tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-65628767398387502622024-03-18T09:02:33.716-07:00Spiritually-Minded MotherhoodLove of God • Love of Learning • Love of SelfUnknownnoreply@blogger.comBlogger555125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-24325322075018821522024-03-18T09:01:00.000-07:002024-03-18T09:01:35.868-07:00Fact: God is Love<p></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZIKOCgQCXSsppTzHvDK_Qpaot5xocfrgcKO4NxXO1hOOZb6WjoBEea0QcmxaZmQ9QECgmedfZYAYzCeF97wSRoChc4AlePYl5so5s-XPgVabef4yhFhPAICgBAlzEhCIXO5A06KbApJqXomZDGyvTK4l0ltFEnIyYi8tVFXbLKm9GZncCZ9FE0pmJv9g/s3115/IMG_2021.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2586" data-original-width="3115" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtZIKOCgQCXSsppTzHvDK_Qpaot5xocfrgcKO4NxXO1hOOZb6WjoBEea0QcmxaZmQ9QECgmedfZYAYzCeF97wSRoChc4AlePYl5so5s-XPgVabef4yhFhPAICgBAlzEhCIXO5A06KbApJqXomZDGyvTK4l0ltFEnIyYi8tVFXbLKm9GZncCZ9FE0pmJv9g/s16000/IMG_2021.jpeg" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p>The other night at the dinner table, we were talking about onions.</p><p>My 12-year old refuses to eat onions and was complaining about the opinions in his spaghetti. </p><p>My 16-year old exclaimed, “Onions are so good!” </p><p>To which my 6-year old piped up, “That’s an opinion…. Want me to tell you a fact?” </p><p>“Sure.” I was intrigued by his involvement in the conversation. </p><p>“Dogs bark.” He said. </p><p>Fast forward a couple of days. We were talking to our missionary daughter and I was relaying the story about Donovan sharing facts and opinions. </p><p>Addie asked, “So, Donovan, what is a fact about God.” </p><p>“A fact about God?! He loves us!!” Without a beat, this truth was spoken!</p><p> And I thought: Why do little children know this so surely? Why do we forget this truth as time passes? </p><p>Last night the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints held a worldwide broadcast for the Relief Society sisters. Listen to these messages: </p><p><br /></p><p><i>“He loves you and desires to be a part of your life and your concerns, your happiness, your decisions. Jesus Christ desires to give you His relief.” — Sister Kristin M. Yee</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>“He will never abandon [the covenant] relationship.” — Sister J. Annette Dennis</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>“You are precious daughters of God.” — Sister Camille N. Johnson</i></p><p><i><br /></i></p><p><i>“I know how much the Lord loves you and depends upon you…. Never underestimate the power you have within you.” — President Russel M. Nelson</i></p><p><br /></p><p>As I sat in that room, hearing of God’s love for His daughters, I was struck with a similar thoughts as before: <i>Every speaker spoke of God’s love multiple times. Why do we need to hear this so much in one night? Why don’t we know this already? </i></p><p>The answer is: we do forget. </p><p>As our innocence fades and experiences become memories, we forget. It becomes easier to listen to the wrong voices, to believe the wrong thoughts, and to adopt false beliefs about ourselves and those around us. We don’t always have the tangible arms of a loving mother to hold us while we cry, to share in our sorrows, and to lend comfort in the form of a chocolate chip cookie! At some point in our lives it becomes our turn to give ourselves the care and love we need by turning to the Savior and asking for <i>His</i> relief. </p><p>Because in reality — God is love. </p><p>To have more God in our lives, we love. </p><p>When we love, we have more God in our lives. </p><p>This is a fact. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">- - - - - </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>And we have known and believe the love that God hath to us. </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>God is love; </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and he that dwells in love dwells in God, </i></span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;"><i>and God in him. </i></span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: large;">1 John 4:</span></b><b><span style="font-size: large;">16</span></b></i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-76813501383281716042024-02-19T16:01:00.000-08:002024-02-19T16:02:42.050-08:00After the Manner of Happiness <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2ycnF-AM6GHchSemKlX9dtPlZnqJlqBHLw7tRYoBkfJmN3HCiQ1PNo3hn6vtL8yPR7y5qhSt2ud3MXojUqhT7wf21rYQcGnSCNkk1Jz7Nhys0EwcPs97VVB2J3nUumlADcABR1AQYYVgsv7LnaZXfMCswc1MdiHydxpnbP_64RGzK99HKyCxsR0dQ4je/s4032/IMG_0578.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEim2ycnF-AM6GHchSemKlX9dtPlZnqJlqBHLw7tRYoBkfJmN3HCiQ1PNo3hn6vtL8yPR7y5qhSt2ud3MXojUqhT7wf21rYQcGnSCNkk1Jz7Nhys0EwcPs97VVB2J3nUumlADcABR1AQYYVgsv7LnaZXfMCswc1MdiHydxpnbP_64RGzK99HKyCxsR0dQ4je/s16000/IMG_0578.jpeg" /></a></div><br /></div><p>What are some of your favorite things? What makes you happy? </p><p>A few of my favorite things: Books — reading and learning, Crio Bru — we call it “choffee” at our house, pickleball, yoga, my journals and writing, the scriptures — I especially love finding cool connection in the scriptures!</p><p>So, in reading the Book of Mormon this year I asked, what are some of Nephi’s favorite things? </p><p>“For my soul delighteth in the scriptures, and my heart pondereth them…my soul delighteth in the things of the Lord…(1 Nephi 4:15-16).”</p><p>Later we learn that Nephi “in the words of Isaiah (2 Ne. 25).”</p><p>In Isaiah we learn the Lord’s favorite things: “for the Lord delighteth in thee…(Isaiah 62:4).”</p><p>Soul Salvation - as my young Sunday School student would say. The Lord delights in the salvation of our souls. In fact He states, “This is my work and my glory to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man (Moses 1:39).” </p><p>We are His favorite things! YOU are His favorite thing! </p><p>Soul Salvation! The soul is both our physical and our spiritual beings joined together. God cares about the welfare of our souls — both the physical and the spiritual. He delights in the things we righteously delight in! </p><p>When Nephi cried unto the Lord for mercy, He declared, in essence, that God was His favorite thing as well. “O Lord, I have trusted in thee, and I will trust in thee forever (2 Ne. 4:34).” </p><p>With that trust in the Lord, Nephi asks for help in delivery from his enemies (v. 31). After much tribulation, more struggles and a lot of fear, Nephi takes those who will follow him and they flee into the wilderness. Once they find a place to rest, they establish a community. The scriptures then state, “And it came to pass that we lived after the manner of happiness (2 Ne. 5:27).” </p><p>What is happiness? In 2 Nephi 2:13 we read: </p><p><i>And if ye shall say there is no law, ye shall also say there is no sin. If ye shall say there is no sin, ye shall also say there is no righteousness. <b>And if there be no righteousness there be no happiness. And if there be no righteousness nor happiness there be no punishment nor misery. </b>And if these things are not there is no God. And if there is no God we are not, neither the earth; for there could have been no creation of things, neither to act nor to be acted upon; wherefore, all things must have vanished away.</i></p><p>This new Nephite community knew what it would take for happiness. “…I, Nephi, did cause my people to be industrious, and to labor with their hands (2 Ne. 5:17).” They built buildings, raised animals, sowed seeds, and worked the land — hard, physical labor. They also built a temple and Nephi established priesthood power — giving space for their spiritual welfare as well. This signifies the Lord doesn’t only care about <i>individual</i> soul salvation, but <i>community</i> soul salvation as well! </p><p>Going back to your favorite things — what brings you happiness? What did the Nephites have that brought their community together in a state of happiness? What did they do? Elder Rasband has us ask the question a little differently: What matters to you? (See CR Nov. 2021) </p><p>Happiness doesn’t come only by immersing ourselves in our favorite things. Happiness comes through putting effort into the things that matter to us — our favorite things. Without effort, there would be no happiness. The one thing He asks is that we make <i>Him</i> our favorite. Nephi delighted in the things of the Lord. Do we? The Nephite community made space and gave effort to the things of the Lord. Do we? </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">* * * * * </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;">“Delight thyself also in the Lord; and he shall give thee the desires of thine heart.” </p><p style="text-align: center;"> — Psalm 37:4</p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-1585429910727480982022-08-04T10:16:00.000-07:002022-08-04T10:16:01.265-07:00Hanging out with Me!<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLN2-pLQnaiLV8_6rVxX1XLYDdKVUVGSXmkrGxWcVW4zJEY0d8xB95hC2562JhjvsjBo28DKzbtLuK3XV3MRojU-Vecl_zo7IVcO19Zy0cUhphz7KNSxdCCSp9A4Tm3x8-getdUfY7y7adgxv7O0pjTB1Qsu--NC8NP1DCnRCMOtYNyH5MxvdblpDyw/s4032/image.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhcLN2-pLQnaiLV8_6rVxX1XLYDdKVUVGSXmkrGxWcVW4zJEY0d8xB95hC2562JhjvsjBo28DKzbtLuK3XV3MRojU-Vecl_zo7IVcO19Zy0cUhphz7KNSxdCCSp9A4Tm3x8-getdUfY7y7adgxv7O0pjTB1Qsu--NC8NP1DCnRCMOtYNyH5MxvdblpDyw/w640-h480/image.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Anyone else out there have anxiety when they find themselves with a morning all alone!? </p><p>My hubby has meetings in Salt Lake today and so we stayed overnight in a hotel in the city. I was so excited to wake up and have a quiet morning all to myself! </p><p>Strangely, I woke up with anxiety! </p><p><i>What am I going to do?!</i></p><p>Do I lay in bed all morning reading or watching Netflix? </p><p>Do I get productive and work on my yoga teacher training or write a blog post? (Ha!)</p><p>Do I actually shower and get dressed to take a stroll around the big city, do a little shopping? (I mean, we’re right by the mall and I’m from Rexburg!!)</p><p>Waking up this morning I suddenly didn’t know what to do in this space! The quiet felt strange and uncomfortable. How do I hang out with me?! </p><p>Well, I am starting to understand one thing about myself — when I start to spiral into an anxious mind, I need to get to work. I don’t mean that in the sense of “productivity” or “busyness.” I mean, I just need to do <i>something</i>. I need to make a choice and act. </p><p>So, I did. I got up. Put my yoga clothes on and went in search for breakfast (no continental here). The only real option was the fancy lobby restaurant, so I went in. I just sat at my table and ate while listening to a group of business people chat about their work (yes, I felt a little out of place). </p><p>Back in the room I took a shower while listening to an interview with Elder Bednar. Interestingly enough, he was talking about how acting brings power, not the other way around. </p><p>And then I started a blog post (not this one). </p><p>At 9:30 I knew there was a live session for my yoga teacher training. Getting into a live session at home is pretty tricky because there are too many distractions, so I seized the opportunity and logged on. </p><p>I am so glad I tuned into that session! At first, the topic seemed a bit inapplicable to me. But I stayed. Admittedly, I started to think about other things. But about halfway through people started to share their stories. The lead trainer began to talk about how she’s been practicing yoga teaching for twenty years and still is having ah-ha moments and reminders of how to truly practice. </p><p>Another woman opened up. She said Thursday meetings don’t usually work for her, but today she felt the need to get on the call to share her story. She had had a difficult night in tears, but when she woke up this morning her thoughts were on Victor Frankl. She felt renewed energy thinking of this man who experienced great struggle in concentrations camps and was still able to have positive perspective on his life. </p><p>This led to a gal sharing her story. It was her birthday a couple of days ago, 45 years old. She happened to see a post by her husband on Instagram — it was a picture of her — and she was mortified. “Who is that old woman,” she thought. And her self-berating started to flood in. Then, she heard a voice ask, “Why don’t you ask him what he sees in that picture and why he posted it?” And so she did. And he said, “I see warmth. I see love. And I see beauty.” She then had a big ol’ cry session and stayed with herself until she felt that love. </p><p>One last story. A woman, a young mom with <i>Peppa</i> <i>Pig</i> playing in the background, shared about her morning and how she was just feeling crummy. She saw that is was raining outside and decided to just go play in the rain. It was in that moment that she knew she liked herself! She liked that she was loud and that she thought she was funny. She <i>liked</i> herself. </p><p>These stories had me in tears by the end. I thought about my own morning, my own anxieties and moments of indecision. And I decided that no matter what I do this morning, I like myself! I do. I like spending time with <i>me</i>! </p><p>And this idea of “staying with yourself” in moments of struggle is so powerful! In those moments when maybe someone or something is trying to tell us we don’t like ourselves, just stay there and be there to give love. Hearing stories of others feeling such love is powerful, meaningful and oh so needed! </p><p>I also recognized God’s hand in each of these stories. </p><p>He is so real! </p><p>He is aware and alive in our lives. </p><p>He is Love. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">- - - - - </span></b></p><ol class="verses" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); clear: both; color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; list-style: none; margin: 0px 0px 16px; overflow: hidden; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><div style="font-size: 13px; text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -10px;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: left;"><span style="text-indent: -10px;"><i>All the hopes that sweetly start</i></span></div><li style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; float: left; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px 0px 20px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline; width: 327.265625px;"><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>From the fountain of the heart,</i></p><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>All the bliss that ever comes</i></p><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>To our earthly human homes</i></p><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>All the voices from above</i></p><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i>Sweetly whisper: God is love.</i></p><p class="line" data-aid="128072336" id="figure1_p13" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 20px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px 0px 0px 10px; text-align: left; text-indent: -10px; vertical-align: baseline;"><i> - - - Thomas R. Taylor, 1807–1835, alt</i></p></li></ol><div class="citation-info" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; caret-color: rgb(51, 51, 51); color: #333333; font-family: "Open Sans", sans-serif; font-size: 13px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><p data-aid="128072344" id="figure1_p21" style="border: 0px; box-sizing: border-box; line-height: 22.100000381469727px; margin: 0px; padding: 0px; vertical-align: baseline;"><br /></p></div><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-31194926562433197902022-07-29T08:33:00.004-07:002022-07-29T08:33:39.186-07:00Motherhood: What is my Reason? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGN2AWni2nuZo_cKJR5DaRdylYY2S9IGmN7TvTjmQ_KtS1XlOCLPGa63yR__Adu6YcUq4W49f8Gvpc_OyV1b1DtRAOPpoM3DZ37tO4svqgbCn2UGLG1ME7laxhDYs5fLNUl5epO46d-iPRrJ7UGbzZrUoymR25r9Q-IBD-dgjVpoMRVv8nOP_TV1kWQ/s5415/DA425078-B84D-4363-BC92-A8AA2A651ABE.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3610" data-original-width="5415" height="427" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjcGN2AWni2nuZo_cKJR5DaRdylYY2S9IGmN7TvTjmQ_KtS1XlOCLPGa63yR__Adu6YcUq4W49f8Gvpc_OyV1b1DtRAOPpoM3DZ37tO4svqgbCn2UGLG1ME7laxhDYs5fLNUl5epO46d-iPRrJ7UGbzZrUoymR25r9Q-IBD-dgjVpoMRVv8nOP_TV1kWQ/w640-h427/DA425078-B84D-4363-BC92-A8AA2A651ABE.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I recently listened to a speech given byTruman G. Madsen entitled, “<a href="https://speeches.byu.edu/talks/truman-g-madsen/joy-lord-strength-nehemiah-810/">The Joy of the Lord is Your Strength.”</a> That phrase is from Nehemiah, our current <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/manual/come-follow-me?lang=eng">Come, Follow Me </a>readings. I took so many gems from this great talk and have been pondering it every since. One excerpt was extremely profound to me: </p><p><i>Each of us has some control over finding joy. To paraphrase Elder Marion D. Hanks: “No matter how we live, there will be pain in this world. But misery is optional.” Think about it. Christ is against selfishness and sin—not because He is the giant spoilsport, but the other way around. He is against sin and selfishness because He is against despondency and melancholy and morbidity. He is against the shrinking of our capacity for fulfillment. On this He is the world’s leading expert. He knows. As the book of Hebrews has it, “For the joy that was set before him [He] endured the cross” (Hebrews 12:2). <b>Whose joy did He envision? Ours. He saw beyond our sins and stupidities and our clumsy mistakes. He knows what we have within us to become. And having paid the awful price in blood, He is entitled to alert us to reality. This changes the kinds of questions we ask of life. Instead of “What’s in it for me?” we ask, “What’s in it for those I love or should love?”</b></i></p><p>This quote totally made me think of motherhood!! It made me wonder, “Why did I want to become a mother?” </p><p>Did I become a mother to fulfill my own purpose? Partially. </p><p>Did I become a mother because it was the next step in life? Maybe to some degree. </p><p>Was I thinking of the beautiful creative powers I’d been given and God’s edict to multiply and replenish the earth? I was so young when my mothering journey began, I’m not sure I really did think about this. </p><p>Did I become a mother for THEM? For my children? Or did I become a mother for my own selfish reasons. </p><p>Oftentimes, as mothers, I think we do think it’s all about us. When my kids make choices that don’t align with my own testimony or principles, I sometimes think it’s because I did something wrong. When my children need a course correction, I think it’s my job to “fix” them or make them do something to fix the path they’re taking. Motherhood can become very personal, very fast (especially as our children enter the young adult sphere). But’s it’s not about ME! </p><p>THEY are the reason! </p><p>It’s easy to think I’m correcting my children or helping my children “out of love,” but I really need to check my heart and be sure that LOVE is truly the motive. </p><p>Another excerpt from Madsen: </p><p><i>All of the children were brought forward and were completely comfortable in His presence. He then said, “Blessed are ye because of your faith. <b>And now behold, my joy is full”</b> (3 Nephi 17:20). This is the only place in scripture that I know of where He spoke of His own fulness of joy. When He had said these words, He wept. And with exquisite tenderness He scooped the little children up one by one and blessed them as the parents and grown-up children beheld. (Truman G. Madsen… look this up…his joy was full after He blessed the children…??)</i></p><p>What was it about blessing the children that made Christ’s joy full? </p><p>He loved them. Truly, deeply, wholeheartedly. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_arPRePVM2JpDdIuLeJhMABjqFsMR68pwCc7aORJHy7yqNtO4IQ6SiYp-LO36cEUhNMUXYXHXhLW6sVxLUC-ARfjpb3_l7tLXZAMZDFIYJeThZ4PECOLcpalmjKFlEZmenZhps9wtIwsQjG-UvsRlcP0Y-EmoTWUpoFs5fbbuz0VNvTqGhVEa3tEwQ/s1440/0E622F0E-C48D-4476-9825-9C3641F04DAF.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1440" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiZ_arPRePVM2JpDdIuLeJhMABjqFsMR68pwCc7aORJHy7yqNtO4IQ6SiYp-LO36cEUhNMUXYXHXhLW6sVxLUC-ARfjpb3_l7tLXZAMZDFIYJeThZ4PECOLcpalmjKFlEZmenZhps9wtIwsQjG-UvsRlcP0Y-EmoTWUpoFs5fbbuz0VNvTqGhVEa3tEwQ/w640-h640/0E622F0E-C48D-4476-9825-9C3641F04DAF.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>I want this kind of love for my children. And I think the best way to get there is to get out of the way myself! I can stop making it about me — my failings and imperfections, or even my greatness — and “[see] beyond [their] sins and stupidities and [their] clumsy mistakes.” Because they are my reason for becoming a mother and through them, because of them, I can have a fullness of joy. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">- - - - - - </span></b></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Wherefore, my beloved brethren, pray unto the Father with all the energy of heart, that ye may be filled with this love, which he hath bestowed upon all who are true followers of his Son, Jesus Christ; that ye may become the sons of God; that when he shall appear we shall be like him, for we shall see him as he is; that we may have this hope; that we may be purified even as he is pure. Amen. — Moroni 7:48</i></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-83526180136716101522022-07-26T07:00:00.011-07:002022-07-26T07:00:00.197-07:00My Yoga Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaDtSoyM3swsCgbuT6zvKPTXd5wIbGlVpiv9jG6djIH58Wn7JsfT6cu7tX16pcPoF-RVRCjzVCXlzo5z0Mf5f9r6ITRovc8KjxXMw2cab9LLa-ik_RHoUZKS0EhTAgHYr1C-LoMoqge6jxbYIHGnmDyZYnBK-RAzYv2ArGddiNIjmcjY_v77f1iLnuQ/s4032/92B48C77-DB79-4824-9C72-BE8C81373C3A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjEaDtSoyM3swsCgbuT6zvKPTXd5wIbGlVpiv9jG6djIH58Wn7JsfT6cu7tX16pcPoF-RVRCjzVCXlzo5z0Mf5f9r6ITRovc8KjxXMw2cab9LLa-ik_RHoUZKS0EhTAgHYr1C-LoMoqge6jxbYIHGnmDyZYnBK-RAzYv2ArGddiNIjmcjY_v77f1iLnuQ/w640-h480/92B48C77-DB79-4824-9C72-BE8C81373C3A.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p> I have been thinking of doing this for ages and now I’m right in the thick of it! </p><p>I am enrolled in a Yoga Teacher Training (YTT) course online and I am loving it! Right now I am working on my 200 hour certification and plan on moving forward to my 300 hour when I finish. We are in the process of renovating a room in our house to use as a (very tiny) studio (EEK!). I am in love with this path! </p><p>Maybe not interesting to anyone but myself, I feel the desire to write my yoga story. </p><p>Since pregnant with my second baby (20 years ago!), I’ve had some back pain. Nothing major, at first, just some aches and stiffness. But I kind of chalked it up to, “Everyone has back pain” and kept on with my life. </p><p>Fast forward several years. A dear friend of mine introduced me to a “real” yoga studio. I had dabbled in yoga through the local recreation center, but this was different. The mood was set, the expectations were clear, the stretching felt oh so good. However, at that time I couldn’t justify spending the money on a studio experience. So, I told my friend, “Thanks for the invite.” And that was that. </p><p>Probably a year or so later, catastrophe struck. The morning after speaking at a church event in March of 2013, I kneeled to say my morning prayers. When I moved to stand up, I pain shot through my back. I quickly laid down on the floor, hoping the kink would go away quickly. Each time I tried to stand or move, the same sharp pain would shoot up my back. I could not stand! J had already left for work. My kids were sleeping. I couldn’t really call for help. </p><p>I tried inching myself to the doorway of the room I was in. Very slowly, I moved nice by inch. Finally, I decided to call for help. I don’t fully remember all the details from there. I’m pretty sure my daughter was the first to find me. I think we tried to get me off the floor a few times, but to no avail. I had not choice at that point but to have the kids call J and tell him he needed to come home. </p><p>When J arrived, he found me still laying on the floor, tears flowing freely. I could not move! I told him that I thought if he helped me stand, I would be okay. I was wrong! The instant he got me into a vertical position, pain shot through my whole entire body. The only option was to call 9-1-1. An ambulance came. The medics strapped me to a board. I refused any pain medication because I wanted to be able to tell the doctors what was happening, what I was feeling. Once I was able to describe my pain, the jabbed me with some morphine and I was able to relax. </p><p>Things get pretty anticlimactic here. After hours of tests, x-rays, (an MRI?) — the doctor had no answer for me (that I can remember). I was sent home and told to basically be on bed rest for 10-14 days. </p><p> I’m not a big medicine person and, as I said, there was really nothing wrong with me, so yoga seemed to be the best option. This time I committed to bringing my body back to health. After three months of weekly yoga and less sugar I could feel the positive effects. Even J was astonished, “It’s like you’re back to your old self!” From that day on, I was sold on yoga! </p><p>As the year continued I wanted more and more of it! The cost of it seemed much more viable (and necessary) at that point. The studio I had attended with my friend had grown and moved a couple of times. It was a beautiful environment and a great community. I found myself feeling so strong — emotionally, physically, emotionally! </p><p>And then we moved. I lost my yoga community in the transition. And though I tried to keep what I had learned, years passed and I slowly got out of practice. </p><p>Now here we are , 2022, and I felt ready to begin the yoga teaching journey for myself. I had looked into online programs in the past, just toying with the idea. But again, wondered how to justify the cost. During COVID I revisited my thoughts and looked into it again; but still, the timing was not right. I wasn’t really ready. Then I stumbled upon a great online program that was much more affordable and I bit the bullet! </p><p>I’m not sure where this will lead. I have many ideas and a vision in my mind. But all I know right now is that I am enjoying all that I’m learning and how getting back into this practice has strengthened me yet again. I’m nowhere near where I was physically when I moved here, but I know it will come. </p><p>So that is my story. I believe Yoga is a healing art. I believe that a yogic life can bring peace and strength, confidence and self-compassion. I believe that Yoga isn’t simply and exercise method, I believe it is a lifestyle. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-28344731691128159702022-07-22T07:00:00.000-07:002022-07-22T07:00:00.198-07:00Summer Theme<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhwMvNvW1ttYqSUg7lXifrdcyWvs7qWZaEiZe1tXk3KhgluEij75uCciUMNxpdUJckVV3QiCP9dPQROWaxneo-y1mnGmTK3eEbWdY2R0DI1O2zJ8gVTCPn5uc-jDYb6YTGgincYtN2Sp4RM7_ZUTAhIyrCEVF0MbsGm-kP-DoRcD4jtKuamMhMPugjw/s4032/6F3F026E-1CC6-4408-9DC6-D5148FE0F7A1.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjWhwMvNvW1ttYqSUg7lXifrdcyWvs7qWZaEiZe1tXk3KhgluEij75uCciUMNxpdUJckVV3QiCP9dPQROWaxneo-y1mnGmTK3eEbWdY2R0DI1O2zJ8gVTCPn5uc-jDYb6YTGgincYtN2Sp4RM7_ZUTAhIyrCEVF0MbsGm-kP-DoRcD4jtKuamMhMPugjw/w480-h640/6F3F026E-1CC6-4408-9DC6-D5148FE0F7A1.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>The last few years I have tried to have a “Summer Theme.” Rather than hitting all of the “things” that we mothers feel summer *should* be, I thought putting everything under one umbrella would simplify the demands (I place on myself). This theme idea all started with our <a href="https://www.spirituallymindedmotherhood.com/2019/09/our-marvelous-summer.html">MARVELous Summer.</a> I’m not so sure the past couple of summers have been as memorable, but this year I had a whole new idea. </p><p>Now that it is just my boys around here, I was thinking about what I really desired for them. I also thought about my own personal goal for 2022, which is health — physical, emotional, mental…all of it. As I pondered this I came up with an acronym, which in turn became our theme: </p><p><b> <span style="font-size: x-large;"><span style="color: #990000;">H</span>ygiene </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">E</span>xercise </span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="caret-color: rgb(153, 0, 0);"><span style="color: #990000;">A</span>ppetite (or Attitude)<span style="color: #990000;"> </span></span></span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">L</span>earning</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">T</span>estimony</span></b></p><p><b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> <span style="color: #990000;">H</span>elpfulness</span></b></p><p><br /></p><p>And it’s so simple! Each boy is expected to choose one thing from each area every day. Then, when they ask if they can go play with friends or watch a show or play video games, I only need to ask, “Did you work on your health?” </p><p>In reality: Joel (17) is rarely home, so I’m a bit lenient about his stuff. And David (11) needs a lot more direction and coaxing in the decisions he makes (in other words, I have some more strict expectations in each category for him). Donovan (5) is in the learning stages and I mostly involve him when he’s bored. And Ethan (15) works on these categories a bit begrudgingly and half-heartedly. However, in theory, it is a pretty awesome theme (if I do say so myself). </p><p>Most importantly, this theme does 3 things for me. </p><p> 1. It sets up clear expectations which reduces arguing and lectures (something I’m oh so good at!). </p><p> 2. It creates a unified family goal in which we can all participate (difficult with our age ranges).</p><p> 3. It gives me peace of mind during these less structured summer months. There is structure, but flexibility. Mom is happier. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b> - - - - - </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i style="font-size: x-large;">“Encouraging children to live healthy lifestyleS </i><i style="font-size: x-large;">is something I take very seriously.” </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>- Mo Williams</i></span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-56126203451721844152022-07-19T07:21:00.002-07:002022-07-19T07:21:49.108-07:00Midsummer Nightmare<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6RLsPVkK6ModAjmXjIvIY2RjCFc6U1CwX_zWHCPltUmbmeDsuWx4WeySVsKpPZnihRNw23ptvVEow1sY5S-mSJxw0JtcMmUMesyGlybbITQDD2dn0fZkyCKkBHFL74T_rgIjpr_c0ZKmX887s_sBPmTT-v6UrNdGCGAG3w6uw4Puum7p5HGnysnPoQ/s4032/5EBE793A-61BB-4809-9409-EF37BC1DC804.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgC6RLsPVkK6ModAjmXjIvIY2RjCFc6U1CwX_zWHCPltUmbmeDsuWx4WeySVsKpPZnihRNw23ptvVEow1sY5S-mSJxw0JtcMmUMesyGlybbITQDD2dn0fZkyCKkBHFL74T_rgIjpr_c0ZKmX887s_sBPmTT-v6UrNdGCGAG3w6uw4Puum7p5HGnysnPoQ/w640-h480/5EBE793A-61BB-4809-9409-EF37BC1DC804.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div>After weeks of reunions, company, camps, and more, I feel exhausted! The constant activity of summer has started to take it’s toll. Last weekend I noticed I was starting to get reactionary and sarcastic (okay, maybe a little passive aggressive). I could sense that I was feeling super imbalanced and that I needed to be more intentional about my own self-care so that I could meet the needs of my family better. In order to do that, I decided I needed to wake up earlier again, before my family, to put my essentials first — study, exercise, shower. <div><br /></div><div>Monday morning came and I peeled myself out of bed: 6:30am. Yay! I dressed in my yoga clothes, ready to take a walk and stretch. As I headed out my bedroom door I hear, “Mom!” </div><div><br /></div><div>My 11yo son was awake! As much as I love this child, my heart dropped as I instantly realized my quiet morning would no longer exist. “I got up to use the bathroom and couldn’t fall back to sleep.” </div><div><br /></div><div>He was wide awake and eager to talk! “I finished my book!” <div><br /></div><div>I told him I was happy for him and headed out for my morning walk. After my walk I came home and he had a board game all set up, ready to play with me at 7:00 in the morning! I was in no mood to play a board game and told him it was just not the right time. After a minute, I went back in the room and told him I would play with him after my yoga practice, cutting out my study time. </div><div><br /></div><div>And that is how the rest of my “rebalancing” day continued…</div><div><br /></div><div>Getting my son to his dance camp and then my husband wanting to engage in conversation. </div><div><br /></div><div>Home to reading with my 5yo and a visit with my ministering sisters. </div><div><br /></div><div>More reading with my 5yo and talking to my daughter after getting home from work. </div><div><br /></div><div>More talk, talk, talk…”Mommy, Mommy, Mommy.”</div><div><br /></div><div>Deciding whether to work on my YTT or yard work (the weather was perfect) and then remembering I hadn’t studied yet! </div><div><br /></div><div>After reading and finally choosing yard work, I get a phone call from my grown son. We talk for awhile and it’s good. </div><div><br /></div><div>I decide instead of yard work (it’s now quite warm), I will work on YTT. And that was a great decision! </div><div><br /></div><div>Help my son get the lawnmower to my neighbor’s for a mowing job. Finish up my Norwex party order. And finally get to dinner (which isn’t served until 7:00pm — something never done at our house!). Play a game with the family and head out the door at 8:45pm for song practice.</div><div><br /></div><div>And just as I walk in the door at 10:00pm — there is my 11yo son once again, “Do you have a book suggestion for me to read?” </div><div><br /></div><div>Sigh. </div><div><br /></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;">Take 2: Tuesday — Let’s see how this goes. </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div>I woke up not quite as early (after yesterday’s drain) and decided to put study first this time. I decided to read <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2022/04/57uchtdorf?lang=eng">Elder Dieter F. Uchtdorf’s talk</a> from the most recent General Conference. I love his talks full of wisdom and some humor. …. And then these words: </div><div><br /></div><div><i>When we look at our lives and see a hundred things to do, we feel overwhelmed. When we see one thing—loving and serving God and His children, in a hundred different ways—then we can work on those things with joy….Your loving Father in Heaven knows your heart. He knows that you can’t do everything your heart wants to do….let us not be ‘weary in well-doing, for [we] are laying the foundation of a great work.’</i></div><div><br /></div><div>It’s all God’s work!! I do what I do for Jesus! </div><div><br /></div><div>Today is going to be a better day. ;-)</div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-36011972975153592552022-07-18T07:00:00.001-07:002022-07-18T07:00:00.206-07:00I Hit the Target! <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk20orNY2AtkP7eBxlYdGTRICRdLWDizEwrWaE7_X_Pb_5SJvtvKFiq7sXKnKu15LUhKMyVYOs8f7EhGbLKblhK89e5XZmlzPDjXHW4FMd9tvKWXk4OQhsbzHiu5YUwUitKrH3Lg9bV3sBQPdmMMbBmcG9uYgkUOovBTfYKWBX4e1IOcoTTkFRXk9k4Q/s4032/3CB20530-CADE-4536-9BD5-A48C27299D89.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjk20orNY2AtkP7eBxlYdGTRICRdLWDizEwrWaE7_X_Pb_5SJvtvKFiq7sXKnKu15LUhKMyVYOs8f7EhGbLKblhK89e5XZmlzPDjXHW4FMd9tvKWXk4OQhsbzHiu5YUwUitKrH3Lg9bV3sBQPdmMMbBmcG9uYgkUOovBTfYKWBX4e1IOcoTTkFRXk9k4Q/w640-h480/3CB20530-CADE-4536-9BD5-A48C27299D89.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>Every time I have an opportunity to shoot an air rifle, I can’t do it! I don’t know how to aim. I hardly hit the target. Nobody is really helping me. And I just get super frustrated! <div><br /></div><div>I had a moment this week. </div><div><br /></div><div>We are at a family reunion and the option to shoot air rifles was available. When I signed up I thought, “This is my chance! I’m going to do it this time!” I signed up alone, but shortly after other family members signed up with me. Honestly, I was a bit discouraged because I didn’t want the added pressure of trying to perform for others or feel competitive comes alive in me in such situations. However, I decided I wasn’t going to let that matter. I was going to master this thing! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VHU4abZu_1PrPa4K-nf13XBzkAzs9rUlH0ccFQQxVPthqucTIqegzsXfqpCnQdtFesoXjss1XhpQO3-MM6jUYSGB_HE4yspHC4syq88-llgX7J6W-BsFl0slg1jrYYHtR-xJeAPS6MSYiVRQ9gNcqt9kZX24VG09oo6NlPQMl-21TdSMKlmvDwjiZQ/s4032/F1F28387-E80F-4097-856D-3BA98139DCF4.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg9VHU4abZu_1PrPa4K-nf13XBzkAzs9rUlH0ccFQQxVPthqucTIqegzsXfqpCnQdtFesoXjss1XhpQO3-MM6jUYSGB_HE4yspHC4syq88-llgX7J6W-BsFl0slg1jrYYHtR-xJeAPS6MSYiVRQ9gNcqt9kZX24VG09oo6NlPQMl-21TdSMKlmvDwjiZQ/w640-h480/F1F28387-E80F-4097-856D-3BA98139DCF4.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>The day of rifle shooting came. We all sat down and listened to the safety lecture. Then, the shooting began. Right off, I couldn’t even see the target through the scope. A guy waiting for his turn alerted me to the fact that I might need to look through my other eye. Well, duh! My right eye has low visibility, so of course I would need to look through my left eye. First issue fixed. </div><div><br /></div><div>With my new vision, I looked through the scope and lined up the scope lines with the center of the target. Aim. Center. Shoot. Every time. I thought I was hitting something every time, too. Until my husband was looking at everyone’s target and said, “I don’t see any holes in your paper.” I was suddenly frustrated and before I could do any real correcting, our time was up. </div><div><br /></div><div>Then comes the great part when everyone shows their targets, declaring how they did! I could feel the tears welling up and wanting to get out. I didn’t know why I was so bad at this! I hated feeling like the worst in the group. I hated the comments — both on my lack of holes and on their many holes (particularly in the black). Finally, I just had to let the dam break and walked ahead of the group, ignoring them all. I just wanted to make it to my room so I could fall apart privately! </div><div><br /></div><div>And I did. I sat in my room and cried for a good thirty minutes or so. I knew it was ridiculous, but it was such a trigger for me! I started to use some positive self talk, “I can do this! I’m not a loser! I have to try again!” </div><div><br /></div><div>So I did. I pulled myself together and I hiked back up to the shooting range. I didn’t have a reservation, but I knew that at some point one person wouldn’t show up. When I arrived, I told the shooting master that I would like to take an empty spot. He said, “It looks like there’s one right now.” I entered the range, taped my target on the block, and took the available seat. </div><div><br /></div><div>Again, I listened to the safely instructions. Again, I loaded my rifle. Again, I aimed to the center of the target. Again, I took my first shot. I hit the paper! Based on where my shot landed, I adjusted my rifle for my next shot. Bang! I hit it again. It was in the black. And so I took another. And another. And another. I was hitting the target! </div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1bd6a1bTjc-le9SYsrZIXvAWbR0wcyykmX2pK6FNZSPvudQjcGV_bk4hF4BqlXCgnaXCSDu_ixsYE2wdqD5loJXYYwvrlddDIHIb8nNmPnUgTL3lh_T3jz18Zj4H5iMU2_rHrg3CJibs3QWz5oQIbg-4VInQFRkgaaXxkrKqduZFx4VTfyjcgsgCSQ/s4032/12B626B1-7E0C-473A-9F86-2D7321248D8A.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em; text-align: center;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgp1bd6a1bTjc-le9SYsrZIXvAWbR0wcyykmX2pK6FNZSPvudQjcGV_bk4hF4BqlXCgnaXCSDu_ixsYE2wdqD5loJXYYwvrlddDIHIb8nNmPnUgTL3lh_T3jz18Zj4H5iMU2_rHrg3CJibs3QWz5oQIbg-4VInQFRkgaaXxkrKqduZFx4VTfyjcgsgCSQ/w480-h640/12B626B1-7E0C-473A-9F86-2D7321248D8A.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div>Victory feels good. No, it didn’t matter that I wasn’t good at rifle shooting (I’m still not!). It didn’t matter that other people were better than me. I was not worse of a person because I didn’t have this skill. I could have found a way to feel good about myself without going back to shoot. But I needed this for myself. I didn’t need to prove to others that I could shoot silly target! I needed to prove it to myself that I didn’t need to let the target to have power over me. </div><div><br /></div><div>We let so much control us and our emotions. This was more than just about shooting a target. It was an opportunity where I could allow the experience to make me feel like a failure, worthless. Or I could overcome the challenge and hit the target! I chose the latter and did just that. </div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>- - - - - - - </b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b><br /></b></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>“We are confronted each day with choices that require us to choose between ‘the one or the other’ — meaning, between light and dark, between pleasure and pain, and between good and bad….Enticements, both positive and negative, are real, and it is what we choose to do with them when they occur that will make all the difference in our daily lives.” </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>Joy D. Jones</i></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-52693425058665971862022-05-01T15:53:00.005-07:002022-05-01T15:53:53.346-07:00Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole<p> </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pa8hDyK4waAFYb5xpM81RLUfVOyIiAJM29Ed6lyOWDp5YXZeBElVAUtESvVdO3CoeAh-WmThmrcfwUt8GvB-UBMfJnjo0QkGzdGNbhen8r9HSCeGVy3X7LG_L9LaNGs6wqpcsvEhjuo3Szk0lAJ9Voygv5DmYzYbuVOjyd44BoMPW99C5R_c55UfeA/s4256/A96DF86B-0C60-4B46-8A4A-15C87CC932F5.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2832" data-original-width="4256" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg8Pa8hDyK4waAFYb5xpM81RLUfVOyIiAJM29Ed6lyOWDp5YXZeBElVAUtESvVdO3CoeAh-WmThmrcfwUt8GvB-UBMfJnjo0QkGzdGNbhen8r9HSCeGVy3X7LG_L9LaNGs6wqpcsvEhjuo3Szk0lAJ9Voygv5DmYzYbuVOjyd44BoMPW99C5R_c55UfeA/w640-h426/A96DF86B-0C60-4B46-8A4A-15C87CC932F5.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p></p><p><br /></p><p>I am facilitating the Emotional Resilience class for our stake right now and am loving it! Recently, we talked about time management, stress and anxiety. During our discussion we were instructed to watch this video: </p>
<div style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" src="//players.brightcove.net/1241706627001/default_default/index.html?videoId=5763901522001"></iframe></div><div><br /></div><div>I was poignantly impressed by the wording of this story differently than I have before. </div><div><br /></div><div>The woman with the issue of blood says, “I knew if I could just touch thy clothes, then I would be whole.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Jesus replies, “Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole.” </div><div><br /></div><div>Notice, Jesus did not say, “I have healed you.” No, instead He said, “Thy faith” has healed you. </div><div>It was the power within the woman that increased her access to His power to heal. His focus on was on <i>her</i> faith. How empowering is that? </div><div><br /></div><div>In the video President Nelson states, “Faith that motivates us to action gives us more access to His power.” This woman knew she could be healed (faith) if she reached out and touched His garment (action). </div><div><br /></div><div>This way of looking at it may raise such questions as: </div><div><br /></div><div>What does that mean then when I am sick and exert my faith to be healed but am not? </div><div><br /></div><div>Does that mean I did not have enough faith? </div><div><br /></div><div>Does that mean I did not have enough access to His power? </div><div><br /></div><div>I find answer to these questions by a statement made in our most recent general conference. Sister Amy A. Wright stated, “I learned in a profound way that deliverance from our trials is different for each of us, and therefore our focus should be less about the way in which we are delivered and more about the Deliverer Himself. Our emphasis should always be on Jesus Christ!” </div><div><br /></div><div>Yes, the woman with the issue of blood might have been focused on her healing. She had suffered for so many years and needed relief! However, her focus was on the Savior Jesus Christ, the One who could heal her, not the healing itself. When our focus is on Him and His power, miraculous healing does take place. Such healing will look different for everyone. It could be that we become healthy after being sick, it could be that we feel peace when there was pain, that healing could even be death itself. Ultimately, it doesn’t matter how we are healed so long as we are focused on our Savior. </div><div><br /></div><div>In our Come Follow Me study of the Old Testament we read theses verses: </div><div>“Then sang Moses and the children of Israel this song unto the Lord, and spake, saying, I will sing unto the Lord, for <i>he hath triumphed gloriously</i>…The Lord is my strength and song, and he is become my salvation: he is my God, and I will prepare him an habitations…and I will exalt him (Exodus 15:1-2l, emphasis added).” </div><div><br /></div><div>Our faith may result in wholeness, but our praises are still to be focused on our God. Even as we struggle we find opportunity to praise Him in our triumphs, to express gratitude in our healing, and to reach for Him in our pain. Thus, He will gladly bear our burdens (see Hymn #86, How Great Thou Art).” </div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div><b><span style="font-size: large;"><br /></span></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;">- - - - - - </span></b></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;">“<i>Jesus Christ gave His life for us all so that we could have access to Godly power. Power sufficient to deal with the burdens, obstacles and temptations of our day.” </i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>President Russell M. Nelson </i></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-48422565132736611992022-02-25T14:43:00.003-08:002022-02-25T14:43:16.091-08:00Why Not Be Happy? <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz4glXR12uPgASbZGKUM4IXaAaIy7WFxvYp3rjMj5gCNclsHtnUjDeETse5bjQ3EsWaYVw4ZIl6L5KNpCJcSZAuXC9Cspqs_Xt_VvLlQLtwIfNRfyM7G7c_0o7ceO3dpSyktpkF4C6TjtuX2GJx4dmNeDsc8VWlQcqpt-Od3ghi6AC06itlI58pgQKDg=s4032" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="3024" data-original-width="4032" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhz4glXR12uPgASbZGKUM4IXaAaIy7WFxvYp3rjMj5gCNclsHtnUjDeETse5bjQ3EsWaYVw4ZIl6L5KNpCJcSZAuXC9Cspqs_Xt_VvLlQLtwIfNRfyM7G7c_0o7ceO3dpSyktpkF4C6TjtuX2GJx4dmNeDsc8VWlQcqpt-Od3ghi6AC06itlI58pgQKDg=w640-h480" width="640" /></a></div><p>With so many pictures of happiness in our social media feeds, why do we often not feel happy? </p><p>With so much chatter out there about being authentic, why does that seem to mean anything but happy? (In other words, if you’re happy you must not be “real.”) </p><p>Real is this: <i>motherhood is hard. </i></p><p>But that doesn’t mean motherhood can’t be happiness. Real doesn’t mean we can only talk about our struggles and not share our joys. But it feels that way sometimes, doesn’t it? </p><p>It’s almost like there is a fear out there that if we talk about our happiness, it will make others unhappy. </p><p>Why? Where does that come from? </p><p>One of the adversary’s greatest tools (especially with current technological capabilities) is to get us to compare and compete with one another. When we see another’s fortune, blessings or goodness (aka happiness) it’s all too easy to wonder why we don’t have the same in our lives. Or scarcity takes over and we believe that if they are happy then we can’t be. </p><p>I find myself getting caught in this trap all the time. It’s a particulate weakness of mine, a lesson to be learned again and again. So I’m writing this for myself. </p><p>The beauty of the gospel of Jesus Christ is that there is no end to the joy and happiness He desires for us. Our God is not a God of scarcity! In the parable of the laborers, all were paid the same. Each received his desired reward.</p><p>Our God is also no respecter of persons. He is not looking at Sally and saying she is good therefore Susan is bad (see <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2007/04/the-tongue-of-angels">Elder Holland</a> on this topic, too). Our God’s love is all encompassing. It is universal! His love is our happy. </p><p><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/2008/10/happiness-your-heritage">Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf</a> gives us two great suggestions for finding happiness in our lives: Compassion and Creation. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">On Compassion</span></b></p><p>Everyone struggles. Therefore, it makes not sense that the adversary would make us believe that they don’t. And yet, we all believe him! That is crazy to me. But I believe that message (more often than I’d like to admit)! </p><p>Another aspect of compassion that has become in a buzz word (but that I full-heartedly believe in) is self-compassion. When in the midst of comparing or competing with another mother’s life, pause. Take a moment to embrace <i>your goodness</i>. Not in a pouty,“well, I’m good, too” kind of way, but in truth and light. “I Am…” Two of the greatest words every spoken in truth and light. </p><p>And then be honest with yourself. If someone is getting praised for their paintings, why would I compare myself to them when I have zero desire whatsoever to paint!? That doesn’t make sense to me either. But we do it. I do it. My greatness is ME! Your greatness is YOU! That’s it. No comparison needed. </p><p>Which leads us to creation. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">On Creation</span></b></p><p>Creation is God’s work. Wendy Ulrich declared that as our Great Creator, “He doesn’t just turn us into pots, but He makes us potters (Let God Love You, 67).” The Creation of the world was for families. Our creation was His great work. When we create, we are joining His great work. Though we think of the outward examples of creation — painting, dancing, playing a musical instrument, etc. — Elder Uchtdorf explains there are many ways to create. Anything that brings light to the world around us is a creation! Cleaning my kitchen this morning after a few days of disarray…that was creating a place of peace and beauty in our home. </p><p>Your creation need not threaten my creation. Our very presence in the world is an act of creation. We simply need to ask ourselves if we’re going to show up. Am I going to let the world see me? Am I going to dim my light for the sake of others’ feeling comfortable? Am I going to create light in the world by being …me? The very act of living <i>my true self</i> is creation. </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Why Not Be Happy? </span></b></p><p>So, why not be happy? When that is God’s design for us, why not be happy? “Men are that they might have joy.” I do not believe that only means in the eternities, but in the here and now. My meditation mantra for today was, “Happiness is my true nature.” And it is! God has intended it to be such. The comparisons, negative chatter and competing thoughts will always be there. Discouragement, failures and disappointment will always be there. Showing compassion to ourselves and others while creating space for light and truth will help combat those disparaging voices. This is know. I just have to remember. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> - - - - - </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">“I believe that as you immerse yourselves in the world of our Father…God will encircle you in the arms of His love…happiness is your heritage…you are a great power for good. You will make the world a better place. Life up your chin; walk tall. God loves you.” </span></i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i><span style="font-size: medium;">- Dieter F. Uchtdorf</span></i></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-83158223885182301752022-02-13T12:05:00.002-08:002022-02-13T12:07:03.218-08:00What Love Is<p> </p><table align="center" cellpadding="0" cellspacing="0" class="tr-caption-container" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><tbody><tr><td style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUUM0eoJRiwbxdIbyByVblwtBD6T1RZ_G4-ofOtQ4ZIm8gLFs8d7P3e5oV1RdnY9LlF1CSntMDrYcv7UR_tJHMWq6LaYjP8HSTPSHAPZSBABDJ5y5caPW_ZfBGL958InUBvr95_gs4pbZqwHs4AtndP952KGC6eqaYv1MkjPysldlQtZFZPjWOdGEHoA=s800" style="margin-left: auto; margin-right: auto;"><img border="0" data-original-height="533" data-original-width="800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjUUM0eoJRiwbxdIbyByVblwtBD6T1RZ_G4-ofOtQ4ZIm8gLFs8d7P3e5oV1RdnY9LlF1CSntMDrYcv7UR_tJHMWq6LaYjP8HSTPSHAPZSBABDJ5y5caPW_ZfBGL958InUBvr95_gs4pbZqwHs4AtndP952KGC6eqaYv1MkjPysldlQtZFZPjWOdGEHoA=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></td></tr><tr><td class="tr-caption" style="text-align: center;"><br /></td></tr></tbody></table><br /><p></p><p>In honor of Valentine’s Day I thought I’d share some thoughts about love. </p><p>God is Love. </p><p>I’m currently reading <i>The Four Loves</i> by C.S. Lewis. In the introduction I came upon this quote: </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>St John’s saying that God is love has long been balanced in my mind against the remark of a modern author (M. Denis de Rougemont) that ‘love ceases to be a demon only when he ceases to be a god’; which of course can be re-stated in the form ‘begins to be a demon the moment he begins to be a god’. This balance seems to me an indispensable safeguard. If we ignore it the truth that God is love may slyly come to mean for us the converse, that love is God. </i></p><p>Okay. It takes me a lot of concentration and re-reading to understand Lewis, but it’s the last line that caught my eye — “God is love may slyly come to mean for us the converse, that love is God.” </p><p>Can we simply simmer on the phrase GOD IS LOVE without converting it to if we love then we are like God? I think that is what Lewis is implying here. We don’t pause to feel the meaning of the phrase and instantly turn it around to <i>our actions</i>. “What am I going to do to be like God? To love others?” Yes, this is an important question because we are God’s hands, we do show God our love by showing others His love, we are commanded to love one another. These are truths. However, let’s just stop at God Is Love and enjoy the meaning of those words. </p><p>In preparation for another presentation, I stumbled upon this quote: </p><p style="text-align: justify;"><i>We are not commanded to love one another to earn or become worthy of God’s love. We love one another because we are loved by God, and have received that love, and live in light of it (David Guzik).” </i> </p><p>This hits on something I think is a human condition — the believe that we need to earn the love of another. Among humans, that is probably the case! But with God, there is no <i>earning</i> of his love. There is no need to become <i>worthy</i> of his love. Because God is Love, we already have His love. We strengthen our relationship (therefore, our love) with God by the actions we do in that love, but His love is already something we have. God dwells in us! </p><p>“<i>And we have known and believed the love that God hath to us. God is love; and he that dwelleth in love dwellers in love dwellers in God, and God in him (1 John 4:16).” </i></p><p>Oh, I fear I’m not portraying the message I’m feeling as adequately as I’d like! For me, the phrase GOD IS LOVE is not about me, but Him. <i>He</i> is my Redeemer. <i>He</i> is love. <i>He</i> loves me (okay, maybe that’s making it about me). ;-) <i>He</i> is in our hearts. <i>He</i> is all-loving. <i>He</i> is forgiveness, righteousness, omnipotent, and faithful. <i>His</i> every action is motivated in love. It’s not about me. It’s about HIM! It is mine to believe (as John says) and to know such love. Only as I embrace that love can I show such love. </p><p><br /></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> - - - - - </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>All the hopes that sweetly start</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>From the fountain of the heart, </i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>All the bliss that ever comes</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>To our earthly human homes</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>All the voices from above</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i>Sweetly whisper: God is love.</i></p><p style="text-align: center;"><i> Hymn #87</i></p><p><br /></p><p>* Above <span style="text-align: center;">Image from: </span><a href="https://justbetweenus.org/topics/understanding-gods-love/" style="text-align: center;">https://justbetweenus.org/topics/understanding-gods-love/</a></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-71411249099984438512022-01-16T16:13:00.003-08:002022-01-16T16:13:15.787-08:00Mothers Doing the Best they Can<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmrV6hgOSF3h_J5hben1nHRY72k2JcdHZ0VK6IavqVtC90CtVB6OvRyQI78hQImoXLFUFzioO1CIFD8ixKYTk4G3Yy5Ak5AlwKRpdkE1yOSZNuTo_3f-erXFNMF5erIxK9JyUBXIOvvhu37ObYz6EDCuj1W6lz7FuDy-3ifSEmBeVIqlURlFiSyWWPQ=s6240" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4160" data-original-width="6240" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEhQmrV6hgOSF3h_J5hben1nHRY72k2JcdHZ0VK6IavqVtC90CtVB6OvRyQI78hQImoXLFUFzioO1CIFD8ixKYTk4G3Yy5Ak5AlwKRpdkE1yOSZNuTo_3f-erXFNMF5erIxK9JyUBXIOvvhu37ObYz6EDCuj1W6lz7FuDy-3ifSEmBeVIqlURlFiSyWWPQ=w640-h426" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div>Minutes before Sacrament meeting started, I was asked to step in for the chorister unable to make it. As I sat in the front, looking out into the sparse congregation due to COVID, I saw one person: a mother. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother who had witnessed the first marriage of a child the night before. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother allowing her two-year old to turn circles in the aisle. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother handing off her baby to her mother-in-law so she could take her two-year old out for some reason or another. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother sitting alone, most likely because her husband and children were home sick. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother whose children have all since grown up, somewhere living their own lives. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother who wrestles her children while her husband sits on the stand. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother who arrives late with her family in tow, because it’s just been one of those mornings. </div><div><br /></div><div>A mother who sits between her two daughters, reverently sharing a moment of laughter and smiles together. </div><div><br /></div><div>I’ve had a thought running through my mind from an Instagram post I saw: “Behind every great kid is a mom who is pretty sure she is messing everything up (Hank Smith).” Sadly, it is true that we moms tend not to give ourselves enough praise for the efforts we make. </div><div><br /></div><div>As I truly saw each mother this morning, I thought, “She is doing her very best!” Every mother, though differently, is muddling through each experience they encounter the very best they know how. And it is beautiful! Mothers are a strong force in the world, simply for showing up. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyHIkhjETzpdmP8IP3I6vuAy5JFnFT1ILhYv5EiYeDL_QNBH0O81DlnvSRQXnsJW_Cb0VgUfmRsjwfM1CViivjElVdv2avkj94h5QaIfuxDZ2Psswdt4xpv4dW8-C8QXzyiDJ3XYi164JcYg4YP-ouRILbL6_yTDfgntCiXJ4cC2hQ3PRSJKaUC3XepA=s6667" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="6667" data-original-width="6667" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiyHIkhjETzpdmP8IP3I6vuAy5JFnFT1ILhYv5EiYeDL_QNBH0O81DlnvSRQXnsJW_Cb0VgUfmRsjwfM1CViivjElVdv2avkj94h5QaIfuxDZ2Psswdt4xpv4dW8-C8QXzyiDJ3XYi164JcYg4YP-ouRILbL6_yTDfgntCiXJ4cC2hQ3PRSJKaUC3XepA=w400-h400" width="400" /></a></div><br /><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-54563314335441696392022-01-06T11:49:00.004-08:002022-01-06T11:49:50.965-08:00I’m Published! <p style="text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh4RcCvGnPhNVOE4Z-s1vXwZkOXy47BDZST0WgYtBWwsym5WFEQhOTaFqCcRadrhR4ZXM9YIbLPLO9-TIwK6mloPi_-eo3XqYRacLDx183rUNQe2sTb7Q8tAQ0QC8RBYki3C0nRcgr3-wMvVuGkcff0_p0Jktlktm9-nJ7DQyx5_O4Xf9e2ZkyYJg1CA=s1800" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><br /></a><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh4RcCvGnPhNVOE4Z-s1vXwZkOXy47BDZST0WgYtBWwsym5WFEQhOTaFqCcRadrhR4ZXM9YIbLPLO9-TIwK6mloPi_-eo3XqYRacLDx183rUNQe2sTb7Q8tAQ0QC8RBYki3C0nRcgr3-wMvVuGkcff0_p0Jktlktm9-nJ7DQyx5_O4Xf9e2ZkyYJg1CA=s1800" style="clear: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEgh4RcCvGnPhNVOE4Z-s1vXwZkOXy47BDZST0WgYtBWwsym5WFEQhOTaFqCcRadrhR4ZXM9YIbLPLO9-TIwK6mloPi_-eo3XqYRacLDx183rUNQe2sTb7Q8tAQ0QC8RBYki3C0nRcgr3-wMvVuGkcff0_p0Jktlktm9-nJ7DQyx5_O4Xf9e2ZkyYJg1CA=w512-h640" width="512" /></a> </p><p>This came in the mail yesterday!! </p><p>Last January I submitted an essay the BYU Studies Essay Contest. I’d actually started the article the year before, but never quite got it finished. Then, I had a friend reach out to me saying, “I remember you working on an essay for the contest. I think you should finish it and submit it this year.” So, I did (with some feedback from him). Miraculously, I placed second! </p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasiLhQLq-XvjG5X1YUizPMQ_VbD40q_JmQzZEyHPLz2_oiHLqgFt8pcZYR5-xENrJ7ulsSJDTd_0eDjVx7QeosjMjpnyX-sJiw8pqYJeAF8RILoCZyB6bUU1az1KR5uuoEk0-YXa8-S8qEMF8MUMkg0aDIeQc3-ZkPYG1GwvDirsIcca7fwzzkt6_tg=s1792" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1792" data-original-width="828" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEiasiLhQLq-XvjG5X1YUizPMQ_VbD40q_JmQzZEyHPLz2_oiHLqgFt8pcZYR5-xENrJ7ulsSJDTd_0eDjVx7QeosjMjpnyX-sJiw8pqYJeAF8RILoCZyB6bUU1az1KR5uuoEk0-YXa8-S8qEMF8MUMkg0aDIeQc3-ZkPYG1GwvDirsIcca7fwzzkt6_tg=w296-h640" width="296" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">There is something a bit magical about seeing your name in print — as an author. Wow! I did not know it would feel so cool. I’m still in awe. It’s also interesting reading your own writing in print. And though I resonated with the emotions of the narrative, there were some moments I thought, “Well, that’s a bit overly dramatic.” But in all honesty the pain and the questions were so real! My response to the reading also tells me just how far I’ve come in the last year. There really is light at the end of the tunnel no matter how far you have to walk to find it. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;">So here is a snippet. But you can also read the whole thing at <a href="https://byustudies.byu.edu/article/birth-of-discernment/">BYU Studies</a>. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsBCrgqBtCz4fGlNCWkqKYddOrM9p3YK6vAuEfdarkoyWUeqsm3MRSTgVqm9NkdjHnS7rxdYurZ2ZQ4iJiXBevGL_NEpmNBSzseEVyEp8Y3J-iRkJpxxUNN7Gi7CtJXVI8yemuGsBwX1CYypvgW9kDAD-rreZnKoIFQtY01b2zL26Q_608A9tORmgm6g=s1800" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1800" data-original-width="1440" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/a/AVvXsEjsBCrgqBtCz4fGlNCWkqKYddOrM9p3YK6vAuEfdarkoyWUeqsm3MRSTgVqm9NkdjHnS7rxdYurZ2ZQ4iJiXBevGL_NEpmNBSzseEVyEp8Y3J-iRkJpxxUNN7Gi7CtJXVI8yemuGsBwX1CYypvgW9kDAD-rreZnKoIFQtY01b2zL26Q_608A9tORmgm6g=w512-h640" width="512" /></a></div><br /><p></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-9258671003575547272021-11-29T11:05:00.006-08:002021-12-11T05:11:39.980-08:00Personal Peace <p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e9c64345-7fff-b5df-c2a3-9c7235025857" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnvziCgGdJFZM6K41aXbOoh049b1TiQ725t7vb-064pIUnt5vq-NuV_JsvsTWXmJ1kVoB1Khs4cJBw33UYkhq_JhUbnlFQfHKIZFrsMmuayKP5927O8mfJfhwhR2W1WxVCstPUOhgfHae/s2048/535720C0-9F19-4B08-B728-0ED1BD23F8AA.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1448" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhvnvziCgGdJFZM6K41aXbOoh049b1TiQ725t7vb-064pIUnt5vq-NuV_JsvsTWXmJ1kVoB1Khs4cJBw33UYkhq_JhUbnlFQfHKIZFrsMmuayKP5927O8mfJfhwhR2W1WxVCstPUOhgfHae/s16000/535720C0-9F19-4B08-B728-0ED1BD23F8AA.jpeg" /></a></div><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e9c64345-7fff-b5df-c2a3-9c7235025857" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-e9c64345-7fff-b5df-c2a3-9c7235025857" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p>It came upon a midnight clear, </span><p></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">That glorious song of old</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From angels bending near the earth</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To touch their harps of gold: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Peace on the earth, good will to men</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">From heav’n’s all-gracious King.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world in solemn stillness lay</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b535018c-7fff-f8a3-adad-bc059a5181b6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To hear the angels sing.</span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b535018c-7fff-f8a3-adad-bc059a5181b6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b535018c-7fff-f8a3-adad-bc059a5181b6" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I’m sure that first Noel was a silent night as a few with wondering awe came to behold Him, Christ the Lord, in the little town of Bethlehem. If only we could bottle up that peace and keep it always in our hearts. “</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">There is not peace on earth,” I said. “For hate is strong and mocks the song of peace on earth goodwill to men…” </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">But then we remember, that even Christ has said, “Think not that I am come to send peace on earth: I did not come to send peace… (Matthew 10:34).” </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our world is fraught with anxiety. Anxiety disorders are the most common mental illness. Though you and I may or may not have such a disorder, I can guarantee that everyone has experienced anxiety; whether it be anxiety about an upcoming test, starting a new job, having a baby, paying the bills, performing in the school play, meeting a new friend, going on your first date, driving in traffic, making sure you get the right Christmas present for someone — we all have felt it. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">After working to prepare a people ready for the temple, Jospeh Smith wrote, “I returned unto my house <i>being weary with continual anxiety</i>…” </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Even our ancient prophet, Jacob, felt anxiety, saying, “A</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">nd ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; <i>but I </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">this d</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">ay am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been (Jacob 2:3).”</span></i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We all yearn for a silent night, when “all is calm [and] all is bright.” </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The adversary and the world will tell us such peace comes from having more</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">— more money, more time, more fun, more status, more likes — And yet, ironically, these things only lead to more anxiety because we will always feel we don’t have enough and need more. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The world will also tell us we need less </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">— less work on relationships, just cut them loose if they aren’t making you happy; less time at work, but get the same paycheck; less pressure to perform, less striving for perfection, and less righteousness because doing so makes you feel shame when you fall short. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">We will always have the human emotions of tension, concern, stress, agitation, worry and conflict. The struggle comes in these words from Jacob: “</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit, and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">stumble because of my over anxiety for you</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">When the anxiety outweighs the peace, we need to make room for Christ. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Joy to the World, the Lord is come. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Let earth receive her King. </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Let every heart prepare Him room</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And Saint and Angels sing! </i></span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">HOW DO WE PREPARE ROOM FOR JESUS? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">FEAR NOT</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“And there were in the same country shepherds abiding in the field, keeping watch over their flock by night. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And, lo, the angel of the Lord came upon them, and the glory of the Lord shone round about them: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>and they were sore afraid</i> (Luke 2:8-9)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.”</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-566ec150-7fff-bbd7-7a5f-6cdafba986ee" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“‘<i>Fear not,’ said he, </i></span><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">for mighty dread had seized their troubled minds</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">.</span></i></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i> ‘Glad tidings of great joy I bring, to you and all mankind.’…</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>All glory be to God, peace on earth, goodwill to never cease.”</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="color: #6aa84f;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(106, 168, 79);">“</span></span>And it came to pass, as the angels were gone away from them into heaven, the shepherds said one to another, Let us now go even unto Bethlehem, and see this thing which is come to pass, which the Lord hath made known unto us (Luke 2:15).”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Joy of a Savior had replaced their fear. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">What is it that we fear? We can look to the vision of the Tree of Life for an answer here. There was one group of people who pressed forward, clinging to the rod of iron. After partaking of the fruit, they looked around as though they were ashamed. As they looked, they saw a great and spacious building. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And it was filled with people, both old and young, both male and female; and their manner of dress was exceedingly fine; and </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">they were in the attitude of mocking and pointing their fingers towards those who had come at and were partaking of the fruit.</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-style: italic; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">And after they had tasted of the fruit they were ashamed, because of those that were scoffing at them; and they fell away into forbidden paths and were lost </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">(1 Nephi 8:24-28)</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-weight: 700; white-space: pre-wrap;">.” </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><div><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-b3aa3fa6-7fff-550f-791b-eb80c0e17a8d" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Elder Maxwell taught that Laman and Lemuel were intimidated by Laban’s power, but their fear of him merely showed the power of fear. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Like those who were alive at the time of His mortal ministry, there are some among us who look for physical peace and prosperity as signs of the Savior’s wondrous power. We sometimes fail to understand that the everlasting peace Jesus promises is an inner peace, </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; text-decoration-skip: none; text-decoration: underline; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">born in faith, anchored by testimony, nurtured with love, and expressed through continual obedience and repentanc</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">e. It is a peace of spirit that echoes through the heart and the soul. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">If one truly knows and experiences this inner peace, there is no fear from worldly disharmony or discord. One knows deep down inside that all is well as far as the things that really matter are concerned </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">(</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">President M. Russell Ballard April 2002).”</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Before Christ’s crucifixion, he left this charge to His disciples: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace I leave with you, my peace I give unto you: not as the world giveth, give I unto you. <i>Let not your heart be troubled neither let it be afraid.” </i></span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">LET</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> is a significant word there. It is our choice whether or not we let our hearts be afraid. In </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Colossians 3:15 we learn, “let the peace of God rule in your hearts.”</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>O little town of Bethlehem, how still we see thee lie…</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>The hopes and fears of all the years are met in thee tonight.” </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>No ear may hear his coming, but in this world of sin, </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><i><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Where </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">meek souls will receive Him</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">, still, the dear Christ enters in.” </span></i></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt; text-indent: 36pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">CHOOSE HIM</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace and agency are intertwined as essential elements of the plan of salvation….Letting go of control and choosing the Savior would allow us to have His light and His peace (Elder Quentin L. Cook, Oct. 2021).” </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To have the peace of Christ in our lives, to have His peace overpower our anxieties, is it really as easy as choosing HIm? Yes…and no. In Job we are taught, “Become acquainted with Him and be at peace.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">The Lord teaches us how to become acquainted with him: </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Learn of me and walk in the meekness of my spirit and ye shall have peace in me (D&C 19:23).”</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Becoming acquainted with the Lord is as simple and as complicated as building an intimate relationship with anyone — your spouse, your children, those to whom you are assigned to minister, friends — anyone. </span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To become acquainted with the Lord we must invite Him into our lives and greet Him daily. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“<i>Yea, Lord we greet thee, </i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Born this happy morning.</i>”</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Our beloved prophet invites us to do so with these words: </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">The voices and pressures of the world are engaging and numerous. But too many voices are deceptive, seductive and can pull us off the covenant path. To avoid the inevitable heartbreak that follows, I plead with you today to counter the lure of the world by making time for the Lord in your life — each and every day.” President Russell M. Nelson</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">To become acquainted with the Lord we must learn to hear His voice. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Psalm 85:8 I hear what God the Lord will speak: for he will speak peace to his people. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D&C 6:23 Did I not speak peace to your mind? </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Alma 58: 11 He did speak peace to our souls</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">D&C 84:52 Whoso receives not the Lord’s voice is not acquainted with it</span></p><br style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto;" /><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Knowing what His voice sounds like typically means paying attention to our feelings. </span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial;"><span style="font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">“Whenever a spirit presents itself that produces disturbance of feeling, agitation, pain, darkness or doubt, we can know if we will judge as we should do, that it is not of God; but a spirit that produces peace, a spirit that produces joy, light and happiness, comes from God, and as a people we should be able to judge between these two classes of influences (JD 17:120, George Q. Cannon, July 1874).”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; white-space: pre-wrap;">Isaiah says: “And the work of righteousness shall be peace; and the effect of righteousness quietness and assurance forever” Isa. 32:17</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Wherever this peace exists, it leaves an influence that is comforting and refreshing to the souls of those who partake of it. </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">It is like the morning dew to the thirsty plant. This peace is alone the gift of God and can only be received from Him through obedience to His laws… (John Taylor JD 1:221).”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><br /></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;">Romans 14:19 tells us to follow after the things which make for peace </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 14.666666984558105px; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"> </span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">RELY ON THE ATONEMENT</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Jacob’s antidote to his overwhelming anxiety was the atonement of Jesus Christ. Jacob 4:12 “for why not speak of the atonement of Christ, and attain to a perfect knowledge of him, as to attain to the knowledge of a resurrection and the world to come?”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br /></span></p><p dir="ltr" id="docs-internal-guid-8249e17d-7fff-c034-915f-523d696f1ee9" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><span style="caret-color: rgb(106, 168, 79);"><span style="color: #6aa84f;">“</span>H</span>ark! The Herald Angels Sing…</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">peace on earth and mercy mild; </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Hail the heav’n born prince of peace, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">hail the son of righteousness; </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Light and life to all he brings, </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Ris’n with healing in his wings.” </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“As we rely on the Atonement of Jesus Christ, He can help us endure our trials, sicknesses, and pain. We can be filled with joy, peace, and consolation. All that is unfair about life can be made right through the Atonement of Jesus Christ (Elder Cook, Oct. 2021).”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /><span style="font-size: 11pt;">“In the world ye shall have tribulation: but be of good cheer; I have overcome the world (John 16:33).”</span></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace—real peace, whole-souled to the very core of your being—comes only in and through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ.</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Russell M Ballard, April 2002</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; font-weight: 700; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Conclusion</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">“</span><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Peace comes from knowing that the Savior knows who we are and knows that we have faith in Him, love Him, and keep His commandments, even and especially amid life’s devastating trials and tragedies (Elder Cook 2013).”</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">I testify that I have felt such peace in my life and am eternally grateful for my relationship with Jesus Christ. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">Brigham Young would say we are already acquainted with God…we have simply forgotten. Psalm 139:3 - God is acquainted with all our ways. We need not fear because He knows us! We have already chosen Him once and trusted in His eternal plan and Atonement. We simply need to choose Him again. </span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;">And so, as we each seek for a silent night when all is calm and all is bright, let us remember to rely on our Savior, Jesus Christ… Away in a manger, no crib for a bed…and proclaim:</span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><br style="white-space: normal;" /></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>I love thee, Lord Jesus; look down from the sky</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And stay by my cradle till morning is nigh.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Be near me, Lord Jesus; I ask thee to stay</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Close by me forever, and love me, I pray.</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Bless all the dear children in thy tender care,</i></span></p><p dir="ltr" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; line-height: 1.38; margin-bottom: 0pt; margin-top: 0pt;"><span style="font-family: Arial; font-size: 11pt; font-variant-east-asian: normal; font-variant-ligatures: normal; font-variant-position: normal; vertical-align: baseline; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>And fit us for heaven to live with thee there.</i></span></p></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-21457893707746951432021-11-15T14:07:00.004-08:002021-11-15T14:07:41.568-08:00Sabbatical<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5ykJfZ6_AB1-sQH_-L_D6udNzqyn9dmq3B_yQ4IU6__sviGvoYBlTAYHVCHzcVLuhEV-g5sQ-x5p9wk7XOMbhV0ohwBLPFtNaZ8vHtlE0iT7VzaOYDg5mXSSddECU1jBAfTe9HEGw5zw/s2048/27C8570A-5A28-4AAD-A1F2-7CC429741274.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiU5ykJfZ6_AB1-sQH_-L_D6udNzqyn9dmq3B_yQ4IU6__sviGvoYBlTAYHVCHzcVLuhEV-g5sQ-x5p9wk7XOMbhV0ohwBLPFtNaZ8vHtlE0iT7VzaOYDg5mXSSddECU1jBAfTe9HEGw5zw/w640-h480/27C8570A-5A28-4AAD-A1F2-7CC429741274.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Lately, I’ve been thinking about is how we have so many opportunities to repent, to change, to grow and to shift our thinking. I recently re-read a post I never published at the beginning of the pandemic. It was so hard! Yet, I now look back at that original pandemic shut down of 2020 as a time of recentering. Our family was no longer being pulled apart by the outside world. We were centered on being together (though forced) and pressures seemed to be lessened. Of course, there were fears as we, with the rest of the world, tried to understand this disease upon us, but we were comfortable and safe in our home together. </p><p>As I was reading the unpublished post, I realized my family is having another “shut down” right now. No, we are not quarantined, social distancing, stock-piling, or wearing masks. We are simply on sabbatical — in every sense of the word. For the last few months we have been living in Acworth, Georgia (just north of Atlanta) while J teachers at Kennesaw State a few days a week. Our family found a long-term Airbnb to rent, I have been homeschooling the boys, and we have been experiencing true Southern culture. It has been exciting and exhausting! It has been a time for us to recenter, to build relationships, and even to experience boredom (it’s real!). </p><p>The archaic definition of sabbatical is: of or appropriate to the sabbath. It’s a space and time of rest, learning, rejuvenation and growth. At least, that is what it’s been for me… and for J. Now as I think about our final month here I find myself asking the same questions I asked as the world started to reopen: What have I learned from this time away and what do I want to keep? </p><p>Unsurprisingly, the answers are not much different. </p><p><br /></p><p><i>I have learned that family is and can be central. But that does not mean we need to be together 24/7.</i></p><p><i>I have learned there is a purpose to activities and hobbies for the boys. ;-) And with that I have (re)learned that that structure can be good for me, too! But, we can choose such activities it’s purpose rather than pressure. </i></p><p><i>I have learned we need space from one another…at least sometimes. And that’s okay. </i></p><p><i>I have learned how to simplify meals! (Though we will not eat out nearly as much as we have been once we return home.) </i></p><p><i>I have (re)learned I really love and need yoga in my life! </i></p><p><i>I have learned how to be more flexible (maybe?)…but also that I really do like to have a plan in mind in order to feel like I’m living life on purpose. </i></p><p><i>I have learned to laugh more. </i></p><p><i>I have learned more about what I value the ways I spend my money. (Big one!)</i></p><p><i>I have learned the art of exploration! I’m definitely going to try to keep that spirit alive when I return to Idaho. There are many things to explore there right where we live! </i></p><p><br /></p><p>In short — I am simply grateful for this time of re-centering. I think we moms need to take regular sabbaticals. In the work place sabbaticals are typically built-in — every five to seven years. When do mothers, particularly those who stay-at- home, get sabbaticals? Years ago I actually did take a sabbatical every two years and attended Education Week at BYU. Since moving to Rexburg, it has been more difficult to take that time. But I’m ready to build a regular sabbatical back into my life. Whether it is a weekly moment or a bigger annual event, I want to revisit that regular pattern in my life. I always came back from Education Week rejuvenated, recentered and ready to jump back into my work and love of motherhood. </p><p>When is your next sabbatical? ;-)</p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: x-large;"><b>- - - - - - </b></span></p><p style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: large; font-weight: bold;">“Rest when you’re weary. Refresh and renew yourself, your body, your mind, your spirit. Then get back to work.” — Ralph Marston</span></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-29924125984883419942021-10-27T06:43:00.004-07:002021-12-11T05:24:42.195-08:00The Love of God <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ejWzbThW6hKAY4sjSgT7QKtX5SG3U7MGQe3w_mn2WOmKS0J4bk5k-skKhQA7PJ-7_xUOWHp2QH61Lglw39NHK3kCicCbxmlvScC1YMvELuefutiZG7ZeqSpqbk01o_T1R-ZW9_irP653/s1800/F87B3BE6-F2D7-46A3-A0B7-C1F455642E80.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1200" data-original-width="1800" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEi2ejWzbThW6hKAY4sjSgT7QKtX5SG3U7MGQe3w_mn2WOmKS0J4bk5k-skKhQA7PJ-7_xUOWHp2QH61Lglw39NHK3kCicCbxmlvScC1YMvELuefutiZG7ZeqSpqbk01o_T1R-ZW9_irP653/w640-h426/F87B3BE6-F2D7-46A3-A0B7-C1F455642E80.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><span style="text-align: left;">I love Elder D. Todd Christofferson. I met him once. He visited Jerusalem while I was there for a study abroad. It was meeting him that solidified my testimony of living apostles upon the earth (even though he was a member of the Seventy at the time and not yet an apostle). I’d forgotten it was him until I read my journals a few years ago, but I will never forget the feeling of immense love that emanated from his eyes when I shook his hand. Such profound love! </span></div><p><span style="font-size: large;">What is love? </span></p><p>The world would define it as money, success, possessions, unconditional, tolerance no matter what, and something to be earned. In the world, love is fickle and easily withdrawn when mistakes or imperfections are detected. There is also a very strong “love yourself” mentality out there, a belief that you don’t need anyone but yourself to feel loved. </p><p>Compare that to how the Lord defines love. Elder Christofferson uses the following words: profound, perfect, all-embracing, universal, pure, infinite, constant, and undying. Throughout the talk, he also speaks about God’s <i>redeeming</i> love. It is His redeeming love that makes all the difference. He says, “[These] philosophies ‘justify in committing a little sin’ or even a lot fo sin, but none can offer redemption. That comes only through the blood of the Lamb.” </p><p>If the world defines love as unconditional, then we must ask ourselves, “Is God’s love conditional?” In an article written in February of 2003, then Elder Russell M. Nelson wrote, “While divine love can be called perfect, infinite, enduring, and universal, it cannot correctly be characterized as <i>unconditional</i>.” This has caused quite a bit of cognitive dissonance in many minds and hearts. “But I thought God loved me just as I am?” He does! But, as Elder Christofferson points out, “Because God’s love is all-embracing, some speak of it as ‘unconditional,’ and in their minds they may project that thought to mean that God’s <i>blessings</i> are ‘unconditional’ and that <i>salvation</i> is ‘unconditional.’ They are not….He cannot take any of us into His kingdom just as we are…Our sins must first be resolved.” </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">On Conditions of Repentance</span></p><p>Reading the two following scriptures caused me to pause and ask: Is the Lord’s redemptive power reliant on my repentance? </p><p>Helaman 5:10-12 “…for [Amulek] said uni to [Zeezrom] that the Lord surely should come to redeem his people, but that he should not come to redeem them in their sins, but to redeem them from their sins. And he hath power given unto him from the Father to redeem them form their sins <i>because</i> of repentance…” (italics added)</p><p>Alma 42:13 “Therefore, according to justice, <i>the plan of redemption a could not be brought about, only on conditions of repentance</i> of men in this probationary state, yea, this preparatory state…” (italics added)</p><p>If not for the conditions of repentance, the plan of redemption would not work. Without the Atonement there would be no mercy (see Alma 42), but without repentance there would be no redemption. I interpret that to mean that God’s power to redeem in contingent upon our choice to repent! I might not like to say that we limit God’s power, per say, but it looks like His power cannot be enacted without our choosing Him. </p><p>Elder Christofferson continues, “Because They love you, They do not want to leave you ‘just as you are.’…Because They love you, They want you to repent because that is the path to happiness. But it is your choice—They honor your agency.” One thing we know for sure is that God cannot force us to Heaven. That was Satan’s plan. His power to save requires us to repent! </p><p>Again where the world preaches loving others in their sins, we know that the Lord cannot allow the least degree of sin in His kingdom. However, we as members of the Church also need to be careful about giving into toxic perfectionism. Elder Christofferson reminds us, “Ours is not a religion of rationalization nor a religion of perfectionism but a religion of redemption — redemption through Jesus Christ.” I see this as a continuum: </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCxG2boqmV-gWiR-fpOVEgVQSXCNjgxEwn8QvIF8xbG0cv17N16v3-BXEnajdAkq0J7iU7v8v4zAVq2qyjQ0T262XlX63Pq9In0UM3rqRyOKreF0SfnoHUMGd-7wvfyim_Ondr_xeczmm/s1382/BFF4A163-9F18-42DB-A2EC-96227115D7C2.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="1382" height="232" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiLCxG2boqmV-gWiR-fpOVEgVQSXCNjgxEwn8QvIF8xbG0cv17N16v3-BXEnajdAkq0J7iU7v8v4zAVq2qyjQ0T262XlX63Pq9In0UM3rqRyOKreF0SfnoHUMGd-7wvfyim_Ondr_xeczmm/w640-h232/BFF4A163-9F18-42DB-A2EC-96227115D7C2.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><br /><p>When we combine our personal power with God’s infinite power, that is when Christ’s redemptive love can work in our lives! And then, “Their principal expectation of us is that we also love.” In an earlier talk from 2013, Elder Christofferson teaches, “Inasmuch as we follow Christ, we seek to participate in and further His redemptive work.” What does this redeeming love look like in our lives? How do we participate in the Lord’s redemptive work? </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Our Redemptive Love</span></p><p>Elder Christofferson shared an example from Joy D. Jones, where she and her husband began to serve with God in mind rather than trusting in their own ability to love. I also think of the sons of Mosiah. After causing much pain and chaos among the people, Alma the Younger and his friends experience the redemptive love of the Savior. After much repentance they became “instruments in the hands of God in brining many to the knowledge of the truth, yea, to the knowledge of their Redeemer.” And they wanted to do more! “Now they were desirous that salvation should be declared to every creature, for they could not bear that any human soul should perish…and it came to pass that they did plead with their father many days that they might go up to the land of Nephi (Mosiah 27:35-36; 28:3-5).”</p><p>With the love of God in our hearts there becomes a desire to show that same redemptive love to others. With that love of God in our hearts, “ye will not have a mind to injure one another but to live peaceably…and ye will not suffer your children that they go hungry, or naked; neither will ye suffer that they transgress teh laws of God, and fight and quarrel one with another’s…and also ye yourselves will succor those that stand in need of succor (see Mosiah 4:11-16).”</p><p>Elder Christofferson states, “In acknowledging that God loves us perfectly, we each might ask, ‘How well do I love God? Can He rely on my love as I rely on His?’ Would it not be a worthy aspiration to live so that God can love us not just <i>in spite of </i>our failings but also <i>because</i> <i>of</i> what we are becoming?” </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Concluding Thoughts</span></p><p>Psychologist Erich Fromm believes, “Love is the active concern for the life <i>and growth </i>of that which we love (emphasis added).” Once again, God does not want to leave us where we are, His greatest desire is for us to live with Him. Is His mission not “to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man?” If He is to accomplish His mission, we must do our part and choose Him! “Herein is my father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” Our show of redemptive love to God’s children, adds to His glory! Then, He can more abundantly bless and love us! </p><p>THIS is Redemptive Love — that Christ received a mortal body, He suffered and He died for me. He sacrificed His life that He might “draw all men unto him (3 Nephi 27:14).” He will draw me in, not force me in. Is it not then within my power to draw near to Him? “We love Him because He first loved us (1 John 4:8).” And oh, what a love! </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: x-large;">- - - - - - - </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"> <span style="font-size: large;"><i>”Eye hath not seen, nor ear heard, neither have entered into the heart of man, the things which God hat prepared for them that love him.” </i></span></p><p style="text-align: right;"><span style="font-size: large;"><i>1 Corinthians 2:9</i></span></p><p><br /></p><p><br /></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-43083026185569598782021-10-16T15:08:00.000-07:002021-10-16T15:08:03.085-07:00Our Georgia Journey<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1w1YWFfCt_U3pZpg7VA9Ly1IduuqVeVKmHH6-FxmXyjddumMkRdfUwY_7KIOFVC8238fKCuJnhnqS256TfF5UqBFzImu1sA-8TxjkyRHyYqqJ7hwFfTWHkRHMORpnOlrnD_PhJiQDCf5/s2048/77A49DAC-C170-471E-93AD-5B50F3284DF7.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiq1w1YWFfCt_U3pZpg7VA9Ly1IduuqVeVKmHH6-FxmXyjddumMkRdfUwY_7KIOFVC8238fKCuJnhnqS256TfF5UqBFzImu1sA-8TxjkyRHyYqqJ7hwFfTWHkRHMORpnOlrnD_PhJiQDCf5/w640-h480/77A49DAC-C170-471E-93AD-5B50F3284DF7.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>We are on an adventure! For the past two months — and for the next two months — we are in Georgia. Why? J has a sabbatical teaching for Kennesaw State University this semester. Though it all hasn’t been thornless roses, we have been super grateful for the breath of fresh air for our family. Here are some highlights of life and lessons learned… </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Home Life Shifts After Kids Leave Home</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bx3BxnM5NkpnZa8murvRCTJpQVWH3HScS4u9FiOQGrEtK4fMaoxQjvdkXmrcpqmz3IqE_XXDmh4ZAyj-b0rVWxRDtMSu15mgtJMecHeJ7SixetuSVsJl1FIntwkMkQsiMXaIXzhuS7c8/s2048/94963B7A-7C4D-4E9B-86FA-46A003EDB210.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg_Bx3BxnM5NkpnZa8murvRCTJpQVWH3HScS4u9FiOQGrEtK4fMaoxQjvdkXmrcpqmz3IqE_XXDmh4ZAyj-b0rVWxRDtMSu15mgtJMecHeJ7SixetuSVsJl1FIntwkMkQsiMXaIXzhuS7c8/w640-h480/94963B7A-7C4D-4E9B-86FA-46A003EDB210.jpeg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p>We sent Addie off to college in June. Yes! She graduated in May and a few weeks later started her first semester at BYU in Provo. As overwhelming as that was for her, I think it was a great decision. She was able to ease into college life before the mad rush of fall and secured a great job as well. </p><p></p><p>With Addie moving out we began raising what J calls, “Our Second Family.” We have ONLY BOYS at home! The older three are off living their adult lives (John with Addie in Provo and Brooklynn on a mission in California). I love them and miss them! However, I will say life is pretty different now that they are all out of the house. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ImPbBffXC3r0w_mk2l5z0EsS41dQ5arnP5fFuw9VVNiwNGmxuSRgAw9sXh5rM7eTUgUqf5EEGhzN4GXf1wpT5wP2i78tI6deEAZEOOirW-XUmyumB4xwgZ5ESh8JVFWZzDStb8fWhVfJ/s2048/E69CDF34-18D6-4038-BCF8-63EBCF22E070.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1365" data-original-width="2048" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg5ImPbBffXC3r0w_mk2l5z0EsS41dQ5arnP5fFuw9VVNiwNGmxuSRgAw9sXh5rM7eTUgUqf5EEGhzN4GXf1wpT5wP2i78tI6deEAZEOOirW-XUmyumB4xwgZ5ESh8JVFWZzDStb8fWhVfJ/w640-h426/E69CDF34-18D6-4038-BCF8-63EBCF22E070.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>My oldest three were so close in age that they each ruled the nest in their own way. Transitioning to Joel being our oldest has shifted the dynamics pretty drastically. He’s quiet, calm, gentle and super thoughtful. He’s quick to jump in and help — and get the younger boys to follow his lead. This was the perfect timing for a sabbatical for the reason of truly setting a new normal tone for our home. </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U5vv566iIQEFX-nK1SOnAx3RZk85wXl6vOW_oDtAHT3d1v6L-pOoMNlV_kgJhWsp-026Kq0hLczWDXxpyg01k7CfoZD9jeH1iQS4DTf7pqdvJ48ibAtgjlGMDB1GPb2oktF1JwQUmd7R/s2048/D87D1B69-37EE-4E7A-B057-EADEB14ABB15.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2048" data-original-width="1536" height="640" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEj9U5vv566iIQEFX-nK1SOnAx3RZk85wXl6vOW_oDtAHT3d1v6L-pOoMNlV_kgJhWsp-026Kq0hLczWDXxpyg01k7CfoZD9jeH1iQS4DTf7pqdvJ48ibAtgjlGMDB1GPb2oktF1JwQUmd7R/w480-h640/D87D1B69-37EE-4E7A-B057-EADEB14ABB15.jpeg" width="480" /></a></div><p>This has also been a great opportunity for our four younger boys to bond. Because of their closeness in age and the fact that we homeschooled for the majority of their time together, our three oldest bonded super quickly! They have stayed close throughout the years and it’s so fun to watch them grow into adulthood together. My younger boys are more spread out in age and have primarily attended public school. So, their experiences have been less intertwined. I could not have asked for a better opportunity for them to develop their own relationships with one another. Our middle two boys have been especially struggling to connect. It’s taken a minute, but just this past week I have watched the miracle happen — friendship, joining in one another’s hobbies, and discussing rather than arguing! I’m not sure it will last forever, but I will take it for as long as it will last! </p><p><br /></p><p><b><span style="font-size: large;">Work & Marriage</span></b></p><p><b></b></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><b><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_xRN8PdhI1mN9twBPfnGE9jF3NvfMwh-BOO_lFKbtMoGAeCewGWls1IRenwU119KGT33RzOt6ATDxEr1iBQL0UgOVU-mOTzAHiJHqbM0HxPQBZLcG7yIyhDlGBZv-9sFNiy6Yw8qigCL/s2048/BC09C039-7799-475A-8040-380A0EA25856.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEje_xRN8PdhI1mN9twBPfnGE9jF3NvfMwh-BOO_lFKbtMoGAeCewGWls1IRenwU119KGT33RzOt6ATDxEr1iBQL0UgOVU-mOTzAHiJHqbM0HxPQBZLcG7yIyhDlGBZv-9sFNiy6Yw8qigCL/w640-h480/BC09C039-7799-475A-8040-380A0EA25856.jpeg" width="640" /></a></b></div><p>The other blessing we’ve recognized being here is just how much our marriage needed a breath of fresh air and for J to evaluate his work situation without the rigors of the daily hustle. We both have had our own physical and mental stressors making our marriage filled with quite a bit of tension J still works diligently, but we have also created more space and time for play. </p><p></p><p>Play in marriage (and family life) is HUGE! In theory we know that. But in practice? It’s a bit more tricky. The last several years have been especially difficult for us to remember how to PLAY! Kids, work, callings, kids, work, callings… Whew! Just managing the day to day can really take it’s toll. I think if anyone asks me for advice in the future, this might be the thing I tell them — Don’t Forget to Play! </p><p>In <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/scriptures/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world/the-family-a-proclamation-to-the-world">The Family: A Proclamation to the World</a> we are counseled that families are strengthened by faith, prayer, forgiveness…and “<i>wholesome recreational activities.</i>” The truth is, as life gets busy we really have to work extra hard at scheduling in the play. It would be nice if J and I were spontaneous people…but we are not! I am especially more rigid in needing a plan before moving forward. I’m working on it through this little adventure, but it’s still hard for me to shift gears when plans need to change. I also struggle with trying to make everyone happy. So, if we don’t have a plan and everyone starts to voice their opinions — watch out for the panic attack! </p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeTMILa8UGjeVedwaBWPRiuIwdS9SibNFSp2df18huAyABf_-udRLG7G20XfH-ueKljQyJu1R6EyK8mFWrb5NUbEhNAXJfy9tNJRkVbsUz4diqrThzWpy_H53AzbVKFxm__KF1yNHI2Eu/s2048/872C846E-26A8-4EBE-8C1D-67640D97816E.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhLeTMILa8UGjeVedwaBWPRiuIwdS9SibNFSp2df18huAyABf_-udRLG7G20XfH-ueKljQyJu1R6EyK8mFWrb5NUbEhNAXJfy9tNJRkVbsUz4diqrThzWpy_H53AzbVKFxm__KF1yNHI2Eu/w640-h480/872C846E-26A8-4EBE-8C1D-67640D97816E.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Boy have we played! There so much to see in the South. On the weekends, we have travelled some distances and explored locally. J and Joel have had a goal to try all the chicken sandwiches, rating them as they go (there is so much chicken here!). We have really enjoyed the restaurant selections here — Idaho just doesn’t cut it. We have gotten to know the ward a bit and hav reconnected with some old friends With not many obligations during our day, the kids and I have found opportunities to serve and enjoyed the awesome Acworth Community Center. We have played a lot of games and watch a lot of TV. I’ve even gotten them on some hiking trails (as long as there are no spiders hanging in the trees!). </p><p>I know this isn’t forever, but I really am okay with that. As much as we have enjoyed our time to rejuvenate and reconnect with one another, there is purpose in the normal daily life back home. I’ve missed it. And we’ve had our days of complete boredom. So, I think after all this is said and done we will be perfectly ready to enter “the real world” again. Fortunately, we’ll have this experience to rely on when life starts to spiral out of control again. And hopefully we’ll keep the messages we’ve learned along the way. </p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-42233290145641382962021-09-20T22:41:00.004-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.068-07:00Authenticity at Church<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliUxkLGbUB2FOc1ZUjGScwJBqh3rO0o2MGdfAzGbbV2p8DpmgBkMMF6Idz_VENAEYjH0o7qJ9B0bsFiV2ReALqJx8NI5bmisfu4-hRbasr7OyXO2ukiCrsQ7q9zTcpw8knUgzzhr7Eb0p/s2048/E9013902-6155-440A-8853-0CE396D5FE4C.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1536" data-original-width="2048" height="480" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjliUxkLGbUB2FOc1ZUjGScwJBqh3rO0o2MGdfAzGbbV2p8DpmgBkMMF6Idz_VENAEYjH0o7qJ9B0bsFiV2ReALqJx8NI5bmisfu4-hRbasr7OyXO2ukiCrsQ7q9zTcpw8knUgzzhr7Eb0p/w640-h480/E9013902-6155-440A-8853-0CE396D5FE4C.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div><p>Let’s talk about authenticity! </p><p>In our current society it appears that concept of “be authentic” has become an excuse to “act how you feel.” It’s almost like, if we are happy, feeling blessed, positive or optimistic then we must be fake or hypocritical. We might even worry about feeling happy or grateful because we don’t want to appear prideful or make others feel worse about themselves and their circumstances. Ironically, on the flip side of this we typically only see the positive and “happy faces” on social media, confusing us even more about what is real — even within ourselves. </p><p>This isn’t super new, however. Back in 2017, Elder Quentin L. Cook observed this same phenomenon: </p><p><i>In today’s world, there is an increased emphasis on pride, self-aggrandizement, and so-called “authenticity,” which sometimes leads to a lack of true humility. Some suggest the moral values for happiness today include “be real, be strong, be productive—and most important, don’t rely on other people … because your fate is … in your own hands.”…</i></p><p><i>Some misuse authenticity as a celebration of the natural man and qualities that are the opposite of humility, kindness, mercy, forgiveness, and civility. We can celebrate our individual uniqueness as children of God without using authenticity as an excuse for un-Christlike behavior.</i></p><div><br /></div><div>So, what does it really mean to be authentic?<span> </span> Is it yelling at the clerk at the store because you’re just having a rotten day and she took too long to ring your groceries? Is it going to church moping so people know you struggle? Is authenticity really just acting out on whatever you’re feeling at the moment? </div><p>Brene Brown defines authenticity this way:</p><p><br /></p><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZF1NH6OidaNI0msPY2VImCJ4fSphg-q6-Yh2ZGrUW5qK4T11nXSHy4qRJNG6IK48zXBLmDMnn72Q_6kZoXNd1qbAIt_x89TpI3vb40nYeXRQYJ3PU1bn9P2Z0eTFu4HmLpX8ADlE2MQsv/s600/4E9DCF97-5254-4852-8C66-6CD92C43FA55.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="600" data-original-width="600" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhZF1NH6OidaNI0msPY2VImCJ4fSphg-q6-Yh2ZGrUW5qK4T11nXSHy4qRJNG6IK48zXBLmDMnn72Q_6kZoXNd1qbAIt_x89TpI3vb40nYeXRQYJ3PU1bn9P2Z0eTFu4HmLpX8ADlE2MQsv/w400-h400/4E9DCF97-5254-4852-8C66-6CD92C43FA55.jpeg" width="400" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><p><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>Letting Go of who we Think we’re Supposed to Be</i></span></p><p>Hmmm… </p><p>So does this mean we are to push away our sadness to be happy because we’re supposed to? </p><p>Does embracing who we are mean we can lash out if we have an anger management problem? </p><p>I don’t think so. But before we get to digging into authenticity more fully, I want to touch on a couple of other thoughts. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Hypocrisy & Duplicity</span></p><p>I think we worry about acting happy when we’re sad because maybe we are being hypocrites. Likewise, there is the fear that when feeling tired we can’t go out in public and treat the cashier with the same grumpiness with which we treated our family. I know I struggle with this immensely! </p><p>At one point in my life I’d had some unpleasant interactions with a person in my ward. There had been betrayal and I was feeling hypocritical going to church and smiling when I knew she was hurting — when I was hurting. One day I was revealing these emotions to a friend and she said, “Julia, when you go into church with a smile and joy, that is the real you.” </p><p>Being brave, strong and resilient is not hypocrisy. </p><p>Duplicity is also something we grapple with. For example, acting one way at home and the opposite way outside the home. Years ago, when my oldest was about seven years old, I was in the middle of giving him a heated lecture when the phone rang. Of course, when I answered, my voice became social sweet. After finishing the conversation my son asked, “Why do you sound mad at home, but on the phone you sound nice?” Caught! </p><p>But, was this appropriate on my part? What else could I have done? Answered the phone in a grumpy tone? Maybe it would have been better to ignore the phone and finish the conversation with my son, calling back when the mood was better. Or maybe there is a time for what the Nagoski sisters call, “strategic inauthenticity.” </p><p>In their book, <i>Burnout: The Secret to Unlocking the Stress Cycle,</i> Emily and Amelia Nagoski state that sometimes we build trust through strategic inauthenticity. They write, “Part of being trustworthy is being that ‘well-behaved woman’ [in a public setting]…Authenticity comes on the phone that evening when you tell you best friend how well you behaved (pp. 143-144).” </p><p>In other words: saying you’re okay when you’re not, is okay; maybe even healthy. </p><p><span style="font-size: large;">Authenticity in our Church Meetings</span></p><p>Which brings me to authenticity in our Church meetings. I know there is a lot of talk about becoming more vulnerable at church. We want people to be “real” in Sunday School and Relief Society instead of only hearing the “Sunday School answers,” the ideal applications, and the faith-building stories. But again, going back to my first question, does “real” mean we can’t be joyful and share the good in our lives? Is it fake and less authentic when we only share the good stuff? </p><p>I’m beginning to see that maybe our Sunday classes are more a time for “strategic inauthenticity” rather than a place for us to bare all to all. Why? Because we all need faith, hope and charity. After all, Brene Brown also reminds us that people need to earn the right to hear our vulnerable stories, they aren’t meant for everyone. For awhile now I’ve actually thought how nice it is to have that one day a week when I am forced (and expected) to put on my Sunday best, smile as I pass others in the hallway, and discuss the ideals of the gospel. The rest of the week can be for exhaustion and stress if it wants to be, but that one blessed day is a reprieve. </p><p>I believe Elder Deiter F. Uchtdorf says it best: </p><p><i>…the authentic disciple of Jesus Christ...did something that can be extremely hard to do: she trusted God even in the face of ridicule and hardship. Somehow she maintained her faith and hope, despite the scorn and cynicism around her. She lived joyfully not because her circumstances were joyful but because she was joyful.</i></p><p>Being joyful is not inauthentic. </p><p>Being joyful is not hypocritical. </p><p>Being joyful in moments of sadness is not duplicity. </p><p>We all need to share in the joy of others. If my joy affects the joy of another, that makes me sad, but it should not dictate the joy that I am allowed and able to feel on my good days. If being authentic means honoring the natural man, then maybe I don’t want to be authentic. In psychology — the real self, the true self, the authentic self is made up of the good parts of me. Those are the parts that belong in me because of Jesus Christ. Those are the parts of me He wants me to use in helping others to use their own. Therein lies my identity and my divinity. </p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: large;"> - - - - - - </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;">“Let love be without dissimulation (sincere). </span></b><b><span style="font-size: medium;">Abhor that which is evil; cleave to that which is good.” </span></b></p><p style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-size: medium;"> Romans 12:9</span></b></p>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-41226844193884911882021-05-26T20:56:00.001-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.068-07:00Transitions and Milestones<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-g8o6r67Ab4eySZmWCg0jTDpwIsIORD5_R_D0yxdzy8NDu6zXr7YEaT01c8hPFADNpq-RmmL14bmqZW1TKBZ-YlQNcNpHZZTE43kfXgk_yyFK3c7Z3EO1AfyU1XSlhSMNODCZl2N7HL9/s2000/siblings.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1600" data-original-width="2000" height="512" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhm-g8o6r67Ab4eySZmWCg0jTDpwIsIORD5_R_D0yxdzy8NDu6zXr7YEaT01c8hPFADNpq-RmmL14bmqZW1TKBZ-YlQNcNpHZZTE43kfXgk_yyFK3c7Z3EO1AfyU1XSlhSMNODCZl2N7HL9/w640-h512/siblings.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">This is a BIG week for our family! </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Brooklynn celebrated 20 years of living! We got to talk with her on her birthday and it was such a special treat to sing to her miles away. She’s happily serving the people of Lancaster, California and shining a light wherever she goes. </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">David will be 10 on Friday! We’ve been reminiscing that he was Donovan’s age when we first moved here. He has been counting down the days because he does not love being 9. I guess 10 is a bit of a rite of passage at our house, that time when you are no longer a “little kid” (though 10 is still so little from this Mama’s perspective). </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Also happening Friday, Addie will graduate from high school! She will be leaving in just a few short weeks to head to college and I am really trying to prepare myself for that. She is an amazing young woman and will do great things, but man we are going to miss her! (Only boys from here on out!)</span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">With all of this in mind, Elder Jeffrey R. Holland’s recent Facebook post resonated wholeheartedly with me. He said: </span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></p><p style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"> <span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap;"><i>Seeing my grandchildren progress is a great thrill for a grandfather. My extended family is currently in the midst of some wonderful experiences—including the recent temple marriage of my grandson and his lovely bride and my granddaughter receiving her temple endowment and subsequent departure on her mission next month. </i></span></span></p><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); font-size: 15px; margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes we fear the future and worry about how change will affect us. I encourage you to embrace these new phases and stages in life as part of God’s plan. We should celebrate and enjoy these moments. Please don’t worry too much about them.</span></i></div></div><div class="o9v6fnle cxmmr5t8 oygrvhab hcukyx3x c1et5uql ii04i59q" style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; caret-color: rgb(5, 5, 5); margin: 0.5em 0px 0px; overflow-wrap: break-word; text-size-adjust: auto; white-space: pre-wrap; word-wrap: break-word;"><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;">As a proud grandfather, I look forward to the future of my children and grandchildren with hope and faith. New doors will constantly open for each of us—and we should be prepared to walk through them. Change and progression are part of God’s plan for us.</span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><i><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></i></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">As much as I love to celebrate with my children as they experience these new milestones, I am never fully prepared for how they will tug at my heartstrings. It’s too easy to look back at previous years with eyes of love and longing, wishing I could go back to those days. No, those days were not perfect, but it amazes me how the pain and struggle dim with time. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;">Sometimes the future is scary because I don’t know what it’s going to look like. But, I love Elder Holland's optimistic words because they help me see this phase of life with a different perspective. There is still so much to look forward to as my children grow up, leave home, and venture off onto their own adventures. I want to just sit back and love the journey as it unfolds in front of me. </span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: justify;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="text-align: center;"><b><span style="font-family: inherit; font-size: large;"> - - - - - - </span></b></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><span style="font-family: inherit;"><br /></span></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;">“There are two gifts we should give our children; one is roots, and the other is wings.” </span></b></i></div><div dir="auto" style="font-size: 15px; text-align: center;"><i><b><span style="font-family: inherit;"> - - Anonymous - - </span></b></i></div></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-55827312354657154432020-07-30T13:57:00.001-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.069-07:00COMPASSION<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR7Ak_i-C9uohsaaz6OIsNuq-q9xrV0PhLd76puAoegu0mbiK5ltXFp41yRMEfjgSVVRwGxN4gGRX-qv6is9ygGW3kHm5lak6AZdK1WZfDz9MwTeR2CqfcIFTA4dHlisn1HD2ODMmo4va/s960/F879ED75-80D4-4AE6-B5FC-0BE5E7BFB50B.jpeg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="640" data-original-width="960" height="520" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjAR7Ak_i-C9uohsaaz6OIsNuq-q9xrV0PhLd76puAoegu0mbiK5ltXFp41yRMEfjgSVVRwGxN4gGRX-qv6is9ygGW3kHm5lak6AZdK1WZfDz9MwTeR2CqfcIFTA4dHlisn1HD2ODMmo4va/w781-h520/F879ED75-80D4-4AE6-B5FC-0BE5E7BFB50B.jpeg" width="781" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">There is so much controversy in the world today! The topics of a pandemic, public education, economic downfall, racism, religious freedom, refugees and immigration, and global unrest permeate every conversation with varying viewpoints on every side. Oftentimes it’s difficult to discern the truth amidst all the cacophony of voices! In social media realms there is little curiosity and much judgment, little understanding and much criticism. In short, I am seeing a lack of compassion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b>What is Compassion? </b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><b><br /></b></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="http://webstersdictionary1828.com/Dictionary/Compassion">Compassion</a> is “suffering with another...a sensation of sorrow excited but he distress or misfortunes of another....Compassion is a mixed passion compounded of love and sorrow.” A lot has been said in the world about empathy and I’ve asked myself what is the difference between compassion and empathy. “While empathy refers more generally to our ability to take the perspective of and feel the emotions of another person, <i>compassion is when those feelings and thoughts include the desire to help.” </i>(I would add the desire to understand in this definition as well.) </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I was particularly moved by the compassion in Alma during our Come, Follow Me studies the past two weeks. Alma and Amulek are doing the hard work of teaching the Zoramites — an apostate sect of Nephites (Alma 30:8). They were a hardened group of people who worshipped their own righteousness more than God (Alma 31:15-18). They mocked, belittled, and shunned anything that was taught by others. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">What is our typical reaction when we come across such individuals? Maybe we turn away, unsure of how to respond. Maybe we ridicule and go to our own place of self-righteous judgment. Maybe we criticize and argue with them, trying to convince them of the error of their ways. (I'll admit, I've been guilty of all such responses.) Very seldom do we see such behavior treated with compassion. And yet that is exactly what Alma shows us. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Now it came to pass that after the end of Korihor, Alma having received tidings that the Zoramites were perverting they ays of the Lord...his heart again began to sicken because of the iniquity of the people. For it was the cause of great sorrow to Alma to know of iniquity among his people; therefore his heart was exceedingly sorrowful because of the separation of the Zoramites from the Nephites (Alma 31:1-2).” Notice that the words used is “sorrowful” — not judgmental, not critical, not angry — sorrowful. His heart was grieved because of the loss and hardness of his brethren. This shows Alma’s deep compassion. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Later in the chapter we read Alma’s prayer: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">“O, Lord God, how long wilt thou suffer that such wickedness and infidelity shall be among this people? O Lord, wilt thou give me strength, that I may bear with mine infirmities. For I am infirm, and such wickedness among this people doth pain my soul. O Lord, my heart is exceedingly sorrowful; wilt thou comfort my soul in Christ (31:35-36).” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again see the heartache. Why is Alma so grieved about this people, the Zoramites? Why does he care? Why does it matter to him? These people were once his brothers and sisters in the gospel. He has great care and love for them. Thus, his sorrow is founded in his relationship with them and with God. His desire is to bring them back to the knowledge and understanding of the loving God they once knew. His heart as filled with pain because of his compassion toward them. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">One last verse: </div><div style="text-align: justify;">“Now Alma, being grieved for the iniquity of his people, yea for the wars, and the bloodshed s, and the contentions which were among them; and having been to declare the word...among all the people in every city; and seeing that the hearts of the people began to wax hard, and that they began to be offended because of the strictness of the word, his heart was exceedingly sorrowful (Alma 35:15).” </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Again these words: sorrowful, grieved. I personally do not hear feelings of judgement in these words. What in Alma is a great compassion and desire for the welfare of his brethren — despite their wickedness. We all can learn from this great example of Alma and show compassion toward our brethren, toward all humankind. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">When Christ was on the earth, teaching and preaching unto the people (as was Alma), “when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd (Matt. 9:36).” When we foster such compassion in our hearts we will not longer desire to be right or to condemn; rather, we will be driven to love and serve our neighbors, listen to understand, and to express kindness in a world that is urging us to do the opposite. We can foster such compassion by starting our day with God in mind, pausing before speaking, and pulling from our own experiences while practicing our ability to relate to one another. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">This earth life is hard enough as it is without the constant turmoil and contention brewing. We owe it to ourselves and our children to create an environment, a culture if you will, of compassion. There is no better time than today to start the trend! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><b><i> - - - - - - </i></b></span></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><br /></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>In a very real way, the Master speaks to us: “Behold, I stand at the door and knock: if any man hear my voice, and open the door, I will come in to him.’ Let us listen for His knock. Let us open the door of our hearts, that He—the living example of true compassion—may enter...”</i></span></div><div style="text-align: center;"><span style="font-size: medium;"><i>- Thomas S. Monson, April 2001 - </i></span></div><div><br /></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-65580994851839047352020-07-23T07:44:00.000-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.070-07:00Do the Hard Work<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVJ-Vdpi-ZHUj0xIWmE7nTNw_KOqSSmSssZQ7UNVB34zoNI2rBGl2YMyVFFH_pd8PpUoJQwuqHDfBmgDviyc6pcSTW88gjd05F7ZIpL6ta3qqm26MCj9ymTFsuEehBCCvCqKKD-pIPmKL/s1600/0861B01A-A87D-4501-8265-A1782D985D81.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="375" data-original-width="480" height="500" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiGVJ-Vdpi-ZHUj0xIWmE7nTNw_KOqSSmSssZQ7UNVB34zoNI2rBGl2YMyVFFH_pd8PpUoJQwuqHDfBmgDviyc6pcSTW88gjd05F7ZIpL6ta3qqm26MCj9ymTFsuEehBCCvCqKKD-pIPmKL/s640/0861B01A-A87D-4501-8265-A1782D985D81.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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Self-awareness and change is hard work.<br />
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Marriage is hard work.<br />
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Motherhood is hard work.<br />
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Life is hard work.<br />
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I think at some point we forget this truth. Somewhere in our cultural dialogue, we have forgotten what it means to do the hard work, to struggle, and to finish what we began. </div>
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My dad is the one who taught me about hard work. You set your eye on the goal and then get to work. You finish the job. Being an avid reader, I remember many times, “Get your nose out of that book and look up.” He always wanted me to be aware of the beauty around me, to be aware of what was right in front of me. My dad is struggling with cancer. He has done the hard work, he continues to do the hard work of enduring to the end. </div>
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That’s the personal note on this subject. Now let’s talk about what it means to do the hard work. </div>
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In the scripture we are taught to “work out your own salvation (Phil. 2:12).” Amulek reiterates this instruction when teaching the humble Zoramites, “...and that ye should work out your salvation with fear before God... (Alma 34:37).” Many might use this verse to imply that the work of receiving salvation is all on our shoulders. Yes, there is work in keeping the commandments, but more important is the work of building a relationship with God and trusting in His grace for the empowerment, enlightenment and strength needed to do the work He requires. </div>
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I like how <a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/study/general-conference/1998/04/put-your-shoulder-to-the-wheel?lang=eng">Elder Neal A. Maxwell spoke</a> about our work with God. He said: </div>
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<i>Our Heavenly Father has described His vast plan for His children by saying, ‘Behold, this is my work and my glory —to bring to pass the immortality and eternal life of man.’ Consider the significance of the Lord’s use of the word work. What He is doing so lovingly and redemptively is, nevertheless, work —even for Him! We, likewise, speak of ‘working out our salvation,’ of the ‘law of the harvest,’ and of the ‘sweat of the brow.’ There are not idle phrases. Instead, they underscore the importance of work. In fact...work is always a spiritual necessity even if, for some, work is not an economic necessity. </i></div>
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The Lord has a work. We as mothers, wives, and daughters of God have a work. It is a <i>spiritual necessity </i>to do that work. However, hard work does not need to have negative connotation. Notice in Elder Maxwell’s quote he said that the Lord is doing the work <i>lovingly</i> and <i>redemptively</i>. We can do our work in that same manner, showing <i>ourselves</i> the compassion we need in order to do the work being asked of us with that same love. </div>
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M. Catherine Thomas gives us some insight into how we can do such work:</div>
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<i>I encourage you to design your own spiritual practice for training your mind, things you want to rain yourself to do every day in order to raise your spiritual energy level, in addition, of course, to your prayer and scripture. What you repeatedly practice I’ll become your inclination....Setting out to create new mental habits is something like a spacecraft trying to escape the force of gravity—at first it takes quite a bit of effort, and then you break free, and it almost runs itself (The God Seed, pp 208-209).</i></div>
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How many of you set out to be mothers with joy, anticipation, a little nervousness but mostly excitement? How many of you, at some point in your mothering, realized that it was a lot harder than you had originally anticipated? Motherhood burn out is a real thing! It takes work to keep redemptive love as a focus, not only toward your children and spouse, but also toward ourselves! And yet, the work of a mother is the same work God has —to bring our children to Christ. What better mission is there than that!? Making it a priority to create a spiritual practice for ourselves is vital in fulfilling this great mission. </div>
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Yes, these roles we play in life can be exhausting, but with the Lord and His mission as our focus we have the capacity to find joy in motherhood, joy in self-discovery, joy in marriage and joy in life! Then we can move forward with a steadfastness in Christ and do the hard work required of us! Our children deserve mothers who will do that hard work. </div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"> - - - - - - </span></b></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Put your shoulder to the wheel; push along,</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Do your duty with a heart full of song. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">We all have work; let no one shirk.</span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;">Put your shoulder to the wheel. </span></i></div>
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<i><span style="font-size: x-large;"><a href="https://www.churchofjesuschrist.org/music/library/hymns/put-your-shoulder-to-the-wheel?lang=eng&_r=1">Hymns, 252</a></span></i></div>
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<br />Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-79386741976944908212020-07-07T07:30:00.006-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.071-07:00Light Your Candle, Light Your World<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ53SBOzRQO2BrCPAbIQw1yaMy2HGj5ZddyekCadDN6medWe6IrGt9TSLjKulj0ITxXCdkjEXf2FoovBMEhqmv7iF_KGx5ghupB4mKcXWGsQ-CY93RhzB_YUckcDMtTlGoCUGGxUEgzumW/s2047/IMG_20200525_192335702-COLLAGE.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2047" data-original-width="2047" height="781" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiQ53SBOzRQO2BrCPAbIQw1yaMy2HGj5ZddyekCadDN6medWe6IrGt9TSLjKulj0ITxXCdkjEXf2FoovBMEhqmv7iF_KGx5ghupB4mKcXWGsQ-CY93RhzB_YUckcDMtTlGoCUGGxUEgzumW/w781-h781/IMG_20200525_192335702-COLLAGE.jpg" width="781" /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;">We recently passed our family's birthday season -- 4 birthdays in three weeks and the birthday of our home (5 years in Rexburg!). Oh, and throw Father's Day into that mix and we have a month-long party! With each celebration came some candles and an opportunity to celebrate the life of each beautiful person. </div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: justify;"><span style="text-align: left;"><br /></span></span></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: left;"><span style="text-align: justify;">Elder L. Tom Perry once spoke of his childhood birthdays, how they were lavished with attention and given free reign on their special day. He said, "This attention was a way of showing us that we were wanted and needed and had the complete love and support of our family." As Elder Perry aged, he starting to look at birthdays differently. "I understand better each day the blessings of knowing that I am a child of God. </span><i style="text-align: justify;">What tremendous power and potential the Lord has blessed each of his children with </i><span style="text-align: justify;">(BYU Speeches, Aug. 3, 1980)."</span></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do we recognize this "tremendous power and potential" in ourselves? Do we give ourselves time to <i>believe</i> the truth of this statement? Are we willing to light our candles, to light up our world? </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>There is a candle in every soul</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Some brightly burning, some dark and cold.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>There is a Spirit who brings fire</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Ignites a candle and makes His home. </i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Carry your candle, run to the darkness;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hold out your candle for all to see it.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Take your candle, and go light your world.<a href="https://youtu.be/0X5nwT50M-M">*</a></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ07ENpMW6StWnfWCtf_JwHfmMHbI7jVL2HUZ-DO8N25TBlyL98HXJYghJDnA0tNqTMRQLKm5a26Jog3FG96p2dikcFWYPKotw4Hrem2PCwV0ikDEVPclHodJ4ZEwdp33tNHlyOO84d1ht/s4032/IMG_0373.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEhQ07ENpMW6StWnfWCtf_JwHfmMHbI7jVL2HUZ-DO8N25TBlyL98HXJYghJDnA0tNqTMRQLKm5a26Jog3FG96p2dikcFWYPKotw4Hrem2PCwV0ikDEVPclHodJ4ZEwdp33tNHlyOO84d1ht/w469-h625/IMG_0373.HEIC" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you watched a child recently, <i>really</i> watched him? Our three-year-old, Donovan, is such a delight! His smile lights up the room, his energy is contagious, and his joy is full. He is a bright light. Children are bright lights because they have not yet been shown that they are not. I don't think it's a coincidence that our children learn the song, "I am a Child of God" at a young age. They sing it when they believe it. Why do we stop believing it? Somehow, sometimes, as we continue on our mortal journey, our lights may begin to dim. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Alicia Keys has something to say about that. She writes:</div><div style="font-weight: bold; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">“<i>At some point during our conversation...it dawned on me...<u>How I’d dimmed my light so it wouldn’t blind others or make them uncomfortable around me... rather than basking in teh glow of those miracles, I shrank.</u> </i><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: calibri; font-size: 11pt;">As certain moments I even dumbed myself down or chose not to talk about the many blessings I’d received. I feared that if I shared my experience in its entirety, if I took the lid off my joy, it would push others away or make them feel small. … Some part of my spirit was always signing up for less because that is what I believed I deserved. For many years, I thought I was just being modest. I never wanted to come across self-absorbed, or as someone with a big head. It’s how we women are brought up: Don’t ask for more. Don’t’ take credit. Don’t outshine others. But there on the couch, it hit me that my alleged modesty was just a disguise—a mask for a lack of self-worth.</span><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: calibri; font-size: 11pt;">” </span></i></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><span style="-webkit-text-size-adjust: auto; font-family: calibri; font-size: 11pt;">— Alicia Keys, More Myself pp. 247-248</span></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have any of you felt that you needed to dim your light so others wouldn't feel uncomfortable? I have. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Have you had a hard time celebrating the success of others because it somehow dims your light? I have. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Do you sometimes believe you are just being modest, when in reality you are dumbing yourself down? I do. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe this is a common struggle among all human beings! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe we can do better. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I believe I can do better. </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R9u81T3Q2znXljSpLDJh6E45mMQZLfPxizR00xd4rMjbhKkkVdasp7pZdIxOa_isG5GbJKUTgcQ0ZiSA7sBS1CIkgoq7hugpO16k0ts4gJT0b__GKQbYbswzpczdwM8DTnD1pe1gosFz/s4032/IMG_0489.HEIC" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="4032" data-original-width="3024" height="625" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEh4R9u81T3Q2znXljSpLDJh6E45mMQZLfPxizR00xd4rMjbhKkkVdasp7pZdIxOa_isG5GbJKUTgcQ0ZiSA7sBS1CIkgoq7hugpO16k0ts4gJT0b__GKQbYbswzpczdwM8DTnD1pe1gosFz/w469-h625/IMG_0489.HEIC" width="469" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">We each have a light to shine. The Lord, Jesus Christ taught, "<b>Ye are the light of the world</b>. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hid. <i>Neither do men light a candle, and put it under a bushel, but on a candlestick;</i> and <b>it giveth light unto all that are in the house</b>. <b>Let your light so shine before men</b>, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven (Matt. 5:14-16)."</div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">I remember an instance when I shared a dream of mine with a group of friends. There was something I wanted to do in my life and I explained with great detail what that was. It was interesting to watch the dreaming become infectious. Suddenly the room was filled with dreams and desires with a whole lot of support and encouragement going around. It was energizing! What I learned in that moment was that when we share a piece of ourselves others feel the freedom to do the same. When we shine our light, "it giveth light unto all that are in the house." </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;">Shining our light is not for our own gratification or so that we can feel good about ourselves. Shining our light is about igniting the light in others! So, please! Do not allow the adversary (and the many voices in the world) to dim your light! It's not worth it. <i>Your</i> world needs <i>you</i> to shine! </div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>We are a family whose hearts are blazing, </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>So let's raise our candles and light up the sky.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Praying to our Father, in the name of Jesus, </i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Make us a beacon in darkest times.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><br /></div><div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Carry your candle, run to the darkness;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Seek out the hopeless, confused and torn;</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Hold out your candle for all to see it.</i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i>Take your candle, and go light your world. <a href="https://youtu.be/0X5nwT50M-M">*</a></i></div></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font size="6"><b> - - - - - - -</b></font></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><font size="6"><br /></font></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><font size="6">"The Lord's invitation to let our light so shine is not just about randomly waving a beam of light and making the world generally brighter. </font></i><i><font size="6">It is about focusing our light so others may see the way to Christ." <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> </span><span> <span> </span><span> </span><span> </span></span></font></i><i><font size="5">Bonnie H. Cordon</font></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><i><br /></i></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://youtu.be/0X5nwT50M-M"><br /></a></div><div style="text-align: justify;"><a href="https://youtu.be/0X5nwT50M-M">* Song lyrics written by Kathy Troccoli; sung here by Chris Rice</a></div>Unknownnoreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-32608613796057133872020-06-08T07:00:00.040-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.068-07:00Using Stories to Teach Our Children about Racism<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay2xXWWDf5H2kYWGJJi3Fo94scktwLz1lBWJg46zkr8aljwCseChewviQqED_v6VL9Abj__MHXyKcOrUtY_LB5CsoHXKijPdAvljlkC2wO6486bHsG_BQOXe5KNgnQEbJ6djg9yuEByJj/s3690/blackculturebooks.jpg" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2776" data-original-width="3690" height="482" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgay2xXWWDf5H2kYWGJJi3Fo94scktwLz1lBWJg46zkr8aljwCseChewviQqED_v6VL9Abj__MHXyKcOrUtY_LB5CsoHXKijPdAvljlkC2wO6486bHsG_BQOXe5KNgnQEbJ6djg9yuEByJj/w640-h482/blackculturebooks.jpg" width="640" /></a></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>A story is different than a list of commands in that it invites the reader in. Most of us when we read a story identify with a character and are very dramatically changed. There are all sorts of studies in brain scans and neurological things and imaging where they see that people actually feel emotion in connection with what the characters are feeling. Stories change us. And they changes us deeply....and according to research they change people more deeply and for longer rather than trying to force yourself to follow a list of commandments.</i></div><div style="text-align: center;"><i>(<a href="https://mi.byu.edu/mip-bti-turley/?transcript=true" target="_blank">MIPodcast</a>)</i></div><div>
<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><font size="4"><b><u>Learning from Stories</u></b></font></div><div><b><u><font size="4"><br /></font></u></b></div><div>It’s funny because I don’t usually resonate with talks full of stories; but I <i>love</i> using stories to teach my children, especially about “difficult” topics! On the surface, using stories takes the pressure off whatever I’m trying to teach them. However, on a deeper level, stories have greater value in teaching our children true principles. When we read great literature, conversations open up and it’s no longer, “Mom is telling me what to do (as shown in the quote above).” Likewise, stories are amazing for showing us the consequences of various choices — good and bad. When children can see the results of a character’s choices, they learn to make healthy decisions. </div><div><br /></div><div>Stories also give Mom a reference point. For example, years ago I was reading the Little House on the Prairie series. We had read the part where Laura didn’t listen to Ma when told to stay away from the stream. What happened? Of course, Laura went to the stream and was swept away by the current. Fortunately, all ended well and we have the continued story today! I can’t remember what David was doing, but I remember distinctly warning him, “Remember what happened to Laura?” Again, the story took away the pressure and the possibility of a potential control battle between parent and child. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><font size="6">Ultimately, stories are powerful tools for creating </font></i></b><b><i><font size="6">the change we desire! </font></i></b></div><div style="text-align: center;"><b><i><br /></i></b></div><div><br /></div><div>And so we get to the current war going on inside the borders of our country. I am as torn up as most people about the pain overwhelming our nation. The pain is real and super heavy! As I have read posts on Facebook, watched videos on YouTube and read articles on various sites I see this is a multifaceted struggle that has been building up for too many years. I may not experience the things that others have in the darkest ways possible, but I still have a strong desire to teach my children, the rising generation, how to be voices of change. </div><div><br /></div><div>These thoughts left me wondering: How can we help our children understand the gravity of the situation? How can we teach our children to stop perpetuating racist thoughts in our culture? The answer came: <i>We can do so through stories</i>. I began looking through our reading history and realized I <i>have</i> taught my children about racism, more than I thought. The stories we've read through the years have given our family a small glimpse into the black race, it’s culture and racism. I believe more can be done, but this is a great place to start! </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><font size="4">For Younger Children</font></u></b></div><div><b><u><font size="4"><br /></font></u></b></div><div>Years ago we opened up the subject by celebrating <a href="https://www.history.com/topics/black-history/black-history-month" target="_blank">Black History Month</a> (February) in our home. Throughout the month we would highlight the lives of black heroes such as Harriet Beecher Stowe, George Washington Carver, Martin Luther King, Jr., Harriet Tubman, Booker T. Washington, and Barak Obama. We also read the poetry of Langston Hughes and listened to the music of Nat King Cole and others. As our children get a little older we can add in stories of Lorraine Hansberry, Elizabeth Eckford and James Baldwin. Just telling their stories can teach our children more about racial struggle. </div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u>A few books for young children:</u></b></div><div><b><u><br /></u></b></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Last-Stop-Market-Street-Matt/dp/0399257748" target="_blank"><i>Last Stop on Market Street</i> </a>by Matt de la Pena</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Many-Thousand-Gone-African-Americans/dp/0679879366/ref=sr_1_fkmr0_1?dchild=1&keywords=Many+Thousand+Gone%3A+African+Americans+from+Salvery+to+Freedom&qid=1591403421&s=books&sr=1-1-fkmr0">Many Thousand Gone: African Americans from Salvery to Freedom</a></i> by Virginia Hamilton</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Henry-Picture-Puffins-Julius-Lester/dp/0140566228/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=John+Henry+by+Julius+Lester&qid=1591403459&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">John Henry</a> </i>by Julius Lester </div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Enemies-Slavery-David-Adler/dp/0823415961/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=Enemies+of+Slavery&qid=1591403489&s=books&sr=1-2" target="_blank">Enemies of Slavery</a></i> by David A. Adler</div><div><br /></div><div><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Voice-That-Challenged-Nation-Anderson/dp/0547480342/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Voice+that+Challenged+a+Nation&qid=1591403551&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">T</a></i><i><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Voice-That-Challenged-Nation-Anderson/dp/0547480342/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=The+Voice+that+Challenged+a+Nation&qid=1591403551&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">he Voice Who Challenged a Nation: Marian Anderson and the Struggle for Equal Rights</a></i> by Russell Freedman</div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><font size="4">For You and Your Older Children</font></u></b></div><div><b><u><font size="4"><br /></font></u></b></div><div>One of my long-held beliefs is that learning starts with mothers first! A well-educated mother can pass the knowledge of racism and cultural differences down to her children. Here is a great list of books to begin educating <i>yourself</i> on the subject of racism. As you gain greater understanding you’ll be prepared to involve your children in the process. I promise you will find some amazing lessons and have some great discussion from these stories: </div>
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<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycfhcgJYG8hPkzXgfbN18nBEMIssuiB68Hng7JDAnFo_w7sXxGaSSL0LkQ8Gx0WqPC9LYjx8oE9cEOST5KZaqvxns2sf5o9H_jMOG3R5UQ41yUZK3ayeFhfKy32c-mrVAbjNuyR4G6Es2/s500/roots.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="333" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiycfhcgJYG8hPkzXgfbN18nBEMIssuiB68Hng7JDAnFo_w7sXxGaSSL0LkQ8Gx0WqPC9LYjx8oE9cEOST5KZaqvxns2sf5o9H_jMOG3R5UQ41yUZK3ayeFhfKy32c-mrVAbjNuyR4G6Es2/w266-h400/roots.jpg" width="266" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Roots-Alex-Haley-audiobook/dp/B000VMRMDK/ref=tmm_aud_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591403673&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>Roots</b></a> by Alex Haley</div><div><i>This book changed my life. This book changed what I read and how I read. This book is necessary in our world! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Seeds-America-Trilogy-Chains-Forge/dp/1534410287/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+seeds+of+america+laurie+halse+anderson&qid=1591403813&s=audible&sr=1-1-catcorr" target="_blank"><b>The Seeds of America Trilogy</b></a> by Laurie Halse Anderson</div><div><i>This is about slavery during the Revolutionary War, an aspect of our first ward that I never even thought of until I read it. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Kill-Mockingbird-50th-Anniversary/dp/0062420704/ref=tmm_hrd_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591403941&sr=1-1" target="_blank">To Kill a Mockingbird</a> </b> by Harper Lee</div><div><i>Classic! Poignant! Important! If you don’t know this one yet, you need to read it now! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Nation-Terry-Pratchett/dp/0061433039/ref=sr_1_1?crid=1HHAJCRTSNXOU&dchild=1&keywords=nation+terry+pratchett&qid=1591407266&s=books&sprefix=nation+terry+pr%2Cstripbooks%2C212&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>Nation</b></a> by Terry Pritchett</div><div><i>Though not about black lives, per se, this book is beautiful literature on challenging false traditions of our fathers and repairing broken cultural norms. I love this book! </i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><i><br /></i></div><div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aumn32BJJyIoSeSTyGCcjHwzYK18WlmaJqrTcKx2gm2WPWzgamSbkiEKdMxnVah6u-rKy-EO4aOGWql8kyaV0E_JwqRjZa4J2rjLFQox5S4wBJwpYsNultmBdmqmzu9CQUnwGfBNpGBY/s500/passing.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="500" data-original-width="327" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEg6aumn32BJJyIoSeSTyGCcjHwzYK18WlmaJqrTcKx2gm2WPWzgamSbkiEKdMxnVah6u-rKy-EO4aOGWql8kyaV0E_JwqRjZa4J2rjLFQox5S4wBJwpYsNultmBdmqmzu9CQUnwGfBNpGBY/w261-h400/passing.jpg" width="261" /></a></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Passing-Nella-Larsen/dp/1694407470/ref=sr_1_1_sspa?crid=1C082VDPFNONK&dchild=1&keywords=passing+nella+larsen&qid=1591407290&s=books&sprefix=passing+nella%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-1-spons&psc=1&spLa=ZW5jcnlwdGVkUXVhbGlmaWVyPUExWDJTS0RUVEZXRzEwJmVuY3J5cHRlZElkPUEwMjU1NTQ1MzRRTVM4Rk5SQ09OWCZlbmNyeXB0ZWRBZElkPUEwMjQ2MjUyOUgzSlFRTFJLNVYzJndpZGdldE5hbWU9c3BfYXRmJmFjdGlvbj1jbGlja1JlZGlyZWN0JmRvTm90TG9nQ2xpY2s9dHJ1ZQ==" target="_blank">Passing</a></b> by Nella Larson</div><div><i>Thank you book group! I never would have read this if not for book groups. All I can say about this book is that it’s a must! Completely opened my eyes to something I never even knew existed! </i></div><div><br /></div><div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Jeffersons-Sons-Founding-Fathers-Children/dp/0142421847/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=jeffersons+sons&qid=1591407323&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Jefferson’s Sons</a> </b>by Kimberly Brubaker Bradley</div><div><i>Oh wow. Though I did not particularly love this book it opened my eyes to a world I could not even fathom. These words come through the eyes of Thomas Jefferson’s children born to his slave Sally. This book is a great one to introduce the subject of “passing” to your children. Such struggle and heartache was found in this book.</i> </div></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/More-Myself-Alicia-Keys-audiobook/dp/B07PND1TL1/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=more+myself&qid=1591407350&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">More Myself </a> </b>by Alicia Keys</div><div><i>This was my most recent book on the list. This is a book of power, strength, and the courage to make a difference! Reading this book instilled in me a desire to be more myself and to do more for the community around me. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZscVnqL6Nl4qPex3r0yWSxtfCPZVJd02O6yvdKzMyHGlwP04jIQ8B1-64C2u5kdZoiAvJ6PttEgVEoidN3qk-T6bz_Hx8zjmeNZ5SUh6pWAT2fv6HmAdnxwNhyphenhyphenVb_y00FtGeOVYSI2Ap/s2560/underground.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1690" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjjZscVnqL6Nl4qPex3r0yWSxtfCPZVJd02O6yvdKzMyHGlwP04jIQ8B1-64C2u5kdZoiAvJ6PttEgVEoidN3qk-T6bz_Hx8zjmeNZ5SUh6pWAT2fv6HmAdnxwNhyphenhyphenVb_y00FtGeOVYSI2Ap/w264-h400/underground.jpg" width="264" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Underground-Railroad-Novel-Colson-Whitehead/dp/0345804325/ref=tmm_pap_swatch_0?_encoding=UTF8&qid=1591407381&sr=1-1" style="font-weight: bold;" target="_blank">The Underground Railroad </a>by Colson Whitehead</div><div><i>For me this book was a broken story — a harsh perspective on a harsh time period! But well worth taking the time to read. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Uncle-Cabin-Harriet-Beecher-Stowe/dp/1679604007/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2OR1VE1MMCUEM&dchild=1&keywords=uncle+tom%27s+cabin&qid=1591407412&s=books&sprefix=uncle+tom%27s+cabin%2Cstripbooks%2C220&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><b>
Uncle Tom’s Cabin </b></a>by Harriet Beecher Stowe</div><div><i>Another classic must! If you haven’t read this yet, read it today! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Day-Tears-Julius-Lester/dp/1423104099/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=day+of+tears&qid=1591407498&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>Day of Tears</b></a> by Julius Lester</div><div><i>My son actually read this in school and told me to read it. I’m so glad! This is centered around the largest slave auction in history! Can I say anything more than that? </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0544935209/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+crossover&qid=1591407526&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank">The Crossover</a> </b>by Kwame Alexander</div><div><i>Prose. Deeply written. All heart. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Curtis-Christopher-Paul-Author-Buddy/dp/B01GEXN6M0/ref=sr_1_7?crid=30ISHV90EMDH&dchild=1&keywords=bud+not+buddy&qid=1591407586&s=books&sprefix=bud+not+bu%2Cstripbooks%2C222&sr=1-7" target="_blank">Bud, Not Buddy</a></b> by Christopher Paul Curtis</div><div><i>I can’t say this was my favorite book, but I think I’m going to read this one aloud to my children soon. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Amos-Fortune-Newbery-Library-Puffin/dp/0140341587/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=amos+fortune+freeman&qid=1591407621&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>Amos Fortune, Free Man</b> </a>by Elizabeth Yates</div><div><i>Another one that was worth reading, but not my favorite. Still, this book is yet another story we can introduce to our children as we open up the conversation on racism. </i></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWei1hTweh_z39idSdJPApYgOX5PsHZ2lQf7PEhd1_Uz7V6I4TB-IOOZtQyVNux-hRCeS1p08kFlkSaZk7OSa5urTrklRX0t6dvCUMJOs2Mi8JIrfEWiFqDQcjFdB__virWogjcVS6Wrv/s2560/lizziebright.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="2560" data-original-width="1625" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEiNWei1hTweh_z39idSdJPApYgOX5PsHZ2lQf7PEhd1_Uz7V6I4TB-IOOZtQyVNux-hRCeS1p08kFlkSaZk7OSa5urTrklRX0t6dvCUMJOs2Mi8JIrfEWiFqDQcjFdB__virWogjcVS6Wrv/w254-h400/lizziebright.jpg" width="254" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Lizzie-Bright-Buckminster-Gary-Schmidt/dp/0544022793/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3NXJKLJ0QLF3C&dchild=1&keywords=lizzie+bright+and+the+buckminster+boy&qid=1591407656&s=books&sprefix=lizzie%2Cstripbooks%2C232&sr=1-1" target="_blank">Lizzie Bright and the Buckminster Boy</a> </b>by<b> </b>Gary D. Schmidt</div><div><i>I will make sure all of my children read this book. First of all, I love Gary Schmidt and everything he writes! The crux of this story is the struggle between religion and culture, all centered around an island designated for the black people. I mean, such a gorgeous story. This is a perfect example of how story can truly touch your heart and change it! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Cry-Beloved-Country-Alan-Paton/dp/0743262174/ref=sr_1_1?crid=2E2OG7B0U01S3&dchild=1&keywords=cry%2C+the+beloved+country&qid=1591407686&s=books&sprefix=cry%2C+the+%2Cstripbooks%2C220&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>Cry, the Beloved Country</b></a> by Alan Paton</div><div><i>I read this first as a sophomore in high school and remember loving it. I read it again as an adult and I’m sure I appreciated it even more. Set in South Africa during a time of great racial injustice, this book teaches so poignantly the lessons of redemption and love. Our country could definitely use the lessons from this story! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><br /></div><div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJkBUQ7rR7Mfzn3eoGrkTii4a-Sa2dzT5GPfuj_HlYy_v_3aobtJiohokcLdJrhW35rCu28wsYlPT_flDHkxeHZf4BrxEMf1AzxNC2VZB5iX66zInEg9RNeMPSgj_eN6aigNpqqZO92oP/s1630/longwalk.jpg" style="clear: left; float: left; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="1630" data-original-width="1079" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgsJkBUQ7rR7Mfzn3eoGrkTii4a-Sa2dzT5GPfuj_HlYy_v_3aobtJiohokcLdJrhW35rCu28wsYlPT_flDHkxeHZf4BrxEMf1AzxNC2VZB5iX66zInEg9RNeMPSgj_eN6aigNpqqZO92oP/w265-h400/longwalk.jpg" width="265" /></a></div><div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Long-Walk-Water-Based-Story/dp/0547577311/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=a+long+walk+to+water&qid=1591407731&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><b>A Long Walk to Water</b> </a>by Linda Sue Park</div><div><i>My kids and I just read this one right before George Floyd’s tragic death. We had a beautiful discussion on poverty in general and how we have such a privilege to bless the lives of others in our current situation. After reading this I encouraged each child choose a different way to contribute to a cause of their choice. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Up-Slavery-Autobiography-Booker-Washington-ebook/dp/B0140EFFTW/ref=sr_1_4?dchild=1&keywords=up+from+slavery&qid=1591407762&s=books&sr=1-4" target="_blank"><b>Up From Slavery</b></a> by Booker T. Washington</div><div><i>After reading this book I remember thinking, “I want to own this book and I want my sons to read it!” A beautiful story teaching us rather than falling victim to our past we have the power to create a better future. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Candle-Darkness-Night-Light-Refiners/dp/076429122X/ref=sr_1_2?dchild=1&keywords=candle+in+the+darkness+series&qid=1591407793&s=books&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><b>Refiner's Fire series </b></a>by Lynn Austin</div><div><i>This is the fluffiest suggestion on the list. But sometimes that is where people need to start — and that’s okay (actually, it’s necessary to start somewhere!). This is a series set during the Civil War. Different love stories, one including that of a black woman. I just like this series. </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;"><a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDgKrymUwy_enOl4xbx3sEeiO-fPWo2cemlp1lPEgTmJQGcZy_pg_UHr7VI2RQ5YwEunTY1TfmxICwZxlXyjBpKVhYbEv3Z6Gfl4AKGrCy4Bgn0a_FnTAh4FF26t6ZOj6kfEuWfxk9gQK/s800/girlnameddisaster.jpg" style="clear: right; float: right; margin-bottom: 1em; margin-left: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="800" data-original-width="556" height="400" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEjtDgKrymUwy_enOl4xbx3sEeiO-fPWo2cemlp1lPEgTmJQGcZy_pg_UHr7VI2RQ5YwEunTY1TfmxICwZxlXyjBpKVhYbEv3Z6Gfl4AKGrCy4Bgn0a_FnTAh4FF26t6ZOj6kfEuWfxk9gQK/w278-h400/girlnameddisaster.jpg" width="278" /></a></div><div><br /></div><div><b><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Girl-Named-Disaster-Nancy-Farmer/dp/0545356628/ref=sr_1_1?crid=3SMTEIXF3WLWW&dchild=1&keywords=a+girl+named+disaster&qid=1591407840&s=books&sprefix=a+girl+named+disaster%2Cstripbooks%2C215&sr=1-1" target="_blank">
A Girl Named Disaster </a></b>by Nancy Farmer</div><div><i>This might be one of my daughter’s favorite books. It’s the only one I really remember her reading in sixth grade. A young black girl in Africa is being forced to marry and she runs away. This is a book that can show any young woman to believe in her strength, to fight and to have courage! </i></div><div><br /></div>
<div><a href="https://www.amazon.com/Thunder-author-Mildred-published-November/dp/B015RV77E8/ref=sr_1_2?crid=2O9TFLXPFW4SC&dchild=1&keywords=roll+of+thunder+hear+my+cry&qid=1591407880&s=books&sprefix=roll+of+thund%2Cstripbooks%2C219&sr=1-2" target="_blank"><b>Roll of Thunder, Hear my Cry</b></a> by Mildred D. Taylor</div><div><i>“This is a story of racism and segregation in the South during the Depression, but it is also the story of how a family, and kind, wise people can give security and guidance in frightening circumstances (taken from my friend Jillaire’s post on GoodReads).” Another super important book to introduce to our children right now. </i></div>
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<br /></div><div><br /></div><div><b><u><font size="4"><br /></font></u></b></div><div><b><u><font size="4"><br /></font></u></b></div><div><b><u><font size="4">End Note</font></u></b></div><div>A couple of nights ago I stumbled upon<a href="https://www.nytimes.com/2016/08/28/books/review/kwame-alexander-on-childrens-books-and-the-color-of-characters.html"> this amazing article </a>that speaks to the power of literature in bridging the gaps of the racial divide in our country. Ironically, the question I searched that led me to this article was, “Are the characters in <a href="https://www.amazon.com/Crossover-Kwame-Alexander/dp/0544935209/ref=sr_1_1?dchild=1&keywords=the+crossover&qid=1591407526&s=books&sr=1-1" target="_blank"><i>The</i> <i>Crossover</i></a> black?” (You’ll get the irony when you read the article.) </div>
<div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6"><b><br /></b></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6"><b> - - - - - - </b></font></div><div><br /></div></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6"><br /></font></div><div style="text-align: center;"><font size="6">“<i>And now I desire that this inequality should be no more in this land, especially among this my people; but I desire that this land be a land of liberty, and every man may enjoy his rights and privileges alike, so long as the Lord sees fit that we may live and inherit the land...”</i></font></div><div style="text-align: left;"><div style="text-align: center;"><i><font size="6">Mosiah 29:32</font></i></div></div><div><div style="text-align: center;"><br /></div><div><br /></div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-39164716660484750372020-04-26T15:01:00.000-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.068-07:00“Thy Faith Hath Made Thee Whole” <div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
<a href="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGfvkECJoOiEjCcYmSeo3arr3QH1kfPgR64bTbG1Ujogzlk6UHgQ6k46lM011r2yVSvZ-G5R7cN7EKqW9HOniE-b2d9n_oTAzoyAPDc0uLajhm3nB-KRmJSysnVILliantuH0lKCzdI2-/s1600/D37B9296-E04E-44C9-A334-D8061FFF2462.jpeg" imageanchor="1" style="margin-left: 1em; margin-right: 1em;"><img border="0" data-original-height="442" data-original-width="664" height="426" src="https://blogger.googleusercontent.com/img/b/R29vZ2xl/AVvXsEgoGfvkECJoOiEjCcYmSeo3arr3QH1kfPgR64bTbG1Ujogzlk6UHgQ6k46lM011r2yVSvZ-G5R7cN7EKqW9HOniE-b2d9n_oTAzoyAPDc0uLajhm3nB-KRmJSysnVILliantuH0lKCzdI2-/s640/D37B9296-E04E-44C9-A334-D8061FFF2462.jpeg" width="640" /></a></div>
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There are only four accounts in scripture where Jesus Christ uses this phrase, “Thy faith hath made thee whole.” We know the stories well. <div>
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The first is Enos from the <i>Book of Mormon</i>. After praying all day and night, Enos is told that he has been forgiven of his sins. He asks the Lord, “how is it done?” This is the response: </div>
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“And he said unto me: Because of thy faith in Christ, whom thou hast never before heard nor seen....wherefore, go to, thy faith hath made thee whole.” Enos continues, “Now, it came to pass that when I had heard these words I began to feel a desire for the welfare of my brethren, the Nephites; wherefore I did pour out my whole soul unto God for them (Enos 1:5-9).” </div>
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The second is the woman with the issue of blood who reaches for the Savior’s garment and is cleansed. Of course, the disciples were baffled that Christ could feel the touch when being thronged by many others, nevertheless, He did feel and He healed. When discovered, the woman “came and fell down before him, and told him all the truth. And he’s aid unto her, ‘Daughter, thy faith hath made thee whole; go in peace, and be whole of thy plague (Mark 5:27-34).” </div>
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The third is Bartimeaus, a blind man. After discovering the cause of a great commotion nearby, Bartimeaus calls out, “Jesus, thou Son fo David, have early on me.” Those around him try to silence him, but he is determined to be heard and calls out more loudly, “Thou Son of David, have mercy on me.” Jesus hears and calls the man to him. “And he, casting away his garment, rose, and came to Jesus. And Jesus answered and said unto him, What wilt thou that I should do unto thee? The blind man said unto him, Lord, that I might receive my sight. And Jesus said unto him, Go thy way; thy faith hath made thee whole. And immediately he received his sight, and followed Jesus in the way (Mark 10:46-52).” </div>
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The last is the story of the ten lepers, only one of whom is made whole. “And one of them, when he saw that he was healed, turned back, and with a loud voice glorified God, and fell down on his face a t his feet, giving him thanks....And Jesus answering said, We’re there not ten cleansed? But where are the nine? There are not found that returned to give glory to God, save this stranger. And he said unto him, Arise, go thy way: thy faith hath made thee whole (Luke 17:15-19).” </div>
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Reading each story side by side, we can see a pattern. First each person comes to Jesus, they reach for him and seek Him. . Coming to Jesus requires action, it requires faith. To come to Jesus our desire to involve Him in our lives is crucial and important. We must do some reaching. Enos sought the Lord in prayer, the woman with the issue of blood reached for His garment, the blind man called out to Him, and the leper turned back and gave thanks. </div>
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Once they come to Jesus they are then healed. In the account of Bartimeaus he is healed “immediately.” The Lord desires to heal us, to make us whole and will always do so. </div>
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The last step of the pattern comes after the healing. Each person is changed. Not only are they healed physically, their very natures are changed. Enos begins to pray for others and seek their welfare, the woman is given peace, the blind man “followed Jesus in the way,” and though we don’t see explicitly what happens with the leper, we can only imagine his desire to serve God has been strengthened. </div>
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The Patter: Come to Jesus, Be Healed, Serve more Fervently</div>
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We see this same pattern in King Benjamin’s people:</div>
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“<i>And they had viewed themselves in their own carnal state, even less than the dust of the earth. And they all cried aloud with one voice, saying: O have mercy, and apply the atoning blood fo Christ that we may receive forgiveness of our sins, and our hearts may be purified; for we believe in Jesus Christ, the Son of God...</i></div>
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<i>And it came to pass that after they had spoken these words the Spirit of the Lord came upon them, and they ere filled with joy, having received a remission of their sins, and having peace of conscience, because of the exceeding faith which they had in Jesus Christ...</i></div>
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<i>[and the Spirit] has wrought a mighty change in us, or in our hearts, that we have no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually (Mosiah 4:2-3; 5:2).”</i></div>
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Can you see the pattern? They came to Jesus by calling up Him and his Atonement to cleanse them. They were then healed and received a remission of their sins. Afterwards, because of their faith and the sanctification of the Spirit, their very natures were changed, they had “no more disposition to do evil, but to do good continually.” </div>
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Using this same pattern, we too can be made whole! We can take any infirmity, any weakness, any sin and apply the Atoning blood of Christ in our own lives. </div>
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Elder Kyle S. Mackey recently wrote, “[The analogy of cancer] helps us understand that spiritually we must be not only cleansed from sin but also cured from sinfulness. The war that pits our will to do good against our nature to do bad can be tiring. If faithful, we will be victorious not simply because we have imposed our will upon our nature, but because we have yielded our will to Gods and He has changed our nature (Ensign April 2020).” </div>
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So maybe the idea of being made whole or having our nature changed isn’t about having a personality shift (something I think many of us fear when giving up our will to God’s), maybe it’s simply changing our hearts and desires. Who we want to become eventually leads to who we truly are. As Elder Richard G. Scott once said, “We become who we want to be by consistently being who we want to become (CR Oct. 2010).” </div>
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I have come to the belief that Heavenly Father doesn’t want us to become more like Jesus Christ; rather, He would have us apply the atoning blood of the Savior to become more of our true selves. He wants to make us whole - - being cured from personal diseases that plague us, being saved and preserved from the affects of evil, and ultimately being spiritually reborn. </div>
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Elder Mackey continues, “...it is beyond our power and capacity to change our nature. For this mighty change, we are wholly reliant on Almighty god. It is He who graciously purifies our hearts and changes our nature ‘after all we can do.’ His invitation is constant and sure: ‘Repent, and come unto me with full purpose of heart, and I shall heal [you] (3 Nephi 18:32).” </div>
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So let us follow this pattern: come unto Christ through repentance and trust that He will heal us. Then, believe the promise that our very natures can be changed and we can become more wholly our best selves, just who we were created to be! </div>
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Unknownnoreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-6562876739838750262.post-7441431790673392182020-03-09T17:29:00.000-07:002021-09-30T14:08:00.066-07:00Come Follow Me: Jacob’s Anxiety<div class="separator" style="clear: both; text-align: center;">
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I love Jacob. As I’ve grown older, I’ve noticed that my affinity toward Jacob has grown. There is beautiful emotion and empathy, passion and pleading, and heartwarming humility in his teachings. This time around, I has also been drawn to his use of the word “anxiety” several times. <br />
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Before Nephi dies, Jacob teaches the people:<br />
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<i>“...I speak unto you again; for I am desirous for the welfare of your souls. Yea, <u>mine anxiety is great</u> for you; and ye yourselves know that it ever has been (2 Nephi 6:3).”</i><br />
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Then once he assumes the leader role after Nephi’s death, Jacob reiterates his feelings:<br />
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<i>“Now, my beloved brethren, I, Jacob, according to the responsibility which I am under to God, to magnify mine office with sober ness, and that I might rid my garments of your sins, I come up into the temple this day that I might declare unto you the word of God. And ye yourselves know that I have hitherto been diligent in the office of my calling; but <u>I this day am weighed down with much more desire and anxiety </u>for the welfare of your souls than I have hitherto been (Jacob 2:2-3).”</i><br />
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Again, just before he teaches the great Allegory of the Olive Tree, Jacob declares:<br />
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<i>“Behold, my beloved brethren, I will unfold this mystery unto you; if I do not, by any means, get shaken from my firmness in the Spirit and <u>stumble because of my over anxiety </u>for you (Jacob 4:18).” </i><br />
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We have created such a negative connotation to this word: Anxiety. What is it? And is it as “bad” as we have made it out to be? In these words from Jacob, I can feel his anxiety, but I also see that it comes from his great love and caring for the people that he serves. Only in the last verse quoted do we see that he is anxious about himself; but again, only that his own anxiety won’t overpower the spirit and love he feels for his people. I find this endearing and a bit heart-wrenching.<br />
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Let’s pause to look at Jacob’s life. He was born in the wilderness. He knows nothing other than hard work, pain, suffering, sorrows. He watched his family disintegrate with contention and false beliefs. In Lehi’s final blessing to his son we read, “And now, Jacob, I speak unto you: Thou art my firstborn in the days of my tribulation in the wilderness. And behold, in thy childhood thou hast suffered afflictions and much sorrow, because of the rudeness of thy brethren (2 Nephi 2:1).” <br />
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Of this beginning and living in the wilderness, <a href="https://mi.byu.edu/mip-bti-green/">Deidre Green</a> explains:<br />
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<i>The wilderness is a luminal space —a space of change and uncertainty, but also a space of transformation. And it’s a space of vulnerability and I think that really influences Jacob’s perspective on the world, and also his affinity to God...It seems that God and Christ, as he understands him, are really kind of the stabilizing forces for him in his life. </i><br />
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We see this in Lehi’s continued words, “Nevertheless, Jacob, my firstborn in the wilderness, thou knowest the greatness of God; and he shall consecrate thine afflictions for thy gain (2 Nephi 2:2).” Jacob has learned from an early age what it means to rely on and trust in God because of his childhood in the wilderness. Likewise, as we are born into and travel in our own wilderness called mortality, we learn to have this same trust and love for a Father in Heaven who is guiding us and protecting us. <br />
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It is because of Jacob’s experiences that he is able to empathize with a larger group of people. This brings us back to his anxiety. With his own heart enlarged by his life’s journey, Jacob feels deeply for the people whom he serves. I can understand this! I recently wrote a blog post entitled, “<a href="https://www.spirituallymindedmotherhood.com/2019/12/caring-too-much-is-going-to-kill-me.html">Caring too Much is Going to Kill Me.</a>” Not only is there my own natural anxiety spurred on by my own weaknesses, there is also the pressure of truly caring for the sisters I serve and desiring their happiness. Oftentimes I worry that my over anxiety is getting in the way of leading them by the Spirit. Thus, I can relate to Jacob more than ever before! <br />
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We also learn from Jacob’s anxiety that it’s okay to live with some ambiguity. I feel some of his anxiety is spurred on by the idea that he doesn’t know what is going to happen to the Nephites once he dies. He also pleads with the Nephites to continue reaching out to their brethren, the Lamanites. He knows and understands that a relationship with God is first and foremost, and sometimes familial relationships only add to the complexity of understanding God’s ways and His children. Growing up in a time of uncertainty and constant change allowed Jacob the ability to see these dichotomies of life. <br />
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Ultimately, we see Jacob’s undying love and testimony of a living Savior. As taught by his father, Jacob experiences firsthand a knowledge of his Redeemer. “And thou hast beheld in thy youth his glory; wherefore, thou art blessed even as they unto whom he shall minister in the flesh...Wherefore, redemption comets in and through the Holy Messiah; for he is full of grace and truth (2 Nephi 2:4, 6).” Then, when it is his turn to lead, Jacob counsels his people, “...be reconciled unto him through the atonement of Christ, his Only Begotten Son, and ye may obtain a resurrecting, according to the power of the resurrection which is in Christ...(Jacob 4:11).” <br />
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What I gain from this message is that our anxiety does not need to keep us from the love of God. <i>Despite</i> his anxious spirt and sorrowful yearnings of his heart, Jacob is able to persevere and powerfully testify of Christ. Likewise, <i>because</i> of his anxious heart, Jacob has the capacity to gather his people in love and righteousness, to empathize and to teach in love and understanding. With this thought, however, we must remember one thing: Jacob’s anxiety was for the welfare of his people more so than for himself. We, too, can turn our hearts toward others and allow our anxiety to bring us closer to them and to Christ for nothing shall separate us from His love. <br />
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>“For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of god, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.” </i></span></b></div>
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<b><span style="font-size: x-large;"><i>Romans 8:38-39</i></span></b></div>
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<b><i>See: <a href="https://mi.byu.edu/mip-bti-green/">Deidre Green, Briefly Jacob. Maxwell Institute Podcast </a></i></b></div>
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