The Tiara

In sixth grade, Jessie came home from school one day wearing a tiara. She sat on a kitchen bar stool eating a peanut butter and pretzel snack like nothing was out of the ordinary… even though she was wearing a tiara. Bryson walked in and asked, “Where did you get that crown?””
“P.E.” Jessie replied.
Bryson, having had the same teacher in sixth grade knew exactly why she was wearing a tiara. I was still incredibly confused. Jessie acted coy regarding her sparkly head-piece. I asked Bryson to please explain the bling adorning my daughter’s head.
He simply said, “She’s the Dancing Queen!”

I was amazed that my daughter could be the Dancing Queen as my own dancing talent mirrored my singing talent. Jessie filled in the gaps of information and even did a little demonstration of her dance that won her the title. I delighted in her humility, kindness and pleasant demeanor. I hoped she would forever carry herself with such confidence.

As Jessie prepared to enter high school our lives changed dramatically. Both of her brothers had graduated high school and left home to progress with their goals and ambitions. Our family had packed all of our possessions into a U-Haul truck with a destination of two states away. We felt like we were on God’s errand, following His will, but it was hard. Jessie says, “I distinctly remember praying for the same confirmation my parents had received about our move. I felt an overwhelming peace. This peaceful feeling continued as I said goodbye to my friends and I felt a great excitement to meet new people and have new experiences.”

However, hard days, being a victim of bullying, and intense loneliness followed. My momma’s heart broke for her. She recalls the first few weeks of her Freshman year feeling sad and completely alone. She says, “I had let Satan convince me that there was no one who knew what I was going through and that no one could help me. Satan did not want me to know that I was loved and that Christ’s Atonement could give me strength.”

Jessie said her desire to be happier sent her on a search to know if Christ was really always there for her and loved her as she had been taught. She studied the strengthening power of the Atonement of Jesus Christ. She continued to pray and was blessed with peace and reassurance that Christ was there for her in times when she needed Him and even in times where she didn’t realize how much she needed His help. She felt comforted and her burdens lifted acquiring a sure knowledge that she was not alone.

Two years later, our family moved again. Jessie possessed incredible warrior-like courage. This move was different. Tough times were still aplenty, however, her resolve was unshaken. I could see that her source of strength was not her own; for she had truly learned that her strength comes from Christ. She carried herself with confidence and held her head up as if she were wearing an invisible tiara. Not earned because of a great dance move, but rather because of her knowledge that her Heavenly Father and Savior Jesus Christ know and love her. Jessie is strong, beautiful, and fearless because she truly understands the enabling power that is accessible to us all through the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

-JC

As I reflect on this experience today, I ask myself:
Do I allow Christ to help me bear the burdens of mortality?
Do I let my doubts of my own abilities cloud my vision of who Christ is? Or where He is in my life?

Funfetti Cookies

1 cup soft butter
1/2 cup vegetable oil
1 ¼ cups granulated sugar
1 ¼ cups powdered sugar
2 eggs
1 teaspoon vanilla
½  teaspoon almond extract (optional)
3 ½ cups all-purpose flour
1 ½ teaspoons baking powder
½ teaspoon salt
¾ cup sprinkles

Preheat oven to 350 degrees.

Cream butter, oil  and sugars with an electric mixer on medium-high for 1 minute or until fluffy.

Hand stir in eggs, vanilla and almond extract; don’t overmix.

Add dry ingredients all at once and mix until fully incorporated. Add 2-3 Tablespoons more flour for high elevation.

Stir in sprinkles.

Scoop out approximately 24+ 2” balls of dough.  Gently roll into sugar.

For a richer flavor and smoother texture, form cookie dough balls, flatten slightly and refrigerate or freeze until ready to bake. Place on greased or parchment paper on an aluminum cookie sheet.

Bake at 350 degrees for 12+  min. Let set. Share!