O Holy Night

I was standing on my parents deck tonight after it had been snowing today for most of the day.  A fresh white coat blanketed my view of neighborhoods and the lake.  All of a sudden I thought "everyone in America and other places in the world have tomorrow off."  We may not all be Christian, but our nation has recognized that Christ is important.  We take the day off and spend time with family, but may you all remember that it was Christ our Savior that made everything in life possible.  I love Him so much and am grateful for all that He ha done for me.  On this "O Holy Night"  my thoughts will be thinking about how Mary felt, how the world changed the moment he was born, and for the hope that he brings to my life.

Our Shepherd

They were as sheep not having a shepherd: 

and he began to teach them many things.-Mark 6:34

Glorious Time

This is a glorious time of year.  

This joyful season brings to each of us a measure of happiness 

that corresponds to the degree in which we have turned our minds,

 feelings, and actions to the spirit of Christmas.

-Thomas S. Monson

     

 

Catching Up

So I'm a little behind with the crazy holiday's, but I thought I would share my favorite quote from A Christmas Carol.  "He told me, coming home, that he hoped the people saw him in the church, because he was a cripple, and it might be pleasant to them to remember upon Christmas Day, who made lame beggars walk, and blind men see."  I love this!  I hope that others also see my imperfections and think of the one who can make us all perfect one day because of His birth and resurrection for each of us.

I will not leave you comfortless, I will come to you

For being

For being our light and leading the way. 

For being the Spirit which makes Christmas day.

You've been my mentor, my model, my hero and guide,

Please continue to help me and stay by my side.

-Greg Olsen

Glitter

 

The glitter of the season should never... prevent us from truly seeing

The Prince of Peace. -Dieter F. Uchtdorf

Real Joy

Finding the real joy of Christmas comes not in the hurrying and the scurrying to get more done, nor is it found in the purchasing of gifts. We find real joy when we make the Savior the focus of the season. We can keep Him in our thoughts and in our lives as we go about the work He would have us perform here on earth. At this time, particularly, let us follow His example as we love and serve our fellowman. -Thomas S. Monson

Breath of Heaven=The Savior

I have traveled many moonless nights, cold and weary, with a babe inside.  And I wonder what I've done, 

Holy Father you have come and chosen me now to carry your son.  I am waiting in a silent prayer.  I am frightened by the load I bear.  In a world as cold as stone, must I walk this path alone?  Be with me now, be with me now...Breath of Heaven, hold me together be forever near me Breath of Heaven.  Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness,  for your holy Breath of Heaven.  Do you wonder as you watch my face if a wiser one should have had my place, but I offer all I am, for the mercy of your plan.  Help me be strong, help me be, help me. Breath of Heaven hold me together, be forever near me, breath of heaven.  Breath of Heaven lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness, for your holy...  Breath of Heaven hold me together be forever near me Breath of Heaven, lighten my darkness, pour over me your holiness for your Holy Breath of Heaven, breath of Heaven, breath of heaven, breath of heaven.  (These lyrics are by Amy Grant.  I encourage you to look up the song on Youtube)

Center

The real Christmas comes to him who has taken Christ into his life as a moving, dynamic, vitalizing force.  The real spirit of Christmas lies in the life and mission of the Master...

If our lives and our faith are centered on Jesus Christ and his restored gospel, nothing can ever go permanently wrong.  On the other hand, if our lives are not centered on the Savior and his teachings, no other success can ever be permanently right. -Howard W. Hunter

Messiah

I am a few days behind because of a busy life.  Here are 3 new Nativities.  The first one is the one I grew up with in my home.  The second is one I have been seeing in a lot of yards and the last I just liked.  I was privileged to be able to go to a "Messiah" sing along last night.  It was so beautiful.  Now I know where so many songs come from and I love Handel.  I wished that all people everywhere knew the reason for Christmas and would keep him the focus.  He truly is the Messiah and the Savior of the world.  If you need reminding, just go and read the scriptures.  I know that He lives and was born into this world to bring about the redemption of mankind!

Humble Beginnings

Ye shall find the babe wrapped in swaddling clothes, 

Lying in a manger.

Innkeeper

Dearest God,
    Please never let me

Crowd my life Full to the brim.

So like the keeper of Bethlehem’s Inn,

I find I have no room for Him.

Instead, let my heart’s door be ever open,

Ready to welcome the newborn King.

Let me offer the best I have

to Him who gives me everything.

-Author unknown

 

Each of us is an innkeeper which decides if there is room for Jesus.

-Neal A. Maxwell

 

 

My Gift

May we all make the journey to Bethlehem in Spirit,
taking with us a tender,

caring heart as our gift to the Savior.
-President Thomas S. Monson

Holy Infant

Silent Night! Holy Night!  All is calm, all is bright

Round yon virgin Mother and Child.

Holy Infant, so tender and mild,

Sleep in Heavenly Peace;

Sleep in Heavenly Peace.

Forgot

I forgot to post yesterday, but I didn't forget Christ!  After all that is what Christmas is about. "Without  Christ there would be no Christmas, and without Christ there can be no fulness of joy." 

-Ezra Taft Benson

And there went out a decree

This morning I attended my ward family Christmas breakfast and was so impressed!  I have been to a lot of Church Christmas parties, but this was above them all.  A decree went out among all the ward members and our "tax" was cans of food to enter the city.  We were also encouraged to dress in the time period.  The breakfast tents were full of many delicacies.  As we finished our meal the narration of the Christmas story started interspersed with our singing.  The young women and men had spent an evening making all the decorations similar to the image above.  Most of the characters were played by youth in the ward, who were adorable.  The program truly made me feel the spirit of Christmas...Christ!

His Name

 

 

 

And His name shall be called Wonderful, Counsellor, The Mighty God, The Everlasting Father, The Prince of Peace. -Isaiah 9:6

Seek, Find, and Follow

As we seek Christ, as we find Him, as we follow Him, we shall have the Christmas spirit, not for one fleeting day each year, but as a companion always.  We shall learn to forget ourselves.  We shall turn our to the greater benefit of others.-President Monson

No Room

 

 

And she brought forth her firstborn son, and wrapped him in swaddling clothes, and laid him in a manger; because there was no room for them in the inn. -Luke 2:7

Christmas Spirit

The Christmas Spirit hit me earlier this year.  I guess I usually catch the bug the first time we get a substantial snow and that happened a few weeks ago.  Today my favorite Christmas song "O Holy Night" replayed in my head over and over again, which reminded me of something I wanted to blog about everyday for a month starting yesterday.  I forgot yesterday so I am doubling up today.  In an effort to keep me and those of you who may read this focused on what Christmas is really about I am going to post a picture of a nativity I like everyday (if I remember).  To start off the batch pictured first is the nativity I own.  Then another I like.  Last my favorite Christmas clip ever!  I posted this on the blog a year or two ago and I may post it every year because I love it so much.  I am not a crier, but every time I watch it tears come to my eyes.  May we all remember that "God so loved the world that he gave his only Begotten Son."  I am going to try to remember everyday that HE is the reason for the season!

Forgiveness: My Burden Was Made Light

 

I remember watching this Mormon Message awhile ago, but I was reading last night in bed and read an article about Chris Williams in LDSLiving Magazine.  I was overwhelmed with the Spirit and in awe that a human could be so forgiving!  I wish you all could read the details in the article, but it is not on their website.  So attached you can watch the Mormon Message that shares so much about hope, the Savior, and forgiveness. 

What did I get myself into?

Yep, I got myself into a mess.  I accepted a new calling not knowing what I got myself into.  I have loved going to my new family ward and know it is the friendliest ward that I have ever been in.  Yesterday when I taught Sunday school to the 13-14 year old's I was humbled, almost brought to tears and learned so much.  I have not been in a family ward in over 10 years and have felt truly blessed to be back in one, but that class almost had me running back to my mid-singles ward.  Imagine 12 teens who would not be quiet, mostly boys, some punching each other and then me in shock.  It has been 15 years since I was their age!!!  While trying to teach about family, love, and home I was just telling myself "Be kind, be patient" over and over again.  I am in over my head and need the Lord's help majorly!!!  The great thing about the gospel is that we can accomplish all with Him.  Now I need to be better in tune with him and need other's advice/help. 

So far this is helpful...https://www.lds.org/youth/learn/guidebook?lang=eng

Trying

This week I had someone get very angry with me.  It was very hurtful and yes I broke into tears.  The things they brought up were very small and insignificant, but I think they had had a bad day or something had happened to them that day.  I apologized profusely, but they refused the apology and said that they would not talk to me for days.  I thought this was probably better so that they would have time to cool down. 

Since then the song "I'm trying to be like Jesus" has been running through my head.  I try my best to be kind and considerate to all, but I am not perfect, I am human.  "Love one another as Jesus loves you.  Try to show kindness in all that you do.  Be gentle and loving in deed and in thought, for these are the things Jesus taught."  I hope that others can feel of the love of the Savior.  I know that he loves me more then I can comprehend and forgives me for my imperfections. 

Here's the song

Own verses Thy

"Our own desires, rather than a feeling of “Thy will be done,” create the feeling of a pavilion blocking God." This is exactly what I needed to hear tonight! Seriously, you need to review the whole talk!

Sower

I have been thinking about someone I know who doesn't know what they believe anymore.  Specifically their religious beliefs.  I ran across these verses today in my study that I thought they directly applied to their situation and really to all of us. Mark 4...

14 ¶The sower soweth the word.

15 And these are they by the way side, where the word is sown; but when they have heard, ^aSatan cometh immediately, and taketh away the word that was sown in their hearts.

16 And these are they likewise which are sown on stony ground; who, when they have heard the word, immediately ^areceive it with gladness;

17 And have no root in themselves, and so endure but for a time: afterward, when ^aaffliction or ^bpersecution ariseth for the word’s sake, immediately they are offended.

18 And these are they which are sown among thorns; such as hear the word,

19 And the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of ^ariches, and the ^blusts of other things entering in, choke the word, and it becometh unfruitful.

20 And these are they which are sown on good ground; such as hear the word, and receive it, and bring forth fruit, some thirtyfold, some sixty, and some an hundred.

 

There are even more verses that I loved in that chapter that are applicable.  We can all hear the word of God regardless of what religion we are, but how the word will be sown within us determines the outcome.  I am very into gardening and know very well that if I want something to grow I have to plant it in the right place and pay attention to other influences.  I can only hope that when I read the scriptures or messages from the Prophets that I will bring forth fruit and not loose the word.

 

 

General Conference Update

General Conference is my favorite holiday of the year and I will say it again over and over.  It went by way to fast this time, I could not believe it!  My top three speakers currently are Elder Eyring, Uchtdorf, and Holland.  I think my favorite speaker over and over again is Elder Eyring.  My favorite talk was Elder Christofferson's from the Priesthood Session.

Here is a link to summaries from the Conference http://www.lds.org/church/news/follow-october-2012-general-conference-on-news-and-events?lang=eng

If you want to watch or listen to the full talks you can do that here.

Action

Years ago while serving a mission I can remember the subject coming up several times.  This subject was people believing they were saved by grace alone and not works also.  I remember one house in particular when we were teaching the wife of a preacher.  She asked so many questions and didn't understand why faith with works was necessary.  I didn't have an answer for her and my companion wasn't explaining well enough for her to understand either.  I went home that night with a desire to study and find this out for myself.

Fast forward to me being home from my mission.  I still had not figured this subject out.  One day I opened up the Ensign and read the article Words of the Early Apostles: Grace and found my answer, or at least an answer that appeased myself.  Who knows if the article would have help this woman.

I forgot that I read this article until this past weekend when I was volunteering in the MTC.  That day I played the role of an investigator and decided to be Baptist (since my grandma had converted from that).  My major issue was that I believed that I was saved by grace alone and just had to accept the Savior.  I didn't believe works were part of the deal.  The sister missionaries struggled with trying to explain it to me, two of the three didn't have an answer, but one tried vigilantly to explain.  I felt her desire to help me understand and then I remembered my experience on my mission.  That renewed a desire in me to find this article and study up on the subject.  By the way, I still think those Sister's really think I am Baptist;-)

I love these quotes from the article:

Some years ago, President David O. McKay (1873–1970) related a story which illustrates the relationship between works and grace. He told of a group of boys who were learning to swim when one fell into a treacherous hole in the stream. The boy would have drowned but for a quick-thinking companion who extended a branch to him and helped pull him to shore.

“There are those who claim that no one will sink and be lost if he will look to Jesus on the shore and say, ‘I believe.’ There are others who declare that every one must by his own efforts swim to the shore or be lost forever. The real truth is that both of these extreme views are incorrect. Christ redeemed all men from death which was brought upon them through no act of theirs, but He will not save men from their personal transgressions who will put forth no effort themselves, any more than the young rescuer on the river bank could have saved the drowning lad if the latter had not seized the means provided him. Neither can man save himself without accepting the means provided by Christ for man’s salvation.”

The fact that our faith must be accompanied by works is illustrated by a story from the Old Testament, the account of the battle between Israel and the people of Amalek. When confronted with Amalek’s army, Moses instructed Joshua to “choose us out men, and go out, fight with Amalek” (Ex. 17:9). Moses stood on a hill and held the rod of God aloft. As Moses maintained this position with his arms and his staff, Israel prevailed in battle. When he tired and dropped his hands, the tide changed against Israel. In order to assist him, as he sat on a stone, Aaron and Hur on either side held up his arms (see Ex. 17:8–16).

This passage of scripture is an excellent example of how the Lord expresses His power in grace when we express our faith. God could have defeated the Amalekites without the army of Israel if He so desired, but He required Israel to exercise faith in Him and His prophet and to do all that they could before He would intervene for them.

It all came together for me while I was sitting in the temple this week too.  I realized that without preforming (action) ordinances in the temple we are not fulfilling the mission of the church and therefore cannot be saved.  The covenants we make with our Father in Heaven are very spiritual, but they are also physical!

To read the full text see the link below.
http://www.lds.org/ensign/2003/10/words-of-the-early-apostles-grace?lang=eng&query="faith+without+works"

I Heart

Everything in this world depends upon the family.  The plan of salvation is such a gift.  Being sealed and having kids is what brings us back to Christ.  While I sat in the Provo Temple yesterday I thought how everything there pointed to Christ!  From the fountains and flowers outside to the ordinances therein.  While I sat next to my Bonus Mom I was so grateful that I was sealed to my family and I cannot wait to be sealed to someone someday.  I am gushing with thanks to my Heavenly Father for temples and family right now:)

Praying Mantis

A friend of mine, one that I often learn so much from, said something meaningful to me this last week.  We had just finished going on a long walk, jumped in the car and there was a Praying Mantis on the windshield. I am totally serious when we thought he was praying over us.  I didn't want to touch it and thought that it would fly away as we drove off.  It held onto dear life for awhile until it looked like it was going to implode from the wind pressure.  Being girls we felt bad for it and pulled over to shew it away.  As we pulled over she said, "We can't kill something that has been praying over us."  Okay I have to admit that hit me hard.  How often are others praying over us and we aren't thankful or we disregard counsel from Heavenly Father or church leaders.  Any prayer that is said in our behalf should be taken to heart.  I am grateful for the prayers in my behalf said by my friends, parents, church leaders and others.  Hopefully my prayers in behalf of others are not taken lightly.

Highlights

It's been a rough day today and I was thinking to myself "What do I have to look forward to?"  First thing that came to my mind was Conference!  Most people who know me know that it is my favorite holiday of the year and it is happening again in 3 weeks.  How lucky we are that we get to have conference twice a year and also hear and read their words monthly.  So here are the last conference highlights:)

Quest for Zion

Wow, every time I watch the CES fireside it gets better and better!  Elder Holland is one of my top three speakers so there was no way I was going to miss this!  Boy, did he lay it down too, which I love;)  He talked about all through time the members of the church have had to flee Babylon for safe refuge.  We no longer flee but are mature enough that we have to stand up for what is right! 

Two points that he highlighted that I really liked were 1-You never check your religion at the door (this was referring to a story about a sports event).  We need to act like members of the church all the time and not change how we act depending on the circumstance.

2-Watch Yourself (summarized into my words).  It is easy to be righteous when things are calm, but not when things are hard.  Try to be strong and love your enemy.  DON'T BE GUILTY OF THE GREATER OFFENSE.  Try to do what the Savior would do!  We are not to condemn others.  We need to distinguish between the sin and the sinner.

And the best line of the night that I want to exemplify...I want to be caught living the gospel and doing something good!

Specific Prayer

So lately I have been frustrated with dating, two things in particular.  First there are quite a few men that want to go out with me, but they don't have the standards I want.  I think going to church and being temple worthy are pretty big things!  One guy even told me, "If you change your mind and don't want a temple worthy guy I would love to go out."  Ahhhh!  My standards or the gospel are the most important things in the world!  They are what get me through being single and lonely!!!

Second is the fact that some guys say they are ready for a serious relationship and/or marriage, but when things start to head that way they really are not.  I am not a fan of indecision at all, it drives me nuts!!!  I don't believe for one second when guys say they are enjoying being single!  I am pretty sure we are all lonely and long for more.  We all want an eternal family, to love and be loved, and to become like Heavenly Father.

So with those thoughts on my mind I loved what my friend shared with me tonight!!!  She has been praying specifically for these things for months and has even seen the fruition.  I love these so much, I had to share, with her permission...

Pray for the guys:
1-Pray that the good and capable men in our ward/vicinity will be able to see good matches for themselves.
2-Pray that they will have the faith and courage to move on that inspiration
3-Pray that new eternal families will be formed
4-And pray that the girls will also recognize these things and reciprocate

I love these!  I think specific prayers are really important, so she said she was recruiting other woman to pray  for this and I am on the bandwagon.  In the process I hope I can improve myself and that Heavenly Father will strengthen us all.

Single Eye

This past weekend I had the privilege to attend the Brigham City Open House.  Just before we went I was eating dinner with friends when we were approached by a woman asking if we were going to the temple open house.  I told her yes and that we had extra tickets if she needed some.  Turns out we had the exact number of tickets that she needed and since her Mother was with her, they had a handicap parking sticker and said that we could park right by them at the temple instead of getting bused there from a different location.

So we went through the open house with them.  Her Mother was super sweet and I enjoyed talking with her since I love any grandma.  She was mostly blind and could see just the size of a pinhole.  When we entered the celestial room she was not allowed to use her wheelchair.  I noticed she needed the help of two people.  Her daughter helped, but the granddaughter did not.  So I walked over to help.  I am so glad I did.

As we walked through the room very slowly she was very turned around and we had to describe a lot of it to her.  I could see the delight in her face to know that she was in the Celestial Room.  She told me, "I can only see a tiny bit, but it is so bright!"  Immediately I thought of this scripture, "...faith, hope, charity, and love, with an eye single to the glory of God, qualify him for the work."  She had her eye's single to HIS glory!  Did I?  I wanted to be as happy as she was seeing so little, but seeing what was the most important!  True happiness only comes from Him.  The temple leads back to Him and I know that he lives and loves us!!!

I'm covered

I meant to post this last week, but I just couldn't pull all my thoughts together, so I figured it wasn't meant to be.  Tonight it came together though.  Last week it had been a year since my Mom passed away.  As much as I miss her I was reminded of a great knowledge while reading the Book of Mormon.

My whole life I have been afraid of death.  It wasn't until I was reading last week that I realized that I wasn't afraid anymore.  Instead I had an awful fear of standing before the Lord with a guilty conscience!  I started to fear spiritual death, not that I had done anything horrible, but I felt like spiritually death would be so much more horrendous then temporal death.  I want to have clean hands and a pure heart, be so excited and happy to be in his presence, and not ashamed.  Then I rejoiced!  The Atonement covers me!  Literally in Hebrew Atonement means to be covered.

So if I temporarily fear spiritual death, or my own sins, I can start over every week!  What amazing news!  Physical death happens once, there is no turning back, but spiritual death (or sin in smaller steps) can be wiped clean every week if I just choose to repent.  I want to be with my family and the Savior so badly that I am going to strive with all my might to be reborn every week and remember what is really important and NOT FEAR:)

I know

This morning I read an article that made me think a lot.  It referenced 1 Nephi 11:17..."And I said unto him: I know that he loveth his children; nevertheless, I do not know the meaning of all things."

I love the faith that Nephi showed in receiving this vision from the Lord.  MOST of the time I do not know the meaning of things or why I have to wait/go through something, but the best gospel truth I do know is THAT HE LOVETH HIS CHILDREN!!! 

I know that He lives and I know that I can continue in patience because the eternal rewards will be great!  I also so grateful for the sacrifice that Jesus Christ made in behalf of me and I know that I can become more like him with repentance.  I know that all of my happiness comes from Him!

Importance of the Scriptures

I have a friend who had her scriptures stolen and has not had money to buy a new set.  I have multiple sets of scriptures which include The Book of Mormon, Doctrine and Covenants, New Testament, Old Testament, and the Pearl of Great Price.  They are pretty expensive when they include all of those books of scripture so I told her that I would give her one.  

It wasn't until I was handing her the scriptures that I realized what the Savior and many prophets have felt.  I had just finished reading our Sunday school lesson about the scriptures, recording keeping, and teaching the gospel to our families, specifically Alma 36-39.  What a gift they are!  I knew that these records are of great importance and because they are such an important record I felt the sacredness of the words therein.  I cannot fully express my love for the words of the prophets, the Savior, and Heavenly Father contained therein.  I love the scriptures with all of my heart.  I truly believe that if they are read and studied everyday we will not go astray.

Mormon Channel

If you have a smart phone you can download the "Mormon Channel" app, which I am obsessed with lately.  IF you don't have a smart phone you can listen on your computer.  There are so many things to read, watch, and listen to.  I have always used it to listen to the scriptures, conference, watch Mormon Messages, etc...but recently I have discovered their programs.  Here is the link http://mormonchannel.org/programs  Two favorite programs are Music with a Message and Enduring it well.  There are some pretty inspiring stories to listen to.  Happy hunting:)

Never delay a prompting

Some of the recent talks from conference have given me a new appreciation for life.  One thought in particular that I really liked was that I needed to recognize personal encounters with the divine and preserve them for posterity.  Also does my life reflect my love and devotion I feel for the Savior?  I am so blessed with the tender mercies that the Lord gives me each day!!!

My most favorite quote is that ...."to be fulfilled, you have to continue to naturally and normally share the gospel."  I have really been enjoying this lately, actually on a daily basis with someone not of the LDS faith.  I am not eloquent in words, but I try to "never delay a prompting" as President Monson has said and I truly feel blessed and more "fulfilled" for sharing the gospel, after all the gospel means good news:)  I just hope that this gentleman feels the happiness that I do because of the gospel of Jesus Christ!

I am in need of some humbling/santification

Helaman 3:35
Nevertheless they did fast and pray oft, and did wax stronger and stronger in their humility, and firmer and firmer in the faith of Christ, unto the filling their souls with joy and consolation, yea, even to the purifying and the sanctification of their hearts, which sanctification cometh because of their yielding their hearts unto God.

The most important cause

I was studying some conference talks last night, which is a good idea for everyone because I did not even remember this talk that has left such an impression on me.  Elder Ballard's talk called "That the Lost May Be Found" was AMAZING! 

The best sentence in the entire talk is "Brothers and sisters, the most important cause of our lifetime is our families."

I love love love my family and love good news that I hear about families since family seems to be decaying around the world.  Elder Ballard also said, "The Church stands as an example of heart turning and as a catalyst for good in the world. Among Church members who are married in the temple and who regularly attend Sunday meetings, the divorce rate is significantly less than that of the world, and families remain closer and are in more frequent communication. The health in our families is better, and we live several years longer than the population average. We contribute more financial resources and more service per capita to those in need, and we are more likely to seek higher education. I point out these things not to boast but to testify that life is better (and much happier) as hearts turn toward family and as families live in the light of the gospel of Christ."

He also shares 4 points that will help our families from getting lost.  They are:
1-Prioritize
2-Do things in the right order
3-...husbands and wives, you should be equal partners in your marriage.
4-Use the family resources of the church

So grateful to have such a great immediate and extended family.  I used to dream that all sides of my family would live in a mansion when we got to heaven, with each immediate family having a wing.  If only the whole world knew how important family is!  They are what bring us true happiness!!!

Mom and siblings when we were all younger:)



Kid Lessons

I have been meaning to write for the last week or so, but it just has not come together.  Finally this entry feels right.  I have learned two great lessons in the last week, both from kids.

Last week I was inside reading and the doorbell rang. There was also a hurried knock on the door.  I wasn't ready for the day so I threw on my bathrobe and answered the door to discover my next door neighbor who was a little girl.  She was panicked and asked if she could go in the backyard and look for her bunny that had escaped through the fence.  I told her sure, go back there.  Less then 5 minutes later she came to the door and was crying and asked if I could help her look.  Since I wasn't dressed I told her I would look out the window and tell her if I saw it.  I instantly saw it in the neighbors backyard and told her out the window to run over there.

This was a great lesson for me.  Sometimes in life we think that we are searching in the right area and are very sure of our plans, but the Lord sees from a higher and all knowing vantage point.  They may be the same plans but we may just have to trust for awhile.  I was once this little girl, literally, our rabbits growing up escaped several times and I went looking where I thought they for sure were at.  If there is anything to be learned in this lesson it is we need to be in constant communication with the Lord so that we are guided by the Spirit.

Lesson number 2 came as I was at the Timpanogos Temple last night.  I was outside taking a picture of the temple while a family was next to me.  One of the little girls went up and touched the temple.  She said "Look, I'm touching the temple."  What a profound statement that was to me!  When we are not able to be in the temple are we letting it touch us in our lives?  Obviously we cannot be there all the time, but do I strive to be in holy places always?  I feel like I really try to have this as my goal and I loved knowing that these parents were teaching their kids about going to the temple someday!

Top three

I am more into the scriptures than I have ever been in my life.  I cannot get enough of them and am reading them like a novel you cannot put down.  They are so much more rewarding then a novel though.  So I thought I would share my top 3 favorite scriptures in the last week.

Alma 26-
16 Therefore, let us glory, yea, we will glory in the Lord; yea, we will rejoice, for our joy is full; yea, we will praise our God forever. Behold, who can glory too much in the Lord? Yea, who can say too much of his great power, and of his mercy, and of his long-suffering towards the children of men? Behold, I say unto you, I cannot say the smallest part which I feel.


Alma 36-
21 Yea, I say unto you, my son, that there could be nothing so exquisite and so bitter as were my pains. Yea, and again I say unto you, my son, that on the other hand, there can be nothing so exquisite and sweet as was my joy.


Alma 37-
45 And now I say, is there not a type in this thing? For just as surely as this director did bring our fathers, by following its course, to the promised land, shall the words of Christ, if we follow their course, carry us beyond this vale of sorrow into a far better land of promise.

I wish everyone felt the joy that I do in reading the scriptures.  Everytime I read them the Holy Ghost testifies of the truthfulness to me!  I can tell you one thing for sure...I would not make it through each day without the scriptures, prayer, and the Holy Ghost.

Power

I was impressed with the power Ammon had in the Book of Alma. I forgot sometimes how much power we have available to us as members of the church. If we are endowed we are endowed with power. If we have the Holy Ghost, by living worthy, we are empowered and constantly guided. We also have the priesthood which blesses us with power. Why then do we or more importantly I not access this power that we have available to us? I think it's great that King Lamoni thinks Ammon is the "Great Spirit" because that demonstrates to me that we can accomplish all with this power from Heavenly Father.

Some great verses in chapter 18 are:

3 And they answered the king, and said: Whether he be the Great Spirit or a man, we know not; but this much we do know, that he cannot be slain by the enemies of the king; neither can they scatter the king’s flocks when he is with us, because of his expertness and great strength; therefore, we know that he is a friend to the king. And now, O king, we do not believe that a man has such great power, for we know he cannot be slain.

34 Ammon said unto him: I am a man; and man in the beginning was created after the image of God, and I am called by his Holy spirit to teach these things unto this people, that they may be brought to a knowledge of that which is just and true;
35 And a portion of that spirit dwelleth in me, which giveth me knowledge, and also power according to my faith and desires which are in God.

I also found this great article I would highly recommend
http://maxwellinstitute.byu.edu/publications/jbms/?vol=8&num=1&id=183

Men of Faith

This morning I was reading in Alma 8 and 9 and was impressed by the faith of Alma and Amulek.  I was also grateful for their example of being in tune with the Spirit.  Doing the work of the Lord is not always easy, but the Lord knows the thoughts and intents of our heart; that is why I loved verse 14-15...

"And it came to pass that while he was journeying thither, being weighed down with sorrow, wading through much tribulation and anguish of soul, because of the wickedness of the people who were in the city of Ammonihah, it came to pass while Alma was thus weighed down with sorrow, behold an angel of the Lord appeared unto him, saying: Blessed art thou, Alma; therefore, lift up thy head and rejoice, for thou hast great cause to rejoice; for thou hast been faithful in keeping the commandments of God from the time which thou receivedst thy first message from him. Behold, I am he that delivered it unto you."

I love that the Lord is aware of our needs!  Alma was a faithful servant and followed the counsel of the angel immediately by returning to the city of Ammonihah.  Well the fact of the matter is he had been fasting for several days and was physically weak, although spiritually strong.  I love that Amulek was also in tune with the spirit as we read in verses 19-21.

"And as he entered the city he was an hungered, and he said to a man: Will ye give to an humble servant of God something to eat?  And the man said unto him: I am a Nephite, and I know that thou art a holy prophet of God, for thou art the man whom an angel said in a vision: Thou shalt receive. Therefore, go with me into my house and I will impart unto thee of my food; and I know that thou wilt be a blessing unto me and my house.  And it came to pass that the man received him into his house; and the man was called Amulek; and he brought forth bread and meat and set before Alma."

The best part of the whole story is not only was Alma obedient, and Amulek in tune, but then in chapter 9 they went into the city together to preach the word of God to a scary group of people.  Nothing is better than having a companion to help you through the struggles in life!  I am so grateful for their examples and have great cause to rejoice also.  I only hope that I can have a part of the faith that they had and strive to be in tune with the spirit everyday! 

4 Cornerstones a Home should be built on

The last while I have noticed some cute family scene's and realized how important family is.  I loved seeing a little one year old play in the sand in Arches National Park with her family.  I watched in awe when I was at Costco as a Dad snuggled with a baby and kept kissing him.  Many more scenes come to mind, but the point is I want that!

How can I be a good wife and mother when I have no experience?  I want to be the best I can, so I am really working on improving myself now.  I may not have a lot to offer, but I will always love to the best of my abilities.  I read a great talk today called "Except the Lord Build the House," by President Hinckley.  I love the four cornerstones that President Hinckley suggests a home is built upon.

1-Respect for One Another
2-The Soft Answer
3-Honesty with God and with One Another
4-Family Prayer

I love these suggestions, although I think that they are musts!  I see so many families struggling because they are lacking one of these simple things.  I say that now, but I haven't walked in the shoes of a married person or been a Mom.  Hopefully I can learn through example, trial and error, and doing the best I can.  Go read the talk!