Lately I've been studying in the book of Revelations, so I guess that's where my thoughts are. I'm surprised as I go throughout my other scriptural or lesson adventures how many things in the book of Revelations are other places in the scriptures as well. I have been trying to test the quote from Joseph Smith stating that the Book of Revelations is plain. I have discovered that is true, and it is also very beautifully written. You only have to open your mind in the right way. Just like when you're looking at those "hidden picture" things or studying Bruce R McConkie's teachings. Sorry Elder McConkie, sometimes you can be confusing, but again--incredibly beautiful if your mind is open in the right way.
I challenge anyone reading my comments to do the same thing with their scripture study. I have really been touched and amazed at the awesome power of our Heavenly Father and the care and intricacy of the scriptures and gospel teachings.
I also saw this video on another blog and wanted to share. It touched my heart.
Tuesday, January 10, 2012
Monday, January 9, 2012
Kinda funny.
We have two vehicles in our family that we love dearly.
We have the "g" van
And a little blue isuzu pickup--this is a google picture as I don't have one of our actual truck, but add a little more rust and a little less paint, and it's the same.
Saturday on my way to errands in the van (Tom had been driving it all week to work as it gets better gas mileage and I had missed my g van) I went to McDonald's. I put the window down and guess what---it wouldn't go back up. This is a problem because, well, I do live in Wisconsin and it is January. Luckily, we've had 40 degree weather and no rain or snow the last few days and the van is getting repaired tomorrow. YAY!!!
Today, I drove the truck home from work. When I stopped in the driveway, as I was turning off the truck with my foot on the brake, my foot went straight to the floor. I got out of the truck and saw a lovely pile of goo by the front driver side tire. Broken brake line. Isn't it wonderful that happened as I stopped in my driveway??? I think it may be the most fabulous thing ever. What a blessing! It will be repaired before the week is out hopefully.
Our family has always had vehicle trouble. Always. Lots and lots and lots and lots of vehicle trouble--all. the. time. Thanks in large part to the kindness of others in giving and/or selling us dependable vehicles, we've been enjoying almost a year without a major repair or junked out vehicle. I cannot express to you the joy and exultation this fact provides me on a daily basis. It is a blessing to get into your vehicle and not be afraid you may not make it to your destination. I'm grateful to know this and to have seen both sides.
Also grateful these are easy repairs and that we have the funds on hand to pay for them and the ability to have them completed pretty much immediately. Still a wonderful blessing and reminder for me.
We have the "g" van
Today, I drove the truck home from work. When I stopped in the driveway, as I was turning off the truck with my foot on the brake, my foot went straight to the floor. I got out of the truck and saw a lovely pile of goo by the front driver side tire. Broken brake line. Isn't it wonderful that happened as I stopped in my driveway??? I think it may be the most fabulous thing ever. What a blessing! It will be repaired before the week is out hopefully.
Our family has always had vehicle trouble. Always. Lots and lots and lots and lots of vehicle trouble--all. the. time. Thanks in large part to the kindness of others in giving and/or selling us dependable vehicles, we've been enjoying almost a year without a major repair or junked out vehicle. I cannot express to you the joy and exultation this fact provides me on a daily basis. It is a blessing to get into your vehicle and not be afraid you may not make it to your destination. I'm grateful to know this and to have seen both sides.
Also grateful these are easy repairs and that we have the funds on hand to pay for them and the ability to have them completed pretty much immediately. Still a wonderful blessing and reminder for me.
Sunday, January 8, 2012
Why do I do the things I do?
Okay--I guess I've had enough of a holiday blogging break, soooo.....
Today, we had our testimony meeting and a sister I don't ever remember seeing before gave her testimony. It seemed like she has been inactive for a while and is starting to work her way back into activity, or at least see if that's what she wants to do. She said several things that were thought provoking to me.
1--"God loves me as I am"--absolutely correct! Heavenly Father loves us as we are. I believe He also loves our desire to grow and progress. He understands our hearts and as someone else said today at church "when we give Him our best, we get His best in return". I have been trying to be more like that. To accept people how they are instead of wishing they would hurry up and move on to the next step already. That is rude and insensitive of me and something I hope to be able to change.
2--"If I don't wear a skirt to church, I am sinning."--I disagree with this one. It is custom to wear our best clothes to church. I'm not sure it's a sin if we don't though. This issue doesn't bother me in the slightest. As long as people are dressed modestly, I'm pretty much just happy that they're there and hope they feel The Spirit. I wear my Sunday clothes to church because I believe it is what Heavenly Father would have me do and I want to please Him. Not because I'm afraid of Him or am trying to make appearances, but because I love Him. That is something I don't want to change about myself. I want to please those I love, and I love my Heavenly Father.
3--"I can worship God from home."--again, absolutely true. However, I have a deep need to learn from others and help to bear their burdens and have them help to bear mine. I gain comfort from knowing that others are struggling and striving and doing the best they can even when its hard. I love the hugs. I love the crying. I love the lessons and the parts of themselves the teachers bring into them. Again, I believe this is what Heavenly Father would have us to do. Are there people there who are not as righteous as they present themselves to be? Yes. Are there people there who hurt my feelings and make me uncomfortable? Yes. Am I one of those people? I hope not, but I very well may be for some. I come in spite of those who hurt me, judge me, etc, etc, etc and I hope others do too.
4-A recurring theme throughout her testimony was "why do we go to church". As I have thought about this, I think there are many reasons why I go to church. But the most prominent one I can think of is love. Giving it, receiving it, everything about it. I believe my weeks go better when I have attended church. Partaking of the sacrament and renewing of covenants aside, I have my thoughts and goals for the week from the experience of my Sunday worship. I have wonderful experiences and examples to follow and I am grateful just for the opportunity to go and learn something and feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and for others.
Today, we had our testimony meeting and a sister I don't ever remember seeing before gave her testimony. It seemed like she has been inactive for a while and is starting to work her way back into activity, or at least see if that's what she wants to do. She said several things that were thought provoking to me.
1--"God loves me as I am"--absolutely correct! Heavenly Father loves us as we are. I believe He also loves our desire to grow and progress. He understands our hearts and as someone else said today at church "when we give Him our best, we get His best in return". I have been trying to be more like that. To accept people how they are instead of wishing they would hurry up and move on to the next step already. That is rude and insensitive of me and something I hope to be able to change.
2--"If I don't wear a skirt to church, I am sinning."--I disagree with this one. It is custom to wear our best clothes to church. I'm not sure it's a sin if we don't though. This issue doesn't bother me in the slightest. As long as people are dressed modestly, I'm pretty much just happy that they're there and hope they feel The Spirit. I wear my Sunday clothes to church because I believe it is what Heavenly Father would have me do and I want to please Him. Not because I'm afraid of Him or am trying to make appearances, but because I love Him. That is something I don't want to change about myself. I want to please those I love, and I love my Heavenly Father.
3--"I can worship God from home."--again, absolutely true. However, I have a deep need to learn from others and help to bear their burdens and have them help to bear mine. I gain comfort from knowing that others are struggling and striving and doing the best they can even when its hard. I love the hugs. I love the crying. I love the lessons and the parts of themselves the teachers bring into them. Again, I believe this is what Heavenly Father would have us to do. Are there people there who are not as righteous as they present themselves to be? Yes. Are there people there who hurt my feelings and make me uncomfortable? Yes. Am I one of those people? I hope not, but I very well may be for some. I come in spite of those who hurt me, judge me, etc, etc, etc and I hope others do too.
4-A recurring theme throughout her testimony was "why do we go to church". As I have thought about this, I think there are many reasons why I go to church. But the most prominent one I can think of is love. Giving it, receiving it, everything about it. I believe my weeks go better when I have attended church. Partaking of the sacrament and renewing of covenants aside, I have my thoughts and goals for the week from the experience of my Sunday worship. I have wonderful experiences and examples to follow and I am grateful just for the opportunity to go and learn something and feel my Heavenly Father's love for me and for others.
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