Becoming Like Him - Day 24 - Dare

Today is Friday.  Five - minute - Friday to be exact and I can't wait to share.  This is where a group of bloggers gather together over at Kate's Place every single Friday to share their writing on a single prompt, without worrying about whether it is just right or not.  To find out more, or just link your own story with ours, join us over at Heading Home with Kate.

"Let us dare

To read,

Think,

Speak,

and Write."

John Adams

The prompt for this week is:

DARE

START

I spent so much of my life afraid.  Afraid to be who I am, afraid to speak out, afraid to be offended, afraid to dream, afraid to become.  In my struggles, I have learned that I only grow by being challenged.  Life, all by itself doesn't always teach us.  It is when we have to develop the courage to step up and speak out that we really start to learn.
I have learned that it is okay to be different and not like everyone else.  I have learned that none of us are perfect, no matter how much we pretend to be on Sunday.  I have learned to love, in spite of the choices of those I care for.  I have learned to forgive, even when it is harder than I ever imagined.
Sometimes, we just have to dare to be more than we thought we could be.
Today was a hard day.  Someone was in the office yelling and screaming at me.  They called me names and were just plain hard to deal with.  I left that confrontation with hate in my heart.  It is hard to get rid of hate when it wants to take up residence.  So, now, I am working on forgiving.  I don't know how successful I will be, but if it puts me in a better mood to deal with tomorrow, than I will have been successful.  I think that daring to be outside your normal self is not that easy.  It is a challenge.
I write because I dare to share my heart.  I dare to put my words out there to be judged.  I dare to share what He means in my life.  I struggle often to be the person that I want to be.  I have to put aside so many old habits and embrace new ones.  Sometimes, I slip back into yesterday and find myself lost for a time.
Yet, the more I dare, the surer I am of my direction and my path.  The less that I allow fear to govern my journey.  As I seek to become more like Him, I find myself daring a little more often to choose the right.  I find myself seeking those things which are true.  I find myself thinking things through, speaking up, and even speaking out.  I find myself daring to be just a little more like Him, one moment at a time.  One marvelous word.  One tiny thought.  One single step right into His arms of love.

STOP

Now it is your turn.  What can your write for your own version of Five-Minute Friday.  Don't forget to link back with the rest of us at Kate's Place.  

Becoming Like Him - Day 23 - Look

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

It isn't what you look at that matters,

It is what you see.

Start

All my life, I have heard the saying, "seeing through rose-colored glasses", I never really understood that, my problem is more that the glasses I am looking through are dark and smudged.  They see the endless trails instead of the eternity of possibilities.  

I am trying to change.  As I think of becoming more like Him, I can't imagine that He only looks at my sins.  I don't think He focuses on what is always wrong.  I somehow think that He is willing to forgive my many faults and look past them as I struggle to move forward and past those things myself.  

And so, I have to ask myself, when He really looks at me, what does He see.  I am pretty sure that He sees me so much differently than I do.  I focus on the dark places, the blackness, the depression, the anxiety and the mistakes.  I focus on the could have's and the should have's.  I am not very gentle with myself.  

Last week, I got to paint for the first time in years and something really stood out at me after we were through.  We started with a white canvas and painted it all black.  We needed the black in order to recognize and appreciate the colors that we going to be placed on top.  When I finished, the picture isn't black at all.  The trees are white, the foliage is orange and red and yellow and green.  There is a darkness looking under the trees as if it is coming onto twilight.  But it is not simply black.

Perhaps, I need to see myself like I see my art.  I need to realize that I am only focusing on one part of my life.  In the tapestry that weaves my life together, there are darks and lights all worked into the weaving.  You really can't have one without the other.  They bring about beauty in the world around us.  

Perhaps I need to learn to open my heart and see with His eyes instead of my own; to feel with His love instead of my pain,  To find my heart beating in rhythm with His.  I think it is time to find His version of "rose-colored glasses".  

Stop

Becoming Like Him - Day 22 - Expect

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

When you release expectations, 

you are free to enjoy things 

for what they are, 

instead of what you 

think they should be.  

Today the prompt is:

EXPECT

START

I am grateful to have this prompt today.  Too often in my own life, I expect things to be a certain way.  I expect my children to behave a certain way, or smile, or laugh or have fun.  I expect them to be reverent in church and to listen to their teachers.  I expect them to treat me like they love me.  In case you haven't guessed, I am a mother of three teenagers and absolutely nothing goes the way I expect it to.
I am learning, way too slowly, in my journey to allow them to be themselves.  In all their teenage glory and righteousness.  But I am finding, as I release the expectations that I am holding them to, these beautiful and wonderful spirits hidden beneath my own requirements.  The young ladies that they are becoming are so much more than I ever dreamed they could be.
I have also had very high expectations for myself in my life.  Usually so high, that I can't possibly succeed.  Making me a failure before I even begin.  I am also learning to be a little more kind and gentle with myself.
In the scriptures it tells us that we are required to forgive all men, I believe that includes ourselves.  Sometimes, what is easy to forgive in another is so much more difficult to forgive in myself.  I always think that I should have, could have and needed to know better.
I am so grateful for a loving Savior who knew that I would need His sacrifice.  Part of becoming more like Him is to recognize how very much I need Him in my life.  It is to know, intimately, His Mercy and Grace.  When I stop having unreal expectations for myself and everyone else, I become free to recognize the tender mercies that I am surrounded with in my life.
May you also learn to enjoy and absorb those things that are real, instead of expecting them to be something else entirely.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 21 - Second

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Sometimes, we don't realize our own strength,

until we come face to face

with our greatest weakness.

Today the prompt is:  SECOND

START

What a beautiful weekend we had.  We were able to go down to Phoenix and tour the open house for the new Phoenix Temple.  It was a beautiful opportunity to share with others the strength and love of our beliefs.  

As I traveled, I thought about what I wanted to share for today and I was so excited when I realized the prompt was second.  

You see, I believe in a Heavenly Father who gives second chances.  One who knows that we would not possibly be able to accomplish perfection, and so He provided a way where we could return to Him.  He gave us His Son.  

He not only gives us second chances, but sometimes thirds, fourths or even fiftieth.  He gives us what we need until we finally get it right and move on to the next.  He is there to guide us.  He will lift us up and help us to move on, if we will only come to Him.  

In His house, there is always room for second chances.  There is room for prodigal sons and daughters.  There is room for you and me.  In His house, there is love, forgiveness, compassion and mercy.  Every single one of us are imperfect and flawed.  He knows that, yet He loves us in spite of our worst selves.  He wants us anyway.  

In my quest to become like Him, I am trying to forgive others who have wronged me.  I figure that I He gives second chances, who am I to deny someone else that blessing.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 20 - Fear

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Fears are stories

We tell ourselves.

Today's Prompt is:

FEAR

START

There have been so many things that I have been afraid of.  Sometimes, it is what people think and what they believe.  Sometimes it is what might be happening or being humiliated.  I love the quote above about fear because I have come to find that most fears are actually things that might not come true.  I worry more about the "what if's" than about what is real.
This week, I tried something new.  I put aside my fear of "what if it looks really bad" and took a painting class.  It is only for one evening, and you can choose the night you want to go and the painting that you want to do.  I chose this one!  I know, it doesn't look like much yet, but I did the entire thing by myself.  The teacher showed us the strokes on his painting and I painted mine in about 3 and 1/2 hours.  I was so afraid it would be worse than everyone else's.  I was so afraid that I couldn't do it.  But I did.

This is me, filling in the background on the black and just painting.  I could not believe that it was so much fun!  How long have I denied myself chances to achieve simply because I had too much fear to even try.  Yesterday, I could never have imagined that I could ever do this.  Today I know I can.  

I am planning on doing this once a month for awhile.  It was so much fun and even if it is not perfect, I can at least tell what it is supposed to be.  That is a start, and an accomplishment.  I did something today that was beyond my fear.  As I am seeking to become more like Him, it makes me wonder how many things have held me back because I was too afraid to even try.  He is the one who gave us talents to use and enjoy.  He is the one who sends us blessings and tender mercies to share with others.  As I strive to become more like Him, I am also seeking to overcome my fears and to nurture the gifts that He has given me.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 19 - Honor

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

"The purpose of life 

Is not to be happy.

It is to be useful,

To be honorable,

To be compassionate,

To have it make

Some difference

That you have 

Lived and lived 

Well."

Ralph Waldo Emerson

START

I love Ralph Waldo Emerson.  What a beautiful way of expressing those things which are important.  The Bible teaches us to honor our parents, to do good the those that despitefully use you, to be kind, to be unselfish.
The world would have us believe that everything should be all about ourselves.  That our past is the fault of our parents.  That only fun is important.  That we should pursue happiness above all things.
I have learned, as I strive to become more like Him, that true happiness only comes when I am serving Him.  When I am trying to be kind, when I am compassionate, when I am useful to others.  I have learned that when I serve others, I am also serving Him.
I am happiest when I am doing the things that are right.  When I don't have to worry about the choices I am making.  I am happiest when I am with family.  I am happiest, when I am not seeking to be happy.  Instead, I have to look beyond my own needs and care about making a difference.
My life has been a life of service.  A life devoted to my family, my church, my community, my job and my friends.  Sometimes I feel very overwhelmed, then something will happen for just a moment that will change my outlook and make everything worth it.
I believe that part of honoring our parents and our ancestors comes from forgiving them.  We all make mistakes.  Heaven only knows how many I have made myself.  I know, as a mom, that I hope and pray someday my children will forgive me for my own wrongs.  I don't believe that I should deny that same forgiveness to those who have gone before.
I believe that God is the only one who can truly judge our sins.  That I don't have too.  That somehow, in a way I don't understand, all things will be made right.  I believe that if I can honor the good and forgive the bad, I will be better because of it and I will become more like Him each and every day.
To my children, I would say the best way to honor me would be to become better than I am.  To honor the things you have been taught, and the love that you have known.  To honor your God in every aspect of your life.  To become more like Him.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 18 - Taste

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

"We write to taste life twice,

in the moment, 

and in retrospect".

Anais Nin

START

Oh how I love this quote.  It is amazing and really reminds me why I write.  Life is amazing, and without writing, it is easier to forget the good times and to get lost in the bad.  Most of my memories of my childhood are not so good.  I really wish that I could remember good things because I know they where there, but in childhood, the hurt far outweighed the happiness.  So, I remember the hurt.  Oh how I wish that someone had taught me to write back then.
Writing is much like cooking.  When I first got married, I was 17 years old and I knew nothing of following a recipe of cooking.  My mother cooked with cans and boxes and pre made food.  I really wanted to learn to cook homemade.  
I remember my first stew.  It cooked all day and we had company for dinner.  The potatoes weren't done yet and we still crunchy.  I cooked it too low.  Everyone ate, no one complained, but my husband said, (after the company had left), please don't cook that again.
So, I didn't, but I made other things and I learned.  I used to cook amazing cinnamon rolls and sweets.  I made homemade candy and breads and pretty much any dessert you can think of.  I even got good at it.  It took years of practice and lots of failures, but I learned.  
When I married my husband now, the hardest thing to blend was the cooking.  My kids, loved my cooking.  His kids loved his cooking.  So we had to learn to blend things together into new flavors and new traditions that became our own.  
He does a lot of the cooking.  He enjoys it and I don't mind at all.  The only thing everyone insists that I have to cook is gravy.  That is the must have on Thanksgiving and Christmas.  Mom's gravy is still number one.  Like I said, I took years to perfect it. 
As an adult, I have written a lot.  I write poems, I write articles, I write about my love of God.  Because so much of my writing focuses on my testimony of the Savior and His love for me, I live it again in the words.  I live it first in my thoughts and feelings, then savor it again in the words when I write them down and finally taste my heart in the words again when I reread them.  
My hope has always been that my children will someday want to really get to know me, for something besides the recipe to gravy.  And that these parts of my life that I taste will somehow inspire them to reach just a little bit higher than they ever imagined.  

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 17 - Long

Oh yes!  It is Friday again.  Still one of my favorite times of the week.  This is the day that a bunch of us write for five minutes without worrying about whether it is just right or not.  Then we link up our posts over at Kate's Place.  This month, there are also a bunch of us that are writing for five minutes all month long, every single day.  I am really enjoying the efforts!  I hope to see you over at the link up for your very own version of Five Minute Friday.  This week, the prompt is:

LONG

Don't let something that is long gone 

continue to control you.

It is time to let it go.

START

When I was very small, I longed to be like the big kids and never need a nap.  That two hour period of time seemed forever for my small body, and I was desperately afraid I would miss something while I slept.

When I was a child, I longed to have friends.  I longed  to be liked and loved and appreciated.  I longed for people to want to be with me.  Instead, I found myself the outsider, the one that was always in fights defending myself.  The one that was picked on, the one that was bullied.

When I was a teen, I longed to be anywhere but my house.  I longed to drive and drive and never come back.  I longed for escape and sometimes found it in the pages of the books that I loved.

When I was a young adult, I longed for a husband to love me, children that would be a blessing and a real home where I was never lonely or afraid.

I always thought that life would be a long, long time.  I never realized how short it really is.  

You blink and the toddler is a child.  You yawn and the child is a teen.  You sleep and the teen is a young adult.  Life happens, time passes, it is not nearly as long as I thought. 

Now I am older and realize that I long to let the past go.  I long to forget the bad and just remember and take joy in the good.  I long to forgive and forget and put it behind me.  I long to be better than I have been before.  

I have learned that we choose those memories that we carry with us.  As we long for something else, they become more easily recalled.  As we long to forget the bad time, they become closer to the surface of our minds.  

If we don't let go of the bad, we will never find ourselves in the places we have longed to be.  I am learning to let go of all the things that have happened to me and focus on the blessings that He gives me.  I long to become more like Him and less like the past.  I long to give it up, let go and trust that He can carry all the burdens for me.  I long to belong to Him.

STOP

Now it is your turn.  What can you write in your own five minutes of fun?  Don't forget to join us over at Heading Home with Kate and link up!

Becoming like Him - Day 16 - Adjust

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

We Can't Direct The Wind

But We Can

Adjust The Sails.

START

This is one of my favorite quotes.  I love it because it reminds me that life is all about how we adjust.  We don't control any thing that happens to us, certainly not the weather, or events, or even the feelings of others.  But we always get to choose how we adjust our sails and change our own course.

I used to have my own small sailboat and took it out on the lake from time to time.  I learned to sail, usually with one other person.  As someone who lives in Arizona, I found out quickly that you really, really want to have wind when you are out sailing.  

On a calm day, the boat can be a little hard to move, and oars are not so pleasant as a sail.  

Most of the time, you can find a wind by adjusting the sails and tacking from one side of the lake to another.  You have to be careful of the boom though, or you will end up in the water when it moves!

In a lot of ways, sailing taught me about life.  

Adjusting can be so hard.  Usually, it means to change.  For me, change is not something that I look forward to.  Actually, I tend to be a little on the pessimistic side.  I know it will probably be good for me, but still, I like the known quality about the place I am currently in. 

I am surrounded by change and adjustments.  Every.  Single.  Day.  There is no way that I can escape any of it.  If I try and stay still, the boom of life will knock me right into the waters of discouragement.  Moment by moment and step by step, everything changes.  I worry too much about the meaning of things instead of just enjoying the moment.  

I cannot direct the wind, I cannot change one part of anything that has happened in my life, but I still have power.  I have the power to choose how yesterday affects the rest of my today and my tomorrows.  I can choose to do better, to live better and to become better.  I can choose to adjust the sails.  

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 15 - Life

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Because, when you stop and look around, this life is pretty amazing!

START

Sometimes, I have a hard time remembering that life is for living.  It is for growing, climbing, becoming, experiencing and even for making mistakes. Heavenly Father never expected us to get everything right the first time, although we sometimes expect it of ourselves.  

One of the most important things I have learned about life is that it is the experience that counts the most.  It is trying over and over and getting up in between all the falling down.  It is becoming just a little better today than you were yesterday.  

As I seek to become more like Him, I find that I still make mistakes.  Just deciding to change, doesn't mean that I change all at once.  I still struggle to read my scriptures every day, I still sometimes forget to pray, I don't always like people who are mean to me or my children, and no matter how hard I try, I am not perfect.  

I am learning that life is pretty amazing in spite of myself.  I am learning that life is filled with ups and downs and back and forth's and a merry-go-round of emotion and trials and endings and beginnings.  It is sometimes easy to get stuck into the moments when we wish things would just change for the better.

I am also learning that getting stuck, is sometimes the thing I needed most of all. It reminds me to keep going.  It helps me to see the possibilities.  

When you think about it, that is one of the greatest things about life, the hope that our tomorrows will be even better than our today's.  The hope that change is good.  The hope that His tender mercies will be enough for even our worst sins. His hope for my life is simply that I will follow Him.  

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 14 - Away

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Today the prompt is:

AWAY

START

Sometimes, home seems so far away 
And I feel so alone
I want to see His face again,
I want to feel at home.
I want to hear His voice again
And feel His gentle touch.
I want to look into His eyes
And know I am enough.

I need to feel His peace right now
To know His love is near.
To have the spirit whisper soft,
Don't worry, I am here.
I need to know how much I'm loved
And that He knows my pain
I need to know that He is there
I'll see Him once again.

With faith to guide my footsteps,
And His words to touch my heart,
It isn't hard to find Him
When I try and do my part.
I fall upon my knees to pray
and plead with all my might
That His tender mercies I will find
In the darkest dark of night.

And as I pray, my heart is stilled
and peace now fills my soul,
There is no question He is near
What was broken is now whole.
His Spirit isn't far away,
I am now bathed in His light.
I only needed to acknowledge Him
And trust with all my might. 

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 13 - Work

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

You are what you do;

Not what you say you will do.

START

Our community has a yearly day of service.  All the churches work together, all the people sign up for jobs and we get things done.  I love this day.  It is a day when differences are put aside and people just learn that they are really the same at heart.  

Usually, I am part of the road crew.  Everyone gets a vest, and a garbage bag.  We have a mile area that our group is responsible for.  With so many people working together, the entire area all the way through town gets done.  

This year, I was asked to be in charge of making cards for the military.  My husband was asked to help with the food (how does he do that???).  I have a lot of crafts at home and I bought more for the event.  Everyone had a great time making cards and writing in them for those in our town that are serving, that have served, or family members that are currently serving.  

The young women liked it so much that they want to do it later in the year as a project.  I think that is a great idea.  

After our service projects, we all met at the park for a lunch of hot dogs, chips, drinks and brownies.  I am sure that is most of the communities favorite part.  Nothing costs anyone anything.  It is a day of service to make our town look better and to bring people together.  

They have already asked me to do the cards again next year.  

What a wonderful way to come together and to get to know those of other faiths.  It is an amazing way to strengthen our community and learn what it means to be a neighbor.

STOP

Becoming like Him - Day 10 - Five Minute Friday - Care

Just so you know, I wrote this on Friday, but I only had my tablet and it would not let me cut paste, or post.  So, it is getting published today in spite of all the problems of the week.  Today is five minute Friday.  This is where a group of us write for just five minutes without worrying whether it is just right or not.  The rules are simple.  Write for five minutes and link back over at Kate's place.  Then leave a comment for the person who linked up before you.  (or several if you choose).  Today the prompt is:

CARE

START

They come into your life so small and helpless.  With eyes that watch you and ears that listen to your songs.  They smell of milk and birth and heaven.  They win your heart with a single glance.  From the very first kick, before you have even seen them, you are hooked.  You can't wait to meet them.  You can't wait to get to know them.  You know, somewhere deep inside, that them come right from the arms of God.
It is so easy to care when they are small.  I will never understand how people could not care for an infant.  I will never understand how anyone could not care about a child.  And yet, we go on our way day by day and don't remember to care for those around us.  The man in the street, is somebody's son.  The women selling tamales door to door is someone's daughter, someone's wife and someone's mother.
Most of all, I find it hardest to care for myself.  When I remember the things that I have been through,  the mistakes that I have made, it is rather like watching and thinking of myself as an adult in a child's body.  Therefore, everything has always been my fault.  Yet, when I see a grand child the same age as I was, I would never, ever think of placing blame on their small shoulders.  Yet, I have placed that blame squarely on my own for years.
We need to care about others around us, those who struggle, those who are weeping, those who are hungry and those that are heartbroken.  But we also need to learn to care about ourselves.  We need to be able to look upon our selves with compassion and forgiveness.  We need to understand that we all make mistakes and we all hurt and we all are broken.
The Savior's love can heal our hearts and our minds.  His atonement can help us find forgiveness and compassion.  His teachings can help us find our way back when we have been lost and broken.  Because He cares, His words will always guide us home.

STOP

Now it's your turn.  Don't forget to join the rest of us over at Kate's Place at Heading Home.  I can't wait to see what you write in your own five minutes.  

Becoming Like Him - Day 12 - Rest

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

START

The Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” (Matthew 11:28).
"And he said, My presence shall go with thee, and I will give thee rest".  (Exodus 33:14) 

Many of us are carrying burdens that seem too hard to bear.  Many are lost.  Many have stumbled.  Many have fallen away.  There are heartaches and heartbreaks.  There are trials of every kind.  Often, we feel alone and overwhelmed, and just plain tired.  It is times like these when I remember that the Savior did not promise that we would feel like this forever.  He actually promised us rest from our labour.  All we have to do is "Come unto Him".  
The scriptures contain many accounts of how the Savior helped those who were heavy laden.  He caused the blind to see, the deaf to hear and the lame to walk.  He healed the sick and raised the dead.  He fed the thousands and comforted the weary.  He taught of peace.  He taught of love.  He taught of kindness to both friends and strangers.  
He endured His own trials during His mortal ministry.  He was called names and beaten.  He was spit upon and mocked.  He was hung on a cross while a murderer went free.
Life is not, and never has been fair.  But I believe in Him and in His promise of rest.  The time will come when our burdens will be less sore and our hearts will be healed and our eyes shall see Him.  

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 11 - Teach

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

START

I have been teaching since I was 14 years old.  I love to teach.  I love to help others to learn the things that matter the most to me.  I haven't always been a good teacher, I had to learn what worked and what did not.  I believe that teaching is one of the most wonderful things that we are called to do.  Not all of us teach school, not all of us are mothers or fathers, not all of us teach in church, but we all come in contact with people.  We all have an opportunity to touch the lives of others.
There is a scripture in Matthew that describes teaching really well.  It says:

"Whosoever therefore shall break one of these least commandments, and shall teach men so, he shall be called the least in the kingdom of heaven: but whosoever shall do and teach them, the same shall be called great in the kingdom of heaven".  Matthew 5:19

Think about it for a minute.  We are accountable for what we teach others to do.  If we set the example of doing wrong, and encourage others to go along with us, that we are not good teachers.  But if we do what is right and teach others to do those things, than we become the teachers that God need us to be.  I think we all have chances in life to teach.  What makes a teacher truly great is that they teach by the Spirit.  They teach with compassion and kindness and love.  They teach with stories and humility.  I think they teach like the Savior.
Some of the very best teachers that I have ever had, were not rich or learned.  They were humble.  They were kind.  They were Christ-like.
It didn't even matter what religion they were, they were the ones who loved everyone, even if you weren't popular or didn't understand.  Even if you asked lots of questions and had lots of comments.  They were kind and caring.  They believed in me and taught me to believe in myself.  They taught me to be more than I thought I could every become.

Teach your children that strength 

doesn't come from what you can do,

but from overcoming the things 

you thought you couldn't.

Becoming Like Him - Day 9 - Join

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

It takes nothing to join the crowd. 

It takes everything to stand alone.

START

When I was young, I wanted so much to be like everyone else.  Especially because I was never a part of the crowd.  I thought I wanted to be, I even tried to join them once or twice, but the things they were doing just weren't the things that I felt right about.  I had to make a stand, and I must admit, it was sometimes a lonely one.  It didn't help that I wasn't much of a leader.  I was someone who would much rather follow.  It was safer that way and didn't make people call me names.  The problem was, that they did not like the things I was doing (I suppose they weren't fun), and I didn't like the choices they were making.  

I walked to class alone.  I worked on my grades.  I wished for friends.  Then something rather miraculous happened.  I found a group with the same standards as I lived.  I learned to get along in a group setting.  I still wasn't comfortable being the one that came up with the ideas, but I was happy to be included.  

As I have gotten older, I have learned more about myself.  I am not someone who makes friends easily.  I do however, make friends that last a lifetime.  I have learned that I don't need to join a group just to join.  I make friends that have the same interests and love of ideas that I do.  We walk together, we talk together, we are there for each other.  The best part is that I no longer have to stand alone.  The more I work at becoming like Him, the more I find people who need me.  The more I am like Him, the happier I am.  

As time passes, I realize that I have never had to stand alone.  He was always, always by my side and that makes me part of His crowd.  That is enough.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 8 - Say

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Titus 3:8 This is a faithful saying, and these things I will that thou affirm constantly, that they which have believed in God might be careful to maintain good works. These things are good and profitable unto men.

START

When I was a child, I heard many cruel and awful things directed at me.  I decided long ago, that I would not call others names like that.  I learned that the things that are said, sometimes hurt much more than the things that are done to you.  The words live on in my head.  Sometimes, I hear them still when I am having a bad day.  I never wanted to do that to my own children.  But often, I haven't known what to say instead.  I have really struggled with how to handle anger and what to do when I have those feelings.
I have wondered what a faithful saying really sounds like.  And then I read this scripture the other day when I was thumbing through the Bible.  I love the idea that a faithful saying is something you affirm constantly.  It is not a sometimes thing.  It is not something that hurts those who are listening.  I also love that part of a faithful saying is really Good Works.  So often, I meet people who wonder where God is in their lives.  They don't believe or even try to believe.  They forget that part of faith is really doing something.  It is more than a belief.  It is action in it's purest form.  I think that is why faith comes one simple step at a time.  Each step brings us a little closer to God.  Each thing we think and say and do, matters.  Especially when it is uplifting.
I wonder as I read this if all the things I am doing could be affirmed constantly.  I am sure the answer to that would be "no".  So as I continue on this 31 day journey, I am seeking to do the things that I can be happy about.  Things for myself as well as things for others.  Things that are good.  I want to remember to watch the words that I say.  Often, it is not the words themselves that hurt, it is the tone I use when I am upset or angry.  I want to make the things I say mean something good to those whose hearts I might touch.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 7 - Go

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Maybe you have to

Let go of who you were,

To become

Who you will be.

START

One of my favorite Scriptures is found in 1Nephi 3:7

And it came to pass that I, Nephi, said unto my father: I will go and do the things which the Lord hath commanded, for I know that the Lord giveth no commandments unto the children of men, save he shall prepare a way for them that they may accomplish the thing which he commandeth them.

I will go and do.  It does not say that he had to think about it first.  It does not say that he had to see what his friends were doing.  It simply says that "I will go and do".  I think those words are amazing.  

We can't let go of anything in our past if we don't go and do something different.  We have all sinned. We have all made mistakes.  We all have excuses from time to time, but if we don't go and do something else, we will just keep going in the same circle over and over.  

Letting go of the person that I used to be has been hard for me.  It has taken all my life to get to this one point.  I still don't always do things right.  I make mistakes every single day and need to ask for forgiveness.  My past was often hard, but it was familiar to me, and I find myself identifying my strengths by the things I have overcome.  Sometimes, I find myself excusing my decisions because of the past that I have had to live through.

Really, I am learning that I need to let go of the past instead of dragging the weight around like a burden to continue bearing.  I need to let go of the bad habits I learned, the bad examples I saw, the names I was called and everything else that happened.  

The atonement was for me, not just my sins.  Christ suffered for my infirmities as well as my weaknesses and my pains and my sorrows.  He truly knows exactly how I felt.  He was bullied, beaten, and spit upon too.  

When I remember the things that He had to endure, I am so very grateful for His mercy in my life.  His example reminds me to continually, "Go and Do". 

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 6 - Know

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Today the prompt is:

KNOW

START

In my deepest, darkest moments, what has really helped me through the day is prayer. Sometimes the prayers are said with tears upon my cheeks, sometimes they are burdened with sorrow, Sometimes they are pleading and sometimes they are full of gratitude and sometimes they are full of peace and contentment. 
 I have discovered that communication with my Heavenly Father will always get me through my day because I know who my support is. I know who brings help. I know that peace is just a prayer away. 

Today I want to share just a few of the things that I know.

I know that my Redeemer lives.
I know that He suffered and died for my sins.

I know that God hears my prayers.

I know that He knows my name.

I know that I matter to Him.

I know that He surrounds me with blessings, even if I don't always take the time to look for them.

I know that the Gospel is here upon the earth today.

I know that the scriptures are true and are His words to us.

I know that I am a child of God.

I know that I can do anything He asks of me.

I know that I don't know everything.

I know that I am learning to become like Him

I know that He loves me more than I can ever imagine.

STOP

Becoming Like Him - Day 5 - Stuck

For my 31 days of writing, I am linking up over at Heading Home and over at the Nester. There are several of us that are taking the 31 day writing challenge. Kate has suggested that we spend 31 days of Five minute writing. You can use the prompts or write about anything you would like, you just need to write.

I am sharing my journey for 31 days as I strive to become more like Him. My prayer is that you can find hope and peace in my words.

Everyday is a new beginning

Take a deep breath

And start again.

Todays prompt is:  STUCK

START

I have found that it is easy to feel stuck. Stuck in a job, stuck in a life, stuck in depression, stuck in chores, and housework, and just trying to do too many things. Sometimes, I get stuck because of someone else, sometimes it is my own fault. But it always seems to happen at the very worst time. It always seems to happen when I need to be somewhere important, or when my family needs me, or even when I need a little time to myself.

I have learned that it is not if I get stuck, it is simply when, and what I do about it when it happens.  

Take yesterday, I ended up working all day, on a Saturday, when it should have been my day off.  Funny thing was, I had a feeling in the morning and got up and drove an hour to the office that I am watching out for right now.  I was planning on doing stock counts and only working a couple of hours until they were completed.  Instead, I had a clerk go to the hospital and have to have surgery, I needed to try and find someone to come help, and I stayed all day just trying to get things done.  It was a crazy and exhausting day.

I was stuck at work and I really could have been grouchy about it.  It was conference and I wanted to listen.  Instead, I laughed.  I called my clerk and told her not to worry about the office, just get well.  We will be fine.  I called other Post Masters to try and get some help in for Monday.  I did not get my counts done.  But you know what, I took a deep breath and remembered that tomorrow is a new day and we will survive.  

I am learning that getting stuck usually means figuring out how to get unstuck.  It requires more work and effort.  It requires prayer to receive the help I need to fix things.  I have learned that the Lord rarely fixes something for me that I haven't tried to fix myself first.  He rarely gets me unstuck without a little sweat and effort from myself.  I love a quote from Conference:

"When our wagon gets stuck in the mud, God is much more likely to assist the man who gets out to push than the man who merely raises his voice in prayer—no matter how eloquent the oration. President Thomas S. Monson put it this way: “It is not enough to want to make the effort and to say we’ll make the effort. … It’s in the doing, not just the thinking, that we accomplish our goals. If we constantly put our goals off, we will never see them fulfilled.”

The Lord is there for me, but He wants me to try and help myself too.  He wants me to learn from the experience of being stuck.  

STOP