Choose the better part

"If our hearts are right before God, adversity will school us, help us overcome our carnal nature, and nurture the divine spark within us. Were it not for adversity, we would not know to “choose the better part.” Adversity helps us see where we need to repent, to bring into subjection baser instincts, to embrace righteousness and enjoy peace of conscience."

--Keith B. McMullin, "Be Prepared … Be Ye Strong from Henceforth", Ensign, Nov. 2005, 10

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Something that I was reading today that stuck out to me...

Alma 37:43-47

43 And now, my son, I would that ye should understand that these things are not without a shadow; for as our fathers were slothful to give heed to this compass (now these things were temporal) they did not prosper; even so it is with things which are spiritual.
44 For behold, it is as easy to give heed to the word of Christ, which will point to you a straight course to eternal bliss, as it was for our fathers to give heed to this compass, which would point unto them a straight course to the promised land.
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.
46 O my son, do not let us be slothful because of the easiness of the way; for so was it with our fathers; for so was it prepared for them, that if they would look they might live; even so it is with us. The way is prepared, and if we will look we may live forever.
47 And now, my son, see that ye take care of these sacred things, yea, see that ye look to God and live. Go unto this people and declare the word, and be sober. My son, farewell.

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In the scripture above it gives us a promise if we but follow the word of Christ it will point us a straight course to eternal bliss. The quote above also tells us that there will be bumps along that course. Reflect upon your situation right now? What kind of attitude do you have about it? Are you like Nephi and Samuel that exercise their faith in Jesus Christ? Or are you murmuring like Laman and Lemuel? Are you doing everything to the best of your ability to have the Spirit be in your life to guide you? Are you accepting His will in all things? Are you encouraging the Spirit to be in your life by doing the things that would invite it and being the places that would invite it?

My Testimony is Growing

"We should be patient in developing and strengthening our testimonies. Rather than expecting immediate or spectacular manifestations, though they will come when needed, we should pray for a testimony, study the scriptures, follow the counsel of our prophet and other Church leaders, and live the principles of the gospel. Our testimonies then will grow and mature naturally, perhaps imperceptibly at times, until they become driving forces in our lives."

--Joseph B. Wirthlin, "Patience, a Key to Happiness", Ensign, May 1987, 30

Only by actions can a testimony grow. I am reminded of the Escalator parable. Your testimony's growth is like being on an escalator; you are never standing still but either going up or going down. If we do not nurture it, it will diminish in strength. So, my question to you is...what are you doing to strengthen your testimony in our Lord Jesus Christ?

Ways of strengthening a testimony

• Study the scriptures daily
• Live righteously
• Repent
• Pray
• Listen to the testimonies of others
• Bear your testimony often
  
  
  
  
  
  

Finding Great Peace

[RS message] "As I go out and work in the world each day I have really started to notice just how much contention, frustration, anxiety and bitterness there is. I was wondering what the remedy for this ailment of our world could be. What could I personally do to not "buy into" this vicious cycle where everyone blames everyone else and mountains are made out of molehills. I was thinking about this when I decided to look up peace in the topical guide. I chose to look up peace because it was the very thing that seemed so lacking.
I found a wonderful and enlighting scripture in Psalms 119:165. It clearly spells out how to obtain peace. "Great peace have they which love thy law: and nothing shall offend them." If I want peace, and I do, I must first love God's law. How can I love what I don't know (Scripture study) or don't practice? The second thing I think is, at least to me, harder to do - let NOTHING offend us! Sisters, I think when we can do that we are exercising charity and we will surely be blessed with God's great peace no matter what the world chooses to do. We can choose to learn, love and practice God's law and choose not to be offended. The choice is clearly ours - do we want peace or not? What is the price we are willing to pay?"

Having peace in my life can bring happiness and not just the short-term happiness. I'm talking about long-lasting happiness. It's seems too simplistic...just studying His law, loving it, and living it...but the Gospel is supposed to be simple and not complex. More understanding comes from studying and I believe gives us what we need to NOT be offended. We can see a bigger perspective on the situation at hand.

Changing My Attitude

"Certainly one of our God-given privileges is the right to choose what our attitude will be in any given set of circumstances. We can let the events that surround us determine our actions—or we can personally take charge and rule our lives, using as guidelines the principles of pure religion. Pure religion is learning the gospel of Jesus Christ and then putting it into action. Nothing will ever be of real benefit to us until it is incorporated into our own lives."

--Marvin J. Ashton, "Pure Religion", Ensign, Nov. 1982, 63

This was definitely something that I needed to hear when I read it. Changing my attitude seemed so much easier to do when I was younger. It is very hard for me to change my attitude now once it has taken hold. That can be a good thing and a bad thing, depending on the circumstances. Changing it to a more positive, productive, and loving attitude is my goal here.

"Instead of dwelling on the wickedness and grief of those who have sinned, I rejoice to read how many have abandoned their sinful practices and are now on the road back to righteousness and happiness...let us...rejoice in the spirit of forgiveness, which is the comforting message of the Atonement."

--Theodore M. Burton, "To Forgive Is Divine", Ensign, May 1983, 70

Giving in and giving up

Somedays you feel so overwhelmed with all your troubles, stresses, and blah feelings that you tend to just want to run away and hide from it all...give in to them or give up fighting them. There are some few simple things we can do to help us not give in or give up fighting them. They are simple and basic seminary answers, but isn't that what the Gospel is all about? Keeping things simple and remembering the basics? This doesn't encompass all things you can do, but are some things I have done recently to help me:

• Remember to never stop praying -- pray for things you are grateful for and the specific things you are in need of
• Read and study your scriptures everyday!
• Attend all your church meetings

I think I've quoted this before, but here it is again.

If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the
scriptures. (John Bytheway)

When we follow the commandments and do the things given to us to help us progress spiritually as a person, He will bless us for it!!! Yesterday was one of those "not so bad, but could be much worse" kind of days even with doing the things above. It was frustrating to me, bc I felt I was doing all I could to help uplift my somber mood. But things come in due time...well, actually the Lord's time. The answers or blessings we seek in earnest come when we least expect them. Mine came at the end of the day to make it a good and very worth while day. :-)

Refiner's Fire

Malachi 3:3 says:

“He will sit as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

This verse puzzled some women in a Bible Study and they wondered what this statement meant about the character and nature of God.

One of the women offered to find out the process of refining silver and get back to the group at their next Bible Study.

That week, the woman called a silversmith and made an appointment to watch him at work. She didn’t mention anything about the reason for her interest beyond her curiosity about the process of refining Silver.

As she watched the silversmith, he held a piece of silver over the fire and let it heat up.

He explained that in refining silver, one needed to hold the silver in the middle of the

Fire where the flames were hottest to burn away all the impurities

The woman thought about God holding us in such a hot spot; then she thought again

About the verse that says: “He sits as a refiner and purifier of silver.”

She asked the silversmith if it was true that he had to sit there in front of the fire the

Whole time the silver was being refined.

The man answered that yes, he not only had to sit there holding the silver, but he had to keep his eyes on the silver the entire time it was in the fire. If the silver was left

A moment too long in the flames, it would be destroyed.

The woman was silent for a moment. The she asked the silversmith, “How do you know when the silver is fully refined?”

He smiled at her and answered, “Oh, that’s easy – when I see my image in it.”

If today you are feeling the heat of the fire, remember that God has his eye on you and will keep watching you until He sees His image in you.

"May we all be faithful in doing the day to day ordinary things that prove our worthiness, for they will lead us to and qualify us for great things."

--James E. Faust, "Some Great Thing", Ensign, Nov. 2001, 46

Superwoman Syndrome!

I went to a Deployed Spouses Retreat today in which they talked about:

Superwoman Syndrome: A range of physical, pyschological, and interpersonal stress symptoms experienced by a woman as she attempts perfectly such multiple and conflicting roles as worker or career volunteer, wife, mother, and homemaker.

• Delegate but don't expect it to be perfect...it's not going to be.
• The only person we have control over regarding a person's happiness is ourselves
• Stressors can be life changes, career changes, geographic changes, traumatic events, group of minor changes
• Set realistic expectations: superwoman and supermom are fictional characters
• Ask others to "share the load"
• Prioritize personal and professional responsibilities
• Learn the magic in the simple word NO (*MY FAVORITE*)

Listen to Your Inner Voice --How you react to your life circumstances is crucial. You must first acknowledge your role and ask yourself a few questions: "What can I do to change my situation?" It's important you are honest--if you find yourself saying that there is nothing you can do ("I'm too busy") and others can't or won't help, you may be having trouble relinquishing the Superwoman role.

Beat the Superwoman Syndrome -- First, determine the areas of your life you can streamline and where you can ask for help. Do not expect others to read your mind or just "know" what help you need. You can call a family meeting to discuss how everyone can pitch in to help make the household run more smoothly. Ensure you don't set your standards too high. Avoid excessive criticism of others. Potential helpers might get discouraged and avoid their tasks.

Take a hard look at what activities outside the home contribute to your pressured feelings. Even if you enjoy all of your activities, learn to practice saying no to new activities. Remember, you don't owe anyone an explanation. Simply say, "Thanks for thinking of me but I can't take that on right now."

Finally, in order to feel positive about others, you must feel good about yourself. Find something you enjoy, and carve out the time to do it regularly. Taking care of you physically and emotionally is crucial to being able to care for or about others. If you start telling yourself, "I don't have time," remember this is your Superwoman self speaking! Above all, know you aren't alone. You have the tools to tackle it. Use them!

A Particle of Faith

Does it ever seem that even though you are trying to do your best you are always coming up short? I see a need to work on "A", but then "B" falls by the wayside. I work on "B" and still on "A" but then "C" starts to weaken in me. Okay, to better explain: I am doing really well with keeping my house a house of order. I'm keeping the floors clean, keeping the rooms uncluttered, etc. I then am starting to really hunker down on my school studies bc I want to stay on schedule, but then a lot of Katie Jo's toys end up cluttering the living room where I'm studying. I try to only do school work during the day so that I can still focus on my house and my family. As I'm trying to balance these two sides of my life, I see that I forgot to prepare my lesson for Sunday and it's friday or saturday night. My alarm goes off at 6:30am every morning so that I can take care of my physical and spiritual body...I work out and then read my scriptures while Katie Jo is still in bed and Randy is off to PT. Katie Jo comes downstairs bc she just woke up and is hungry but I'm not done reading or working out. I have to stop one and do the other. :-p

Now, there are easy fixes on all of these...by switching around my schedule...planning better. I'm not saying these situations are what make me frustrated...no, no...these are way too simple. But you can imagine what I'm trying to convey in more complex situations.



That is when I start to bang my head against the wall. I get so frustrated bc I can't do it all.

Yeah, yeah...nobody is perfect, but they tell us try and that is no easy task to do!

"I never said it would be easy, I only said it would be worth it"

"But behold, if ye will awake and around your faculties, even to an experiment
upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more
than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a
manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words" Alma 32:27

I like experimenting with new things. And it seems easy enough...just have a desire to believe. That desire is like a seed that I nourish into stronger faith and then to knowledge. I want to believe that I can master "A", "B", and "C" plus all those other things. Something that I learned recently is that you can't exercise faith while you have fear at the same time. They contradict each other. I just need to let loose of all those fears of failure and exercise that particle of faith that I can do this, that I can try and succeed. Little by little & eventually I can master it.

Humility in the word of the Lord

And now as I said concerning faith--faith is not to have a perfect knowledge of things; therefore if he yave faith ye hope for things which are not seen, which are true

Alma 32:21
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Humble yourselves --> Repent --> Endure to the end --> Shall be blessed

Here's my question to you. If people who humble themselves bc of the word will be blessed more so than those that are compelled to be humble...then why not do it?? It seems like a no brainer to be blessed more. Yet people don't always humble themselves. It usually takes a situation or stumbling block for them to do that.

Just some food for thought.

Early hours of the morning

What I love about reading the scriptures is that sometimes you can be reading and the words will be uttering exactly how you are feeling...things that you were not otherwise able to put into words yourself.

I have found that the time I get the most out of reading my scriptures is in the early hours of the morning when I first wake up. At that time I'm still half dreaming/half thinking about my dreams, thinking about what lays before me for the day, and any problems or issues that I'm facing. It is at this time that thoughts that are not my own flow into my train of thought. When all is still quiet and calm in the house and you can actually hear the silence, that is my favorite time to read and ponder the scriptures.

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Want to know a funny thing? Well, it's not really funny, but interesting and almost ironic. Here I am this morning, all gloomy from the rain, woke up from not-so-good dreams and am just blah to begin my day. :-( I read my scriptures to try to clear my head and had my thoughts read back to me as I did so. I prayed for some understanding regarding a certain situation. Not until tonight did I realize that the answer to my prayer started before I even prayed for it! Everything clicked together like an epiphany, if you will, when I was talking with Randy on the phone. :-) The Lord is aware of me and He knows what I need...it's my needing to ask for things is how that door opens between us.

Are you willing to die AND willing to fully live for your beliefs?

"Some men are willing to die for their faith but will not fully live for it. Christ both lived and died for us. By walking in his steps and through his atonement we can gain the greatest gift of all--eternal life--which is that kind of life of the great Eternal One, our Father in heaven."

--Ezra Taft Benson, "Jesus Christ--Gifts and Expectations, Byu Devotional", 10 December 1974

Am I willing to die for my beliefs? Better yet, am I willing to fully live for them? If I'm not, then the question should be why not? Like I've said earlier in this blog, there is no room for complacency in living the gospel of Jesus Christ. There is no room for being luke warm.