This week my mind has been racing over many issues that have been causing me stress and worry in my life. It seems that no matter how much I have been praying and fasting lately, the answers either don't seem to be coming, or they are coming and are just not what I wanted them to be.
I have finally come to the realization that I am spending too much energy stressing and worrying about things that I cannot control. It is time for me to put my hands up in the air and surrender to my Heavenly Father and His will, instead of fighting for my own. As hard and as scary as that feels right now, I know that if I just trust in Him, that He will take care of me and that it will all work out.
I am reminded of one of my favorite scriptures,
Proverbs 3:5-6
"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."
I know Heavenly Father is aware of me and all that I am facing in my life right now. I know that He loves me. I know that although I do not understand why the answers to my prayers have been what they are, that I must trust in those answers and remember that as I do so, Heavenly Father will direct my path.
This week's challenge: to anchor myself in greater faith and trust in my Heavenly Father and Savior, Jesus Christ
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Monday, March 21, 2011
Week 9: The birds are singing!!
Snow is melted, grass is starting to look green, trees are budding, flowers blooming, the birds are singing and all I can say is, "hallelujah"!! Spring is finally upon us. My cute 5 year old said the other day, "Mom, that is a beautiful sound to hear the birds singing." I stopped, chuckled to myself, and then agreed with him, "Yes it is!"
Today was the warmest day of the year so far and I LOVED it!! Our family has spent more time outside this past week, enjoying the beauty around and the warm weather. I am appreciating this spring more than I have any other. I have taken more time to soak in the beauty around me. I have watched in amazement the beginning of a green bud emerge out of the ground and within days grow into a tall stem with a flower at the head. I have noticed in awe, my neighbors bare trees one day and then the next day see them full with small, red budding leaves. I noticed myself thinking how amazing this process is and thought, how could there not be a God after witnessing the miracle of the earth change from winter to spring?
I am reminded of one of my favorite songs by Hilary Weeks. It is called, "He Is"...
He is the first ray of sun to reach above the mountain
He is a gentle ocean breeze on my face
He's a long deep breath at the end of the day
He is a warm afternoon at the end of September
He is a silent snowfall and the deafening crash of thunder
He is endless stars on a cloudless night.
He is the laughter of children and the wonder in their eyes
On a distant rocky shore, He's a clear and steady light
He is wrinkled hands and tiny newborn fingers
He's the beckon that calls you home
He is the sturdy staff that leads you to drink beside still waters
He's the reason why the lilies grow
He is a sermon on a mount
He is a widow and her mite
He is the blind man's first glimpse of light
He is the garden and a prayer
He is two strangers on a hill
He is an empty tomb and the price that heaven paid
He's our chance to try again
He is open arms
He is a quiet invitation
He is hope when hope is gone
He is lasting peace and the answer we are seeking
He is the pathway home
He is
Yes, He is
This week has made me think more about my Savior, Jesus Christ. The daily evidence of His life and love give me the courage to move foward on my journey. I am thankful for the moments I have had this week to reflect on his power in my life through the simple budding of a flower and the song of a bird.
This week's challenge: notice more and enjoy daily God's creations!
Today was the warmest day of the year so far and I LOVED it!! Our family has spent more time outside this past week, enjoying the beauty around and the warm weather. I am appreciating this spring more than I have any other. I have taken more time to soak in the beauty around me. I have watched in amazement the beginning of a green bud emerge out of the ground and within days grow into a tall stem with a flower at the head. I have noticed in awe, my neighbors bare trees one day and then the next day see them full with small, red budding leaves. I noticed myself thinking how amazing this process is and thought, how could there not be a God after witnessing the miracle of the earth change from winter to spring?
I am reminded of one of my favorite songs by Hilary Weeks. It is called, "He Is"...
He is the first ray of sun to reach above the mountain
He is a gentle ocean breeze on my face
He's a long deep breath at the end of the day
He is a warm afternoon at the end of September
He is a silent snowfall and the deafening crash of thunder
He is endless stars on a cloudless night.
He is the laughter of children and the wonder in their eyes
On a distant rocky shore, He's a clear and steady light
He is wrinkled hands and tiny newborn fingers
He's the beckon that calls you home
He is the sturdy staff that leads you to drink beside still waters
He's the reason why the lilies grow
He is a sermon on a mount
He is a widow and her mite
He is the blind man's first glimpse of light
He is the garden and a prayer
He is two strangers on a hill
He is an empty tomb and the price that heaven paid
He's our chance to try again
He is open arms
He is a quiet invitation
He is hope when hope is gone
He is lasting peace and the answer we are seeking
He is the pathway home
He is
Yes, He is
This week has made me think more about my Savior, Jesus Christ. The daily evidence of His life and love give me the courage to move foward on my journey. I am thankful for the moments I have had this week to reflect on his power in my life through the simple budding of a flower and the song of a bird.
This week's challenge: notice more and enjoy daily God's creations!
Monday, March 14, 2011
Week 8: Making more time for loved ones
Since this past Friday, March 11, my thoughts have been turned to Japan and the 8.9 earthquake and resulting tsunami which has destroyed much and killed thousands. I have thought a lot about all of the lives and families that have been effected by this natural disaster. My heart has been deeply touched and saddened. My sister and her kids live in Japan and experienced first hand the earthquake, the scare of what was going on, and the loss of control as they tried to reunite back with each other. I can't even imagine what my sister and nephews felt and went through that day. I am so grateful they are all safe back together.
I have thought a lot about family the past few days. I have asked myself over and over again, what have I done lately to make sure each of my children and my husband know I love them? Have I been one that has been a force for good in the family and one that uplifts, or have I been a negative influence in the family lately? Am I forgiving, patient and loving, or short tempered, unkind and quick to criticize? Have I put more priority in cleaning the house, doing the bills, and watching my favorite TV show instead of spending quality time with my family members?
This tragedy in Japan has made me really self evaluate myself and focus on what I need to improve upon. Like I have said before, it is all about the family. It is time for me to put my priorities back in the right place and focus more of my positive energy on my family. I don't want them to ever question my love for them because of what I say and do. Instead, I hope they always know I love them because of what I say and do.
This week's challenge: spend quality time with each of my family members every day!
I have thought a lot about family the past few days. I have asked myself over and over again, what have I done lately to make sure each of my children and my husband know I love them? Have I been one that has been a force for good in the family and one that uplifts, or have I been a negative influence in the family lately? Am I forgiving, patient and loving, or short tempered, unkind and quick to criticize? Have I put more priority in cleaning the house, doing the bills, and watching my favorite TV show instead of spending quality time with my family members?
This tragedy in Japan has made me really self evaluate myself and focus on what I need to improve upon. Like I have said before, it is all about the family. It is time for me to put my priorities back in the right place and focus more of my positive energy on my family. I don't want them to ever question my love for them because of what I say and do. Instead, I hope they always know I love them because of what I say and do.
This week's challenge: spend quality time with each of my family members every day!
Monday, March 7, 2011
Week 7: A living Prophet!
This week I was reminded how important the words of the prophets are, both ancient and today. I am a member of the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints: lds.org and mormon.org. We believe that we have a living prophet on this earth to guide and direct us, just like the prophets of the Old Testament. I am so thankful for President Monson and the other General Authorities that teach me what I need to know while on this earth so that I can return back to my Heavenly Father.
In our church, I am one of the leaders over the children ages 18 months to 11 years old. This month during Primary our theme is: "Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets" and our scripture is: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that I have a living Prophet to listen to and to learn from. I love President Monson so much. I am making it my goal this week to read a talk from one of the Latter- day Prophets every day and then take into practice what I learn.
This week's challenge: read a talk from one of the Latter-day Prophets every day
In our church, I am one of the leaders over the children ages 18 months to 11 years old. This month during Primary our theme is: "Heavenly Father Speaks to Us through His Prophets" and our scripture is: "What I the Lord have spoken, I have spoken...whether by mine own voice or by the voice of my servants, it is the same." (D&C 1:38)
I am so grateful for the knowledge I have that I have a living Prophet to listen to and to learn from. I love President Monson so much. I am making it my goal this week to read a talk from one of the Latter- day Prophets every day and then take into practice what I learn.
This week's challenge: read a talk from one of the Latter-day Prophets every day
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