Tithing... letting go.

I have a testimony of Tithing. And yes this is new to me. I have been a member all my life and have paid my tithing whenever we get money. But this last month has been a little different. My husband got a pay cut and so things have been a little tighter then we all would like. Just last week we were getting groceries and other things we needed and I realized in my head that we hadn't paid our tithing or at least hadn't put it aside to pay. And my dear husband told me no we will be ok, we paid it.I took it out. I'll I could see was the numbers adding them and subtracting them in my head. It just didn't work in my head. I even got mad at him. But that night I just finally got down on my knees and said I can't seem to make it all work but Lord I know you can. And I know this doesn't happen all the time but the next day I went to the mail and there there was two checks for us that we never knew where coming. I learned that sometimes we can't see the bigger picture or what is going to happen next but our loving Heavenly Father can. I am greatful to have my husband a worthy presthood holder in our home he is such a great excample to me.

Parenting Advice from the Scriptures

In Jarom 1:7-12, I found some great parenting advice. In verse 7 we see that their "leaders were mighty men in the faith of the Lord." Being mighty in the faith of the Lord must surely be a mark of a great leader. The same verse tells us that these leaders "taught the people the ways of the Lord." How will our children know of Christ and be expected to act like Him if we haven't taught them.

If we are faithful and good teachers as were those leaders, our families can withstand the trials that come from the adversary. The Nephites were able to withstand the Lamanites by using this method. The leaders prepared their people by teaching them about all kinds of things and because they were "prepared to meet the Lamanites, they did not prosper against us."

There is a bit of a catch, though. It isn't enough to teach them once or twice. We must "labor diligently, exhorting with all long-suffering the people to diligence." Also, those leaders "did prick their hearts with the word, continually stirring them up unto repentance." There is nothing more powerful than the word of the Lord to make a difference in someone's life.

By doing all this great work, the leaders were able to preserve their people. When I try to apply these scriptures to my own life, I am inclined to believe that I must not be weary in teaching and guiding my children continually. I can also believe that if I do my part, my children will be able to have the know-how to deal with trials and temptations that come their way. This seems worth the reward. :)

Read all the verses in full to see if you have more insights to share on this section!

FHE Does Wonders!

Last week was one of those survival-mode weeks for our family. Everybody was in a bad mood all the time; there was yelling; there was disrespect. It was just an awful week all-around!!

Then came Family Home Evening last night. My husband decided to do a lesson on obedience (something our kids had been lacking all week). In the middle of the lesson, I had the thought that we needed to do some role-playing, so they could understand the concept a little better.

So we decided to ask the kids a question, and they had to respond in the wrong way, and then in the right way. So I'd ask something like, "Will you please put that coloring book away?" Then (amid giggles!) she had to answer, "NO!!!" with a huge scowl and stomping her foot. My two-year-old thought this was hilarious! She would try, but would never be able to finish the tantrum because she was too busy laughing. Then, we'd try again, and they'd do it the right way: "Sure, mom!" and run off to do it.

It was the simplest thing! Yet today has been wonderful!!!! At one point, my oldest was starting to get a little attitude, and I'd say, "You're not doing it good enough! You have to scowl really hard and stomp your foot like this!!" That would break the spell, and she'd start giggling.

I'm so glad that we have Family Home Evening!! I know I would have never thought of this idea to role-play if we hadn't had FHE last night!

"The Church has established two special times for families to be together. The first is centered around the proper observance of the Sabbath day. ... The second time is Monday night. We are to teach our children in a well-organized, regular family home evening. No other activities should involve our family members on Monday night. This designated time is to be with our families."

-L. Tom Perry, "The Importance of the Family," Ensign, May 2003, 42

Angels

Here are a few of my angel favorites!

2 Kings 6:14-17 There are more with me than against me.

Jeffrey R. Holland's The Ministry of Angels talk. He handles "all about angels" so well here. He uses stories and explanations that encompass the topic in a beautiful way.

Dallin H. Oaks talks about the Aaronic Priesthood holding the keys of the ministering of angels. He explains what this means.

If I Were an Angel on Christmas Night angel song. Here's the video with pictures of many angels that dwell in our own homes.



May angels be round about you during this Christmas season.

The Great Camp of the Lord

Joel 2:10 reads in part, "the Lord shall utter his voice before his army: for his camp is very great". In reading that this morning, I was reminded once again how wonderful it is that not only can we have the Lord with us, He will go before us. This terminology is used fairly regularly in the scriptures. I think it is significant because God knows what is coming up ahead and can guide us through the rough spots as we allow him to do so.

Verses 12 and 13 give a good reminder as to how we can join/remain in His great camp. I was glad I read these scriptures today to remind me to watch and listen for the Lord's guidance as I go througout my day rather than stumbling around on my own and not finding the best way. Perhaps the Lord has some rock climbing equipment or an airplane to help me navigate through/over/around the obstacles that I can see.

Right In Front of Us

In the middle of 2 Ne. 9:41, it says, "the way for man is narrow. but it lieth in a straight course before him..."

What a simple phrase! There may only be a small number of things that lead us to Christ (comparatively), but it's all right there in front of us. We know the way. It's just a matter of doing what we know.

New Understanding of the Atonement

Today I was reading from the Topical Guide again. This time it was Jesus Christ, Atonement, through. There are a lot of great scriptures there, but one in particular completely changed my understanding of the Atonement. I don't know if I'm right with this, but it helped me understand it a little more.

The end of Hebrews 2:9 says, "that he [Christ] by the grace of God should taste death for every man." I've always understood this to mean physical death. But perhaps it means spiritual death. Maybe Christ suffered so much because He felt what it was like to be separated from Heavenly Father forever. Being His only Begotten Son, that must have been so painful for Him! To literally feel what it was like to be separated from His Father forever. We can always try to imagine what that's like, but Christ, with His understanding of God's Plan, really felt the weight of that - the devastation of that.

The Atonement to me has always been more of a physical thing - He suffered our physical pains, such as sickness, anger, sorrow. But it was SO much more than that! He literally felt that separation from God. And He knew that if He didn't go through with everything, that we would all feel that same way forever. He loved us so much that He didn't want us to feel that despair. He died for us, so that we wouldn't have to suffer like that.

Yes, Christ suffered for our physical pains. But He also suffered for our spiritual ones. Most importantly, He took away the pain that we will never have to feel - separation from God (like that of Lucifer). He suffered it so that we will never have to.

What Will Your Children Learn From You?

Reading about king Nebuchadnezzar in Daniel chapter 2 today, I found some interesting things. First, king Nebuchadnezzar was "into" sorcerors, magicians, and astrologers. Then when Daniel interpreted his dream, he worshipped Daniel instead of the Lord.

After this, Nebuchadnezzar makes an image of gold. In verse 19, we see that Nebuchadnezzar was "full of fury, and the form of his visage was changed" because he was so angry that Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego wouldn't worship the image. When he saw that the fiery furnace had no effect on them, he changed his thinking again. He made "a decree, That every people, nation, and language, which speak any thing amiss against the God of Shadrach, Meshach, and Abed-nego, shall be cut in pieces, and their houses shall be made a dunghill: because there is no other God that can deliver after this sort." (Wow! Try to top that description!)

Nebuchadnezzar sounds like a very flamboyant person, very volatile and dramatic. But, he is willing to make changes. In Daniel 4:37, he decides, "Now I Nebuchadnezzar praise and extol and honour the King of heaven, all whose works are truth..."

I wonder if this decision, to worship the true God, came rather late in his life. It seems that what his son Belshazzar learned was the very same thing that Nebuchadnezzar began with. In Daniel 5, we see how Belshazzar, "cried aloud to bring in the astrologers, the Chaldeans, and the soothsayers..." Looks like things came full circle in this family.

This makes me want to pay special attention to what my kids are learning from me. I have to ask myself if I am being teachable. Am I learning lessons quickly? Am I wading through some untruths that may seem completely obvious to others? Do I take the time to truly get it, or am I floundering around from one wrong thing to another when the truth is staring me in the face?

The Lord is Over All

I read Ephesians 4 this morning while still feeling a little discouraged. Verses 4-6 reminded me of the fact that God is in charge. Verse 6 tells me God is above all, through all and in all. This is the perfect thing to remember until "we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God" (vs 13). That we are not tossed to and fro with every wind of doctrine through cunning craftiness (vs 14). Other verses talk of love and of learning of Christ. Is that not what we all need? Verse 32 says that we are to be kind and forgiving as Christ is.

Perfect, perfect. All of it. Just what I needed. It doesn't matter what is going on in the world around me. I need to be an example and help others that have yet to learn of Christ. I need to promote righteousness where I can. The word of the Lord is more powerful than anything else and can bring more change to this world than anything else.

I love the scriptures. There is always help to be found in them. :)

True Friends

"And now, Zoram, I speak unto you: Behold, thou art the servant of Laban; nevertheless, thou has been brought out of the land of Jerusalem, and I know that thou art a true friend unto my son, Nephi, forever." --2 Nephi 1:30

This verse made me think. Am I a true friend?? Would people say that they know I'll be a true friend to someone forever? Then I started thinking about what a true friend really is. That led me to the Topical Guide, under Friendship.

I think this verse defines what a true friend is: "Greater love hath no man than this, that a man lay down his life for his friends." --John 15:13

I don't think that means to literally lay down our lives. (Obviously, it could, in some circumstances.) But I think it means to put our own "stuff" aside when a friend really needs us - even if for an hour or two, or for a short phone call. Being a true friend is to put that person first whenever they need it. And if they're a true friend, they'll do the same when you need them.

Fool's Gold

This has nothing to do with the Gospel, but I want to get the word out to as many people as possible:

If your kids get any pirate coins (you know, the ones in the gold foil) in their Halloween candy, DON'T LET THEM EAT IT!!! Just got this:

"There is a new warning put out by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency. Sherwood brand Pirate's Gold Milk Chocolate coins are being recalled due to the fact that they contain Melamine, the ingredient in milk product that has caused many infant deaths in China. These candies are sold at Costco, as well as many bulk and dollar stores. Please make sure to check your children's Halloween candy and DO NOT LET THEM EAT THE PIRATE COINS. Please let other parents know about this!"

Snopes says this is TRUE, so please be careful this week!! But also, have fun!!! :)

Shake It Off

I think most people are familiar with the verse in 2 Ne. 26, that says, "...yea, and [the devil] leadeth them by the neck with a flaxen cord, until he bindeth them with his strong cords forever."

If we didn't have the rest of the scriptures, that verse by itself would be pretty depressing! But luckily, we have hope! It comes in 2 Ne. 1:23: "Awake, my sons; put on the armor of righteousness. Shake off the chains with which ye are bound, and come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."

If we find ourselves bound with the "strong cords" of Satan, all we have to do is decide to shake them off! Christ is there waiting, ready to help us as soon as we decide to "put on the armor of righteousness." We don't have to feel hopeless, we just have to decide. Once we do that, Christ is there to help us shake of those awful chains, "come forth out of obscurity, and arise from the dust."

Synonyms

Yesterday, I was reading in 2 Nephi 1. I came to the second half of verse 12, which says, "...wherefore, my sons, I would that ye would remember; yea, I would that ye would hearken unto my words."

Those two things - remembering and hearkening unto his words - seem to be synonyms! If we want to remember Christ, all we have to do is hearken unto His words. As we are following His counsel, it's impossible to forget about Him!

A Good Soldier in Christ

In 2 Timothy chapter 2, there are lots of great "one-liners" telling us how to be a good soldier in Christ. Some of my favorites are these:

1. Thou therefore, my son, be strong in the grace that is in Christ Jesus. (Great, direct thought for my boys.)
2. No man that warreth entangleth himself with the affairs of this life; that he may please him who hath chosen him to be a soldier. (Yeah, that makes sense--look towards the kingdom of God instead!)
3. If we suffer, we shall also reign with him: if we deny him, he also will deny us: (Hmmm...which choice sounds better?)
4. But shun profane and vain babblings: for they will increase unto more ungodliness. (This makes sense.)
5. If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto honour, sanctified, and meet for the master’s use, and prepared unto every good work. (Love the word choice here--I want to be a "vessel unto honour")
6. And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient, (Easier said than done, sure, but this definitely paints us a peaceful scene.)

Do you have some favorite one-liners?

Better Than I Could Ever Put It!

"People need to know something of our faith as committed Christians with strong traditional values. Along with the Articles of Faith, we need to emphasize that:"We believe in the eternity of the soul, that God is the Father of our spirits, and that we can return to Him after death."We believe that Jesus Christ is our personal Savior, and we try to model our lives after Him and His teachings. We commemorate Christ's atoning sacrifice in our Sunday worship services, similar to taking communion in other churches. We accept as fellow Christians all who believe Jesus Christ to be the Son of God and the Savior of all mankind. . . . Joseph Smith taught that Jesus Christ is the core of our belief, and everything else is an appendage to it (see Elders' Journal, July 1838, 44). The name of the Church is The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter day Saints."We believe the original church that Jesus established was lost and has been restored again in our day. The priesthood, the authority given to man to act in the name of God, with apostles and a prophet to lead us, has been restored as have all necessary ordinances of salvation."We believe in and we use the Holy Bible, both the Old and New Testaments."And we believe in the Book of Mormon and other books of scripture which support and authenticate the Bible and testify of the ministry and divinity of Christ and of God's ongoing revelation to man. Indeed, the Book of Mormon is 'Another Testament of Jesus Christ.' "

M. Russell Ballard, "Faith, Family, Facts, and Fruits," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 26

No Way Out

Reading in Alma 17, I discovered something I had passed by before. In this story, Ammon is out with his fellow servants, tending the kings sheep. When the wicked Lamanites come to scatter the sheep, all the servants but Ammon, "began to murmur, saying: Now the king will slay us, as he has our brethren because their flocks were scattered by the wickedness of these men. And they began to weep exceedingly, saying: Behold, our flocks are scattered already. Now they wept because of the fear of being slain."

I found it surprising that every one of them figured they had no choices! They all assumed that because of the way things had gone before, that is how they would go again. Ammon, on the other hand, helped them to see that they could do something about the problem! He had them gather the sheep and keep them together. He then contended with the wicked Lamanites while the others kept the sheep from being scattered again. Ammon formulated a plan, encouraged the others and then followed through.

Why hadn't the other servants thought about the possibility of gathering up the sheep and fighting against their tormenters in order to save themselves from death?
Ammon was a servant, just like the others, but look what he managed to accomplish simply by a different way of looking at things. The different way, of course, is the Lord's way.

How many times do we assume there is no way out simply because that is the way it happened before? It would be much better to assume, as did Ammon, that the Lord has a wonderful plan in mind. Then, we can seek to follow Him instead of being paralyzed by fear. I'm hoping to get rid of the "No way out" mentality and be more like Ammon.

The Sacrament

"How can attending your meetings--particularly sacrament meeting--bless you and your family? Regularly partaking of the sacrament will help you keep your baptismal covenant. As you live worthily and renew this covenant weekly, you will qualify for the guidance of the Spirit. The Holy Ghost will guide you and will teach you what you should do to bless your family."

Mary N. Cook, "Strengthen Home and Family," Ensign, Nov. 2007, 12

This quote made me think of how I experience the sacrament, but also how I allow my children to experience it. I don't know if you're this way, but I usually get a little annoyed if my kids take more than 2 seconds while taking the bread or the water. I get worried that they're taking too long...

But I just realized that I'm WAY off!! The sacrament is the most important part of our Sabbath worship! It shouldn't be rushed! I need to let my kids take the time they need. I need to take the time I need, in order to feel the full effect of the sacrament.

This Sunday, I'm going to take my time and really savor the experience of being able to partake of the sacrament!

General Conference Favorites

Now that all the General Conference talks are available for reading, I find myself drawn back to certain talks. It is so wonderful that we have the resources available to read, watch and listen to things we found so inspiring in the first place--and in so many, many languages!

I have to say that my pencil was flying across my post-it note pad as I listened to President Uchtdorf speak at the General Relief Society Meeting. (Read his talk here.) What wonderful things he had to say. Did it hit the spot for anyone else? Creativity and compassion is how God accomplishes His happiness. President Uchtdorf admonished us all to emulate those qualities to find our happiness as well. The way he spoke of creativity was so enlightening to me. I found it interesting that he said, "The desire to create is one of the deepest yearnings of the human soul." I was also intrigued by all the things that he listed that were creative things. My post-it notes will be on my computer desk for easy viewing for quite a while for this talk.

I also loved President Monson's talk on finding joy in the journey. It works well with President Uchtdorf's talk. Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. This is a great quote: "Let us relish life as we live it, find joy in the journey, and share our love with friends and family. One day each of us will run out of tomorrows."

Knowing enough, as Neil L. Anderson talked about, is such a powerful idea too. We don't need to know the meaning of all things. We can allow what we do know to work within us.

And finally, I am coming full circle back to President Uchtdorf. He talked of hope. I had never thought about hope being something that takes a courageous choice. But as I think about it, it is true!

There were so many great talks. these are just some of my favorites. I would love to hear some things you got out of a talk or two as well to provide additional insight.

Fireproof Your Marriage

I don't intend this blog to be an advertisement for movies or books, but I feel the need to make an exception for this movie:

Fireproof

It's an excellent movie with values that we hold dear. Right now, there aren't very many movies or TV shows that are FOR marriage, so to find one is refreshing! This movie is only playing another week in Arizona, so please go see it and support this kind of movie! There's a link on that website to find theaters and showtimes in your area.

Easiness of the Way

"He sent fiery flying serpents among them; and after they were bitten he prepared a way that they might be healed; and the labor which they had to perform was to look; and because of the simpleness of the way, or the easiness of it, there were many who perished.
-1 Nephi 17:41, emphasis added

This verse struck me, as I was reading yesterday. The first thing I learned, that I hadn't realized before, was that they were to look after they were bitten. I always thought they were supposed to look so that they wouldn't get bitten, but that's not the case. If they were bitten by the snakes, all they had to do was look at the pole, and they were healed.

How many times are we "bitten" in life? "Life is hard," as Lawrence E. Corbridge said in Conference. But it is also simple. All we have to do is follow Christ! However, how many times do we get stuck "because of the simpleness of the way"? The world makes us think that if we mess up, we have to jump through all kinds of hoops in order to get back to where we were. But that's not the Lord's way. All we have to do is look to the Lord!

And how do we do this? Again, it's in the simple things. The "Sunday School answers," as many people call them.
- read your scriptures daily, individually and as a family
- pray daily
- have Family Home Evening
- attend Church
- go to the temple
- keep the commandments

I, for one, won't be calling these Sunday School answers anymore. They are the Lord's way. They're the "simple" things in life that will help us return to Him. There's a reason why they're the answer to every question!! It's because they ARE the answer to every question! If our life isn't going the way we want it, these are the things we need to return to. These are the things that make life simple!

Murmur Not

Yesterday, I came across one of those gems of a Conference talk. You know the kind - the one that you know you'll read over and over again... This time, it was Murmur Not, by Neal A. Maxwell (Ensign, Nov. 1989, 82). It's an excellent talk!! Here are some of my favorite quotes from it:

"...too many of us seem to expect that life will flow ever smoothly, featuring an unbroken chain of green lights with empty parking places just in front of our destinations!"

"Cutting truth does hurt, but its lancing can drain off pride."

Characteristics of a murmurer:
-"The murmurer often lacks the courage to express openly his concerns."
-"While a murmurer insists on venting his own feelings, he regards any response thereto as hostile."
-"Murmurers have short memories. ... Strange, isn't it,... how those with the shortest memories have the longest lists of demands!"
-Murmurers spend all their time in looking for the evil.

"Perspective makes such an enormous and constant difference in our lives."

"The goodness of the Lord is attested to in so many ways - mansions await! - yet we ungrateful guests still complain about the present accommodations."

Murmuring is contagious, but "being of good cheer is equally contagious."

"Letting off steam always produces more heat than light."

"Murmuring can be another form of mocking God's plan of salvation."

"Murmuring can also be noise enough that it drowns out the various spiritual signals to us... Murmuring over the weight of our crosses not only takes energy otherwise needed to carry them but might cause another to put down his cross altogether."

"Nonmurmurers are permitted to see so much more."

"Fear not: for they that be with us are more than they that be with them." - 2 Kings 6:16

"If our lips are closed to murmuring, then our eyes can be opened."

More Conference Activities

More

Conference Activities!

:)

Conference Activities!!

I had a feeling a Conference packet would circulate through emails, but thanks to my amazing husband, I now have it as a link!! So enjoy this Conference packet, as well as a Memory game with the Quorum of the Twelve!

October 2008 Conference Packet

Quorum of the Twelve Memory Game

Choices??

I know we are sent here to make choices. But when an other's choice affects us and our choices. How do we not make there choices for them. But also not let them make or effect ours?

Do any of you have some scriptures or a talk that I can look at? I am coming up with nothing.
Thank you in advance.

The Constitution and Freedom

With elections coming up, our Bishop encouraged us to read D&C 98. Verses 4-10 were of particular interest to me.

Our Founding Fathers wrote a truly inspired document with the help of the Lord. One of my sons and I have been learning recently in our homeschool about the Constitution and how it came about. It really is truly incredible that with so many varied opinions and ideas that they could formulate such a remarkable document. The principles that were transcribed on those pages hold true even still for our day.

Verse 5 states, "And that law of the land which is constitutional, supporting that principle of freedom in maintaining rights and privileges, belongs to all mankind, and is justifiable before me." The principle of freedom allows us to keep our rights and privileges, yet like the Nephites in the Book of Mormon, how can we expect to retain those very same things if we don't do what we can to uphold the constitution that upholds that principle? As we know, the Nephites kept their freedoms as they were righteous.

What is our part? The answer is shown in these words: "honest men and wise men should be sought for diligently, and good men and wise men ye should observe to uphold". Can't say it any better than that.

Suggestions

This next Monday is the last Family Home Evening before Conference. We've decided to have an FHE about the lives of the current leaders of our Church, so our kids will know them better and will be more willing to listen to them next week. Our kids are younger (4 and 2), so I don't expect them to sit on the couch for 8 hours and listen quietly, but I'm hoping that they'll recognize the apostles and know they're special men and feel like they know them a little bit better. If nothing else, they'll know that it's important to US to watch General Conference and that WE think they're special men!

That's what we've decided to do. What does your family do to prepare for Conference?

Astonishment!

You know how sometimes we just keep doing the same things over and over and over? And then, oddly enough, we get frustrated/upset/mad when we keep experiencing the same things.

I was reading in Alma 49 this morning. It was rather enlightening. In verses 5 through 9, it mentions three times the incredible astonishment of the Lamanites over finding their grand plans of destruction being thwarted. The scriptures use words like uttermost and exceeding to describe their astonishment. They were truly completely flabbergasted.

Why was this so? It was because the Nephites had prepared for battle "in a manner which never had been known" before.

So, I asked myself..."Self, what is there in your life that you need to change and do in a manner that you have never known before?" I got some good ideas there.

Then I also questioned, "What enemies could I completely blindside by this course of action?" I pictured what the Lamanite's faces may have looked like when they saw what the Nephites had done. I wonder if the Nephites threw up a fisted arm and exclaimed, "Yes!" when they saw them.

In our lives today, Lucifer and his followers would suppose "that they should be privileged to come upon them as they had hitherto done". What if they get thrown for a loop today, this week, this month? Score a point for the good guys, huh?

There's today's take on a story I've read many, many times before. I love how one can always find something new in the scriptures. :)

Testimony is Fragile

Lately, I've been reading the Testimonies of the Prophets. (From that link, click "Next" to go through each prophet's testimony.) Today, I came across this quote, by Harold B. Lee, that I really liked:

"Testimony isn't something you have today, and you are going to have always. A testimony is fragile. It is as hard to hold as a moonbeam. It is something you have to recapture every day of your life."

(Church News, July 15, 1972, 4.)

This reminds me of something someone said once, that on the pathway of life, you are either going up or you are going down. There's no staying the same. Every choice we make will build our testimony or tear it down.

Ancient "Blogging"

While away from home for a couple of weeks, I did a poor job of scripture study. In the middle of checking through my emails, I decided I had better get off on the right foot this morning, so I cruised over to lds.org and chose a random scripture page.

The page I chose to begin reading reminded me of http://i-have-a-testimony.blogspot.com/. I visited the site and was happy to find some excellent scriptures that I could have a more in depth study on. Laurie's "Be of Good Cheer" post really hit the spot for me.

So, what did I read? Jacob 4:1-4 It is great to know we can write to strengthen one another in the gospel by the things that have strengthened our own lives. I am reading all your testimonies with "thankful hearts" and trying to "learn with joy and not with sorrow."

Thanks all!

Be of Good Cheer

Over the next few months, our family is going to have to make a pretty big decision. A decision that only the Lord knows the answer to. As we've begun to pray and ponder over it, I've been concerned with all the little details that it may involve. However, I've always felt that Heavenly Father will help us, as long as we do what He wants us to do. . . . Still, big changes can be overwhelming.

But today, I was reading in 1 Nephi again. I'm in chapter 7, when they go to Ishmael and ask them to come with them into the wilderness. Verse 5 begins, "And it came to pass that the Lord did soften the heart of Ishmael..." As I've been pondering our decision, I've begun to realize that the Lord has also softened my heart concerning it.

The footnote in this verse leads to TG Guidance, Divine. (I've really learned to love the Topical Guide lately!) Today I came across several scriptures that were of help. (See Prov. 3:6; Amos 3:7; James 1:5; 1 Ne. 4:6; Hel. 10:3; Moro. 10:4; D&C 6:14; D&C 8:2-3; D&C 112:10.)

These are all excellent scriptures, but the one that struck me the most was D&C 78:18: "...be of good cheer, for I will lead you along." I realized that no matter what life brings, if we are "of good cheer" we don't need to worry about all the decisions we must make. Heavenly Father will lead us! So even though I have a big decision ahead of me, I know that as I willingly follow God, He will lead me. If I follow Him begrudgingly, it won't be the same! I must be happy with how He leads my life, because after all, He knows best!!

Organize Yourselves

Today in Sunday School we read one of my favorite scriptures, D&C 109:8

"Organize yourselves; prepare every needful thing, and establish a house, even a house of prayer, a house of fasting, a house of faith, a house of learning, a house of glory, a house of order, a house of God;"

I love this scripture. I need it ingrained in my head. I need to work harder on making my home a spiritual one. Ryan and I are considering getting rid of cable, because we watch TV entirely too much! I need to organize myself and get my act together in a lot of ways. This scripture is such an inspiration to me today.

Stillness

Once again, I followed a chain of scriptures and discovered some interesting things. This time, I read 1 Nephi 3:7, which is a scripture most people know. But I decided to focus on the word "prepare." After reading the other cross references, the last one was D&C 5:34. "Yea, for this cause I have said: Stop, and stand still until I command thee, and I will provide means whereby thou mayest accomplish the thing which I have commanded thee." The first part of this scripture really struck me! "Stop and stand still until I command thee." I went to read the cross references for stand and came across 1 Samuel 9:27. The last part reads, "stand thou still a while, that I may shew thee the word of God."

In order to know the word of God, we need to stop! Just stop and wait for the Spirit of the Lord to come into our lives and show us what He would have us do. So many times we get caught up in LIFE, that we forget what it's all about! It's not about a spotless house or putting our kids into 5 different classes. It's about learning the word of God and following His commandments. When we stop running around so much, He will lead us to where we need to be.

Endurance

Today, I read 1 Nephi 2:10. I decided to study footnote b: TG Dependability. After reading several of the references, I came to D&C 82:24, which reads: "For even yet the kingdom is yours, and shall be forever, if you fall not from your steadfastness. Even so. Amen."

We always hear people mentioning "endure to the end" as one of those "Sunday School" answers. But it really is the key!! As long as we're trying, "the kingdom is [ours]." That's a wonderful promise!

A Trail of Testimony

This time around, I've decided to read The Book of Mormon a little different - by topic. I still started with 1 Nephi 1:1, but I got "sidetracked" with "therefore I was taught." I spent a good 45 minutes looking up scriptures on parenting yesterday. (That post will come shortly.)

Today, I got as far as 1 Nephi 1:3! That's where I found a trail of testimonies! I challenge each of you to read these verses. Then, go to each verse and read the footnotes for each of their "trues." You'll find an amazing group of testimonies!

"The Best Part of the Lesson"

This is an article from the August Ensign. I've noticed this same thing over and over again and thought this was a great article that everyone should ponder. So, here it is, in its entirety:

"A wise institute teacher once gave me some advice that changed my behavior during Church meetings. His advice addresses a problem that often occurs at the end of gospel lessons or talks in sacrament or other meetings. Frequently, when speakers begin to conclude and bear their testimonies, we prepare to leave by zipping scripture cases, shuffling papers, and packing bags. Sometimes the noise is so loud students can barely hear the teacher. Unfortunately, this noise happens at what is often the most significant part of a lesson or talk: the sharing of testimony! The sound disrupts what can be a powerful spiritual experience for the listeners.

"My institute teacher suggested a simple solution to this problem: sit still. He challenged us to listen attentively until we hear the amen. Even though we are often anxious to get to another class, chat with friends, or even go home to eat, he urged students not to begin packing up books and papers until the class or meeting is over.

"I took this challenge to heart, and the result has been amazing. I feel more spiritually nourished by lessons and talks. I am able to listen to my teachers' conclusions and testimonies rather than concentrate on the next activity. My focus is exactly where it should be. I try to stay alert and attentive until the very end of the lesson, even if everyone is rustling around me. We are commanded to 'endure to the end,' and I believe that this admonition can apply to meetings and lessons as well (see D&C 14:7). This simple challenge to 'sit still' has completely changed the experience I have during sacrament meetings, classes, and even non-Church events. I do not remember the name of my wise institute teacher, but I will never forget his challenge that has allowed me to more fully feast on the gospel of Jesus Christ."

The Book of Mormon

I finished The Book of Mormon once again today. It never ceases to amaze me that I learn SO much each time I read it! There's always a new concern or question in my life that it answers or clarifies. I've also noticed that I've been much more mellow in the last few months. I've always read my scriptures every day, but I think this time was a little bit different. I tried really hard to focus on what I was reading. If my mind wandered, I went back and started over! I don't know if that ever happens to you while you're reading your scriptures, but I find my mind wandering quite often! But whenever I realized it, I stopped reading and started over again.

Another difference was that I chose to read in the middle of the day, in the same room (for the most part) as my children. They've seen me reading, and sometimes they'd climb up on my lap and ask me to read out loud. It's such a joy to teach love for the scriptures to my children. They're young enough right now that this is pretty much their first experience with the scriptures.

I'd also like to thank my sister and her family for their consistence in reading as a family every single night. My family has always struggled with this, but seeing their example has given me courage to really focus on this when we get home from our vacation. Family scripture study was always a little stressful for me, because my kids would get bored or be loud or... etc. etc. etc. But it doesn't matter how much we read each night - just that we read! Even if that means 2 verses right now, at least we'll be forming the habit of reading every day!

I'd love to see posts from any others that took this 3-month challenge!!!

Answer to a Prayer

Today I was reading in Moroni 7 and received an answer to a very important prayer I've had lately.

Lately, I've been thinking about how to homeschool. I decided to homeschool in January, but since my oldest is only 4 and a half, I haven't really worried about how to do it. We've just been getting into a regular schedule... But lately, I've been learning about a specific method, and I've been wondering whether or not it's the best idea for our family. I was really struggling with this. I prayed a lot; I fasted.

Then today, I read Moroni 7:16: "For behold, the Spirit of Christ is given to every man, that he may know good from evil; wherefore, I show unto you the way to judge; for every thing which inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ, is sent forth by the power and gift of Christ; wherefore ye may know with a perfect knowledge it is of God."

It was the answer I've been waiting for! I thought about this specific method, and realized that, YES!, it "inviteth to do good, and to persuade to believe in Christ..."!! I was so relieved to get such a straightforward answer! (Usually, my answers are a little more hazy.) I looked through the principles of this method of homeschooling and realized that everything in it would coincide perfectly with the Gospel and with what I found to be important.

I'm so grateful that we have the scriptures! Today was definitely an example of that quote: "If you want to talk to God, pray. If you want God to talk to you, read the scriptures."

The Desires of MY Heart

May I begin with a plea? I would love to see more posts! What did you learn while studying the scriptures this week? Perhaps your two-year-old reinforced a gospel principle that we all could benefit from? Did you learn something as you prepared a lesson for Sunday? What's been on your mind lately that has caused you to ponder some aspect of the gospel? Share, share. :)

The desires of my heart...the desires of my heart...the desires of my heart. I have thought about these words repeatedly. Today, I plugged them into a scripture search. There are a lot of scriptures that include the words desire and heart. Not all of the desires mentioned are righteous ones.

For example, Mosiah 11:2 "For behold, he did not keep the commandments of God, but he did walk after the desires of his own heart..."

Then you have those that have a change in desires, such as, Alma 19:33, "that their hearts had been changed; that they had no more desire to do evil."

There are those that have seemingly unusual desires as is found in D&C 62:7

Certainly there are many throughout the scriptures that have righteous desires. What makes it so? I found a couple of scriptures that to me indicate how we can make sure we are having righteous desires. Not surprisingly, it happens when we are focused on the Lord.

Psalms 37:4 says, "Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart." It looks to me like this scripture is telling me that when I am delighting in the Lord, He will give me the desires that my heart should have. Almost like the concept of praying to know what to pray for. It seems kind of a silly statement at first, but if we have the Lord first and foremost in our hearts, He will guide us to what our desires should be. And, of course, the scripture seems to also indicate that we will be able to have what it is that we desire. If we had no hope of obtaining our desire, the desire would be fruitless and discouraging. See Proverbs 13:12

Then, in D&C 6:20, we read, "Be faithful and diligent in keeping the commandments of God, and I will encircle thee in the arms of my love." That is how we keep having righteous desires. It becomes not so much the desires of MY heart, as it is the deep desires of my heart through following the Lord. Partnering our own desires with His yields the true desires we have within us.

I am Invincible!...(with Divine Help)

Everyone is familiar with at least one verse in Philippians 4--"I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me." This is, of course, an awesome verse. I was fascinated a few days ago when I read again the words preceding this verse.

Paul was aquainted with many different facets of life. He tells the Phillipians in verse 11, "Not that I speak in respect of want: for I have learned, in whatsoever state I am, therewith to be content." From this, I gather that he was not in a state of "want" at the time of writing, but that he had been in that state before. I have often read that scripture and found myself dwelling on the fact that one must be content with whatever little amounts one has. But truly, we are to be content whether we are abounding in the world's goods or we are basking in humble circumstances. (Or anywhere in between for that matter.) Is it not true that it is entirely possible to be extremely wealthy and not be content? The opposite is also true. Heeding Paul's advice to be content no matter what state we are in is imperative to our happiness.

In verse 12, Paul goes on to list various circumstances in which we must be content. It is an intriguing, thought provoking list. It doesn't just speak of rich versus poor. After listing many possible scenarios, Paul then proclaims the well known verse that makes each one of us invincible...but only because of Christ.

I was so fascinated with those verses I suppose because I realized that when Paul says, "I can do all things" he is really referring to ALL things! He means getting through very tough situations. He means having the Lord with us during extremely exhilarating times. He means putting Christ into mundane things. He means ALL things.

If we put Christ into all aspects of our lives, how blessed we are as He strengthens us in everyday things and in out of the ordinary things. We really can do all things through Christ and be strengthened because of it.

Teach Ye Diligently

I have always loved a certain section of D & C 88 . I love it because I homeschool my children. I love it because it tells how we can edify others by learning together. I love the idea that teaching each other helps all involved to be prepared. I love how things are brought around in a full circle of learning in the middle of this section.

I think part of D & C 88 is made manifest through the goals of this blog. In D & C 88:74 the Lord gives a commandment to "assemble yourselves together, and organize yourselves, and sanctify yourselves;" And here we are--virtually assembled in an organized fashion trying to sanctify ourselves.

Then, in verse 77 "I give unto you a commandment that you shall teach one another the doctrine of the kingdom." And what shall we teach? Verses 79-86 give a good outline.

Verse 78 lets us know that by doing this we can be uplifted by the grace of God in a perfect way. "Teach ye diligently and my grace shall attend you, that you may be instructed more perfectly in...(many things)...that are expedient for you to understand;" It is awesome to hear the testimonies of others, to know the insights that someone else has gleaned in their scripture studies. It promotes faith. It strengthens my testimony. It gives me reasons to go look up some things in the scriptures that others have talked about and learn more or confirm a truth for myself.

To me, verses 87 - 116 give the reason why we should teach diligently--the Second Coming.

Verse 117 and 118 sum things up, "Therefore, verily I say unto you, my friends, call your assembly, as I have commanded you." Then He tells us again in verse 118 to "teach one another" and includes a bit of what to teach.

Verse 119 and 120 takes us back to the beginning of the circle where we are reminded to "Organize yourselves;" and have all our incomings and outgoings be in the name of the Lord. What a great way to look at having the Spirit of the Lord always with you. And we can help each other along the way, especially in our struggles. After all, isn't that part of the Lord's plan--to have us "succor the weak, lift up the hands which hang down, and strengthen the feeble knees.” (D&C 81:5)

Eternal Family

One belief that Latter-day Saints hold dear is that of Eternal Families. We believe that through the power of the Holy Priesthood, families can be sealed for Time and All Eternity. Our families can be together forever. This is a wonderful blessing from our Heavenly Father.

At the October 1996 General Conference, Elder Robert D. Hales gave a talk about Eternal Families. The talk is filled with scripture regarding the eternal nature of families and God's plan for his children. The line that struck me most, however, was not scripture. It was a comment made by Elder Hales made after quoting Doctrine & Covenants 132:19. He said:

"As taught in this scripture, an eternal bond doesn't just happen as a result of sealing covenants we make in the temple. How we conduct ourselves in this life will determine what we will be in all the eternities to come. To receive the blessings of the sealing that our Heavenly Father has given to us, we have to keep the commandments and conduct ourselves in such a way that our families will want to live with us in the eternities."

This was such a powerful statement to me. My husband and I married in the LDS Arizona Temple. We are sealed and our children our sealed to us. But as Elder Hale pointed out, being sealed is not the only thing that we must do. We must 1) Keep the commandments and 2) Conduct ourselves in such a way that our family will WANT to live with us in the eternities! I knew the "keep the commandment" part, but had not thought about whether my family would want to be with me forever. Isn't that an amazing concept!

Are we treating our spouse in a way that they will want to be with us forever? What about our children? Do we show them love and respect? Do we treat them like the children of God that they are? Or do we abuse the role of parent? Will those darling children want to be with you for all eternity? Or would they rather be with their friend's family?

I love my family and I want to be with them through the eternities. I'm pretty sure that they want to be with me too. But even so, I am going to strive even harder to conduct myself in such a way that my family will want to be with me forever. To earn their love and respect. And to teach them the commandments, so that we can all make it back to our Father in Heaven together!

Recent Discoveries in the Book of Mormon

Reading The Book of Mormon this time around has brought new understanding to some of the things I've been reading. Here is a recent discovery I made while reading in Alma:

Alma & Amulek:

Reading in Alma 15, I saw Alma and Amulek's friendship differently than ever before. Until then, I just saw them as being brothers in the Gospel - teaching together, going through the same tribulations...

But then last night I came to Alma 15:16, which reads, "And it came to pass that Alma and Amulek, Amulek having forsaken all his gold, and silver, and his precious things, which were in the land of Ammonihah, for the word of God, he being rejected by those who were once his friends and also by his father and his kindred."

Amulek's tribulations went beyond the huge stuff from the previous chapter. He had to leave everything behind, much like Lehi and his family. But he also left behind friends and his closest family members, knowing they didn't want anything to do with him.

It would be a sad story if it ended there, but then we get to verse 18: "Now as I said, Alma having seen all these things, therefore he took Amulek and came over to the land of Zarahemla, and took him to his own house, and did administer unto him in his tribulations, and strengthened him in the Lord."

What a true friend!!! This is the kind of friend I want to be! He saw that Amulek was struggling, so he took him to his own house and took care of him. But even more important than that, he "strengthened him in the Lord." Kind of like that saying, "Give a man a fish and you feed him for a day. Teach a man to fish and you feed him for a lifetime."

Alma could have made him feel better about this single tribulation, but instead he taught him how to deal with ALL the tribulations he would ever have to go through. He taught his friend to look to God in times of hardship. What an amazing friend!!

Not "Just" Testimonies

I just read the talk Elder Ballard gave at BYU-Hawaii last December, which is also in the July Ensign. As I was thinking about this blog as I read it, I realized that I'd like this blog to be more than "just" straight-forward testimonies. I'd like it to be filled with all things Gospel-related!

So to those who contribute to this blog, I invite you to use this blog as a journal of sorts for all the interesting and uplifting things you discover while studying and living the Gospel of Jesus Christ! Personally, I'm going to try to start studying specific topics from the Church website, and give small summaries on this blog. I would love for each of you to feel comfortable sharing the things you find that touch your lives for good!! I know that if it can touch your life, it will most likely touch many other lives, as well!

Of Joseph Smith

I know Joseph Smith was a prophet of God! I know he was chosen to bring the fulness of the gospel back to the world. I know he saw Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ, that he spoke with them face to face! I know that he translated The Book of Mormon, through divine inspiration. I know The Book of Mormon is true. I know that Joseph Smith gave his life 164 years ago because of his devotion to God and because he knew and would never deny that The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints is the true church of God.

How do you......

Get yourself out of a spiritual funk? I have been having the hardest times with being active and going to church since we moved out of AZ. I still have a testimony, live the right way and believe in the gospel. But I just can't make it to church on a regular basis. I want to be active again, receive a calling and be a part of a ward again. I am just having a hard time with the first steps. I know I should just stop whining, get over it and go already. But, sometimes I just don't know what to do...

Painful Faith

I am so excited about this blog... I have to tell all of you that have already posted, THANK YOU! You are all amazing and have such great faith and strong testimonies, and have have strengthened mine by reading. Michael and I have not been very good about reading our scriptures together. We get really good, and then fall out of the habit. Why is it so easy to fall out of it, but to hard to get back in?

Well, as a little background, Michael deals with chronic sacroiliac joint pain, which no doctors have been able to get rid of. He has been through so many painful procedures in the HOPE that something will lessen or get rid of his pain. Having constant pain and no relief really tries us, mostly him obviously. But I feel so incredibly helpless! On top of this back pain, he also was diagnosed with Ciliac disease about 2.5 years ago... so he cannot have any wheat, oats, rye or barley, which is in EVERYTHING it seems. (I hope I'm not sounding like I need sympothy...sorry).

Last night, with a new goal of reading our scriptures together, we decided to just open up the scriptures and start reading from whenever. Matt 9, what an awesome chapter. Now, I've heard growing up people saying how when they've had a problem they've just opened their scriptures and found an answer... I've tried this in the past, but not with any real luck. We weren't looking for any answers or anything out of the ordinary, just to start doing what we know we are supposed to be doing to strengthen our faith and grow closer to Heavenly Father, I mean, who doesn't want more blessings :) Boy did I get a heartful! The chapter is about Jesus healing people from their illnesses, casting out devils, and preaching the gospel of course. We read about the woman who had a disease with an issue of blood for 12 years came to see Jesus... and then we read "If I may but touch his garment, I shall be whole. But Jesus turned him about, and when he saw her, he said 'Daughter, be of good comfort; thy faith hath made me whole. And the woman was made whole from that hour.'" I really didn't hear the rest of the chapter because I was just so touched by the spirit that I was crying. I believe in miracles, and I know that Michael could be healed this second, but for whatever reason, He has not. I know that one day he will be whole. Our bodies will be perfect after the resurrection; we just have to keep an Eternal perspective! I am so thankful for faith, and for my Saviour who truly lifts our burdens and makes them easier to bare. All He asks for is simple faith!

Trials of Patience

Ok so I am supposed to be on the Reading the BOM in 90 days bandwagon. I started off great, I was even ahead of schedule. For some reason the last week or so I have been HORRIBLE! One thing I have noticed is that this last week or so has been HORRIBLE for me too! My patience is thin and my poor children feel the brunt of it. I love reading the BOM! One thing I have realized is that reading the BOM is such a time of inspiration for me. I have learned to have a pad of paper and pen right next to me while I read because thoughts just flow. The amazing part is that it doesn't effect my comprehension of what I am reading. I have received much inspiration for my kids and my family as I take the time to sit quietly and dive into the scriptures. My days go smoother, my patience stretches longer, my voice stays at or below a normal decibal, I have more time for important things in my life, rather I MAKE more time for the important things in my life. Having said this...I hope this next week goes much better for me and reading the BOM.

xoxo

My Testimony

So I have never posted on here but the last Sunday I had an experiance that really made me want to share mine.





So I have been a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints for my intire life. So sometimes I take it for grated what I have in my life and how I got it. And yesterday I went in for my temple recommend and was asked the question do you have a testimony? I said yes. He then asked how did you get it? That suprised me. I really had to think. How did I get my testimony? So I finished with the interview and went home and had to think.... He also asked if I relyed on others testimonies. I honestly don't but I do think that you that hearing and being around others that have strong testimonies do help yours grow.



I have a testimony of the church and that the leaders of the church are called by god. I know President Monson is the prophet. I know that through the pristhood many blessing can and have been performed on me and others. I know that Joseph Smith was a prophet. I know that Jesus died for us so that I might be able to be forgiven for my sins and return to live with my Heavenly Father. I know the Book of Mormon is true.

Of Service

My experience is that whenever I try to serve someone else, it's my life that becomes easier! I helped a friend this morning, and the rest of the day has been so carefree! My girls have gotten along and played nicely; they went to bed without a fight; we remembered to read scriptures as a family... Today was such a calm day, and I know that it's because I put someone else's needs before my own!

A Promise

“I feel certain that if, in our homes, parents will read from the Book of Mormon prayerfully and regularly, both by themselves and with their children, the spirit of that great book will come to permeate our homes and all who dwell therein. The spirit of reverence will increase; mutual respect and consideration for each other will grow. The spirit of contention will depart. Parents will counsel their children in greater love and wisdom. Children will be more responsive and submissive to the counsel of their parents. Righteousness will increase. Faith, hope, and charity—the pure love of Christ—will abound in our homes and lives, bringing in their wake peace, joy, and happiness” (Quote by Pres. Benson, Ensign, Nov 1986).

Book of Mormon Challenge

I'm so excited to be reading The Book of Mormon with some of you! For those who haven't heard/noticed, we're reading The Book of Mormon in 90 days - starting today!! If you're interested and want a reading schedule, just leave a comment with your email address or email me!!

Happy Mother's Day!!!

Of The Book of Mormon

I don't know how many times I've read The Book of Mormon... I'll be finishing it once again this week, and I've had an overwhelming feeling of how wonderful it is! I can't say I've ever had that WOW moment, where I've known without a doubt that it's true. I've just kind of always known. But I do know it's an incredible book. It lifts my day! I can't wait to start it over again! This time I'll be reading it in 3 months. I've done this 4 times before, and it's a wonderful experience. It has helped me understand the people and their relationships better. It also helps with the story - it's easier to follow, when you still remember who everyone is from previous chapters and books.

I know The Book of Mormon is true. I know it's a wonderful book. I know Joseph Smith translated it. I'm so grateful I have it, and our Church as a whole, in my life. It's wonderful to have direction. I don't know how people do it without a direction they're heading toward. I love this Gospel!

Of Prayer

I love the peace I feel as I pray. Especially when it's for something extremely important. I know Heavenly Father speaks to us, if we'll just listen. Many times I've mistaken it for my own thoughts and later realized I should have listened. I'm getting better at listening. It's great to have a few moments after a prayer to just sit still and listen/think/feel. I have a notebook on my nightstand now for any random thoughts or feelings I have. Things have definitely gone more smoothly when I've followed those inclinations.

Thanks, Laurie!

First of all, thanks for starting this great blog and secondly, for inviting me to contribute.

This is going to sound really bad, but the last time I actually bore my testimony was about 10 years ago. It was at Girls Camp the last time I went as a 4th year. But what I knew then, I still know now.

I know that my Savior lives. I know that he loves us and only wants us to be eternally happy and follow him. I know that we have a Heavenly Father who blesses us every day, even in ways that we cannot see. I believe Pres. Monson to be a prophet of God and know that he is led by a divine hand. I love this gospel and am striving to be better at it every day.

Thank you again for inviting me, Laurie. I know that there are things I need to work on spiritually and I hope that this blog will be a wonderful touchstone for me.

Our Prophet, Thomas S. Monson said:

"Mortality is a period of testing, a time to prove ourselves worthy to return to the presence of our Heavenly Father. In order to be tested, we must sometimes face challenges and difficulties. At times there appears to be no light at the tunnel’s end—no dawn to break the night’s darkness. We feel surrounded by the pain of broken hearts, the disappointment of shattered dreams, and the despair of vanished hopes. We join in uttering the biblical plea “Is there no balm in Gilead?”
We are inclined to view our own personal misfortunes through the distorted prism of pessimism. We feel abandoned, heartbroken, alone. If you find yourself in such a situation, I plead with you to turn to our Heavenly Father in faith. He will lift you and guide you. He will not always take your afflictions from you, but He will comfort and lead you with love through whatever storm you face.
With all my heart and the fervency of my soul, I lift my voice in testimony today as a special witness and declare that God does live. Jesus is His Son, the Only Begotten of the Father in the flesh. He is our Redeemer; He is our Mediator with the Father. He loves us with a love we cannot fully comprehend, and because He loves us, He gave His life for us. My gratitude to Him is beyond expression."

My friend posted this quote on her blog the other day and it touched me then. Now with my 10 month old in the hospital and having gone through what we have with her since she was born...this quote means more to me then I think would have had she been born PERFECT. Even with all of the hard things that our family has gone through the last year or so, and all of the things that I have had to watch my baby go through the last 10 months...I KNOW that I have a Heavenly Father who loves me. He knows me. He knows what I need as a mom, and a wife, and a friend. Jesus Christ is my Savior and I have always known that He died for me so that I could repent and live eternally with my family. More recently I have gained a testimony that He died for me, so that my burdens and sorrows can be lifted from me. I have felt His loving arms around me many times in my life. The night after Ashlee was born and I had to endure a whole night away from her, in a different hospital, knowing that she wasn't doing well and wondering if I would ever see her again; I prayed more than I have ever prayed before in my life and while that was the lowest I have ever felt in my life, I felt moments of comfort that I have never before felt in my life too. Our aching hearts can be healed by our faith in Christ and our belief in the Atonement and God's plan for us.

Of a Good Example

I think everything is easier when you have a good example in someone who has "been in your shoes." I've seen this in my life a lot lately - with homeschooling, with parenting girls, with parenting in general, with communicating...

I also believe things are easier when you have the support of the people around you. One somewhat trivial example in my life is how my friends respond to me trying to eat healthier. I have some who say, "Oh, it's a girls' night! Eat what you want!" and I have others who say, "I was thinking about making brownies, but I know you're trying to eat healthier, so what would you like to do?" There's a big difference in how I respond in each situation!

Things are definitely easier when you have a good example to follow and when you have the support you need from people closest to you!

Of Jesus Christ

I have a testimony of Jesus Christ. I know that He is the Son of God. I know that He came into this world and He atoned for my sins and those of all others. I know He was resurrected and that I, too, will be resurrected because of Him. I know He is my Savior.

Welcome!

This blog was created so that followers of Christ have a place to share their testimonies with others. If you would like to be included as an author, please email me at blhvamos [at] gmail [dot] com. (The symbols are missing for privacy/spam reasons.) I want to see as many people as possible sharing their testimonies of Christ, of prayer, of scripture study, of anything uplifting!! So please join me in sharing your testimony!