I choose to be part of the stable few...

 
There is a great deal to think about this time of year. Our lives are busy, we are seeking the perfect gift for our loved ones, we have had terrorist attacks on our homeland soil. But, are we thinking about what is most important? Which crowd are you choosing to be a part of. I am trying hard to hold our focus this season on Christ most often. I know that Santa will make his way into our focus as we get closer to Christmas but I hope we can all strive to remember which crowd you have chosen to be a part of and why this choice is so important.

A Christ like Christmas

As the Christmas season is upon us I, as a parent, strive each year to instill in my children the spirit of a Christ like attitude. This is something that is not easy but I find that each year as we experience the First Presidency devotional, read the magazines put out by our church and also as we study our scriptures we are shown many opportunities to be more Christ like. I struggle with the fact that we are more giving at the end of the year, during winter, than we are any other time of the year.

I was able to spend a great weekend with my family. We ate lots of food, we watched holiday movies and went on shopping adventures. I wonder how normal this is for many in our country. I wonder if we are doing too much or spending too much money. I was recently reading the December 2015 issue of the Ensign. I noticed that both the First Presidency message and the message directly following that spoke of giving of oneself. This costs nothing I thought, I can do this. Then, I began to come up with all kinds of reasons why I didn’t have the time. Our time is our most precious commodity. This is what is most precious and this is what we need to strive to spend more carefully. We need to make sure that our times spent is spent on something worthwhile like time with a child helping them learn or visiting with a loved one. We need to spend less time sitting aimlessly in front of the television or electronic devices and more time with those we care the most about. This is how we can be more Christ like. We need to be more generous with our time with those we love and less generous with our time doing things that isolate us or keep us from our loved ones. Having a Christ like attitude is what can bring us the joy we are seeking most days and can carry us through our despair that sometimes drags us down. I have attached a couple of articles that I read this weekend that really inspired this post. May your heart be filled with Christ’s love.

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/12/make-time-for-the-savior?lang=eng

https://www.lds.org/ensign/2015/12/a-gift-of-life-and-love?lang=eng

Gratitude

I have had a busy, busy last couple of weeks. Slowing down to focus on my blog has been difficult so I tried to figure out why. I think it has more to do with really dealing with what has been going on and less with finding the time. I have spent several days in California with my parents as my dad has been dealing with heart problems and health issues. I think it is at these times when our reality is shaken and what we know to have always been and is shaken that I struggle to stay on task and focus on anything other than the life issue. We are a week from Thanksgiving and this has really had me thinking about what I am grateful for and am I truly showing my gratitude for these things. I chose to spend time in prayer determining if I knew what I am thankful for and do I realize how important these things are.

It saddens me that sometimes critical events are what bring focus to us on what is most important. My family, my parents and siblings, are not the center focus in my life very often anymore. As I have gotten married and had children that focus has really shifted. We get busy with our lives and drift apart. My children are now at places in their lives where they will begin to experience this and I have wondered if I am prepared to experience this at this time. It’s not as though I can say, “I'm not ready”, and then it doesn’t happen. So, I am as ready as I can be and we will see. 

Image retrieved from the glorious and lovely pinterest

The importance of gratitude...

I have been studying like crazy and have conquered the storm of mid-terms well. I was surprised at how well things went but then I thought about how many times I have prayed for help or guidance or to just be able to finish what I have started. I know these things have not happened because I have done something spectacular. They have happened because I have prayed, prayed and prayed some more. I have done all I can and then have asked for guidance getting through this ordeal of school. I love what I am doing and I know that there are great blessings for me and my family as I strive to do all that I need to do to finish this choice of school that I have made. I know that every time I turn to the Lord whether it’s for guidance in a decision, making a choice about a class or giving thanks for the help I have received, I know my prayers are heard and I know that is how I am getting through this trying time. It is very important that we give credit where it is due. I am grateful for my family and all of the support they are giving me as I have made it half way through my first of many semesters. They have done everything from laundry to cooking to anything I think to ask for help with. WE have made it through the first half of the first semester. Thank you!!

I recently came across a beautiful talk by President Monson entitled, “The Divine Gift of Gratitude” from October 2010. There is an incredible quote that reads, “My brothers and sisters, do we remember to give thanks for the blessings we receive? Sincerely giving thanks not only helps us recognize our blessings, but it also unlocks the doors of heaven and helps us feel God’s love.” It is so easy to drop to our knees and ask for help in times of crisis but we MUST also remember to give thanks for all that we are given. This is an incredible article and I would urge everyone to read it.

Here is a link to the article:

https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/the-divine-gift-of-gratitude?lang=eng

Making The Right Choice

I have sat down several times and typed up several posts. I wanted to be sure to start in a perfect place, I wanted to have my words perfect. I have decided it doesn't matter so much where you start on the path, it matters that you are on the path and headed in the right direction.

Recently I read an article by Dallin H Oaks, titled "No Other Gods" and "As He thinketh". There were several points in this particular article that really stood out to me to help me know where my focus in life should be. We should be aware of the God we serve and be aware of things like power, material possessions, careers, politics and family traditions. These things are but a few things that can get in our way of being on the right path. These things can keep us from worshiping in the manner God truly wants us to. The article goes on to remind us of the ultimate treasure that is placed for us - "marriage and the bearing and nurturing of children as part of God's plan". How often do we feel that we "need" something that later is tossed by the wayside. We need to remember why we are here on this earth and focus on who/what we worship and is our family getting our attention, not just have some of our attention but our undivided attention.

 I find myself in a place in my life where my time raising my children is nearing its end. My girls are beginning to find their path in life and begin to take that path with their significant other. I take some pride in watching their choices when they are what they have been taught at home, I cringe a little when they veer off the path in a direction I don't agree with. I find myself hoping and praying that they will hear me whispering in their ear the best choice when they come to a fork in the road. In this same article, President Thomas S Monson reminds us, "Let us have the courage to defy the consensus, the courage to stand for principle. Courage not compromise, brings the smile of God's approval. Courage becomes a living and an attractive virtue when it is regarded not only as a willingness to die manfully, bu as the determination to live decently." It is not always an easy path to take the right path, but it is always worth it.

Here is a link to this article: https://www.lds.org/general-conference/2013/10/no-other-gods?lang=eng

Family

The cornerstone of the choices that my family makes are often based on the information in a document given to us through our church's leadership. The document was released years ago but is based on information that is not specific to any time frame or specific time in a family. We have been blessed to have this to guide us to make the best choices we can. The Family: A Proclamation to the World is something that hangs near our doorway in our home so that it is seen by all who enter our home. This allows others who enter our home know who we are and what we believe.