Little Children.

In primary the children are working on their primary program parts. Most of the kids have worked with their parents and written their own parts. They talk about how they know that Jesus loves them and how they can feel the Spirit comfort them when they are scared. They talk about being examples to others and saying prayers. Today I really felt how important it is for children to know these things. Jesus DOES love them. I am very thankful for that love.

The gift

Today at church our speaker was discussing a talk by Russell M Nelson named ask, seek, knock and she gave this quote:

Even more amazing than modern technology is our opportunity to access information directly from heaven, without hardware, software, or monthly service fees. It is one of the most marvelous gifts the Lord has offered to mortals. It is His generous invitation to “ask, and it shall be given you; seek, and ye shall find; knock, and it shall be opened unto you.”1

It is amazing how sometimes you will hear something that you have heard since you were 8 years old and then it speaks to you in a different way. Since childhood I have known that we are given the "gift" of the Holy Ghost after baptism. Today when she read this quote I was struck by the truly generous gift it is. I wondered about how different my life would be without the ability to ask my Heavenly Father for something or about a decision and to receive an answer to my prayers. It is nearly impossible to think of how I could live my life and make decisions without this gift. I have thought a lot about how much I use this gift. I am thankful for this gift and will try to remember this gratitude daily.

He will never forget us

A week ago I went on a trip with a bunch of girl friends and as we drove they talked a lot about their kids. They always noticed things their children would like or were wondering what they were doing. I saw the way each of them cared so much about their children and how their love and concern for their children was at the forefront of their being. Then I read this scripture:

15 For can a ^awoman forget her sucking child, that she should not have ^bcompassion on the son of her womb? Yea, they may ^cforget, yet will I not forget thee, O house of Israel.

16 Behold, I have graven thee upon the ^apalms of my hands; thy walls are continually before me.

I thought about how I couldn't image any of these girls forgetting their babies, but Christ ensures us that as deep as their love is for their children, His love is stronger. He will never forget us and will never abandon us. We are reminded that he had died for us and had His hands pierced for us. These will always be there as a reminder of what he has done for us and as sign of His love you and me.

Things I know for sure...

I am truly grateful for the knowledge and peace that comes into my life by being a member of the church. I know that Heavenly Father is a loving God that cares for all of his children and loves them individually. I know that because He loves us He sent his son to suffer and die for our sins. He did this so that we could be clean and resurrected and live with our Heavenly Father again. I know that one of the blessings of attending the temple is to come closer to our Heavenly Father and feel the spirit there. I also know that because of the blessings of the temple we can live as families forever. I know that Heavenly Father wants us to try to be better people every day. We are supposed to look for ways to improve and live a more Christlike life and when we make mistakes or fall short He is there to make up the difference. I know that when we pray He hears and answers them. I know that sometimes we have to endure trials and hardships, because sometimes that is God's will. I know that Heavenly Father has the power to perform miracles. I know that he still speaks to His children on earth today. He does this through modern prophets. I know that Thomas S. Monson is the current prophet. I know that we were given the Book of Mormon to be a second testimony of Jesus Christ.

There are many things I don't know and many that I am coming to know and understand, but I am thankful to know about these things.

Miracles

In primary this month we have been talking about how Jesus Christ performed miracles. When I think of the miracles performed by Christ I automaticallly think of the raising of the dead, making the blind see, feeding the 5000, calming the storms and helping the lame to walk. Today I realized his greatest miracle of all when I was reading in Luke 5.

18 ¶ And, behold, men brought in a bed a man which was ^ataken with a palsy: and they sought means to bring him in, and to lay him before him.

19 And when they could not find by what way they might bring him in because of the multitude, they went upon the housetop, and let him down through the tiling with his couch into the midst before Jesus.

20 And when he saw their faith, he said unto him, Man, thy sins are ^aforgiven thee.

21 And the scribes and the Pharisees began to reason, saying, Who is this which speaketh ^ablasphemies? Who can ^bforgive sins, but God alone?

22 But when Jesus ^aperceived their thoughts, he answering said unto them, What reason ye in your hearts?

23 ^aWhether is easier, to say, Thy sins be forgiven thee; or to say, Rise up and walk?

24 But that ye may know that the Son of man hath power upon earth to ^aforgive sins, (he said unto the sick of the palsy,) I say unto thee, Arise, and take up thy couch, and go into thine house.

25 And immediately he rose up before them, and took up that whereon he lay, and departed to his own house, ^aglorifying God.

After thinking about that story I realized what an incredible miracle forgiveness of sins is. It is more difficult to comprehend or measure than some of these other tangible miracles, but it is the greatest of all his miracles. We are made whole and our sins our washed away. It doesn't matter who you are or what you have done, the Savior has atoned for your sins. Nobody is beyond help. We can ask him for this atonement in our lives constantly. It is never ending. That IS a miracle!!

I am back!

Every week I have thought about something I wanted to post, but then I don't get around to it.

It has been over a month since I last posted, but for some reason I am feeling like August should be a good time to restart on a regular basis.

This week at work I had an experience that was unusual for me. Often times when I meet people coming into the office they are not in their best state. They are sick or not feeling well. This week I met a woman who was suffering with some stress and sadness in her life. She asked where I was from and when I told her I was from Utah, she got excited and asked if I was mormon. I told her I was and she said, "oh good, I know some of what you believe and I know that you have faith." She told me about some sweet revelation she gathered from reading the bible about Job. She then asked if I would pray with her. This is not conventional, but I believe that prayer can be important in the healing process. She said the prayer and I will say that I could feel the Spirit in the room and I could feel how much love Heavenly Father had for her and me. In her prayer she humbly proclaimed, "I love you Jesus and I know that you will not give me something that I can't handle." I was so touched by this statement. It is wonderful to know this simple truth. He will not give us something we can't handle. He gives us trials and we are promised that they will be for our good. Often it is impossible to understand how something can be for your good when it is so difficult and long lasting. It seems counterintuitive that our Heavenly Father who love us would put us in painful circumstances. Whether they be emotional, financial, health related or relationship problems this is what our Father wants us to experience. There are lessons to be learned from trials. These lessons can range from learning to have compassion or finding an unknown personal resolve or simply coming unto Christ.

Individual Worth

I have always loved Doctrine and Covenants 18:10. Remember the ^aworth of ^bsouls is great in the sight of God. I find it very comforting that Heavenly Father cares about us as individuals. Then if that wasn't enough it goes on to say:

15 And if it so be that you should labor all your days in crying repentance unto this people, and bring, save it be one ^asoul unto me, how great shall be your joy with him in the kingdom of my Father!

16 And now, if your joy will be great with one soul that you have brought unto me into the ^akingdom of my Father, how great will be your ^bjoy if you should bring many ^csoulsunto me!

I can picture a loving father who is so excited when his child does something good and I know that is how He feels about us. He will always be excited and feel joy when somebody (whether it be us or another person) makes a change for the best. It makes me want to add to the joy and share the gospel with others and do my best to make good choices everyday.