Let me see - at church today we discussed a couple things: Home/visiting teaching, missionary work, how the Book of Mormon was found/translated, and the true meaning of charity.
I love that visiting teaching is something I've been called to do, and I love its impact on individuals' lives, especially in the eternal perspective. I find it is something I need to do better, but I am resolved that it truly reflects one's commitment to God. I know serving a full time mission is a big deal, but it seems just as much of a sacrifice, and a duty, to keep serving and lifting where you stand.
A lot of work and preparation went into bringing forth the Book of Mormon. I love that book. I love learning and discovering truth. And, life takes a lot of preparation, it takes discipline, and diligence. We may not be tasked with such a cause as Joseph Smith, but our roles are eternally significant.
Charity. Oh, how I am striving to develop it. It is such a beautiful balance, of the eternal worth of souls, sacrifice, and love. I've heard that the way you treat those closest to you is the truest reflection of your character. So, I am working on that as I am living at home. I have improved as I've gotten older - thank goodness - but there is a long way for me to go.
It is possible, and with the perfect, divine help of the Atonement, and sacrificing all I am, I'll get there. It is through serving, and lifting those around me, by diligently leading my life, and being obedient unto God, that I will get there.
I love learning from the Spirit, each week, and renewing my covenants with the Savior.
Sunday, January 27, 2013
Sunday, January 20, 2013
Perspective
So, I have been writing this blog for almost 10 months now. That's a pretty big deal. It has been incredibly helpful for me to have a little accountability to learn and to pay attention.
This week I've been 'conflicted' with various aspects of my life and at church today, and since then, I've had a lot on my mind about perspective.
Sacrament focused on seeing God's hand in your life, and to be honest, where I liked the two adult speakers, I felt that the 12 year old speaking had a message more for me. He talked about seeing God in the little things like the weather and in nature. We've been given a beautiful place to test us, and to help shape us to be more like God.
In Sunday School we talked about the First Vision, how God was able to get everything set up - and Relief Society we focused in on the miracles and importance of baptism. It was kind of a hard day for me. I've not been feeling very well, for about a month, and hearing about all these great stories of miracles of God's involvement, I was put down a little because I feel a little in the dark with my life and everything I believe.
Well, I came away with wanting to pay more attention to what God would have me learn. If I am where I am supposed to be, what should I be paying attention to? What areas in my life need to be improved, and how can I find joy when I feel alone, bored, and unmotivated.
Friday night I had decided to not let Saturday go away without doing a project. So, I forced myself to find something creative I could do. And, so I made a little chalk board for my friend's upcoming wedding. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am feeling left out of her wedding even though she tells me I get to be involved and she wants me to be a part of it. So, I am working on loving her anyway, and not freaking out that it isn't how I think it should be. In fact, I have to go finish it up right now.
I am more motivated to let go of the anxiety and trust God with my life. I am willing to at least look for alternatives to my idea of how my life should be going. And this is because of the Spirit I felt at church today.
This week I've been 'conflicted' with various aspects of my life and at church today, and since then, I've had a lot on my mind about perspective.
Sacrament focused on seeing God's hand in your life, and to be honest, where I liked the two adult speakers, I felt that the 12 year old speaking had a message more for me. He talked about seeing God in the little things like the weather and in nature. We've been given a beautiful place to test us, and to help shape us to be more like God.
In Sunday School we talked about the First Vision, how God was able to get everything set up - and Relief Society we focused in on the miracles and importance of baptism. It was kind of a hard day for me. I've not been feeling very well, for about a month, and hearing about all these great stories of miracles of God's involvement, I was put down a little because I feel a little in the dark with my life and everything I believe.
Well, I came away with wanting to pay more attention to what God would have me learn. If I am where I am supposed to be, what should I be paying attention to? What areas in my life need to be improved, and how can I find joy when I feel alone, bored, and unmotivated.
Friday night I had decided to not let Saturday go away without doing a project. So, I forced myself to find something creative I could do. And, so I made a little chalk board for my friend's upcoming wedding. In the spirit of full disclosure, I am feeling left out of her wedding even though she tells me I get to be involved and she wants me to be a part of it. So, I am working on loving her anyway, and not freaking out that it isn't how I think it should be. In fact, I have to go finish it up right now.
I am more motivated to let go of the anxiety and trust God with my life. I am willing to at least look for alternatives to my idea of how my life should be going. And this is because of the Spirit I felt at church today.
Sunday, January 13, 2013
Welcome to the Club
Today at church, I was reminded of a few tender lessons, that really helped me, especially after a hard day yesterday.
First, is that you can't stop at testimony, but let it convert you to Christ, and then, once you have been converted, you must turn outward and serve to truly purify your life and bless the lives of others.
Just keep trying - the Atonement helps perfect us, and it may take us awhile to get there but it is possible. I felt the Spirit say to me today: "I wouldn't sacrifice so much for nothing. You can become like Me - I will help you get there. Just keep going."
It is easy to look down at yourself and be discouraged. You're not 'good' enough? Welcome to the club. Believe Christ. He is there for you, He has promised to help even - and especially - you come back, to truly become Celestial through your mortal life and challenges.
Yesterday was a hard day for me. I was tired, not feeling good, and Satan was having fun with my thoughts and emotions. It is hard for me to be deliberate in my life. I want to be good, but I don't always want to put in the effort. Yesterday, Christ helped me find things I could put effort into, and things I could do to find joy with what is going on. It started with Him pointing out that if I did what I did, because of the Spirit, then it wasn't a mistake, even if it didn't have the outcome I wanted. I was to learn and become a better person because of it. My life isn't being wasted, but I do need to step up and start living again, not just as an excited spectator, but as a person diligently doing their part.
He helped my heart heal a little bit more, and I am more resolved to follow Him, to keep striving, and to believe Christ is My Savior.
First, is that you can't stop at testimony, but let it convert you to Christ, and then, once you have been converted, you must turn outward and serve to truly purify your life and bless the lives of others.
Just keep trying - the Atonement helps perfect us, and it may take us awhile to get there but it is possible. I felt the Spirit say to me today: "I wouldn't sacrifice so much for nothing. You can become like Me - I will help you get there. Just keep going."
It is easy to look down at yourself and be discouraged. You're not 'good' enough? Welcome to the club. Believe Christ. He is there for you, He has promised to help even - and especially - you come back, to truly become Celestial through your mortal life and challenges.
Yesterday was a hard day for me. I was tired, not feeling good, and Satan was having fun with my thoughts and emotions. It is hard for me to be deliberate in my life. I want to be good, but I don't always want to put in the effort. Yesterday, Christ helped me find things I could put effort into, and things I could do to find joy with what is going on. It started with Him pointing out that if I did what I did, because of the Spirit, then it wasn't a mistake, even if it didn't have the outcome I wanted. I was to learn and become a better person because of it. My life isn't being wasted, but I do need to step up and start living again, not just as an excited spectator, but as a person diligently doing their part.
He helped my heart heal a little bit more, and I am more resolved to follow Him, to keep striving, and to believe Christ is My Savior.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
Looong Week
This has been a very long week, with so many emotions. I've had my own life problems, worries, work stress, my immediate family struggles, and then my grandma passed away, life can be very hard.
Through it all, I have felt like even though it is hard, I knew I could keep going because of the Atonement. I don't know how - but I know I can. I have a lot to be grateful for, and being surrounded by family definitely reminded me of that. We are so loved, we can keep going.
I am also reminded that not everyone has the same testimony I do, and others who did, no longer do. It is easy to let life in a little too far, to think ourselves out of our testimonies, to take offense when none was meant. I've been attending my parents' ward while I sort out some issues of my last apartment conundrum, and sometimes I don't feel as if I belong, but I felt their love of my family, and how they watched over each other. It was lovely.
Hold on to those things in your life that help you have faith and hope for the future. Life will sort itself out after that.
Through it all, I have felt like even though it is hard, I knew I could keep going because of the Atonement. I don't know how - but I know I can. I have a lot to be grateful for, and being surrounded by family definitely reminded me of that. We are so loved, we can keep going.
I am also reminded that not everyone has the same testimony I do, and others who did, no longer do. It is easy to let life in a little too far, to think ourselves out of our testimonies, to take offense when none was meant. I've been attending my parents' ward while I sort out some issues of my last apartment conundrum, and sometimes I don't feel as if I belong, but I felt their love of my family, and how they watched over each other. It was lovely.
Hold on to those things in your life that help you have faith and hope for the future. Life will sort itself out after that.
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