*Today at church, we had some great talks in Sacrament Meeting. The first was given by the 14-year old son of a lady who (along with her two sons) recently moved into our ward after recently joining the church. It sounded as if he had been a member all his life. I don't remember most of his words, but I remember his confidence and how the Spirit touched him. I'm so grateful that my children are growing up with this same opportunity to publicly share their testimonies through giving talks. I'm so grateful that I was able to, as well. It is not something that my natural self would tell me is a good thing for me to do, but every time I do, I realize that my natural self is wrong...again.
*The second and third talks were given by friends of ours. They spoke on finding answers to prayers, and on President Uchtdorf's talk from General Conference, "Lord, is it I?" I enjoyed them. I liked the stories from the talk--the one dandelion in the neighbor's otherwise perfect lawn that bothered the man so much, when he ignored the hundreds of them in his own yard--the reminder to remove the beam from yourself before looking for motes in others. He also asked if we are missing out on blessings because we rationalize, or we are lazy, or we simply choose disobedience. Maybe he didn't talk exactly about these things, but these are what I'm thinking about after the talk, so that's what's important for me, anyway. I should go read it.
It was awesome!
Monday, March 23, 2015
March 2015, Week 3
*Today in church I spent the second two hours in the best way: as a substitute in the Nursery with my almost 3-year old son. We ate goldfish, played with cars and bubbles, and traced hands to remember that we have a body like Heavenly Father does. There are some super sweet kids in his Nursery class. He's learning how to not scowl at everyone.
*I was thinking about how when people say that there is no calling more important than others in the church, they usually use the examples "from the Prophet (or Stake President or Bishop) all the way down to the Nursery Leaders." I don't care for the "down" part of that expression. There is no "down." You have to be very spiritually secure in order to be a Nursery teacher. Beyond Sacrament Meeting, there is only a five minute simple lesson that completes your spiritual instruction at church. If you want more, you find it on your own at home. I admire those who do it and love it and are fulfilled.
It was awesome!
*I was thinking about how when people say that there is no calling more important than others in the church, they usually use the examples "from the Prophet (or Stake President or Bishop) all the way down to the Nursery Leaders." I don't care for the "down" part of that expression. There is no "down." You have to be very spiritually secure in order to be a Nursery teacher. Beyond Sacrament Meeting, there is only a five minute simple lesson that completes your spiritual instruction at church. If you want more, you find it on your own at home. I admire those who do it and love it and are fulfilled.
It was awesome!
Sunday, March 8, 2015
March 2015, Week 2
*Today was our Stake Conference instead of our regular meetings. We had a visiting General Authority, Larry Y. Wilson, from the Seventy. What a great man. He spoke about a lot of things, because he'd take a bit from each person who spoke before him, and comment on it, and expound a bit on it, and share some personal experience about it. Then he gave his own talk--this morning about keeping worthy of going to the temple, and last night (at the adult session) about holding fast to the iron rod. It was a pleasure listening to him, and to our Stake President, and the others who spoke. My kids were fairly clingy and a bit noisy and restless, and kind of tired (Daylight Savings began last night!), but were, overall, good.
*I was especially relaxed, because I had given a talk the night before at the adult session of the conference, and all my stress was gone! Yes, that's two Stake Conferences in a row I have been asked to speak at, but this time it was at the request of Elder Wilson. (He doesn't know me, but asked that the Stake Primary President, among others, would speak.) My topic was "Effective Ministering through Family Councils." I started out with a story about how my parents used a family council to help us stop calling each other names. After the session, Elder Wilson said that it was the most effective story he'd heard about family councils, and asked if he could share the story around the church. Umm, yes. Yes, you can.
It was awesome!
(My sweet counselor was released today. I am so sad for her, but she has determination and faith and multitudes of pray-ers on her side.)
*I was especially relaxed, because I had given a talk the night before at the adult session of the conference, and all my stress was gone! Yes, that's two Stake Conferences in a row I have been asked to speak at, but this time it was at the request of Elder Wilson. (He doesn't know me, but asked that the Stake Primary President, among others, would speak.) My topic was "Effective Ministering through Family Councils." I started out with a story about how my parents used a family council to help us stop calling each other names. After the session, Elder Wilson said that it was the most effective story he'd heard about family councils, and asked if he could share the story around the church. Umm, yes. Yes, you can.
It was awesome!
(My sweet counselor was released today. I am so sad for her, but she has determination and faith and multitudes of pray-ers on her side.)
March 2015, Week 1
*Today at church was our Fast and Testimony meeting again. I wish I had transcripts of the testimonies, because they were inspiring. The people in my ward are so great.
*Today we had the Visiting Teaching Conference in Relief Society. I loved it. Our Visiting Teaching Coordinator based her lesson on Chapter 7 of the Daughters in My Kingdom book, and reminded us of what a minister is. She listed questions we can ask our sisters, and she gave us action words for things we can do for them, like pray, seek, contact, care, greet, etc. Then our Relief Society President spoke more about the word "seek." She said it takes hard, dedicated work, but we need to seek out ways to reach our sisters. I am recommitted to seek ways to help and reach the sisters I teach. I think I have been coasting, and not working.
It was awesome!
*Today we had the Visiting Teaching Conference in Relief Society. I loved it. Our Visiting Teaching Coordinator based her lesson on Chapter 7 of the Daughters in My Kingdom book, and reminded us of what a minister is. She listed questions we can ask our sisters, and she gave us action words for things we can do for them, like pray, seek, contact, care, greet, etc. Then our Relief Society President spoke more about the word "seek." She said it takes hard, dedicated work, but we need to seek out ways to reach our sisters. I am recommitted to seek ways to help and reach the sisters I teach. I think I have been coasting, and not working.
It was awesome!
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