EVER BEEN SEEKING FUTHER LIGHT AND KNOWLEDGE FROM GOD?

What do you seek?

This past Friday, I was given the day off. It is not very often that I take a day off, for lots of reasons, but when I do, boy they are sacred days! I felt impressed that I need to "go to Salt Lake". But that was the extent of the impression. So after getting a few things off my plate, I set off to Salt Lake with no idea why or to where. All I knew was that I was to go.
    As I entered the city I felt impressed to hit the building east of the Conference Center. I could see it in my minds eye, but could not recall what building it was. I guessed it may be the genealogy building ?? Turns out it is the Church Library.
   I took a tour and for two hours (the allotment of the parking space I had) I had a crazy enjoyable time! The spirit was rich and as I took a tour of the Library I was overwhelmed with the reminder that I did not want to/nor did/do I have time to idle away any time. There is SO much to be learned/taken in, appreciated, loved in that building. Outside of service, I found myself wanting to serve my mind and heart by soaking in whatever goodness others have recorded. Seriously, it is moments like that when I wish I was a speed reader and didn't have some of the limitations I do. BUT God is the one that blessed me with such weaknesses, and I am to be grateful (and I am) that I even know how to read and write.
   While in the building my awesome Sr. Missionary Tour Guide pointed out the picture up above. She said that the man that painted it was from Chile and was not a member of the church, at the time. The picture depicts he and his family in a field with their eyes/faces towards heaven--seeking further light and knowledge. The spirit of the painting, was consuming. A year later or so after he painted the picture, the man found what he and his family had been looking for. He became a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints! Did you notice the date of the painting? '90! So recent! So many seeking for truths about where we came from, why are we here on this earth, where will we go after this life...? All those questions have answers, for which one can know for themselves! Click here for answers to such questions.What do you seek?
   The missionary then showed a small little clip of one of the journals in the Library. The story, deeply touched me and I could not hold back the tears. Thanks to a friend for finding this, Pres Packer shared this story in the 1980 April Ensign.

 … Joseph Millett, with his large family, was suffering through very, very difficult times. He wrote in his journal:

“One of my children came in and said that Brother Newton Hall’s folks was out of bread, had none that day.
“I divided our flour in a sack to send up to Brother Hall. Just then Brother Hall came.
“Says I, ‘Brother Hall, are you out of flour?’
“‘Brother Millett, we have none.’
“‘Well, Brother Hall, there is some in that sack. I have divided and was going to send it to you. Your children told mine that you was out.’
“Brother Hall began to cry. He said he had tried others, but could not get any. He went to the cedars and prayed to the Lord, and the Lord told him to go to Joseph Millett.
“‘Well Brother Hall, you needn’t bring this back. If the Lord sent you for it you don’t owe me for it.’”

That night Joseph Millett recorded a remarkable sentence in his journal:

“You can’t tell me how good it made me feel to know that the Lord knew there was such a person as Joseph Millett” (Diary of Joseph Millett, holograph, Archives of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints, Salt Lake City).

The Lord knew Joseph Millett. And He knows all those men and women like him, and they are many. Theirs are the lives that are most worth recording.

   The movie, I felt like, caught the emotion perfectly. What a man brother Hall was! To go out seeking door to door for food for his family. And finding no success, he went and had the faith enough/humility to pray and asked God what he should do, and then had the humility to go knock on one more door! Surely, he knew that others were in "tight" situations with food just as he and his family was, but isn't it in loosing our lives to God, is when we find our lives! Then--also--in the sharing of what we have, it is magnified. Not meaning we will never run out of food, but didn't the widow, who gave what she had to the prophet first--have her very meal and oil increased!?! The spirit of adding a little more water to the soup, is the very spirit of giving all that we have...
   And this Joseph Millett... I believe if I had had the prompting to, I would have shared my flour. I would like to think I would have divided out my sack, but would I have just been tempted to say, "that is sad" and carry on without another thought of how to help? I hope it is not the latter, but how often do I say a prayer without a thought of being the hands?
   Jospeh's very character/nature was that he gave without prompting or being asked to give. And GOD KNEW he would share and sent Brother Hall to him. This has to be among the choicest of all complements and testimony, that the Lord knows us and will use our very strengths/natures to bless the lives of others.
   I was moved by this story and filled with a determination to seek for greater charity. I want a heart like Jospeh Millett. And I want the courage and the humility Brother Hall showed.
   My journey did not end in that building, as all those pieces were just blessings God wanted me to be showered with. And showered I was!
   About 20 mins before my parking spot expired, I decided to run over and see the Relief Society building. I have never gone inside before.
   A sister met me and suggested I go down and view the Relief Society, Young Woman's and Primary exhibits in the basement first. I was the only visitor in the whole building! The Sr. Sister Missionary that was with the exhibit let me walk around by myself. I found myself starring at the wall of all the Relief Society Presidents since the Restoration. I could not contain my emotions--and the flood gates let loose. Because I was the only visitor, I became very aware of how loud my sobs seemed to be and I tried to shush my tears. Oh how I love being apart of a society that seeks to: Increase faith and personal righteousness, strengthen families and homes, and seeks out and helps those in need. Don't tell me that God is not behind an organization that is so choice and beautiful. One that allows woman to fully use the attributes that shape and define womanhood--to the fullest capacity. I LOVE Relief Society and the woman associated in it!
   My mins winding down on my parking space, I walked quickly through the rest of the exhibit as some precious reminders/insights stirred my soul.
  I was getting ready to leave the basement when I met a volunteer sister missionary who is currently serving as her Stake's Young Womens President. Without "reason" she started sharing with me all the ways she was plagued/attacked with debilitating anxiety as a young mother of six and what she did to combat/fight/overcome her anxiety. As she spoke to me and told me her story, I had to make sure my jaw was not hitting the floor as I had been seeking and praying to know how to help a friend who is battling such a storm. (I found the "full" reason why God has prompted me to go to Salt Lake!)
   All the words/stories/experiences this woman was sharing with me of what fear and anxiety had done to her, were the exact tear-filled words of a choice friend. God sent me to Salt Lake, to gain further light and knowledge, from a volunteer missionary that just happens to only be in Salt Lake once every two weeks on Friday afternoons- in the basement of the Relief Society building!
   God knew that my friend could not make it to Salt Lake with her current life situation, but in answer to much prayer, He allowed me to go--for her!
   Chalk it up for Him again! GOD--IS AWESOME!
   And in case you are wondering what this Missionary did to overcome her consuming anxieties... she studied/did Personal Progress as an adult (over six times)! What a testimony/tribute to that inspired program.
   What does this look like to you?

  Iron Man excitedly showed me what he had made for me... a temple! He apologized that the angel was not white as he only had a Darth Vader Lego guy, but he was more than happy for him to be used as the angel Moroni! I will tell you what, this Proud aunt has this awesome temple sitting right in front of her computer screen!
  I totally can see the temple! Can't you?! (*Yes, Darth has a face, but his beady red eyes and white monster mouth staring up at me just couldn't compete with THE angel Moroni, so yes the head is turned around! ;))
   Oh the creation of a seven year old! Whom I love.

I am grateful for inspired days off!

I am grateful for those who seek for something better.. 

Happiness is my Mission Prep class and students.

GOD WON'T YOU CHANGE HIM?

I recently came back from a wonderful trip from Florida. Mom and Dad spoiled Thayne and I with some park hoping adventures. It was wonderful! Saw a few miracles, LOVED the beauty, and wished that others sweating standing in line believed in the the power of deodorant! :D

Thank you mom and dad for a much needed vacation!

RACE CAR DRIVER
Thaynermack and I took a red eye out to Florida, hoping to get one extra day there in which we could go to the temple.

Nearing almost 1am, an announcement came on that the plane was over booked and they were looking for volunteers to leave in the morning instead. Which the airlines would provide a 400 dollar voucher, food, and a hotel room along with the morning flight out. Thayne and I didn't "need" to be in Florida, so we hopped up and walked over to the counter. I got excited about having a ticket "paid" for so I could go out and visit Kiss and Nyk sometime.

Just as we were about to be the ones putting our names on the list, I had the slightest of all impressions, that we should not do it. I told Thayne that I didn't think we should go and he asked if I didn't feel good about it. I told him the "small" (and when I say small, it was almost unnoticeable) impression, he being the amazing kid he is, said no problem, let's go sit down. So we left the grand opportunity and I wrote it off that God probably was saving me from anxiety of making sure everything went smooth the next day.

We boarded the plane and prepared our blankets and neck pillows for the long into the morning hour flight.

The guy sitting next to the window came and sat down and he seemed to be a nice guy. As the flight departures were being rapped up he and I had some small talk. He was in Utah on business. Turns out he is a stunt race car driver. Only about 200 in the USA with his profession. His line of work involves commercials and movies. He just signed on with the new Charlie's Angels TV serious. He (ha, he does have a name- Mark) Mark showed me one of the scripts for the Charlie's Angels-- talked about how car A is going 200 miles per hour, hits car B which rolls several times, and car A is to spin out of control ... etc. I looked at Mark and asked him if he really was going to do that. Without a wince, and matter of fact-- he said "Ya". He said he knew what to do to make the car roll and flip in any direction. He said high speed chases for film were a piece of cake! NO problem and he felt completely confident that whatever the direction the director wanted to have happened, he COULD make happen. (Yes, if you are picturing a girl in the middle seat with her jaw slightly dropped, next to the calm collective race car driver--you have pictured the airplane scene correctly!)

His gig in UT was near Tooele at a race car track there. For 8 hours a day his contract was such that people would pay 150 dollars per ride... that is, sit and go in a race car for 3 mins! He said he was doing that all week. Where do people get money like that to spend on 3 mins of time?!

Well needless to say I was sitting by "Mr Hotstuff". But the whole time while speaking, the guy, who is clearly "well off" was very chill, calm, and had a great peace about it. I felt impressed to ask about his family. He married around his 40's and has three little girls. And at the talk of them, this already kind and soft hearted man, became even more soft. His love for his little girls was evident.

The next three hours we talked about the gospel. Apparently 20 years ago Mark had gone to visit a ward and all he could remember was that the women and the men separated. We talked about prophets and General conference coming up the next weekend. After sharing a principle on the temple Mark said, "So if I understand, your church has a great emphasis in your dead. I don't think my church does that." At times I wondered if he may be "sleeping" through the conversation, but sure enough the spirit urged me to share on and after each principle he would recap what he was understanding... "So you believe in living apostles and my church just teaches about dead ones"... We were the only ones on the whole plane with our over head lights on. Thanyer was snoring next to me, and he was joined with a sounds of other heavy sleepers. After several hours we decided we had better get a little shut eye. We turned off our lights. I stared into the dark plane and the tears just started to roll in gratitude for such an opportunity. Sharing the gospel to someone with someone who was pure in heart was worth any pass up on any voucher! I kicked myself for not having a copy of the Book of Mormon on me. The first time in 6 1/2 years of flying for business trips and such--and no Book of Mormon! In all honestly, I didn't even think to bring one. I shared that with Patti to which her response of shock was that was always my first thing to pack. But I didn't. A few tears dropped in morning my lack of preparation.

Landing in Georgia woke up all snores. As I pulled out my tickets for our connecting flights, I noticed my conference ensign. just one more week of the challenge left! For a split second, I didn't want to give it away, for surely the edition had become like my personal scriptures. Completely marked up with impressions and insights... but God had prepared a way even with the lack of preparation on my end. I showed Mark the Ensign and his eyes lit up as I shared showed him the prophet. I told him to keep it which I half expected him to turn me down, but he thanked me and took it.

I would love to write that something amazing has happened with Mark, but no more contact after that day has been responded--but this I do know--God's elect are being called in and prepared. Mark's heart was so good, and I felt how choice of a human being he is. It was an honor to share a red eye flight with him. And I praise God for providing a means! Oh I love flights!!

GOD WON'T YOU CHANGE HIM?
We were blessed to go to church on Sunday while in Florida. The Relief Society and Priesthood lessons were given on charity. The RS lesson was wonderful. The teacher was nervous, but had prepared with the spirit. Towards the last few mins of class an elderly sister in the back, visiting from Idaho (surely any wards around Disney World get a variety of members from all over coming) raised her hand. With quite some difficulty she painfully shared a very personal experience. She and her husband were called to serve a mission. She questioned the stake president because of her husbands loss of memory, but he assured her that they were needed. Off on their mission they went. She said the days and weeks went on, and her husband became worse. He could not remember appointments or dates. She said after him asking her for the 12th time what time church started, she just wanted to yell at him that she had already told him 11 times within the last 10 mins. This sweet sister, took her worries over to the Lord and expressed that she knew that God could heal her husband. That she didn't want to be the one with the only working memory. She fasted, prayed and pleaded with God to change and fix her husband for surely she should have to go one with him like how he was. The answer came--but competely different then she expected... the answer came that God would not heal her husband. Heavenly Father told this sister, "I am trying to teach you charity."

The sister was weeping and her voice was quivering sharing such a personal weakness. She said often times she just wanted to get angry with her husband and frustrated at how many times she has to repeat herself. She said she was deeply humbled that day, that God was using her husband to help her learn charity. That it was not her husband that needed fixing or to be changed--but it was her own weakness and lack of charity towards him.

This sister was crying and the rest of us were sniffing. Her comments stirred my soul. Patience is a christlike attribute. For surely the Lord is long suffering in our weaknesses and our selfishness. Impatience is a perfect manifestation of the lack of charity one's being is not claiming/using/manifesting. How her comments hit me in such a personal way.

Read this quote from President Hinkley tonight:

To those of you who live in troubled homes, may I suggest that you let love become the lodestar of your family life. There is too much of shouting, too much of recrimination, so many tears in the homes of some of our people. Love is the only remedy. It is the very basis of marriage. It can be nurtured and strengthened, or it can be starved and weakened. The power lies within ourselves. Bridle your tempers, husbands. Wives, hold your tongues. Revive the wondrous feeling that brought you to the marriage altar. --Gordon B. Hinckley

I thanked the sister afterwards for sharing her story. Still shaking she said she fought the prompting to share it all class, but finally could not fight off the spirit any longer. I apologized that she probably was suppose to share that story at least for me and thanked her for her courage in raising her hand.

Deep lesson on Charity. Deep reminder on how often my charity is not suffering long, patient, and/or kind. God is kind with all my weaknesses. And is patient. Can I not learn to be the same with others? My weaknesses may not be someone elses. And my faults-their strengths. My powers, their limitations. But God, who perfectly sees and views all, I think would have me be more kind, more patient, more quick to love then to criticize. Actually, unless directed by the spirit, I don't think there should be any room for criticism in my life. Criticism is surely not building. I pray to seek for more charity and the strength to exercise it's power to influence my thoughts, my heart, my tongue and my actions...

These are the words we sang in sacrament today. I sang hard and probably a little too loud, as my cheeks became wet...

As now we take the sacrament, our thoughts are turned to thee,
Thou Son of God, who lived for us, then died on Calvary.
We contemplate thy lasting grace, thy boundless charity;
To us the gift of life was giv’n for all eternity.

As now our minds review the past, we know we must repent;
The way to thee is righteousness— the way thy life was spent.
Forgiveness is a gift from thee we seek with pure intent.
With hands now pledged to do thy work, we take the sacrament.

As now we praise thy name with song, the blessings of this day
Will linger in our thankful hearts, and silently we pray
For courage to accept thy will, to listen and obey.
We love thee, Lord; our hearts are full. We’ll walk thy chosen way.

And so my life is this Sunday evening. A week seeking forgiveness, a week contemplating boundless charity.. Hands now pledge to do HIS work and courage to accept HIS will--TO listen and obey.... I love the Lord, my heart is full. I will walk His chosen way. Oh how I love God! The more I learn of Him and His doings, the more I stand all amazed.

PS. If you are just wanting a great 10 min reminder read this week CLICK HERE.

SPIRIT MAKES ONE BEAUTIFUL

About a month or so ago I went to a fireside of a woman I dearly cherish. I was so excited for this fireside! Ha, that is an understatement.

When the speaker came in and she was trying to set up her presentation I noticed how much older she had become. I thought her makeup did not help the years--she seemed to appear more skeleton like with a covering. I then wondered all she has been through with her un-weary service to make her physically "tired".

The meeting finally began after lots of technical difficulties. Many things she started to share, I had heard before but I loved that the girls that came and met me were hearing the info for the first time. She took a hand mike and with over 800 girls spilling into two chapels and rooms, she walked through the audience asking questions and fielding comments.

A little over half way through her talk, I was startled a little at the realization.... I looked at her and surely I was not looking at the same woman?! Her makeup was beautiful, her face filled with "light"--literally. She was beautiful! I scolded, as i had early when I had the unkind thought of how tired she looked, myself for not noticing her physical beauty before the meeting started. And when I say that she was beautiful, she WAS! Her whole presence was filled with radiance. What had changed? Had I just "fallen" in love per-say more with who she was/is during the talk?

I thought it was a strange thing that had just happened. I have experienced change in people's voices with blessings given before, but not with physical features.

The meeting ended and eventually my sister-in-law and I walked out to the parking lot apparently we have the best ankles and arms in the valley because it seemed every mosquito in area had a "feast" on us! ;)

As she and I were chatting about the meeting and the things said, I told her how I had had the thought at the beginning of the meeting about how "rundown" the speaker was, but that through the talk, I found that she "had become" the most beautiful person a person could be! My sister-in-law shared that she had had the exact same experience and thoughts! What was it?!

We concluded that: the spirit makes one beautiful! Regardless of physical looks, when one has the spirit, one becomes all the more beautiful! *Does this mean she "didn't" have the spirit when she came in? No, I am not saying that. If anything, I didn't with my judging thought! But when she was testifying of truth--the spirit's job--the spirit filled her being all the more!

Perhaps this is just another reason to have the spirit in dating life!! ;) The spirit can make you or the one you are dating more beautiful! ;)

Valuable lessons learned.

ARE THEY IN?!!!! --RATTLESNAKES--

Nyk called me up yesterday to share with me a dream she had had just yesterday morning. So profound is the dream that I asked her if I could share it. Deep is the meaning and there can be so many applications. Thanks for calling me up Chick! Love you!

--
THE RATTLESNAKE DREAM - Nykelle Pollastro - 9.21.10

I had a most amazing dream early this morning that I know was inspired by God. I have never had an experience like this, and have never had a dream where when I woke up, I knew the interpretations immediately, and felt that it needed to be written down and remembered.

Carson gets up for work at about 4:30 am, and I get up with him to make his lunch/breakfast. I was still extremely tired from the events this weekend, so I decided to go back to sleep for a little bit at about 4:50 am. When I went back to sleep, I had an amazing dream dealing with rattlesnakes…

I was living in my Uncle Paul’s [Mapleton, UT] house before the new additions had been completed, and it was as if it was my personal home. I had put Mia down in her crib for a nap, and had left somewhere to run an errand. When I came back through the back door up on the deck that enters into the kitchen, I noticed the double-wide screen door was wide open. I was nervous, and thought, “How did this happen?” I was also frustrated knowing I was going to have a lot of bugs/animals to deal with in the house. Immediately when I came in and saw two strange animals that looked like a cross between a very small Kangaroo and a deer. I shooed them out. I then tried to close the screen, and noticed that a huge rattlesnake was trying violently to get into my house. I could hear him shaking his rattle and saw his fangs. I tried as hard as I could to keep him out, but the snake was too strong and came into my home. Mia ran up next to me and as I was yelling at her to run away, the snake turned to bite her. I was able to grab the snake right behind its head and stop his fangs from sinking into Mia’s face. He in turn tried to bite me, but I was able to pull back. I remember thinking that it was over and there was no way we could live through this. I was able to grab the snake and toss him outside and shut the screen, but I didn’t lock it. As I continued in the house, I found 4 other rattlesnakes of various sizes inside our home, one which was entering through the small crack in the front screen door from not being locked.

As I was looking for the snakes, I realized that Mia somehow had gotten out of her crib. I found a 2 year old child who told me that they had gotten her out. I was sad to see that a 2 year old had been taking care of my daughter while I was gone. I noticed Mia had some marks on her face from me not being there, either from falling, or scratches from the snakes.

It took several hours to try and get all the snakes out. I called [my husband] at work and desperately begged him to come home immediately to help me get the rattlesnakes out. He was a little irritated that I asked him to come home early, and a little reluctant to do so. As I tried to push the snake at the front door out, he would keep creeping in until I locked the front door.

Finally, I was able to get all 5 snakes out of my house and drown them with water from the hose. After we were pretty sure they were dead, they were collected in bags. My dad came over later that day to witness the snakes, and I specifically showed him the huge snake that I dealt with first. He was amazed at the size of the rattle and the head on that snake.

I woke up promptly at 6 am from this dream, fascinated by what I had just experienced. Immediately when I woke up, I knew the meaning of the dream. I knew that the rattlesnakes were the temptations of Satan and the adversary getting into our home. I knew that because I hadn’t locked the doors before I left, that the snakes were able to get in. I knew that “locking” the doors was a symbol of prayers/scripture study/FHE for our families. And as I thought about how much time we spent trying to get rid of the rattlesnakes, my mind immediately thought of Moroni in the Book of Mormon and the time that he spent trying to solve the disputations/problems among his own people, and because there was so much time spent doing that and not preparing, the Lamanites had full advantage over them when they came.

I felt the extreme importance of having daily scripture study and prayer, and also fhe with our families. That is our “safety lock” on our doors for our homes and our children. Without that, we are leaving the doors unlocked in a sense for the adversary to get in and tempt and destroy our children and our families. We then shouldn’t be surprised if when we have taken a break from spiritual “locking” the door with prayer/fhe/scriptures, that our family/children are beset with temptations/problems/contention. We then have to spend our time trying to “get rid” of the adversary snakes in our home, which is time lost in preparing for future trials and temptations, which is why the snakes kept coming back in to my home… I didn’t have time to “lock the door” because I was trying to get all the other ones out. This teaches me the importance of daily study/prayer/fhe, and that we can never take a spiritual “break,” because once we do, we have just allowed the influence of Satan into our lives, and just like Moroni, we will spend our energy trying to clean up and get rid of the problems, instead of preparing for future battles. I also know that the 2 year old helping Mia represents other influences taking over when mom and dad aren’t there to teach and be the correct influence, or when they are not taking the time to teach their children… the teachings come from some other source that will never be as good. Mia’s scratches/bruises on her face represent the results of the influence of the 2 year old, which shows the destruction that can come from outside influences.

I was shocked that this insight came so clearly and that I understood it so well, and knew the interpretation. I have faith that this was inspired of God, and that now is the time for me to fortify my family against Satan DAILY.

As and after Nyk shared this with me, so deep was the impression on my mind. I shared her dream with a friend which commented how this is a pretty powerful parable. True, true!

The truths that came with all of Nykki's insights - when times get worse, all the ugly stuff/temptations "Rattlesnakes" will always be lurking outside in the world. They will always be around and even hiding in the bushes of our homes. But if we do not allow them to come in, we can and will enjoy peace and safety inside our homes. Not naive from the dangers that loom outside, but ever confident that our homes are safe harbors and places where fear and terror for the enemy is not present because we (our homes) are fortified with faith in God.

Nykki--thank you for sharing your dream with me! Thank you for being sensitive enough to know that it came from God!

MANTI TEMPLE

On Saturday for the first time in my life I went and did a session at the Manti temple. I don't know if I have had quite an experience like that in the temple. It was WONDERFUL! Not only was everything beauitful and in order--but I could not help but ponder over the fact that this temple was where the Doug and Judy Cloward Family began. My mom and dad were sealed for time and all eternity, making sacred covenants and vows to one another and to God in that holy house. I wish I would have found out what sealing room they were in--next time.

The temple was beautiful inside. The pictures and the things unique to that temple--absolutely breath taking. It was like experiencing the beauty of the SLC temple for the first time. Something about these older temples and the personal sacrifices that went in to building them. The experience was sacred and I could not help but weep. Weep for joy and gratitude for my parents who decided to have the courage and the desire to follow God. Who are still striving to always retain/remember their temple covenants. I am told that marriage even with the right person is a work. But how grateful I am that they are working at it. The experience was very sacred for/to me.

The woman that I went through with, her last ordinances were preformed in 2004! My heart broke over the fact that she had had them started 6 years ago, and now in 2010 she was finally having her work done for an endowment. Oh how much work there is to do. And yet the temptation to be idle, or just self deluded/focus is amazingly great.

How thankful I am for temples of God! How much HE loves us. How much he trusts us!?! (Sometimes it is a little frightening just how much he believes in us.) :)

Jesus is the Christ.

Weekend To DOs:
Discover if I have allowed any Rattlesnakes to come in - GET THEM OUT!
Lock my doors
and the Relief Society BROADCAST!!!!!!!!!!! And then next week is General Conference. Seriously, this and the first weekend in April = MY FAVORITE TIME OF YEAR!!

WHAT IF JESUS SAT IN THE FRONT ROW

There is much to write about, but I will try to keep it brief -- ! :)

We had a RS retreat up at my folks place and in the morning we went out and had a devotional upon the rocks. It was amazing, and I will share why the title of this blog is what it is in a moment.

The presidency gave us little journals and asked us to go take some time to ponder and pray -- and to ask God what our worth is/what he thinks of us.

I walked off some distance, wanting to be more alone so I could pray out loud. I know there is no rule on praying out loud, but for whatever reason it sure helps me focus. I did what was asked and the words that I felt were "Daughter of God". I thought that was interesting. I already know I am a daughter of God---I wrote down the following in my journal that morning,

"I can become like Him and who He is--is in me. I am made up of Him. I am His daughter."

Forgive me for being a little more personal with this post. This is not what I had planned to do with my evening.

The wind was blowing, the awesome big black ants were crawling (yes on me) and I could hear the birds chirping. I climbed off my rock and headed back to the cabin. I still was pondering over "daughter of God". What did God want me to know about that?

As I walked through the sage brush, I noticed two white flowers. Beautiful in contrast to the dusty brush and dry clay ground. There were several hundred little blue flowers and splashes of little yellow flowers, but these two nickle size white flowers were the only ones of their kind. I have roamed that mountain hill for years now, and they were new. I felt that God was telling me that "being" a daughter of God was like those two flowers. I picked one (I know, gasp all you who love the environment--I love it too, but I had to pick one! :) Too symbolic not to.)

I drove home from an inspired activity, still with the thought of "daughter of God" heavy on my heart and head. As Kristi and I drove past a group of weeds I commented to her how the pioneers brought the "flower" as a decorative plant/and for bottling (I know this from a walk with dad... and yes he made me eat a weed to see how it tasted to the pioneers-thanks dad! ha ha) and now what they brought for beauty is one of the most overgrown/over takes anything in its path weed. I mentioned to Kristi that I need to be careful of the habits I am sowing right now that I think are good and worthy--but really for future generations to come are noxious weeds. Kristi in the middle of our conversation blurted out, "Bryndi, I just love that everything you look at ties to some principle." She said it in sincerity, but she could have never known that I had been struggling with some insecurities about that very trait. ANd here Kristi was thanking my brain for thinking that way. -- Needless to say her complement was a tender mercy from God.

Well later, maybe it was that day/week it is funny how I can't recall how it happened, but I heard the words from Julie B. Becks conference talk,

"There has grown in me an overwhelming testimony of the value of daughters of God. So much depends on them."

God was talking to me!

It is one thing to have the title of "daughter of God" because we all are that--we are literally His spirit children entrusted to mortal parents. But the status of "being" a daughter of God-- so so much more. On the rocks, God was wanting me to know and whispering what I could be.
A just studied about the difference between a son of man and a son of God. What is the difference? Moroni 7:47-48 There are so many good things in the whole chapter, but those last few verses are intense. I want to be (current condition)a daughter of God.

Sister Murray shared this incredible experience with visiting teaching at the Relief Society retreat.


She said that she was to visit teach a particular sister that would not let she or her companion come into the house because the sister didn't want them to know that she had smoking issues. Sister Murray and her companion would visit this sweet sister on the porch or take her out for french fries. I am not sure what the sister's name is, but for the sake of this post, I will call her Ann.

Ann, was a musician--singer and writer of her own music. Sister Murray and her companion decided one night that they would go to this place where Ann would be preforming a few of her numbers. (It was an event where lots of different composers could share their compositions.)

Sister Murray sat on the front row. And through the night Ann would come out and sit with them. A few different times, Sister Murray could smell the alcohol on her Ann's breath. When Ann came out, she sang her composition. It was on Hell and Vampires.

The next time Sister Murray and her companion went over to visit Ann, Ann told them that she had written the two of them a song. She said that she had been so touched by them coming to see her preform. She then sang for them her song, "What if Jesus sat in the front row". Sister Murray and her companion where completely over come that Ann would compare them with Christ. But Ann said that she was so touched that they would come--and there she was singing about hell and vampires. She said from that day forward she would never write another dark song. And she completely changed her life style--to a more pure and holy one.

What if Jesus sat in the front row... I can't wait to hear the song! I cried when I heard the story and shared it later that morning with Dad. His eyes were wet too.

Will I "sit" for Jesus? Will I go where he would have me go. Will I be a daughter of God--pleading and cleaving to charity? Let Charity govern my thoughts and actions in private (my mind, my heart) and in public? Something to strive for, for sure.

Well, to finish this post, I need to share just bullets of the last few days.

*Sam got back! Even though he was exhausted he could have not been any greater!! We went shooting (with the camera :)) at a little water front near his sister's house. We shot for over an hour! Okay, honestly, who can not love UTAH!!! Look at God's handy work!





Thanks for the shoot Sam!

 Now for all of those who know nature=camera freak for me, don't be thinking "poor Sam, had to get drug into one of Bryndi's picture sprees..!" As you can tell... Sam was quite enjoying himself too! :)

*I received a call from Davey during work yesterday--it went something like this,
Bryndi: Hi Davey, you okay? I usually don't answer my phone at work but thought to.
Davey: I was hoping you would. Question, would you mind giving a talk at my baptism?
Bryndi: (Silent scream) Yes, sure, what on?
Davey: Baptism
Bryndi: Davey what are you doing?
Davey: I am at work, it is slow and I am kind of bored. I am just putting together my program.

I ended the conversation and had a good cry on my knees in gratitude. Davey is a son of God. He has changed his whole life around, and you can't but help feel his love for God. I had to thank God for letting me be around such choice people. Davey's desire to do the right thing, caused me to look at my own life and analyze the areas that I have awesome flaws in. I want to be better because of how Davey is.

*Text from David in which he shared with me some scriptures that God had led him to read. I am still not sure what brought him to read those scriptures, but seeing God support David in his deep time of need, was overwhelming, it was beautiful. God is good!

*Set up a temple trip this morning with some friends. I missed the session and my friends, but found myself being assisted by my mom before going into the celestial room. That was tender. (Just as sacred as the time I got to preform part of the inititory ordiance with Nyk.) Then seeing an old bishop at the front desk as I was leaving and to top it off, Kayla Rainy (back when I taught yw's in the deaf ward) was waiting to get names to go do baptisms with all my old girls in Manti. I have not seen Kayla in almost a year. And to see her, IN THE TEMPLE, could there not be a sweeter gift than this?!

*Then an inspired scripture sent via email
"2 Ne 3:19, "And it shall be as if the fruit of thy loins had cried unto them from the dust; for I know their faith." Bryndi, God knows us perfectly, and I love this scripture because it is a testimony that he has sent us at this time because he knows our faith, even before we were sent to the earth. I learned from this scripture that this is a way heavenly Father knows the future, because he knows us perfectly so he knows our faith to do works."

God knows who I am and what I need.

I want to BE His daughter. I want to be sitting in someone's front row when the need arises.

Moroni 7:48 -- I want to "...be like him".

To quote Sam, "Wonderful Day!"

THE DIVINE NATURE AND DESTINY OF WOMEN

So, I just "happened" (you all know I don't believe in just happened stuff) :) find this talk today and listened to it. I cried. It was an answer to a lot of prayers I have never prayed--but only kept in my heart. Click A The Divine Nature and Destiny of Women to read. Amazing for all women--but also I gave all my brothers and my Dad a copy tonight asking them to please read and then to pass the talk on to their amazing wives.

I used to make screen savers for the computer at church. This one was the last one I made. Inspired off of the hymn, "Jesus, Savior Pilot Me". The definition of a pilot -- SOOOO profound! Makes the song all the more cool! (Click on the picture to get the bigger view.)


The other week I was in the temple, and I apologize I don't know if I have already blogged about this, but while I was in the temple there were a several events that led up to the thought process--but as I conversed in my mind/heart with God I decided that when I don't do something with my whole heart I am really not giving myself all to God. And it is either I am for Him 100% or I am trying to serve two masters. And I know that that can't work! So the thought was, "Bryndi, are you going to give me everything--including things that involve your heart, or aren't you?".

From that day on I promised God that I am His. I am done fighting. I am done being a stink when I get a prompting that is more difficult to follow. I try to always follow, but sometimes my heart is pretty rotten. And if we don't give a gift with all our heart, it profits me nothing. So I promised God I was done being a brat. No matter what, at all costs, my heart involved or not, I am His and I will Do, I will Go, I will Follow.

Well today, after a conversation with Kiss, it dawned on me how much I admired once hearing Elder Scott talk about he had never heard his wife complain. (And he is an apostle! So that had to meant lots of nights alone, with the kids, being the mom and dad.) It dawned on me that when I am going through situations/impressions I don't understand sometimes I am a complainer in my lack of understanding. Really, when I complain/questioning why, I am really just showing an awesome lack of faith.

--But NO MORE--!

I promised Heavenly Father a long time ago that if He would bless me with a righteous priesthood holder for a husband, that no matter what was required of my husband and our lives, I would not complain. Well--husband or not I am committing that I am done showing my doubt through complaining.:) I know, easier said than done, but I truly feel it. We are always setting an example of how we react with the different situations/circumstances in our lives....I am done setting a less then worthy example. :) This means, I am to be faith-filled!

Sam sent a very inspired text to me last night out of response of me reminding him to go to bed. He sent me, as his answer Mosiah 1:17. I read it was convinced he sent me the wrong scripture. But he later called and explained what the scripture had meant for him--when really it was an answer--revelation from God to me!

Therefore, as they were unfaithful they did not prosper nor progress in their journey, but were driven back, and incurred the displeasure of God upon them; and therefore they were smitten with famine and sore afflictions, to stir them up in remembrance of their duty. (Mosiah 1:17)

Sam had very amazing insights about the remembrance of our duty. For me God was/is saying, "Bryndi, the journey I have you on right now can not prosper or progress without faith". And I felt without MY faith.

Sooo--my conclusion for the day--I am not a complainer, but I AM a faith-filled daughter of God. One who is trusting where the Lord is guiding me. And using enough faith that if He wants/needs to preform miracles along my path he can--because I am choosing to be faith filled and believing!

(Note: I am sure I am going to crash and burn with this commitment at times. And I will forget "my duty". But please, if you catch me complaining over not understanding why God is having me walk a certain way, simply say, "Elder Scott's Wife" and that will be a gentle reminder of what example I too want to set.) Thank you in advance. And yes we can still be friends after you rebuke me kindly. :) ha ha

UNDERSTANDING THE BLOSSOMS

What an amazing week from God! Honestly, there is just not room or time enough to describe the workings of His tender mercies!

This past week when the snow storm hit, I admit, I went through the emotions of bitter and sweet. Sweet because I love fresh snow. Bitter because I love (almost more than fresh snow), blossoms on the trees. The blossoms, in just one week have, awwed the streets of Springville and Provo. The blossoms only stay a few short weeks, but this storm surely cut the life span of all the blossoms.

As I got into work and shook off the snow from my coat, I over heard some girls talking. Vanessa was concerned about the 3 blossom trees we have in the parking lot. She said when she got in to work, some of the tree's branches were sagging to the ground. So in an effort to save the trees, she went out and shook the limbs she could reach on each tree. Her hope was to get enough snow off so the tree branches wouldn't touch the ground. She talked about finding a broom so she could reach the higher branches. I thought that was a little on the extreme side. After all it was still heavily snowing outside. (Oh how wrong was I!)

I didn't think any more of what I heard and went to start my work.

By the end of the day, the snow had already started to melt from the 24 hour dump that had just occurred. The sun was shining and the birds were singing. I pulled out of the parking lot and headed for my church building, when not even driving 30 secs, I started to realize the magnitude of the snow storm. I found several trees that had been badly broken. Whole massive branches had been broken in half. I started seeing so many that my heart became sick.

I pulled my car over (mind you there were no shoulders on the road I was driving and I made quite a few cars not so happy with me) but I just had to take pictures of the damage done by one snow storm.

Blossom trees, pretty developed, had significant gashes from where their branches had become too heavy from the snow.

My heart was sick. On this one particular tree, this huge branch, full branch, had broken off. As I drove down the road, I started seeing more and more trees like this. It was a common occurrence. By the end of the night without hesitation I can say I counted well over 50 blossom trees that had some type of crack/brake in their branches.

I started thinking of all those people I love. Friends, family and particularly the Sisters in my ward. I pondered how we can all relate to these trees.

In the dead of winter, the snow comes, then ice storms... trees all lay dormant. I don't think I have ever seen a tree in the winter that has cracked or had a branch broken off. How true that is to life. When we are in our winter, refusing to open up our testimony or show our light or "open to God" the storms come and go and we are just a cold/lifeless tree. But it is when have the courage to open up unto god... when we find life in the gospel and living the commandments. That is our time to blossom!

I will finish that thought, but let me jump to the rest of the story.

Because I had seen all these broken trees, I was really anxious to see the trees at my work. The ones Vanessa had lovingly--shook.

The next morning came and on my drive to work from the temple, I was again sickened like the day before to see all the cracks and brakes--this time I was looking at 900 E Trees and not East Bay Blvd Trees. As I pulled up to work, I turned to look at the three trees we have in our parking lot.

Whole! One tree had a tiny brake (this is in comparison to everything else I had seen) and the other two were completely whole! WHOLE!! And yet on the very same street, 30 secs away in a car bigger and smaller trees had big cracks/brakes in them. But the trees in my parking lot were just fine!

Okay, okay, so you totally know where I am going with this! But nonetheless I am still going there!

VISITING AND HOME TEACHING!!!

You have someone that you have been called to watch over. Maybe someone strong in their testimony of the Savior. Maybe someone not so strong. Maybe someone who is still dormant in their faith. Maybe they just don't know that they know. Regardless of what state they are in, we are all like the blossom trees. Do we know when there is a storm in their life? Are we apart of their life enough to know when their branches are hanging low. Are we in contact and intune with the spirit when it comes to caring/watching/tending to their needs?

While I was stopped at a stop light I marveled with how full a couple of the blossom trees were.
I thought that these trees were just fine. No need to worry. They looked like they had survived just fine. Well that is what I thought until I searched the tree for any signs of breakage. Sadly, though the tree did a good job of hiding among all the blossoms, I found it, a brake in the upper top of the branches. Can you see the brake below? (You can click on the picture for a better view)

Go do the center of the picture then slightly over just a little to the left. Do you see it? I hadn't noticed it at first. But how true is this for all of us! Everyone is always dealing with something. They put on a beautiful full mask, but everyone has struggles of their own or are worried over others. Everyone is, or knows someone. So when I visit teach, am I sensitive to the un spoken/or unseen wounds/struggles/temptations/addictions/pains? Do I even care enough to know if they have those area's in their life?!

At a stop light, I saw a white blossom tree limb just laying on the side walk, broken--alone--lifeless.
Do I notice/or am in touch enough to know when someone is struggling--feeling broken--alone--lifeless?

Everyone has burdens! Friday as I left work I pulled down a street and saw this massive blossom tree broken in three different places.
The brakes were pretty huge! Any of us can fall. None of us are numb to the temptations of life, although that would be an awesome goal!! But even the strongest member needs to be nourished and feed by the good word of god. By teachers who really care about what is going on in their lives.

Okay, so you can see the passion I had with this 48 hour adventure. So impressed was I by Vanessa at work. And her little act of shaking off the tree limbs.

1. She was aware enough of the three trees in the parking lot to have concern for them when a storm hit.

2. She was aware enough of the trees/seeing them daily (and I know for us, we usually don't do daily, but being in enough contact that we know) to tell a difference in the perkiness/droopiness of ones branches.

3. She had concern enough to shake the limbs. This took extra effort. Defiantly not convenient to go out during a snow storm, trace through the snow, stand under a tree and shake the snow off limbs, which would in return dumb their [the tree's snow] snow on you. But she did it! (Some times promptings come to make a surprise visit or a call... or to go visit/check in even after your monthly visit has already been completed. But are we sensitive to their needs and the daily/weekly/monthly/yearly storms they face?)

I don't know how fun it is to be shaken--perhaps the tree thought, "Vanessa, what are you doing to me?! Leave me alone. I don't want you to shake my limbs." Thank goodness she did!

What happens when we meet others that for whatever reasons, have pretty big wounds from whatever...? Well we surely just don't leave their broken limb hanging!
I was shocked to find on Friday that many of these trees had not been taken care of. And as you can tell from this picture, because the limb was not cut off (taken care of), any added pressure, you can see how much further down this limb might brake/tare!

Going back to the new blossoms, when we are sensitive to those around us and get to know them, we will be able to notice when they are taking hold of gospel truths for the first time, or are reestablishing their commitment level. We will know because they will start to bloom and open unto the lord. And it is in/with these tender moments when we need to be extra mindful/watchful over their conditions and what we can do for them.

Friday morning, before work, I drove to the temple and awwed over the fact that I could not find one broken blossom tree at the temple. --! We include the temple consistently/frequently in our life and help it be a goal in the lives of those we teach--we will find that we can withstand the storms of life. The temple shields us with power. When we are reminded of our covenants that we make there, we become filled with greater desire to keep blooming to him! The temple must be a focus.

I will never look at a Blossom Tree the same.

STAKE MEETINGS-TEACH?!

After getting home on Friday somewhat late, I was excited to have a moment to myself to clean. But so strong was the impression that I needed to make a movie of what God had just taught me through the Blossom trees. I start

ed on the movie, somewhat reluctant because I really wanted to clean my place. Carson stopped by unexpectedly and what a treat it was to have him over. We haven't hung out just the two of us since before he and Nyk got married. It was so good for me to be around/talk with him.

Before he and Nyk headed back to WY, I asked if they wouldn't mind having family prayer with me. (Ha, the family was me and them!) But I felt impressed that we needed to have prayer and that Carson should be the one to say it. It was beautiful/sincere and I felt the spirit strongly. I must admit I was a little hesitant to ask them to pray with me, but that thought only lasted for a sec! Prayer, I feel, is one of the most powerful tools one can have in their life. IF we can stay true to sincere communion with God then we will be open/worthy for the spirit to dwell with us, we will be able to be better at remembering Him and I believe we will have a desire to be and do good. Okay, little plug in for PRAYER IS AMAZING! DO IT!

After Chick and Carson left I felt I needed to head back to putting together the movie. Around 9:30 I noticed I missed a call from the Stake RS President, Sister Hutchison. I called her back and she asked if I would give the closing prayer in our stake meetings the next morning. After agreeing, I am not sure how we got talking, but I mentioned I went to the RS training up in SLC and how excited I was with the things Julie B. Beck had talked about. Sister Hutchison excitedly asked if I would speak at the end of the meetings and asked if I could type up my notes from the Salt Lake meeting. I agreed, hung up the phone and went back to putting together the movie. 1:30 AM came and I went to sleep happy that the Lord had put together what I felt was a significant clip.

6 AM came all too quick, but I was up and out on the track with Jinger. It was walk 6 mins and jog one min training. We are just at the start of training for a 10 K . Mind you I will not be running in a race, but I want so badly to learn how to jog and the Lord has provided Jinger as an answer to my prayer. When I got home, I had a little over an hour to shower/get ready and make the handout for the stake meeting.

As I jumped out of the shower I felt impressed that I needed to show the movie clip at the stake meeting. Mind you, this meeting was for training the RS presidencies about Visiting Teaching. And when the Stake President called me the night before she had no intentions of asking me to teach/share what I had learned from the Salt Lake training...How could I now call her and tell her I wanted to play a clip at her meeting. Talk about inviting yourself to take over! (So NO WAY, was my thought, but again, I know better then to go against an impression.)

I got the guts up (I admit I had to pray for the guts) and ask her if she wouldn't mind me sharing this little video clip. She said it was fine. (Few!) :) I know I am pathetic!

There was a knock at my door. I ran in my rob and hesitantly opened the door. It was Jinger with a little bag of banana bread slices. She had to run, but dropped them off and she asked/begged me to not back out on a commitment I had made. Her little service of bringing me 4 little slices of bread turned out to be a huge tender mercy of the Lord... I will finish this thought in a min.

So I am now 30 mins until the meeting started and I was just typing up my handout of notes. As I typed I kept stewing over the thought of how I didn't want to overstep my stewardship. Last min training at the stake meetings... showing a clip that they, the stake leaders, had not approved of first... I got a little sick at what others would think. And really more then that, I was worried if I was stepping over my bounds/stewardship.

As I was driving (3 mins to get to a a church 7 mins away) I pondered over if I could really do/should do this training. In my heart I just knew the meetings would go over and I would be asked to speak when everyone would be expecting to leave--oh I was completely un easy about the whole notion.

While I drove, I gratefully ate the two small slices of Jinger's banana bread. I thanked the Lord as I recognized his tender mercy. I was hungry from being up so early/exercising but had been too busy to grab a quick bite of anything. After the stake meetings, I knew there would be a little breakfast, but I was sure grateful for the slices of bread to give me something until then.

As I got on the freeway, the battle of what to do for the meeting still cankered my soul. And for whatever reason I leaned over the stirring wheel towards the windshield and looked up. And at that moment I saw what looked between a swan, crane, and pelican fly nearly on top of my car-on the freeway- and then fly away. There were no other birds to be found, and it was so quick and so different looking, that I still don't know what type of bird it was. But my heart immediately stopped it's battle. Here was my confirmation... I would follow through. I would show my clip and not worry about stepping on toes at the meeting.

The meeting went amazing! We watched the movie "Feed My Sheep" and I could not keep from weeping. Two little kids go to care for baby lambs all summer with their Dad. A storm had killed all the adult sheep. With the parents gone, and the little lambs not knowing how to eat in a trough because they had never been taught by their mothers, these little kids had to bottle feed every lamb. There was so many little lambs and only two doing the feedings. Many of the lambs were starving to death. Every morning they would find 6 or 7 dead little lambs.

The girl who was tending to the sheep happened to name of of the lambs. She loved the lamb and it followed her faithfully everywhere. One morning she wakes and finds the lamb gone. She goes searching for the lamb and finds it a far way off dead. She gently picks up the now cold lamb and takes it to her father crying. She asks if anything can be done. And as he patted her head and just let her do some needed crying she looked up at her dad and asked, "Isn't there anyone that will help feed our sheep?" To this, my cheeks became uncontrollably wet. I have prayed and cried almost those exact words to Heavenly Father on several occasions. To see sisters/brothers/loved ones fall away, or become spiritually dead--so many that I believe would not have fallen/drifted--had they been properly cared for/feed through the home teaching and visiting teaching programs. I have had some countless nights where I have knelt in anguish of the drop off of flock members. Ones that needed not drop off had they only had the support of loving visiting teachers. No one is a number, but a spiritual daughter/son of God! And just like the trees, there are so many that could be spared, or at least protected from the storms had they just been looked after/cared for by the people over them.

Well true enough to the impressions in the morning, the meeting was already 30 mins over the time limit by the time I was to get up. Even during the presentation the opposition threaten to destroy and make me shut my mouth and just sit down. I am sure to the reader of this, I sound so nuts, but this is how I felt. The meeting ended, and the Lord had gotten me through my moments. I felt heaven had engulfed the room.

Because the meeting had ended later then planned, I dashed out the door to help some girls with their visiting teaching. And as I drove to the appointment, knowing I would not be home for several more hours, I saw the last two slices of banana bread in the bag Jinger gave me. My eyes became wet as I pondered over how the Lord had provided for my needs. Would I have been okay not eating until after 2 when I got home... you bet! But my Father in heaven just proved yet again that he is into details. And he had detailed out for me (by having a wonderful sister in law who I had just been with that morning) run over before she rushed to Salt Lake, and drop off 4 slices of banana bread. Something she has never done before. And here I had breakfast and lunch!! And all because our God, is a God of details/love/kindness/miracles!

Now you may ask, why was it so important to give the lesson and show my little clip? Well I will never know. I have some hunches, for I was able to talk to someone after the meeting that I normally would not have talked to, but even if that was just a little test to see if I would follow through--don't follow my example. Do it, and don't worry/question. Sure I was willing to do it, but my weaknesses, doubts clouded my faith with "what will other stake members think of me if I take up this time/present?" Oh to be quick to obey, and not complain/question in the process, is a beautiful thing I need to work on.

MOSIAH 26:13-15,19

Tonight, I felt impressed I had to get this blog up. But I had not read the Book of Mormon for the day. I just opened to Mosiah 26 and just started to read starting in 13. I started to cry. The Lord knows what is in our hearts! He knows our desires. He knows when we are trying to be better. And he also knows how to comfort and bless us. Don't get me wrong, today was amazing! And there many choice moments basking in His spirit. But even with all that... He led me to read Alma's conflict which seemed completely identical to my feelings/heart this evening. I didn't mean to, but the likening unto ourselves, just came by the spirit as I read. The Lord was talking to me--I cried. And in gratitude thanked Him for allowing me to read such verses. God is, a God of love/compassion.

I know that God lives. I know that Jesus is the Christ, the Prince of peace, the Holy one. I know that they love us. I know that prayers are answered and can be guided/led daily. I am so thankful for repentance! It is real! We can be cleansed and made whole through Christ's atonement.

I hope to leave this life like President Henry B. Eyring quoted his dad while he was approaching his death (this month's Ensign article Teaching True Doctrine):

"My father...talked to me during the nights as he approached death. He spoke of joyous reunions that were coming soon in the spirit world...

At one point I asked him if he had some repenting to do. He smiled. He chuckled softly as he said, “No, Hal, I’ve been repenting as I went along.”"

Thank goodness Heavenly Father, through His Son's atonement has provided a way for me to repent each day and to renew my soul each week...

And may I clarify a bit on my feelings of Visiting/Home teaching. There are times when we will visit and limbs will still brake... and trees will still remain or even choose to go dormant. But we, the Lord's helpers in tending to needs in the field, can be assured that we will know what God would have us do for such trees. We must have the faith, that he will help us/guide us as we lovingly/willingly tend to the branches and our trees.

Oh it has been an amazing handful of days.

The church is true!