One Step at a Time

WOW!  Another week has flown by and I am amazed with the changes that have taken place.  I hope you are all keeping up with it.

Where do I begin.  Pondering: Alma 34:28-29

"And now behold my beloved brethren, I say unto you, do not suppose that this is all; for after ye have done all these things, if ye turn away the needy, and the naked, and visit not the sick and afflicted, and impart of your substance, if ye have, to those who stand in need - I say unto you, if ye do not any of these things, behold, your prayer is vain, and availeth you nothing, and ye are as hypocrites who do deny the faith."

"Therefore, if ye do not remember to be charitable, ye are as dross, which the refiners do cast out, (it being of no worth) and is trodden under foot of men."

Remember last week my pondering was all about prayer, but  let's not take this out of context too much.  What was before prayer?  What is Amulek teaching here?  In this small discourse, he has spoken of:

• Christ's words lead us to salvation
• Seeking power and understanding of the Atonement of Jesus Christ
• Living and knowing the commandments of God, including the law of Moses
• Redemption is based on Faith and Repentance
• Prayer is an essential part of it all

Therefore, when we read these verses, Amulek is telling us that we should not suppose that this is all, we must also be willing to give of ourselves, our time, our talents, our resources, and if push comes to shove, our lives.  Note the key words as well, "IF YE HAVE..."

On the flip side, just giving is not enough either, we should be doing all of the above as well.  Kind of overwhelming isn't it?  Does the Lord expect us to do it all right now and do it perfectly?  I fear that this is what holds many back from even trying.  Remember who Amulek is talking to?  A group of people who found themselves in a poor and impoverished state were seeking counsel from Alma and Amulek.  These people had been cast out from among the rich and popular.  They had been pushed down so far that they did not believe they had value and worth.

Yet here we find Alma and Amulek teaching them just the opposite.  They do have value and worth.  They are not a lost cause.  The outlined the path to get where they want to be, living in the presence of God the Father.

Last week we have a couple families over for treats and fun.  We gave the kids salt dough and asked them to create their favorite representation of the Book of Mormon.  They were all amazing, but one stand out to me as I ponder these verses.

This is a depiction of Lehi/Nephi's Dream.  I love the representation of the path to the Tree of Life.  It is filled with stepping stones.  Isn't that what life is all about?  As we improve, always holding steadfast to the rod of iron, we move from one stepping stone to the next alone the path to our Father in Heaven.  Sometimes the stones are close and easy to make, other times we have to stretch a little, make sacrifices, adapt and change to reach the next stone along the path.  Isn't that what repentance is, stretching, sacrificing, adapting and changing to be better each and every day?  This is how we get to the Tree of Life.  Amulek and Alma teach us about each of the stones that we take on one at a time, building, growing, and improving upon the previous each day.  That is how we approach "ALL THESE THINGS...", one step at a time.

I hope you all still moving forward and have not given up.  Hold to the rod.  Move forward in faith.  He will lead us through the mists that beset us.

Our Week -

Oh Boy!  So major change is happening in our world.  The Queen completed her last pajama day for the foreseeable future.  She accepted a  new position that will require us to adapt, change, sacrifice, and more, but we will make it work.  The first one is that she now works weekends.  Crazy, Crazy.

The Professor attended some professional development classes and did her best to learn what she could.  I love the way she incorporates them in to other facets of her life.  And then last night we helped her check off another bucket list in the frigid caps of Midway.

Tall Man and Ehl-Bo have had to make some adjustments as well.  They are making it work.  We keep them in our thoughts and prayers always.  Lego just keeps growing like a weed.

Puddin or should we say Officer Puddin completed the next level of interviewing and got the job.  Changes in their lives are coming at the end of the week.  We are excited for both Lady Hawkins and him.  We keep Lady Hawkins in our prayers as well.  This semester has not been the most up lifting, but she is staying positive and doing what is right.

SnackPack continues juggling the adventures.  We hope he stays warm on the latest adventure.  Work in and of itself has been an adventure.