How Can I Become The Woman of Whom I Dream?

Hello Divas ;)
I am sorry that I dropped the ball with posting my article this month. Life got the best of me and I had to refocus.  I sit here at my desk looking up at my wall behind my desk. It has several post it notes right at my eye level. The post it notes are notes that I write to myself to remind me of things I want to remember, encouraging sayings, quotes I need to read often and goals that I have that keep me focused. I have spent a few weeks focusing on the life that I want. It's funny how Satan whirlwinds things around you so that life, people, family, goals just seem to fly by without you noticing the details. My post it note wall has been a little anchor of thoughts that have kept me focused on the life I truly want.

I've been reading a lot of President Hinckley. I read his Stand a Little Taller book every morning as I run about getting the kids and myself out the door on time. I love those 30 seconds where I read (and do my best) to absorb the scripture and his spiritual thought. I feel that is a little spark to the start of my day. So it was no surprise to me that a talk from President Hinckley is what I was inspired to share for my turn.

The talk is How Can I Become the Woman of Whom I Dream? Article link: http://lds.org/general-conference/2001/04/how-can-i-become-the-woman-of-whom-i-dream?lang=eng&query=gordon+b.+hinckley+women.

I know it is intended for the young women but there were so many little gems that helped me. I feel as if I am in the middle ground of life. I am in the "regrouping phase" as Liz calls it. I've made some choices, rummaged through the consequences, learned and grown from my mistakes and am now learning how to forge forward to the new phase of my life.

President Hinckley says "You are creatures of divinity; you are daughters of the Almighty. Limitless is your potential. Magnificent is your future, if you will take control of it. Do not let your lives drift in a fruitless and worthless manner." How true is that of each of us now (no matter what our age is!!)


He also counsels young women (and us not so young women...) "Find purpose in your life. Choose the things you would like to do, and educate yourselves to be effective in their pursuit. For most it is very difficult to settle on a vocation. You are hopeful that you will marry and that all will be taken care of. In this day and time, a girl needs an education. She needs the means and skills by which to earn a living should she find herself in a situation where it becomes necessary to do so."  How true this is for me personally! I have a thriving career, an education and a way to support myself mentally and financially. I can take care of my children alone. How thankful I am that I have the developed skills and education that I have!

Lastly, I love how he empowers women to remember who each and everyone of us truly are and to go forward to do something with ourselves! How awesome is that?! When I left my mission I left with no regrets. I could have done a few things better and what not but I knew that I had honestly done my best and that my mission was what it was supposed to be. In fact, it exceeded my expectations! I discovered so much about myself. I share this because that is the mantra I have as I look forward. I want to live the life I want now. I don't want to wake up in 10 years knowing that I wasted that time because I was sad about not having a husband or a house or some big thing that is out of my control. I have been blessed with two great children, wonderful friends and a career that helps me feel centered and empowered. 


President Hinckley sums it best: "Never forget that you came to earth as a child of the divine Father, with something of divinity in your very makeup. The Lord did not send you here to fail. He did not give you life to waste it. He bestowed upon you the gift of mortality that you might gain experience—positive, wonderful, purposeful experience—that will lead to life eternal. He has given you this glorious Church, His Church, to guide you and direct you, to give you opportunity for growth and experience, to teach you and lead you and encourage you, to bless you with eternal marriage, to seal upon you a covenant between you and Him that will make of you His chosen daughter, one upon whom He may look with love and with a desire to help. May God bless you richly and abundantly, my dear young friends, His wonderful daughters. Of course there will be some problems along the way. There will be difficulties to overcome. But they will not last forever. He will not forsake you."


Can I get an Amen to that? Go forward and rock this world my dear sisters!!

Choose Faith

When our sacred doctrine and beliefs are challenged, this is our opportunity to become acquainted with God in a most private and intimate manner. This is our opportunity to choose.

Richard C. Edgley in October 2010 Conference
http://lds.org/general-conference/2010/10/faith-the-choice-is-yours?lang=eng

Do you ever feel like you've got "it" coming at you from every direction?  Kids are sick, huge project at work, relatives coming to visit, mountain of laundry, conflict with someone you serve with at church, spouse or lack of spouse really annoying you?  The attack, is what I like to call it.  It makes me want to retreat, or lash out, or give up, or cry.  That is exactly what Satan wants.  I tend to forget sometimes that he is real, so real, so very active.  So many times I write my struggles off to my own weakness, stupidity, hang-ups, etc.  I don't take into account that Satan is there, playing on all of them, filling in every hole I dig with a land mine or quicksand...I let him in more readily than I do my Savior...because I believe in my weaknesses, know intimately my failings.

 "The continual bombardment of such messages may cause confusion, doubt, and pessimism, each attacking the fundamental truths we believe in, our faith in God, and our hope in the future."

 "Because of the conflicts and challenges we face in today’s world, I wish to suggest a single choice—a choice of peace and protection and a choice that is appropriate for all. That choice is faith."

He references Alma 32: 21-43 http://lds.org/scriptures/bofm/alma/32?lang=eng
I love all the words that come up in the rest of the article...and really appreciate the power of words.  How it wound up forming in my mind as I read it was 3 lists of words....

The Attack, The Choose( not choice...but choose, because they are all the actions we must take, present tense), and Faith.  So in my brain, as I read the rest of this article, I just kept thinking...in this kind of attack, I can wallow in it or I can choose Faith, which means do something in order to receive my Father in Heaven's love and assistance, to reside in that place of peace and protection.

You must, must, must read the article...here are my lists.

The Attack
Sin
Unanswered Questions
Fear
Daily Struggles
Pain
Confusion
Unknown, Unseen, and Unexplained things
Reality of the Restoration of the Gospel
Reality of the Savior, His Atonement, and its Universal Application
Despair
Pessimism
Hopelessness
Doubt
Reality of Satan
Conflicting Messages

The Choose
Repentance
Exercise (faith)
Thought
Action
Ask
Desire
Knock
Seek
Arouse
Develop
Work
Plant
Come
Awake
Experiment

FAITH
Forgiveness
Enlightenment
Assurance
Relief
Peace
Gratitude
Understanding
Testimony
Hope
Optimism
Strength
Saving Ordinances
Protection
Guidance
Sweetness of Gospel
Love of God

"Yes, faith is a choice, and it must be sought after and developed. Thus, we are responsible for our own faith. We are also responsible for our lack of faith. The choice is yours."

I AM

The following is a paper I recently wrote for my Isaiah university class. It was such a powerful lesson to me, and so personally moving that I thought I would share with ya'll.  Like the man from the Willie Martin handcart company said, I would not give up any of my trials.  It was through the trials that I came to know God in a very personal way.  I am knowing and understanding God better, His character, His purpose, the "I Am". 

    Three years ago, I was hurt playing in a volleyball tournament.  Doctors misdiagnosed my dislocated hip for six weeks, the lapse causing significant collateral damage which wasn’t fully realized for over another year and multiple MRIs:  an SI (sacral iliac) ligament tear, bulging L4L5 disc, bursitis, neuromuscular atrophy, etc.  It was painful to walk, to sit, to function in the basic necessities of life and as a mother.  Running has been impossible. I did everything the doctors asked, sought specialists and cutting edge treatments to avoid a hip fusion.  The progress has been slow, steady and painful.

            About 1 ½ years after my injury, my husband suggested I get a priesthood blessing, a healing and anointing. Why hadn’t I thought of that before?  In that blessing, I was promised a full recovery and that one day I would feel no pain, reminiscent of Isaiah’s oft quoted promise that, “they shall run, and not be weary; and they shall walk, and not faint.”  That promise has always been attached, in my mind, to the Word of Wisdom I have kept; however, it wasn’t until I studied Isaiah chapter 40 that I understood the full extent of his message.

          

  In chapter 40, Isaiah extols the attributes of God.  Verses 1-28 have parallel verses to expand on a virtue either with antithetic ideas, parallelism, imagery or symbolism.  The first attribute presented is found in verses one, that God is alive.  He speaks and He directs.  He counsels an audience and is concerned for people, like Jerusalem. He is a living Father in Heaven, with whom I can have a fulfilling, two-way relationship.  We can communicate. The antithesis of a living God is found in verse 18-20 where Isaiah compares God to a graven image.  This image is of the finest quality, crafted by the best workmanship available, made with the finest woods and precious metals like gold and silver. This is an idol made to last, not subject to rot or the decay of decades.  In comparison to God, however, it is an image that is made by human hands, that cannot speak, that does not live, that is nothing but wood at its core.  An idol cannot offer me advice.

Idols are inanimate objects, devoid of life and incapable of interactions. Even the best graven images cannot be compared to God. Isaiah introduces not just a living God, but a God who cares deeply about His people, one that is compassionate and wants to comfort them (v. 1-2).  He is an involved and intimate God. Personally, this means that He cares about me.  He sees and understands the pain I’ve been suffering.  He wants to lift me and comfort me in my times of despair.  Sometimes He sends others to intercede on His behalf, like a loving husband or like a parent to plead with us if we list off course.  He knows us collectively by cities, and individually by name (v. 26).  He even knows my name. He will call to each of us, for everything God created is counted and measured carefully (v. 12).  He is like a loving shepherd who will lead his flock to green pastures for feeding, carrying them and leading them in necessary (v. 11).  His tender mercies are extended to all who will follow Him and heed His voice.

Unlike an idol, God is also capable of action.  He is the Creator of heaven and earth from the beginning and foundation thereof (v. 21).  He still has the power to reshape land (v. 4), and to act as a mighty warrior with His arm of Justice (v. 10).  He has counseled, instructed, taught in judgment, knowledge and understanding.  He will rule and reign forever, unlike an impotent idol. All will one day see the glory of God (v. 4).  Personally, I find faith and hope in a God who is still actively engaged in my life and in the lives of His children.  He has not abandoned human kind.  God is the same yesterday, today and forever.  He is here today with the same powers as in the time of Creation, the saving grace of Noah, and conversing as He did with Isaiah to a living prophet.  

As He can reshape the valleys and mountains (v. 4) into new forms, God can also reshape us with the power to pardon our iniquities (v. 2) and affect our movements (v. 31).  More importantly, I learned from Isaiah that God’s greatest attribute is that He —all powerful, all knowing, eternal and glorious—is humble enough to extend His Greatness to me. God wants to share His glory with me.  I am weary, weak and overwhelmed, especially as I face two more procedures to fix my physical ailments in the next month.  Recently feeling like I have been forgotten of the Lord, I serve my family as mother and wife, my community in cub scouts and PTO, , a needy Young Women’s organization…  everyone but me. My physical ailments and my educational needs (after 14 years of patiently waiting while I’ve raised children) are at the bottom of a seemingly heaping slag pile disregarding promises in my patriarchal blessing.  I have felt lonely and trodden upon, overwhelmed by responsibilities.  I do not have the energy, power and ability to sustain these priorities and obligations.  I need help to survive.  I need help to heal my injury.  I need help to flourish.  I need the Lord.  I need to trust Him and Isaiah’s description of His attributes:  that God, in His greatness and glory, will share His energy so I can run and walk at last.  He can renew my strength.         

Education in Real Life

Hi Lovelies!

The article I chose comes from the October 2002 Ensign by President Henry B. Eyring, entitled "Education in Real Life." Here's the link to this absolutely inspiring and rejuvenating article:

http://lds.org/ensign/2002/10/education-for-real-life?lang=eng

Maybe it's because the Spring semester is starting for me on Monday, and I have spent the last two days revising my students' syllabus and first week's lesson plans. Or maybe it's because I am hoping to start grad school either this Fall or next Winter, and perhaps considering getting a teaching certificate that will enable me to also teach high school. But whatever the reason, I felt really drawn to this article.

I love the title: Education in REAL LIFE. My real life is very different from my life when I was in undergrad, and I am sure you all can agree with me. There is soooo much to be done, and soooo little time, it seems! So many demands, so many responsibilities, now that I am a full adult. Which is why I love President' Eyring's reminder on time:

"There is another way to look at your problem of crowded time. You can see it as an opportunity to test your faith. The Lord loves you and watches over you. He is all-powerful, and He promised you this: 'But seek ye first the kingdom of God, and his righteousness; and all these things shall be added unto you' (Matt. 6:33).

That is a true promise. When we put God’s purposes first, He will give us miracles. If we pray to know what He would have us do next, He will multiply the effects of what we do in such a way that time seems to be expanded. He may do it in different ways for each individual, but I know from long experience that He is faithful to His word."

And what is education, really, if not the process of taking on new understanding and being open to new experiences? If I allow myself to be open to new spiritual insight and understanding, then I can apply it to my daily application of growth and knowledge.

I also love how he reminds us that education is beyond graduation day. It is a lifelong process, and yes, even duty! Guess I better brush up on my algebra ;)

He states, "Let’s start with the purpose of our learning. The Lord and His Church have always encouraged education to increase our ability to serve Him and our Heavenly Father’s children. For each of us, whatever our talents, He has service for us to give. And to do it well always involves learning, not once or for a limited time, but continually."

President Eyring referenced the following scripture in D&C 88:76 - 80. I have always heard verses 76 - 78 mentioned and studied, but never enough of 79 and 80. The Lord expects us to be constantly educating ourselves - be it formally in the classroom or informally, like being open to new experiences and view points. This form of learning - the spiritual and temporal - in the end truly prepares us for real life.

Or in other words, Eternal Life.

This Do in Remembrance of Me

Hello friends,
Welcome to the start of a new year! I am actually excited for this year and for the possibilities that are waiting to be discovered. We left off last year with me. I thought I would post this wonderful talk from Elder Holland about the sacrament. I used this talk in December for a RS lesson on the sacrament. I have to admit that with two small kids and some feelings over being overwhelmed, I often forgot to focus on the beauty and meaning of the sacrament. Thanks to Liz and our new church bags I have come around and found a few minutes to find a spiritual nugget or two during sacrament meeting.

Here's the link:
http://lds.org/general-conference/1995/10/-this-do-in-remembrance-of-me-?lang=eng

I loved this talk because I felt like it gave me a renewed purpose during the sacrament. I, of course, love my Savior but I need help renewing that love and helping it grow and develop. I have often distorted my own levels of worthiness and allowed the Adversary to keep me locked up in guilt prison and because of that, I shy away from the Savior. The sacrament has been difficult at times. But I have been learning about the gift of repentance (see my post on repentance...) and feeling the mercy that the Savior has for me. I have become much more tender in a mature way of His great love for us. That, first and foremost, is why I take the sacrament. I take it in remembrance of Him.

Elder Holland says it best, "With a crust of bread, always broken, blessed, and offered first, we remember his bruised body and broken heart, his physical suffering on the cross where he cried, “I thirst,” and finally, “My God, my God, why hast thou forsaken me?” (John 19:28; Matt. 27:46.)

The Savior’s physical suffering guarantees that through his mercy and grace (see 2 Ne. 2:8) every member of the human family shall be freed from the bonds of death and be resurrected triumphantly from the grave. Of course the time of that resurrection and the degree of exaltation it leads to are based upon our faithfulness.

With a small cup of water we remember the shedding of Christ’s blood and the depth of his spiritual suffering, anguish which began in the Garden of Gethsemane. There he said, “My soul is exceeding sorrowful, even unto death” (Matt. 26:38). He was in agony and “prayed more earnestly: and his sweat was as it were great drops of blood falling down to the ground” (Luke 22:44).

The Savior’s spiritual suffering and the shedding of his innocent blood, so lovingly and freely given, paid the debt for what the scriptures call the “original guilt” of Adam’s transgression (Moses 6:54). Furthermore, Christ suffered for the sins and sorrows and pains of all the rest of the human family, providing remission for all of our sins as well, upon conditions of obedience to the principles and ordinances of the gospel he taught (see 2 Ne. 9:21–23). As the Apostle Paul wrote, we were “bought with a price” (1 Cor. 6:20). What an expensive price and what a merciful purchase!"

I love the last part of his talk! I almost want to copy & paste it in case someone can't read the original talk. A few excerpts from it: "We could remember his magnificent but virtually unknown foster father, a humble carpenter by trade who taught us, among other things, that quiet, plain, unpretentious people have moved this majestic work forward from the very beginning, and still do so today. If you are serving almost anonymously, please know that so, too, did one of the best men who has ever lived on this earth.

We could remember Christ’s miracles and his teachings, his healings and his help. We could remember that he gave sight to the blind and hearing to the deaf and motion to the lame and the maimed and the withered. Then, on those days when we feel our progress has halted or our joys and views have grown dim, we can press forward steadfastly in Christ, with unshaken faith in him and a perfect brightness of hope (see 2 Ne. 31:19–20)."

I loved the above paragraph. Not only can I think of the stories of all of Christ's teachings and miracles but I can also look into my own life and see His hand constantly in my own life. Physically, I have my vision, hearing and strength. But there have been so many times I was blind, deaf or just felt maimed and withered. Each time I know that Heavenly Father has heard my silent prayers and helped me. My Savior has healed me repeatedly because He truly is the Master Physician. 

I am so thankful for this talk. I needed the opportunity to reconnect with the sacrament. I know sometimes it's hard for one reason or another to focus during the sacrament. But I encourage each of us to find a few moments to connect with the Savior during this beautiful ordinance. 

Hugs!

Reflections of Christ Slideshow

Christmas Carols, Songs of Praise

Hi Darlings!

I think this past week was my turn to post, but preparing for Christmas Eve and Christmas made me lose track of my turn. But I have found something. The talk comes from Elder Merrill J. Bateman, found in the 2001 Ensign, entitled "The Power of Hymns."

http://lds.org/ensign/2001/07/the-power-of-hymns?lang=eng

For me, it wouldn't be Christmas without the festive carols, and sacred hymns of praise and rejoicing. My family comes from a Catholic background; my mother's family from South America and Spain, and my Dad's family from Sicily. For the people of these nationalities, Christmas Eve is almost the more important and sacred day of the two.

As a cultural result, for most all my life, Christmas Eve has been my favorite holiday. We gather as a family at my uncle's house, where we have Argentine asado (bbq) for dinner. Then we talk and have games, and end the night with an hour or so of singing. We start with the fun carols like Jingle Bells and Rudolph, then slowly make our way to the hymns like Joy to the World and Silent Night. We even added a hymn of our own: Bless Us All from the Muppet Christmas Carol. The words are prayer asking for peace and love from our Father in Heaven, and expressing gratitude for the blessing of family.

As Elder Bateman explains, testimony can be shared, and learning can happen through these hymns. The hymns really are musical forms of testimony and prayers. Giving the example of Peter singing a Psalm to the Sanhedrin so that Doctrine might be taught and shared, we learn that singing a hymn carries a sacred responsibility with it. Hymns of praise nourish not just those who hear and feel its message, but it strengthens those who sing/play the music.

I know that my testimony of the Savior increases every Christmas Eve, especially during the singing of the carols. As I look into the faces of each of my family members, and friends present, the Spirit testifies that this is the purpose of His Gospel, and the reason why He came: so that we might all have the opportunity to return to Him and be united with those for whom we love and care so much.

He truly is the Prince of Peace and our Redeemer. He came and He lives! As the beloved hymn "Hark the Herald Angels Sing" so aptly teaches and testifies, Jesus Christ is the reason for our hope and joy during the Season, and always:

Light and life to all He brings
Ris'n with healing in His wings
Mild He lays His glory by
Born that man no more may die
Born to raise the sons of earth
Born to give them second birth

 

Merry Christmas! Below is the LDS page with MP3 files to some hymns which mean so much to me this season. May the Spirit bare witness to you of Christ's divinity through the music and words.

http://lds.org/topic/christmas/christmas-resources.html#/music