TRUSTING GOD

After all my revelation was: "Stay/can't go until the Condo sells" and "Trust your husband". With this revelation I stayed in Utah, while Mr. Dashing moved out to WY last Oct. A few weekends here and there--watching budgets with gas costs for the 10 hour round trip drives, and thank goodness for Thanksgiving in Nov and Christmas in Dec which allowed us to be together. Friends always asked me how "being" married was and I would tell them when I "was'' I would let them know!

Well for the first time since Aug 30th, I have just experienced my VERY first weekend where we have not been traveling or cleaning a condo but are actually living in the same state and under the same roof! Let me tell you, it is AWESOME!

This miracle of us even getting to live together started back in Nov when someone Mr. Dashing worked with suggested I turn in my resume to her place because they would be hiring. We knew we had some time but come the end of Dec/start of Jan I had some very strong impressions to get my resume in.

With the help of my patient and devoded Mr. Dashing and blessed Cindy's timely editing, my resume was in the start of Jan. A day later a job interview was set up and I found myself visiting Mr. Handsome in WY for the interview.

What if this job took?! What would I do with the condo? How would this all work?

The interview I felt went very well and a few weeks later was confirmed by the gal wanting to hire me that in fact she did want to hire me-she just had to "wait" some time to give me the job. Mr. Dashing and I felt to move forward with faith. Impressions were followed, emails back and forth to Africa, loving folks that decided to buy back the condo, a three week notice given to my job and moving boxes galore! All these things/a move to take place in about a three week window. When God's timing arrives--it arrives.

I had still not "heard' officially from the job but we were fairly confident all would work out.

The week of moving (mid Feb) to WY came and I was a bit of a mess. So much to do, working 4 10's and then coming home to try and get ready for the move. How would I be ready for when Mr. Dashing would come a few days prior to all the wonderful help set up? (By the way, he came out a day earlier than planned which was not only awesome but very inspire! Thanks babe! STILL was a GREAT and needed surprise.)

As the stress and worry (I sometimes allowed to) weigh on my heart, the Tuesday of the week I was moving I was awoken with the scripture from Proverbs in my head. 

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths."  

I had never really tried to memorize this scripture before, but my mind knew all the words. And for a straight hour, this scripture played and replayed in my mind in a very vivid way. I saw words, and me "leaning" to my own ways but then seeing myself "lean" on the word LORD and TRUST. It was very vivid...

By the time I hit the shower just after 6 a.m. I verbally made the comment, "Okay Lord, I get that thou wants me to TRUST thee." Because of the stress with the move that weekend and me not knowing how we were going to move all of our stuff, I figured God wanted me to trust that it would all work out. So of to work I went, with trust in my heart.

So imagine I am at work and about 3:10 I find that I missed a phone call. I go into a back room and who is it? The employer I had interviewed with, that practically told me I had the job, had just left a message that there had been budget cuts and they no longer would be hiring anyone. The gal wished me good luck with my endevors and that was that.

"Ohhhh, I get it! Heavenly Father, this morning with the scripture--that was to prepared me for this!" Normally I would have fallen to my knees crying in dispair. I did fall to my knees and tears did roll down my cheeks but they were tears of gratitude. God KNEW that I wasn't going to get that job that would secure having insurance. But He also KNEW that that job was the tool to start the motion of getting the condo sold and making a way/providing the means for me to move and actually work on the wife and marriage catigories under the same roof as Mr. Dashing. The urgant prompting to put in my resume, to the almost too good to be true interview, to the acknowledgment that it was a "done deal" with the hire--- all HIS tools to make a way for me to move at the timing He had in plan. The tears were simply gratitude that He had given me the morning I had had with the reminder that I was to trust in Him.

I left that room with a peace and a calm that I know, can only come from God. 

So coming up close to a month, I am actually getting to work on the whole "wife" and "marriage"roles in the same location and house as Mr. Dashing! Still no job on the horizon yet, but we are trusting in God. His timings and ways may not be our own, but He knows better than we do. And we know in whom we trust!

To all those who helped with our packing, cleaning, and loading--- BLESS YOU! In so many ways God litterally sent earthly angels when I was in need of some help. I am a big "time" succor. And because I value time and what I do with my own, when others offer theirs for and in behalf of MY needs, I don't know if there is a sweeter, more kind gift that can be given. Or a gift that causes my eyes to leek so easily. For all the prayers and well wishes to get Mr. Dashing and I together--THANK YOU! Thank you!

And a note to all my friends at my past job for nearly nine years--Heritage Makers. I truly have been spoiled to be surrounded by great examples. My co-workers were/are of the highest caliber of integrity and honesty, of love and devotion, service and unity. I know that I was given an "ideal" to work in. When being interviewed I was asked what I didn't like about my current work situation. I paused for a very long time not knowing what to say and finally said that I wished the kitchen sink was larger. Yes the gals interviwing me had a chuckle with this, but they just simply did not know the type of people "BLESSINGS" God has allowed me to work with. And not just the folks I worked with, but their spouses and family not in the work arena... individuals who Love and reverence God and one another too. I have had nine years of training on how to be a better person and what it is to give more of "self".

To my team and fellow co-workers from HM-- I LOVE YOU, more than I know how to express! Thank you for coming/being in my life.

So we are trusting God. What will be our next adventures? Only God fully knows, but as Mr. Dashing always reminds me, "It will all work out."  Heavenly Father knows what He is doing. (Thank goodness too!)

Happiness is knowing God is in the Details. Even if you don't have a clue what they include. 

I am grateful to a husband who is patient and kindly loving as I try to figure out this wife and marriage thing. :) 

Love you babe!

HELLO WYOMING!

FEAR

(I apologize to anyone who received an email from this post! I hit publish on accident. This is the "real" post! So sorry!)

I can't claim this  awesome picture of what sand looks like close up in Africa! Thanks to the guide and my parents camera! Awesome shot! As my mom says, "Sand Crystals"!

Tonight, Mr. Dashing and I read through Alma 57 in the Book of Mormon. ....profound NEW insight for me!

The Nephites are contending with the Lamanites. The captured Lamanites prisoners are so many that a small number of Nephite soldiers start to march the Lamanite prisoners to a different city so the city will be able to help maintain the prisioners. The prisoners break free. Gid was the chief captain over those who had been appointed to guard the prisoners on the march. In his word's he shared what had happened with the breakout of the prisoners....

Behold, we did start to go down to the land of Zarahemla with our prisoners. And it came to pass that we did meet the spies of our armies, who had been sent out to watch the camp of the Lamanites.

And they cried unto us, saying—Behold, the armies of the Lamanites are marching towards the city of Cumeni; and behold, they will fall upon them, yea, and will destroy our people.

And it came to pass that our prisoners did hear their cries, which caused them to take courage; and they did rise up in rebellion against us.

And it came to pass because of their rebellion we did cause that our swords should come upon them. And it came to pass that they did in a body run upon our swords, in the which, the greater number of them were slain; and the remainder of them broke through and fled from us.

And behold, when they had fled and we could not overtake them, we took our march with speed towards the city Cumeni; and behold, we did arrive in time that we might assist our brethren in preserving the city.

And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us. (emphasis added)

 HOLY COW!!  Stay with me here.

The prisoners [in this case they were those from the Lamanite army] are the enemy. When they heard the Nephites [the spies] "cries" about what may happen to the people in Cumeni, they took courage and did rise up in rebellion.

To my mind came the comparison of when we have "cries" a.k.a "fears"...We are told over and over in the scriptures to "fear not" and be of good cheer. PERHAPS--when we show fear [fear of the future or to what is happening to a loved one, or whatever circumstance we find ourselves in or perceive may happen] Satan and all of his followers--when they hear/see our cries [our fear] they take courage and rise up against us--EVEN MORE then when they were just 'marching alongside' us!?!

Satan and his band are already trouble! I surely don't need them taking courage and rising up even more against me!!

Conversation with myself:

Q: Well that is just great! :/ I fear all the time, so now I am doomed even more?! My fear gives Satan more power?!
A: Well yes fear is "power" to Satan, but no you are not doomed. In the end of those verses see what Gid says: "And behold, we are again delivered out of the hands of our enemies. And blessed is the name of our God; for behold, it is he that has delivered us; yea, that has done this great thing for us."

God still can help us and does help us when our weakness of fear manifests, just as he helped the Nephites against the prisoner outbreak. And in this particular story their cries caused a chain reaction that in the end made it so Gid and his men could go back to the main army and help save them from being overpowered. [For another time--that is a look into how God can make strength out of our weakness and in no way am I approving of fear here, but it is another layer to the spiritual onion.]

We are to fear God which will help keep our natural man in check, but all other things we are not to fear, but be believing. Great lesson for me! Sweet insight to what Satan and his band do as a result of seeing my fears.

So why the awesome sand picture at the top?! Did you see "them"? Two snake eyes and part of his face hiding smack in the middle. Apparently it is a deadly snake but my parents guide was chill taking the picture for them.

We never know what is around the corner, but with putting our trust and faith in God and doubting nothing-- He will deliver us in His time and in His way. One constant theme in the Book of Mormon is deliverance. And sometimes that deliverance comes in the form of "strength" to simply endure.

Happiness is a way made to live in the same state as Mr. Dashing! Here I come WY--ready or not. :)

I am grateful for parents who are determined to conquer their new challenges. 

And p.s. I have no time to write this post and yet the insight was too profound not to take the time!

WHEELCHAIR--OUT IN THE MIDDLE OF NO WHERE!

Sent for the one.

Brother Travis Storey got up and bore a beautiful testimony Sunday. Truly God is mindful of each of us—of “the one.”

Travis is a busy father of seven. On top of his Dad duties, his amazing wife Kiji has been fighting for her life against cancer. Her battle in and of itself is a miracle. She and her devotion to God even in the midst of the storm is a great inspiration to all who know her.

Travis is finishing his dental program and working with clients up in Salt Lake. All that is on the Storey family’s plate makes his morning routine all the more admirable. 

Travis has the habit going to the gym. Before the gym (which he goes to in the early morning hours) he finds a church parking lot where he parks and spends some time reading the scriptures and in prayer.

Recently during in his morning routine, Travis had an impression to go to a specific location before going to the gym. He followed that impression and found himself driving near the mouth of Spanish Fork Canyon, which is nowhere near the gym. As he drove, he passed what he thought was a wheelchair. The road he was on did not have any sidewalks, and it was dark, cold and windy outside. Travis wondered what a wheelchair was doing out in the middle of nowhere. 

Feeling that perhaps someone needed help, he turned his car around and started searching for the wheelchair he had seen. Sure enough, there was a person in the wheelchair. Travis could tell the person was in need, so he pulled his car over and asked what he could do for him. The story that unfolded is amazing.

Apparently this guy, I will call him Joe, had come with some friends into Provo to celebrate a friend’s birthday. They had a great time. But when the evening ended and the cars were loaded up, somehow Joe was left out of the head count. He had no way to contact his friends to say, “Hello, I am still here!”  Joe didn’t know anyone locally he could contact. He just knew he needed to get to Mount Pleasant to make his class the next day and he had no vehicle to get him there. 

So what did Joe do? The only thing he could do—he started to wheel himself in the direction of Mount Pleasant. (Note: Mount Pleasant is an hour away from Provo and up through a dangerous canyon.)

He had started his trek in Provo at 9 the previous night and had been wheeling towards his destination until Travis found him around 4:45 a.m. the next morning! Travis said Joe was only about three feet tall and due to a spinal condition wasn’t able to stand upright to straighten his back. He was not dressed properly for the cold and was found shivering. Having shorter arms, Joe moved himself by walking his feet along. With no sidewalks along the road, whenever a car came by, Joe would move his wheelchair off the road so as to not get hit by the passing vehicle. Joe had been praying for someone, anyone, to help him. 

Travis later found out that Joe is from California—which “just happens” (I write that in quotes, because nothing ever JUST happens!) to be the same state where Travis served his mission, and from Pleasanton, Travis’s favorite city of his mission. 

Joe served a mission at the MTC Call Center for two years, taking calls and working with referrals.  He described his experience there to be difficult, spending hour after hour, day after day in front of a computer screen taking phone calls for what seemed like a fruitless task.  When he found that out, Travis felt the need to testify to Joe that he (Travis) had had several referrals come through while on his mission from people who had contacted the Church through the MTC Call Center.  He felt that Joe needed to hear that the work he had done during those difficult 2 years planted seeds that missionaries from all over were able to harvest and that Travis had personally been able to baptize investigators in Pleasanton, CA, the very city where Joe was from.  Travis thanked Joe for all he had done on his mission. As his morning workout was traded for a trek up to Mount Pleasant, Travis continued talking with Joe as they made the ride together toward Mount Pleasant.

Travis relayed how we are all just like Joe.  We do not physically have a way of getting ourselves back “home.” We needed a Savior to provide the way, to provide the “vehicle” (namely repentance, forgiveness through a perfect Atonement and a resurrection which overcomes the sting of death) to help us make the trek back to Heavenly Father. Travis’s car was the “literal” vehicle for the determined and courageous Joe.

So it can be with all of us, with me! Who on the journey of life needs a “lift”?

On Sunday, Travis bore testimony that that he always studies the Book of Mormon and scriptures before he goes to the gym each morning because it is his “sacred time with … Heavenly Father,” when his mind is the sharpest and he can feel His presence the strongest. Travis said he has had many spiritual experiences and insights during that dedicated time, his spiritual exercise before his physical exercise.

Travis's experience with Joe made me think of a clip I watched where Elder David A. Bednar made a profound statement that has not left me since I heard it. This clip is excellent about an extraordinary thing that took place on the BYUI campus, but what he states at frame 4:02 has left me with a deep profound, lasting insight. 

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Y8hMhVE36M0

Did you catch that?!!! Elder Bednar was sent to England for the “one.” The conference and all the other large meetings were great add-ons, but God sent him--for the one!

Brother Storey was sent for the one!

God is mindful of each one. What a blessing and great opportunity is ours to go out daily seeking the ones whom God would have us find, the ones God would have us give a “lift” to with the means He has provided to bring that one just another step closer to their/our eternal destination. 

Seek the one.


HOW CAN I INCREASE MY SPIRITUAL EXERCISE?
Brother Storey was kind enough to share with me some things he has at the front of his study journal. The promises are clear for those who will take the Book of Mormon into their daily study. It has changed my life forever, and continues to bring me closer to Christ. I LOVE Brother's Storey's list and add my testimony to the truth of what he testified 100%! (Thank you Brother Storey for following through and sharing your story!)

President Ezra Taft Benson  It is not just that the Book of Mormon teaches us truth, though it indeed does that. It is not just that the Book of Mormon bears testimony of Christ, though it indeed does that, too. But there is something more. There is a power in the book which will begin to flow into your lives the moment you begin a serious study of the book. You will find greater power to resist temptation. You will find the power to avoid deception. You will find the power to stay on the strait and narrow path. The scriptures are called “the words of life” (D&C 84:85), and nowhere is that more true than it is of the Book of Mormon. When you begin to hunger and thirst after those words, you will find life in greater and greater abundance. (Ensign, Nov 1986, 4)

President Joseph Smith (Jr)  Concerning this record the Prophet Joseph Smith said: “I told the brethren that the Book of Mormon was the most correct of any book on earth, and the keystone of our religion, and a man would get nearer to God by abiding by its precepts, than by any other book.”

1 Nephi 15:24  Nephi interpreting the vision of the tree of life to his brethren speaking of the iron rod.  “…it was the word of God; and whoso would hearken unto the word of God, and would hold fast unto it, they would never perish; neither could the temptations and the fiery darts of the adversary overpower them unto blindness, to lead them away to destruction.”

D&C 21:5-6  Revelation given to the prophet Joseph Smith, “for his word ye shall receive, as if from mine own mouth”, “For by doing these things the gates of hell shall not prevail against you; yea, and the Lord God will disperse the powers of darkness from before you, and cause the heavens to shake for your good, and his names glory”

2 Nephi 32:3  Nephi’s words “feast upon the words of Christ: for behold the words of Christ will tell you all things what ye should do.”

I’ve noticed three things that occur when reading the book of Mormon prayerfully.  Number one on the list always occurs. The second and third don't always occur but do very often.
     1.    The presence of the spirit is abundant through all facets of my life that day.
     2.    I find principles come alive from off the page that I need to learn and which I can directly apply to an area of my life. [And I, Bryndi, would add that often the principles that have just come alive for me, God often places others on my path that are in need of and blessed by the exact same principles.]
     3.    Flashes of insight, ideas and bits of inspiration occur in my mind while reading that may have nothing to do with the story but non-the less have a purpose in my life in that moment. I have come to know through time that these aren’t random ideas and thoughts but are Gods words unto me that are precious and must be recorded.

I am grateful for wonderful friends who have the gift of reviewing and reworking words! Cindy, thank you!

Happiness is a date night with Mr. Dashing to Temple Square!

THE WORD'S OF A MOTHER with three little ones...

Bryn & Nyk and  our awesome "hearts"! I am about to show you 24+ years later.. of what is in the little girl in yellow's heart!

     "YES" !!! it has been a LONG time since I blogged. And I have so much I want to blog about, but it will have to wait--because this is just TOO good to wait!!
      Nykelle (whom I call "Chick"--long story of full nickname) sent me an email of an experience she had this week. It is the story of a Mother of three young ones--and what she discovered in a moment of deep frustration and exhaustion. It is a story of a mother who turned to God and found that God's hand was ready to supply her with the inspiration/impressions she needed.
     As I read her email and was filled with so much emotion. I don't even have kids yet but I felt I could relate... I saw myself in this story. Where I DID NOT see myself, and I wish I could say I would have done what she did, was what she did with her agency and thoughts after she heard her husband's prayer. Truly an inspiration! I loved what she did when she discovered where she was. LOVE the revelation and impressions she received....
   To any mom or (non-mom) that has normal frustrating life moment's but is still seeking to have God and charity about her, this is a MUST READ! Plus not to mention the impressions she has with the scriptures-- are profound!!
   I love you Chicky! Thank you for sharing this with me. (And yes, I have Nykelle's permission to post on here--because she is just so cool like that!)


From an email entitled: What I learned this morning...
                                   Date: 10.3.13
                                   From: Nykelle Pollastro

"Cade woke up at 8:30 pm screaming in pain... he just had his 6th poopy diaper for the day. It was official. He had some sort of diarrhea bug going on. I wasn't too surprised, considering 2 days ago he had picked up the broom in our kitchen and put the sweeping end in his mouth repeatedly by the time I got to him. It seems he is always putting the most germ-infested substances right in his mouth. He is also drinks bath water regularly... so having this many poopy diapers wasn't too alarming, although his screaming did happen to wake up Abri, so she started to cry as well. Carson was gone at YM, so I was on my own to get the 2 kids under control.

"Abri woke for a feeding about 1:30 pm, and then I was awakened again at 5:25 am, but not by her, it was by Cade and Mia. Cade had climbed up on top of the dresser and was flipping the light on and off, and Mia was hiding in her closet with no panties on... she had just peed the bed... sleep deprived and frustrated, I went in there and told her to get her panties on, be quiet, and get back in bed, and if she made so much as a peep, she would go to the garage. I put Cade in bed and told him it was the middle of the night and he needed to go back to bed. I wasn't too kind on either approach, and was quite edgy in my tone of voice, since I couldn't "yell" with the baby asleep, I was still pretty loud and about as mean as I could get with my words. 

"I went back to bed, but couldn't sleep, considering the 2 never went back to sleep either. It was in and out trying to put them back in bed and tell them to be quiet. I was clearly annoyed and frustrated. Carson was leaving for work, and we had our typical morning prayer. In his kind and gentle way, he taught me a great lesson. In his prayer, he asked that we could have the Spirit in our home and that Mia, Cade, and Abri could be taught how important it is to have the Spirit here, and then he prayed that they could feel it in our home. That's all he said and left. Of course the prayer went right to my heart and I knew that prayer was for ME-- every word was for me to learn and change my heart. I could tell the Spirit wasn't there, because frankly I was too frustrated to feel it. I was tired and cranky from the newborn and 2 others not listening, and I let that emotion come out in a negative way. I pondered a few minutes in my bed, repented in my heart, and asked the Lord in my mind how was it done? How do I raise little kids calmly and keep the Spirit here when I'm so tired and so frustrated?! 

"Right after that Abri started crying, so I went and fed her and decided I needed to read scriptures while I nursed her. I told Cade and Mia to go ahead and color in their room since they wouldn't be going back to sleep. As I read, I just happened to be on the chapter of Lehi's dream, but this time I learned some new lessons. The first learning glimpse was when Lehi was following the "man in a white robe" and as he was, he beheld himself in a dark and dreary waste. The next verse then says that he had traveled for "many hours" and then he began to pray. I thought to myself, why did he wait so long to pray? He should have prayed right away, and he would have been given light sooner! Then it dawned on me that this is what I have been doing, I will allow myself to "travel in darkness" or in frustration, irritation, or anger with how the kids are acting for several hours before I pray to the Lord... Lesson #1 LEARNED.

"The next lesson was what happened right after the prayer. Lehi prayed, and then he saw a tree whose fruit was "desirable to make one happy." We know from Nephi's interpretation that the fruit represents God's love. This dawned on me that if we can train ourselves to pray right away in times of darkness, the Lord will respond by showing us how to feel Godly love! Isn't it amazing that out of all the things the Lord could have done, he chose to show him the fruit. This taught me a great lesson on the power of God's love and how it is just a prayer away, and I now realize that most of our prayers are answered in some form of "fruit," meaning that the Lord is trying to show us how to have Godly love, because that solves most, if not all our problems! Lesson #2 LEARNED. 

"The last lesson from reading this morning was that Lehi saw his family at the beginning of the path, and they saw him at the end result; the tree of life. They SAW their father in the place where they wanted be. This means that Lehi had set the example for them! He didn't stand by the river, or in the Great and Spacious building, or off in the fields and yell to them, "Hey! Look over there at that tree! That's where you want to go!" Instead, he was THERE at the base of the tree with the fruit, setting the perfect example of where to go, and showing the end result because he personally had partook of the fruit and made it to the tree. This teaches me that I have to SET THE EXAMPLE for my children. They will do as I do. They need to see mommy keeping the Spirit in the home. I can't teach them to feel it and have it's presence, if I am getting out of control in raising my voice at them, or disciplining in a way that makes me lose the Spirit..... Lesson #3 LEARNED. 

"This was such a powerful and humbling lesson for me, I wanted to share it with you. I'm grateful for this inspiration this morning! I hope you have a great day! LOVE YOU!!!"

AMAZING hu?! And I get to be the sister who received that type of email! Don't be jealous or hating! ;) There is enough of my Chick to share! :D
    

Still a blond and still a brunette -- More sister love than can be imagined!

I am grateful for Mother's who know & act on what they know!

Inspired sisters make the world better!

P.S. My FIRST General Conference as a married woman! Two GREATS that I am in love with! Best time of year! In just two hours we will be listening to a living Prophet of God--right in the comfort of our home! You can join us if you would like! What to know what God wants us to be doing with the days like they are? Watch conference! What to know why we are here and what is the purpose of life? Watch conference! Lost and confused, feel little or no worth, YOU are not alone! Watch conference!  

>>>WATCH HERE<<<

(It is going to be incredible!!! You just wait and see! Answers to prayers, revelation, direction for life. Test the Lord! He won't fail you. There is a purpose to this life. You lived before you were born. And we ALL will live again after this life! You are important. God has a plan for you! Don't believe me, that is okay. You can ask God for yourself. I promise in His way and timing, He will answer your every sincere prayer!)

Summiting A New Mountain

 So many beautiful things at such a crazy time of life...

About 4 month's after receiving direct revelation to move to the family ward... I received a call from a man in the Singles Stake asking if it was alright to interview me. I went to the interview not knowing a thing and puzzled as I was being interviewed by a Stake I was no longer a member of.

The interview was one of the most sacred and amazing interviews I have ever experienced in my life. Brother Jensen (the one interviewing) could not tell me what it was about but said he would get back in touch with me.

A week or so later, several impressions, and a mistaken phone call I found out I was possibly being called to be an institute teacher...  turns out my wonderful Singles Ward Bishop--Bishop Stu, had been asked by the Stake for names for institute teachers. He wrote the email responding that with the situtation in his own ward, he did not have any names that he felt that he could offer as the leadership that he had in the ward was very needed and he could not spare anyone.... but then the impression came to submit my name. I was no longer in his ward let alone the singles Stake. I had been gone for over four months. But this dear sweet Bishop followed his impression and told the Stake that I was out of "jurisdiction" but that they should look into interviewing me. Through the whole process l had other Missionary couples and the head of institute teachers in the valley--praying for my name to be considered too.

Because a sweet prompting to leave the singles ward and hit a family ward...
Because a sweet Bishop followed an impression to submit a name not even in the Stake boundaries...
Because sweet couples and a wonderful Brother Gebert prayed for me...
Because a current Bishop allowed me to serve in multiple areas...
 ...five months of Mission Prep... An amazing co-teacher... over 130+ amazing students-- with 50+ with calls...
I attended one in-service training meeting...
And there he was..!

We met for only a few moments during a brief training in May. After MUCH research and great inside work from the wonderful Trudi, a phone number was found! [FINALLY!] A phone call, message, and a returned phone call. A few texts here and there and a hope that at least I would get to see him in the next inservice training in the summer. The more I facebook stocked him, the more I put him in the file of "unattainable".

That was that.

The only training (time to see him again for the summer)--I ended up missing as I was babysitting in IL. [Sad cry and a sigh].

But wait... (nearly two months later) a text the night I missed the training asking me if I was okay and that I was missed! Afew phone calls, some promptings followed, a date set up... And Whalha!

This is a taste of my last four weeks... swept literally off my feet. 

Ballroom dancing...

Drives up the canyon...

Ping-Pong sessions with Dany and Tim!

Star gazing and glow in the dark dodging...

Family reunioning...


Mountain strolling...

Temple attending...

 Dancing with Myrna...

Lot's of journaling...

Sore cheeks from smiling...

And so much more...!

It's been a busy four weeks. And I can't wait for the next four!

 Captured! 

Or more correctly stated: 

RECEIVED! 

One good man,

whom I love. 

Who would have thought?! Me!! With such a wonderful catch. :)

God is a God of miracles. Oh how I love Him...!

Happiness is the hand that fits so well in mine.

I am grateful for the Atonement of Jesus Christ.

To be continued..? :) We shall see!

"…not really about…sheep and goats."

Well I started this post over a year ago...! And apparently I saved it as a draft ???

be of good cheer

go in search

gather them together

bring them back

[to] the place of water

This is so sweet!

(Miss you Nyk, Carson, Tay and Kiss!)

I was reading Ammon's account of him contending with all the bad guys by cutting off their arms. That story, to me, has always been one about Ammon's courage/bold faith and undaunted spirit against all odds. THIS time however, because of Elder Holland's comment on parables not really being about sheep and goats--I was impressed with the workings of/with the sheep!!

A few questions to consider before reading:

Q's: What is water symbolic of in the scriptures? 
       Did the sheep ever actually partake of the water when they were first brought?
       What was the cause of their scattering?
       When brought back to the water again, why were they
               1.) not able to drink the water right away?
               2.) not scattered the second time, because they were scattered the first time?
       Did they eventually water?
       And to whom did they get to return home to?
--

 26 And after he had been in the service of the king three days, as he was with the Lamanitish servants going forth with their flocks to the place of water...and all the Lamanites drive their flocks hither, that they may have water—

 27 Therefore, as Ammon and the servants of the king were driving forth their flocks to this place of water, behold, a certain number of the Lamanites, who had been with their flocks to water, stood and scattered the flocks of Ammon and the servants of the king, and they scattered them insomuch that they fled many ways.
…
 31 And it came to pass that he [Ammon] flattered them [the servants of the King] by his words, saying: My brethren, be of good cheer and let us go in search of the flocks, and we will gather them together and bring them back unto the place of water; and thus we will preserve the flocks unto the king and he will not slay us.

 32 And it came to pass that they went in search of the flocks, and they did follow Ammon, and they rushed forth with much swiftness and did head the flocks of the king, and did gather them together again to the place of water.

 33 And those men again stood to scatter their flocks; but Ammon said unto his brethren: Encircle the flocks round about that they flee not; and I go and contend with these men who do scatter our flocks.

 34 Therefore, they did as Ammon commanded them, and he went forth and stood to contend with those who stood by the waters of Sebus; and they were in number not a few.

... 39 And when he had driven them afar off, he returned and they watered their flocks and returned them to the pasture of the king... (Alma 17 emphasis added)

 I hope my excitement in this subject does not kill the message! In response to the missionary who feels he is everyday/all day just "Home Teaching"... change the word "flock" to "members".

Perhaps for full time missionaries or member missionaries, the temptation is to think that there is only real joy in bringing someone to Christ's living waters who has never yet been. But the truth is, we all have been and partook of His waters before coming here to this earth.

For those members who may have been brought to the waters of baptism, perhaps some have not taken what Christ's waters have to offer by actually "drinking" in the gospel. Perhaps the demons of addiction, lack of commitment, family loyalty/traditions, laziness, sorrow, grief, fear, despair, sadness, struggle with commandment keeping, marital struggles (the list goes on and on) where "standing" ready to scatter whoever was brought to Christ...and those "standings" were successful.

BUT YEA to the missionary (member or full time servants) who are being of good cheer with the inspired assignment of going and searching, swiftly heading off, bringing back, encircling, contending, disarming the opposition, and making a way for a watering! His watering! Then together--heading for the pasture of the King.

It is an exciting time to be alive with God's hastening going on! I testify to all, that the sweetness and real joy is that someone is able and does partake. Whether it is their first mortal experience to the place of water or they have been brought back for the 100th time... when one does partake, one is changed!

Oh the wisdom of our great God!!

be of good cheer

go in search

gather them together

bring them back

[to] the place of water

 "together" would imply that there is more than "one" to gather... we are talking about families! And God would have us bring them back TOGETHER to the place of water! Oh the hastening of His work! Oh you missionaries, if you are given such an opportunity--EAT IT UP!

I am grateful for flower "snowball" fights.

Happiness is glistening eyes caught in the dark as one starts to realize that he wants to partake of Christ's water.

Sweet is the joy the gospel brings!

If God allows and grants you the sacred work of going in search, gathering and bring back so one might partake... I promised you, you will count your blessings 10 by 10 and you will be surprised at what the Lord has done!!

Its not really about sheep!

"ROOM TO CROSS AND CONTEND"

A few weeks back I was studying in Alma 2… and had some sweet thoughts. Amlici has gone against the voice of the people, and has dubbed himself King over the band that supports him. He decides to go to war against his brethren. Talk about the impact of having “contentions among ourselves”! Brethren fought against brethren.

In the middle of the battle (after loosing 12,000ish of his followers) Amlici hooks up with a Lamanite army which is described as “being as numerous almost, as it were, as the sands of the sea”. Those type of odds have got to be a little bit daunting!

The scriptures say that Alma, (the one that saw the angel/is now the high priest over the land) goes at the head of his army to contend with Amlici and his army. Alma, as a Leader, teaches by example some awesome principles that I can apply to my life.

 Alma and Amlici were going head to head and obviously had to take a “breather” from the battle because:

 29 And it came to pass that Alma fought with Amlici with the sword, face to face; and they did contend mightily, one with another.

 30 And it came to pass that Alma, being a man of God, being exercised with much faith, cried, saying: O Lord, have mercy and spare my life, that I may be an instrument in thy hands to save and preserve this people.

 31 Now when Alma had said these words he contended again with Amlici; and he was strengthened, insomuch that he slew Amlici with the sword.

It says he contended again with Amlici. And he obviously had some type of time to offer such an awesome, selfless prayer. And BEING EXERCISED WITH MUCH FAITH, he asked (no doubt according to the will of the Lord) a pretty powerful/selfless wish, and his words were granted.

I asked myself, am I being exercised with much faith that in a moments notice I can pray with that much power?!  (Yep I have room to defiantly improve upon! :) thank goodness God is a perfectly patient God!.).

But again, look at this awesome Leader Alma—what he did. He contended with Amlici, killed him. Started beating up the King of the Lamanites, but the king retreated and sent his guards…

 33 But Alma, with his guards, contended with the guards of the king of the Lamanites until he slew and drove them back.

 34 And thus he cleared the ground, or rather the bank, which was on the west of the river Sidon, throwing the bodies of the Lamanites who had been slain into the waters of Sidon, that thereby his people might have room to cross and contend with the Lamanites and the Amlicites on the west side of the river Sidon.

…COOL!!! WITH HIS guards (those closest, bound in convent, strength, trust worthy—whatever would deem you the possession of being a "guard" for your head Leader)… together they slew and drove back the enemy…. And the ground was cleared! Why? So the rest of the army (anyone I love or am working with) could go and contend with all the other bad dudes/content with their [challenges, whatever that challenge/enemy may be].

What is symbolic of a ground being cleared? Didn’t the Savior “clear the ground” for me so I could walk the path of repentance, to have a way to escape the very jaws of Hell!? Not taking away the trials, but He cleared the way so I could “have room” to walk on and fight the battles/tests placed before me?!?! In what ways am I “clear[ing] the ground” for those in my family, those whom I work with, those whom I serve? Am I teaching with the spirit in which sets up a “clear ground” where others will have “room to cross and contend” to make covenants and progress?! … Did I loose you on this?! :)

A.)  I want to be someone who is being exercised in much faith so at any given moment I am literally a tool for those I love with my prayers and my desires.

B.)  Am I working at qualifying to be on the front line = devoted/supporting whatever God allots to my path so that I can be a guard for/with Him, and for truth?!

C.)  What am I doing to clear the way (teaching, serving, preparing the ground) so that I am giving room/making room for someone else to be able to contend with/go to war/conquer the challenge “enemy” before them?!

GO ALMA!!! Go GUARDS!! Is this not what being a member of His church is all about?! Clearing the ground!

I am thankful for "cleared" ground.

Happiness is a new semester of Mission Prep.

THE PARABLE OF THE LITTLE GIRL WHO KNEW SHE COULD

   A few Monday's ago before seeing the one and only beautiful grandma Ratcliffe, I stopped at a park by a nearby park. As I sat in my car with my window slightly down, I noticed a girl (I would guess her to be about 11 or 12) working hard to ride her bike. Her training wheels were on. Her dad was walking by her side. When I noticed her it was just at the time I heard her cry out to her dad “I can’t daddy—I will fail!” To which he replied that she could. I heard “fail”, but perhaps she said “fall”. I watched her from my car and sure enough, the somewhat attentive father (I say this as he seemed to be a bit more pre-occupied with his drink then watching her) wasn’t paying attention and the little girl, even with training wheels, biffed it. I think the father started to pay a little more attention after that. :)
    This father daughter team went around the park several times. After 20 mins or so I gathered that she must have fallen a few more times, because I saw the dad riding the pink bike back to his truck while the little girl ran along the side. I thought about her fears with her bike and with the perspective as an adult, her petrifying fear of falling was nothing that would alter her life or be some big significant change/death, but to the little girl, her fear of failing was very real and at times overwhelming even to tears and stating that she would fail. I rejoiced in getting watch this little scene play out. I left the park and spent a choice night with grandma and was blessed with an FHE treat of seeing/being with Micarie and James.
    Well fast forward to the next night. After work, I had had a strong impression to go visit a friend. I met her a few months ago on a visit led by God. A friend and I knocked on her door not knowing what we would find. This sweet sister desired to go to church but without a supportive husband found that she did not have the courage. As we talked to her and testified of God’s love and support for her, she mentioned that her Pblessing said she would do a great work in Relief Society. She expressed desires to make it to that meeting. It was a choice meeting and my friend and I left her door praising God.
   Well this Tues night (a week ago) I felt impressed to go back to her house to check in on her as it has been a few weeks since she has answered any of my texts. After work as I was studying, I felt impressed to go right then. I did—and found no one home. I left a note on her door and I pondered what the Lord would have me do with the rest of my evening. I knew He had sent me at that time for a reason. ?? I felt impressed I needed to go to my stake center. *An impression to go to this specific building that I never go to except to attend stake events.
   I pulled up in the parking lot and smiled as I noticed a little girl trying to ride her bike with her dad… okay God, this is the second night in a row that you are having me watch a father and a daughter ride. I knew that God had a lesson to share with me for I know there are no coincidences!
    I parked my car and like the awesome creeper I am, (thankful for my tinted windows) I watched as this girl (older in years) was trying to ride her bike. This girl didn’t have training wheels. I noticed two little boys (who I came to find out were 3 and maybe the other one was 5 ??) were riding their bicycles all through the parking lot—no training wheels. I marveled at how small they were and how much older this girl seemed to be. The girl made several long rides across the parking lot. After a while she made a huge, wide turn in which I heard her very joyfully say, “ I did it! I did it!” And the father replied, “You did it! You made that turn. You did awesome!” I smiled from the vision of “I can’t…I will fail” verses the “I did it- you did it!”
   Thanking God for letting me witness two very similar situations yet completely different outcomes and determinations, I got out of my car. By this time a mother and another little baby had joined the father and three children. I worried that they might have seen me taking pictures and video from my car so I decided to head into the church building to find a place to study. I wanted to approach the little family and thank them for being in the parking lot that night, but I decided being suspected as a creeper and being confirmed as one… I rather just be suspected! :D I grabbed my bag and shut the door and to my surprise I found myself walking towards the family (opposite direction of going into the building).
    I called out to the presumed parents and told them they didn’t have to say “yes”, but that I wanted a picture of their girl as I had just witnessed a discouraged little girl the night before biking with her training wheels and I was so impressed by their little girl’s determination. The family graciously entertained my wish, but before the picture was taken, the mom turned to her daughter and asked her to share with me why it was so special that she could ride her bike that day. This mother, Andrea, then mentioned that she would cry if she talked about it. It wasn’t until that moment, that I noticed that the little girl, Kaja, was very special. With a big smile, and help from her parents she told me that she had cerebral palsy. (Cerebral palsy is a condition that brings along many disorders that can involve brain and nervous system functions, such as movement, a stiffness of muscles and normal reflexes. To what extent little Kaja has I was not sure.)
   Kaja’s mom said that for the longest time Kaja has wanted to ride her bike without training wheels. The doctors didn’t know what to tell her. Kaja’s mom and dad didn’t want her to get her hopes up as it seemed it might be physically impossible for her. But Kaja didn’t know it was impossible. She just knew she wanted to ride her bike like her younger brothers. The previous weeks her physical therapist had been working with her. The pedals and training wheels of her bike were taken off which allowed Kaja to sit on the bike seat and have her feet “walk” around/support her. After much practice, the day had come when the father and mother wanted to take her to an open area (church parking lot) to give her a place to try riding with pedals and no training wheels. And there, in the parking lot, a loving father ran by her side.
   At first Kaja had a very hard time turning, and when she would half crash (I say “half” crash, because her father was always close enough to help ease the blow) she would not be daunted. Kaja simply reposition herself on her bike and tried again. Over and over she did this… Crashing a bit, but determined and never quitting. Her tone of voice didn’t even flirt with the temptation of being discouraged. And always--as she worked at it, was her awesome father--getting his fair share of a workout as he ran behind her. (With children, is a gym pass even necessary?! ;) )
   His daughter, was doing the impossible.
   I already loved watching Kaja ride without training wheels… But hearing of the challenges that not just threaten to make life more challenging, but are actually apart of Kaja’s everyday life, made the symbolism of the moment all the more choice.
    I took their pictures and the sweet family with the sun going down climbed in their car and left. I went into the church, found a piano and started to write a song about this little soon to be nine year old, very determined, Kaja. As I played and sang, who should come to the glass door to listen… the Elders in the area!
   Talk about sweet life lessons to witness… On one hand, one girl, consumed with thoughts of failing with training wheels. On the other hand another girl, designated by life to not to be able to enjoy such thing as riding a bike… but sweet little Kaja seemed oblivious to her/life’s “designated” opposition. She just knew she wanted to ride. And every time she crashed, she got right back on and tried again. The first father, a bit neglectful and not providing an undivided attention (but perhaps through the crash of his daughter, caused him to be more mindful/diligent father [that is an insight right there into what our own trials can be God’s tool to help someone step up to their duty and responsibilities]) vs. a father that although didn’t prevent all of Kaja’s falls, He did help not only soften the blows but was right there to help her get back up on her bike and steady her as she started yet again—ever running, always in arms each (or a very speedy jog) to aid and assistance her.
   I am constantly being reminded of our journeys and those whom God puts in my path. The bikes (covenants, desires, commandments) I need/want/should ride. The hands that are ready to steady. The temptation to be discouraged as others seem to do with ease what I struggle and sometimes cry to do. What the world says I can or can’t do (or more often my natural man/fears) but with desires clothed in righteousness and firmly planted/determined—God will help me/YOU/us with the seemly impossible, and make it possible.
   Seeing little Kaja’s experience reminded me of an experience my grandpa once had in the grand canyon with a juniper tree. The PDF is attached. SO SYMBOLIC!

 From To Him That Believeth: Claiming Heaven’s Blessings 

                                                         -- Frederick and June Babbel

   I learned a valuable lesson a number of years ago when my wife and I visited the Grand Canyon in Arizona. We were at the north rim when the naturalist guide showed us a twisted, gnarled, old juniper tree which was literally growing out of the side of the rock canyon wall by the lookout point. We wondered how it could possibly continue to grow. Then our guide told us an interesting bit of history in connection with this tree.
   A juniper seed is shaped somewhat like a cantaloupe seed. One of these little seeds fell into a crevice near the edge of the canyon wall. Everything was solid rock. It appeared that the seed could not possibly germinate since there was no soil, little if any water, and virtually no sunshine down in this crevice. Yet this little seed was not covered about these limits. It had but one burning desire and that was to fulfill the measure of its creation!
   In a manner that we cannot fathom, that little seed germinated, implanted roots into that solid rock, and began to grow. Gradually it raised a shoot through the crevice where it could seek sunshine and a little rain.
   As it continued to grow and expand into a full-fledged, through misshapen, tree, its trunk and its roots began to exert a continuing pressure on the outer ledge of rock. Finally the pressure became so great that one entire large section of the canyon wall broke loose and crumbled into a massive heap near the base of the canyon, nearly one mile straight down.
   The guide said it was estimated that forty million tons of rock lay at the base of this tremendous canyon because that little seed didn't know it could not grow. It just wouldn't give up.
   No one is beaten until he stops trying. No one! We have often heard the admonition, "…without faith no man pleaseth God..." (D&C 63:11.) We need to discover how to gown in faith. We also need experience. A living faith is a priceless possession and the quest for it is worthy of our combined energies of mind, body, and spirit.
   Persistence is one of the essential components of faith. Don't give up! "That which we persist in doing becomes easier to do; not that the nature of the thing itself has changed, but that our power to do is increased!" (Heber J. Grant, Gospel Standards, comp. G. Homer Durham [Salt Lake City: Improvement Era, 1944], p.355.)

   If we continue to exercise trust in Him, He will be jogging with our every moment. I believe He softens the blows and crashes as much as possible without taking away the needed experience and exposure to trails and the exercising of our faith. With each needed stumble, a loving father will also be right there to help me/you back on, and start pedaling again!
   He can calm fears and cause us to ride on waters, even in the midst of a storm. He leads by faith. And we can/must/will walk by the faith He leads.

  The little girl who knew she could... and did!

And the parents who believe/support her every step of the way!

Kaja's zippy little brothers!

I believe in working for/towards fulfilling the measure of one's creation. 

I am grateful for Pres. Uchtdorf's insight to the atonement: 

"...while the Atonement is meant to help us all become more like Christ,

it is not meant to make us all the same." What an insight!! More on his talk here.

Happiness is: General Conference and my family. 

The two combined= 

IDEAL!