I have a beautiful Mom who is a fabulous example of constantly increasing in knowledge by study and prayer. She has challenged me several times in recent weeks to 'give my struggle to my Savior.' I am so grateful for Him! I am grateful for His life, His example of service and love. I know that He can make us whole, help us forgive, and He will carry our burden for us! My Mom encouraged me recently to write a letter with all my hurts, and then give it to Him. I took it outside, one particulary cloudy day, the rain stopped momentarily for me to have this little moment, and I burned that letter, giving all those hurts to Him. I am grateful for the physical reminder that I shouldn't carry hurt. I honestly have to say that I have been much better since. I have been able to approach difficult situations with a fresh outlook, willing to try harder, to be kind, and to remember that the Savior knows of my heart.
An amazing fellow blogger recently was asked to answer some questions about her faith, and one of them was if she had experienced dramatic events which had shaped her faith. Her answer was that her testimony had come through a series of events, rather than one experience. I immmediatey thought of several events I would have to say have shaped my life!
I was 14, and attended BYU with our ward youth group for Youth Conference that year. I didn't necessarily get along great with any of the girls in my ward. I had friends yes, but I didn't appreciate all the gossip, back biting, bad movies, boy friends they chose to participate in. Twice during that same year I had to leave a YW activity and walk home because they were watching a rated R movie as our YW activity! Not great kids or leaders! I remember this summer we were at BYU, with hundreds of other wards all gathered there for a Youth Conference put on by BYU so it was well organized, and then up to the individuals to participate or not. I am grateful for someone who was inspired to take our ward there! I remember sitting one afternoon in the Wilkinson Center Main Ballroom on the far East side of the room. I was among thousands of other youth, but I was alone - the only one from my ward there as the others were all 'too good' to attend this workshop. Michael McLean was the speaker. He was positioned on the stage with a piano. I remember looking around at all these kids, wishing I knew someone near, but I didn't. I don't remember how far into the program he was, but I will never forget when he sang "You're Not Alone!" I was immediately enveloped in an embrace of my Savior! I know that He was present, wrapping His loving arms around me! He communicated to my heart that I didn't need to follow the crowd of girls in my 'ward.' To this day I can sing the entire song, and feel the emotions well up inside me of His warm embrace! I am so grateful for His loving kindness, His unending love, and His sacrifice for me!
Personal Progress, Divine Nature goal #4 is about the Sacrament Prayers, baptismal covenants, and then requires that I practice something each day to recognize and further develop your divine qualities and help me to always remember the Lord Jesus Christ. After two weeks, I am to... record my experience :).
During recent months I have worked on relationships in my extended family. I want to not carry the burden of frustration and contention of 20 years of marriage. I want to have positive relations with all in my family. One enemy is too many, and I want to be as the Savior, and forgive and forget, moving to positive relationships despite hurt and attacks.
I decided several weeks ago, that I would place a special metal goblet by my kitchen sink, reminding me of the goblet the Savior might have used at his Passover meal. This goblet sits by my main sink in my kitchen, I drink of it daily, reminding me to partake of the love of the Savior. He gives to us, strength, love, compassion, healing, energy,... peace! I am so grateful for Him! When I remember the covenants I have made to take His name upon me, I have a desire to forgive, to be loving and kind, and to welcome peace to my home and life! I am grateful to have this reminder, and promise to continue to find ways to remember daily His sacrifice and love. I am grateful for the theme for this year to "Be Strong and of a Good Courage."
An amazing fellow blogger recently was asked to answer some questions about her faith, and one of them was if she had experienced dramatic events which had shaped her faith. Her answer was that her testimony had come through a series of events, rather than one experience. I immmediatey thought of several events I would have to say have shaped my life!
I was 14, and attended BYU with our ward youth group for Youth Conference that year. I didn't necessarily get along great with any of the girls in my ward. I had friends yes, but I didn't appreciate all the gossip, back biting, bad movies, boy friends they chose to participate in. Twice during that same year I had to leave a YW activity and walk home because they were watching a rated R movie as our YW activity! Not great kids or leaders! I remember this summer we were at BYU, with hundreds of other wards all gathered there for a Youth Conference put on by BYU so it was well organized, and then up to the individuals to participate or not. I am grateful for someone who was inspired to take our ward there! I remember sitting one afternoon in the Wilkinson Center Main Ballroom on the far East side of the room. I was among thousands of other youth, but I was alone - the only one from my ward there as the others were all 'too good' to attend this workshop. Michael McLean was the speaker. He was positioned on the stage with a piano. I remember looking around at all these kids, wishing I knew someone near, but I didn't. I don't remember how far into the program he was, but I will never forget when he sang "You're Not Alone!" I was immediately enveloped in an embrace of my Savior! I know that He was present, wrapping His loving arms around me! He communicated to my heart that I didn't need to follow the crowd of girls in my 'ward.' To this day I can sing the entire song, and feel the emotions well up inside me of His warm embrace! I am so grateful for His loving kindness, His unending love, and His sacrifice for me!
Personal Progress, Divine Nature goal #4 is about the Sacrament Prayers, baptismal covenants, and then requires that I practice something each day to recognize and further develop your divine qualities and help me to always remember the Lord Jesus Christ. After two weeks, I am to... record my experience :).
During recent months I have worked on relationships in my extended family. I want to not carry the burden of frustration and contention of 20 years of marriage. I want to have positive relations with all in my family. One enemy is too many, and I want to be as the Savior, and forgive and forget, moving to positive relationships despite hurt and attacks.
I decided several weeks ago, that I would place a special metal goblet by my kitchen sink, reminding me of the goblet the Savior might have used at his Passover meal. This goblet sits by my main sink in my kitchen, I drink of it daily, reminding me to partake of the love of the Savior. He gives to us, strength, love, compassion, healing, energy,... peace! I am so grateful for Him! When I remember the covenants I have made to take His name upon me, I have a desire to forgive, to be loving and kind, and to welcome peace to my home and life! I am grateful to have this reminder, and promise to continue to find ways to remember daily His sacrifice and love. I am grateful for the theme for this year to "Be Strong and of a Good Courage."