Today I teach my last Relief Society Lesson. I am being relocated!! It was a fun and challenging calling. I learned a lot preparing and participating in class! Although it was a short calling, I only taught 5 or 6 times, I really liked it. I am excited for my new calling. I am still teaching and I hope they like me. I am weird about team teaching because I am a control freak and I like structure and consistency especially with children. Okay, so I gave it away.
Today we are doing the 3rd lesson in the Gospel Principles Manual.
JESUS CHRIST, OUR SAVIOR AND LEADER!!
What a perfect topic for Valentine's Day. Last time I taught I was reminded in a kind of strong way that Charity and Love is really what "it's all about". I don't know why this came as a surprise to me. I guess I have a lot to learn still concerning Charity but charity is the pure love of Christ and I think it's perfect for today!
I am going to share with you some of the exciting points I want to talk about today in class!
First, I am going to write the Words JESUS CHRIST on the board. Then we are going to write the things that come to our mind. I tried this out with Adam like I always do in all my little experiments and the very first thing he said was LOVE. (How Perfect!) The list continued... sacrifice, friendship, teacher, Master, Savior, the Son, Creator, advocate, elder brother, example.
We then divided the list into 2 catergories: Titles and Qualities.
A couple of years ago I looked up the word MASTER in the dictionary because I love to discover the hidden meaning in words. What I found was amazing. Christ's apostles often refereed to Him as Master and for so many reasons. This is the definition of Master from two sources. I hope you think about each section carefully, it will surprise you!
Master:
* A person with the ability or power to use, control, or dispose of something. [creator]
* An expert
* Male head of the household [elder brother]
* Male teacher, tutor
* One whose teachings or doctrines are accepted and followed
* A victor or conqueror [Redeemer]
* One who defeats another
* A workman qualified to teach apprentices and to carry on his trade independently
* A man eminently skilled in something
* An assistant judge who takes testimony, makes a report [advocate](i love this one!!)
BUT MY FAVORITE IS...
* An ORIGINAL, which copies can be made!!!!
The rest of the lesson includes how Christ mission was set from the beginning. How Lucifer wanted to go and take away agency, The War in Heaven, and Christs qualities and how we can follow His example, work on becoming like Him, and accepting Him in order to return to our Heavenly Father.
It is going to be a talkative, open day about Jesus Christ and even though I don't have a lot to say like usual I just know in my heart it is going to be a Fulfilling, Happy and Energized topic.
Oh, I also made the ladies a farewell gift. I only have 32 so I hope the numbers are down today. I might have to give them away to the first people who arrive. It was really hard finding all the charms I needed without spending too much money and then i ran out of pearls. Oh well. They are bookmarks for their manuals. A little motivator to bring them!! They have a KEY on them to remind us of our Savior Jesus Christ, the Master Key, in which copies can me made!!!
Sunday, February 14, 2010
Last Lesson.
Monday, February 8, 2010
Conference Quotes of the Week.
I decided last week that if I read a conference talk every night until my supposed due date I would finish the issue before the baby. Just another one of my count down techniques. I have like 4 calenders I cross off.. its ridiculous...
These are my favorite quotes of the week:
More Diligent and Concerned at Home, Bednar (p17)
The Love of God,Uchdorf (p21)
"For what we love determines what we seek"
"[Heavenly Father] answers our righteous petitions"
"The first step to walking in righteousness is simply to try.... try and keep on trying until that which seems difficult becomes possible- and that which seems only possible becomes habit and a real part of you."
Love and Law, Oaks (p26)
"God's love is so perfect that he lovingly requires us to obey His commandments because He knows that only through obedience to His laws can we become perfect, as He is"
"Our Heavenly Father 'maketh his sun to rise on the evil and on the good, and sendeth rain on the just and on the unjust'"
"whom the Lord loveth he chasteneth"
Prayer and Promptings, Packer (p43)
"It is within this wondrous gift and power that the spiritual remedy to any problem can be found"
"One of the adversary's sharpest tools is to convince us that we are no longer worthy to pray"
"And I have learned to conclude all my prayers with 'Thy will be done'" - I heard a baby blessing yesterday where the dad concluded the blessing with this and it reminded me of this talk. I wonder if he is trying to pick up the habit too!
School Thy Feelings, O My Brother, Monson (p63)
"No one can make us angry. It is our choice."
"'The Lord could get along very well without me and He..lost nothing by my falling out of ranks; but O what I have lost?!'"
Our Perfect Example, Eyring(p70)
Safety for the Soul, Holland (p88)
"No wicked man could write such a book as this (The Book of Mormon); and no good man would write it, unless it were true and he were commanded of God to do so."
"[The Book of Mormon] was given to bring happiness and hope to the faithful in the travail of the latter days"
"'Who so treasureth up my words, shall not be deceived'- and in the last days neither your heart nor your faith will fail you"
** I hope there wasn't a pattern of all the things on my mind.. If so, I hope you enjoyed getting to know me better! lol**
Saturday, September 12, 2009
Lesson 38: The Wentworth Letter
If you don't know me yet, I'm a little over and beyond. Tomorrow is my first day teaching Relief Society. I know I may be over the top and these ladies are gonna think I'm crazy but I just like to teach nontraditional, i guess. Any who- I am trying to focus my teaching for the chicas (the newbies to R.S.). I am gonna do an FHE approach. Fun, (I haven't thought of an H word), and Energized. Then I hope to have some type of idea they can take to FHE to their kids, husbands, friends, or siblings that week.
So, this week we are memorizing the 13 articles of faith. I am sure everyone knows them but like our little kid-a-dees where they can recite word for word, do they know what they mean, to them?! That's my goal tomorrow, along with reviewing the history of the church through Joseph Smith's example when he was asked about the church in The Wentworth Letter.
*When I say "A" what object comes to mind?? an apple perhaps. What about "B".. a banana. As babies we learn facts by pairing them to something else and making worldly connections. That is the technique I am going to use. It works. It took me 3 weeks and I know the articles of faith. Yes, I was familiar with them and that is very important but now I know which is which and what it really means in my own words.
The idea is to pair the article to a simple drawing. This is the TV I will pass out tomorrow and then we will fill in the pictures as we read through the Letter and pause to fill in the incidence proving each article of faith (5-12) . The object is to make a picture that comes to you when you read the article you're trying to remember. I hope it works!!
WE BELIEVE:
1. 3- The God Head; God, his Son Jesus Christ and the Holy Ghost
2. A man (Adam) crossed out- Reminds me that we will be punished for our own sins not for Adams transgressions
3. An Angel- Reminds me that only through Jesus Christs Atonement can I be saved and receive salvation.
4. FiRst BeLieve- Reminds me of the FIRST ordinances of the gospel are; Faith in Jesus Christ, Repentance, Baptism by immersion for the remission of sins and the Laying of hands for the gift of the Holy Ghost.
5. Phone- Reminds me that men are called of God and then set apart by the laying on of hands to preach the gospel.
6. Chapel with an A for the roof, P's for the door, E for the stairs and T for the chapel cross- Reminds me that the church is organized the way the first church Christ organized was with Apostles, Prophets, Priests, Teaches, Evangelist, etc.
7. An Eye and Tongue- Reminds me that we believe in the gift of tonges, and interpretation of tongues, in visions, in revelations, etc.
8. A book with 2 B's and writing on one side- tells me we believe in the Bible as long as it is translated correctly to be the word of God and that the Book of Mormon is the word of God.
9. WOW with 10 cents in the O- Reminds me of the Word of Wisdom and the Law of tithing which were revealed to Joseph Smith; so we believe that God has relieved and will revile many things to build the kingdom of God.
10. A world with 10 people around it- Reminds me of the literal gathering of the 10 tribes of Israel, that Christ will come to rule the earth and the earth will receive its glory.
11. A brain inside a heart ( did you get that one LOL!)- Remind me that we love people so much that we allow and respect everyone to worship God with their own conscience, however and wherever they want to.
12. A crown- Reminds me that we believe in kings, presidents, majesties, and rulers and that we will obey the law of the land.
13. The TV entitled- Paul's All things HCB TV; We want to be honest, chaste, benevolent, trustworthy, and virtuous. We follow the admonition of Paul to believe in all things, hope in all things, to endure many things, and hope to endure all things. That we want do things of good report which include the things inside the TV.
So, what do you think? Will I be the laugh of the Relief Society? I hope it works and we all learn. I want to teach a new technique to the sisters that they can use many times in memorization. My goal is during time Christmas when they see an angel they are reminded that Jesus Christ died for them so they can receive Salvation as long as they live in accordance of the gospel!!
Wish me luck, its a tuff crowd! It's really a review day but I hope the spirit allows there to be truth heard in the hearts of every sister and that my approach never takes away any of that.
Tell me what you think?
Wednesday, March 25, 2009
Pray Always.
My talk went great on Sunday. I was so nervous, my voice was getting scratchy during the opening hymn and I was so afraid it would get bad. It was just fine. Reading my talk went fine, I made some slip ups and had to correct myself, but it was no biggie. I felt the spirit and I like to believe the congregation did too! Adam's talk was on the Priesthood but it complemented mine so many times and they just worked together so nicely!
I was so blessed and guided to write my talk. I am so thankful to have this opportunity and I learned so much! I may speak English but if you read my blog you know I make TONS of gramatical errors, don't try to pick those out and you'll get more from this! Also, it would be great if I had the color and enlarging options on my computer and my old blogger account, those would help make all these words more inviting to read. Any how- I hope you learn something inspirational from my super long talk that will help you push through the rest of your week. Sunday is just around the corner!
November 11
This morning I was having doubt in prayer and I didn’t have great things to say about it. Then while I was getting ready for church I had the feeling that prayer was going to be taught to me, even if it was just to me. Well, sacrament started with the hymn “Did you think to pray?” and the talks are on prayer. Perhaps this was just for me. Maybe I should pay attention.
Maybe you should pay attention for the sirens have sounded and this wonderful advice to pray always has been heard, over and over again!!
We learn to pray by praying. Prayer is simple and sincere. Being in nursery I get the opportunity hear the prayers of children. I am sure I don’t get the extent of your family prayers where they bless everything and everyone. However, it is wonderful to see how eager they are to be the one to pray. They do not sit back and wait to be called on. They all raise their hands and they want to pray! Perhaps we were all like this at one time. Somewhere in our lives as we got older we found ourselves less eager to stand in front of the class and address our Heavenly Father for the blessings we have, for the needs of our loves ones, and to let Heavenly Father know everything that is going on in our lives.
Spenser W. Kimball, a former President of the church, tells us: “We all are under heavy obligation to our Lord. None of us has reached perfection. To pray is required of all men like chastity is required, and Sabbath observance, and tithing, and living the Word of Wisdom, attending meetings, and entering into celestial marriage. As truly as any other, this is a commandment of the Lord.”
Let’s play pretend:
Imagine that Heavenly Father sent us down with a yearbook. All the things that have happened in the past and are happening while were here on earth are being recorded. Records for us to remember the good times, the bad times, and all the stories of him who was most likely to succeed, best dressed, most spirited, and friendliest in the class. Many times through out these scriptures we are addressed and commanded to watch and pray always. The Lord has his signature and advice for our future all over these books. He signs it K.I.T, Your Heavenly Father. For many of you who don’t understand these acronyms going around on texts, K.I.T means Keep In Touch!
I am sure we all have felt times where we tell ourselves: “He just isn’t listening.”, “I am just talking to the bed?”, “I don’t know what to say so I’ll make this fast.” Through my experience and battle with prayer I have discovered a solution. Let me share with you my magic trick to prayer. I have shared this before but it works. The smallest prayer in the world, Heavenly Father, do you love me? He will answer, instant gratification. We just have to exercise faith! Ezra Taft Benson reminds us “if we don’t feel like praying, then we should pray until we do feel like praying.”
Can I just speak to Lord? Can I pray when I don’t need help? Do I have to be crying every time? Why are my prayers so different when things are harder vs. when everything is great? How long should my prayers be?
Is this outline necessary for effective and meaningful prayers? No.
Pray shouldn’t be this hard. If our sweet, innocent children understand that they should have a communication with God because he is their Father. How is it we lose sight of how easy and effortless it is to commune with God.
Heavenly Father signs K.I.T but unlike our friends in our high school year books whom we haven’t talked to in years and years. Heavenly Father says Pray ALWAYS! Luke reminded us, Men ought always to pray and not faint, in Psalms we read that we should pray Morning, Night, and Noon. In the Book of Mormon when Jesus taught and restored unto the people of Nephi the order of prayer, HE commanded that the multitude should not cease to pray in there hearts.
I have too struggled with prayer. It was so hard, I always felt behind. How could I actually pray for everything and everyone? I don’t have enough time. I’m not in the mood. I’m too tired. Whatever the excuse was. Then I learned I didn’t like to pray because it wasn’t profiting me, I wasn’t feeling ALL of its effects because I was doing it without purpose. The Prophet Mormon warned that if anyone “shall pray and not with real intent of heart…it profiteth him nothing, for God receiveth none such”. We should pray with sincerity and “ with all energy of heart”. Elder David A. Bednar of the twelve apostles reminds that “if we pray sincerely for that which is right and good and in accordance with God’s will, we can be blessed, protected, and directed.”
A familiar quote by President Spenser W. Kimball reads: “Prayer falls into at least two categories. There are the formal prayers where we kneel regularly. Here we talk to Lord more intimately. We pray for some of the same things as in our family prayers, but more for our immediate and pressing needs. We express our innermost thoughts. We confess our weaknesses. We plead for help to overcome and for forgiveness of our transgressions. We bare our souls… Then there are the personal prayers, which are less formal. We always have a prayer in our hearts that we may do our best on the football field, that we may remember the things we have learned when the test is on, that we may be impressive to our friends. We pray as we stand to speak, as we walk, and as we drive.”
When Pres. Kimball says less formal prayers, he doesn’t mean less respectful. We are instructed to always use language that shows love, respect, reverence, and closeness. Heavenly Father loves you and is your friend but he is not the same as you. Praise him, for he knows all. Respect him and address him as the Omnipotent being he is. This is the first step in making your prayer more meaningful.
Praying takes steps. Meaningful prayer takes work. In this fragile life we live where any second we can break. We need to have the instructions on how to care for our lives. We have the yearbook, now we need to pick up the phone and communicate with our Father so he can guide us, protect us, and bless us. Heavenly Father says K.I.T, Keep In Touch!
K
Keep Others in Your Prayers!
We should offer prayers “for our welfare, and also for the welfare of those who are around [us].”
Adam has 10 brothers and sisters. At night I would forget what and whom I wanted to pray about and I know I missed someone. And when I hear “I’ll put you in my prayers” I would just smile nicely but thought it was just something people say. It is for this purpose that Heavenly Father commanded we have a prayer in our heart always. That is how we do not forget things we want to pray about. If it comes up we pray for it, if it is still bothering us throughout the day we address it in our formal prayers. Let us pray for our loved ones, our loved ones loved ones, our neighbors who are dear friends and those who are strangers. Let us love them and want greater for them. Let us also pray for those who hurt and who hurt us.
I have been blessed with compassion for my brothers and sisters. Sometimes it is a difficult gift because I hurt for Heavenly Fathers children and if I made a list throughout the day of whom I needed to pray for at the end of the night I would be there for hours. This is why our year book advice is to pray always, in your heart send a up a prayer for your friends & family who lost their job, for that pretty girl on the street corner, pray for your local leaders, your national leaders, pray for your fellow ward members those who attend and those who have be offended or have allowed themselves to become blind and lost.
As we pray for others we will be blessed as well. Take time in your busy days to send up a prayer for all of those around you.
Prayer becomes more meaningful when we pray for others.
I
Identify your blessings. Give Thanks!
The former Prophet Ezra Taft Benson once said, “There is a great tendency for us in our prayers and in our pleadings with the Lord to ask for additional blessings. But sometimes I feel we need to devote more of our prayers to expressions of gratitude and thanksgiving for blessings already received.
During family prayer I had so many things I needed. I began to pray about jobs, family, help, and I kept asking for more things. My sweet husband quietly slipped in a “we thank thee for ”. I was taken aback. We are sons and daughters of our Heavenly Father, on whom we depend for everything we enjoy. Sadly, I felt like I had to think about something I am thankful for, I quickly plugged it in and jumped right back to the things I needed help in, and I heard again “we thank thee for”. I guess I didn’t get it the first time. After our prayer he apologized for interrupting and it was kind of a joking reminder for him because when he was a child his dad would butt in and slip in a few intro’s of “we thank thee for’s”! He was taught to always have a “I’m thankful for” along with every “please help me with”.
Elder Bednar told a story last conference where they found out a dear friend had died. That same day they were housing an apostle of the Lord who was coming to speak at BYU-I. That night the member of the twelve joined them for family prayer. Unaware of the tragedy he suggested that in the prayer Sister Bednar express only appreciations for blessings received and ask for nothing. In painful times like this the first thing we want to do is request blessings and we forget all about expressing thanks. Sister Bednar was faithful and did as she was directed. She thanked Heavenly Father for meaningful and memorable experiences with that friend. She gave thanks for the Holy Ghost and the gifts of the comforter that helps us face adversity. She expressed appreciation for the plan of salvation, the atoning sacrifice of Jesus Christ, and His Resurrection. And for the covenants of the restored gospel which makes it possible for families to be together forever. From that prayer they learned a great lesson in the power of thankfulness. Their thankfulness of the plan of salvation and the Savior’s mission of salvation provided the reassurance and strengthened their confidence that all would be well with their friends. They also received the things they should pray and appropriately ask for in faith.
A key to improve prayer is to learn to ask the right questions. Consider changing from asking for the things you want to honestly seeking what He wants for you. -Richard G. Scott. Through the help of the Holy Ghost we will know what we should pray for.
Challenge yourself during your prayer to double your “I’m thankful for’s” over your “please help me with’s” Heavenly Father already knows what you need, he desires for you to ask the correct things, in the correct ways, and be thankful for all you’ve already been given. Alma preaches to “Live in thanksgiving daily, for the many mercies and blessings which (the Lord) doth bestow upon us.”
Prayer becomes more meaningful when we express gratitude.
T
Touch on everything that is going on.
“Let all thy thoughts be directed unto the Lord.”
How would you feel if your friend looked up your number in the back of her yearbook and called you up at the same time everyday and said the same thing everyday hurrying to finish this chore so she could get back to whatever she was doing that was much more important to her. Any one of us would be offended and probably a little confused. We should avoid the same phrases in each prayer.
In a similar example your child calls for you, “Mommy! Mommy! Mommy! Mommy!”. Don’t they know your not ignoring them? You’re right there, you’re going to answer and help them with their needs. Do we often find ourselves as this child? O Father, O Father, O Father. If we find ourselves asking for the same thing every night we need to ask for faith to be still and have patience. Then the next day try hard to focus on something different. Do not learn to pray with your lips. Do not memorize but talk to your Heavenly Father and discuss every aspect of your life.
Heed to Alma’s instruction to “Cry unto God for all thy support; yea, let all thy doings be unto the Lord, and withersoever thou goest let it be in the Lord; yea, let all they thoughts be directed unto the Lord; yea let the affections of thy heart be placed upon the Lord forever. Counsel with the Lord in all thy doings, and he will direct thee for good; yea, when thou liest down at night lie down unto the Lord, that he may watch over you in your sleep; and when thou risest in the morning let they heart be full of thanks unto God; and if ye do these things, ye shall be lifted up at the last day.”
Morning and evening prayers are kneeling prayers. These prayers are not to be long for they are linked to and a continuation of each other.
In the Morning after expressing our “thank you for’s” perhaps we plead for understanding and direction. Then we ask for help to do the things we cannot do on our own. We then reflect on occasions where we may have not done just as we should. We recognize that we know better. We express remorse for weaknesses and determine to pattern our life after the Savior more completely. We plead for greater strength to do and become better.
Throughout the day we are working on becoming better, we are counting our blessings, and praying for others. We are really striving to correct our bad behavior and exercise more faith.
At night we report back, review events, express thanks, repent, and identify ways we can become better tomorrow. If we were praying throughout the day our summary at night should be fairly short. This is the time for listening and giving praise.
Elder Bednar adds that Morning and Evening prayers- and all those in between- are not un related, discrete events, rather, they are linked together each day and across days, weeks, months, and even years.
The words to this song reminds me how our daily prayers are linked together and we truly can obey the commandment to pray always, it reads: “I get up every morning with hope inside my heart running through my every day routine. I ask for love and guidance and strength to do my part anticipating what the day will bring. On my knees I stand much taller. On my knees where living water fills my needs. In my heart I see what he sees in me. Then I find myself again on my knees. My soul is filled with gratitude for tender mercies given. It reaches out to those I love and draws my heart toward heaven. On my knees I stand much taller. On my knees where living water fills my needs. In my heart I see what he sees in me. I always find myself again, on my knees.”
Prayer becomes more meaningful as we counsel with the Lord in all our doings.
We must make our prayers MEANINGFUL, full of substance and reason! Make it full of quality and significance.
In our year book Heavenly Father wrote K.I.T. You know his number, you know he is there, and he will listen to you. K.I.T. Keep in touch!
I testify that Prayer becomes meaningful when I pray for others with a real intent, and express heartfelt gratitude. Prayer becomes more meaningful when I remember that I am talking to The Almighty God, he wants to hear everything that is going on in my life, he wants to guide me, mold me, and direct me. He wants to bless me and I want to grow closer to him!
This is my new motto: Life is fragile, Handle with Prayer. I say these things with love in the name of Jesus Christ, Amen
Wednesday, February 18, 2009
The Divine Role of Women
HELP FOR HUMP DAY
Visiting Teaching Message
This quote from Julie Beck, Relief Society President helped me realize something, she says: “I have a testimony gained from pondering and studying the scriptures of a plan of happiness given to us by our Father in Heaven. That plan has a part for His daughters. We have the female half to take care of, and if we don’t do our part, no one else is going to do it for us. The half of our Father’s plan that creates life, that nurtures souls, that promotes growth, that influences everything else was given to us. We can’t delegate it. We can’t pass it off to anyone. It’s ours. We can refuse it, we can deny it, but it’s still our part, and we’re accountable for it. There will come a day when we will all remember what we knew before we were born. We will remember that we fought in a great conflict for this privilege. How do we meet this responsibility? We daily put our energies into the work that is uniquely ours to do.”
This quote struck me because it wasn't until this that I caught on, finally this thought ran across my mind. Women are actually the dominating gender. I know it is not true, but there should be NO reason for women to feel like they NEED to go and do the working part, the providing part, the man part. YES, Women CAN do both part!! They keep showing the world it is true. Why is it that so many women want to go out and do the working thing. I am a victim of this. I keep having the fight of working next year or not. I still feel like I should do it (for time of needs ) but at the same time everything in our future is so "confusing" it may not actually help anything. I do know if he is working we will be provided for when we do our parts BUT when I am subbing I LOVE being there. I know it won't be permeant but I would love the experience to have my own classroom. Sorry, this entry isn't about me, but by teaching full time I won't have time and energy to do "my part". 
NEVER will a man say "I need to work, and have the babies, and clean the house, and do all the bills, and the shopping". NEVER!! They know there role and that is PLENTY enough for them. ( Plus, it's impossible for them to have babies so really there is no way the can play both roles.) YES, women can- but we are only accountable for our half. Are we "LIFTING WHERE WE STAND" when it comes to our greatest calling here on earth? Why isn't it enough for some of us?
Thursday, January 22, 2009
They Don't Talk
The New Year has been a new challenge in Nursery. All my oldies went to Sunbeams except for C. He turned 3 this week and he is my big helper! However, the other 7 or 8 kiddies are so young. No one talks really, no one can copy what I say, sing or answer questions. I know they are learning but they have taken over and do there own things. They can't "gather" like the older kiddies and they don't respond as quickly to their names. I am sure I am going to LOVE seeing them grow and progress into these amazing smart 3 year olds who know things and say things and participate. BUT RIGHT NOW, I don't know what I can do or should do. I need more hands than I have and I want the lessons and class to be designed for them and what they need. Back to the very beginning without having C. get bored or feel like he is the only one talking.
I need some ideas on what activities and how I should approach my lessons and activities so they aren't so easily distracted and disinterested!? What things should I do for the "little guys"?? Share your ideas with me!
Wednesday, January 21, 2009
Stand Strong and Immovable in Faith
HELP FOR HUMP DAY
Visiting Teaching Message, Ensign Jan 09
This has been one of those mornings. The mornings where your heart breaks in a million pieces and although you think you are trying to help but you accidentally making things worse. Sometimes I wonder how the people I love and I have such different views concerning the church and the way we live. Especially since this is how we've been living for years. How is it that I rarely have second thoughts on how I choose to live but others have so many questions and animosity towards certain commandments and the consequences that follow. Well, its been one of those mornings.
I thought I was going to blog about any article I could find about tithing and the blessings you receive therein, or even callings and being worthy. Instead, I chose to talk about the visiting teaching message for this month. It is fresh in my mind because I went visiting yesterday and it really answers all my questions and makes my heart a little stronger. It's the best band-aid I could have, BUT then again... I accept it and I don't have any second thoughts. I guess thats the first step in being strong and immovable in faith.
Sis Lant (Primary General President) says: "Our personal conversion comes as we BEGIN TO LIVE THE WAY THE LORD WANTS US TO LIVE- [by] keeping all his commandments, not just those that are convenient." We don't get to pick and choose, we don't get to decide the commandments that apply to us. Heavenly Father DOES not understand why we cannot obey. In reality the things he asks of us are easy! Its easy to make correct choices. It may seem easy to make the bad choice, so many people say that. The truth is that the hurt caused by the domino effect of bad choices is indeed much much harder. ....sorry for the tangent.
How Can We Stand Strong and Immovable in Faith?
It is easy... they are "simple, indispensable practices that almost seem mundane". Maybe they don't seem mundane if they are so difficult to some.
We should be firm and stead fast, and immovable, willing with all diligence to keep the commandments of the Lord. (3 Nephi 6:14.) We "can and should EXCEL in living and sharing [our] testimonies of the Lord Jesus Christ."(Sis. Beck)
We can do these with the mundane things:
1. Make & Keep Covenants- you chose to make these promises with the Lord, you knew you could do it, and he is counting on you! He loves you and knows you can succeed.
2. Be worthy and worship in His temples.
3. STUDY his doctrine in the scriptures and words of the prophets.- If this very important in our life, and if our PURPOSE is to return home to our Heavenly Father and live the way he wants us to on this earth.. we should really know what he wants from us.. to learn everything we can, all our tools are sitting right in front of us.
4. To QUALIFY for, recognize, and follow the Holy Ghost- Thats right you have to be ready to receive the counsel, and once you get you should DO IT!! "Go and do all the things the Lord commands."
5. Share and DEFEND the gospel.
6. Participate in sincere personal and family prayer.
7. Have Family Home Evening
8. Live principles of self-relience and providence living- prepare and persevere.
Question:
Why Should We Be Strong and Immovable in Faith?
Monday, January 12, 2009
Nursery Board
This was the first project I did for the Nursery. It is designed to keep track of all the kids. This way I know who is with me and when they leave, etc. It was crazy when parents would come and then there kid is gone and the door is open for escapes, and other kiddo's are getting sad because their mom isn't there. Luckily I had a solution, I read this idea on sugardoodle while doing all my nursery research. They had an apple tree and apples. I choose to do sheep in a field with a shepherd.
Every Sunday morning when I get there I put the board outside of the classroom. Luckily we have two doors in our nursery class. I labeled one to be the ENTER door and the other to be the EXIT. When the child comes to Nursery they remove their sheep from the "Missing" side & place them in the field. A lot of the parents allow their children to remove their own sheep which helps them recognize their name, and they get to see their face underneath. When everyone is in I know who is on the board and who is missing for the day. We can then go over who is here and who is missing, and then return it to the table outside. (We never do because play hour is first and they are too occupied, but we could do it before our prayer.. which is a great idea since we have all little ones for the new year!)
When it is time for pick up the parent removes their child's sheep and slides it under the door. We make a big deal about the sheep & whose name it is. We then have time to gather all the childs "stuff" and we walk them to the EXIT door while the children are gathered on the other side, waiting for sheep and playing group games. It is super easy and has been really helpful. I don't feel worried about the kids leaving, and I have control on when the doors open and close.
Plus, it has our schedule posted and what the lesson was for that day. Everyone loves the sheep board.
Friday, December 12, 2008
Reverence Books
We had TONS of old manual pictures in random closets throughout the church. I asked the Primary President if I could have some so I could make the nursery kids a Christmas gift. I put together a book of pictures that they can look at and later write stories about during sacrament, and then use for talks in primary, and...okay so I am still making the "things you can do with a reverence book" list so they know more ways to use them! I think they will be great!
Monday, October 20, 2008
The Ten Commandments on My Hands
*** These hand gestures are actions. I am going to attempt to explain each gesture with it's action and explination. Along with accompanying the primary hymn "The Commandments", pg 112.***
Thursday, October 9, 2008
Oh, To Magnify Your Calling.
As everyone should know I have been called as Nursery Leader. I am loving it more and more every week. I love the new manual. We are also getting little $2 Book of Mormons for the 3 year old to have scripture time. We have thought of lots of fun ideas and everything is working out smoothly during class.
I have been called of God to be in the nursery. To make changes, to better the nursery. I have only been trying to magnify my calling by asking for things that will better our class.
I find myself complaining about minor issues because I am overwhelmed with the feeling of the church being a sanctuary, A house of ORDER and cleanliness. Over and over I rememeber the confrence talk a while back where he said he was in the men's bathroom wiping down the counters because this was God's house and it desreves respect. How grateful we should be that there is a meeting house for us to attend. We should work very hard to keep it clean and organized. I know the Nursery is our childrens VERY first experience in The Church of Jesus Chirst of Latter Day Saints. I have tried to design the organization of the schedule and the toys in a way to teach order, organization, and schedule. The way the church is layed out. To allow the spirit to feel welcomed and the peace to teach the gospel.
Finally, I love my calling.
*** This blog has been revised because I have been feeling unsteady the past couple days and I believe the previous blog was what was bothering me***
