Loving faith

"Love is a fragile thing, and some elements in life can try to break it. Much damage can be done if we are not in tender hands, caring hands. To give ourselves totally to another person, as we do in marriage, is the most trusting step we take in any human relationship. It is a real act of faith—faith all of us must be willing to exercise. If we do it right, we end up sharing everything—all our hopes, all our fears, all our dreams, all our weaknesses, and all our joys—with another person.
No serious courtship or engagement or marriage is worth the name if we do not fully invest all that we have in it and in so doing trust ourselves totally to the one we love. You cannot succeed in love if you keep one foot out on the bank for safety's sake. The very nature of the endeavor requires that you hold on to each other as tightly as you can and jump in the pool together. "
~Jeffery R Holland

So I've spent a lot of time the last year or so thinking of the importance of commitment, of relationships,  and of being one with someone. What does it take, how do you know when to commit completely- even if it's just to date. What didn't I do right the first time, every time, and where do I go from here. 

Well that's a lot of questions. Fortunately though, I know how to get the answers! It takes time and patience, give and take, and a lot of faith. But when we feel like we're trying to have faith in the Lord and his timing. When we're trying to decide what to do and when and with whom it's right to jump in with... I think our Heavenly Father is right there with us. Waiting to see what we decide. Waiting to see when we'll figure out that He's waiting on us- so why do we keep waiting on Him. 

Well, going back to my first thought... we know in our hearts what is right. I feel like I spent so much time trying to figure out how and who and what to be that I almost forgot how simple it really is. I'm supposed to just be me. Because that's the person I'm best at being, and nobody else is gonna do it. And no one else can pull it off quite like I can :)

We have been born with the ability to reason things out. To find the faults in the reasonings of men and the adversarial influences that are all around us- even in the way we ourselves think. The father of lies is everywhere and in everything. So stop looking everywhere else for answers and focus on you, and the Lord. We all have the light of Christ in us to guide and direct us. The choices we choose need to be based off of those things the spirit confirms to us are good or best for whatever circumstance we may be in. Have faith in YOU and trust that you are all grown up, and you know what's right. Then choose to do it. 

The love that Elder Holland speaks of can only be had with faith. Faith precedes the miracle- and the miracle we're talking about is mainly a solid, committed, growing relationship. But faith has so many more applications than just that. So go ahead and practice a little everywhere else just to make sure you get it down. Trust in yourself. Have faith in and trust in your Eternal Father in Heaven. He has known you the longest and knows you the best. And as His child... He not only wants it for you more than anything- but you deserve the best. And He has provided a way to have ultimate pure joy. 

Don't be afraid to commit, be afraid not to. Because in not challenging yourself, in not committing, in keeping away from heartbreak and change, hurt and pain, you are totally trying to avoid the plan of salvation. You're trying to win the race when you haven't even trained for it. 

Leadership training reflections

An assignment I had for an online class was to review the World Wide Leadership Training Meeting for the LDS church. I found that it was actually very interesting and of course the main focus was on strengthening the family. Elder Packer read the Proclamation and gave some feedback on it then there was a round table discussion by leaders of the church auxiliaries on the subject of strengthening the families. It is of such significance and importance that this is often the theme each year and should be given great attention to. The video and text files of this are online. It is over 60 minutes long. WWLT_2008_02_30__RoundtableDiscussion_00383_eng_vc1.wmv

WWLT_2008_02_30__RoundtableDiscussion_00383_eng_.mp4

Something I really got from the round table was right from the beginning. I liked what Elder Oaks (I think) said was about how we are mainly to do three things in life reguarding marriage. 

Leave Parrents.   Cleave unto one another.   Become One.

To me this is such a simple task and I know if I focus on these simple principles it will be easier to fill in all the details along the way. As we look to eachother and gain a unity and committment to the Lord we will be strengthened individually as well as together with our spouse. 

We need to LOOK first to one annother in our marriage. Confide in and communicate with one another about your thoughts and feelsings on all things first. It was stated that we would be blessed to get through our trials as we honor our covenants and cleave unto each other. This is important to me because I know that the first thing I do is pull away and think that I need alone time. It IS a good thing but we must soon after look to our spouse and the Lord to communicate our frustrations and concerns as well as our excitements and joys in life. 

 I am not yet married but it is very important to me and it was really nice to have these insighgts into making a marriage last through eternity and having that ability to then turn to your children and give them a happy healthy home to grow up in. 

Children are really the reason we are here I've learned and I know that we have such a great responsibility to take care of and provide for them. As we secure a good foundation in our marriage we give our kids the added strength and momentum to push through the hard times in life and know they are always loved. I think it was the Primary president that said that the best way to get our needs met is to take care of someone else's. 

That just seems so simple to me. It is a great way to look at it. And if that person is trying to be their best self and show you love and concern they also will make sure they are serving you and taking care of your needs in return. It's a great thing :)

Wherever you are...

Where are you going. What are you doing. Who are you and who do you want to become. 

For me this last year especially I've had a lot of thoughts on these questions. There have been some really great learning experiences I've had and some struggles I've had to work through and learn from. The thing about life is that it is just that. We all endure it. We each enjoy it and we all struggle with it too. 

In life there are so many things pulling us in all kinds of directions. We struggle each week, at least, and strive to move forward on paths to our goals and dreams. For me, I've learned of ways that I actually hinder my own progress and through understanding that- I have become more productive and more goal oriented as well. Each of us have things that pull us away from becoming our best. Let me make a suggestion through the words of a friend:  "Anything that draws you away from the Lord and your best, is of the adversary." A. Gettys. 

The adversary is trying to "sift us as wheat." 3 Nephi 18:18. Every day there is light and truth trying to be taken from us and little ideas, addictions, distractions, or beliefs that are thrown our way that simply aren't true. What we do with those is important. We need to constantly seek out what is right and true. I bring these things up because I really feel like everything that draws us away from our best, from whom we want to be and can be, is ultimately from the adversary. Those things make us less productive, less happy, more lazy, and most importantly- can alter the way we see ourselves and the world around us. 

Don't sacrifice what you want now for what you want in the future.

Something we all get to be pretty good at is belittling ourselves. Doubting what we can do and not having faith in ourselves and also in how much Heaven can help us in our endeavors. Something I've learned to remember is that challenges and temptations aren't a new thing... and neither are weakness and ignorance. We all have them and experienced them. Even the Savior was tempted. He had a challenge and He chose to remain focused on His mission in life. Every one of Heavenly Fathers' children are different and struggle in various ways. We all have that in our lives constantly. And something that Elder Haynie has said many times is that "you don't know what you don't know." We have to learn in this life and in order to learn we need to be shown contrast. This is the most important thing:

Wherever you are on the road of discipleship... you're on the right road.  Neil L. Anderson

We are human and will struggle. It's that simple. But get back up, remember who you are and that you are a loved child of a Heavenly Father that is watching over you- and keep pushing on. Goals are great, but you're not a failure if you fail to reach them. Remember to watch out for those who sew tares amongst the wheat. Learn to pay attention and seek guidance in life from the best source of truth... Pray! And remember this thought on scripture study too: We read the scriptures every day not because they change... but because every day we change.

 "Have faith. Trust yourself and trust in God. And if you start to feel overwhelmed... just focus on baby steps. One week at a time, one day at a time,  one task to do and you will do it. Maybe not the first time and definitely not every time. But we don't practice only if we're the best at something: we practice because as we fail and push on... we change. And that change makes all the difference." Steven Hatch

"Teach them they have a loving Heavenly Father"

Our stake was blessed to have a visit last week by Elder Nelson of the quorum of the Twelve apostles. I wanted to talk on the things I felt most impressed by the spirit on. The Main focus of his words were to the adults- on the importance of the little children. How precious they are and how much they rely on us to teach and guide them every day!
Elder Nelson started off by having all the children in the stake congregation stand up so he could see them : )  He then realized that nothing really changed- so he accordingly directed them to stand on the benches and chairs which made us all laugh. The kids stood up wondering what would happen next. He told them how great they looked and what a joy it was to see them. Then he asked for a favor... If they could sing I am a Child of God for him. A few kids in the front even were invited up on the stand next to the apostle.
He had Sister Porter-Orlando strum the notes and started the kids off.
It took about two seconds for the spirit to rush into that room and send goosebumps all over my body! It was amazing!! Such a simple task for the kids of course, but the spirit that came over the congregation and what I felt had such a power: it was immediate love and gratitude for the kids. I knew that angels were there in the room singing along- even if they weren't audible- and those kids sounded perfect as they all sang together. Such soft sweet voices bore their testimonies of the most simple but important principle of the gospel that children NEED to know.       I AM A CHILD OF GOD.
I knew what the spirit was telling me instantly. I felt pure intelligence flowing into my mind and the whole message that Elder Nelson was about to share was already understood. I felt of how special, important, and dependent those kids are as they go through their youth here on this earth. It is OUR responsibility as adults and much more importantly as parents, to save these children from the world, from their natural selves, and from the power of the destroyer! Families are such a huge part of God's plan for His children. That IS the ultimate reason we are here on this earth!
The main theme I felt Elder Nelson was conveying was that we need to teach our children that they are loved by a literal Father in Heaven. He knows them so well and watches over them constantly. Elder Nelson made many comments but most of which I'll summarize as follows;

• We are created in God's image.
• He wants us to be teachable! i.e.- humble, having a contrite spirit. 
• Whosoever believeth in Him shall have everlasting life.
• God has always taught His children through Prophets on the earth.
• Read the scriptures to/with your children. They should be able to remember the voices of their parents reading to them.
• He really is our Father in Heaven.
• Teach them to seek the words of the Prophets.
• Teach children of the restoration of the priesthood upon the earth once again. Both Aronic and Melchizedek, along with the keys of the restoration. Moses- gathering. Ilija- sealing power.
• Help them to know the Temple is where you go for consummate blessings and of the importance of the covenants made therein. 
• Teach and show them how to be worthy missionaries and emissaries of the Lord. 
• Word of Wisdom. (healthy living)
• Vigorously support good political candidates.
• Feast upon the words of Christ. 

We have been charged to be like our Father in Heaven in the most significant and aggrandizing way we can, which is through Parenthood.  He loves us so much that He wants us to have all that He has. To have knowledge and wisdom and experience in choosing what is right and wrong- and in teaching that to the ones we love the most. Don't treat it lightly! Prepare, repent, humble yourselves and turn to the Lord so He can teach you how to be happy and how to be free from all the negative and distracting influences out there. I know families are the most important thing to our Heavenly Father. He wants us to succeed and be immensely Happy. He wants all HIs children to return and live with Him again someday and if we will turn to Him in all we do, He can lead us back and help us attain true joy and happiness.

Desires

Desires dictate our priorities. Priorities shape our choices, and choices determine our actions. The desires we act on determine our changing and achieving, and our becomming.
Dallin H. Oaks

Be Here NOW

I feel like we get caught up in the wants of life- in the comforts and making sure we're taken care of or that our needs are met adequately. It's natural in many ways but now-a-days it seems that it's in excess because of our culture. I think it's so important to reflect regularly on what really matters and the things that make us truly happy. The simple thank you, a hug, a back scratch, a smile of gratitude. Sometimes we over think it, over do it, and the worldly influences get in the way of what really matters- what is at the core of true happiness.






I feel that happiness stems from real, true, honest caring for someone... not by someone because you can't really control that. If you are trying to then maybe that's something to look into. But really selflessly caring for the person you've chosen to trust, to love, to give your all to- forever! Real true charity doesn't care what it gets in return... it doesn't give to get- it simply gives. THAT is the goal- the concern and absolutely the point of true Christ-like love. You give and you don't do it because you expect anything in return. You do it because you want to show charity, love, and appreciation for that individual.





It's important to look for the times you feel yourself falling and the excitement of holding the hand of someone who is or looks like they may be that amazing friend you wait your whole life for. For those of us still trying to fall... make sure you pay attention to the love! Not just the value or the gifts or the car or the ring you could or should have... or what exactly they do for you. Just be here! Right here- right now! Pay attention to what's right in front of you and seek those awesome feelings of real love. Don't you think God could take care of you. If He puts two people together and gives you a great relationship isn't that the main thing that matters or do you need a Beemer to feel comfy? Cause I guarantee love doesn't care about all the things it can get in return... just a few. It grows with trust, real concern, listening and feeling like you have value and that what you think and say matters.






Wether you're married single or anywhere inbetween... be the person you are and want to be. Make the goals, do the work and get there. And with relationships- you do what you need to to make sure you'll have what you need, but remember the essentials. Remember what really counts and matters cause I don't care how much stuff I have when I die! If I'm not able to know that I was really truley in love with my best friend and that every day she knew that!-- then my life will have been in vain. I will have failed!!!

Precious Cargo

You know about a month ago I really should have written this... but right now will suffice. I had an eye opening experience which was quite simple but caught my attention... and made me think.
We go through this life and there are so many thigs we have to do. So much time is invested in running around being productive- making money so we can pay bills and have fun and meet up with friends, see our family, drive our car and get it all done on time. We give ourselves deadlines,we set goals, some deadlines are set for us... so many things to do so little time. Even when I'm not rushed I tend to rush myself out of habbit. On a side note I feel like I've been making myself so busy lately that I haven't had the time to do the most important things for my spiritual strength and otherwise personal growth- that's annother storie. But I heard a well known phrase by a good friend of mine a while back and it really hit me.
At the time I was having fun with the boys and kinda goofing off. Nothing that was too crazy but as I would expect from this girl she said "I am precious cargo". We all joked a little and us guys kinda played it off but she was SO rite.
I've spent a lot of time with my family the last month or two and the kids especially... and I think of what it'll be like someday to have my own little family. The things I'll do and say the rules I'll have and so many moments of teaching... and re-teaching too if they're anything like me : ) How often should we keep this in mind tho- while we're driving around town, as we choose friends to bring into or even just around our families and make choices that quite litterally could change our lives. We need to remember that wether it's ourselves or our loved ones in the car or standing by or however it may work out-They are the ones along with ourselves that can be effected by our choices. We are all precious cargo! We all deserve to be looked out for and protected, and need to be aware of how our choices will effect those around us. So lets buckle up, make sure we're choosing good friends- keeping ourselves in good company, drive safely and remember we are all precious in Gods eyes...