March 2023, Week 4

*Today in church we had another testimony meeting, since next week is General Conference.  Sweet Gracie bore her testimony, relating it to a calculus concept of the polar axis and coordinates when graphing.  I didn't understand the reference, having never taken calculus, but she described it enough that I understood: when you start along the path, you will find the way.  She is at the beginning of her adulting, with a lot of decisions to make, and she recognizes that when she finds the path, she should stick to it, even if she doesn't see the outcome , and she knows she will find her way.  She is insightful.

*A few days ago I heard of an old friend who left the Church and is praying for the day that it will "catch up."  Sometimes when I hear news like this, along with great sadness, I feel nigglings of "Are you really doing the right thing here?  Is this really truth you are devoting your life to?  Is the 'Church' drifting from the doctrine of Christ?"  I think it is natural and normal to question, and even doubt sometimes.  I don't like to, but it causes me to stop and ponder, and pray, and to recommit.  I sometimes feel, and I did today during our meeting, like the man pleading with Jesus, "Lord, I believe.  Help thou my unbelief!"  I know it.  I live it.  I am committed.  But sometimes I need help with my unbelief.  President Uchdorf reminds me to "Doubt your doubts before you doubt your faith."  That is a very good place to start.

It was a delight!

March 2023, Week 3

*Today in church we had Stake Conference.  I was able to bring my ministering sister with us, who is a fairly new convert and single mom with some tough challenges and perspectives in life.  Her faith is so strong, though.

*Today we heard such uplifting messages.  Our Stake President always has a story from his life that teaches gospel principles powerfully.  Today he shared how when he was young and helping move cattle, and he was sore and tired and wanted to stop, his dad would encourage him to keep on going until they reached the white fence.  "Keep going!  You're almost there!  You can do this!"  He related it to us enduring to the end, and how our Heavenly Father is there, always encouraging us: "Keep going!  You're almost there!  You can do this!"  Elder Tommy Haws from the Seventy was also there.  He talked about how we often give Primary answers, but that they really are THE PRIMARY answers we need in life, but that we often don't take them quite far enough--we miss the mark, because we forget to tie them all the way back to Jesus Christ.  We read the scriptures because they teach us of Christ and how to be like Him.  We pray because we want to talk with Him and have Him as our advocate.  We go to church to take the sacrament and covenant again to take His name upon us.  We go to the temple to make the covenants that will bring our lives as close as they can be to be like Him.  We love because He loved.

It was a delight!

March 2023, Week 2

*Today in church a newish sister spoke about how she came to our ward from California with her son, soon after her son's dad had passed away from cancer, and also soon after she had regained her own testimony of the Church.  She said she felt that she had come right into a new family and mentioned several ways that people had lifted and supported her, including temple trips with friends.  Several months ago, I had made a goal to go to the temple on a regular, calendared basis, and twice I let my Relief Society know through our Facebook page when I was going and invited people along.  She had responded both times I did this, and I was so pleased that she considered me a friend and that our trips to the temple were meaningful to her.  Right after church we set up our next trip together.

It was a delight!

March 2023, Week 1

*Today in church was Fast and Testimony meeting.  I keep thinking that it has been a while since I have borne my testimony in that setting, and I keep thinking of excuses of why I don't need to do it.  It mainly ends up with me deciding that I don't really have anything noteworthy to share.  That's not true, though.  I can always testify of my faith in Jesus Christ.  Thankfully I had the opportunity to do that in my Primary class, as we talked about Jesus calming the storm.  We all wrote different trials that people might have on paper rainclouds that we used to cover a picture of Jesus.  Then we took them off as we suggested ways we could help someone with the trial.  I was able to testify that the Savior has the power to calm the storms in our lives.  He truly brings peace to me.

It was a delight!