About Joyce Anderson

Her family and friends call her the Queen of the United States...and Mom -- Joyce Anderson has been involved in LDS apologetics for over 20 years and with the Millennial Star since 2010. Since the beginning of the Covid19 pandemic she has added homeschooler to her list things she does in addition to being the butcher, baker & candlestick maker. When not schooling the children, she reads, paints, declutters, teaches primary, and is happy to share a bowl of chips & salsa with anyone who stops by.

On the Edge of Fire

Eleven years ago, my town, Los Alamos, New Mexico evacuated from the Los Conchas Fire. We were out of our home for eight days, and dealt with fire and smoke for weeks following our return. During that time I wrote three posts here on Millennial Star about our experiences.

You can re-read them here:
Running From the Fire: Our Escape
Running From the Fire: Serving and Being Served
Lessons From the Fire

May be an image of map
Cerro Pelado Fire Map

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Thoughtful Faith Podcast

I came across the Thoughtful Faith Podcast this last week and have listened to a few of the episodes. And then as algorithms go, I discovered our own Jacob Hess was a guest on a recent episode. Listen, and then come back and give us your thoughts.

Coming out of Babylon

When did the agony of Christ begin? | America Magazine

This morning as I was contemplating my day, I realized it was Good Friday. I remember as a child thinking this day was horribly misnamed. After all, what was “good” about Jesus being nailed to a cross and suffering?

As I’ve been making my way thru the Old Testament with the Come Follow Me curriculum, I have been struck by a few “good” things. The Lord really, really wants us to be on the Covenant Path. Everything in the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is set up to help you and I get on that path, and stay on that path. The Lord is waiting for us; cheering for us. He wants us to follow Him. His love for us is so very real.

Today we remember Christ overcoming our sin with his suffering in the Garden of Gethsemane and on the cross. Sunday we will celebrate Christ overcoming death by His resurrection. When Moses was called to be a prophet he asked the Lord, who do I tell the people you are? The Lord answered back, “I am that I am.” The Lord is everything: leader, healer, bread of life, living water, He who overcame all, wonderful, counselor, our stone of help, the rock of our foundation the prince of peace, the Great High Priest Whose Name is Love, and His names are endless and eternal as are the works of His hands.

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Christmas Music: God So Loved the World

Hey there, coming up from the depths of homeschool and holiday making to share a song. As I was listening to songs today, this song by the acapella group GLAD came across my play list. While it is not specifcially a Christmas song, the message of the lyrics is so very Christmas:

Him the God of all the glory
Love was all there was to know
Pure, innocent, and free
Like we were meant to be
L
ong ago

Afraid we followed after love
And pain filled the Father’s eyes
And ohhhh from the first He knew
What He planned to do
To bring us home

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In the Dark Streets Shineth

Happy first Sunday of Advent!

I know we don’t formally celebrate Advent in the LDS Church, but we all need some more Jesus in our lives right now. We all need to see the light thru the darkness we seem to be wandering in right now.

The story of the beloved Christmas hymn, “Oh Little Town of Bethlehem” as told by David McCullough and the Tabernacle Choir.