I was in Primary when President Benson issued the challenge to the members of the Church to Flood the Earth with the Book of Mormon. I was probably 9 or 10 when the General Primary set a goal to have all the Primary children read the Book of Mormon in a year. Bookmarks were carefully made and distributed so we could all keep track of what months we were supposed to read which part of the Book of Mormon. I had never read the entire Book of Mormon on my own but thought it would be a good thing to do. The first month was First Nephi--check. The second month was Second Nephi--and I got stuck. Near the end of the month, I knew I had a decision to make. I could just give up and figure that I tried, it was just too hard. Or, I could read almost all of 2 Nephi in about a week, get caught up, and continue reading. I am happy to say that I did finish 2 Nephi that month, and I did finish the Book of Mormon, for the first time, that year.
I did not realize at the time, but making that decision to finish 2 Nephi by the end of the month has had a lasting impression on me. I learned that I can do something hard and succeed. I have thought back to that one decision more times than I can count, and I have been thinking about that decision much these last two months.
Unfortunately, I was not able to watch the Women's Session from this last conference live. I was helping some family members with some drama, and it was quite awhile before I was able to go back and listen to it. By that time, I had heard about President Nelson's challenge to read The Book of Mormon by the end of the year. Part of me wanted to rationalize that "I didn't watch it, I can't be held accountable for that!" But I knew this was not right, and to really follow the prophet, I needed to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year.
And, it's been rough. That 7 pages a day seemed daunting and impossible in the beginning. I felt like I could barely squeeze in a single chapter a day, let along 3 and a half?! Well, I knew what the right thing to do was and some days I got in those 7 pages, and some days I didn't. Shortly after Conference, we learned about our baby's heart defect. I knew I needed Heavenly Father's help, and who was I to ask for help if I couldn't even do what His prophet directed me to do? My efforts to read the Book of Mormon became more mindful and I found I enjoyed it more. After Thanksgiving, I did the math and realized I would need to read a minimum of 15 pages a day in order to finish the Book of Mormon by the end of the year. I thought of my 2 Nephi experience so many years ago and determined that I could do it.
I re-read Presiden't Nelson's challenge recently and was blown away by the myriad of promises he made to us as we make time to read the Book of Mormon. I have felt several of these promises in my own life...and I still have many pages to go.
I challenge you to take on President Nelson's challenge to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year (If you haven't started, it's not too late! Parley P. Pratt read it in one night!), or to continue reading and to FINISH. Review the blessings our prophet promised if we do so. Add to your spiritual preparedness a mountain of 'Book of Mormon storage' as you reflect how this book has changed your life and brought you closer to Jesus Christ. We cannot afford not to.
Thursday, December 20, 2018
Thursday, December 13, 2018
THROUGH THE TRIALS COME THE BLESSINGS
I have a new favorite scripture, Psalm 147:3. He healeth the broken heart and bindeth up their wounds.
Ever since our Little Girl's heart diagnosis, I look at references of the heart in scripture as more literal than figurative. I suppose that is inevitable after studying the heart anatomy so much the last several weeks. It is almost funny that when I see a diagram of a healthy heart, it doesn't quite look right as I have studied the diagrams of the hypoplastic left heart so in-depth. I appreciate so much the spiritual references to the heart. Physically, without the heart working properly, life cannot go on. Spiritually, without a change of heart and a proverbial healing, our spirits cannot survive.
Many people ask how I am doing...well, it depends on the day. Most of the time I feel optimistic and confident, but I admit there are days when I feel like I am falling apart at the seams. I keep hoping that some doctor somewhere is going to suggest being pregnant forever as an option, but even that hope is dwindling as time goes on.
I am learning though. I am grateful for the spiritual preparedness I have made previously and am grateful for the preparedness I am currently gaining for the rough days ahead. I am learning that every trial is tailor-made just for each of us. As we go through these challenges, it is helpful that we have promises from the Lord that we can endure. I remember Alma teaching the Zoramites and saying "...may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son" (Alma 33:23). As I think about the miracle of the Atonement and the knowledge that Jesus Christ has born my burden and knows exactly how I am feeling, it helps me think through the times ahead when I have often wondered how I will be able to endure watching my little one go through so much.
As I work through many different feelings, often there are scriptures that run through my head that I haven't thought about in years, like John 9:2-3, "...Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." This scripture came into my mind on a day when I sadly wondered what I had done wrong to bring this condition upon my baby, and it brought so much comfort.
Being prepared does not mean that we will not have to endure trials, but that we can more easily get through them when they come. After all, the rains and the floods came upon those who built on the sand as well as those who built on a rock. I always felt like the wheat, rice, beans, and sugar was easy. It is tangible and you can check it off when you have "enough." Spiritual preparedness is harder to quantify as I am not sure there is ever a "finish." But facing our trials brings opportunity for spiritual preparedness and growth that cannot be achieved any other way. As children of our Heavenly Father, we need these hard times to make us stronger and to be ready for even harder times in the future.
I marvel at the tender mercies that come from the Lord. With President Nelson's invitation to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year has come feelings of joy as I read pages at a time because I want to. I find scriptures and stories that convey a different meaning than they did before that enrich my spiritual stores. I am thankful for wonderful Relief Society lessons that I almost sob through as we discuss topics I didn't even know I needed to face (thanks Jenn, last week's lesson was amazing!). I am an awe at the outpouring of the Holy Ghost when we face moments of doubting we can go another step. Christ has declared that, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:19). What an amazing promise. He will walk with us and help us. And it is OK to cry and to be sad. It is OK to hurt and pray for that gift of comfort and healing...as well as the revelation to know which steps are next.
I challenge you to face your trials with faith. Seek to understand what you need to learn and how you can use that knowledge in the future, for whatever life may bring.
Ever since our Little Girl's heart diagnosis, I look at references of the heart in scripture as more literal than figurative. I suppose that is inevitable after studying the heart anatomy so much the last several weeks. It is almost funny that when I see a diagram of a healthy heart, it doesn't quite look right as I have studied the diagrams of the hypoplastic left heart so in-depth. I appreciate so much the spiritual references to the heart. Physically, without the heart working properly, life cannot go on. Spiritually, without a change of heart and a proverbial healing, our spirits cannot survive.
Many people ask how I am doing...well, it depends on the day. Most of the time I feel optimistic and confident, but I admit there are days when I feel like I am falling apart at the seams. I keep hoping that some doctor somewhere is going to suggest being pregnant forever as an option, but even that hope is dwindling as time goes on.
I am learning though. I am grateful for the spiritual preparedness I have made previously and am grateful for the preparedness I am currently gaining for the rough days ahead. I am learning that every trial is tailor-made just for each of us. As we go through these challenges, it is helpful that we have promises from the Lord that we can endure. I remember Alma teaching the Zoramites and saying "...may God grant unto you that your burdens may be light, through the joy of his Son" (Alma 33:23). As I think about the miracle of the Atonement and the knowledge that Jesus Christ has born my burden and knows exactly how I am feeling, it helps me think through the times ahead when I have often wondered how I will be able to endure watching my little one go through so much.
As I work through many different feelings, often there are scriptures that run through my head that I haven't thought about in years, like John 9:2-3, "...Master, who did sin, this man or his parents, that he was born blind? Jesus answered, Neither hath this man sinned nor his parents: but that the works of God should be made manifest in him." This scripture came into my mind on a day when I sadly wondered what I had done wrong to bring this condition upon my baby, and it brought so much comfort.
Being prepared does not mean that we will not have to endure trials, but that we can more easily get through them when they come. After all, the rains and the floods came upon those who built on the sand as well as those who built on a rock. I always felt like the wheat, rice, beans, and sugar was easy. It is tangible and you can check it off when you have "enough." Spiritual preparedness is harder to quantify as I am not sure there is ever a "finish." But facing our trials brings opportunity for spiritual preparedness and growth that cannot be achieved any other way. As children of our Heavenly Father, we need these hard times to make us stronger and to be ready for even harder times in the future.
I marvel at the tender mercies that come from the Lord. With President Nelson's invitation to read the Book of Mormon by the end of the year has come feelings of joy as I read pages at a time because I want to. I find scriptures and stories that convey a different meaning than they did before that enrich my spiritual stores. I am thankful for wonderful Relief Society lessons that I almost sob through as we discuss topics I didn't even know I needed to face (thanks Jenn, last week's lesson was amazing!). I am an awe at the outpouring of the Holy Ghost when we face moments of doubting we can go another step. Christ has declared that, "I will not leave you comfortless: I will come to you" (John 14:19). What an amazing promise. He will walk with us and help us. And it is OK to cry and to be sad. It is OK to hurt and pray for that gift of comfort and healing...as well as the revelation to know which steps are next.
I challenge you to face your trials with faith. Seek to understand what you need to learn and how you can use that knowledge in the future, for whatever life may bring.
Thursday, December 6, 2018
PREPARING FOR GIFT GIVING
I'm not sure I will ever get used to these San Diego Decembers. For most of my life, I have lived in areas where it snows for Christmas. I love not having to deal with snow, but Christmas always sneaks up on me. Today we had piano lessons and our piano teacher's home was decked out for Christmas. Her tree was up with presents underneath, lights on the outside of her home, and nativities everywhere you could see. This year, I have not even thought about Christmas. With trying to make decisions about the baby and getting our home on the market, Christmas is about as far from my mind as scraping ice off my windshield! But, ready or not, Christmas always comes.
Last year, I posted "The Gift of Preparedness." I still think these are great ideas for anyone on your list. This year, I will try to give some ideas for gifting long-term food storage ideas.
I remember one year, my mom gave away bags of her favorite hot cereal. She put it in a big cellophane bag and tied a beautiful bow on the front, including a tag of how to cook it. That would work wonderfully for Winco's Granola or Muesli Cereal.
If you have family in Utah or Idaho, Walton Feed (Rainy Day Foods) has almost everything under the sun. Shipping to Utah, Idaho, or Wyoming is very reasonable--but gets a little pricey to send it all the way out here. One year, we got Jeff's parents buckets of beans, as they love chili and other bean-soups.
You could easily do buckets for local friends or family. Stopping by Winco (in either Temecula or San Marcos) gives you a one-stop shop. Anything they sell in their bulk bins can be bought by the bag or by the box. They have 2 and 5 gallon buckets, gamma lids, and oxy packs. Some of their items can be ordered through their website, but all items can be ordered in the store. Some of my favorites include: Popcorn, Kidney Beans, Wheat, and Oats. Though their selection seems endless. even including chocolate and gummy worms. Gift food items you know they will use and love.
Giving Food Storage may not be the most exciting Christmas present, but I guarantee that you will be often thought of as your gift is used.
I challenge you to consider food storage or preparedness items for those hand-to-gift people on your Christmas list. Some families even make their whole Christmas a "food storage Christmas" using funds they would have spent on gifts to bulk up their storage.
Last year, I posted "The Gift of Preparedness." I still think these are great ideas for anyone on your list. This year, I will try to give some ideas for gifting long-term food storage ideas.
I remember one year, my mom gave away bags of her favorite hot cereal. She put it in a big cellophane bag and tied a beautiful bow on the front, including a tag of how to cook it. That would work wonderfully for Winco's Granola or Muesli Cereal.
If you have family in Utah or Idaho, Walton Feed (Rainy Day Foods) has almost everything under the sun. Shipping to Utah, Idaho, or Wyoming is very reasonable--but gets a little pricey to send it all the way out here. One year, we got Jeff's parents buckets of beans, as they love chili and other bean-soups.
You could easily do buckets for local friends or family. Stopping by Winco (in either Temecula or San Marcos) gives you a one-stop shop. Anything they sell in their bulk bins can be bought by the bag or by the box. They have 2 and 5 gallon buckets, gamma lids, and oxy packs. Some of their items can be ordered through their website, but all items can be ordered in the store. Some of my favorites include: Popcorn, Kidney Beans, Wheat, and Oats. Though their selection seems endless. even including chocolate and gummy worms. Gift food items you know they will use and love.
Giving Food Storage may not be the most exciting Christmas present, but I guarantee that you will be often thought of as your gift is used.
I challenge you to consider food storage or preparedness items for those hand-to-gift people on your Christmas list. Some families even make their whole Christmas a "food storage Christmas" using funds they would have spent on gifts to bulk up their storage.
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