Remember

What a beautiful and timely Sunday School lesson yesterday from Deuteronomy....about REMEMBERING!  Remembering our covenants, remembering God, remembering His goodness and blessings, remembering His commandments, remembering to build our foundation on Christ, remembering the lessons and testimonies of the prophets and people that have come before, remembering our ancestors and their sacrifices and faith, remembering the purpose of our existence and the goal to return to our Heavenly Father.

The Israelites have been wondering in the wilderness for many years and before entering the promised land there is much that they still need to learn.  I think it's interesting to consider how many times in the scriptures we are pointed back to the story of Moses and the Israelites and their wanderings in the wilderness and what they were to learn from these experiences.

I think the goal is to get the important things in our hearts, so that we are distracted, tempted, or deceived by other things that would make us forget these significant parts of our life.  The Jews wore phylacteries and fringes on their heads, clothes, and arms that contained scriptures helping them to always remember the Lord and His word.  We have things that remind us of Him - we might build memorials, hang pictures, or keep a journal to help us remember and honor the things that are important to us.  Most importantly we have the sacrament every week to remind us of Him.  As we always remember Him we are promised to have His spirit to be with us.

I have thought a lot this year about remembering.  It is hard to watch someone that you love forget significant events and even basic functions.  Alheizmer's is an extreme condition of forgetfulness, but it makes me reflect even more on the importance of remembering our blessings.  It was such a blessing today and this weekend to spend Memorial Day running around (literally) and seeing so many of the memorials of Washington, DC, reflecting on those who have gone before and preserved freedom.

Even more important than the freedom we enjoy today and the memorials built for people and events that have blessed us here in the last several hundred years, I am even more grateful for our Heavenly Father's eternal love and plan.  He does not forsake us or forget us (see Joshua 1:5, Isaiah 49:16)!  We are reminded of His love and His Son's love for us every week as we partake of the sacrament and promise to always remember Him.  Remembering Him brings the greatest hope, the promise of the Spirit, and clear purpose and direction.

Freedom

I think I always appreciate the 4th of July and all that it means a little bit more when I happen to not be in the US.  This year the 4th of July began in the early morning hours, watching the lights of Egypt out the window of an airplane - during what I heard later was a military coup.  I was on my way to visit a place that represents freedom to many people, but that freedom has not been without heartache and is still uncertain.

Considering where I was going and what day it was made me even more grateful for America and freedom, but it also made me think about an empty garden tomb and where freedom really comes from - Jesus Christ and His triumph over death and sin.

"And under this head ye are made free, and there is no other head whereby ye can be made free. There is no other name given whereby salvation cometh; therefore, I would that ye should take upon you the name of Christ, all you that have entered into the covenant with God that ye should be obedient unto the end of your lives (Mosiah 5:8)."

"...the Spirit of God, which is also the spirit of freedom (Alma 61:15)."

"Wherefore, hear my voice and follow me, and you shall be a free people (D&C 38:22)."

"If the Son therefore shall make you free, ye shall be free indeed (John 8:36)."

"...believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name (John 20:31)."

Today I am grateful for freedom and Him who makes us free.

National Day of Prayer

Lots to pray about today - grateful for a sister, blessings for a brother and grandfather, strength to continue, grateful for chances to learn and try again. I'm grateful for prayer. I know God listens and answers.  

"When I was a little child, my parents taught me by example to pray. I began with a picture in my mind of Heavenly Father being far away. As I have matured, my experience with prayer has changed.. The picture in my mind has become one of a Heavenly Father who is close by, who is bathed in a bright light, and who knows me perfectly." - President Henry B. Eyring, "Exhort Them to Pray," Ensign Feb. 2012

"In reality, there aren’t very many things in a day that are totally without significance. Even the mundane and repetitious can be tiny but significant building blocks that in time establish the discipline and character and order needed to realize our plans and dreams. Therefore, as you ask in prayer for your daily bread, consider thoughtfully your needs—both what you may lack and what you must protect against. As you retire to bed, think about the successes and failures of the day and what will make the next day a little better. And thank your Heavenly Father for the manna He has placed along your path that sustained you through the day. Your reflections will increase your faith in Him as you see His hand helping you to endure some things and to change others. You will be able to rejoice in one more day, one more step toward eternal life." - Elder D. Todd Christofferson, Give Us This Day Our Daily Bread, Jan. 2011

Happy Religious Freedom Day!

Did you know that January 16 is officially Religious Freedom Day, commemorating Thomas Jefferson's Virginia Statue for Religious Freedom drafted in 1786?  I'm grateful!  What a wonderful thing to celebrate!

Happy Veteran's Day!

I love America!  I'm grateful for freedom.  I am grateful to those who protect our freedoms and proclaim liberty and peace at home and abroad.  Some of my favorite places in DC were the war memorials - World War II, Vietnam, Korea, Arlington Cemetery.  There is a special spirit there honoring the lives of those who gave the ultimate sacrifice.  I think it is also important to remember and thank those who are still here - they have given much.

I have always appreciated veterans and Veteran's Day, but for some reason it has a new meaning and personal importance to me this year.  I'm grateful for both of my grandfathers' service and examples.  Recently I've been reading a few books about military leaders and wars in our history.  I've seen more clearly their sacrifice and dedication.  I watched a cute movie last night that helped me think again of the lives of soldiers and their families and even strangers that serve to uplift and strengthen them.  I have the unique opportunity to work directly with a very accomplished veteran and I'm inspired by his selfless service, as well as many others around me.  I have the chance to work a little bit with the military relations department, and I'm surrounded by a ward full of sweet, faithful, service-oriented examples....many of which are veterans or whose spouses are.  Thank you!

I think this is more a part of my life that I've previously thought.  I'm reminded of the wonderful examples of soldiers in Korea who opened the way for missionary work soon thereafter.  I think there is a correlation between the blessing of freedom and the blessing of the gospel and truth.  As I have been thinking about my gratitude for our servicemen and women today I was touched by the Mormon Tabernacle Choir's tribute and other music - Who are the Brave?, Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy, Battle Hymn of the Republic

I'm grateful for the reminders this week of a cause bigger than any one person and I'm grateful for so many wonderful examples of service and sacrifice for freedom, peace, righteousness.  God bless America!  May we ever be grateful and express that gratitude often and then work ourselves in any and all ways that we can to protect and lift those around us and protect peace and freedom.

Freedom!

I LOVE being back in DC! What a neat place! I am grateful for reminders of freedom and liberty! I am so grateful for this country and my citizenship!

"We hold these truths to be self-evident, that all men are created equal, that they are endowed by their Creator with certain unalienable Rights, that among these are Life, Liberty and the pursuit of Happiness....

"And for the support of this Declaration, with a firm reliance on the protection of divine Providence, we mutually pledge to each other our Lives, our Fortunes and our sacred Honor."

- Thomas Jefferson, Declaration of Independence, July 4, 1776, Jefferson Memorial

"I, Pahoran, do not seek for power, save only to retain my judgment-seat that I may preserve the rights and the liberty of my people. My soul standeth fast in the liberty in the which God hath made us free." (Alma 61:9)