Regrets and Resolutions

Wow how sad, I haven't blogged in over a year!

                 Well I was inspired by our lesson on Sunday. It was on the General Conference talk Of Regrets and Resolutions by President Dieter F. Uchtdorf. It got me thinking and I must say the one thing that I have regret in my life is not publicly sharing my testimony on a regular basis. For one I guess I just assume people know that I have a strong testimony in the gospel of Jesus Christ, which may not always be true. Second my testimony is so sacred and special to me that I have a hard time opening myself up to the possibility of criticism for my belief in something that is so sacred to me. Third I really don't feel comfortable as the center of attention without a lot of mental preparation first. However I have learned recently that it is not good to assume, it doesn't matter if people criticize me, and sometime it is more important to share the message then to feel comfortable all the time.

So there is my regret. Here is my remedy.
                     I have a testimony of the gospel of Jesus Christ. I am so blessed to have a wonderful family, amazing husband, beautiful children and great supportive friends. I know that everything I have is a direct gift from my Heavenly Father. I know that he knows me personally and that he celebrates my joy and grieves for my sorrow. I have been going through some rough times in my family recently and I have never felt closer to my Heavenly Father. I have gone to him for the most random and very specific answers and have been given great inspiration and support. I could not have made it through these tough times with my testimony intact if it were not for the help and guidance from my Heavenly Father, or the support from the wonderful people that he has placed in my life. Our children are the greatest blessings that we have received in our family. Unfortunately I have gotten very overwhelmed lately which in turn has resulted in a "short fuse" with the kids. A wise man described it this way; it's like we're carrying a stick on our shoulders with a bucket on each end. One bucket is the Logistics of Life bucket the other is the Replenishment bucket Most of the time we are SO worried and get caught up in the logistics of our every day lives that we forget to replenish ourselves and those around us with encouraging thoughts and supportive feelings. Things get off balance, and we can lose our grip. I realized how true this principle is when I was on vacation a few weeks ago.
                   My children were with me visiting my parents and family, my daughter could not find something valuable to her. I was hustling and bustling to get things cleaned up and focused on the logistics of every day life. I turned around and found my dad teaching my 3 year old daughter that when she has lost something of value to her, and needs to find it, she can kneel down and pray for help and guidance from Heavenly Father, because as she so sweetly puts it, "Heavenly Father knows everything so he knows where my things are.". Within 5 minutes she had found her lost item and was so pleased she could hardly stand it. My dad then continued his lesson by telling her that once she has received the help from Heavenly Father that she asked for, she needed to also kneel down and pray thanking Heavenly Father for the help he has given. Since then she has lost a couple of things and every time she does she reminds me that "Heavenly Father knows where it is, lets say a prayer." So we do, and she finds what was lost, then she gets down on her knees and thanks Heavenly Father for the help she has been given.
                   What a truly humbling and (replenishing) experience. I was so caught up in the logistics of life that I forgot to take time to replenish my little girls spirit when she needed it. Thankfully I was around family that is ready and willing to step in when I have dropped the ball on such matters. It is an experience that I hope I don't soon forget, because I don't want to lose out on the opportunity to teach and replenish the little spirits that have been entrusted to my care. What a truly great blessing it is to be able to go to church every week and be spiritually uplifted and replenished. I have a testimony that the gospel of Jesus Christ is true and that he is the Savior of the world. I have a testimony that things happen for a reason and that through inspiration we can know the lessons Heavenly Father is trying to teach us. I have a testimony that people are put into our lives at specific times, for a reason, to help us through times of trial and heartache. I have a testimony of eternal perspective, and living so that we are open to the inspiration that someone needs replenishing. I pray that I can continually learn, grow and be humble and open to the things my Heavenly Father needs me to know. I have a testimony of Heavenly Father and Jesus Christ and I am a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints.

Parenting!

What a great way to get some perspective! Oh the sweet little spirit of a child!

I've been slacking!

Sorry....Yes I know I have been slacking. I recently thought I should try going back to school......hehe yeah with 2 children under the age of 3 it has not been easy. I am back and I may not be the most consistent but I am working on it and hopefully the quality of the blog when I do get it done will make up for it.

July Art

So I have felt particularlly touched by art in my life and I wanted to share some of my favorite pieces. So I will be picking a few art pieces each month to share with you and would like to know if you can share any of your favorites as well.

This month my favorites are....

Against the Wind by Liz Lemon Swindle. Scripture that goes along with this is Matthew 14:31 Jesus stretched forth his hand, and caught him, O thou of little faith, wherefore didst thou doubt?

Rather fitting for this first Value!

Also

Be Not Afraid by Greg Olsen, reminds us that even if we lose our way, we are not lost. The Good Shepherd watches over us, even in our darkest hours, to show us the way whenever we reach out to Him in faith. "Like children who have lost their way, alone and comfortless we wander... Then, like a rushing wind, a voice whispers to our heart. And through tear-filled eyes, we see an outstretched hand, there to lead us home. Though swirling streams may block our way and slippery stones betray our feet, He leads us on. He knows the way, His feet are sure, and in Him we find safe passage."

Faith VE #2 The Goal

The second VE for our first Value is;

Discover the principles of faith taught by the mothers of Helaman's stripling warriors.

Read Scriptures: Alma 56:46-48 and 57:21.

Review what “The Family: A Proclamation to the World” says about a mother’s role.

With a mother, grandmother, or leader, discuss the qualities a woman needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths.

How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful woman, wife, and mother?

Record your thought in your journal.

“The Family: A Proclamation to the World” can be found on the church website www.lds.org or by following this link: http://lds.org/family/proclamation?lang=eng

For Men: This is a goal that is centered on motherhood because this is a program designed for the young women in our church, however you can still learn about the faith of the mothers described in the scriptures.

The proclamation has the role of fathers as well so please read that.

With a father, grandfather, or leader discuss the qualities a man needs in order to teach children to have faith and to base their decisions on gospel truths.

How can these principles help you in your life today and help you prepare to be a faithful man, husband, and father?

Record your thought in your journal.

Faith VE#1 Talk #3

Here are some of my thoughts and favorite point on the last talk I read, Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ by Elder Kevin W Pearson given in the April 2009 General Conference. I loved the other 2 talks I read but I have to admit that listening to this talk it struck me more than either of the other 2 talks. Which I thought kind of funny because I wasn’t sure I why I picked this talk I just typed Faith in the search bar and this was one on the first talks that caught my eye. It just goes to show you that Heavenly Father is ready to give you the guidance you need when you are ready and willing to hear it.

·         True faith must be centered in Jesus Christ.

·         Faith is a principle of action and power.

·         Obedience to the gospel principles develops complete trust in him.

·         There is nothing else that can provide us with the same peace, joy and hope as the gospel.

·         “In uncertain and difficult times, faith is truly a spiritual gift worthy of our utmost efforts.”

·         We can provide all the material things in the world to our children but without giving them faith in Jesus Christ we give them very little.

·         “If we desire more faith, we must be more obedient.”

·         Faith and fear cannot coexist.

·         Doubt, discouragement, distraction, lack of diligence, disobedience, and disbelief are the “six destructive Ds” they all erode and destroy faith.

All of the quotations in this were taken straight from the talk Faith in the Lord Jesus Christ given by Elder Kevin W. Pearson in the April 2009 General Conference. This can be found on the church website at www.lds.org  

I have learned a lot doing this Value Experience. I know this will be an ongoing project of mine. I am hoping that you will be uplifted in some way even if you are just reading this and not doing the VE along with me. If you are doing them then I am curious…

Did you read the same talks? If not which talks did you read?

What are some of your favorite things you learned or remembered about faith?

Do you have any suggestions to improve my blog?

Do you have a suggestion for an “extra credit” spiritual experience? If so please let me know

Faith VE#1 Talk #2

Here are my thoughts on the 2nd talk I read; Faith—the Choice is Yours by Elder Richard C. Edgley also given in October 2010 General Conference. Since I found out that some of Elder Scotts talk was not in the recording I paid particular attention to the content in the text and recording as I listened. This talk actually does have all of its text in the recording. These are some of my favorite points.

·       Our faith in God and our hope in the future are being attacked by the many mixed messages Satan has planted in our world.

·       “This might be the reality of our world, but we can still choose how we react to it. When our sacred doctrine and beliefs are challenged, this is our opportunity to become acquainted with God in a most private and intimate manner. This is our opportunity to choose.”

·       Faith is not a gift given without thought desire, or effort.

·       “The Savior said, “Come unto me” (Matthew 11:28) and “Knock, and it shall be [given] you” (Matthew 7:7). These are action verbs—come, knock. They are choices.”

·       We can choose faith over doubt, fear, and pessimism.

·       We are responsible for our own faith or lack thereof.

·       We cannot know all of the intricacies of Heavenly Fathers plan but we can know the important simple gospel truths.

·       With the things we know and the faith in Heavenly Father we can bridge the gap and receive his blessings.

·       Our faith needs constant nourishment through scripture study, prayer, and action.

·       “When the disciples asked Jesus why they could not cast a devil out as they had just witnessed the Savior do, Jesus answered, “If ye have faith as a grain of mustard seed, ye shall say unto this mountain, Remove hence to yonder place; and it shall remove” (Matthew 17:20). I have never witnessed the removal of an actual mountain. But because of faith I have seen a mountain of doubt and despair removed and replaced with hope and optimism. Because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of sin replaced with repentance and forgiveness. And because of faith I have personally witnessed a mountain of pain replaced with peace, hope, and gratitude. Yes, I have seen mountains removed.”

I love the faith described in this talk, it is the faith I strive for every day.

What did you learn?! What was your favorite part?!

 All of the quotations in this are taken straight from the talk Faith—the Choice is Yours by Elder Richard C. Edgley also given in October 2010 General Conference. This can be found on the church website www.lds.org

Faith VE#1 Talk #1

Here are my thoughts on the 1^st talk I read;  The Transforming Power of Faith and Character by Elder Richard G. Scott given in October 2010 General Conference. Now I first listened to this online and followed along with the talk on paper however, I did not know this but there is so much more content in the talk than what we hear when we listen in conference or online afterwards. So I went back and read through the parts that we did not get to hear and this is just some of my favorite points Elder Scott makes.

·         True faith can help you discover hidden characteristics and traits that can transform your life.

·         Faith in the Savior is a principle of action and power.

·         “Faith in the future is demonstrated by a couple sealed in the temple…. They recognize that when the challenges intended to be growth opportunities come, they will find ways, as prompted by the Holy Ghost, to overcome them in ways that are productive and character building.” (I need to remember that one when my husband and I disagree.)

·         “Faith and character are intimately related.” Faith in obedience to God will give you strength of character when you need it.

·         Character is not developed in the middle of a great challenge unless it was already present before the trial.

·         Challenges are when your character is meant to be used.

·         “Righteous character is more valuable than any material object you own.”

·         “Neither Satan nor any other power can destroy or undermine your growing character. Only you could do that through disobedience.”

·         Thank God for the struggles you go through before you get the help you were looking for because that is when your character is growing.

·         “The bedrock of character is integrity.”

·         “An axiom we all understand is that you get what you pay for. That is true for spiritual matters as well. You get what you pay for in obedience, in faith in Jesus Christ, in diligent application of the truths you learn. What you get is the molding of character, the growth in capacity, and the successful completion of your mortal purpose to be proven and to have joy.”

·         “You cannot be passive in life, or in time the natural man will undermine your efforts to live worthily.”

·         “The devil will not triumph. Even now he must operate within the bounds set by the Lord. He cannot take away any blessing that has been earned. He cannot alter character that has been woven from righteous decisions. He has no power to destroy the eternal bonds forged in a holy temple between a husband, wife, and children. He cannot quench true faith. He cannot take away your testimony. Yes, these things can be lost by succumbing to his temptations. But he has no power in and of himself to destroy them.”

This is one of the best talks I love this so much. I know there are more quotations than thoughts of my own but I really could not have said it any better than Elder Scott already did.

What did you learn?! What was your favorite part?!

All of the quotations in this are taken straight from the talk The Transforming Power of Faith and Character by Elder Richard G. Scott given in October 2010 General Conference. This can be found on the church website www.lds.org

Faith VE #1 Scripture Thoughts

So I tried to do this Goal for our family home evening however, I have a 2 year old and she can’t sit still for much of anything. So I waited until my children were in bed, turned on some soothing music, and started my scripture reading. Here are a few things I either learned or already knew but needed to hear again:

·         Without faith it is impossible to please God, those that seek God must believe that he will reward them for consistently seeking him.( Hebrews 11:6)

·         We must have faith even throughout our trials and suffering because without our trials and suffering we cannot be perfected.  (Hebrews 11:40)

·         Faith is destroyed by disbelief. (Alma 32:28)

·         When your faith in something grows it becomes a perfect knowledge, and your faith is dormant. (Alma 32:34)

·         Once you have faith, diligence and patience you will see rewards and blessings. (Alma 32:43)

·         If you do not have faith God cannot perform miracles for you, he blesses you only after you have shown him you have faith. (Ether 12:12)

·         When we have so much faith in God he cannot hide himself or his blessings from us. (Ether 12:21)

·         We can either be in “darkness and confusion” or ask of God ourselves. (JSH 1:13)

So once again this is just a few of the things that I liked about these scriptures. I already feel the love that Heavenly Father shares with us through the scriptures. I cannot wait to continue I am getting so excited about this journey! What did you learn?