Turning to the Lord is the Easier Way

For the past five months I have gone through some struggles as well as watched others do the same. I have been reminded that turning to the Lord, Jesus Christ is the easier way. Let me share a few of these instances with you.

During March through May of this year, I tried for three different jobs in the school district I am working part-time in. For whatever reason or another, I wasn't able to get any of them. At first it was a little frustrating, but I decided that I did not know all of the reasons and that I could move on through my Savior Jesus Christ. I often prayed to my Heavenly Father for help and understanding and the courage to keep going. I know that many of my family members were also praying for me and my family whom I thank whole-heartedly. Each time, my heart was healed and I was able to move on. I have felt peace and know that everything will work out and be alright, and that the Lord will provide a way for my family to make it financially through these difficult economic times. Since trying for these jobs, I have watched many blessings occur in my life. First of all I have been given three part-time job opportunities this summer through the school district to make more money. Most importantly, I have actually been grateful that I didn't receive any of the original jobs that I applied for so that I can be home more and raise my 2 year old daughter. Though it would have been great to have more money, I would have been so sad to leave her for a full day. I am so grateful to a loving Heavenly Father and my Savior Jesus Christ for helping me find this peace.

A few weeks ago, my step sister (whom I have been so blessed to meet about 12 years ago when my mother married my step father after my father died) got bucked off of a horse and got kicked in the head. She was life-flighted to a larger hospital and has been there since. I have watched as family members turned to the Lord instead of getting angry. I have also watched as they found peace. After 72 hours which is a very critical time, my step sister was showing tremendous signs of improvement. She is now in physical and mental therapy relearning some of the things that she knew before the accident. She is improving every day, and the doctors are very hopeful. Through this process, I have admired how my step sister's family has turned to the Lord and found the strength to carry on as well as peace that all will be well.

So today I am so grateful for the gospel of Jesus Christ and the knowledge that it gives us to have faith in Jesus Christ and turn to him in all situations. I testify that this is such an easier way. We could choose to be angry at situations or at people and carry so much more grief for a much longer time. When we turn to the One who suffered everything that we will ever go through and knows the hearts and intents of others, we can instead find peace and joy in life and have the strength and courage to carry on. I am grateful for the gospel in my life that shows us their is a grand plan and that the Lord is in charge. I know that the Lord can help any situation work for our benefit if we allow him to.

Knowledge of a Personal Savior

During this Christmas season, many of our hearts are turned to our Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ.  I am so grateful for the knowledge that the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter Day Saints gives me of Christ so that I can develop a personal relationship with him.   This knowledge includes:  

1.  Christ is a separate being from Heavenly Father, and the Holy Ghost although they work together for the same purpose.

2.  Christ has a body of flesh and bone.

3.  Christ was the Jehovah of the Old Testament and the Messiah of the New.

4.  He was born in a stable in Bethlehem.

5.  He gave us the perfect example to follow.

6.  He bled from every pore in the Garden of Gethsemane and died on the cross in Calvary.

7.  He was resurrected after three days in the tomb.

8.  After His resurrection Christ appeared to the Nephites in America.

9.  He suffered for every sin we would commit.   All we have to do is repent.

10.He suffered for every sorrow that we would ever experience and so He knows what we are going through and can provide strength and courage in difficult times.

11. Christ provided a way (the only way) that we can make it back to our Heavenly Father.

12. He will one day return to the earth and rule as "King of Kings and Lord of Lords". 

12.  All will stand before Christ to be judged.  He will be the perfect judge because He has experienced everything we have.  

I am so grateful for my Lord and Savior, Jesus Christ and for the atonement.   I can turn to Him when in despair, fear, or sorrow, and I know I will find peace.  I  am forever indebted to my Savior for the price he paid for me.   Knowing a personal Savior helps me want to do better and try to become more like Him not only during the Christmas season but throughout the year. 

Knowledge that the Book of Mormon is Another Testament of Jesus Christ

I am so grateful for the blessings that the Book of Mormon brings to my life daily.  As I try to read it each day, it brings strength,  peace and joy to my life.

I know that it is truly another testament of Jesus Christ, and that it goes hand in hand with the Bible.  I know that the Book of Mormon was translated by the prophet Joseph Smith, and that no human being could have written this book without God's help.   I testify that the Book of Mormon is true and by reading it, it will bring each of us closer to Jesus Christ.   I know this because I have read it and tested out the promise in Moroni 10: 4-5.  "And when ye shall receive these things, I would exhort you that ye would ask God, the Eternal Father, in the name of Christ, if these things are not true;  and if ye shall ask with a sincere heart, with real intent, having faith in Christ, he will manifest the truth of it unto you, by the power of the Holy Ghost.  And by the power of the Holy Ghost ye may know the truth of all things."

Today and every day, I thank my Heavenly Father for the gift of the Book of Mormon in my life.  It is a gift that continues to make my life better every day, and I am so grateful for that precious treasure.

Many Blessings

At this Thanksgiving time, I am reminded of so many, many blessings that my Heavenly Father has blessed me with.  Let me just name a few.

1.  Knowledge of the restored gospel of Jesus Christ

2.  The power of Christ's Atonement

3.  The Bible, Book of Mormon, Pearl of Great Price and Doctrine and Covenants that testify of Jesus Christ.

4.  A living prophet who receives revelation from the Savior for our needs today

5.  Opportunities to pray to Heavenly Father and receive answers 

6.  Family that makes life so worthwhile

7.  Opportunity to live in a free country and worship as I choose

8.  Free Agency to choose which way I want to go

9.  Opportunities to learn and grow

10. Friendships of good people

11.  Food on my table

12.  A warm home during cold winters

I am so grateful for the bounteous blessings my family receives daily from a loving Heavenly Father.   In gratitude for these blessings, I hope to do everything I can to do His will.

Knowledge of a Loving Heavenly Father

I have often pondered the blessings that come to my life because of the knowledge I have of a loving Heavenly Father who has a body of flesh and bones and whose image I am created in. Yesterday as I was returning from a conference trip, I was reminded again of this great blessing.  As I was driving home, in the dark, the roads started to get snowy, and I started feeling all alone.  I  said a prayer and tried to drive as slow and safely as I could.  I felt peace and love that I wasn't really alone, and that all would be fine.   

Also when I go to these conferences around the state, I meet good people who are trying to make a difference in the lives of kids.   I quite like these people, and I often ponder how much happier their lives would be if they had the full gospel of Jesus Christ, and what part I could play in sharing what I know with them.    Many times except for standing up for what I believe, this doesn't work out.   So it is comforting to know that Heavenly Father is no respecter of persons but loves all of his children the same.  He has provided a way that all will be able to hear the gospel of Jesus Christ in this life or the next, and have free agency to accept or reject it.  I am comforted to know that these good people will have the same opportunity as anyone else to receive all the blessings of the gospel if they so choose.   

So today I am thankful for the knowledge and testimony I have of a kind and loving Heavenly Father, that I get to know personally through prayer and keeping the commandments.  I am so grateful for all of the many blessings my Father in Heaven bestows on me daily.  

Good People Making a Difference

There are so many good people around me and my family that bless my life every day.  This includes extended family, friends, youth, church leaders, and ward members.  From the many kind deeds to setting a Christ-like example, these people make my life so much better from associating with them.    A few of these kind  deeds are listed below.   

1.  Attending children's birthday parties and other family events.

2.  Sending birthday cards, emails, and family newsletters. 

3.  Spending hours  listening to a teenage son.

4.  Encouraging my children to do great things.

5.  Sharing uplifting comments  of gratitude and love.

6.  Bringing cookies by just to say thank you.

7.  Praying for my family.

8.  A smile or a hello.

9.  Holding the door at a store when my hands are full.

I also benefit so much each day by watching good people become better.  Here's a few things that bless my life by watching others.

1.  Seeing good people deal with challenges so valiantly.

2.  When they make mistakes, like all of us do, repenting, moving on and trying again.

3.  Standing up for what is right in difficult situations.

4.  Choosing to be alone instead of following the crowd.

5.  Bearing testimony of truth by how they conduct themselves.

The simple acts of kindness  and Christ-like examples of those around me bless me and my family every day.   This support system is truly empowering.  It helps my children do good things that a mother hoped they would do, but wasn't able to convince them of.  It brings hope, joy and courage to carry on.    

 

Christ-like acts of service

Sunday after a busy day of church work and setting up for a special young women program, I was exhausted.  Many that would have usually helped me had legitimate family difficulties such as; helping a daughter in labor, visiting a father out of town, and sick kids so I was left alone to set up.  It took so much longer to set up than I had planned even though everything was ready to go before hand. 

I was grateful this day for two sweet acts of kindness.  First of all of my boys (11 and 7) who willingly helped me set up tables and chairs.  I appreciate so much their enthusiasm and help with this task that to most is very ordinary.

 Secondly I appreciate the bishop and his counselor for their acts of kindness.  These two good men must have sensed that I was exhausted,  and they filled the need  extremely well.  They put away tables, chairs, wooden easels, hymn books, microphone and they even took my things out to my car.  They stayed around til I left to make sure everything was alright.   I'm sure these men had been serving in the church and away from their families most of the day, and they were probably more exhausted than I was.  However, like the Savior who took the time to bless the children even when he was exhausted, these men did a wonderful  service . Because of this act of kindness, I was able to spend more time with my children once I got home, and my heart was filled with joy.  I felt the love of my Father in Heaven and my Savior, Jesus Christ that day,  and I knew that I could make it through.  I will be forever grateful for my bishop and his counselor who by doing a simple thing made a huge difference in my life that day.