DETOURS AHEAD

This is a picture of my exit. They have been working on it for almost a year now. A few Sundays ago as I was making my way to the freeway, I hit a detour sign. I was in bit of a hurry so the sign brought a lot of irritation out. Normal detours are just moving over a lane or two, but this one actually took me on a small country road. No freeway entrance this time.

I was fully annoyed with the extra 3 1/2 mins it was going to take out of my time. My attitude didn't improve when the two cars in front of me seemed to be out for a little joy ride. But because of this unexpected detour, I found myself praising Heavenly Father for all the things that I had not noticed when passing by them on the freeway. I have lived here for 4 1/2 years almost and have never knew I had an opening to the Provo River 3 mins from my home! Or these big horn cows!

And of course I freaked with 2 red tale hawks. My irritation grew into gratitude. Gratitude for the forced detour.

So true to life. I may have my plans all figured out but often times that little detour sign comes up, placed by God's own hand, and my first thought may be to have irritation, but detours bring new things into our lives. Those pictures above are literally 50 to 100 feet away from the freeway. Just a frontage road. But I have never once noticed them because I was flying by on the freeway; my planned out path. Although it took longer to get to my destination, I was a kid in the candy store! I could not help pulling over (delaying my self even more) to take pictures. My smile was huge.

DETOURS CHANGE US
Never wanted to go on a mission, but the Lord put up that Detour sign


and my path has been paved with some of the most beautiful precious stones ever since.

Detour sign of joining the Deaf Ward (which I fought the prompting on because of fear) but that ward brought about the chain reaction, like the mission, of so many good people brought into my life. And the singles ward now that I belong too is a result of that detour into the Deaf Ward over four years ago. These are obviously big detours... but there are the small ones--the ones that come as promptings--that if followed take us on paths that usually end up having amazing amounts of beauty/depth added to our lives. Even while in the moment of the the new pothole detour, looking back there are flowers that bloom in every season.

For Mother's day I shared about a good couple that I met in the temple. Their daughter has cancer and quite a few large tumors on her brain.


I just ran into the dad yesterday. He told me how they flew to PA to have surgeon operate on their little girl's head because primary children's said there was no way they would preform the surgery for surely their daughter would not make it through. But the Lord was prompting them with the detour of a surgery.

In PA as they talked to the surgeon just days before the surgery was to take place this good couple became uneasy about the procedure. What to do on this detour that had taken them away from their other kids and family. Prayers were given and a week of every day fasting for direction for their daughter's life. They felt impressed to consult with a doctor in MD. Ward members (not knowing them from adam) heard of their stay in the PA hospital and came over to bring comfort and cheer. An opening was made to go to MD and have the surgery. One couple from the ward brought over plane tickets making a way to get to the hospital. - God provided a way!

The surgery was a success. The tumor is too big to fully remove but they hoped with what was removed, their daughter's head would stop hurting as much. After a month of being off work and away from his other kids, the dad flew back home just this past week. He was worried about his daughter and asked that his wife find someone to give her a blessing. (His wife has been sleeping in the hospital along side her daughter for over a month now.)

Back in 2003 my friend from the temple had a wonderful girlfriend that loved her very much. Her girlfriend was diagnosed with cancer in 2003 and in 2005 she passed away. But before the friend passed she would always tell everyone in the temple to watch over my friend and to care for her. This past Sunday, two elders showed up in the MD hospital to give my friend's daughter a blessing. When one of the elders walked into the room he called my friend by her name. She was surprised to see the elder. It was her girlfriend's son. The girlfriend who had passed away nearly 5 years ago. My friend had no idea her friend's son was on a mission, let alone a mission in MD. He said, "My mom has sent me to you". And as a joyous reunion happened her daughter was given a blessing.

This Elder had not seen or kept tract of this family for almost 5 years. But his deceased mother who cared so much for my girlfriend, sent her son to give my friend and her daughter a blessing in their time of need.

All of this from a surgery detour.

Dictionary.com
DETOUR = a roundabout or circuitous way or course, esp. one used temporarily when the main route is closed.

When our Main route is closed, for whatever reason--may we remember to praise God as He walks us through the roundabout course. For there will surely be people to meet and unexpected beauty (whether through the process or the aftermath) to behold while going through our Detoured path.

To what I thought was the right plan for me, detours have become a part of THE plan! How thankful and grateful I am for the Detours God has sent me. They have helped shaped me into who I am today. And I would not go back and change any of the roads He has had me travel. He knows what is best. And I WILL obey.

HOPE SMILING BRIGHTLY BEFORE US - DELIVERANCE IS NIGH

The past few weeks I have been studying in D&C on the signs of the times, and what is to come. I must admit, I have gone through all the emotions. While reading D&C 45 I became a little bit of a nervous wreck. As I read deeper into the things that are to come, my heart became sick and full of despair. I found myself thinking it would be nice to not be on the earth when all the calamities are here in their fullness. As I read I found my heart crying, "Alas, my master, how shall I stay!"

I did not speak to anyone about this for several days. As it happened, my scripture study took 4 or 5 days just to get through D&C 45. I can honestly say, my hope was slipping away and I had no idea how to have faith in the future in the prophecies which should come. How can anyone survive what is to come?! I pondered over those that I love. All my sisters in RS, and I wondered if the time were to come now, would I have the faith enough to support them through all the hard things. I seriously doubted I would be able to keep my "cool" and keep unwavering upbeat faith.

But as I finished reading D&C 45 I kept asking in my heart that there had to be hope somewhere? But mine seemed to be all gone.

For verily I say unto you, that great things await you;

Ye hear of wars in foreign lands; but, behold, I say unto you, they are nigh, even at your doors, and not many years hence ye shall hear of wars in your own lands.

Like the Miracle of Forgiveness by Spencer W. Kimball--Heavenly Father sent the hope at the end of the chapter. I don't ever remember being taught this, but the verses gave me HOPE!

And it shall be called the New Jerusalem, a bland of peace, a city of refuge, a place of safety for the saints of the Most High God;

And the glory of the Lord shall be there, and the terror of the Lord also shall be there, insomuch that the wicked will not come unto it, and it shall be called Zion.

And it shall come to pass among the wicked, that every man that will not take his sword against his neighbor must needs flee unto Zion for safety.

And there shall be gathered unto it out of every nation under heaven; and it shall be the only people that shall not be at war one with another.

And it shall be said among the wicked: Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand.

And it shall come to pass that the righteous shall be gathered out from among all nations, and shall come to Zion, singing with songs of everlasting joy.

I love that it is said that the wicked will say, "Let us not go up to battle against Zion, for the inhabitants of Zion are terrible; wherefore we cannot stand." !!! For some reason, I did not think that "Zion" would be established until after the world was totally burned. I have never done the study on this--and boy was I messed up in thinking, but I thought when the New Jerusalem would be here after the wicked had been burned. But here it says that the glory and the terror of the Lord would be in this city and the wicked would not dare come unto it. And yet with all the wicked killing each other, there would be songs of singing of everlasting joy sung by those in the city even with the killing all around about!!! I don't profess to understand these scriptures or the order of events fully, but surely I am not misinterpreting that there will be a place of refuge while there is wickedness still on the earth. And those dwelling there will have peace and joy!!

As I read those words in D&C, after nearly feeling like I was going to collapse with fear for the future--my fear was immediately replaced with hope. And not just some hope, but my hope was and has been BRIGHT! There is hope, bright hope for our future!!! I under stand the words in the hymn, "hope smiling brightly before us, for we know that deliverance is nigh". Hope IS smiling brightly before us!

I loved these words from the D&C student manual p. 98 -

In the scriptures four words seem closely related to
the concept of Zion: gathering, preparation, defense,
and refuge. The tribulations and judgments that will
be poured out upon the world prior to the Second
Coming will be so extensive and devastating that if
the Lord did not prepare a means of preservation,
His people too would perish. But He has prepared a
means for His people to escape those terrible times;
that means is Zion. Enoch was told that the Lord
would preserve His people in the tribulations of the
last days by gathering His elect to Zion where they
could gird up their loins (prepare themselves) and
look forward to His coming (see Moses 7:61–62). In
an earlier revelation in the Doctrine and Covenants,
the Savior called the elders of the Church to gather
the elect so their hearts could be prepared for the day
of tribulation (see D&C 29:7–8). In 1838 the Lord
explained that the gathering to Zion and her stakes
was to be for defense and refuge from the coming
storm that will be poured out on the earth (see
D&C 115:5–6). These commands and promises are
found also in section 45. The Saints are to gather to
Zion (see D&C 45:64–65), a place of safety, peace, and
refuge (see v. 65). Even though the rest of the world
is in a state of horrible warfare (see v. 68), in Zion
(D&C 115:5–6 implies that this includes her stakes)
there will be peace and joy (see D&C 45:69–71).
The Prophet Joseph Smith taught: “Without Zion,
and a place of deliverance, we must fall; because the
time is near when the sun will be darkened, and the
moon turn to blood, and the stars fall from heaven,
and the earth reel to and fro. Then, if this is the case,
and if we are not sanctified and gathered to the
places God has appointed, with all our former
professions and our great love for the Bible, we must
fall; we cannot stand; we cannot be saved; for God
will gather out his Saints from the Gentiles, and then
comes desolation and destruction, and none can
escape except the pure in heart who are gathered.”
(Teachings, p. 71)

I love - "...He has prepared a means for His people to escape those terrible times..." And this morning in my reading I read another great quote. Harold B. Lee said:

"The Lord has clearly placed the
responsibility for directing the work of gathering in
the hands of the leaders of the Church, to whom He
will reveal His will where and when such gatherings
would take place in the future. It would be well,
before the frightening events concerning the
fulfillment of all God’s promises and predictions
are upon us, that the Saints in every land prepare
themselves and look forward to the instruction that
shall come to them from the First Presidency of this
church as to where they shall be gathered. They
should not be disturbed in their feelings until such
instruction is given to them as it is revealed by the
Lord to the proper authority.” (Ye Are the Light of the
World, p. 167.)

HOPE HOPE HOPE AND HOPE!!!!!!!!!!! I no longer feel this panic and fear for our future. I don't even know if I will be living in the fullness of these prophesies. The difference for me now, is that I am now OKAY/and HOPE-FILLED for the time ahead. And yea if the Lord would let me live in such a time. Never the less, His will be done.

Heavenly Father is the master architect. His blue prints include every bolt and nut needed to complete our lives and destinies. He has enough lumber to build my soul/heart securely. His plan included the sacrifice of Son, Jesus Christ, so that His completed plans of me, could become and be a masterpiece. His blue prints are not hidden away, but are fully laid open before us all. The scriptures, our P-blessing, the temple, the living prophets and apostles.

There is hope smiling brightly before us. And I have just read about the ways that His deliverance IS nigh!

My heart is full of Hope!

Bryndi

BECAME CONQUERORS

I have a lot of gratitude in my heart this morning. Just finished the week from being in Park City for Dream Team. It was a lot of work but it was wonderful to see the Lord's hand weaving so many backgrounds of women together. There are some that say that their religion and work should stay separated. As for me, I believe my religion/beliefs make me who I am so I can not separate the two. God is in my every breath. His son, Jesus Christ is the light and life of my world-that includes being inside or outside work. How thankful I am for a Boss and coworkers who allow me to be me.

This morning I opened up to my spot in Jacob and when I turned the page, seeing that I was going to read Enos tomorrow, I let out a little happy cry. (Yes, I am alone in my bedroom and no one was around--:) but Enos hits home to my own conversion story!) Because I was so excited to read Enos for my read tomorrow, I didn't anticipate or remember how great the end of Jacob was/is.

Sherem comes to the people and with a cunning tongue he tries to convince the people that there is no Christ. Many people were deceived because of how he delivered his words. In the end he seeks for a sign (never good to do) and falls to the earth. He confesses to all the people he had been deceived by the devil. And after he confesses his faults he dies. What a sad way to end your moral life. Jacob and his people try to reclaim and restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth but he says in Jacob 7:24 in The Book of Mormon:

...but it all [trying to restore the Lamanites to the knowledge of the truth] was vain, for they delighted in wars and bloodshed, and they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren. And they sought by the power of their arms to destroy us continually.

I was intrigued by the "they had an eternal hatred against us, their brethren". An eternal hatred is a pretty hard core thing. Of course this theme of hating can been seen all through the scriptures when a people forget or do not know their God. But when Jacob added "their brethren", my heart was deeply saddened. How often am I hating my brother. Whoever they may be. I show that hatred when I speak ill of someone, or judge another wrongfully, I am hating when I allow unkind thoughts to enter my head. I defiantly don't want to be hating my brother or sister. We all are children of God.

The next verse in Jacob, is simple yet powerful.

...the people of Nephi did fortify against them with their arms, and with all their might, trusting in the God and rock of their salvation; wherefore, they became as yet, conquerors of their enemies.

Am I fortifying with all my might against Satan, against bad habits, against temptations and sins?! If I will, and am trusting in God (I love that Jacob said trust"ing" - that shows it is a continual processes it was not just a one time trust, but a continual time of trusting) I will be able to become a conqueror of my bad habits, my sins, my faults and weaknesses. I will be able to be a conqueror my natural man.

Jacob finished his record by saying:

...I conclude this record, declaring that I have written according to the best of my knowledge, by saying that the time passed away with us, and also our lives passed away like as it were unto us a dream...

The time passed away with them. So "time" passes away with me. What am I doing with my time?! I want to be known that in my time I was trusting in God and that I was a conqueror! Conqueror of my Dreams, my desires, by passions, my hopes and expectations.

It is such a great time to be alive! Jesus Christ lives! He is the Christ. And He will be coming again. This I know.

Hope you have a great day! I will be fortifying and trusting all day long. Until the next prompting to write--

Bryndi

HAPPY CONFERENCE EVE!!!!

Tonight as I was preparing my mind for conference tomorrow, I pulled out my conference note book. I always take notes at conference, but last year I was finally smart and made an official conference book! So now every conference my notes will be placed in the same place.

In April, we had Brytt and Jinger's family over to the condo. So much fun! Ireland was such a help in the kitchen for lunch. I could not get enough of little Brynnlee. At one point she was sitting on the carpet with her backed turned to the TV when the speaker said "the prophet" and Brynnlee excitedly looked up and said, "He said the prophet, the prophet!" Oh melt my heart! I Didn't even think she was paying attention.

Tonight as I opened my conference notes, I was moved by the things that had impressed me back in April. Pretty great stuff!! Here are a few of the things that I wrote down in my book.

*Our success is never measured by how strongly we are tempted but by how faithfully we respond. (1)

*...your situation is not beyond the reach of our Savior. (1)

*...the appetite to possess worldly things can only be overcome by turning to the Lord. (1)

*Prayer is the most common and powerful way to invite inspiration. (2)

*We need strong Christians who can persevere against hardship, who can sustain hope through tragedy, who can lift others by their example and their compassion, and who can consistently overcome temptations. We need strong Christians who can make important things happen by their faith and who can defend the truth of Jesus Christ against moral relativism and militant atheism. (3)

*Obedience gives us greater control over our lives... (3)

*In times of distress, let your covenants be paramount and let your obedience be exact. Then you can ask in faith, nothing wavering, according to your need, and God will answer. (3)

*He [Jesus Christ] could have known how to succor us simply by revelation, but He chose to learn by His own personal experience. (4)

*...the disciple who accepts a trial as an invitation to grow and therefore qualify for eternal life can find peace in the midst of the struggle. (4)

*Tragedy did not erode their faith; it tested it and strengthened it... (4)

*You don’t have to spend time as a Laman or a Lemuel in order to know that it’s much better to be a Nephi or a Jacob. (5)

*Choose to live by faith and not fear. (6)

*Faith requires an attitude of exact obedience, even in the small, simple things. (6)

*...our net usable faith is what we have left to exercise after we subtract our sources of doubt and disbelief. (6)

*Challenging times require greater spiritual power. (6)

*We should never complain, when we are living worthily... (7)

*Discipleship is a journey. (8)

*It is always the right time to walk in His way. It is never too late. (8)

*He is our hope; He is our salvation; He is the way. (8)

*The Lord shapes the back to bear the burden placed upon it. (9)

*...it is not by chance that we are who we are... (10)

*Laughter and a good sense of humor can soften the bumps along life’s journey. (11)

*You can’t be a life saver if you look like all the other swimmers on the beach. (12)

*Jesus walked such a long, lonely path utterly alone, we do not have to do so. (13)

*...may we stand by Jesus Christ “at all times and in all things, and in all places that [we] may be in, even until death,” (Mosiah 18:9) for surely that is how He stood by us... (13)

*Be of good cheer. The future is as bright as your faith. (9)

(1) Robert D. Hales
(2) Elder Allan F. Packer
(3) Elder D. Todd Christofferson
(4) President Henry B. Eyring
(5) Elder M. Russell Ballard
(6) Elder Kevin W. Pearson
(7) Elder Richard G. Scott
(8) President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
(9) President Thomas S. Monson
(10) Elder Neil L. Andersen
(11) Elder Steven E. Snow
(12) Elder Dallin H. Oaks -- Ardeth Greene Kapp
(13) Elder Jeffrey R. Holland

Those are all the real quotes! But wow, what a bucket of treasures. And those are just some of the highlights! Going through my April list made me all the more excited for tomorrow and Sunday! I know the same council is given over and over--but amen! It doesn't hurt to be reminded and obviously I haven't gotten it right yet, or else something new would be shared. My heart has the most amazing love affair with conference weekend!! I am so thankful for Jesus Christ, my elder brother. I know He won't give up on me as I strive to be more exact in obedience. How I love Him!

Happy Conference weekend everyone!