The Cycle
Yep, it is a New Year! I hope everyone did well adjusting to new meeting times and such. Those of you who did not, it will happen again next year.
It has been a good week. We took the liberty of celebrating the New Year a couple days early, as SnackPack had some oral surgery in the middle of the week that would prohibit him from enjoying everything to its fullness. It was a great time. We truly enjoyed the company. We hope to share many more in the years to come.
After that, I dug in and started back to the grind, work and such. I think I will survive. It is always hard to adjust to a new routine after vacation, changing a work schedule, summer break, school, or something like that, but it was good. I have spent a great deal of time meditating on it this week.
I found myself split between to thoughts, but in the end they all ran together. I had the opportunity to teach this week in High Priest, start a new study plan with the Queen, and then maintain my normal routine. So I started with 2 Nephi 31:14-15.
First - I don't know why I have missed this, but it dawned on me this week that Nephi was speaking with both the Son and the Father in these verses. Each testifying of the the other. Yep, still learning and growing after all these years.
Second - the Cycle. I have meditated a great deal upon the cycle this week.
Last week in Priesthood, we talked about lost sheep. As I pondered this cycle, I wondered where it was that those lost sheep let go? What was it that caused them to get distracted? Were they really engaged in the first place?
I was fortunate enough to share my thoughts with many this week. We talked about faith, the power that comes from witnessing the faith of others, the strength that comes for sharing our experiences of faith with others and how together we are able to succeed. We talked a great deal about purpose or motivation. I meditated a lot upon what I can do to help motivate others or better yet understand their motivation and purpose to help them find what they are working towards.
This is what I learned.
Most of us are motivated by a reward or goal. It is that reward or goal that we think will bring us the most happiness. What drives us day to day is power of obtaining that happiness. Sometimes the motivation is structured by those we love. Other times it comes from a boss, companion, co-worker, or friend who recognizes the happiness in us that comes from seeking or succeeding in obtaining the reward. I also learned that most of the time we are motivated by the fear of not obtaining that reward and the flame is lit within to re-commit ourselves to obtaining it.
The path to that reward is not a short one. Many times, the big reward it sought after by many little rewards that lead to the big reward. This is where I found myself back to the cycle mentioned above. I also found myself reflecting upon Lehi's Dream, both with my eyes open and closed.
Lehi found himself in darkness, wanting something more, seeking a reward, desiring more happiness. In this darkness, he found a man that radiated such light, knowledge, and happiness. They talked about it. They found common desires/motivation. Lehi wanted, the man invited, and Lehi followed.
What I learned was that as Lehi followed, he found himself again in darkness. Even though he saw his reward, there would be times in his life that his goal would be hidden from his sight. He had to re-commit himself and continue moving forward. As he did so, he would see the man, his light, and continue following. Eventually, he saw and understood the source of this man's light and found himself following it rather than the man. Though there were times of darkness, he was able to see the light of the tree and follow it. Eventually, he was able to partake of the fruit. There was a cycle involved.
Even after he had the fruit, he wanted his family to have it, he saw many seeking the same. He beckoned them, he became the intermediate source of their motivation to follow. Some did, some did not, but he never gave up.
President Uctdorf taught me that it is more than just being SAVED. We seek EXALTATION. It requires more than just believing. It is a continued effort, every day, every day, every day.
I then came back to the cycle. Jesus share it with Nephi. Once see the reward of coming unto Christ:
1 - we exercise faith continually.
2 - we see where we can change and repent. Not always of sin, but just changing our lives to be more committed.
3 - we show/share our witness of this commitment by:
a - keeping the commandments
b - being baptized
This is where some get hung up. There are two parts of baptism. First by water and then by fire. Though we may only witness our commitment by water once, we can continually witness our commitment by fire, keeping the commandments, and seeking the reward.
As we do so, we are able to see areas where we can continue growing. We return to faith and start the cycle again until one day, we may be perfect even as He is perfect.
To help us not get lost or distracted, He has marked the path. We have a line of open communication with Him at all times. (1 Nephi 15:23-25) If we stay committed, hold to the rod, strive to keep the commandments, and remember Him always (prayer). We will make it through those mists of darkness.
I hope and pray that you will all grasp the rod, make Him a part of your lives, and set your sights on the greatest reward. I promise that it will be worth more than you can ever imagine in this life. Worth all the challenges, trials, and experiences you will endure in between. But most importantly, that you will reach it with me.
OK, on with the week.
Like I mentioned, SnackPack was forced to put his mortality on the line and have his wisdom teeth removed. We are pleased that he took the leap of faith and came out with flying colors or was it that he was seeing flying colors. He is recovering well. The swelling is almost gone and we have not seen any signs of infection. He goes back in for a follow up this week.
But it did not slow him down very long. He still managed to start the new year celebrating with friends and family.
Tall Man closed the door on another chapter of life and is ready to open a new one. He spent as much time as he could with his El-Bo and then sent her back to school this weekend. He also enters the final week of rehearsal before performances start on Friday.
The Professor has been in a nesting mode. She spent the week doing a little New Year Resoluting. Each day was spent organizing, cleaning, removing, relaxing, and more. She is ready to start a new year.
The Queen did some training, working, cleaning, and resoluting herself. All is good.
I pray for the blessings of joy and happiness upon all of you in the year to come. And hope that we can do it together.
Until next week. Out!
It has been a good week. We took the liberty of celebrating the New Year a couple days early, as SnackPack had some oral surgery in the middle of the week that would prohibit him from enjoying everything to its fullness. It was a great time. We truly enjoyed the company. We hope to share many more in the years to come.
After that, I dug in and started back to the grind, work and such. I think I will survive. It is always hard to adjust to a new routine after vacation, changing a work schedule, summer break, school, or something like that, but it was good. I have spent a great deal of time meditating on it this week.
I found myself split between to thoughts, but in the end they all ran together. I had the opportunity to teach this week in High Priest, start a new study plan with the Queen, and then maintain my normal routine. So I started with 2 Nephi 31:14-15.
First - I don't know why I have missed this, but it dawned on me this week that Nephi was speaking with both the Son and the Father in these verses. Each testifying of the the other. Yep, still learning and growing after all these years.
Second - the Cycle. I have meditated a great deal upon the cycle this week.
Last week in Priesthood, we talked about lost sheep. As I pondered this cycle, I wondered where it was that those lost sheep let go? What was it that caused them to get distracted? Were they really engaged in the first place?
I was fortunate enough to share my thoughts with many this week. We talked about faith, the power that comes from witnessing the faith of others, the strength that comes for sharing our experiences of faith with others and how together we are able to succeed. We talked a great deal about purpose or motivation. I meditated a lot upon what I can do to help motivate others or better yet understand their motivation and purpose to help them find what they are working towards.
This is what I learned.
Most of us are motivated by a reward or goal. It is that reward or goal that we think will bring us the most happiness. What drives us day to day is power of obtaining that happiness. Sometimes the motivation is structured by those we love. Other times it comes from a boss, companion, co-worker, or friend who recognizes the happiness in us that comes from seeking or succeeding in obtaining the reward. I also learned that most of the time we are motivated by the fear of not obtaining that reward and the flame is lit within to re-commit ourselves to obtaining it.
The path to that reward is not a short one. Many times, the big reward it sought after by many little rewards that lead to the big reward. This is where I found myself back to the cycle mentioned above. I also found myself reflecting upon Lehi's Dream, both with my eyes open and closed.
Lehi found himself in darkness, wanting something more, seeking a reward, desiring more happiness. In this darkness, he found a man that radiated such light, knowledge, and happiness. They talked about it. They found common desires/motivation. Lehi wanted, the man invited, and Lehi followed.
What I learned was that as Lehi followed, he found himself again in darkness. Even though he saw his reward, there would be times in his life that his goal would be hidden from his sight. He had to re-commit himself and continue moving forward. As he did so, he would see the man, his light, and continue following. Eventually, he saw and understood the source of this man's light and found himself following it rather than the man. Though there were times of darkness, he was able to see the light of the tree and follow it. Eventually, he was able to partake of the fruit. There was a cycle involved.
Even after he had the fruit, he wanted his family to have it, he saw many seeking the same. He beckoned them, he became the intermediate source of their motivation to follow. Some did, some did not, but he never gave up.
President Uctdorf taught me that it is more than just being SAVED. We seek EXALTATION. It requires more than just believing. It is a continued effort, every day, every day, every day.
I then came back to the cycle. Jesus share it with Nephi. Once see the reward of coming unto Christ:
1 - we exercise faith continually.
2 - we see where we can change and repent. Not always of sin, but just changing our lives to be more committed.
3 - we show/share our witness of this commitment by:
a - keeping the commandments
b - being baptized
This is where some get hung up. There are two parts of baptism. First by water and then by fire. Though we may only witness our commitment by water once, we can continually witness our commitment by fire, keeping the commandments, and seeking the reward.
As we do so, we are able to see areas where we can continue growing. We return to faith and start the cycle again until one day, we may be perfect even as He is perfect.
To help us not get lost or distracted, He has marked the path. We have a line of open communication with Him at all times. (1 Nephi 15:23-25) If we stay committed, hold to the rod, strive to keep the commandments, and remember Him always (prayer). We will make it through those mists of darkness.
I hope and pray that you will all grasp the rod, make Him a part of your lives, and set your sights on the greatest reward. I promise that it will be worth more than you can ever imagine in this life. Worth all the challenges, trials, and experiences you will endure in between. But most importantly, that you will reach it with me.
OK, on with the week.
Like I mentioned, SnackPack was forced to put his mortality on the line and have his wisdom teeth removed. We are pleased that he took the leap of faith and came out with flying colors or was it that he was seeing flying colors. He is recovering well. The swelling is almost gone and we have not seen any signs of infection. He goes back in for a follow up this week.
But it did not slow him down very long. He still managed to start the new year celebrating with friends and family.
Tall Man closed the door on another chapter of life and is ready to open a new one. He spent as much time as he could with his El-Bo and then sent her back to school this weekend. He also enters the final week of rehearsal before performances start on Friday.
The Professor has been in a nesting mode. She spent the week doing a little New Year Resoluting. Each day was spent organizing, cleaning, removing, relaxing, and more. She is ready to start a new year.
The Queen did some training, working, cleaning, and resoluting herself. All is good.
I pray for the blessings of joy and happiness upon all of you in the year to come. And hope that we can do it together.
Until next week. Out!
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