Mother, all things and judgment...defective, effective and perspective

mothers

the story about the calves in the shade was really a good analogy for me.

"distraction doesn't have to be evil to be effective"

yesterday i had so many good things happen and was really happy and kept meaning to study. then it was late, and one bad thing happened and by that point it was too late. i was already too tired. and not in the right spirit. that's why it's so important to put the things of God first in our day, life is just too crazy to be able to count on 'doing it later'.

and our days and works aren't just for us. 'we never know' when someone needs us. when someone is watching us. how something we are being tried with is the exact strengthening we need to be able to help someone later.

all things work together:

i was just thinking about the boy pitching and hitting to himself. and i wrote in the margin 'i might not be getting one thing i want, but am succeeding at something else. look for the positive'. but now that i am thinking about it, i had a funny thought. i was thinking, 'okay if one thing is failing, then something else has to be working. but that means anything that is happening in our lives CAN be a good thing. it is always dependent on our PERSPECTIVE. aka. life is good, the fact we have breath makes it all worth living.

Gods will. don't whine. seek help. serve. own your choices.

i need to improve on all of these.

'in our trials, let us not become bitter or uncommitted'

in the margin i wrote, 'ouch.'

i'm pretty sure that was a kick in the butt for yesterday. duly noted.

developing good judgment:

i had never really thought of it in this way, the fact we alter entire relationships quickly, "we may often find ourselves making quick judgments about people, which can change or redefine our relationships with them."

"many blessings in life are missed because worldly judgment was applied to what was really a spiritual decision."

newsflash: EVERYTHING is a spiritual decisions.

our body = half our soul.

our beings = temples.

what we choose to do with ourselves is kind of a big deal.

suckfest.

god blessed me so much today.

and what did i do in return?

not schedule time to study and thank him.

fail.

"Now, I realize that it is much easier to look back when a trial is over and see what we have learned from our experience, but the challenge is to gain that eternal perspective while we are going through our tests. To some, our trials may not seem great, but to each of us who are passing through these experiences, the trials are real and require us to humble ourselves before God and learn from Him."

Our duty to God....be there, don't be square

'leading by example'

'this takes DAILY determination and diligence.'

i think something that really stood out the most to me was the emphasis on the physicality part of what relationships. the idea that it takes more then love in your heart, on your own time. but REALLY giving of yourself. your time. your effort:

'walking along side them'

'we must plan and take advantage of teaching moments'

'regular, warm, caring interaction'

'pay attention'

'listen'

'use the time'

'connecting'

'participate fully'

'tell them that you love them, and that god loves them'

'they must DO'

most of all, the question ----"Are you in there?"

it made me really want to strive to be totally in conversations and interactions i am having. i once read a talk, that i wish i could remember the name of. but the idea was to 'be there'. there was a rundown of things. something to the effect of "when you are in class, be there. when you are in sacrament, be there. when you are with your friends, be there. when you are called in heaven, be there." okay it was a lot more eloquent, but thats the gist. i think about that often. it's a horrible way to live your life dwelling on being somewhere else. being in a class, worrying about a project at work. hanging out with your friends, while really being distracted texting someone else. being at church, and trying to rush and make up your lesson for the next meeting.

but the idea is that each part of our life deserves its own attention, and at the appropriate time. really talk to someone, and freely. prepare for the sabbath before hand so the morning can run smoothly and focused on the Savior. get things in order and 'be there'. ESPECIALLY for your family.

don't be discouraged, no matter the situations you face.

"do all things that lie in our power" and remember "there is no failure except in giving up."

Generations linked in love...best gift ever!

i was just thinking about the game 'white elephant'. it's one of my very favorite things to play ever, especially with good friends and family. i was wondering, what is it about that game that i love so much? well, it's inexpensive, but it's so fun to go shopping or search around the house for a gift. it is funny, a good time to bond, it's usually played around Christmas time (the celebration of Christ), and it's not really so much about the gift as it is about the time spent together and the memories you take home with you.

when Nelson said, "they are literally helping to exalt their families", i thought BEST GIFT EVER! haha. i guess it's not exactly the same as white elephant but somehow. it's inexpensive, but putting in the work can actually be really fun. and it is so amazing! really, you are being the link between them and exaltation. the work put in and the temple service would have SO much more meaning! it is so amazing.

"this is joyful work." !

God just must love us so much. each and every child is so special. it must make Him and the people we serve so happy!

i can't wait for Heaven, i bet perfected beings give the best hugs ever.

He is Risen!.... i read, and i believe it

"if a man die, shall he live again?"--job.

"EVERY other living man or woman has pondered"--monson

this really stood out to me, you know how i love absolute terms. it really made me realize, no matter how much some people seem to careless about God and what they do with their lives...they can't help but think what is happening next. knowing that makes us have a job. we have answers that others do not. and EVERYONE cares about this answer.

"man alone received intelligence-- a brain, a mind, and a SOUL"

okay i was under the impression that every living thing has a soul?

okay this is a question for anyone who has an answer.

"we knew our purpose was to:

1.gain a physical body

2.overcome trials

3.prove that we would keep the commandments"

the thought, 'what about the 'that men might have joy' part'? it's not, that we just came here to play. i was thinking the joy comes through overcoming those trials and knowing we are making God happy. not just pure frivolity.

reading about Christ's last days always makes me tear up. i mean the physical pain must have just been excruciating. the thing that really gets me though is His never ending compassion. i am pretty sure the kindest words in all the scriptures are "father, forgive them, for they know not what they do." i am not even that forgiving sometimes when people cut me in the grocery line.

LOVE this parallel, i had not thought about it before.

"for as in adam all die, even so in Christ shall all be made alive."

Men bring death. Christ brings life. thats so beautiful.

the story of Jason is so hardcore. i love it. we talked about it in relief society last week, i had a rare chance to go since my class was covered in primary.

"Called to serve their missions together--on both sides of the veil". really? heartbreak hotel. but so lovely.

i love how President Monson kept saying "i have read...and i believe". those are some of the strongest words. and i really feel like i want to start taking claim of my beliefs like that. turns out i know stuff. i have been reading...and i do believe. challenge to all to really take ownership of their testimonies. you put in the time, you are worthy to have all the Lord has for you.

We follow Jesus Christ (and from yesterday)....play nice.

neglected to blog about this talk yesterday.

That our children might see the face of the Savior:

i had 2 favorite parts to this talk. the first of which being that she outlines 3 specific things we are to do. and i feel like she got them in order and hit it SPOT ON!

first favorite part.

1. love the Lord. and love others

NOTHING we do in this life matters or is good if we don't have love for God. and if we disregard other people.

2. become a worthy example

okay, so you love God? what are you going to do with all that love and devotion? try and be like Him. and try with everything you've got.

3. teach.

only after you have your priorities in order and your crap together does she say to open your mouth and talk about it to other people. how glorious an idea this is.

second favorite part

"none of us will be a perfect example...our STRIVING to be worthy is an example in itself."

LOVE this. it made me think of my parents. they aren't perfect. they don't and won't ever claim to be. but they are amazing people and i know they strive to be better. and it has been a good example to me.

We follow Jesus Christ:

holy crap. i want to say like a million things that came to my mind.

"sacrament meeting is the MOST sacred and holy of ALL meetings in the church."

"if we are to be His disciples and to be his committed members of His church, we must remember and reverence sacrament."

this past week i had a really cool experience with sacrament. so i play piano in the sacrament meetings most weeks during the month. i only sometimes practice the hymns before hand. i usually wake up with exactly enough time, rush to get ready, always forget something, run on the bus and metro, haul it to the church building and get there just barely on time.

then last week i thought, wow i need to do my calling better and get myself to church earlier. i really practiced the hymns beforehand. i prepared the night before, cleaned my room, had everything ready to go, my clothes picked out, already had shaved my legs. and i woke up and everything was lovely. luckily enough, i remembered i was supposed to teach sharing time that week (which i had forgotten) but i had enough time to prepare and of course. i get to church and it was just lovely. inspiration just flew into my mind.

play nice.

"how we relate and interact with each other is a measure of our willingness to follow Jesus Christ."

"how we disagree is a REAL MEASURE of who we are and whether we truly follow the Savior."

did either of these statements make anyone else cringe a little bit?

"we can spend our lives trying to be more loving and kind, REGARDLESS of the adversity we face."

i really love when they lay out life goals for us. i know God loves everyone, but i guess it constantly opens my mind to the idea that He cares so much if WE are nice and love everyone too.

Turn to the Lord...and do it fast

Turn to the Lord:

I noticed a few patterns in stories that i found interesting. like they happen to all of us, but it was cool to be able to really identify and label them.

Something bad happens. exhibit a.

heartbreak-grief-anger-blame-revenge.

Once my sister told me 'jeanette, get ahold of yourself, you're spiraling downwards.' i think of that term often. when the couple lost their baby you could see how they were 'spiraling'. what it leads to is worse.

'seeking to ruin'. they became obsessive and eventually 'rejected' any form of help.

"where once there was faith and devotion to the Lord". they were actively participating members.

anyone can go from strong to bottom rapidly if you don't keep control.

something bad happens. exhibit b.

anticipation of a really awesome thing, instead everyone dies.

"without hesitation--turned to the Lord".

"IMMEDIATELY turned to the Lord and His Atonement....(notice the next 2 words)..without dwelling on why this could happen and who might be to blame."

didn't dwell. didn't spiral. stopped. turned to the Lord.

"they focused on living a righteous life".

FOCUS on good. don't DWELL on bad.

God gives us challenges for our own good. and sometimes they suck. but i love that he gives "clear direction and great promises...and shall by with you forever"....if we let Him that is.