Calling of the fishermen

One day Jesus taught from Peter's boat on the Sea of Galilee. Afterward He told Peter to take the boat to deep water and let out the nets to catch fish. Peter explained that he and others had been fishing all night without catching anything, but he said he would do as Jesus commanded.

Peter and his brother Andrew caught so many fish that their net began to break. James and John came in another boat to help. The fishermen were all amazed. Jesus called Peter and Andrew to follow Him and become "fishers of men."(Matthew 4:19); (Luke 5:10) He also called James and John. The part I love about this story is that they all left their boats and nets and follow Jesus.

President Ezra Taft Benson taught, "Men and women who turn their lives over to God will discover that He can make a lot more out of their lives than they can" This is what happens to Peter and his fellow fishermen, Jesus helped them realize that they could do more than catch fish.

Con amor,
Vero

The baptism of Jesus Christ

Jesus came to John the Baptist to be baptized in the Joran River. John knew that Jesus was without sin, and so he thought Jesus did not need baptism. When Jesus explained that even the Savior must be baptized, John went down into the water and baptized Him.

When Jesus came out of the water, John saw the Holy Ghost come to the Savior and hear Heavenly Father's voice bearing witness of His beloved Son.

Con amor,
Vero

Prophets knew of Christ

Many prophets told the people to repent. They told the people that Jesus Christ would come to earth. He would be the Savior. He would die to save all the people on the earth. Some of the prophets who told about Jesus Christ were Moses, Jeremiah, Micah, Zechariah, Lehi, and Isaiah.

The prophets said Jesus Christ would be born in Bethlehem. Jesus would grow up as other children do. People would not know he was the son of God. God would send a prophet to help Jesus. He would teach the people about Jesus. He would baptize Jesus. He would be called John the Baptist.

Jesus would love everyone. He would do many miracles. He would teach men about God. He would show men how to be like Heavenly Father. He would suffer for their sins. Some people would not believe in Jesus. They would hate him. They would crucify him on a cross. He would die and then be resurrected. All the things the prophets said about Jesus did happen and all the things the prophets have said about his second coming will come to pass as well and I pray that our family can be there to receive him.

Con amor,
Vero

Ash Wednesday

Fast or Lent 

Fast from hurting words and say kind words

Fast from sadness and be filled with gratitude

Fast from anger and be filled with patience

Fast from pessimism and be filled with hope

Fast from worried and have trust in God

Fast from complaints and contemplate simplicity 

Fast from pressures and be prayerful

Fast from bitterness ad fill your hearts with joy

Fast from selfishness and be compassionate to others

Fast from grudges and be reconciled 

Fast from words and be silent so you can listen

Instead, I will write about Christ and some of his teachings to commemorate His life. 

Isaiah 7-9

or 2 Nephi 17 -19 

Isaiah was a prophet of God in the Old Testament who prophesied to the people of Israel that the Savior Jesus Christ would be born to a pure and righteous woman. Isaiah said the Savior would be called "immanuel", a name which signifies that Jesus would save His people. Isaiah also prophesied that Jesus would be called "Wonderful", Counselor, The mighty God. The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace," and that He would rule over all the earth. 

One way to make sense of Isaiah is to realize that he sees through four different windows. Like when we see things with the perspective of North, South, East and West. Sometimes he is looking through multiple windows at the same time. 

His views include:

1. His day

2. Jesus' s Mortal Ministry

3. The Last Days

4. The Second Coming and Millennium  

When we read 2 Nephi 11:4-6, there are 8 characteristics of Christ that both, Nephi and Isaiah wants us to see . Nephi gives us a blueprint of what to look for. Nephi says his soul delights in:

1. The coming of Christ 

2. The covenants of Christ

3. The grace of Christ

4. The justice of Christ

5. The power of Christ

6. The Mercy of Christ

7. The great and eternal plan of deliverance from death

8. The proof that without Christ all of us will perish

Con amor,

Vero

12 Steps to Self Care

From time to time I collect lists of things people write on their social media that I find interesting and this popped up today which incidentally are themes found in the scriptures. 

This one is from the House of Leaders 
12 Steps to Self Care: 

1. Be kind to yourself.
2. Don't be a people pleaser.
3. Don't be afraid to say yes.
4. Don't be afraid to say no.
5. If it feels wrong, don't do it. 
6. Let go of what you can't control.
7. Never speak bad about yourself.
8. Never give up on your dreams.
9. Trust your instinct.
10. Love yourself.
11. Say exactly what you mean.
12. Stay away from drama and negativity. 

I specially like #5 and 12 to stay away from what feels wrong, or any drama and negativity. My sister reminded me today how in 2 Nephi 26:32 it talks about contention to avoid, it reads: "And again the Lord has commanded ... that they should not content one with another..." I will keep this scripture in mind when confronted with contention. It is better to not argue. I have learned that I need to avoid what bothers me because is not good for the soul. I also love reading the verses found on 2 Nephi 9:6-13 on the plan of happiness. Bottom line, knowing those truths brings peace to my soul each time. I feel grateful for the time I am spending reading the words found in the Book of Mormon. 

Con amor,
Vero

Find joy in the journey

Today I want to write about the art of feeling joy because I had a pity party for myself the other day where I got all my tears and sadness out and I woke up today and decided that it is time for me to follow the advice my amazing daughter Bianca gives me anytime I feel down, which is, “live in the moment, don't wish for the past or future and decide to be happy now, because happiness is a choice!”

She’s right on. Happiness is definitely a choice! Maybe our circumstances don’t always come by choice (although many of those do too), but our decision on how we will cope with them and deal with them is. We can always choose to change our thinking and changing our thinking 100% controls our feelings. If we choose to focus on the positive we will be happy. If we choose to focus on the negative we won’t be. It really comes down to that. Which means we really do have a choice. I want everyone else to be happy because there is nothing nicer than seeing everyone with a smile on their face.

“The sexiest curve on your body is your smile, so flaunt it!” 

Now don’t get me wrong. I am not saying its not okay to occasionally throw a pity party for yourself and break down and cry. But I do think it needs to be just that, occasional…and definitely not a lot. So you give yourself a night to grieve or cry or curl up in bed but then you wake up the next day and smile and move on.  Because life truly is amazing and beautiful and wonderful. It really is. And there is always something to be grateful for and happy about.

 “Joy is what happens to us when we allow ourselves to recognize how good things really are.”  – Marianne Williamson

Life is good and I am so happy I got a chance to celebrate with my sisters and extended family my mom's 80th birthday in Orlando and got to see Bianca and family. 

My trip started on February 12 and ended this morning arriving in Buenos Aires from New York. I am grateful for the upgrades to First class during this whole trip and for all the wonderful memories we made except for one that I will put it behind me. Sometimes I wish we could do some days over again and the morning of February 17th 2020 is one of them. I even forgot to call Nixon on his birthday. 

I sometimes regret living so far away but what consoles me is that they are always in my thoughts and prayers. Life is supposed to be fun!

Con amor,

Vero

Happy Valentines

You brighten my day,

Just know that you do,

I’m ever so lucky,

To have a friend such 

Dear as you!

(Got that from a Hallmark card.) 

I don’t typically do a blog post when I am away on vacation but today was too special to pass up. I am spending this Valentines with the first love in my life. My mother! She is turning 80 years- young tomorrow and my sisters and I are in Orlando to celebrate her big day tomorrow.  (Feb. 15^this tomorrow – yay!) 

I can’t wait for tomorrow to come but today I wanted to take a quick minute to wish all of you a Happy Valentine’s Day! Whether you have a great love in your life or not I hope you know that all of you who are reading this post are loved tremendously by a loving God!! 

I also wanted to personally wish my sweetheart a very Happy Valentine’s Day today. Although today we are apart, we will be together forever! You are an important part of our blended large family and I can’t say enough how I appreciate you so much for letting me come to be with my mom. 

Thank you, Daniel, for being a part of my life each day. Thank you for your love and support you have given me for so many years now. Please consider this my Valentine’s Card to you. Have a great Valentine’s!    

Con amor, 

Vero