Day 13: I think both of my sisters have already stated that these posts are becoming increasingly difficult. However, ironically for me they are becoming more and more of what I originally intended when I first started this challenge- a little quote here, a video there, a nice picture or two. I never intended to post full lectures. That is what has been kind of neat about this challenge, I may have a plan in my head when I sit down to write, but I really never know what will actually be posted. Any way- today's quote is more of a reminder for me than anything else:
“My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight...I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.” -Gordon B. Hinckley (one of my very favorite prophets of our church!)
This life is not meant to be miserable, challenging yes, but not miserable. We were meant to find joy in the world and in the people around us. We ourselves were meant to be a joy in return to the world and people around us as well. We had some friends over on Sunday who reminded us that when we are happy most often it is when we aren't thinking about us. We aren't thinking about our problems, our imperfections, what we don't have, what we wish our life were like etc. etc. I think happiness is found most often outside of ourselves. We find it when we focus on bringing joy to and finding joy in others. We find true joy in the good in the world and sometimes that good has to come from us. I also think that we have to fight the urge we have to criticize. Why do we criticize each other so much? Why don't we make it a happy to find the good in others rather than look for what we can put down, make fun of, hate, etc.?
To end, another one of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures:
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy."- 2 Nephi 2:25
Be happy and make those around you happy. We are here to find joy! Make an effort to find the good in life and more importantly find the good in the people around you (it will make being happy and making others happy a lot easier). #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
“My plea is that we stop seeking out the storms and enjoy more fully the sunlight...I am asking that we look a little deeper for the good, that we still our voices of insult and sarcasm, that we more generously compliment and endorse virtue and effort.” -Gordon B. Hinckley (one of my very favorite prophets of our church!)
This life is not meant to be miserable, challenging yes, but not miserable. We were meant to find joy in the world and in the people around us. We ourselves were meant to be a joy in return to the world and people around us as well. We had some friends over on Sunday who reminded us that when we are happy most often it is when we aren't thinking about us. We aren't thinking about our problems, our imperfections, what we don't have, what we wish our life were like etc. etc. I think happiness is found most often outside of ourselves. We find it when we focus on bringing joy to and finding joy in others. We find true joy in the good in the world and sometimes that good has to come from us. I also think that we have to fight the urge we have to criticize. Why do we criticize each other so much? Why don't we make it a happy to find the good in others rather than look for what we can put down, make fun of, hate, etc.?
To end, another one of my favorite Book of Mormon scriptures:
"Adam fell that men might be; and men are that they might have joy."- 2 Nephi 2:25
Be happy and make those around you happy. We are here to find joy! Make an effort to find the good in life and more importantly find the good in the people around you (it will make being happy and making others happy a lot easier). #40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Day 13: Now that I've established that the original Gospel of Christ has been restored to the earth, What, you might ask, was missing?
Today I want to talk about the priesthood. I've mulled over this topic for a few days now. I'm not sure how a simple FB post will do this incredible blessing and opportunity justice. That is why, once again, I have hesitated and had a continual prayer in my heart pleading for the right words.
Priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name. Christ gave the priesthood to his apostles who used it to bless and heal the sick. It is again on the earth today. Every man who has the priesthood can trace their "line of authority" back to Christ. That is, if they look up who ordained them to the priesthood, and who ordained that person and so on and so forth (much like following a genealogical line), every line goes back to Jesus Christ. I think that's pretty cool.
Those who hold the priesthood bless and pass the sacrament, provide ordinances like baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and marriage, bless those who are in need of comfort, or provide a healing blessing. That is the summed up definition.
I feel the spirit bear witness to truthfulness most when personal experiences are shared. So, I've decided to share one of my own, very personal, experience with the priesthood.
Everytime before I've gone in to have a baby I have asked for a blessing from my husband. Each time words of comfort have come, sometimes about things that I hadn't really vocalized to my husband. Things that were only in my heart- the place that God knows best.
My experience with my first baby was most dramatic. I went into labor three weeks early. I was healthy and the baby was healthy so there were no worries with the early delivery just surprise and excitement! Before we left for the hospital I asked for a blessing. For any new-to-be mother the idea of labor is daunting. I was very nervous and scared. I had been working with a mid-wife who from the beginning told me "your body knows what it's doing." I believed that, our bodies are really very amazing.
So, in the early hours of the morning, after timing contractions and trying to find comfort, I sat in a chair, felt the familiar comfort of strong hands on my head and listened to the words of God through my husband. I don't remember much, but I do remember hearing a blessing to be on the doctors and for me to have trust in them. I kind of thought that was strange, because I wasn't really working with a doctor, but a mid-wife. But in the pain of labor, I didn't dwell on it too much.
Fast forward many hours later, four of which were actively pushing, the baby's heart rate dropped. The mid-wife had tried many different approaches to try and get this baby here strong and healthy. When she saw the heart rate drop, she called in the doctor. After looking at the situation and seeing if there was any way we could get the baby here naturally, the "c" word was brought up. I was tired. My husband was tired. I cried. He sat down with his head in his hands. It felt like defeat. My body didn't know what it was doing apparently.
That's when the words of the blessing popped into my head. "Trust the doctor."
I did. I trusted the doctor and the Lord. Not long after that a healthy baby boy took his first breaths. I had an extremely easy recovery, my body was strong, and all was well.
Would I have gone through the same situation without the blessing? Yes, I have no doubt. However, would I have had that added sense of comfort knowing that I was in the hands of my Maker? No. I knew He knew my situation. I knew it to a greater degree because in that same day I had received words from Him through a priesthood blessing.
I have had many blessings. Each time there has been a sense of comfort and peace. A feeling that I really and a daughter of God and He loves me more than I can even comprehend.
Do I get jealous that I, as a woman, do not have the priesthood? Not at all, for I am entitled to every one of the same blessings that a man with the priesthood holds. It is just his mantle to hold just as it is a woman's mantle to bear children. We are different. We serve different divine purposes. But, that is a whole other topic for another day.
The priesthood is real. It is on the earth today. That is my testimony. Ann#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Today I want to talk about the priesthood. I've mulled over this topic for a few days now. I'm not sure how a simple FB post will do this incredible blessing and opportunity justice. That is why, once again, I have hesitated and had a continual prayer in my heart pleading for the right words.
Priesthood is the power and authority given to man to act in God's name. Christ gave the priesthood to his apostles who used it to bless and heal the sick. It is again on the earth today. Every man who has the priesthood can trace their "line of authority" back to Christ. That is, if they look up who ordained them to the priesthood, and who ordained that person and so on and so forth (much like following a genealogical line), every line goes back to Jesus Christ. I think that's pretty cool.
Those who hold the priesthood bless and pass the sacrament, provide ordinances like baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and marriage, bless those who are in need of comfort, or provide a healing blessing. That is the summed up definition.
I feel the spirit bear witness to truthfulness most when personal experiences are shared. So, I've decided to share one of my own, very personal, experience with the priesthood.
Everytime before I've gone in to have a baby I have asked for a blessing from my husband. Each time words of comfort have come, sometimes about things that I hadn't really vocalized to my husband. Things that were only in my heart- the place that God knows best.
My experience with my first baby was most dramatic. I went into labor three weeks early. I was healthy and the baby was healthy so there were no worries with the early delivery just surprise and excitement! Before we left for the hospital I asked for a blessing. For any new-to-be mother the idea of labor is daunting. I was very nervous and scared. I had been working with a mid-wife who from the beginning told me "your body knows what it's doing." I believed that, our bodies are really very amazing.
So, in the early hours of the morning, after timing contractions and trying to find comfort, I sat in a chair, felt the familiar comfort of strong hands on my head and listened to the words of God through my husband. I don't remember much, but I do remember hearing a blessing to be on the doctors and for me to have trust in them. I kind of thought that was strange, because I wasn't really working with a doctor, but a mid-wife. But in the pain of labor, I didn't dwell on it too much.
Fast forward many hours later, four of which were actively pushing, the baby's heart rate dropped. The mid-wife had tried many different approaches to try and get this baby here strong and healthy. When she saw the heart rate drop, she called in the doctor. After looking at the situation and seeing if there was any way we could get the baby here naturally, the "c" word was brought up. I was tired. My husband was tired. I cried. He sat down with his head in his hands. It felt like defeat. My body didn't know what it was doing apparently.
That's when the words of the blessing popped into my head. "Trust the doctor."
I did. I trusted the doctor and the Lord. Not long after that a healthy baby boy took his first breaths. I had an extremely easy recovery, my body was strong, and all was well.
Would I have gone through the same situation without the blessing? Yes, I have no doubt. However, would I have had that added sense of comfort knowing that I was in the hands of my Maker? No. I knew He knew my situation. I knew it to a greater degree because in that same day I had received words from Him through a priesthood blessing.
I have had many blessings. Each time there has been a sense of comfort and peace. A feeling that I really and a daughter of God and He loves me more than I can even comprehend.
Do I get jealous that I, as a woman, do not have the priesthood? Not at all, for I am entitled to every one of the same blessings that a man with the priesthood holds. It is just his mantle to hold just as it is a woman's mantle to bear children. We are different. We serve different divine purposes. But, that is a whole other topic for another day.
The priesthood is real. It is on the earth today. That is my testimony. Ann#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Day 13: God is your friend.
Before I start I just want to comment on how hard it is to write these posts everyday. Not just the public sharing, but the work of posting on facebook everyday, takes time and thought...and somedays there just is not a lot to say.
(Why keep doing this? Because I cannot turn down a challenge, even if it is annoying to all of my facebook friends. I am also growing from it, and I hope someone out there is learning something.)
This entire day I have been trying to come up with a post that felt right. And I have come up blank.
So today's truth was not on my planned list of things to share. But it is a truth.
God is your friend, He is my friend. There will be moments in your life when you are completely alone. There will be no one physically there to help you and support you. It is in these moments, if you are willing to receive the comfort the Lord is extending to you, you will feel this friendship. This love, this feeling of camaraderie.
I have felt it while sitting in a foreign country, on the other side of the world from parents and home, just wondering if I was doing the right things with my life.
There was a quite assurance, and even a hug, giving me comfort that I was not alone, it will be ok, because I had a friend with me.
I have felt it when preparing to do somethings that seemed terrifying, and irrational, and embarrassing.
There was the calm assurance, "I am with you, each step of the way", a strength and a peace I could not muster on my own was there, through my friend.
Those few moments when my entire world has fallen apart. And I just did not know what to do, or how to move forward.
I had a friend there. I could not see Him, but He was there and just let me cry it out with Him, and when I was done, He helped me move forward.
There are so many other things I am going to share about God the next few days. How He is the redeemer, how He respects our agency, How He is our judge, How He reveals truth. But for tonight, I just want to share that of all of the roles God plays in my life, the role I love the most about Him, is His friendship.
He is a true friend, He has never left me alone, He is always there, He always cares about me and my life. He listens, He counsels, He gives courage, He celebrates my joys, and He comforts my sorrows.
Those times He has been distant from me it was because I chose to not receive Him in my life at those moments. He has never chosen to not receive me. He is always waiting to receive me, when I am willing to give myself to Him.
I know He is there. I know He is real. I know He is your friend.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
Before I start I just want to comment on how hard it is to write these posts everyday. Not just the public sharing, but the work of posting on facebook everyday, takes time and thought...and somedays there just is not a lot to say.
(Why keep doing this? Because I cannot turn down a challenge, even if it is annoying to all of my facebook friends. I am also growing from it, and I hope someone out there is learning something.)
This entire day I have been trying to come up with a post that felt right. And I have come up blank.
So today's truth was not on my planned list of things to share. But it is a truth.
God is your friend, He is my friend. There will be moments in your life when you are completely alone. There will be no one physically there to help you and support you. It is in these moments, if you are willing to receive the comfort the Lord is extending to you, you will feel this friendship. This love, this feeling of camaraderie.
I have felt it while sitting in a foreign country, on the other side of the world from parents and home, just wondering if I was doing the right things with my life.
There was a quite assurance, and even a hug, giving me comfort that I was not alone, it will be ok, because I had a friend with me.
I have felt it when preparing to do somethings that seemed terrifying, and irrational, and embarrassing.
There was the calm assurance, "I am with you, each step of the way", a strength and a peace I could not muster on my own was there, through my friend.
Those few moments when my entire world has fallen apart. And I just did not know what to do, or how to move forward.
I had a friend there. I could not see Him, but He was there and just let me cry it out with Him, and when I was done, He helped me move forward.
There are so many other things I am going to share about God the next few days. How He is the redeemer, how He respects our agency, How He is our judge, How He reveals truth. But for tonight, I just want to share that of all of the roles God plays in my life, the role I love the most about Him, is His friendship.
He is a true friend, He has never left me alone, He is always there, He always cares about me and my life. He listens, He counsels, He gives courage, He celebrates my joys, and He comforts my sorrows.
Those times He has been distant from me it was because I chose to not receive Him in my life at those moments. He has never chosen to not receive me. He is always waiting to receive me, when I am willing to give myself to Him.
I know He is there. I know He is real. I know He is your friend.
#40daysoftruth #LentChallenge2014
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