I just got back from a weekend trip to Washington DC where I saw lots of cool things. It got me thinking about the importance of seeing things and the balance it strikes with faith, which is what we talked about in church today.
I don't really have time to write about it, but I definitely kept it in mind as I worked hard to see things, to make memories, and to take part in history.
This was an excellent weekend where I learned to travel and see life fully, and on my own, for the most part. God is good and has given me so many wonderful blessings, in this, my wonderful life.
More details to come as I sythesize what happened and make it coherent, for people to read.
Sunday, May 26, 2013
Sunday, May 19, 2013
New Beginnings
As opposed to 'old beginnings' or just simply 'beginnings'
Anyway - at church today we had invited all the graduating seniors to come to the singles ward - to show them we aren't scary and it could be cool to hang out with us... and to worship too.
Overall, I feel like the day went really well. I still don't really have friends here - but that is probably more my fault than anything else, so I shouldn't complain. I just feel like it would take longer here to break into real friendships with them and I don't know how long I'll be here (obviously long enough I should try harder).
I feel like I recognize the Spirit now stronger in new ways, and less strongly in the ways I am used to, so it is hard for me to understand - so I turn to other sources to try to validate it either way.
We talked a lot about temples today and I feel like that is where I need to spend more time. I am running into a bit of a pride problem since I haven't been endowed yet, and feel really old and or stuck in the baptistery now. So, it was a good reminder to go back anyway.
I am much more comfortable in the background - going unnoticed - but keep finding myself either calling attention to me or having others point me out and I am not sure how I feel about it. And like life, I am finding it hard to understand what I want anymore.
Well, at church today I definitely felt the Spirit, and I was able to remember my Savior a little more clearly. Hopefully my pride walls are coming down faster than they are going up. That's the idea anyway...
Anyway - at church today we had invited all the graduating seniors to come to the singles ward - to show them we aren't scary and it could be cool to hang out with us... and to worship too.
Overall, I feel like the day went really well. I still don't really have friends here - but that is probably more my fault than anything else, so I shouldn't complain. I just feel like it would take longer here to break into real friendships with them and I don't know how long I'll be here (obviously long enough I should try harder).
I feel like I recognize the Spirit now stronger in new ways, and less strongly in the ways I am used to, so it is hard for me to understand - so I turn to other sources to try to validate it either way.
We talked a lot about temples today and I feel like that is where I need to spend more time. I am running into a bit of a pride problem since I haven't been endowed yet, and feel really old and or stuck in the baptistery now. So, it was a good reminder to go back anyway.
I am much more comfortable in the background - going unnoticed - but keep finding myself either calling attention to me or having others point me out and I am not sure how I feel about it. And like life, I am finding it hard to understand what I want anymore.
Well, at church today I definitely felt the Spirit, and I was able to remember my Savior a little more clearly. Hopefully my pride walls are coming down faster than they are going up. That's the idea anyway...
Sunday, May 12, 2013
Do I Miss It?
Week 2 of my 'limited media as a cure for boredom' and I am feeling better off without it. I do miss being able to communicate with friends and family, but I feel so much more like me without it.
Also, at church today I was given a new calling. I am fairly excited about it - but my ego is already in full swing. People, I need to find a non-humiliating way to humble myself... I don't want it to 'hurt' but I do need to get better at this.
It was Mother's Day today and so my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin all came up - and we got to talk with my older brother - currently on a mission in Portland - a great day. My siblings and I worked hard to get a few surprises for Mom, though I think she suspected more than she let on, which is slightly depressing. Oh well.
I miss feeling 'at home' and 'belonging' - something I haven't really felt for over a year. But more importantly, I miss the joy of feeling grateful for the blessings in my life. I miss noticing the hand of the Lord in the big and little areas of my life, and I miss the security and hope I have when I am faithful.
I am definitely a work in progress, and I feel like I am still progressing further, which is great. So, I will try again tomorrow. :)
Also, at church today I was given a new calling. I am fairly excited about it - but my ego is already in full swing. People, I need to find a non-humiliating way to humble myself... I don't want it to 'hurt' but I do need to get better at this.
It was Mother's Day today and so my brother, his girlfriend, and my cousin all came up - and we got to talk with my older brother - currently on a mission in Portland - a great day. My siblings and I worked hard to get a few surprises for Mom, though I think she suspected more than she let on, which is slightly depressing. Oh well.
I miss feeling 'at home' and 'belonging' - something I haven't really felt for over a year. But more importantly, I miss the joy of feeling grateful for the blessings in my life. I miss noticing the hand of the Lord in the big and little areas of my life, and I miss the security and hope I have when I am faithful.
I am definitely a work in progress, and I feel like I am still progressing further, which is great. So, I will try again tomorrow. :)
Sunday, May 5, 2013
One Week
Hello again. It's been a week and it's miraculous the changes that have happened, I feel like I am living life again since last week's decision to step away from Facebook and similar distractions.
I am not sure at this point if I will step back into it or not - I do notice and appreciate the ability to stay in touch with my friends - but I feel like it would be too easy to step back in and let it distract me. So, luckily I have a little while to sort out what I want to do. I'll probably either do a limit like I do on TV viewing, or simply allow one day a week to catch up on events or announcements, or to send messages. We'll see.
Anyway, at church today - I learned it was Fast Sunday and I had totally forgotten. So - I will have to make it up either this week or next Sunday. But I have the desire to share my testimony here.
It is my belief that we are here to come to know God and we do that by striving to live deliberately and obediently, and to remember what we have already learned to apply it correctly. I know Jesus is the Christ, my Savior, and I know that He has a plan for me. I know that my brother is faithfully serving a mission in Portland, and I know that I am coming closer to Christ as I consciously choose to follow Him. I love the words of Isaiah and will continue to study them. I know the Book of Mormon was written and restored by God, and that through its teachings we will find peace and joy. I do know that President Monson is called of God to lead this church as His prophet today. I know that we, as mortals, and still children of God, make mistakes, often and obviously. I also know that repentance is real. The Atonement has truly worked miracles in my life and will continue to do so as I move forward. Prayer is a real power, as is gratitude. As we learn and apply these principles in our lives we will witness miracles, and I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
I am not sure at this point if I will step back into it or not - I do notice and appreciate the ability to stay in touch with my friends - but I feel like it would be too easy to step back in and let it distract me. So, luckily I have a little while to sort out what I want to do. I'll probably either do a limit like I do on TV viewing, or simply allow one day a week to catch up on events or announcements, or to send messages. We'll see.
Anyway, at church today - I learned it was Fast Sunday and I had totally forgotten. So - I will have to make it up either this week or next Sunday. But I have the desire to share my testimony here.
It is my belief that we are here to come to know God and we do that by striving to live deliberately and obediently, and to remember what we have already learned to apply it correctly. I know Jesus is the Christ, my Savior, and I know that He has a plan for me. I know that my brother is faithfully serving a mission in Portland, and I know that I am coming closer to Christ as I consciously choose to follow Him. I love the words of Isaiah and will continue to study them. I know the Book of Mormon was written and restored by God, and that through its teachings we will find peace and joy. I do know that President Monson is called of God to lead this church as His prophet today. I know that we, as mortals, and still children of God, make mistakes, often and obviously. I also know that repentance is real. The Atonement has truly worked miracles in my life and will continue to do so as I move forward. Prayer is a real power, as is gratitude. As we learn and apply these principles in our lives we will witness miracles, and I write these things in the name of Jesus Christ, amen.
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