I Can Do Hard Things...

There seems to be some popular statements that permeate everything these days... here are some examples: 

I can do hard things.
Just do it!
You can do it if you just try!
Listen to your inner voice.

(There are many more.) What is wrong with these statements? They're positive aren't they? They're powerful and encouraging aren't they? To this I would reply yes. However, they leave out a key component.

 Let's add it and see if it changes anything...

 I can do hard things...with Christ.
 Just do it...by the grace of Christ.
 You can do it if you just try...with the strength of Christ.
 Listen to your inner voice...with the grace of Christ.

 What changed? I added Christ to the equation.

 I find that in many situations we try to do things ourselves. I don't know if it's the stubbornness in me, the natural man, or the negative that tries to convince me that I can do it all on my own. Life is so much easier when I add Christ to my life and allow Him to help me carry the load.

Does that mean it is easy peasy? No. It means I have the strength to carry on for one more day and the courage to try harder and do better.

 Philippians 4:13
 I can do all things through Christ which strengtheneth me.

Alma 26:12
 Yea, I know that I am nothing; as to my strength I am weak; therefore I will not boast of myself, but I will boast of my God, for in his strength I can do all things; yea, behold, many mighty miracles we have wrought in this land, for which we will praise his name forever.

Elder Bednar had some interesting things to say about being strong through the grace and atonement of Christ when he was first called to be an apostle back in 2004:

     ""In the Bible Dictionary we learn that the word grace frequently is used in the scriptures to connote a strengthening or enabling power:
     "The main idea of the word is divine means of help or strength, given through the bounteous mercy and   love of Jesus Christ."
“… It is likewise through the grace of the Lord that individuals, through faith in the atonement of Jesus Christ and repentance of their sins, receive strength and assistance to do good works that they otherwise would not be able to maintain if left to their own means. This grace is an enabling power that allows men and women to lay hold on eternal life and exaltation after they have expended their own best efforts” (p. 697).

Thus, the enabling and strengthening aspect of the Atonement helps us to see and to do and to become good in ways that we could never recognize or accomplish with our limited mortal capacity. I testify and witness that the enabling power of the Savior’s Atonement is real. Without that strengthening power of the Atonement, I could not stand before you this morning.""

Here is the link if you would like to read the entire talk

I hope I will always remember that if I have the humility to involve Christ in my life, I will be given the strength I need to deal with the trials and complexities of life.

Strong to Weak

I've had a lot of thoughts floating around in my mind this past while. A lot. Every time I thought about writing on my blog, I just kept thinking that if I did it in that time frame and that mind set, inevitably I would regret the thoughts pouring out, which would defeat the purpose of writing anyway.

A while ago I wrote on here about how we are shown our weaknesses so we can become strong through Christ. Well, since that time, it has been made quite apparent to me how the opposite is true as well. The adversary is quite adept at taking our strengths and making them weak. Making them our downfall.

We had a lesson on it last Sunday in fact, which was quite fitting since I was having a difficult time sifting through my emotions involving choices other people were making. How did they get to that point? How did they reach a level where they felt like not only did they have to do it on their own, but they were capable of doing it completely on their own? How did they get to a point where things that bring peace and order, began to bring disarray?

These are the things I think about and wonder, mainly because I don't want to get to that level. I want to stay far far away from it!

So, it brought to mind a few interesting articles that I had read in the past. One was a blog post from Middle Aged Mormon Man, and in that post they linked to a talk given by an apostle.
The blog post I specifically liked was this one:

Let's Talk About Sand

I remember when I initially read that blog post, we were discussing the wise man and the foolish man in our Sunday School class. It was brought up that sometimes, our testimony can be strong, but become weak. I thought about that... sometimes our testimony can be built on rock, and we just let it be, or we forget to anchor it, or we just stop caring... then the rains come down and the winds blow, and the rock begins to crack and crumble, and eventually if we continue to neglect it, it turns to sand. Then when even more trials come our way, there is nothing to anchor to, because our testimony is gone, and we are washed away into a sea of unbelief.

A talk that directly correlates with this is Our Strengths Can Become Our Downfall which was given by Dallin H Oaks.

In all of this, I have learned and noticed one HUGE glaring thing. It is so important to maintain a testimony based on Jesus Christ. It is so necessary to realize the importance that he has in my life, and that if I rely on Him I can achieve what I need to. If my faith and testimony are anchored in Him, I know I will succeed.

The waves can come crashing down, and the storms may rage, but my testimony will still be there, anchored in Christ.

Helaman 5:12 And now, my sons, remember, remember that it is upon the rock of our Redeemer, who is Christ, the Son of God, that ye must build your foundation; that when the devil shall send forth his mighty winds, yea, his shafts in the whirlwind, yea, when all his hail and his mighty storm shall beat upon you, it shall have no power over you to drag you down to the gulf of misery and endless wo, because of the rock upon which ye are built, which is a sure foundation, a foundation whereon if men build they cannot fall.


And that, is what has been on my mind lately.

To Be A Sincere Friend

This year in Sunday School we have been reading and discussing the Old Testament of the Bible. Today we were reading in Samuel about David, Saul, and Jonathan. It was a very interesting lesson for me, one filled with a lot of teaching. It made me think deeply about a lot of things. It made me realize a lot of things I need to change, things I need to work on, and things, that I have already started to work on because of things I had noticed.
One quote given during the lesson really hit me hard. It was from Ezra Taft Benson:

“Saul became an enemy to David through pride. He was jealous because the crowds of Israelite women were singing that ‘Saul hath slain his thousands, and David his ten thousands’ (1 Samuel 18:7; see also 1 Samuel 18:6, 8).

“The proud stand more in fear of men’s judgment than of God’s judgment. … ‘What will men think of me?’ weighs heavier than ‘What will God think of me?’ …

“Fear of men’s judgment manifests itself in competition for men’s approval. The proud love ‘the praise of men more than the praise of God’ (John 12:42–43). Our motives for the things we do are where the sin is manifest. Jesus said He did ‘always those things’ that pleased God (John 8:29). Would we not do well to have the pleasing of God as our motive rather than to try to elevate ourselves above our brother and outdo another?

“Some prideful people are not so concerned as to whether their wages meet their needs as they are that their wages are more than someone else’s. Their reward is being a cut above the rest. …

“When pride has a hold on our hearts, we lose our independence of the world and deliver our freedoms to the bondage of men’s judgment. The world shouts louder than the whisperings of the Holy Ghost. The reasoning of men overrides the revelations of God, and the proud let go of the iron rod” (in Conference Report, Apr. 1989, 4–5; or Ensign, May 1989, 5).

As we went through the lesson it was interesting to me to learn about Jonathan and his friendship with David, even though David was getting everything and Jonathan wasn't. Jonathan had done just as great things as David, and yet, he was able to be happy for David, and not only that, support him.

On the other hand, we have Saul, who was so deep in his jealousy for David that he tried to kill him three times! Can you imagine being that jealous of someone?

I know there have been times where I have been jealous of people. Whether it be things that they have, or love and recognition that they are receiving that I want for myself, this lesson has really made me step back and look at how I treat people. It also made me think hard about how feeling jealous of people or having the "grass is greener" attitude, is a form of pride. I think oftentimes we look at pride and view it as something we have when we are proud of ourselves for certain accomplishments (look at me, look at what I have), and we don't realize that being jealous is a form of pride.

I know that previously, I had already started changing how I respond to things that people write on facebook when they are sharing their joy. Maybe they are going on an amazing trip, buying a new house, having a baby, etc... I found a common thing for people to say was "I am jealous!" It gave me pause, and I decided that I would share in their joy. I found that when I began to do that, I didn't feel any longing for what they had, what they had achieved, or anything else. I found that I was truly happy for them.

This lesson also taught me that, instead of comparing myself to others, I should really be focused on what God wants me to have, and how I can do the best I can to achieve what he wants me to. Part of that, is by being a true friend.

 Mosiah 18:9 Yea, and are willing to mourn with those that mourn; yea, and comfort those that stand in need of comfort, and to stand as witnesses of God at all times and in all things, and in all places that ye may be in, even until death, that ye may be redeemed of God, and be numbered with those of the first resurrection, that ye may have eternal life—

A Change of Heart

The other day I was reading my friend's blog, "Better Through Christ." In one of the entries, she was writing about how she began applying the scriptures to her life. Farther on in the entry, she wrote about a scripture that stuck out to her one day, and she applied it by appealing to Heavenly Father to help her with her weakness in yelling and losing her temper with her kids. She no longer yells.

I remember that just hit me. It hit me hard, because I know I have written on here about my own struggle with losing my temper and yelling. Now, healing/opening my chakras helped. It helped a ton, but I still found myself getting angry. I found myself losing my cool over silly things! Things that really didn't matter, and what frustrated me even more was my lack of self control. Then I thought about the scripture that my friend had mentioned:

Ether 12:27 in the Book of Mormon, “And if men come unto me I will show unto them their weakness.  I give unto men weakness that they may be humble; and my grace is sufficient for all men that humble themselves before me; for if they humble themselves before me, and have faith in me, then will I make weak things become strong unto them.”

I thought about that. I thought about it hard, and in my mind I thought, yes, this is definitely a weakness to  me. This is definitely something that I need help with, that I am unable to do on my own, no matter how many anger management classes I take, or useful ways I find to get rid of pent up emotion, I CAN NOT do this on my own! And then I thought, surely, if the Lord can help my friend with this, He can help me.

Then I prayed. I prayed, and I poured out my heart to the Lord. I told Him what was bugging me, my weakness of temper, and my desire.

Since then....things have been so much better. Things that would make me angry or upset, no longer do. Occasionally I have a little upset, but afterward, I realize what I have done, and I am calm. My kids have noticed the change. It's not that I hold the things in or mentally tell myself to try to let them go, the things that used to bug me just don't bug me anymore. It's all put into perspective. I feel so mellow and at ease compared to how I felt before.

I know, I KNOW, it is because of that prayer. I know it is the Lord helping me have a change of heart, and my weakness, beginning to be made strong. It's a good feeling.

The Light of the World

Yesterday I was preparing to go visiting teaching and it was my turn to prepare the lesson. I knew that the people we were going to go visit had most likely already had the lesson, but I still felt it was important to prepare. In my experience, you never know where the Holy Ghost will lead you, and just because you've heard the same lesson 4 times, doesn't mean you can't learn something more, if your heart is ready to receive it.

Once we got to whom we were visiting, she did let us know that yes, she had heard the lesson a few times. I pressed on. I didn't feel inspired to give most of the lesson, because I knew she'd heard it. What I did feel inspired to give was the scripture. Unlike everything else in the article, scripture references are written but you have to look them up. (I know, work!) Still, when I had read one particular scripture it had stood out to me more than anything else, so that was what I shared.

It came from D&C 50:24

 24 That which is of God is ^alight; and he that ^breceiveth ^clight, and^dcontinueth in God, receiveth more ^elight; and that light groweth brighter and brighter until the perfect day.

Then, I also felt like I should share an insight that I had had, in trying to sort out my thoughts with things that people had told me in the past. 

This is how my mind works. It's how I learn. I look at ways people live their life (I'm not excluded from this) and I look at what occurred and how it's affected their life, and I think, do I want that to happen to me? Then I take that information and apply it to my own life. 

There once was a person with a strong testimony. Because they were scientifically minded, (which isn't bad) they decided they needed to find proof if the church was false, if religion was false, that God doesn't exist, and that Jesus Christ isn't real. Guess what? For them, they found proof of all these things, and their testimony was gone.

There once was a person with a strong testimony. Because they were scientifically minded, (which isn't bad) they decided they needed to find proof that the church was true, that religion has merit, that God is all powerful and loves us, and that Jesus Christ is our Savior and Redeemer. Guess what? They found proof of all these things and their testimony was strengthened.

Here is what I shared: You will find what you are looking for. 

If you are looking to prove something false, you will find things to support your claim, if you are looking to prove that God exists, you will find it. So what's right? What's true? I can't tell you that. I know that for me, I have a sincere testimony that the gospel is true, that Jesus is the Christ, our Savior and Redeemer, the Light of the World, that He is our brother and that He loves us dearly. I also firmly believe that if we search for good, we will find it. If we search for miracles we will find them. If we look for proof that God has a vested interest in our choices and beliefs, we will find them.

Cultivating Faith

After I completed yesterday's post, I began thinking and pondering about the last quote I had put in there : "Cast out doubt, cultivate faith." As I thought about it, the phrase kept entering my mind, How can I cultivate faith?  Many things begin to enter my contemplation, so I thought I would share some of them.

A lot of them are what people call "Sunday School Answers" but I dug a little deeper. I didn't just think, read the scriptures, I thought about why reading the scriptures was important. So, here are a few ways I thought about cultivating faith.

First, I thought about how important it is to have the desire to believe. In Alma 32:27 it states: But behold, if ye will awake and arouse your faculties, even to an experiment upon my words, and exercise a particle of faith, yea, even if ye can no more than desire to believe, let this desire work in you, even until ye believe in a manner that ye can give place for a portion of my words.

It is important to me to note though, that this is just the beginning of faith, not the ending.  This is where you plant the seed, hoping that it will result in more faith. Hope is a precursor that is linked to faith, and desire is the precursor to hope. You have the desire, you hope, and then you begin to have faith.


Another quote from the book"Bringing Elizabeth Home" states:

"Hope, like faith, is the evidence of things not seen. You can't have faith without hope. Hope is like the precursor to faith, and faith becomes the sustaining power. If you give up hope, you give up faith. None of those things are diminished by the outcome of whatever happens in our lives. We will all have adversity. We can either become stronger and better because of it, or weakened because of it. Our faith can be strengthened through our hard times."

By reading the scriptures, you are allowing yourself to learn by the best teachers. Past prophets who prophesied of God and of our Savior Jesus Christ. If you immerse yourself in the scriptures, allowing the Holy Ghost to teach you, your faith will grow, and you will be taught.

There are many ways to read and ponder the scriptures though. I think sometimes we get stuck on reading them in order. I find what works for me, is to pick a topic and study it. So, for example, since I'm writing about faith, I look up all the scriptures that are about faith and I study them.

Another way to cultivate faith, is to go to church. I think this is a huge thing. Yes, it isn't always possible, and many times when you have small kids, you begin to wonder if it is worth it, but it is. I find that often when I go to church, I am taught by both the scriptures and the Holy Ghost. If I have a question that has been weighing on my mind, or a concern, or a thought, there have been many times where what I need to learn and what I need to know will be brought to my mind. It's quite amazing really.

Our stake president once taught us in stake conference, that if we are mentally prepared horizontally, we will be taught by the spirit vertically. I can always tell when I am mentally prepared!

Prayer is definitely a way of cultivating faith. When we pray intently to our Heavenly Father, about our problems, hopes, desires, gratitude, etc., we become closer to Him. Our trust in Him is increased, and as a result, our faith is increased. You have to have trust in God, to have your faith increase, trusting that He knows best, and that all we experience is for our good.

I could have partially wondered that at the beginning of last year, but because of experiences that I had, and continue to have, I feel stronger. Yes things are still hard at times, there is still adversity, but there is also a greater desire to continue on and continue to grow.

There are many other ways to cultivate faith. I really feel like I've just scratched the surface. As I continue to search and ponder, I may have to write another post on more ways to cultivate faith.

A Quote Within A Quote

So, it's kind of fun working at the library because I see all kinds of books come through, and when one catches my eye I check it out for myself to read it. Of course, I still find other books too, when I'm not working.

One such book "Bringing Elizabeth Home" which is about when Elizabeth Smart was kidnapped, written from the perspective of her parents, was one that I had always intended to read, and then just didn't for whatever reason. Since it was available, I checked it out, and then put myself on the hold list for the one written by Elizabeth Smart that came out this past year.

Anyway, as I was reading it, they quoted a part of a book written by Spencer W Kimball called, "Faith Precedes the Miracle," (which I also want to read!)

"Some reservoirs are to store water. Some are to store food. There should also be reservoirs of knowledge to meet future needs; reservoirs of courage to overcome the floods of fear that put uncertainty in lives; reservoirs of stamina; and reservoirs of faith--especially reservoirs of faith--so that when the world presses upon us, we stand firm and strong; when the temptations of a decaying world about us draw upon our energies, sap our spiritual vitality, and seek to pull us down, we need a storage of faith that can carry us over the dull, difficult, terrifying moments, disappointments, disillusionments and adversity, want, confusion, and frustration."

When I read that quote, it made me pause for a moment and think about my own reservoir of faith... how full is it? What do I need to do to fill it up further?

It is something that I am still thinking about as I contemplate ways I can improve. Then as my mind traveled over songs that I knew, the one that came to mind was this one: The Light Divine

http://www.lds.org/music/library/hymns/the-light-divine?lang=eng#

If you click on the audio tab you can hear it with the words. Otherwise it just plays the music without words.

I also thought about this video clip:

"Cast out doubt, cultivate faith."

Good words to live by. :)

An Apology of Sorts

So, apparently I offended a lot of people with the post I wrote on Sunday. They all assumed it was them I was writing about. To those people I offended, I'm sorry. I was trying to make my writing more personable without pointing fingers to any one person or family. That is the main reason why I revised the post that I wrote on there, afterwards, when they all let me know what I had done.

It was not my intent to make anyone feel bad, gossiped about, or angry, or add any other assortment of emotions there. My desire, was to let people experience a small amount of what I had experienced when I heard the talk I referenced in my post and the reflection that I had with it.

That is the tricky thing with writing. People add inflection where none is given. You never really know how people are going to interpret things, and where they are going to add importance. We get used to talking with people in person, where we can add social cues, verbal inflection, facial reaction, and body language that helps us gauge how the other person or group of people are reacting to what we are saying. You don't have that with writing, so a lot of hurt feelings abound. I think facebook is a really good example of that. Someone will try to write something trying to be funny and lighthearted, and wow, no one will see it that way.

On the opposite end of the spectrum, I had a lot of people that really enjoyed reading that post, which is why I chose to revise it.

I am not perfect by any means. I make mistakes every day. I do things and make choices that afterwards I wonder why I did that certain action. Yes, because I am imperfect, I do things that lead me away from our Savior. I wander off on my own distracting cutoff at times. That is one of many reasons why I am grateful that we all have the opportunity to repent. I am grateful that we have scriptures, prayer, music, church, friends, family, church leaders and a whole bunch of other things, that can help lead us back to the path we should be on. The path that will lead to our Savior Jesus Christ. It is also one of the reasons why I enjoyed that talk so much, and felt like I had to share it on my blog, and because I have friends and family that I felt would enjoy it, I linked it to facebook.

Rejoice

I have always been one that seems to feel the Spirit most strongly when listening to music. When I was younger, it was hymns that helped me gain a testimony of Jesus Christ. It was religious music that told me and helped me gain an understanding that I am a daughter of God, and that I am loved.

So, it is no surprise to me, that hymns seem to help me still in times when I feel sorrow, in times when I long for peace, and in times when I pause to reflect on things in my life.

This hymn, however, is one that I always think of as bringing pure light and sunshine to my soul. Rejoice! What a positive word that is. Rejoice the Lord is King!

It make my heart light and brings a smile to my face. Then, to listen to it with music...pure bliss.

In Psalms 32:11 we read:   Be glad in the Lord, and rejoice, ye righteous: and shout for joy, all ye that are upright in heart.

The words to the hymn were written by Charles Wesley, who was an English leader of the Methodist movement.

I love the words:

1. Rejoice, the Lord is King!
Your Lord and King adore!
Mortals, give thanks and sing
And triumph evermore.

[Chorus]
Lift up your heart! Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!
Lift up your heart! Lift up your voice!
Rejoice, again I say, rejoice!

2. The Lord, the Savior, reigns,
The God of truth and love.
When he had purged our stains,
He took his seat above.

3. His kingdom cannot fail;
He rules o'er earth and heav'n.
The keys of death and hell
To Christ the Lord are giv'n.

To me, this is such a positive and inspirational hymn of hope and light. "His kingdom cannot fail:" In some ways the words are so simple, but they bring such cheerfulness to my heart. They remind me why I have a testimony of Jesus Christ, why I believe he is the Savior for us all, and why we have hope that we can return to be with our Heavenly Father again.

Strait is the way, and narrow the gate...

I had an amazing Sabbath today, and was definitely spiritually filled and uplifted.

It started with a talk given by a member of our congregation. He based his talk on one given by Elaine Jack. http://speeches.byu.edu/?act=viewitem&id=721

It was titled "Never Take No Cutoffs." She goes on to reference the story of the ill-fated Donner Party and likening it to our own path to exaltation, and how we can go off in unbelief when we choose to follow a different path.

"For the Donner party there was a proven trail. It was longer, but it was sure. Gambling on their own abilities and personal ambitions, they took a road that had never been tested. The result is history.

The Lord says, “Enter ye in at the strait gate: . . . Because strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it” (Matthew 7:13–14).

As you follow the path of the Savior, keeping your covenants and his commandments, you will be assaulted from all sides with offers to take other roads, other travel packages. Anything the adversary can do to pull you off course, he will do. He’ll stop at nothing to catch your attention, and then, ever so slyly, he will lead you away from the work of the Lord."

When we cease to follow the path of the Savior, it becomes easier to justify that which is wrong. It is easier to do the things we know we shouldn't. It is easier to look at past commitments and covenants, and see them as faulty. And then, when we have gone far down that path of darkness, it is easier to mock and condemn that which we once held as truth and light, until it becomes impossible to see the goodness for what it truly is.

God's way is the only way. It brings to mind a quote that I really like : " Elder Neal A. Maxwell likes to quote William Law, an English clergyman of the 18th century, who said it this way: “If you have not chosen the Kingdom of God, it will make in the end no difference what you have chosen instead.” 

Do Not Despair

It has been an interesting week for me. I have always been prone to seeing the dark side of life, getting overwhelmed, and other negative things. This week, as I have tried to be more spiritual, has also seen an intensity in the negative emotions. I can only think and believe, it is because I am trying to do something good, that this has happened.

The desire to give up, to not try, to just let it be, has been so enormous. Of course being a mom and wife is hard. Just being a good person is hard. This week has seemed to be even more so. Yesterday was crazy as I tried to take care of my family. Dealing with a child that has to have tests done to make sure that they don't have appendicitis, and then dealing with what is really going on.

I felt my self going down. To top it off, my house was a total disaster. I tend to be one who likes things neat and orderly, but most of the time I stuff that inclination down for the peace of my family. When I am already feeling down, it makes it amplified that our house is not the cleanest or most organized one on the block. Which, honestly, I really don't care about. I just feel more peaceful when things are clean and in order.

Then came today. After a week of interrupted sleep, today reared it's ugly head, and I had no desire to deal with today. In desperation I looked up a talk on lds.org and found this gem:

It was exactly what I needed to hear! I even read along with it. Not only did it provide the balm that I needed for my soul. It provided things to do, steps to take, goals to have and create! What an inspiration! I found myself filled with a desire to do better, and the darkness has abated again.

There are scripture references in the text. You can find them in the talk here: http://www.lds.org/general-conference/1974/10/do-not-despair

The day has become a joy again. A challenge to become greater as I serve my family and friends. I can do this!

Contemplation

I've been thinking about a lot of things lately...

The direction I want my blog to take

The direction I want my family to take

How to keep my house cleaner

How to parent better

How to be happier

I have a friend who has been sharing her spiritual journey and how it coincides with parenting. I have enjoyed it immensely. It has given me a lot of food for thought and inspiration on how to change my own life for the better.

I've been thinking of all kinds of different things I could write about, in a positive way. Thinking positive makes me a happier person, and then, when I add a spiritual message with it, it even gets that much more amplified. My greatest ideas have been coming  about 3am, which is when I usually get Emmett to go back to sleep after waking up in the middle of the night. :) I think, "hey, I should go type that up!" and then the thought of how crazy that is at 3am and how I need sleep! So I put it off and then forget what I was going to write about in the morning.

Still, that is what I have been thinking about.

So, today I have been working on job charts. Just general sheets that outline what jobs need to be done when and to what extent. My hope it that if I become more organized, my kids will know what to expect and it will be easier for us to keep our house cleaner.

By applying the scriptures to my life I know I will be able to stay calmer, be more spiritual, and be a better parent than I have been.