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

Week 10: Trust

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

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!

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! 

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