We are Sons and Daughters of God

"Throughout our lives, whether in times of darkness, challenge, sorrow, or sin, we may feel the Holy Ghost reminding us that we are truly sons and daughters of a caring Heavenly Father, who loves us, and we may hunger for the sacred blessings that only He can provide."~Robert D. Hales, "Coming to Ourselves: The Sacrament, the Temple, and Sacrifice in Service"

Sometimes, I struggle to remember where I came from.  I can't remember anything before I came here.  As a matter of fact, I can't remember much of my childhood once I was here.  I wish I had memories of before.  It would be so much easier to know rather than to forget and to need to have faith.  I might not remember those times in my life before, but the spirit has whispered to me that, like Jeremiah, I lived before I came here.

Jeremiah 1:5  Before I formed thee in the belly I knew thee; and before thou camest forth out of the womb I sanctified thee, and I ordained thee a prophet unto the nations.

I know that He created me and that He knows who I am.  I know that He knows my name and my needs.  I am truly His daughter.  I have learned to turn toward Him in my life and to trust that He will bless me and sustain me in all things.  Sometimes, for a short time, I forget who I am, and the Holy Ghost gently whispers reminders to my heart through the scriptures that I read.  I sense His presence in the world all around me and I know His love through the blessings that I receive each and every day.  

There are many struggles and trials in life.  We are here to learn and grow after all.  But this I know. . He Lives, He loves me, He will answer my prayers.  

And right now, that is enough.  

He Writes Upon My Heart.

"Parents should teach their children to pray. The child learns both from what the parents do and what they say. The child who sees a mother or a father pass through the trials of life with fervent prayer to God and then hears a sincere testimony that God answered in kindness will remember what he or she saw and heard. When trials come, that individual will be prepared."—Henry B. Eyring, "That He May Write upon Our Hearts"

I am learning for the first time in my life, that it is ok to leave the bedroom door cracked.  I am learning that children need to know that they are prayed for and thought about.  They need to know that they are loved when there are no mistakes, but even more important is to let them know how much they are loved even with their mistakes.  I want my children to know that I am always going to love them.  sometimes, I wish they made different decisions.  I wish thy could see the long term effects of their choices.  I can not change their choice, I can only plan for what that will help them through.  We all make unwise decisions.  We are not perfect.  Some of us have an inner need to make a few more than others, yet Christ loved them all.  I think, of all things that is most important.  He loves them all.  Righteous, and unrighteous.  Saint and sinner.  Well and ill.  Hungry and full.  He made places for them all.  I am learning that love opens doors that are closed and brings you friends you never realized you need.  Love changes us.  It draws us closer to each other so that we may be prepared together to face the trials.   With Love, anything is possible.
One of the most sacred times in our family this year has been for the girls to realize how much we love them.  To hear us pray from our room about them.  About their trials and their heartaches.  about the strengths and their weaknesses.  About school and seminary and friends.  They have realized this year for the very first time that there is nothing in their lives that we do not value and love.  There is nothing that they can't talk to us about and still have that love.  It is allowing the Lord to write not only on my heart, but on theirs, and that is making a difference.

True Charity - I need to change

"Charity is having patience with someone who has let us down.  

It is resisting the impulse to become offended easily.  

It is accepting weaknesses and shortcomings.  

It is accepting people as they truly are.  

It is looking beyond physical appearances to attributes 

that will not dim through time.  It is resisting the impulse 

to categorize others."  Thomas S. Monson

I have looked at charity in a lot of ways.  I know that it is the true love of God.  I have always understood that we need to have patience and long suffering.  But the part that really stands out to me today is about resisting the impulse to become offended easily.  I just never looked at become offended as a choice that I make.  I never quite looked at is as a sin.  

So, today, I am re-evaluating.  I know there are people who have offended me.  I struggle with that sometimes daily.  I don't let it interfere with my relationship with the Lord, but I do let it interfere with how I treat others.  Perhaps the sin is in letting it affect other areas of my life.  The worst part, is that I really don't know how to check the impulse.  

I suspect that I will keep praying about it and keep trying to change my own feelings.  I will keep praying for the Lord's blessing to be upon those who offend me.  I will keep trying to change myself instead of others.  For me, the struggle is in letting what others say, go.  It is in trusting the Lord enough to believe that He knows what I need.  It is learning to truly forgive and not just give lip service about it.  

For me, true charity is nothing short of an inner change of heart.  It is something I struggle with and something that I aspire toward.  One simple heart-felt step at a time.      

Real Friends

"Electronic games and cyber acquaintances are no lasting substitute for real friends who can give an encouraging hug, who can pray for us and seek after our best interest".  Ian S. Ardern

We live in a busy world. Television, games, sports, school, movies, parks, music, dance and who knows what else surrounds us.  Every day, it is more and more busy.  I work, I work and I work some more.  I drive kids here, there, and everywhere.  I take them to doctors, dentists, councilors, and anywhere else they need to go.  

Sometimes, I yearn for the days of my Great-Grandmother.  When you rode horses to get where you were going, when there was no TV or radio, when kids played outside and did chores every morning and night.  When the only sports were played after school with your neighbors.   I envy the days of meeting your neighbor across the back fence.  

When I lived in Mesa, I didn't even know who my neighbors were.  We never saw each other.  We never communicated.  If I didn't see the kids, I didn't know the parents.  I hated it.  When I moved to a smaller town, I got to know so many more people.  It is really different here.  People tell me when my kids do something wrong, they tell me when there are things going on that might interest them.  They tell me who they should stay away from.  They tell me pretty much anything.

I did not count on the way gossip flies in a small town.

Oh well, it is still nice to know your neighbors.  It is nice to live somewhere people care.  It is nice to help each other and stand up for each other.  Sometimes, we all need real friends, ones who love us, care for us and watch over us.  I am loving learning what it means to know my neighbors.  

Strengthen Our Faith

"We live in a time of turmoil.  Earthquakes and tsunamis wreak devastation, governments collapse, economic stresses are severe, the family is under attack, and divorce rates are rising.  We have great cause for concern.  But we do not need to let our fears displace our faith.  We can combat those fears by strengthening our faith".  Russell M. Nelson

We live in a time of turmoil.  That one rings home for me.  In my life, I have seen so many changes.  I grew up the daughter of divorced parents.  It was very rare then and I put up with a lot from the other kids who had two parents in their lives.  I have seen prejudice and tolerance.  I have seen hate and love.  I have seen some of the best and some of the worst in my life.  Everywhere I turn, things are happening that are hard to watch.  There are changes everywhere and some are good, but a great deal of them are bad.  There are a lot of negative consequences to the lifestyle that is all around us.  I have not lived a perfect life, as a matter of fact, I have made way too many mistakes.  I have made bad decisions as well as good ones.  I have looked around at what is happening and been afraid.  Afraid for myself, afraid for my children, afraid for those I love and care about.  I have felt helpless with the fear.  What a blessing it is to know that I have the power to combat my fears as I strengthen my faith.   I am learning that the closer I feel to my Heavenly Father, the more I am able to accept that He knows my needs.  The more I know that He will help me through the difficulties.  My fear is lessened as I learn to place my trust in Him.     

Afflictions

"Some people feel guilty about their anxieties 

and regard them as a defect of faith 

but they are afflictions, not sins.  

Like all afflictions, they are, if we can 

so take them, our share in the 

passion of Christ". C. S. Lewis

I love C. S. Lewis.  He has such an amazing way of phrasing things.  I suffer from Depression and Anxiety.  I have for many years now.  At times in my life, it doesn't see too bad and I am able to deal with the difficulties that I face.  At others, it can be overwhelming.  I have always regarded those illnesses as something to be guilty of, something to be ashamed of.  Somehow, it is my fault that I can't trust enough or get through my trials on my own. 

One of the times when I was struggling, a friend became angry with me because of my depression and told me that I profess to have faith, yet I can't trust God that He will take care of these things.  If I really had faith, than I would not allow depression to have a place in my life.  This was so difficult for me to hear.  I want to have trust, I want to believe that it is all in His hands, but I can't help worrying about it.  I can't let go of those things that bring me the most anguish.  

Sometimes, I feel like I am two people.  One person has so many blessings and so much to be happy about, and the other person has so many things to worry about.  Those two people inside of me keep me busy trying to find my center.  Sometimes things don't make sense, but I keep trying.  

I have learned that depression is not a sin.  It is an affliction that I live with.  The same way someone else might live with diabetes or heart disease.  It is just something that I am learning to overcome.  I have learned that there are things that help, and my choice comes in choosing to be helped rather than choosing to try it on my own.  I use as many natural things as I can, but I also use medication and that works for me.  

I am learning to be happy and healthy and calm.  I am learning that He does help me, even if I am not always aware of that help.  I am learning to accept and be happy.  And that feels so amazing.  

Passing Through the Trials- Serving Others

"As we pass through the trials in life, let us keep an eternal perspective, let us not complain, let us become even more prayerful, let us serve others, and let us forgive one another".  James B. Martino

This weekend was Stake Conference at church.  I have learned so very many things that go with this.  There was a sister who spoke last night on overcoming your anger and hurt and learning to forgive.  She spoke about how difficult her life was for her.  How much her heart ached.  How she wanted revenged for the things that were done to her.  As she grew up, she cut the people involved during that horrible time, out of her life.  She tried to get through it on her own.  She tried to forgive and to move on, but inside, there was always this little niggling doubt about what had happened and what she should do about it.
Finally, after much soul searching, she went to the temple to contemplate and pray there.  Struggling to get an answer to help her forgive what needed to be changed in her life.  The answer cam there, in the peaceful, quiet moments of worship and reflection, the answer came.  And it was not one that she thought she could accomplish.  But she prayed and she felt strengthened and she opened up her notebook and wrote a letter with the help of her loving heavenly Father.  She poured out her heart and her sorrow and her regrets.  Then at the end, she poured out her love.  And with her tears and sorrow, she found the power to forgive another.  She send the letter and received and answer back and their were more apologies and tears and because of her strength to follow the inspiration from the Lord, her family is starting to find peace and healing and love once again.  The first step has been made A hand reached out to touch another.  At one time, hearts and aching could not block the space and loneliness that overcame where love had been  before.
But today, love returned where it was never expected and through the Atonement of Jesus Christ, Forgiveness has to power to turn our hearts back to God.  He waits for us with His Hands stretched out in welcome.  I waits for us to come to Him.  He waits for us to ease the pain and suffering of those who have wronged us, but he also waits for us to realize that we need His forgiveness also.  For with the wrongs come the words said, the stories told, the meanness in our hearts as we desperately hope that things will be fair.  But fair is not usually want we need.  We need to have the struggles that help us to find His path back home.  We need to have the trials that prepare us for what we will need.  But we also need to learn to forgive and come to Him.  He will be there, quietly waiting to bless you and help you through your trials.  If you only know how very much you need those blessings.  He waits, for you.  Only for you.  You are His and He knows exactly what you need.  My you recognize His blessings in all of your life and may you recognize His love.

Sabbath Day Scribblings - Trust in His Timing

"First, everyone has worth because we are all children of God.  He knows us, love us, and wants us to succeed and return to Him.  We must learn to trust in His love and in His timing rather than in our own sometimes impatient and imperfect desires."  Cecil O. Samuelson Jr.

Pioneers of the Future

"Every time you are tempted to react in the same old way, 

ask if you want to be a prisoner of the past 

or a pioneer of the future."

Habits can be some of the hardest things that we overcome.  They are our tight grip on things past.  Some habits are good.  We use them to become better each and every day, but other habits make us prisoners of our own pasts.  Whatever we do, it is always our choice.  Our choice to change or our choice to stay the same.  Remember, the pioneers chose change.  They left every thing they knew and braved the trials of the trail to start over and make a new life.  Some did not make it.  But their legacy lives on through their stories and their message.  It is a message of strength and hope and change.  We are all pioneers of today. The world is in turmoil and troubles.  There are disasters everywhere, often unexpected and severe.  Yet we go on.  We learn to lean on each other and to persevere.  We learn to trust God as well as His timing.  We learn that the past will fade away and the future will come.  We choose to be the pioneers of tomorrow.  

Five Minute Friday - Small

It is that wonderful time of the week again.  That time when a bunch of wonderful bloggers meet over at
Lisa Jo's place to share our own version of this weeks five minutes.  It is a time to learn from each other and to comment and support one another.

Now, set your timer, clear your head, for five minutes of free writing without worrying about getting it right.

1. Write for 5 minutes flat – no editing, no over thinking, no backtracking.
2. Link back over at Lisa Jo's and invite others to join in.
3. And then absolutely, no ifs, ands or buts about it, you need to visit the person who linked up before you & encourage them in their comments. Seriously. That is, like, the rule. And the fun. And the heart of this community..

OK, are you ready? Please give us your best five minutes on:::

Small…

START

I see you today running here and there, walking, talking, fighting, loving.  I see inside you the small blessing that I first fell in love with.  In my mind I see little fingers and little toes.  I still smell  that newborn baby smell that wears off way too soon.  I see your eyes surrounded by mini eyelashes.  I hear you cry, so soft it sounds like a kitten's meow.  
In my mind I see your first tiny smile, I hear your first small word, I watch your first steps across the floor.  In my mind, there is a part of you that is still small, still new, still needing.  Still very much with me.
Small things have been the greatest blessings in my life.  They bring me such joy, even when they are not small anymore.  My mind and my empty arms remember the smallness of them.  But I also see them become.  I see them grow, and like the harvest that must come after the heat of summer, the baby grows to a child, the child grows to an adult, the adult grows and learns and loves and provides small blessings to those around them.
Out of the one small, reaching moment, comes the blessings for many.  And that one small thing will be enough.

STOP

Now it is your turn.  What can you write in one small five minute moment?  Don't forget to join us over at Lisa Jo's

Judgement - Looking For The Good

"Do not judge, and you will never be mistaken."

This is such a hard one for so many people.  It is so easy to look at the decisions someone is making in their lives and judge them on the basis that we "know" we could do better.  I wish I could share some of the amazing people that I have met.  I have seen people face some of the worst trials imaginable with dignity, and faith and trust.  I no longer feel the need to judge in my own life.  I have seen those who deal with their trials so much better than I ever could.   I have seen people face things I hope I never have to face in my own life.  Often, through no fault of their own.
I have learned that we all need forgiveness.  We all need the touch of the Master's Hand.  I have learned that, no matter what I think I might know, it is impossible for me to understand the whole story.  I can't see into the heart, I can't know the trials faced before.  I don't have all the answers.  Therefore, it is not my place to judge.  I am so grateful for that.  
It is my place to love, and accept, and try to understand.  It is my place to be a friend and a neighbor and a sister.  It is my place to encourage and help and be kind.  As I struggle to become more like my Savior, I find that my ability to love increases.  I find myself caring for those whom I might have judged not that long ago.  I find myself able to forgive and just let go.  And for now, that is enough. 

“How would your life be different if…

You stopped making negative judgmental assumptions 

about people you encounter? 

Let today be the day…

You look for the good in everyone you meet 

and respect their journey.”
~Steve Maraboli~

Perfection - One Small Step At A Time

t

"Perfection is achieved, 

not when there is nothing more to add, 

but when there is nothing left to take away."

What a wonderful way to look at it.  Not when there is nothing more to add....  I have often approached perfection as something else that I need to do.  I have thought that if I could do more, work harder, pray more deeply, care more thoroughly and just be a better person, that I would get there.   I have treated perfection as something to be attained, not the process of becoming.  What a wonderful thought to think that Perfection happens when there is nothing left of me that needs taking away.  When I have given it all to God, than that will be when I become what I have always been meant to be.  

So today, my dear friends, let us all remember that our Heavenly Father knows us.  He knows what we are capable of.  He knows our names.  He knows who we really are.  Most of all, He knows what He wants us to become.  Remember that He will help us to get there.  We were never supposed to do it on our own.  

Today, let us give our worries and our troubles over to Him.  He will carry the burden for us if we will only let it go.  

Sabbath Day Scribblings - He Will Heal Our Wounds

"We are Heavenly Father's children.  He wants to be a part of our lives, to bless us, and to help us.  He will heal our wounds, dry our tears, and help us along our path to return to His presence.  As we look to Him, He will lead us".  Carl B. Cook

The Savior said, “Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” 

(Matthew 11:28).

"I have heard thy prayer, I have seen thy tears: behold, I will  heal thee"... 2 Kings 20:5

"He healeth the broken in heart, and bindeth up their wounds".  Psalms 147:3

Five Minute Friday: Lonely

Friday, time to crack open the chocolate ice cream and unscripted version of beautiful you!

Got five minutes? Let’s write. Let’s finger paint with words.  (I really love that description, there is something so cool about finger painting with words!)

Let’s just write and not worry if it’s just right or not. Here’s how to play along:

1. Write for 5 minutes flat for pure unedited love of the written word.
2. Link back over at Lisa Jo's and invite others to join in.
3. Go and comment on the post of the person who linked up before you. This is the one rule of this community.

It’s a great way to catch your breath at the end of a long week.

OK, are you ready? Let’s see your best five minutes for the prompt:

Lonely

GO

Some days, my heart aches.  My soul cries.  Some days, l feel lonely and afraid.  Some days I am lost in my sorrows and I forget to breathe.  I feel so overwhelmed by my own life and others needs.  Those days, I focus on the fact that I am never good enough.  The world around me becomes a haze of black and white.  I either fail or I pass.  There are not gradients to give a measure of success.  The depression sinks into my brain, and I forget those things that are most important of all.  I forget who I am and who I want to be.
Sometimes, I have to remind myself that I don't live only for this lonely moment.  I live for the future.  I live to overcome my past.  I live for eternity.  I have an amazing family, I have loving and beautiful children.  I have blessings that I forget, until I remember again.  The most important things for me are those that bring me closer to Him.  With Him, I am good enough.  I am a child of God, I am the daughter of a King.  I am loved, I am strengthened, I am His.   And most of all, I am not lonely anymore.  He fills me up.  He stretches my soul, He is the beat of my heart.  I can never be lonely as long as He walks by my side.

STOP

Now it is your turn.  What can you write in just five minutes.  Don't forget to link back over at Lisa Jo's with the rest of us.

Just Stick To It

 

"Consider the postage stamp:  

it's usefulness consists in the ability 

to stick to one thing 

until it gets there."

The Post Office in me loves this one.  Stamps are amazing things.  They are simple, they are small, they stick to everything.  You don't often receive a letter where the stamp has fallen off.  

I love the Post Office.  It has provided for my family for years.  It gave me to courage to go back to school and to get my degrees.  I learned to carry mail, to manage the operations, and to handle all aspects of the job.  I continue to learn daily as we go through the changes in the business that come with our modern times.  

The thing about stamps is that a letter goes through a minimum of seven machines.  It gets bent, moved and shuffled.  All of this on it's way to it's destination, yet the stamps don't fall off.     

I think if we could learn to care for each other like that, what an amazing world this would be.  If we could care for people no matter what they were going through, no matter what their differences, no matter what their pain.  If we could just accept and love them through it.  I just think that would be a beautiful way to live.  

Another thought is that if we could stick with our desire to be more Christlike and to follow in His way, we would eventually arrive Home with Him.  That is the ultimate goal, that we might each receive the Love of God in our own lives.  That we might traverse the way by following the iron rod and arrive at the tree of eternal life.  

Isn't it wonderful what we can do if we will just stick to it!