I can hardly believe I am even typing these words. This blog has been slowly creeping into my mind and thoughts since the spring of 2016. That was the first time that I felt this calling start to pull on my heart and thoughts. The idea of which was to start a Gospel centered blog.
You see this is not my first or even second blog for that matter. I began to develop a love for blogging in 2013 when I started my first blog about crafting and home projects with my cousin and sister in law (yes she is both!!). It was such a fun experience one that led me to eventually start my own solo blog that was 100% dedicated to home decor and DIY in November of 2015.
I have always loved homes and making them beautiful. There is something so fun about decorating spaces and getting creative to find affordable ways to DIY new project. I can assure you my love for these things is as strong as ever. But the little voice that entered into my mind back in 2016 just keeps growing louder and louder. Nearly shouting HALEY LISTEN! Put your paint brush down and pick up your scriptures.
So after literally years of thought and contemplation I am finally acting upon what I know is 100% a calling from the Lord. To dedicate an online forum to all things centered around the Gospel.
Let me preface this by saying. Perhaps the largest reason I have not acted on this prompting sooner is that I feel so incredibly inadequate to embark on such a journey.
I was raised an active member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints all my life. My husband and I were married at the ripe age of 19 and a year later we were sealed in the Mesa Arizona Temple. In the last 9 years of our marriage we have welcomed 5 beautiful children in our home.
The first few years of our marriage we attended church very sporadically. Even more personally; my testimony and commitment to the lord was a struggle. I went through a season where I all but refused to study to words of the scriptures or engage in personal prayer. Really questioning my faith.
Before my personal testimony was strengthened we somehow managed to really commit as a family to our church attendance. Embracing the Gospel as a family. Both my husband and I have had the opportunity to serve in many different callings. Ranging from ward missionaries to Young women’s, primary, and even stake Young Women’s Camp assignments.
Just showing up, was what eventually led me to re-discover my testimony in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints. A journey I am still on but one that now includes a strong foundation of faith in my Lord and Savior. His teachings, and a true testimony of the restored Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints through Joseph Smith.
Although my knowledge of the gospel is still beginning to blossom and develop I hope you will come with me on this journey.
I know that many of you are also on a similar journey to strengthen your testimony of the Gospel. That you too are mothers of children both young and old. Desiring to teach the words of God to them. To help your children and yourselves become truly converted to the Gospel.
And that perhaps you also feel the pull to act on the counsel given at our most recent October 2018 general conference to provide more gosple centered learning into your homes.
My deepest hope is to provide material to help make teaching in your home and also in your callings at church simpler. To provide lesson helps and handouts that can be an assistant but not a replacement for the words and teachings in the scriptures and from our beloved Prophets and Apostles.
I hope you’ll come to me with your questions and ask me directly for the materials you are seeking! My ambition is to provide the lessons helps YOU need to better teach and serve.
All this to say I am so incredibly terrified to dive into something so outside my comfort zone but also so ready to be an instrument in the Lords hand in these latter days. The lord is busily refining me and teaching me in this season. I know that the law of consecration for me means that dedicating my time and talents in his way is exactly where I need to be. Welcome to Ministering Simply and I am so excited for the journey ahead.
XO Haley Estes
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