It was a beautiful (rainy) weekend!!!...which was so appropriate, because as President Uchtdorf reminded us Saturday evening at the General Women's Meeting, "Heavenly Father is constantly raining blessings on us!" This was one of my favorite quotes of the night, but I was inspired by all the messages and the chance to gather as sisters and learn and feel the Spirit.
One of President Uchtdorf's main messages to me was to "discover your real self." We need to get rid of selfish desires and ambitions and remember that we are children of God! That truth teaches us of our origin, our purpose, and our destiny. It can inspire us to accomplish remarkable things and bring us unfathomable blessings as we faithfully keep all the commandments. The sweet international version of the opening song was probably what helped me remember and discover my real self the best today - I Love to See the Temple.
I loved the messages about the temple - preparing ourselves for the temple, making our homes like the temple - a place we can feel the Spirit - by consistently making correct choices. I thought this was a really profound statement by Sister Jean A. Stevens, "Covenants with God help us to know who we really are." We should focus on the temple and our covenants. The best way to strengthen our homes is to keep covenants and "it is through His Beloved Son, Jesus Christ, that every hope, every promise, and every blessing of the temple is fulfilled."
One other quote that I loved was one that Sister Marriott shared from President Thomas S. Monson, "If you want to give a light to others, you have to glow yourself." Sister Marriott challenged each of us to add gospel light and truth to our lives and to defend it, live it, and share it with others! That which is of God is light. "Truth shineth" like temples....and so can we! Just as every temple lessens the power of Satan on the earth, we have a similar purpose to push back the darkness and reflect the Savior's light! She bore a powerful testimony of Christ with a clear and urgent call for us to do the same!
Tuesday, September 30, 2014
Tuesday, September 23, 2014
Fall #utahiskindofamazing
Apparently today is officially fall. I LOVE fall! I've been celebrating for the past week or so by going to the mountains as much as I can!!! :) And really I've been celebrating since August when fall started coming to Alaska. I think that's what made me even more excited to not miss a minute of beauty! To the wild country... :)
Monday, September 22, 2014
What does He need to teach us?
These are a lot of thoughts I've been gathering, thinking, pondering over the last month....
September 7 - Stake Conference
I was inspired by our stake and regional conference at the beginning of September that started with a stake temple session and Friday evening session of conference where we were asked to consider what the Lord needs to teach us right now. For me personally some of the messages that came to mind were losing my life for Him and in His work, praising Him, doing all I can to support Him (as the angel did in the garden), remembering that the Spirit can and will teach us what to do (see 2 Nephi 32:3, 5) and that the blessings of the gospel are for ALL. I was inspired again that we are here NOW to serve and nourish the vineyard for the last time.
Two new epiphanies for me were in these profound ideas:
* "Love builds pathways to covenants!" I think that applies in missionary work, strengthening our own testimonies and faith, and in building relationships with others. This is important!
* Doing family history blesses every part of our life! As we are involved in family history we strengthen our family relationships on both sides of the veil and with our current and future families and even blesses other aspects of our life. This is important!
This little video is really cute and makes me excited about getting involved:
September 14 - CES Devotional: Saving Your Life
Speaking of wanting what He wants....if you haven't watched last month's CES Devotional, you should. In order to save our life we must lose it in Him (see Matthew 10:39).
Partly because of things I had already been thinking about the week before, the opening song was particularly pertinent to the message, I think:
In Hymns of Praise
In hymns of praise your voices raise To him who reigns on high,
Whose counsels keep the mighty deep, Who ruleth earth and sky.
September 7 - Stake Conference
I was inspired by our stake and regional conference at the beginning of September that started with a stake temple session and Friday evening session of conference where we were asked to consider what the Lord needs to teach us right now. For me personally some of the messages that came to mind were losing my life for Him and in His work, praising Him, doing all I can to support Him (as the angel did in the garden), remembering that the Spirit can and will teach us what to do (see 2 Nephi 32:3, 5) and that the blessings of the gospel are for ALL. I was inspired again that we are here NOW to serve and nourish the vineyard for the last time.
Two new epiphanies for me were in these profound ideas:
* "Love builds pathways to covenants!" I think that applies in missionary work, strengthening our own testimonies and faith, and in building relationships with others. This is important!
* Doing family history blesses every part of our life! As we are involved in family history we strengthen our family relationships on both sides of the veil and with our current and future families and even blesses other aspects of our life. This is important!
This little video is really cute and makes me excited about getting involved:
The Sunday morning session included more inspiration, with a clear focus on strengthening families through personal, companion, and family prayer, scripture study, unity, temple attendance, and family home evening. I was inspired to study, to pray, to serve in the temple, to build families!! Sometimes a strong focus on family can be discouraging when you're single, but today I was very uplifted and inspired by the messages - I was encouraged to know that is the plan, the purpose, the goal. It's what I want more than anything! I love my family! I love the Lord! I know this is the eternal plan and I know He is mindful of us each in our missions and work and lives on the earth, especially as we strive to want what He wants.
Speaking of wanting what He wants....if you haven't watched last month's CES Devotional, you should. In order to save our life we must lose it in Him (see Matthew 10:39).
Partly because of things I had already been thinking about the week before, the opening song was particularly pertinent to the message, I think:
In Hymns of Praise
In hymns of praise your voices raise To him who reigns on high,
Whose counsels keep the mighty deep, Who ruleth earth and sky.
Exalt his name in loud acclaim; His mighty pow'r adore!
And humbly bow before him now, Our King forevermore.
And humbly bow before him now, Our King forevermore.
Beneath his hand, at his command, The shining planets move;
To all below they daily show His wisdom and his love.
To all below they daily show His wisdom and his love.
The little flow'r that lasts an hour, The sparrow in its fall,
They, too, shall share his tender care; He made and loves them all.
They, too, shall share his tender care; He made and loves them all.
Then sing again in lofty strain To him who dwells on high;
To prayers you raise, and songs of praise, He sweetly will reply.
And some of the words of the choir's number were very helpful to me as well -To prayers you raise, and songs of praise, He sweetly will reply.
Be still, my soul: Thy God doth undertake
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Some of my key takeaways were:
* The best way to love someone is to put the Savior first!
* Our lives should be a confession of Christ!
* Make your faith public; be unashamed of Christ!
* Lose your life in the will of the Father.
* Personal development matters as we build a Christ-like character.
To guide the future as he has the past.
Thy hope, thy confidence let nothing shake;
All now mysterious shall be bright at last.
Be still, my soul: The waves and winds still know
His voice who ruled them while he dwelt below.
Some of my key takeaways were:
* The best way to love someone is to put the Savior first!
* Our lives should be a confession of Christ!
* Make your faith public; be unashamed of Christ!
* Lose your life in the will of the Father.
* Personal development matters as we build a Christ-like character.
September 21 - Ogden Utah Temple Re-dedication
It was really special to participate in the Ogden Utah Temple Re-dedication the following week. What a sweet spirit, special occasion, and celebration! Hosanna for the blessings of temple! I was inspired by the words and blessings of the temple....and our family discussion about it later that evening. We are blessed to have temples near, to be instructed by prophets and leaders, and to have the Holy Ghost teach us and inspire us and help us draw closer to the Lord.
Wednesday, September 10, 2014
You Snooze, You Lose
Lately....I feel like there has been a little bit of snoozing and losing in my life. :) From missing breakfast and morning scripture study for a few extra minutes of sleep, to not hiking Timp because 3:00 am is really early, or not buying a townhouse because I'm scared to move forward (I didn't realize how much I liked the option until it was gone), or just making decisions in general. Thinking about some of these things lately has helped me realize that life, decisions, relationships, commitments, etc. are messy. They can be hard, but getting up and moving forward is better than snoozing and losing. :)
I think this is somewhat related to an interesting discussion I had with a friend lately. Making decisions can be hard. Sometimes too many choices make it even harder. I'm reading an interesting book lately called The Paradox of Choice that explains the opportunities that freedom and choice give us, but at the same time the immobilizing effect too many choices can have on some people.
Here are a few other interesting articles:
Again, somewhat related, this is an interesting talk by Elder Bruce C. Hafen (August 1979) about dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty and making choices - On Dealing With Uncertainty:
"It seems to me that the most productive response to ambiguity is at level three, where we not only view things with our eyes wide open, but with our hearts wide open as well. When we do that, there will be many times when we are called upon to take some action at a point where we think we need more evidence before knowing what to do. Such occasions may range from following the counsel of the Brethren on birth control to accepting a home teaching assignment. My experience has taught me always to give the Lord and his church the benefit of any doubts I may have when some such case seems too close to call. I stress that the willingness to be believing and accepting in these cases is a very different matter from blind obedience. It is rather, a loving and knowing kind of obedience."
This one is wonderful too, by Elder Henry B. Eyring (March 1982) - A Law of Increasing Returns:
"The simple fact is that there is a God who wants us to have faith in him. He knows that to strengthen faith we must use it. And so he gives us the chance to use it by letting some of the spiritual rewards we want most be delayed. Instead of first effort yielding returns, with a steady decline, it’s the reverse. First efforts, and even second efforts, seem to yield little. And then the rewards begin, perhaps much later, to grow and grow."
I think this is somewhat related to an interesting discussion I had with a friend lately. Making decisions can be hard. Sometimes too many choices make it even harder. I'm reading an interesting book lately called The Paradox of Choice that explains the opportunities that freedom and choice give us, but at the same time the immobilizing effect too many choices can have on some people.
Here are a few other interesting articles:
- Fastcompany - Why Too Many Choices is Making You Unhappy
- The Economist - You Choose
- Business Insider - Cutting Down on Choice is the Best Way to Make Better Decisions
- The New Yorker - When it's Bad to Have Good Choices
- New York Times - Too Many Choices: A Problem That Can Paralyze
- New York Times - The Trap of Too Many Choices
Again, somewhat related, this is an interesting talk by Elder Bruce C. Hafen (August 1979) about dealing with ambiguity and uncertainty and making choices - On Dealing With Uncertainty:
"It seems to me that the most productive response to ambiguity is at level three, where we not only view things with our eyes wide open, but with our hearts wide open as well. When we do that, there will be many times when we are called upon to take some action at a point where we think we need more evidence before knowing what to do. Such occasions may range from following the counsel of the Brethren on birth control to accepting a home teaching assignment. My experience has taught me always to give the Lord and his church the benefit of any doubts I may have when some such case seems too close to call. I stress that the willingness to be believing and accepting in these cases is a very different matter from blind obedience. It is rather, a loving and knowing kind of obedience."
This one is wonderful too, by Elder Henry B. Eyring (March 1982) - A Law of Increasing Returns:
"The simple fact is that there is a God who wants us to have faith in him. He knows that to strengthen faith we must use it. And so he gives us the chance to use it by letting some of the spiritual rewards we want most be delayed. Instead of first effort yielding returns, with a steady decline, it’s the reverse. First efforts, and even second efforts, seem to yield little. And then the rewards begin, perhaps much later, to grow and grow."
Tuesday, September 9, 2014
Hache
I've always seen myself as an "Asian" language learner. I love Asia! I enjoyed learning Japanese in high school. I LOVE and still speak some Korean! I have learned a little bit of Chinese. But, tonight I'm pretty excited about the Spanish class I just started and I'm pretty sure it will not only be a great help to know some of the basics personally and professionally, but it might be more a part of me than I thought.....for example....
The Spanish alphabet (at least as explained in about an hour) is very similar to English. They have three extra letters - ch, ll, ñ. A few of the letters make a slightly different sound than we're used to in English. Most notable in my mind is h - hache. It's ALWAYS silent! For example hola! Since 'h' is a significant part of me, I now feel more okay about my life as an introvert. :)
That's all. Adiós.
The Spanish alphabet (at least as explained in about an hour) is very similar to English. They have three extra letters - ch, ll, ñ. A few of the letters make a slightly different sound than we're used to in English. Most notable in my mind is h - hache. It's ALWAYS silent! For example hola! Since 'h' is a significant part of me, I now feel more okay about my life as an introvert. :)
That's all. Adiós.
Monday, September 8, 2014
"He is building quite a different house"
I've been thinking quite a bit about this quote the past month or so and I heard it again tonight....I think it's important for all of us, but seems particularly applicable and helpful to me now for more than one reason:
“Imagine yourself as a living house. God comes in to rebuild that house. At first, perhaps, you can understand what He is doing. He is getting the drains right and stopping the leaks in the roof and so on; you knew that those jobs needed doing and so you are not surprised. But presently He starts knocking the house about in a way that hurts abominably and does not seem to make any sense. What on earth is He up to? The explanation is that He is building quite a different house from the one you thought of - throwing out a new wing here, putting on an extra floor there, running up towers, making courtyards. You thought you were being made into a decent little cottage: but He is building a palace. He intends to come and live in it Himself.” - C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
Saturday, September 6, 2014
Baptism
I am grateful for the opportunity I had to attend a really sweet baptism this morning. I need to attend these more often! Everyone needs to feel and know the joy of the gospel of Jesus Christ! There is a special spirit of peace, purity, and joy at every single one and it gives everyone there a chance to pause and think about covenants, what's really important, and what we can do to live closer to the Lord.
I had this song stuck in my head the rest of the day - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. It wasn't sung or played today, but it always comes to my mind quickly after a baptism, ever since I memorized it as a little girl to sing with my sister. I love it! I'm grateful for the truths it teaches. It points to one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 31 - that beautifully teaches the doctrine of Christ: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
I also love these songs....
....and am inspired to strive to live closer to the Lord, His gospel, His Spirit, and my baptismal covenants.
I had this song stuck in my head the rest of the day - One Lord, One Faith, One Baptism. It wasn't sung or played today, but it always comes to my mind quickly after a baptism, ever since I memorized it as a little girl to sing with my sister. I love it! I'm grateful for the truths it teaches. It points to one of my favorite chapters in the Book of Mormon - 2 Nephi 31 - that beautifully teaches the doctrine of Christ: faith in Jesus Christ, repentance, baptism, the gift of the Holy Ghost, and enduring to the end.
I also love these songs....
....and am inspired to strive to live closer to the Lord, His gospel, His Spirit, and my baptismal covenants.
Tuesday, September 2, 2014
#alaskaiskindofamazing
The last few years I have started a new tradition of spending my birthday on vacation with my parents. :) It's really quite great! They are wonderful travel companions and we've seen some beautiful and inspiring places. This year it was ALASKA....which is definitely more than kind of amazing!! If you haven't been, you need to go some time in your life - it's beautiful! Here are some of the highlights:
- Anchorage - the temple, Flattop Mountain, Captain Cook, Earthquake Park
- Turnagain Arm
- Alyeska - hiking to the tram, beautiful swimming pool view
- Seward Highway - beluga whales
- rain
- fireweed
- forget-me-nots
- Exit Glacier
- Seward - fish, cruise ships, rain, library, waterfront, Tonsina Beach
- Mt Marathon
- Kenai Fjords National Park
- HIKING (almost 50 miles total on at least 10 different trails)
- Harding Icefield
- driving most of the roads that exist in Alaska
- Palmer
- Healy
- Denali National Park - Savage Alpine Trail, Mt. Healey Overlook, Triple Lakes Trail
- mountains, mountains, mountains, and more mountains
- glaciers and ice fields
- animals - bears, eagles, dying salmon, moose, caribou, lynx
- fall colors!!!
- lots of pictures
- dinner theater
- sunshine
- Mt. McKinley!!!
- buses
- planes with no windows :)
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