So funny story. I was having a conversation, with a family member, in my head. Actually it was more like a lecture. I was lecturing this family member about some of their choices of late, and my conclusion was something to the effect of, "Well, when you've suffered the consequences and you want advice you know where I am."
That's when my Shoulder Angel spoke up and said, "That's not what Heavenly Father would say." And I wondered, "what would He say? Would he give me advice and warn me about my choices? Would he let me live and learn?"
My Shoulder Angel and the Holy Ghost must work together because He has perfect timing too. He brought to my remembrance the warning Heavenly Father gave me just the other day of a transgression I was committing that I didn't even know about. It started with the scripture of the day which read: Thou shalt not take the name of the LORD thy God in vain: for the LORD will not hold him guiltless that taketh his name in vain (Deut. 5:11). The word vain really struck me as the word I needed to focus on. I never really swear though so I wasn't sure where this was going to take me. I felt like I should start with the Bible Dictionary and paused at vanity, I thought, "hmm, not sure..." and went on but vain wasn't there. So I went to the Topical Guide where I found scriptures for vain, but no real clear picture, until I saw the reference for vanity under Bible Dictionary again. So back I went to the Bible Dictionary, looked up vanity and saw what I should've seen in the first place - clarity.
Here's the definition the Bible Dictionary gives for vanity and in essence vain - falsehood or deceit; empty, transitory, or fleeting. I narrowed in immediately on the second part of the defintion. "How does this apply?" I thought. I knew in my heart this was what I was meant to learn, I could almost hear the creaking wheels turning in my head (It's been like living in a fog with this new headache med I'm on temporarily). Then the Holy Ghost gave me the revelation I needed. Are you ready? I had to sit down :) When we are baptized we take upon ourselves the name of our Savior Jesus Christ, and every week when we covenant again to take upon ourselves that sacred name we make a promise to remember Him. When we fail to do that, we make that promise become EMPTY (an empty promise, made a promise in vain). When we pray and read the scriptures one week, but not another, we make that promise TRANSITORY, or short-lived. When we hold current temple recommends but never make the time to go to the temple and do that sacred work for others we make that promise to become like Christ FLEETING.
I'm not pointing fingers here, the transgressions I listed are all mine. Those are the sins Heavenly Father was warning me about. I think He was saying, "My daughter, choose wisely. Satan desireth to have thee. Repent and return unto me."
So does Heavenly Father warn his children? Yes, because He loves us. Does He let us live and learn? Yes, because sometimes it is the best way for us. The best way for me to parent my children is for me to seek to become like my Savior and my Father in Heaven, follow their pattern, follow their guidance, seek to perfect myself, follow their warnings, learn from my experiences and be grateful for every step of the way.
Sunday, January 19, 2014
Sunday, November 17, 2013
"Every Member a Missionary" Part 1
This past week I was listening to the Mormon Channel on the web (www.mormonchannel.org - it's my favorite site!) to an interview with the Paris, France Mission President. I started daydreaming and planning my families mission there someday. I'm teaching my children french so that we can all go there together when Sam is called to serve as a Mission Pres. there. :) I've never been to Paris, but I'm in love with it. That's my destination mission. What about you? If you could serve anywhere where would it be?
I'm guessing that you didn't say "Eagle Mountain, UT." But can it become a destination mission to serve here? It sure can. It's a matter of the heart. So what can we do to let us be excited about sharing the gospel here? We need to look within ourselves and see if our hearts are converted, if we have prepared ourselves and if we have a plan.
So let's start with finding an example from the Book of Mormon of an awesome missionary story. I asked my husband and his is the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. I thought of Abinadi, Alma and his son Alma the Younger, the sons of Mosiah and the Strippling Warriors. Who did you think of? What is their story?
I'll share what I know about some of these missionaries. Abinadi received a knowledge of the gospel and was commanded to go forth to King Noah and his priests and call them to repentance. He bore powerful testimony and touched the heart of Alma. Alma sought for Abinadi's freedom, and was cast out of the group and the other priests sought to kill Alma. He hid in the wilderness, wrote down the things he heard Abinadi teach and came to a knowledge of the truth. Abinadi refused to deny the commandments of God and died by fire.
Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah were sons of prophets and leaders of the community and religion. They were taught the truths of the gospel in their youth but for some reason rebelled against God and their parents and sought to destroy the church by leading people away from it. An angel appeared to them and told them (in essence) If you don't want to be destroyed then stop persecuting the church. The angel bore testimony to the sons of Mosiah, but Alma lay stricken upon the earth. He felt the eternal torment of a soul in jeopardy and he realized his transgressions and the seriousness of them. As he was caught up in the pains of guilt, he remembered the teachings of his father. He remembered learning about Jesus Christ and with a strand of hope he called out to Christ to have mercy upon him. As soon as he did this, his soul was filled with joy and light; joy that was equal to the pains he previously felt. He repented of his sins and turned to the Lord and dedicated his life to laboring in the vineyard, to save souls he might have previously led away.
Let's look at Abinadi and Alma's story. The first thing I notice about their story is that Abinadi had the courage to go to King Noah's court and bear his testimony. He was called of God to do so. And his amazing testimony was borne to a man whose heart was prepared to receive it. Alma knew the things he and the other priests were doing was wrong, but his heart received it so willingly that he gave up his lifestyle for it. How can we apply this example to us?
We have all been called of God to share the gospel. If you took the sacrament today you promised to take the name of Jesus Christ upon you, you promised to stand as a witness at all times and in all places and in all things. This means you agreed to do missionary work! Heavenly Father is not only helping us to be prepared and converted, but he's also preparing the hearts of those around us to receive it. I know this is true because it happened in my own conversion story. My heart was prepared because I was looking for a church to attend, one that felt right. Heavenly Father was preparing me in so many ways to accept the gospel. Just like Alma - he was in the right place at the right time to hear the words of Abinadi and change the course of his life forever.
In the story of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah they had been taught in their youth the truthfulness of the gospel? Were you? Did you rebel at some point like they did? It probably wasn't to the extent those boys took it and I think that could be one reason why they needed an angel to appear to them. They were probably past the point of feeling the Spirit and so they needed an experience big enough to change their hearts. We don't always have conversion stories like theirs, ours are more of an ongoing development, "line upon line, precept upon precept." Well how can we apply their story to us? Have you felt the Spirit bear testimony to you of the truth of the gospel? I know I have so many times. In little ways Heavenly Father answers our prayers and confirms our belief.
How else can we become converted? President Eyring gave a wonderful conference talk in April of 2003 entitled "A Child and A Disciple"(here is a link to his address). In it he says we need to become like the awesome missionaries in his story by doing two things. The first is to feel that we are the "beloved children of a loving Heavenly Father." This leads us to turn to Him easily and often in prayer and meekly follow the example of his Son. The second thing we need to become are grateful disciples of Jesus Christ. We must know for ourselves that the Atonement is real, be cleansed through baptism, and receive the Holy Ghost. We must prize what the gospel means to us. We must have perfect charity, or the love of Christ and it will cast out all fear we may have. As we do this and start to share the gospel we will "love and listen and talk and testify out of changes hearts...The harvest of souls will be great, and it will be safe in the Lord's hands."
I love what President Eyring says next, "To be part of that miracle, you must not wait until you feel closer to Heavenly Father or until you are sure that you have been purified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Pray for the chance to encounter people who sense there could be something better in their lives. Pray to know what you should do to help them. Your prayers will be answered. You will meet people prepared by the Lord. You will find yourself feeling and saying things beyond your past experience. And then in time you will feel yourself drawing closer to your Heavenly Father, and you will feel the cleansing and the forgiveness the Savior promises His faithful witnesses. And you will feel His approval, knowing you have done what he asked of you, because He loves you and trusts you.
So to sum up, two things: When Alma escaped into the wilderness he wrote down the words of Abinadi. We need to write down the experiences we have with the Spirit in developing our conversion. We are all converts to the church because we all have had experiences that bore testimony to us that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and that because he first loved us, he prepared the way for us to return to live with him, receiving all that he has offered and is himself. That way, the only way, is through his son Jesus Christ. Our eldest brother came to the earth to live in mortality, experiencing the things only a mortal being can experience. And because he chose to accept and follow his Father's will and live a perfect life, and suffer the pains of the sins of every being who ever lived, was living, and would live, and then die only when he knew the Father's work and glory had come to pass, because of this miracle and gift, we can live with our Father and our Savior and our families forever. It does require some effort, obedience, our hearts, might, mind and strength. But it is worth it. And it is the first step in becoming the missionary Heavenly Father is asking of us. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I'm guessing that you didn't say "Eagle Mountain, UT." But can it become a destination mission to serve here? It sure can. It's a matter of the heart. So what can we do to let us be excited about sharing the gospel here? We need to look within ourselves and see if our hearts are converted, if we have prepared ourselves and if we have a plan.
So let's start with finding an example from the Book of Mormon of an awesome missionary story. I asked my husband and his is the story of Ammon and King Lamoni. I thought of Abinadi, Alma and his son Alma the Younger, the sons of Mosiah and the Strippling Warriors. Who did you think of? What is their story?
I'll share what I know about some of these missionaries. Abinadi received a knowledge of the gospel and was commanded to go forth to King Noah and his priests and call them to repentance. He bore powerful testimony and touched the heart of Alma. Alma sought for Abinadi's freedom, and was cast out of the group and the other priests sought to kill Alma. He hid in the wilderness, wrote down the things he heard Abinadi teach and came to a knowledge of the truth. Abinadi refused to deny the commandments of God and died by fire.
Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah were sons of prophets and leaders of the community and religion. They were taught the truths of the gospel in their youth but for some reason rebelled against God and their parents and sought to destroy the church by leading people away from it. An angel appeared to them and told them (in essence) If you don't want to be destroyed then stop persecuting the church. The angel bore testimony to the sons of Mosiah, but Alma lay stricken upon the earth. He felt the eternal torment of a soul in jeopardy and he realized his transgressions and the seriousness of them. As he was caught up in the pains of guilt, he remembered the teachings of his father. He remembered learning about Jesus Christ and with a strand of hope he called out to Christ to have mercy upon him. As soon as he did this, his soul was filled with joy and light; joy that was equal to the pains he previously felt. He repented of his sins and turned to the Lord and dedicated his life to laboring in the vineyard, to save souls he might have previously led away.
Let's look at Abinadi and Alma's story. The first thing I notice about their story is that Abinadi had the courage to go to King Noah's court and bear his testimony. He was called of God to do so. And his amazing testimony was borne to a man whose heart was prepared to receive it. Alma knew the things he and the other priests were doing was wrong, but his heart received it so willingly that he gave up his lifestyle for it. How can we apply this example to us?
We have all been called of God to share the gospel. If you took the sacrament today you promised to take the name of Jesus Christ upon you, you promised to stand as a witness at all times and in all places and in all things. This means you agreed to do missionary work! Heavenly Father is not only helping us to be prepared and converted, but he's also preparing the hearts of those around us to receive it. I know this is true because it happened in my own conversion story. My heart was prepared because I was looking for a church to attend, one that felt right. Heavenly Father was preparing me in so many ways to accept the gospel. Just like Alma - he was in the right place at the right time to hear the words of Abinadi and change the course of his life forever.
In the story of Alma the Younger and the sons of Mosiah they had been taught in their youth the truthfulness of the gospel? Were you? Did you rebel at some point like they did? It probably wasn't to the extent those boys took it and I think that could be one reason why they needed an angel to appear to them. They were probably past the point of feeling the Spirit and so they needed an experience big enough to change their hearts. We don't always have conversion stories like theirs, ours are more of an ongoing development, "line upon line, precept upon precept." Well how can we apply their story to us? Have you felt the Spirit bear testimony to you of the truth of the gospel? I know I have so many times. In little ways Heavenly Father answers our prayers and confirms our belief.
How else can we become converted? President Eyring gave a wonderful conference talk in April of 2003 entitled "A Child and A Disciple"(here is a link to his address). In it he says we need to become like the awesome missionaries in his story by doing two things. The first is to feel that we are the "beloved children of a loving Heavenly Father." This leads us to turn to Him easily and often in prayer and meekly follow the example of his Son. The second thing we need to become are grateful disciples of Jesus Christ. We must know for ourselves that the Atonement is real, be cleansed through baptism, and receive the Holy Ghost. We must prize what the gospel means to us. We must have perfect charity, or the love of Christ and it will cast out all fear we may have. As we do this and start to share the gospel we will "love and listen and talk and testify out of changes hearts...The harvest of souls will be great, and it will be safe in the Lord's hands."
I love what President Eyring says next, "To be part of that miracle, you must not wait until you feel closer to Heavenly Father or until you are sure that you have been purified through the Atonement of Jesus Christ. Pray for the chance to encounter people who sense there could be something better in their lives. Pray to know what you should do to help them. Your prayers will be answered. You will meet people prepared by the Lord. You will find yourself feeling and saying things beyond your past experience. And then in time you will feel yourself drawing closer to your Heavenly Father, and you will feel the cleansing and the forgiveness the Savior promises His faithful witnesses. And you will feel His approval, knowing you have done what he asked of you, because He loves you and trusts you.
So to sum up, two things: When Alma escaped into the wilderness he wrote down the words of Abinadi. We need to write down the experiences we have with the Spirit in developing our conversion. We are all converts to the church because we all have had experiences that bore testimony to us that Heavenly Father lives and loves us and that because he first loved us, he prepared the way for us to return to live with him, receiving all that he has offered and is himself. That way, the only way, is through his son Jesus Christ. Our eldest brother came to the earth to live in mortality, experiencing the things only a mortal being can experience. And because he chose to accept and follow his Father's will and live a perfect life, and suffer the pains of the sins of every being who ever lived, was living, and would live, and then die only when he knew the Father's work and glory had come to pass, because of this miracle and gift, we can live with our Father and our Savior and our families forever. It does require some effort, obedience, our hearts, might, mind and strength. But it is worth it. And it is the first step in becoming the missionary Heavenly Father is asking of us. Of this I testify in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
Sunday, November 4, 2012
“Here then is a great truth. In the pain, the agony, and the heroic endeavors of life, we pass through a refiner's fire, and the insignificant and the unimportant in our lives can melt away like dross and make our faith bright, intact, and strong.” —James E. Faust, "The Refiner's Fire," Ensign, May 1979, 53
I have had some really amazing spiritual well-filling opportunities and experiences of late and my heart feels full. To be completely honest it's been a while since that has happened. And it's wonderful. I can "feel to sing the song of redeeming love". What has helped? I think it has been to make the choice to surround myself with Holy Ghost opportunities. Please understand that I am not professing to be perfect, in any way. All I can do is just testify of what I have experienced and know to be true about our Savior, our Heavenly Father, the Plan of Redemption and the Atonement.
So here's the story. I'll start with the General Relief Society Broadcast - it was really wonderful. Right from the start with Sister Burton's talk about the condition of our hearts the Holy Ghost was whispering to my soul. Sister Burton asked some great questions - is the law or doctrine of the gospel written in your heart? Is the gospel in your soul? That was a great place for me to start: where do I stand with God the Father and His Son? Where can I be better? Am I really converted to the gospel I profess to believe in? Do my beliefs show in my words and actions and thoughts? I have a testimony that has carried my through trials, but I will confess that I let the worldly influences around me, around all of us, get in the way of letting me continue in my spiritual growth. Thank the Heavens Sister Burton has a solution for this.
The first thing Sister Burton suggests is to have an understanding of the Atonement, then to strengthen our families, keep our covenants and serve others. I have found that in reality I am always doing these things in little ways. (Side note: a while ago my mom told me to start looking for my successes, that has made such a big difference!) I bet you are too. Through my little actions my children are starting to have testimonies of their own. I am striving to keep all of my covenants, which I'm trying to see and understand as committing to live a life of which He approves. And I'm trying to serve others. Sometimes I really want to just curl up with a blanket and read a book or throw myself into my crafting addiction, but I'm so much happier when I am out serving others, even if all I can do is something so so small. Trying to remember and apply these teachings in my life is helping me to feel closer to the Spirit of God.
A few weekends ago I went to Time Out For Women in Salt Lake City. I really needed that weekend! There were amazing speakers - Virginia H. Pearce, Sheri Dew, Chris Williams (author of Let it Go), the authors of the cookbook Our Best Bites, Brad Wilcox, John Bytheway, Emily Freeman, and the musical talent Mercy River. Okay I'm gonna sound super cheesy here but I laughed, I cried, and I felt the Spirit. I received answers to prayers and guidance and direction for my life. Some really specific direction, some really direct answers. This is what I've learned: Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He knows us personally and deeply. Jesus Christ knows me and knows every time I've cried to the Father for forgiveness, or mercy, or help, or guidance, or relief from burden or pain. As I seek the Father and the Son and seek to know them, or seek answers or guidance, They are there to answer the call. Every time.
Thinking of these things and trying to help one of my daughters, I asked her, what do you envision your life to be like in 10 years? Where do you see yourself, what have you accomplished? She said, I want my life to be easy. So many things came to my mind, but one thought stands out to me now. Do I want my life to be easy? Is that why I kick and fight the trials that come my way? Is that why I give in to temptation? Is that why I can't seem to be more diligent in scripture study and prayer? So what do I envision my life to be like in 10 years, what have I accomplished?
How about you? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What has helped you feel to sing the song of redeeming love?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sarah
So here's the story. I'll start with the General Relief Society Broadcast - it was really wonderful. Right from the start with Sister Burton's talk about the condition of our hearts the Holy Ghost was whispering to my soul. Sister Burton asked some great questions - is the law or doctrine of the gospel written in your heart? Is the gospel in your soul? That was a great place for me to start: where do I stand with God the Father and His Son? Where can I be better? Am I really converted to the gospel I profess to believe in? Do my beliefs show in my words and actions and thoughts? I have a testimony that has carried my through trials, but I will confess that I let the worldly influences around me, around all of us, get in the way of letting me continue in my spiritual growth. Thank the Heavens Sister Burton has a solution for this.
The first thing Sister Burton suggests is to have an understanding of the Atonement, then to strengthen our families, keep our covenants and serve others. I have found that in reality I am always doing these things in little ways. (Side note: a while ago my mom told me to start looking for my successes, that has made such a big difference!) I bet you are too. Through my little actions my children are starting to have testimonies of their own. I am striving to keep all of my covenants, which I'm trying to see and understand as committing to live a life of which He approves. And I'm trying to serve others. Sometimes I really want to just curl up with a blanket and read a book or throw myself into my crafting addiction, but I'm so much happier when I am out serving others, even if all I can do is something so so small. Trying to remember and apply these teachings in my life is helping me to feel closer to the Spirit of God.
A few weekends ago I went to Time Out For Women in Salt Lake City. I really needed that weekend! There were amazing speakers - Virginia H. Pearce, Sheri Dew, Chris Williams (author of Let it Go), the authors of the cookbook Our Best Bites, Brad Wilcox, John Bytheway, Emily Freeman, and the musical talent Mercy River. Okay I'm gonna sound super cheesy here but I laughed, I cried, and I felt the Spirit. I received answers to prayers and guidance and direction for my life. Some really specific direction, some really direct answers. This is what I've learned: Heavenly Father loves each and every one of us. He knows us personally and deeply. Jesus Christ knows me and knows every time I've cried to the Father for forgiveness, or mercy, or help, or guidance, or relief from burden or pain. As I seek the Father and the Son and seek to know them, or seek answers or guidance, They are there to answer the call. Every time.
Thinking of these things and trying to help one of my daughters, I asked her, what do you envision your life to be like in 10 years? Where do you see yourself, what have you accomplished? She said, I want my life to be easy. So many things came to my mind, but one thought stands out to me now. Do I want my life to be easy? Is that why I kick and fight the trials that come my way? Is that why I give in to temptation? Is that why I can't seem to be more diligent in scripture study and prayer? So what do I envision my life to be like in 10 years, what have I accomplished?
How about you? Where do you see yourself in 10 years? What has helped you feel to sing the song of redeeming love?
Hope to hear from you soon!
Sarah
Wednesday, September 19, 2012
Enjoy the Journey... stop to smell the wild flowers and pick up rocks.
My family and I recently hiked up to Doughnut Falls in Big Cottonwood Canyon. It's about a mile hike (according to my husband's memory :} ) My two year old daughter Lucy hiked the whole way there; which if your two year old is like mine, we stop to look at rocks and find ones to throw into the river, we look at plants and bugs, and more rocks and write in the dirt, and more rocks, throw rocks into the river and do it all over again. Halfway there my exasperated sigh must've been a little loud because my hubbie gently and teasingly responded with, "it's about the journey, not the destination." True, true, true! Why do I hurry things along? Hurry up and get there, hurry up and finish, hurry and grow up.... I can't wonder out loud any more where the time goes if I'm wishing it away. So while the rest of my family walked ahead of us, Lucy and I continued our little journey picking up rocks for her to throw in the river. I enjoyed the time exploring the world around us, encouraging Lucy's curiosity. Watching my daughter enjoy the journey was better than the destination. It bonded us together a little bit more, helping me to remember that time flies even when we're not having fun, and I really need to enjoy the mothering moments that come along.
I had one of those mothering moments tonight - you know them. The fleeting moment when life is as it "should" be and you feel successful in parenting. I had most of my children surrounding me and playing together nicely. It was bliss and I enjoyed it; granted it was only about a minute long but it was great! I thought, "it's about the journey...and the destination" when it's applied to our lives in an eternal perspective. I read President Monson's 2008 Conference talk, "Finding Joy in the Journey". He counsels that one of life's important lessons is that we learn what is most important to us, and that often includes our loved ones. Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 33 asks, “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” I could apply this scripture to my relationship with my kids - they being the gift I'm not receiving. Sometimes I catch myself in the middle of casting them aside when I tell them, "in a minute" for "55 minutes" like my 7 year old told me today. So when I put doing chores as a higher priority over spending time with my children, I'm not being so grateful for the 5 beautiful blessings I've been given. I'm also not rejoicing in the great plan of happiness that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given to me.
This reminds me of the New Testament story about Martha and Mary and the choices they made when the Savior dined with them one evening. Mary sat at the Savior's knee and listened to his words and Martha was busy serving the Savior. I can't imagine not trying to be the hostess with the mostest, but the one needful thing was to sit and listen and learn. If I apply this to my family, then the really good things, the best things, come to the foreground. Family prayer and scripture study not only become the best choice, but also show that I am grateful for my gifts. Family Home Evening becomes more important because I need to take care of my gifts. And in order for me to qualify for the Holy Ghost's companionship that I need to do those things I need to pray earnestly, everyday, multiple times and study the scriptures and the doctrine of the gospel.
Making this change will take some time and effort because I love my home to be a clean and organized haven. It helps me feel calm and peaceful, better able to feel/hear the Holy Ghost. It's part of my nature to desire to make things beautiful, and is my little bit of heaven on Earth. I need to learn to find the balance between the two. I wonder if I look at taking time for my children as the one needful thing in my life, that would help me do this new challenge?
What about you? What's keeping you from being like Mary and the one needful thing in your life? What can you do to change and find joy in your journey?
Signed,
Sarah
I had one of those mothering moments tonight - you know them. The fleeting moment when life is as it "should" be and you feel successful in parenting. I had most of my children surrounding me and playing together nicely. It was bliss and I enjoyed it; granted it was only about a minute long but it was great! I thought, "it's about the journey...and the destination" when it's applied to our lives in an eternal perspective. I read President Monson's 2008 Conference talk, "Finding Joy in the Journey". He counsels that one of life's important lessons is that we learn what is most important to us, and that often includes our loved ones. Doctrine and Covenants, section 88, verse 33 asks, “For what doth it profit a man if a gift is bestowed upon him, and he receive not the gift? Behold, he rejoices not in that which is given unto him, neither rejoices in him who is the giver of the gift.” I could apply this scripture to my relationship with my kids - they being the gift I'm not receiving. Sometimes I catch myself in the middle of casting them aside when I tell them, "in a minute" for "55 minutes" like my 7 year old told me today. So when I put doing chores as a higher priority over spending time with my children, I'm not being so grateful for the 5 beautiful blessings I've been given. I'm also not rejoicing in the great plan of happiness that Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ have given to me.
This reminds me of the New Testament story about Martha and Mary and the choices they made when the Savior dined with them one evening. Mary sat at the Savior's knee and listened to his words and Martha was busy serving the Savior. I can't imagine not trying to be the hostess with the mostest, but the one needful thing was to sit and listen and learn. If I apply this to my family, then the really good things, the best things, come to the foreground. Family prayer and scripture study not only become the best choice, but also show that I am grateful for my gifts. Family Home Evening becomes more important because I need to take care of my gifts. And in order for me to qualify for the Holy Ghost's companionship that I need to do those things I need to pray earnestly, everyday, multiple times and study the scriptures and the doctrine of the gospel.
Making this change will take some time and effort because I love my home to be a clean and organized haven. It helps me feel calm and peaceful, better able to feel/hear the Holy Ghost. It's part of my nature to desire to make things beautiful, and is my little bit of heaven on Earth. I need to learn to find the balance between the two. I wonder if I look at taking time for my children as the one needful thing in my life, that would help me do this new challenge?
What about you? What's keeping you from being like Mary and the one needful thing in your life? What can you do to change and find joy in your journey?
Signed,
Sarah
Saturday, September 15, 2012
Tonight I went to my Stake Conference Adult Session, it was awesome :) So many parts of the different talks stood out to me, but the one impression I had that was the strongest for me was when our Stake President said that Christ was the Great Healer. That is just one of His many titles; He is so many things to us. Some of the many titles He has been given are: Advocate, Alpha and Omega, The Annointed One, Bread of Life, Cornerstone of our religion, Creator, Deliverer, Exemplar, Firstborn Son, Good Shepherd, Holy One of Israel, Jehovah, King, Lamb of God, Light of the World, Lord, Mediator, Messiah, Only Begotten Son, Redeemer, Rock, Savior, and the Word. So what is He to you? What do you need Him to be today?
Tonight I need Jesus Christ to be my Mediator, my Rock and my Savior. I need His help coming back into alignment with my Heavenly Father, I need Him to guide me. I need His steadiness to build upon and rely upon when the winds and waves throw themselves upon me. I need His saving grace and redemption applied to my life.
Take a look at these different titles, He is so many things to us. Tomorrow I might need Him to be something else. I'm going to look at His names and see what they mean in the Bible Dictionary, or Index and Topical Guide at www.lds.org. Then I'm going to seek Him in the role I need. Will you try it too and post your thoughts?
Chat with you soon!
Signed,
Sarah
Tonight I need Jesus Christ to be my Mediator, my Rock and my Savior. I need His help coming back into alignment with my Heavenly Father, I need Him to guide me. I need His steadiness to build upon and rely upon when the winds and waves throw themselves upon me. I need His saving grace and redemption applied to my life.
Take a look at these different titles, He is so many things to us. Tomorrow I might need Him to be something else. I'm going to look at His names and see what they mean in the Bible Dictionary, or Index and Topical Guide at www.lds.org. Then I'm going to seek Him in the role I need. Will you try it too and post your thoughts?
Chat with you soon!
Signed,
Sarah
Okay, okay, I'll do it already!
A few months ago I really felt like I should start a blog...I was working on my major weakness of anger and thought journaling/chronicling(?) my journey and experiences would be helpful for me and maybe for someone else out there. But then fear set in and I kept thinking, who would want to listen to me? So then this "weird" journal would be out there for anyone to see! What was I thinking?!
I say it's funny, but I don't mean comical, when I say "it's funny how..." so here's the next part, it's funny how hindsight is 20/20 when we look back and see how the pieces all fell in the right place in the puzzle of our lives. A few months ago I came across an article about a book that talked about how Satan uses fear as a manipulative tool to keep us from doing something good in our lives; like starting a business or a blog - it's a good thing Heavenly Father wants us to do, but Satan uses doubt and fear to keep us from doing it. So in the past two weeks or so, I keep getting this prompting to write in this blog about the spiritual things in my life I'm noticing. Then two Sundays ago the Relief Society lesson was about keeping a journal. So, hence the title of this post, when I come home from the Adult Session of Stake Conference and I can't get this off my mind!
So An Earnest Endeavor has come to fruition. I don't know where this blog will lead me, but by small and simple things great things come to pass, right? Right. I really need the opportunity to talk about the lessons I'm learning in my life, the trials I have, and the wonderful blessings. I love gospel centered discussions, it helps me remember our Savior day by day, and helps me process and ponder the things I'm learning. So will you join me? We could have fun :) and learn something from each other.
Hope to chat with you soon!
Signed,
Sarah
I say it's funny, but I don't mean comical, when I say "it's funny how..." so here's the next part, it's funny how hindsight is 20/20 when we look back and see how the pieces all fell in the right place in the puzzle of our lives. A few months ago I came across an article about a book that talked about how Satan uses fear as a manipulative tool to keep us from doing something good in our lives; like starting a business or a blog - it's a good thing Heavenly Father wants us to do, but Satan uses doubt and fear to keep us from doing it. So in the past two weeks or so, I keep getting this prompting to write in this blog about the spiritual things in my life I'm noticing. Then two Sundays ago the Relief Society lesson was about keeping a journal. So, hence the title of this post, when I come home from the Adult Session of Stake Conference and I can't get this off my mind!
So An Earnest Endeavor has come to fruition. I don't know where this blog will lead me, but by small and simple things great things come to pass, right? Right. I really need the opportunity to talk about the lessons I'm learning in my life, the trials I have, and the wonderful blessings. I love gospel centered discussions, it helps me remember our Savior day by day, and helps me process and ponder the things I'm learning. So will you join me? We could have fun :) and learn something from each other.
Hope to chat with you soon!
Signed,
Sarah
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