Days keep coming and going
Well, it has been another week. Yep, the days just kept coming and going, so we did our best to ride them out.
I had the opportunity to go out with the Elders this week. It was an interesting visit. The sister we visited has been coming to church on a some what regular basis, but that is about it. Most of her family are members and have been for several years, like 18 or more. She has seen all of her children get baptized, been to several open houses, had several sets of Elders and Sisters teach, share, exhort, and take interest in her, but she is just not ready.
She was asked what she was looking for this week. Her answer was, "I just want to know." It was a valid response. I have been pondering on it ever since.
I want to know as well sometimes. Yep, I admit, I don't know or understand it all. Yet, I think there is a difference between the two of us. It is not my intent to be judgmental, but I have noticed a difference.
The response she gave kind of through off the Elders a little. One of them asked what it is she wanted to know. I felt like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland when her response was, "I don't know." I did my best not to let the surprise show on my own face at that time.
The Elders inquired more. They asked what part of the gospel she was feeling unsure of. Did she believe in Jesus Christ? "I guess so." How do you feel about the Book of Mormon and other scripture? "It is interesting." Do you believe that God the Father restored His Priesthood on the earth through, Joseph Smith and current prophets today? "I am not sure." Did you read the passages of scripture we left with you this week? "I did not have time." Have you been praying? "I keep forgetting."
The questions continued for a few more seconds and then she said, "Is this a test?" To which the Elders responded, "No, we are just trying to understand how we might help you."
I guess that is where I started realizing the differences. As I said, I don't claim to know or understand it all. In fact, I was grateful to have been able to learn a little bit more today in Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School class. I don't know that I learned what everyone else learned, but I did learn. In fact, I am sure there were people in the congregations with me that already knew what I learn.
The difference that I noted what that I am trying. I don't always succeed, but I am putting forth effort. I notice that when my efforts are sincere, I am more likely to receive what I am seeking or the fog is removed from my internal vision and I am able to see or understand a little more clearly on certain subject matters.
If I were go to back and ask myself the same questions the Elders were asking, I can say:
I had the opportunity to go out with the Elders this week. It was an interesting visit. The sister we visited has been coming to church on a some what regular basis, but that is about it. Most of her family are members and have been for several years, like 18 or more. She has seen all of her children get baptized, been to several open houses, had several sets of Elders and Sisters teach, share, exhort, and take interest in her, but she is just not ready.
She was asked what she was looking for this week. Her answer was, "I just want to know." It was a valid response. I have been pondering on it ever since.
I want to know as well sometimes. Yep, I admit, I don't know or understand it all. Yet, I think there is a difference between the two of us. It is not my intent to be judgmental, but I have noticed a difference.
The response she gave kind of through off the Elders a little. One of them asked what it is she wanted to know. I felt like the Cheshire Cat in Alice in Wonderland when her response was, "I don't know." I did my best not to let the surprise show on my own face at that time.
The Elders inquired more. They asked what part of the gospel she was feeling unsure of. Did she believe in Jesus Christ? "I guess so." How do you feel about the Book of Mormon and other scripture? "It is interesting." Do you believe that God the Father restored His Priesthood on the earth through, Joseph Smith and current prophets today? "I am not sure." Did you read the passages of scripture we left with you this week? "I did not have time." Have you been praying? "I keep forgetting."
The questions continued for a few more seconds and then she said, "Is this a test?" To which the Elders responded, "No, we are just trying to understand how we might help you."
I guess that is where I started realizing the differences. As I said, I don't claim to know or understand it all. In fact, I was grateful to have been able to learn a little bit more today in Sacrament Meeting and Sunday School class. I don't know that I learned what everyone else learned, but I did learn. In fact, I am sure there were people in the congregations with me that already knew what I learn.
The difference that I noted what that I am trying. I don't always succeed, but I am putting forth effort. I notice that when my efforts are sincere, I am more likely to receive what I am seeking or the fog is removed from my internal vision and I am able to see or understand a little more clearly on certain subject matters.
If I were go to back and ask myself the same questions the Elders were asking, I can say:
- Yes, I believe in Jesus Christ. I accept Him as my Savior and Redeemer. I don't know or understand how He pays for all the mistakes I make, but I accept the offer He has made to me, through living prophets, scripture, and whispers of the Holy Ghost that He has. I truly believe that I can enhance this gift of Grace through my efforts to live, be, and seek as He as established through His gospel plan.
- I love the scriptures. I am not always good at reading and understanding them, but I love it when I do. I have learned that I get out of them what I put into to them. It goes back to part of that promise from Jesus Christ. The blessing is enhanced. It is like paying and instrument. Sometimes it is frustrating. We find ourselves comparing ourselves to others and realizing that we may not be as good as they are, but when it does click, when we keep practicing and practicing, and then BAM, one day it sound pretty awesome, not perfect, but better than before, which is awesome, that feeling is the same feeling that others get as well. They get the feeling whether they are better or worse than us. The feeling comes as we realize that we are better because of the effort we put into it. That is what comes from the scriptures. They are the music lessons, hours of practice, and sacrifice that remind us we can be better and how/what we can do to get there. When I implement the teachings and practices, I am a better person for it. I just keep trying. Some days, I am going through the scales, warm ups, and reading on cruise control. I have done them so much, I don't seem to get much out of them. Sound familiar? (going to church, seminary, institute, or having family home evening, saying prayers, reading scriptures, serving others, etc.) It all seems silly and repetitive, then comes the BAM. It does not happen everyday, but it does happen. It happens more when I get off of cruise control.
- Yes, I believe that the Priesthood has been restored. It governs all that we have and do. I don't always understand it, but I have seen and experienced it's power. I probably see it's power more than I realize. I need to get better at recognizing it.
- Like I said before, Yes, I read. I keep reading. I do my best to put for effort that I may get those BAMs.
- Yes, I pray. Could I do better? You bet I could. I am constantly trying to improve the lines of communication. I realize that I am the one who needs to listen and do. Sometimes I get so involved with what I want to say, that I don't listen to what He has to say. But I do keep trying.
Is there a test? I think there will be. We are probably living it right now. We will find out how we did at the judgment bar. It was good to go with the Elders. I learned a great deal about myself. I need to keep working on it.
Any who, enough of my rantings and rumblings. It has been a good week. The weather is changing in our neck of the woods or at least it seems to be.
The Queen and I find ourselves putting on more than shorts and tee shirts at the start of our day. I have even had to turn the lights on in my office a couple times this week because of overcast skies. I think there is even snow on the peaks as a result of it. We spent the week working, studying, eating, sleeping, and doing the occasional exercise. We had fun visiting with neighbors and ward members and the first annual Friends of Scouting Chili Cook off. It would have been nice to see more, but hopefully the word will spread. Then yesterday, I helped a family move into the area while the Queen attended a bridal shower for what of the Shay's with the Professor. All in all it was good.
The Professor has her nose to the books as of late. When she was not studying, she was teaching, serving at the soup kitchen, or being instructed. She has a full plate.
Tall Man carrying a full one as well. It doesn't look like they need his apartment right now, so he will be there for another month or so. The play is in full swing and work is crazy as ever. He does his best to take it one day at a time.
SnackPack slowed down a little with activities, but made up for it on homework. He did have some down time this weekend and decided that he wanted to swim instead of sleep in. So, he did an age group meet. He did pretty good for the first meet of the season. He is posting some impressive times for himself and hopes for good results once he gets into hard core workouts. He ended the week with a campfire and smores with friends. It was good.
So there you go. It has been another week of days coming and going. Hope yours has been just as productive. Have a good one! Make it great!
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