The other day while my car was getting a check-up, I learned something interesting about Jetta drivers. Anyone that knows me knows that I say, "I can do what I want because I'm a Jetta driver..." Just a few statistics about us:
- 94% more likely to snorkel (check)
- 40% more likely to visit a museum (check)
- 37% more likely to use sunscreen (check, most of the time)
So, just wave hi and smile as we zoom past lost in our own little world :D
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Tuesday, February 26, 2008
Going to the dark places
"You have to roll up your sleeves and look into the dark places in our community where our self-esteem has been lost," said Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman member of the council of bishops in the 213-year history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church.
"I challenge you to go out of your way and help someone else. If we can't live together, we will certainly die together."
Where are the dark places and what can we do to help? How can you open your heart to those around you to help them see some glimmer of hope shinning at what seems like a long, dark tunnel ahead?McKenzie's challenge is all about opening our heart and not being afraid to go to the dark recesses of our microcosms. It may not even be about the community, so much as about your own heart...
Problems and Potential
Vashti Murphy McKenzie, the first woman member of the council of bishops in the 213-year history of the African Methodist Episcopal Church, said a defining moment for her came when her father, a coach of the University of Wisconsin-Madison track team, did not use his influence to stop those who insisted on setting the high jump bar higher for her than the other members of the team.
She went on to win a gold medal in a large meet after such practice.
McKenzie said that when she asked her father why he hadn't changed her circumstances, he said, "I didn't because your potential was greater than your problem and your problem brought out your potential."
I have been thinking about what McKenzie's father said to her. Over the last few days I have been struggling with some ideas, my 'potential,' and the challenges I have been presented. I have had to work it out in my mind, with help from great friends and the Spirit.I just wanted the answers. That was all. Just the answers to my provocative questions... But Heavenly Father wouldn't hand them over. I still don't have a full grasp on everything, but I think I am coming to understand bit by bit.
Now, as I sit here I think of how many times Heavenly Father doesn't change the circumstances for us. He doesn't change them because our potential is greater than the problem that is before us; and it is through that problem that our potential comes out.
I had the opportunity to go visiting teaching tonight and I think sometimes the things the Spirit directs us to share end up being more for us than the person we are sharing with. President Henry B. Eyring said, "I pray that you will ask, ‘Father, how can I prepare?’ Tell him how much you want what he desires to give you. You will receive impressions, and if you act on them, I promise you the help of the powers of heaven."
How cool is that? Ask what you can do, and tell him what you want. In return He will guide you, and if you follow His guidance, you will have the powers of heaven on your side. Genial!
In a sense, it is simple. But for some reason we make it seem difficult. Or maybe it's just the world exaggerating things... Ask and ye shall receive, knock and it shall be opened to you.
Monday, February 25, 2008
revolution or evolution
"I fall passionately irrevocably in love... And they don't know how to react so they whisper or peek out the living room curtains because anything or anyone with such confidence and flair and blatant unapologetic disregard for trying to conform to the tradition and convention makes them wonder if maybe they're witnessing some kind of revolution or evolution..."
~FIONA
~FIONA
Thursday, February 21, 2008
Events of the Last Few Days
Ok, so first I have to tell you that vanilla flavored soy milk and mac and cheese are NOT, I repeat NOT, good together. It is quite awful to tell you the truth, but it was all I had in the fridge... YUCK!
The last few days God has been gracious enough to let me see His hand in my life. I am still amazed at the tender mercies He gives to me.
It all started yesterday morning. I had to take my car in to the shop because my front axle was vibrating ( very similar to what it was doing the last time my CV joint went out...). When I talked to the shop guys they said all I might need it an alignment, since the weather has been pretty harsh on the roads and there are lots of pot-holes out there. I was praying that that was all it was.
So, I am sitting there waiting for the shuttle dude and time begins to tick by. Finally, at 8 a.m. they remember he isn't coming in because he's sick. So, another guys hops in the van and off we go. Well, this whole time I had forgotten I had a meeting with the company president at 8!
So, I pick up my mom's car at the school and proceed to book it to work. When I get there, I run up the stairs (in high heals) and I cruise to my cubie to grab my sketch book. On my way out, hurrying to get downstairs, my heal caught my pant leg and I face planted it on the floor... great...
My books went flying everywhere and all I could go was roll over onto my back and laugh. Everyone was so worried, but I was laughing. I banged my knee up pretty good and I have a carpet burn on my elbow. As I was sitting in the meeting I was trying so hard not to laugh as the events re-played in my mind.
So, I thought to myself, "Great, this is going to be a pretty crappy day. I am on a role already." It continued to go downhill when I got a call from the dealership telling my my CV joint was going out, AGAIN! I had just replaced it in Dec '06... So, I talked him in to speaking with his manager to see if they would warranty it. He wouldn't promise me anything since it had been more than a year and I had driven 26,000 miles. So, downhill it went...
I continued on to Salt Lake to meet a colleague for lunch. Being a little early I stopped over to the Pottery Barn. I love to look at all the neat stuff. I picked up a few sale items and a new picture frame (like I need another one). The salad bowl and serving tray will match my dinner plates (I wonder if I will ever get to use them).
It was so nice just to sit down and enjoy lunch with Rhonda. She is so much fun and a breath of fresh air. And it was nice to be out of the office. Sitting at a desk all day kicks my butt.
Then I stopped over to the Salt Lake Chamber to pick some stuff up. It is interesting to note how people look differently at you based on how you are dressed, and how they treat you too. When I am gussied up, it makes me feel better as well.
My great-grandma Rector always told me that when I am feeling down, just get dressed up and go do something. It is a wonderful piece of advice, and as I thought about her the crappiness of the day seemed to dissipate. I could feel her warm smile through the sunshine. Suddenly, it didn't matter what had happened that morning. I could feel God's love for me. Things started to look up.
Well, the dealership called back and said they would warranty the part! All I had to pay was $25 for who-knows-what. I didn't really care at that point. I was walking on air and I was so thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me that way.
I went to Body Pump after work and I felt pretty good for having banged my knee up earlier that morning. We got the results for our competition with R&O and we are kicking their butts, so that is some extra incentive to get going and work beyond the plateau I find myself on.
I went over to practice some hits on the raquetball court and as I was leaving this guys asked if I wanted to play cut throat. His wife is a beginner... I thought, "Why not, it's some extra practice with new people."
So, I played with them and he was getting on my nerves. Finally he left and his wife and I played. I could tell she was frustrated with him, so I just took it slow (not that I'm a pro) and shared with her some things that had been taught to me. It was so fun to watch her get better as she was able to slowly practice. When I left, she gave me her card so I could "teach" her some more.
The Lord is awesome! Just when we think we are at the bottom of the barrel, He shows us some light and puts amazing people in our way. This lady was so appreciative that I would take the time to help her and go slow with her. Givers gain!
The last bit of light I got for the day was when I got home. My phone said I had a new e-mail. I didn't think much of it because I get them all day long. But this one was from a person I had e-mailed earlier in the week. I thought I was off the hook since they hadn't responded in four days. But, I was wrong. The Lord showed me again...
Although, I am still trying to figure it out... And maybe it isn't meant to analyze. Maybe I should just roll with it and not worry about it. But then I say to myself, "Why can't boys just be upfront? It's either 'yes' or 'no'. None of this ambiguous crap."
While God has shown me light on this one, He is leaving it up to me to do something with it. The problem is I don't know what to do with it... After the response, I am not sure what I want anymore. The one thing I do know, is that after speaking with two of my guy friends, I am not going to expect much; because I don't know that he does.
The point is that I was able to see the hand of the Lord in my life. All the crappy things that happened to me didn't matter. Knowing He's there has helped me have a better lookout and to look more in my life for small sparks of light.
The last few days God has been gracious enough to let me see His hand in my life. I am still amazed at the tender mercies He gives to me.
It all started yesterday morning. I had to take my car in to the shop because my front axle was vibrating ( very similar to what it was doing the last time my CV joint went out...). When I talked to the shop guys they said all I might need it an alignment, since the weather has been pretty harsh on the roads and there are lots of pot-holes out there. I was praying that that was all it was.
So, I am sitting there waiting for the shuttle dude and time begins to tick by. Finally, at 8 a.m. they remember he isn't coming in because he's sick. So, another guys hops in the van and off we go. Well, this whole time I had forgotten I had a meeting with the company president at 8!
So, I pick up my mom's car at the school and proceed to book it to work. When I get there, I run up the stairs (in high heals) and I cruise to my cubie to grab my sketch book. On my way out, hurrying to get downstairs, my heal caught my pant leg and I face planted it on the floor... great...
My books went flying everywhere and all I could go was roll over onto my back and laugh. Everyone was so worried, but I was laughing. I banged my knee up pretty good and I have a carpet burn on my elbow. As I was sitting in the meeting I was trying so hard not to laugh as the events re-played in my mind.
So, I thought to myself, "Great, this is going to be a pretty crappy day. I am on a role already." It continued to go downhill when I got a call from the dealership telling my my CV joint was going out, AGAIN! I had just replaced it in Dec '06... So, I talked him in to speaking with his manager to see if they would warranty it. He wouldn't promise me anything since it had been more than a year and I had driven 26,000 miles. So, downhill it went...
I continued on to Salt Lake to meet a colleague for lunch. Being a little early I stopped over to the Pottery Barn. I love to look at all the neat stuff. I picked up a few sale items and a new picture frame (like I need another one). The salad bowl and serving tray will match my dinner plates (I wonder if I will ever get to use them).
It was so nice just to sit down and enjoy lunch with Rhonda. She is so much fun and a breath of fresh air. And it was nice to be out of the office. Sitting at a desk all day kicks my butt.
Then I stopped over to the Salt Lake Chamber to pick some stuff up. It is interesting to note how people look differently at you based on how you are dressed, and how they treat you too. When I am gussied up, it makes me feel better as well.
My great-grandma Rector always told me that when I am feeling down, just get dressed up and go do something. It is a wonderful piece of advice, and as I thought about her the crappiness of the day seemed to dissipate. I could feel her warm smile through the sunshine. Suddenly, it didn't matter what had happened that morning. I could feel God's love for me. Things started to look up.
Well, the dealership called back and said they would warranty the part! All I had to pay was $25 for who-knows-what. I didn't really care at that point. I was walking on air and I was so thankful to my Heavenly Father for blessing me that way.
I went to Body Pump after work and I felt pretty good for having banged my knee up earlier that morning. We got the results for our competition with R&O and we are kicking their butts, so that is some extra incentive to get going and work beyond the plateau I find myself on.
I went over to practice some hits on the raquetball court and as I was leaving this guys asked if I wanted to play cut throat. His wife is a beginner... I thought, "Why not, it's some extra practice with new people."
So, I played with them and he was getting on my nerves. Finally he left and his wife and I played. I could tell she was frustrated with him, so I just took it slow (not that I'm a pro) and shared with her some things that had been taught to me. It was so fun to watch her get better as she was able to slowly practice. When I left, she gave me her card so I could "teach" her some more.
The Lord is awesome! Just when we think we are at the bottom of the barrel, He shows us some light and puts amazing people in our way. This lady was so appreciative that I would take the time to help her and go slow with her. Givers gain!
The last bit of light I got for the day was when I got home. My phone said I had a new e-mail. I didn't think much of it because I get them all day long. But this one was from a person I had e-mailed earlier in the week. I thought I was off the hook since they hadn't responded in four days. But, I was wrong. The Lord showed me again...
Although, I am still trying to figure it out... And maybe it isn't meant to analyze. Maybe I should just roll with it and not worry about it. But then I say to myself, "Why can't boys just be upfront? It's either 'yes' or 'no'. None of this ambiguous crap."
While God has shown me light on this one, He is leaving it up to me to do something with it. The problem is I don't know what to do with it... After the response, I am not sure what I want anymore. The one thing I do know, is that after speaking with two of my guy friends, I am not going to expect much; because I don't know that he does.
The point is that I was able to see the hand of the Lord in my life. All the crappy things that happened to me didn't matter. Knowing He's there has helped me have a better lookout and to look more in my life for small sparks of light.
Sunday, February 17, 2008
Inspriation from Nephi
Last night I was reading my Spanish scriptures and I came across some cool lines in 1 Nephi 18. I don't know how many times I have read this particular chapter or verses of scripture. But it testifies to me that God speaks to us through scripture in the moments we need them in our lives.
In chapter 18, Nephi has finished building the ship and they all load up to head to the promised land. At this point they are all one big happy family and "they did worship the Lord" (v. 1).
As Nephi continues, he said, "And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work" (v.1). These words struck me because all too often I think all the "answers" should be given to me. But that is not how it is. He will show us from time to time, because he knows we are capable ourselves to make decisions in between so that we might build our faith. And sometimes taking that leap is quite the challenge.
The last time I was in Lake Powell we found some small cliff to jump off, and I not wanting to be left out hopped out of the boat to climb up on the rocks. (This is the part where I interject and tell you how much I don't like heights...) From the boat, it didn't look so far. But as I stood there and looked down it looked like a million foot drop. Everyone else around me was jumping in and I was standing there thinking about it.
In my mind I had to envision what I saw from the boat. It really wasn't that high. Smaller than some others people had jumped off that day. Then I had to close my eyes and just jump. Oh, what a rush went through my body as I fell toward the water; the flush of water that overcame me; and the glorious breath of air I took in when I came to the surface.
Faith is like that moment for me on top of that rock. From a distance it's not so bad, then when we are actually looking the decision in the face, it's seems bigger than what we can handle. In this moment, there are two choices: One, walk down the rock and away from the faith building experience, or two, conquer your fears and jump.
If you take the challenge, it gives you an opportunity to "build... after the manner which the Lord has shown unto [you]; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men" (v.2). You have been given the tools to face every challenge that will be put in your path in this life. The Lord will not test you above that which you can bear.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, "But once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. You can find an apartment. You can win over your mother-in-law. You can sell your harmonica and therein fund one more meal. It’s been done before. Don’t give in. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.”
Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."
If it was right the first time, it will be right again. I jumped off those rocks many more times, eventually climbing to higher rocks. Face your doubts. Master your fears. The only way is to take the tools the Lord has given you and use them when He is giving you to opportunity to make decisions on your own.
The next verse that struck me was 3. In the gospel we are given a combination of principles to help us in our journey. This is one of those:
"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft (the temple), and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."
A-Go to the temple + B-Pray oft = C-You will be shown great things
The scriptures are full of A+B=C equations, combinations of principles that will lead you to a conclusion/blessing. In this one, the Lord promises to show great things to those who visit His house and pray oft.
Today, I experienced one of those great things. This girl went to the Jordan River Temple by herself to do baptisms for the dead and got in with our group. When I saw her, I knew there was something different about her. She was a very cute girl who looked like she needed a friend.
As we were waiting in the chapel, I almost went in with another group for confirmations and ended up leaving so another girl could go in. When I went back to the chapel, I sat on the same bench as this girl. At first I thought to myself that she had come to the temple to enjoy the solace on her own. Then something pushed me to say hello. When I did, her face lit up.
What ensued was a beautiful conversation. While she did not share her whole life's story, I could tell that life had not be easy for her. She came to Utah as an answer to her prayers, and she will move to the Ogden area in the next few months as another answer to her prayers.
Had I made other decisions I had thought about making today, had I not asked for guidance to be in the right places, I would not have met this amazing girl. He showed me amazing things through this young woman. All because I went to the temple and asked to be in the right place when I needed to be.
"If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now... Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold before you."
In chapter 18, Nephi has finished building the ship and they all load up to head to the promised land. At this point they are all one big happy family and "they did worship the Lord" (v. 1).
As Nephi continues, he said, "And the Lord did show me from time to time after what manner I should work" (v.1). These words struck me because all too often I think all the "answers" should be given to me. But that is not how it is. He will show us from time to time, because he knows we are capable ourselves to make decisions in between so that we might build our faith. And sometimes taking that leap is quite the challenge.
The last time I was in Lake Powell we found some small cliff to jump off, and I not wanting to be left out hopped out of the boat to climb up on the rocks. (This is the part where I interject and tell you how much I don't like heights...) From the boat, it didn't look so far. But as I stood there and looked down it looked like a million foot drop. Everyone else around me was jumping in and I was standing there thinking about it.
In my mind I had to envision what I saw from the boat. It really wasn't that high. Smaller than some others people had jumped off that day. Then I had to close my eyes and just jump. Oh, what a rush went through my body as I fell toward the water; the flush of water that overcame me; and the glorious breath of air I took in when I came to the surface.
Faith is like that moment for me on top of that rock. From a distance it's not so bad, then when we are actually looking the decision in the face, it's seems bigger than what we can handle. In this moment, there are two choices: One, walk down the rock and away from the faith building experience, or two, conquer your fears and jump.
If you take the challenge, it gives you an opportunity to "build... after the manner which the Lord has shown unto [you]; wherefore, it was not after the manner of men" (v.2). You have been given the tools to face every challenge that will be put in your path in this life. The Lord will not test you above that which you can bear.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, "But once there has been genuine illumination, beware the temptation to retreat from a good thing. If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. You can find an apartment. You can win over your mother-in-law. You can sell your harmonica and therein fund one more meal. It’s been done before. Don’t give in. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. He wants everyone to be miserable like unto himself. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence.”
Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you."
If it was right the first time, it will be right again. I jumped off those rocks many more times, eventually climbing to higher rocks. Face your doubts. Master your fears. The only way is to take the tools the Lord has given you and use them when He is giving you to opportunity to make decisions on your own.
The next verse that struck me was 3. In the gospel we are given a combination of principles to help us in our journey. This is one of those:
"And I, Nephi, did go into the mount oft (the temple), and I did pray oft unto the Lord; wherefore the Lord showed unto me great things."
A-Go to the temple + B-Pray oft = C-You will be shown great things
The scriptures are full of A+B=C equations, combinations of principles that will lead you to a conclusion/blessing. In this one, the Lord promises to show great things to those who visit His house and pray oft.
Today, I experienced one of those great things. This girl went to the Jordan River Temple by herself to do baptisms for the dead and got in with our group. When I saw her, I knew there was something different about her. She was a very cute girl who looked like she needed a friend.
As we were waiting in the chapel, I almost went in with another group for confirmations and ended up leaving so another girl could go in. When I went back to the chapel, I sat on the same bench as this girl. At first I thought to myself that she had come to the temple to enjoy the solace on her own. Then something pushed me to say hello. When I did, her face lit up.
What ensued was a beautiful conversation. While she did not share her whole life's story, I could tell that life had not be easy for her. She came to Utah as an answer to her prayers, and she will move to the Ogden area in the next few months as another answer to her prayers.
Had I made other decisions I had thought about making today, had I not asked for guidance to be in the right places, I would not have met this amazing girl. He showed me amazing things through this young woman. All because I went to the temple and asked to be in the right place when I needed to be.
"If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now... Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold before you."
Wednesday, February 13, 2008
My Inner Stick Dude
You are Artistick. C'est la vie, mon frere. You are cultured and enlightened and oh so hip. Sure, before you get creative enough to paint, you have to pay a little visit to Stoner Stick, but once you get there... man... you are there. The cat's meow, man! You make friends easily with Hippie Stick (who likes to stare at your paintings for hours) and Emostick (whenever you're painting dreary stuff). Otherwise you stay within your own circle, much too enlightened for most of the stick dudes. Oh yeah, stay away from Business Stick, he just wants to profit off your work. You can't sell your creativity man, it's a gift to the world!
An adequate adjective to sum you up... creative.
Tuesday, February 12, 2008
Poor People
One day, the father of a very wealthy family took his son on a trip to the country with the express purpose of showing him how poor people live.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'
'It was great, Dad.'
'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.
'Oh yeah,' said the son.
'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.
The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
They spent a couple of days and nights on the farm of what would be considered a very poor family.
On their return from their trip, the father asked his son, 'How was the trip?'
'It was great, Dad.'
'Did you see how poor people live?' the father asked.
'Oh yeah,' said the son.
'So, tell me, what did you learn from the trip?' asked the father.
The son answered:
'I saw that we have one dog and they had four.
We have a pool that reaches to the middle of our garden and they have a creek that has no end.
We have imported lanterns in our garden and they have the stars at night.
Our patio reaches to the front yard and they have the whole horizon.
We have a small piece of land to live on and they have fields that go beyond our sight.
We have servants who serve us, but they serve others.
We buy our food, but they grow theirs.
We have walls around our property to protect us, they have friends to protect them.'
The boy's father was speechless.
Then his son added, 'Thanks Dad for showing me how poor we are.'
Isn't perspective a wonderful thing? Makes you wonder what would happen if we all gave thanks for everything we have, instead of worrying about what we don't have.
Monday, February 11, 2008
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Apply Your Hearts to Understanding
This is from a talk I gave in sacrament meeting Sunday, Feb. 10, 2007...
In the closing chapters of the Book of Mormon, Moroni writes:
“And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
“And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
“Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
“And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:40-43).
For a long time in my life, I was secure in who I was, what I was doing, and where I was going. Then, a few months ago, my world started to crumble all around me. I began to question many decisions I had made in my life and I wondered why the Lord had led me to the places he had. I felt like Moroni, wandering alone on the earth.
As things started to fall apart, I began to take a look at my life. I started to work on changing some things that were happening, but I felt as if I were fighting an uphill battle. I thought to myself, ‘If it’s going to be this hard, I don’t want to do it anymore. I will go back to my comfort zone and be content with the life I had.’
What I didn’t realize was that all of this was preparing me. My hardened heart needed to be softened. Through these experiences I was being tenderized so that I would become teachable. The Lord was saying to me, “I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (1 Nephi 20:10).
One night as I was reading the Book of Mormon, Abinadi’s words pricked my heart: “Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise…I perceive that [the gospel is] not written in your hearts” (Mosiah 12:27; 13:11).
Like King Noah and his priests, I knew the gospel. Personally, I knew the Atonement was there for me. But my heart was not open; I had solid walls.
In Mark we read about the disciples on the storm-tossed sea. My small personal boat was being tossed around in the midst of the sea, and I was wondering if the fourth watch had not yet arrived. I was trying to navigate my boat alone. I was so focused on my personal trials, I did not realize the Savior had been watching over me the whole time. All I had to do was look to the shore, to the light.
Elder David A. Bednar said, “I suspect [we] are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement… I frankly do not think many of us ‘get it’ concerning this enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become saints all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with out obviously limited capacities.”
The Lord told the disciples, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” Mark continues, “And he (Jesus Christ) went up unto them into the ship (into my heart); and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered” (Mark 6:50-51).
Are you allowing Christ to come in to your heart, to your troubled ship on the sea? Are you feeling the love of God – that he loves you, personally? If not, I ask you, “What can you do that will help you feel His love everyday, personally?
I offer you two suggestions. The first is to let down the walls that are around your heart. It wasn’t until I realized that my walls were more of a hindrance than a protection that I could see what I had been missing out on. Walls are Satan’s way of having the last laugh, because the wicked want the righteous to fail, but the Lord wants you to succeed.
The way to succeed is to let your walls down. As I have let my personal walls down, I have been able to feel the love of the Lord for me personally on almost a daily basis. And people are taking notice. People who I haven’t seen in a while have commented that I am a different person. I do things because it makes me happy and I know it is in line with the Lord’s will, not because that is what I think someone else wants me to be.
I am not going to tell you it has been the easiest thing I have ever done. However, the struggle has been easier because I am not trying to do it alone.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, “That is the way it has always been (to struggle), Paul says, but don’t draw back. Don’t panic and retreat. Don’t lose confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt (how good it was when you started to feel the love of God in your life). Don’t distrust the experience you had… If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence” (Heb. 10:35). Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”
The Lord tells us again and again in the scriptures, “I will be your light in the wilderness” (1 Nephi 17:13). So, put your conquering face on, destroy the walls you have built around your heart, and charge the obstacles ahead of you.
The second suggestion is prayer. It has been an integral part of my change. When I consistently communicate with my Father in Heaven, it is so much easier to have “a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men.” When I don’t talk to him, the darkness starts to creep in and it is easier to dispare.
Enos is a great example of mighty prayer. For “my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul.”
The Lord, knowing that the desires of Enos were pure responded, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it” (Enos 1:4;15).
How, do you get faith? Like Moroni said, you must have hope; and in order to have this kind of hope, your heart must be meek and lowly. In other words, your heart must be open and without walls.
When I know my will is aligned with His, I am a much happier person. The Lord has promised, “I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived” (D&C 52:14). There will be good things on your path, and there will be better things on your path, but don’t settle for either of those. Struggle to get the best things in your life.
You have a pattern for your life and it is your duty to find it. But your ability to receive this revelation hinges on you letting your walls down and letting the love of God fill your life.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Cron. 16:9).
May your soul hunger to find the pattern the Lord has for you. May your heart become perfect toward the Lord, and be open to the love He has for you so that you become strong and immovable in your faith. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
In the closing chapters of the Book of Mormon, Moroni writes:
“And again, my beloved brethren, I would speak unto you concerning hope. How is it that ye can attain unto faith, save ye shall have hope?
“And what is it that ye shall hope for? Behold I say unto you that ye shall have hope through the atonement of Christ and the power of his resurrection, to be raised unto life eternal, and this because of your faith in him according to the promise.
“Wherefore, if a man have faith he must needs have hope; for without faith there cannot be any hope.
“And again, behold I say unto you that he cannot have faith and hope, save he shall be meek, and lowly of heart” (Moroni 7:40-43).
For a long time in my life, I was secure in who I was, what I was doing, and where I was going. Then, a few months ago, my world started to crumble all around me. I began to question many decisions I had made in my life and I wondered why the Lord had led me to the places he had. I felt like Moroni, wandering alone on the earth.
As things started to fall apart, I began to take a look at my life. I started to work on changing some things that were happening, but I felt as if I were fighting an uphill battle. I thought to myself, ‘If it’s going to be this hard, I don’t want to do it anymore. I will go back to my comfort zone and be content with the life I had.’
What I didn’t realize was that all of this was preparing me. My hardened heart needed to be softened. Through these experiences I was being tenderized so that I would become teachable. The Lord was saying to me, “I have refined thee, I have chosen thee in the furnace of affliction” (1 Nephi 20:10).
One night as I was reading the Book of Mormon, Abinadi’s words pricked my heart: “Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise…I perceive that [the gospel is] not written in your hearts” (Mosiah 12:27; 13:11).
Like King Noah and his priests, I knew the gospel. Personally, I knew the Atonement was there for me. But my heart was not open; I had solid walls.
In Mark we read about the disciples on the storm-tossed sea. My small personal boat was being tossed around in the midst of the sea, and I was wondering if the fourth watch had not yet arrived. I was trying to navigate my boat alone. I was so focused on my personal trials, I did not realize the Savior had been watching over me the whole time. All I had to do was look to the shore, to the light.
Elder David A. Bednar said, “I suspect [we] are much more familiar with the nature of the redeeming power of the Atonement than we are with the enabling power of the Atonement… I frankly do not think many of us ‘get it’ concerning this enabling and strengthening power of the Atonement, and I wonder if we mistakenly believe we must make the journey from good to better and become saints all by ourselves through sheer grit, willpower, and discipline, and with out obviously limited capacities.”
The Lord told the disciples, “Be of good cheer: it is I; be not afraid.” Mark continues, “And he (Jesus Christ) went up unto them into the ship (into my heart); and the wind ceased: and they were sore amazed in themselves beyond measure, and wondered” (Mark 6:50-51).
Are you allowing Christ to come in to your heart, to your troubled ship on the sea? Are you feeling the love of God – that he loves you, personally? If not, I ask you, “What can you do that will help you feel His love everyday, personally?
I offer you two suggestions. The first is to let down the walls that are around your heart. It wasn’t until I realized that my walls were more of a hindrance than a protection that I could see what I had been missing out on. Walls are Satan’s way of having the last laugh, because the wicked want the righteous to fail, but the Lord wants you to succeed.
The way to succeed is to let your walls down. As I have let my personal walls down, I have been able to feel the love of the Lord for me personally on almost a daily basis. And people are taking notice. People who I haven’t seen in a while have commented that I am a different person. I do things because it makes me happy and I know it is in line with the Lord’s will, not because that is what I think someone else wants me to be.
I am not going to tell you it has been the easiest thing I have ever done. However, the struggle has been easier because I am not trying to do it alone.
Elder Jeffery R. Holland said, “That is the way it has always been (to struggle), Paul says, but don’t draw back. Don’t panic and retreat. Don’t lose confidence. Don’t forget how you once felt (how good it was when you started to feel the love of God in your life). Don’t distrust the experience you had… If it was right when you prayed about it and trusted it and lived for it, it is right now. Don’t give up when the pressure mounts. Certainly don’t give in to that being who is bent on the destruction of your happiness. Face your doubts. Master your fears. “Cast not away therefore your confidence” (Heb. 10:35). Stay the course and see the beauty of life unfold for you.”
The Lord tells us again and again in the scriptures, “I will be your light in the wilderness” (1 Nephi 17:13). So, put your conquering face on, destroy the walls you have built around your heart, and charge the obstacles ahead of you.
The second suggestion is prayer. It has been an integral part of my change. When I consistently communicate with my Father in Heaven, it is so much easier to have “a perfect brightness of hope and a love of God and of all men.” When I don’t talk to him, the darkness starts to creep in and it is easier to dispare.
Enos is a great example of mighty prayer. For “my soul hungered; and I kneeled down before my Maker, and I cried unto him in mighty prayer and supplication for mine own soul.”
The Lord, knowing that the desires of Enos were pure responded, “Whatsoever thing ye shall ask in faith, believing that ye shall receive in the name of Christ, ye shall receive it” (Enos 1:4;15).
How, do you get faith? Like Moroni said, you must have hope; and in order to have this kind of hope, your heart must be meek and lowly. In other words, your heart must be open and without walls.
When I know my will is aligned with His, I am a much happier person. The Lord has promised, “I will give unto you a pattern in all things, that ye may not be deceived” (D&C 52:14). There will be good things on your path, and there will be better things on your path, but don’t settle for either of those. Struggle to get the best things in your life.
You have a pattern for your life and it is your duty to find it. But your ability to receive this revelation hinges on you letting your walls down and letting the love of God fill your life.
“For the eyes of the Lord run to and fro throughout the whole earth, to shew himself strong in behalf of them whose heart is perfect toward him” (2 Cron. 16:9).
May your soul hunger to find the pattern the Lord has for you. May your heart become perfect toward the Lord, and be open to the love He has for you so that you become strong and immovable in your faith. In the name of Jesus Christ. Amen.
Thursday, February 07, 2008
Rexburg, Idaho Temple Open House
What a great experience to see a new temple and watch people look in awe at the inside. Our group had some people who were not members of the LDS Church. As we went through, they seemed to enjoy the peace that was found in the House of the Lord.
The temple is tall with four levels. It has a motif of of wheat throughout, since that is what it's surrounded by. The colors are very neutral and it even has my favorites inside, green and purple :)
The temple is tall with four levels. It has a motif of of wheat throughout, since that is what it's surrounded by. The colors are very neutral and it even has my favorites inside, green and purple :)
Friday, February 01, 2008
Say
"Take out of your wasted honor
Every little past frustration
Take all of your so called problems
Better put them in quotations
Say what you need to say"
Say it now, or live the rest of your life wondering what would have happened if you had said what you needed to say.
A lot of times we let our pride get into the way of the things we need to be doing in our life. It is so easy to stay in your comfort zone and not stretch yourself to an uncomfortable place.
Over the last few weeks I have been in that uncomfortable place and it has been a struggle. There are times I want to go back, but I know "No man, having put his hand to the aplough, and blooking back, is fit for the kingdom of God" (Luke 9:62). So, I "press forward with a asteadfastness in Christ"; and I continue to work on the back half of "having a perfect brightness of bhope, and a clove of God and of all men" (2 Ne. 31:20).
I was chatting with a friend and I thought about why things have been a little bit of a roller coaster to me. It came to me that it is much easier to have that "perfect hope" when I am consistently saying my prayers. The times I feel a little down in the dumps are when I am not doing so good about talking with my Heavenly Father.
The other night I was reading my scriptures in Mosiah and a scripture hit me with such force that I sat and stared at it for a minute...
"Ye have not applied your hearts to understanding; therefore, ye have not been wise" (Mosiah 12:27). Abinadi continues to teach that it must become written in our hearts.
The Lord knows what our needs are, but we need to say what we need to say; we need to ask Him. Oftentimes we seek answers to questions without applying our hearts to understanding. Maybe we expect a 'yes' or a 'no' from the Lord, but many times it will be given to us to act. The Lord said, "It is not meet that I should command in all things."
When the word of the Lord is written in our hearts and we are anxiously engaged in His service, it is much easier to walk by faith and know that if we get in a dangerous spot, the Lord will put up caution signs.
Don't be afraid to ask, because you will never know the answer if you don't. Don't be afraid to say what you need to say, because you will never know the result.
"Walkin like a one man army
Fightin with the shadows in your head
Living out the same old moment
Knowing you’d be better off instead
If you could only
Say what you need to say
"Have no fear for giving in
Have no fear for getting older
You better know that in the end its better to say to much
Than to never to say what you need to say again
"Even if your hands are shaking
And your faith is broken
Even as the eyes are closing
Do it with a heart wide open
Why?
Say what you need to say"
But make sure you are prepared to receive the answer.
The Day Cometh!
Well, today was the day. Weigh-in #2... I didn't do such a great job at eating this week, and I didn't make it to the gym as much as I wanted to.
But in no uncertain terms I lost 9 lbs. in three weeks! I was really happy with my results and it has been rewarding to 'feel' the results. Many people have commented and it helps me to keep going.
The gym has been really fun for me. It plug my tunes in and I go. I get these images in my head and I work for them. Or if I have frustrations, I "work" them out of me at the gym.
I am almost half-way to my goal and I have 13 weeks to go! Yay!
But in no uncertain terms I lost 9 lbs. in three weeks! I was really happy with my results and it has been rewarding to 'feel' the results. Many people have commented and it helps me to keep going.
The gym has been really fun for me. It plug my tunes in and I go. I get these images in my head and I work for them. Or if I have frustrations, I "work" them out of me at the gym.
I am almost half-way to my goal and I have 13 weeks to go! Yay!
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