Why do we have callings?

Well it is about 4 A.M. the day before my two finals in Biology and Organic Chemistry back to back 7:30 to 11:30 and I have had enough for a couple minutes before I dive back into transcription and translation, monocots and dicots, and more interesting fun. What I really wanted to post about was the need for callings. The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints is one of very few churches that has no paid ministry. The Church asks a lot of the members, especially those that hold leadership positions. I have often wondered why? Another interesting aspect is we don't pick what ward we want to go to, why? I have heard friends and others comment and say if their pastor is changed and they don't like the new one, they'll just go find another church and a new pastor who they like. Why can't we do that in our church? Here is an answer I have thought of. The purpose of the plan of Salvation is to help us become like God. Everything that has occured from the beginning of our existence (well I guess there never was a beginning) has been with the end-goal of becoming Gods. That is a doctrine well taught in the Bible and by modern prophets. Our best example of that was the Savior himself, God the Son Jesus Christ. I believe by examining and emulating His life, we help our progression in becoming more like God. What did the Savior spend His time doing? Administering to the sick, the needy, the hungry, the naked, the poor, the humble, but most of all, the sinner. Teaching, serving, and living a life of total self-denial as the perfect example was one of the divine purposes of His life. He even said to the people in the America's "What manner of men ought ye to be? Even as I am." So why do we have a calling? Why are we asked to be Sunday School teachers? Or Bishops? Or missionaries? Or serving on committee's? Because in doing so and receiving no reward, we are taught how to love like the Savior loved, how to teach like He did, and how to become as He is. In my ward growing up we had a trailer park in the ward boundaries that was very low-income. It seemed like a lot of the members in this neighborhood were less-active, always needing assistance, and had problems with lots of things. I had countless opportunities as a youth to shovel walks, gather food for a family in need, offer fellowship to kids who weren't as popular, and serve, serve, serve. I often complained as a youth and wished this neighborhood would be realigned to another ward. But now as I look back, I grew as a result of opportunities to serve the poor, the hungry, the naked, the sinner. That was God offering to me a divine opportunity to become more like His Son. So the next time you are asked to home or visit teach less-actives, clean the church, go with the missionaries, volunteer at a service project, take the deacons camping, help the ( ) family move, drive the scouts around on the morning of the food drive, teach a lesson in Church, just remember this is God offering to you a divine opportunity to become more like Christ. So instead of complaining, murmuring, or grumbling, cherish it as the gift from God it is.

What does it mean to be "justified?"

While I was on my mission I came across several scriptures in the New Testament that mentioned being "justified." I had no idea what it meant to be justified. I thought that it probably had something to do with being supported like justified in your actions, or justified with your answer, but I just wasn't really sure. I wrote home to my dad about this topic and began to search the scriptures on my own. What I found was an amazing set of doctrines that link in perfectly with the Gospel. It is Justification, Purification, and Sanctification.
The first place I went to was the dictionary where one of the definitions of justification says "To cause to be free of the guilt or penalty of sin, and to be reconciled to God." In my journal I have written, "Faith is required in order to be justified, and we have access to the Peace that God offers through faith. Grace = Peace, Grace = Diving love and protection, Peace = Calm, tranquility. So we have access to grace and peace, or God's love, protection, and tranquility through faith in Jesus Christ, and then comes a hope of the glory of God. Hebrews 5:9 says "being now justified by His blood, we shall be saved from wrath through Him." Being cleared of blame or guilt by the blood of Jesus Christ, we will escape the wrath of God, His punishment to those who break His commandments, as required by the law of Justice." Justification is a divine verdict at the bar of judgement of not guilty, but not only are we found not guilty, but because Christ shares his absolute and infinite perfection with us, we are also found to be fully righteous. Whereas He formerly condemns, He now vindicates (which means cleared from suspicion, wrongdoing, hint of wrongness.) Although as sinners we once lived under God's wrath, as believers we now live under God's blessing. Titus 3:7 "That being justified by his grace, we should be made heirs according to the hope of eternal life...not by works of righteousness which we have done, but according to his mercy he saved us, by the washing of regeneration, and renewing of the Holy Ghost." We are saved not by our own works, but by the Grace of Christ. And how does He do it? He tells us, let me break down the last part of that scripture. "He saved us, by the washing (cleansing with water) of regeneration (being spiritually reborn) and renewing (to become new, or restore to a former sound condition) of the Holy Ghost. What does that sound like? The basic Gospel of Christ. Faith, repentence, baptism by immersion, and receiving the Gift of the Holy Ghost. We are saved, justified, and made heirs by the power of the Atonement when we submit ourselves to Him, and follow His Gospel, which has now been restored to the earth in all its fulness.

Eternal Truths

For FHE tonight we read an amazing talk! It was given by Elder Neal A. Maxwell in 1979. Whenever I stumble across a great talk like this (thanks Matt for sending the link our way) it makes me wonder what other talks are out there that I am missing out on. You can click here for the link to this talk. I would highly recommend reading it. It is also amazing that even though this talk was given almost 30 years ago, it still totally applies today. Right now Devin is learning in law school how to "shepardize" a case - which basically means validating it and making sure that the law from the case still applies and that is hasn't been overturned by a later court, etc. Isn't it nice to know that we don't have to do that with the Gospel? The church is true. The doctrines we are taught are eternal. It is nice to know that we will always have a reliable place to turn for wisdom, counsel, comfort, or whatever else we may need. Unlike man-made law that changes as the opinions of men and society change, God's laws are the same and has never changed, nor ever will. No matter what else is going on in this world the church is constant. For that I am truly grateful.

Anyway, on to what I thought was so profound. I don't even think it needs an introduction. Just read what he said.

"When, in situations of stress, we wonder if there is any more in us to give, we can be comforted to know that God, who knows our capacities perfectly, placed us here to succeed. No one was foreordained to fail or to be wicked.

When we have been weighed and found wanting, let us remember that we were measured before and were found equal to our tasks; and therefore, let us continue but with a more determined discipleship.

When we feel overwhelmed, let us recall the assurance that God will not overprogram us; he will not press upon us more than we can bear (see D&C 50:40).

God bless you and keep you, my special friends, to the end that you will carry out each and every assignment given to you so very long ago. You have been measured and found adequate for the challenges that will face you as citizens of the kingdom of God; of that you should have a deep inner assurance. Be true to that trust, as all of us must."

I was just so comforted in knowing that no matter how crazy we think our lives are or how hard the trials or callings or responsiblities or whatever that we are facing seem, we can do it. I have always heard quoted that "Heavenly Father will not tempt you above that which ye are able to bear" but for some reason the way that Elder Maxwell said this just struck a different cord inside of me. It really made sense. Heavenly Father knows us. We are His children. He knows how we are going to respond, He knows our likes and dislikes, He knows our challenges, but most importantly, He knows us, and He loves us. He did not put us on this earth to fail. He wants us to succeed and He is going to help us and comfort us through the tough times. Maybe now that I am a mother I can better understand the love that Heavenly Father has for us. There is no way that I would set Amy up to fail. While I would not ask her to do things knowing that she could not do them, I wouldn't deliberately make things too easy for her either. I love her and am going to do whatever I can to see her succeed. We grow through our trials, our challenges stretch us. Our Heavenly Father is exactly the same way. And it is so comforting to know that. Sometimes we just need a gentle reminder of the truths we already know.

Comfort

I have lately been thinking about the "comfort those who stand in need of comfort, mourn with those that mourn" scripture. Sometimes that is hard to do. You don't know what to say or do to help them and not make them feel worse. I have a friend who just went through a miscarriage. I tried to think of things and when all was said and done, the best thing was just to talk. And I wonder why they don't end that scripture with the best medicine: "Rejoice with those who rejoice." We would talk about things that made us laugh. Our kids, the craziness of being a mother, insomnia and the things we do when we can't sleep, etc. I think that has helped (I hope). But that phrase just keeps running through my mind. "Rejoice with those who rejoice."

The gospel gives us that comfort through rejoicing. Another phrase that I love from the hymn "We thank thee, O God for a prophet" is "rejoice in His glorious gospel, and bask in its life giving light." What great imagery! I haven't had a trial like a miscarriage before, but I hope that there will be a way for me to rejoice like my neighbor in the little things, and especially in the gospel. Hopefully we can all rejoice together for the wonderful truths like the Plan of Salvation and the fact that our families will be together forever!

Making it to the Celestial Kingdom

About a month ago, we had a combined Young Men/Young Women activity that was a large object lesson on the three kingdoms. After the fun was over, we gathered together and I summed up the experience with a short talk. Here are some of my notes from that night:

Kingdoms
Celestial Kingdom

• Dwell in presence of God and Christ
• Don’t receive it in one attempt. “It is the result of a lifetime of righteousness and constancy of purpose”
• Must exercise faith in Christ
• Must receive ordinances of salvation and keep associated covenants: Baptism, Gift of the Holy Ghost, Melchizedek Priesthood ordination for men, Temple endowment, Marriage sealing
• Must keep commandments
• Must repent
• Must Endure Faithfully
• Given to all who would have received it if they didn’t have the opportunity in this life
• Given to all children who die before age of accountability (eight)
• Comparable to Glory of the sun

Terrestial Kingdom

• Can have presence of Christ but not the Father
• Honorable people who were deceived by craftiness of men
• Members of the church who were not valiant
• Those who rejected the opportunity to receive the gospel in mortality but later received it in the postmortal spirit world
• Comparable to Glory of the moon

Telestial Kingdom

• Did not receive the gospel or a testimony of Jesus
• Redeemed from spirit prison (hell)
• Comparable to Glory of the stars
  

Utilize the atonement: You can do it! You can gain Eternal Life

• "...be assured that eternal life is within your reach. The Lord wants you to return to Him, and He will never require anything of you that you cannot fulfill. All His commandments are calculated to promote your happiness." (True to the Faith, page 53)
• The Atonement reconciles us to the Father, we are made perfect through Jesus (DC 76: 62 and 69)
• The Savior invites all of us to receive eternal life
• We ALL sin; we ALL need the Atonement
• Repent Now—for most of us that will mean daily
• Elder Eyring said in General Conference (Do Not Delay: http://www.lds.org/ldsorg/v/index.jsp?vgnextoid=2354fccf2b7db010VgnVCM1000004d82620aRCRD&locale=0&sourceId=c63a6a4430c0c010VgnVCM1000004d82620a____&hideNav=1 ): “All of us have faced deadlines. Fear can grip us when we realize that there may not be enough time left to finish what we promised we would do. The thought comes, “Why didn’t I start earlier?””
  
  "That temptation to delay comes from our enemy, Lucifer. He knows that we can never be truly happy unless we have hope in this life and then realization, in the next, of eternal life. It is the greatest of all the gifts of God. It is to live in families forever with our Heavenly Father and with Jesus Christ and to have eternal increase. Satan wants us to be miserable as he is. And he knows that we can only have that true happiness if we are washed clean through faith in the Lord Jesus Christ, by deep and continuing repentance, and the making and keeping of sacred covenants offered only through God’s authorized servants."
  
  "And so Satan tempts with procrastination throughout our days of probation. Any choice to delay repentance gives him the chance to steal happiness from one of the spirit children of our Heavenly Father."
• President Kimball said:
  “One of the most serious human defects in all ages is procrastination,” and then he defined it: “an unwillingness to accept personal responsibility now”
• Elder Eyring also said:
  "...know that we are not the helpless victims of our circumstances. The world tries to tell us that the opposite is true: imperfections in our parents or our faulty genetic inheritance are presented to us as absolving us of personal responsibility. But difficult as circumstances may be, they do not relieve us of accountability for our actions or our inactions. Nephi was right. God gives no commandments to the children of men save He prepares a way for them to obey. However difficult our circumstances, we can repent."
  
  "Similarly, the world might be willing to excuse our bad behavior because those around us behave badly. It is not true that the behavior of others removes our responsibility for our own. God’s standards for our behavior are unchanged whether or not others choose to rise to them."
  
  "The truth is that today is always a better day to repent than any tomorrow. First, sin has its debilitating effects on us. The very faith we need to repent is weakened by delay. The choice to continue in sin diminishes our faith and lessens our right to claim the Holy Ghost as our companion and comforter."
  
  "...even should we be forgiven at some later time, the Lord cannot restore the good effects our repentance today might have had on those we love and are to serve."
• Alma 34: For behold, this life is the time for men to prepare to meet God; yea, behold the day of this life is the day for men to perform their labors…Ye cannot say, when ye are brought to that awful crisis, that I will repent, that I will return to my God. Nay, ye cannot say this; for that same spirit which doth possess your bodies at the time that ye go out of this life, that same spirit will have power to possess your body in that eternal world
• Story from Elder Eyring:
  " I knew a man once who could have thought that and given up. When he was 12 he was ordained a deacon. Some of his friends tempted him to begin to smoke. He began to feel uncomfortable in church. He left his little town, not finishing high school, to begin a life following construction jobs across the United States. He was a heavy-equipment operator. He married. They had children. The marriage ended in a bitter divorce. He lost his children. He lost an eye in an accident. He lived alone in boardinghouses. He lost everything he owned except what he could carry in a trunk.
  
  One night, as he prepared to move yet again, he decided to lighten the load of that trunk. Beneath the junk of years, he found a book. He never knew how it got there. It was the Book of Mormon. He read it through, and the Spirit told him it was true. He knew then that all those years ago he had walked away from the true Church of Jesus Christ and from the happiness which could have been his.
  
  Later, he was my more-than-70-year-old district missionary companion. I asked the people we were teaching, as I testified of the power of the Savior’s Atonement, to look at him. He had been washed clean and given a new heart, and I knew they would see that in his face. I told the people that what they saw was evidence that the Atonement of Jesus Christ could wash away all the corrosive effects of sin.
  
  That was the only time he ever rebuked me. He told me in the darkness outside the trailer where we had been teaching that I should have told the people that while God was able to give him a new heart, He had not been able to give him back his wife and his children and what he might have done for them. But he had not looked back in sorrow and regret for what might have been. He moved forward, lifted by faith, to what yet might be."

Is it a Fast Sunday or a Slow Sunday?

That's the question I get from my kids every once in a while. I love it, but to me the church part of it goes way too fast. I LOVE going to church. It is so wonderful to "rejoice in his glorious gospel, and bask in it's life giving light". (We thank thee O God, for a prophet). I love hearing the testimonies of others and feel so uplifted after a testimony meeting. I love it when others are moved to tears because of the spirit which in turn moves me to tears!
Today there were 4 baby blessings and each one was different and wonderful. I love hearing the dad's priesthood power being bestowed on their children. I was thinking back to my three kids blessings and what wonderful days they were! I'm so thankful for all of the blessings that enrich our lives because of the priesthood.
I did not get to bear my testimony today, but I thought I'd take the chance on this blog. (Thanks again Devin for the idea!)
I know that the Lord loves families. He blesses us in so many ways to be able to have the greatest happiness by being able to stay together with our family forever. I love being able to serve in the Primary. I love the little children. They teach me so much. There's a scripture in 3 Nephi 26:16 that says, "the multitude gathered themselves together, and they both saw and heard these children; yea, even babes did open their mouthsand utter marvelous things; and the things which they did utter were forbidden that there should not any man write them." I believe that! There have been times when I am dumbfounded when my kids understand a spiritual concept better than I do! They are so close to the spirit. I hope that I can always learn from a child. My greatest blessing in life has come in being a mother. I cherish the opportunity everyday (I hope!) to learn and teach together. I am so grateful for Joseph Smith and his courage to carry out his great mission on this earth. I am thankful for Jesus and his willingness to listen to my prayers. I hope that I am as willing to listen to the answers, and act with courage on them. I love the gospel, and rejoice in the teaching of hope that it brings to me. In the name of Jesus Christ, Amen.

Demanding = Sanctifying

This morning while I was filling in for our absent Elder's Quorum President at a PEC meeting, the Executive Secretary shared a really good spiritual thought/message. It was by Elder Bruce C. Hafen of the 70. I wish I had the exact quote, but I'll paraphrase: "The most demanding experiences of our lives have the potential to be the most sanctifying." He (the Exec. Sec.) has been through two years of medical school and explained that they have been extremely demanding (he has 3 small children). He expressed remorse that at the beginning of med school, he knew it would certainly be demanding, but he didn't really think of it as a potentially sanctifying experience.

It was a great message and it hit home for me. I've heard from EVERYBODY that law school (especially the first year) is very demanding. I'm glad that I am going in with that right mindset now after hearing that thought this morning. It makes perfect sense too, that demanding experiences can be sanctifying ones as well. A 2 year mission is demanding, staying on top of your church and spiritual duties (callings, scripture study, home teaching, FHE, service, etc) is demanding, being a parent will undoubtedly be demanding, but all of these things can be sanctifying as well. Going through the emotional and physical sufferings in Gethsemane and on the cross were almost unbearably demanding for our Savior. But through the Atonement, we can be sanctified. Is it any wonder that meeting the requirements for eternal life will be demanding? Let us not think of them as demanding, rather, that these things can and should be sanctifying.

Small and Simple Means

I love being able to teach, whether it's Relief Society or Singing Time for Primary. I love being able to ponder the lesson. I have found enlightenment come at different times, but as long as I am thinking about the subject, inspiration follows. It doesn't seem like a big deal, but I kept thinking about things coming "by small and simple means" and I think it applies to metaphors used in lessons, or how to create a visual aid for singing time. I had a primary president always say when we presented an idea that we were inspired. I had never thought about that before, but now it hardly leaves my mind when I try to gather ideas. They are put together so well because I was inspired.
The latest inspiration was my fireworks. Each toilet paper roll was going to be a firework, but I didn't know how to make the firework "pop" and fun for the kids. I don't know how the answer came, but it made perfect sense to me. I drew a circle from construction paper, cut wedges around, and poked a hole in the middle with pipe cleaners. I folded the paper up to fit into the roll and stuck a paper with the song into the tube. Now when the kids get up to choose a song, they pull the fuse (pipecleaner) and the song "pops" out. I know it's very simple and not a big deal, but I did feel inspired, and I'm so excited to share that with the primary kids.

Come unto Christ . . . But How?

I am so grateful that God is still trying to get through to me! Lately, I have been pounded (at least four times in the last two weeks from different sources) with the scripture found in Matthew 11:28-30 that begins "Come unto me, all ye that labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest. . . . " I have been feeling weary, so this is a great way to get my attention.

During a Sunday School lesson on Alma 13, a few connections became apparent, with the help of the teacher, Jeff Larsen, that I hadn't yet opened my eyes to. I don't want to spoil things for you, or steer you clear of a better revelation by focusing on the glimpse I had, so I'll let's say that the passages in Matthew, and Alma 13:2, 6, 10, 13, and 1 Nephi 15:14-15, and 3 Nephi 12:2, 19-20, and Mosiah 4:2-3, 11 are all marked and linked in my scriptures now.

3 Nephi 12:23-24 includes one illustration of how many fathoms deep are the requisite "depths of humility." The Lord directs us to come unto Him via reconciliation with somoeone who has bad feelings toward you (even if you don't have bad feelings toward them). Ouch!

Back to Matthew. How do we come unto Christ and receive His rest? He says "Take my yoke upon you, and learn of me." Learn what? "I am meek and lowly in heart.

We find rest unto our souls when we humble ourselves in the depths of humility . . . we discover down in those depths that the weight of the world is not upon us, it is on Christ. Our pride sometimes fools us into thinking that we can do this or that, solve this or that problem, or help this or that person, and we forget about Christ. We come to Him when we realize that we are nothing without Him and there is nowhere else to go and no-one else to go to. I believe His yoke is the type that can be strapped on us only when we are lying spread-eagle face down

It is both exciting and scary to contemplate the great distance between where I am now and where I need to be. Consider what you are really asking for when you pray for humility! I think I'll pray for courage first . . . that seems much more manageable at the moment.

Motherhood: Some Uplifting Words

Daughters of God, given by Elder M. Russell Ballard, really stood out to me in April 2008 General Conference. I thought it was so great, I wanted to share some highlights from it. Elder Ballard is always one of my favorites; I appreciate his candidness.

"While women live in homes under many different circumstances—married, single, widowed, or divorced, some with children and some without—all are beloved of God, and He has a plan for His righteous daughters to receive the highest blessings of eternity."

"... I surely know that there is no role in life more essential and more eternal than that of motherhood."

"There is no one perfect way to be a good mother. Each situation is unique. Each mother has different challenges, different skills and abilities, and certainly different children. The choice is different and unique for each mother and each family."

"I am impressed by countless mothers who have learned how important it is to focus on the things that can only be done in a particular season of life. If a child lives with parents for 18 or 19 years, that span is only one-fourth of a parent’s life. And the most formative time of all, the early years in a child’s life, represents less than one-tenth of a parent’s normal life. It is crucial to focus on our children for the short time we have them with us and to seek, with the help of the Lord, to teach them all we can before they leave our homes. This eternally important work falls to mothers and fathers as equal partners. I am grateful that today many fathers are more involved in the lives of their children. But I believe that the instincts and the intense nurturing involvement of mothers with their children will always be a major key to their well-being."

"We need to remember that the full commitment of motherhood and of putting children first can be difficult. Through my own four-generation experience in our family, and through discussions with mothers of young children throughout the Church, I know something of a mother’s emotions that accompany her commitment to be at home with young children. There are moments of great joy and incredible fulfillment, but there are also moments of a sense of inadequacy, monotony, and frustration. Mothers may feel they receive little or no appreciation for the choice they have made. Sometimes even husbands seem to have no idea of the demands upon their wives."

"We want you to be happy and successful in your families and to have the validation and support you need and deserve. So today, let me ask and briefly answer four questions. While my answers may seem extremely simple, if the simple things are being tended to, a mother’s life can be most rewarding."

QUESTION 1: What can you do, as a young mother, to reduce the pressure and enjoy your family more?

• First, recognize that the joy of motherhood comes in moments. There will be hard times and frustrating times. But amid the challenges, there are shining moments of joy and satisfaction. Author Anna Quindlen reminds us not to rush past the fleeting moments. She said: “The biggest mistake I made [as a parent] is the one that most of us make. . . . I did not live in the moment enough. This is particularly clear now that the moment is gone, captured only in photographs. There is one picture of [my three children] sitting in the grass on a quilt in the shadow of the swing set on a summer day, ages six, four, and one. And I wish I could remember what we ate, and what we talked about, and how they sounded, and how they looked when they slept that night. I wish I had not been in such a hurry to get on to the next thing: dinner, bath, book, bed. I wish I had treasured the doing a little more and the getting it done a little less”(Loud and Clear [2004], 10–11).
• Second, don’t over schedule yourselves or your children. We live in a world that is filled with options. If we are not careful, we will find every minute jammed with social events, classes, exercise time, book clubs, scrapbooking, Church callings, music, sports, the Internet, and our favorite TV shows. One mother told me of a time that her children had 29 scheduled commitments every week: music lessons, Scouts, dance, Little League, day camps, soccer, art, and so forth. She felt like a taxi driver. Finally, she called a family meeting and announced, “Something has to go; we have no time to ourselves and no time for each other.” Families need unstructured time when relationships can deepen and real parenting can take place. Take time to listen, to laugh, and to play together.
• Third, even as you try to cut out the extra commitments, sisters, find some time for yourself to cultivate your gifts and interests. Pick one or two things that you would like to learn or do that will enrich your life, and make time for them. Water cannot be drawn from an empty well, and if you are not setting aside a little time for what replenishes you, you will have less and less to give to others, even to your children. Avoid any kind of substance abuse, mistakenly thinking that it will help you accomplish more. And don’t allow yourself to be caught up in the time-wasting, mind-numbing things like television soap operas or surfing the Internet. Turn to the Lord in faith, and you will know what to do and how to do it.
• Fourth, pray, study, and teach the gospel. Pray deeply about your children and about your role as a mother. Parents can offer a unique and wonderful kind of prayer because they are praying to the Eternal Parent of us all. There is great power in a prayer that essentially says, “We are steward-parents over Thy children, Father; please help us to raise them as Thou wouldst want them raised.”

QUESTION 2: What more can a husband do to support his wife, the mother of their children?

• First, show extra appreciation and give more validation for what your wife does every day. Notice things and say thank you—often. Schedule some evenings together, just the two of you.
• Second, have a regular time to talk with your wife about each child’s needs and what you can do to help.
• Third, give your wife a “day away” now and then. Just take over the household and give your wife a break from her daily responsibilities. Taking over for a while will greatly enhance your appreciation of what your wife does.
• Fourth, come home from work and take an active role with your family. Don’t put work, friends, or sports ahead of listening to, playing with, and teaching your children.
  This is a summary of the talk. All "bold" have been added by me, as well as the bullets.

To read the talk in its entirety, follow this link: http://lds.org/conference/talk/display/0,5232,23-1-851-37,00.html

I hope these words can offer you comfort and ideas for improving your happiness in your mothering. I have long recognized that one of the biggest challenges of life is to be content with where you are. "The grass is always greener on the other side." When my first child (now 3) was a baby, I would always think things like, "once he is sleeping through the night, things will be good" or "once he is crawling, we will all be much happier" (he was an active baby) and "once he is walking, it will be much easier." While all of those things were true, I was looking to the future too much and therefore missing the present. Each stage of your child's life has its perks and its difficulties. Some stages are easier than others in general, but none is without its challenges. Once I learned to truly be happy with where Brayden was, I was much happier.

There are always things to get done. You will always have projects and chores waiting for you. There are countless jobs that are never truly done. Remember that while cleanliness is a good thing, your children will remember and care more about the memories made than how clean your house was. Yes, you want it sanitary, but sometimes things can wait. Enjoy your children and enjoy your position as a mother of your sweet little ones.

Motherhood is hard. Through these simple words of counsel as shared by Elder Ballard, you can enjoy your time with your children and get the most out of these years. Take care of yourself. Take care of your family. Enjoy each moment. Focus on the things that can't afford to be put off.

Title of Liberty

I know it's a little late, but I have been thinking about our Independence Day. I have been reading in Alma about Moroni's title of liberty, "In memory of our God, our religion, and freedom, and our peace, our wives, and our children" (Alma 46:12) I have been thinking that not much has changed with this country. It is still a "land of promise; yea, even a land which I have prepared for you; yea, a land which is choice above all other lands" (1 Nephi 2:20). I've thought about that. We are blessed when we are righteous especially in this country. I'm so grateful for the balance that exists in our government to not allow one person to dominate the ruling of the country. I am so grateful for our liberty that exists today. I love how the title of liberty mentions everything of importance starting with God. It evokes a feeling of satisfaction and appreciation to know that today people defend those things for us. I'm so grateful that I am able to live in America. I'm grateful for the courageous people who defend our liberty throughout the existence of the country. I am grateful that there are many righteous people that keep the liberty of our country as a high value.

Prove Me Now Herewith

We had a cool experience today. If the title or picture of the post haven't given it away yet, it has to do with the blessings that come from paying tithing. First, a little background so you know where we're coming from. As most of you know, both Melanie and I have not had a job since we left DC back in the beginning of May, so we have been living off savings. After paying for our last-minute, before-the-baby-comes-and-law-school-starts sightseeing trips and the move to WV, let's just say the funds had begun to dry up. Between all the moving around we weren't sure which bishop should have received that last tithing check.

In the meantime, I'm in the middle of the whole financial aid application process. The loans won't be arriving until school starts, so that gave us about 2 months to use the remaining savings. There was no way those funds could have lasted until August. Back in Utah, our old 98 Camry had been on the market since we moved and the last time we tried to sell a car, it had taken months. We were holding our breath that it would sell to get us through until the student loans arrived.

This past Sunday, we had our records transferred to the right ward and we gave the Bishop our tithing check. We were also fasting and praying for some financial help that day. Today, I got a phone call from my dad with some GOOD NEWS. The Camry sold! Our prayers were answered, and surprise surprise, the Lord kept His promise:

"Bring ye all the tithes into the storehouse, that there may be meat in mine house, and prove me now herewith, saith the Lord of Hosts, if I will not open you the windows of heaven, and pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it."
-Malachi 3:10-

The story doesn't end there. Not only did the car sell, it sold for almost $1,000 more than what we had paid for it originally! (I hope they don't read this :) It is just an awesome witness for us that there really isn't room enough to receive the blessings the Lord gives to those who pay their tithing. Of the many principles of the gospel, I think tithing is one of the few that you can see the fruits of obedience so quickly and tangibly. I hate hearing people say something like, "I can't afford to pay tithing." Really people, you can't afford to NOT pay your tithing. We aren't capable of being 100% obedient to ALL of the commandments ALL the time, but we are capable of paying a full tithe 100% of the time. We're so thankful to have had our testimonies of tithing reaffirmed by this experience!

Lehi's Dream

On Sunday we had this really great Relief Society lesson about being one among the crowd. Our teacher also incorporated this great talk from Elder Boyd K. Packer entitled Lehi's Dream and You. The talk tells about how most of the people in the great and spacious building got there after they partook of the fruit - meaning that they were members of the church who had fallen away. It also reminded me of the parable of the Ten Virgins. The five that fell away were supposed to be at the wedding, they were members who were not prepared. It made me think a lot about where I am and what I need to be doing to make sure I am ready. In Boyd K. Packer's talk he had a really interesting quote that really made me think.

"Largely because of television, instead of looking over into that spacious building, we are, in effect, living inside of it. That is your fate in this generation. You are living in that great and spacious building."

The teacher told an example of how the sitcom Sex and the City made women feel old, poor, unattractive, etc. Just like the people in the great and spacious building were mocking those who had taken the fruit, we can also be mocked by what we are watching on television. Lately I have been watching way too much TV - mainly because there isn't much else to do until we move into our new apartment in August. But I have resolved to not watch as much. I have plenty of great books (boxed up in a storage unit) that are just waiting to be read. When I was living at home we couldn't watch TV during the week and to tell you the truth I never missed it. I found plenty of other things to occupy my time. I think the lesson on Sunday just really helped me see where I am at right now. It is hard where we are so unsettled right now, but I can do a lot better. It was a good reminder.

When Jesus Comes

My 3 year old son Braden includes this phrase in every single prayer he says. I have wondered how to burst his bubble and tell him that we won't be able to just invite him like we do our friends into our house...But then I thought about it. In his simple faith he has wanted Jesus to come to him.

I taught the music in Primary yesterday, and one of my new favorite songs is "If the Savior Stood Beside Me" by Sally DeFord. Which can be found on the church's website under music. It talks about how we would act and talk if the Savior were near us. The last verse declares that He is always near us! I was able to bear my testimony to the children and it amazed me how reverent they were once we started singing this song. They know as well as I do that He is near, watching, caring and loving us. I could feel it very strongly when we were singing. It is wonderful to know that he will ALWAYS be with us. He atoned and suffered anything we will go through and an infinite amount more, so he understands and can help us. I'm so grateful to know that. It makes the trials so much easier to bear doesn't it?

Mission Statement

This new blog idea came about after reading the featured article in July's Ensign by Elder Ballard. Sadly, we have had spiritual experiences that we wanted to share with all of you, but were somewhat reluctant to post them on our personal blog not knowing whether that would have been appropriate. Maybe you have gone through the same dilemma with your blogs as well. We want to create a forum in which all participants can feel comfortable posting about spiritual things. Some ideas include, but certainly aren't limited to, the following:

1. A scripture,doctrinal insight, quote, or lyrics to hymn that has touched you recently.
2. Stories of acts of service, given or received.
3. Family Home Evening ideas.
4. A gospel-related question to which you would like feedback.
5. Faith promoting or testimony building experiences you have had, aka: 'tender mercies.'
6. A link to a favorite talk and commentary about why it means so much to you.
7. Missionary experiences.
8. Suggestions on how to improve the blog itself.
9. You get the idea . . .

There is only one rule to this new blog: everyone needs to leave comments! No one likes a Sunday School lesson where the teacher does all of the talking. So please don't be shy to participate through your own posts and comments.

We have really enjoyed staying in touch with family and friends via the blogosphere and hope that this can add a spiritual dimension. We are excited because we know that everyone's unique contributions will add up to create something that uplifts, edifies, and motivates us all to be better people. If you haven't already, please read Elder Ballard's message . Hopefully it will inspire us all to be more proactive about sharing the good news of the gospel :)