"For such a time as this" September 30th, 2025

 This phrase from Esther in the Old Testament has been ringing through my head these last two days...

"For such a time as this".

As our dear prophet, President Nelson, has passed away.  I am reminded of so many of his teachings that have been preparing us and leading us as the Savior would have us go.

spiritual momentum

peacemakers needed

daily repentance

think celestial

the greatest work on the earth is the gathering Israel

don't miss the majesty of the moment

divine identity: child of god, child of the covenant, disciple of Jesus Christ

seek and expect miracles

These are just a few of the phrases that I have clung to over these past years that have directed my life and are inspiration that I know came from a loving Heavenly Father through a devoted servant of the Lord.

As I reflect on his life and all that he accomplished, his greatest work was submitting his will to our Father and living as a disciple of Jesus Christ for all the world to see.

As we are preparing for a new prophet to be sustained, I know that they have been prepared to be sustained for "such a time as this".  I have found great comfort in my knowledge that this new prophet will have been directed throughout his life through his experiences, family life, education and work and spiritual training to lead this point in time.  Just as Esther was exactly where she needed to be to accomplish and change the trajectory of her people, so this prophet will be exactly where he needs to be to lead Christ's church of the earth.  

I am grateful for a loving Father in Heaven that knows the beginning from the end.  His masterful plan of happiness and redemption is rolling forth.  I hope I don't ever miss the majesty of his works, that I see them day to day.  He is there.  He is in the details and His work will go forth.  I love Him.  I love our Savior Jesus Christ.  

There was also a terrible tragedy at and LDS chapel this past Sunday morning, the morning after President Nelson passed away.  A man drove his truck into a church building, opened fired on members of the congregation and then poured gasoline and set the building on fire.  My heart wonders what would lead someone to do this.  To know that within those walls were families, children, elderly people that gathered to worship and praise our Savior.  This is what we do every Sunday.  

I am heartbroken for his family and the pain they must feel.  I am heartbroken for that ward and community.  I am heartbroken for those families and friends that lost loved ones and are still praying for those that are injured.  Their lives are forever changed from 8 minutes of terror.  Yet, despite this horrible situation, Christ is still there in the midst of it all.  His disciples are still loving and serving one another.  Individuals are still able to forgive because of Him.  The grace of God is evident as forgiveness is given.  

A couple of weeks ago we talked about Corrie Ten Boom and her experience in the concentration camp.  But, what we focused on was the experience she had after the war when she came face to face with a guard that had been in her camp.  He asked her if she could forgive him.  She said she could put forth or hand, but she prayed that God would do the rest.  That He would heal her heart and bring forgiveness because she could not do it on her own.  This is is Grace that works in our lives.  I love Him for this.

Miracles and the Temple

I love serving in the temple.  This past Wednesday morning I saw a few miracles.  The evening before I had logged into the worker portal to figure out my assignments for the morning.  I generally do not do this, but for some reason I did.  Wednesday morning as I picked up my assignment, I noticed that one 30 minute rotation had been changed.  Instead of being the 3rd floor attendant, I was assigned to be the chapel greeter.  This position is a stay post meaning you can't leave until the next worker replaces you.  Because of this I always make sure to get to those positions at least 5 minutes early so that the worker I am replacing can get to their next assignment.  As I was on my way from the worker locker room, I walked out the doorway to a short hallway that leads to the waiting area behind the recommend desk.  In  this short hallway about 15 feet from the worker's locker room is a doorway that leads to the stairs.  I was heading to these in order to get to the 2nd floor where the chapel is located.  In that 10 seconds between doorways, I spotted a friend, Aileen Bethers, from California walk past the hallway through the waiting room.  I was able to quickly connect with her.  She was in our ward when David and I were first married.  She was in town with her daughter, Mercedes, and helping her get settled at school.  They currently live in Colorado.  I briefly saw her many years ago, so it was wonderful to see her again.  Miracle #1

Then I went upstairs to my post as a chapel greeter.  When my 30 minute shift was almost over a mother and her daughter (Megan and Claire Archibald) came walking towards me.  I recognized the mother as someone from our stake.  I had briefly met her awhile ago.  As they approached, the mother was excited to see me.  She said that David had told them that I worked Wednesday mornings and she said that is why they came then.  Her daughter had recently gone through the temple and had been set apart the Sunday before as a missionary.  They asked if I would be at the veil and I told them no.  Claire proceeded to tell me about her anxiety about remember everything and I was able to let her know that the workers have cards she can follow along and there is nothing to worry about.  That is exactly what those cards are for.  I remember having this same anxiety about having to remember everything.  God is aware of us.  He knew Claire needed some reassurance.  He loves Claire.  Miracle #2

These little miracles happen all the time in the temple.  It is wonderful to witness and be apart of.  

During our temple prep meeting, Sister Lundberg talked about the 7 topics to study in the Bible Dictionary when preparing to go to the temple :

Anoint

Atonement

Christ

Covenant

Fall of Adam

Sacrifice

Temple

Updates 2/2/2025

 January was a big month for the Bailly family.  We started New Year's Day with Porter receiving the Aaronic Priesthood in our home.  Over the past sixth months or so I have watched as Porter has been prepared.  There has been a change that has come over him and it has been sweet to witness.  He is less frustrated, he more freely says I love you.  He has tender moments with his younger brothers encouraging and supporting them.  He is more aware of the kind of friends he wants to have.  Porter has been thrilled to start young men's and to go to the temple.  

After he received the Aaronic Priesthood, he had a temple recommend interview with the Bishop.  Then on Friday, January 3rd, David and I took Porter to the temple for baptisms.  Getting to be in the temple with Porter was so tender.  He was able to be a witness and then David was able to baptize Porter and myself.  I love that this is where he wants to be.  Since then he has gone two more times in the early morning before school.  And we have another appt scheduled this month.  May the temple always be the place he wants to be.  May he always make it a priority in his life.  Watching him has created an excitement in Jonas to get to go next year.  

Then on Saturday, January 4th, Mason was baptized a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints.  Mason is so earnest.  We watch his desire to choose the right and are inspired to be better.  His good buddies Winston Bickmore and Benny Hale came to support him and I could not love watching these 3 boys together more.  They are best of buddies and get along so well.  

Mason stands out wherever he goes and it's not because he draws attention to himself.  He does just the opposite, but he is smart, kind, athletic and a helper.  He always wants to be involved and loves to learn and try new things.  

Just yesterday I had Tony Bickmore (Winston's dad) say, "Mason is going to be the best athlete to go through Highland 2 years ahead and 2 years behind."  He said he tells everyone this so he can be the first one to say it. Mason is completely unassuming.  He's a skinny, white kid with glasses.  But is is so bright and he is naturally incredibly athletic.  He is fun to watch at whatever sport he plays and he works hard to improve himself.  Because he is in the middle, doesn't demand a lot of attention, and is easy going we can think he's okay and accidentally focus our attention other places, but we remind ourselves that he needs our attention also.  And quite frankly, we LOVE to spend time with him.  And even though he's 8 now, he  is still the best snuggler and sometimes at night he still asks us to lay by him.  

The other day I was telling the boys I don't want them to grow up.  I will miss when the don't crawl up on my lap anymore or crawl in our bed.  As of now, all of them will still crawl in our bed.  Most of them will still crawl up on our laps (Porter is basically bigger than me now, so he doesn't).  Time is going fast and I feel like I have been failing lately at showing up as their mom.  Spending meaningful time with them doing things that are fun, not just the stuff we have to get done.  

David turned 49!  His last year in his 40's.  He has been spending time taking the boys to the gym to work on basketball.  He is a great teacher.  He will study and learn things himself so that he can then teach them.  

CamBam turned 3!  Luckily he's still a little peanut, but I can't believe our baby is 3.  I love him to pieces.  He loves to read books, listen to music.  Every night at bedtime he wants to listen to "Peace in Christ".  He has some sweet dance moves.  Whatever job I am going around the house, he is right there eager and willing to help.  He puts laundry in the washing machine, switches it to the dryer, takes it out of the dryer and sorts it!  He knows what items belong to which person.  He loads and unloads the dishwasher.  He knows where everything goes and will correct anyone that puts things in the wrong place.  Whenever anyone is going anywhere, he wants to go.  Doesn't matter what you are doing, he just likes to be on the move.  Sometimes he appears shy, but once he gets to know you, you are his best friend.  He gives love so freely.  He always wants to call, Mimi and Ash.  If they can't answer, he will go down the list of other people to call.  When he calls Ash he says, "You comin over?"

He does have a few bad traits :).  When we are driving now, he will slip is arms out of the top part of his buckle because he likes to unroll his window no matter how cold it is or who he's freezing out in the backseat.  Then if I ask him if he slipped his arms out he'll quickly put them back in and tell me no.  

Unfortunately he also sleeps in our bed almost everyone night.  And at some point Brooks ends up joining us too.  

Brooks is Brooks.  We love him so much and he challenges us so much.  This boy has the sweetest heart.  This weekend I was sick and on his own he came into the bedroom where I was lying to say a prayer for me.  He often thinks of others.  Our friend Sister McBride was having back problems and when she came to our house to visit, the first thing he asked was how her back was doing.  

He is sensitive and tender, so he doesn't like to be teased or when people are mean to him.  He reacts in aggressive outbursts, but I think it's a way to hide his embarassment.  

We are still trying to figure out how to parent Brooks.  At least I am.  In 6 months he will be going to kindergarten and my special time with him will be gone.  He does maddening, destructive stuff that makes all of us frustrated, but he is so lovable and funny.  He also has the best dance moves and is learning to read so well.  Sometimes I think he gives up with reading because he doesn't think he can, but he is really good when he slows down and sounds things out.  He likes "showtime" a bit too much and really I should take it away for at least week, so I have to be willing to give up my quiet during the day to focus on being present with him when he is so mad to not get show time.  Brooks also does not love attention on himself.  He is fine if we are at home with everyone he is familiar with, but he doesn't love to get up in front of people at church or when he was in preschool.  He is the best singer and will sing with all his heart, but he will not go up with the primary to sing in front of everyone. 

I'll update again soon. There is so much more going on.

He Will Comfort Us 2/2/2025

This past week Cam had a rough day.  He tripped and fell on the corner of a lego bin he was carrying and had to get two stitches on his forehead between his eyes.  Then later during the same day he got a burn.

Jonas had put a cup of noodles in the microwave to cook.  Jonas left the house while they are were cooking, so as soon as Cam heard the microwave beep, he was off to get the cup of noodles.  This little 3 year old is the best helper.  He always wants to be involved and helping.  I was in the other room helping Mason with a book report, so I told Cam not to get it out of the microwave because it was hot.  I told him to wait.  Next thing I hear is Cam crying.  I run into the kitchen knowing he must have pulled it out of the microwave.  Sure enough, it's spilled all over the floor and his sweatshirt is all wet.  My first instinct was to get the wet sweatshirt off him so I could rinse is hands thinking that is what he'd burned.  But as I pulled off the sweatshirt, his upper arm had a burn where the hot liquid had gone right through.  He sobbed as I ran his arm under cool water.  Next I took him to the couch and snuggled him and as soon as David got home we got cold towels that we wrapped around the burn.  As I sat there snuggling him, the thought came to mind that we are all like Cam.  Our Father in Heaven loves us and his urged, pleaded, commanded, encouraged us to do or not do certain things.  He has done it out of love for us.  The consequences are known to Him, so he tries to guide us. Often we are confident that we can do it ourself, we can figure it out, we want to do this one thing, so we are just going to do it.  Then when the consequence comes, even though we had not obeyed, He is always there to wrap us in His arms and tell us that He loves us.  He is there to comfort and to help with each step of healing.  He does not abandon us in the moments when we have disregarded Him if we turn to Him.  He is ALWAYS there.  I love this reminder as time and time again I mess up.  I am grateful that He will still teach me and allow me to heal and change.  

And I love this sweet boy Cam.  His countenance is joy.  He is bright and cheerful.  Lately he has started to snort laugh and it's the best.  He can warm anyone's heart because if you are in his circle, you are loved.  When I come home, he will run to me and say, "I missed you!"  We are so grateful that Heavenly Father sent this caboose to our family.