Holding on, despite the world
Well, here we find ourselves at the end of another week. I hope all of yours has fulled with learning, growth, and adventure.
I am going to go a little off topic this week. I have had a few verses in front of me every day this week, but I am not sure I have given them a valid amount of pondering. My mind has been else where. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. I have had to do some adjusting, but I think I am getting it together.
And may I say how very grateful that the Lord sees fit to tie it all together for me. Well, let's begin shall we?
My attention has been on several chapters this week; Mormon 1-6. There is so much to take in with these chapters, but the Lord has whispered to me in many different ways.
First, Mormon lived in a pretty crazy world. Mormon 1:19 "...there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land..." This is what he was remembering from his younger years. Can you imagine? Now, remember that he is not writing even an hundredth part of all that he saw and lived through. Pretty rough! Yet, he managed to come out OK. He grew up, became educated, lead armies (all before the age of 16), married, had kids, and more. BUT, he always made time for the Lord in his life. There is a lesson there.
Second, even though he made time for the Lord he did not go through out life without questions, doubts, or personal struggles. He recorded some of them. I cannot even imagine all that he saw and lived through. Mormon 3:12 "...not withstanding their wickedness I...had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith..."
Wow! Just Wow! How many of us can relate? How many of us want to see change in the lives of others? How many of us want change in our own lives? How many of us are praying, praying, and praying; all the day long? Do we find ourselves discouraged like Mormon? Do we pray without faith?
Now this does not mean that he had lost faith in God, but he had lost faith in the cause for which he was seeking. This has given me much to think about this week. We are not alone in this struggle. Mormon pretty much abandoned his wants and desires. It appears for sometime before he repented, but even then it was hard. Mormon 5:2 "...I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them..."
How do we go forward, enduring to the end, keeping our hope and faith alive? I have bounced these thoughts around in my head over and over again several times this week. I have found myself on my knees asking the same questions. I am so grateful for the words of modern day prophets and apostles that have helped. Last week I asked that you include Elder Holland's words to your study. They have helped. What about Elder Ballard's words from the week or two before? And President Eyring? Have been inspired by many more as well. I was super excited to hear from SnackPack this week and receive his words of encouragement, without even knowing I needed it. He reminded me of 2 Nephi 4. WOW again! If you have not read, studied, or pondered these words, I would invite you to do so. I hope to make the changes I need to make.
I know there are more than 2 things in all of this, I hope you find and receive your own personal revelation as you study them. Since we have already read words from President Eyring and Utchdorf, let's move to the next in line this week, Elder Bednar. Please make time to study his words.
It has been a good week. For some it has been a short work week. For others, it has been no different than others. Those living in my house found themselves in mixed bag.
The Queen worked most days. When I say most, I mean the regular paying job. She worked every day on other rewarding jobs. She then took over the kitchen and did an amazing job for our Thanksgiving feast. Thanks to all those who contributed.
The Professor had a couple days off at the end of the week. She also had a slight break from graduate studies, but took advantage of the down time to get a head for the last few weeks of the semester.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have been busy. We were happy to see them a couple times this week. I am interesting to hear about the party Ehl-Bo will be singing at. They are plugging along like the rest of us.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins have been on this side of the mountain several times this week. We got to see them twice. They both look exhausted. They are working crazy hours between class, papers, finals prep, and life, but they are good.
It was wonderful to share our home with those who could attend this past holiday. We missed those who were not able too. It was fun to see images of some of your celebrations. We look forward to hearing about them.
May your lives be filled with Light!
Until next week,
Cheerios
I am going to go a little off topic this week. I have had a few verses in front of me every day this week, but I am not sure I have given them a valid amount of pondering. My mind has been else where. Not in a bad way, but in a good way. I have had to do some adjusting, but I think I am getting it together.
And may I say how very grateful that the Lord sees fit to tie it all together for me. Well, let's begin shall we?
My attention has been on several chapters this week; Mormon 1-6. There is so much to take in with these chapters, but the Lord has whispered to me in many different ways.
First, Mormon lived in a pretty crazy world. Mormon 1:19 "...there were sorceries, and witchcrafts, and magics; and the power of the evil one was wrought upon all the face of the land..." This is what he was remembering from his younger years. Can you imagine? Now, remember that he is not writing even an hundredth part of all that he saw and lived through. Pretty rough! Yet, he managed to come out OK. He grew up, became educated, lead armies (all before the age of 16), married, had kids, and more. BUT, he always made time for the Lord in his life. There is a lesson there.
Second, even though he made time for the Lord he did not go through out life without questions, doubts, or personal struggles. He recorded some of them. I cannot even imagine all that he saw and lived through. Mormon 3:12 "...not withstanding their wickedness I...had loved them, according to the love of God which was in me, with all my heart; and my soul had been poured out in prayer unto my God all the day long for them; nevertheless, it was without faith..."
Wow! Just Wow! How many of us can relate? How many of us want to see change in the lives of others? How many of us want change in our own lives? How many of us are praying, praying, and praying; all the day long? Do we find ourselves discouraged like Mormon? Do we pray without faith?
Now this does not mean that he had lost faith in God, but he had lost faith in the cause for which he was seeking. This has given me much to think about this week. We are not alone in this struggle. Mormon pretty much abandoned his wants and desires. It appears for sometime before he repented, but even then it was hard. Mormon 5:2 "...I was without hope, for I knew the judgments of the Lord which should come upon them..."
How do we go forward, enduring to the end, keeping our hope and faith alive? I have bounced these thoughts around in my head over and over again several times this week. I have found myself on my knees asking the same questions. I am so grateful for the words of modern day prophets and apostles that have helped. Last week I asked that you include Elder Holland's words to your study. They have helped. What about Elder Ballard's words from the week or two before? And President Eyring? Have been inspired by many more as well. I was super excited to hear from SnackPack this week and receive his words of encouragement, without even knowing I needed it. He reminded me of 2 Nephi 4. WOW again! If you have not read, studied, or pondered these words, I would invite you to do so. I hope to make the changes I need to make.
I know there are more than 2 things in all of this, I hope you find and receive your own personal revelation as you study them. Since we have already read words from President Eyring and Utchdorf, let's move to the next in line this week, Elder Bednar. Please make time to study his words.
It has been a good week. For some it has been a short work week. For others, it has been no different than others. Those living in my house found themselves in mixed bag.
The Queen worked most days. When I say most, I mean the regular paying job. She worked every day on other rewarding jobs. She then took over the kitchen and did an amazing job for our Thanksgiving feast. Thanks to all those who contributed.
The Professor had a couple days off at the end of the week. She also had a slight break from graduate studies, but took advantage of the down time to get a head for the last few weeks of the semester.
Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have been busy. We were happy to see them a couple times this week. I am interesting to hear about the party Ehl-Bo will be singing at. They are plugging along like the rest of us.
Puddin and Lady Hawkins have been on this side of the mountain several times this week. We got to see them twice. They both look exhausted. They are working crazy hours between class, papers, finals prep, and life, but they are good.
It was wonderful to share our home with those who could attend this past holiday. We missed those who were not able too. It was fun to see images of some of your celebrations. We look forward to hearing about them.
May your lives be filled with Light!
Until next week,
Cheerios
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