and wonder in the small and ordinary of everyday life.”

4. Be selfless. 

“The gospel of Jesus Christ is completely grounded in selflessness. The Atonement of our Savior was the ultimate act of selflessness. The Lord voluntarily took upon himself the sins of the world so that we can return to the presence of our Heavenly Father,” Hart said.

He referenced the Gordon B. Hinckley quote, “Forget yourself and go to work.” Being selfless will help keep us grounded as we seek to find and exercise own personal excellence.

“The Lord challenges us to lose ourselves so that we can have the attitudes that will keep us grounded, humble and open to learning. In losing ourselves, we learn about ourselves — and that insight provides invaluable perspective in finding our excellence,” Hart said. 

5. Be compassionate. 

“Being dialed into your feelings of empathy and acting on them is also necessary in finding your excellence. Compassion is an indispensable part of personal growth that will reveal much about your distinct set of skills and what types of situations will allow you to better the people and environment around you,” Hart said.

“Spend some time learning about who you really are and preparing yourselves to have an impact on the world. Then, go and do. Be excellent, and make a difference,” Hart said.

*adapted from http://universe.byu.edu/2015/02/10/david-hart-be-excellent-becoming-who-you-are-in-todays-world/#sthash.fqIYIlL3.dpuf

Devotional from February 12, 2015

Who do you look like?

We don’t have to try to look like our parents. Whether it is our mother’s hips or our father’s nose, we inherit many of their physical features automatically. But how closely do we resemble our Heavenly Father? When people look at me do they recognize me as His child?

Scripture says there is one thing that identifies us as followers of Christ – our love.

"A new command I give you: Love one another. As I have loved you, so you must love one another. By this all men will know that you are my disciples, if you love one another." (John 13:34-35)

People will identify us as Christians, if our lives reflect our Father’s love. What does this love look like? It is resting in God’s peace during times of stress. It is forgiving our enemies and praying for them rather than seeking revenge or harboring anger. It is being kind and patient with others even when they are not. It is putting the needs of others before our own.

1 Corinthians 13 paints a clear picture of this type of love in action.

"Love is patient, love is kind. It does not envy, it does not boast, it is not proud. It is not rude, it is not self-seeking, it is not easily angered, it keeps no record of wrongs. Love does not delight in evil but rejoices with the truth. It always protects, always trusts, always hopes, always perseveres." (1 Corinthians 13:4-7)

When we exhibit this type of love, people notice these qualities because they are not the world’s typical responses. These behaviors do not originate from our sinful natures. On our own, we could never love others as God does. This type of love can only come from the Holy Spirit. 

It is when we love others the way that Christ does that we most look like Him. Do others see Jesus in us? Let’s try to live our lives in such a way that others will say, “You look just like your Father.”

*adapted from http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/Devotions/elliott_looklike.aspx

Devotional from February 6, 2015

"You are loved. You are dear to your heavenly parents.

The infinite and eternal Creator of light and life knows you! He is mindful of you. Yes, God loves you this very day and always.

He is not waiting to love you until you have overcome your weaknesses and bad habits. He loves you today with a full understanding of your struggles. He is aware that you reach up to Him in heartfelt and hopeful prayer. He knows of the times you have held onto the fading light and believed--even in the midst of growing darkness. He knows of your sufferings. He knows of your remorse for the times you have fallen short or failed. And still He loves you.

And God knows of your successes; though they may seem small to you, He acknowledges and cherishes each one of them. He loves you for extending yourself to others. He loves you for reaching out and helping others bear their heavy burdens--even when you are struggling with your own. He knows everything about you. He sees you clearly--He knows you as you really are. And He loves you--today and always!”

Do you suppose it matters to our Heavenly Father whether your makeup, clothes, hair, and nails are perfect? Do you think your value to Him changes based on how many followers you have on Instagram or Pinterest? Do you think He wants you to worry or get depressed if some un-friend or un-follow you on Facebook or Twitter? Do you think outward attractiveness, your dress size, or popularity make the slightest difference in your worth to the One who created the universe?

He loves you not only for who you are this very day but also for the person of glory and light you have the potential and the desire to become. 

And once you realize this it is then that you will discover your best self—your real self. You will discover what it truly means to be a daughter of the everlasting God, the Lord of all righteousness.

*found here https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2014/10/living-the-gospel-joyful?lang=eng

Devotional from February 5, 2015

“We know love by this, that He laid down His life for us; and we ought to lay down our lives for the brethren”1 John 3:16

I find it impossible to lose sight of the fact that Christ not only died for our sins, but He also endured everything we would have to endure, so that we could never say that He didn’t understand our problems.

In the verse above, we see how Jesus shows His unconditional, undeserved love through His willingness to die for us in order to give us life. With this action on His part, He has every right to request that we offer the littlest portion of such a gesture for someone else. This verse doesn’t only talk about showing love by losing your physical life; but also about setting aside your own agenda in order to help, reach out to, and love others.

If you think there are no people on earth today that are willing to die for their fellow man, look again! All you have to do is take a look around your community—from the policemen, firemen, and emergency crews to members of the military. 

We see that such a love for others is all around us. It doesn’t have to be as glamorous as the secret service in their dapper suits and earpiece communications to be a life-saving profession. We all witnessed countless heroes on 9/11 and during other tragedies who did their all to save the lives of others. 

We see accounts of heroism on some level just about every night on the evening news. People are seen laying their own lives on the line for someone else. How much more should we be willing to lay down our lives for others since we have the example of Christ being sacrificed once for all men!

If you ask any of these people (servicemen and women, firemen, policemen, etc.) “why” they do what they do, they may not be able to tell you, it’s just something in them—a sense of duty that makes them willing. It’s the same with our faith! With the Holy Spirit in us, we will just be walking in the Spirit, willing to do what we should as we love each other.

The picture of love that Christ showed us is perfect. Love in its simplest form according to Christ is obedience. Christ was obedient to the Father and became the ultimate sacrifice, a greater example of love does not exist! 

*found here http://www.cbn.com/spirituallife/Devotions/devlin_love.aspx

Devotional from February 3, 2015

Well folks, it’s that time of year again; you know - red hearts, pink roses, balloons, cards, candy, and animals that sing songs of love. 

Store shelves overflow with symbols of love. They began the day after New Year's to get ready for Valentine’s Day. Do you know that more roses are sold on that day than any other day in the year? All over the world, it is the day that people show their love for someone special. 

Most mothers and wives hope to receive a loving momento, perhaps dinner in a nice restaurant, or to have a meal cooked for them. It is a great occasion to express love and appreciation for any of your loved ones, but it is just as important to show little acts of kindness the other 364 days of the year.

I can do without a dancing gorilla singing Love Me Tender, but I sure would miss getting that hug or kiss from my daughter when she says, “I love you Mom.” Or my son’s nightly ritual when he says, “Good Night Mom. I love you.” 

It means a lot when family and friends want to spend time with you, share a meal, or just talk. God tells us in His Word how much He loves us. He promises never to leave or forsake us, to answer us when we call, day or night. He never slumbers nor sleeps. We need to tell Him how much we love Him 365 days a year as well.

Flowers will die. Candy gets eaten. Balloons will pop. Stuffed animals may stop singing. Cards may get lost or thrown away, but the love that is shared with one another, and God’s love for us, will never pass away. 

Though the mountains be shaken and the hills be removed, yet My unfailing love for you will not be shaken nor my covenant of peace be removed," says the LORD, who has compassion on you.Isaiah 54:10

May you find little ways to show some acts of kindness to those you love before and after Valentine’s Day this year.

And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Hebrews 10:24

Let Love be in the air at all times!

*found here http://www.cbn.com/SpiritualLife/Devotions/Irvin_loveintheair.aspx

Devotional from January 30, 2015

Perfection. P-E-R-F-E-C-T-I-O-N. Ten little letters forming a word that should be thrown out of the human vocabulary, for no one has the ability to obtain it. The dictionary defines ‘perfection’ as:

the condition, state, or quality of being free or free as possible of all flaws or defects.

The funny thing about this definition is that it asserts that being perfect brings freedom from something.  Now, I want you to stop and think of a time when you felt the most free. What was that like for you? Who were you with? What triggered that feeling inside of you?

Unmasked and unashamed

Altering ourselves to fit a standard of perfection set by someone, other than God, can actually trap us and prevent us from truly being the women God had designed us to be. True freedom can come from knowing that who we are is not dependent on who others say we are, or whether or not we measure up to someone else’s ideal physical standard.

What we need to realize is that who we are depends on who He says we are.

There is such a freedom in knowing that we are loved and accepted by a Heavenly Father who sees me for the real me. It is freeing to know that we do not have to wear masks around Him or present some false advertisement of ourselves to get Him to continue loving us.  

What to truly value

• Have you ever felt the need to please others by living up to their ideal of perfection?
• Are you struggling with breaking free from trying to obtain perfection ? If so, I would encourage you to see the contrast between what Hollywood values and what God values.  Here are just a few differences between the two.

1. Your body

Hollywood says... that women should do whatever it takes to be as slender as possible.

God says... He created your inmost being and knit you together to produce something wonderful (Psalm 139: 13-14). This means that the shape you have was picked out for you and you, alone.

God did not intend for people to be cookie cutter images of one another. No, of course not! He designed your body to be different than your mother’s, your sister’s, and your best friend’s. He has given you this body and wants you to enjoy being uniquely crafted! People come in different shapes and sizes and all are beautiful and all are WORTH loving. Embrace whatever shape you are and know that  you are one of a kind!

2. Success

Hollywood says... success is having a fancy job and making a lot of money.

God says... success is when we are using the gifts and passions He has given us to make a mark on this world for Him. Colossians 3:17 says, “and whatever you do, whether in word or deed, do it all in the name of the Lord, Jesus, giving thanks to God the Father through him”.

What are you passionate about? Do you enjoy writing? Dancing? Basketball? Art? Business? Whatever it is, work hard to bring Him glory and honor. Give thanks for what He has provided for you, and don't rely on worldy measures of money or status to define your success.

3. Your Beauty

Hollywood says... beauty comes from products such as eye-liner, mascara, lipstick, powder, and perfume. The advertisements we see constantly stress this idea and assert that women who wear these products will land the perfect job, be quicker to catch that certain guy’s eye, or somehow be of more worth than those who do not.

God says... Charm is deceptive, and beauty is fleeting; but a woman who fears the Lord is to be praised. (Proverbs 31:30)

Although I don't believe there is anything wrong with wearing make-up, perfume, etc., I do believe that they have the ability to become a distraction from us working on who we are inside.

The Lord does not look at the things man looks at. Man looks at the outward appearance, but the Lord looks at the heart. (1 Samuel 16:7)

This verse tells us what God is truly concerned with - our hearts. It is okay to want to look your best - there is nothing wrong with that! However, what's more important is your inner beauty. He would rather us focus on being women who are completely in love with Him, which manifests itself in our daily walk with Him.

Who will you follow?

So… it’s up to you. Who will you follow? Will you look to the unrealistic standards of perfection set by Hollywood to define yourself, or will you look to God? 

Want to know how to scrap the ideals set by Hollywood and live with a healthy mindset based upon God’s truths? Here it is: you must start living in light of the fact that God’s opinion about you matters more than anyone else's. By focusing on God’s opinion of you, you will be breaking the chains of bondage you were once in and running in freedom to a life of perfection—God’s way. Now, doesn’t that sound like a life worth living?

*adapted from here: http://fervr.net/teen-life/are-you-looking-for-perfection