My thoughts on Sister Thompson's talk "Mind the Gap"
I have to share a funny before I start my thoughts on this talk. A kid on my soccer team has a shirt that says "Mind the Gap London" on it. I have learned you never ask kids what their shirts say because it 1) makes you look like a fool and 2) could mean something you don't want to know EVER! Now I know!
Gap #1:
I remember the day I went from believing to knowing. It was a powerful day and to this day only my journal and I know about that day. It is one that my family is just going to have to take my word for it and discover in my journals someday. I truly don't know even how to put it into words as the vision that opened in my mind doesn't have earthly words. I just pray that each of my children has that kind of an experience. I know it made a huge, huge, huge difference in my life. It was the day that I went from going through the motions because I wanted to believe it and going through the motions because I KNEW it.
OK, I was just going to leave my comments at that, but I have to take on the "If God really loved me" thing. If God really loved us would he send earthquakes? Would he send hunger, famine, sickness? YES! There must be opposition in all things--ALL THINGS! If there wasn't all the bad stuff then we couldn't show we are good and he would stop being a God.
Gap #2:
I remember this gap well. I turned 18 at the beginning of my senior year. I was too old for YW and way to young for RS. I remember my mom telling me that I didn't have to go to RS or to YW, but I had to pick one and attend at least that Sunday meeting and one monthly activity. I picked YW (my YW leader was so awesome!). It was about April that year that the BYU students came back and they started a young adult RS class. There was some 20 of us young girls (I can call us young cuz I'm old now). it was such a great transition period for us. We didn't have a YSA ward in our area at the time so it was a great in-between. My movement over that gap was smooth and wonderful.
I know how hard it can be, but we as the old ones need to embrace the young ones and help our own (both YW and YM) when the time comes. I have one coming up here very soon and the push away from YMs is so strong. He is older and his worries and desires are different. Reminds me of the break from childhood into teenage-hood. They want feet in both camps and it is hard.
Gap #3:
Faith is the action to our belief. I don't recall where I heard that, so I won't put quotes around it. I read and hear so many profess a love and even a belief in Christ but I don't see the proof in their belief. If they truly believed would they do what they do, say what they say and be who they are?
That begs the question, what does my actions tell?
I don't say this to toot my own horn, but on one of my soccer teams a father faithfully video tapes his son's games. Because I'm coaching the offence and the boy is usually on offence I am usually near his parents. Today we played a very hard team and were seldom on offence so I didn't have much to say. The ref blew a call--big time. I could have let my emotions rip with a lot of swear words. I just kicked at the grass, blew my breathe out and refocused. The dad made a comment that went something like this. "You know, I can edit it out." I looked at him confused like. He then said, "You can let it out coach, I can digitally edit out the bad words." My son told him that I don't swear. He just laughed. "Really? Never?" Then Jason said, "NO, check your tapes." I just got an email in my inbox that said, "Your son was right. You don't swear even when you have cause to, but you sure are entertaining when we score."
What I find really, really interesting about this is that his wife is a very inactive member. I was the RS president when they moved into the ward. I helped them get their house put together and introduced them to the schools, churches and neighborhood. Funny how they forget. I do know that her parents are very active.
So do my actions give me away my valiant testimony?
Saturday, October 31, 2009
Every Woman Needs Relief Society
My thoughts on Sister Allred's talk "Every Woman Needs Relief Society"
I read this a week or so ago and I can't find the paper I marked up. ~frown~ I remember thinking she had some great points that I wanted to talk about but now I don't know if I will remember them.
As someone who has just had (and still having) medical troubles I have had to call upon the wonderful Relief Society and I am amazed how how many are willing to step up and help out. I'm amazed that as many as those friends who have been asking to help are inside my ward, I would bet that for everyone in my ward there are two outside my ward (even my stake) who have asked to be put on the list of helpers. I even have friend outside the church who want to be on the list. I'm sure there is something inside a woman's heart that makes her step up when something like this happens.
"We have seen your good works."
I wonder how much is not seen--the hearts that want to help someone but doesn't get a chance because it doesn't come about--like those friends and sister who are sitting on my "I wanna help" list that haven't had a chance. (Secretly I hope they never do ~smile~).
She asks the question "How does Relief Society bless families and homes?"
I don't think there is even time enough to come up with all of them. I'm sure there is a story in every LDS (and a few non-LDS) home across the world that has a story of being touched by the Relief Society. And I bet there are more than one a house. I'm sure there are volumes full in heaven of acts of kindness service, love, and devotion given by Relief Society sisters. I'm sure the volumes reach the sky.
I love the list that Sister Allred comes up with. I wonder what my list look likes? I'm not sure I have time to even list them all. I know I don't. I'm just thinking of the physical blessings from Relief Society and the list is long. The list is diverse and wonderful. The list starts when I was a little child. I remember visiting teachers coming to our house when my grandpa died. I remember visiting teaching with my mom a sister with a major health issue and learning compassion as I watched my mom care for her. I can still see my mom helping the woman set her hair for church. She was in her wheel chair and my mom carefully washed it and put rollers in it. We came back later that day to take them out and set it for the night. I didn't see what my mom did the next morning, but the sister had beautiful hair at church that day.
I know a lot of people frown at Relief Society, but they just need to sit down and make a list of all the good things they have received from being a member in that great organization.
I read this a week or so ago and I can't find the paper I marked up. ~frown~ I remember thinking she had some great points that I wanted to talk about but now I don't know if I will remember them.
As someone who has just had (and still having) medical troubles I have had to call upon the wonderful Relief Society and I am amazed how how many are willing to step up and help out. I'm amazed that as many as those friends who have been asking to help are inside my ward, I would bet that for everyone in my ward there are two outside my ward (even my stake) who have asked to be put on the list of helpers. I even have friend outside the church who want to be on the list. I'm sure there is something inside a woman's heart that makes her step up when something like this happens.
"We have seen your good works."
I wonder how much is not seen--the hearts that want to help someone but doesn't get a chance because it doesn't come about--like those friends and sister who are sitting on my "I wanna help" list that haven't had a chance. (Secretly I hope they never do ~smile~).
She asks the question "How does Relief Society bless families and homes?"
I don't think there is even time enough to come up with all of them. I'm sure there is a story in every LDS (and a few non-LDS) home across the world that has a story of being touched by the Relief Society. And I bet there are more than one a house. I'm sure there are volumes full in heaven of acts of kindness service, love, and devotion given by Relief Society sisters. I'm sure the volumes reach the sky.
I love the list that Sister Allred comes up with. I wonder what my list look likes? I'm not sure I have time to even list them all. I know I don't. I'm just thinking of the physical blessings from Relief Society and the list is long. The list is diverse and wonderful. The list starts when I was a little child. I remember visiting teachers coming to our house when my grandpa died. I remember visiting teaching with my mom a sister with a major health issue and learning compassion as I watched my mom care for her. I can still see my mom helping the woman set her hair for church. She was in her wheel chair and my mom carefully washed it and put rollers in it. We came back later that day to take them out and set it for the night. I didn't see what my mom did the next morning, but the sister had beautiful hair at church that day.
I know a lot of people frown at Relief Society, but they just need to sit down and make a list of all the good things they have received from being a member in that great organization.
Monday, October 19, 2009
Relief Society: A Sacred Work
My thoughts on Sister Beck's talk "Relief Society: A Sacred Work"
I wish I could have been in the stake center when this was spoken, but I was so ill that night I barely made it through the dinner.
There is so much good stuff in here.
"“Members [of Relief Society] should permit neither hostile nor competitive interests of any kind to detract from the duties and obligations, the privileges and honors, the opportunities and achievements of membership in this great Society.”"
How many times do we break this rule in our hearts. How many times do I stop myself from participating in the blessings of the priesthood and membership in the Relief Society because I let competition and even hostile thoughts enter my mind?
I won't answer that for fear of the truth being known.
"We work in partnership with priesthood leaders, who hold keys which give them authority to preside in the name of the Lord. We operate in the manner of the priesthood—which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in councils; and concern ourselves with caring for individuals one by one. "
Do we realize this? Do I act on this? Do I use this?
Pres. Packer said, "“Attendance at the Sunday meeting is but a small part of your duty. Some of you have not understood this and have set aside much of what Relief Society has meant over the years—the sisterhood, the charitable and practical parts of it.”"
For the past 20 plus years I have only attended RS meetings for about 3 years and 2 of those were as the president. I miss it. I miss the connections of sisterhood that are made there. I miss the Sunday meetings and with children in the stage of life they are in, the weekday meetings are next to impossible to make. Yes, it makes it hard to feel apart.
"One of the most precious commodities we all have is time."
So I ask, what do we do with it? And we all have the same amount of time.
Pres. Uchtdorf said, "“What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?”
Is facebook gone?
I don't know? I've connected with some wonderful people. My circle of friends has grown so much. I've become a more social person with those that are physically closer to me as well as reconnect with people who matter.
Is Internet gone?
I don't know? I've learned so much.
Is TV gone?
I don't know? I need some down time and I get my crocheting done during that time. It is a service to those who will get my afghans (my children and some orphans). I also enjoy the down time late at night.
What else can I cut from my life to give me more time in pursuing something more worth while?
Those additional meetings! Love 'em, hate 'em.
Love the name change. I was president when the name change first happened and it was so difficult, but it did give us a guideline for our meetings. If it wasn't about the home, family or personal enrichment then we didn't do it.
I love how Sister Beck calls these meeting "valuable supplements to Sunday instruction". They are not to take the place of, but for those who are in primary (me) they are the only Sunday instruction I get.
"These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together."
Do the meetings I go to do this? Why am I going to a meeting?
I need to reevaluate my time and energy spent. I need to think if what I'm doing is going to benefit my family in the best way. I will have to use the "Good, Better & Best" test. I need to sit down with my calendar and do that NOW!
I wish I could have been in the stake center when this was spoken, but I was so ill that night I barely made it through the dinner.
There is so much good stuff in here.
"“Members [of Relief Society] should permit neither hostile nor competitive interests of any kind to detract from the duties and obligations, the privileges and honors, the opportunities and achievements of membership in this great Society.”"
How many times do we break this rule in our hearts. How many times do I stop myself from participating in the blessings of the priesthood and membership in the Relief Society because I let competition and even hostile thoughts enter my mind?
I won't answer that for fear of the truth being known.
"We work in partnership with priesthood leaders, who hold keys which give them authority to preside in the name of the Lord. We operate in the manner of the priesthood—which means that we seek, receive, and act on revelation; make decisions in councils; and concern ourselves with caring for individuals one by one. "
Do we realize this? Do I act on this? Do I use this?
Pres. Packer said, "“Attendance at the Sunday meeting is but a small part of your duty. Some of you have not understood this and have set aside much of what Relief Society has meant over the years—the sisterhood, the charitable and practical parts of it.”"
For the past 20 plus years I have only attended RS meetings for about 3 years and 2 of those were as the president. I miss it. I miss the connections of sisterhood that are made there. I miss the Sunday meetings and with children in the stage of life they are in, the weekday meetings are next to impossible to make. Yes, it makes it hard to feel apart.
"One of the most precious commodities we all have is time."
So I ask, what do we do with it? And we all have the same amount of time.
Pres. Uchtdorf said, "“What are the nonessential things that clutter your days and steal your time? What are the habits you may have developed that do not serve a useful purpose? What are the unfinished or unstarted things that could add vigor, meaning, and joy to your life?”
Is facebook gone?
I don't know? I've connected with some wonderful people. My circle of friends has grown so much. I've become a more social person with those that are physically closer to me as well as reconnect with people who matter.
Is Internet gone?
I don't know? I've learned so much.
Is TV gone?
I don't know? I need some down time and I get my crocheting done during that time. It is a service to those who will get my afghans (my children and some orphans). I also enjoy the down time late at night.
What else can I cut from my life to give me more time in pursuing something more worth while?
Those additional meetings! Love 'em, hate 'em.
Love the name change. I was president when the name change first happened and it was so difficult, but it did give us a guideline for our meetings. If it wasn't about the home, family or personal enrichment then we didn't do it.
I love how Sister Beck calls these meeting "valuable supplements to Sunday instruction". They are not to take the place of, but for those who are in primary (me) they are the only Sunday instruction I get.
"These meetings are meant to be instrumental in teaching the skills and responsibilities of womanhood and motherhood in the Lord’s plan. It is here that women learn and apply principles of provident living and spiritual and temporal self-reliance, and they also increase in sisterhood and unity as they teach one another and serve together."
Do the meetings I go to do this? Why am I going to a meeting?
I need to reevaluate my time and energy spent. I need to think if what I'm doing is going to benefit my family in the best way. I will have to use the "Good, Better & Best" test. I need to sit down with my calendar and do that NOW!
Saturday, October 3, 2009
Be Your Best Self
My thoughts on President Monson's talk "Be Your Best Self"
"These stirring declarations from prophets of God help us to understand that each man and each boy who holds the priesthood of God must be worthy of that great privilege and responsibility. Each must strive to learn his duty and then to do it to the best of his ability. As we do so, we provide the means by which our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can accomplish Their work here upon the earth. It is we who are Their representatives here."
I know he is talking to the Priesthood brethren but what about me? Am I a conduit for the Lord to accomplish His great work here on earth?
How can I be the best Doreen?
President Monson tells me:
1. Study diligently
2. Pray fervently
3. Live righteously
"These suggestions are not new; they Have been taught and repeated again and again."
So then why are they brought out again and again. Maybe because we aren't living them to their fullest. Maybe I need to improve in these areas. Maybe the world needs to hear it again and again until we live it fully.
Study:
What are we to study?
When are we to study?
How are we to study?
"Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach."
"Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth."
"I promise you, whether you hold the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, that if you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased."
What a promise. I guess I better do better these next few months. I have time. I just need to pull the book out.
Pray:
"With God, all things are possible."
I have always had a strong testimony in prayer and over the past few months it has even grown stronger. Pray can move mountains, dissolve tumors and grant life. It can grant peace and it can calm a troubled heart. It can give strength and it can prick a heart.
Live:
"...He will sustain his servants in righteousness as they avoid the evils of our day and live lives of virtue and purity."
If no unclean thing can enter in to heaven then heaven can't enter into an unclean thing.
I have to ask myself, what am I doing to be unclean, unworthy, undeserving of the Spirit? I hope the answer is nothing and that the Spirit is living inside of me.
I know I'm short with my children. I know I'm not always kind. I know I get frustrated repeatedly as I repeat myself over and over (but isn't that what Pres. Monson is doing for us--repeating over and over?). I know I'm not perfect. I know I need to be more clean.
How am I going to do these three thing?
Are they going to become part of me?
How true are my words, "I will change and be better."?
Will I?
Yes!
"These stirring declarations from prophets of God help us to understand that each man and each boy who holds the priesthood of God must be worthy of that great privilege and responsibility. Each must strive to learn his duty and then to do it to the best of his ability. As we do so, we provide the means by which our Heavenly Father and His Son, Jesus Christ, can accomplish Their work here upon the earth. It is we who are Their representatives here."
I know he is talking to the Priesthood brethren but what about me? Am I a conduit for the Lord to accomplish His great work here on earth?
How can I be the best Doreen?
President Monson tells me:
1. Study diligently
2. Pray fervently
3. Live righteously
"These suggestions are not new; they Have been taught and repeated again and again."
So then why are they brought out again and again. Maybe because we aren't living them to their fullest. Maybe I need to improve in these areas. Maybe the world needs to hear it again and again until we live it fully.
Study:
What are we to study?
When are we to study?
How are we to study?
"Become acquainted with the lessons the scriptures teach."
"Study them as though they were speaking to you, for such is the truth."
"I promise you, whether you hold the Aaronic or the Melchizedek Priesthood, that if you will study the scriptures diligently, your power to avoid temptation and to receive direction of the Holy Ghost in all you do will be increased."
What a promise. I guess I better do better these next few months. I have time. I just need to pull the book out.
Pray:
"With God, all things are possible."
I have always had a strong testimony in prayer and over the past few months it has even grown stronger. Pray can move mountains, dissolve tumors and grant life. It can grant peace and it can calm a troubled heart. It can give strength and it can prick a heart.
Live:
"...He will sustain his servants in righteousness as they avoid the evils of our day and live lives of virtue and purity."
If no unclean thing can enter in to heaven then heaven can't enter into an unclean thing.
I have to ask myself, what am I doing to be unclean, unworthy, undeserving of the Spirit? I hope the answer is nothing and that the Spirit is living inside of me.
I know I'm short with my children. I know I'm not always kind. I know I get frustrated repeatedly as I repeat myself over and over (but isn't that what Pres. Monson is doing for us--repeating over and over?). I know I'm not perfect. I know I need to be more clean.
How am I going to do these three thing?
Are they going to become part of me?
How true are my words, "I will change and be better."?
Will I?
Yes!
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