The Easter Recipe

We received this recipe from Relief Society today. A sister was given it 10 years ago, and brought it out to share with us young new moms.  I'm excited to record it down so I can know where it is filed away, if I don't get to this year.  No original source on handout.

Easter Recipe

Ingredients:
1 C. Whole Pecans
1 C. Sugar
1  tsp. Vinegar
3 Egg whites
Tape
Wooden Spoon
pinch of salt
Zipper Baggie


Preheat oven to 300- this is important so don't wait until you're half done with the recipe.

Place pecans in zipper bag and let children beat them with the wooden spoon to break into small pieces.  After Jesus was arrested He was beaten by the Roman soldiers. Read John 19:1-3

Let each child smell the vinegar. Put 1 tsp vinegar into mixing bowl. When Jesus was thirsty on the cross he was given vinegar to drink. Read John 19:28-30.

Add egg whites to vinegar. Eggs represent life. Jesus gave His life to give us life. Read John 10:10-11.

Sprinkle a little salt into each child's hand. Let them taste it and brush the rest into the bowl. This represents the salty tears by Jesus' followers, and bitterness of our own sin. Read Luke 23:27

So far the ingredients are not very appetizing. Add 1 Cup Sugar. The sweetest part of this story is that Jesus died because HE loves us. He wants us to know this and how to belong to Him. Psalms 34:8 and John 3:16

Beat with mixer on high speed for 12- 15 minutes until stiff peaks are formed. The color white represents the purity in God's eyes of those whose sins have been cleansed by Jesus. Read Isaiah 1:18 and John 3:1-3

Fold in broken nuts. Drop by teaspoons onto wax paper covered cookie sheet. Each mound represents the rocky tomb where Jesus body was laid. Read Matthew 27: 57-60.

Put cookie sheet in oven, close the door, and turn the oven overnight. Jesus' followers were in despair when the tomb was sealed. Read John 16: 20 and 22.

On Easter morning, open the oven and give everyone a cookie. Notice the cracked surface and take a bite. The cookies are hollow! On Easter Jesus' followers were amazed to find the tomb open and empty! Read Matthew 28:1-9

Moving Forward

The Echo by C.C. Miller

THE ECHO 

by C.C. Miller

'Twas a sheep not a lamb

That strayed away in the parable Jesus told,

A grown-up sheep that strayed away

From the ninety and nine in the fold.

And why for the sheep should we seek

And earnestly hope and pray?

Because there is danger when sheep go wrong:

They lead the lambs astray.

Lambs will follow the sheep, you know,

Wherever the sheep may stray.

When sheep go wrong,

It won't take long till the lambs are as wrong as they.

And so with the sheep we earnestly plead

For the sake of the lambs today,

For when the sheep are lost

What a terrible cost

The lambs will have to pay.

May 2011 Ensign pg.39

I can't stop thinking about this poem recited in General Conference last session from Elder Richard J. Maynes in his talk entitled ESTABLISHING A CHRIST-CENTERED HOME. As I've worked hard to apply these principles taught in his talk, we've been blessed with greater direction. It is amazing to see the changes in our home. I was so surprised how quickly my children learned to pray! They know who they are praying to and with just a little practice their reverence during prayer has changed dramatically. I am also so excited that we are coming on our 7th consecutive week of holding Family Home Evening. I don't know why we didn't do this earlier. I look forward to this night every week now- and making it during a time where Adam can be home has really blessed our family and made this time so special!
What an important task Adam and I have to be parents of these amazing little boys! We have a lot of responsibilities and A LOT to learn! I am thankful for a loving Heavenly Father who continues to direct our paths, who reminds us the answers are written in His words, and as we study the scriptures all things can be made known to us. I am thankful and SO GRATEFUL for a living Prophet and apostles who continue to counsel us in the ways of the Lord!

I hope you enjoyed the poem and maybe it will stick in your mind like it has mine! :)
Xoxo- Gloria

Book of Mormon Challenge!

It is so embarrassing to say that I haven't finished the Book of Mormon since our last challenge from President Hinckley in 2006. As the first thing in my New Calling in our brand new ward is to propose a Book Of Mormon reading challenge to the Sisters! As we focus and read as a Relief Society (& others) we will be unified and it will strengthen our testimonies through all the new changes and challenges of the forming of a New Ward.

If you want to read along & take the Challenge I wrote up a reading list!! We started yesterday with the Intro and our end date is Mother's Day!! I thought it fit! :) It is a little longer than our last challenge of 2 months, so I hope more people participate! Have fun!!

Adam and I are doing ours together! This will be the very first time we finish the Book of Mormon as a married couple! and we WILL finish!! I'm making sure of that! :)

When the fruit is ripe, it will fall from the tree!!

Last Lesson.

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!!!

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)

"What we know is not always reflected in what we do".

The Love of God,Uchdorf (p21)

"Because love is the great commandment, it ought to be at the center of all and everything we do in our own family, in our Church callings, and in our livelihood."

"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)

"His choicest blessings are reserved for those who obey His laws."

"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)

"We may feel the words of spiritual communication more than hear them and see with spiritual rather than with mortal eyes."

"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)

"Anger doesn't solve anything. It builds nothing, but it can destroy everything"

"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)

"Pray for the love which allows you to see the good in your companion. Pray for the love that makes weaknesses and mistakes seem small. Pray for the love to make your companion's joy your own."

Safety for the Soul, Holland (p88)

"The Savior warned that in the last days even those of the covenant, the very elect, could be deceived by the enemy of truth"

"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**

Happy Today.

I always say we have happy moments and they only lasts a little bit and then our world crumbles. It's kind of horrible, because I know there is a plan of happiness and I should rejoice about that always. However, I realize to be happy I have to know sorrow.
I am happy to report we are having a happy moment! We are seeing the blessings of following the commandment poured upon us. I feel so blessed and loved. I know the commandment of tithing is real! We have also been trying really hard to save and it is changing our focus on money and financial security! It's not impressive but it feels good the baby steps we are taking. I just feel overwhelmed with love and I want to share my gratitude for all things good!!

So, yes! We are in a good moment. I'll complain later!!
(I'm sure of it!)

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?

Why on the 4th Finger?

HELP FOR HUMP DAY

I saw this a while back. I can't remember where but I thought it was neat and I want to remember it. So, I am being kind of lazy on my Hump Day Post.. At least this week I am posting something. Soon I will be back to myself, I just feel overwhelmed and lazy at the same time. You know how that is! Enjoy.



I'd saw forever and ever!!

Pray Always.

HELP FOR HUMP DAY

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!

K.I.T
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

I Will Seek Him

HELP FOR HUMP DAY

I am preparing a talk for Sunday inspired by Elder David Bednar's Conference Talk, Pray Always. Next week I hope to post my talk or great quotes and feelings I received from reading his message. I would love to hear what you all think about his talk. Please give me some feed back about what impressed you. I will then apply those to the feelings I receive from the Spirit on what our ward memebers need to hear, through prayer.

I WILL SEEK HIM by Jesse Clark Funk

Today, during my preparation I turned on one of my feel good CD's. There was a song that made me stop what I was doing and sit down so I could hear to what it was saying to me. I want to share this with everyone in hopes that it will be an added reminder, that spiritual boost that we all need from the hustle and bustle of the week... Sunday is just around the corner!!

40 Days

I really feel like I need a power-boost in my scripture reading. My confessions to the world... Reading the scriptures is a HUGE challenge for me. Maybe I am just lazy but I struggle with this basic principle of happiness. My sweet husband made a goal to read the Book of Mormon everyday. He started in December and made a great habit. On our little weekend vacation the clock struck 12:03 and he broke his streak. He was really disappointed. I see him do this everyday with great dedication and devotion, I just cannot get into it. NO worries, he continued with his new formed habit the very next day.

So, I have come up with a plan! I am going to try my hardest to finish the Book of Mormon in 40 days! If I don't I would have read everyday!! And WHEN I do, I hope to have a new formed love and connection with my Savior and reading the scriptures daily! My Sister-in-Law, Cherise is getting married next month, 40 days starting tomorrow!! Followed by Easter Sunday!! A great holiday to reflect on my experience of reading the Book of Mormon, the principles I learned, and the Redeemer of the world. I want to challenge all my friends and family to join with me to read the Book of Mormon before Easter. Especially my sister-in-laws: Cherise, Nicole, Terica, and Michelle. I will see you all in 40 days and hopefully this wonderful event will have all of us filled with the spirit when our little sister continues to connect our eternal family! Pass The Word!! This will be so much fun!!

If you do not have a copy of The Book of Mormon please bookmark this web-page. It is The Book of Mormon Online, you can even listen to it!!
Tell me if you are going to read with me.. I need a support group! I will check in soon to share my progress. Note: I am not starting from the beginning just going around from where I am!

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?

Lift Where You Stand

HELP FOR HUMP DAY
Lift Where You Stand, President Uchtdorf read it

President Uchdorf speaks to the priesthood and reminds them to power within magnifying your calling. He quotes Presiendt Benson when he says " The Lord expects each of us to have a calling in HIs Church so that others may be blessed by our talents and influence".

The story I wish to remind us from his talk is that of John Rowe Moyle, and his example of magnifying our calling. This way we can get motivated, not allow ourselves to take our callings lightly or spend our days "seeking the honors of men" and become to busy to serve the Lord with all our might, mind, and strength.

John Rowe Moyle was an accomplished stonecutter and left his home in England to Salt Lake City to help work on the temple. He lived outside of the city and woke up at 2 a.m. to walk 6 hours everyday and wouldn't leave work until 5p.m. One day he was kicked by a cow and it broke his leg. The only option he had was to amputate the leg. His family strapped him to a door and with a bucksaw cut his leg off. It began to heal and once he could sit up he craved himself a wooden leg & foot. It was very painful to walk on but he didn't give up. He eventual could make the 22 miles journey back to Salt Lake City to continue the work. "JOHN DID NOT DO THIS FOR THE PRAISE OF MAN. NEITHER DID HE SHRINK HIS DUTY, EVEN THOUGH HE HAD EVERY REASON TO DO SO. HE KNEW WHAT THE LORD EXPECTED HIM TO DO". Along with the thought of not receiving recognition Pres. Uchdorf reminds us of the 2,000 Warriors. We do not know the names of these young boys individually but together they "will always be remembered for honesty, courage, and the willingness to serve."

We should love our callings and what the Lord has asked us to do. He knows where is best for us Every calling is an opportunity to serve and grow. Many times we may feel inadequate in our simple callings or overwhelmed by the extensive amount of duties we are responsible of but we have to remember that we are qualified and worthy to serve where ever the Lord wants us. He has called us to a certain postitions and wants us to lift where we stand.

In conclusion, let us strive to be "faithful and true to the end, each one devoted to give our all to the cause of Zion and bound by covenant to stand close together and lift where we stand!"

Hope is There to Uphold Our Faith

Help For Hump Day
Part 1:
The Infinite Power of Hope- President Uchtdorf read it
I love how Prs. Uchtdoft starts his talk with the story in WWII and he states that they were in a war zone. I love that because I think it defines where we are now. In this world, in this war zone. We need hope to endure, hope in something greater. " In times of distress, we can hold tightly t othe hope that things will 'work together for our good' as we follow the counsel of God's prophets.

He compares hope, faith, and charity to the legs on a stool. They work together as the opposites of doubt, dispair, and failure. "Despair kills ambition, advances sickness, pollutes the soul, and deadens the heart".

There is a lot of talk on faith, and hope. " Hope comes of faith, for without faith, there is no hope. In like manner faith comes of hope, for faith is 'the substance of things hoped for'".

What is it that we need hope for? Hope in our Savior, that we can endure even when we are being polluted with many depressing situations. Hope "encourages and INSPIRES us to place our trust in the loving care of an eternal Heavenly Father, who has prepared a way for those who seek for eternal truth in a world of relativism, confusion, and of fear..... Hope is not knowledge, but rather the abiding trust that the Lord will fulfill His promises to us".

Favorite Quote: " With hope, we can 'have patience, and bear our afflictions'"- I need to believe this!

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:

WE ALREADY KNOW THE ANSWERS

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.


"... no one can do these things for us- these are personal practices and habits."

Question:
Why Should We Be Strong and Immovable in Faith?

He Adapts to the Level of Our Understanding

Intro memo: This year I made a goal to read from the Ensign and study the topics therein along with the Book of Mormon. I wish to record some of my thoughts as I read. I feel I will remember it more if I recall & record what I read. Reflect on how it may apply to me, and why it is important. Just like everything thing else I have started it may not be a constant habit. I seem to start things and never follow though. Here is my example. However, I am going to try again. My "Help for Hump Day" post. Wednesdays are smack dab in the middle of the week. This is my booster post to give the extra " hooray, life is great" feeling to finish off the week strong. It will probably be a couple of quotes, and small thoughts, may not always come from the Ensign or the scriptures, but it will always leave you (and me) thinking and uplifted ( i hope!). Nothing too long and very basic because I don't work on intellect and I am no scriptorian. However, I do have the feeling inside that confirms truthfulness and how grateful I am for the gift of the Holy Ghost.

Even a Child Can Understand- Elder Gerald Causse read it

In our church we believe that 8 is age of accountability and then a child may be baptized. Sometimes, I wonder if that is too young and if they can really understand what they are doing. Do the comprehend it ALL?? After reading this talk I remembered they don't need to. Heavenly Father "adapts to our level of understanding". Elder Causse says "God would indeed be unjust if the gospel were only accessible to intellectual elite". This is so true. As I teach my sweet nursery children I feel fufilled in my Sunday service because the spirit is just as strong and the principles are being applied to there level of understanding as well as mine. The gospel is true in every level, it is true and unchanging.
"Little Children have a marvelous disposition to learn. They have TOTAL TRUST IN THEIR TEACHER, a pure spirit, and great humility- ..all the qualities to open the door to the Holy Spirit". I believe people would learn more if they had trust in who was teaching. Many people I know and love have the desire to compare and debate the concepts being taught in the church and in anything someone else may know. If we allow ourselves to learn from our leaders and our greatest teacher, the Savior through the Holy Ghost we will be suprised on the knowledge we gain. Maybe I just love it becuase one day I will be the teacher, especially to my children.. and what do I have to teach them. I must allow myself to be taught as a little child the purest and truest concepts of the gospel. The facts that allow this young child of 8 to make this great choice by his Saviors example. They know what they are doing because they are taught by the Holy Spirit. Let us be as "a child, submissive, meek, humble, patient, full of love, willing to submit to ll things which the Lord seeth fit to inflict upon him, even as a child doth submit to his father"(Mosiah 3:19). I do know somethings, and the gospel is adapted to me, my Heavenly Father loves me and wants me to learn more and gain knowledge. I just have to allow myself to be taught.
Causse closes hoping "we will KNOWHOW to open our hearts like a little child and take pleasure in hearing and practicing the word of God in all the power of its simplicity".
My Challenege: Take the time to think about what you know about your Heavenly Father and the Gospel of Jesus Christ. You can fisrt imagine you know nothing at all, start from the beginning asking yourself questions and the Spirit will answer. Do I know Heavenly Father loves me? Do I know Jesus Christ is my Savior? Do I know Heavenly Father hears prayers? Do I know I am here for a purpose? Do I know what that purpose is? etc.

Word of 2009

Inspired by: Tip Junkie

This year I want to be BETTER than I was last year. I want to DO everything I know I should & more. I want to be POSITIVE & OPTIMISTIC, even when I am granted new challenges to endure. I want to say YES more and Complain less. I want to ENJOY and not worry so much. I want to be more GRATEFUL. I want to RECOGNIZE what I have & not take it for granite.

The word I choose this year is:

APPRECIATE

- to grasp the nature, worth, quality, or significance of
- to value or admire highly
- to judge with heightened perception or understanding : be fully aware of
- to recognize with gratitude
- to increase the value of

Resolutions

Luke 2: 52
And Jesus increased in WISDOM and STATURE, and in favour with GOD and MAN.

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