Today we had 3 convert baptisms in our ward. A woman and her two grandsons, age 8 and 9, were baptized. I attended as the primary representative. The two boys were baptized first and then the grandma went into the water. She has some physical disabilities and wears a brace on one leg and has little use of that leg and the arm on that side. She walks with a cane. Both of the elders went into the font with her so they could both help her go under the water. She was very fearful that she was going to fall and after the baptismal prayer had been said she asked the elders to wait and try to figure out another way for her to be submersed. She had brought the chair that she uses in the shower and they decided she could sit on it and get dunked so the chair was lowered into the font but there was a back on the chair so she couldn't lean back and she got too scared when they tried to tip the whole chair. She tried bending forward, but the water wasn't deep enough. While they kept trying all sorts of different ideas and positions to accomplish her baptism I started brainstorming an alternative type chair that could go in the font for her to sit on that didn't have a back. I was thinking and thinking and then the bishop and I started discussing possible items that could be used. I was sitting next to a sister in the ward and when the bishop went to get the step stool from the drinking fountain to use she leaned over to me and said "I'm going to say a prayer." She closed her eyes and said a quick prayer to herself and as soon as she opened her eyes the two witnesses announced "she went all the way under" and the baptism was accomplished. She ended up sitting on the font steps and then having the missionaries help her turn sideways so she could go under.
As I sat listening to the special instrumental music while we waited for everyone to get dressed I began thinking about what had just taken place. Not so much the actual baptisms but the experience of trying to find a solution to the problem that presented itself. I was quick to try to solve the problem using my own knowledge and creativity. It didn't even occur to me to pray for help or inspiration. How easy it is for me to forget where to turn in times of need. I want to "lean on my own understanding". How grateful I am to be reminded in small, simple ways that my Heavenly Father is there waiting to help me if I will only ask Him for His help. Hopefully next time I will think to pray first.
Today I am thankful for
brownies with walnuts.
worthy priesthood holders.
special events that help to unite my family.
Showing posts with label personal revelation. Show all posts
Showing posts with label personal revelation. Show all posts
Sunday, November 22, 2009
Tuesday, August 18, 2009
Today's Spiritual Message to Me
Today as I was reading the Doctrine and Covenants this scripture jumped out at me. It is D&C 123:17.
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
Then I read an article in the July 2009 New Era by Octaviano Tenorio with a similar theme. He says "If you want to suceed in anything, you need to concentrate, put forth effort, and be happy with what you are doing. This approach can give you everything. You can learn much and acheive any worthy goal. Enjoy what you are doing even if it is hard."
Today's spiritual message to me is - Put forth the effort. Do what I can, the best that I can, with a cheerful attitude. Don't give up. Let the Lord worry about the stuff that I have no control over. He's got it taken care of.
Today I am thankful
that I knew enough to be able to help a ward family member with a computer challenge.
for a helpful husband that made me look good.
for my washing machine and dryer.
One year ago today - Open House at McClintock High
"Therefore, dearly beloved brethren, let us cheerfully do all things that lie in our power; and then may we stand still, with the utmost assurance, to see the salvation of God, and for his arm to be revealed."
Then I read an article in the July 2009 New Era by Octaviano Tenorio with a similar theme. He says "If you want to suceed in anything, you need to concentrate, put forth effort, and be happy with what you are doing. This approach can give you everything. You can learn much and acheive any worthy goal. Enjoy what you are doing even if it is hard."
Today's spiritual message to me is - Put forth the effort. Do what I can, the best that I can, with a cheerful attitude. Don't give up. Let the Lord worry about the stuff that I have no control over. He's got it taken care of.
Today I am thankful
that I knew enough to be able to help a ward family member with a computer challenge.
for a helpful husband that made me look good.
for my washing machine and dryer.
One year ago today - Open House at McClintock High
Saturday, August 15, 2009
In the Dark
My friends and I headed out of town for a getaway this weekend. We found a cabin in the woods that a very nice person was willing to let us borrow for a girl's retreat. The initial plan was that two of us (myself and one friend) would go up on Thursday evening to meet with the owner and receive instruction on cabin usage and then the rest of the group would arrive Friday evening. It turned out that the cabin owner had something come up and couldn't leave the valley, so she just typed out all the information that we needed and gave the paper and the key to my friend. We both decided that even though we technically didn't have to arrive early anymore we had things arranged and were ready for a break. Why take a one day vacation when you can go for two?
We left Tempe about 7:00 PM, so by the time we got close to the cabin it was night time and very dark. The directions were in a bag in the back of the van, but my friend remembered them fairly well - Turn at the church, go until the paved road changes to dirt, turn at the two big trees covered with signs, turn left when the road ends, go to the house number (I don't remember it right now, but she did then) turn left and park. We managed to arrive at our destination safely despite the elk who stood in the middle of the road and refused to move and the skunk who wanted to race with us. We left the black and white striped athlete in our dust, but his smell managed to keep up with us pretty well. As we parked, the van lights shown on the cabin not too far in front of us and we were excited to begin our adventure. I turned the van lights off and we were quickly reminded how dark it can be when you leave the city lights behind. That was when my friend remembered that she had been instructed to bring a flashlight. Oops. We use to have a flashlight in the van, but it got borrowed for a camp out and didn't find it's way back. Oops again. We decided to turn the van lights back on and go for it. As my friend started blazing her way through the undergrowth toward the cabin she commented "You would think they would have a better path than this." I started to follow her and definitely agreed as I trudged carefully through rocks and weeds and semi-darkness. The friend was reading the instructions as she walked. "It says here that there is a light on the shed near the parking area." As I negotiated toward her I looked around for a shed but didn't see one. About this time the van lights decided to automatically turn off and we both loudly exclaimed, "It is really dark out here!" I turned around and attempted to make it back to the van, and our source of light, without falling on my face. As I approached the van I could vaguely make out an object on the opposite side of the parking area - Ah ha, the shed! I passed the van, reached the shed, located the light switch and wah-lah there was light. Not a lot of light that traveled a long way, but light. With the light on I realized that there was a better path to the cabin and walked around the rocks and weeds to the porch where my friend had discovered that while the key went in the lock on the door, it wouldn't turn. She pulled and pushed and twisted and turned, but the key didn't work. She suggested I try so I pushed and pulled and turned and twisted, but no luck. There was a sign next to the door of the cabin with a name so we tried to read it to make sure that we were in the right place, but it was too dark to see what it said. We even tried reading it by braille, but it was just painted, not carved. This friend had been to this cabin about 9 years ago so I asked, "does it look familiar?". She wasn't sure, but she remembered the owner had said there was a bench on the porch and sure enough there was a bench. She also recalled the owner had told her that they had just had a lot of new keys made for the locks, so all the family members would have a key, and we wondered if perhaps we had gotten a badly cut key. We asked Heavenly Father for help because we really didn't want to sleep in the van and tried the lock a couple more times. Still no luck. My companion walked around to the back of the cabin to see if there was another door to try. She located the back door and tried the key there, but nope, it still didn't unlock the door. Back on the front porch while I continued to try the lock she checked all the windows to make sure we couldn't get in through one of them. We were actually getting a little worried by now. We wondered if we could talk the caretaker of the nearby church girl's camp into letting us have a bed for the night. About then my friend looked out through the trees above the parking lot and said, "I think there is another cabin over there". I gazed into the darkness and thought that perhaps she was right, but wasn't really sure. We walked into the dark and as we reached a manicured, rock-lined path, the cabin, at the end of that path, became clearly visible. The key worked in the front door on the first try and Hooray -Success at last! After we unpacked the van we opened the windows and sat down in the living room to visit and enjoy the cool breeze, the wonderful pine smell, and the night noises from all the forest creatures. We laughed about our confusion and both agreed that we were grateful that we hadn't somehow managed to gain entrance to the other cabin. It would have been pretty embarrassing to spend the night in the wrong place.
As we talked, my friend mentioned that there was supposed to be a TV that we could watch DVDs on. We scanned the area but we couldn't really even locate where one would fit. My friend decided she was going to find it. It wasn't in the dining room, kitchen, bathroom or master bedroom (although she did locate a toaster oven in the closet). There was a back door at the end of the hall with only darkness visible through the diamond paned glass. No TV out there unless the skunks had borrowed it. I checked out the loft to see if the TV was there. No TV. This was a real mystery but we were both tired and decided we'd figure it out in the morning. We knew that the daughter had been to the cabin since the owner was last here so we wondered if perhaps she had taken the TV home for some reason. A TV wasn't really a necessity anyway.
The next morning, after the sun had come up, I wandered downstairs to visit the bathroom. As I turned the corner to head down the hall the light shown in through the back door and behind that door was revealed a very large, easily discernible family room addition. I was pretty sure I had located the missing TV. I opened the "back door " and sure enough there was the TV, as well as a fireplace, bookshelves, two more couches, and a puzzle table. No more TV mystery.
I went outside, through the actual back door, and sat on the bench on the patio to read my scriptures and enjoy the beautiful morning with the squirrels, deer and hummingbirds. When I was finished reading, as I sat pondering, I started thinking about our experience in the dark and how there were some life lessons that I could learn from it.
Because of the darkness that we found ourselves surrounded by we were easily confused. This confusion was increased by the fact that we hadn't heeded the counsel of someone who had gone before us. The owner knew where we were going, what we would be facing and what we would need. That is why she gave us instructions, both verbal and written. If we had brought a flashlight, we might still have headed to the wrong cabin, but we would have been able to read the sign by the front door and quickly discover that we were in the wrong place and look for other options. Also, in our excitement to reach our goal, the cabin, we failed to make sure that this was indeed where we were suppose to be going and that we were following the best route to get there. Despite the clues given by the rocks and weeds and lack of a path we just accepted our decision as being the right one and pressed forward in the most direct course. If we had read the instructions when we first arrived at the parking lot, and looked around, we would have probably located the shed with its attached light and at the least discovered the easier route, as well as being able to avoid the experience of being thrust into total darkness and the discomfort and anxiety that was associated with trying to get back to our source of light without injuring ourselves.
Frequently I do find myself "standing in the dark", just as I did on this occasion. Often it is because I failed to prepare, I didn't listen to counsel, or I rushed ahead without asking for the guidance of the spirit. When this happens I know what I need to do and where I need to go to find the light that I have lost, but sometimes returning to that light source is scary, embarrassing and very difficult and I feel like I am going to fall flat on my face. It is only as I turn around and persevere in my decision to get back to the light, that I discover that the light I am led to is a stronger, more constant light than the one I was relying on before.
The fact that the key wouldn't work in the door was another clue that we were in the wrong place, and although we questioned if this was the right cabin, we still remained firm in our desire to gain entrance. We spent time checking other doors, trying the windows, even asking Heavenly Father to help us accomplish our task of getting inside. I wondered, how often do I choose a course in my day, without ever asking for guidance as to if it is the correct decision, without a thought to the counsel and instruction I have been given, and then get upset with Heavenly Father because it seems like he isn't helping me accomplish my task at all? He doesn't get rid of the rocks and weeds in my way and he doesn't answer my prayers when I ask for his assistance in my endeavor. Could it be that my Heavenly Father knows that what I am trying to do is not in my best interest, that it could cause me embarrassment or even harm or that perhaps there is another choice that might just be the right one at this time? Once we looked for (possibly inspiration from that loving Heavenly Father who wasn't helping us at all?), and headed toward the right cabin the path became clear and although it was still dark and challenging, we were able to reach our destination and easily get inside.
In the semi-dark of the cabin hallway, we also assumed that we knew what was behind that outside door at the far end. We sincerely believed that it led to nothing but a dark night, full of scary wild animals. Often when I find myself living in spiritual darkness, away from the light that my Savior can provide, it is easy to believe that what I see around me is all that there is, all that I need, even all that I want or deserve to have. My friend and I were willing and content to sit in the relatively small living room and visit. There was a couch and a chair to sit on. It was adequate and we didn't really need anything else. However, when the morning light revealed the additional room, there was so much more. More space, more places to sit, a cozy fireplace, a table for our puzzle, the TV, and floor to ceiling windows covering every wall to let in more light and fresh air. It brought to my mind the moment when you leave the telestial kingdom in the temple and enter the terrestrial one. You don't recognize the lack of light until more light is added and everything suddenly becomes brighter. I believe that is how it is when I am truly trying to follow Jesus Christ and have is spirit to be with me. With His influence in my daily life I can see more clearly all that my Heavenly Father has to offer me, as well as the pathway that will lead me back to Him and His promised blessings. He wants so much for each of His children, so much more than we can even imagine or believe that we are deserving of. When our lives are filled with light, it is so much easier to find our way and if we make a mistake and get off course we can quickly turn around and get on the right path again.
When I returned home I was reminded of one more lesson I could learn from this experience. As I was emptying out my van, I found the instruction sheet that my friend had received from the owner. I started reading it as I walked to the recycle can. As I read the list it became very evident that there were many clues on this paper that would have guided me to an earlier discovery of the "hidden room". It mentioned several couches, a living room and a family room, extra blankets next to the fireplace, blinds that needed to be closed when we left (that were only located in the family room). I was very happy to let my friend be the one in charge of the information on this trip. I was driving my van and I had an idea of where we were going, but she had the instructions. I trusted her and I was more than willing to let her lead the way. I am not saying that my friend is not trust worthy or that she was trying to lead me astray. I'm sure that wasn't the case and after we located the family room she commented on how certain things that hadn't made sense before, did now. I was reminded however that I am responsible for where I end up in life and for what eternal reward I will receive. I shouldn't be content to let someone else read the Lord's instructions or listen to the counsel given and hope that they'll get all the necessary information and pass it on to me. If I want to receive the treasure that my Father has to offer, I have to be willing to seek out the clues that will get me to it and not depend on someone else to do it for me. There are a lot of trustworthy people who can and will help me along the way, but ultimately it is up to me to gain my own knowledge from the actual source.
Today I am grateful for
wonderful friends to spend time with.
a supportive family that are willing to let me abandon them while I have a fun get away.
generous people who share their cabin with me and my friends.
One year ago today - Visiting Teaching + Food = Feelings of Fullness
We left Tempe about 7:00 PM, so by the time we got close to the cabin it was night time and very dark. The directions were in a bag in the back of the van, but my friend remembered them fairly well - Turn at the church, go until the paved road changes to dirt, turn at the two big trees covered with signs, turn left when the road ends, go to the house number (I don't remember it right now, but she did then) turn left and park. We managed to arrive at our destination safely despite the elk who stood in the middle of the road and refused to move and the skunk who wanted to race with us. We left the black and white striped athlete in our dust, but his smell managed to keep up with us pretty well. As we parked, the van lights shown on the cabin not too far in front of us and we were excited to begin our adventure. I turned the van lights off and we were quickly reminded how dark it can be when you leave the city lights behind. That was when my friend remembered that she had been instructed to bring a flashlight. Oops. We use to have a flashlight in the van, but it got borrowed for a camp out and didn't find it's way back. Oops again. We decided to turn the van lights back on and go for it. As my friend started blazing her way through the undergrowth toward the cabin she commented "You would think they would have a better path than this." I started to follow her and definitely agreed as I trudged carefully through rocks and weeds and semi-darkness. The friend was reading the instructions as she walked. "It says here that there is a light on the shed near the parking area." As I negotiated toward her I looked around for a shed but didn't see one. About this time the van lights decided to automatically turn off and we both loudly exclaimed, "It is really dark out here!" I turned around and attempted to make it back to the van, and our source of light, without falling on my face. As I approached the van I could vaguely make out an object on the opposite side of the parking area - Ah ha, the shed! I passed the van, reached the shed, located the light switch and wah-lah there was light. Not a lot of light that traveled a long way, but light. With the light on I realized that there was a better path to the cabin and walked around the rocks and weeds to the porch where my friend had discovered that while the key went in the lock on the door, it wouldn't turn. She pulled and pushed and twisted and turned, but the key didn't work. She suggested I try so I pushed and pulled and turned and twisted, but no luck. There was a sign next to the door of the cabin with a name so we tried to read it to make sure that we were in the right place, but it was too dark to see what it said. We even tried reading it by braille, but it was just painted, not carved. This friend had been to this cabin about 9 years ago so I asked, "does it look familiar?". She wasn't sure, but she remembered the owner had said there was a bench on the porch and sure enough there was a bench. She also recalled the owner had told her that they had just had a lot of new keys made for the locks, so all the family members would have a key, and we wondered if perhaps we had gotten a badly cut key. We asked Heavenly Father for help because we really didn't want to sleep in the van and tried the lock a couple more times. Still no luck. My companion walked around to the back of the cabin to see if there was another door to try. She located the back door and tried the key there, but nope, it still didn't unlock the door. Back on the front porch while I continued to try the lock she checked all the windows to make sure we couldn't get in through one of them. We were actually getting a little worried by now. We wondered if we could talk the caretaker of the nearby church girl's camp into letting us have a bed for the night. About then my friend looked out through the trees above the parking lot and said, "I think there is another cabin over there". I gazed into the darkness and thought that perhaps she was right, but wasn't really sure. We walked into the dark and as we reached a manicured, rock-lined path, the cabin, at the end of that path, became clearly visible. The key worked in the front door on the first try and Hooray -Success at last! After we unpacked the van we opened the windows and sat down in the living room to visit and enjoy the cool breeze, the wonderful pine smell, and the night noises from all the forest creatures. We laughed about our confusion and both agreed that we were grateful that we hadn't somehow managed to gain entrance to the other cabin. It would have been pretty embarrassing to spend the night in the wrong place.
As we talked, my friend mentioned that there was supposed to be a TV that we could watch DVDs on. We scanned the area but we couldn't really even locate where one would fit. My friend decided she was going to find it. It wasn't in the dining room, kitchen, bathroom or master bedroom (although she did locate a toaster oven in the closet). There was a back door at the end of the hall with only darkness visible through the diamond paned glass. No TV out there unless the skunks had borrowed it. I checked out the loft to see if the TV was there. No TV. This was a real mystery but we were both tired and decided we'd figure it out in the morning. We knew that the daughter had been to the cabin since the owner was last here so we wondered if perhaps she had taken the TV home for some reason. A TV wasn't really a necessity anyway.
The next morning, after the sun had come up, I wandered downstairs to visit the bathroom. As I turned the corner to head down the hall the light shown in through the back door and behind that door was revealed a very large, easily discernible family room addition. I was pretty sure I had located the missing TV. I opened the "back door " and sure enough there was the TV, as well as a fireplace, bookshelves, two more couches, and a puzzle table. No more TV mystery.
I went outside, through the actual back door, and sat on the bench on the patio to read my scriptures and enjoy the beautiful morning with the squirrels, deer and hummingbirds. When I was finished reading, as I sat pondering, I started thinking about our experience in the dark and how there were some life lessons that I could learn from it.
Because of the darkness that we found ourselves surrounded by we were easily confused. This confusion was increased by the fact that we hadn't heeded the counsel of someone who had gone before us. The owner knew where we were going, what we would be facing and what we would need. That is why she gave us instructions, both verbal and written. If we had brought a flashlight, we might still have headed to the wrong cabin, but we would have been able to read the sign by the front door and quickly discover that we were in the wrong place and look for other options. Also, in our excitement to reach our goal, the cabin, we failed to make sure that this was indeed where we were suppose to be going and that we were following the best route to get there. Despite the clues given by the rocks and weeds and lack of a path we just accepted our decision as being the right one and pressed forward in the most direct course. If we had read the instructions when we first arrived at the parking lot, and looked around, we would have probably located the shed with its attached light and at the least discovered the easier route, as well as being able to avoid the experience of being thrust into total darkness and the discomfort and anxiety that was associated with trying to get back to our source of light without injuring ourselves.
Frequently I do find myself "standing in the dark", just as I did on this occasion. Often it is because I failed to prepare, I didn't listen to counsel, or I rushed ahead without asking for the guidance of the spirit. When this happens I know what I need to do and where I need to go to find the light that I have lost, but sometimes returning to that light source is scary, embarrassing and very difficult and I feel like I am going to fall flat on my face. It is only as I turn around and persevere in my decision to get back to the light, that I discover that the light I am led to is a stronger, more constant light than the one I was relying on before.
The fact that the key wouldn't work in the door was another clue that we were in the wrong place, and although we questioned if this was the right cabin, we still remained firm in our desire to gain entrance. We spent time checking other doors, trying the windows, even asking Heavenly Father to help us accomplish our task of getting inside. I wondered, how often do I choose a course in my day, without ever asking for guidance as to if it is the correct decision, without a thought to the counsel and instruction I have been given, and then get upset with Heavenly Father because it seems like he isn't helping me accomplish my task at all? He doesn't get rid of the rocks and weeds in my way and he doesn't answer my prayers when I ask for his assistance in my endeavor. Could it be that my Heavenly Father knows that what I am trying to do is not in my best interest, that it could cause me embarrassment or even harm or that perhaps there is another choice that might just be the right one at this time? Once we looked for (possibly inspiration from that loving Heavenly Father who wasn't helping us at all?), and headed toward the right cabin the path became clear and although it was still dark and challenging, we were able to reach our destination and easily get inside.
In the semi-dark of the cabin hallway, we also assumed that we knew what was behind that outside door at the far end. We sincerely believed that it led to nothing but a dark night, full of scary wild animals. Often when I find myself living in spiritual darkness, away from the light that my Savior can provide, it is easy to believe that what I see around me is all that there is, all that I need, even all that I want or deserve to have. My friend and I were willing and content to sit in the relatively small living room and visit. There was a couch and a chair to sit on. It was adequate and we didn't really need anything else. However, when the morning light revealed the additional room, there was so much more. More space, more places to sit, a cozy fireplace, a table for our puzzle, the TV, and floor to ceiling windows covering every wall to let in more light and fresh air. It brought to my mind the moment when you leave the telestial kingdom in the temple and enter the terrestrial one. You don't recognize the lack of light until more light is added and everything suddenly becomes brighter. I believe that is how it is when I am truly trying to follow Jesus Christ and have is spirit to be with me. With His influence in my daily life I can see more clearly all that my Heavenly Father has to offer me, as well as the pathway that will lead me back to Him and His promised blessings. He wants so much for each of His children, so much more than we can even imagine or believe that we are deserving of. When our lives are filled with light, it is so much easier to find our way and if we make a mistake and get off course we can quickly turn around and get on the right path again.
When I returned home I was reminded of one more lesson I could learn from this experience. As I was emptying out my van, I found the instruction sheet that my friend had received from the owner. I started reading it as I walked to the recycle can. As I read the list it became very evident that there were many clues on this paper that would have guided me to an earlier discovery of the "hidden room". It mentioned several couches, a living room and a family room, extra blankets next to the fireplace, blinds that needed to be closed when we left (that were only located in the family room). I was very happy to let my friend be the one in charge of the information on this trip. I was driving my van and I had an idea of where we were going, but she had the instructions. I trusted her and I was more than willing to let her lead the way. I am not saying that my friend is not trust worthy or that she was trying to lead me astray. I'm sure that wasn't the case and after we located the family room she commented on how certain things that hadn't made sense before, did now. I was reminded however that I am responsible for where I end up in life and for what eternal reward I will receive. I shouldn't be content to let someone else read the Lord's instructions or listen to the counsel given and hope that they'll get all the necessary information and pass it on to me. If I want to receive the treasure that my Father has to offer, I have to be willing to seek out the clues that will get me to it and not depend on someone else to do it for me. There are a lot of trustworthy people who can and will help me along the way, but ultimately it is up to me to gain my own knowledge from the actual source.
Today I am grateful for
wonderful friends to spend time with.
a supportive family that are willing to let me abandon them while I have a fun get away.
generous people who share their cabin with me and my friends.
One year ago today - Visiting Teaching + Food = Feelings of Fullness
Sunday, May 31, 2009
Thoughts from Sacrament Meeting
Today we attended sacrament meeting in the Papago ward where the hubby had the opportunity to confirm his great-niece and give her the gift of the Holy Ghost. For some reason as he said to her "receive the Holy Ghost" the words really hit me. What a great blessing I have to be able to have the companionship of the Holy Ghost in my life. I wonder, do I make an effort each day to "receive" him and all the blessings that he can bring to me? Often I take this gift for granted or fail to conduct myself in the way necessary to be influenced by him. I need to make having the spirit with me a priority each day. (I thought it was interesting that one year ago today I was also pondering on the importance of the Holy Ghost).
The talks in the meeting today were on charity. Two of the speakers were young men and it was interesting to hear their thoughts on charity and the individuals in their lives who are charitable. The last talk was about gossip and how charity is the cure for gossip. As members of the church, we are in a battle with Satan. All of the other members of the church (and a lot of other individuals) are fighting on our side in this battle. When we gossip about or bash others we are weakening our own defenses. Her analogy made me think about the concept of "friendly fire". In a war sometimes people are injured or killed by weapons being fired by their own comrades. I have always thought that "friendly fire" was a bad choice of words for this situation. How can something that hurts you ever be considered friendly? I think too many of us today are involved in way too many incidents of "friendly fire". We think it is funny or harmless to make sarcastic or derogatory comments about other people in the name of entertainment. I see this a lot with today's youth, but they are definitely not the only ones who have a problem with this. I like to think that I have a quick wit. Sarcasm is one of my specialties. I like to be funny, but sometimes I find myself aiming my humor gun at people. Something that I have always taught my children not to do as in "You don't point guns at people!". I need to think about what I say, even just to be funny, and who my "friendly fire" might hit and what damage it might cause.
Today I am grateful for
opportunities for my children to give service.
a husband, son, and son-in-law who hold the priesthood and are worthy to participate in priesthood ordinances.
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
dinner as a family (minus one).
One year ago today - Potluck at the Park, An Interesting Source for Inspiration.
The talks in the meeting today were on charity. Two of the speakers were young men and it was interesting to hear their thoughts on charity and the individuals in their lives who are charitable. The last talk was about gossip and how charity is the cure for gossip. As members of the church, we are in a battle with Satan. All of the other members of the church (and a lot of other individuals) are fighting on our side in this battle. When we gossip about or bash others we are weakening our own defenses. Her analogy made me think about the concept of "friendly fire". In a war sometimes people are injured or killed by weapons being fired by their own comrades. I have always thought that "friendly fire" was a bad choice of words for this situation. How can something that hurts you ever be considered friendly? I think too many of us today are involved in way too many incidents of "friendly fire". We think it is funny or harmless to make sarcastic or derogatory comments about other people in the name of entertainment. I see this a lot with today's youth, but they are definitely not the only ones who have a problem with this. I like to think that I have a quick wit. Sarcasm is one of my specialties. I like to be funny, but sometimes I find myself aiming my humor gun at people. Something that I have always taught my children not to do as in "You don't point guns at people!". I need to think about what I say, even just to be funny, and who my "friendly fire" might hit and what damage it might cause.
Today I am grateful for
opportunities for my children to give service.
a husband, son, and son-in-law who hold the priesthood and are worthy to participate in priesthood ordinances.
the gift of the Holy Ghost.
dinner as a family (minus one).
One year ago today - Potluck at the Park, An Interesting Source for Inspiration.
Tuesday, April 7, 2009
Things we Think we Want
Tonight I actually watched an episode of "The Biggest Loser". I have followed this show for the past few seasons and there are things about it that I really like such as the amazing transformations that occur in these individuals lives. There are also things about it that I really don't like especially the back stabbing strategizing that goes on. I haven't watched much of Season 7 because it seems like I always have somewhere else I need to be on Tuesday night, but I have kept kind of updated on what is going on by checking the weekly recaps on the website. I have been pleasantly surprised that this group of people have seemed to be a kinder, gentler group than the last few. However, things apparently have reached the point where kind and gentle is replaced by mean and nasty. I am sorry to see that happen.
I also think this show teaches me some great life lessons, not necessarily about losing weight, but about making everyday choices and what I am willing to do to get what I want or what I think I want. Tonight the group was given a temptation. They all went into the gym where there were lots and lots of covered trays. Under each cover there were various items - unhealthy food, money tickets, and one special tray with a golden ticket that would give the individual that found it the only elimination vote at that week's weigh in - ultimate power. Each person could choose whether or not they played, but in order to move on once a tray was uncovered, the food had to be eaten. It was amazing to me, but not surprising, how crazy the majority of the players went with this temptation. All the self discipline and rational thinking that they have learned over the past couple of months went out the window when they were tempted with this power. They wanted to be able to say who left this week, as well as protect themselves.
Each player could only be sent home if they had the smallest amount of weight loss, and yet they were willing to put there safety in jeopardy for the chance to determine someone else's fate. I was happy when Kristin realized that no one could have power over her if she stayed above the yellow line this week and just chose to stop eating the junk. The results of this temptation were so sad to me in many ways, and perhaps the saddest was when Laura, who won the golden ticket, realized that she didn't want to have the only say in which of the two individuals who fell below the line went home. She had the power, but when it came right down to it it wasn't nearly as wonderful as she had thought it would be.
How often is this just like my life? I am going along, making good choices and trying to do what I am suppose to do, listening to my leaders who know more than I do, and even making some progress when all of the sudden temptation comes barrelling along. Boom! I see something I think I want and I forget what I have learned and the progress I have made and the counsel I have been given and I succumb to temptation. I am willing to put my ultimate goal, eternal salvation, in jeopardy so quickly, without even thinking the decision through. How long does it take me to realize how foolish I am being? Do I, like Kristin, recognize the error of my ways right away and stop or do I continue on until the thing I want is out of my reach and the guilt begins to set in or until I actually get what I wanted and only then realize that it was just a sparkly distraction that I don't even really want at all?
How important is it for me to think through my decisions? To pray when I am faced with temptation or to refer back to the counsel of my leaders? To remember what it is that I really want and the road that will get me there? To not be sidetracked by the path that might look smoother or easier, and if I am, which will probably happen, to stop and turn around as soon as I realize my mistake, before I get so lost that I end up at a totally different destination? I think it's of eternal importance. Much more important than the choices made on some reality TV show.
Sunday, March 22, 2009
Pray For Others
Today the oldest daughter and the son-in-law spoke in their ward and we went to listen to them. Their topic was "Pray Always" and they both did a good job sharing their thoughts and insights. The daughter shared a story about a little boy whose mom encourages him to look for opportunities to pray for others during the day. They go to the library and he sees a baby crying so he silently prays for her to be happy. He sees his neighbor, who has been sick, getting out of her wheelchair and into her car and he silently prays that she will get well. The piano tuner comes to his house and he silently prays that he will be able to do his job well and make their piano sound nice. I don't very often take the opportunity to pray for people outside my usual circle. My prayers seem to focus more on myself and my needs. Recently I was reading a book that talked about taking a prayer walk. Apparently in some churches as people walk around their neighborhoods they pray for the individuals who live in the homes that they pass. At the time I thought this was a rather random idea, but the more I have thought about it the more I think that it isn't all that strange. It would probably be good for me to pray for others, even those I don't know, sometimes. I started thinking what a different person I would be if when I got frustrated with someone's driving ability instead of getting upset and yelling I said a prayer for them to arrive safely at their destination. Or when I didn't agree with the way someone was parenting their child I offered a prayer for help for them in raising their kids. Or when the college kids next door are having a wild party AGAIN that I prayed for them to be kept safe. Or when the referree in the church basketball game makes a call I don't like I offered a prayer of gratitude for their willingness to give service in the church. How would that be if every time I was given an opportunity to be unkind or upset or frustrated I chose to offer a silent prayer instead? How long do you think it would take for that to become my natural response?
Today I am thankful for
cooler temperatures.
an opportunity to hear my daughter share her testimony concerning prayer.
The chance that preparing a talk gives us to evaluate our performance in a specific area of our lives at the moment.
people who share their Kleenex.
Today I am thankful for
cooler temperatures.
an opportunity to hear my daughter share her testimony concerning prayer.
The chance that preparing a talk gives us to evaluate our performance in a specific area of our lives at the moment.
people who share their Kleenex.
Monday, March 9, 2009
This is the Day
I am still plugging along in my reading of the Old Testament. I am deep in the book of Psalms at the moment and actually enjoying it. I will admit that I probably don't retain much of what I read because I read several chapters each day. I have decided that this may be my first time reading the Old Testament clear through, but it isn't going to be my last. This time through I am reading for the "I did it!" experience. Next time I'm going to go a lot slower and do more pondering, referencing and analyzing. I should probably be doing that this time, but I still want to accomplish the goal I set and I need to keep moving to finish all the standards works in the next 6 months.
Today however one verse really stuck with me. I know I have heard it before and probably even seen it decorating a plaque or two somewhere, but today it spoke to me. It is found in the 118th Psalm, verse 24.
"This is the day which the Lord hath made;
Today however one verse really stuck with me. I know I have heard it before and probably even seen it decorating a plaque or two somewhere, but today it spoke to me. It is found in the 118th Psalm, verse 24.
"This is the day which the Lord hath made;
we will rejoice and be glad in it."
I was sitting in my living room welcoming the morning. Wondering how the day was going to unfold with my boys home for Spring Break. I was desiring some help in the front yard and I knew that they were looking forward to a fun break ie. no work. As I read this message it really hit me. Heavenly Father has blessed me with this new day. He didn't have to give it to me. I could have not woken up this morning. Today is a gift from my loving parent, he knows what it holds and no matter what transpires I should be grateful for it and show my gratitude by enjoying it.
Wow! I wonder what a difference that could make in my life if I greeted each new day with that insight foremost in my mind.
No matter what happens today I will try to remember this is my day and to be glad in it.
I was sitting in my living room welcoming the morning. Wondering how the day was going to unfold with my boys home for Spring Break. I was desiring some help in the front yard and I knew that they were looking forward to a fun break ie. no work. As I read this message it really hit me. Heavenly Father has blessed me with this new day. He didn't have to give it to me. I could have not woken up this morning. Today is a gift from my loving parent, he knows what it holds and no matter what transpires I should be grateful for it and show my gratitude by enjoying it.
Wow! I wonder what a difference that could make in my life if I greeted each new day with that insight foremost in my mind.
No matter what happens today I will try to remember this is my day and to be glad in it.
Friday, February 27, 2009
Road Block
The oldest son's wedding has hit a road block.
The road block is not really a surprise.
We have been aware that it existed for a while now.
There have been warning signs flashing
along the road as we have moved toward our destination.
Every now and then we have even caught a glimpse of it
off in the distance and wondered
if there would come a time when it
might impede our forward progress.
Road workers were consulted
and they predicted that most likely,
with caution and some help
from an experienced road crew,
it could be navigated around.
That's why most of us were a little taken by surprise
when today we got right next to the road block
and discovered it's actual size.
What had appeared to be rather small and manageable
from a few miles away
now appears quite massive and a little scary.
And the hardest part of all
is that while many of us can stand here
and offer support and suggestions
the heavy duty road block removal
has fallen on the tiny shoulders of the fiancee.
It is her road block to conquer.
At the moment she's not sure if she is up to the task.
The road block appears huge
and she is so small.
She has known for a long time that this road block
was going to have to be approached
and dealt with at some point in her journey
but now that she is face to face with it
she doesn't have a clue how to make a dent
in this gigantic mountain before her.
She is feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
It seems like it would be easier to just give up.
Perhaps turn around and take a different route,
but now that she has acknowledged the road block
it seems to stop her progess
no matter which direction she turns.
She is stuck.
I hope she can realize
that she doesn't really have to remove
this road block all by herself.
Her loving Savior, Jesus Christ,
is an expert at getting rid of
seemingly insurmountable obstacles
and he is waiting right there
ready and willing to help
as soon as she asks.
We, on the other hand,
are just waiting
and praying.
The road block is not really a surprise.
We have been aware that it existed for a while now.
There have been warning signs flashing
along the road as we have moved toward our destination.
Every now and then we have even caught a glimpse of it
off in the distance and wondered
if there would come a time when it
might impede our forward progress.
Road workers were consulted
and they predicted that most likely,
with caution and some help
from an experienced road crew,
it could be navigated around.
That's why most of us were a little taken by surprise
when today we got right next to the road block
and discovered it's actual size.
What had appeared to be rather small and manageable
from a few miles away
now appears quite massive and a little scary.
And the hardest part of all
is that while many of us can stand here
and offer support and suggestions
the heavy duty road block removal
has fallen on the tiny shoulders of the fiancee.
It is her road block to conquer.
At the moment she's not sure if she is up to the task.
The road block appears huge
and she is so small.
She has known for a long time that this road block
was going to have to be approached
and dealt with at some point in her journey
but now that she is face to face with it
she doesn't have a clue how to make a dent
in this gigantic mountain before her.
She is feeling overwhelmed and discouraged.
It seems like it would be easier to just give up.
Perhaps turn around and take a different route,
but now that she has acknowledged the road block
it seems to stop her progess
no matter which direction she turns.
She is stuck.
I hope she can realize
that she doesn't really have to remove
this road block all by herself.
Her loving Savior, Jesus Christ,
is an expert at getting rid of
seemingly insurmountable obstacles
and he is waiting right there
ready and willing to help
as soon as she asks.
We, on the other hand,
are just waiting
and praying.
Friday, February 20, 2009
On the Inside
Most mornings after all my family members have departed for their respective destinations, I sit in my living room chair and read my scriptures and an Ensign article while the sun streams in my big front window. It is a very pleasant part of my day, except for the fact that this window really needs to be washed. It is covered with dust and smudges and all manner of debris that interferes with my view. Each morning I lament to myself the fact that I live in Arizona with its dust storms that are extremely hard on windows. This morning I finally decided that I needed to quit mentally complaining and do something about the problem. I filled a bucket full of warm water and vinegar and headed outside to tackle the task. I was curious how many times I would have to empty the bucket and refill it with clean water to get rid of all the dirt. I washed and wiped and washed and wiped and washed and wiped some more. I was a little surprised that even though I was working really hard the windows weren't looking that much cleaner and my water really wasn't getting that dirty. Finally I realized that the majority of the problem wasn't on the outside part of the window, but rather on the inside. I finished up outside and went inside to see what I could accomplish. It was amazing how almost immediately the view was so much clearer. I started thinking about how this experience might apply to my life. How often do I perceive my "messes" as being on the outside? Someone else is the problem and if I could just get rid of that outside interference everything would be so much better. However, considering what I realized this morning, I wonder if perhaps the biggest problem might not actually be an internal one. Maybe if I started with myself and got rid of the dust and dirt and smudges on the inside, within myself, my vision and my life would immediately improve. It's something worth thinking about.
Sunday, June 22, 2008
Interesting statistics
My school teacher daughter is taking an online class this summer. She shared these statistics with me from a book she was reading and I found them very interesting.
Research indicates that when we learn something new, we will remember:
10 percent of what we read
20 percent of what we hear
30 percent of what we see
50 percent of what we see and hear
55 percent of what we see and take notes on
70 percent of what we discuss with others
80 percent of what we personally experience
85 percent of what we see, take notes on, and review within five hours
95 percent of what we teach others
I was thinking about this today as it pertains to what we get out of our church meetings. I often feel that I attend church and get all motivated and enlightened, just to go home and continue to do what I've always done. For a while I was really good at taking notes during Sacrament meeting and the classes I attended. I guess that would give me a little more than a 50/50 chance of remembering what I learned (if the teacher used visual aids). Perhaps if I took notes and then reviewed them when I got home my chances of making a real change would increase by the same amount as the statistics show my memory of the information would increase. These statistics definitely prove what I have always believed - the teacher always gets more out of the lessons than anyone else does. I guess we should all be grateful for our church teaching opportunities. I would have to say I got more out of the nursery lesson than any of the kids did today, but that could be because they were totally out of control and running around the room while I was trying to teach them. My team-teaching husband ate something that didn't agree with him and he was out in the parking lot throwing up and going home during the lesson time and somehow all the kids knew they had the advantage over me. I guess I need to use more visual aids for the seeing part of learning, but then they all climb all over me and fight to get to be the one to hold the picture. Lesson time is definitely our weak link in the nursery equation, but I'll keep trying. Every once in a while the majority of them sit down and actually listen and that is an amazing experience. I love my calling!
Research indicates that when we learn something new, we will remember:
10 percent of what we read
20 percent of what we hear
30 percent of what we see
50 percent of what we see and hear
55 percent of what we see and take notes on
70 percent of what we discuss with others
80 percent of what we personally experience
85 percent of what we see, take notes on, and review within five hours
95 percent of what we teach others
I was thinking about this today as it pertains to what we get out of our church meetings. I often feel that I attend church and get all motivated and enlightened, just to go home and continue to do what I've always done. For a while I was really good at taking notes during Sacrament meeting and the classes I attended. I guess that would give me a little more than a 50/50 chance of remembering what I learned (if the teacher used visual aids). Perhaps if I took notes and then reviewed them when I got home my chances of making a real change would increase by the same amount as the statistics show my memory of the information would increase. These statistics definitely prove what I have always believed - the teacher always gets more out of the lessons than anyone else does. I guess we should all be grateful for our church teaching opportunities. I would have to say I got more out of the nursery lesson than any of the kids did today, but that could be because they were totally out of control and running around the room while I was trying to teach them. My team-teaching husband ate something that didn't agree with him and he was out in the parking lot throwing up and going home during the lesson time and somehow all the kids knew they had the advantage over me. I guess I need to use more visual aids for the seeing part of learning, but then they all climb all over me and fight to get to be the one to hold the picture. Lesson time is definitely our weak link in the nursery equation, but I'll keep trying. Every once in a while the majority of them sit down and actually listen and that is an amazing experience. I love my calling!
Sunday, June 8, 2008
Information for Inquiring minds
Today we all went to church here in Carlsbad. We were a little surprised when we started reading the bulletin and learned that it was Fast Sunday, since we had all had Fast and Testimony meeting last week on the first Sunday of the month. We wondered if we had run across an apostate group of church members, but we quickly discovered that their stake had had stake conference last week so Fast Sunday had been pushed back a week. I always appreciate how similar LDS church meetings are regardless of what part of the country you are in. The important things are done the same, you recognize the personalities bearing their testimonies - they just look a little different and have different names. It's easy to feel at home. Many of the testimonies born today referred to the tragic death of a child in the ward. It was obvious that this experience had touched each of the ward members as well as the community. Of course, possessing the inquiring mind that I have I was very curious and wanted to know what more details. Apparently I passed this trait on to my daughter because as soon as we got back to the condo we both headed to the computer to google the name and get the rest of the story. It is amazing to me how easily accessible information is in today's world. In a matter of moments we found several newspaper articles and learned that the little boy was 2 years old and had run in front of his neighbor's car and been hit. It was very sad, but from what we heard at church many positive things have happened as a result of this accident. The counselor in the bishopric shared how the bishopric had been praying about some concerns they had about their ward and then tied in how this experience had helped to alleviate all of the problems that they were focusing on. I know that Heavenly Father has a plan for each one of us and I am looking forward to the day when I will finally understand and see the obvious wisdom in his plan for myself and those around me. Until then I will just try to have faith and strive to learn what it is I am suppose to be learning as these members of the church seem to be doing.
Friday, June 6, 2008
National Doughnut Day!
So, how many of you knew that today was National Doughnut Day? In honor of the event my youngest son and I took a field trip to the new Krispy Kreme Doughnut shop in East Mesa (right before gas took a 10 cent jump from $4.05 to $4.15 at the QT by my house). We are happy that Arizona once again has a Krispy Kreme and I am happy that it is far enough away that I am not tempted to visit very often.
I have a thought for you to help commemorate the day. I was listening to a talk on tape by Brenton Yorgason about marriage relationships. He had been counseling a couple who were contemplating divorce. He painted them a picture of the Mesa Temple with a cactus in the foreground and on the only spike on that cactus was a glazed doughnut. When he presented the picture, the wife asked him what in the world that was on the cactus. He asked what she thought it was and she said it looked like a doughnut. He told her she was right and when she questioned why the picture included a doughnut he told her this: "The only things you ever tell me about your husband are what he isn't, what he is missing. I want you to focus on what he is. I don't want you to look at his hole. I want you to look at his doughnut. He is a good provider. He has never cheated on you... When you eat a doughnut, you don't worry about the hole, you enjoy the rest of it. I want you to try to do the same thing with your marriage." Apparently that picture changed the couple's marriage and their lives.
Message to my Children - In relationships, try to always focus on the doughnut and not on the hole.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
An interesting source for inspiration
Today I was writing a talk on the Holy Ghost for tonight's baptism. I was looking for a quote that I had heard once so I googled some key words and found a great source. Two pages of quotes by church leaders and definitions of the Holy Ghost. The quotes even included pictures of the leader who had said it. I read through these quotes and was so inspired and added a couple of them to my talk. Wow, was I surprised when I got to the bottom of the second page and realized that this source was actually an ANTI-MORMON website. It's so interesting to me that 2 people can read exactly the same thing and one of them can be inspired and the other one can be turned off. I'm glad I was the one who was inspired. I am including one of the quotes I liked, but if you need some great info about the Holy Ghost you can check out this website . Just ignore the subtle jabs that are interspersed throughout.
"Elder Bruce R. McConkie said, “There is no price too high ... no sacrifice too great, if out of it all we ... enjoy the gift of the Holy Ghost” (A New Witness for the Articles of Faith [1984], 253). What are we willing to do, what weaknesses and indulgences will we give up, to have as our personal protector and guide the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost? It is a question worth asking, for let us be clear: The adversary delights in separating us, the sisters of this Church, from the Spirit."
- Sister Sheri L. Dew (Second Counselor in the Relief Society General Presidency), “We Are Not Alone,” Ensign, Nov. 1998, 94
Saturday, May 24, 2008
Demolition
My neighborhood has undergone some changes recently. A car dealership, a gas station and a restaurant have all been visited by the demolition squad. It is so strange to me to drive by a building one day and have only a dirt field there a day or two later. My husband and I actually got to view part of the "backhoe banging" on the restaurant. With one well placed thump from a large backhoe a wall came tumbling down. I couldn't help but think of the time and effort that went into constructing that building when it was first erected and now all that is left is a pile of rubbish.
There was a time when my youngest son thought that tearing down buildings would be the greatest job in the world. I tried to convince him that designing and building a structure would be a much more noble calling, but he wouldn't have any of that. I guess it's the boy in him. You know, it's a proven fact, if you give a boy a stick or a dowel or pretty much anything made of breakable wood and ask him to throw it away, prior to its entry into the trash can it will be thoroughly demolished.
Sometimes I think I enjoy being part of the demolition crew as well. At least in the way I treat my family and interact with them. I am way to willing to tear down and destroy rather than try to build up. Being positive and uplifting takes effort. Being negative comes way to easily to me. I need to remember that it is much more noble and important to be a builder and not a destroyer.
Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966
There was a time when my youngest son thought that tearing down buildings would be the greatest job in the world. I tried to convince him that designing and building a structure would be a much more noble calling, but he wouldn't have any of that. I guess it's the boy in him. You know, it's a proven fact, if you give a boy a stick or a dowel or pretty much anything made of breakable wood and ask him to throw it away, prior to its entry into the trash can it will be thoroughly demolished.
Sometimes I think I enjoy being part of the demolition crew as well. At least in the way I treat my family and interact with them. I am way to willing to tear down and destroy rather than try to build up. Being positive and uplifting takes effort. Being negative comes way to easily to me. I need to remember that it is much more noble and important to be a builder and not a destroyer.
Don't be yourself - be someone a little nicer. ~Mignon McLaughlin, The Second Neurotic's Notebook, 1966
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