Despite my efforts, I did not make it to church today. Which makes me really sad.
Yesterday, I hiked a lot and was very tired when I came home. So, I hurried and looked up directions on getting to the church, when Sacrament started, etc. And then I went to sleep.
I woke up before my alarm, and comfortably waited for it to go off - peacefully waking up.
Then, I got ready and reviewed the directions. I even wrote them all down on the sheet and made sure I had my bus fare ready to go.
After a while of walking (the stop was a ways away), I remembered that I probably ought to hurry a bit more than I was... So I picked up my pace. After a few confusing intersections, I found my bus stop.
Ten minutes later, I finally decided to see when the bus was supposed to come next. Then I saw it. My bus had come and went - less than a minute before I got to the stop. And it wouldn't come again for an hour. I thought leaving an hour and a half early would be enough time to get to church. Wrong.
Their meetings start with RS and Priesthood, ending with Sacrament, which is what I had planned on attending, so having the bus not come for an hour meant that I missed church entirely.
I found myself crying a bit. After my peaceful wake up, I struggled with going to church... I was comfortable, and I was only going to Sacrament anyway, was it worth the 3 GBP? As I thought about it, I began to remember how important it was for me to attend church, how it shapes my week and prepares me for the struggles ahead. So to be able to be there was painful for me.
I dedicated the rest of the day to watching the church's Bible Videos and CES Devotionals, I listened to hymns, and I prayed. I still am sad that I did not make it to church and I can feel the loss of not renewing my covenants - It has helped me wake up a bit in my faith and though I won't be at my fullest this week, I pray that the Spirit may still be with me, as I have felt it much more clearly throughout my adventures here in Europe. I am so grateful for repentance and the Atonement which enables me to press forward and become clean again.
Sunday, September 21, 2014
Sunday, September 14, 2014
London
I've made it to London - read on my other blog...
Here are my notes from Elder Bednar's and Elder Ballard's talks from the European Women's Meeting - that I am listening to as I write this. I live in Europe now... which is pretty sweet. It also means I get an extra two-hour meeting to watch the broadcast again.
False opposites and polar extremes surround us. How do I open my heart and truly listen, being united in faith - regardless of circumstance? I am not left out and ought to pay attention always, even if they don't spell out my situation exactly. Stay steady and strong, on the Lord's side. You are doing a great job. Simply be steady and good to those around you and the faith you hold.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ - cleanses us from sin - and it strengthens us to do good and become better. Do I pray like an object or an agent? Do I pray to be able to act for myself, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ? We are to act, not to be acted upon. "Make this go away" or "just give this to me" - or "Grant me strength" - we cannot do it on our own, but we can pray to be enabled to do something. That is such a crucial difference. How do I pray? Can I pray more like an agent?
Sometimes, all we want to do is to be obedient - and if we can pray to feel of God's love for us, we can find a way in faith. They are so loving and so strong, and we can find strength to keep going. Just come unto Christ. It does apply to you and you need it. It will come as we patiently wait upon the Lord and pray in faith.
Simple steadiness in obedience, will chase the darkness out of lives and countries, the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am loving listening to Elder Bednar testify of the leaders he works with. They know what is true and what we need. Be of good cheer. "I know Captain Moroni, I work with 14 of them every day. They are warriors."
Listen to their wise, simple counsel. Look to those who hold the keys of the priesthood. Work on being better in private than you are in public. Don't put on a show, be a genuine follower of Christ. Study and come to know Him - read of the Atonement in the Book of Mormon. Read it and look for the blessings that come from the Atonement. Come to find Him there. And you will find the strength to face what you need to face. Be strong and of good courage.
Why are we meeting? "We want to extend to you the personal love of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles." - as you study, think how "Christ loved and loves the women of the church." (especially in the New Testament). The first declaration that He was and is the Savior of the world was at Jacob's well, to a woman. We are so loved - Eve is the mother of all living. She took responsibility to fulfill a commandment. We are so loved. Let your heart feel that love, to feel the strength that comes from God. Mortality must come by experiencing the bad and the good. It is better to pass through sorrow that we may know the good. Experience is so crucial. The last few days have been so jam-packed with experience. It truly is the best teacher. Let yourself experience it, hold fast to the rod that comes from God, follow His prophets and open your heart to feel and recognize the Spirit.
Let your heart love those around you, those who came before you, and those who will follow after you. Do not limit your love to only those you have met. Pray for this help to love them more fully. Love is the essence of the gospel and the world could use more of it. Be a source of love here in London. Whatever challenge or circumstance - wherever you live or whatever you are doing - come to know Christ - who has the capacity and power to know and love you, to lift your burden, and that you can successfully experience mortality. Pray that you may come to know Him. This church is often held together by the women. See that you teach and lift those around you.
"I have been told you are coming" - God has prepared a way for you. Trust in Him enough to do all you can to move forward and have faith. Things will work out.You have strength enough - you are stronger than you know. Keep working hard and trust in good things to come, even if they aren't here yet (though, you are in pretty great times, so chin up. Remember to be grateful in any circumstance). Take a step forward. Work just a little harder to move a little forward. Your voices and efforts are needed. You have a great work to perform. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. He is our Father. That is who we are. We are blessed with the gospel. Be of good cheer. Come to know Them and Their leaders - as we follow them, I know we will come to know Christ and find strength through His Atonement and love for us. Help others to feel it, too.We know who God is, and we know we are sent here, by Him. We are so blessed. Remember that.
Never underestimate your worth, and remember to keep all things in proper balance - it is so easy to take things to extremes, to get lost in details. Pause a moment, catch your breath, relax, and remember to love and to feel love. Truth is true, and what really matters is our witness of truth - and our family. That is what matters. Learn to love them and take care of their work. Focus your work on the marvelous reality that this is the Church of JESUS CHRIST.
Europe Area Sisters Meeting September 2014 Well, that is what my thoughts were - feel free to watch it here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/europe-area-sisters-meeting/2014/09?lang=eng
Here are my notes from Elder Bednar's and Elder Ballard's talks from the European Women's Meeting - that I am listening to as I write this. I live in Europe now... which is pretty sweet. It also means I get an extra two-hour meeting to watch the broadcast again.
False opposites and polar extremes surround us. How do I open my heart and truly listen, being united in faith - regardless of circumstance? I am not left out and ought to pay attention always, even if they don't spell out my situation exactly. Stay steady and strong, on the Lord's side. You are doing a great job. Simply be steady and good to those around you and the faith you hold.
The Atonement of Jesus Christ - cleanses us from sin - and it strengthens us to do good and become better. Do I pray like an object or an agent? Do I pray to be able to act for myself, through the Atonement of Jesus Christ? We are to act, not to be acted upon. "Make this go away" or "just give this to me" - or "Grant me strength" - we cannot do it on our own, but we can pray to be enabled to do something. That is such a crucial difference. How do I pray? Can I pray more like an agent?
Sometimes, all we want to do is to be obedient - and if we can pray to feel of God's love for us, we can find a way in faith. They are so loving and so strong, and we can find strength to keep going. Just come unto Christ. It does apply to you and you need it. It will come as we patiently wait upon the Lord and pray in faith.
Simple steadiness in obedience, will chase the darkness out of lives and countries, the light of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ. I am loving listening to Elder Bednar testify of the leaders he works with. They know what is true and what we need. Be of good cheer. "I know Captain Moroni, I work with 14 of them every day. They are warriors."
Listen to their wise, simple counsel. Look to those who hold the keys of the priesthood. Work on being better in private than you are in public. Don't put on a show, be a genuine follower of Christ. Study and come to know Him - read of the Atonement in the Book of Mormon. Read it and look for the blessings that come from the Atonement. Come to find Him there. And you will find the strength to face what you need to face. Be strong and of good courage.
Why are we meeting? "We want to extend to you the personal love of the First Presidency and Quorum of the Twelve Apostles." - as you study, think how "Christ loved and loves the women of the church." (especially in the New Testament). The first declaration that He was and is the Savior of the world was at Jacob's well, to a woman. We are so loved - Eve is the mother of all living. She took responsibility to fulfill a commandment. We are so loved. Let your heart feel that love, to feel the strength that comes from God. Mortality must come by experiencing the bad and the good. It is better to pass through sorrow that we may know the good. Experience is so crucial. The last few days have been so jam-packed with experience. It truly is the best teacher. Let yourself experience it, hold fast to the rod that comes from God, follow His prophets and open your heart to feel and recognize the Spirit.
Let your heart love those around you, those who came before you, and those who will follow after you. Do not limit your love to only those you have met. Pray for this help to love them more fully. Love is the essence of the gospel and the world could use more of it. Be a source of love here in London. Whatever challenge or circumstance - wherever you live or whatever you are doing - come to know Christ - who has the capacity and power to know and love you, to lift your burden, and that you can successfully experience mortality. Pray that you may come to know Him. This church is often held together by the women. See that you teach and lift those around you.
"I have been told you are coming" - God has prepared a way for you. Trust in Him enough to do all you can to move forward and have faith. Things will work out.You have strength enough - you are stronger than you know. Keep working hard and trust in good things to come, even if they aren't here yet (though, you are in pretty great times, so chin up. Remember to be grateful in any circumstance). Take a step forward. Work just a little harder to move a little forward. Your voices and efforts are needed. You have a great work to perform. We are sons and daughters of the Most High God. He is our Father. That is who we are. We are blessed with the gospel. Be of good cheer. Come to know Them and Their leaders - as we follow them, I know we will come to know Christ and find strength through His Atonement and love for us. Help others to feel it, too.We know who God is, and we know we are sent here, by Him. We are so blessed. Remember that.
Never underestimate your worth, and remember to keep all things in proper balance - it is so easy to take things to extremes, to get lost in details. Pause a moment, catch your breath, relax, and remember to love and to feel love. Truth is true, and what really matters is our witness of truth - and our family. That is what matters. Learn to love them and take care of their work. Focus your work on the marvelous reality that this is the Church of JESUS CHRIST.
Europe Area Sisters Meeting September 2014 Well, that is what my thoughts were - feel free to watch it here: https://www.lds.org/broadcasts/watch/europe-area-sisters-meeting/2014/09?lang=eng
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