Week 13: An instrument in His hands

I was reminded this week about the importance the roll the Spirit plays in my life.  In addition, I was reminded of the importance to always act upon the promptings of the Spirit.

Saturday morning I was driving home from a fun Relief Society 5k run I participated in that morning.  As I turned  left onto the road before my community, I saw in the distance a police car parked in the middle of the road.  I first thought, "That is interesting.  I wonder what the cop car is doing in the middle of the road?"  I continued to drive down the street and then made a left turn into my community heading to my house.  As soon as I turned, I immediately had this feeling that I should go and see what was going on down the road.  I wasn't sure why.  It was none of my business and it didn't make sense for me to turn around, I was right in front of my house.  Within just a few seconds this nagging feeling to turn around tugged stronger at my heart.  I turned around and headed out my community.  "I guess I am going for a drive", I thought.

As I drove down the street I noticed there had been an accident.  I saw only one small car off the road on the right.  I turned right on the street next to the car that was off the road in order to circle around back to my house when I looked back to notice that another car had been in the accident on the opposite side of the road.  I immediately thought, "I know that other car and I know those people."  It was my Bishop, his wife and their daughter.  My heart sank.  "Not again", I thought.  Their son, just the previous month had been in a bad car accident, was taken to the hospital, and eventually needed surgery.

I instantly turned my car around and headed to the aid of my dear friends.  The lady from the other car had to be cut out of the car and had already been taken to the hospital when I got there.  My Bishop, his wife (my dear friend) and their daughter were in the process of taking things out of their car that had been hit and were placing them into another car.  They all looked a bit shaken up and overwhelmed as to what had just happened.  I could tell my sweet friend was on the verge of tears.  I parked, got out of the car, and immediately went over and gave her a hug.  I could tell at that moment that is what she needed most.  After composing ourselves, she informed me as to what had happened.  How grateful I was to hear that their family seemed to be okay except for a couple of bumps here and there.

I drove away from that situation feeling strongly that Heavenly Father directed me there that morning.  I didn't do much, but simply had love and support to give.

My friend today gave me a beautiful potted purple flower with a card to say thank you.  Inside the card she wrote, "I am so thankful for you and your kindness.  I know you were listening to your heart and for that I am so thankful.  I know the Lord sent you to bring me comfort and hope."


I am thankful for this experience this week that strengthened my testimony on the power the Spirit can have and the opportunity I have to be an instrument in the Lords hands helping share His tender mercies, if I but listen carefully to that still small voice.

This week's challenge:  learn to listen for the Spirit and then act

Week 12: Making more time for prayer

Our family took a fun trip this past week to Maryland and Washington DC for spring break.  While trying to pass the time away during the 7 hour and 45 minute drive home, I put in a CD that was a talk given by Sheri Dew entitled, "Arise and Shine Forth".

It was such a great talk that when the hour was over, I simply let the CD start over on its own and listened to it again.  She spoke on women and our roll in these the last days.  It was about arising and going forward, sticking to the task before us, and doing what we were sent here to do; to building the kingdom of God.

There was a point in the talk where Sheri Dew spoke about a mother of 9.  Sheri asked this mother of 9, how, amongst all the chaos of raising 9 children, did she find time to spiritually feed herself?  She replied that one day she went to her husband and asked him if there was a 1/2 an hour each day that he could take care of the kids, so that she could study her scriptures and pray.  She needed that time so that she could be a better mother and wife.  During that 1/2 an hour every day, this mother of 9 made sure she studied her scriptures for 15 minutes and prayed for 15 minutes.

This hit me when I heard it.  I try to regularly study my scriptures on a daily basis, but I have never thought of making more time for my prayers.  In the morning when I pray, I quickly get on my knees and say a short prayer before I study my scriptures and at night I am so tired my prayers aren't very long.  I can say my prayers are not reaching their full potential.

This thought of allowing myself more time to pray and listen made so much sense.  How can I receive personal revelation and hear what Heavenly Father has to say to me if I am not allowing myself enough time to tell Heavenly Father what is on my mind, or listen to what He has to tell me?

I allowed myself more time to pray this morning and it was very nice.   I had more time to think and  ponder and had a greater feeling of peace accompany my morning.

This weeks challenge: make more time for prayer 

Week 11: What would life be without friends?

I got a fun package in the mail yesterday from one of my best friends.  It was a birthday gift and inside it had three spring chickens and a darling wood board that said, "but a spring chick".  This package made my day.  My friend had really taken time to do something meaningful for me.  She is one of those true and faithful friends that makes my life brighter.  I love her dearly.

In the package there was a card and on the front was the picture of a flower and on the stem it said, "A friendship grows forever".  There is truth to those words.  Just like with our talents, faith, or our testimonies, friendships needs to be constantly nourished.  As we do so, they have a potential to grow forever!  

I am ever grateful for all of my dear friends.

This week's challenge:  daily, do something to strengthen one of my friendships