I just wanted
to say thanks
for checking in...
whoever you are.
Friday, January 25, 2013
Quest for Knowledge
Lately I have been so interested in the LDS church and the teachings of it. Yes I am LDS and yes I have been raised LDS but I want to know more.
I was raised next door to a girl whose parents allowed her to visit or join any church she wanted. (I have seen her baptized 3 times.) She wanted to grow up and be a preacher. (I think she is going to school to be a chemist.) We spent all of our time together. My mom was very open and understanding to my interest in these churches too. I have visited and been taught a lot of different churches/religions. I have always been intrigues but have never had the desire to be baptized into another church. I have always found it educational and sometimes spiritual. I once went to a Baptist revival where the preacher was sweating and bouncing around. I remember only being 10 but trying my hardest to listen for things that were the same as my church that I could be enlightened by. I chose not to go to the next revival. I also went to a big church (I think was nondenominational) and I had to walk out because I knew I didn't feel right. It was not a good feeling. I cried as I walked home because I didn't understand the feeling and I was scared.
I have spent years since just living the way I should. Learning and doing what is taught at church but never pursuing the history and the stories in the scriptures on a personal level.
I am doing that now. I have my manuals and pencils and am enjoying my study time. Let's be honest...there are things about the church that are not exactly focused on in church. Ex: the practice of polygamy and the priesthood for the blacks.
Have I been afraid to learn these things because I thought they would shake my faith? This is a question I have been asking myself for the last few days. My friend Jennie is really good at getting me to think about things outside the box and I think it was she that got me set on this recent quest for knowledge.
I was raised next door to a girl whose parents allowed her to visit or join any church she wanted. (I have seen her baptized 3 times.) She wanted to grow up and be a preacher. (I think she is going to school to be a chemist.) We spent all of our time together. My mom was very open and understanding to my interest in these churches too. I have visited and been taught a lot of different churches/religions. I have always been intrigues but have never had the desire to be baptized into another church. I have always found it educational and sometimes spiritual. I once went to a Baptist revival where the preacher was sweating and bouncing around. I remember only being 10 but trying my hardest to listen for things that were the same as my church that I could be enlightened by. I chose not to go to the next revival. I also went to a big church (I think was nondenominational) and I had to walk out because I knew I didn't feel right. It was not a good feeling. I cried as I walked home because I didn't understand the feeling and I was scared.
I have spent years since just living the way I should. Learning and doing what is taught at church but never pursuing the history and the stories in the scriptures on a personal level.
I am doing that now. I have my manuals and pencils and am enjoying my study time. Let's be honest...there are things about the church that are not exactly focused on in church. Ex: the practice of polygamy and the priesthood for the blacks.
Have I been afraid to learn these things because I thought they would shake my faith? This is a question I have been asking myself for the last few days. My friend Jennie is really good at getting me to think about things outside the box and I think it was she that got me set on this recent quest for knowledge.
Friday, January 11, 2013
Guess who's coming for dinner...Sister and Elder Risenmay (of the Seventy)
The Gospel is like an iceberg. Our laws and commandments are the tip. We are taught and commanded to live in a way that will allow for a deeper testimony to be revealed to us. With that comes more responsibility as well as the peace in truly knowing our divine potential and destination.
Brandon and I have a new "hobby". It is studying about and discussing church history. We have really enjoyed all that we are learning especially about the ancient church and the preparation of the world for the restoration on the earth.
In these discussions I suggested that we invite our the Risenmays over for dinner. They are in our ward and I have enjoyed the spirit of having them in our ward. We wanted to invite that spirit into our home as well as learn all about them.
They defiantly brought the spirit. We found it very refreshing to spend the evening talking religion other then other things of no value.
I felt I needed to blog because of something he said that I just can't let slip out of my mind.
As we ate, talked and picked their brains they began talking about family.
He has such a kind smile. He looked at each of us and then to his wife and said, "You have a wonderful spirit in your home. We feel it, but it is time to fine tune it." He said that we need to have FHE, Scripture study, and morning and night time prayers.
He is right. We do those things but not as consistently as we should. He said that the children will remember and cherish those times together as a family. As they grow and have their troubles they may cease having personal prayers and praying as a family may be the only prayers they get that day. As our kids grow up they will carry what we do over to their families. He talked about their 6 children and how much joy they have as they go to their houses and sit with their grandchildren as their kids carry on the traditions that they remember.
After they left I felt very blessed to have a servant of the Lord in my home. To have he and his wife compliment our home and our children. But most of all...I felt blessed that he told us to fine tune our interactions with the Lord.
I loved that he said, "As you kneel and pray morning and night you are inviting Him to be a part of your lives."
I know that I am a mere mortal, a natural man because of the fall of Adam. I know that through inviting Him into my days I can feel a peacefulness that is granted only by and through righteousness and diligence in keeping my covenants and enjoying till the end. I know that through my diligence, the Holy Ghost can manifest more and more of the iceberg to me. My prayers are now filled with gratitude as well as pleadings that I will know what he would have me do and teach in my little family so that my children will have a firm foundation at this young age. So that they will know where to turn in times of trials. So that we will all return to our Father together.
Brandon and I have a new "hobby". It is studying about and discussing church history. We have really enjoyed all that we are learning especially about the ancient church and the preparation of the world for the restoration on the earth.
In these discussions I suggested that we invite our the Risenmays over for dinner. They are in our ward and I have enjoyed the spirit of having them in our ward. We wanted to invite that spirit into our home as well as learn all about them.
They defiantly brought the spirit. We found it very refreshing to spend the evening talking religion other then other things of no value.
I felt I needed to blog because of something he said that I just can't let slip out of my mind.
As we ate, talked and picked their brains they began talking about family.
He has such a kind smile. He looked at each of us and then to his wife and said, "You have a wonderful spirit in your home. We feel it, but it is time to fine tune it." He said that we need to have FHE, Scripture study, and morning and night time prayers.
He is right. We do those things but not as consistently as we should. He said that the children will remember and cherish those times together as a family. As they grow and have their troubles they may cease having personal prayers and praying as a family may be the only prayers they get that day. As our kids grow up they will carry what we do over to their families. He talked about their 6 children and how much joy they have as they go to their houses and sit with their grandchildren as their kids carry on the traditions that they remember.
After they left I felt very blessed to have a servant of the Lord in my home. To have he and his wife compliment our home and our children. But most of all...I felt blessed that he told us to fine tune our interactions with the Lord.
I loved that he said, "As you kneel and pray morning and night you are inviting Him to be a part of your lives."
I know that I am a mere mortal, a natural man because of the fall of Adam. I know that through inviting Him into my days I can feel a peacefulness that is granted only by and through righteousness and diligence in keeping my covenants and enjoying till the end. I know that through my diligence, the Holy Ghost can manifest more and more of the iceberg to me. My prayers are now filled with gratitude as well as pleadings that I will know what he would have me do and teach in my little family so that my children will have a firm foundation at this young age. So that they will know where to turn in times of trials. So that we will all return to our Father together.
Sunday, January 6, 2013
just me again...
I don't have a whole lot of pics and even happenings to report on I just want to report. I find it very soothing to get my thoughts out...maybe so that they aren't in. Sad though that I have a lot of thoughts and happenings that I'm not ready to share. Not that I am keeping secrets or that there is anything big going on around here but just that I have jumbled hopes and resolutions for the year that are not yet clear enough to describe. Every year since I was small I remember making goal lists and resolutions. They have always been spiritual goals. This year came without my making these resolutions. I knew the year was ending but I never made the goals. On the 1st I asked Brandon what he wanted to do for resolutions. He, of course, said to work on our budget. Buy a van with cash, get 1yr food storage, and go on a trip. (he was thinking a trip to Disney Land but I was thinking a trip to VA to see my parents.) Now for a spiritual goal for myself...I am making a goal to prioritize. I am going to choose activities, media, friends etc that will be uplifting and positive for me and my family. I have closed my facebook account last month already and I have enjoyed the extra time it has freed up. (granted I didn't hear about my sister's baby being born a week ago till today because no one knows how to communicate except through facebook anymore.) Now time to make the changes. Not a lot to change, the hardest part is to fill the free time with positive things. So easy to sit on pinterest or netflix for hours at a time...
Thursday, January 3, 2013
A religous insight to "duty"
About a month ago Brandon and I were asked to go from teaching the 7-8 year olds in primary to teaching in he nursery (18months to 3 years). I honestly was sad but confused at the calling. I have always struggles with a new calling at first but with prayer and dedication I always grow to love the calling. I feared that they were letting me go because they didn't feel I was capable of teaching and that they just wanted to stick me in a corner that would just tuck me away. Brandon wasn't thrilled either. We decided to pray to receive comfort about our new calling. I did a lot. I received a peace in my heart as I prayed. I felt as though my Heavenly Father confirmed to me that he loves me and wouldn't place me somewhere just to "tuck" me away. I really felt that there are many callings that are harder to accept because the lack of prestige but He needs us because we are willing to work anywhere.
We were excited to learn that we would be able to go to Sunday School the second hour before heading to the nursery. In 2012 we studied the Book of Mormon. Before my first Sunday in there I started using "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon" which I bought for Brandon 2 years ago but he hasn't cracked. I have LOVED using it as a supplement of my study. I am actually writing all over the book which Brandon said was ok.
This morning I read Moroni 9:6. Let us labor Diligently... I have been so intrigued with this part of the book of Mormon. I realized that I LOVE the books of Ether and Moroni. As I have studied I feel that I have so much to say and ponder on the subjects but this is a topic I feel I can express in words.
Labor Diligently. Since the Election...(Obama won 2nd term) I have felt somewhat hopeless but yet called to action. Hopeless because Obama clearly wants to take away the freedoms that are clearly stated in the constitution...and hopeless because so many love him. Action...I need to be active in enduring in righteousness.
We have so many warnings of the last days. Wickedness and wars. Stiff neckedness and falling away.
In Moroni, 9 Mormon tells his son of the terrible wickedness going on but still exhorts him to be diligent and labor in his divinely appointed duty. This has me thinking...
What is my duty?
Do I have the strength to be diligent through trials?
Will I endure no matter how other respond to my efforts?
I know the answers to these questions. I know that through faith I will recieve the gifts of hope and charity. I will be blessed to know of assurity that I will do His will and return home again as one of his beloved daughters.
We were excited to learn that we would be able to go to Sunday School the second hour before heading to the nursery. In 2012 we studied the Book of Mormon. Before my first Sunday in there I started using "Doctrinal Commentary on the Book of Mormon" which I bought for Brandon 2 years ago but he hasn't cracked. I have LOVED using it as a supplement of my study. I am actually writing all over the book which Brandon said was ok.
This morning I read Moroni 9:6. Let us labor Diligently... I have been so intrigued with this part of the book of Mormon. I realized that I LOVE the books of Ether and Moroni. As I have studied I feel that I have so much to say and ponder on the subjects but this is a topic I feel I can express in words.
Labor Diligently. Since the Election...(Obama won 2nd term) I have felt somewhat hopeless but yet called to action. Hopeless because Obama clearly wants to take away the freedoms that are clearly stated in the constitution...and hopeless because so many love him. Action...I need to be active in enduring in righteousness.
We have so many warnings of the last days. Wickedness and wars. Stiff neckedness and falling away.
In Moroni, 9 Mormon tells his son of the terrible wickedness going on but still exhorts him to be diligent and labor in his divinely appointed duty. This has me thinking...
What is my duty?
Do I have the strength to be diligent through trials?
Will I endure no matter how other respond to my efforts?
I know the answers to these questions. I know that through faith I will recieve the gifts of hope and charity. I will be blessed to know of assurity that I will do His will and return home again as one of his beloved daughters.
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