Famailair and comforting

So many things are different here in Indaiana, so different from Utah.  The grass is always wet and soggy, the air is wet, the wind is crazy and it is often windy.  There are a lot of thunderstorms, a lot of rain, most of my neighbors are not memebers of my church and they don't use the grid system!  There are not any mountians, there are tons of trees and so many different kinds, oh the list is endless.  That is why I was looking forward to church this week.
Walking in the building looked like most of the church buildings in Utah.  The bishop sat up on the stand and one of his councelors conducted.  We took the sacrament, heard a few speakers and sang songs from the same hymn books as in Utah.  Then we went to Sunday school and the kids to primary, after that John went to Elders wuarum and I went ot Releife Society.  Three hours, just like Utah.  In a new state, in  new home, surrounded my new people I felt so much peace and comfort in the famair gospel.  No matter where I go the same gospel principals will be taught, the same oraganization exists, and I will even have the same lessons as my friends in Utah, my mom in Wyoming, or my friend in Denmark.  I am so very grateful for a worlwide church so that no matter where I am I can sit and learn about Jesus Christ and come closer to Him.  There is comfort in the familair, and peace in knowing God will be where I am.

The Testaments

I just finished watching The Testaments, one of my favorite movies about the life of Christ. I never cease to be moved to tears during the movie, especially at the end when Christ appears to the people in America; heals, teaches, and blesses them. As I watched the movie this time I prayed silently, hoping to be there when Christ comes again. I watch and wait for Him.

I know sometimes it is hard to believe in Christ, there is so much wickedness in the world, so many bad things that happen and often people wonder where God is in all this. I assure you He is there! God loves us, He is our Father and He will answer your prayers. I know that Christ came to earth, that He lived and died for us. I feel it. Sometimes when I teach children about faith and about believing in things they cannot see I talk about the wind.

We cannot see the wind, but we can feel it and we can see the effect of the wind in the trees. So too, can I can feel God and His love, I can see the way He effects me and those around me. But my feeling is so much stronger then the wind, and longer lasting as well. When I feel the Love of the Lord it fills me up, it moves me. I never feel more loved then when I feel the love of my Father in heaven. Words fail me, nothing can describe such a feeling.

If you have access to this movie, or can get access, I urge you to watch it. Allow yourself to feel the Love of your Father. he does indeed love you very much. Pray, He will answer

you, I promise.

I believe

I believe in Christ. He is my Savior and my King. I know He lived and He died for me. I know he was resurrected and some day, I will live with Him and my Father in Heaven. I believe that Christ is my older brother and that he atoned for my sins. I believe that because of His atonement I can be forgiven and live with god again. I love my savior and my Father in Heaven.

My belief in God and in Christ are important to me, my life is centered around my beliefs. There are some who do not believe as I do and to you I say, that is your right. It is your right to believe in a different God, a different religion or to not be religious at all. I believe that you have the right to choose and I believe that I have the right to choose. I will not interfere with your right to choose and I expect that you will not interfere with my right to choose. My belief does not negate your, nor do your beliefs negate mine. We are being born with the ability to choose and act upon those choices. Tolerance goes both ways my friends. I call you my friends because I know that even though we may not have the same faith or beliefs we can still get along and be kind to each other, we can still be friends.

It's not fair to use your beliefs to take away someone else's ability to choose or interfere with their belief. Keep believing what you believe to be good and true, I will do the same. But neither of us will impede the others choice, right? See, I knew we could get along, after all, we're friends.

Most important Truth

Today I was listening to an address given by President Hinkley to student at the University of Utah on December 7, 1980. In this address he spoke about a temple dedication that he had attended 5 years earlier. Various religious leaders had been invited to attend and President Hinkley was asked to answer any question they may have. A question was put forth by one leader about why the Temple bore the name of Christ, but there was not a single cross inside, or outside. President Hinkly replied that he wished to offend no one who bore the symbol of the cross, but the cross is the symbol of the dying Christ and we of the Church of Jesus Christ believed in a ressurected and living Christ. That same leader then asked what symbol was used to represent our belief. President Hinkley said the symbol of the Church is the way it's members live their lives as a testimony to the living Christ.
I know that Christ died, was ressurected, and lives again. He is a living being with a body of flesh and bone. He is the Life, the Light and the Way. I hope that my life is a living testimony of the living Christ and that through me others may come to know Him and see His Light.

No Unhallowed Hand

"The Standard of Truth has been erected; no unhallowed hand can stop the work from progressing; persicutions may rage, mobs may combine, armies may assemble, calumny may defame, but the truth of God will go forth boldly, nobly, and independant, till it has penetrated every continent, visited every clime, swept ever country, and sounded in every ear, till the purposes of God shall be accomplished, and the great Jehovah shall say the work is done"

(History of the Church 4:540 emphasis added)

As to the Truth going forth, I plan to help out so that When it comes time I will hear my Savior say "Well done my good and faithful servant."

Imperfect and Perfect Love

I wanted to share a pretty awesome experience I had recently that has helped me to understand why heavenly Father wants us to get married and have kids. I think there are some things you can only learn as a spouse or parent. Let me share some thing I have learned.
Glen has just gotten his first two teeth. For a while there my little guy was really miserable. One night as I put him to bed and listened to him cry my heart just hurt. I wanted so much to make him feel better, to take his pain away so he could feel well, get to sleep and feel happy again. As I felt this strong desire to help me Child I started to think of love. I wanted to help Glen because I love him so much. My love is imperfect, so if I felt the desire to help Glen so strongly because of my imperfect love for him, how much stronger is Heavenly Father's and Jesus Christ's desire to help us? Their love is perfect and all encompassing.

Prayer

I fell asleep while the kids were napping and I had a pretty cool dream that I want to tell you about. Usually I have really strange dreams about cow-llamas or swimming a pair of boots across the ocean, but occasionally the Lord speaks to me through a dream. I think this is one of those occasions.
I was eating in a restaurant with my family and my brother was asked to pray over the food. Being the considerate person that he is he wanted to make sure no one would be offended if we prayed so he asked every one else in the restaurant if it would be okay with them. There was a couple sitting close to us that was excited and wanted to participate in the prayer. I had the feeling that the gentleman would feel uncomfortable, but he seemed excited and so we included them. Andrew had not said more then a few words of the prayer when the man stood up and stopped him. He told my brother how weird it was that we were all closing our eyes and kneeling. The rest of the people in the company started saying no one was kneeling and standing up for the way we pray.
In my dream I remembered a book I had read and knew the Lord wanted me to tell him about what I had read. I told him that you do not have to be kneeling or close your eyes to pray, you do not have to say special words or say specific things. I saw in his eyes a hunger to know that God hears him and so I told him that Heavenly Father knows him personally and hears his prayers. Prayer is talking to God and that no matter what he says or how he prays Heavenly Father hears him.
I do not know why I had this dream, but I do know that Heavenly Father does know us each by name, we are his children. And I know that no matter what we say or how we pray He hears our prayers. He listens to us, cares for us, and loves us. Wen we pray we talk to Him and He so wants to hear from us. I know he listens to our prayers.

Blind Obedience

John and I went on another Temple date. They are the best dates. As always I learned something new. I received an answer to a question I have been pondering for many years now. I was once told not to obey the prophet blindly. I needed to know why I was being told to do something. I disagreed, but could not give a good reply. This is the scripture that came to me today as I pondered in the temple, it is in the Book of Mormon.
Moses 5:6 "And after many days an angel of the Lord appeared unto Adam, saying: Why dost thou offer sacrifices unto the Lord? And Adam said unto him: I know not, save the Lord commanded me." That is my reply to any who would ask why I do the things I do or follow the Prophet. I know not, save the Lord commanded me.
I know that President Thomas S. Monson is a prophet of God, and as such he is God's mouth piece. I know that the Lord speaks through the modern day Prophet, whomever he may be. Because I know this I also know that any command given by the prophet is a command from the Lord. Glory be to God for providing us with a Prophet to speak His words to us and to guide us in these latter days!

Learning from the Perfect Gardener

We have all had the experience of saying something stupid to a friend and feeling like we could just kick our self. Some times it is worse then just saying something stupid and we end up hurting someone. Thinking of that today I wrote this poem. I hope you like it.

Learning from the Perfect Gardener
We have all planted gardens,
And so we well know,
You cannot plant a seed,
And expect it just to grow.

When planting a garden or flower,
Each gardener does her part,
To remove the weeds that choke,
Right from the very start.

But we all are imperfect,

So I hope we both can see,

That when we turn to him,

He will answer every plea.

Neither life, nor friends are perfect. That is part of our test here on earth. But every day we can all become just a little more like Christ.