MAFIA, KIDNEY STONE, and HE KNEW_ Lessons Not Lost

Time seems to slip away quickly, and although I have had MANY things I would have loved to blog about, other priorities have taken over and writing has been put on the back burner. But today my heart is full and I just need to share some of the things the Lord has given me to see/experience/hear.

MAFIA FOR GOOD
     The other day a sweet woman contacted Mr. Dashing to see if she could get a blessing set up for her daughter who was going into surgery the next day. We both made some calls to find another priesthood holder to help. Mr. Dashing dressed in his suit (as I knew he would) and with me attending and wanting to show respect for the priesthood blessing, dressed in a dress.
     We stopped by the home of another priesthood brother who has a pretty awesome story about his journey/becoming active in The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. He came to the car--and I worried that he might feel bad because of how we were dressed. After some time in the car he asked Mr. Dashing if he had just gotten off work or just liked to be in a suit. The answer came that Mr. Dashing tried to dress in a white shirt and tie when administrating in the priesthood whenever possible. That was new news to this brother and he said he had never heard of it. But the conversation was left at that.
     We went into the home and after some good conversation, these two priesthood brethren laid their hands on the 30 year old's head and gave her a blessing of strength, peace and comfort for the next day surgery.
     After the blessing was given, this good brother, Ed, placed his hands on the shoulders of the young woman and testified to her about the blessing of receiving a blessing before surgery. He showed his scars on his head from a brain surgery and this good sweet man testified that he knew that no matter what happened the next day--he knew Jesus would be with her.  I was touched by his powerful, simple testifying of what he knew to be true. The words out of this rough and tough pictures up and down the arms, large man--touched me.
     We drove home with the spirit and asked Ed some different questions. He said that he had recently gone through the temple and that there was no turning back now. That He, then he proceeded to jab Mr. Dashing and then pointed back to me-- that we ALL were now solders for God because we had all been through the temple. That no matter what our priesthood holders said/asked, ours was to follow and serve. I smiled as I listened to his love of the Gospel of Jesus Christ. I thanked Heavenly Father for a man that was so willing and worthy to use the priesthood of God at a moments notice.
     Moments before arriving at his home Ed said, "I love the gospel! It is like being in the Mafia for GOOD!" He then explained in the mafia (I didn't ask him how he was so attached to the Mafia-- :) maybe a story for another day) you might get a call to do something needed at 2 am--and you just go and do it. In The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints-- whenever you get a call to do good (this day it was at 6:30 at night) you just go and do it! I smiled with his die heart conviction to the gospel of Jesus Christ and his commitment to be a solider for God.
     Ed got out of the car and as he went to shut the door he said the next time he would be dressed appropriately and have a shirt and tie on. He said it was the first he had heard of it, but he said he would do the same. We later heard that he chatted with bishop in asking him if one should wear a shirt and tie for administering a blessing. Bishop mentioned that whenever possible--that dressing for the priesthood was best. Ed then told Bishop he would do it. ...:) Oh this man who is in the Mafia for GOOD! ;) Warmed my heart and left me praising God. Great example to both Mr. Dashing and myself.

KIDNEY STONE

Elder and Sister Cloward - Joberg Africa

     I was chatting with my dad and mom the other day over facetime. Amen for the internet FINALLY in their African home! Makes communicating without glitches--so much nicer!
     I asked how their fast Sunday had been to which Dad replied, great and horrible. They had the missionaries over for dinner, but dad had become very uneasy with a sharp pain attacking him. A kidney stone! He did his best to be a host with much pacing. A few times he laid on his stomach and had my mom knee his back to help move the kidney stone along. Sometimes she was successful which resulted in 30 mins of rest/sleep--but followed by intense pain, pacing the floors, mopping and doing anything else to keep his mind distracted. I have had my own kidney stone before so I knew in general what my dad was going through.
     But the miracle of this agonizing moment was an aw-ha given to him through the spirit. See, early that morning as he and my mom were fasting for all of us in the family--my dad had been pondering over the sacrament prayers.
     As Latter-Day Saints, each Sunday we partake of bread that has been broken and blessed which represents Christ's body and also we partake of water that represents the blood he shed for each of us. As members of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints--when we are baptized, we promise to take upon us Jesus Christ's name (that is--try to do as He would do/live/be). We covenant to serve and love others, to keep His commandments, to mourn with those who mourn, comfort/support/care for those in need. We also are baptized because even Christ (our sinless brother) was baptized to fulfill all righteousness/follow what was asked by Heavenly Father.
     Our baptism is a symbol/outward expression of our inner commitment to the gospel of Jesus Christ. We believe that one must be baptized by someone who holds the priesthood authority (authority to act in God's name) to preform the sacred ordinance. When we are baptized, it is symbolic of putting away our old life, of whatever it was/is, and being "born again"-- to God. That means committing to keep and live His commandments. In doing so, we believe we receive a remission of our sins. That through the atonement of Christ, we are cleansed and clean- without any spot.
     After we are baptized we are confirmed a member of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-Day Saints. And with that confirmation (again only done by those who have authority given them by God to do the ordinance of laying their hands upon our head) we are told to "receive the Holy Ghost".
     We believe by living/striving to repent each day and trying to keep the commandments we can have the constant companionship of the Holy Ghost--the third member of the Godhead--whose job is to testify of truth, of Jesus Christ, and of Heavenly Father. Also he leads us and comforts us. Okay... back to the sacrament.
     If baptism in part is for a remission for our sins--and each of us sin every day because we are not perfect--then logically we should just stay in a baptismal font and NEVER get out because we would need to be baptized all the time! Right?! No, we are not to live in a font. But why it is so important to a Latter-Day Saint to attend church every week-- is that is where we partake of the sacrament, the bread and water representing Christ's body and blood that was shed for us-- and through that partaking of those emblems, we renew our baptismal covenants.
     So IF we partake the bread and water with a repentant heart, and we seek to be better and strive again to live as God would have us live--it is as IF we are being "baptized" each Sunday--we start our week fresh and clean, un spotted-- and ready to "KEEP TRYING/STRIVING" to do what we have promised God we would do.
     That is just a little back ground--- so back to my dad, he was pondering over the broken bread which is in similitude (represents) Christ's body that was broken and bruised for each of us. As my dad pondered about it--he said he just didn't get it. That perhaps there was something more "deep" then the bread physically representing all Christ gave us with his physical life/living. During the administration of the sacrament my dad asked God to help him better understand the broken bread.
    Well--that night, prayer answered! For after he had suffered through the attacks of the kidney stone, he felt that the attack was in direct answer to his pleading to better understand the Savior's physical suffering. That He [Jesus Christ] truly has felt all of our heartache and sorrows as well as our physical agonies.
     My dad believed he was given that brief encounter with a kidney stone as a tender mercy into a request to better understand.

    My father's words got me thinking. He said mom already was "clued" into what the bread meant by what she has had to endure... but it was just coming to me. I pondered it all week and then the Lord gave me the Ryerse's talks...

HE KNEW--SO I HAD PEACE
     This past Sunday brought a talk by Brother and Sister Ryerse. The words have stuck with me--and moved me. Sister Ryerse said that growing up she had pretty bad kidneys and had to go into the hospital often for treatments. Finally at 11 years old they decided to try a surgery to help correct/fix whatever was wrong with her kidneys. It sounds like it was a pretty risky procedure. And even at 11 she could remember feeling great anxiety and fear over the surgery. But she was given a blessing and was reminded that the Savior had already felt all the pain she would be going through/have--He knew exactly what she was facing... and although she didn't know how the outcome would be, she went into the surgery as a 11 year old with peace knowing that the Savior had already felt/knew what she was going through. (*Miracle--the surgery was a great success !! and shortly after her surgery the medical world stopped preforming that type of surgery because what there had been too many fatal outcomes with the procedure. She had been protected and preserved.)
     Brother Ryerse talked about the struggles of dating Melanie (Sister Ryerse) because her mom was so set on that HE was not the right one for HER daughter. Apparently the mother in law caused many tears and heartache as Sister Ryerse had received revelation from God to move forward with brother Ryerse in marriage but her mother was not supporting/would not have it.
     Brother Ryerse then said he had a profound dream while they were dating that he was sitting with Melanie's mom and expressing all the reasons he loved her daughter but she would not have it. And the more questions she asked the more Brother Ryerse tried to answer them but was left short handed by being able to satisfy any of the accusations of the mother in law to be. At the end of the dream, Melanie's mom stated to Brother Ryerse that in time things would be okay. He held to that--- and although it sounds like quite a bit of a "hell" in their dating process and probably a bit into their marriage--over time (several years and 4 kids into the marriage) it has been okay.
     Both talks were BEAUTIFUL examples of faith and perseverance/trusting in God-- even with great odds.

SOOO why is this all touching? My dad's experience and Melanie's-- I have never written on here because there are so many of my friends who's timing for marriage and/or children have not come to fruit yet-- My time for marriage was at age 30, and a time for our first child is apparently at age 31--close to 32. Our little guy is due Sept 28th.
     I can't even express all the feelings and emotions I have gone through, that both Mr. Dashing and I have been through in the last 29 weeks, let alone the almost year of marriage.
      And the next two 1/2 months, no doubt, we will yet experience many more things in regards to being parents and raising our little one to God.
     I have been at times brought to my knees in pure fear for labor and delivery--as well of needing to wear the mother hat.
     After serving a mission in New Jersey, when I came home I found myself weeping every time I was around children. It was sometimes out of control and outright feeling of ridiculous. I longed to teach my own little ones about Jesus Christ and God's plan for them, that God hears and answer's prayers, that we lived with him before we came here to this earth, and this earth life, in big measure is learning to be obedient to the commandments of God so we can yet again, return and live with our Heavenly Father. These thoughts would consume me when I was around little children. Sooo MUCH that I had to prayed to have my heart locked from so many tender emotions. (Yeah, not sure if that was wise or not) but lock my heart He did because I finally STOPPED weeping when I was around children. YEA!
     Yes I wanted to be a mother, but because that did not seem to be in my current life plans--I moved on. I strived to do everything within my power to be God's tool as a single person. I don't say this for bragging or to be "seen" a certain way--I am just writing how I choose to deal with my dreams of wife and family not coming in my time table. I certainly didn't want to just do nothing because what "I thought was best" was not coming to past. So I choose to focus on what I could or what I felt God would have me do when the blessings I had sought for were not on the horizon for nearly 10 years....
    But here, now, with the reality growing inside of me (literally with kicks and jabs-our little man is surely going to be a great swimmer like his dad) and the truth that if it is God's will, we will have a little bundle in our arms in the not too distant future---the thought of labor, delivery, and motherhood IS such an awesome monster, or I should, HAS been a monster.
     I have taken comfort in knowing the world has been populated for thousands of years by women doing what just freaks me out to do, and in a large part they have succeeded. But what my fears were not allowing me to realize--came in my dad's and Mel's experiences... the realization/aw-ha that Jesus Christ has already felt what I have been through and will yet go through. That my situation, no matter how closely related to someone else's, Jesus Christ is the one who will know exactly what I am facing. And although I don't know outcomes or have any clue to the pains to be physically felt and emotional/mental ones that will come with the motherhood package--HE DOES. HE KNOWS! And in HIM knowing, my heart takes great peace in knowing there is no part of this journey He has not already walked/ is ready to re-walk with me...!
     Yes, I know I am slow on the bandwagon and these truths I have already realized in other areas of my life, but like reading a scripture for the 100th time and finding something completely new or just pressed to the mind in a different light--this aw-ha is amazing! And this week I am facing the future with a determined peace of mind and confidence....
     I am so grateful for where I live. For the people who have been placed on my path-- for all those who have already dived into motherhood that have been great examples.
  
     To all those who find that the dreams they have so long dreamed that have not come true--but they still are giving their all to God and trying to trust in His timing, how beautiful their examples are to me.

     I am not sure why Mr. Dashing was saved/prepared for me. Some days he is more celestial than I know what to do with. And I am not sure why we have been given this time to have a family--but I know that whatever path each of us are on, if we will trust in God (who has our best interest at the center of His entire existence) we will never have to face/do what we are asked to do--alone. For our exact path (whatever it is in life) has been walked by the Redeemer of all mankind. And if one chooses to have faith in Him, despite the unknowns, that someone truly can live in/with peace and hope, regardless of what the outcomes/happenings of their individual journeys may bring.

Today I am rejoicing in people who testify about being God's solider, in white shirts and ties with men willing and worthy to serve in/with the priesthood. I rejoice in beautiful examples given to me of the personal lives of others, which move me in the direction of faith--because of them living their faith!

Happiness is God placing a new piece into the puzzles before my eternal soul's journey. 

I am grateful for prayer, and repentance and the chance to become better than I am.

THE PARABLE OF THE LITTLE GIRL WHO KNEW SHE COULD

   A few Monday's ago before seeing the one and only beautiful grandma Ratcliffe, I stopped at a park by a nearby park. As I sat in my car with my window slightly down, I noticed a girl (I would guess her to be about 11 or 12) working hard to ride her bike. Her training wheels were on. Her dad was walking by her side. When I noticed her it was just at the time I heard her cry out to her dad “I can’t daddy—I will fail!” To which he replied that she could. I heard “fail”, but perhaps she said “fall”. I watched her from my car and sure enough, the somewhat attentive father (I say this as he seemed to be a bit more pre-occupied with his drink then watching her) wasn’t paying attention and the little girl, even with training wheels, biffed it. I think the father started to pay a little more attention after that. :)
    This father daughter team went around the park several times. After 20 mins or so I gathered that she must have fallen a few more times, because I saw the dad riding the pink bike back to his truck while the little girl ran along the side. I thought about her fears with her bike and with the perspective as an adult, her petrifying fear of falling was nothing that would alter her life or be some big significant change/death, but to the little girl, her fear of failing was very real and at times overwhelming even to tears and stating that she would fail. I rejoiced in getting watch this little scene play out. I left the park and spent a choice night with grandma and was blessed with an FHE treat of seeing/being with Micarie and James.
    Well fast forward to the next night. After work, I had had a strong impression to go visit a friend. I met her a few months ago on a visit led by God. A friend and I knocked on her door not knowing what we would find. This sweet sister desired to go to church but without a supportive husband found that she did not have the courage. As we talked to her and testified of God’s love and support for her, she mentioned that her Pblessing said she would do a great work in Relief Society. She expressed desires to make it to that meeting. It was a choice meeting and my friend and I left her door praising God.
   Well this Tues night (a week ago) I felt impressed to go back to her house to check in on her as it has been a few weeks since she has answered any of my texts. After work as I was studying, I felt impressed to go right then. I did—and found no one home. I left a note on her door and I pondered what the Lord would have me do with the rest of my evening. I knew He had sent me at that time for a reason. ?? I felt impressed I needed to go to my stake center. *An impression to go to this specific building that I never go to except to attend stake events.
   I pulled up in the parking lot and smiled as I noticed a little girl trying to ride her bike with her dad… okay God, this is the second night in a row that you are having me watch a father and a daughter ride. I knew that God had a lesson to share with me for I know there are no coincidences!
    I parked my car and like the awesome creeper I am, (thankful for my tinted windows) I watched as this girl (older in years) was trying to ride her bike. This girl didn’t have training wheels. I noticed two little boys (who I came to find out were 3 and maybe the other one was 5 ??) were riding their bicycles all through the parking lot—no training wheels. I marveled at how small they were and how much older this girl seemed to be. The girl made several long rides across the parking lot. After a while she made a huge, wide turn in which I heard her very joyfully say, “ I did it! I did it!” And the father replied, “You did it! You made that turn. You did awesome!” I smiled from the vision of “I can’t…I will fail” verses the “I did it- you did it!”
   Thanking God for letting me witness two very similar situations yet completely different outcomes and determinations, I got out of my car. By this time a mother and another little baby had joined the father and three children. I worried that they might have seen me taking pictures and video from my car so I decided to head into the church building to find a place to study. I wanted to approach the little family and thank them for being in the parking lot that night, but I decided being suspected as a creeper and being confirmed as one… I rather just be suspected! :D I grabbed my bag and shut the door and to my surprise I found myself walking towards the family (opposite direction of going into the building).
    I called out to the presumed parents and told them they didn’t have to say “yes”, but that I wanted a picture of their girl as I had just witnessed a discouraged little girl the night before biking with her training wheels and I was so impressed by their little girl’s determination. The family graciously entertained my wish, but before the picture was taken, the mom turned to her daughter and asked her to share with me why it was so special that she could ride her bike that day. This mother, Andrea, then mentioned that she would cry if she talked about it. It wasn’t until that moment, that I noticed that the little girl, Kaja, was very special. With a big smile, and help from her parents she told me that she had cerebral palsy. (Cerebral palsy is a condition that brings along many disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, a stiffness of muscles and normal reflexes. To what extent little Kaja has I was not sure.)
   Kaja’s mom said that for the longest time Kaja has wanted to ride her bike without training wheels. The doctors didn’t know what to tell her. Kaja’s mom and dad didn’t want her to get her hopes up as it seemed it might be physically impossible for her. But Kaja didn’t know it was impossible. She just knew she wanted to ride her bike like her younger brothers. The previous weeks her physical therapist had been working with her. The pedals and training wheels of her bike were taken off which allowed Kaja to sit on the bike seat and have her feet “walk” around/support her. After much practice, the day had come when the father and mother wanted to take her to an open area (church parking lot) to give her a place to try riding with pedals and no training wheels. And there, in the parking lot, a loving father ran by her side.
   At first Kaja had a very hard time turning, and when she would half crash (I say “half” crash, because her father was always close enough to help ease the blow) she would not be daunted. Kaja simply reposition herself on her bike and tried again. Over and over she did this… Crashing a bit, but determined and never quitting. Her tone of voice didn’t even flirt with the temptation of being discouraged. And always--as she worked at it, was her awesome father--getting his fair share of a workout as he ran behind her. (With children, is a gym pass even necessary?! ;) )
   His daughter, was doing the impossible.
   I already loved watching Kaja ride without training wheels… But hearing of the challenges that not just threaten to make life more challenging, but are actually apart of Kaja’s everyday life, made the symbolism of the moment all the more choice.
    I took their pictures and the sweet family with the sun going down climbed in their car and left. I went into the church, found a piano and started to write a song about this little soon to be nine year old, very determined, Kaja. As I played and sang, who should come to the glass door to listen… the Elders in the area!
   Talk about sweet life lessons to witness… On one hand, one girl, consumed with thoughts of failing with training wheels. On the other hand another girl, designated by life to not to be able to enjoy such thing as riding a bike… but sweet little Kaja seemed oblivious to her/life’s “designated” opposition. She just knew she wanted to ride. And every time she crashed, she got right back on and tried again. The first father, a bit neglectful and not providing an undivided attention (but perhaps through the crash of his daughter, caused him to be more mindful/diligent father [that is an insight right there into what our own trials can be God’s tool to help someone step up to their duty and responsibilities]) vs. a father that although didn’t prevent all of Kaja’s falls, He did help not only soften the blows but was right there to help her get back up on her bike and steady her as she started yet again—ever running, always in arms each (or a very speedy jog) to aid and assistance her.
   I am constantly being reminded of our journeys and those whom God puts in my path. The bikes (covenants, desires, commandments) I need/want/should ride. The hands that are ready to steady. The temptation to be discouraged as others seem to do with ease what I struggle and sometimes cry to do. What the world says I can or can’t do (or more often my natural man/fears) but with desires clothed in righteousness and firmly planted/determined—God will help me/YOU/us with the seemly impossible, and make it possible.
   Seeing little Kaja’s experience reminded me of an experience my grandpa once had in the grand canyon with a juniper tree. The PDF is attached. SO SYMBOLIC!

 From To Him That Believeth: Claiming Heaven’s Blessings 

                                                         -- Frederick and June Babbel

   I learned a valuable lesson a number of years ago when my wife and I visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We were at the north rim when the naturalist guide showed us a twisted, gnarled, old juniper tree which was literally growing out of the side of the rock canyon wall by the lookout point. We wondered how it could possibly continue to grow. Then our guide told us an interesting bit of history in connection with this tree.
   A juniper seed is shaped somewhat like a cantaloupe seed. One of these little seeds fell into a crevice near the edge of the canyon wall. Everything was solid rock. It appeared that the seed could not possibly germinate since there was no soil, little if any water, and virtually no sunshine down in this crevice. Yet this little seed was not covered about these limits. It had but one burning desire and that was to fulfill the measure of its creation!
   In a manner that we cannot fathom, that little seed germinated, implanted roots into that solid rock, and began to grow. Gradually it raised a shoot through the crevice where it could seek sunshine and a little rain.
   As it continued to grow and expand into a full-fledged, through misshapen, tree, its trunk and its roots began to exert a continuing pressure on the outer ledge of rock. Finally the pressure became so great that one entire large section of the canyon wall broke loose and crumbled into a massive heap near the base of the canyon, nearly one mile straight down.
   The guide said it was estimated that forty million tons of rock lay at the base of this tremendous canyon because that little seed didn't know it could not grow. It just wouldn't give up.
   No one is beaten until he stops trying. No one! We have often heard the admonition, "…without faith no man pleaseth God..." (D&C 63:11.) We need to discover how to gown in faith. We also need experience. A living faith is a priceless possession and the quest for it is worthy of our combined energies of mind, body, and spirit.
   Persistence is one of the essential components of faith. Don't give up! "That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that our power to do is increased!" (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1944], p.355.)

   If we continue to exercise trust in Him, He will be jogging with our every moment. I believe He softens the blows and crashes as much as possible without taking away the needed experience and exposure to trails and the exercising of our faith. With each needed stumble, a loving father will also be right there to help me/you back on, and start pedaling again!
   He can calm fears and cause us to ride on waters, even in the midst of a storm. He leads by faith. And we can/must/will walk by the faith He leads.

  The little girl who knew she could... and did!

And the parents who believe/support her every step of the way!

Kaja's zippy little brothers!

I believe in working for/towards fulfilling the measure of one's creation. 

I am grateful for Pres. Uchtdorf's insight to the atonement: 

"...while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ,

it is not meant to make us all the same." What an insight!! More on his talk here.

Happiness is: General Conference and my family. 

The two combined= 

IDEAL!

"If we have faith in Jesus Christ, the hardest as well as the easiest times in life can be a blessing."

 

I love that quote from President Eying...! I know it to be true. I loved his whole talk! (click here)

This video... is AWESOME!

AFTER THE MANNER OF HAPPINESS...

Some thoughts on my heart this week...

• I have a co-worker who is gracious, yet confident. Love the example she sets!
• I am still attracted / drawn to kindness. I hope I can apply / live the virtue of kindness better in my life.
• I like being able to sing the song of redeeming love, I have missed the time when I have not / could not.
• The piano moves me. I am so thankful for friends who borrow my piano to practice--meanwhile filling my home with the sweetest spirit. (click here)
• I watched this (click here thanks Kat for posting) and sat in reverent awh of this woman. When I finished watching it I desired to be better about shaving off anything that is not worthy of my time, my efforts, or my focus. I often think about the quote below... it is a reminder to me that I better be about what the Lord wants me to be about. Even if I feel I am choosing good things to do--I am to council with Him in all my doings... that He may direct me for good (Alma 37:37). It's easy to be "doing". But what doings am I doing? Are they for Him, approved by Him?
  

     "It wasn’t long before we realized that there were a lot of things a stake presidency could do—so many, in fact, that if we didn’t set inspired priorities, we might miss doing the important ones. Competing priorities began to arise, deflecting our focus from the vision shared by the Brethren. There were many “good” things to do, but not all of them mattered most.   

     "We learned an important lesson: the fact that something is good is not always reason enough to require our time and resources." --President Dieter F. Uchtdorf 

• I "happened" to come across my friend's inspiring journey of faith, how to use it, and how she applied it in her life to obtain a dream she had. Her applications of faith, and her bluntness / straight forward directness of how truly it works = BEAUTIFUL! Time reading, well invested. Thank you Mel. (click here for Faith and Pianos and just treat yourself to two of Mel's drawing posts. They gave me a fun chuckle! I sooo relate with the ipad, I LOVE mine too! Laugh with Mel's drawings on Pregnancy and the Demise of Veganism click here, and ipad love click here.)
• Tonight I studied "How to Survive in Enemy Territory" --President Packer's address in the Oct Ensign... EPIC talk! Mine is completely highlighted/marked up! Worthy of your time read! (Click here). 

"Discovering how the Holy Ghost operates in your life is the quest of a lifetime. Once you have made that discovery for yourself, you can live in enemy territory and will not be deceived or destroyed."--President Packer.

• A kid in institute made the comment about why he thought that the sacrament prayers tell us to always remember Christ. There is power in remembering. He shared that even when his days are filled with scripture study and temple attendance, which are good things, his life takes on a higher level of power and strength/peace when he actually strives to remember / think literally of Christ through out his day. I was inspired by his observation. I am striving to live the true principle he shared. 
• Sister Petersen my, New Testament teacher, shared that it is better to have a positive thought than a negative though. Well said! 
• A friend shared their thoughts on how it is okay to fail and to discover that you aren't the greatest / best at something or perhaps your efforts, even well intended, were / end up being a flop. Can there be any true success without the pains of trial and error?! Great truth. We are to never give up! Discouragement is a tool of the Devil. And how about the fear OF failing / not succeeding... fear immobilizes us. Satan's a clever one. Jesus Christ however, TRUMPS all aspects. The Savior can calm our fear, if we let Him. He can cause faith to replace doubt and to strengthen one / give power / courage to seize the day, finish the task, to keep walking the path that is unclear.
• I am finding the power and truth of Elder Christofferson's Daily Bread talk... (click here). I am being taught the power of pleading for the "bread" I need for the day. Never mind about tomorrow, there is enough evil in that all ready, but there is power in pleading and asking for what will sustain me just today.
• I have a testimony of the beauty, peace and freedom of fighting / living the battle of overcoming the natural man.
• What comes out of the mouth truly defiles the man. (Matt 15:18) May my insides be worthy of coming outside.

Conclusion: Or rather another beginning. Here's to another day of pleading for the Lord for the daily bread I need.... in doing so, I have been strengthened against the fiery ever so tempting ugly darts of the adversary. Here's to the woman who is my role model in quiet, yet powerful confidence. Here's to kindness in His redeeming love. Here's to pianos being obtained and played, faith exercised, and reminders/skills on How TO SURVIVE in Enemy Territory. Here's to the kid who opened his mouth about his thoughts on the Savior. I want to be like Jesus.

Be of good cheer.

The future is as bright as your faith. 

:)

--President Monson

I am grateful for goodly parents.

I love you mom and dad.

HE WILL TAKE CARE OF OUR TOMORROWS--trust/have faith in Him, TODAY.

I read this article today (click here) on a man's journey with same-sex attraction and how He exercised faith/trust in God and faith/trust in keeping the commandments, regardless of temptations. His courage to share as he calls "witness", moved me.

He shared: 

"In this area and so much of my life, I feel I’ve had to live the principle President Boyd K. Packer taught of going to “the edge of the light and [stepping] into the darkness to discover that the way is lighted ahead for just a footstep or two” (That All May Be Edified (1982), 340). We have to put Him first today, taking the necessary steps of faith today, and simply trust Him to take care of tomorrow. It’s only been through my learning and living that principle that the Lord has slowly been revealing to me His plan for my life."
    --Ty Mansfield

How this rings true with what I need to do with my own trials. Put God first today, excising faith today and trusting that He will take care of my tomorrow. Ty's story/experiences gives my own Gethsemane hope!! (And no, I do not deal with same-sex attraction. But everyone one has something(s) that is(are) thorn(s) of the flesh, and Ty's words can be applied to ANY thorn!)

So my new quote for the back of my phone cover!

 

FIGHT 2 THE FINISH
I have a friend, Heidi Arave, who has shared with me the journey of her friends as their son has been battling liver cancer. This sweet family lost their son Sunday... and the blog post by the mom on Sunday is not only inspiring, but a beautiful testimony/reminder of Heavenly Father's ultimate plan of happiness.

This is what the mother posted the day her son passed:

Tyler returned home early this morning to his loving Father in Heaven after courageously battling liver cancer.  He fought valiantly to stay here and we are relieved that he is not trapped in his diseased body any longer.  We know he is free of pain of suffering and is happy to begin his new work in heaven.

As I was laying there last night watching Tyler struggle to leave, or to stay, I’m not sure which he was fighting for, I remembered a quote that my friend Ashley posted when her sweet Preslee passed away.  I knew there was one thing we had not completely given to Heavenly Father – our will.

Elder Neal A. Maxwell rightly said: “The
submission of one’s will is really the only uniquely personal thing we
have to place on God’s altar. The many other things we ‘give’ … are
actually the things He has already given or loaned to us.”

Tyler was never ours to keep here.  He was a gift to our family to bless us for a short time.  As soon as Darren and I let Heavenly Father know we had accepted His will and it was okay for Tyler to go, he was finally able to have peace.  We know the promise of peace is ours because of the Savior’s gift to us and that we will someday be reunited with our sweet boy and see his amazing smile when he greets us.

We are overwhelmed with the love we feel from friends, family, and community.  Please know that our family has accepted the plan for Tyler, and although our hearts are broken and the pain is more than we can explain, Heavenly Father has sent the Comforter to help us get through this.  Tyler, we love you with all our hearts.  Thanks for teaching so many what it really means to “Fight To The Finish”.  (Click here to read the blog.)

My prayers are going up for Tyler's family. What examples of Christ!

God bless the GREAT, Plan of Happiness! He will make a way for us. Help us fulfill the measure of our creation. God bless those who live their life in courage despite great odds. God's children, are awesome! I stand all amazed.

"IN TUNE WITH THE MUSIC OF FAITH"

"Religious observance in the home blesses our families."

"Example is particularly important."

"What we are speaks so loudly that our children may not hear what we say."

"Mothers and fathers praying with children may be more important than any other example."

"The message, ministry, and Atonement of Jesus Christ, our Savior, are our essential family curriculum."

"Our doctrine is clear; we are to be positive and of good cheer. We emphasize our faith, not our fears."

"The Book of Mormon is of seminal importance."

"Clearly, a dividing line between those who hear the music of faith and those who are tone-deaf or off-key is the active study of the scriptures."

"...when we inculcate into our lives scriptural imperatives and live the gospel, we are blessed with the Spirit and taste of His goodness with feelings of joy, happiness, and especially peace."

“I find that when I get casual in my relationships with divinity and when it seems that no divine ear is listening and no divine voice is speaking, that I am far, far away. If I immerse myself in the scriptures the distance narrows and the spirituality returns." (Spencer W. Kimball)

"Please understand that having faith in the Lord Jesus Christ and keeping His commandments are and always will be the defining test of mortality."

"Above all else, each of us must realize that when one is tone-deaf to the music of faith, he or she is out of tune with the Spirit."

"Let us...resolve to awaken within us and our families a greater desire to claim the Savior’s incomprehensible gift of eternal life."

All from Elder Cook's masterful, move my soul, talk In Tune with the Music of Faith. (Click HERE).

**This talk is what I hope to use as one of the guideposts for when I have my own family. (There is SOO much more in this talk that I did not highlight here.)

I could not help think of all the 6am sessions of scripture study and all the times I tried to pretend like I was asleep to get out of going to family prayer, while reading this talk... Elder Cook says that "persistence in reading the scriptures daily as a family is the key."  Oh how I thank and praise my parents for their persistence even when rebellion and constant fights were their battle front. Thank you mom and dad for loving me enough to be persistent! Thank you for setting a life long example/habit not only for our family growing up, but the family I hope/will have someday! PRAY I will be able to be persistent too! :D And Elder Holland says that although it is late, it is not TOO late yet. Good habits are just small and simple things that if established will be the means of bringing great things to past!

 PERSISTENCE!

DESPITE WHAT'S LURKING

A few days ago I asked someone whom I love how they were doing. I knew that she has had much on her plate. Her response was profound, "Me.. I am decidedly good..." What a statement!! And let me tell you, she could be decidedly doom and gloom with the worlds approval and justification in her life's situations. HOWEVER she has chosen to be decidedly good, no matter what. What beautiful faith and trust in God. Does that mean everything is sunshine and roses! NO way!

I was searching through my pictures to find one that would go with this awesome statement, and I came across a four-wheeling trip Treebs, mom, dad, Thanyermack and I took back in July last year. We went up past where we call "The Sacred Grove" and continued on the trail until we came to a dead end. It is a beautiful little place where one can look down on Scolfield. (That particular day we were racing against the storm.)

We stopped to take a group picture and as we were getting ready to pack up, I noticed these pretty blue flowers growing right under the barbwire fence. The symbolism of something so beautiful growing despite something that can cause a lot of pain was overwhelming and I had to capture the insight by camera! The sad part however, was that I was not in focus with the flowers up front, but rather on the sharpness of the the barwire.... so I have never used the picture. (And yes, there is a lesson all there in itself of what one chooses to focus on in life. The beauty or the brier!) It wasn't until last night when looking through my pictures that I caught how much more amazing this picture is to me NOW after President Uchtdorf's Forget Me Not talk from last Sept. BY GEORGE, I HAD TAKEN A PICTURE OF FORGET ME NOT FLOWERS!!!! (For a refresher of President Uchtdorf's brilliant talk, click here.)

Here these flowers were growing in a pretty unknown/forgotten place! And they were growing despite the wires [experiences/conditions/afflictions/pain/LIFE] that hung over their head! You can see how perfectly a little left from the middle/bottom of the picture there is a piece of wire that has been wound over and over. And close to these words, you can see the rusty wire inching from the side of the picture. But these Forget Me Not flowers were DECIDEDLY GOOD! Still choosing to "bloom where they were planted" regardless of what stretched/gloomed before them. What an attitude!  
What great faith it takes to live decidedly good!  

President Monson has reminded on occasion of the adage “When the time for decision arrives, the time for preparation is past.” And Barbara Thompson shared:

In the book Daughters in My Kingdom, we read about Sister Hedwig Biereichel, a woman in Germany who suffered much sorrow and deprivation during World War II. Because of her love and charitable nature, and even in her own great need, she willingly shared her food with starving prisoners of war. Later, when asked how she was able to “keep a testimony during all [those] trials,” she replied in effect, “I didn’t keep a testimony through those times—the testimony kept me.”

So I must decide right now, what will my attitude and heart be when the wires of life poke or threaten to barricade my way progress/growth... will I be decidedly good come what may and no matter what? Will I forsake my faith/hope/joy, or allow God's plan of "keeping me" even in the mist of a storm? ... when time for decision arrives, I will, like my wise friend, choose to live my life decidedly good! I choose to live my life decidedly happy, decidedly optimistic, decidedly faith-filled, decidedly rejoicing/trusting in Jesus Christ. Decidedly firm in my commitments to God... BECAUSE Jesus is the Christ and I am decidedly seeking to become like Him.

MEET MY BROTHER

So this isn't really fair, I have three AMAZING blood brothers and Marshyl already got his own post a while back, but I am in need of writing down what he has taught me.

Marsh is recently without work, and he and his wonderful wife, whom I happily claim as blood by marriage, have had their share of challenges. Just a few weeks ago their little Garrett became very ill. They took him in to the docs, and the docs, not seeing a case this bad in the valley--had him immediately life-flighted to Primary Children's Hospital. His stats were not good and there he stayed for almost a week with Jen by his side. The first night when Marsh and Jen found out just how bad their little guy really was, they wept together knowing that had they waited another day to take Garrett in, he probably would have passed away. There was some intense feelings for sure.

Many prayers went up. A nurse had some oil on him and helped Marsh give Garrett a blessing. Miracles!

In all the mist of their awesome challenges, I started to worry a bit about mouths to feed, no job, helicopter bills--and in family prayers our concerns for/in behalf have of Marsh and the need for a job, and for Garrett to get better, were ever present. With a somewhat heavy heart for my amazing brother--he sure put me in my place!

On the day they came home with Garrett from the hospital he stopped by my place. THERE IS NO WAY ONE CAN WORRY after talking to such a man filled with complete faith and trust in God. I am the sister, who should be good and encouraging and building up, and yet every time I leave my brother's presence I am uplifted by his complete surrender and confidence in God's plan for him and his family. Have you ever been around someone that could infuse faith into your soul, simply because you were in their optimistic presence?! Well that is Marshyl. His faith is steadfast in Christ. And as a result, he has caused my faith to be strengthened.

These set of pictures perfectly display Marshyl's nature! Brytt and Thayne are just as much a ham as Marshyl is, but they need a little prompting to make it come out. Marshyl is just this way by nature! ;)





My heart is filled with gratitude to Hillary, my good friend at work, who recently told me that she came to the conclusion that she knows that God is aware of her body and the pain that she is in constantly. And that if it [a body that functions nicely] was somehow part of the plan, she would surely not be suffering and would be healed. But with awesome faith she trusts and knows that God knows she is suffering. He knows she is in pain, and He will help her deal with/through the pain. And by him not taking it away at this time/not in the plan--proves that He has a plan for her, because she knows she would be healed if it was not part of the plan. Oh the wisdom and the faith of this girl. She has taught me lots.

NEW JERSEY
I recently had the impression that I needed to fly to New Jersey for the weekend. The timing was incredible because the weekend suggested to my mind/heart was not great timing. Plus not to mention that I haven't been back to New jersey since the mission. But I felt impressed to go and I know better than to fight.

It was great to see Marcel! What a kid! He got more than he bargained for getting to hang out with me for four straight days. We had quite a few happy miracles. We ate at this little dinner joint three different times and we all fell in love with our waitress Samary. She loves her family. And I was very impressed with the love she expressed for them. In the very way she spoke she reminded me of how a Christlike mother is and I hope to be.

Friday night Marcel had the impression we needed to go into New York for a young single adult conference. By the time the impression came--we were looking at getting to New York at almost 10. But on our train ride over, I met this amazing girl, Allison (the one on the Left), who had just finished several months backpacking all over. We only chatted for 10 mins, but I found a friend! I was impressed with her. Since coming back we have chatted a little and she stated something so profound, "The only thing is...what happens if you know (or think you know) what you should be doing, but are holding yourself back- because of fear of failure or even fear of success? The 3 month journey I was on was meant to help me figure things out.... I guess it did, but now that it's time to take action, I'm not sure I'm ready... It'll all out, but man, sometimes it's hard to have such patience, not to mention faith." I don't know what Allison's views are on God, but surely this girl has got some deep reservoirs. I think she has more faith than she knows. If Marcel would have not taken the step of faith and gone into New York for the brief moment we stayed at the conference--my 10 mins/new friend with Allison would have not happened. WINDOWS of time! God's hand can be seen everywhere! Thank you Marcel!! And THANK YOU Allison!

Sunday brought about the crazy of all days. Marcel and I left early to get to New York to help make the 900+ sandwiches needed for the Young Single Adult conference. For the evening, we were going to head over to Sister Ortiz's home to teach family night and eat her amazing Dominican food! She said she would invite a few families over from mission times.

After our WONDERFUL sacrament was over (I heard four different stake president's speak and it was amazing) we left to make the trek back to New Jersey so we could make the dinner appointment I had set up. When we walked outside, Marcel felt uneasy and said we needed to go back to the Testimony Meeting which would be starting in mins. After some battling/figuring out impressions we went up and I texted Sister Ortiz that I would be 30 mins late or so to dinner.

Testimony meeting was great and Marcel and I were both curious as to why he had been prompted to stay. The meeting went an 1 1/2 and after it was over we hurried to get to pen station. Marcel and his long legs and me trotting in heals and a skirt to keep up! :) Looks like I was going to be an hour late to the dinner appointment. Gulp. But all along knowing/trusting God had a plan.

While on the train back to New Jersey, I had the impression I need to open my mouth and talk. Okay--so most people know I don't really have a problem opening my mouth, but this particular time I told the Lord that if I did, on the subject I was being prompted to talk about--the subject matter would make Marcel quite passionate about not to mention I didn't feel like I had any grounds to speak on the subject I was going to bring up. But again, "open your mouth". What will I say, "Open your mouth". So I did just that, and sure enough Marcel became very passionate about the subject. So passionate in fact that we missed our train stop to Newark. When he realized we had missed the stop, he jumped up and we both started hurrying through the train to make the next stop at a little window opening of time. Marcel was quite bothered about missing our stop and could not believe that he had missed it. This was the first time, of a life time traveling on the trains that he had ever missed a stop.

We were in Elizabeth now, which although closer to our already an hour late dinner appointment but still, by waiting for another train we were 45 mins away from getting back to my car- and then another 30 mins after that driving to the appointment. Marcel asked me if we should wait for a train and backtrack, or if he should have his friend Blaine (this is Blaine) come get us. We opted for Blaine. Marcel called him and told him to come pick us up at the Elizabeth chapel. He told me he didn't think Blaine would be there for 30 mins.

I could not figure out all the impressions. And I kicked myself for setting up a dinner appointment with the Ortiz's. I pondered over why I had not been warned/prompted not to set it up, but it felt okay when I did. I called the Ortiz and told them our situation. They already had eaten dinner by this time and were just waiting for us to come. Again, to the dinner appointment/party I had set up.

Marcel and I had time to kill to walk to the Elizabeth Chapel. So I took his arm and we strolled down the allies together. Being in heals and a skirt-in the hood, in the dark may have made normal girls scared, but being with Marcel I felt totally protected. I was not worried at all. We walked through some pretty dark areas, and finally came into a parking lot where these two kids were Skateboarding. Marcel asked them if they would like to hear a message about Christ. I was surprised when they said they would listen. Then--all the craziness of the evening and all the promptings we followed but didn't understand why--all added up! Domingo and Jose had been prepared by God to have that discussion. At first Jose (the one on the left,) wasn't interested and was just politely listening but that changed towards the end of the conversation. Domingo (on the Right) is a very deep kid. He had done a ton of thinking on his own. I don't think I have ever met more respectable 16/17 year-olds in my life. I surely wasn't like that when I was 17. We talked for a good 15 mins and then all walked over to the church to meet up with Blaine. It wasn't until we were mins away from the church when I realized what God had given me. Here I was back at the Chapel that Jean after he had joined the church, brought Adele, and through his mighty prayer brought Marcel to the chapel to be baptized.
!!!!

Yes I felt like crying, and that night in my room I did my fair share of it. I told Domingo and Jose that it was not just chance that we had met. Domingo has had the missionaries over to his home before to meet with his mom. It was such a crazy thing, I had a name tag on and was blessed to meet Marcel. Marcel later had a name tag on and now both finished missionaries, were teaching the gospel together to Domingo and Jose... in the city/the very Chapel that Marcel made his first covenants with God! The chapel I had come to love for 7 1/2 months. But had not been back to in over six years. God truly is amazing!

Well, the miracles still go on. Blaine had been in Roselle Park at Marcel's house. He could not get a hold of us all day and figured he would keep his appointment with Marcel, but was rather ticked that Marcel had not answered his phone. When he left Marcel's place, he had the impression to go to the Elizabeth Chapped. He thought the idea was completely random. He doesn't go to that chapel, the city had nothing to do with anything we had done all weekend. He pushed the thought from his mind. 2 mins later Marcel called him and told him we were stranded and needed him to pick us up at the Elizabeth chapel. :) Coincidence? I think not!

Because Domingo and Jose had stopped skateboarding to chat with us, they were pretty cold. Blaine and I gave them a ride to their house. Domingo recounted for Blaine how we had met and made the comment he felt like we were sent from God with a message. He also commented a few different times that he was impressed with how optimistic Marcel and I were. I have never had a comment quite like that before.

We challenged Domingo and Jose to pray and ask God if he really lives. We promised them that if they would pray and ask, we know that they would receive an answer. We also asked them to pray about meeting us and what we shared with them, to ask God if it was true. They said they would pray. They got out of the car, and I asked Blaine if we could have a quick prayer. My heart was overwhelmed with deep gratitude.

Then it was a rush to the 2 hour late dinner appointment! What a blessing it was to find the Ortiz's had the missionaries over. And because they were over, they went through with the dinner. OH my heart thanked God for taking care of the situation. I felt so bad, but all things worked out. Sister Ortiz invited over two of my favorite member families from that area--the Massey and the Curry families. My heart was ready to burst. Six years will do a lot to families. The Curry's who could not have children have now been blessed miraculously with two of their own children! Miho Massey and her little family--are so grown up. It was so late, and they all needed to go home because they had already been there for several hours, but our moments together were tender.

Brother Curry was curious to see that I was "still" cheery. He made a sincere comment about how he wondered if that was just how I was before because the mission did that to me, but seeing me six years later and almost 30 years old he now knows that, nope, the mission probably helped magnified those feelings, but cheery is part of who I am. (Now don't be thinking this is all a great thing! My poor husband has to deal with a wife that can smile and be very pleasant at any waking hour in the morning. If he is a grumbler in the morning and takes time to shake sleep from his mood--he and I are going to have our work cut out! I will allow him a cloud cover attitude with hopes that he will let me keep the sunshine. ;) )


Monday came and I spent the morning with my perfect hosts! We just sat around and chatted. I thanked Sister Ortiz for her patience in the night before. She admitted that she couldn't figure why I would set up a dinner party and then wouldn't even show up. But she understood how God sent Marcel and I to meet with Domingo and Jose. A meeting, that has impacted my life in many ways. She was kind.

I said good bye to my choice friends and drove to go be with Marcel and Blaine before I had to fly out. The whole weekend was filled with impressions on how I need to "be" with Marcel and where he was. I have never felt so intrusive to someones personal space. Especially when it was me to set up being there and took over his weekend plans. Thankfully Marcel was happy to have me there, but it was still hard and all weekend I battled trying not to ask the Lord why he had sent me. Even on Monday, again the impressions came to be with Marcel. 15 mins before I had to drive to the airport, 4:45 pm, Marcel was doing some things on line and I was getting my personal study in. I opened up to Alma 8 and received an answer from God that whatever the reason was, he was pleased and I accomplished what he sent me to New Jersey for. My cheeks were wet and I hoped Marcel would not see my tears.

Oh and I won't even go into the miracles getting me home. Truly god is aware of us.

Citlalli picked me up from the airport and took me home. By 2 am I was back home and I was saying my prayer for the night. I sang a hymnn first, and came to a verse of scripture that I looked up to see if I could find the statement in the hymn supported by the scripture. Instead, I found yet another scripture that had basically said what Alma 8 told me. I wept again.

My Trip to New Jersey taught me that I murmur and show an awesome lack of faith. Yes, I still went to New Jersey you can say, and we followed impressions, but if you give a gift and don't give it with your whole heart--it profits you nothing. My murmuring inside myself was as good as just killing my faith. Lesson learned.

Marcel surprised me this Sunday when I woke up to this text..."Hey i decided to get rid of all my rap music because the way i been using it hasn't help me draw closer to Christ not that I feel it is wrong But I do not think it will do much good to help me anyway i figured it might make you happy to know." We had listened to Rap music all weekend. I did not feel it was my place to say anything. I could not understand how it could do "good" for his soul, when I felt mine was being weighed down. But here he was telling me that he didn't think it brings him closer to Christ--so he is giving it up. :) You could not have found a more tearfilled smiling while kneeling in gratitude girl than me that morning! Marcel is becoming "soft" again! I love that kid!

Well how about them apples for a really late post! Moral--follow your impressions, even if they wipe out a savings account, cause you to miss your best friend's BYU performance and your favorite earthly dad's 60th birthday bash--even if you are told to open your mouth or stay for a meeting...don't let doubt and fear squash your faith. God has a plan! The question comes down to for me, Do I trust God and his plan or don't I? And if I don't trust the plan, why not? It is tried and true and God defiantly sees the bigger picture.

To everyone I met in New Jersey, it was amazing! Thank you for adding to the trip.

HAPPY CONFERENCE EVE!!!!

Tonight as I was preparing my mind for conference tomorrow, I pulled out my conference note book. I always take notes at conference, but last year I was finally smart and made an official conference book! So now every conference my notes will be placed in the same place.

In April, we had Brytt and Jinger's family over to the condo. So much fun! Ireland was such a help in the kitchen for lunch. I could not get enough of little Brynnlee. At one point she was sitting on the carpet with her backed turned to the TV when the speaker said "the prophet" and Brynnlee excitedly looked up and said, "He said the prophet, the prophet!" Oh melt my heart! I Didn't even think she was paying attention.

Tonight as I opened my conference notes, I was moved by the things that had impressed me back in April. Pretty great stuff!! Here are a few of the things that I wrote down in my book.

*Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond. (1)

*...your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. (1)

*...the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. (1)

*Prayer is the most common and powerful way to invite inspiration. (2)

*We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism. (3)

*Obedience gives us greater control over our lives... (3)

*In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. (3)

*He [Jesus Christ] could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience. (4)

*...the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle. (4)

*Tragedy did not erode their faith; it tested it and strengthened it... (4)

*You don’t have to spend time as a Laman or a Lemuel in order to know that it’s much better to be a Nephi or a Jacob. (5)

*Choose to live by faith and not fear. (6)

*Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things. (6)

*...our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. (6)

*Challenging times require greater spiritual power. (6)

*We should never complain, when we are living worthily... (7)

*Discipleship is a journey. (8)

*It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late. (8)

*He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way. (8)

*The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it. (9)

*...it is not by chance that we are who we are... (10)

*Laughter and a good sense of humor can soften the bumps along life’s journey. (11)

*You can’t be a life saver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach. (12)

*Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. (13)

*...may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” (Mosiah 18:9) for surely that is how He stood by us... (13)

*Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. (9)

(1) Robert D. Hales
(2) Elder Allan F. Packer
(3) Elder D. Todd Christofferson
(4) President Henry B. Eyring
(5) Elder M. Russell Ballard
(6) Elder Kevin W. Pearson
(7) Elder Richard G. Scott
(8) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(9) President Thomas S. Monson
(10) Elder Neil L. Andersen
(11) Elder Steven E. Snow
(12) Elder Dallin H. Oaks -- Ardeth Greene Kapp
(13) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Those are all the real quotes! But wow, what a bucket of treasures. And those are just some of the highlights! Going through my April list made me all the more excited for tomorrow and Sunday! I know the same council is given over and over--but amen! It doesn't hurt to be reminded and obviously I haven't gotten it right yet, or else something new would be shared. My heart has the most amazing love affair with conference weekend!! I am so thankful for Jesus Christ, my elder brother. I know He won't give up on me as I strive to be more exact in obedience. How I love Him!

Happy Conference weekend everyone!

FAITH = MIGHTY MIRACLES