"Whatever you ask Lord, I will do."
This weeks challenge: to move forward in faith, despite lack of understanding
Wednesday, May 18, 2011
Wednesday, May 11, 2011
Week 16: The example of a mother!
It is May and Mother's Day has already come and gone. Hard to believe! I had a wonderful Mother's Day with my family. My family made me breakfast, gave me presents, cards, and loves. My husband offered to make dinner, but I wanted to make it with my kids. We made homemade sushi and gyozas. It was a Japanese night. It was so enjoyable being together. I feel some of my greatest joy when I see my family having a good time together. Those are the moments that make it all worth it. Mother's Day evening was one of those moments; having fun making dinner and then watching a slide show of me that my kids had put together. It was great. We all smiled and laughed together! I felt so special and felt incredibly grateful for the children that have blessed my life.
I have thought a lot about motherhood lately. It seems to always be on my mind. I have been thinking about what is the most important thing I can do in teaching my children. For me, I have come to realize that my example is the most important teaching tool I have in raising my children. Whether I want to believe it or not, my children are always watching what I do and taking a mental note whether they know it or not. Whether it be how I take care of my body, what I choose to do during my free time, how I speak of others, what music I choose to listen to, if I choose to read my scriptures, what I choose to do on the Sabbath, how I treat my family members, how I respond to my children, what talents I choose to develop, or what I choose to do for fun, my children are always watching and learning from me. I must be constantly aware of the type of example I am setting. My children are learning from me every hour of every day. That can be a very overwhelming feeling. I can't let it overwhelm me, but just take it one day at a time.
President David O. McKay once said of women: "She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come...long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God."
What a blessing it is to be a mother!
This week's challenge: be an example for good within and outside of my home
I have thought a lot about motherhood lately. It seems to always be on my mind. I have been thinking about what is the most important thing I can do in teaching my children. For me, I have come to realize that my example is the most important teaching tool I have in raising my children. Whether I want to believe it or not, my children are always watching what I do and taking a mental note whether they know it or not. Whether it be how I take care of my body, what I choose to do during my free time, how I speak of others, what music I choose to listen to, if I choose to read my scriptures, what I choose to do on the Sabbath, how I treat my family members, how I respond to my children, what talents I choose to develop, or what I choose to do for fun, my children are always watching and learning from me. I must be constantly aware of the type of example I am setting. My children are learning from me every hour of every day. That can be a very overwhelming feeling. I can't let it overwhelm me, but just take it one day at a time.
President David O. McKay once said of women: "She who can paint a masterpiece or write a book that will influence millions deserves the admiration and the plaudits of mankind; but she who rears successfully a family of healthy, beautiful sons and daughters, whose influence will be felt through generations to come...long after paintings shall have faded, and books and statues shall have decayed or shall have been destroyed, deserves the highest honor that man can give, and the choicest blessings of God."
What a blessing it is to be a mother!
This week's challenge: be an example for good within and outside of my home
Tuesday, May 3, 2011
Week 14 & 15: Inspire, Inspire, Inspire!!!
I have had the most wonderful weekend with some absolutely amazing women. Each year three of my friend and I get together for a girls weekend. This year the girls came to visit me in my hometown. We had such a fun weekend talking, eating, playing, and laughing together. Being around these stalwart women this weekend was such an uplifting experience. Their examples and outlook on life were inspiring. As we spent the weekend talking I was inspired to make changes in my family so we can be the "best" we can be.
One thing I learned from one of my friends is the importance of "inspiring" through parenting instead of "requiring". Inspiring is the Lords way of parenting. It allows our children to make their own choices and allows them to gain a real desire from within themselves to learn and develop talents they want to pursue. Requiring or forcing our children is not of Lord. Requiring or forcing takes away that free agency. I have noticed that I have been one who requires instead of inspires. This is not how I want to be anymore. I hope that over this year I will be able to learn more about how to inspire and be one that inspires instead of requires. I believe in doing so, my family members will grow within themselves, that our relationships with each other will be filled with more love, and that we will have more peace in our family.
This week's challenge: seek to inspire
One thing I learned from one of my friends is the importance of "inspiring" through parenting instead of "requiring". Inspiring is the Lords way of parenting. It allows our children to make their own choices and allows them to gain a real desire from within themselves to learn and develop talents they want to pursue. Requiring or forcing our children is not of Lord. Requiring or forcing takes away that free agency. I have noticed that I have been one who requires instead of inspires. This is not how I want to be anymore. I hope that over this year I will be able to learn more about how to inspire and be one that inspires instead of requires. I believe in doing so, my family members will grow within themselves, that our relationships with each other will be filled with more love, and that we will have more peace in our family.
This week's challenge: seek to inspire
Tuesday, April 19, 2011
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
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
Monday, April 11, 2011
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
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
Tuesday, April 5, 2011
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
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
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
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
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