Isn’t it so difficult to keep up with everything that needs to get done, and not loose your mind? That is how it’s been for me lately. I’ve been in and out of town for speaking assignments for Time Out For Women, trying to write a book, home school my son, help another son with home work, cook, clean, do laundry….all while not feeling the best. Call the wambulance-right?
I feel guilty about not being as consistent as I’d like to be with this blog. I had the naive` idea when I wrote Hard Times and Holy Places that my thousands of readers would send me their stories for me to share, but only a few have really written. So, the blogging is up to me.
As I listened to 3 Nephi 9 today, this line sounded so beautiful to me. Christ asked the people to repent and “be converted that I may heal you” (v. 13). Isn’t that fantastic. The closer we come to Christ through repentance and righteous living, we will receive healing. I know I need that, so I try to continue forward through the struggles. My faith is strong, but there is so much more to suffer, learn, experience and grow from so that I can be further converted. I love the promise of healing.
If you need healing, I invite you to follow this plea from the Savior. Healing is available and closer than you and I know.
Tuesday, April 27, 2010
Wednesday, April 21, 2010
I know he lives
No worries. I haven’t dropped off the face of the Earth. I haven’t blogged for some time, but am still reading the Book of Mormon. I’m so grateful for the strength I feel as I read it.
I’ve been speaking a lot lately, and have begun Time Out For Women again this season. This past week end I was in Indianapolis, and met so many fabulous women. This week end I am off to Pittsburg. I love to be with the thousands of sisters and share my testimony of Jesus Christ. I thought of this great opportunity as I read 3 Nephi 5:13, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” Of course, I am not a prophet historian like Mormon, but I am grateful I can testify in my own sphere. I know he lives. I know he loves each one of us personally and infinitely. I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have of him and the Plan of Salvation.
I’ve been speaking a lot lately, and have begun Time Out For Women again this season. This past week end I was in Indianapolis, and met so many fabulous women. This week end I am off to Pittsburg. I love to be with the thousands of sisters and share my testimony of Jesus Christ. I thought of this great opportunity as I read 3 Nephi 5:13, “Behold, I am a disciple of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. I have been called of him to declare his word among his people, that they might have everlasting life.” Of course, I am not a prophet historian like Mormon, but I am grateful I can testify in my own sphere. I know he lives. I know he loves each one of us personally and infinitely. I’m so grateful for the knowledge I have of him and the Plan of Salvation.
Monday, March 29, 2010
A Better Cause
The armies of the Lamanites were twice as numerous as the Nephites, and it would seem that the odds were against the Nephites, but the Lord was with them. While the Lamanites fought for power and monarchy,
“ Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties , their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. “
“And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God” (Alma 43:45-46).
This gives me hope to fight on when troubles overwhelm me and I feel like giving up. I also can put my trust in the Lord and he will –and has- always delivered me.
We don’t have to loose heart. We don’t have to become hopeless. We can do what is needed with the power of the Lord which he’ll grant us if we turn to him. We can “fight for “a better cause”.
“ Nevertheless, the Nephites were inspired by a better cause, for they were not fighting for monarchy nor power but they were fighting for their homes and their liberties , their wives and their children, and their all, yea, for their rites of worship and their church. “
“And they were doing that which they felt was the duty which they owed to their God” (Alma 43:45-46).
This gives me hope to fight on when troubles overwhelm me and I feel like giving up. I also can put my trust in the Lord and he will –and has- always delivered me.
We don’t have to loose heart. We don’t have to become hopeless. We can do what is needed with the power of the Lord which he’ll grant us if we turn to him. We can “fight for “a better cause”.
Friday, March 19, 2010
Deep in the Earth
As I’ve been learning about the Anti-Nephi- Lehis, I’ve wondered about the significance of their burying their weapons “deep” in the earth. They could have thrown them in the river or sent someone to take them far away and get rid of them. But, they dug a deep whole and buried them.
They did this as a testimony to the Lord- to show him of their Ernest intent and complete repentance of their sins. They turned to Christ and completely away from their former ways.
When our difficulties and hard times come from our sins or wrong choices and we try to repent, how dedicated our we to turning away from our sins? Do we burry them “deep”, or do all we can to leave them behind? Do we desire so much to be like Christ that we’d do anything not to repeat our offense? Real repentance is just what these followers of Christ show us. They did all in their power – including die- in order to keep their covenants. They were grateful for the atonement and mercy of Christ so their stains could be washed away. They did not hold onto their sins just incase they needed them later.
Are we this dedicated to our covenants? Are we this grateful for the atonement? Do we hold onto our temptations and not completely give up our options to sin?
I know that as we follow the example of these righteous saints, we will become more like our Savior and many of our hard times will be avoided.
They did this as a testimony to the Lord- to show him of their Ernest intent and complete repentance of their sins. They turned to Christ and completely away from their former ways.
When our difficulties and hard times come from our sins or wrong choices and we try to repent, how dedicated our we to turning away from our sins? Do we burry them “deep”, or do all we can to leave them behind? Do we desire so much to be like Christ that we’d do anything not to repeat our offense? Real repentance is just what these followers of Christ show us. They did all in their power – including die- in order to keep their covenants. They were grateful for the atonement and mercy of Christ so their stains could be washed away. They did not hold onto their sins just incase they needed them later.
Are we this dedicated to our covenants? Are we this grateful for the atonement? Do we hold onto our temptations and not completely give up our options to sin?
I know that as we follow the example of these righteous saints, we will become more like our Savior and many of our hard times will be avoided.
Sunday, March 7, 2010
Reason to Rejoice
I’ve learned something new in Alma chapter eight this morning. When Alma sorrows because of the wickedness of the people of Amoniha, and angel appears to him, and before giving him instruction, he encourages him and blesses him. Then, Alma is told that he has reason to rejoice. When he follows the command to return to the city, Alma goes by a different way. Here he meets Amulek whom the Lord has prepared to care for him and join Alma’s ministry.
Now, what could be new in this account? It’s the same story I’ve read many times, but I see a pattern for myself. When I’m discouraged and ready to give up, the Lord is there with encouragement and instruction. He helps me see that I have reason to rejoice. I then can return to the problem in another way which the Lord has prepared for me.
I know that problems in the life can become more than we can handle, but we are not left to face those problems alone. We have reason to rejoice. New ways will be shown to us in order for our success. “Moreover, though we live in a failing world, we have not been sent here to fail” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Encircled in the Arms of His Love,” Ensign, Nov 2002, 16).
Our Savior will help us even in, and especially in, extremely difficult circumstances. He is the reason to rejoice.
Now, what could be new in this account? It’s the same story I’ve read many times, but I see a pattern for myself. When I’m discouraged and ready to give up, the Lord is there with encouragement and instruction. He helps me see that I have reason to rejoice. I then can return to the problem in another way which the Lord has prepared for me.
I know that problems in the life can become more than we can handle, but we are not left to face those problems alone. We have reason to rejoice. New ways will be shown to us in order for our success. “Moreover, though we live in a failing world, we have not been sent here to fail” (Neal A. Maxwell, “Encircled in the Arms of His Love,” Ensign, Nov 2002, 16).
Our Savior will help us even in, and especially in, extremely difficult circumstances. He is the reason to rejoice.
Friday, February 19, 2010
Light and Life
Mosiah 16: 9
He is the alight and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
When I first lost my sight, I longed for light. I really went through withdrawals-wishing I could burst the darkness that surrounded me both emotionally and physically. I was fighting for my life and wasn’t sure I would make it. I was definitely in darkness.
I came across these words from Abinadi which gave me hope, strength and comfort to face the experience I found myself in. I knew that Christ was both the light and the life. Those were the two things I most needed, and I could turn to him when I most needed these things.
I am so grateful for the scriptures and for the power of the Spirit to carry their truth into my frightened and aching heart. I know that Jesus Christ overcame death so that he could free us from its grasp. I know that his light leads, warms, warns and comforts.
He is the alight and the life of the world; yea, a light that is endless, that can never be darkened; yea, and also a life which is endless, that there can be no more death.
When I first lost my sight, I longed for light. I really went through withdrawals-wishing I could burst the darkness that surrounded me both emotionally and physically. I was fighting for my life and wasn’t sure I would make it. I was definitely in darkness.
I came across these words from Abinadi which gave me hope, strength and comfort to face the experience I found myself in. I knew that Christ was both the light and the life. Those were the two things I most needed, and I could turn to him when I most needed these things.
I am so grateful for the scriptures and for the power of the Spirit to carry their truth into my frightened and aching heart. I know that Jesus Christ overcame death so that he could free us from its grasp. I know that his light leads, warms, warns and comforts.
Friday, February 5, 2010
He Will Console You
I received an email this week from a new friend. He explained a little of the struggles he has been facing and my heart broke for him and his family. As I read the doctrine in Jacob 3 and 4 this week, this man’s story came to mind. Although our sins may be different, the source for comfort, feeling and forgiveness is the same. I love this promise, “ BUT behold, I, Jacob, would speak unto you that are pure in heart. Look unto God with firmness of mind, and pray unto him with exceeding faith, and he will console you in your afflictions , and he will plead your cause…O all ye that are pure in heart, lift up your heads and receive the pleasing word of God, and feast upon his love; for ye may, if your minds are firm , forever”(Jacob 3:1,2).
Although sin has brought pain and misery to my friend, it is wonderful that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, peace and hope as he has turned to the Savior. This is his story::
My trial, unfortunately, is largely if not mostly of my own doing. I wanted to let you know that even if our trials come because of sin, as we turn toward the Lord in true repentance He will still consecrate our trials and performance for our gain and our welfare. I know this because I have felt His love and His strength lifting and guiding me each day, and discovering my relationship with my Savior through this trial has certainly been a gain for me.
I am recently divorced because of dishonesty and deceit that I brought into my marriage of 15 years to a wonderful woman. I have been struggling for most of my life with an addiction to pornography that has taken me into dark places that I am trying to forget. Because of pride and fear I lied and deceived instead of letting my help-meet be what an eternal companion was intended to be, a companion. I hurt her deeply and my consequences have been a divorce that at times has left me feeling like my heart will just stop because of the pain. I have four young children who need their daddy to be whole and worthy of the Priesthood. My only hope and comfort through this time has been the growing knowledge that my Father in Heaven knows me personally and that He loves me despite my sins. I know that he gave my wife the courage she needed to walk away from this marriage so that I could find the Lord in a way that would make a difference in my life. I can truly say that I have been humbled by my sins and humbled by the scope and magnitude of the Saviors divine Atonement. I have finally been able to be free of my addiction for six months now. This may not seem like much success to some, but it has brought me joy, hope, and peace that I had never known before. I know what it feels like to be able to repent of smaller sins each week and take the Sacrament worthily. Tomorrow I will go to the Temple worthily for the first time in my life! The Savior has shown me what is truly important in life...a close relationship with Him despite everything else.
I know that my struggles are not over. I still feel such loss and pain every day. However, I will now more fully consecrate my actions to the Lord with more faith that He will create a future for me that is better than what I could create on my own. I have faith and hope that He will support me in my trials as I turn to Him. I know that the Atonement is for everyone. Even the vilest of sinners!”
Although sin has brought pain and misery to my friend, it is wonderful that Jesus Christ offers forgiveness, peace and hope as he has turned to the Savior. This is his story::
My trial, unfortunately, is largely if not mostly of my own doing. I wanted to let you know that even if our trials come because of sin, as we turn toward the Lord in true repentance He will still consecrate our trials and performance for our gain and our welfare. I know this because I have felt His love and His strength lifting and guiding me each day, and discovering my relationship with my Savior through this trial has certainly been a gain for me.
I am recently divorced because of dishonesty and deceit that I brought into my marriage of 15 years to a wonderful woman. I have been struggling for most of my life with an addiction to pornography that has taken me into dark places that I am trying to forget. Because of pride and fear I lied and deceived instead of letting my help-meet be what an eternal companion was intended to be, a companion. I hurt her deeply and my consequences have been a divorce that at times has left me feeling like my heart will just stop because of the pain. I have four young children who need their daddy to be whole and worthy of the Priesthood. My only hope and comfort through this time has been the growing knowledge that my Father in Heaven knows me personally and that He loves me despite my sins. I know that he gave my wife the courage she needed to walk away from this marriage so that I could find the Lord in a way that would make a difference in my life. I can truly say that I have been humbled by my sins and humbled by the scope and magnitude of the Saviors divine Atonement. I have finally been able to be free of my addiction for six months now. This may not seem like much success to some, but it has brought me joy, hope, and peace that I had never known before. I know what it feels like to be able to repent of smaller sins each week and take the Sacrament worthily. Tomorrow I will go to the Temple worthily for the first time in my life! The Savior has shown me what is truly important in life...a close relationship with Him despite everything else.
I know that my struggles are not over. I still feel such loss and pain every day. However, I will now more fully consecrate my actions to the Lord with more faith that He will create a future for me that is better than what I could create on my own. I have faith and hope that He will support me in my trials as I turn to Him. I know that the Atonement is for everyone. Even the vilest of sinners!”
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