Make Me Whole

It was a special day.  It was a special week.  I've had the opportunity the past couple of months and weeks to be a part of a choir performing "Lamb of God" by Rob Gardner - a beautiful presentation with orchestra, soloists, and narrators telling the story of Christ's life, particularly the last week of his life and then His glorious resurrection.  The main message - "Here is Hope...Hope did not die here, but here was given."  :)  I've felt that multiple times while practicing and hearing this music.  I've been touched, uplifted, inspired and had the chance to watch others be touched as well.  I am grateful for my Savior, Jesus Christ.  I know that He lives!  "This is He!  Our Hope, Our Deliverer, Our All!  Our comfort by day and our song in the night.  The Resurrection and the Life.  He who shall reign.  In whom we will ever rejoice."

Tonight, at our last performance, I was feeling tired, inspired, but mostly.... searching.... wanting to know the Lord's will and wanting to be healed.  :)  With these thoughts in my mind and while reverently sitting on the stage for the few minutes before the concert was to begin I saw people walking in to take their seats.  I noticed towards the back of the audience someone carrying an individual from a wheelchair, someone with obvious physical limitations, someone that I picture being brought to the Savior when He was here on the earth to be healed.  I was touched by the desire of these people to be in this place to feel of His love and His healing.  I realized again that in some way or another we are all seeking His help and healing.  Our faith and belief brought us together tonight to feel and find that for a few minutes.

A few minutes later Martha was singing.  Jesus had come when he heard of Lazarus' death.  Martha testified of His power to heal, but didn't seem to have any idea that healing and life could come so immediately....

"Lord, if Thou hadst been here, If Thou wouldst have heard us, My brother then would not have died.  No.  If Thou hadst been here.  Thou couldst have saved him.  I know that thou couldst have healed him.  But, even now, I know that if thou wilt ask of God, What Thou wouldst, God will give thee.  What thou asketh, He'll give thee.  I know that he shall rise again Lord.  I know he shall rise again in the resurrection At the last day."  When Jesus testifies to her that He is the resurrection and the life she says, "Yea, Lord; I believe that Thou art the Christ, which should come, The Son of God, But I do not understand..."

This interchange was particularly poignant to me.  I think I have not understood.  I know that Jesus makes it possible for us to live again....eventually, as Martha said, "at the last day."  He can heal us, but He is saying that He is here now, He WILL heal us now, today.  :)

Martha continues, "Touch my eyes and bid them see That my gaze might pierce the veil, And behold the wondrous scene That, in dreams, I've long beheld, Oh, touch my heart and bid it know That ev'ry sorrow is but a moment's tear, And Thou wilt make me whole again.  Touch my ears and bid them hear All the glory of Thy truth, That my hope might come of faith And no more require proof.  oh touch my heart and bid it know That, while in darkness here, The Light is ever near, And Thou wilt make me whole again.  Then touch my lips and bid them sing Songs of everlasting praise, That my soul might then believe And give thanks through all my days!  Oh, touch my heart and bid it know That ev'ry breath I take is by Thy tender grace, And Thou wilt make me whole, again."

She asked to see as He does, to have Him touch her heart and make her whole.  I realize that He can make us, he can make me, whole TODAY.  We don't need to wait.  He is here to heal and bless and lift and strengthen and change us NOW, but we must believe, we must come to Him and let Him change us, let Him make us whole.  I am grateful for His power, His life, His healing, His love!!

Motivation

I don't know if it's the time of year and not being in school or what, but apparently August/September is the time when I start searching for motivation in my life.  What am I doing with my time and my life?  What are my goals?  I realize that no one else can motivate us to do anything.  Motivation and desire come from within.  They can be strengthened by the encouragement of others, but ultimately no one can make us do anything.  It's easy to be lazy, but I've found in my life that happiness comes when I'm busy doing something good.  As I've been searching for motivation lately, here are a few pieces of inspiration I found:

Recently we studied the words of President Lorenzo Snow, Faithful, Energetic Service in the Kingdom of God, that have been a good reminder and inspiration to me.  He said, "Knowing our religion to be true we ought to be the most devoted people on the face of the earth to the cause we have embraced."  We have the truth!  All we should want to do is share it!  There's some motivation.  :)

Another wonderful reminder is this April 2010 message by President Henry B. Eyring, Act in All Diligence.  I'm inspired by many sweet videos and examples shared on the new website, Hastening the Work of Salvation, including this one, My Work and My Glory.

A couple more wonderful talks/thoughts that have reminded me recently of the importance of diligence and discipleship include a talk by Elder L. Tom Perry given in October 2000 entitled Discipleship.  He reminds of us the importance of cleaning well the baseboard and if we're going to leave anything undone have it be in the center of the room.  :)  Another motivating and inspiring Lorenzo Snow lesson coming up is Church Leadership and Selfless Service.  Brother Russell T. Osguthorpe just taught in a CES fireside about the importance of being disciples, having pure motives and giving our will to God.

In his talk during the Priesthood session of General Conference in April 2013, President Dieter F. Uchtdorf said, "When God works through us, no one and nothing can stand against us....You have your own special contribution to make, and God can magnify that contribution in a mighty way.  Your ability to contribute is not dependent upon your calling in the Church.  Your opportunities for service are endless.  If you are waiting on the sidelines, I encourage you to get in the game.  Don't wait for a particular calling before you become fully engaged in building the kingdom of God....you are already called to the work....Rise up to your true potential...and you will be a force for good."

And from a recent Bible Video, the Savior teaches to Seek Ye the Kingdom of God.



So, here are some goals that will help me stay motivated and get to January!  :)
- Finish the Doctrine & Covenants
- Read the Four Gospels over the holidays
- Sign up for a marathon by the end of the year
- Find a service opportunity before the end of the year
- Finish my indexing goal (2000) before Thanksgiving
- Buy a house by March
- Follow the Spirit in blessing and helping someone each day

Waiting on the Lord

I just finished reading The Chosen by Chaim Potok. This was a really good book and it got me thinking about two really important things that I wanted to study and think about further. First of all, what does it mean to wait on the Lord and what are our responsibilities in actively building His kingdom? (And the second thing – the importance of diligent and focused gospel study – is something I need to do more than talk about doing, but maybe more on that in a future post.) :)

The book is about two different Jewish sects in New York during World War II. After the atrocities of the Holocaust begin to be known to the world and as world leaders are discussing the possibility of the establishment of the Jewish state of Israel these two different Jewish groups have a very different response to the creation of the state of Israel and what it meant to wait for the Messiah to come.

Here are two quotes from the book:

·         "We cannot wait for God. If there is an answer, we must make it ourselves. Six million of our people have been slaughtered. It is inconceivable. It will have meaning only if we give it meaning. We cannot wait for God (p. 191)."

·         "Reb Saunders sits and waits for the Messiah. I am tired of waiting. Now is the time to bring the Messiah, not to wait for him (p. 220)."

I feel like I know something about waiting and patience, but what does it mean to wait on the Lord personally and as a disciple of Christ called to help build His kingdom in the last days? We know that He has said, "I will hasten my work in its time (D&C 88:73)," so how do we actively assist? How do we patiently hasten His work and trust in His will and timetable for our lives?

Here are a few talks and scriptures I have enjoyed studying…. I think sometimes waiting on the Lord means action and sometimes it means patience, but most importantly we must trust the Lord, actively seek the guidance of the Holy Ghost, and follow directly. These ideas have very direct and real implications in my work every day…and for every one of us in the different roles we play – we should consider what it means for us to "wait upon the Lord."

Elder Hales talks about waiting in his book, Return, "We cannot receive the greatest blessings Heavenly Father has in store for us without developing the patience and faith to wait….'For the people of the Lord are they who wait for him; for they still wait for the coming of the Messiah' (2 Nephi 6:13)….We wait upon the Lord when we walk in faith with a humble expectation that His promises are sure (p. 204-5)."

At the same time he points out that we each have unique talents that are given to us to develop and use to build the kingdom of God. "We will all have educational and other opportunities that can prepare us to contribute to the Lord's kingdom in unique and important ways. We have to understand that sometimes we will find ourselves in the right place at the right time. We have to take advantage of those opportunities; they come only once.
"We are clearly instructed that each of us is given a gift or gifts. Each one of us has different talents and different gifts…Do we know what gifts we have been given? Are we seeking to find our gifts? Through effort, experiment, and practice, our gifts are revealed to us (p. 216).”

"We all belong to a community of Saints, we all need each other, and we are all working toward the same goal….We share our gifts and talents with others, bringing brightness of hope and joy to them, and in so doing lift our own spirits (p. 263)."

Elder Bednar speaks often about the importance of acting and not being acted upon. In his 2010 talk Receive the Holy Ghost he teaches, "These four words—'Receive the Holy Ghost'—are not a passive pronouncement; rather, they constitute a priesthood injunction—an authoritative admonition to act and not simply to be acted upon (see 2 Nephi 2:26). The Holy Ghost does not become operative in our lives merely because hands are placed upon our heads and those four important words are spoken. As we receive this ordinance, each of us accepts a sacred and ongoing responsibility to desire, to seek, to work, and to so live that we indeed 'receive the Holy Ghost' and its attendant spiritual gifts."

In 2011, in a talk called The Spirit of Revelation, Elder Bednar continues, "In many of the uncertainties and challenges we encounter in our lives, God requires us to do our best, to act and not be acted upon, and to trust in Him. We may not see angels, hear heavenly voices, or receive overwhelming spiritual impressions. We frequently may press forward hoping and praying—but without absolute assurance—that we are acting in accordance with God's will. But as we honor our covenants and keep the commandments, as we strive ever more consistently to do good and to become better, we can walk with the confidence that God will guide our steps. And we can speak with assurance that God will inspire our utterances. This is in part the meaning of the scripture that declares, 'Then shall thy confidence wax strong in the presence of God (D&C 121:45).'"

Here is a "Wait upon the Lord" playlist to listen to while reading the rest of these scriptures and thoughts about action and patience and walking humbly with God:

·         Put Your Shoulder to the Wheel

·         Let Zion in Her Beauty Rise

·         Hope of Israel

·         Rise Up, O Men of God

·         Brightly Beams our Father's Mercy

·         Be Still, My Soul

·         Be Thou Humble

Some wonderful Scriptures about waiting upon the Lord:

"And now, Israel, what doth the Lord thy God require of thee, but to fear the Lord thy God, to walk in all his ways, and to love him, and to serve the Lord thy God with all thy heart and with all thy soul (Deuteronomy 5:12),"

"For if thou altogether holdest thy peace at this time, then shall there enlargement and deliverance arise to the Jews from another place; but thou and thy father's house shall be destroyed: and who knoweth whether thou art come to the kingdom for such a time as this (Esther 4:14)?"

“Wait on the Lord: be of good courage, and he shall strengthen thine heart: wait, I say, on the Lord (Psalms 27:14).”

"Wait on the Lord, and keep his way, and he shall exalt thee to inherit the land: when the wicked are cut off, thou shalt see it (Psalms 37:34)."

"Trust in the Lord with all thine heart; and lean not unto thine own understanding. In all thy ways acknowledge him, and he shall direct thy paths (Proverbs 3:5-6)."

"But they that wait upon the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings as eagles; they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint (Isaiah 40:31)."

"He hath shewed thee, O man, what is good; and what doth the Lord require of thee, but to do justly, and to love mercy, and to walk humbly with thy God (Micah 6:8)?"

"After this manner therefore pray ye: Our Father which are in heaven, Hallowed be thy name. Thy kingdom come. Thy will be done in earth, as it is in heaven. Give us this day our daily bread. And forgive us our debts, as we forgive our debtors. And lead us not into temptation, but deliver us from evil: For thine is the kingdom, and the power, and the glory, forever. Amen (Matthew 6:9-13)."

"Wait for the promise of the Father (Acts 1:4)."

"Waiting for the coming of our Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor. 1:7)."

"…Let us run with patience the race that is set before us, Looking unto Jesus the author and finisher of our faith (Hebrews 12:1-2);"

"Verily I say, men should be anxiously engaged in a good cause, and do many things of their own free will, and bring to pass much righteousness; For the power is in them, wherein they are agents unto themselves. And inasmuch as men do good they shall in nowise lose their reward (D&C 58:27-28)."

"Therefore, let your hearts be comforted concerning Zion; for all flesh is in mine hands; be still and know that I am God (D&C 101:16)."

"For since the beginning of the world have not men heard nor perceived by the ear, neither hath any eye seen, O God, besides thee, how great things thou hast prepared for him that waiteth for thee (D&C 133:45)."

"Behold my Spirit is upon you, wherefore all thy words will I justify; and the mountains shall flee before you, and the rivers shall turn from their course; and thou shalt abide in me, and I in you; therefore walk with me (Moses 6:34)."

A few thoughts on the importance of Action:

Four Titles - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Apr. 2013)

"If you are waiting on the sidelines, I encourage you to get in the game. Don't wait for a particular calling before you become fully engaged in building the kingdom of God. As a priesthood holder, you are already called to the work. Study the word of God daily, pray to Heavenly Father every day, internalize the principles of the restored gospel, give thanks to God, and ask for His guidance. Then live what you learn, first in your family but also in all situations of your life.

"In the great Composer's symphony, you have your own particular part to play—your own notes to sing. Fail to perform them, and with certainty the symphony will go on. But if you rise up and join the chorus and allow the power of God to work through you, you will see 'the windows of heaven' open, and He will 'pour you out a blessing, that there shall not be room enough to receive it.' Rise up to your true potential as a son [and daughter] of God, and you can be a force for good in your family, your home, your community, your nation, and indeed in the world."

Elder Bernard P. Brockbank - Today Millions Are Waiting (Apr. 1975)

"Upon no other group of men in the world rests greater responsibility than upon the priesthood holders of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. And every member of the Lord's church should live and prepare himself to be a savior of men. By preaching the gospel of salvation to the world, the Saints become saviors of men. Of his Saints the Lord said, 'They were set to be a light unto the world, and to be saviors of men.' And he added these words of warning: 'And inasmuch as they are not the saviors of men, they are as salt that has lost its savor, and is henceforth good for nothing but to be cast out and trodden under foot of men.' (D&C 103:9-10) Saints who do not become saviors will be cast out and trodden under foot of men. Now is the time to do missionary work. Now is the time to be saviors."

Give Me This Mountain - President Spencer W. Kimball (Apr. 1979)

"I feel to say to the Lord, humbly, 'Give me this mountain,' give me these challenges….Humbly, I give this pledge to the Lord and to you, my beloved brothers and sisters, fellow workers in this sacred cause of Christ: I will go forward, with faith in the God of Israel, knowing that he will guide and direct us, and lead us, finally, to the accomplishment of his purposes and to our promised land and our promised blessings. 'And Jesus said unto him, No man having put his hand to the plough, and looking back, is fit for the kingdom of God (Luke 9:62).'….I will 'wholly follow the Lord my God' to the fullest extent of my energy and my ability.'"

Waiting On the Lord, Renewing our Strength – Christy Nielson (July 2012)

"In the past I've thought of waiting as wasted time,….This kind of waiting requires little action on our part;….Impatient waiting tends to leave us physically and emotionally exhausted….So what kind of waiting was Isaiah describing? The Hebrew word translated as wait also means "hope for" and "anticipate" (Isaiah 40:31). To add my own interpretation, I like to think of waiting in terms of a waiter at a restaurant. In this sense, to wait on someone is to serve that person. A good waiter—or server—gives his or her customers excellent care and attention by checking in often, learning their desires, and attending to them. When I adopt this attitude toward the Lord, it adds purpose to the time I spend awaiting a particular blessing. In fact, time seems to pass more quickly when I am diligently working to serve God. Ironically enough, it's through this work that I 'renew [my] strength.'"

Live Up to Your Privilege – Daughters in My Kingdom (Chapter 10)

"You are now placed in a situation where you can act according to those sympathies which God has planted in your bosoms. If you live up to these principles how great and glorious!—if you live up to your privilege, the angels cannot be restrained from being your associates. … If you will be pure, nothing can hinder. – Joseph Smith"

"Elder M. Russell Ballard of the Quorum of the Twelve Apostles said: “We believe in and are counting on your goodness and your strength, your propensity for virtue and valor, your kindness and courage, your strength and resilience. We believe in your mission as women of God. …We believe that the Church simply will not accomplish what it must without your faith and faithfulness, your innate tendency to put the well-being of others ahead of your own, and your spiritual strength and tenacity.”

Doing the Right Thing at the Right Time, without Delay - Elder Jose L. Alonso (Oct. 2011)

We shouldn't delay helping and serving and rescuing someone that needs help today.

The Lord's Wind - Elder John H. Groberg (Oct. 1993)

"There is a family at the harbor that wants to hear the gospel. We are here in the middle of the ocean and want to teach them. The Lord controls the elements. All that stands between us and the family is a little wind. Why won't He send it? It's a righteous desire.

"As I was wondering, I noticed this faithful older brother move to the rear of the boat. I watched as he unlashed the tiny lifeboat, placed two oars with pins in their places, and carefully lowered it over the side. He looked at me and softly said, 'Get in.' I answered, 'What are you going? There is hardly room for two people in that tiny thing!' 'Don't waste any time or effort. Just get in. I am going to row you to shore, and we need to leave now to make it by sundown.'

"The old man concentrated his efforts and energy on fulfilling the calling he had from the Lord—to get a missionary to a family that wanted to hear the gospel. He was the Lord's wind that day.

"He never talked about thirst, the scorching sun, or the heat of the day as he relentlessly rowed uncomplainingly hour after house. He referred only to the privilege of being God's agent in bringing a missionary to teach the truth to those who desired to hear. But God knows! He gave him the strength to be His wind that day, and He will give us the strength to be His wind when necessary.

"How often do we not do more because we pray for wind and none comes? We pray for good things and they don't seem to happen, so we sit and wait and do no more. We should always pray for help, but we should always listen for inspiration and impressions to proceed in ways different from those we may have thought of."

A few thoughts on the importance of Patience:

Continue in Patience - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf (Apr. 2010)

"Patience is not passive resignation, nor is it failing to act because of our fears. Patience means active waiting and enduring. It means staying with something and doing all that we can—working, hoping, and exercising faith; bearing hardship with fortitude, even when the desires of our hearts are delayed. Patience is not simply enduring; it is enduring well!

"The children of Israel waited 40 years in the wilderness before they could enter the promised land. Jacob waited 7 long years for Rachel. The Jews waited 70 years in Babylon before they could return to rebuild the temple. The Nephites waited for a sign of Christ's birth, even knowing that if the sign did not come, they would perish. Joseph Smith's trials in Liberty Jail cause even the prophet of God to wonder, 'How long?'….In each case, Heavenly Father had a purpose in requiring that His children wait….We must learn that in the Lord's plan, our understanding comes 'line upon line, precept upon precept.' In short, knowledge and understanding come at the price of patience."

Give Us This Day our Daily Bread - Elder D. Todd Christofferson (Jan. 2011)

"By providing a daily sustenance, one day at a time, Jehovah was trying to teach faith to a nation that over a period of some 400 years had lost much of the faith of their fathers. He was teaching them to trust Him, to 'look unto [Him] in every thought; doubt not, fear not' (D&C 6:36). He was providing enough for one day at a time. Except for the sixth day, they could not store manna for use in any succeeding day or days. In essence, the children of Israel had to walk with Him today and trust that He would grant a sufficient amount of food for the next day on the next day, and so on. In that way He could never be too far from their minds and hearts."

Patience, A Heavenly Virtue - President Thomas S. Monson (Oct. 1995)

"Another who portrayed the virtue of patience was the Prophet Joseph Smith. After his supernal experience in the grove called Sacred, where the Father and the Son appeared to him, he was called upon to wait. At length, after Joseph suffered through over three years of derision for his beliefs, the angel Moroni appeared to him. And then more waiting and patience were required. Let us remember the counsel found in Isaiah: 'My thoughts are not your thoughts, neither are your ways my ways, saith the Lord. For as the heavens are higher than the earth, so are my ways higher than your ways, and my thoughts than your thoughts.'"

Talking to saints in Germany in 1968, President Monson promised, "'If you will remain true and faithful to the commandments of God, every blessing any member of the Church enjoys in any other country will be yours.' That night as I realized what I had promised, I dropped to my knees and prayed, ‘Heavenly Father, I’m on Thy errand; this is Thy church. I have spoken words that came not from me, but from Thee and Thy Son. Wilt Thou, therefore, fulfill the promise in the lives of this noble people.’ There coursed through my mind the words from the psalm, ‘Be still, and know that I am God.’ The heavenly virtue of patience was required….Little by little the promise was fulfilled.” 

Waiting upon the Lord – Bryan Bostick

Waiting upon the Lord: Thy Will Be Done - Elder Robert D. Hales (Oct. 2011)

All of this talk is so good and so applicable! You should watch it all! :)

One final thought, from Sister Monson's funeral today (what a sweet example she is of someone who wait on the Lord) – John Milton said, "They also serve who only stand and wait."

In summary, I think life is all about waiting on the Lord! Moses and the children of Israel had to wait on their journey to the promised land. Joseph Smith had to wait for a long time for more direction from the Lord….Adam waited for direction, too. Undoubtedly we each wait for something. We must be patient. There are things that we need to learn and I think the most important thing is learning to rely on and trust in the Lord – walking with Him. While I "wait" I want to be "anxiously engaged" and moving and acting as He directs and as an instrument in His hands.

Sacrifice

This post is an effort to sort out some recent thoughts and follow Elder Bednar's counsel to "noodle around" with the doctrines and principles of the gospel in an effort to learn and apply for myself.  :)  I just finished his book called Increase in Learning.  It is wonderful and teaches the important principle of learning the gospel for ourselves.  We must ask the questions, open the scriptures, pray and act on principles we come to understand.  There is a DVD that goes along with the book that includes a sweet interview with Elder and Sister Bednar.  I have so much to learn, but I know that's what this life is about and I'm excited to focus more on learning and being what the Lord would have me be.  There is so much JOY in learning, progressing, changing, applying the Atonement, gathering together in one His teachings and having this knowledge for ourselves!  Elder Bednar asks over and over again, "What doctrine, if understood, would change....[my life]?"

I think I need to better understand the doctrines of prayer, mission, passion, sacrifice, faith.

I like to know where I am and have an idea about where I'm going.  I think that's one reason I love maps so much.  Maps help me to visualize where I am and where I'm going, but recently I have been thinking about how God knows even better than I do exactly where I am.  :)  He knows our names, our needs, our desires.  I've thought about names on airline tickets and names of ancestors and individuals I'm doing temple work for.  Names on airline tickets must exactly match an ID in order to allow a traveler to board a plane without any problems.  Sometimes I don't know how to pronounce names of individuals I'm doing temple work for, but I know that God knows each of these people.  I've asked myself quite a bit lately where I should be, if I'm in the right place, what I should be doing, etc.  I know that He knows best.  We each have our own talents, desires, passions and things we want to accomplish.  I think these things are important and we shouldn't be afraid to be ourselves and do them--we've each come for "such a time as this" to share those talents and passions to bless and help others in a unique way.  For me, I think this means a few things:

1. Know who I am and who I want to be.  I think there are a few things I'm still trying to figure out in some respects.  What kind of eggs do I like?  :)  (Have you seen Runaway Bride?  I really like to help others and find it pretty easy to put others' needs in front of my own most of the time, but I think that leaves me not really knowing who I am and what I like sometimes.  I may need to spend some time figuring that out.)  I like to travel, make others happy, serve, learn (about faith, change, leadership, nonprofits, making a difference for good, happiness, new cultures), teach, explore, think, read, write, exercise, talk about ideas, finish something, listen, love, work, feel free to come and go, enjoy family and close friends, and meet new people.  
2. Once I know who I am I need to confidently be me.  :)  Even if that means changing some things.
3. BE HAPPY!  There are two cute ladies I know--one is a greeter at Church and the other is a temple worker I see almost every week--who call me "the girl who's always smiling."  :)  It makes me happy to hear that and increases my desire to really be happy.  We choose to be happy.  I think it's only when we're happy that we are really able to connect with and help and love others.  :)  I want to be better at truly being happy, in order to make the difference I need to.

At the same time that we have these passions, desires, and goals we must keep them in proper perspective and in line with what God wants for us.  It's not just about our desires and passions.  Lately I have been thinking a little bit about sacrifice.  "Sacrifice brings forth the blessings of heaven."  We can't see and understand the whole picture, but have to have faith that God knows best....and follow His plan for us.  Sometimes that means doing things that don't make sense or that we don't want to do.  We must put the Lord first!  Here are some wonderful talks that teach the importance and purpose of sacrifice:

• Sacrifice - Elder Dallin H. Oaks
• Because He Came - President Thomas S. Monson
• Forget Me Not - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf
• Coming to Ourselves - Elder Robert D. Hales
• Providing in the Lord's Way - President Dieter F. Uchtdorf

We have different opportunities to sacrifice for those we love--our God, our family, our country or those in need.  I have seen some very special examples of sacrifice lately that have increased my desire to understand and live this important principle of the gospel.  Sacrifice helps us remember what's really important.  It brings us closer to God.  We aren't asked to sacrifice animals anymore, but we should be offering God our broken heart and contrite spirit (see Psalms 51:17).

We should also make sacrifices and expect sacrifices of others that love us.  I read an interesting article about dating lately.  It pointed out that we should expect sacrifice of potential dates or companions.  I thought that was neat.  I don't think I'm generally someone that would do that.  I don't want to impose on others--to a fault!  I think it's part of being open and loving and being connected with others to expect them to love us enough that they would make sacrifices for us and our happiness.

Sacrifice helps us learn to love.  It helps us forget ourselves.  It brings blessings!

Those are some of my thoughts....there's more to learn and understand and much more to do, but in thinking about mission and moving forward in faith here are several other great pieces of inspiration.  :)

• The Best is Yet to Be - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
• An High Priest of Good Things to Come - Elder Jeffrey R. Holland
• Born Brave - Katherine Nelson

Make Known His Wonderful Works!

I have found one of my favorite FHE activities in SLC--exploring the Church History Museum!  :)  I LOVE the pieces on display for the International Art Competition going on this year!  I am inspired by the very title of the exhibit--Make Known His Wonderful Works!  Isn't that what life is all about?  :)  ....coming to know for ourselves the wonderful works of the Lord in our lives and then sharing them with with others that they might have the same joy?  :)

We can share His works in many ways and these diverse and beautiful pieces of art (paintings, quilts, sculptures, etc.) are wonderful testimony of our Savior, our Heavenly Father and Their plan for us.  I am inspired, uplifted and grateful for the chance to learn more of the gospel through others' testimonies.  I also want to consider each day what I can do today to make His works known!  :)

We're all different!

I had a fun opportunity today to work in another office with a group of people who make movies.  I definitely don't know much about making movies and have not had many interactions onsite with those that do.  It was really fun to see the personalities of the people that do this kind of work--very out-going, "people" people, a little bit scattered in the work they do throughout the day.  It's great that we all have talents and interests and abilities that we can share in unique ways to help each other and make the world a better and more interesting place.  It was like seeing the personalities of certain colleges and buildings at a university.  There's definitely a personality of departments at work as well.  I like having the chance to work with and learn from others!

Be Your Own Kind of Beautiful

I had an epiphany of sorts this week....and I think most of my thoughts can be summed up in this neat picture and idea from a Mormon Ad from the past:

I was sitting in an institute class this week when I started to understand more clearly this direction and reminder I needed in life right now. We were talking about Elder Holland's talk from this last General Conference, An Ensign to the Nations. It was a great lesson. We talked about ways that we are an ensign and standard and example of the gospel to the world. It was inspiring and important and specific to me. I feel like this is an important part of my calling in life and it gave me a renewed resolve to work to really find out what I need to be doing specifically now to help me become what I need to be later.

The thing that was really interesting to me was that after walking in the door I decided I was only going to stay for 10 minutes or so and then I needed to leave because I felt like I didn't belong or didn't want to belong. I ended up staying the whole time. I still didn't really feel like I fit into the group of people gathered there for the lesson, but by the end of the lesson I realized that didn't matter one bit. We talk a lot about unity and being of one heart and mind, but that does not mean that we are the same. We are all very different and have unique talents and interests and needs and goals, etc.... This is so cool! We can help and serve so much more when we have different talents and interests and roles and experiences. We need to be "true to our heart"! :) (I know that this song has a little different meaning, but it's fun.) :)

So, while this lesson helped me remember and decide to focus on finding my individual mission it also helped me really understand that I don't need to be working to fit in anywhere. I'm different than anyone else. We all are. I need to be me. :) I actually don't think I've really been myself very much the last several months and I'm grateful for this freeing feeling that I don't need to impress anyone or be anyone for someone else. I don't need to compare myself to anyone else in any way. I just need to be the best me that I can. :) I'm going to stop trying to fit in or spending so much time figuring out where I fit and just be happy and be myself.

I am grateful for God's individual love for us. I'm grateful that He's not comparing us to anyone else! :) I'm grateful for the chance to learn from many different people and experiences and let them be themselves, too. :)

Searching....

Life is good, but I want to be sure I am really being the person I need to be and doing the things I need to do. Lately I've been doing some "searching." :) I guess that's kind of a part of life everyday no matter what we're doing. We need to be happy, but not complacent.

I liked this article in the New York Times: Go Easy on Yourself, a New Wave of Research Urges. We need to use our talents and just be who we are. As we share who we are we are able to help and bless others with what they need.

I was on an airplane a couple of times this week and learned a few neat things. (I like traveling. I learn a lot traveling. I think the book I write someday will have something to do with the lessons I've learned traveling.) :) The first flight was really packed. I was sitting next to a big tough but nice looking guy probably in his mid-20s or so. As we were getting pretty close to landing there was some turbulence and the seat-belt sign came on. This guy took out his headphones and asked me if we were landing because he said he was scared. I hadn't really even noticed the turbulence (I guess he's never been on a plane in China!), but I thought it was nice how open he was. Why aren't we more open about things we are struggling with or need help with. We could all probably help each other a lot if were just honest and open with each other. :)

I think there is so much we can share with each other through our talents. We shouldn't be afraid to share who we are with others. I love the example of these missionaries in Russia using their talents to teach and share with others!

And here is something that just makes me smile! :) In all the searching and seriousness I am reminded that we choose to be happy! :)

ISFJ

I have been thinking a lot about personality types lately. We talk about them a lot at work, hopefully in order to understand others better and communicate more effectively. We each have a way that we see and interact with the world. I think understanding some of our own tendencies can be helpful, but I worry sometimes that too much focus on them can put us in a box and make it harder to allow ourselves or others to change.

I think there is also a tendency to look at certain characteristics and label them as good or bad, when in reality I think that almost every characteristic can add value to a situation. Of course there are some fields where certain characteristics are important, but I believe we can learn the skills if we need to and want to and most importantly I think we need to be open to the talents others have and welcome them to add and share in the way that works best for them.

I was kind of surprised at how well I feel like my Myers-Briggs assessment described me and the way I work best and observe the world (ISFJ). I am a "defender" and "nurturer." I can see a lot of value in many of these characteristics and want to share them to make things better, but I also see areas I'd like to develop new talents. I think trying to understand where others are coming from can help us relate to each other better and use our talents for the most good.

Thoughts While Walking to Work...

As I was reading Stones Into Schools (WONDERFUL book!) today on my way to work I got off the metro at Chinatown and while reading about the horrible things going on in Afghanistan and all that needed to be done to help build the education system there I was stopped in my thoughts by people asking for money and help on the street right in front of me.

This situation all of a sudden reminded me of President James E. Faust's talk Some Great Thing from October 2001 where he reminds us that we need to be ready to do the small things that are no less meaningful right around us to bless others and improve the world. We must be willing to do whatever the Lord asks. There are ways to help and lift and serve all around us.

But, it also made me realize how Greg Mortenson is the one who should be helping with the specific problems in Afghanistan. He has a talent and a special calling in life (that he stumbled upon after a failed attempt to summit K2) to be there doing that where he can really make a meaningful and important difference for many people because of his talent and understanding in working with the unique problems and diverse groups of people and situations.

This made me think again about what my mission and calling in life is. What are my talents that I need to be using to help others? What can I be doing to make the world a better place? How are my talents best used to make the most difference? How can you make a difference in the world? :)

What is your most memorable educational experience?

I am working on a really exciting and potentially really important project at work that will hopefully help to improve the work of the U.S. Department of Education. We began our kick-off meeting with several stakeholders, where we were to outline the results we want to achieve, with introductions and what I think is a really neat question: "What is your most memorable educational experience?" It was wonderful to hear from many different people who had grown up in many different places about their favorite teachers who had challenged them to think in a new way, subjects that were difficult but meaningful, and situations and experiences that really made them excited to learn. There was a passion and excitement in the room as everyone shared these memories. Education is so important! Everyone shared experiences that really shaped who they had become.

As I was listening to these experiences I found myself asking myself how I learn. I reflected on my education, formal and informal....good parents, passionate English teachers, crazy math teachers, an interest in history, and persistent music teachers. I couldn't think of any one teacher that really changed my way of thinking or helped me see myself differently or helped me succeed, but I was overcome with a profound appreciation for the opportunities for education I have had in my life....through formal schooling, travel opportunities, universities, books, living experiences, etc.

I also found myself thinking how important it is to let go and be open and humble enough to REALLY learn. I was actually very "good at school"....figuring out how the system worked, responsibly completing my work, and going through the motions to get good grades, but I think I am still learning how important it is to make mistakes and be open enough to receive feedback that will help me really change and learn and become better....and not just go through the motions. :) I have a new desire to understand where my real strengths and abilities are and use those to excel and then be better at giving and receiving feedback in order to improve.

There is such a hope and optimism in education! Education is so inspiring and helps us reach new heights. What is your most memorable educational experience? :)

CHANGE

So, I have been reading about (Heart of Change), and thinking about, and experiencing (traveling across the world and country, moving away from family, graduating, starting a new job, meeting a lot of new people and trying to remember names, moving into a new ward and area and time of life, becoming a resident of a new state, meeting new roommates, and figuring out a whole new routine) a lot of CHANGE lately. :)

It was good to read some of my previous insights about change as I feel like I have experienced more and more of it....and I'm beginning to wonder how much is really good before there needs to be some kind of routine and stability in life. :) In the midst of all of the change I'm very glad that there are some absolutes and unchanging things in my life! :)

UNCHANGING:

- GOD and His plan of salvation and love for us individually. He is "the same yesterday, today, and forever" (2 Nephi 27:23) and He is "infinite and eternal, from everlasting to everlasting the same unchangeable God (D&C 20:17).

- Jesus Christ's love and Atonement.

- Guidance and comfort of the Holy Ghost available as we are obedient and faithful.

- Principles of the gospel of Jesus Christ: faith, repentance, hope, prayer, revelation, prophets, etc....

- Temples. :)

- My family and their constant love and support wherever they are. :)

- Prophets and General Conference.

- My testimony of the gospel....grows, but is immovable. :)

I have realized in the midst of all of this change it's very important to know who you are, what you stand for, and what you want to accomplish in life everyday. I'm in the process of revising my life goals right now, but here are some of my current ideas:

- See every person as someone I need to get to know! :)

- Change the world everyday by doing something that makes a difference to someone.

- Seek to know the Lord better every day.

- Have confidence in myself, or at least confidence the Lord can use me to do something for Him each day.

- Learn Chinese!!!

- Figure out what my dream job would be. :)

Choose to live life splendidly! :)

What an inspirational story and attitude and such beautiful music!! :) ...and so fun to hear Chinese again!!! :)

An Eye Single to His Glory

I just finished a couple of wonderful books that have made me think a lot about life, priorities, and relationships. We must rejoice in TODAY (the day the Lord has made as it talks about in Psalms 118:24)! :) Then use our time each day to make life beautiful and happy. We can learn, we can serve, we can make life what we want, we can be obedient, we can use our talents to build the kingdom of God, we can take time for people, we can create a home for the Spirit to dwell, we can choose to love (especially looking for ways to love others in the way they understand and appreciate according to their "love language"). We all want to feel love. We can help and bless others as we reach out in love to them. Most importantly, we should focus on having "an eye single to [God's] glory" as we learn in D&C 4, 55, 59, 82, and 88. As we trust in Him and His plan and commandments and direction we will be happy. He is always there! The key to everything is our relationship with our Heavenly Father and our Savior. As that relationship is strong we will be inspired and directed and strengthened to bless and lift others around us too. These thoughts reminded me of a song I love: A Window To His Love.

Spiritual Gifts

Lately I have thought quite a bit about the importance of figuring out my mission in life and where the Lord needs me to be and what He needs me to be doing. :) I'm still working on figuring that out. :) I know it comes a little at a time, "line upon line" (as the Lord teaches through Isaiah, Nephi, and Joseph Smith). It's so neat to look back and see how the Lord leads us in our lives.

I learned a neat lesson along my path to figuring out what I need to do in Stake Conference on Sunday. I felt a sense of unity as we discussed together as a group important gospel topics and commandments on Saturday night. On Sunday morning the Stake President was talking about becoming a Zion people, of one heart and one mind, and then he started talking specifically about spiritual gifts. This principle is taught throughout the standard works: Moroni 10, D&C 46, 1 Cor. 12. These are all such wonderful chapters and there are other verses that teach of the importance of the gifts of the Spirit, as well.

We each enjoy certain gifts. We have them in order to bless others and help build the kingdom. The two ideas that really touched me from his message were the call to look for and recognize our own spiritual gifts so that we are better able and ready to share them with others. Secondly, he taught us that we should look for others' spiritual gifts and point them out to them. :) As we express gratitude and acknowledge these gifts in others it binds us to them and encourages others to continue to use their gifts to bless as well. I want to recongize the gifts and talents I see in others. I thought I'd start with my family members. Here are some of the first gifts I think of that they bless me (and others) with:

• Mom: gift of faith, happiness, and selflessness
• Dad: gift of forgiveness and unconditional love
• Cari: gift of wisdom, listening, and understanding
• Mike: gift of knowledge
• Kayla: gift of learning
• Kai: gift of happiness
• Matt: gift of teaching and leading
• Megan: gift of listening
• Josh: gift of tongues and leading

I think that a major part of each of our individual life's missions have to do with the spiritual gifts we have been given. We should work to recognize, understand, and use them the best we can in order to strengthen and share them and bless others. I am going to work on these steps and hope to see how they fit into my life's mission. :)