In Primary every Sunday we have a jar that has the names of all of the primary kids and leaders names in it. As a name is drawn, they come up to the microphone and say, "I know my Heavenly Father loves me, because_____." (and they fill in the blank.) Then they put a little clear stone in a jar.
Sometimes their answers are funny things that they say to get a reaction, and every once in a while they're so thoughtful! It's funny, but a lot of the junior primary (3-8 year olds) answers are the more deep, thoughtful answers. One little guy, without even having to think about it, rushed up to the microphone and said he knew that Heavenly Father loved him, because Heavenly Father gave him a great mom! They're just so cute!
My name was picked out a few months ago, and I said, "I know Heavenly Father loves me, because of the responsibilities He trusts me with." That's only one of a million reasons I know Heavenly Father loves me!
Yesterday we had an amazing devotional given by TC Christensen, director of "Ephraim's Rescue" and "17 Miracles." I haven't seen Ephraim's Rescue, yet, but I've seen clips, heard from one of the actors, the director, and have heard stories of Ephraim Hank's life. I do want to see it immediately, though! TC was an amazing presenter! That's not what I want to talk about, though. I want to talk about another way that I know Heavenly Father loves me...
As I was preparing for yesterday's multiple meetings, I found myself anxiously excited for the day to come. Then on Saturday, I was so ornery! I just felt uptight, annoyed, and frustrated. Where am I going with this? Well, it was a process. I had to take time to evaluate what was the cause, why I would be feeling this way, etc. I needed to be able to feel the Spirit, so I'd be able to do my part, and function on Sunday. So, I came home from shopping and instead of doing anything that I had planned, I went straight to my bedroom, prayed and read from the Book of Mormon. I read Alma 26 and Alma 27. In Alma 26:27 it reads: "Now my brethren, we see that God is mindful of every people, whatsoever land they may be in; yea, he numbereth his people, and his bowels of mercy are over all the earth. Now this is my joy, and my great thanksgiving; yea, and I will give thanks unto my God forever. Amen." I know that God is mindful of every people, that means ME and it means YOU, too! That's another way that I know Heavenly Father loves me!
As Sunday came and went, I felt overwhelmingly grateful for the people that are in my life, that are their when I need them, and that give so freely of their time!
As I sat down next to TC on the stand, he asked me who I was, and what my job was being there. I was able to sit with him and joke around and feel completely comfortable. For some reason at that moment I remembered that it wasn't that many years ago that I could barely stand to call people or have to talk to people. Like the man in Hungary told me, I'd never be a good missionary, because I never talked. Wow! How things have changed! I'm so grateful for the opportunities I have been given to grow and strengthen my testimony. I'm grateful for my testimony!!!
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Monday, July 29, 2013
Tuesday, July 2, 2013
July!
It's my birthday this week! About a month ago I celebrated my "new" birthday. It's been three years since my gall bladder was removed and my life was saved due to a handsome, young doctor that remembered something that had been done fifty years prior that he'd once seen in a book. I have NO doubt that his remembering that was an answer to many, many prayers! Well, as I've mentioned before, I am so grateful for being saved, and sometimes wonder why I was saved, what I'm supposed to be doing.
For whatever reason the build up to this birthday has not been so fun. I've been annoyed with not being at the place I always dreamed I'd be at, at this point. However, at the same time, I'm extremely thankful for the opportunities that I've been given.
So, I have had no idea of what I wanted for my birthday. Guess what I decided on... a bike! It's been forever since I've ridden one! I got one today. It's small, and the guys at the store kept saying I needed a taller one. I couldn't reach the ground on any taller ones. So, I'm going to ride my little bike!
So, sometimes I'm amazed what people say to each other. For example, people post whatever they have on their brains on Facebook, when they really wouldn't say that in real life. Well, remember Mr. D from here, over time he's popped out with some amazing things, and I'm saying amazing, not in a good way. Well, I've had the chance to hear from Mr. D., Jr. Now, I'm not going to say he's anything like Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, still a great guy though, but he is an awful lot like the Mr. D that I know. These men are so concerned about where they are, that they're not getting married, that they're not meeting any women that are exactly 3 1/2 years younger than them (okay, so I'm exaggerating on the 3 1/2, but it's close), etc. If they'd just let things happen, and not be so stressed about it, it would work out. Another thing, while relaxing and not getting so stressed about the above mentioned things, people really need to let go of what they have pictured for themselves, because the Lord may have something [or someone] way better than they're expecting prepared for them and their circumstances, whatever they may be. Everyone has a past and everyone has issues, you need to let that other person in the "maybe relationship" have a say, whether they're able to deal with those issues or not, not just decide on your own. It's a right that he's taken away from her or vice versa. Another thing is that these Mr. D characters just talk and talk, not even aware that they're telling you all of these things that, although you were prepared to hear, may be affecting you personally! Sort of like you don't matter, and I guess you don't. So weird!
I've decided that besides all of the obvious reasons why being married, as man and wife, is important and should be happening, is the communication that being on your own lacks. Men and women think so differently, and that is such a blessing in so many ways! As a couple, you can discuss anything and everything, and you can let each other know when you're stepping out of reality.
For example, I'm a prime example of this! I go on a date, it's super fun, then I don't hear anything from him for a week or so. At first, I'm totally fine with that. By that week mark/ week and a half mark, I have totally convinced myself that I've ruined everything, and I'm second guessing every little thing I remember saying or that I did something wrong or said something that could've possibly been read wrong, etc. So, I'm a mess by this point! Then I finally have to talk it out with someone, obviously not the person I should actually be talking it all out with, because apparently he hates me at this point :) See... Craziness!!! However, talking it out, I realize that yes, I've gone a little overboard, and need to relax. See, they're concerned and scared, and so are we. I think this dating stuff stinks at this stage of the game. It's hard! I so wish people would not read too much into things, and over think things, and just have faith. I don't know why it's so hard, but it is definitely hard!
I think the same thing applies in many other situations, how you feel about work, how you feel about church, how you feel about your family. If you have these inner discussions with yourself for too long without feedback from someone that's distanced from the situation, you're going to get stuck in a rut you don't want to be in. If you're not happy with an aspect in your life, pray about it. Pray long, and hard, and be hopeful, and keep moving!
Wow! That was quite the tangent! I've just been around so many different situations lately. Some have been things involving me, some are things that I get to hear about, since people like to share these kinds of stories with me! My heart just hurts at times for these great people that are struggling!
Anyways! I have six hours of work, 3 hours of piano, and then I'm off for the rest of the week! I'm thrilled! Hope everyone has a great 4th! I'm proud to be an American, even though my heart is breaking for some of the changes and struggles that our country is facing! I'm grateful for the freedoms that we have, and those men and women that fight and have fought for that freedom!
For whatever reason the build up to this birthday has not been so fun. I've been annoyed with not being at the place I always dreamed I'd be at, at this point. However, at the same time, I'm extremely thankful for the opportunities that I've been given.
So, I have had no idea of what I wanted for my birthday. Guess what I decided on... a bike! It's been forever since I've ridden one! I got one today. It's small, and the guys at the store kept saying I needed a taller one. I couldn't reach the ground on any taller ones. So, I'm going to ride my little bike!
So, sometimes I'm amazed what people say to each other. For example, people post whatever they have on their brains on Facebook, when they really wouldn't say that in real life. Well, remember Mr. D from here, over time he's popped out with some amazing things, and I'm saying amazing, not in a good way. Well, I've had the chance to hear from Mr. D., Jr. Now, I'm not going to say he's anything like Mr. Darcy of Pride and Prejudice, still a great guy though, but he is an awful lot like the Mr. D that I know. These men are so concerned about where they are, that they're not getting married, that they're not meeting any women that are exactly 3 1/2 years younger than them (okay, so I'm exaggerating on the 3 1/2, but it's close), etc. If they'd just let things happen, and not be so stressed about it, it would work out. Another thing, while relaxing and not getting so stressed about the above mentioned things, people really need to let go of what they have pictured for themselves, because the Lord may have something [or someone] way better than they're expecting prepared for them and their circumstances, whatever they may be. Everyone has a past and everyone has issues, you need to let that other person in the "maybe relationship" have a say, whether they're able to deal with those issues or not, not just decide on your own. It's a right that he's taken away from her or vice versa. Another thing is that these Mr. D characters just talk and talk, not even aware that they're telling you all of these things that, although you were prepared to hear, may be affecting you personally! Sort of like you don't matter, and I guess you don't. So weird!
I've decided that besides all of the obvious reasons why being married, as man and wife, is important and should be happening, is the communication that being on your own lacks. Men and women think so differently, and that is such a blessing in so many ways! As a couple, you can discuss anything and everything, and you can let each other know when you're stepping out of reality.
For example, I'm a prime example of this! I go on a date, it's super fun, then I don't hear anything from him for a week or so. At first, I'm totally fine with that. By that week mark/ week and a half mark, I have totally convinced myself that I've ruined everything, and I'm second guessing every little thing I remember saying or that I did something wrong or said something that could've possibly been read wrong, etc. So, I'm a mess by this point! Then I finally have to talk it out with someone, obviously not the person I should actually be talking it all out with, because apparently he hates me at this point :) See... Craziness!!! However, talking it out, I realize that yes, I've gone a little overboard, and need to relax. See, they're concerned and scared, and so are we. I think this dating stuff stinks at this stage of the game. It's hard! I so wish people would not read too much into things, and over think things, and just have faith. I don't know why it's so hard, but it is definitely hard!
I think the same thing applies in many other situations, how you feel about work, how you feel about church, how you feel about your family. If you have these inner discussions with yourself for too long without feedback from someone that's distanced from the situation, you're going to get stuck in a rut you don't want to be in. If you're not happy with an aspect in your life, pray about it. Pray long, and hard, and be hopeful, and keep moving!
Wow! That was quite the tangent! I've just been around so many different situations lately. Some have been things involving me, some are things that I get to hear about, since people like to share these kinds of stories with me! My heart just hurts at times for these great people that are struggling!
Anyways! I have six hours of work, 3 hours of piano, and then I'm off for the rest of the week! I'm thrilled! Hope everyone has a great 4th! I'm proud to be an American, even though my heart is breaking for some of the changes and struggles that our country is facing! I'm grateful for the freedoms that we have, and those men and women that fight and have fought for that freedom!
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