This week for my personal scripture study I have studied about faith. Today as part of that I studied about the Atonement. There are so many great scriptures about it. After all the study I am to write in my journal my feelings about the Savior and what He has done for me.
How does one tell how grateful they are about something so wonderful, amazing and important as the Atonement. I cannot comprehend such great love as the Savior has for me (and you) to do this for us. The only way I can even begin to understand it is the love I have as a mother for my children, and now my grandchildren. I love them so much and would do anything to bring about their salvation. But being human, I get frustrated with them and sometimes even mad at them (heaven forbid). The Savior does not love us in that way, His love is unconditional. He patiently waits for us to get on the ball and recognize His hand in our lives. He forgives us when we sincerely repent and looks upon that sin no more. I am so thankful to know that He loves me in such a way, and it makes it easier to surrender my will to His, because He knows what is best for me and what I need to become so that I can live in His presence. My greatest desire is to be with my family in the Celestial kingdom, and to do that I need to live a Christ like life, but because I am mortal and prone to make many mistakes, because of His love and Atoning sacrifice, He can and will forgive me through my repenting and I can move on and strive to do better.
Friday, January 22, 2010
Wednesday, January 20, 2010
Personal Progress
I have been the personal progress specialist in our ward for a year now. I enjoy the calling and have a testimony that it is an inspired program. So I have been asking myself this whole time "why don't I work on this along with the young women I am supposed to be mentoring"? Laziness I suppose is the best answer.
I have decided that now is THE TIME to begin and procrastinate no longer. So Monday I started. First I have to say that I am really excited about the new changes. I absolutely love the new book, pink and spiral bound. It is really beautiful.
I have been working on Faith this week. I am going to use this blog as my journal for the following reasons: 1. It makes me feel more committed to following through knowing that others are following this blog. 2. I hope it might encourage others to work on these areas of their lives as well (did you know that all adult women can work on personal progress and achieve the Recognition award and necklace?). 3. I have been seriously neglecting this blog for sometime and this will kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Value Experience #1:
I was to read several scriptures and two conference talks on faith.
Establish a habit of praying: beginning with regular morning and evening prayers.
I have had this habit of praying now for about 15 years. Before that I was very inconsistent in praying. It was because of an experience I had when I was serving as the secretary in a young women presidency that I began to change. Up to that time, you could call me a fence sitter Mormon. I had two daughters in young women at that time and the theme that year was "Experiment Upon the Word".
Alma 32:27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse 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.
She had a beautiful picture made up by one of the leaders, and everyone in young women's was to sign it committing to this challenge. That was a turning point in my life. I felt that as a leader and mother to these young women I needed to commit. For the first time in my life, I started a regular reading program, and started praying. I wasn't perfect in the beginning, but I worked at it steadily and now 15 years later, I can look back and see the marvelous change that faith and prayer have made in my life. I rarely think about that anymore, but reading that part of Alma again brought it back to me and I am so grateful to that YW president who made such an impact on my life as an adult.
I have a firm testimony of prayer. I look forward each morning to speaking my heart to Heavenly Father and knowing that He is listening and knows what is best in my life. One time I remember was 2-3 years after changing due to that time in Young Women's, I was called to be the Relief Society President. I was also working part time and needed to, to help support our family. About a year after being called, it was wearing on me and I started praying to Heavenly Father for help. The answer I got was that I needed to quit my job. That was such a hard thing for me to do, because it meant that our family would really struggle. I finally realized that I needed to have faith that Heavenly Father would take care of us, but that I needed to take the first step. So I quit....and started praying fervently for His help. All of a sudden, Dennis started getting over time at work, where as before there had been none. Whenever money would get very tight, I would pray, and he would get more overtime. Finally Dennis would jokingly say, "Would you quit praying?" But during that year and a half that I finished serving as Relief Society President I did not work, and we were blessed to have just enough for our needs. That was a huge faith building experience on both FAITH and PRAYER. Since that time I often have my prayers answered in ways that seem miraculous.
I do have one huge regret. I wish I had realized all this much earlier in my life. Because I waited so long I failed to teach my children these important principles. Now I am trying to encourage them, but it is not the same as raising them with these ideals from an early age.
But I can pray for them, and I do every day. Watch our fam...miracles still happen!
I have decided that now is THE TIME to begin and procrastinate no longer. So Monday I started. First I have to say that I am really excited about the new changes. I absolutely love the new book, pink and spiral bound. It is really beautiful.
I have been working on Faith this week. I am going to use this blog as my journal for the following reasons: 1. It makes me feel more committed to following through knowing that others are following this blog. 2. I hope it might encourage others to work on these areas of their lives as well (did you know that all adult women can work on personal progress and achieve the Recognition award and necklace?). 3. I have been seriously neglecting this blog for sometime and this will kill two birds with one stone, so to speak.
Value Experience #1:
I was to read several scriptures and two conference talks on faith.
Establish a habit of praying: beginning with regular morning and evening prayers.
I have had this habit of praying now for about 15 years. Before that I was very inconsistent in praying. It was because of an experience I had when I was serving as the secretary in a young women presidency that I began to change. Up to that time, you could call me a fence sitter Mormon. I had two daughters in young women at that time and the theme that year was "Experiment Upon the Word".
Alma 32:27 But behold, if ye will awake and arouse 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.
She had a beautiful picture made up by one of the leaders, and everyone in young women's was to sign it committing to this challenge. That was a turning point in my life. I felt that as a leader and mother to these young women I needed to commit. For the first time in my life, I started a regular reading program, and started praying. I wasn't perfect in the beginning, but I worked at it steadily and now 15 years later, I can look back and see the marvelous change that faith and prayer have made in my life. I rarely think about that anymore, but reading that part of Alma again brought it back to me and I am so grateful to that YW president who made such an impact on my life as an adult.
I have a firm testimony of prayer. I look forward each morning to speaking my heart to Heavenly Father and knowing that He is listening and knows what is best in my life. One time I remember was 2-3 years after changing due to that time in Young Women's, I was called to be the Relief Society President. I was also working part time and needed to, to help support our family. About a year after being called, it was wearing on me and I started praying to Heavenly Father for help. The answer I got was that I needed to quit my job. That was such a hard thing for me to do, because it meant that our family would really struggle. I finally realized that I needed to have faith that Heavenly Father would take care of us, but that I needed to take the first step. So I quit....and started praying fervently for His help. All of a sudden, Dennis started getting over time at work, where as before there had been none. Whenever money would get very tight, I would pray, and he would get more overtime. Finally Dennis would jokingly say, "Would you quit praying?" But during that year and a half that I finished serving as Relief Society President I did not work, and we were blessed to have just enough for our needs. That was a huge faith building experience on both FAITH and PRAYER. Since that time I often have my prayers answered in ways that seem miraculous.
I do have one huge regret. I wish I had realized all this much earlier in my life. Because I waited so long I failed to teach my children these important principles. Now I am trying to encourage them, but it is not the same as raising them with these ideals from an early age.
But I can pray for them, and I do every day. Watch our fam...miracles still happen!
Monday, January 18, 2010
How do you like the new look?
Give myself a big pat on the back, I made a banner for this blog all by my little old self. S how do you like it? I know it is pretty simple, but it is my first attempt ever. I am such a novice at Adobe Photo Elements but I bumbled my way around. Now I need to get a fun picture that I can add. Hope you enjoy the new look.
Stake Conference
We had stake conference this weekend and it was wonderful. I want to share a few things that I was reminded of. It is good that we can be reminded of basic truths because I sure can get side tracked and forget sometimes.
President Conley, the 2nd counselor of the Mt. Timpanogas Temple said that when we attend the temple we need to go with a purpose, not just to go and do the work for the dead. Maybe that is why I haven't felt the Spirit too strongly lately when I attend. I also feel better when I listed to uplifting music on the way to get me more in the spirit, but oft times I forget to grab an appropriate CD to listen to.
Our Stake President, President Young promised us that if we attend the temple more often we will be taught by the Lord, but only if we attend more often than we are not attending. I have set a goal this year to double my temple attendance.
President Young also said that we need to INVITE the Spirit into our lives. We can and will have joy and peace in our lives when we turn our lives over the the Lord. We need to be truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that is the reason why the 3 witnesses of the Book of Mormon fell away from the church is that at one time they had a testimony, but they were not truly converted. A testimony is not enough, only total conversion.
A priest Kurt Gilbert from our ward spoke and did an awesome job. He said we need to DARE to do what is right.
D -decide now what you will do in a bad situation
A -arise above the pressure of the world and peers
R -remember who you are, a son or daughter or Heavenly Father
E -be and Example. Don't be IN the in crowd, BEGIN the crowd
President Pitts of the Utah South Mission said we need to "Lean toward the light".
The light being our Savior Jesus Christ. Just as a plant when turned will lean back towards the light, no matter how many times it is turned.
President Watts a counselor in the stake presidency said we need to "Develop Christ like attributes". We should kneel twice a day and supplicate to the Lord. Kneeling shows honor and respect. Twice a day is a minimum.
President Young said "The study of the gospel will change behavior quicker than studying behavior will change behavior". I thought that was simple yet profound. He also said that we need to "Be obedient to what God asks us to do".
I am glad to know that I am on the right path, but there is always room for improvement. I know that with earnest prayer (on my knees), attending the temple more often and following our Savior I can be a better person. I am grateful to the Spirit of the Holy Ghost for helping me feel the spirit of the meetings and to be able to see those things that I need to work on for the next 6 months. I LOVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
President Conley, the 2nd counselor of the Mt. Timpanogas Temple said that when we attend the temple we need to go with a purpose, not just to go and do the work for the dead. Maybe that is why I haven't felt the Spirit too strongly lately when I attend. I also feel better when I listed to uplifting music on the way to get me more in the spirit, but oft times I forget to grab an appropriate CD to listen to.
Our Stake President, President Young promised us that if we attend the temple more often we will be taught by the Lord, but only if we attend more often than we are not attending. I have set a goal this year to double my temple attendance.
President Young also said that we need to INVITE the Spirit into our lives. We can and will have joy and peace in our lives when we turn our lives over the the Lord. We need to be truly converted to the Gospel of Jesus Christ. He said that is the reason why the 3 witnesses of the Book of Mormon fell away from the church is that at one time they had a testimony, but they were not truly converted. A testimony is not enough, only total conversion.
A priest Kurt Gilbert from our ward spoke and did an awesome job. He said we need to DARE to do what is right.
D -decide now what you will do in a bad situation
A -arise above the pressure of the world and peers
R -remember who you are, a son or daughter or Heavenly Father
E -be and Example. Don't be IN the in crowd, BEGIN the crowd
President Pitts of the Utah South Mission said we need to "Lean toward the light".
The light being our Savior Jesus Christ. Just as a plant when turned will lean back towards the light, no matter how many times it is turned.
President Watts a counselor in the stake presidency said we need to "Develop Christ like attributes". We should kneel twice a day and supplicate to the Lord. Kneeling shows honor and respect. Twice a day is a minimum.
President Young said "The study of the gospel will change behavior quicker than studying behavior will change behavior". I thought that was simple yet profound. He also said that we need to "Be obedient to what God asks us to do".
I am glad to know that I am on the right path, but there is always room for improvement. I know that with earnest prayer (on my knees), attending the temple more often and following our Savior I can be a better person. I am grateful to the Spirit of the Holy Ghost for helping me feel the spirit of the meetings and to be able to see those things that I need to work on for the next 6 months. I LOVE THE GOSPEL OF JESUS CHRIST!
Sunday, January 17, 2010
Book Club
Amanda and I are starting a Book Club. We have been reading such good books about health and nutrition, that we just want to share all our knowledge with other people, but they don't seem to be interested. We thought that maybe if they actually read the books, that they might catch the fire as well. It will great fun to be able to discuss these books with others and get their take on them and share ideas and such. If you are reading this and might be interested, the book for January is "How to Raise A Healthy Child...In Spite of Your Doctor" by Robert S. Mendelsohn M.D. It is an awesome book and so enlightening. I just wish I had known about this book when I was a young mother with babies. I believe this is just one of the "Hidden Treasures of Knowledge" I talked about in my diet blog .
When: Wednesday, January 27
Where: My house (if you need an address, email me at luvtostamp@gmail.com)
Time: 7:00 pm
I had a few copies of the book which I picked up at wholesale. They are just 5.00.
When: Wednesday, January 27
Where: My house (if you need an address, email me at luvtostamp@gmail.com)
Time: 7:00 pm
I had a few copies of the book which I picked up at wholesale. They are just 5.00.
Subscribe to:
Posts (Atom)