The picture above is part of the decor in my scrapbook room. After listening to my church's General Relief Society Conference in September, I will always remember President Uchtdorf's talk on creation.  (Here is a link to his talk:  It is one of my favorites!  Happiness, Your Heritage )
In my scrapbook room I have this word "CREATE" on my wall.  When I see it, I always reflect on all the things that I create....  Memories, scrapbook pages, smiles, laughs, music and many more things.  As a wife and mother, I have opportunities every day to create something special.  Every day is truly a gift, and I hope each day that I create lasting memories with my family that will get them through the tough times, should I pass away from cancer at a young age.
    At times I feel so discouraged because I feel like I don't contribute very much anymore.  Our family has been asked to speak in church in a few weeks, and as I was preparing for this talk, I reread President Uchtdorf's talk.  It helped me feel so much better.  Some of you may end up hearing me talk about this in church, but here is a quote that I found deeply comforting:
"But to what end were we created? We were created with the express purpose and potential of experiencing a fullness of joy.  Our birthright—and the purpose of our great voyage on this earth—is to seek and experience eternal happiness. One of the ways we find this is by creating things.

If you are a mother, you participate with God in His work of creation—not only by providing physical bodies for your children but also by teaching and nurturing them. If you are not a mother now, the creative talents you develop will prepare you for that day, in this life or the next.

You may think you don’t have talents, but that is a false assumption, for we all have talents and gifts, every one of us. The bounds of creativity extend far beyond the limits of a canvas or a sheet of paper and do not require a brush, a pen, or the keys of a piano. Creation means bringing into existence something that did not exist before—colorful gardens, harmonious homes, family memories, flowing laughter."  President Dieter F. Uchtdorf


     

There is a part of me that is so acutely aware that the time I have is limited.  I love to scrapbook, and I have literally thousands of pictures that I have taken over the years.  I usually scrapbook in the middle of the night when I can't sleep because of pain, worry, or just plain sleeplessness.  It gives me something productive to do rather than just watching TV or movies, plus I just love reliving the memories.  I spend a lot more time on journaling about the events than before I had cancer. That way, the my husband and kids will always have my thoughts and memories on things we have done together, or seen, or holidays etc.

Here are a couple of scrapbook pages that I have made recently.  The quote on the below page reads:  "There are two lasting gifts you can give to your children.  One is Roots and the other Wings."

Kathleen McCraw
1/29/2009 09:36:22 pm

Dearest Amber: Thank you so much for your blog. Without it I would not have found President Dieter Uchtdprf''s wonderful message. I have so much to be thankful for and yet think everyone would be better off without me. The Lord has something in mind for me. This is the second time I've cheated death and I had better not waste my opportunities.

I try to remember:

President Lorenzo Snow expressed a similar thought: “When you find yourselves a little gloomy, look around you and find somebody that is in a worse plight than yourself; go to him and find out what the trouble is, then try to remove it with the wisdom which the Lord bestows upon you; and the first thing you know, your gloom is gone, you feel light, the Spirit of the Lord is upon you, and everything seems illuminated.

I try to remember that message. I don't know if I would have your courage and spirit. You have touched me in ways I cannot express. The Lord has something wonderful in mind for you. You don't just create scrapebook memories, you create hope and a generousity of spirit. You are a beacon of life and hope. God bless you always.

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Katie Chase
1/30/2009 12:42:11 am

As always, you touch my heart and remind me of the most important things in life. You are like a lighthouse...it's just amazing how much light you spread and how many people you reach. Thankyou for inspiring and creating a desire to build memories and love more deeply. That is an amazing legacy.
Love you!!!

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Grandma Laughter
1/30/2009 03:52:04 am

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Grandma Laughter
1/30/2009 04:14:56 am

Dear Amber I was touched by your blog today so as I looked through the special scrap book you made for me and grandpa I realized more than ever how much it means to me to have a part of your special creation. I refledted on how fast my life has gone and how the most important thing to me is having you as one of my special grandchiddren,

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Deanna Baldwin
1/30/2009 04:59:30 am

Amber ~ I absolutely loved this blog!!! You are truly an inspiration to me. I have been praying for you all day today, asking God for a miracle for you. You are an amazing woman. I feel blessed to have crossed paths with you.

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laura fullmer
1/31/2009 09:12:38 am

Amber,
We just came home from Disneyland and I thought of you and your family every day. I am so glad that you guys were able to go and make lots of special memories there. Madi still wears her Run 4 Amber bracelet she has never taken it off. It is a constant reminder to all of us to live every minute to the fullest and not to take anything for granted. We are thinking of you and praying for you.

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Carol Pyle
2/1/2009 12:31:07 pm

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Carol Pyle
2/1/2009 12:33:20 pm

Amber,
I LOVE LOVE LOVE your scrapbook room. That is my dream someday. You are a beautiful creation of your Heavenly Father and you have created a legacy that will live on forever! Thank you for created something special in each of us who know you and love you.
I will be praying for you on Tuesday when you head down to chemo.
Love, Carol

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Torri
2/4/2009 06:52:32 am

Amber,

I do not know you, nor you me. I found your wite from a friend of mine and yours...jeanel. You are both so inspiring! I grew up in Perry so when I saw that is where you live, I had to check it out. You are an amazing woman! I will keep you in my prayers! I love this blog about creating! Your craft room is AMAZING! You are a very talented woman. Keep the positive attitdue...I have never experienced what you have, but if I ever did, I hope I could have the postive outlook that you do! very inspiring!

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Aunt Lori
2/4/2009 12:31:19 pm

Amber, I loved your inspiring message about the need and power of creating. I want to share that message with my students tomorrow. I want to read part of your message to them, I hope you don't mind. I love you bunches Amber. I think of you and pray for you often. Cancer sure sucks doesn't it? Hang in there, keep smiling and keep creating. We have an eternity ahead of us free of pain, full of love, and time to share with our loved ones without end. Love Aunt Lori

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2/5/2009 02:01:05 am

-WOW!
This is the warmest,peaceful feeling I have ever had in reading your website in it entirety! You are a blessing and a mentor for all of us who develop this terrible diease! I hope everyone of us find your website because you are truly my hero! God has blessed you with a wonderful husband and beautiful children and he has a plan for you! I hope this message finds you warm wishes and lots more prayers!
I like you took a while to get anyone to listen to me but I finally got the right help and I am in the healing process now! Thank You for sharing your story with the world! You are truly appreciated!

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Jamie Hadfield
2/7/2009 12:27:44 pm

Dear Amber...
I think I could get into scrapbooking if I had your A-D-O-R-A-B-L-E scrapbook room! I am so impressed. I had no idea you had a fun room like that in your house. I want one! I loved the scrapbook pages you displayed. Your kids are really going to appreciate those MORE THAN YOU'LL KNOW. Jeffrey and Jason have two really simple books their mother put together from the time they were born up until she passed away. They treasure these books so much and I very, very frequently see them looking through them. I also see and hear them many times showing their friends their scrapbooks as they talk about their mother. They connect with her through each page and I know your kids will do the same. They will feel very close to you. I promise. (Okay, now I'm crying, so I'm going to stop this topic). Uhmmm, anyway... I am excited to hear you guys speak tomorrow in church. I wish you the best of luck and perhaps, by the time you've read this post of mine, you will already have spoken and I will already have been uplifted by your talk. I'm sure of that! I may not say it or call often or stop by (mostly because I worry about you being too tired or bombarded by everyone else), but I THINK ABOUT YOU ALL THE TIME! I love you so much! Don't ever forget that. Love and many prayers, Jamie

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1/20/2010 01:33:37 am

I love your blog. It is so inspiring and you have such a great attitude. Your family is so cute. I am in love with your scrapbooking room. It is so cute and so organized! Check out my website to see what we can do to help you in your hobby of crafts and scrapbooking. We give great tips on saving money too! Thanks for your blog.

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7/14/2010 03:29:41 am

I happend upon your blog looking for scrapbook room decorating ideas. I know now though, that's not why I'm here. Funny how things happen. You are an inspiration to me.

May God bless you and your family with healing. You are in my thoughts and prayers!

Jillian

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