Thought from Elder Robert C. Oaks "The Power of Patience"
I too have had to pause and reflect and ponder on his words. Last week my husband was off work, and he will go back for a few more days before he has the rest of the year off (we have "use it or loose it" days he has to take) and I have noticed how impatient he is and how it rubs off on me. The slightest disruption he flies off the handle and likewise I go too (I'm exposing more warts than I want, but we HAVE to beat this beast). So here is my question to you as a group..
How do I get my husband to see this fault? Yes, I'm working on the mote and beam that are in my eye, but it is really hard in a complete partnership to stand by and see my husband loose it when the children are around. I asked him to read this and he literally shoved it back at me :-(
I have to really solve this problem for the sake of my family. I know it starts with me, but I feel like I'm trying to change the course of the battleship with a little paddle and all I'm doing is making waves that only the guppies are seeing.
(from another post)
[name deleted],
The point of this group isn't necessarily to share the insights we have (although those are what opens our eyes to see a view we hadn't ever thought about) but the point is for us to stop, reread, rehear and ponder on the words of our prophets and hence the words of our Heavenly Father. So, I would tell your husband that this is a group that is fulfilling its purpose (at least for me and for you because you are meeting the goals *I* set out ~smile~).
Thank you for sharing your views. This talk has really, really hit me hard! In Seattle we are snowed in (my driveway is literally a sheet of black ice and my hubby's car is at the bottom of a hill about half a mile away) so I have had time to do some work that I normally wouldn't get done. One is to reread the comments that I have saved from this group (I have a bad habit of not deleting messages). Anyway, I have had to stop on ponder on the selfish nature of my impatience. I'm very selfish! There is no way around it. And because of it, my children are very impatient and selfish too. I hate breaking cycles. it is soooooooo HARD, but I must. Now to get everyone on my side, especially hubby.
BTW [name deleted], you may not think your thoughts are deep, but to some of us they are thoughts that we haven't even gotten to, so yes, they are deep. Thank you for being brave and opening up. I'm glad that you are having success and I wish you tons more...hopefully some will rub off on me.
BTW2-I didn't explode at a child this morning even after he deliberately went contrary to my instructions. I was calm and I think that totally surprised him. One little success, at least I'm going down the right road :-) (hopefully it isn't full of black ice and I fall backwards).
Sunday, November 26, 2006
Sunday, November 19, 2006
Faith, Service, Constancy
Thoughts from Elder Baxter "Faith, Service, Constancy"
I am in the midst of a few situations that I am walking through only by faith. I wish it wasn't so dark, but for some reason I know it will be "well" just I don't like it. And I too pretend I'm in charge; give that first born in me comfort.
(from another post)
Service does take our minds off our trials if only for a little bit. I know in the midst of some trials my kids and I went and weeded a dear friends yard while they were on vacation. It was while they were gone that they decided to move (bad choice) but when they came back home they didn't have as much work to do. We did it without them knowing until a neighbor told them that there was a big green van (no one else has what we have) and a TON of little kids working. We were found out. But she came to me and was weeping because they didn't know how they were going to get all the things done that was needed to sell the house. It was one less thing. For us it was a time to do service and enjoy each other and forget about our troubles if only for a minute or two.
Keep the faith and keep walking down that dark hall holding His hand and listening to His voice. I have yet to hear of Him steering someone in the wrong direction. ~smile~
I am in the midst of a few situations that I am walking through only by faith. I wish it wasn't so dark, but for some reason I know it will be "well" just I don't like it. And I too pretend I'm in charge; give that first born in me comfort.
(from another post)
Service does take our minds off our trials if only for a little bit. I know in the midst of some trials my kids and I went and weeded a dear friends yard while they were on vacation. It was while they were gone that they decided to move (bad choice) but when they came back home they didn't have as much work to do. We did it without them knowing until a neighbor told them that there was a big green van (no one else has what we have) and a TON of little kids working. We were found out. But she came to me and was weeping because they didn't know how they were going to get all the things done that was needed to sell the house. It was one less thing. For us it was a time to do service and enjoy each other and forget about our troubles if only for a minute or two.
Keep the faith and keep walking down that dark hall holding His hand and listening to His voice. I have yet to hear of Him steering someone in the wrong direction. ~smile~
Sunday, November 12, 2006
The First Generation
Thought from Elder Pieper "The First Generation"
[name deleted],
What a neat story and congratulation on such a rich history that you have started. I sure hope you have written this down somewhere so that the 3rd, 4th.10th generation know the trials and tribulations you went through to hold to the Iron Rod. I know that has made a difference in my life. I sometimes think that I can't handle another Sunday when all I did was put on a dress and referee a pew and then have no one sit by me in RS..why go? Well, the story of my mother driving 13 miles by horse and sleigh to play the organ and piano in meetings she wasn't even supposed to be at (priesthood and RS etc) come to mind. The story of my great-great-grandmother praying that missionaries would come by her humble home so she could have a priesthood blessing to cure a sore breast-we now know it was breast cancer that they healed-and having them appear the next day. (Her husband was off tending to business-cattle or doctoring--in another part of the county. She was healed immediately, and the missionaries even spent the day cutting and chopping wood because her oldest son (13 or 14) was down with "chills and a fever." I think of the story of them crossing the plains and walking most of the way in stocking feet.
How can I let that faith and strength be for naught? How can I let all the hard work I had done go for naught? If they thought so much about the gospel to go through the trials and tribulations they did, then surely I can hang on one more sacrament meeting, one more Family Fight-I mean Home Evening. I can endure because my trials are nothing like theirs. And likewise my trials will be some that my kids will be able to look back on when their faith waivers and say, "but if mom could do it.." At least that is my hope.
I think this is where the promise of hearts turning come into play. This is where my heart is soften towards them, I start to love them and therefore would do nothing to hurt them and I know because I have a testimony that turning away from the truth and the light would hurt them so much. I also just plain have a testimony of the gospel, but it helps to also have that other tangent holding my testimony strong.
(from another post)
In Sunday School today we read about Jeremiah and how he was foreordained to do what he was doing (even though few listened to him). I think many of us are foreordained to do something we just might not know it. I also think that many who were foreordained fell short of the mark and didn't do it. How sad. I have yet to have it backed up by gospel doctrine and it doesn't need to be because it is the "gospel according to Doreen" but I know in my Patriarchal Blessing I've been given the chance to prove myself worth of blessing "foreordained" in the pre-existence.
Sunday, November 5, 2006
The Temple is about Families
Thoughts from Elder Winkel "The Temple is about Families"
I grew up where the nearest temple was 12 hours away so temple attendance wasn't something my parents talk about much. I just remember that when they took a kid to school (BYU) or the MTC they added an extra day so they could get in a couple of sessions. I remember my older brothers being gone for a week every other summer doing baptism for the dead in Utah (closest temple). But I do remember my mom saying that she was never without her temple recommend even if it was never seen by a temple worker to admit her to the temple. Now my mom has a temple literally in her back yard and she has a standing appointment and sneaks in when she can. (How would it be to sit up in your bed and framed inside your bedroom window is Angel Moroni. What a lucky woman she is!!!!)
Fast forward to now. I have a temple 18 miles away (40 minutes by car on a regular day-thank you Seattle traffic), but it has been so hard to get to it. I hate going by myself, I hate going sleepy (see previous posts) and working full time (ie. Homeschooling my children) it is hard to find a chunk of time to get there during the day. It really has been very hard to get there. Just as thing were getting so I could go, I was in the auto accident and it prevented me from sitting that many minutes, not to mention the fact that I was out of the house 2 hours every other day doing therapy. Now things are changing and I'm not going to therapy as often and so you would think I could get there. NOPE! Got teens now and they are sooo much work! I can't wait until my 14 year old can drive! No wonder my mother paid for our car insurance (but we had to earn the good student discount as well as be at her beck and call).
BUT....as long as I'm worthy I will have a current recommend and be worthy to enter His house.
I think being worthy to enter has a blessing attached even if you don't go. Example: I have a special love for family history. In fact my patriarchal blessing says that genealogy work and family history will be very important to me. Well, I don't have any work to do. My side of the family is done (pioneer blood on both sides so it was done a LONG time ago and we have a family historian on both mom's and dad's side that keeps us abreast of all the updates). So what was I supposed to do.
Guess what my answer was---I was to write MY history. So I have spent the past years writing what we call the Blanding Bugle. Once a month I put fingers to keyboard and write a detailed entry into our family newspaper of the wonderful things we are doing or the not so wonderful things we are doing. When I get discouraged and don't think I have anything to write, I look back on the past 17 years worth of editions and realize what a FANTASTIC family journal I have. I often find my kids going through the paper copy and laughing and saying, "Oh, I remember that." It truly has turned our heart to our children. I also send a copy of it to the grandparents (and many others) so they know the going on's at the Blanding Family. I'm sure it doesn't mean as much to them as it does to us, but …
It truly is a treasure of great worth.
(from another post)
Those who are faithful in keeping them (even if you put one entry in a year) are blessed for their efforts. My personal journal is over 5000 pages on the computer (and yes, I have backed it up :-)). Many times all I do is copy and paste emails I have written. They are a great source of what is going on in my life and my thoughts and opinions. The world of blogging is another way to keep a journal.
I know the two books I have of my mother's life and that of her father are a treasure to me. It isn't well written; at leas in the academic sense, but it is a work of love and I LOVE it. My grandfather died many years before I was born so I never got to know him, but I am also positive that when I get up to heaven I will be able to recognize him because of the words I have read. The same goes for his parents as we have a book of remembrance on them as well. If my house were to catch fire, I would grab those books, my hard drive, and my scriptures-that is after my kids are OUT OF THE HOUSE! I would be sad if they were lost. They truly are priceless. In the same manner I hope that my children see our Bugle as prices as well, at least eventually.
I'm sorry for the pending departure of your aunt. I too am waiting for the dreaded phone call from my sister's husband as brain cancer is going to take her life any day now. I do hope that she has a journal to pass on to her nine children. She has lived a life worthy of a journal as she has been blessed beyond measure. She has lived a life of exemplar faith, love, devotion and perseverance. I hope there is wonderful peace in your home in the coming weeks.
I grew up where the nearest temple was 12 hours away so temple attendance wasn't something my parents talk about much. I just remember that when they took a kid to school (BYU) or the MTC they added an extra day so they could get in a couple of sessions. I remember my older brothers being gone for a week every other summer doing baptism for the dead in Utah (closest temple). But I do remember my mom saying that she was never without her temple recommend even if it was never seen by a temple worker to admit her to the temple. Now my mom has a temple literally in her back yard and she has a standing appointment and sneaks in when she can. (How would it be to sit up in your bed and framed inside your bedroom window is Angel Moroni. What a lucky woman she is!!!!)
Fast forward to now. I have a temple 18 miles away (40 minutes by car on a regular day-thank you Seattle traffic), but it has been so hard to get to it. I hate going by myself, I hate going sleepy (see previous posts) and working full time (ie. Homeschooling my children) it is hard to find a chunk of time to get there during the day. It really has been very hard to get there. Just as thing were getting so I could go, I was in the auto accident and it prevented me from sitting that many minutes, not to mention the fact that I was out of the house 2 hours every other day doing therapy. Now things are changing and I'm not going to therapy as often and so you would think I could get there. NOPE! Got teens now and they are sooo much work! I can't wait until my 14 year old can drive! No wonder my mother paid for our car insurance (but we had to earn the good student discount as well as be at her beck and call).
BUT....as long as I'm worthy I will have a current recommend and be worthy to enter His house.
I think being worthy to enter has a blessing attached even if you don't go. Example: I have a special love for family history. In fact my patriarchal blessing says that genealogy work and family history will be very important to me. Well, I don't have any work to do. My side of the family is done (pioneer blood on both sides so it was done a LONG time ago and we have a family historian on both mom's and dad's side that keeps us abreast of all the updates). So what was I supposed to do.
Guess what my answer was---I was to write MY history. So I have spent the past years writing what we call the Blanding Bugle. Once a month I put fingers to keyboard and write a detailed entry into our family newspaper of the wonderful things we are doing or the not so wonderful things we are doing. When I get discouraged and don't think I have anything to write, I look back on the past 17 years worth of editions and realize what a FANTASTIC family journal I have. I often find my kids going through the paper copy and laughing and saying, "Oh, I remember that." It truly has turned our heart to our children. I also send a copy of it to the grandparents (and many others) so they know the going on's at the Blanding Family. I'm sure it doesn't mean as much to them as it does to us, but …
It truly is a treasure of great worth.
(from another post)
Those who are faithful in keeping them (even if you put one entry in a year) are blessed for their efforts. My personal journal is over 5000 pages on the computer (and yes, I have backed it up :-)). Many times all I do is copy and paste emails I have written. They are a great source of what is going on in my life and my thoughts and opinions. The world of blogging is another way to keep a journal.
I know the two books I have of my mother's life and that of her father are a treasure to me. It isn't well written; at leas in the academic sense, but it is a work of love and I LOVE it. My grandfather died many years before I was born so I never got to know him, but I am also positive that when I get up to heaven I will be able to recognize him because of the words I have read. The same goes for his parents as we have a book of remembrance on them as well. If my house were to catch fire, I would grab those books, my hard drive, and my scriptures-that is after my kids are OUT OF THE HOUSE! I would be sad if they were lost. They truly are priceless. In the same manner I hope that my children see our Bugle as prices as well, at least eventually.
I'm sorry for the pending departure of your aunt. I too am waiting for the dreaded phone call from my sister's husband as brain cancer is going to take her life any day now. I do hope that she has a journal to pass on to her nine children. She has lived a life worthy of a journal as she has been blessed beyond measure. She has lived a life of exemplar faith, love, devotion and perseverance. I hope there is wonderful peace in your home in the coming weeks.
Sunday, October 29, 2006
He Heals the Heavy Laden
My thoughts on Elder Oaks' talk "He Heals the Heavy Laden"
As I get older and continue to pile up the GC talks in my head, I understand why my hubby replies, "same old, same old" when I ask how the Priesthood session was. There are talks that are the same every year. Given by someone new-sometimes, but still the message is given EVERY six months. As I have sped read the BoM this year (that was what I was told to do last GC) I am surprised at how quickly the Lord sends a prophet to the wayward members and says the "same old, same old." And I keep thinking, "why don't they get it? Can't they see?" I haven't done the math and I think we are missing a few GC reports or Ensigns, but I think the Lord needs to tell us over and over the "same old, same old" because WE AREN'T GETTING' IT!!!!!! And we just don't see it. (remember one of the things we sustain them as "seers")
Again we have a talk calling us to repentance and to come to him, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [he] will give you rest." This talk was talking a lot about physical and health healings (at least to begin with) and with our previous discussion of "whole." I saw this in a new light. I have been blest to be "whole" but there was no time table on when I would be "whole." And then who is to say what "whole" is. Yes, that is frustrating, but it is the way this world works and this is where FAITH comes into play.
If you look at the Savior's earthly ministry he was forever forgiving and healing. How would his heavenly ministry be any different? I think of the wonderful things he has let be discovered for us to be "whole.' I often find myself praying for the scientist of the world so that they can find cures to awful (and sometime evil) things. I know without science I wouldn't be mother---at least one who gave birth to her own children. The Lord made me "whole" when I wasn't. And now that I think back on it, it was through a priesthood blessing that it happened. I found the right doctor and six children later... He is truly still healing and forgiving.
I also think it truly humbling that when he was here he was ONE man, but when he left, he left the Comforter. We may all avail ourselves of his "service." I think of how the multitudes had to go to him, or he to them. Now we don't have to travel far, except two feet down if need be, to get him. (I've often been praying while standing on my feet when it really isn't possible to kneel. Like holding a bleeding profusely child. Looking for a lost child-then I don't even close my eyes so that they can be directly immediately. He really couldn't make it more simply for us (great grammar there!). All we have to do is bend the knee and go to him and he is there to help in our time of need.
(from another post)
"..and I will give you rest.."
I have ALWAYS loved that phrase.
As a person who NEVER stops (in fact when I have a quiet moment I start to freak out) I have always wondered what that word "rest" means. I'm not sure I want to "rest." Sitting down and watching a movie just because causes great pain to my soul, but if I pick up a needle and thread and stitch (I'm a cross stitcher) I can sit and "rest." I might actually enjoy myself. I eat fast because there is something pressing (usually I'm the one who is pressing) to be done. I have my finger on the pulse of many things... But my soul and body do need "rest." Rest to stop and think, rest to ponder, rest to re energize, rest to recuperate. I am much heavy ladened (being the mom of six is enough to drive me under) and thankfully no awful grievous sin that needs repenting of so my burdens are not like those spoken of in the talk, but they are heavy to me. I do labor and boy is it a labor. I'm preaching to the choir since we are all homeschoolers, but that is a very BIG labor. But when we take it to HIM our labor and burden aren't so heavy. We can worry over an idea or course of study and it can be "heavy" and it amazes me when I take this to the Lord how often the "heavy" gets lightened.
So when we are loaded with a care of worries (grievous sins or not) we can have them lifted by He who lifts all.
As I get older and continue to pile up the GC talks in my head, I understand why my hubby replies, "same old, same old" when I ask how the Priesthood session was. There are talks that are the same every year. Given by someone new-sometimes, but still the message is given EVERY six months. As I have sped read the BoM this year (that was what I was told to do last GC) I am surprised at how quickly the Lord sends a prophet to the wayward members and says the "same old, same old." And I keep thinking, "why don't they get it? Can't they see?" I haven't done the math and I think we are missing a few GC reports or Ensigns, but I think the Lord needs to tell us over and over the "same old, same old" because WE AREN'T GETTING' IT!!!!!! And we just don't see it. (remember one of the things we sustain them as "seers")
Again we have a talk calling us to repentance and to come to him, "all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and [he] will give you rest." This talk was talking a lot about physical and health healings (at least to begin with) and with our previous discussion of "whole." I saw this in a new light. I have been blest to be "whole" but there was no time table on when I would be "whole." And then who is to say what "whole" is. Yes, that is frustrating, but it is the way this world works and this is where FAITH comes into play.
If you look at the Savior's earthly ministry he was forever forgiving and healing. How would his heavenly ministry be any different? I think of the wonderful things he has let be discovered for us to be "whole.' I often find myself praying for the scientist of the world so that they can find cures to awful (and sometime evil) things. I know without science I wouldn't be mother---at least one who gave birth to her own children. The Lord made me "whole" when I wasn't. And now that I think back on it, it was through a priesthood blessing that it happened. I found the right doctor and six children later... He is truly still healing and forgiving.
I also think it truly humbling that when he was here he was ONE man, but when he left, he left the Comforter. We may all avail ourselves of his "service." I think of how the multitudes had to go to him, or he to them. Now we don't have to travel far, except two feet down if need be, to get him. (I've often been praying while standing on my feet when it really isn't possible to kneel. Like holding a bleeding profusely child. Looking for a lost child-then I don't even close my eyes so that they can be directly immediately. He really couldn't make it more simply for us (great grammar there!). All we have to do is bend the knee and go to him and he is there to help in our time of need.
(from another post)
"..and I will give you rest.."
I have ALWAYS loved that phrase.
As a person who NEVER stops (in fact when I have a quiet moment I start to freak out) I have always wondered what that word "rest" means. I'm not sure I want to "rest." Sitting down and watching a movie just because causes great pain to my soul, but if I pick up a needle and thread and stitch (I'm a cross stitcher) I can sit and "rest." I might actually enjoy myself. I eat fast because there is something pressing (usually I'm the one who is pressing) to be done. I have my finger on the pulse of many things... But my soul and body do need "rest." Rest to stop and think, rest to ponder, rest to re energize, rest to recuperate. I am much heavy ladened (being the mom of six is enough to drive me under) and thankfully no awful grievous sin that needs repenting of so my burdens are not like those spoken of in the talk, but they are heavy to me. I do labor and boy is it a labor. I'm preaching to the choir since we are all homeschoolers, but that is a very BIG labor. But when we take it to HIM our labor and burden aren't so heavy. We can worry over an idea or course of study and it can be "heavy" and it amazes me when I take this to the Lord how often the "heavy" gets lightened.
So when we are loaded with a care of worries (grievous sins or not) we can have them lifted by He who lifts all.
Sunday, October 22, 2006
In the Arms of His Love
My throught on President Hinckley's talk "In the Arms of His Love"
I was hoping someone else would start because I didn't want my make-up to run down my face today.
I didn't see/here this when it was originally given and I haven't had a spare moment to hear/see it on the web but just reading it I could hear the Prophet's love for me so personally and so deep I was weeping when I first read this. (Very embarrassing when you are sitting on the sidelines at a soccer practice.)
I don't even know where to begin with this talk. I think every word is so perfect and so needed.
Well, as my mother always said, "Start at the beginning."
I will agree that even though the sisters are sometimes not the best, the organization of the RS is the best and greatest organization for women on this earth. DUH. But still we need to hear that when our local RS isn't meeting our needs as we see them it is often forgotten that it truly is the best and greatest organization for women.
I love what he said LDS stands for LOVE, DEVOTION, SERVICE. I want to make sure I stand for that too! Now for his answers to what does Relief Society really stand for? (Why not take one a day)
1. Love
2. Education
3. Self-Reliance
4. Sacrifice
He ends with these words (I cut and paste):
"This is what the Relief Society does for women. It gives them opportunity for growth and development. It gives them status as queens in their own households. It gives them place and position, where they grow as they exercise their talents. It gives them pride and direction in family life. It gives them added appreciation for good, eternal companions and children.
"What a glorious organization Relief Society is. There is nothing to compare with it in all the world. May the Lord bless each of you with these marvelous qualities that come of activity in the great Relief Society organization. For this I humbly pray, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(from another post)
This is the part that had me blubbering like an idiot. My sister is on the very last battle with brain cancer and she will not win this. She will be taken home before what I as a human think is the end (she leaves 9 children with the youngest only 9 years old). It is time for her to find "rest" in the biblical and eternal sense. For us we need the rest that can come from our knowledge of His love for us while walking this earth. Our rest comes from the knowledge that he didn't leave us alone. He gives us the Holy Ghost and his sweet (or not so sweet) whisperings when like that sister, feel like the world is on our shoulders and we are standing in quick sand.
I don't know how many times I am coming home from a meeting and think, "If I drive around the block a few more time, more lights will go out and I won't have to deal with them." But then I also think, "I also won't get that last, 'I forgot to tell you I love you and give you a kiss' from a child who said that six times already and has only been told lights out for the past 15 minutes." So, I pull in, race in the door and wait for the "Good mom is home," uttered from an exhausted hubby who then tags me and say, "you're it," and then disappears while muttering, "I don't know how you do it."
Well, we do it just like this sister was told, "But I can come to you."
I love the verbiage "can come", it doesn't say, "will come" but "can come." I think that denotes a chance for us to see our weakness and humbly bow and ask for Him to come to us and help us in our time of need and rejoicing. Well, our play break is over and I must now teach something else but I sure hope He "comes" now since I know I have come to my end of the rope for the day-I'm just going to hang on to the knot at the end.
(from another post)
LOVE- Relief Society stands for love. What a remarkable thing it is to witness the love of good women one for another. They mingle together in the bonds of love with friendship and respect for each other. This organization is actually the only resource that many women have for friendly association. It is the natural instinct of women to reach out in love to those in distress and need. The welfare program of the Church is described as priesthood based, but it could not function without the Relief Society.
What are your thoughts on the above? Does RS stand for love?
When I was RS president, I was given a long list of names. I had never met many of these sisters as they were inactive. Some were even on the DNC (Do not contact) list. I prayed over all of those names---the DNC and those whom I had never seen and those whose faces were so familiar to me they were like family and those that fell in between. As I prayed over those names and tried desperately to love them, I had one of the most amazing thing happen to me. EVERYONE of those sisters became real to me. The Lord gave it to me to love those sisters even though I had NEVER met some of them and other had rubbed me the wrong way. I truly loved those sisters. I have used that often when someone has done me wrong. I have prayed to know them and love them. I prayed to know how to serve and reach them the best way I could. I need to do that again as there have been some who have rubbed me the wrong way in this new ward. I know I'm supposed to be here, but I still am not what I called adjusted and fitting in to this ward. I guess I had better hit my knees so that I can LOVE my new sisters.
What about the mingling? My kids come pouncing in after RS is over. We have to leave so the next ward (who is usually on our heels) can have the room. Mingling is hard for me. BUT when I do mingle I start to develop those bonds of love and friendship. The statement that he makes about this being the ONLY resource for friendly association is very true for many of us HS. We don't have the school PTA and other activities to form friendships. We do have HS group, but many of those are cyber friendships or we are involved in a LDS group. Or at least that is my situation. I do not know my neighbors because I don't need to stand at the corner with my children waiting for the school bus. I don't associate with them because I don't hang out at the local coffee shop. I don't have lunch with my "girl friends" because I'm home teaching my children. (even if those friends are my LDS ward members---I'm working.) SO for me that statement is a statement of truth. RS is the ONLY place or me to find friendly associations. AND I'M NOT DOING A GREAT JOB IN FINDING FRIENDS---but that I think is my fault.
The natural instinct the Prophet is talking about is why RS was put together in the first place. The Prophet's wife and Sister Snow got together to help with the building of the temple. They saw a need, filled it and the Prophet Joseph took it to the Lord and viola---we have one of the most important groups on earth today.
(from another post)
Relief Society stands for education. It is the obligation of every woman of this Church to get all the education she can. It will enlarge her life and increase her opportunities. It will provide her with marketable skills in case she needs them. ~President Hinckley.
I believe in my heart this is a commandment from him. If you add this to the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants then you have a pretty powerful and all encompassing commandment. I also love the fact that he/He (Pres. Hinckley and Heavenly Father) didn't tell us how to do it. I don't hear the "GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND GET YOUR DIPLOMA!!!!" I hear increase your knowledge of the world around you, of history, of science, and other interests as well as in something you can use to earn money if the need arises.
If you take this statement, D&C 88:76-80 and the Proclamation to the Family then you as a sister, woman, daughter, female, wife, mother and what other adjective you can think of have the formula for the Lord's education for his Daughters. Pretty cool!
On a personal note I have learned more (and I'm talking in the "educational" sense of the word "learn") since I have begun teaching my children then all the days of institutional learning. I remember sitting in 10th grade when the teacher said a sentence with the word "world war TWO" in it and it floored me! If there was a WWII then there had to be a WWI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was shocked! I didn't even have a clue. In my house when we spoke of "the war" we spoke of the war that tore my mother's family apart and it was NEVER called WWII, just "the war." In school it seemed like this is how the timeline went.
Columbus came and about two weeks later the pilgrims came. They had a thanksgiving feast and then the next year they got angry at King George and had a fight. That lasted about a year (had to go through the snow because of the bloody foot prints) then we were cool for a little while-maybe 10 years or so and then we had a civil war. I knew that one was long war-maybe two years? But then who really understood these things. Somewhere in all that mess the Saints and other people came west and all it was was fighting and fighting the Indians over and over again. Next thing I knew we were fighting "the war" and then while in my youth there was some "conflict" over in South Asia that in my town you didn't take sides. Then I graduated from school!
BOY! Have my eyes been opened. I now know about the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the war of 1812, Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII and all the modern wars as well. My eyes have been open and I have been able to digest all this and make sense of all the information. Glory be!!!! What an education I have received all because I decided to keep my kids home. We won't even start on the science---but I will say, "I hated science until about four years ago when I finally got it."
(from another post)
The sister who wrote President Hinckley wrote this: "As I pondered my patriarchal blessing and made it a matter of fasting and prayer, I was able to set some realistic goals in my life that have been used as a road map to keep me on track with the principles of the gospel. I attend my meetings, pray daily, and pay my tithing. I . . . take my calling as a visiting teacher very seriously. . . . "
Have you taken a good PONDERING of your patriarchal blessing as of late? Very interesting to see it in older eyes.
How are your goals? Are they in line with the "road map" of your blessing?
And then here is the $1,000,000 question: "How do you do your "duty" and "callings" when you essentially work full time?"
I don't have an answer for that last one at all. I struggle with it all the time. I'm so busy that I scarcely can breath some days and yet, I'm supposed to WHAT?
I know my schedule and as long as my VT sisters fit my schedule I can be 100% every month but alas they never fit my schedule 100%. Nor does my calling. Nor does helping my children fulfill their callings and duties. Nor does helping my husband fulfill his calling. Trying to juggle all these GOOD and GREAT things is very, very difficult and sometimes balls fall and things come crashing around my feet and I sit down and have a good cry. But I pick myself up and say, "I'll do better, I will." Only to fail again the next month.
How do you work full time at two jobs (that is what we are doing) and "be all that you can be"?
But I like the other questions better-I have answers for those. My blessing talks about getting an education and when my hubby proposed to me at 19 (no comments please!) and I went to the Lord and asked about how a sophomore in college could marry a senior and still fulfill the "education" clause in her blessing (we won't even touch the "missionary service aboard" part) I was dumbfounded by the answer and little did I know then (almost 20 years ago) that homeschooling would be how I got my education. When we moved to the Seattle area I thought that I would just walk into the UW, apply and get my degree. When it came time to turn in my paper work, I couldn't do it. I decided to take it to the Lord. He told me "not yet." And so I got a job to help us get out of credit card debt (we bought $500 worth of crappy furniture for our first apartment and needed to get rid of it). It was from that job that I met a fantastic doctor that solved our infertility issued (six children later) and had I not gotten that job and had the referral from a co-worker who knows where I would be. The Lord led me then, and a few years later when we asked the dumbest question of all "do we homeschool?" (now look at me---I'm getting smart!). (tongue firmly in cheek!)
So that "education" part of my PB is being fulfilled. I do hope to go back and finish my degree, although I would switch fields-I was in education believe it or not!-but it isn't "right now." (actually I'm sort of scared of the classroom setting again-I'm afraid I will forget to raise my hand to ask a question or go potty ~smile~).
(from another post)
Relief Society means self reliance.
I sometimes think in today's world we are at two extremes. We either depend on other a LOT or not at all. I remember some time ago that a friend of mine moved. She moved just a few blocks from their home, but still she had moved and didn't ask for help at all. She had three very small children, a hubby who worked and a very busy schedule. On the other hand I remember running by and saying hi to a "new" ward member (they moved from the neighboring ward) and finding our RS president there helping her set up her kitchen. This lady had four children (all school age and above), a hired maid or two, a gardener and here was the RS president helping her unload her kitchen.
In my perfect world I would have a pantry that could survive 3 months of no grocery store shopping and a garage or storage room that could go two years. Not sure I'm there (use to be).
I don't can (did it too much as a kid-had too and HATE it). I don't make bread (can't seem to get it right here in the Seattle area). I don't like to cook (I actually have a lady do 24 dinners for my family every month).
But I do sew! And my kids will never not have a book to read! If school is closed because of snow---well.
(from another post)
RS means sacrifice.
I need not say anymore to you on this list about sacrifice. I don't think one of us on here isn't a parent (we HS our CHILDREN)! If we don't know as mothers the meaning of sacrifice then we had better go look that word up in every possible dictionary. I know mine says, "Sacrifice see mother" We giver everything freely to our children and would give the other stuff we can't if allowed (think testimony, faith etc). It isn't easy doing it, but we do it for one reason---LOVE!
RS means faith.
It means putting first things first.
That is why I sacrifice my everything for my children-I put first things first. This why I get up in the morning and do what I do. I have faith that I will receive the blessings promised me.
I was hoping someone else would start because I didn't want my make-up to run down my face today.
I didn't see/here this when it was originally given and I haven't had a spare moment to hear/see it on the web but just reading it I could hear the Prophet's love for me so personally and so deep I was weeping when I first read this. (Very embarrassing when you are sitting on the sidelines at a soccer practice.)
I don't even know where to begin with this talk. I think every word is so perfect and so needed.
Well, as my mother always said, "Start at the beginning."
I will agree that even though the sisters are sometimes not the best, the organization of the RS is the best and greatest organization for women on this earth. DUH. But still we need to hear that when our local RS isn't meeting our needs as we see them it is often forgotten that it truly is the best and greatest organization for women.
I love what he said LDS stands for LOVE, DEVOTION, SERVICE. I want to make sure I stand for that too! Now for his answers to what does Relief Society really stand for? (Why not take one a day)
1. Love
2. Education
3. Self-Reliance
4. Sacrifice
He ends with these words (I cut and paste):
"This is what the Relief Society does for women. It gives them opportunity for growth and development. It gives them status as queens in their own households. It gives them place and position, where they grow as they exercise their talents. It gives them pride and direction in family life. It gives them added appreciation for good, eternal companions and children.
"What a glorious organization Relief Society is. There is nothing to compare with it in all the world. May the Lord bless each of you with these marvelous qualities that come of activity in the great Relief Society organization. For this I humbly pray, in the sacred name of Jesus Christ, amen."
(from another post)
This is the part that had me blubbering like an idiot. My sister is on the very last battle with brain cancer and she will not win this. She will be taken home before what I as a human think is the end (she leaves 9 children with the youngest only 9 years old). It is time for her to find "rest" in the biblical and eternal sense. For us we need the rest that can come from our knowledge of His love for us while walking this earth. Our rest comes from the knowledge that he didn't leave us alone. He gives us the Holy Ghost and his sweet (or not so sweet) whisperings when like that sister, feel like the world is on our shoulders and we are standing in quick sand.
I don't know how many times I am coming home from a meeting and think, "If I drive around the block a few more time, more lights will go out and I won't have to deal with them." But then I also think, "I also won't get that last, 'I forgot to tell you I love you and give you a kiss' from a child who said that six times already and has only been told lights out for the past 15 minutes." So, I pull in, race in the door and wait for the "Good mom is home," uttered from an exhausted hubby who then tags me and say, "you're it," and then disappears while muttering, "I don't know how you do it."
Well, we do it just like this sister was told, "But I can come to you."
I love the verbiage "can come", it doesn't say, "will come" but "can come." I think that denotes a chance for us to see our weakness and humbly bow and ask for Him to come to us and help us in our time of need and rejoicing. Well, our play break is over and I must now teach something else but I sure hope He "comes" now since I know I have come to my end of the rope for the day-I'm just going to hang on to the knot at the end.
(from another post)
LOVE- Relief Society stands for love. What a remarkable thing it is to witness the love of good women one for another. They mingle together in the bonds of love with friendship and respect for each other. This organization is actually the only resource that many women have for friendly association. It is the natural instinct of women to reach out in love to those in distress and need. The welfare program of the Church is described as priesthood based, but it could not function without the Relief Society.
What are your thoughts on the above? Does RS stand for love?
When I was RS president, I was given a long list of names. I had never met many of these sisters as they were inactive. Some were even on the DNC (Do not contact) list. I prayed over all of those names---the DNC and those whom I had never seen and those whose faces were so familiar to me they were like family and those that fell in between. As I prayed over those names and tried desperately to love them, I had one of the most amazing thing happen to me. EVERYONE of those sisters became real to me. The Lord gave it to me to love those sisters even though I had NEVER met some of them and other had rubbed me the wrong way. I truly loved those sisters. I have used that often when someone has done me wrong. I have prayed to know them and love them. I prayed to know how to serve and reach them the best way I could. I need to do that again as there have been some who have rubbed me the wrong way in this new ward. I know I'm supposed to be here, but I still am not what I called adjusted and fitting in to this ward. I guess I had better hit my knees so that I can LOVE my new sisters.
What about the mingling? My kids come pouncing in after RS is over. We have to leave so the next ward (who is usually on our heels) can have the room. Mingling is hard for me. BUT when I do mingle I start to develop those bonds of love and friendship. The statement that he makes about this being the ONLY resource for friendly association is very true for many of us HS. We don't have the school PTA and other activities to form friendships. We do have HS group, but many of those are cyber friendships or we are involved in a LDS group. Or at least that is my situation. I do not know my neighbors because I don't need to stand at the corner with my children waiting for the school bus. I don't associate with them because I don't hang out at the local coffee shop. I don't have lunch with my "girl friends" because I'm home teaching my children. (even if those friends are my LDS ward members---I'm working.) SO for me that statement is a statement of truth. RS is the ONLY place or me to find friendly associations. AND I'M NOT DOING A GREAT JOB IN FINDING FRIENDS---but that I think is my fault.
The natural instinct the Prophet is talking about is why RS was put together in the first place. The Prophet's wife and Sister Snow got together to help with the building of the temple. They saw a need, filled it and the Prophet Joseph took it to the Lord and viola---we have one of the most important groups on earth today.
(from another post)
Relief Society stands for education. It is the obligation of every woman of this Church to get all the education she can. It will enlarge her life and increase her opportunities. It will provide her with marketable skills in case she needs them. ~President Hinckley.
I believe in my heart this is a commandment from him. If you add this to the 88th section of the Doctrine and Covenants then you have a pretty powerful and all encompassing commandment. I also love the fact that he/He (Pres. Hinckley and Heavenly Father) didn't tell us how to do it. I don't hear the "GO BACK TO SCHOOL AND GET YOUR DIPLOMA!!!!" I hear increase your knowledge of the world around you, of history, of science, and other interests as well as in something you can use to earn money if the need arises.
If you take this statement, D&C 88:76-80 and the Proclamation to the Family then you as a sister, woman, daughter, female, wife, mother and what other adjective you can think of have the formula for the Lord's education for his Daughters. Pretty cool!
On a personal note I have learned more (and I'm talking in the "educational" sense of the word "learn") since I have begun teaching my children then all the days of institutional learning. I remember sitting in 10th grade when the teacher said a sentence with the word "world war TWO" in it and it floored me! If there was a WWII then there had to be a WWI !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!! I was shocked! I didn't even have a clue. In my house when we spoke of "the war" we spoke of the war that tore my mother's family apart and it was NEVER called WWII, just "the war." In school it seemed like this is how the timeline went.
Columbus came and about two weeks later the pilgrims came. They had a thanksgiving feast and then the next year they got angry at King George and had a fight. That lasted about a year (had to go through the snow because of the bloody foot prints) then we were cool for a little while-maybe 10 years or so and then we had a civil war. I knew that one was long war-maybe two years? But then who really understood these things. Somewhere in all that mess the Saints and other people came west and all it was was fighting and fighting the Indians over and over again. Next thing I knew we were fighting "the war" and then while in my youth there was some "conflict" over in South Asia that in my town you didn't take sides. Then I graduated from school!
BOY! Have my eyes been opened. I now know about the French and Indian War, the Revolutionary War, the war of 1812, Mexican-American War, the Civil War, the Spanish-American War, WWI, WWII and all the modern wars as well. My eyes have been open and I have been able to digest all this and make sense of all the information. Glory be!!!! What an education I have received all because I decided to keep my kids home. We won't even start on the science---but I will say, "I hated science until about four years ago when I finally got it."
(from another post)
The sister who wrote President Hinckley wrote this: "As I pondered my patriarchal blessing and made it a matter of fasting and prayer, I was able to set some realistic goals in my life that have been used as a road map to keep me on track with the principles of the gospel. I attend my meetings, pray daily, and pay my tithing. I . . . take my calling as a visiting teacher very seriously. . . . "
Have you taken a good PONDERING of your patriarchal blessing as of late? Very interesting to see it in older eyes.
How are your goals? Are they in line with the "road map" of your blessing?
And then here is the $1,000,000 question: "How do you do your "duty" and "callings" when you essentially work full time?"
I don't have an answer for that last one at all. I struggle with it all the time. I'm so busy that I scarcely can breath some days and yet, I'm supposed to WHAT?
I know my schedule and as long as my VT sisters fit my schedule I can be 100% every month but alas they never fit my schedule 100%. Nor does my calling. Nor does helping my children fulfill their callings and duties. Nor does helping my husband fulfill his calling. Trying to juggle all these GOOD and GREAT things is very, very difficult and sometimes balls fall and things come crashing around my feet and I sit down and have a good cry. But I pick myself up and say, "I'll do better, I will." Only to fail again the next month.
How do you work full time at two jobs (that is what we are doing) and "be all that you can be"?
But I like the other questions better-I have answers for those. My blessing talks about getting an education and when my hubby proposed to me at 19 (no comments please!) and I went to the Lord and asked about how a sophomore in college could marry a senior and still fulfill the "education" clause in her blessing (we won't even touch the "missionary service aboard" part) I was dumbfounded by the answer and little did I know then (almost 20 years ago) that homeschooling would be how I got my education. When we moved to the Seattle area I thought that I would just walk into the UW, apply and get my degree. When it came time to turn in my paper work, I couldn't do it. I decided to take it to the Lord. He told me "not yet." And so I got a job to help us get out of credit card debt (we bought $500 worth of crappy furniture for our first apartment and needed to get rid of it). It was from that job that I met a fantastic doctor that solved our infertility issued (six children later) and had I not gotten that job and had the referral from a co-worker who knows where I would be. The Lord led me then, and a few years later when we asked the dumbest question of all "do we homeschool?" (now look at me---I'm getting smart!). (tongue firmly in cheek!)
So that "education" part of my PB is being fulfilled. I do hope to go back and finish my degree, although I would switch fields-I was in education believe it or not!-but it isn't "right now." (actually I'm sort of scared of the classroom setting again-I'm afraid I will forget to raise my hand to ask a question or go potty ~smile~).
(from another post)
Relief Society means self reliance.
I sometimes think in today's world we are at two extremes. We either depend on other a LOT or not at all. I remember some time ago that a friend of mine moved. She moved just a few blocks from their home, but still she had moved and didn't ask for help at all. She had three very small children, a hubby who worked and a very busy schedule. On the other hand I remember running by and saying hi to a "new" ward member (they moved from the neighboring ward) and finding our RS president there helping her set up her kitchen. This lady had four children (all school age and above), a hired maid or two, a gardener and here was the RS president helping her unload her kitchen.
In my perfect world I would have a pantry that could survive 3 months of no grocery store shopping and a garage or storage room that could go two years. Not sure I'm there (use to be).
I don't can (did it too much as a kid-had too and HATE it). I don't make bread (can't seem to get it right here in the Seattle area). I don't like to cook (I actually have a lady do 24 dinners for my family every month).
But I do sew! And my kids will never not have a book to read! If school is closed because of snow---well.
(from another post)
RS means sacrifice.
I need not say anymore to you on this list about sacrifice. I don't think one of us on here isn't a parent (we HS our CHILDREN)! If we don't know as mothers the meaning of sacrifice then we had better go look that word up in every possible dictionary. I know mine says, "Sacrifice see mother" We giver everything freely to our children and would give the other stuff we can't if allowed (think testimony, faith etc). It isn't easy doing it, but we do it for one reason---LOVE!
RS means faith.
It means putting first things first.
That is why I sacrifice my everything for my children-I put first things first. This why I get up in the morning and do what I do. I have faith that I will receive the blessings promised me.
Sunday, October 15, 2006
To Look, Reach, and Come unto Christ
My thought on Sister Pingree's talk "To Look, Reach, and Come unto Christ"
When I'm feeling lazy, like today because of all the rain, I hate reading action verbs. This was a hard one for me to read. I don't think I'm the kind of person that following a prompting changes someone's life. Nor do I have very many people who come into my life at the right time to change my life. I do feel the Holy Ghost prompting me and I follow, but not miraculous stories of changed lives.
I also have a struggle with the "thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace." I have been fighting pain for almost 4 years now! For the whole story http://thebackdor.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_thebackdor_archive.html but the short version is that I was in an auto accident that could have and should have taken my life, but it didn't and now I fight pain almost daily. (Therapy and surgery has taken a lot of pain away, but not all.) I have had faith coming out of every pore of my body and I'm still "broken" so how can the Lord say this?
I have walked through this valley for many years with many questions and very few answers. My faith is stronger now than before the accident and yet I'm still hurting and have challenges. WHY?
Well, the answer isn't my faith----that I know with all my being. I'm not sure what the answer is, but eventually I will know. I know there are lessons that this trial has taught me and still needs to teach me. I just have to be contrite and humble enough to learn them. I don't believe this trial was for only that purpose, but for other things too. Again, my faith, lack or no lack, is not the reason I'm not healed, BUT it is hard for others to see me in pain and I often know what they are thinking and that is what hurts. I actually had someone say to me, "If you had more faith," thankfully one thing I had more of at that moment was patience and forgiveness.
I like to believe there is a part of this story we don't know.
(from another post)
First she taught us that to come unto Christ we need to look and reach (both action verbs) to Him and for Him. I have participated in a wonderful study group of women. A few years back we did the OT. It was amazing to us how often the Lord's children were wicked, idolatrous and down right ripe for destruction and yet he would send someone to save them and his words were constantly "my arms are still outstretched" . my personal vision of this is of a mom and dad with their baby toddling between them as he learns to take his first steps. How happy are the faces. How joyful the hugs when the child makes it all the way across. And how happy is the child when his face is nestled in the neck of his parent. Now put us in between those arms. Are we picking ourselves off when we fall down-just like a good parent our Savior lifts us up and tells us to try again? Are we happy when we make it? His face never betrays His emotions and He LOVES us and wants us to "come unto Him." Another thing that often happens to the toddler is that their arms as busy as they are trying to steady themselves is also reaching for their parent. Are we REACHING for our Savior?
(from another post)
Sisters,
After reading a few posts I want you to know that "inspiration" doesn't mean "feeling" warm and doing something out of the ordinary. Often I just do what comes natural and it just so happens that someone who needed what was "natural" for me was there who needed it.
This year as a coach I was coaching a young girl who was so afraid of the ball. I just happened to be her coach-she my player. I taught her not to be afraid of the ball. Her mother said that I was the best coach around and that her daughter finally loves to play sports and she isn't afraid to get after that ball. I was the answer to her prayers. I didn't feel inspired to say one word or the other to that little girl. I said the same things I have said to all my players. It just happened that I was the answer to the mother's prayer. The Lord knows that sometimes our "natural" habits are what other's need and we are the answers. And yes, sometimes we are prompted and inspired to do something. My personally definition to Promptings and Inspirations are doing something that I normally wouldn't do given that situation or some very odd thought that pops into my head. Those are defiantly from above. Doing things that I normally do-habits are mine and they become His when He uses them to answer someone's prayers.
So, sometimes when we just go about our lives we are helping the Lord answer someone's prayers.
(from another post)
When the Lord grants righteous people anything they ask for he does it because he knows they will ask for nothing that is contrary to His will. "Thy will be done, Oh, Lord." I've often thought about that as I pray and go through the day.
I also think there is a way for us to start recognizing His hand in our lives (and now comes a dirty phrase) "slow down." I sometimes think I'm so busy I don't recognize His hand until I've slowed down at the end of the day and am reviewing what happened and what didn't happen. I'm sure this is where the leaders of the church are. We just need to strive to do it, but for now in my lowly position I will just live my life so he can work His ways through me.
When I'm feeling lazy, like today because of all the rain, I hate reading action verbs. This was a hard one for me to read. I don't think I'm the kind of person that following a prompting changes someone's life. Nor do I have very many people who come into my life at the right time to change my life. I do feel the Holy Ghost prompting me and I follow, but not miraculous stories of changed lives.
I also have a struggle with the "thy faith has made thee whole; go in peace." I have been fighting pain for almost 4 years now! For the whole story http://thebackdor.blogspot.com/2006_01_01_thebackdor_archive.html but the short version is that I was in an auto accident that could have and should have taken my life, but it didn't and now I fight pain almost daily. (Therapy and surgery has taken a lot of pain away, but not all.) I have had faith coming out of every pore of my body and I'm still "broken" so how can the Lord say this?
I have walked through this valley for many years with many questions and very few answers. My faith is stronger now than before the accident and yet I'm still hurting and have challenges. WHY?
Well, the answer isn't my faith----that I know with all my being. I'm not sure what the answer is, but eventually I will know. I know there are lessons that this trial has taught me and still needs to teach me. I just have to be contrite and humble enough to learn them. I don't believe this trial was for only that purpose, but for other things too. Again, my faith, lack or no lack, is not the reason I'm not healed, BUT it is hard for others to see me in pain and I often know what they are thinking and that is what hurts. I actually had someone say to me, "If you had more faith," thankfully one thing I had more of at that moment was patience and forgiveness.
I like to believe there is a part of this story we don't know.
(from another post)
First she taught us that to come unto Christ we need to look and reach (both action verbs) to Him and for Him. I have participated in a wonderful study group of women. A few years back we did the OT. It was amazing to us how often the Lord's children were wicked, idolatrous and down right ripe for destruction and yet he would send someone to save them and his words were constantly "my arms are still outstretched" . my personal vision of this is of a mom and dad with their baby toddling between them as he learns to take his first steps. How happy are the faces. How joyful the hugs when the child makes it all the way across. And how happy is the child when his face is nestled in the neck of his parent. Now put us in between those arms. Are we picking ourselves off when we fall down-just like a good parent our Savior lifts us up and tells us to try again? Are we happy when we make it? His face never betrays His emotions and He LOVES us and wants us to "come unto Him." Another thing that often happens to the toddler is that their arms as busy as they are trying to steady themselves is also reaching for their parent. Are we REACHING for our Savior?
(from another post)
Sisters,
After reading a few posts I want you to know that "inspiration" doesn't mean "feeling" warm and doing something out of the ordinary. Often I just do what comes natural and it just so happens that someone who needed what was "natural" for me was there who needed it.
This year as a coach I was coaching a young girl who was so afraid of the ball. I just happened to be her coach-she my player. I taught her not to be afraid of the ball. Her mother said that I was the best coach around and that her daughter finally loves to play sports and she isn't afraid to get after that ball. I was the answer to her prayers. I didn't feel inspired to say one word or the other to that little girl. I said the same things I have said to all my players. It just happened that I was the answer to the mother's prayer. The Lord knows that sometimes our "natural" habits are what other's need and we are the answers. And yes, sometimes we are prompted and inspired to do something. My personally definition to Promptings and Inspirations are doing something that I normally wouldn't do given that situation or some very odd thought that pops into my head. Those are defiantly from above. Doing things that I normally do-habits are mine and they become His when He uses them to answer someone's prayers.
So, sometimes when we just go about our lives we are helping the Lord answer someone's prayers.
(from another post)
When the Lord grants righteous people anything they ask for he does it because he knows they will ask for nothing that is contrary to His will. "Thy will be done, Oh, Lord." I've often thought about that as I pray and go through the day.
I also think there is a way for us to start recognizing His hand in our lives (and now comes a dirty phrase) "slow down." I sometimes think I'm so busy I don't recognize His hand until I've slowed down at the end of the day and am reviewing what happened and what didn't happen. I'm sure this is where the leaders of the church are. We just need to strive to do it, but for now in my lowly position I will just live my life so he can work His ways through me.
Sunday, October 8, 2006
Remembering the Lord's Love
My thoughts on Sister Hughes' talk "Remembering the Lord's Love"
WOW! this talk is almost all red and I have only read it once. I have sooooo much to say, but I will take it one thing at a time.. I LOVED THIS ONE EVEN MORE THAN THE LAST! Can't wait to finish the RS session of conference because of the theme they picked "I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 11:15). I think I could talk about that one as well.
If you are reading it from the printed page and see what the editors pulled out as the "sub headline" (I'm sure there is a proper editing term for it), I think that statement has a HUGE impact on me. Especially after last weeks message from Sister Parkin. (OK, I should put a warning here---I'm working on very little sleep and so I'm not sure my words are the words my heart is feeling so if the grammar is horrible and spelling is worse, please forgive. It is very early and I've had very little sleep and I'm not in anyway prepared for today's school-we might just call a "teacher prep" day.)
"We must *seek* to know and feel the Lord's love in our lives." (emphasis mine) says the sub headline.
Being that my kids are working on grammar and right now we are looking at all the verbs (action words) this stuck out at me. "SEEK" what does that mean to you? To me that mean it isn't something we just sit on our lazy chair and if our neck will turn that way we will look that way. To me it means "get off your big bum and find it and do it now," especially after Sister Parkin's talk about Christ's love.
The next thing that jumped out at me was the ending to the first paragraph:
"He invites each of us to come, one by one, to Him that we too may know that He is "the God of . the whole earth, and ]has] been slain for the sins of the world" (3 Nephi 11;14). We learn how it feels to be encircled in His love when we accept that invitation."
I don't know about you, but most invites mean I need to leave my house and go somewhere. Again an action thing! This statement reminds me of 3 Nephi when the Savior comes and blesses the children ONE BY ONE. There must have been 1000's of children there and YET HE TOOK TIME TO TOUCH AND BLESS EACH CHILD ONE BY ONE. If time travel was possible, this is where I want to go back and witness. This is the time I want to go back and be a little child. I want to be in that LONG line just for him to touch me and say, "I love you and don't you ever forget it." And yet, he does that every day..... and I know that. I know that so well I wrote about this almost 7 years ago http://www.waldsfe.org/soapbox/lookforit.htm .
(from another post)
In the fourth and fifth paragraphs sister Hughes talks about what I like to call the "big ones" and the "little ones." Sometimes we get those big gifts-you know the freezer, large appliance, etc and there are times when we get the small gifts. The Lord gives them out too. Sometimes we have those memories that are HUGE, life changing. [name deleted] talked about her experience with the Spirit and I too had a big one with the Spirit. But I have also had a TON of little ones. These little ones are no less significant or special than the big ones, they are just different. I love the times when the Lord speaks softly and gently to my heart. I remember holding my new born babies and those little whisperings of how much the Lord loved me and the child I was holding. There was no big light feeling the room-it was just a thought, Spirit that entered my heart and mind. As she says, "The moment was fleeting, yet the memory of the love I felt has been lasting." In fact I rarely remember the particulars of those moments, but I can never forget the feelings.
The next paragraph then tells us about how we can see God's love all around us in the every day things of our lives. I think of the primary song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." You know the one that goes "Whenever I hear the song of a bird or walk by a lilac tree." (that is my favorite line since I LOVE to listen to birds and one of my favorite flowers are lilacs) how can we not see His love for us? As she writes in the last line of that paragraph, "Sisters, the Lord is everywhere when we open our eyes and hearts to His love."
Isn't it wonderful to live "in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me."
(from another post)
"As faithful women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been blessed with the Holy Ghost. As we invite the Savior into our lives, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the love which the Father and His Son, our Savior, have for each of us. But feeling Their love is dependent not only on our desire but upon our actions as well. And the actions we need to take are known to us: genuine prayer that is specific and humble, followed by quiet listening for the Lord's answers; regular scripture study and time to ponder what we read; and, finally, a willingness to be introspective about ourselves and to trust in the Lord's promise that He will "make weak things become strong unto [us]" (Ether 12:27). As we study and ponder, we are entitled to the promptings of the Spirit, and as we grow more attentive to these promptings, we come to recognize each day the workings of the Lord in our lives. We will find Him, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated, "in the details of our lives" ("Becoming a Disciple," Ensign, June 1996, 19). And when that recognition comes, we feel His peace and recognize that we are truly encircled in the arms of His love."
When I was reading this, the list maker in me came out and I notice a few things.
First-the word INVITE. As we INVITE the Savior into our lives... When I was a little girl I had a boy invite me to a school dance (he didn't know I didn't go to jr. high dances) and how he did it was to just shout at me across the field next to my house. I was sort of flattered, but not really. A few years later I was asked to go to a high school dance in a very creative way and I will never forgive my brother for letting him into my room! But boy did I feel so SPECIAL. It was like the princesses getting an engraved invitation to the royal ball. As I read the scriptures I think of how many times the Savior invites us to know him and to find him and to obey his commandments and all those other wonderful things my sleep deprived brain can't think of. Now just like with those young men's invitation it was up to me to make the next step. As the saying goes, "the ball is in my court" and I either play or walk away. What are we doing with the engraved invitation? (And if you want to take this a step further, read Isa 49:16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." what was the last thing he did with his flesh and blood hands. Prepare the last supper, pray and then they were nailed to the cross for you and me!)
Second-look at how we feel "their love" through our DESIRE and our ACTIONS. And then she lays out the actions (this is the list I came up with)
1. genuine prayer that is specific and humble (note to Doreen-work on that one!)
2. quiet listening for the Lord's answers (note to Doreen-schedule more quiet time-have hubby fix the lock on the bathroom door ~smile~)
3. regular scriptures study (note to Doreen-you are doing great on the reading part, but not on the study part, but family study time is AWESOME-keep up the good work.)
4. Time to ponder what we read (see note to #2)
5. Willingness to be introspective about ourselves and to trust in the Lord's promise that he will "make weak things become strong unto [us]" (note to Doreen, find time for being along and getting your bearings straightened out. Also let those weak things into your heart so they can become strong.
Third-WE ARE ENTITLED to the promptings of the Spirit. *WHAT A PROMISE* sisters we are ENTITLED to the promptings of the Spirit. Should we not be shouting from the rooftops this fact? We are faithful daughters of God and he wants us to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is speaking but are we hearing?
And then the very last thing. "And when that recognition comes, we feel His peace and recognize that we are truly encircled in the arms of His love." When I was at the beach a few weeks ago trying to come to grips with all that was going on in my life. I sat and marveled at the ocean. What a beautiful place---I don't think I could have thunk something like that up and yet he did and he did it JUST FOR ME FOR THAT MOMENT. He did is so in 2006 when his beloved daughter, Doreen, was having a difficult and emotional time could have proof that she was love by her Savior and her Heavenly Father. He did that just for me. I truly felt warm inside even with all the pain and frustration I was feeling.
WOW! this talk is almost all red and I have only read it once. I have sooooo much to say, but I will take it one thing at a time.. I LOVED THIS ONE EVEN MORE THAN THE LAST! Can't wait to finish the RS session of conference because of the theme they picked "I am encircled about eternally in the arms of his love" (2 Nephi 11:15). I think I could talk about that one as well.
If you are reading it from the printed page and see what the editors pulled out as the "sub headline" (I'm sure there is a proper editing term for it), I think that statement has a HUGE impact on me. Especially after last weeks message from Sister Parkin. (OK, I should put a warning here---I'm working on very little sleep and so I'm not sure my words are the words my heart is feeling so if the grammar is horrible and spelling is worse, please forgive. It is very early and I've had very little sleep and I'm not in anyway prepared for today's school-we might just call a "teacher prep" day.)
"We must *seek* to know and feel the Lord's love in our lives." (emphasis mine) says the sub headline.
Being that my kids are working on grammar and right now we are looking at all the verbs (action words) this stuck out at me. "SEEK" what does that mean to you? To me that mean it isn't something we just sit on our lazy chair and if our neck will turn that way we will look that way. To me it means "get off your big bum and find it and do it now," especially after Sister Parkin's talk about Christ's love.
The next thing that jumped out at me was the ending to the first paragraph:
"He invites each of us to come, one by one, to Him that we too may know that He is "the God of . the whole earth, and ]has] been slain for the sins of the world" (3 Nephi 11;14). We learn how it feels to be encircled in His love when we accept that invitation."
I don't know about you, but most invites mean I need to leave my house and go somewhere. Again an action thing! This statement reminds me of 3 Nephi when the Savior comes and blesses the children ONE BY ONE. There must have been 1000's of children there and YET HE TOOK TIME TO TOUCH AND BLESS EACH CHILD ONE BY ONE. If time travel was possible, this is where I want to go back and witness. This is the time I want to go back and be a little child. I want to be in that LONG line just for him to touch me and say, "I love you and don't you ever forget it." And yet, he does that every day..... and I know that. I know that so well I wrote about this almost 7 years ago http://www.waldsfe.org/soapbox/lookforit.htm .
(from another post)
In the fourth and fifth paragraphs sister Hughes talks about what I like to call the "big ones" and the "little ones." Sometimes we get those big gifts-you know the freezer, large appliance, etc and there are times when we get the small gifts. The Lord gives them out too. Sometimes we have those memories that are HUGE, life changing. [name deleted] talked about her experience with the Spirit and I too had a big one with the Spirit. But I have also had a TON of little ones. These little ones are no less significant or special than the big ones, they are just different. I love the times when the Lord speaks softly and gently to my heart. I remember holding my new born babies and those little whisperings of how much the Lord loved me and the child I was holding. There was no big light feeling the room-it was just a thought, Spirit that entered my heart and mind. As she says, "The moment was fleeting, yet the memory of the love I felt has been lasting." In fact I rarely remember the particulars of those moments, but I can never forget the feelings.
The next paragraph then tells us about how we can see God's love all around us in the every day things of our lives. I think of the primary song "My Heavenly Father Loves Me." You know the one that goes "Whenever I hear the song of a bird or walk by a lilac tree." (that is my favorite line since I LOVE to listen to birds and one of my favorite flowers are lilacs) how can we not see His love for us? As she writes in the last line of that paragraph, "Sisters, the Lord is everywhere when we open our eyes and hearts to His love."
Isn't it wonderful to live "in this beautiful world, Heavenly Father created for me."
(from another post)
"As faithful women of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, we have been blessed with the Holy Ghost. As we invite the Savior into our lives, the Holy Ghost will bear witness to us of the love which the Father and His Son, our Savior, have for each of us. But feeling Their love is dependent not only on our desire but upon our actions as well. And the actions we need to take are known to us: genuine prayer that is specific and humble, followed by quiet listening for the Lord's answers; regular scripture study and time to ponder what we read; and, finally, a willingness to be introspective about ourselves and to trust in the Lord's promise that He will "make weak things become strong unto [us]" (Ether 12:27). As we study and ponder, we are entitled to the promptings of the Spirit, and as we grow more attentive to these promptings, we come to recognize each day the workings of the Lord in our lives. We will find Him, as Elder Neal A. Maxwell stated, "in the details of our lives" ("Becoming a Disciple," Ensign, June 1996, 19). And when that recognition comes, we feel His peace and recognize that we are truly encircled in the arms of His love."
When I was reading this, the list maker in me came out and I notice a few things.
First-the word INVITE. As we INVITE the Savior into our lives... When I was a little girl I had a boy invite me to a school dance (he didn't know I didn't go to jr. high dances) and how he did it was to just shout at me across the field next to my house. I was sort of flattered, but not really. A few years later I was asked to go to a high school dance in a very creative way and I will never forgive my brother for letting him into my room! But boy did I feel so SPECIAL. It was like the princesses getting an engraved invitation to the royal ball. As I read the scriptures I think of how many times the Savior invites us to know him and to find him and to obey his commandments and all those other wonderful things my sleep deprived brain can't think of. Now just like with those young men's invitation it was up to me to make the next step. As the saying goes, "the ball is in my court" and I either play or walk away. What are we doing with the engraved invitation? (And if you want to take this a step further, read Isa 49:16 "Behold, I have graven thee upon the palms of my hands." what was the last thing he did with his flesh and blood hands. Prepare the last supper, pray and then they were nailed to the cross for you and me!)
Second-look at how we feel "their love" through our DESIRE and our ACTIONS. And then she lays out the actions (this is the list I came up with)
1. genuine prayer that is specific and humble (note to Doreen-work on that one!)
2. quiet listening for the Lord's answers (note to Doreen-schedule more quiet time-have hubby fix the lock on the bathroom door ~smile~)
3. regular scriptures study (note to Doreen-you are doing great on the reading part, but not on the study part, but family study time is AWESOME-keep up the good work.)
4. Time to ponder what we read (see note to #2)
5. Willingness to be introspective about ourselves and to trust in the Lord's promise that he will "make weak things become strong unto [us]" (note to Doreen, find time for being along and getting your bearings straightened out. Also let those weak things into your heart so they can become strong.
Third-WE ARE ENTITLED to the promptings of the Spirit. *WHAT A PROMISE* sisters we are ENTITLED to the promptings of the Spirit. Should we not be shouting from the rooftops this fact? We are faithful daughters of God and he wants us to hear the promptings of the Holy Ghost. The Holy Ghost is speaking but are we hearing?
And then the very last thing. "And when that recognition comes, we feel His peace and recognize that we are truly encircled in the arms of His love." When I was at the beach a few weeks ago trying to come to grips with all that was going on in my life. I sat and marveled at the ocean. What a beautiful place---I don't think I could have thunk something like that up and yet he did and he did it JUST FOR ME FOR THAT MOMENT. He did is so in 2006 when his beloved daughter, Doreen, was having a difficult and emotional time could have proof that she was love by her Savior and her Heavenly Father. He did that just for me. I truly felt warm inside even with all the pain and frustration I was feeling.
Monday, October 2, 2006
Eternally Encircled in His Love
My thoughts on Sister Parkin's talk "Eternally Encircled in His Love"
Sister Parkin's talk hit me really hard last night as I was reading it. Of course I was "full" from just watching Sunday's sessions (haven't yet watched Saturday's) and this just affirmed the feelings I had from the four hours of testimonies that I just watched and felt.
I am someone who feels the messages and then goes back and gleans from them (hence this group) so I can't recall who said what but I can tell you the feeling each person who spoke gave me. I can almost always tell you the jest of their talk but rarely get a quote correct. I do my best in looking them up, but for the life of me...it was a good thing my seminary teach gave us all year to memorize the mastery scriptures. But I can tell you where on a page the verse(s) is and what color I marked it in and about how long it looks on the page---just not every word. ~SMILE~
With that said..
This first quote hit me.
"Sister, this was a woman who had made temple covenants and was active in the Church. And yet she still felt unworthy of His love."
How many of us fit that to a "T"? Sister Parkin just described me. I have temple covenants and go to church (although family issues have kept me from attending for the whole month of September-I don't think that has EVERY happened in my life. I did miss back to back Sundays once but that was because I was in the hospital giving birth one week and the next my baby was in the hospital-jaundice, nothing serious.)
How come we feel that way? Why aren't we like the woman at the well? Why aren't we like Mary and Martha? Why aren't we understanding of his love? Is it a cultural thing? I don't know the answers, but I want to feel that love?
When is that you feel loved by the Savior? When do you feel like his Daughter?
I know I struggle with the second one because I didn't feel love from an earthly father so I feel very unloved my father figures in my life. It was a shock to me when I married my husband and his father said "I love you" to me and I saw in his face that he really meant it and was going to live up to that statement.
Well, I think that is enough for this morning. I have more highlighted from last night, but let's chew on this for a minute.
(from another post)
I can't help but see this in a mommy/homeschooling light.
"Mothers, can you see how essential you are in teaching this truth to your children? As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love. President Gordon B. Hinckley urges us to "love the Lord [our] God, and His Son, and be ever grateful for Their love for us. Whenever other love fade, there will be that shining, transcendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life for us."
Why is it so easy to see our children wrapped in His arms and us not there?
I thank [name deleted] for sharing her very personal thoughts about her experience with feeling the Savior's arms encircle her. What an experience!
This is the part that I want to get to:
"A mother who knows her relationship with God helps her children to know Him and to be encircled by His love."
I hope I can once again see my face in the pictures of Christ and the little children. When I was little I asked my mom who those children were and she told me that they were my little brother and me. I was so excited, but I think I have personally lost that idea and thought. I need to put myself back into the arms of Christ.
I sometimes find it very hard to do that with the business of life, especially when your children are there all day and demand so much of you. I think I have stopped writing this email five times to address someone's need and we are supposed to be on mom's time out during lunch time.
(from another post)
[name deleted],
I'm so sorry for your loss. I too am going through the same struggle, but my struggle is my sister. She is in the very last stages of brain cancer. It is so hard for the natural man to let our loved ones go, but with the Comforter as my companion I know that she has done her work here, her Father loves her and is waiting on the other side to welcome this faithful daughter back into his arms. It is so hard for my heart to let her go, but my heart also knows she needs to be released from the physical torments the cancer has caused her. Sometimes I'm not sure I like the "opposition" in all things. Pain, suffering, joy, health. Opposites and so necessary.
I'm glad that the Atonement is here for us and it truly shows us the ultimate and eternal love of our Savior and God, the Father. Sister Parkin talked about it in the talk. I couldn't help but just weep as I read that.
I am also in the same shoes you are, [name deleted]. About six years ago (actually it is this month) out ward was divided (I was RS president and never got to say good bye-HORRIBLE!!!!!). I was in the new ward with only about 5 active families from the old ward. My kids lost ALL their friends and being HS made it even worse as the new ward looked down on homeschooling families. (Thankfully the bishop NEVER said a word to me.) I tried my best to welcome the new members in the ward. I spent three days delivering apple pies that I bought (talk about a cash lay out) to the members of the ward welcoming them and hoping to make friends. It was the most trying 3 plus years of my life. I NEVER felt part of that ward family. The one family that was from our old ward and still in this new ward was about the only reason we didn't move sooner. When they packed up and moved to Utah, we started looking to move. We are now in a new ward and I have been welcomed, but I still don't have that one friendship I've been looking for. It is so hard. I still alone in RS. I am also a very difficult position. Very few moms are my age. We have a ward where they are nearly empty nesters or their oldest isn't even out of 3rd grade. Very hard when that gap is where my family fits. But I am trying really hard to be that person Sister Parkin wants us to be. The sister who wraps her arms around her sister in the gospel and weeps with them. (I'm still waiting for that person.) I haven't attended church in for a month (going to SLC to visit my sister every weekend) but it seems that no one has noticed.
When I first moved into that ward that six years ago was split, I had walked into heaven. I was never more welcome. It wasn't the dinners in people's home (never was asked and yet in this ward we have been to five different families) it was the feeling in the halls, a class rooms. One of the RS teacher who has moved often was once asked by her husband how she could endure the moving and leaving friends behind. Her reply was, "Within seven days I will be surrounded by a room full of friends." I think that is why I continue to go to functions. (This has nothing to do with my testimony of the gospel-it is true and that will never change in my heart and mind. We are talking about being loved by those around us and how we can love those around us.)
I ramble and these thoughts just make me weep and I just put my make up on. [name deleted], I hope you can be the person that binds the ward together. I want so bad to do that, but... I want you to know you aren't the only one in that boat and I'm sure there are others who are in the same boat we just don't know they are there. Anyone else and how do you make it feel like a family?
(from another post)
[name deleted],
I hope like Sister Hughes you "remember" this for the rest of your life. I too had a similar experience. I had just broken up with a boyfriend-he dumped me for a close friend two days before my Jr Prom! I was despondent and broken hearted. For about three weeks I barely could get myself up and go to school, seminary, track and work. My mom was very worried and now I know that she was praying for me like Alma the Sr. was doing for his son. [deleted personal note] One night while in my bedroom trying to study for an upcoming Biology AP test (why I remember that I don't know) and I just couldn't wrap my mind around the stuff I was studying and to pass this test meant $$ to me since I was paying for every cent of my college experience. I knelt down to pray and started just like you. "thank you's and please's" and eventually I got around to the "I'm so heart broken."
I too had the physical feelings of arms being wrapped around me. I still can't explain how it feels except to say it was beyond human description. I too knew that my heart may have been broken, but it would heal and this wasn't the young man for me and the young man for me was elsewhere (on him mission at the time-but I didn't know that) and that I was to continue on being the wonderful young woman I was becoming. My heart still hurt but more because I lost a good friend from betrayal and a boy friend who together we went through a LOT! BUT, it was healed because I knew my Father was happy for me for choosing the right and doing what was proper and good.
I have often thought or remembered that night in my room as the first time that I really felt the arms of my Savior wrapped around me. There are a few other times I felt such, but most of the time I just remember and get that feeling again.
(from another post)
Last night was the third night in a row that I had a dream (that doesn't mean it was a good dream, but it wasn't a nightmare either) about all those kids back in high school (even back into grade school). This morning as I was rereading the last two talks and thinking about all the things we have been freely discussing it hit me how much all of us to some extent had our school experience shape who we are and how much we allow the arms of our Savior to encircle us. I don't want to bash PS, because it wasn't the "systems' fault, it was the nature of the beast.
But this really has me thinking and I don't have the complete thought process. To truly feel the Savior's arms around us we did those not in the mess of the school hall or locker room, those quiet and tender moments most likely happened away from that environment. How lucky are our children to continually know that the Savior loves them and we can talk about that when we talk about the human body, or a piece of literature or the colors of the rainbow, counting, tying a shoe, solving an algebra problem. HOW WONDERFUL!
Just today we were designing our boomerangs to go along with our "visit" to Australia. My son drew Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost (he was just dashed lines) on his boomerang because they made him feel happy. Could you imagine if this 9 year old would have done that in a PS setting? His friends would have laughed him and scorned him and persecuted him. It was contagious and my 7 year old then put CTR on this boomerang so he could remember to choose the right. Then the 9 year old decided to put the primary colors on his so that he could remember the Primary song about Red, Yellow and Blue and what they stand for. I sat back and relished what these too boys where saying and doing. Even a 7 year old girl who attends this glass put lips on her boomerang because that means kisses and love. Another 8 year old girl put a lot of dots on hers and explain that was courage to do what is right.
These children are growing up knowing that they are completely encircled in the arms of their Savior. I hope that when they reach that critical age (jr and sr high) they still have that wonderful knowledge and NEVER let others take it away from them like many of us have expressed happen to us. I think that was the message of the dream. I let the knowledge of that LOVE be overshadowed by those in my high school and forgot to look where the light was coming from to begin with. I never forgot, just needed to have it brought to the forefront and will probably have to have that happen time and time again as I live in the world and try my hardest not to be of the world.
Sister Parkin's talk hit me really hard last night as I was reading it. Of course I was "full" from just watching Sunday's sessions (haven't yet watched Saturday's) and this just affirmed the feelings I had from the four hours of testimonies that I just watched and felt.
I am someone who feels the messages and then goes back and gleans from them (hence this group) so I can't recall who said what but I can tell you the feeling each person who spoke gave me. I can almost always tell you the jest of their talk but rarely get a quote correct. I do my best in looking them up, but for the life of me...it was a good thing my seminary teach gave us all year to memorize the mastery scriptures. But I can tell you where on a page the verse(s) is and what color I marked it in and about how long it looks on the page---just not every word. ~SMILE~
With that said..
This first quote hit me.
"Sister, this was a woman who had made temple covenants and was active in the Church. And yet she still felt unworthy of His love."
How many of us fit that to a "T"? Sister Parkin just described me. I have temple covenants and go to church (although family issues have kept me from attending for the whole month of September-I don't think that has EVERY happened in my life. I did miss back to back Sundays once but that was because I was in the hospital giving birth one week and the next my baby was in the hospital-jaundice, nothing serious.)
How come we feel that way? Why aren't we like the woman at the well? Why aren't we like Mary and Martha? Why aren't we understanding of his love? Is it a cultural thing? I don't know the answers, but I want to feel that love?
When is that you feel loved by the Savior? When do you feel like his Daughter?
I know I struggle with the second one because I didn't feel love from an earthly father so I feel very unloved my father figures in my life. It was a shock to me when I married my husband and his father said "I love you" to me and I saw in his face that he really meant it and was going to live up to that statement.
Well, I think that is enough for this morning. I have more highlighted from last night, but let's chew on this for a minute.
(from another post)
I can't help but see this in a mommy/homeschooling light.
"Mothers, can you see how essential you are in teaching this truth to your children? As you encircle your children with your love, they will catch glimpses of His love. President Gordon B. Hinckley urges us to "love the Lord [our] God, and His Son, and be ever grateful for Their love for us. Whenever other love fade, there will be that shining, transcendent, everlasting love of God for each of us and the love of His Son, who gave His life for us."
Why is it so easy to see our children wrapped in His arms and us not there?
I thank [name deleted] for sharing her very personal thoughts about her experience with feeling the Savior's arms encircle her. What an experience!
This is the part that I want to get to:
"A mother who knows her relationship with God helps her children to know Him and to be encircled by His love."
I hope I can once again see my face in the pictures of Christ and the little children. When I was little I asked my mom who those children were and she told me that they were my little brother and me. I was so excited, but I think I have personally lost that idea and thought. I need to put myself back into the arms of Christ.
I sometimes find it very hard to do that with the business of life, especially when your children are there all day and demand so much of you. I think I have stopped writing this email five times to address someone's need and we are supposed to be on mom's time out during lunch time.
(from another post)
[name deleted],
I'm so sorry for your loss. I too am going through the same struggle, but my struggle is my sister. She is in the very last stages of brain cancer. It is so hard for the natural man to let our loved ones go, but with the Comforter as my companion I know that she has done her work here, her Father loves her and is waiting on the other side to welcome this faithful daughter back into his arms. It is so hard for my heart to let her go, but my heart also knows she needs to be released from the physical torments the cancer has caused her. Sometimes I'm not sure I like the "opposition" in all things. Pain, suffering, joy, health. Opposites and so necessary.
I'm glad that the Atonement is here for us and it truly shows us the ultimate and eternal love of our Savior and God, the Father. Sister Parkin talked about it in the talk. I couldn't help but just weep as I read that.
I am also in the same shoes you are, [name deleted]. About six years ago (actually it is this month) out ward was divided (I was RS president and never got to say good bye-HORRIBLE!!!!!). I was in the new ward with only about 5 active families from the old ward. My kids lost ALL their friends and being HS made it even worse as the new ward looked down on homeschooling families. (Thankfully the bishop NEVER said a word to me.) I tried my best to welcome the new members in the ward. I spent three days delivering apple pies that I bought (talk about a cash lay out) to the members of the ward welcoming them and hoping to make friends. It was the most trying 3 plus years of my life. I NEVER felt part of that ward family. The one family that was from our old ward and still in this new ward was about the only reason we didn't move sooner. When they packed up and moved to Utah, we started looking to move. We are now in a new ward and I have been welcomed, but I still don't have that one friendship I've been looking for. It is so hard. I still alone in RS. I am also a very difficult position. Very few moms are my age. We have a ward where they are nearly empty nesters or their oldest isn't even out of 3rd grade. Very hard when that gap is where my family fits. But I am trying really hard to be that person Sister Parkin wants us to be. The sister who wraps her arms around her sister in the gospel and weeps with them. (I'm still waiting for that person.) I haven't attended church in for a month (going to SLC to visit my sister every weekend) but it seems that no one has noticed.
When I first moved into that ward that six years ago was split, I had walked into heaven. I was never more welcome. It wasn't the dinners in people's home (never was asked and yet in this ward we have been to five different families) it was the feeling in the halls, a class rooms. One of the RS teacher who has moved often was once asked by her husband how she could endure the moving and leaving friends behind. Her reply was, "Within seven days I will be surrounded by a room full of friends." I think that is why I continue to go to functions. (This has nothing to do with my testimony of the gospel-it is true and that will never change in my heart and mind. We are talking about being loved by those around us and how we can love those around us.)
I ramble and these thoughts just make me weep and I just put my make up on. [name deleted], I hope you can be the person that binds the ward together. I want so bad to do that, but... I want you to know you aren't the only one in that boat and I'm sure there are others who are in the same boat we just don't know they are there. Anyone else and how do you make it feel like a family?
(from another post)
[name deleted],
I hope like Sister Hughes you "remember" this for the rest of your life. I too had a similar experience. I had just broken up with a boyfriend-he dumped me for a close friend two days before my Jr Prom! I was despondent and broken hearted. For about three weeks I barely could get myself up and go to school, seminary, track and work. My mom was very worried and now I know that she was praying for me like Alma the Sr. was doing for his son. [deleted personal note] One night while in my bedroom trying to study for an upcoming Biology AP test (why I remember that I don't know) and I just couldn't wrap my mind around the stuff I was studying and to pass this test meant $$ to me since I was paying for every cent of my college experience. I knelt down to pray and started just like you. "thank you's and please's" and eventually I got around to the "I'm so heart broken."
I too had the physical feelings of arms being wrapped around me. I still can't explain how it feels except to say it was beyond human description. I too knew that my heart may have been broken, but it would heal and this wasn't the young man for me and the young man for me was elsewhere (on him mission at the time-but I didn't know that) and that I was to continue on being the wonderful young woman I was becoming. My heart still hurt but more because I lost a good friend from betrayal and a boy friend who together we went through a LOT! BUT, it was healed because I knew my Father was happy for me for choosing the right and doing what was proper and good.
I have often thought or remembered that night in my room as the first time that I really felt the arms of my Savior wrapped around me. There are a few other times I felt such, but most of the time I just remember and get that feeling again.
(from another post)
Last night was the third night in a row that I had a dream (that doesn't mean it was a good dream, but it wasn't a nightmare either) about all those kids back in high school (even back into grade school). This morning as I was rereading the last two talks and thinking about all the things we have been freely discussing it hit me how much all of us to some extent had our school experience shape who we are and how much we allow the arms of our Savior to encircle us. I don't want to bash PS, because it wasn't the "systems' fault, it was the nature of the beast.
But this really has me thinking and I don't have the complete thought process. To truly feel the Savior's arms around us we did those not in the mess of the school hall or locker room, those quiet and tender moments most likely happened away from that environment. How lucky are our children to continually know that the Savior loves them and we can talk about that when we talk about the human body, or a piece of literature or the colors of the rainbow, counting, tying a shoe, solving an algebra problem. HOW WONDERFUL!
Just today we were designing our boomerangs to go along with our "visit" to Australia. My son drew Heavenly Father, Jesus and the Holy Ghost (he was just dashed lines) on his boomerang because they made him feel happy. Could you imagine if this 9 year old would have done that in a PS setting? His friends would have laughed him and scorned him and persecuted him. It was contagious and my 7 year old then put CTR on this boomerang so he could remember to choose the right. Then the 9 year old decided to put the primary colors on his so that he could remember the Primary song about Red, Yellow and Blue and what they stand for. I sat back and relished what these too boys where saying and doing. Even a 7 year old girl who attends this glass put lips on her boomerang because that means kisses and love. Another 8 year old girl put a lot of dots on hers and explain that was courage to do what is right.
These children are growing up knowing that they are completely encircled in the arms of their Savior. I hope that when they reach that critical age (jr and sr high) they still have that wonderful knowledge and NEVER let others take it away from them like many of us have expressed happen to us. I think that was the message of the dream. I let the knowledge of that LOVE be overshadowed by those in my high school and forgot to look where the light was coming from to begin with. I never forgot, just needed to have it brought to the forefront and will probably have to have that happen time and time again as I live in the world and try my hardest not to be of the world.
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