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!