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!!!