General Conference

This last weekend I was able to watch General Conference.  This is a conference held over 2 days that is broadcast and available over the internet.  Prophets of God speak to us the word of God so that we might know His will for us and do it.  There were a couple of talks given that included the message that God gives commandments and they don't change, even if the ways and laws of man do over time.  It was comforting to me to have this reminder, especially with all the changes occurring in the world these days.  It is nice to know that God is constant, even if nothing else is and that I can rely on Him always.  Another message I heard was that we need to stand firm in living our religion and standing up for what we know and believe is right.  This may be hard to do in a world where people are departing from living a lot of good principles and commandments.  Commandments that are given to help us to be happy and live successful lives.  I am grateful for the opportunity that I have to listen to this conference twice a year and I look forward to it when it comes up.  I know that God lives and that He cares about all of His children all over the world, regardless of their beliefs or ways of life.

There were a lot of topics spoken on during the conference.  Here is a link to watch or listen to it online:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference?lang=eng

Relying on God

Next month, my brother is getting married.  I am excited for the event.  I will get to see all of my immediate family in one place again, which will be so nice, as well as some extended family that will be able to attend.  I am very grateful for family.  No family is perfect, but families really are important.  I really appreciate that my family laughs at my jokes.

I am grateful for my Heavenly Father as well.  He is always there to support me in my trials, He may not take them away, but He will help me go through them in the best way possible.  Whenever I am sincere in my desire to change and make the right decision, He is always there immediately to help me do the right thing and to make the right choice.  He gives assurance of making the right decision and comfort and strength to do the right thing.  This week He helped me to return somethings that I bought that I really didn't need (I am in school and don't have much money to spare).  He gives me comfort to know that I can do without things and still be alright.  He helps me to find ways to do without things, that often end up being better that way anyway.  I must be creative or at least humble in my planning and accomplishments.  I develop more confidence in myself and God this way.  I highly recommend seeking for and accepting God's counsel when He wants to give it to you in especially in the everyday things.  He loves all of His children.

Happy spring!

Scripture Power

This week I have realized how much strength and power I am given for reading my scriptures.  I have had a few weeks where I haven't read them every day.  Not that I haven't read them at all, but not every day.  Come Thursday or Friday, I tended to check out of that commitment that I made to God and myself.   I found that on these days, things were much more challenging emotionally and perspectively.  I had a harder time being hopeful and being proactive about everything.  I thought less about my day and what I wanted to accomplish and thought more in terms of what I "had" to do that day.  When I read my scriptures, it helps me to refocus on the things that I know are really important and the things that I really want (not just what do I want to eat at my next meal or what form of entertainment I should pursue during my next down period.  Scripture study invites the spirit and helps me attain and maintain through out my day a positive attitude.  It helps me to actually want to do all the hard things that I've signed up to do or that are made available to me through out the day.  Taking time for scripture reading is "me" time that I need everyday.  It helps me to be my best self.  I read about people who were striving with their whole beings to keep the commandments and do what is right, even in very difficult circumstances. They are great examples to me.  If they can do it, maybe I can do the smaller things that are asked of me every day.  I'm always glad that I chose to read, this is something that I need to remember the next time I think I might skip today. When I read the scriptures, I am reminded of how much God loves me and all of His children.  He is constantly trying to get them to do things that will help them to be the happiest they can be.  He really does love us all.

Yea, scriptures!

Following God

Mosiah 5:7

7 And now, because of the covenant which ye have made ye shall be called the ^achildren of Christ, his sons, and his daughters; for behold, this day he hath spiritually begotten you; for ye say that your hearts are ^bchanged through faith on his name; therefore, ye are ^cborn of him and have become his ^dsons and his daughters.

This change of heart spoken of by King Benjamin in the book of Mosiah in the Book of Mormon is something that can actually happen.  Acting in faith can be hard, but if you stick with it, you begin to see the benefits and want to continue in the path.  This is the change of heart.  Changing from rebellion to tentative submission to proactive involvement.  Once you reach this last stage, certain things become easier, you look forward to staying the course and actively plan to proceed down the course in the future.  The desires of your heart have changed.  So often this only comes after a long time of acting in faith, without seeing much result or at least the result you want to see.  But once you have developed good habits and dedication to the path, you begin to see all the different ways staying the course makes you better, your life better, everything better.  You don't want to lose that so you have encouragement to carry on and to keep growing in this direction.  You want to reach further down this road and see what else you can become and how else you can develop, what else you can do.  You can see how believing God and following Him is really allowing Him to love you and help you to be the happiest you can.  He really does want us to be happy.  For that I am very grateful and humbled.

The Little Things: Prayer

So last week, let slide a lot of the little things that I try to do everyday or at least regularly.  I was lazy and told myself that I was too tired to do all these things.  And I was tired, but I missed all the stability and 'groundedness" that I get from these activities.  I like to say my prayers in the mornings.  It helps me to turn my worries over to the Lord.  It helps me to look at my day hopefully, instead of stressing out about what needs to be done (when, how, etc).  It helps me to be grateful for the blessings I receive everyday from Him.  When I take the time to think about and express my gratitude to the Lord, I am able to see His hand in my life so much more. I am able to see and feel so much more blessed than I would otherwise.  It is a humbling experience and it also helps me to realize how much God loves me and is involved in my life.  He really cares about the details of it.  Praying in the mornings also helps me to think about my day.  What do I want to accomplish today?  What are the most important things that need to get done today?  How do I want them to be accomplished or what, specifically, do I want to ask the Lord to help me with?  I like to be specific in my prayers because it helps me to recognize when I am receiving help and to accept it.  Sometimes I will pray for help to have courage or to not become angry.  When I am presented with a situation in which I naturally want to behave in the opposite way, when I have prayed for help, I am reminded of my prayer and earlier desire.  This helps me to be open to receiving help and rising to the challenge of changing my feelings instead of brushing off the desire to change and giving into the 'easy' way out or the lazy way.  I seek the help that I asked for earlier in the moment and if I am earnest in wanting help (and sometimes when that desire is pretty small) I get the help that I need.  It's funny that it is often just enough to get me where I need to go, but in providing only what we need God can help us to grow as much as we can.  Prayer can help me to feel the spirit of the Lord everyday.  It helps me to start the day feeling like I have spoken with my maker and have some idea of what He would like me to do for the day.  This is a very comforting and confidence producing feeling.  I feel like I can start the day 'on the right foot.'  I highly recommend starting the day with prayer, it really is great!

I am so grateful for the warm weather that we have been experiencing here!  I know that it will soon be gone, whenever the next storm comes, so I have to enjoy it while I can.